Welcome To Heavy Planet!

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!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Free Album Download-Caestles-"We Have Built A New God"

Here is a free album for you guys to enjoy.

*Cæstles is a 6 man band.
*Cæstles does not think this is excessive.
*Cæstles are multi-instrumentalists who often switch gadgets mid-song.
*Cæstles was 2 bands who met on tour in summer of 2007 and consolidated.
*Cæstles records their music themselves with their own recording gear.
*Cæstles releases these recordings free to the internet because the "music industry" can come to them if it's interested.
*Cæstles is based out of the Baltimore/DC metro area.
*Cæstles will drive to your town to play if asked.
*Cæstles are gnostic shock troopers in the ground war for human evolution.
*Cæstles feels very strongly about net neutrality, open source software, diy, and politics. Ask us some time, we'd be happy to berate you with our ideas and beliefs.
*Cæstles is often just fucking with you.
*Cæstles does not wish to exist in a vacuum, and would like to hear from you.
*Cæstles still wants someone to release them on vinyl, because records sound fucking awesome.

For more info and free downloads check out their Official Website.

Download

Caestles Blog

HEAVEN AND HELL Begins Recording New Album

HEAVEN AND HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — has entered Rockfield studios in Wales, England to begin recording its new album, the group's first since SABBATH's "Dehumanizer" (which was also recorded at Rockfield) in 1992. An early 2009 release via Rhino Records is expected.

Two years ago, Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice reunited to record a trio of new songs for Rhino's "Black Sabbath: The Dio Years" before launching a highly anticipated and greatly acclaimed world tour under their new moniker HEAVEN AND HELL. Revitalized by the reunion, the lineup is back in the studio now recording the first-ever full-length studio album from HEAVEN AND HELL. To whet the fans' appetites for the new album, HEAVEN AND HELL returned to the road this past summer for a short stint on the Metal Masters Tour, a month-long North American trek with JUDAS PRIEST, MOTÖRHEAD, and TESTAMENT.

Regarding the band's decision to continue to operate as HEAVEN AND HELL rather than BLACK SABBATH, Iommi told Billboard.com earlier this year, "It really is BLACK SABBATH, whatever we do. We just choose to go out as HEAVEN AND HELL so everyone knows what they're getting [and] so people won't expect to hear 'Iron Man' and all those songs. We've done them for so many years, it's nice to do just all the stuff with did with Ronnie again."

HEAVEN AND HELL will hit the road in early 2009 in support of the new album. So far the following shows have been announced:

June 3-6 - Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
June 19-21 - Clisson, France - Hellfest

BLACK SABBATH's "The Rules Of Hell" box set — which features all three of SABBATH's Dio-era studio releases ("Heaven And Hell", "Mob Rules", "Dehumanizer") and its double live collection ("Live Evil"), each remastered for the first time — sold around 2,650 copies in the United States in its first week of release back in July 2008, according to Nielsen SoundScan."The Rules Of Hell" comes packaged in a deluxe slipcase with extensive liner notes featuring all new interviews with the band.

Fan-filmed video footage of HEAVEN AND HELL performing the song "Neon Knights" on August 31, 2008 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California can be viewed below (clip uploaded by YouTube user "rockynhome").

Orange Goblin Readies Seventh Album

Orange Goblin will enter a recording studio in London at the end of May 2009 to record what will be their seventh studio album and first for new label Candlelight. Production on this one will be handled by Sanford Parker who has recently produced albums by the likes of Nachtmystium, Lair of the Minotaur, Pelican, Rwake, Unearthly Trance, Venemous Concept, Minsk, Buried at Sea, and more.

Orange Goblin vocalist Ben Ward said " We are excited at the prospect of working with Sanford, we are all big fans of his work with bands like Pelican, Nachtmystium and Lair of the Minotaur and I`m sure he will add a new element to what we do in Orange Goblin. It`s inspiring to work with someone new that `gets` exactly what we are about and Sanford`s enthusiasm to work with us made him an obvious choice!"


The album should be due for release in September 2009.

Fu Manchu and Nebula Together?

Ruben Romano (ex-Nebula, current The Freeks) and Brad Davis (Fu Manchu, Davis) will be performing together for two nights. All are welcome to watch this reunion of Fu Manchu and Nebula members.

Thurs, Feb 5: Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
Fri, Feb 6: Lake Forest, CA - The Gypsy Lounge


See www.myspace.com/thewestcoastfreeks for more information, including additional West Coast Freeks tour dates.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

New Band To Burn One To-Sun Gods In Exile



Happy Thanksgiving! Today I have a terrific "New Band To Burn One To". They are called Sun Gods In Exile. The band hails from Portland, Maine and features members of Cortez, Ocean, Black Apple and Supersoul Challenger.

"Huge rock blending Southern Rock, Classic Hard Rock, New wave of British heavy metal, Stoner Rock and Blues bleeding through loud as fuck Marshall Stacks!!"

The band for those of you unfamiliar were at one time called Burnt Orange, but to eliminate confusion with the boy/emo band with the same name, decided to just change their name.

The band is currently set to hit Mad Oak Studios the first week of December to record 9 new blazing tracks.

Mad Oak is owned by their good friend Craig Riggs (Roadsaw, Antler..) and the record will be engineered by Benny Grotto who has done some bad ass work with Roadsaw, Dixie Witch, Solace, Ironweed, A Thousand Knives of Fire just to name a few.

For more information on the band check out their MySpace page.

Kowloon Walled City Ventures Out on the Road

Kowloon Walled City (myspace.com/kowloonwalledcity) is gearing up
for a short tour of the pacific NW in support of their new EP, Turk Street.


Wed 12/3: Sacramento CA - On The Y, with Hookerfight
Thu 12/4: Eugene OR - Samurai Duck, with Lucika
Fri 12/5: Portland OR - Ash Street Saloon, withMadraso, Mongoloid Village, Salvador
Sat 12/6: Seattle WA - Bit Saloon, with Madraso, Mica de Noche



Turk Street is available on 10" vinyl, hand-silkscreened CD, and for free
download at inthewalledcity.com.

This May, Go See the Magnificent Flying Head Machine

Magnificent Flying Head Machine promises be a festival of international acid rock & psychedelic sounds set in the heart of the UK.

The festival will take place on Saturday, 23 May 2009 at The Charlotte, Oxford Street, Leicester, with live action from Colour Haze, Gentlemans Pistols, Cherry Choke, The Lunar Society, Stone Turner, Black Earth Gospel Band, The Junipers, and soon to be announced very special guests that we at MFHM know will "Blow Your Mind."


Advance ticket sales available soon, priced at £12 (£15 on the door). Doors from 5 pm till 3 am.


Visit our MySpace for more info and updates

Buzzville Records News

From Buzzville Records:

Completely Reworked Website
It took a while, but we’re more than happy to announce the relaunch of the official Buzzville website. If you want more info on our band roster, releases, tourdates, don’t hesitate to have a look on the up-to-date website. The coming weeks there will be additional stuff available (audio & more), but there’s already a whole bunch of cool stuff to check out on www.buzzville.be. Enjoy!



New Releases
Mogul – Build Me A Huchback
Mogul, hailing of the city of Waregem (Belgium), first caught the attention in February 2006 by means of a seven tracks EP recorded at the Hype Studio (Cowboys & Aliens). The band tries to reach its audience with a rawness that simulates the sensation of a live, pure rock sound. Steaming power rock combined with catchy rhythms take the auditor away to a desert-like atmosphere that proved the preferred playground for other stoner rock icons such as Chris Goss. In November 2007, Mogul enters the studio to work on its first full album under the surveillance of Buzzville Records. With the help of live mixing-specialist Koen Vanhee, the band commits itself to several months of recording. Under the influence of Alan Ward (Astrosoniq, Cowboys & Aliens, Within Temptation), the album gets the definite sound. The title itself being a fragment from one of the album`s songs, "Return the Blues;" it refers to the many expectations, stress and hard work, which went together with the realization of Mogul`s first work of art. Finally, Mogul can be proud of its musical quest and can boast a mouth-watering first album!



Los Natas Vs. Solodolor 10”
Buzzville Records is very proud to announce the release of a split 10" vinyl of Los Natas vs. Solodolor.


Los Natas is one of Argentina`s biggest rock bands, with coverage in local and national newspapers on a regular basis. They started out in 1995 and have been building a huge fan base all over the world. They have shared the stage with several national and international headliners such as Porn, Mudhoney, Motorhead, Queens of the Stone Age, Iggy and the Stooges, and more.


Solodolor is a project that saw the light in 2006 during the producing of the Los Natas recording sessions of El Hombre Montana. Producer Billy Anderson and Natas lead guitarist Sergio Ch. had some free time on their hands and while jamming they invited some other friends. By the end of the night songs had taken form and after some more rehearsing several songs were recorded. This project consists of Billy Anderson (The Melvins, Porn, Blessing The Hogs) - bass; Sergio Ch (Los Natas, Santoro) - guitar; Rowek (V8, Rata Blanca, Nativo) - drums; El Topo (Santoro, Eight Hands For Kali) - vocals. The artwork for this split 10" was designed by Italian collective Malleus. This vinyl release is strictly limited to 1,000 copies!



Deville on Tour
25 Nov 2008: Rome, Italy - Sinister Noise
27 Nov 2008: Cosenza, Italy - Partyzan
28 Nov 2008: Brindisi, Italy - Palmares Club
29 Nov 2008: Trani, Italy - Spazio Off
2 Dec 2008: Weimar, Germany - Schützenclub
3 Dec 2008: Chemnitz, Germany - Subway to Peter
5 Dec 2008: Lubbenau, Germany - Kulturhof
6 Dec 2008: Lubeck, Germany - Sounds


Check out their most recent album, Come Heavy Sleep.


Upcoming Releases
Solenoid – Solenoid (metal with some NWOBHM influences, album mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Exodus, Black Sabbath, Anvil) and mastered by Göran Finnberg (Opeth, Spiritual Beggars, The Haunted))


Glowsun – The Sundering (the long awaited debut album from French stoners)


For more and updated info, visit www.buzzville.be.

Dragontears` Second Album Now Available

The Baby Woodrose side-project called Dragontears has released its second album, entitled "Tambourine Freak Machine". It is available as LP/CD and as a download.

The album is musically quite similar to the debut album, 2000 Micrograms From Home from March 2007, but the band used a larger amount of electronics and the eternal quest for hallucinatory experimentation has made the music span a slightly wider range, transcending musical styles like neofolk, psychedelic, space rock and electronica. Hell, it must be the first album in 20 years to include a bona fide drum solo!



Dragontears has a fluent line-up and this time around it includes:



Lorenzo Woodrose - Vocals, guitars, organs, jug and piano (Baby Woodrose)
Fuzz Daddy - Drums, percussion, tablabox and cellphone (Baby Woodrose)
The Moody Guru - Bass, Tambourabox and pianostrings (Baby Woodrose)
Manoj Ramdas - Theremin, Musicbox and circuit bending (ex-Raveonettes, Spektr)
Janine Neble - Vocals and Red Fiddle Finger (Alive With Worms)
The Hobbit - Guitars, Roland R66 and space echo (On Trial, Spids Nøgenhat)
Aron - Guitars, drone and feedback (Aron, Spids Nøgenhat, ex-On Trial)
Ralph A. Rjeily - Tape treatments, FX Chain and psychedelic patchbay
The Twilight Princess - Chinese flute and vibes



The tracklist includes the ten minute drug fantasy “The River,” which involves an impressive eight verses of illuminated spiritual delerium and is not a Bruce Springsteen cover. Also, another eight verses of righteous anger and loathing in “Masters of War,” which is in fact a Bob Dylan cover. Other highlights are a 16 minute dark hypnotic journey titled “The Freedom Seed,” which features Danish punk diva Janine Neble from Alive With Worms - and the electronic experimental track “Dreamweaver 2,” which features delicately noisy circuit bends from ex- Raveonettes Manoj Ramdas, absolutely molesting an out of date drum machine and some Japanese toy keyboard.



No photos of Dragontears exist, no flashy website is in the pipeline and there are no gigs planned. But as a teaser it is possible to listen to the song "Sunrise" on the Dragontears` MySpace page.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

MONSTER MAGNET in Milan: Video Footage, Photos Available

Fan-filmed video footage of MONSTER MAGNET performing the song "Radiation Day" on November 23, 2008 in Milan, Italy can be viewed below.

Photos from the show are available on the news blog Musica Metal.

The group's setlist was as follows:

01. Dopes To Infinity
02. Crop Circle
03. Powertrip
04. Twin Earth
05. 3rd Eye Landslide
06. Zodiac Lung
07. Radiation Day
08. The Right Stuff
09. Negasonic Teenage Warhead
10. Space Lord
11. Melt
12. Cage Around the Sun
13. Tractor
14. Spine Of God

New Band To Burn One To-Scant Mirror



From SCANT MIRROR:

SCANT MIRROR was formed in August 2003 in Jaroslaw, Poland Marcin Dudek (v,g) , K.Nowowiejski (b), W.Pysz (d).

In December 2004 in MOK, Jaroslaw the band recorded its first demo consisted of 9 tracks composed in the very early period.

In 2005 the band mainly worked on new material and played several concerts.
In March 2006 the band recorded its second demo, this time with 11 tracks. The instruments were recorded at SPAART Recording Studio in Boguchwala and next mixed with vocals recorded by the group itself.

The songs ELEMENTARY and WHEN SHE APPROACHED reached polish media.
In October 2006 Waldi Pysz quit the band. The drummer who replaced him was Grzesiek Lotycz. New team immediately began working on new material. As a result the third demo recorded completely at SPAART Recording Studio (6 tracks) was released.
Songs from the third demo (2007) were played by radio stations in Poland, U.K., Ireland and U.S.A.

*Songs from the third demo (2007) were played during the CULTURAL EVENING radio programme/Anna Livia Dublin City.
* 5.11.2007 – the band was a guest at KUŹNIA (SMITHY) radio programme, in Centrum Radio from Lublin.
* 5.12.2007 - the band was a guest at ROCK RADIO radio programme, in Polish Radio Rzeszow
* November 2007 – band of the week - KYDS Sacramento
* None Left and Paid were played by Polish and U.S. Student Radio Stations
* None Left was played by Tom Robinson “BBC Introducing with Tom Robinson” radio programme/BBC 6 Music
* Our songs were played by Piotr Kosiński – “Noc muzycznych pejzaży (The Night of Musical Landscapes)” radio programme, Polish Radio 3 Warsaw
* Our songs are also played by Polish and U.S. Internet radio stations

In March 2008 Krzysiek Nowowiejski quit the band. Przemek Dziuba took over from him. The band got down to work and in September the same year equipped with new material entered SPAART Recording Studio. The result of a few days'work was 8 new tracks which can be heard on myspace.

You can find our song “None Left” on TOUR DE FORCE: ONE the compilation made by Matchbox Recordings.

For fans of such bands as KYUSS, Melvins, Rollins Band, Danzing, Black Flag, At The Drive-In, Mastodon, TAD, DOWN, Nirvana, Tool, Primus, etc.

MySpace

Monday, November 24, 2008

Former ARTIMUS PYLEDRIVER Members Launch BIGFOOT

From the ashes of ARTIMUS PYLEDRIVER, comes the mighty BIGFOOT. Jim Hall and Micheal Faulkner have enlisted drummer Kevin Watford (ex-GONZALEZ) and second guitarist Evil Jim Wright (of ASPHALT BLASTER, SPECTREMEN, and THE EVILS) to help form the core of their new band. They then tapped Jett Bryant of the ROCK CITY DROPOUTS to be the voice. The new group will be in the studio this winter with Rachel Bolan (SKID ROW) producing.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/bigfootrocksatlanta.

News, Album Of The Week and More!!!!

I'm back!!! Check out the news below and the awesome Album Of The Week! Stay tuned for some great "New Bands To Burn One To" such as Sun Gods in Exile, Scant Mirror, Centrifuge, Catapult The Smoke, and Caestles. In the meantime, here is a great album for you guys to download for free. It is from a band called Mighty High which I featured as the "New Band To Burn One To" on March 22, 2008.



Download

MySpace
Official Website

The Devil Rides Out "Slow Gun" Video Now Online

Hey guys! Check out the awesome new video "Slow Gun" by the band The Devil Rides Out.



"Made by Landswimming"

MySpace

SEVENTH VOID Debut To Arrive In The Spring

SEVENTH VOID, the new band formed by TYPE O NEGATIVE guitarist Kenny Hickey and drummer Johnny Kelly, will release its debut album in March/April 2009 through Big Vin Records, the label formed by HELLYEAH/ex-PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott. "It's an amazing record," Vinnie said. "I mixed the whole thing for the guys. It goes somehere between SOUNDGARDEN meets BLACK SABBATH meets a little AUDIOSLAVE, with some TYPE O thrown in there. It's really nice, dark, sludgy… Kenny's vocals are great."

