For Immediate Release
MARDUK TO JOIN BLACKENEDFEST 2009
Swedish black metal horde Marduk will set North America ablaze this spring on what will prove to be one of the most brutal tours of the year. Appropriately dubbed Blackenedfest, the band will pillage their way through 21 cities, beginning with The Fillmore in New York City on March 21st and closing at Les Foufounes Electriques in Montreal, with notorious Norwegian black metallers Mayhem. Cephalic Carnage, Cattle Decapitation and Withered will also grace the bill.
Formed by guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson with the goal of becoming the "most blasphemous band in the world,” it’s been nearly a decade since Marduk last toured the states making an already punishing tour package all the more crucial. Marduk's latest album, Rom 5:12, was released in North America in May 2007 via Regain.
Said Marduk in a collective statement to fans: "We are delighted to announce Marduk’s return to North America. We do not come in peace, but with flames of fire! Looking forward to see you all!"
BLACKENEDFEST TOUR DATES
5/21/2009 The Fillmore at Irving Plaza - New York, NY
5/22/2009 Sonar (as part of the Maryland Deathfest) - Baltimore, MD
5/23/2009 Ground Zero - Spartanburg, SC
5/24/2009 Club Firestone - Orlando, FL
5/26/2009 Numbers - Houston, TX
5/27/2009 The White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
5/29/2009 Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
5/30/2009 Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
5/31/2009 House of Blues - San Diego, CA
6/02/2009 House of Blues - Hollywood, CA
6/03/2009 DNA - San Francisco, CA
6/04/2009 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
6/05/2009 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
6/06/2009 Knitting Factory Concert House - Boise, ID
6/07/2009 Gothic Theater - Denver, CO
6/09/2009 Station 4 - St Paul, MN
6/11/2009 House Of Blues - Chicago, IL
6/12/2009 Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
6/13/2009 The Majestic Theater - Detroit, MI
6/14/2009 The Opera House - Toronto, ONT
6/15/2009 Les Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC
For more information, contact Dave (EarsplitPR@aol.com) or Liz (EarsplitPR2@aol.com) at EarsplitPR.
http://www.myspace.com/blackenedfest
http://www.marduk.nu
http://www.myspace.com/truemarduk
http://www.regainrecords.com
http://www.thunderdometouring.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
MIKE S.O.S ALERT.
DAYLIGHT DIES
LOST TO THE LIVING
CANDLELIGHT
Returning with another dose of morose modern metal comes Daylight Dies, whose latest nine-track journey to the darker edge of the metal spectrum doles out an immense array of aggressive yet atmospheric music. Tracks such as "The Morning Light" expertly displays this band's facility to wander off the typical tempos yet still maintain a mighty doom-laden crunch while "At A Loss" takes a sullen turn as atmospheric guitars and synths glisten through layers of dissonance. Armed with a more pronounced presence of piano this time around, this North Carolina unit is able to delve down into deeper pits of despair to drum up the sorrow and loss needed to feel to be able to convincingly pull off somber found on cuts like "Last Alone". Rendering another solid slab of melancholic metal, Daylight Dies continues to engage with their fertile massive heft and bleak overtone combination. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
DESTRUCTION
D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.
CANDLELIGHT
German thrash titans Destruction unquestionably are one of the premiere thrash bands of all time and this Teutonic troupe shows no sign of letting up based on their latest disc D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. This 10-track affair by these seasoned metal warriors contains all of the explosiveness this band has to offer, garnished with vocalist Schmeir's trademark sneer and the unit's blistering instrumental flurries fully intact on cuts like "Last Desperate Scream" and "Elevator to Hell". Fortified by a crushing abundance of wailing guitar solos and riffs that nimbly juxtapose technicality and savagery ("No One Shall Survive"), Destruction proudly kick down the doors with a barrage of their formulaic yet effective thrash metal attack that surprises at times but remains true to the act's vision 25 years since their inception. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
TAKE THE CROWN
RELAPSE REACT
RISE
Los Angeles unit Take the Crown inject a flurry of synth flourishments into their 13-track punk meets post-hardcore endeavor RELAPSE REACT, emitting a sound that evokes both Saosin and Thrice without losing a general sense of self. Tracks such as "Lights, Camera, Disaster" are built on the ongoing emotionally charged vocal presentation while atmospheric keyboards lending an ominous presence while "GAME OVERdose" takes a decent stab at juxtaposing video game blips and bleeps into Warped Tour-esque punk rock. While a lot of what's audible here is far from groundbreaking and has been done to death, Take the Crown do a formidable job of keeping their basic emo melodies sharp ("She's Like Whatever") and the electronic accoutrements intriguing without overdoing it, developing a balance that fans of AFI or Circa Survive. www.riserecords.com -Mike SOS
THERION
LIVE GOTHIC
NUCLEAR BLAST
Beloved Swedish symphonic metal pioneers Therion celebrate their innovative career with LIVE GOTHIC, a twin-disc set with a bonus DVD of a live performance from 2007's Valentine's Day show in Poland. Leaning heavily from the band's most recent studio offering (GOTHIC KABBAALAH) while throwing in a good amount of old material for the masses of long-time fans, this incendiary act turn in their trademark sterling performance, encompassing 22 tracks of regal heavy metal loaded with operatic vocal majesty thanks to the two male/ two female tandem employed for this recording. Mainman Christofer Johnsson once again releases another stunning exhibition of metal excellence, superbly filmed and sounding as powerful as ever. If you're a fan of bands like Nightwish and Epica, you need this release in your collection. www.nuclearblastusa.com -Mike SOS
TWEAKBIRD
RESERVATION
VOLCOM
Two brothers from Illinois comprise Tweakbird, a fuzzed-out free for all that sounds like Death From Above 1979 dueling it out with Melvins (whose Dale Crover is credited with a production credit). This brother act keep the homefires burning with a heaping handful of stoner rock boogie ("Shivers"), acid rock flashbacks ("Spaceships"), and downtempo emotion ("Reservations"), complete with beefy low-end rumblings colliding with prog rock soprano vocals. Despite its brevity (seven tracks in under 20 minutes) and the lingering eeriness, this infectious offering supplies a unique and memorable listening experience that you don't even need the proper paraphernalia for in order to fully appreciate. www.volcom.com -Mike SOS
DRAIN THE SKY
HAUNTED BY RIVERS
LEVEL PLANE
Oakland, CA troupe Drain the Sky are a post-metal band with bite judging by both their pedigree and their album HAUNTED BY RIVERS. Featuring former members of seminal crust metal unit His Hero is Gone, this squad excels at interspersing droves of droning downtempo movements with jabs of chaotic punk metal on cuts like "Starving in Time" while the overall ominous tones and swirls of hypnotic heaviness showcased on this album ("Learning to Swim", A Sorrowful Empire") contain surefire nuances necessary to lull listeners into unforeseen headspaces in the vein of metallic counterparts like Neurosis and Cult of Luna. www.level-plane.com
THE RAY GRADYS
REDNECKS, ZOMBIES, TERRORISTS
GRADY CORE
Philadelphia punk rock band The Ray Gradys are a high-energy crew whose unbelievably strong chops and solid musicianship help turn in a raucous release in the form of their latest 11-track jaunt REDNECKS, ZOMBIES, TERRORISTS. Blistering fast chops and tongue in cheek humor are served up with booming bass lines, rendering a well-rounded punk rock assault on tracks like "Modern Day Punk", "Mustache Riders in the Sky" and "Conformity". Retaining a fresh sound while referencing acts like NOFX and Rancid, cuts like "A Reply From the Critics” and "Holiday in Iraq" embody the brazen punk rock attitude that you can't buy at the mall. When you're ready for a slab of versatile and potent punk rock, you can't go wrong with the latest by The Ray Gradys. www.raygradys.com -Mike SOS
SOTAJUMALA
TELOITUS
WOODCUT
Finnish death metal quintet Sotajumala work an old school death metal crush into their ferocious eight-track sophomore disc TELOITUS, resulting in an album wrought in malevolence. Cuts like "Arkku Vailla Vainajaa" (yes, it's all in Finnish) flesh out this squad’s American death metal influences such as Morbid Angel and Dying Fetus with buzzsaw precision while a barrage of warmongering metal characteristics pop up across the span of this disc ("Kidutus") that would remind death metal folks of bands like Bolt Thrower. Unreliant on speed but able to turn up the velocity when needed, Sotajumala instead opts to employ loads of sledgehammer rhythms with dastardly guitars ("Riistetty Viattomuus") to get its message of utter devastation across steeped with groove-laden brutality that fans of the golden era of death metal can absolutely latch onto. www.woodcutrecords.com -Mike SOS
SNATCH CLUB
TRUE KIDS SUPERBRAWL
BASTARDIZED
German deathcore collective Snatch Club doles out a clobbering yet predictable array of churning rhythms and guttural growls on their debut endeavor TRUE KIDS SUPERBRAWL. Viciously battering eardrums with an incessant stream of low-end guitar grooves and burly beatdown breakdowns, imagine the extreme force that Job for a Cowboy going toe to toe with Emmure would sound like for an idea of the kind of inhumane sounds come from tracks like "Exhibition" and the eviscerating and savage "Female Serial Killer". While this unit's originality is questionable, their trips into sonic depravity are some of the more intriguing amongst the deathcore set, making this disc somewhat palatable for those who normally detest the genre. www.bastardized.net -Mike SOS
FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW
CONVERSATIONS
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
While those who have followed From A Second Story Window since their inception may feel betrayed by the band's recent injections of accessible metal, this "Ohio-Vanian" quintet's latest 10-track venture showcases a versatile outfit who demonstrate the wares to transform from smooth to savage at the drop of a hat ("Advancement Towards Nothingness"). Championing a somewhat cumbersome sound that wavers between slightly progressive metal and brooding metalcore, tracks such as "Monumental Reason" contain a cleanly sung melodic chorus that could have come from Taproot while "The Burning Bush" combines feral shouts with atmospheric fretwork for a Poison the Well-esque meets From Autumn to Ashes aura. The most noticeable aspect of CONVERSATIONS is the fluidity of the stylistic changes on cuts like "Severed Heads Open Minds", where busy spurts of heavy but catchy grooves morph into crushing metal with gnashing death growls baring teeth. Intertwining 36 Crazyfists and Poison the Well with elements of The Red Chord, FASSW seamlessly stitch consonance and chaos together, reaching a new level of refined savagery along the way. www.blackmarketactivities.com -Mike SOS
