BLOODSHOT DAWN: “THEOKTONY”

Two combined bits of coolness: Bloodshot Dawn have released a new single for download named “Theoktony”, and they’re contributing all sales proceeds to a worthwhile charity. Details to follow . . .

I’ve written a lot about this UK band and their self-titled 2012 album, which remains one of my favorite releases of the year. In addition to my January review, in April we featured an official video for a track from the album called “Visions”, and in August we featured another official video for “Godless”, which is still available for free download at the Bloodshot Dawn Bandcamp page, where you can acquire the whole album, too.

But what we have today is a new song that’s not on the album, and a new video to go along with it. Both the song and the video kick massive amounts of ass.

The music is signature Bloodshot Dawn — an explosion of blast-furnace death metal packed with thunderous grooves, spidery prog-style guitar soloing, and howling wolf-pack vocals. With a sharp-edged modern production, it sounds uber-powerful. The lyrics can be found here.

The video is split-screen footage of the band recording the song in the studio, and it’s loads of fun to watch. Here you go:

Now here’s the bit about the charity.

Bloodshot Dawn are selling the single as a Bandcamp download (here) for a minimum price of ₤0.75, which at today’s conversion rate is about $1.21. You can contribute more, of course.

The band state that they are donating 100% of the money to The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, which is a UK-based charity dedicated to stamping out prejudice against subcultures. It was established in memory of a young woman who, along with her partner Rob Maltby, were attacked and brutally murdered by a mob in a public park in Lancashire on August 24th 2007. Police attributed the attack to the couple’s wearing goth fashion and being members of the the goth subculture.

To find out more about the Foundation, go to the official site HERE. or its Facebook page HERE.  I’ve copied a couple sections from the FAQ part of the site and pasted them below:

How will my donation be spent?

The bulk of the donations that the charity receives will be ploughed back into educational workshops. The SOPHIE workshops have been created to educate young people about subcultures and teach them how to be tolerant of people that belong to them.

Money will also be spent on the promotion of tolerance via events, sponsorship and materials.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation is actively lobbying parliament to drive a change in the hate crime legislation to support and protect subcultures, and some funds will also be used to facilitate this ongoing drive.

What does subculture mean?

A subculture is a group of people with a culture (whether distinct or hidden) that differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.

Groups that are described as subcultures often include punk rockers, ravers, metalheads, goths, emo and indie. These cultures are largely peaceful by definition, and are more interested in music, alternative fashion and niche media than intimidation.