Rounded out by bassist Hank Hell (INHUMAN) and guitarist Matt Brown (ex-SUPERMASSIV), SEVENTH VOID continues TYPE O's tradition of slow, heavy riffs and existential lyrics, but with a slightly sludgier, "stonier" flavor.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/seventhvoid.

Wizard Eye Announces New Drummer

The depth-charging, demonic destroyers of doom known as the brothers of Wizard Eye are pleased to announce a new rhythm force behind Wizard Eye thunder machine. Stoners and stonerettes, welcome Brother Mike to the fold. A citizen of The City of Brotherly Hostility, Brother Mike`s bombastic drumming skills are a perfect fit for the sludgy drug doom of Wizard Eye. Be on the look-out for new tunes and Northeast regional shows from the band. In the meantime, please visit www.myspace.com/wizardeye for a few new tasty psyche jams and upcoming dates.

Old Mac Returns to Negative Reaction

NYC Godfathers of sludge Negative Reaction have announced the recent return of drummer, John "Old Mac" MacDonald to the fold. Considered by many as the definitive Negative Reaction drummer, having played on their landmark Under the Ancient Penalty CD.

As the band continues gigging in support of their newest doom metal classic, Tales From the Insomniac (Spare Change Records), they are also working on new material for an upcoming four way split CD with soon to be announced bands.



www.NegativeReaction.info
www.SpareChangeRecords.com

Deville On the Road

Deville is currently out on the road. The remaning dates are as follows:

25 Nov 2008: Rome, Italy - Sinister Noise
27 Nov 2008: Cosenza, Italy - Partyzan
28 Nov 2008: Brindisi, Italy - Palmares Club
29 Nov 2008: Trani, Italy - Spazio Off
2 Dec 2008: Weimar, Germany - Schützenclub
3 Dec 2008: Chemnitz, Germany - Subway to Peter
5 Dec 2008: Lubbenau, Germany - Kulturhof
6 Dec 2008: Lubeck, Germany - Sounds

Album Of The Week-Ocean-"Pantheon of the Lesser" (2008)

The Album Of The Week is "Pantheon of the Lesser" by Ocean.



Review:

"After Ocean released their 2006 debut, Here Where Nothing Grows, it quickly became indie noise label Important Records’ highest selling album. This Maine-based doom troupe return with Pantheon of the Lesser, two lengthy tracks of artful gloom. Clocking in at 35 minutes, “The Beacon” was performed as Ocean’s complete set on their recent tour with Boris and Mono. It could also be a Bloody Panda outtake, as it features the chanting and then shrieking vocals of BP front-waif Yoshiko Ohara. Guitarist/vocalist Candy’s growls have become more guttural and prolonged, as he stretches them over many measures, and the song’s structures hearken back to My Dying Bride, with a Khanate modernity. “Of the Lesser,” a mere 23 minutes, is slower and more introspective, like Neurosis at half-speed. Candy layers his vocals over the ebb and flow of the tracks, and the guitars seem appropriately mournful and less smothering than in “The Beacon.” The only impediments here are the songs’ prodigious lengths, for Ocean demand that one take the time to listen to each track in its entirety. Appealing to fans who listen to albums from start to finish, Pantheon of the Lesser is art doom at its apex." (Chris Ayers, Exclaim.ca)

"Sublimely constructed symphonies of controlled aggression that can build to mind-altering climaxes, while still never eking the tempo above the crawl of a dirge." -- Tiny Mix Tapes "Epic sloughs of doomed despond with a sleight of hand that graces their mournful meanderings with a creepy melancholy." -- Terrorizer

"Moving with the slow, inexorable force of some gargantuan sea-beast from Norse mythology, Ocean marry heaving riff tectonics with expansive rockscapes, straddling doom metal and post rock with their colossal, continent-eclipsing sound." -- Mojo

CD is packaged in a deluxe foil-printed heavy-duty cardboard jacket with art by renowned Maine illustrator Bruce Hutchison. Vinyl version is double 200-gram vinyl, packaged in deluxe letter-pressed covers and limited to 500 copies.

Track Listing:

01. The Beacon
02. Of the Lesser

Listen

MySpace
Official Website

Sunday, November 23, 2008

New Updates To Heavy Planet

I would really like to thank the three readers that posted their opinions. I was expecting more, but that's the way the internet goes. Starting Monday, I will post an Album Of The Week. Throughout the week I will post random new bands for you guys to hear. That's about it, thanks for checking out Heavy Planet! (discouragement):(

~Reg \mm/

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Heavy Planet Changes

I have been throwing around a few ideas in my head and would like to hear what you guys think. First of all, I am a fan, just like you. I do this in my spare time which is before I go to work (yes I get up at 6:10 every morning to post)and when I come home from work and whenever I can on the weekends. I am a one man operation that is all about making sure that bands get heard and make money doing what they love. I put links to the Album Of The Day purely as a tool to promote the bands music, if you like the album please purchase it. Don't be a cheapskate. Yes, I would make a commision on the sale of the music, but I want to use that money to grow this community with different promotions and contests. So here are the changes and additions that I am thinking of:

1. Instead of an Album Of The Day, it would change to the Album Of The Week.
2. I would feature a "New Band To Burn One To" everyday. Get more bands out there for you guys to hear.
3. I would keep the MP3 Of The Day.
4. Contests
5. A Forum?

Let me know what you think about these ideas. I would love to hear from you. I am gonna take a few days off due to a very hectic schedule, but will return soon. Have no fear Heavy Planet is here to stay!

*If you are in a band and you want your band featured on Heavy Planet, please send me as much information as you can about your band. The only thing that I ask in return is either placement of a link to Heavy Planet on your MySpace or website or a simple thank you.

If you are interested in advertising on Heavy Planet, please e-mail me here.

Peace!

~Reg \mm/

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Album Of The Day- Capricorns-"River, Bear Your Bones" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "River, Bear Your Bones" by Capricorns.



Review:

There’s an appealing grittiness to Capricorns’ instrumental rumblings. Whereas contemporaries such as Pelican opt to look down on humanity from the heavens, Capricorns seem at home amid the urban sprawl, lurking in dimly lit bars and passed out in piss-soaked back alleys. The Londoners’ second album constitutes a logical progression from 05’s ‘Ruder Forms Survive’, offering much in the way of gargantuan riffs and thundering percussion, but also venturing further off the beaten track than before. Nine-minute opener ‘Broken Coffin Of The Venerable King’ gets things off to a storming start, veering from powerful riff-bludgeon to tranquil mid-section to thrashing finale, with eerie synth drones a welcome addition to an already formidable sonic arsenal. ‘A Savage Race By Shipwrecked Fed’ is another highlight; Keelhaul-like guitars spiralling like whirlpools, before dragging the listener down into the blackest depths of the ocean. With tempo variations and sharp dynamic shifts scattered throughout, these eight songs are noticeably looser and less straightforward than past offerings, but fortunately the band know exactly when to reign things in (the demo-quality ‘Drinking Water From The Skull Of A Hanged Man’ being the only exception). Exceeding all expectations, this record confirms Capricorns’ position as one of Britain’s finest bands. (Mike Kemp, Rock-Sound.net)

Track Listing:

01. Broken Coffin of the Venerable King
02. Seventh Child of a Seventh Child
03. Tempered with the Blood of Beasts
04. November Suicides
05. Owing to the Fogs (MP3)
06. The Bells Rang Backwards
07. A Savage Race by Shipwrecks Fed
08. Drinking Water from the Skull of a Hanged Man

Listen(These are only 30 second samples due to the fact that the album doesn't street until 11/25/2008)

MySpace



Sunday, November 16, 2008

New Band To Burn One To-Lords Of The North



"From the arctic regions of the Northwest, come the Lords of the North with marching stories in song. Conjured souls, steam caves, swirling ice storms, love and loss, sunshine breaks, sonic assassin attacks. The Lords of the North bring sonic weapons and movement in hazy fuzz, powerful voices, and crushing delivery. Singer/bassist Pat Kearney (Automaton, Henry Hanks) successfully blends hard edged vocals with thoughtful melodies that stick in your skull for warmth and are both confrontational and satirical: "I see their heads will roll tightly into a smoke that will taste like from home." With the help of pounding skins from mighty Oarsmen Jim Roche, guitarist Tony Tharp (Black Fairies) holds the songs together with stony riffs, sludge, blues, and psychedelic glue. The Lords of the North continue on in the tradition of Blue Cheer, Sabbath, and Sleep; early blues based simplicity but thunderous low tuning with volume, intensity, and great hooks. Each song is a marching story, a moment in time with our exiled soldiers from the Northwest. The Lords are here."