TIAMAT
AMANETHES
NUCLEAR BLAST
Swedish experimental metal troupe Tiamat return with another batch of atmospheric gloom with AMANTHES. This stalwart group's latest 14-track affair renders a multi-faceted attack, exposing both this act's heavy and melancholic aspects. Songs like "Raining Dead Angels" take the sinister rhythm meets Goth monster vocal route while "Summertime is Gone" demonstrates a more fragile and icy metallic approach with decisively somber Swedish metal leanings. After a five-year absence, Tiamat's return to the metal realm is laden with hints of the band's early sound ensconced in luxurious ambience ("Meliae"), rendering a finely tuned and welcomed comeback. www.nuclearblastusa.com -Mike SOS
ENDANGERED FECES
NUMBER 2
OVERDOSE ON
When a band is named something as forthright as Endangered Feces, you can basically get the gist of what your in for. This Queens, NY collective (banned from the state of Rhode Island for urinating on Thursday's tour bus) assuredly delivers a wide array of bathroom humor amongst hyper-sped flurries of punkish power chords heard on "City Dump" and "Deuces Wild", yet their deliciously-titled 14-track, 16-minute sophomore endeavor NUMBER 2 cleverly crams drinking anthems ("Nectar of the Emerald Isle"), tributes to fallen friends ("Tribute to Al of Hate"), and a Willie Nelson cover of "On the Road Again" into the experience, rendering an album whose whimsical aura and breakneck precision complete a one-two punch that screams party personified. If you ever wondered what the bastard child of The Replacements, SOD, and NOFX would sound like, wonder no more. www.endangered-feces.com -Mike SOS
LORDS
FUCK ALL Y'ALL MOTHERFUCKERS
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
Dissonant and dastardly, Louisville, KY trio Lords rampage through 16 tracks of hodgepodge fury in 23 minutes on their latest FUCK ALL Y'ALL MOTHERFUCKERS. Undeniably heavy and chaotic, this unit melds angry punk rock with muscular hardcore angst and swamp metal swagger on cuts like "Obstructionist Blues" and "Man Everything Sucks" to form a compressed blend of relentless rock fueled by despair and discourse. Combining the wares of Black Flag, Eyehategod, and Discharge, Lords strip heavy music back to the most primal core ("This is Why I Don't Give a Fuck"), ferociously blasting through the gates demanding to be heard. www.blackmarketactivities.com -Mike SOS
RACEBANNON
ACID OR BLOOD
SOUTHERN
Fearless noise punk troupe Racebanon triumphantly return with their first album in four years ACID OR BLOOD, a monstrous 11-track offering which brilliantly juxtaposition bits of beauty and brutality, effortlessly running circles around the competition. This seasoned Indiana outfit's caustic heaviness and unbridled wrath wreaks havoc on cuts like the slow-churning "Bad Case Of" or the hypnotically bottom-end grooving "The Hard Way", while songs like the schizophrenically savage "Sister Fucker" and "Vampyric Solution" reveal a multi-faceted musical experience where composition nuances are compromised and styles from sludge metal and grindcore to atmospheric electronic fiddlings are examined and explored past the point of no return. Cerebral to the highest disorder, Racebannon masterfully combine the experimental with the confrontational on this unapologetic endeavor to create a strange new apocalyptic sound brazen with immediacy. www.southern.com -Mike SOS
LA VENTURA
A NEW BEGINNING
RENAISSANCE
La Ventura is a female-fronted Goth metal troupe from The Netherlands who deliver solid slabs of piano-heavy hard rock not unlike Lacuna Coil. Tracks like "Remind You" resonate with pop-radio friendly rock symphonies while "Messed Up" take the Evanescence scorn route with heavy guitars a la Sevendust and keyboards leading the charge. Armed with strong vocals that do their best to support the durable yet predictable musical compositions on tracks like "A New Beginning", this quintet follows the template but doesn't demonstrate enough of its own stamp to consider this a must have album. www.renaisssancerecords.com -Mike SOS
ROMANS
ALL THOSE WRISTS
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
Vermont quartet Romans impactfully projects their geographical region's well-known metallic sounds with much respect on their self-produced 12-track affair ALL THOSE WRISTS. Dabbling within the houses of Isis and Converge, this squad’s presentation contains a hybrid of equal parts sonic battering and crushing panoramic, as tracks like "Depths" and "Smear Merchant" are possessed with hardcore explosiveness while "Tidepool" takes the Quaalude plunge into haunting sludge metal. Capable of ripping through this multi-influenced attack with their unique slant intact while providing a condensed yet aurally rich blend of modern hardcore metal, Romans have made an impressive release that transcends the output of your garden variety heavy band. www.blackmarketactivities.com -Mike SOS
HOLY MOSES
AGONY OF DEATH
WACKEN
German thrash veterans Holy Moses return with AGONY OF DEATH, this seasoned unit's 12th studio release. Featuring the feral female growls and grunts of Sabina Classen while armed with the thrash-tastic twin guitar and percussive pummeling tandem that sets the menacing tone throughout, this disc faithfully sticks to the program yet offers a few surprises in the form of guest appearances (members of Obituary, Destruction, and Metallium lend their talents). Tracks like "Through Shattered Minds" and "Bloodbound for the Damned" give off the aura of Slayer and Exodus circa 1989, while the ambient-intro into breakneck pace "Pseudohalluzintion" shows this band has no qualms to explore and has no intention of letting up. In your face and aggressive, this album clocks in at about an hour's worth of durable and dependable meat and potatoes take no prisoners thrash metal that fans of the genre can trustily turn to for a satisfying listen. www.wackenrecords.com -Mike SOS
NEFASTUS DIES
URBAN CANCER
CANDELIGHT
URBAN CANCER showcases a discernibly blackened death metal delivery courtesy of Canadian crew Nefastus Dies. Be warned though, this band of maulers from Montreal take some liberties with their sound (especially vocally), so those into musical purity should look elsewhere. Nonetheless, this unit successfully maps out a majestic and malevolent grade of grindcore, death metal, and symphonic black metal on cuts like the growl and squeal laden "Hate Vector". Consisting of seven multi-faceted extreme metal cuts, what this release lacks in memorable moments it makes up for by pounding out a brutal blend of blast beats and scathing guitars which yield to melodic keyboard-led interludes ("Fragments of Poisoned Components") before tearing back your face with pummeling drums and guitars. Recommended for those up for something a little off the beaten path yet utterly savage. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
LOVE IS ALL
A HUNDRED THINGS KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT
WHAT'S YOUR RUPTURE
Swedish rock outfit Love is All throw out an energy ball of dub-esque new wave-y punk ska to anyone that wants to play catch with this quirky party rock pack. A HUNDRED THINGS KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT is a 11-track offering that benefits from both a squeaky female vocalist whose upbeat presentation never wanes ("Movie Romance", "Wishing Well") and a woozy saxophone that leads dancefloors with an offbeat confidence ("New Beginnings"). Those inclined towards bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the ilk currently helping the kids with bad haircuts rip up indie rock rugs will love tearing up the driving disco backbeats found on "Last Choice" and are sure to feel the burn when the slow-downs of well-crafted heartbreakers "A More Uncertain Future" and "When Giants Fall" screech the party to a halt. www.whatsyourrupture.com -Mike SOS
EAST OF THE WALL
FARMER'S ALMANAC
FORGOTTEN EMPIRE
Comprised of former members of Biclops and The Postman Syndrome, fans of the aforementioned as well as instrumental rock fans everywhere will rejoice when hearing this excellent eight-track excursion. Twisting and turning with jaw-dropping riffs, fluid drums, and a non-linear songwriting mindset, this squad skillfully showcases their passion for melding tricky math rock heft with spacey prog rock depth on cuts like "Clowning Achievement" and the spectacular "Winter's Breath". This group effortlessly spits out runoffs of Pelican meets King Crimson riffs and fills across the duration of this bold endeavor, making room for times when trumpets sometimes appear ("Unwanted Guest I") amongst stunning arrays of expert fretwork ("I Am Crying Nonstop Hysterically"). Composed with cinematic care ("Switchblade Knife"), the seamless transitions and musical interplay heard on FARMER'S ALMANAC display an outfit equipped with an adventurous and experimental edge with the tremendous chops to fully realize their far-reaching finds. www.myspace.com/eastofthewall -Mike SOS
THE BECOMING
VOLUME I
TOOTH AND NAIL
Christian Goth punks? Sheesh. The Becoming take the word of the Lord and inject some HIM into the mix for this slickly produced exercise in transparency. Labeling this quintet of Hot Topic models as a dark rock group is downright shameful, as their Bon Jovi meets Anberlin hooks heard on "Silent As the Grave" and "Your Love" scream more of heartbroken post cock rock wankery than any clever wardrobe change suggests. Not worth a minute of your time. www.toothandnail.com -Mike SOS
MISERATION
YOUR DEMONS-THEIR ANGELS
LIFEFORCE
At first acting as a side project for two of the members of Scar Symmetry before vocalist Christian Alvestam decided to leave the fold, Miseration explores a more extreme style more in tune with bands like Morbid Angel and the early years of In Flames on their nihilistic nine-track affair YOUR DEMONS- THEIR ANGELS. While there are traces of former breadwinner built into the foundations of tracks like "Chain-Work Soul" and "Perfection Destroyed", the overall feel leans on the ruthless end of the metal spectrum, with predominant pounding double bass drums propelling this entire abrasive affair. Sinewy death metal riffs and gruff vocals gloriously gel together here to make a huge part in this project's sound, plucking the best from the early years of the Gothenburg melodeath movement to create a ferocious blend of forward thinking aggressive metal that's fairly well-tread yet dark and gruesome enough to be gratifying ("Foul Invective", "Seven Are the Sins"). www.lifeforce-america.com -Mike SOS
M.
