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If you are looking for new Stoner Rock, Doom, Heavy Psych or Sludge Metal bands, then you have come to the right place. Heavy Planet has been providing free promotion to independent and unsigned bands since 2008. Find your next favorite band at Heavy Planet. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Long Distance Calling Added to Roadburn Festival

Long Distance Calling

"It is a great honour for us to play this visionary festival with such great bands, see you there and catch us on stage April 19."

For details on the Roadburn Festival `08 (featuring Celtic Frost, Isis, Cult of Luna, Trouble, and more), please check www.roadburn.com or www.myspace.com/roadburnfestival.


www.longdistancecalling.de
www.myspace.com/longdistancecalling

Baby Woodrose Split 7""Here Today Gone Tomorrow" Missing

From Bad Afro Records:

The new Baby Woodrose/Dollhouse split 7" was supposed to be released today, March 31... but it wont. The freight company doesn`t know what happened to the shipment of the singles - they simply disappeared. Out in thin air. Just like that. A new pressing is in the making and new release date is now April 14. Sorry about the inconvenience.

The Baby Woodrose contribution to the split 7", "Here Today Gone Tomorrow" (wrong choice of songtitle it seems), can still be heard on the Bad Afro MySpace page and is available for download on Klicktrack.com exclusively effective Monday, March 31.

Obiat Set To Record New Album In May

Obiat is going to record their third album in May. The album is going to be mixed and mastered with Billy Anderson (Orange Goblin, Sleep, Acid King, Primordial, Fantomas, and Mr. Bungle, among others).

Track Listing:

01. Poison Thy Honey
02. The Old Man of the Sea (Delights)
03. Serpents Rites
04. No Mad No Mind
05. AA54089
06. The House of Forgotten Sins


For more info, visit, www.myspace.com/obiat or www.obiat.com.

Free Compilation Featuring Cortez, Graveyard, Deville, and More

German web-zine Generated X proudly presents Electric Magic – Volume One

In cooperation with various labels and bands, among them names like Buzzville and Bad Afro, we are proud to present our first download-sampler, Electric Magic. This shall be published regularly in the coming future and parallel to reviews and articles on our pages. The download is for free! In a mix of heavy and stoner, psychedelic and all relative genres you will find some known and some more less-known "outsiders," who all truly deserve to get a lot more of your attention!

Track Listing:

01. Cortez - The High Life (from Thunder In A Forgotten Town - Buzzville, 2008)
02. Kaross - Shovel (from Molossus - Eastground, 2007)
03. The Setting Son - In A Certain Way (from The Setting Son - Bad Afro, 2007)
04. SEID - Swamp Doom (from Creatures Of The Underworld - Sulatron, 2006)
05. Fuzz Manta - On The Edge (from On The Edge Demo EP – self-released, 2007)
06. Ahkmed - T=0 (from In Your Neck Of The Dying Woods EP - Hoodoo Productions, 2005)
07. Graveyard - Evil Ways (from Graveyard - Transubstans, 2007)
08. Mojo Jazz Mob - Plasma Junge (from Pacific Daybreak Broken Nights - Swamp Room, 2007)
09. Skywise - Magic Lantern (from Give The Devil His Brew - Dogstar, 2004)
10. The Magnificent Brotherhood - Cracker (from The Magnificent Brotherhood - Magnificent Music, 2008)
11. Pater Nembrot - E´Permesso? (from Mandria EP - Atomic Records, 2007)
12. 1000mods - Boor (from Blank Reality EP – self-released, 2006)
13. Astrid Pröll - Pröll 2 (from Astrid Pröll - Noisex, 2006)
14. Deville - Come Heavy Sleep (from Come Heavy Sleep - Buzzville, 2008)



Get the download here.

Album Of The Day-Truckfighters-"Gravity X" (2005)

The Album of the Day is "Gravity X" by Truckfighters.



Review

At a time when genuine '90s desert/stoner rock is a mostly abandoned art form, leave it to a band from Sweden (where all rock & roll subgenres eventually come to roost and live forever, in timeless, hermetic preservation) like the Truckfighters to deliver an album that sounds as though it was conceived about eight years before its 2005 release date. Imagine Americans Fu Manchu, compatriots Lowrider, or Holland's Dozer and you'll immediately get the gist of Gravity X's groove-heavy brand of fuzz-rock; where mellow flights of psych and space rock frequently balance out the churning power chords that surround them (see "Gargarismo," "Momentum," and "Manhattan Project"), and extended bouts of jamming sometimes drag the action a little longer than needed ("Desert Cruiser," "Superfunk," "Gweedo-Weedo"). Not completely devoid of surprises, however, Gravity X proffers a few pleasant anomalies like "Subfloor" and its startling horn section (an idea borrowed from Dutchmen On Trial, perhaps?), the relaxing and lysergic instrumental epic "Altered State," and the ultra-punchy "Freewheelin'," which rockets us back to the future with its synth-aping guitar licks, raging riffs, and quirky finale (Spanish guitars, no less), right out of the Queens of the Stone Age new age/new wave manual. And just when you thought you would make it through this entire review without reading the word Kyuss, the band uncorks a pair thunderous desert moshers -- "In Search of (The)" and "A. Zapruder" -- as the album nears conclusion -- oh well, at least it took them this long. Even so, the Truckfighters do a good enough job with these very old tricks, that they almost sound fresh again -- maybe desert and stoner rock are ready for a comeback. (Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Desert Cruiser
02. Gargarismo
03. Momentum
04. Freewheelin'
05. Deal, The
06. Superfunk
07. Subfloor
08. Gweedo-weedo
09. Manhattan Project
10. In Search Of (The) Intermission
11. A. Zapruder
12. Altered State

Stream

MySpace
Official Website

Sunday, March 30, 2008

SLUDGE: Next 3 Songs From Upcoming Album Available For Streaming

Following on from the first streaming of three tracks from their forthcoming album "Lava", Swiss doom metallers SLUDGE will this weekend make available another three tracks on their MySpace page. "Idi Na Hui", "Below (Litanies Of Satan)" and "Machine" are the tracks that will replace the currently featured "60 MM", "Carnivore" and "Lava" on Sunday, March 30.

SAMAEL guitarist Makro, who formed SLUDGE ten years ago with drummer Pud, commented: "We decided to stream six of the nine tracks from the new album so that fans would get a chance to hear something before the album is released. It's something more and more bands are doing these days. When you think about it, it's not very realistic, and not very fair, for a lesser known band to expect people to go out and buy an album without knowing what they're getting, and we are confident that the new material will appeal to those who like their music with dirty, heavy and uncompromising doom-laden riffs. In fact, the feedback we received after making the first three titles available has more than justified our decision to stream the tracks."

"Lava" is scheduled for release on the Mighty Music label during April/May, and features two new members — Ulik on bass and Odin (HOUSTON SWING ENGINE, UNFOLD) on vocals.

"Lava" track listing:

01. 60 MM
02. Idi Na Hui
03. Lava
04. Carnivore
05. Below (Litanies Of Satan)
06. Monolith
07. Machine
08. Inquisition
09. The End

"Lava" was produced by Makro, mixed by Serge Morattel (KNUT, NOSTROMO, SHORA), and mastered by Alan Douches (MASTODON, CONVERGE). According to a press release, the album is "dirty, un-commercial, heavy as shit."

With regards to the musical direction of the upcoming CD, Makro previously said, "All we can say is that this is gonna be a bit different, keeping the heavy and dirty feel from our sound, we've been experimenting more things and paths… There's gonna be blood, teeth and the doomest atmospheres we've ever recorded…"

SLUDGE's video for the song "60mm" can be viewed below.



Official Website

MONSTER MAGNET: More Dates Announced

MONSTER MAGNET has scheduled the following dates:

June 20 - Scheessel, GER - Hurricane Festival
June 21 - Neuhausen Ob Eck, GER - Southside Festival
June 24 - London, UK - Astoria
June 25 - Brussels, BEL - AB
June 27 - Gothenburg, SWE - Metal Town
June 28 - Oslo, NOR - Sentrum Scene

MONSTER MAGNET's new album, "4-Way Diablo", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 81. The CD, which was produced by Matt Hyde and features a cover version of THE ROLLING STONES' "2,000 Light Years from Home", previously landed on the Swedish chart at No. 51. The album sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.

Album Of The Day-Black Mountain-"In The Future" (2008)

I have been picking older titles recently to feature as Album Of The Day, but decided to give the title to "In The Future" by Black Mountain after listening to it repeatedly over the last week or so. A little more Indie Rock than most of the stuff I post on here, but pretty cool nonetheless. Check it!



Review:
During the nearly three years between Black Mountain's self-titled debut album and its sophomore full-length In the Future, there had been extensive touring, a first attempt at recording which proved to be a false start of sorts (though some of those songs ended up here), and a kind of development that would seem radical if these Vancouverites weren't so quirky to begin with. Certainly, the roots of this sound are evident on the debut album. It's loaded with trippy neo-psych folk and rock tropes. But these are counterweighted with a drenched-in-prog-and-Sabbath bombast that makes the title seem ironic. If not laugh out loud funny. That's right: prog rock and Black Sabbath-like riffery and knotty, multi-part structures worthy of Greenslade are all entwined with pixie-ish protocol, acid-laced folk (think Melanie meets Sandy Denny meets Grace Slick's early period duets with Marty Balin and Paul Kantner on the Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow and Volunteers). The weird thing is, despite its obvious nods to rock collections, including not only Sabbath's Master of Reality but Jethro Tull's Thick as a Brick, Hawkwind's Warrior on the Edge of Time, Peter Hammill's entire Charisma period, Eloy's first three albums, Rush's 2112 (where some of these rather drenched-in-warped-myth lyrics were derived from; but then they're Canadians too), and Led Zep's Physical Graffiti, with a touch of the optimism of Thunderclap Newman and Graham Nash -- all is tempered by Neil Young's sleepy delivery -- sometimes in the same song! The sheer heaviness of tracks like "Stormy High," that wails out of the gate with guitars in full pummel riffage, fuzzed out bassline, and floor tom, bass drum, hi hat fury are stretched out by layers of Mellotrons! Then, Stephen McBean and Amber Webber begin wailing wordlessly à la "Immigrant Song," before McBean takes the lead vocal and you're ready for your space rock pith helmet! Where's Michael Moorcock when you need him? He's about all that's missing. It gets more insistent before it lets up with the starting-in-fifth-gear "Tyrants," that winds and wends its way through a multi-dimensional journey densely packed with sonic wonkery, key and time changes, and the feeling of a journey through time and space for over eight minutes. The sheer sonic throb is balanced by long, droning Mellotron and analogue synth drones, tribal, chant-like drumming, and the pleading, world-weary, vulnerable voice of McBean. It's quite a thing, but it's only a precursor to the truly epic "Bright Lights" near the end of the set that rages on for nearly 17 minutes. Fuzzy electrics, shimmering acoustics, and trance-like keyboards flit in and out between the alternating vocals of McBean and Webber. The music picks up intensity, shifts direction numerous times, and careens across the rock and folkscapes of rock's history from the late '60s through the '70s with great focus, wit, and ambition. There are other things like this here, too, with the utterly beautiful and tender lysergic folk explorations in "Stay Free," where unplugged six-strings, tambourine, McBean's falsetto, and Webber's harmony are seamless, as of one voice. The lyrics are direct, but the sheer sparseness of the mix (organs hover in the backdrop) stands in such sharp contrast to "Wucan" and "Tyrant" that it's like a wake-up call from the ether. (Movie music directors, take heed: this is the one you want for those long reflective moments where the two main characters have parted to rethink their positions.) It picks up, but never too much; the bridge is wonderfully constructed with just enough ornamentation to take it up a notch texturally and dynamically. "Wild Wind," clocking in under two minutes could be a lost Kevin Ayers' outtake. It's only a shame it's so brief. "Evil Ways" -- no relation to the Santana number -- is all metallic stoner rock with rumbling, quaking tom toms, piercing guitars, and huge organs challenging one another to overcome the vocals. As atrocious as this all sounds, perhaps, it's actually quite wonderful and it works without faltering. For what it is, is a stunning extension of the root sound Black Mountain arrived with. Part of the credit has to go to John Congleton for his amazing mix. It's packed with stuff, but there's enough space here, and wonderfully warm atmospheres, to bring the listener right into the deeper sonic dimensions that Black Mountain is trying to create. That it's done without artificial sounding punch up or tons of digital effects makes it come together as a whole. There is no sophomore slump here. (Thom Jurek, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Stormy High" - 4:32
02. "Angels" - 3:07
03. "Tyrants" - 8:00
04. "Wucan" - 6:01
05. "Stay Free" - 4:29
06. "Queens Will Play" - 5:15
07. "Evil Ways" - 3:25
08. "Wild Wind" - 1:42
09. "Bright Lights" - 16:37
10. "Night Walks" - 3:55

Disc 2 (Limited Edition version only)

01. "Bastards of Light" - 5:09
02. "Thirteen Walls" - 7:06
03. "Black Cat" - 2:51

Stream

MySpace
Official Website

Saturday, March 29, 2008

MASTODON Performs At U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships; Photos Available

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on March 18, MASTODON was one of the scheduled performers at the finals of the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships at Stratton Mountain in Vermont.

The 26th annual competition bills itself as "the Most Righteous Snowboarding Battle of the Ages," according to The Associated Press. It includes under-the-tent jousting demonstrations and features halfpipe, slopestyle and big air events.

This year, NBC televised the finals, on tape delay, on Sunday, March 23.

Check out pictures of MASTODON's performance on the band's MySpace page (free MySpace registration required to view photos).

LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR: 'Uncensored' Version Of "War Metal Battle Master" Video Posted Online

Chicago-based doomsters LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR have posted the "uncensored" version of their "War Metal Battle Master" video at this location (***WARNING***: Video contains graphic violence and nudity).

Album Of The Day-Red Sparowes-"At The Soundless Dawn" (2005)

I am in a bit of a chilled out mood today so I decided to sit back and enjoy the "relaxing" sounds of "At The Soundless Dawn" by Red Sparowes.



Review:

Adjectives like oceanic, atmospheric, and epic are what spring to mind when describing Red Sparowes' debut, At the Soundless Dawn. Their music is all of these things and more. Red Sparowes are often mentioned in the same breath as instrumental bands Isis, Pelican, and Sunn 0))), and while they share influences and have similarities, Red Sparowes go off in a slightly different direction, with metal playing a more subdued role in the sonic architecture. Most of the tracks on At the Soundless Dawn are musical poetry. They are languid and expansive, carrying the listener across vast distances, simulating both the endless unfolding of open road, the gentle rock of waves, and the soaring and plummeting of mountain ranges. Several musical themes are picked up and repeated across the seven album tracks, further strengthening the sense that a coherent story is being told, albeit without words. The track titles, when read as though they were each a line of a poem, provide additional insight into the album's themes and reinforce the storytelling power of the album: "Alone and Unaware, the Landscape Was Transformed in Front of Our Eyes," "Buildings Began to Stretch Wide Across the Sky, and the Air Filled with a Reddish Glow," "The Soundless Dawn Came Alive as Cities Began to Mark the Horizon," "Mechanical Sounds Cascaded Though the City Walls and Everyone Reveled in Their Ignorance," "A Brief Moment of Clarity Broke Through the Deafening Hum, But It Was Too Late," "Our Happiest Days Slowly Began to Turn into Dust," "The Sixth Extinction Crept Up Slowly, Like Sunlight Through the Shutters, as We Looked Back in Regret." Despite the fact that several members of the band have played in more metal-oriented outfits (specifically Isis and Neurosis), Red Sparowes' music has more muted sensibilities. This is not to say that there's nothing heavy on the album; nothing could be further from the truth, particularly on "Alone and Unaware" and "Buildings Begin to Stretch Wide." (Alexandra Zorn, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Alone and Unaware, the Landscape was Transformed in Front of Our Eyes" – 8:27
02. "Buildings Began to Stretch Wide Across the Sky, And the Air Filled With A Reddish Glow" – 7:22
03. "The Soundless Dawn Came Alive as Cities Began to Mark the Horizon" – 4:18
04. "Mechanical Sounds Cascaded Through the City Walls and Everyone Reveled in Their Ignorance" – 11:19
05. "A Brief Moment of Clarity Broke Through the Deafening Hum, But It Was Too Late" – 5:59
06. "Our Happiest Days Slowly Began to Turn into Dust" – 5:40
07. "The Sixth Extinction Crept Up Slowly, Like Sunlight Through the Shutters, As We Looked Back in Regret" – 19:30
08. "I Saw The Sky In The North Open To The Ground And Fire Poured Out" (Bonus Track) - 7:07

*Please note that the eighth bonus track was initially only available on Japanese releases of the album. It would later be released for American fans on a split EP with Gregor Samsa.

Stream

MySpace
Official Website

New Eternal Elysium Video

From Eternal Elysium:

We`ve put a new video clip up on our MySpace page for the tune "Shadowed Flower."

This tune is also featured on our upcoming 10" vinyl release from Belgium`s Electric Earth records. It`s a limited pressing of 500, the first 100 copies on luscious blue vinyl, and comes with a poster of the band.

Cheers
Eternal Elysium

Valient Thorr Postpones Touring Schedule

LOS ANGELES, CA (March 26, 2008) – Valient Himself announced today that Valient Thorr will be postponing all activities April 15 through June 10 to allow him to donate a kidney to his ailing father. Valient’s decision to take public what is a private family event stems from the National Kidney Foundation’s outreach. As Valient Thorr is on a single-minded mission to spread their message of redemption wrapped in rock n’ roll, this is another chance to illuminate a critically important issue that people don`t think about unless they are personally touched. Says Valient, “If I can go from a hospital bed to playing in front of a crowd of 75,000 at the UK’s Download Festival in just eight weeks, people out there might consider becoming organ donors as well. If they have family members who need a kidney, it`s definitely something to think about; and if not, they can still learn about designating themselves as organ donors on their driver`s license.” More information on kidney donations can be found at www.kidney.org or www.livingdonors.org

Says Catherine Paykin, Transplant Services Program Director, National Kidney Foundation, “We are delighted that Valient Himself has decided to take his donation story public. We hope that it serves to shed light on the lifesaving power of organ donation and encourages others to get involved. We wish him and his father a speedy recovery.”

Prior to Valient Himself’s scheduled surgery on April 29, the band will play a private show at the Volcom skate park on April 8 to air May 29 on Fuel TV’s Check 1, 2. They will resume their European tour on June 13 and return to the U.S. for a nationwide tour beginning in July. Information on specific dates will be posted as available on www.ValientThorr.com.

Valient Thorr will release Immortalizer on June 17 on Volcom Entertainment. The new record — their fourth in five years — is a testament to the band’s hard-working existence, with a staggeringly productive tour schedule that finds them averaging close to 250 dates a year (this surgery rest being Valient’s longest time off since 2003). Immortalizer was recorded in Seattle with the legendary Jack Endino, producer of seminal albums by Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney, as well as younger upstarts Hot Hot Heat and High On Fire. Immortalizer follows in the footsteps of the band’s self-released 2003 debut, Stranded on Earth, their 2005 Volcom debut, Total Universe Man, and 2006’s Legend of the World. New guitarist Voiden Thorr brings a sharper metal edge into the fold, joining fellow six-stringer Eidan Thorr, drummer Lucian Thorr and bassist Nitewolf.

Catacomb Records Updates

From Catacomb Records:

Just a quick update on what`s happening at Catacomb HQ!

The February release of The Sound of the Catacombs compilation has been well received in the press. Go to our My Space and scroll down to the list of magazines/webzines to read all of the reviews. The compilation features 17 artists who we think are some of the best stoner/doom bands around at the moment.