Track Listing:

01. Souls Come Rising
02. Follow the Falcon
03. Beams of Light
04. Steam Caves
05. Loyal Legion
06. The March

For more information on the band check out the following links:

MySpace
Official Website

Buy MP3 Album From Amazon.com For Only $5.94

The Company Band Announces Two Exclusive Dates

The Company Band (a supergroup consisting of Neil Fallon of Clutch, Jess Margera of CKY, Jim Rota of Fireball Ministry, and Dave Bone of Fu Manchu) will be doing two exclusive shows on the east coast this November.

November 25: Harrisburg, PA – The Dragonfly, with Backwoods Payback, Sinking Earth
November 26: West Chester, PA - The Note, with Backwoods Payback, Stinking Lizaveta


These are the only scheduled shows for the band in support of their EP, Sign Here, Here, and Here, released earlier this year.


www.myspace.com/thecoband

Mindzap Updates 2008

From Mindzap Productions:

Mindzap will be making a music video for Cherry Choke, work is due to begin in January. Cherry Choke feature Matt Bettancourt of Josiah and Kings of Frog Island. Their debut album is due out in the near future on Electrohasch.



Stone Turner will be recording some jams very soon that will be recorded and filmed live in rehearsal space. The CD will be given out at gigs with a link to the video footage on YouTube. Expect smoke and lights



Mindzap will be filming and providing light shows for the Magnificent Flying Head Machine, taking place in May 2009 and featuring live performances from Colour Haze, Cherry Choke, Gentleman`s Pistols, and many more. More details soon.


Another video for UK rockers Grifter is in the pipeline.



www.myspace.com/mindzapproductions

Long Distance Calling Enters Studio to Record New Album

Long Distance Calling will enter Studio 45 this upcoming weekend with producer Kurt Ebelhäuser (Blackmail, etc) to record their new, yet untitled album which will be released early spring 2009. The band comments on the studio time and the new material:

"We are really looking forward to the recording process of our new baby as we put a lot of time and energy into the new songs and we are very excited about working with Kurt and the Studio 45 crew where we will produce, record and mix the album until end of the month before it gets into mastering. The new songs will lead us to some new territories and we can´t wait to hear them with a proper sound outside the rehearsal room. Stay tuned for updates via our studio-blog at www.myspace.com/longdistancecalling.”

Aluna Announces Final Gigs for 2008

UK psych blues doomsters Aluna have announced their final dates of the year to support the Fall to Earth EP

Nov 23: Leicester, UK - The Vic, Coalville
Nov 24: Birmingham, UK - Subside (old rock café)
Nov 29: Nottingham, UK - Old Angel
Dec 6: Burton On Trent - The Appleby
Dec 10: TBA
Dec 18: Redditch, UK - The Tardebigge


See www.myspace.com/alunatheband for more details.

Live Footage of It`s Casual Now Online

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, It`s Casual had the honor to fill the support slot for Mastodon at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA. This show was a two day celebration to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of Chunklet Magazine. Video of the set can be found here.

For still photos of both bands, click here.

Javelina Now On Tour

Philly`s Javelina is in the midst of a east coast tour! Anyone who has seen Javelina live knows they are a force to be reckoned with! The band is playing mostly new songs from their upcoming Translation Loss follow up to their self-titled 2008 debut.


11/15/2008: Orlando, FL - Uncle Lou`s, with Six Dead Horses
11/16/2008: New Orleans, LA - Dragon`s Den, with Liber Diurnus
11/17/2008: Atlanta, GA - Lenny`s, with Withered, Sons of Tonatiuth
11/18/2008: Raleigh, NC - Slim`s Downtown Distillery, with Man Will Destroy Himself, RBT
11/19/2008: Baltimore, MD - Nowarehouse, with The Pilgrim, Hatchetface
11/29/2008: Newark, DE - East End Cafe, with Clobbersaurus, Onita
12/17/2008: Brooklyn, NY - Public Assembly


More info and dates available soon...


"...like Crowbar arm wrestling High on Fire for possession of your soul..."
- Outburn


"...Javelina`s self-titled Translation Loss debut is a motherfucker..."
- Pitchfork


www.myspace.com/javelinaphiladelphia

More Boris Dates Announced

Boris has become one of the hottest things for Japan to export to North America next to Toyotas! They`re back again, not only for the previously announced rash of arena shows with the almighty Nine Inch Nails, but also for a pile of dates through the Midwest and East Coast playing shows with Clouds, Growing, and more.

Boris US and Canada Tour
11/15/2008: Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena, with Nine Inch Nails
11/16/2008: Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop, with Baroness, Coliseum, Minsk
11/17/2008: Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center, with Nine Inch Nails
11/18/2008: Fort Wayne, IN - Allen County Memorial, with Nine Inch Nails
11/20/2008: Cedar Rapids, IA - US Cellular Center, with Nine Inch Nails
11/21/2008: Columbia, MO - Mizzou Arena, with Nine Inch Nails
11/22/2008: Tulsa, OK - BOK Center, with Nine Inch Nails
11/24/2008: Iowa City, IA - The Picador
11/25/2008: Minneapolis, MN - Target Center, with Nine Inch Nails
11/26/2008: Council Bluffs, IA - Mid-America Center, with Nine Inch Nails
11/28/2008: Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club, with Clouds, Zebulon Pike
11/29/2008: Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle, with Clouds
11/30/2008: Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room, with Clouds
12/01/2008: Buffalo, NY - Soundlab, with Clouds
12/03/2008: Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg, with Growing, Clouds
12/04/2008: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar, with Growing, Clouds
12/05/2008: Danbury, CT - Heirloom Arts Theatre, with Growing, Clouds
12/06/2008: Providence, RI - The Livingroom, with Growing, Clouds

Details on Wino Solo Album Revealed

It`s if our prayers have been answered! Finally, fans of underground cult guitar hero Scott "Wino" Weinrich can rejoice because Winos` first solo album is upon us! Over the last 25 years Wino has defined heavy music and is truly the Godfather of the movement. Starting with The Obsessed, and Saint Vitus, and onto his mind-blowing power trios: Spirit Caravan and The Hidden Hand his virtuosity on six strings is matched perfectly with his soulful vocals and powerful lyrics. But as us Wino freaks know he has always graciously shared the spotlight with his band members. Even though it was Wino we came to see and hear he seemed to understand the power of the chemistry of the bands he was leading. His selflessness seems unnecessary considering his talents but it was his decision to equally share the glory.

After the demise of his last group, The Hidden Hand, Wino did not rest. With new found energy he completed the writing of many new songs and decided to enlist the help of some friends to help realize his new musical vision. The idea was not to start a new power trio with a new name as before. This time it was about finding players who would help realize his songs the way he wanted them. This more "Wino"- focused direction was fleshed out with the help of two amazing musicians: Jean Paul Gaster (Clutch, The Bakerton Group) on drums and Jon Blank (Rezin) on bass. Punctuated Equilibrium was recorded by J. Robbins who has worked extensively with both the Hidden Hand and Clutch in the past.


The album comes with amazing original artwork by David D` Andrea and contains extensive liner notes from Wino himself that explicitly describe the origin and concept of each track. Here is an excerpt that I feel perfectly explains this album.


"This is the culmination of a very old dream, one that has come true in many different ways. One of the main things I have learned is how I understand "success". To me, it`s not all riches and glory so much as the impact on others lives. My main philosophy that guides me is that I was given a gift, a Musical gift which I use to bring happiness to others. It is also important not to overlook your own needs, but putting yourself in the other person`s shoes is to me most important! Punctuated Equilibrium is how my personality has been described, as told in the lyrics.


Punctuated Equilibrium tracklisting:


CD Version
Release Me
Punctuated Equilibrium
The Woman In The Orange Pants
Smilin Road
Eyes of The Flesh
Wild Blue Yonder
Secret Realm Devotion
Water Crane
Gods, Frauds, Neo-Cons and Demagogues
Silver Lining


LP Version
Side A
Release Me
Punctuated Equilibrium
The Woman In The Orange Pants
Smilin Road
Eyes of The Flesh


Side B
Wild Blue Yonder
Secret Realm Devotion
Water Crane
Gods, Frauds, Neo-Cons and Demagogues
Silver Lining


Bonus 10"
Side A
Chest Fever
Der Gift (The Poison)


Side B
On The (Sacrificial) Lam
The Comet And The Moon



This extremely anticipated release from one of the undeniable gods of doom and stoner rock becomes available to the public on January 20, 2009.