IN ABSENTIA
SELF-RELEASED
NYC artist Marthyn (or M. for short) pieces together a smorgasbord of jagged lo-fi juxtapositions, further developing this middle-ground musicians's rulebending visions and unique style in the process on the 13-track IN ABSENTIA. Seemingly strung together from a bizarre crop of spoken word rants, woe is me electronic melancholy, mashed-up DJ grooves, artsy space folk, minimalist punk, and outright personal delusions, this scattershot and vibrant composite sounds fresh off a NYC modern art punk show, spouting an uninhibited and heartfelt collection of musical musings from the perspective of an outsider looking in. While the overall aura may smother with the kind of self-absorption that ultimately dilutes the effort, there's enough intriguing segues and a barrage of genres explored to warrant a few listens before making an informed decision on this disc. www.marthyn.com -Mike SOS
BANNER PILOT
RESIGNATION DAY
GO KART
Minneapolis punk trio Banner Pilot steps up with their second offering, the 12-track RESIGNATION DAY. Determined to keep sneering punk rock front and center, songs like "Saltash Luck" and "Wired Wrong" may suffer from sounding a bit too much like one another, yet ths troupe's tried and true let it all hang out punk rock formula loudly cuts through thanks to the buzzsaw guitars and dramatic pauses that assist tracks like "Empty Your Bottles", "No Transfer", and "Speed Trap". Laying down infectious melodies that are as common as the everyday cold, Banner Pilot doesn't bowl you over with jaw-dropping originality nor impress with a grandiose delivery, yet does an admirable job of dropping off a rough around the edges no frills blue collar punk rock with a everyman bare bones vibe permeating throughout. www.gokartrecords.com -Mike SOS
ASVA
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW IS FRONTIER
SOUTHERN
Supplying seventy minutes of severe doom and drone, the latest effort by Asva is a sparse slow-churning affair that tries your patience more times than you can count before making good on resonating thick empiric riffs from the bowels of despair ("Christopher Columbus"). Interjecting odd nuances such as female choral vocals into its pitch black shapeshift ("A Game in Hell, Hard Work in Heaven"), Asva maintains an unorthodox atmosphere while retaining its vast soundscapes, yielding a listening experience whose waiting time warrants the big payoffs brought via cavernous riffs and thunderous cymbal crashes. www.southern.net -Mike SOS
DOG FASHION DISCO
BEATING A DEAD HORSE TO DEATH...AGAIN
ROTTEN
Digging through the vaults once again, eccentric Maryland metal squad Dog Fashion Disco have dug deep and have excavated 14 more tracks to share with the rest of its "mushroom cult" with BEATING A DEAD HORSE TO DEATH...AGAIN. Posting a noticeable presence in the underground metal scene thanks to their Faith No More meets System of a Down slant on heavy music, this disc acts as a cleansing of sorts, featuring everything from tracks from a live performance radio gig to some soundtrack work to a couple of joke acoustic tracks that showcase the band's patented jolly assault on the jugular. Dog Fashion Disco succinctly ties up their loose ends via this posthumous offering, making it a perfect ending for the most adamant of this outfit's fans to relish in. www.rottenrecords.com -Mike SOS
SLANK
ANTHEMS FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED
SELF-RELEASED
All the way from Indonesia comes long-running outfit Slank with ANTHEM FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED, the band's first venture into recording an English-language album. This 10-track effort yields a gravel-throated but light-hearted hard rock affair that borrows as much from punchy pop-punk as it does from hair metal's excess on cuts like "I Miss U But I Hate U" and "Since You've Been Gone". Imagine a cross between Cheap Trick's infectious melodies and the tenderness of Firehouse to get an idea of what's in store when tracks like "Caricature" and "Do Something" hit your speakers. Innocuous and catchy, Slank provides a buffer between your Bon Jovi and Matchbox Twenty discs. www.slank.com -Mike SOS
KHOLD
HUNDRE AR GAMMAL
CANDLELIGHT
Norwegian black metal merchants Khold reappear with another scathing release sung in their native tongue in the form of the 11-track HUNDRE AR GAMMAL. Laden with nefarious grooves ("Trolos") and bolstered by a demonically-charged vocal rasp, tracks such as the slow-crawling to mid-paced maul of "Sann Ditt Svik" resonates with a true sense of dread while the malevolent title track contains the steady pummeling nuances of seminal acts such as Celtic Frost and Emperor. Once again championing their now-patented sinister yet simplistic approach for another gruesome go-round, the fifth album from this veritable lot offers little in surprises but yields a fruitful listen for those who crave sounds emanating from the darker end of the spectrum. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
BIRUSHANAH
AKAI YAMI
LEVEL PLANE
Pushing doom metal's expansive boundaries to the outer limits, Birushanah present a three-track, forty-minute excursion of crushing sonic excess. This Japanese unit embraces its roots wholeheartedly, intertwining native instrumentation (fretless bass and crashing cymbals) with drone metal rhythms, a frenetic multi-percussive assault (whose output includes everything from pounding drums to what sounds like sheets of metal), and a maniacally warped vocal delivery leading the off-kilter charge. AKAI YAMI is a release that is not easy to digest thanks to its song lengths and abundance of tempo and dynamic shifts (not to mention that all of the lyrics are all in Japanese), but it intriguingly contorts the genre's paradigm to create a challenging listening experience for those up for a good brain drain. www.level-plane.com -Mike SOS
LOST TO THE LIVING
CANDLELIGHT
Returning with another dose of morose modern metal comes Daylight Dies, whose latest nine-track journey to the darker edge of the metal spectrum doles out an immense array of aggressive yet atmospheric music. Tracks such as "The Morning Light" expertly displays this band's facility to wander off the typical tempos yet still maintain a mighty doom-laden crunch while "At A Loss" takes a sullen turn as atmospheric guitars and synths glisten through layers of dissonance. Armed with a more pronounced presence of piano this time around, this North Carolina unit is able to delve down into deeper pits of despair to drum up the sorrow and loss needed to feel to be able to convincingly pull off somber found on cuts like "Last Alone". Rendering another solid slab of melancholic metal, Daylight Dies continues to engage with their fertile massive heft and bleak overtone combination. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
DESTRUCTION
D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.
CANDLELIGHT
German thrash titans Destruction unquestionably are one of the premiere thrash bands of all time and this Teutonic troupe shows no sign of letting up based on their latest disc D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N. This 10-track affair by these seasoned metal warriors contains all of the explosiveness this band has to offer, garnished with vocalist Schmeir's trademark sneer and the unit's blistering instrumental flurries fully intact on cuts like "Last Desperate Scream" and "Elevator to Hell". Fortified by a crushing abundance of wailing guitar solos and riffs that nimbly juxtapose technicality and savagery ("No One Shall Survive"), Destruction proudly kick down the doors with a barrage of their formulaic yet effective thrash metal attack that surprises at times but remains true to the act's vision 25 years since their inception. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
TAKE THE CROWN
RELAPSE REACT
RISE
Los Angeles unit Take the Crown inject a flurry of synth flourishments into their 13-track punk meets post-hardcore endeavor RELAPSE REACT, emitting a sound that evokes both Saosin and Thrice without losing a general sense of self. Tracks such as "Lights, Camera, Disaster" are built on the ongoing emotionally charged vocal presentation while atmospheric keyboards lending an ominous presence while "GAME OVERdose" takes a decent stab at juxtaposing video game blips and bleeps into Warped Tour-esque punk rock. While a lot of what's audible here is far from groundbreaking and has been done to death, Take the Crown do a formidable job of keeping their basic emo melodies sharp ("She's Like Whatever") and the electronic accoutrements intriguing without overdoing it, developing a balance that fans of AFI or Circa Survive. www.riserecords.com -Mike SOS
THERION
LIVE GOTHIC
NUCLEAR BLAST
Beloved Swedish symphonic metal pioneers Therion celebrate their innovative career with LIVE GOTHIC, a twin-disc set with a bonus DVD of a live performance from 2007's Valentine's Day show in Poland. Leaning heavily from the band's most recent studio offering (GOTHIC KABBAALAH) while throwing in a good amount of old material for the masses of long-time fans, this incendiary act turn in their trademark sterling performance, encompassing 22 tracks of regal heavy metal loaded with operatic vocal majesty thanks to the two male/ two female tandem employed for this recording. Mainman Christofer Johnsson once again releases another stunning exhibition of metal excellence, superbly filmed and sounding as powerful as ever. If you're a fan of bands like Nightwish and Epica, you need this release in your collection. www.nuclearblastusa.com -Mike SOS
TWEAKBIRD
RESERVATION
VOLCOM
Two brothers from Illinois comprise Tweakbird, a fuzzed-out free for all that sounds like Death From Above 1979 dueling it out with Melvins (whose Dale Crover is credited with a production credit). This brother act keep the homefires burning with a heaping handful of stoner rock boogie ("Shivers"), acid rock flashbacks ("Spaceships"), and downtempo emotion ("Reservations"), complete with beefy low-end rumblings colliding with prog rock soprano vocals. Despite its brevity (seven tracks in under 20 minutes) and the lingering eeriness, this infectious offering supplies a unique and memorable listening experience that you don't even need the proper paraphernalia for in order to fully appreciate. www.volcom.com -Mike SOS
DRAIN THE SKY
HAUNTED BY RIVERS
LEVEL PLANE
Oakland, CA troupe Drain the Sky are a post-metal band with bite judging by both their pedigree and their album HAUNTED BY RIVERS. Featuring former members of seminal crust metal unit His Hero is Gone, this squad excels at interspersing droves of droning downtempo movements with jabs of chaotic punk metal on cuts like "Starving in Time" while the overall ominous tones and swirls of hypnotic heaviness showcased on this album ("Learning to Swim", A Sorrowful Empire") contain surefire nuances necessary to lull listeners into unforeseen headspaces in the vein of metallic counterparts like Neurosis and Cult of Luna. www.level-plane.com
THE RAY GRADYS
REDNECKS, ZOMBIES, TERRORISTS
GRADY CORE
Philadelphia punk rock band The Ray Gradys are a high-energy crew whose unbelievably strong chops and solid musicianship help turn in a raucous release in the form of their latest 11-track jaunt REDNECKS, ZOMBIES, TERRORISTS. Blistering fast chops and tongue in cheek humor are served up with booming bass lines, rendering a well-rounded punk rock assault on tracks like "Modern Day Punk", "Mustache Riders in the Sky" and "Conformity". Retaining a fresh sound while referencing acts like NOFX and Rancid, cuts like "A Reply From the Critics” and "Holiday in Iraq" embody the brazen punk rock attitude that you can't buy at the mall. When you're ready for a slab of versatile and potent punk rock, you can't go wrong with the latest by The Ray Gradys. www.raygradys.com -Mike SOS
SOTAJUMALA
TELOITUS
WOODCUT
Finnish death metal quintet Sotajumala work an old school death metal crush into their ferocious eight-track sophomore disc TELOITUS, resulting in an album wrought in malevolence. Cuts like "Arkku Vailla Vainajaa" (yes, it's all in Finnish) flesh out this squad’s American death metal influences such as Morbid Angel and Dying Fetus with buzzsaw precision while a barrage of warmongering metal characteristics pop up across the span of this disc ("Kidutus") that would remind death metal folks of bands like Bolt Thrower. Unreliant on speed but able to turn up the velocity when needed, Sotajumala instead opts to employ loads of sledgehammer rhythms with dastardly guitars ("Riistetty Viattomuus") to get its message of utter devastation across steeped with groove-laden brutality that fans of the golden era of death metal can absolutely latch onto. www.woodcutrecords.com -Mike SOS
