Ahead of releasing their own self-titled debut on February 13th, female-fronted metallers Sanguine announce details of two collaborations with some of metal’s most recognisable names. First to invite Sanguine vocalist Tarin Kerrey to record with them were Primal Rock Rebellion - the new project of Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Mikee Goodman (SikTh), who release album ‘Awaken Broken’ on Feb 27th via Spinefarm Records. Tarin contributes vocals to three tracks on the record, having impressed Goodman with her breathtaking range when he produced Sanguine’s debut EP ‘Live, Consume, Drive’.

More recently, she and guitarist Nick Magee have travelled to Sweden at the request of In Flames, who asked them to join writing sessions for the next IF album. When the duo returned from their mid-January trip, it was with two songs completed, and an invite to return extended on the strength of them. Nick comments of the experience and next sessions planned:

“Working with Jesper Stromblad (In Flames/songwriter) and Daniel Flores (producer/ songwriter) was amazing. We sparked with them instantly and they understood exactly where we were coming from musically. We completed 2 songs and are going to be working with them on other stuff for the next album - the vibe in the studio was amazing, there was a constant buzz as we were all equally excited about the songs.....Jesper is a great player as well so it was awesome for me to jam and write with a guitarist as good as him. The whole process was totally organic and inspiring”.

On their own imminent debut, Sanguine will showcase the versatile songwriting skills which have impressed these high-profile collaborators by presenting 12 tracks to keep listeners guessing at every turn. Out-and-out fist pounding displays of aggression ‘Anger Song’ and ‘Live, Consume, Drive’ prove - in just 2.05 mins and 2.56 mins respectively - Tarin’s effects-free howl can easily rival that of standard-setting female screamers like Tairrie B. While on eerie beauties ‘In The Sky’ and ‘A Place That You Call Home’ - which nod to more surprising, leftfield influences like Massive Attack - the singer finds space to flex the full range of her dynamic voice.

It’s the tunes seeing Nick step up for some frantic ball-batting dual vocals though which find Sanguine at their most dizzying and schizophrenic. The head-spinning SOAD-esque structure of ‘Contagious‘ offers a dancefloor anthem made for the mosh pit, before ‘Bangkok Nights’ delivers a dose of twisted humour.

While any one song would struggle to truly sum up an outfit who live in no fear of ever being labelled formulaic, Sanguine’s next single ‘Given Up’ - out a week ahead of the album on February 6th - comes close to encapsulating their core strengths. Formed around a relentless riff and Trojan horse hook, it exemplifies the songcraft which shines at the centre of even their heaviest moments. The accompanying video, filmed at an old fairground, is an apt visual match, mixing rusted old rides, leering hall-of-mirrors horrors and a seriously troubled clown with the gaudy lights, vintage booths touting tickets to ride, and Tarin in the role of sultry ringmistress.

A formidable live act (as the two billed headline acts who have refused to follow them can attest!), Sanguine will be bring their striking show to the following stages in February: