Any Given Sin and Mascot Records have announced the band’s debut studio album, “War Within”, will be released globally on August 4th, 2023. Cumulative streams of repertoire featured on the album already exceed 5.5 million plays. To screen the music video for “Calm Before the Storm”, click here, while “Cold Bones” is here. The first reveal was “Still Sinking”, has been streamed more than 2 million times since its premiere in July, 2022. The video has been viewed over 118,000 times and can be screened here.
Produced by Chris Dawson, keyboards augment the verses with cinematic scope as guitars power up an undeniable chant, “I’m making no apologies”. “It’s a song about perseverance”, says the front man Victor Ritchie. “You’re standing up to whatever’s in front of you”. Guitarist Mike Conner adds: “You’re not just surviving a traumatic experience though – You’re also becoming stronger because of it”.
Inner struggle incites outward expression. Any Given Sin transfigure conflict into caustic and catchy hard rock punctuated by metallic intensity and alternative intimacy. The Maryland quartet — Victor Ritchie [vocals], Mike Conner [guitar], Rich Stevenson [bass], and Mike Showalter [drums] — encase these unrestrained emotions inside arena-size anthems with bold hooks and bludgeoning riffs. Amassing nearly 20 million streams to date, buzzing at radio, and building a devout fan base, the group perfect this pummeling and powerful style on their forthcoming Mascot Records debut.
On the title track, the guitars bludgeon in lockstep with a head-nodding groove. Ritchie’s arresting delivery echoes before the chorus issues a proclamation, “This is the war within”. “It’s a free speech song”, reveals Richie. “I’m brushing back on that culture a little bit, because everyone is afraid to talk right now”.
Representing the emotional apex of the record, “Cold Bones” leans on soft piano. These icy tones underscore a vulnerable, yet vital vocal performance just before the distortion kicks back in underneath the refrain. As a military vet often faced with the horrible news of duty’s permanent scars, Richie dug deep inside himself for the lyrics. “I wrote it by myself on the piano”, he recalls. “I was in the military for seven years, and I had a lot of friends unfortunately commit suicide. We lost too many of our buddies in Iraq and Afghanistan. This song is definitely about those people, but it could be for anyone who has lost a friend under similar circumstances”.
Ramping up the momentum, sirens herald the onset of the roaring “House on Fire”. With a one-two punch of raw riffing and walloping bass, the momentum bleeds into another chantable chorus. “It’s about the condition of the world”, notes Conner. “It’s just getting worse and worse. The fire’s growing bigger. Will we ever be able to put it out?”. “We’re all trapped in it”, agrees Richie.
“Dynamite” rounds out “War Within” as a fist-pumping staple, while the finale “Still Sinking” echoes with identifiable pain. Presenting a 360-degree vision, the album cover holds a special significance for the band as it pairs their respective star signs with a personal vice. “It essentially displays the Seven Deadly Sins”, Mike goes on. “We’re admitting to the sin we struggle with on the cover. It speaks to our band name as well”.
By sharing their trials, tribulations, and triumphs, Any Given Sin ultimately offer a communal catharsis for fans to partake in. “When you listen to us, we hope you feel like you’re not alone”, Ritchie leaves off. “No matter what you’re dealing with, the music shows is a reminder that someone hears you”. “A lot of it may sound dark and depressing, but there’s a positive message”, Conner concludes. “Keep going”.
Pre-order & pre-save “War Within” here.
Tracklist:
1. War Within
2. Calm Before the Storm
3. Another Life
4. Cold Bones
5. Follow You
6. Insidious
7. Ball And Chain
8. The Way I Say Goodbye
9. House on Fire
10. Dynamite
11. Still Sinking
Over the years, the band’s grind yielded major traction as they tirelessly wrote, recorded, and honed a signature sound. In 2021, “Another Life” generated north of 5.2 million Spotify streams followed by “Dynamite” with 4.5 million Spotify streams. “Dynamite” and “Insidious” both cracked the Top 40 at Active Rock radio in addition to catapulting to #1 on SiriusXM, overtaking the fan-powered “Big ‘Uns Countdown”. By sharing their trials, tribulations, and triumphs, Any Given Sin ultimately offer a communal catharsis for fans to partake in. “When you listen to us, we hope you feel like you’re not alone”, Ritchie leaves off. “No matter what you’re dealing with, the music shows is a reminder that someone hears you”. “A lot of it may sound dark and depressing, but there’s a positive message”, Conner concludes. “Keep going”.
Festivals 2023:
7/02 Thompson, CT – Capulet Fest at Thompson Speedway %
7/20 Menahga, MN – Mid Summer Music Fest #
% (w/ All That Remains and Anberlin)
# (w/ Pop Evil and Powerman 5000)
US Tour Dates 2023:
8/09 Cincinnati, OH – Madison Live
8/10 Columbus, OH – Rumba Café
8/12 Lakewood, OH – The Winchester Music Tavern
8/13 Millersville, PA – Phantom Power
8/15 Pittsburgh, PA – Craft House
8/16 Green Point, NY – Kingsland
8/17 Concord, NH – Bank of NH Stage
8/18 Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
8/19 Towson, MD – The Recher
8/20 Vienna, VA – Jammin Java
8/22 Winchester, VA – The Monument
8/23 Greensboro, NC – Hanger 1819
8/24 Spartansburg, SC – Ground Zero
8/25 Huntsville, AL – Rocket Republic
8/26 Johnson City, TN – Capones
(w/ Shallowside)
Weblinks:
www.anygivensinband.com
www.facebook.com/yoursinAGS