SNATCH CLUB
TRUE KIDS SUPERBRAWL
BASTARDIZED
German deathcore collective Snatch Club doles out a clobbering yet predictable array of churning rhythms and guttural growls on their debut endeavor TRUE KIDS SUPERBRAWL. Viciously battering eardrums with an incessant stream of low-end guitar grooves and burly beatdown breakdowns, imagine the extreme force that Job for a Cowboy going toe to toe with Emmure would sound like for an idea of the kind of inhumane sounds come from tracks like "Exhibition" and the eviscerating and savage "Female Serial Killer". While this unit's originality is questionable, their trips into sonic depravity are some of the more intriguing amongst the deathcore set, making this disc somewhat palatable for those who normally detest the genre. www.bastardized.net -Mike SOS
FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW
CONVERSATIONS
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
While those who have followed From A Second Story Window since their inception may feel betrayed by the band's recent injections of accessible metal, this "Ohio-Vanian" quintet's latest 10-track venture showcases a versatile outfit who demonstrate the wares to transform from smooth to savage at the drop of a hat ("Advancement Towards Nothingness"). Championing a somewhat cumbersome sound that wavers between slightly progressive metal and brooding metalcore, tracks such as "Monumental Reason" contain a cleanly sung melodic chorus that could have come from Taproot while "The Burning Bush" combines feral shouts with atmospheric fretwork for a Poison the Well-esque meets From Autumn to Ashes aura. The most noticeable aspect of CONVERSATIONS is the fluidity of the stylistic changes on cuts like "Severed Heads Open Minds", where busy spurts of heavy but catchy grooves morph into crushing metal with gnashing death growls baring teeth. Intertwining 36 Crazyfists and Poison the Well with elements of The Red Chord, FASSW seamlessly stitch consonance and chaos together, reaching a new level of refined savagery along the way. www.blackmarketactivities.com -Mike SOS
TIAMAT
AMANETHES
NUCLEAR BLAST
Swedish experimental metal troupe Tiamat return with another batch of atmospheric gloom with AMANTHES. This stalwart group's latest 14-track affair renders a multi-faceted attack, exposing both this act's heavy and melancholic aspects. Songs like "Raining Dead Angels" take the sinister rhythm meets Goth monster vocal route while "Summertime is Gone" demonstrates a more fragile and icy metallic approach with decisively somber Swedish metal leanings. After a five-year absence, Tiamat's return to the metal realm is laden with hints of the band's early sound ensconced in luxurious ambience ("Meliae"), rendering a finely tuned and welcomed comeback. www.nuclearblastusa.com -Mike SOS
ENDANGERED FECES
NUMBER 2
OVERDOSE ON
When a band is named something as forthright as Endangered Feces, you can basically get the gist of what your in for. This Queens, NY collective (banned from the state of Rhode Island for urinating on Thursday's tour bus) assuredly delivers a wide array of bathroom humor amongst hyper-sped flurries of punkish power chords heard on "City Dump" and "Deuces Wild", yet their deliciously-titled 14-track, 16-minute sophomore endeavor NUMBER 2 cleverly crams drinking anthems ("Nectar of the Emerald Isle"), tributes to fallen friends ("Tribute to Al of Hate"), and a Willie Nelson cover of "On the Road Again" into the experience, rendering an album whose whimsical aura and breakneck precision complete a one-two punch that screams party personified. If you ever wondered what the bastard child of The Replacements, SOD, and NOFX would sound like, wonder no more. www.endangered-feces.com -Mike SOS
LORDS
FUCK ALL Y'ALL MOTHERFUCKERS
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
Dissonant and dastardly, Louisville, KY trio Lords rampage through 16 tracks of hodgepodge fury in 23 minutes on their latest FUCK ALL Y'ALL MOTHERFUCKERS. Undeniably heavy and chaotic, this unit melds angry punk rock with muscular hardcore angst and swamp metal swagger on cuts like "Obstructionist Blues" and "Man Everything Sucks" to form a compressed blend of relentless rock fueled by despair and discourse. Combining the wares of Black Flag, Eyehategod, and Discharge, Lords strip heavy music back to the most primal core ("This is Why I Don't Give a Fuck"), ferociously blasting through the gates demanding to be heard. www.blackmarketactivities.com -Mike SOS
RACEBANNON
ACID OR BLOOD
SOUTHERN
Fearless noise punk troupe Racebanon triumphantly return with their first album in four years ACID OR BLOOD, a monstrous 11-track offering which brilliantly juxtaposition bits of beauty and brutality, effortlessly running circles around the competition. This seasoned Indiana outfit's caustic heaviness and unbridled wrath wreaks havoc on cuts like the slow-churning "Bad Case Of" or the hypnotically bottom-end grooving "The Hard Way", while songs like the schizophrenically savage "Sister Fucker" and "Vampyric Solution" reveal a multi-faceted musical experience where composition nuances are compromised and styles from sludge metal and grindcore to atmospheric electronic fiddlings are examined and explored past the point of no return. Cerebral to the highest disorder, Racebannon masterfully combine the experimental with the confrontational on this unapologetic endeavor to create a strange new apocalyptic sound brazen with immediacy. www.southern.com -Mike SOS
LA VENTURA
A NEW BEGINNING
RENAISSANCE
La Ventura is a female-fronted Goth metal troupe from The Netherlands who deliver solid slabs of piano-heavy hard rock not unlike Lacuna Coil. Tracks like "Remind You" resonate with pop-radio friendly rock symphonies while "Messed Up" take the Evanescence scorn route with heavy guitars a la Sevendust and keyboards leading the charge. Armed with strong vocals that do their best to support the durable yet predictable musical compositions on tracks like "A New Beginning", this quintet follows the template but doesn't demonstrate enough of its own stamp to consider this a must have album. www.renaisssancerecords.com -Mike SOS
ROMANS
ALL THOSE WRISTS
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
Vermont quartet Romans impactfully projects their geographical region's well-known metallic sounds with much respect on their self-produced 12-track affair ALL THOSE WRISTS. Dabbling within the houses of Isis and Converge, this squad’s presentation contains a hybrid of equal parts sonic battering and crushing panoramic, as tracks like "Depths" and "Smear Merchant" are possessed with hardcore explosiveness while "Tidepool" takes the Quaalude plunge into haunting sludge metal. Capable of ripping through this multi-influenced attack with their unique slant intact while providing a condensed yet aurally rich blend of modern hardcore metal, Romans have made an impressive release that transcends the output of your garden variety heavy band. www.blackmarketactivities.com -Mike SOS
HOLY MOSES
AGONY OF DEATH
WACKEN
German thrash veterans Holy Moses return with AGONY OF DEATH, this seasoned unit's 12th studio release. Featuring the feral female growls and grunts of Sabina Classen while armed with the thrash-tastic twin guitar and percussive pummeling tandem that sets the menacing tone throughout, this disc faithfully sticks to the program yet offers a few surprises in the form of guest appearances (members of Obituary, Destruction, and Metallium lend their talents). Tracks like "Through Shattered Minds" and "Bloodbound for the Damned" give off the aura of Slayer and Exodus circa 1989, while the ambient-intro into breakneck pace "Pseudohalluzintion" shows this band has no qualms to explore and has no intention of letting up. In your face and aggressive, this album clocks in at about an hour's worth of durable and dependable meat and potatoes take no prisoners thrash metal that fans of the genre can trustily turn to for a satisfying listen. www.wackenrecords.com -Mike SOS
NEFASTUS DIES
URBAN CANCER
CANDELIGHT
URBAN CANCER showcases a discernibly blackened death metal delivery courtesy of Canadian crew Nefastus Dies. Be warned though, this band of maulers from Montreal take some liberties with their sound (especially vocally), so those into musical purity should look elsewhere. Nonetheless, this unit successfully maps out a majestic and malevolent grade of grindcore, death metal, and symphonic black metal on cuts like the growl and squeal laden "Hate Vector". Consisting of seven multi-faceted extreme metal cuts, what this release lacks in memorable moments it makes up for by pounding out a brutal blend of blast beats and scathing guitars which yield to melodic keyboard-led interludes ("Fragments of Poisoned Components") before tearing back your face with pummeling drums and guitars. Recommended for those up for something a little off the beaten path yet utterly savage. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
LOVE IS ALL
A HUNDRED THINGS KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT
WHAT'S YOUR RUPTURE
Swedish rock outfit Love is All throw out an energy ball of dub-esque new wave-y punk ska to anyone that wants to play catch with this quirky party rock pack. A HUNDRED THINGS KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT is a 11-track offering that benefits from both a squeaky female vocalist whose upbeat presentation never wanes ("Movie Romance", "Wishing Well") and a woozy saxophone that leads dancefloors with an offbeat confidence ("New Beginnings"). Those inclined towards bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the ilk currently helping the kids with bad haircuts rip up indie rock rugs will love tearing up the driving disco backbeats found on "Last Choice" and are sure to feel the burn when the slow-downs of well-crafted heartbreakers "A More Uncertain Future" and "When Giants Fall" screech the party to a halt. www.whatsyourrupture.com -Mike SOS
EAST OF THE WALL
FARMER'S ALMANAC
FORGOTTEN EMPIRE
Comprised of former members of Biclops and The Postman Syndrome, fans of the aforementioned as well as instrumental rock fans everywhere will rejoice when hearing this excellent eight-track excursion. Twisting and turning with jaw-dropping riffs, fluid drums, and a non-linear songwriting mindset, this squad skillfully showcases their passion for melding tricky math rock heft with spacey prog rock depth on cuts like "Clowning Achievement" and the spectacular "Winter's Breath". This group effortlessly spits out runoffs of Pelican meets King Crimson riffs and fills across the duration of this bold endeavor, making room for times when trumpets sometimes appear ("Unwanted Guest I") amongst stunning arrays of expert fretwork ("I Am Crying Nonstop Hysterically"). Composed with cinematic care ("Switchblade Knife"), the seamless transitions and musical interplay heard on FARMER'S ALMANAC display an outfit equipped with an adventurous and experimental edge with the tremendous chops to fully realize their far-reaching finds. www.myspace.com/eastofthewall -Mike SOS
THE BECOMING
VOLUME I
TOOTH AND NAIL
Christian Goth punks? Sheesh. The Becoming take the word of the Lord and inject some HIM into the mix for this slickly produced exercise in transparency. Labeling this quintet of Hot Topic models as a dark rock group is downright shameful, as their Bon Jovi meets Anberlin hooks heard on "Silent As the Grave" and "Your Love" scream more of heartbroken post cock rock wankery than any clever wardrobe change suggests. Not worth a minute of your time. www.toothandnail.com -Mike SOS
MISERATION
YOUR DEMONS-THEIR ANGELS
LIFEFORCE
At first acting as a side project for two of the members of Scar Symmetry before vocalist Christian Alvestam decided to leave the fold, Miseration explores a more extreme style more in tune with bands like Morbid Angel and the early years of In Flames on their nihilistic nine-track affair YOUR DEMONS- THEIR ANGELS. While there are traces of former breadwinner built into the foundations of tracks like "Chain-Work Soul" and "Perfection Destroyed", the overall feel leans on the ruthless end of the metal spectrum, with predominant pounding double bass drums propelling this entire abrasive affair. Sinewy death metal riffs and gruff vocals gloriously gel together here to make a huge part in this project's sound, plucking the best from the early years of the Gothenburg melodeath movement to create a ferocious blend of forward thinking aggressive metal that's fairly well-tread yet dark and gruesome enough to be gratifying ("Foul Invective", "Seven Are the Sins"). www.lifeforce-america.com -Mike SOS
M.