The launch nights were also a success, the Sheffield date at The Red House featured Berserkowitz, Grifter, Outburst, and Aluna and The Birmingham date at Scruffy Murphys featured Godsize, I Am Colossus, and Aluna. Thanks to all bands and venue promoters involved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Releases

Sonic Lord - Trawling Through Sludge
Release date: Monday, 31 March
Limited edition 7" orange vinyl from the Birmingham kings of bowel wrenching grooves.

Aluna - Fall To Earth
Release date: Monday, 5 May
Three-track EP from the Midlands based psych-blues-doomsters. "Jefferson Sabbath anyone?"

Aluna/Queen Elephantine - Split 7"
Release date: end of May
Limited edition 7" coloured vinyl from the Midlands based psych-blues-doomsters Aluna and the Hong King/USA-based psychedelic doomsters Queen Elephantine. It will be available from Aluna, Queen Elephantine, and Catacomb Records.

There are other releases in the pipeline which will be announced shortly... update coming soon.

Catacomb Records
Stoner/doom/70s/psychedelia/fuzz/sludge
PO Box 5018
Walsall, WS1 9FP, UK
www.catacomb-records.co.uk
www.myspace.com/catacombrecords

Ape Ray Available For Free Download

Hong Kong two-piece noise/doom band Ape Ray has released their new album, available for free download at www.myspace.com/aperayband

Ape Ray features members of Queen Elephantine.

Update From Small Stone Records

From Small Stone Records:

Yep, ever year we go through this, a week of 80 and 90 degree temps in Austin and then bam... right back to winter in the Motor City. One of these days we might finally get use to it. Anyway, we like to say a special thanks to the Room 710, Craig at SXSW, and all of our bands who traveled a long way and put on a great show. A good time was head by all. We got to see some old friends, and make some new ones. We would also like to say an extra thanks to Rick from Sasquatch for doing double drum duty fiiling in with Iota. Rick, you really saved the day on that one. Thanks!

The new Shame Club CD, Come On, just showed up via our lovely UPS carrier. All that really needs to be said about the Shame Club is this, the band rules, the CD rules, buy it now. You will be humming the album for years to come in your automobile. The Shame Club will also be embarking on an East Coast tour in a few weeks as well. You really do not want to miss them. If you need more proof, you can check out the Shame Club on our jukebox. Their song "Jonestown" was added to it earlier today.

MySpace

Iota’s new album, Tales, is days away from heading to the plant. The artwork is done, and we are just waiting for the final master from Mr. Gooseman. If you are a fan of the heavy and trippy, with some old school 70’s blues rock tossed in for good measure, then you are going to want to add Tales to your collection post haste.

MySpace

Five Horse Johnson is gearing up to record their sixth full length late this spring. The band has been busy working on new material, and their yet to be titled release will be the first one recorded as a five piece. We have had the privilege of hearing a few of the new tunes at their rehearsal and they are very much in the realm of Foghat, Mountain, and Led Zeppelin. The FHJ band are hoping to have there new one ready to go for the fall and a European Tour is currently being planned.

MySpace

Boston`s Hackman recently went down to NYC to record their second album with the legendary Andrew Schneider (Scissorfight, Throttlerod, Unsane). The band will be returned to the Big Apple on May 13 to play their first show there, at the Trash Bar.

MySpace

Finally, Please welcome Whitey Morgan and the 78’s to the Small Stone family. We were so tickled by their version of "Running with the Devil", that we went back and checked out their original material... and guess what, we got hooked. So, there is a first time for everything, Small Stone is entering the world of Outlaw Country and Whitey and his band will be hitting Rustbelt Studios next week to begin recording their new album. If you are a fan of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Steve Earle, then you are going to really dig these guys. If you only like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, you might want to skip this one.

MySpace

SmallStone.com

Friday, March 28, 2008

The Sword-"Gods Of The Earth" Availailable For Streaming

"Gods of the Earth", the brand new album from the Austin, TX-based quartet THE SWORD, is available for streaming in its entirety on the band's MySpace page.

In addition to the recently announced West Coast tour dates, The Sword will be touring the East Coast this May. Support comes from Torche and Stinking Lizaveta.

US “Gods of the Earth” East Coast Tour with support from Torche and Stinking Lizaveta

May 9: Ft Worth, TX - Lola`s
May 10: Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
May 11: Nashville, TN - Exit / In
May 12: Covington, KY The Mad Hatter
May 13: Detroit, MI - The Magic Stick
May 14: Columbus, OH Ravari Room
May 15: Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
May 16: Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
May 17: Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
May 18: Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
May 20: Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater
May 21: Savannah, GA The Jinx
May 22: Tallahassee, FL The Beta Bar
May 23: St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
May 24: Orlando, FL - The Social
May 25: Gainesville, FL Common Grounds
May 26: Atlanta, GA - Lenny`s
May 27: Birmingham, AL - Bottle Tree
May 28: Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
May 29: Houston, TX - Rudyard`s

Album Of The Day-Greatdayforup-"Flores de Sangre" (2005)

The Album Of The Day is "Flores de Sangre" by Greatdayforup.



Greatdayforup's full-length debut is a guitar album, which may seem like a redundant assertion to make about any heavy rock disc, but in this case the evidence is simply overwhelming -- overwhelming a very capable singer in Mike Langone, overwhelming the band's sturdy rhythm section, and even overwhelming the songs themselves on occasion, making them feel like a secondary function of Mike Vitali and Jay Sunkes' domineering six-strings. This is the sound of riffs upon riffs, compacted into layers so dense and sludgy they could level city blocks (think Red Giant's riff mastery matched to Bongzilla's crushing grooves), yet, still, it usually works. First highlight "Taste the Wasted" sets the tone by marrying sledgehammer heavy metal riffs, ululating Queens of the Stone Age-type vocals, and plonking cowbells driving at high speeds; "Another Lesson," "Man's Ruin" (no apparent reference to the famed and doomed stoner rock label), and "Deme Su Coolo" alternate periods of galloping fury with jolting staggers and stutters; and "To the Limit," "Rise," and "Three Card" frequent generally slower time zones (not quite doom, but close) while retaining a menacing intensity. Not as successful, the funkier-riffed "Check This Out" and "Twist of the Spine" get a little lost rocking in circles, the turgid "Wish I Was Gone" brings to mind some of the weaker efforts by labelmates Halfway to Gone, and the instrumental title track's muddy piano lines offer only the curiosity of sounding as though they were recorded from inside the piano. All things considered, Flores de Sangre still makes a pretty strong impression for a debut album, but it'd be nice to hear the guitarists share the wealth some more on the next go-round. (Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Sinner Takes All
02. Taste of the Wasted
03. Another Lesson
04. To the Limit
05. Check this Out
06. Man's Ruin
07. Twist of the Spine
08. R.I.S.E.
09. Deme Su Coolo
10. Three Car
11. Wish I Was Gone
12. Flores de Sangre

Stream

MySpace

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Album Of The Day-Eyehategod-"Confederacy Of Ruined Lives" (2000)

I have really been getting into some Southern Doom lately, so my pick for Album Of The Day is "Confederacy Of Ruined Lives" by Eyehategod. Brilliant!

A "comeback" album after a four-year recording hiatus and a rumored breakup, Confederacy of Ruined Lives finds Eyehategod returning to the same Southern doom metal style they have become infamous for over the years. There are a few slight changes that distinguish this CD from their earlier efforts. The production is cleaner than on their first two albums, while less dense and suffocating than on the previous Dopesick. The songs are still based around Jimmy Bowers' and Brian Patton's patented bluesy, down-tuned swamp metal riffs and do contain their share of painfully slow moments, but there are (relatively speaking) a few more grooves and catchy moments than in the past. There is also an especially noticeable Southern rock feel at points, as with the Allman Brothers-gone-metal breakdown on "99 Miles of Bad Road." Ultimately, though, this is the same Eyehategod: bitter, angry, hopeless, and alone. Needless to say, they do not offer the sort of experience everyone looks for in a rock record. At their best, however, Eyehategod offers up a sort of purifying negativity that is hard to find elsewhere, and Confederacy of Ruined Lives keeps that quality remaining strongly in effect even as it suggests the band may wind up seriously repeating themselves in the future. (William York, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Revelation/Revolution" – 4:18
02. "Blood Money" – 4:11
03. "Jack Ass in the Will of God" – 2:47
04. "Self Medication Blues" – 4:46
05. "The Concussion Machine Process" – 2:20
06. "Inferior and Full of Anxiety" – 3:19
07. ".001%" – 6:23
08. "99 Miles of Bad Road" – 3:48
09. "Last Year (She Wanted a Doll House)" – 4:53
10. "Corruption Scheme" – 3:43

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The Mass Releases New EP

San Francisco Bay Area metal/punk/jazz/lunatic combo The Mass proudly releases the limited CD-R EP Holocene #6, now boasting four-string assault skills of Andrew Lund (Lower Forty-Eight, Sons of Oswald). Once again utilizing producer Tim Green of The Fucking Champs, four fullthrottle tunes showcasing blasphemous sonic headfuckery, raw death guitar ripping flesh, thrashing scream throat hate, warped unjazz Coleman saxophone massacre, too-distorted fuck you bass chugs, neck-snapping too-fast frantic drum fragments, thudding plodding stop-on-a dime, fast/slow unorthodox approach to music composition, answering to no trend, caring for no approval, leaving all who know this disc chock full of Fuck-off old-school punk Coltrane disaster-economics. End game, we do not care any more about popularity contests and online friend-orgies, we just wanted to say fuck it all and make the gnarliest shit of our careers, and we did, and you are holding it now here in your hands, fucking crank it sucker.

