French artist Lucie Sue is set to release a new single “HUSH” on the 20th March 2025. The track is the perfect showcase for Lucie Sue – driving riffs overlaid with powerful infectious vocals. Lyrically the track is unique for the forthcoming album as it mixes English and German.
"HUSH" is the chaotic struggle of a single mother on the verge of a nervous breakdown, facing the indomitable rebellion of her children. With a quirky tone, Lucie Sue reveals her fight to be heard. A quest for which no one really has the codes. Least of all her. Because in the family ring, rules don't exist and give way to instinct. As a side note, Lucie Sue's two children have dual Franco-German nationality. To try to gain respect, she sometimes tries to have more presence by reusing the few Germanic words their father used to say to them with authority. With absolutely NO credibility coming from Lucie Sue's mouth, these "shock" phrases have become a kind of private joke.
HUSH is meant to be taken with a pinch of salt. I've never been a perfect mother. I reject the idea of "parental sacrifice" or "compromise," which unnecessarily creates guilt. I've always prioritized autonomy: My kids know how to cook, get around, organize themselves and this upbringing has forged a strong character in them. There are sometimes clashes, they don't always obey me and we don't always agree. But in the end, it often leads to right choices." – Lucie Sue
The music video was directed by Antoine Doyen, in an abandoned 1970s hotel that has remained in its original state. It features 2 children who sow chaos and make their mother's life hell...
Emo rock revivalists THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT — Lee Jennings (Vocals), Cody Weissinger (Guitar), Caleb Freihaut (Guitar/Auxiliary), Robert Weston (Bass), and Homer Umbanhowar (Drums)—today (March 21) have unveiled the strikingly cinematic video for “Holy Water.” Watch THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT with Ivan Moody, lead singer of Five Finger Death Punch, in the video HERE and listen to the song HERE.
“Holy Water” features Moody’s powerful and distinctively rugged guest vocals and is taken from the deluxe edition of THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT’s critically acclaimed second album GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY, out June 13via Better Noise Music. “Holy Water” debuted at #21 on Billboard’s “Mainstream Rock Tracks” chart at #21 and is now positioned at #14.
“Holy Water” is brought to life in a gothic-style video directed by Michael Lombardi of Better Noise Films, an affiliate of Better Noise Music. The video’s narrative outlines the origin of how singer Lee Jennings got his power to ignite the souls of fans around the world. “We filmed Ivan Moody deep in the desert of Prescott, Arizona on top of a thousand-foot canyon,” says Lombardi. “We then had to shoot THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT on a day off between shows in Philadelphia and New York City. This created a challenge in finding the epic gothic-style church location I needed. After scouting several locations, I ended up finding a phenomenal old and abandoned church in the Poconos in Pennsylvania.”
“Filming the ‘Holy Water’ music video was an absolutely insane experience,” declares singer Lee Jennings. “The production was on another level—every detail, every shot, just completely unreal. Michael Lombardi brought a vision to this that was bigger than we ever imagined, turning it into a full-on cinematic experience. And having Ivan Moody be a part of it? That was next level. His energy and presence took everything to a whole new dimension. We can’t wait for everyone to see what we created—it’s dark, intense, and something truly special.”
Pre-orders for the digital, CD and vinyl copies of the deluxe edition of GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY are available here. The digital deluxe collection will include 24 songs, including “Holy Water” feat. Ivan Moody, songs from the CASSANOVA EP and the FROM BEYOND THE ABYSS EP, as well as the recently released version of “Hearse for Two” feat. Lilith Czar and three brand new songs, “Skinny Lies,” “Evergreen,” and “Lost Boy.” The vinyl and CD two-disc deluxe packages feature 21 tracks, one of which is exclusive to the physical formats (“Friends Like These”).
“‘Holy Water’ has always been one of the most personal and cathartic songs I’ve ever written,” explains THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT’s Lee Jennings. “It’s about confronting your darkest moments and finding the strength to cleanse yourself of the weight they carry. Seeing the connection it’s made with fans, especially during our live shows, has been beyond powerful—watching the crowd scream the lyrics back at us is proof that music really can heal. Having Ivan Moody join us on this track took it to another level. His energy, passion, and personal story made him the perfect voice to help tell this chapter, and we couldn’t be more honored to have him be part of it.”
“Before our tour together, I wasn’t too familiar with The Funeral Portrait’s music, so I didn’t know what to expect,” says Ivan Moody. “But after watching them night after night, seeing how they commanded the stage and connected with the crowd, I was absolutely hooked. The passion, intensity, and raw emotion they bring to their performances make them one of the most exciting new bands out there. And Lee’s voice? Absolutely incredible—one of my favorite new singers! We had talked about collaborating before the tour, but the timing never worked out. Then, while speeding down the highway, I heard ‘Holy Water’ on the radio and couldn’t help but sing along. What an amazing track! It immediately brought back the idea of working together, so I hit up Lee about the possibility of me redoing the song with them. Luckily, he was all in—and here we are….the rest is history."
“Holy Water” was described by MetalPlanetMusic.com in a September 8, 2024 review as “a full-on arena anthem sound that hits straight between the ears. The beat is hard and uncompromising, with the dual guitar riffs forcing the emotion down your throat. The choral harmony during the bridge gives the track a ‘it’s our song, and we’re going to do what the fuck we want to’ vibe. It’s a real monster of a track.”
GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY, released September 13, 2024 via Better Noise Music, consists of 14 tracks of theatrical, dramatic, unapologetic, full-throated flair with guest appearances from Bert McCracken of The Used, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Danny Worsnop of Asking Alexandria, and Amanda Lyberg of Eva Under Fire. Get a copy of GREETINGS FROM SUFFOCATE CITY on CD or digital download now athttps://thefuneralportrait.ffm.to/gfsc.
In touring news, THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT has been bringing their message to the masses with an aggressive touring plan that continues throughout 2025. The band recently wrapped up a nationwide trek with Catch Your Breath & Archers, and they’ll soon head out for a handful of shows with Underoath (April 14-16). Next comes a new tour with Ice Nine Kills starting April 30, as well as appearances as part of the Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach, CA on July 26 and 27, and the Louder Than Life, Rocklahoma, Welcome To Rockville, and Rock Fest summer festivals.
The sprawling story of Calva Louise, the band that found each other from opposite corners of the world - whose combined influences and experiences created a myriad of captivating threads entwined into their existence. Metal, punk, electronica and art rock weave through grandiose narratives and cinematic storytelling with a mind-blowing visual delivery - Welcome to the Calva Louise Universe and the release of their new studio album, Edge of the Abyss, which is co-produced by Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen and will be released on 11 July via Mascot Records. They have revealed the video for their new single, Aimless, to celebrate the announcement.
Aimless is a reflective catharsis of human communication. Sometimes, it feels like we communicate in monologues where it feels impossible for someone to understand our point of view while simultaneously asking oneself: Do we act the same way towards others? "The song deals with the fragility of our beliefs but at the same time with the importance of knowing our true essence and standing up for it," Jess Allanic says.
They are currently on tour with Bloodywood. Check out the remaining dates HERE.
You can trace the Calva Louise project—the 'origin' story, if you will— back to ten-year-old Jess Allanic, drawing in her home in Guarenas, on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela. There, the genesis of the idea for her story about a hidden world intertwined with our world, began.
'The Edge of the Abyss' sees characters travelling between different dimensions, with people who mysteriously resemble doubles of each of us, like shadows that seem to stalk us but who, in reality, seek to communicate. Who are these beings? What do they want from us? How can we reach them?
The incredible cinematic sci-fi videos for the album singles show different times and worlds where some characters have encounters with their 'doubles'. W.T.F is the prequel of the previous singles: La Corriente and Under The Skin - all VFX and directed by Jess.
Growing up during Venezuela's most disastrous economic and social crisis, the alternative scene was disappearing. She dreamt of living in the UK. Just before her 16th birthday, she made the courageous decision to move more than 7,500km from Caracas to Rouen in France - because it was close to the UK. She was to live in a convent, where she would be told off by nuns for playing guitar along to System of a Down in her bedroom.
Next door was a 1600s "Hogwarts" like school, where she met Alizon Taho. "I was focused on being in a band, and that's exactly when Jess arrived in my class", Alizon says.
They would travel to the UK to play shows with limited English and without knowing anyone. They took every experience presented to them - and the consequences that came with them. They took on jobs, stayed in garages, on sofas, and with "friends of friends". Robbed, scammed and taken advantage of, they stayed in £10 motels that were sometimes surrounded by rats. They would often have to move at very short notice. "I had one suitcase and my guitar," Jess says.
"Our album is called Edge of the Abyss because that's how we live. One misstep and everything could fall apart," Jess says. "I emigrated twice, so I've already had a culture shock twice. This hurts a little less because this is where I want to be. I have nowhere to go back to" she says.
Drummer Ben Parker - who grew up in New Zealand and moved to the UK aged 14 - completed the line-up. They immediately built a captivating relationship. All three had moved to the UK from overseas and found each other.
They built an impressive DIY spirit and formidable reputation on the UK live circuit through performances at Download, 2000Trees, a headline performance on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festival, as well as tours with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Razorlight, Boston Manor, and Bloodywood. The US saw a co-headline tour with Vukovi and festival slots at Welcome to Rockville, So What?, Sonic Temple, Riot Fest, SXSW, and Shiprocked.
2023's independently released mixtape, Over The Threshold saw Jess' creativity truly explode. It also caught the attention of Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen who went on to co-produce Edge of the Abyss.
They've picked up support from BBC Radio 1's Rock Show, Introducing Rock, Future Alternative, and Future Artists, Kerrang! Radio, Primordial, Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, Kerrang! magazine and Revolver, who delved into their multiple-worlds-spanning story.
The 10-year-old girl in Guarenas, drawing the first paintings of her sci-fi story, was linked by destiny with the young French child who was dreaming of forming a band and then, years later, had the chance to meet the New Zealander in London, who had picked up the sticks also aged 10, with the plan to be a great musician - they finally have found their way and their home together. Calva Louise, the British multicultural band, started with a vision that they passionately continue to grow, creating a fresh and unique experience with each release.
"Our willpower never dies, that's the thing. It's been hard learning every day, but look at the friendship we have. We say that it's like the path of the warrior". Jess exclaims.
Calva Louise are Jess Allanic (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard), Alizon Taho (Bass/Backing Vocals) and Ben Parker (Drums/Backing Vocals).
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