IN ABSENTIA
SELF-RELEASED
NYC artist Marthyn (or M. for short) pieces together a smorgasbord of jagged lo-fi juxtapositions, further developing this middle-ground musicians's rulebending visions and unique style in the process on the 13-track IN ABSENTIA. Seemingly strung together from a bizarre crop of spoken word rants, woe is me electronic melancholy, mashed-up DJ grooves, artsy space folk, minimalist punk, and outright personal delusions, this scattershot and vibrant composite sounds fresh off a NYC modern art punk show, spouting an uninhibited and heartfelt collection of musical musings from the perspective of an outsider looking in. While the overall aura may smother with the kind of self-absorption that ultimately dilutes the effort, there's enough intriguing segues and a barrage of genres explored to warrant a few listens before making an informed decision on this disc. www.marthyn.com -Mike SOS
BANNER PILOT
RESIGNATION DAY
GO KART
Minneapolis punk trio Banner Pilot steps up with their second offering, the 12-track RESIGNATION DAY. Determined to keep sneering punk rock front and center, songs like "Saltash Luck" and "Wired Wrong" may suffer from sounding a bit too much like one another, yet ths troupe's tried and true let it all hang out punk rock formula loudly cuts through thanks to the buzzsaw guitars and dramatic pauses that assist tracks like "Empty Your Bottles", "No Transfer", and "Speed Trap". Laying down infectious melodies that are as common as the everyday cold, Banner Pilot doesn't bowl you over with jaw-dropping originality nor impress with a grandiose delivery, yet does an admirable job of dropping off a rough around the edges no frills blue collar punk rock with a everyman bare bones vibe permeating throughout. www.gokartrecords.com -Mike SOS
ASVA
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW IS FRONTIER
SOUTHERN
Supplying seventy minutes of severe doom and drone, the latest effort by Asva is a sparse slow-churning affair that tries your patience more times than you can count before making good on resonating thick empiric riffs from the bowels of despair ("Christopher Columbus"). Interjecting odd nuances such as female choral vocals into its pitch black shapeshift ("A Game in Hell, Hard Work in Heaven"), Asva maintains an unorthodox atmosphere while retaining its vast soundscapes, yielding a listening experience whose waiting time warrants the big payoffs brought via cavernous riffs and thunderous cymbal crashes. www.southern.net -Mike SOS
DOG FASHION DISCO
BEATING A DEAD HORSE TO DEATH...AGAIN
ROTTEN
Digging through the vaults once again, eccentric Maryland metal squad Dog Fashion Disco have dug deep and have excavated 14 more tracks to share with the rest of its "mushroom cult" with BEATING A DEAD HORSE TO DEATH...AGAIN. Posting a noticeable presence in the underground metal scene thanks to their Faith No More meets System of a Down slant on heavy music, this disc acts as a cleansing of sorts, featuring everything from tracks from a live performance radio gig to some soundtrack work to a couple of joke acoustic tracks that showcase the band's patented jolly assault on the jugular. Dog Fashion Disco succinctly ties up their loose ends via this posthumous offering, making it a perfect ending for the most adamant of this outfit's fans to relish in. www.rottenrecords.com -Mike SOS
SLANK
ANTHEMS FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED
SELF-RELEASED
All the way from Indonesia comes long-running outfit Slank with ANTHEM FOR THE BROKEN HEARTED, the band's first venture into recording an English-language album. This 10-track effort yields a gravel-throated but light-hearted hard rock affair that borrows as much from punchy pop-punk as it does from hair metal's excess on cuts like "I Miss U But I Hate U" and "Since You've Been Gone". Imagine a cross between Cheap Trick's infectious melodies and the tenderness of Firehouse to get an idea of what's in store when tracks like "Caricature" and "Do Something" hit your speakers. Innocuous and catchy, Slank provides a buffer between your Bon Jovi and Matchbox Twenty discs. www.slank.com -Mike SOS
KHOLD
HUNDRE AR GAMMAL
CANDLELIGHT
Norwegian black metal merchants Khold reappear with another scathing release sung in their native tongue in the form of the 11-track HUNDRE AR GAMMAL. Laden with nefarious grooves ("Trolos") and bolstered by a demonically-charged vocal rasp, tracks such as the slow-crawling to mid-paced maul of "Sann Ditt Svik" resonates with a true sense of dread while the malevolent title track contains the steady pummeling nuances of seminal acts such as Celtic Frost and Emperor. Once again championing their now-patented sinister yet simplistic approach for another gruesome go-round, the fifth album from this veritable lot offers little in surprises but yields a fruitful listen for those who crave sounds emanating from the darker end of the spectrum. www.candlelightrecordsusa.com -Mike SOS
BIRUSHANAH
AKAI YAMI
LEVEL PLANE
Pushing doom metal's expansive boundaries to the outer limits, Birushanah present a three-track, forty-minute excursion of crushing sonic excess. This Japanese unit embraces its roots wholeheartedly, intertwining native instrumentation (fretless bass and crashing cymbals) with drone metal rhythms, a frenetic multi-percussive assault (whose output includes everything from pounding drums to what sounds like sheets of metal), and a maniacally warped vocal delivery leading the off-kilter charge. AKAI YAMI is a release that is not easy to digest thanks to its song lengths and abundance of tempo and dynamic shifts (not to mention that all of the lyrics are all in Japanese), but it intriguingly contorts the genre's paradigm to create a challenging listening experience for those up for a good brain drain. www.level-plane.com -Mike SOS
ARE YOU LISTENABLE-ING?
THE EYES OF A TRAITOR - A CLEAR PERCEPTION
Melodic and intense metalcore from this upstart band. Song material ranges from intense rage to agony and there plenty of Maiden medleys throughout. Moshy, stompy, thrashy, crashy, and bashy. I'd hate to be a traitor to by these guys' standards, there's no telling how I might end up! (FA)
LISTENABLE RECORDS
www.listenable.net, www.myspace.com/listenable, listenable@wanadoo.fr, www.myspace.com/theeyesofatraitor
THE AMENTA - NON
A band that gets plenty of coverage in all metal publications, The Amenta have come into their own lately with tours tagging along with Behemoth and Akercocke. You can bet all that has worked wonders for their reputation. Well-polished, supercharged black industrial with a wide array of vocals to please fans of many different spectrums. They've no doubt found a good home on Listenable and will move nowhere except up from here. (FA)
LISTENABLE RECORDS
www.listenable.net, www.myspace.com/listenable, listenable@wanadoo.fr www.myspace.com/theamenta
Melodic and intense metalcore from this upstart band. Song material ranges from intense rage to agony and there plenty of Maiden medleys throughout. Moshy, stompy, thrashy, crashy, and bashy. I'd hate to be a traitor to by these guys' standards, there's no telling how I might end up! (FA)
LISTENABLE RECORDS
www.listenable.net, www.myspace.com/listenable, listenable@wanadoo.fr, www.myspace.com/theeyesofatraitor
THE AMENTA - NON
A band that gets plenty of coverage in all metal publications, The Amenta have come into their own lately with tours tagging along with Behemoth and Akercocke. You can bet all that has worked wonders for their reputation. Well-polished, supercharged black industrial with a wide array of vocals to please fans of many different spectrums. They've no doubt found a good home on Listenable and will move nowhere except up from here. (FA)
LISTENABLE RECORDS
www.listenable.net, www.myspace.com/listenable, listenable@wanadoo.fr www.myspace.com/theamenta
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
SUPPORT CHAINSAW VIDEO!
Now available through Chainsaw Video:
OROZCO THE EMBALMER
The controversial Japanese documentary about the Columbian embalmer Orozco, who works in Bogota, one of the most dangerous places in the world, where death seems to lurk around every corner.
The creators of this release worked closely with the director to present the best edition of the movie so far: revised English (and German) subtitles, an on-video director's introduction, no regional coding, original full uncut version! LIMITED TO ONLY 1.000 COPIES! For more info, check http://www.chainsawvideo.com
23,99 EUR
Chainsaw Video
Schippersstraat 7
1011 AZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
phone: 0031 20 4868736
fax: 0031 20 4868737
e-mail:
dvd@chainsawvideo.nl
dvd@chainsaw.demon.nl
OROZCO THE EMBALMER
The controversial Japanese documentary about the Columbian embalmer Orozco, who works in Bogota, one of the most dangerous places in the world, where death seems to lurk around every corner.
The creators of this release worked closely with the director to present the best edition of the movie so far: revised English (and German) subtitles, an on-video director's introduction, no regional coding, original full uncut version! LIMITED TO ONLY 1.000 COPIES! For more info, check http://www.chainsawvideo.com
23,99 EUR
Chainsaw Video
Schippersstraat 7
1011 AZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
phone: 0031 20 4868736
fax: 0031 20 4868737
e-mail:
dvd@chainsawvideo.nl
dvd@chainsaw.demon.nl
NO RELATION TO THE FILM (HECK, THE SPELLING IS DIFFERENT!).