"Even when they`re bouncing off the walls, hitting you with a flurry of off kilter rhythms, jagged jackhammer riffs, barked vocals, and jarring saxophone, they`re still moving as one."
- StonerRock.com

"...the material on Holocene #6 is the best of their work thus far. Tension builds with controlled, metallic bursts packed with devious guitar riffs that eventually unite under a banner of galloping thrash and later maniacally tripped out jazz metal."
- Hellride Music

"...the band’s hostile, peppy metallinoise scratches that crusty scab on my heart that’s existed ever since Amphetamine Reptile stopped releasing new material."
- Prefix Mag

"If this is the continued direction of The Mass, they`ll be right where Every Time I Die and Dillinger Escape Plan was a couple years ago before those two broke out."
- The Metal Minute

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Pentagram Records New Material

From Super 8 Studios:

Legendary doom metal icon Bobby Liebling and Pentagram graced Super 8 Studios with their presence to record a song for the upcoming Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett tribute, Like Black Holes in the Sky, on Dwell Records.

Over the course of two marathon sessions Pentagram (also featuring Gary Isom and Kayt Vigil) recorded the song "Flaming" from Floyd`s debut LP, Piper at the Gates of Dawn. It came out great!

Also scheduled to appear on the comp is Stinking Lizaveta, Intronaut, Unearthly Trance, Kylesa, Jesu, Zodiak, Kosmos (featuring Michel Langevin of Voivod), and many more.

Super 8 will also be handling the mastering. Stay tuned.

Akimbo Already Working on Another Album

From Akimbo:

Our next album will be released on Neurot Recordings. Its a concept record called Jersey Shores, about a series of shark attacks that happened in 1916. The album is six songs and clocks in at 45 minutes. We were asked to do the record on Neurot when we played with Neurosis and Converge a few weeks ago.

We will also be doing a short west coast tour with Turbonegro in mid April. Tour dates are as follows:

April 21: Seattle, WA - El Corazon, with Turbonegro
April 22: Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom, with Turbonegro
April 23: Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater, with Turbonegro
April 24: San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall, with Turbonegro
April 25: Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst, with Turbonegro
April 26: Oakland, CA - The Warehouse, with Triclops and The Pigs
April 27: Arcata, CA - The Alibo
April 28: Portland, OR - The East End
April 29: Bellingham, WA - Hot Shotz, with Cocadas

Doomed to Fall Festival Reaches the Third Chapter

Announcing Doomed to Fall: Chapter III

Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar
San Antonio, TX
October 10 - 12, 2008
$8 adults; $10 minors (under 21)

This year`s Doomed to Fall Festival will take place from Friday, October 10 (7 pm – 1:30 am), Saturday, October 11 (4:30 pm – 1:30 am), and Sunday, October 12 (5:30 pm – 12:00 am). The current list of scheduled bands (in no order) is as follows:

Sourvein
Negative Reaction
Maegashira
Loss
Grey
Las Cruces
Roanoke
Gravecode Nebula
Seawitch
Hog Mountain
Pillcrusher
Bowel
The Devil and the Sea
Nesta
Jail
Conquerors
Bastardwolf

Hermano`s Sole US Show Is This Saturday

Hermano has scheduled its sole US show for Saturday, March 29 at A1A in Lexington, KY.

With its members scattered across the country, one-off shows are virtually impossible for Hermano, and the band tours infrequently, making this show a truly special opportunity for fans to experience Hermano live.

Also appearing will be The Oxford Farm Report, Fabric, and Earle Grey featuring Steve Earle. Doors open at 9 pm. Tickets are $8 in advance through www.ticketfusion.com and $10 at the door.

Hermano’s "…Into the Exam Room", the third release from American heavy blues rockers Hermano, was released January 22 in North America via Regain Records. The group, which features musical heavyweights John Garcia (Kyuss/Unida), David Angstrom (Black Cat Bone/Supafuzz), Steve “Dandy” Brown (Dock Ellis/Orquesta del Desierto), Chris Leathers (Supafuzz), and Mike Callahan (Disengage/Earshot), went for a classic old-school escape-ism approach with …Into the Exam Room. No messages, no hidden meanings – just pure heavy rock lined with beautiful harmonies and Garcia’s distinct yowl.

Formed in 1998 as a side project, Hermano has flourished for nearly a decade. The group’s writing sessions happen in its members’ respective cities, with ideas tossed into the song library by every member until the quintet sifts through and chooses the best.

Regain Records opened its North American office New York in late 2006. The label plans to expand and develop its diverse roster. Based in Sweden, the label’s European operation has a deep catalog that had previously been licensed out in North America.

Uncle Weezel's "Altered State Of Hard Rock"

With influnces ranging from Queens Of The Stone Age, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath, Uncle Weezel's music can be described as an "altered state of hard rock". Check out more info on this band from beautiful Vancouver, Canada.



Uncle%20WeezelQuantcast


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Album Of The Day- Los Natas-"El Hombre De Montana" (2006)

The Album Of The Day is "El Hombre De Montana" by Los Natas.



After two albums, 1998's Delmar and 1999's Ciudad de Brahman, made up of competent, but seriously Kyuss-dependent stoner and space rock, Argentina's Los Natas definitively established their own unique identity with 2002's critically acclaimed Corsario Negro — an often stark and mostly wordless Patagonian soundtrack built on songs resembling slow-advancing glaciers, their riff-blocks as dense as Andes Mountain strata compacted by untold eons. Then, there followed Toba Trance, which essentially extrapolated those panoramic songwriting tendencies while apparently satiating the band's interests in that creative direction. The next Los Natas album, El Hombre Montana, found them switching gears completely to embrace an astonishingly raw, loose, even ragged, brand of fuzz rock, so far removed from Corsario Negro as to be almost shocking. Yet, for the most part, it's a source of great relief to see that Los Natas stellar compositional and musical skills still manage to carry them through the day: whether pounding their way through a predominance of high-energy numbers ("El Bolsero," "La Espada in la Piedra," "El Soldado," etc.), detouring into bare-bones acoustic offerings ("El Camino de Dios," "Sigue, Sigue..."), or trudging closer to their slow burning, doomier natural element on rare occasions ("Humo Negro del Vaticano" "De las Cenizas, El Hombre..."). If all of the above reveal any notable weakness, it has to be Sergio Ch.'s somewhat limited range of vocal expression; a weakness he'd rarely had a chance to even test on those largely instrumental recent efforts, but which here is nevertheless remedied by his laudable insistence on writing Spanish lyrics, which lend the entire album an exotic flavor. And that, along with their innate talents, maverick mindset, and fearlessness about tackling a fresh approach to songwriting, ultimately guarantee another compelling outing for Los Natas, whose fans undoubtedly realize how precious these qualities have become in the 2000s decidedly impoverished stoner rock scene. (Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. El Bolsero 5:09
02. Amanecer Blanco3:27
03. No Es Lo Mismo 5:26
04. Humo Negro Del Vaticano 5:36
05. La Espada En La Piedra 4:17
06. El Ciervo 7:40
07. El Camino De Dios 4:30
08. De Las Cenizas, El Hombre... 6:35
09. El Soldado 3:48
10. Lanza Ganado 5:37
11. Sigue, Sigue... 6:10

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DOWN: Audio Interview With JIMMY BOWER Available

A 16-minute audio interview with DOWN drummer Jimmy Bower can be heard in two parts below (courtesy of Caustic Truths).

Part 1:




Part 2:

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Album Of The Day-CHE-"Sounds Of Liberation" (2000)

The Album Of The Day is "Sounds Of Liberation" by CHE.



Even more amazing than the large number of Kyuss-related offshoot projects which have followed in the stoner rock pioneers' demise is the fact that virtually every one of them — Queens of the Stone Age, Unida, and Che — has something very special to offer. Aside from proving the utter brilliance of the original article, this has afforded both longtime devotees and late arrivals something to pine for in the years AK (after Kyuss). And while he has long stood in the shadows of his former bandmates, original Kyuss drummer Brant Bjork was an integral part of the group's sound and responsible for some of their best songwriting, not the least of which was the seminal desert anthem "Green Machine." Bjork was also the first core member to break away from the group, choosing peace and obscurity over the pressures of rock stardom and joining semi-recluse stoner rockers Fu Manchu a short while later. Now, in his first venture as frontman (handling vocals and guitar), Bjork teams up with Unida bassist Dave Disnsmore and second Kyuss drummer Alfredo Hernandez in the side project power trio Che. Their first offering, the sparsely produced Songs of Liberation, benefits from the analog sounds and organic feel characteristic of the best stoner rock albums, and with its loose jams and heavy grooves offers a stiff rebuttal to the over-produced pop predominant at the start of the millennium. Having said all that, outstanding material like "Blue Demon" and "Pray for Rock" (which blatantly quotes U2's "I Will Follow," of all things) still won't interest many outside the stoner rock community. But with its circular, start-stop riff, opener "Hydraulicks" is an immediate stone-cold classic for the ages — even if almost no one ever gets to hear it. Whether Che will ride again — or prove to be anything but a one-off — remains to be seen, but given its many virtues, Songs of Liberation may well deserve a follow-up. (Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Hydraulicks 4:22
02. The Knife 3:39
03. Pray for Rock 5:17
04. Sounds of Liberation 6:11
05. Adelante 5:13
06. Blue Demon 6:13
07. The Day the Pirate Retired 4:38

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QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE To Headline SoCo Music Experience

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE will headline the SoCo Music Experience festival, scheduled for May 17 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. The event, sponsored by Southern Comfort and free to anyone over 21, will also feature the SUPERSUCKERS, RYAN SHAW and others. Additional SoCo festivals are planned for San Diego, Madison, Wisconsin, Tempe, Arizona, Denver and New York City.

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's new album, "Era Vulgaris", came out in June 2007 and entered the Billboard chart at No. 14.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Album Of The Day-Lowrider-"Ode To IO" (2000)

The Album Of The Day is "Ode To IO" by Lowrider.



Pretenders to the stoner rock throne, Lowrider was hailed by many as the new Kyuss, and indeed they sound remarkably similar to the original masters of '90s retro-metal. Too similar, unfortunately; for despite their very impressive and unusually focused songwriting (a rarity in this genre; why do you think they call it stoner rock?), Lowrider seems to owe an insurmountable debt to their biggest influence. Excellent tracks like "Flat Earth," "Dust Settlin'," and "Anchor" are simply rife with the auditory signposts (crushing riffs, spacy interludes, an understanding for heavy/light dynamics) which point to Kyuss, making it almost impossible to award them the respect they deserve. The only notable exception is the slow-grooving "Riding Shotgun," which sounds just like Fu Manchu instead. They just can't win. But when placed in a historical vacuum, thunderous riff-rides like "Caravan" and "Saguaro" cannot be denied, and quite honestly leave a much more lasting impression than most anything issued by the likes of Nebula and even Fu Manchu. Therefore, serious fans of stoner rock are encouraged to put aside their prejudice and give Lowrider a chance. (Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Caravan
02. Flat Earth
03. Convoy V
04. Dust Settlin'
05. Sun Devil
06. Anchor
07. Texas Pt I & II
08. Riding Shotgun
09. Saguaro
10. Ode to Io

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CANDLEMASS: "Nothing Has Changed" Following Guitarist's "Grand Theft" Conviction

Legendary doomers CANDLEMASS have issued a statement regarding the recent reports in the Swedish media that the group's guitarist, Mats "Mappe" Björkman, has been sentenced to two years in prison for grand theft. The musician was convicted of stealing CDs worth approximately $490,000 from the distribution warehouse of Entertainment Network Scandinavia AB, where he and an accomplice shipped the CDs to Stockholm retail outlets.

Stated the band: "CANDLEMASS answer to the crap that's been published lately is very simple: NOTHING HAS CHANGED!! The band will record the planned EP, 'Lucifer Rising', in April WITH MAPPE… CANDLEMASS will also tour the states WITH MAPPE in May and June and also record the follow-up to 'King of the Grey Islands' this coming autumn WITH MAPPE!!

"Despite what's been said in the press, the band is very optimistic about the future. 2008 and 2009 will be two great years for CANDLEMASS.

"Don't believe everything you read!!"

Suspicions were raised in November 2005 when a music company spotted a discrepancy in Björkman's reported sales. A subsequent investigation uncovered evidence that someone had manipulated the warehouse computer on 301 occasions.

Björkman initially denied the charges against him, but his accomplice, Stefan Håkansson, has admitted his role in the theft and has implicated his colleague.

The guitarist stated in court that he didn't understand why Håkansson "lied" about his involvement in the theft scheme, suggesting it might be because Håkansson was trying to protect others.

But, based on the evidence, the court concluded that Håkansson had no reason to lie about Björkman's role in the scheme and determined that prison was the appropriate punishment for both men.

The agreement between Mats and his accomplice was that they were to split the profits — which were estimated to be SEK 1.3 million (approximately $213,000) — equally.

Björkman's accomplice received a sentence of one year and nine months.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Album Of The Day-The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight-"The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight" (2000)

The Album Of The Day is "The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight" by The Mystick Krewe of Clearlight.



With its combination of Black Sabbath's dirgy riffing, Deep Purple's organ flourishes, and absolutely no vocals (!), the Mystick Krewe of Clearlight is a peculiar side project featuring members of Southern sludge rockers EyeHateGod, Crowbar, and Down. It is also undoubtedly one with limited commercial appeal, as the extended instrumental jams on the band's eponymous album will certainly prove a major stumbling block for less open-minded listeners. Forget the short bursts preferred by similar all-instrumental retro-rock combos like Karma to Burn. The Mystick Krewe likes to stretch, and without the commercial trappings imposed by lyrical conventions, its music is free to soar uninhibited for seven, eight, sometimes eighteen minutes. In fact, compulsive head nodding is guaranteed to ensue during standout cuts like "Electrode," "Trapeze," and "El Nino Brown." An interesting journey. (Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Swamp Jam
02. Electrode
03. Ride Out
04. Trapeze
05. A Fool's Outfit
06. El Nino Brown

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

New Band To Burn One To-Mighty High



Are you looking for some ass-kicking classic-rock inspired punk/stoner/metal with a lot of cowbell? Well, you have come to the right place. As stated on the band's MySpace page, "Mighty High is a classic-rock inspired punk/metal band from Brooklyn, NY dedicated to getting loaded and playing loud."

The band has been together for 5 years and just recently released their debut album "...In Drug City" on their own label Mint Deluxe Tapes. The album features 12 drug-induced slabs of punk rock mayhem. Combining the stage energy of hardcore punk rock legends Black Flag with the classic rock riffs of Grand Funk Railroad, the band's overall sound can be best described as "Black Flag Railroad".

It is really hard to say which songs on the album really stand out, because they are all really fun to listen to. I must have listened to the album at least 4 times in a row. The songs are catchy and melodic, yet heavy enough to feel like you just got kicked in the skull. But if I were to point out a few, I would have to say "I Live To Get High", "Hooked On Drugs", and "Stone Gett-Off".

One interesting thing to note about the band was that the band was formed and named without singer/guitarist Woody High even knowing how to play a single note.

The band has toured extensively with the likes of Mess With The Bull, Puny Human, and most notably the only band to ever share the stage with Thor and Valient Thorr.

So now do yourself a favor, go burn one and check this band out!

"Are you ready for some REAL rock n' roll?"

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"Buy The Pound"

Album Of The Day-Super Heavy Goat Ass-"60,000 Years" (2005)

The Album Of The Day is "60,000 Years" by Super Heavy Goat Ass.

Don't be fooled by the Robert A. Heinlein-inspired sci-fi artwork design gracing Super Heavy Goat Ass' 60,000 Years album (and don't even ask about the title — one can only guess); there are certainly a few elements of space rock to be found here, but not nearly as much as straight-up, butt-kicking hard rock shot through with a good batch of Southern flavorings befitting the band's Austin, TX, home base. In fact, aside from SHGA's self-consciously goofy name, their overall musical aesthetic recalls many of the post-stoner rock generation of the mid-2000s (Solace, Halfway to Gone, Black NASA, etc.) for prizing a somewhat more understated means of songwriting to get their points across (their predecessors often relied on sheer volume and bludgeoning force). That's not to say that most Super Heavy Goat Ass songs lack for any raucousness (they don't), and singer Russell Abbott's gruff, expletive-laced delivery is even more amusingly belligerent than most (his occasional John Garcia-isms thankfully appear to be more accidental than contrived), but it's very likely that impatient stoner rock fans may lose interest before these have a chance to reveal their strengths. That's why, at their best, album highlights "Backside," "Druglord," and "Best Friend" temper their slow-building themes, frequent mid-paced grooves, and loads of distinctive dual-guitar harmonies with some roaring-good riffs to kick them up the ass. Additional standout "SSOB" doesn't even need that help, serving up an especially memorable piece of bluesy space rock (there it is, at last!), while, with incrementally rootsy parting shots such as "Built to Last" and "Soundman," the bandmembers pay their mandatory tribute to the legacy of fellow Texans ZZ Top (by way of Ted "Gonzo" Nugent). Overall, 60,000Years is a highly recommended album for dedicated stoner rock enthusiasts, but not as recommended for the casual fan. (Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Backside
02. Druglord
03. SSOB
04. Lasting Kind
05. Best Friend
06. Slave
07. Built to Last
08. Ms. Underhill
09. Soundman

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Rumor: HEAVEN AND HELL, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD To Tour Together This Year

HEAVEN AND HELL, JUDAS PRIEST and MOTÖRHEAD are strongly rumored to be teaming up for a North American tour later in the year (as partially predicted by BLABBERMOUTH.NET on January 17, 2008). It should be noted, however, that this information has not yet been corrobated by an official source and should be considered a rumor only at this point.

HEAVEN AND HELL is currently writing material for a full-length studio album, tentatively due late 2008/early 2009 via an as-yet-undisclosed record label.

HEAVEN AND HELL played the final show of its U.S. tour with ALICE COOPER and QUEENSRŸCHE on October 6, 2007 at the Verizon Wireless in Irvine, California. Before the encore, Indie 103.1's Full Metal Jackie presented the band with gold plaques on stage to honor U.S. sales in excess of 25,000 copies of the group's "Live at Radio City Music Hall" DVD. Vocalist Ronnie James Dio thanked the fans for their support, then dedicated the encore song ("Neon Knights") to veteran KNAC DJ Tawn Mastrey, who died in early October of liver failure brought on by hepatitis C.

JUDAS PRIEST's upcoming tour will include shows where the group's entire upcoming "Nostradamus" album (based on the legendary 16th century prophet Nostradamus) will be performed as well as concerts featuring the band's classic songs.

MOTÖRHEAD entered the studio in January to begin recording the follow-up to 2006's "Kiss of Death". A late spring/early summer release is expected.

"Kiss of Death" entered the national album charts in the following countries: Germany: #4, Norway: #9, Sweden: #13, Austria: #20, Switzerland: #26, U.K.: #45, Denmark: #53. The CD was recorded at the Paramount studios in Los Angeles with Cameron Webb, who also worked with the group on 2004's "Inferno". The album includes guest appearances by POISON guitarist C.C. Deville and ALICE IN CHAINS bassist Mike Inez.

Watch HEAVEN AND HELL performing "Neon Knights" in Tampa, Florida, September 2007:

Friday, March 21, 2008

Album Of The Day-The Devil And The Sea-"Heart Vs. Spine" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Heart Vs. Spine" by The Devil And The Sea.