Stinking Lizaveta Prepares a New Album

Stinking Lizaveta recorded their sixth album this past August through September at Electric Audio in Chicago. Sanford Parker (Buried at Sea, Minsk) produced. The currently untitled album will be released this Spring on At a Loss Records (US) and Monotreme Records (Europe).

The three-piece will also be playing at The Note in West Chester, PA, on November 26.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Album Of The Day- King Hobo-"Self-Titled" (2008)

Featuring members from two of my favorite bands, Clutch and Opeth, I have decided to make King Hobo's self-titled debut the Album Of The Day.



Review:

"One wouldn't expect anyone but the girlfriends dragged along to the 2005 edition of the "Sounds Of The Underground" tour to be singing the blues, but apparently this was not the case. The trek inspired a series of parking lot jam sessions which saw members of Clutch, Opeth and more freely express their other musical vices. These sessions eventually evolved into King Hobo, a bluesy-funk based affair spearheaded by Opeth keyboardist Per Wiberg and Clutch drummer Jean-Paul Gaster.

Aided by members of Kamchatka, Five Horse Johnson and other like-minded compatriots, King Hobo has evolved into a group strong enough to stand on their own - though admittedly the possibility of that ever happening is highly unlikely. Instead one will have to settle for an albums worth of groovy, bluesy, funkified rock that recalls Deep Purple as much as it does Medeski, Martin & Wood and funk fixtures like The Meters.

Indeed, bottom-heavy ballsy rock n' roll mixed with musty funk created when vinyl was the de facto format is the order of the day here and a vanity project this is not. Rather, this is a gut-felt homage to music from a different era and surprisingly, it delivers. Raucous and yearning tracks flush with soulful slide guitars, in the pocket drumming and funky bass lines take King Hobo to places even Clutch and The Bakerton Group have yet to fully explore.

There is a bit of indulgence here and there as instrumental traffic jams can get a bit out of control, but generally the tracks are reigned in, making way for soul-searching moody ballads like "Rolling In From The Sea", which utterly captivate. Truthfully, the only potential hindrance is Wiberg's vocals, which while soulful enough, can suffer from the occasional odd enunciation. But what Wiberg mildly lacks in vocal prowess, he more than makes up for in his impressive talents behind the keys, which he routinely takes full advantage of.

From top to bottom King Hobo deliver a rollicking listen with masterful control and a surprising amount of emotional range. It's not just good ol' boys getting down and it's not just funky grooves getting up. Instead it's a fine mixture and balance between both as evidenced in the weighty covers of the funk/soul/jazz standards ("Running" as made famous by Baby Huey and Freddie Hubbard's take on "Mr. Clean".) If you can appreciate more than a blast beast, do yourself a favor and see what vagrancy has to offer." (wookubus, The PRP.com)

Track Listing:

01. Running
02. Leaving Letter Blues
03. Rolling Is From The Sea
04. Swede
05. Moonshine
06. Four Winds
07. From Me To You
08. Coffee Break
09. Best Of Times
10. Mr. Clean

Listen

MySpace



Friday, November 14, 2008

ORANGE GOBLIN: ROADBURN FESTIVAL Performance To Be Recorded For Live Album


British doomsters ORANGE GOBLIN will record their performance at next year's Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland on Thursday, April 23, 2009 for a limited-edition, vinyl-only live album.

ORANGE GOBLIN recently inked a deal with Candlelight Records.

The band's latest CD, "Healing through Fire", was released in May 2007 through Sanctuary Records. The album was initially released as a CD with a bonus DVD featuring live footage from the band's headline show at London's Mean Fiddler in December 2006.

GRAVES OF VALOR: BUZZOV*EN Cover Posted Online

South Carolina's GRAVES OF VALOR has posted a cover of BUZZOV*EN's "Crawl Away" at this location. The track will appear on an upcoming BUZZOV*EN tribute album, "Unfit To Consume…", to be released on Sleeping Village Records alongside contributions from SOURVEIN, KYLESA, BALBOA, BLACK COBRA, BEATEN BACK TO PURE, and more.

For more information on this release, click here.

GRAVES OF VALOR has completed writing material for its forthcoming Relapse debut. The band is set to enter the studio soon to record, with a spring 2009 release date expected. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Bridles of Incinatus", "No Gods Left", "Et tu Brute" and "Devoured by Vultures".

GRAVES OF VALOR has a handful of shows lined up in North and South Carolina with more extensive tour plans for 2009 to be announced soon.

HERMANO Guitarist Bleeds For Rock And Roll

American heavy blues rockers HERMANO, who feature in their ranks 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), have issued the following update:

"During the [November 12] show in the packed Kassablanca Club in Jena [Germany], the very last song was ended before its time. David 'All Over The Place' Angstrom, HERMANO's guitar player, walked into the bass head of Dandy Brown's bass guitar. As a result blood everywhere. He was taken to the hospital and they stitched him up good. They lost count after 12 stitches. He is doing okay, but got the advice to take it a little bit easier so the wound doesn't open up. That will be a hard thing to do for Dave all over the place. The last three dates will take place as planned."

"…Into the Exam Room", the third album from HERMANO, came out in January 2008 in North America via Regain Records.

HERMANO 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, despite its members being scattered across America. 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.

HERMANO's unconventional approach pays off in the end. "…Into the Exam Room" is a diverse record with a character all its own. "This is the most emotional record in my entire life," said Garcia. "It's been a long time since I felt this strongly about a record. Honestly, I haven't felt this strongly since KYUSS."

"I could not be more pleased with the way this band continues to conquer through adversity," Leathers said. "Faced with thousands of miles between us, babies being born, wives having surgery, divorces, and a record on a deadline, this band still managed to release a kick-ass record. Being willing to be challenged and punch life right back in the mouth is a testament to everyone involved."

Fan-filmed video footage of HERMANO's November 5, 2008 concert at Atak in Enschede, Netherlands can be viewed below (clip uploaded by "weinandt").

Album Of The Day- Eagles Of Death Metal-"Heart On" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Heart On" by Eagles Of Death Metal.



Review:

The Eagles of Death Metal take big steps forward with each of their albums, making their scuzz-rock sleeker and catchier without sacrificing its sludgy hedonism: Death by Sexy added seedy glitz and extra sneering to Peace Love Death Metal's gleefully low-rent Rolling Stones worship, and Heart On ups the ante again. Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme boil down their fetishes for boogie rock, disco, glam rock — and above all, strutting riffs — into its most combustible essence while also finding far more shades and moods in it than they have before. Kicking off with "Anything 'Cept the Truth"'s massive swagger, Heart On is top-loaded with addictive rockers. "Secret Plans"'' climbing riff and "I want what I want what I want" are pure id, and "Wannabe in L.A." picks up where Death by Sexy's "I Want You So Hard (Boy's Bad News)" left off, delivering effortlessly catchy late-2000s hedonism (at this point, "I'm burnin' gas until I feel all right" sounds way more decadent than sex or drugs). "(I Used to Couldn't Dance) Tight Pants" and "High Voltage" are the Eagles of Death Metal at their most louche and kinetic, soundtracking a long night out with grinding riffs and low-slung basslines.

That string of songs sums up the band's slavish, sometimes exhausting dedication to the rock ethos so well that it's almost a relief when "Now I'm a Fool," Eagles of Death Metal's first honest-to-goodness ballad, ushers in Heart On's darker second half. Whether it's about breaking up with a woman, Los Angeles, or both, "Now I'm a Fool" is one of the album's best songs, its drifting introspection and smooth contours making it stand out all the more among the rest of Heart On's hard edges. From there, the album brings back the rock but remains just confessional enough to reveal a few chinks in the band's armor as they dig into loves, friendships, and nights out gone bad. Hughes wonders "what good's a heart if it's not on your sleeve" on the Stones disco-gone-Devo of the title track, while "Cheap Thrills"' guitar squalls stretch the scope of the song's world-weary emptiness. Even the songs with cartoonish titles don't play out exactly as expected — "Solo Flights" sings the praises of masturbation, but with lines like "no one gets to love me," it's not all jokes, and while the final track "I'm Your Torpedo" is a proudly obvious mating call, its hypnotic groove is also surprisingly serious. Fans of the goofy rock send-ups Hughes and Homme did on Peace Love Death Metal and Death by Sexy might think the pair are taking themselves too seriously here, but they add just enough maturity to the mix to make Heart On a consistently great album. (Heather Phares, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Anything 'Cept the Truth"
02. "Wannabe in LA"
03. "(I Used to Couldn't Dance) Tight Pants"
04. "High Voltage"
05. "Secret Plans"
06. "Now I'm a Fool"
07. "Heart On"
08. "Cheap Thrills"
09. "How Can a Man With So Many Friends Feel So Alone"
10. "Solo Flights"
11. "Prissy Prancin'"
12. "I'm Your Torpedo"
13. "Fairytale In Real Time" (Australian Bonus Track)

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Album Of The Day- The Fucking Champs-"III" (2006)

The Album Of The Day is "III" by The Fucking Champs.



