Ukrainian modern metallers JINJER have reportedly canceled their previously announced U.S. shows in March and April, including their scheduled participation in the “Knotfest Roadshow”.

On Wednesday (March 2), The Factory venue in Chesterfield, Missouri, where JINJER was set to perform on March 13, released the following statement: “It is with great sadness that JINJER have been forced to cancel their upcoming US tour dates. As the band and their families reside in Kyiv, their focus is on the safety of their families and their country. We all hope for a quick and peaceful resolution.

“All refunds will be processed automatically within 30 days of cancelation.

“In light of these events and to do our part in supporting the overwhelming humanitarian effort that is underway in Ukraine, #TheFactorySTL is making a donation of $5,000 to the United Hatzalah.

“Our gift towards United Hatzalah’s Ukraine emergency response will ensure that those trapped in the war zone and refugees fleeing the Ukraine will be treated by a team of professional, caring volunteers who are well-stocked with emergency medical equipment and prepared for any eventuality.”

Meanwhile, JINJER bassist Eugene Abdukhanov has told BBC News that he has abandoned his day job to concentrate on the immediate humanitarian crisis. He is currently establishing a charity “to help the military, to help the civilians” and will soon join his friends in running a shelter providing “food supplies, water [and] protection” for people displaced by the conflict.

As for how the JINJER fans have reacted to the Ukraine invasion, Eugene said: “I received some texts from our Russian fans, apologizing and saying they’re definitely against this. I didn’t receive any angry texts from the Russian side, trying to justify this. Even though some people have this militaristic position, they’re ashamed enough not to mention this to me.”

Abdukhanov’s bandmate, JINJER frontwoman Tatiana Shmayluk, is currently staying in Southern California with her boyfriend, Alex Lopez of deathcore troupe SUICIDE SILENCE.

On February 24, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Putin made the announcement during a televised early morning speech, peddling accusations of Nazi elements within Ukraine to justify the attack on his western neighbor, a move that experts slammed as slanderous and false. (Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish and lost three family members in the Holocaust.)

The Russian leader called for Ukraine’s “demilitarization and denazification” and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”

Putin’s military aggression — which has been described by U.S. president Joe Biden as an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine — has resulted at least 136 civilian deaths so far, including 13 children, a United Nations agency said on Tuesday.

Ukraine’s health ministry previously said 352 civilians had been killed during the Russian attack as of Monday. The figure included 14 children, it said.

UPDATED:

?? In light of these events and to do our part in supporting the overwhelming humanitarian effort that is…

Posted by The Factory STL on Wednesday, March 2, 2022

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Lauren Monroe — singer, songwriter, and healing artist — will release her new single, “Kiss Me Now”, on March 18. The single’s arrival will be celebrated with select, intimate performances where Monroe will be joined by her husband and collaborator, Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer and DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen. At the shows, audience members will be able to view two special works of art created by the couple, which will be auctioned online to benefit Raven Drum Foundation. Founded by Allen and Monroe, Raven Drum Foundation’s mission is to serve, educate, and empower veterans dealing with PTSD and combat trauma, people in crisis, and other at-risk populations.

Upcoming shows:

March 21 – New York, NY @ The Loft at City Winery
March 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Lounge at World Cafe Live
March 24 – Washington, D.C. @ The Loft at City Winery

Produced by the legendary Jim Scott and featuring Steve Ferrone (drummer of TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS), “Kiss Me Now” is Monroe’s first release of 2022 and follows her second solo album, 2021’s “Under The Wolf Moon”. Bassist Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt), guitarist and back-up vocalist Brian Whelan (Jim Lauderdale, Chris Shiftlett, Dwight Yoakam), keyboardist John Ginty (THE DIXIE CHICKS, THE ALLMAN BETTS BAND, CITIZEN COPE), and pedal steel guitarist Doug Pettibone (John Mayer, Tracy Chapman, Norah Jones) also appear on the track. Scott describes “Kiss Me Now” as “California country,” and Monroe explains it as “a reminder of the impermanence of life — a reminder to be grateful for who we have and the journey we have taken with loved ones.” She continues, “It’s about being happy and free, having fun but remembering it all ends one day. The pandemic challenged our ability to celebrate just being with people, and this song reminds us to celebrate the moments we do spend together.”