Candlelight signs Susperia
Candlelight today confirms the worldwide signing of Norway's Susperia. Currently finishing work on their fifth album, the band recently announced a string of early spring UK dates that will kick off what is expected to be a busy year for the popular Norwegian metal band. "Ten years and still the same five guys," exclaims vocalist Athera of the band's long commitment to their music. "We have worked nearly two years on this material, perfecting it for your pleasure and our devoted fans. It will take you back to the early days with melancholic riffing and dark emotional vocals. It's a perfect blend of everything Susperia has been and become."
"A blend of thrash metal drawing on influences that include Sepultura, Anthrax, and Testament," says Allmusic.com of Susperia's now highly regarded sound. The popular music portal continues its early 2005 review noting "their songs are melodic yet intense and forceful, and shredding guitars are the rule." Formed in 1998 by drummer Tjodalv (then of Dimmu Borgir) and guitarist Cyrus (then of Satyricon/Old Man’s Child), the band released their debut, Predominance, via Nuclear Blast in 2001. The band's much-acclaimed second album, Vindication, followed in 2003. Signing with Norwegian-based Tabu Records (with release in the US via Candlelight Records) in 2004, the band released their third album, Unlimited, later that year. Brave Words Bloody Knuckles called the album, "a scorcher from start to finish, on par with Testament classic The Gathering."
A powerful live act, the band has consistently remained focused to the live arena. With numerous high profile support, headline and festival appearances, one of the band's most cherished experiences thus far remains supporting the newly reformed Testament in late 2005. The dates would culminate in the release of the band's Norwegian charting mini-album Devil May Care. Work on their fourth album, Cut From Stone, would see out the end of the year. Unfortunately due to financial constraints two tries to visit the US to support the Daniel Bergstrand-produced album during 2007/08 would set back the album’s overall sales target but the band remained committed. Touring Europe, including numerous dates with W.A.S.P, the band's ambitions stayed and continue to remain in tact. "We now have the backing of one label worldwide and this is going to make life easier for us," says bassist Memnock. "We hope that finally we get to play to our American fans."
Susperia's still untitled label debut is expected for release early summer. Recorded in Norway it was mixed at Studio Fredman in Sweden. Susperia currently includes guitarists Cyrus and Elvorn, bassist Memnock, with drummer Tjodalv and vocalist Athera.
For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).
European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).
http://www.susperia.net
http://www.myspace.com/susperiafans
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightusa
Candlelight today confirms the worldwide signing of Norway's Susperia. Currently finishing work on their fifth album, the band recently announced a string of early spring UK dates that will kick off what is expected to be a busy year for the popular Norwegian metal band. "Ten years and still the same five guys," exclaims vocalist Athera of the band's long commitment to their music. "We have worked nearly two years on this material, perfecting it for your pleasure and our devoted fans. It will take you back to the early days with melancholic riffing and dark emotional vocals. It's a perfect blend of everything Susperia has been and become."
"A blend of thrash metal drawing on influences that include Sepultura, Anthrax, and Testament," says Allmusic.com of Susperia's now highly regarded sound. The popular music portal continues its early 2005 review noting "their songs are melodic yet intense and forceful, and shredding guitars are the rule." Formed in 1998 by drummer Tjodalv (then of Dimmu Borgir) and guitarist Cyrus (then of Satyricon/Old Man’s Child), the band released their debut, Predominance, via Nuclear Blast in 2001. The band's much-acclaimed second album, Vindication, followed in 2003. Signing with Norwegian-based Tabu Records (with release in the US via Candlelight Records) in 2004, the band released their third album, Unlimited, later that year. Brave Words Bloody Knuckles called the album, "a scorcher from start to finish, on par with Testament classic The Gathering."
A powerful live act, the band has consistently remained focused to the live arena. With numerous high profile support, headline and festival appearances, one of the band's most cherished experiences thus far remains supporting the newly reformed Testament in late 2005. The dates would culminate in the release of the band's Norwegian charting mini-album Devil May Care. Work on their fourth album, Cut From Stone, would see out the end of the year. Unfortunately due to financial constraints two tries to visit the US to support the Daniel Bergstrand-produced album during 2007/08 would set back the album’s overall sales target but the band remained committed. Touring Europe, including numerous dates with W.A.S.P, the band's ambitions stayed and continue to remain in tact. "We now have the backing of one label worldwide and this is going to make life easier for us," says bassist Memnock. "We hope that finally we get to play to our American fans."
Susperia's still untitled label debut is expected for release early summer. Recorded in Norway it was mixed at Studio Fredman in Sweden. Susperia currently includes guitarists Cyrus and Elvorn, bassist Memnock, with drummer Tjodalv and vocalist Athera.
For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).
European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).
http://www.susperia.net
http://www.myspace.com/susperiafans
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightusa
PELICAN SIGHTING.
Pelican sign to Southern Lord
It is with immense reverence that Southern Lord Recordings announces the signing of Chicago heavy-rock instrumental icons Pelican. Their genre-defying sound and eagerness to explore new musical directions will fit right at home alongside similar bands on the label like Earth, Boris and sunn 0))). Pelican is currently at Red Room studios in Seattle, WA recording an EP that will be their first release on Southern Lord. The new material promises to be heavier, darker and very "riff-oriented" comments guitarist Trevor De Brauw. A very special guest guitarist who has been heavily influential to the band will be making a guest appearance more details to be revealed shortly!
In March Pelican will be touring alongside new label mates Wolves In The Throne Room, including a triumphant return to the South By South West music fest in Austin, TX at the Southern Lord showcase. Upon returning home Pelican will focus their sights on their 4th full-length album.
Pelican March/April 2009 tour:
*w/Tombs, Dredg
**w/Tombs, Wolves In The Throne Room
3/15/2009 The Picador - Iowa City IA *
3/16/2009 Riot Room - Kansas City, KS *
3/17/2009 The Marquee - Tulsa, OK *
3/18/2009 Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX * plus Tricky
3/19/2009 Vino's - Little Rock, AR **
3/20/2009 Elmo's - Austin, TX @ SXSW Southern Lord Showcase w/Eagle Twin, Black Cobra, Wolves In The Throne Room, Wino, etc.
3/22/2009 Red 7 - Austin, TX **
3/25/2009 The Sets - Tempe, AZ **
3/26/2009 The Casbah - San Diego, CA **
3/27/2009 The Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA **
3/28/2009 Slim's - San Francisco, CA **
3/29/2009 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR **
3/30/2009 Nightlight - Bellingham, WA **
3/31/2009 Neumo's - Seattle , WA **
4/02/2009 Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT **
4/03/2009 The Marquis Theatre - Denver , CO **
4/05/2009 Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL **
http://www.myspace.com/pelican
http://www.southernlord.com
http://www.myspace.com/southernlordrecordings
http://blog.southernlord.com
It is with immense reverence that Southern Lord Recordings announces the signing of Chicago heavy-rock instrumental icons Pelican. Their genre-defying sound and eagerness to explore new musical directions will fit right at home alongside similar bands on the label like Earth, Boris and sunn 0))). Pelican is currently at Red Room studios in Seattle, WA recording an EP that will be their first release on Southern Lord. The new material promises to be heavier, darker and very "riff-oriented" comments guitarist Trevor De Brauw. A very special guest guitarist who has been heavily influential to the band will be making a guest appearance more details to be revealed shortly!
In March Pelican will be touring alongside new label mates Wolves In The Throne Room, including a triumphant return to the South By South West music fest in Austin, TX at the Southern Lord showcase. Upon returning home Pelican will focus their sights on their 4th full-length album.
Pelican March/April 2009 tour:
*w/Tombs, Dredg
**w/Tombs, Wolves In The Throne Room
3/15/2009 The Picador - Iowa City IA *
3/16/2009 Riot Room - Kansas City, KS *
3/17/2009 The Marquee - Tulsa, OK *
3/18/2009 Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX * plus Tricky
3/19/2009 Vino's - Little Rock, AR **
3/20/2009 Elmo's - Austin, TX @ SXSW Southern Lord Showcase w/Eagle Twin, Black Cobra, Wolves In The Throne Room, Wino, etc.
3/22/2009 Red 7 - Austin, TX **
3/25/2009 The Sets - Tempe, AZ **
3/26/2009 The Casbah - San Diego, CA **
3/27/2009 The Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA **
3/28/2009 Slim's - San Francisco, CA **
3/29/2009 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR **
3/30/2009 Nightlight - Bellingham, WA **
3/31/2009 Neumo's - Seattle , WA **
4/02/2009 Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT **
4/03/2009 The Marquis Theatre - Denver , CO **
4/05/2009 Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL **
http://www.myspace.com/pelican
http://www.southernlord.com
http://www.myspace.com/southernlordrecordings
http://blog.southernlord.com
YESSSSSSSSSSSS!
Candlelight announces CIII label tour 2009
Candlelight Records today announces its third label packaged tour for North America. Set to kick off on June 6, CIII will feature the talents of US black metal legends Absu, with support coming from France’s Glorior Belli, Austin-based Averse Sefira and Los Angeles-based Sothis. The tour will visit 22 cities throughout the US and Canada beginning in San Marcos, California and wrapping up in Dallas, Texas on June 29. Tickets for all shows go on sale exclusively at Enterthevault.com today. Tickets will go on sale through all local and online ticket agencies starting March 5.
Absu’s self-titled new album hits stores nationwide February 24. Currently featured on the cover of Metal Maniacs the album is the first to offer new material from the highly regarded metal band in nearly eight years. The Texas-based band, self-described as “mythological occult metal,” are a fan favorite the world over. Terrorizer Magazine calls the new album “a sound incarnate of a band making the underground amazing again… an undeniable masterpiece.” This will be the band’s first large-scale tour since their tour alongside Enslaved in 1997.
France’s Glorior Belli make their first trip to North America as they participate on CIII. Their sophomore record, Manifesting the Raging Beast, was released in 2007 via Southern Lord Records. The band now, signed to Candlelight, will begin recording of their label debut, titled Meet Us at the Southern Sign, this month with hopes to see it released during the tour. Popular site MetalKult said in review, “Manifesting is as darkly beautiful as it is gloom inducing."
Averse Sefira join CIII continuing to support their latest album, Advent Parallax. Time Out New York notes, “black-metal lifers Averse Sefira have become a road-hardened unit, and it shows in the blistering grooves of Advent Parallax. The fourth album of the band’s 12-year career has no gothic frills or weedy “kvlt” production, just eight battle-ready blasts jammed with parched-throat howls, scything guitar riffs, blistering drums and hooks that stick.” Their participation on the tour is their third national tour in two years having previously toured with labelmates 1349 in 2007 and with friends Immolation in early 2008.
