Manchester U.K. dubstep grime crossover outfit Virus Syndicate are back with a new track, "Gimme The Mic," from their forthcoming Symptomatic LP which is due out February 29 via the band's own imprint, Midication Records. Stream it via the group's official Soundcloud below:
"Gimme The Mic" marks the MC collective-of-sorts' return since dropping the controversial music video for "Psychopath," which is also featured on the forthcoming full-length, last December.
The video, which utilizes found footage of ISIS and other terrorist cells as well as shots of George W. Bush to portray the political message of the single, was banned in all of France. The "Psychopath" single was also banned by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. According to a press statement, France just so happens to be the band's biggest market.
Although the band obviously wrote and recorded the track well before the Paris attacks, they acknowledged the sensitive nerve it struck with the French government and subsequently cancelled their French tour plans. They have yet to reschedule those dates. Watch the disputed "Psychopath" video below, but be warned: in light of global current events it may be disturbing for some.
After a decade in the business, Virus Syndicate have become accustomed to controversy and synonymous with telling it like it is, so although the band is unable to properly promote the new album worldwide as planned, they are forging forward with the release.
So we can now finally announce our new Album will be out on February 29th and is called Symptomatic.. We put at least 12 months of blood, sweat and tears into this can't wait to finally share it!
Posted by Virus Syndicate on Friday, January 15, 2016
The new single, as well as the forthcoming album as a whole, also mark the first release completely and solely produced by Virus Syndicate, which serves as a testament to the band's growth as artists over the past ten years.
The band, which happens to be the only U.K. act to have been granted permission to cover Pink Floyd's "Money," have had features on HBO's The Leftovers and the John Travolta-starring film Criminal Activities. Additionally, their track "Storm Trooper" featuring June Miller appears on the latest Need for Speed game.
