Divided Heaven “Cold War” Colored Vinyl LP 2nd press + Coffee Bundle
DIVIDED HEAVEN is the brainchild of Jeff Berman, a singer/songwriter whose musical path was initially set ablaze in the fertile music scene in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the mid-90's. Berman started young, always the baby-member in punk and hardcore bands along the East Coast: '77-rockers THE STATIKS, Philadelphia street-punk/Oi band THE BOILS, DC hardcore juggernaut V.P.R., NJ thrashers RITES, Florida hardcore troupe PROTAGONIST. The first spark of DIVIDED HEAVEN came when Berman was living and studying in Berlin, Germany; though it wasn't until 2009, when he settled in Los Angeles, that Berman fully gravitated towards being a singer and evolving as a songwriter and front man. There, he formed DIVIDED HEAVEN: part full-band / part solo-singer/songwriter. Over the course of the next few years, Berman would hone his new voice and songs, as is captured on A Rival City, his resolute and well-received 2012 debut album. He would also begin touring, alot. Leaving behind a full-time position as an Educator at a Holocaust Museum, Berman embarked on a string of tours across North America and Europe in support of A Rival City.
By the time the sophomore album, Youngblood, saw release in 2014 via indie-outfit Say-10 Records, DIVIDED HEAVEN had blossomed from a solo endeavor to a polished full band. Produced by Charlie Stavish (Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis), Youngblood showed a change in songwriting approach (narrowing down to 12 from 36 recorded songs) and a growth in ability (with well-rounded production and sonic vibe by Berman and Stavish). Where as A Rival City was a quick shot, Youngblood exemplified patience, grace and vulnerability. Standout tracks 'Melissa Militia', 'Ego and Nothing More', 'kateiswar' and longtime fan-favorite, 'Gin', saw collegiate, satellite and terrestrial radio airplay across the U.S. became staples of DIVIDED HEAVEN's set. Youngblood's success provided DIVIDED HEAVEN the ability tour for the next two-and-a-half years across North America, Europe, Asia, stints on Vans Warped Tour, and supporting everyone from punk powerhouses Less Than Jake and Anti-Flag to singer-songwriters Sundowner and Jonah Montranga. Berman also began touring both solo and with his band, (consisting of LA-punk scene vets Nic Morreale and Ben Rauscher, as well as PROTAGONIST band mates Brian Forst and Kyle Macdouggal). An EP of B-sides entitled The Worst saw release in 2015, in conjunction with an extensive UK/European tour. In 2015, Berman, along with Say-10 Records head Adam Gecking, completed a charity campaign where they donated one dollar from every record sold of Youngblood's second pressing to East Coast hardcore-scene longtimer, Nate Gluck, who was battling cancer.
At the start of 2017, in absolute and outright antipathy to the US Presidential Election and the horrifying plight of Syrian civilians, Berman created another charitable campaign around the Inauguration Day-release of the single 'The White Rose', a blatant anti-fascist song, with proceeds going to support the Syrian humanitarian aid group, The White Helmets. Unlike anything DIVIDED HEAVEN had ever released, 'The White Rose' showcased a raw and vicious side to Berman's songwriting and was well-received by fans. In the Summer of 2017, Divided Heaven self-released the self-produced EP, Pacific Avenue, with catchy, fun, toe-tapping punk rock songs that contained the same fervor and intensity as 'The White Rose'. The EP's lead single, 'We' was picked up by multiple Spotify playlists, was heard on various TLC and ABC television shows and radio outlets and has become Divided Heaven's biggest song to date.
By this point, all the experience of years on the road and the balance of tour-life versus home-life, lead Berman to this next chapter of DIVIDED HEAVEN: Cold War. This third album will be released in tandem by SoCal boutique-indie label, Wiretap Records, & the art-centric, Vinnie Fiorello of Less Than Jake-led label, Paper + Plastick Records, worldwide on July 20th. Produced by Charlie Stavish, Cold War hits hard; musically, lyrically and emotionally. Contemplative, heartbreaking, raw and ambitious; Cold War captures Berman's life in the realm of wild coexistence, a reconciliation attempt with the better angels of his personal and our collective nature. Cold War shows Berman's songwriting at its finest and most poetic. The lead single '1983', the hauntingly desperate 'Love Letter To New York' and the powerful #MeToo anthem 'The Daughters & The Sons' are the strongest and infectiously catchy full-band songs in the DIVIDED HEAVEN canon. Juxtaposed, the subdued tracks, 'Maeby, We Should Say Goodbye' and 'Dance With Old Habits' are the darkest, most sorrowful and vulnerable of his career; speaking to mourning, separation, depression, anxiety and addiction. Cold War's sonic landscape is much different from previous releases; recorded to two-inch tape at Stavish's Clock Tower recording studio in Joshua Tree, California and mixed to the board, dripping in a plethora of analog effects.
On the eve of the release of Cold War, DIVIDED HEAVEN stands as a band on the verge of a new beginning. The path that led Berman --and his bandmates, Nic Morreale and Derik Envy--to now has not been clear of casualties, trials, tribulations or successes. The 13 tracks on Cold War are aimed to bring harmony to those past experiences and be the foundation for DIVIDED HEAVEN to carry on as genuine and singular rock 'n roll band; working-hard, paying dues and catching your ear.
Pressing Information
250 Dark Blue Mix /Co-release with Wiretap Records ++2nd press
250 Light Blue / Co-release with Wiretap Records
Listen to Cold War here:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/45Td2UMHHMQB21YqcYLXzd?si=1B95YjZwTSyAk1Hk0BmJTw
Watch video for 1983 - https://youtu.be/QOq_CfRZC4A