Sothis released their debut, De Oppresso Liber, on September 2. Mixed by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond), the record has enjoyed growing and consistent sales since release. This will be the band’s first national tour. Canada’s popular Brave Words Bloody Knuckles magazine says, "behold the next big black metal band." The band is currently completing work on their first video from De Oppresso Liber for the album’s title track.
CIII follows the success of Candlelight’s previous label tours – the first in 2005 featuring Entombed, Crowbar, Pro-Pain & The Mighty Nimbus, and second in 2007 featuring Enslaved, Dark Funeral and then newcomers Abigail Williams. The label, maintaining offices in Philadelphia and London, continues to grow since launching American operations in 2001. Candlelight is distributed throughout the US exclusively via Caroline Distribution, EMI Music for Canada and Plastichead Music for the rest of the world.
Confirmed dates for CIII are:
6/06/2009 Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
6/07/2009 House of Blues - W. Hollywood, CA
6/08/2009 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA
6/09/2009 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
6/10/2009 El Corazon - Seattle, WA
6/12/2009 The Underground - Calgary, AB
6/13/2009 The Exchange - Regina SK
6/14/2009 Royal Albert Arms - Winnipeg, MT
6/15/2009 Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
6/16/2009 The Pearl Room - Mokena, IL
6/17/2009 Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
6/18/2009 Wreck Room - Toronto, ON
6/19/2009 Petit Campus - Montreal, QC
6/20/2009 Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY
6/21/2009 BB Kings Blues Club - New York, NY
6/22/2009 Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
6/23/2009 Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
6/24/2009 The Muse - Nashville, TN
6/25/2009 The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
6/26/2009 The Garage - St. Petersburg, FL
6/27/2009 Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
6/29/2009 Firewater - Dallas, TX
For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa
Candlelight Records today announces its third label packaged tour for North America. Set to kick off on June 6, CIII will feature the talents of US black metal legends Absu, with support coming from France’s Glorior Belli, Austin-based Averse Sefira and Los Angeles-based Sothis. The tour will visit 22 cities throughout the US and Canada beginning in San Marcos, California and wrapping up in Dallas, Texas on June 29. Tickets for all shows go on sale exclusively at Enterthevault.com today. Tickets will go on sale through all local and online ticket agencies starting March 5.
Absu’s self-titled new album hits stores nationwide February 24. Currently featured on the cover of Metal Maniacs the album is the first to offer new material from the highly regarded metal band in nearly eight years. The Texas-based band, self-described as “mythological occult metal,” are a fan favorite the world over. Terrorizer Magazine calls the new album “a sound incarnate of a band making the underground amazing again… an undeniable masterpiece.” This will be the band’s first large-scale tour since their tour alongside Enslaved in 1997.
France’s Glorior Belli make their first trip to North America as they participate on CIII. Their sophomore record, Manifesting the Raging Beast, was released in 2007 via Southern Lord Records. The band now, signed to Candlelight, will begin recording of their label debut, titled Meet Us at the Southern Sign, this month with hopes to see it released during the tour. Popular site MetalKult said in review, “Manifesting is as darkly beautiful as it is gloom inducing."
Averse Sefira join CIII continuing to support their latest album, Advent Parallax. Time Out New York notes, “black-metal lifers Averse Sefira have become a road-hardened unit, and it shows in the blistering grooves of Advent Parallax. The fourth album of the band’s 12-year career has no gothic frills or weedy “kvlt” production, just eight battle-ready blasts jammed with parched-throat howls, scything guitar riffs, blistering drums and hooks that stick.” Their participation on the tour is their third national tour in two years having previously toured with labelmates 1349 in 2007 and with friends Immolation in early 2008.
Sothis released their debut, De Oppresso Liber, on September 2. Mixed by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond), the record has enjoyed growing and consistent sales since release. This will be the band’s first national tour. Canada’s popular Brave Words Bloody Knuckles magazine says, "behold the next big black metal band." The band is currently completing work on their first video from De Oppresso Liber for the album’s title track.
CIII follows the success of Candlelight’s previous label tours – the first in 2005 featuring Entombed, Crowbar, Pro-Pain & The Mighty Nimbus, and second in 2007 featuring Enslaved, Dark Funeral and then newcomers Abigail Williams. The label, maintaining offices in Philadelphia and London, continues to grow since launching American operations in 2001. Candlelight is distributed throughout the US exclusively via Caroline Distribution, EMI Music for Canada and Plastichead Music for the rest of the world.
Confirmed dates for CIII are:
6/06/2009 Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
6/07/2009 House of Blues - W. Hollywood, CA
6/08/2009 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA
6/09/2009 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
6/10/2009 El Corazon - Seattle, WA
6/12/2009 The Underground - Calgary, AB
6/13/2009 The Exchange - Regina SK
6/14/2009 Royal Albert Arms - Winnipeg, MT
6/15/2009 Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
6/16/2009 The Pearl Room - Mokena, IL
6/17/2009 Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
6/18/2009 Wreck Room - Toronto, ON
6/19/2009 Petit Campus - Montreal, QC
6/20/2009 Penny Arcade - Rochester, NY
6/21/2009 BB Kings Blues Club - New York, NY
6/22/2009 Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
6/23/2009 Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
6/24/2009 The Muse - Nashville, TN
6/25/2009 The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
6/26/2009 The Garage - St. Petersburg, FL
6/27/2009 Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
6/29/2009 Firewater - Dallas, TX
For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa
"EVIL" MATT JONES AND HIS COMICS.
From the Archives
Episode One: David Letterman & His Doorknob
By: Matthew Jones
Welcome to my new column, From The Archives, for all my fellow comic book enthusiasts! Rather than give the readers of Dirt Culture a review on a comic book that’s been released recently, I’ve decided to dig deep in my archives of comics to find a true gem to review. I’ve done this because if you really wanted to know what DC’s Final Crisis or Marvel’s Secret Invasion storylines were all about, you can already read a plethora of reviews out there already. Everyone else has beaten me to the punch of dissecting, critiquing, and giving an opinion on these “event” books. I’d rather do something different than rant or rave about books that everyone else is already ranting or raving about. For the record, I thought both of those events sucked, so why give them any more attention?
Instead, lets all go back to year 1984. The world was a much different place then, as far as comic books go, that is. Comics hadn’t quite gotten as dark as they are today, nor were they written with the intent of being collected into a graphic novel. You could actually read one issue of a comic book and get the same amount of satisfaction from it as you would today from a 6-issue graphic novel collection, if not more. Comics had a much lighter feel back then, and no other book than Avengers # 239, where the great David Letterman made an appearance, can prove that point.
David Letterman certainly wasn’t the first celebrity to appear in a comic book, nor would he be the last. He was definitely one of the more memorable celebrity appearances in comics though, and if you have read this issue then you know what I’m talking about.
To give you a brief synopsis, the super-hero Wonder Man (not to be confused or associated with DC Comics’ Wonder Woman) is struggling with his acting career, but gets a break by being offered a guest-spot on David Letterman’s show. The show asks Wonder Man to bring some of his Avenger buddies with him, so he brings along Beast, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and Black Panther. A throwaway villain by the name of Fabian Stankowicz, who won the lottery a few issues prior and decided to use his winnings to create machines to fight the Avengers, just so happens to be in the studio audience with his machinations hidden all over the set.
If you can suspend disbelief further, Stankowicz unleashes his doomsday machines while Hawkeye is talking to David Letterman. The audience thinks the whole thing is a prank for their amusement, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. The machines are actually very deadly, and the Avengers wind up having quite a situation on their hands.
Paul Shaefer, who has been David Letterman’s main music-man for almost his entire career, is unsure whether the whole thing is staged or not, and instructs the band to start playing music to go along with the mayhem. Stankowicz, whose goal in life is to gain the spotlight and become a villain in the same league as Dr. Doom and Magneto, goes onstage and begins talking to David Letterman. Letterman uses the situation to bide time for the Avengers to take care of the situation, but quickly realizes they have their hands full and takes Stankowicz on himself! Grabbing an oversized doorknob (which I can only assume was supposed to be a prop for a gag on the show), David Letterman bashes the “villain” over his head, which gives the Avengers the ability to take the machines down, as control over them was in Stankowicz’s hands. Stankowicz is arrested, the Avengers congratulate themselves, and David Letterman saves the day! Not a bad way to end a comic!
What makes this such a great issue is the dated feel it has. Not only do you see David Letterman with a full head of hair and acting like he used to actually act on his show back then, you also see a pre-bald Paul Shaefer. The humor of the David Letterman Show is completely evident in the issue, as is the banter between Letterman and Shaefer. It brings back a real sense of nostalgia to those of us who gave up on watching David Letterman’s show over the past few years.
Added to the comedic value of seeing David Letterman in this issue, Avengers # 239 is also a benchmark in the Marvel continuity. This is the issue where Beast announces he is leaving the Avengers to start up his own team, the Defenders. It’s also the first appearance of Hawkeye and Mockingbird as a married couple in the Avengers. There are quite a few bits of comic knowledge all throughout this issue, and those who enjoy comics will find much to love in this book.
I bought this issue at my local comic book store for about $3 a couple of years ago. This isn’t exactly a rare comic book, so tracking it down should not only be easy, but affordable. This is a comic book that should be in everyone’s collection, whether you’re a DC fan or a Marvel fan. There’s something for everyone in Avengers # 239. Do yourself a favor and procure a copy for yourself!
Join me next time as I delve deeper in the archives and dig up another comic book that everyone can enjoy. Until next time, this is your resident fanboy Matthew Jones, signing off!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
TOTAL EKLEIPSI
February newsletter
Valentine's day special!
VV. AA.
Valentine's Heart
Metal / Rock / Industrial / Electro
In the sweetest day of the year, this time you'll have something... different!
Valentine' s heart is a unique romantic presents for your flame: 12 songs from our best artists to put your feelings in music, with the best obscure romantic songs you could wish for.
VISIT PAGE -->
_______________________
All our releases are available for listening and download at www.ekleipsi.com
FINALLY!
Hails,
The new batch of THV CDS will be in stock tomorrow! ALL pre-orders will ship on 2-5-09. Those of you who were waiting can now order your copy of this great Funeral Doom album! If you have not had a chance to check out this band go to our myspace page or BPR MP3 page and you can hear some samples. Thanks to all for your patients!