The single’s release and the subsequent performances coincide with National Complementary Therapy Week, March 20 – 27, in Allen’s native U.K. and throughout the United States. Through performance, storytelling, and art, Monroe and Allen create an intimate experience for their audiences, showing them how music can impact healing and growth. The shows dovetail with the mission of Raven Drum Foundation, which promotes wellness through complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) like music and drumming.

Raven Drum Foundation will be partnering with local veteran service organizations in each city to nominate area veterans to attend the shows free of charge. Supporters will have the option to purchase a seat for a veteran by visiting sponsoravet.givesmart.com and Raven Drum will fill the donated seat. In addition, two very special pieces of Allen and Monroe’s collaborative, mixed media art works — one of which was the basis for the “Kiss Me Now” cover art — will be on display at the shows and available online via a silent auction. Proceeds will directly benefit Raven Drum’s upcoming grant cycle and the Veterans Multi Service Center in Philadelphia, in partnership with “The John DeBella Show” on 102.9 WMGK-FM.

The foundation has already aided more than 20,000 veterans and 25,000 total people as they’ve explored and expanded on 15 methods of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for healing trauma, published more than 400 educational and healing articles and resources, provided 22 retreats and workshops for Veterans, and enabled and funded 15 other nonprofits to work with veterans. On Veterans Day 2021, they launched an online auction called 12 Drummers Drumming, working in conjunction with a collection of music’s most influential drummers. The group supported the effort by participating in multiple podcasts, donating signed items and personal Zoom calls, and a follow-up Zoom with donors. Participants included: Joey Kramer (AEROSMITH), Shannon Larkin (GODSMACK), Chad Smith (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), Sheila E., Cindy Blackman Santana, Zac Hanson, Duane Trucks (WIDESPREAD PANIC), Steve Smith (JOURNEY), Todd Sucherman (STYX), Danny Seraphine (CHICAGO), Brad Wilk (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), Matt Sorum (GUNS N ROSES, THE CULT, VELVET REVOLVER), Kenny Aronoff, Jim Keltner, Ringo Starr (THE BEATLES), John Lum (ALLMAN BETTS BAND), Jason Bonham, Gina Schock (THE GO-GO’S), and Carter Beauford (DAVE MATTHEWS BAND). Current donors to the foundation have the opportunity to win a signed drum from Ringo Starr or Joey Kramer, a guitar signed by Bret Michaels of POISON, and Rick Allen memorabilia. No purchase necessary to win.

Music and healing have always been a focal point in Monroe’s life. Their influence has naturally carried into her songwriting, her support of Raven Drum Foundation, and her work helping people and communities in crisis. Monroe says, “To me, music is a heart-based experience. Through music, I lead people to more deeply connect to themselves and others. It’s not just about listening. It’s about feeling and connecting.”

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Fusion metal pioneers DUB WAR have released their brand new rousing single “Blackkk Man”, the first single off of their first album of all-new material in over 25 years, “Westgate Under Fire”. Watch the new lyric video here.

The track packs a punch with jagged guitar, furious rhythms and tough vocals from founder and frontman Benji Webbe (who many will also recognize as the mighty SKINDRED’s lead singer). Released in the midst of the celebration of Black History Month in the U.S., “Blackkk Man” is a furious revolt against racism and a bleak reflection of crucial events from this decade in particular, including the murder of George Floyd.

Says Webbe: “This song is exactly how I was feeling at the time of Mr. Floyd’s murder. This is a cry from my heart for equal rights and justice — and the other boys in the band feel the same as I do. No one chooses the skin they’re in. Should the skin you’re in help you to win? It’s a question we all need to think about. This racist injustice has been going on way too long and, unfortunately, even with all the cries and the pain, it still continues.”

The accompanying lyric video, compiled and edited by Aran Webster, serves to drive the critical message contained in the lyricism of “Blackkk Man” further, putting society’s outrageous double standards in plain sight via news footage and articles.