Review:

The Fucking Champs' sprawling III boasts heroic doses of metal, electronic atmospheres, and prog rock-like ambition, the fusion of which the band has dubbed "total music." Their devotion to these styles is indeed total: while song titles like "You've Got a Thirst, Portland" flirt with irony, the Fucking Champs have a more-than-healthy appreciation for -- and ability to re-create -- the technical proficiency and flamboyance of their influences. III kicks off with two of its most metallic blasts: "Andres Segovia Interests Me" and "Valkyrie Is Dying," both of which are bombastic, heads-down metal with intricate drumming and tempo shifts and shrieking, shredding guitars aplenty. By "Don the Atmosphere" and "Heart to Heart," the Champs are delving into bittersweet, old-school electronic music. They alternate between blazing metal riffs and icy, Kraftwerk-inspired reveries for the rest of III -- which, in a nod to their proggy side, is divided into four "programmes" and also includes "The Golden Pipes Trilogy." Tracks such as the fractured, furious "Some Swords," the thrash metal of "The Trees," the brooding video game soundtrack "Sad Segovia," and the moody piano piece "Some Swords Reprise" show that the Fucking Champs do the fierce and reflective sides of their music equally well. This duality in their sound, and the late '70s/early '80s retro feel that informs the new wave sheen of "Dale Bozzio" (fittingly enough, for an homage to the peroxided singer of Missing Persons) and the lava lamp-like synths and distant, heroic guitars on "Silent Night, Friendly Night," also shows that the band's eventual collaboration with Trans Am wasn't just inspired, but inevitable. Though III consists of lots of short pieces, it does have a handful of tracks where the band stretches out as they did on their later albums; in particular, "Flawless Victory," which segues from a jazzy post-rock intro into chugging metal theatrics, and finds them flexing their muscles. Like many albums of epic proportions, III sometimes feels scattered, but it's also bold, ambitious, and surprisingly nuanced. The Fucking Champs delivered more focused versions of their total music in their later work, but here, it's dazzling in its diversity. (Heather Phares, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Andres Segovia Interests Me
02. Valkyrie Is Dying
03. Don the Atmosphere
04. Heart To Heart
05. The Trees
06. Silent Night, Friendly Night
07. Some Swords
08. Lee Tom
09. Now Is The Winter Of Our Discoteque
10. You're Feelings
11. Dale Bozzio
12. Sad Segovia
13. Amanda
14. '84
15. Flawless Victory
16. The Golden Pipes Trilogy (The Golden Pipes, On Seas of Sorrow Sail Death's Ships, Starlight On the Barrow Downs)
17. Some Swords Reprise
18. ROM
19. Atop the Pyramid That Is You
20. Guns In Our Schools
21. Tonight, We Ride
22. The Tennis Book
23. You've Got a Thirst, Portland

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



More Roadburn Acts Announced

Neurosis and Roadburn are proud to announce OM, Six Organs of Admittance, Skullflower, and A Storm of Light for Beyond the Pale at Roadburn 2009.


"Om is the heaviest band to ever walk the face of the earth"
- Scott Kelly, Neurosis


OM, Six Organs of Admittance, Skullflower, and A Storm of Light, along with Neurosis, have been confirmed for the inaugural European version of Neurosis` acclaimed Beyond the Pale festival, set to be held at Roadburn 2009 on Saturday, April 25, the 013 venue, Tilburg, Holland.


"Om is such a rare bird in the vast landscape that is sound, music, art, and emotive expression that they absolutely defy description," says Scott Kelly, "The straightest line is the quickest path to the godhead, Om know this, it is the foundation of their mountain. The meditative nature of the patterns and rhythms found within the speaker flexing sonic blanket that they weave is unparalleled. Om is the heaviest band to ever walk the face of the earth."


"Josh Graham is a prolific individual, a man driven to create. In the years that we have spent together collaborating in Neurosis, he has shown himself to be a visionary artist as well as a diligent worker. A Storm of Light is born of this obsession; it is an ominous sound, a cloud of oppressive doomage. Equal parts heavy and hypnotic, A Storm of Light is a band grown from truth."


Steve Von Till comments: "All must bow before the pagan wall of drone - I couldn`t agree more with the opening quote of Skullflower`s semi-official website. Hearing the tortured distorted and eerily shamanic drones emanate from the stereo for the first time in the early nineties was truly a revelation. IIIrd Gatekeeper and Obsidian Shaking Codex are two of my all time favorite albums and have been extremely influential on the way my brothers and I approach guitar-based heavy music: to grab an electric guitar, drive a loud amplifier to its physical limit, and ride the drone into oblivion is ecstasy, and Matthew Bower has been showing us all how it is done for 20-odd years. Finally after all these years we will all get to witness the power together at Beyond the Pale 2009."


"The words "psych folk,` although being a genre of music I feel a passion and affinity for, have begun to lose their meaning and significance over the last several years. A so-called `revival` has dredged up wave upon wave of shallow rehash. Ben Chasny and his Six Organs of Admittance, often tagged by that limiting genre, is a bright flower of inspiration to bring us all hope and remind us that as movements devolve, free spirits can rise above and remain vital among the pale imitators. Fearless and able to avoid the pitfalls and traps of classification he has constantly managed to play cathartic soul music. Not "soul" music, but music that accompanies transformation and the journey of one`s spirit. We are pleased to have this tonal psychonaut join us for this special event."


Also scheduled to appear at Beyond the Pale/Roadurn 2009 are The Young Gods, Akimbo, Guapo, and U.S. Christmas, with more bands to be announced.


Roadburn 2009 will run for three days from Thursday, April 23 to Saturday, April 25 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. There will be an additional Afterburner event on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Pre sales for Beyond the Pale/Roadburn 2009 will start, Saturday, December 13. More info about Roadburn, including confirmed bands for Beyond the Pale and the full festival will follow soon.


Please keep checking www.roadburn.com, www.neurosis.com, and www.neurotrecordings.com for updates.

SuperFi Records News

From SuperFi Records:


Here are some gigs and tours that are coming up!


The Death of Her Money
Thu, Nov 20: Swansea, UK - Bar Co
Sun, Nov 23: Newport, UK - Le Pub
Fri, Nov 28: Leeds, UK - Royal Park Cellars
Sat, Nov 29: Sheffield, UK - Red House
www.myspace.com/thedeathofhermoney



Geisha
Wed. Nov 12: Bristol, UK - The Cooler
Thu, Nov 13: Bath, UK - Moles
Mon, Nov 24: Bristol, UK - The Croft
Tue, Dec 23: Bristol, UK - The Croft
www.myspace.com/geishanoiseresearchgroup



Mob Rules
Fri. Dec 5: Newcastle, UK - Chillingham Arms
Sat, Dec 6: Leeds, UK - The Packhorse
Mon, Dec 8: Brighton, UK - The Cowley Club
Fri, Dec 12: High Wycombe, UK - The Roundabout
Sun, Dec 14: Birmingham, UK - The Actress And Bishop
www.mobrulesband.blogspot.com



Moss
Sat, Dec 13: London, UK – ULU
www.myspace.com/cthonicrites



Taint Sat. Nov 22nd - Leeds, UK - Damnation Fest
Sat, Dec 13: London, UK - ULU
www.myspace.com/taintuk




Additional Bristol Gigs
Nov 12: Bristol, UK – Cooler, with Youthmovies, Geisha
Nov 14: Bristol, UK – Cube, with NLF3, Soeza, Bozz Jatch
Nov 14: Bristol, UK - No Fucker, Murder Suicide Pact
Nov 22: Bristol, UK – Croft, with Royal Trux
Nov 23: Bristol, UK – Croft, with Nadja, Atavist
Nov 23: Bristol, UK – Cooler, with Jay Reatard, Lovvers
Nov 24: Bristol, UK – Croft, with Genghis Tron, Behold The Arctopus, Geisha
Nov 29: Bristol, UK – Cube, with Decorum, Pull The Strings (all dayer)
Dec 2: Bristol, UK – TBA, with Papier Tigre, Gremlyn
Dec 6: Bristol, UK – Croft, with Damo Suzuki
Dec 10: Bristol, UK – Croft, with Municipal Waste, Iron Lung



Geisha also just had their second album, Die Verbrechen Der Liebe, released on Crucial Blast. We will hopefully have a bunch of copies for UK/Euro people soon. Check it out here. They are also planning a tour for March 2009. If you are interested in putting them on, please get in touch.



