Ballou News

Gatecreeper is leading a new wave of American death metal. Their sprawling third full-length, Dark Superstition, and label debut for Nuclear Blast, has just been released. It’s more concise, melodic, and memorable than anything they’ve ever done. The album shapeshifts from one brutal soundscape to the next as each sonic structure rouses its own emotion and landscape. Listen to the album now!

The album's darkly captivating second single 'Velvet Black' arrives with a music video directed by John Bradburn.  Umbra Vitae vocalist/lyricst Jacob Bannon comments, 'Lyrically this song is about pressure and how it forces actions that aren't in line with who we want to be. It breaks and changes people; making monsters and the meek. These cycles of dysfunction indiscriminately harm everything around us.' Watch the video here!

The Hope Conspiracy will release their long-awaited new full-length album, Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception on May 31st. Ahead of its release, the group has shared the record's dystopian, hook-laden second single, 'The West Is Dead.' Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception is an ominous soundtrack to the steady decline of our modern age. Watch the music video for the single here!

Gatecreeper has released their searing new single Masterpiece of Chaos, which evokes their tried and true, singular death metal style. Vocalist Chase Mason tells, “Masterpiece of Chaos is a nightmarish vision of a broken mirror with an ominous creature that lives within the fragmented web of glass. It sonically contrasts and compliments the more melodic approach we took to some of the other songs.' Listen to the song here!

Umbra Vitae, the powerhouse which features Jacob Bannon (Converge), Sean Martin (Twitching Tongues, ex-Hatebreed), Mike McKenzie (The Red Chord), Jon Rice (Uncle Acid, Tsjuder) and Greg Weeks (The Red Chord) have announced their sophomore album, Light Of Death. 

GATECREEPER gears up for a new tour with UNDEATH and FINAL GASP. Anticipate the release of their new album DARK SUPERSTITION on May 17 via Nuclear Blast. Undeath, Jarhead Fertilizer and Final Gasp will support each night. The run follows their extensive North American support tour with In Flames this Spring.

Discover the latest album by THE HOPE CONSPIRACY, 'Tools of Oppression / Rule by Deception', featuring the first single 'Those Who Gave Us Yesterday'. Stay tuned for more music updates.

The week of August 28, 1953, riding high on the charts, acclaimed pianist and singer Nat King Cole took to the stage at the Blue Note Chicago, Chi-town's first integrated venue in his beloved Bronzeville neighborhood. Nearly five years had passed since Cole's last appearance at the club. Upon returning to the city.

Modern Life Is War has released their new album 'Tribulation Worksongs'. This release combines all 7'EPs with 'End Times Dub', a dub version of 'Feels Like End Times', reimagined by Urian Hackney (Rough Francis, Iggy Pop, The Armed, etc). The packaging of the release is a combination of visual work from Jeffrey Eaton, Thomas Hooper, and J. Bannon.

After nearly 14 years, The Hope Conspiracy have emerged from their bunker to a reality entangled by this unwavering truth. Since their last release (True Nihilist [2009]), members of The Hope Conspiracy have been active in a multitude of bands: All Pigs Must Die, Hesitation Wounds, Lies, Paint It Black, Spiral Heads, Ways Away and more.

Don't miss the Off Broadway debut of LESLIE EPSTEIN'S - KING OF THE JEWS at HERE Arts Center. The controversial adaptation of Epstein's novel is set in Poland, 1939, and follows a group of Jews forced to govern their own lives during the German occupation.

Jay Armstrong Johnson welcomes a new cast of characters for this year’s Halloween concert-meets-dance-part I Put a Spell on You: The Witches ERA. The show returns to New York City’s Sony Hall on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 8 pm. The concert will also be available to stream on Broadway on Demand.

Jay Armstrong Johnson welcomes a new cast of characters for this year’s Halloween concert-meets-dance-part I Put a Spell on You: The Witches ERA. Learn more about this upcoming concert performance and find out how to get tickets here!

 Northern Stage has announced casting for a newly reimagined production of the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, with performances this holiday season from November 21 to December 31, 2023 in the Byrne Theater at the Barrette Center for the Arts. Learn more about who is starring in the show here!

Discover the Off-Broadway debut of 'KING OF THE JEWS,' a compelling stage adaptation of Leslie Epstein's controversial novel. Immerse yourself in this thought-provoking production that confronts themes of identity, religion, and power. Don't miss your chance to experience this powerful theatrical event.

An all new video has been released featuring the Emcees of London’s Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club celebrating John Kander and Joel Grey’s Tony Lifetime Achievement Awards!

Joel Grey and John Kander will each receive the 2023 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

Wall of Grass, the interactive folk-music collective featuring musicians from across New England, are raising funds for music therapy at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The group will hold a benefit concert at Club Passim in Harvard Square on Saturday, March 18 at 1:00 PM.

​​​​​​​Woodwindist, composer and creative musician Josh Sinton caps off an extraordinarily productive and busy year with a 10-city tour, Thursday, December 1 – Sunday, December 18. Performances include stops in New York City; Baltimore, MD; Cary, NC; Richmond, VA; Knoxville, TN; Athens, GA; Pittsburgh, PA; Bloomington, IN; Kansas City, MO; and Chicago, IL.

A perennial favorite during the holidays, NAT KING COLE’s classic, festive songs have been a staple for wintry households for generations. Capitol/UMe has unveiled visualizers for two of his most beloved songs “Caroling, Caroling” and “O Tannenbaum” to launch us into the joyous season. Watch the new videos now!