Atlas 2019

San Diego-based deathgrind masters CATTLE DECAPITATION release their new album, titled "Death Atlas", on November 29 via Metal Blade Records. The members of CATTLE DECAPITATION have never shied away from confronting the awfulness wrought upon the natural world by the human race, and "Death Atlas" is their bleakest offering to date. The cover art says it all: a stooped, skeletal Grim Reaper carrying the burnt-out husk of our planet on his back. "The core concept of this record is humanity's insignificance despite what we've convinced ourselves," explains vocalist Travis Ryan. "That's kind of why this album cover takes place in space, to remind you that 'the universe always finds a way to purge'. In the grand scheme of things, our species is merely a fleeting thought." This imagery is backed up with a ferocious soundtrack, which includes elements of death metal, grindcore, black metal, sludge, doom, drone — with Ryan's vocals broader and more fully realized than ever before.

Whirlwind is elated to announce the signing of internationally-acclaimed artist Natacha Atlas and her October 4th release Strange Days. Heralded as one of the world’s most distinctive voices, she’s carved a path synthesising western and middle eastern vocal traditions with mind-blowing dexterity. Natacha’s latest work sees her push vocal and musical boundaries even further by effortlessly weaving jazz traditions into her already unique blend.

In her first major recording as leader, keyboardist and composer Rebecca Nash's presents her Atlas group on 'Peaceful King', which interlaces a panoply of strands - rock, drum-and-bass, '70s fusion, soul-jazz and electronica, alongside singer-songwriter influences - into a widening landscape of beauty of wonder. The regular line-up of longtime associates Nick Malcolm (trumpet) and Matt Fisher (drums) plus Thomas Seminar Ford (electric guitar) and Chris Mapp (electric bass, electronics) is augmented here on three numbers by the rich, intuitive vocals of Sara Colman. The exciting cross-pollination of music, especially discernible around the sphere of contemporary instrumental and vocal jazz, has become a strong, progressive feature of today's fresh, creative outputs.