Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records have signed HIPPIE DEATH CULT, the Portland, Oregon heavy rock power trio whose blend of massive riffs, deep grooves and psychedelic texture has made them one of the more compelling names to come out of the modern underground.
"We are beyond excited to announce our signing with Blacklight Media and Metal Blade Records, a label that has been a pillar of the metal community for decades and has always championed artistic integrity over trend-chasing, which is something we resonate with deeply," the band said. "We are honored to be part of their esteemed lineage. Our journey has always been fueled by passion, creativity, and authenticity and we feel right at home working with a team who understands and shares these values. We can't wait to unleash some of our most visceral music to date via one of the most respected labels in heavy metal history. Fires are burning and wheels are turning."
The trio — guitarist Eddie Brnabic, vocalist/bassist Laura Phillips and drummer Harry Silvers — built its reputation on records released through Cursed Tongue and Heavy Psych Sounds. The 2019 debut 111 and its 2021 follow-up Circle Of Days both topped the Doom Charts and landed on a string of year-end lists.
The turning point came when the band pared down to a power trio and Phillips stepped up to lead vocals, a shift that came fully into focus on 2023's Helichrysum — their first full-length with her out front, and their most successful release to date in streams and sales. Critics singled out the sharper songwriting and wider dynamic range; the band backed it with more than 250 shows across North America and Europe, including festival stages and headline runs.
A new full-length is expected in 2027.
"After months of dedicated work behind the scenes, transforming our garage into a creative sanctuary and crafting a new album, we're pumped to finally hit the road again this Summer and Fall," the band said of the touring plans. "This tour is all about reconnecting with our incredible fans across the States and Europe, welcoming new recruits, jamming on some classics, and giving everyone in attendance a chance to be among the first to experience some new material before it hits the streets."
The U.S. leg runs August 14 through September 12, with support slots alongside EARTH TONGUE, THE WELL and THE OBSESSED between headline dates. Europe and the U.K. follow from September 30 to November 1, taking in Up In Smoke in Pratteln, HPS Fest in Berlin and Dresden, Desertfest Liege and Høstsabbat in Oslo.
HIPPIE DEATH CULT — U.S. tour dates:
- 08/14 — Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR w/ ABRONIA **
- 08/20 — Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA w/ EARTH TONGUE **
- 08/21 — Silver Moon Brewing, Bend, OR w/ EARTH TONGUE **
- 08/22 — The Dip, Redding, CA w/ EARTH TONGUE **
- 08/23 — Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco, CA w/ EARTH TONGUE **
- 08/24 — Zebulon, Los Angeles, CA w/ EARTH TONGUE **
- 08/25 — Hotel Congress, Tucson, AZ w/ EARTH TONGUE **
- 08/26 — Whiskey Creek Zocalo, Arenas Valley, NM **
- 08/27 — Copeka Coffee, Grand Junction, CO **
- 08/28 — Green Mountain Ranch, Pine, CO **
- 08/29 — What's Left Records, Colorado Springs, CO **
- 08/31 — The Sinkhole, St. Louis, MO **
- 09/01 — Raccoon Motel, Davenport, IA **
- 09/02 — X-Ray Arcade, Cudahy, WI **
- 09/03 — Black Circle Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN w/ THE WELL
- 09/04 — Frankie's, Toledo, OH w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/05 — Reggie's Music Joint, Chicago, IL w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/06 — James Ballentine Uptown VFW Post 246, Minneapolis, MN w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/08 — Reverb, Omaha, NE w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/09 — Hi-Dive, Denver, CO w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/10 — The DLC, Salt Lake City, UT w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/11 — The Shredder, Boise, ID w/ THE OBSESSED
- 09/12 — The Chainsaw Cat, Yakima, WA **
** HIPPIE DEATH CULT headlining date
EU/UK tour dates:
- 09/30 — Scumm, Pescara, IT
- 10/01 — Freakout, Bologna, IT
- 10/02 — MKNŽ, Ilirska Bistrica, SI
- 10/03 — Kino, Ebensee, AT
- 10/04 — Up In Smoke, Pratteln, CH
- 10/05 — Brin De Zinc, Chambéry, FR
- 10/06 — Le Molotov, Marseille, FR
- 10/07 — Trinità Live Club, Genoa, IT
- 10/08 — Hostaria, Castel D'Ario, IT
- 10/09 — Kuckucksnest, Berchtesgaden, DE
- 10/10 — Kulturfabrik, Kufstein, AT
- 10/11 — Camäleon, Vaduz, LI
- 10/13 — Conne Island, Leipzig, DE
- 10/14 — Sunny Red, Munich, DE
- 10/16 — HPS Fest, Berlin, DE
- 10/17 — HPS Fest, Dresden, DE
- 10/18 — Desertfest, Liege, BE
- 10/19 — 1001 Bières, Reims, FR
- 10/21 — TBC, Copenhagen, DK
- 10/22 — Geronimo's, Stockholm, SE
- 10/23 — Høstsabbat Fest, Oslo, NO
- 10/24 — Kulturscenen, Esbjerg, DK
- 10/27 — Mist Rolling Inn, Nottingham, UK
- 10/28 — Parish, Huddersfield, UK
- 10/29 — Voodoo Daddy's Showroom, Norwich, UK
- 10/30 — Blondies, London, UK
- 10/31 — Moor Beer, Bristol, UK
- 11/01 — Saturnalia Records, Faversham, UK
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