THE IRON ROSES [USA] + MELONBALL [D] | VEB Kultur Erfurt

In the organizer's words:

THE IRON ROSES are a passionate, unique and wonderful group of people who make music in the hope of changing the world. Driven by the injustices of our time, their songs are protest anthems that only a band with a lot of experience can write. Still angry, still determined, still loud - this is a band that will never stop fighting.
It takes real skill to write and sing songs that sound angry and uplift the soul at the same time. A lot of political punk music is hard and unpleasant - without catchy choruses, without melodies. And sometimes the lyrics don't emotionally match the pale, unfeeling music. The Iron Roses create something rare and impressive: Music that makes the heart beat faster - paired with lyrics that express anger and frustration at the state of the world. Punk as a genre has been so commercialized and watered down over the last few decades that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find bands that are so moving. Who sing and play with such intensity that their authenticity cannot be questioned. Who prove that real punk is alive - and can make you whirl around the kitchen dancing and singing along at the top of your voice.
Of course, you can talk about their musical background - especially frontman Nat Gray (formerly of Boysetsfire) - as well as their tireless touring and political activism. But all that is secondary if the songs don't move you. And that's exactly what these songs do. From the very first notes of the first track, they make it clear what they are about: The Iron Roses put all the thoughts, worries and feelings of the last dark years into words and music. In a world in which the political climate is moving further and further to the left. In which rights are being restricted and destroyed. And with no end in sight. We need bands like The Iron Roses to provide us with a soundtrack for resistance. Songs that we can pour our anger and frustration into as we sing along - just like they did when they wrote and recorded these songs.
It's moving to see these six people sing their truth. Watching their development over the last few years makes it seem only logical that this album was created. They and their music stand for strength, love and passion - something we need today more than ever.
Melodic punk rock with fast riffs, strong vocal harmonies, catchy hooks and opinionated lyrics: MELONBALL play "melonic" punk and move in different corners of the genre. They deliver a unique blend of politically charged skate punk and striking melodies. Led by the outstanding voice of singer Oli, MELONBALL are carving out their very own place in the skatepunk scene.
Since 2021, they have performed at Manchester Punk Festival, Punk Rock Camp, Punk Rock Holiday, KNRD Fest, Music 4 Cancer and shows with A Wilhelm Scream, Punk Rock Factory, Authority Zero and Belvedere, among others. In 2023, MELONBALL toured the UK and played ten shows in Eastern Canada in 2024. Their debut album BREATHE was released on March 31, 2023 on Thousand Islands Records (USA/KAN) and Lockjaw Records (UK), followed by the acoustic EP eup-nea in April 2024.
For fans of: Not On Tour, Bad Religion, F.O.D., Millencolin