Snowblood`s third album is slowly but surely getting there! Check out an mp3 here (it`s a big file by the way).



Mob Rules will soon have a 7" out on SuperFi and Zandor soon, as well as a split with Irish band Crowd Control on Knifethrower Industries. They feature people from such disparate bands as The Mock Heroic, Tigers, Like A Kind Of Matador, Birds Of Delay, and Duck Stab, and make a mighty Man Is The Bastard-style power violence racket. They have some gaps in their December tour, can you help out? An mp3 can be found here.


We`re not putting it out, but the Tractor/Hey Colossus split 7" is still in the works! HC`s newest album "Happy Birthday" on Riot Season is bloody amazing.



After that will be a 7" from Southampton noiseniks The Good Wife (www.myspace.com/tgwuk), that Moss 7" everyone has been waiting years for, and some more stuff.

News from Kowloon Walled City

On Sept 30, San Francisco sludge upstart Kowloon Walled City released its debut EP, Turk Street, on limited-run vinyl and CD - and for free download.

The five-song EP is pressed on 10" translucent red/black haze vinyl in a heavyweight, varnished jacket; CDs are in hand-silkscreened, numbered packages.


Pictures of the packages are here.


The EP is available for free download, in its entirety, here.


Kowloon Walled City is playing a number of west coast shows, including a free, early show with Helms Alee (Hydra Head, myspace.com/helmsaleemusic) on November 17 at the Hemlock Tavern in San Francisco.


For a full list of tour dates, visit www.inthewalledcity.com.

Tank86 on European Tour with Dozer

The Dutch instrumental rock band Tank86 is going on tour across Europe with the renowned Swedish rock band Dozer. The Beyond Collosal Tour starts on November 19 in Berlin and will visit 16 cities throughout Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria and end on December 6 in Vroomshoop (NL). Vienna, Munich and Cologne, to name a few, are cities which the tour will visit.


Since Tank86 launched their debut album, Behold, in January 2008, things are going really well.

Bandmember Joost Kruiswijk: "It`s unbelievable what we`ve experienced this year. We we`re overwhelmed by all the good reviews for both the album and our live shows. To be the supporting act for bands like Monster Magnet is in itself something every band dreams of, but the European tour really tops it off."

On November 30, the two bands will hit venue W2 in Den Bosch (NL) where they will join up with Witchcraft. For more info, including the full list of tour dates, visit www.Tank86.com.

Upcoming Scorched-Earth Policy Shows

Scorched-Earth Policy will be playing the following two shows this month:

Friday, Nov. 14, 2008: San Francisco, CA – Fat City, with Imagika, Potential Threat, Tyrannosaurus Christ (8:30 pm, 21+, $10)
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008: Fresno, CA – The Lucky 13, with Something from the Planet Hell, The Dead Garden (8:30 pm, 21+, $5)


www.myspace.com/scorchedearthpolicy

Motherboar to Play with Baroness

Boston`s Motherboar has been chosen as the opener for the Sunday, November 23 Baroness show at the Middle East (downstairs) in Cambridge, MA. Also on the bill is fellow Relapse artist Coliseum. The show is 18+ and costs $12. Doors are at 8 pm.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

MASTODON: Deluxe Vinyl Box Set Due This Month

A collector's edition MASTODON vinyl box set will be released on November 18 via Relapse Records. This box set will be a one-time pressing strictly limited to 1,000 copies and include nine 180-gram LPs encapsulating the legendary band's entire history of recordings.

The box set will be cased in a heavy duty, foil stamped black box and include the following:

* The vinyl pressing of MASTODON's 2006 Reprise debut, "Blood Mountain", on expanded double LP.
* The band's critically acclaimed 2004 release "Leviathan", expanded to double LP.
* MASTODON's covers of "The Bit" (MELVINS), "Emerald" (THIN LIZZY) and "Orion" (METALLICA).
* A live record documenting the band's performance at the Relapse Contamination Festival in 2003. This LP is, and will remain, exclusive to this box set.
* The band's reissue of early recordings, "Call Of The Mastodon".
* The final vinyl pressing of the original "Lifesblood" recording.

The box set will also include an embroidered logo patch, a vinyl sticker set, as well as a custom MASTODON turntable mat. All of these items will be exclusive to this box set, never to appear outside of it.

For more information on this release, including pre-order options, visit this release page.

Album Of The Day-Russian Circles-"Station" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Station" by Russian Circles.



Review:

For those who celebrated the intricate heaviness of Russian Circles' debut album, Enter, or better yet saw them devastate live audiences with the sheer metallic roar of it all, Station may seem a little underwhelming — at first. Brian Cook of Botch/These Arms Are Snakes has replaced bassist Colin DeKuiper (on record at least). That said, one should expect a wall of sonic attack that would make the gods cower, right? Not exactly. Texture and dimension have become a big part of Russian Circles sound on this seven- track album. They've tried to get themselves out of the post-rock "build up and up and up and finally explode" equation that has actually hampered the growth of the music. They haven't left metal behind, but have tempered it somewhat with some softer sounds, a more gradual expansion, and layered textures on any given theme, or some set thereof. About half the album relies on this technique, and admittedly, it can be a bit frustrating on first listen because there are so many parts folded into one another it simply isn't as obvious as Enter was. Mike Sullivan's guitar playing relies as much on fingerpicked swells that shimmer and refract as it does power chugging riffs. Dave Turncrantz's drums won't announce the shifts and twists and turns, either. He jumps in with the rest of the band, playing to the sense of drama and tension that get spread beautifully over the dimensions of space and power, framed perfectly by producer-engineer Matt Bayles. "Harper Lewis" takes the ominous heaviness that Russian Circles are known for, pours paranoid ambient sonics around the drum kit, and allows Cook to let that low end bass just throb wide open, until Sullivan just crushes the entire thing with his wall of squall stun riffing. It takes a little while to develop, but the payload is big. This is also true to a greater degree on the title track. Back and forth guitar and bass thrumming becomes a push and pull between the two players until only the thudding drum fills can breach the gap. It becomes almost unbearably tense even as the tonal and time signatures shift. The same kind of metal effect takes place in "Youngblood." Think of the menacing guitar intros of vintage Iron Maiden or Judas Priest paired with the sense of distortion, detuned feedback, and the noir transcendence of Isis or Pelican. The softer tunes, such as "Verses" and "Xavi," are really compelling puzzle pieces loaded with tricky corners, intricate spaces, and floating guitar and bass parts that open the door of power rock infinity but stop at the threshold. The bottom line is that this diversity is not a lack of focus, but growth and development that make the band stand out from the pack, making the effort to spin this a few times yield very big rewards. (Thom Jurek, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Campaign" – 6:40
02. "Harper Lewis" – 7:15
03. "Station" – 8:43
04. "Verses" – 8:43
05. "Youngblood" – 7:34
06. "Xavii" – 4:29

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



Monday, November 10, 2008

Album Of The Day- Kayo Dot-"Blue Lambency Downward" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Blue Lambency Downward" by Kayo Dot.