A thought-provoking statement song, “Blackkk Man” and the album it resides on launches DUB WAR back into the industry as the band who turned heads with their groundbreaking genre-bending once more. Alongside this potent punk rock-laced track, “Westgate Under Fire” offers up dance infused metal, ragga-punk and sinister metal with exotic beats.

A band born and raised in Newport, “Westgate Under Fire” shines a light on a crucial event in their hometown’s history, the Newport Uprising. An event which would play a role in transforming democracy in Britain and the world, the uprising in 1839 saw thousands from the Chartist movement march through south Wales, seeking social reform, including the right for men of all classes to vote. The marches ended in a bloody battle at the Westgate Hotel, which saw many of the Chartists dead or wounded. “Westgate Under Fire” aims to embody the empowerment that Chartists took upon themselves and coincides with the local community resurrecting the derelict Westgate Hotel into an exciting new venue.

“Westgate Under Fire” will be released on August 5 via Earache Records. It is available for pre-order worldwide on signed, limited-edition colored vinyl, black vinyl, signed CD and limited cassette.

Webbe says: “Although I’m in SKINDRED, DUB WAR has always been very dear to my heart. The pandemic and lockdown gave me a lot of time to write with [original members] Richie [Glover, bass] and Jeff [Rose, guitar]. We played a few reunion shows before COVID hit, and the shows felt so good, so we began to write some new DUB WAR songs.”

While fellow Newport resident and good friend Mikee “Krupa” Gregory took to the skins for many of the album’s tracks, “Westgate Under Fire” sees six different drummers offer their rhythm-keeping for the album.

“Adding six different drummers from around the world was a very exciting prospect for us,” enthuses Benji. “Each drummer was a friend and a fan of DUB WAR who brought their own unique blend, and has made this album probably the most entertaining to date, with each track taking you on a sonic journey.”

The scenes from which these drummers and the album’s other guest musicians come from are as far-reaching as DUB WAR’s sound, with the album welcoming STONE SOUR’s Roy Mayorga, FAITH NO MORE’s Mike Bordin, SNOT’s Mikey Doling and Jamie Miller, IN FLAMES’ Tanner Wayne, ILL NIÑO’s Dave Chavarri, KILLING JOKE’s Spike T Smith, alongside ska legend Ranking Roger. “Westgate Under Fire” also features a host of good friends behind the mixing desk: Richard “Action” Jackson (who produced the majority of the album), the late Grammy-nominated Rick Will (“Rick was an amazing vibe master,” says Benji), Lord Hagos (SENSER, LODESTAR) and Bryan “Chuck” New.

“The album was written over lockdown in 2020 and recorded at each of the bandmembers’ home studios,” says Benji. “What made it special was having Richard ‘Action’ Jackson mixing it.

“As difficult as the period was in which we recorded the album, we still kept the vibes rocking and the energy on each track bouncing. It’s definitely been a party of bridge building, love and helping each other keep sane in such a harsh time for musicians and performers.”

“Westgate Under Fire” track listing:

01. Blackkk Man
02. War Inna Babylon
03. Vibes In The Place
04. Art Of War
05. Reveal It
06. Mary Shelley
07. Bite Back
08. Coffin Lid
09. Crying Clowns
10. Get Back Up
11. Fun Done
12. Stay Together
13. Celtic Cross

DUB WAR is:

* Benjii Webbe (vocalist / frontman)
* Richie Glover (bassist)
* Jeff Rose (guitarist)

Guest musicians:

* Mikee “Krupa” Gregory (drummer)
* Spike T Smith (guest drummer, “Art Of War”)
* Mike Bordin (guest drummer, “Get Back Up”)
* Roy Mayorga (guest drummer, “Reveal It”)
* Tanner Wayne (guest drummer, “Celtic Cross”)
* Ranking Roger (guest vocalist, “War Inna Babylon”)
* Dave Chavarri (guest drummer, “Bite Back”)
* Jamie Miller (guest drummer, “Crying Clowns”)
* Mikey Doling (guest guitarist, “Crying Clowns”)

Photo credit: Ania Shrimpton

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