The sound is primarily stoner rock mixed with doom metal yet this band lean away from the typical “just sound like Sabbath” approach that too many bands stick to. Instead they have elements that also remind me of Sleep,YOB and others plus they bring some of their own ideas to each and every track here. The vocals alternate between growls, screams and other styles that fall in between those two categories. The Devil and the Sea have found a method of delivering music that manages to be both comfortable and alarming and then go back and forth between the two. A very interesting release from these newcomers. (Metal Mark)

Track Listing:

01. Batwing
02. Time Out for Brimley
03. Monolith
04. Tea Pinky
05. My Soul is My Abacus
06. Heart Vs. Spine
07. Abra Cadaver

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Album Of The Day-Sahg-"Sahg II" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Sahg II" by Sahg.



We just have been regaled with an excellent release of Audrey Horne ('Le Fol') and once again we are flabbergasted by a (doom) collective of that area, called Sahg, which includes two members who are also active in Audrey Horne (in King's case no more), more precisely guitarist Thomas Tofthagen and bass player King (Tom Cato Visnes). For the rest the band is made up of vocalist/guitarist Olaf Eversen (Manngard) and drummer Tor Bjarne Bjellan. I was already very positive about their debut album, but Sahg II happens to be even more amazing than the first one.

We find ourselves in the centre of the Bergen (Norway) music scene where many musicians canalize their diverse inspiration in bands of diverging styles. In Sahg's case, it happens to be traditional doom metal with psychedelic overtones. Call it stonerrock, call it influences from Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, but what matters is that the band has written nine high-quality songs and they perform them in a powerful, genuine manner.

Sahg gathered quite a lot of success with their debut album, resulting in intensively touring, even in the United States in support of Celtic Frost. They could play at top festivals like Wacken Open Air, Inferno and Hole In The Sky. The second album was not finished without solving unforeseen obstacles. When the first three songs were recorded, the studio was torn to the ground and later on they faced lashings of problems during the long-term recording process. With a serious delay, 'Sahg II' was finally ready to be mixed by Rob Caggiano and Paul Orofino in Millbrook Sound Studios, New York.

Without losing its authentic feel, Sahg shows more own identity on this second album. 'Ascent To Decadence' is a steady rocking track - think of Black Sabbath with Toni Martin - but it has some atmospheric passages with fast and furious guitar skills as well. These fluttering guitars are one of the trademarks of the band and in the distorted 'Echoes Ring Forever' it is relished with psychedelic overtones. 'From Conscious Sleep' is a short instrumental part with dark choir-like chants which remind me a bit of Forsaken. Psychedelic tracks - mindful of the atmosphere of the Sabbath song 'Planet Caravan' - cover us with their compelling charms in the shape of 'Escape The Crimson Sun' and 'Wicked Temptress', while on the other hand heavy mauling rock songs such as 'Pyromancer' and 'By The Toll Of The Bell' make you bang your head. Absolute stunner of 'Sahg II' is the occluding track 'Monomania'; a mammoth composition without equal in terms of psychedelic momentum, and it includes guitar solos, guaranteed to make your flesh creep. Go and see them when they will be touring with Trouble pretty soon! (Vera, Lords Of Metal)

Track Listing:

01. Ascent to Decadence
02. Echoes Ring Forever
03. From Conscious Sleep
04. Star-Crossed
05. Escape the Crimson Sun
06. Pyromancer
07. Wicked Temptress
08. By the Toll of the Bell
09. Monomania

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HIGH ON FIRE: Sacramento Footage Posted Online

Capital Chaos has posted video footage of Oakland, California-based band HIGH ON FIRE performing the song "Rumors of War" on February 28, 2008 at The Blue Lamp in Sacramento, California. Watch the clip below.

MetalKult.com recently posted a 14-clip question-and-answer video interview with HIGH ON FIRE guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike.

The video was shot on August 15, 2007 in New York City, when Pike was visiting the East Coast to promote HIGH ON FIRE's latest album, "Death Is This Communion" (Relapse).

During the interview Pike discusses the foundations of his brutal tone and style, HIGH ON FIRE's exotic sonic elements, the departure of bassist Joe Preston (THRONES, ex-MELVINS) and what HIGH ON FIRE's new bassist, Jeff Matz, brings to the mix. Also on MetalKult.com is a 25-minute video riff lesson with HIGH ON FIRE's Pike, in which the guitarist demonstrates how to play some of the classic riffs in his catalog, from SLEEP's "The Druid" and "Dragonaut" to HIGH ON FIRE's "Baghdad", "Blessed Black Wings" and "Turk".

To view these videos (one of which appears below), visit www.metalkult.com.

CROWBAR Albums To Be Reissued

Metal Mind Productions will re-release three CROWBAR albums — "Crowbar" (1993), "Time Heals Nothing" (1995) and "Live+1" EP (1995) — in Europe on April 21. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) will be made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology. The "Time Heals Nothing" album will also contain six bonus tracks — four audio and two video.

"Time Heals Nothing" bonus tracks:

01. Waiting In Silence
02. Obedience Through Suffering
03. Vacuum
04. Subversion
05. The Only Factor (video)
06. Subversion (video)

CANDLEMASS Guitarist Sentenced To Two Years In Prison

CANDLEMASS guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman has been sentenced to two years in a Swedish prison for grand theft, reports Realtid.se.

He was convicted of stealing CDs with a retail value of SEK 3 million (approximately $490,000).

According to prosecutor Mats Jansson, Björkman and and his accomplice Stefan Håkansson skimmed CDs from Entertainment Network Scandinavia AB (ENS), where they both worked at the warehouse. ENS handles product distribution to retail outlets and wholesalers throughout Sweden for the four major labels.

Over a period of several years, Björkman and Håkansson shipped the stolen merchandise to two Stockholm retail outlets who were also allegedly involved in the scheme.

In November 2005, a music company contacted ENS regarding a discrepancy in Björkman's reported sales. ENS investigated the matter and discovered that someone had manipulated the company computer on 301 occasions.

By checking Mats' employee/entry card, ENS determined that the musician's log-in information had been used to access the company's computer system in 279 of these instances.

Mats Björkman denies the allegations and claims that someone else must have used his entry card. But his accomplice Stefan Håkansson has admitted his role in the theft and has implicated his colleague.

The scheme was uncovered after a tip was received that the record stores in Stockholm were selling CDs that were shipped from the Borås-based warehouse for a much lower price than those sold by their competitors.

The information about the weight on orders had been manipulated to conceal how much merchandise had been delivered. A package that according to the computer system contained 8 CDs in reality turned out to include more than 100 CDs plus a few box sets and DVDs.

According to the prosecutor, Björkman was the one that was in contact with the retailers and that received the money for the transactions.

The agreement between Mats and his accomplice was that they were to split the profits — which were estimated to be SEK 1.3 million (approximately $213,000) — equally.

Mats stated in court that he doesn't undertand why Stefan would lie about him being involved in the theft scheme but he thinks it might be because Håkansson was trying to protect other people who might have been responsible for stealing the merchandise.

Before he went to court, Mats told the local paper Borås Tidning, "I'm innocent, no question about it."

During the court proceedings, he continued to deny his involvement in the theft while the other man confessed.

Based on the evidence, the court concluded that Håkansson had no reason to lie about Björkman's role in the scheme and determined that prison was the appropriate punishment for both men.

Björkman's accomplice received a sentence of one year and nine months.

(The above BLABBERMOUTH.NET article was based on Swedish-language reports on Realtid.se and BT.se)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Album Of The Day-Witch-"Paralyzed" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Paralyzed" by Witch.



Poor Kyle Thomas. It can't be easy being the singer and guitarist for any group that features indie ax-god J. Mascis in the line-up—even if the Dinosaur Jr. genius is relegated to the drum stool. (Taylor Hawkins, of Foo Fighters fame, could probably commiserate.) To Thomas' credit, though, Witch's new album is filled with several moments of guitar playing so mammoth, heavy and psychedelically tweaked that it's easy to imagine him saying, "Who's the guitar legend now, old man?" in between his thunderous licks.

And though there's nothing on the group's second album, Paralyzed, that's going to make anyone forget that J. Fucking Mascis is in the band but not playing guitar, Thomas's efforts to rise to the occasion results in a thoroughly entertaining stoner-metal album. Not that Mascis is slacking on his end either, as his galloping, energetic playing gives Witch a punk energy that keeps the sometimes stodgy songs moving forward.

Among the highlights are "1000 MPH," which is both concrete-thick and viciously quick at the same time, and "Psychotic Rock," which features a nifty drum breakdown and fuzz-out guitar solo coda. The album's closing track, "Old Trap Line," slows things down to a Sabbath-worthy crawl for a change of pace, whereas "Space God" indulges in time honored stoner-metal touches like pretty acoustic guitars and psychedelic vocal effects. Thomas, who also plays in the folk group Feathers, has a voice perfectly suited to this racket. It blends in well without calling attention to itself, which is probably for the best considering that the few lyrics can be made out ("Gods who walk the earth," or "Pools of light, slowing fate") suggest that he's just knowingly playing with classic rock fantasy tropes. But in fairness, Witch's success is proof that those tropes, when handled well, can still be surprisingly delightful. (Michael Tedder, CMJ)

Tracklist:

01. Eye
02. Gone
03. 1000 MPH
04. Space God
05. Disappear
06. Sweet Sue
07. Psychotic Rock
08. Mutated
09. Old Trap Line


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DOWN Kicks Off European Tour In Moscow; Photos Available

DOWN kicked off its European tour last night (Tuesday, March 18) at the B1 Maximum club in Moscow, Russia. Check out photos from the concert:

Darkside
The MetalList

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Underneath Everything
02. The Path
03. Lysergik Funeral Procession
04. Pillars Of Eternity
05. Three Suns And One Star
06. Lifer
07. Swan Song
08. Mourn
09. Ghost Along The Mississippi
10. Learn From This Mistake
11. N.O.D.
12. Beneath The Tides
13. On March The Saints
14. Losing All
15. Eyes Of The South

Encore:

16. Doobinterlude
17. New Orleans Is A Dying Whore
18. Stone The Crow
19. Jail
20. Bury Me In Smoke

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL Confirmed For Holland's PINKPOP Festival

EAGLES OF DEATH METAL has been confirmed for this year's Pinkpop festival, set to take place May 30 - June 1 in Landgraaf, The Netherlands.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AIR TRAFFIC
ALTER BRIDGE
AMY MACDONALD
BAD RELIGION
BLOOD RED SHOES
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY
COUNTING CROWS
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL
EDITORS
FICTION PLANE
FLOGGIN MOLLY
FOO FIGHTERS
GAVIN DEGRAW
GROOVE ARMADA
INCUBUS
JUSTICE
KAISER CHIEFS
KATE NASH
KT TUNSTALL
METALLICA
NOVASTAR
NU OF NOOIT
PATRICK WATSON
PETE MURRAY
PORCUPINE TREE
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
RACOON
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
ROISIN MURPHY
SAT2D
SAYBIA
SERJ TANKIAN
THE HIVES
THE VERVE
THE WOMBATS

THE SWORD's 'Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians' Video Premiere Posted Online

THE SWORD's brand new music video — for the song "Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians" — sees its world online premiere today via Stereogum. Check out the eye-catching clip for THE SWORD's new single now at this location.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

MASTODON To Perform At U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships?