Heathen Regards,
Mike/BPR
BPR015 THE HOWLING VOID (USA) "Megaliths Of The Abyss" (Symphonic Funeral Doom …meditations on nothingness, Chaos, and death. $8.00 US & Canada / Rest Of The World $12.00 (both prices include shipping charge)
BPR releases are now available via MP3 format at - www.metalhit.com - Extreme Black / Death Metal digital underground label.
Here you can get NEW BPR releases not yet out on CD format, as well as one out of print HELLVETO CD release! http://www.klicktrack.com/metalhit/search?l=Black+Plague+Records
~ BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS ~
SPREADING THE UNDERGROUND PLAGUE WORLDWIDE!!!
http://www.blackplaguerecords.com
http://www.myspace.com/blackplaguerecords
Address:
BLACK PLAGUE RECORDS
PMB 187
17602 17th Street #102
Tustin, CA 92780 - USA
NOCTURNAL MUCH?
Lecherous Nocturne - new album out now; US tour approaches
Perseverance. Determination. Integrity - Three words that unmistakably describe South Carolina's Lecherous Nocturne. Formed by guitarists Kreishloff, Chris Lollis and vocalist Hohenstein, the group has ignored every musical trend that has sprung up around them for nearly a decade, all the while building on and refining their sound through two critically hailed releases - 2003's self-titled EP, 2006's debut full-length Adoration of the Blade (Deepsend Records) and their intense, relentless live shows.
Throughout their tenure, this extreme-metal entity has endured hardships that would cripple or even kill most bands. Numerous bass and drummer changes, label shifts, a 1500 mile relocation, and even having everything they owned on tour, including their touring vehicle, stolen from them in 2007. And still... they persevere.
In 2008, fueled by theft, and an overwhelming urge to break from obscurity, the band entered Soundlab Studio in Columbia, SC to record The Age of Miracles Has Passed, out now on Unique Leader Records. Absolutely the band's most defining record to date, TAOMHP is filled with the trademark Lecherous speed, intelligence, and technicality, while building upon the brutality with refined vocals and infectious hooks certain to appeal to longtime fans of LN, as well as a legion of new ones to come.
Lecherous Nocturne are preparing to assault the US on the upcoming Metal Maniacs sponsored Grind Your Mind 2009 tour beginning late February alongside Embryonic Devourment and Sol Asunder, with more live dates and tour action to be announced soon.
Lecherous Nocturne live:
2/20/2009 Ground Zero - Spartanburg, SC
Grind Your Mind tour 2009
2/27/2009 The Black Castle - Los Angeles, CA
2/28/2009 The Metaphor Cafe - Escondido, CA
3/01/2009 The Sets - Tempe, AZ
3/02/2009 The Compound - Albuquerque, NM
3/03/2009 Chic's Billiards - El Paso, TX
3/04/2009 Reno's Chop Shop - Dallas, TX
3/05/2009 Jet Lounge - Houston, TX
3/06/2009 Dragon's Den - New Orleans, LA
3/07/2009 Brass Mug - Tampa, FL
3/08/2009 The Dungeon - Orlando, FL
3/09/2009 Lenny's Bar - Atlanta, GA
3/10/2009 The Talking Head - Baltimore, MD
3/11/2009 The Khyber - Philadelphia, PA
3/12/2009 The Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, PA
3/13/2009 Melody Inn - Indianapolis, IN
3/14/2009 The Metal Shaker - Chicago, IL
3/15/2009 Big V’s - St. Paul, MN
3/16/2009 Boobie Trap Bar - Topeka, KS
3/17/2009 The Funhouse - Denver, CO
3/18/2009 Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT
3/19/2009 The Gusto Bar - Boise, ID
3/20/2009 The Comet Tavern - Seattle, WA
3/21/2009 The Red Room - Portland, OR
"...one of those death metal bands that hasn't yet gotten the level of recognition so deserving of such a quality unit." - Metal Maniacs
"...an attacking, no-frills brutal death metal album that pulls no punches. Because the precipitous drop-off in quality brutal death metal bands, Lecherous Nocturne timed this perfectly." 8/10 - Blistering.com
"...it's the furious pace of the music that really compels here, the two guitar attack delivering one monstrous riff after another, the blast beats pummeling but not overpowering, and the growling vocals of Hohenstein the icing on the cake." 4/5 - SeaOfTranquility.com
Interviews and coverage of Lecherous Nocturne's new album The Age of Miracles Has Passed and on the upcoming tour are available now via Earsplit.
http://www.myspace.com/lecherousnocturne
http://www.uniqueleader.com
http://www.myspace.com/uniqueleaderrecords
Perseverance. Determination. Integrity - Three words that unmistakably describe South Carolina's Lecherous Nocturne. Formed by guitarists Kreishloff, Chris Lollis and vocalist Hohenstein, the group has ignored every musical trend that has sprung up around them for nearly a decade, all the while building on and refining their sound through two critically hailed releases - 2003's self-titled EP, 2006's debut full-length Adoration of the Blade (Deepsend Records) and their intense, relentless live shows.
Throughout their tenure, this extreme-metal entity has endured hardships that would cripple or even kill most bands. Numerous bass and drummer changes, label shifts, a 1500 mile relocation, and even having everything they owned on tour, including their touring vehicle, stolen from them in 2007. And still... they persevere.
In 2008, fueled by theft, and an overwhelming urge to break from obscurity, the band entered Soundlab Studio in Columbia, SC to record The Age of Miracles Has Passed, out now on Unique Leader Records. Absolutely the band's most defining record to date, TAOMHP is filled with the trademark Lecherous speed, intelligence, and technicality, while building upon the brutality with refined vocals and infectious hooks certain to appeal to longtime fans of LN, as well as a legion of new ones to come.
Lecherous Nocturne are preparing to assault the US on the upcoming Metal Maniacs sponsored Grind Your Mind 2009 tour beginning late February alongside Embryonic Devourment and Sol Asunder, with more live dates and tour action to be announced soon.
Lecherous Nocturne live:
2/20/2009 Ground Zero - Spartanburg, SC
Grind Your Mind tour 2009
2/27/2009 The Black Castle - Los Angeles, CA
2/28/2009 The Metaphor Cafe - Escondido, CA
3/01/2009 The Sets - Tempe, AZ
3/02/2009 The Compound - Albuquerque, NM
3/03/2009 Chic's Billiards - El Paso, TX
3/04/2009 Reno's Chop Shop - Dallas, TX
3/05/2009 Jet Lounge - Houston, TX
3/06/2009 Dragon's Den - New Orleans, LA
3/07/2009 Brass Mug - Tampa, FL
3/08/2009 The Dungeon - Orlando, FL
3/09/2009 Lenny's Bar - Atlanta, GA
3/10/2009 The Talking Head - Baltimore, MD
3/11/2009 The Khyber - Philadelphia, PA
3/12/2009 The Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, PA
3/13/2009 Melody Inn - Indianapolis, IN
3/14/2009 The Metal Shaker - Chicago, IL
3/15/2009 Big V’s - St. Paul, MN
3/16/2009 Boobie Trap Bar - Topeka, KS
3/17/2009 The Funhouse - Denver, CO
3/18/2009 Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT
3/19/2009 The Gusto Bar - Boise, ID
3/20/2009 The Comet Tavern - Seattle, WA
3/21/2009 The Red Room - Portland, OR
"...one of those death metal bands that hasn't yet gotten the level of recognition so deserving of such a quality unit." - Metal Maniacs
"...an attacking, no-frills brutal death metal album that pulls no punches. Because the precipitous drop-off in quality brutal death metal bands, Lecherous Nocturne timed this perfectly." 8/10 - Blistering.com
"...it's the furious pace of the music that really compels here, the two guitar attack delivering one monstrous riff after another, the blast beats pummeling but not overpowering, and the growling vocals of Hohenstein the icing on the cake." 4/5 - SeaOfTranquility.com
Interviews and coverage of Lecherous Nocturne's new album The Age of Miracles Has Passed and on the upcoming tour are available now via Earsplit.
http://www.myspace.com/lecherousnocturne
http://www.uniqueleader.com
http://www.myspace.com/uniqueleaderrecords
Monday, February 2, 2009
NEKRO-TORSONOMICON (A DIRT CULTURE VAULT REVIEW)
NEKRO-TORSO - TORSO GRINDCORE 1991-1993
Hoo boy, is this a fucking riot on what? Take a trip down memory lane from back when tape trading and "well-concealed cash" in envelopes were the only means to really get any iota of underground goodness. Sloppily hand-written letters sent worldwide (sometimes with no reply at all, jerkasses!) and lewd anticipation for the package to arrive got me through much of high school, eagerly awaiting my new tape from some band I MIGHT have one other person to discuss with. Nekro-Torso were part of this circuit, releasing four sloppily recorded demos/rehearsals in two years before disappearing off of the face of the earth. Here you can enjoy 46 songs of total mayhem and ear-scraping chaos with a ton of shoddy artwork, photos, and reproductions of all the band's other silliness in glorious black and white for that extra early-90s charm. Man, don't you just love songs less than 30 seconds that make you want to break bottles and jump around like a maniac? Scream till your vocal chords are permanently damaged! (FA)
LOLITA SLAVINDER RECORDS
www.cfprod.com/LS/, www.24.fi/nekro-torso/
I COMMAND THE FORCES OF DARKNESS...
WAR HAMMER COMMAND - HELLISH WRATH
A collection of all the materials up until now from this barbaric Brazilian band, War Hammer Command grinds and crushes all things weak under the deathly duo of Azrael's and Count Abigor's heels. As fast and brutal as you could could ever hope for in any style of underground insanity, this is hellish wrath in it's truest sense! Make sure your head stays on as these guys would just as soon rip it the fuck off! (FA)
OLD CEMETERY RECORDS
www.oldcemetery.tk, info@oldcemetary.tk, www.myspace.com/ocr666, azrael_pactum@hotmail.com
A collection of all the materials up until now from this barbaric Brazilian band, War Hammer Command grinds and crushes all things weak under the deathly duo of Azrael's and Count Abigor's heels. As fast and brutal as you could could ever hope for in any style of underground insanity, this is hellish wrath in it's truest sense! Make sure your head stays on as these guys would just as soon rip it the fuck off! (FA)
OLD CEMETERY RECORDS
www.oldcemetery.tk, info@oldcemetary.tk, www.myspace.com/ocr666, azrael_pactum@hotmail.com
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