This week will mainly be focusing on several major departures from the above groups and also looking at some tour news.
Booka Nile Exists Make Them Suffer [TW: Sexual Assault]
Since joining the Australian unit in 2017, Booka Nile has become a well known name across the scene. Originally making her debut on the single “Fireworks“, Nile went on to perform on full-lengths Worlds Apart and How to Survive a Funeral, mostly recently taking a lead role on single “Contrabrand” which featured Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante. The keyboardist and backing vocalist shot to fame with her appearance on Australia’s reality TV show Married At First Sight. However with new material on the horizon from the group, Booka Nile has made an exit from the group amidst claims of sexual assault in 2019, which can be seen here. On February 24th Make Them Suffer released the following statment:
Booka Nile has since commented saying a full statement will be coming in the following weeks.
CJ and Rhys Depart Dream State
Dream State have announced the departure of vocalist CJ Gilpin and guitarist Rhys Wilcox, leaving guitarist Aled Evans as the only original member. Since the release of their full-length in 2019, Primose Path, it has been a turbulent few years for the group. With drummer Jamie Lee leaving the group in 2020 alongside their most recent release, “Monsters“, this being the final release to feature the now departing members. Dream State were originally set to appear as support on this year’s upcoming I Prevail tour, which was originally set to begin in February, with the tour now being cancelled. CJ released the following statement:
Having experienced a psychotic breaking both last November and November the year before that, I have made the decision to shut the door on singing & writing for Sream State to begin a new chapter of my life. I have been so humbled by the support that has appeared out of the woodwork to aid me to better health, and I look forward to embarking on new adventures and working towards securing a better sense of self.
I send heaps of gratitude to my Dream State family for all the love you have shown over the years, and I wish my team the best of luck for the future. Thank you to my team for all the kindness and patience.
I’ll miss you. I send you all my love always. 💚
Both departing members are well regarded and we wish them all the best on their next ventures.
Trio Leave The Last 10 Seconds of Life
In what has been just over a month since releasing their self-titled album, The Last Ten Seconds of Life have seen their vocalist, bassist and drummer all depart the band. John Robert C, Mike Menocker and Steven Sanchez all posted statements on their personal Facebooks with the announcements, leaving Wyatt McLaughlin as the sole member. Vocalist John Robert C said the following:
After years of debate, I’ve voluntarily stepped down from The Last Ten Seconds of Life, I will not be making a detailed statement. With that said, I’m officially a free agent again. I’ll see you all soon. This isnt the end of #HateChurch – only the beginning.
With this announcement coming in the past few hours there are little details outside of the initial statements.
Spiritbox UK Headliner Confirmed
Set to take place on June 13th at the 02 Academy in Angel, Islington, Spiritbox will perform their first headliner show in the UK. After originally set to perform in the nation’s capital in March of 2020 at Camden’s Underworld alongside Make Them Suffer and After The Burial, the blue chip prospect will make their UK headline debut this summer. This will follow on from Spiritbox performing at Download Festival days before, with a stop off in London before they return to Canada.
With the pre-sale and general sale selling out within seconds, the tickets quickly became the hottest in town. With no plans to upgrade the venue, the resale market for these tickets will be an active one. For fans who have missed out on this one-off show, it is expected for the quarter to return to UK and Europe in the closing months of 2022 as a supporting act on a tour.
The Acacia Strain Guitarist Bows Out
Tom Smith of The Acacia Strain will leave the band after a string of shows in March. Originally joining in 2016, the guitarist will be focusing on his personal guitarist project “T.W. smith Guitars” and a new music project. His statement said the following:
Hey everyone. It’s weird to be posting this, but I am here to announce that the upcoming shows in March will be my last with The Acacia Strain. There is no bad blood and this decision was completely my own. It’s time for me to take some time to finally focus on myself and care for my mental health/overall well being.
This is by no means a goodbye to music or to the industry. I don’t know what the future holds for me but I’m open to possibilities in and out of music. I’m focusing on living in the present and doing what I need to for my day to day happiness right now. You’ll see me becoming more active with @twsmithguitars and you’ll see me releasing music on my own in the near future.
Smith’s final three shows will take place in Worcester (MA), Amityville (NY) and Albany (NY).
Scary Kids Scaring Kids Announce Their First Album In 15 Years
Classic post-hardcore band Scary Kids Scaring Kids last released music in 2007 with their eponymous album, the untimely passing of vocalist Tyson Stevens in 2014 no doubt instrumental in this long hiatus. The band, however, has finally decided to continue releasing music, returning with new single “Knock It All Down“, featuring Lil Lotus of If I Die First. Respecting Stevens’ legacy, the band are moving forward without a formal replacement, with each song on the forthcoming record, entitled Out Of Light and set for release on May 27th, featuring a different vocalist from the core-adjacent scene. Some choice names are Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Noah Sebastian of Bad Omens, Cove Reber, Donovan Melero, Jesse Cash, and Michael Swank. It is a very tasteful approach to continuing the band’s legacy, and will definitely be a release to watch out for.
Tracklist:
1. Nightmare (feat. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)
2. The Dark (feat. Noah Sebastian of Bad Omens)
3. To the Unknown (feat. Vaines)
4. Until You Come Back (feat. Matt MacDonald of The Classic Crime)
5. Knock it all Down (feat. LiL Lotus) 6. New Morning (feat. Cove Reber of Saosin)
7. Omens (feat. Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath) 8. Black Hole (feat. Donovan Melero of Hail The Sun)
9. I Wanna Know (feat. Jesse Cash of Erra)
10. Escape from My Reality (feat. MOD SUN)
11. Endlessly Yours (feat. Tyler Posey & phem)
12. For Atlas (feat. Michael Swank of Foxera)