MASTODON is rumored to be one of the scheduled performers at the finals of the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships at Stratton Mountain in Vermont.

The 26th annual competition bills itself as "the Most Righteous Snowboarding Battle of the Ages," according to The Associated Press. It includes under-the-tent jousting demonstrations and features halfpipe, slopestyle and big air events.

This year, NBC will televise the finals, on tape delay, on Sunday, March 23.

When asked to confirm the reports that MASTODON will participate in the event, a band representative would only tell BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "We are not at liberty to discuss."

As previously reported, MASTODON's cover version of the THREE DOG NIGHT track "One" is currently being used in the ad campaign for the multiplatform videogame "Army of Two".

MASTODON is tentatively scheduled to enter the studio in the spring to begin recording its follow-up to 2006's "Blood Mountain". A late 2008 release via Warner Bros. Records is expected.

Album Of The Day-Saint Vitus-"Born Too Late" (1986)

The Album Of The Day is "Born Too Late" by Saint Vitus.



"Born Too Late" is undeniably a defining effort in the spirit of the early, now considered "classic" doom metal sound. The marriage of vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich, founder of Maryland's D.C. area legends the Obsessed and L.A.'s own legendary doom pioneers Saint Vitus, produced a sound and lyrical landscape that was not commercially successful in its own right, but which has inspired and continues to influence myriad popular culture figures such as the Melvins, Nirvana, L7, Fugazi's Ian McKay, Black Flag's Greg Ginn (owner of SST, Saint Vitus' label) and Henry Rollins, Monster Magnet, Kyuss, Electric Wizard, Eyehategod, Grief, Sleep, Cruevo, and a list of bands, musicians, and genres too long to list without writing a novel. Long after Black Sabbath had shifted their sound away from the bombastic, sludgy riffing of classics like Paranoid, Masters of Reality, Vol. 4, and the like, Saint Vitus and the Obsessed rose from regions that were birthplaces and breeding grounds for early-American hardcore punk. While identifying intensely with the independent and socially critical nature of those scenes, Saint Vitus's sound was deeply rooted in the gloomy ballistics of early Sabbath. Born Too Late's sludgy, ultra-slow riffs never break out into the galloping rhythms of, say, "Children of the Grave," however. This album is like Black Sabbath on Quaaludes and wearing lead suits underwater. Each chord rains down like a hammer, and each progression takes an eternity to resolve. In the early '80s, while everyone in the pop music culture was looking for the new sound, be it new wave or hardcore, Saint Vitus were decidedly retro. You don't even need more than the name of the album's title track, "Born Too Late," to get the point. But Wino drives it home anyway, with the lines "every time I'm on the street/people laugh and point at me/they talk about my length of hair/and the out of date clothes I wear." The lyrics go on to point out that while "they say [his] songs are much too slow," they also "don't know the things [he] knows." That's for sure. Before almost anyone else had even realized that rock was on its death bed, Saint Vitus were looking back on the '70s with nostalgia. Throughout, the album is what might be considered a cliched retrospective of that bygone era's heavy metal sentiments. Dragons, psychedelic drugs, images of war, and severe alcohol abuse dominate the landscape. The most important consideration with this album, though, is not the originality of the approach. What separates Born Too Late from nearly all heavy metal up to that point was the outright admission that the band's passion - slow, heavy music - not only lacked commercial viability, but was in fact itself a source of the ridicule and social alienation the music speaks to. The punk rock style integrity of the band's commitment to that sound and image was in direct opposition to the money and chicks attitude of L.A. glam metal of the day. While the impact Saint Vitus made with Born Too Late at the time was minimal, the legacy of that early dedication has influenced and changed the world of music. For all fans of grunge, stoner rock, and doom metal, this album is a classic. (Paul Kott, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Born Too Late"- 6:52
02. "Clear Windowpane"– 3:14
03. "Dying Inside"– 7:23
04. "H.A.A.G."– 5:02
05. "The Lost Feeling"– 5:22
06. "The War Starter"– 6:43

Bonus tracks on reissue:

01. "Thirsty and Miserable"– 3:51
02. "Look Behind You"– 3:18
03. "The End of the End"– 5:49

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BONUS

Saint Vitus performing "Saint Vitus" live at the Palm Springs Community Center on May 16th, 1986.

It was Wino's first show with Vitus.

Track Order:

01. Saint Vitus
02. Prayer for the (M)asses
03. Clear Window Pane
04. Zombie Hunger
05. White Stallions


Monday, March 17, 2008

Fu Manchu Song "Mongoose" Featured In 2008 Toyota Sequoia Commercial

I was just sitting here relaxing and watching some TV when something caught my ear. It was the song "Mongoose" by fuzz rock gods Fu Manchu. The song is from their 1999 release "Eatin' Dust" and a newly recorded version from their 2001 album "California Crossing". The commercial is for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia (a vehicle which I could never possibly afford). The video is pretty cool, though. Big Wheels and Fu Manchu. Life doesn't get much better.



MySpace
Official Website

Album Of The Day-Corrosion Of Conformity-"Blind" (1991)

The Album Of The Day is "Blind" by Corrosion Of Conformity.



By the time they released 1991's Blind, crossover pioneers Corrosion of Conformity were pursuing a decidedly metallic direction, but this in no way compromised their punk ethic, overtly political lyrical themes, and incredible sonic aggression. The wicked melodies of "These Shrouded Temples...Remain" bookend the album, and excellent tracks like "Damned for All Time" and "Mine Are the Eyes of God" manage to be both utterly heavy and surprisingly catchy. "Dance of the Dead" and "Echoes in the Well" are about as straightforward metal as C.O.C. gets, but their politically militant roots are fully displayed on "White Noise" and "Great Purification" -- both scathing attacks on racism. The gentle, meandering chords of the instrumental "Shallow Ground" offer a brief respite from the onslaught, but then lead into the album's fiercest moment, "Vote with a Bullet." Constructed on an extremely distorted riff and featuring equally fuzzy, computer-processed vocals from guitarist Pepper Keenan, the song is a sonic precedent for the countless aggro-thrash bands (Korn, Fear Factory, Limp Bizkit, etc.) which dominated the late '90s. Years ahead of its time, Blind is simply one of the most important heavy rock albums of the decade. (Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "These Shrouded Temples..."
02. "Damned for All Time"
03. "Dance of the Dead"
04. "Buried"
05. "Break the Circle"
06. "Painted Smiling Faces"
07. "Mine Are the Eyes of God"
08. "Shallow Ground"
09. "Vote With a Bullet"
10. "Great Purification"
11. "White Noise"
12. "Echoes in the Well"
13. "...Remain"

Bonus songs on Columbia re-release (1995)
01. "Condition A/Condition B"
02. "Future Now"
03. "Jim Beam and the Coon Ass"

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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Middian Battles Onward

Eugene, Oregon`s almighty Middian, as they continue to battle the courts and fight for their existence in gracing us with with their pummeling psychedelic doom, are hitting the West Coast with Indian this month. The trio will be joining Indian, Red Fang, SubArachnoid Space, Agalloch, Red Sparowes, Grayceon, Russian Circles, Asunder, Witch Mountain, Nadja, and Trees at the March Into Darkness fest in Portland this month, kicking off their tour.
Check out the slew of site links below to keep up to date and help Middian out in their time of need!

Middian with Indian

03/21/2008: Portland, OR - March Into Darkness Fest at Berbati`s
03/22/2008: Seattle, WA - El Corazon, with Asunder, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth (Tad`s new band)
03/25/2008: Eugene, OR -Samurai Duck, with Ninth Moon Black, Black Waves
03/26/2008: Medford, OR - Musichead
03/27/2008: Oakland, CA - Maxwell`s
03/28/2008: Los Angeles, CA - Mountain Bar, with Ancestors, Harrassor
03/29/2008: San Francisco, CA – Annie`s, with Asunder
03/30/2008: Eureka, CA - Alibi

www.middian.org
www.myspace.com/middiandoom

The Sword Announces US and UK Headlining Tours

Austin, TX’s The Sword has announced both U.S. and United Kingdom headlining tours in support of its eagerly anticipated new album, "Gods of the Earth".

The Sword will launch a UK headlining trek on March 25 in Nottingham. The tour will hit London’s Underworld venue on April 3. Support on The Sword tour will be provided by Oakland, CA quartet Saviours and San Francisco’s Black Cobra.

On April 14, The Sword will kick off a west coast U.S. headlining run. The 13 city jaunt will feature support from Slough Feg and Brooklyn progressive thrash trio Children. Additional The Sword U.S. headlining dates are expected to be announced in the immediate future.

The Sword has also been announced as one of the featured artists of the 2008 Bonnaroo Music Festival, set to take place June 12 - 15 in Manchester, TN. Known for showcasing “some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles,” Bonnaroo 2008 will see The Sword perform alongside such acts as Metallica, Sigur Ros, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, The Raconteurs, M.I.A., and Willie Nelson. A full listing of upcoming The Sword live dates follows this message.

"Gods of the Earth" is set to drop on April 1, 2008 via Kemado Records. The follow up to the band`s critically acclaimed debut Age of Winters, Gods of the Earth was recorded at Folkvang Studios in Austin, TX, and is said to be “more ambitious, more accomplished and simply bigger.”

The final track listing for "Gods of the Earth" is as follows:

1.) The Sundering
2.) The Frost Giant’s Daughter
3.) How Heavy This Axe
4.) Lords
5.) Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians (MP3)
6.) To Take the Black
7.) Maiden, Mother & Crone
8.) Under the Boughs
9.) The Black River
10.) The White Sea

The first single from Gods of the Earth will be the track "Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians”, which will be released as a limited edition 10" picture disc on March 18 The vinyl-only release will also include the unreleased b-side, "Codex Corvidae."

To check out the Gods of the Earth E-card, featuring "Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians," as well as a sneak peak of the song’s music video, visit this location.

The Sword delivers explosive songs, gripping live performances and a unique vision that combines metal`s beloved past with the forward-thinking enthusiasm of today’s hard music elite. Wielding a potent combination of intense songwriting chemistry and eye-opening creativity and talent, The Sword is one of heavy music’s most electrifying and looked-to new bands.

The Sword features guitarist/vocalist J.D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Trivett Wingo.

The Sword tour dates:

UK “Gods of the Earth” tour (with support from Saviours and Black Cobra)

March 25: Nottingham, UK - Rock City
March 26: Oxford, UK - Academy
March 27: Birmingham, UK - Academy
March 28: Manchester, UK - Academy
March 29: Glasgow, UK - King Tut’s
March 30: Stoke-On-Trent, UK - Sugar Mill
April 1: Newport, UK - TJ’s
April 2: Portsmouth, UK - Wedgewood Rooms
April 3: London, UK - Underworld
April 4: Colchester, UK - Arts Center



U.S. “Gods of the Earth” West Coast tour (with support from Slough Feg and Children)


April 14: Lubbock, Texas - Jake’s Sports Center
April 15: Albuquerque, New Mexico - Launchpad
April 16: Phoenix, Arizona - The Brickhouse
April 17: San Diego, California - The Casbah
April 18: Los Angeles, California - El Rey Theatre
April 19: San Francisco, California - Slim’s
April 21: Pan Portland, Oregon - Berbati’s
April 22: Seattle, Washington - Neumo’s
April 24: Boise, Idaho - Neurolux
April 25: Salt Lake City, Utah - Club Vegas
April 26: Denver, Colorado - Bluebird Theatre
April 28: Wichita, Kansas - BarleyCorns
April 29: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Conservatory

Album Of The Day-Core-"The Hustle Is On" (1999)

The Album Of The Day is "The Hustle Is On" by Core.

Core's "The Hustle is On", is an excellent example of what good stoner-rock should be. The trio stays safely within the limits of the genre's expected sound, but pushes its originality through good songwriting, musicianship and variation. The result is a very listenable, jam-oriented album with plenty of chilled-out instrumentals and infectious hooks. Most notably is the band's ability to incorporate an undeniable Jimi Hendrix guitar sound in many of the juicier cuts.

The Hustle is On kicks off with "The Monolith Problem," an instantly cool, grungy number that emphasizes Core's Hendrix influence. "Supernumber" follows with heavy distortion, so much so that the vocals are muffled, giving the song a textured, strange quality. The fourth cut, "Fleetwood," has a killer chorus and a faster, punk beat, while the closer, "Blues for Gus (AuH2O)" is a 13-minute, mellow jam session - an appropriate conclusion. Other tracks worthy of mention are "Sarah's Curious Accident," "Edge City" for its blatant Jimi worship, and the numerous instrumental tracks that help space-out the album, and surely the listener.

This album's packaging is a bit sparse, with only a single fold in the inlay card, but with the excellent acid/shroom influenced artwork, and the overall length and quality of the disc, one shouldn't complain. My only gripe is that though the disc is both consistent and well done, there is much less urgency and sophistication in the music than in some of the aforementioned veteran acts. This album would be excellent driving, smoking, or just plain chillin' music, but there is not enough intensity for it to be the listener's sole focus. This is merely my personal preference, so disregarding what I just said, if you find a hankering for high-octane, relatively up-beat, well played stoner rock that is sure to make you wish you had a fat blunt, Core's new album "The Hustle is On" will likely sate the craving. (Peter Johnson, Deadtide.com)

Track Listing:

01. The Monolith Problem
02. Supernumber
03. LD 5
04. Fleetwood
05. Sarah's Curious Accident
06. No. 5 in a Series
07. Vacuum Life
08. Square and Round
09. Skinny Legs and All
(Untitled)
10. Bicycle and Tricycle
11. Edge City
12. Blues for Gus

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The group has since disbanded, so therefore I am unable to provide any MySpace page or Official Website.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

New Roadsaw Songs Online

Boston`s Roadsaw has posted samples of two new songs on their MySpace page. The reunited band, which features Dave Unger (Antler, Fast Actin` Fuses, Cropduster) on keyboards, Tim Catz (Antler) on bass, Ian Ross (Antler, Quitter) and Darryl Shepard (Hackman, Milligram) on guitars, Craig Riggs (Anter, Quitter) on vocals, and Jeremy (Cortez) on drums, will be releasing a new album, "See You in Hell", this year on Small Stone Records.

New stuff sounds great. Check it!

BORIS: Video Interview With ATSUO Posted Online

Drummer/vocalist Atsuo of Japanese cult band BORIS recently chatted with Crustcake.com about the band's writing process, collaborating with SUNN O))), and the group's upcoming plans.

A couple of days before BORIS' recent New York City gig, the Crustcake.com crew tracked down Atsuo at his hotel on the Upper West Side for a brief interview. The man was soft-spoken, very well-dressed, and extremely polite.

"There's a communal experience at our shows and I really enjoy that," said Atsuo, "I look forward to that in the future and I want people to come out and see us play and have that experience together."

Watch the whole interview below.

BORIS will release its new album, "Smile", on April 29 via Southern Lord Recordings. The follow-up to 2005's "Pink" features contributions from previous collaborators such as Michio Kurihara and SUNN O)))'s Stephen O'Malley.

"Smile" is the second BORIS album to feature vocals on every track (the first, excluding any one-track albums, was "Amplifier Worship"). Also, it delves more into experimental tendencies with a more manipulated sound and even experiments with samples.

Album Of The Day-Eternal Elysium-"Spiritualized D" (2000)

The Album Of The Day is "Spiritualized D" by Eternal Elysium.

Now here's a band whose name fits -- heavenly stoner doom metal that reaches realms of Sabbath-y paradise, thus far untouched by the band's Western world counterparts. You see, Eternal Elysium hails from Japan, not a country most people view as synonymous with obese, oppressive guitar riffing, churning leads that reek of dirty blues, or stinging, emotive, wailing vocals. Spiritualized D is simply a masterpiece of doom; why it has gotten little attention just baffles the mind. Every single track is traditional, in your face, '70s doom, dripping with oblique Sabbath, St. Vitus, Trouble, and Fu Manchu attributes. Take Sabbath's Master of Reality, Penance's Parallel Corners, Cathedral's Soul Sacrifice, Fu Manchu's In Search Of..., and any early Trouble release, fuse them together with Electric Wizard, and serve blisteringly hot. Most bands lack Elysium's musical audacity, unadulterated heaviness, and ability to capture true rock spirit, as they are usually too busy trying to look or sound cool -- Electric Wizard being the only worthy exception. This is a serious musical purging, folks. Even genre leaders like Cathedral need to take a few pointers from the dynamic sonic wall built on the Paranoid-like blues of "Trick or Steal" or the sluggish charm of "Floating Downer." The vocals are faint and familiar on opener "W.T.G.B," but somehow impossible to place, yet they are unimportant in the sonic war zone faced on Spiritualized D. The punkish "Stone Wedge" could have been snatched off an old Fu Manchu or C.O.C. record, while "Easygoin'" stirs up memories of "Fairies Wear Boots," minus Ozzy, of course. Iron Maiden's classic "Innocent Exile" is fuzzed-up and tuned down in a brave, surprisingly competent rendition on the album. Yet, it is the closing pair of instrumentals that push the musical boundaries of the doom genre to new heights. First is a bastard child of England's two prominent '90s doom bands, "Faithful '99," which sounds like Cathedral performing a punishing rocker co-penned by My Dying Bride circa Turn Loose the Swans or Angel and the Dark River. It's virtually unexplainable to deprived ears, as is the haunting, unnamed final track. A quiet, 14-minute piece of traditional Japanese composing, the song recalls the nation's -- and possibly the world's, were it not for his unfortunate obscurity -- greatest composer, Toru Takemitsu. Takemitsu gained recognition in the '60s, '70s, and '80s as an abstract film composer, who scored for the likes of Akira Kurosawa and several others famous filmmakers. Combining Western classical music with traditional Japanese flutes, percussion instruments, and other strange items, he created an ambient, eerie soundscape, thus far unmatched in classical recording's history (check him out if you are looking for dark classical music). This final hidden track is a brilliant tribute to a true genius of 20th century music, showing a mature, vulnerable, and musically introspective side to the band, which was kept hidden throughout the course of the first nine songs. What a breathtakingly beautiful end to an amazingly punishing masterpiece of an album. (Jason Hundey, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. W.T.G.B. 06:21
02. Splendid, Selfish Woman 08:05
03. Floating Downer 06:04
04. Trick or Steal 02:56
05. What A Difference A Day Makes 07:39
06. Stone Wedge 02:24
07. Easygoin' 06:41
08. Innocent Exile 05:21
09. Faithful '99 03:25

Total playing time 48:56

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