Review:

If ever there were a difficult band to pin down, Kayo Dot is it. The group's website describes them simply: "Kayo Dot is an experimental rock/modern composition ensemble currently based in New York City." That's correct, but it is also far too generic a term to capture them accurately. Kayo Dot was born form the ashes of prog-metal band Maudlin of the Well. Originally a quintet, KD began its recording career with Choirs of the Eye on John Zorn's Tzadik imprint in 2003, this was followed by Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue on Robotic Empire in 2006, with three members leaving the fold, and vocalist Mia Matsumiya joining the rank and file with original members Toby Driver and Greg Massi. 2008's Blue Lambency Downward produced by Randall Dunn finds the band on Hydra Head, reduced to just Driver and Matsumiya with a slew of guests including saxophonists Skerik and Hans Teuber with Charlie Zeleny playing drums. Dunn helps out on sound effects and synth design; there is a pair of cameos by percussionists Dave Abramson and B.R.A. D.. Musically, the set is bookended by two pieces in the ten-minute range -- the title cut that opens it and "Symmetrical Arizona," that closes it -- with five shorter pieces in between that range from over six minutes to just under three. The opening cut begins as an airy, seamless, beautifully and expansively constructed psychedelic pop tune that begins to disintegrate into tempered noise, reverbed guitars, and tautly driven kit work, and then just takes off into other sonic realms. This may be experimental music, but it carries a sense of rock dynamic, vanguard classical harmonies, and shifting time signatures. It is simultaneously very weird yet utterly accessible. The long instrumental section in the middle is brought back to Driver's elaborate sense of song structure -- think of Annette Peacock's most elaborate songforms as arranged by Andy Partridge and played by Magma at their most effusive and you realize the rather boundary-disintegrating music we're talking about here -- because even that description doesn't capture it. "Clelia Walking" begins with electric guitar power that sounds like the Swans covering Therion tunes, but just as quickly it gives way to Matsumiya's lithe, gauzy violin coming from the softer reaches of Witold Lutoslawski before finally meeting Eastern modalities as sung by Jeff Buckley. "Right Hand Is the One I Want," clocking in at just under seven minutes, begins as a shuffling waltz, with piano, snare, cymbals, strummed guitars, and outside melodies that are just heavenly. When the reeds and winds enter, they feel like André Hodier's modernist jazz-playing cabaret music and underscore the entire melodic and harmonic structure of the tune. But there are no edges as strange and foreign sounding as this is. The sense of drift and shimmer in the track is so gorgeous you wouldn't care what Driver was singing, and even when things become more formless and shiftless, it's as if it is the most natural occurrence in the time-space continuum, especially when Matsumiya's violin begins a tango-flavored gypsy tune in its own warm sonic bath. "The Awkward Wind Wheel" is somewhat noiser and feels like the downtown New York scene playing its own tribute to the King Crimson of the early Adrian Belew era à la Discipline. It will take a minimum of several spins all the way through to even try to grasp all that's going on here. It's fair to say that perhaps you shouldn't have to work that hard, yet there is no real work involved; there is only delight, amusement, humor, and sometimes awe. While Kayo Dot is impossible to pigeonhole or put into a single box, they also make avant music you can hum to. (Thom Jurek, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. "Blue Lambency Downward" – 10:00
02. "Clelia Walking" – 5:29
03. "Right Hand Is The One I Want" – 6:54
04. "The Sow Submits" – 4:02
05. "The Awkward Windwheel" – 3:30
06. "The Useless Ladder" - 2:40
07. "Symmetrical Arizona" - 10:50

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



Sunday, November 9, 2008

Album Of The Day-Slacks-"Terrestrial" (2006)

The Album Of The Day is "Terrestrial" by Slacks.



Review:

Quite often, the music that an artist plays on-stage and records in the studio only reflects a part of what he/she listens to at home. Someone who plays alternative metal on-stage might go home after the concert and listen to Sarah McLachlan or Shawn Colvin; someone who plays in a Celtic band might have a lot of gangsta rap CDs at home. And side projects come about when artists feel an overwhelming need to play something other than what they are best known for. Although guitarists Mick Mullin and Randy Garvine and drummer Dan Ballinger played metal in the band Superhighway Carfire, their side project Slacks (which became a bigger and bigger focus as time passed) is far from metal. Terrestrial, Slacks' second album, favors a style of alternative folk-rock that is twangy, countrified, and earthy but is also spacy and mildly eccentric; Slacks have some of the jam band thing going on (five of the seven tracks are instrumentals), and their work has a definite psychedelic edge. Critic Pete Soyer described Slacks' recordings as music "that mountain men would make in a one-room cabin 80 miles deep into the wilderness," and in fact, Terrestrial does favor a very rural, pastoral type of sound. But the "mountain men" that this 26-minute CD evokes are not simplistic thinkers; they are inquisitive, probing, introspective mountain men whose musical tastes range from bluegrass and alternative country to Neil Young to the Allman Brothers to Pink Floyd. That is an intriguing combination of influences, and it works well for Slacks on this enjoyable and chance-taking, if brief, release. (Alex Henderson, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Shoot 'Em Up
02. Marrs
03. On the Kennebee
04. The Horse
05. 14 Miles to Crossfork
06. The Man Who Couldn't Rage
07. Oh! Be Joyful

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



Clutch News



For the past 8 weeks, Clutch's first ever DVD "Full Fathom Five, Video Field Recordings," and accompanying CD have been available at the band's legendary live shows, through Merch.com and in about 150 select US, Canadian and UK independent retail outlets chosen by the band's owned and self distributed Weathermaker Music label. This will increase ten-fold, as Weathermaker has teamed up with the MVD Entertainment Group to expand the reach of the "Full Fathom Five" project.

On November 11th, the acclaimed live Clutch DVD and accompanying "Full Fathom Five-Audio Field Recordings" CD will be available in over 1500 new retail outlets such as FYE, Best Buy, Coconuts, Fry's, Hastings and Barnes & Noble.

"This is a fantastic progression for us after only three months as an active label." states Weathermaker Music Label Manager Jon Nardachone. "Originally, our intention was to handle all CD and DVD sales directly through Weathermaker, but having the MVD Distribution team on board for the "Full Fathom Five" project ensures many ecstatic Clutch fans this holiday season."

In other Clutch related news, some of the incredible footage from the "Full Fathom Five" DVD will be featured on Comcast Cable's On Demand "Concert TV" channel starting December 15th, along with classic rock icons Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Black Crowes, Deep Purple, Santana, U2 & Motorhead.

Clutch's live concert footage was produced and directed by Agent Ogden (Primus, Jon Comer, Music With Altitude) in Pittsburgh, Sayerville, Denver and Sydney Austrailia on the band's 2007/2008 "From Beale Street to Oblivion" world tour. The track "Power Player" from that release, as well as "Full Fathom Five," is featured on the Saw V Motion Picture Soundtrack released last week.

* Clutch will end 2008 the same way they began it, on the road. The band is confirmed along with Thin Lizzy, Black Label Society and Hawkwind to play the Hard Rock Hell Festival on December 6th in North Wales. Upon returning home, they will headline a short run with Viking Skull and Russian Circles as support.

Clutch Live!

USA w/ Russian Circles
Dec 27 Starland Ballroom Sayerville, New Jersey
Dec 28 Webster Theater Hartford, Connecticut
Dec 29 9:30 Club Wash DC, Washington DC
Dec 30 Newport Music Hall Columbus, Ohio
Dec 31 The Orbit Room Grand Rapids, Michigan

* Look for Weathermaker to announce a major distribution deal for future releases very soon.





Official Website
Weathermaker Music

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Album Of The Day- Monarch-"Dead Men Tell No Tales" (2007)

The Album Of The Day is "Dead Men Tell No Tales" by Monarch.



Review:

So now it's France's turn to wade into the deep end of the feedback-slathered doom-sludge lagoon -- who new they had it in them? Although it should be noted that Monarch! have been wallowing in subsonic depths (or oozing like so much funereal fondue, as it were) since as far back as 2005, and 2007's Dead Men Tell No Tales is in fact a two-CD compilation of five protracted super-dirges drawn from all three of their prior releases. And that really does mean super dirges: "songs" so ruthlessly downtuned and terminally decayed that not even the normally applicable "funereal doom" tag can properly describe the 26-minute, sardonically named "We Are the Musicmakers" or the 18-minute "Speak of the Devil, Speak of the Sea." Never mind the funeral -- these things have already rotted their way right out of the cemetery grounds! Along with excruciatingly torpid, second disc bowel movements, "Winter Bride" and "Swan Song" (both 20-minutes long, both comprising Monarch!'s most recent release, Die Tonight), these are composed of improbably detuned, feedback laden chords wrung out of groaning guitars, lonely percussive detonations, and the alternating acid croaks and childlike mewling provided by singer Emilie Bresson. Heck, the non-song of the title track is even more preposterous: featuring nothing more than Bresson whispering cryptic lyrics over wafting white noise that alternately resembles waves crashing on a beach, or cars racing through a highway tunnel! The latter curiosity notwithstanding, though, Dead Men Tell No Tales does offer a cohesive statement of intent and commitment to entice a very select group of extreme doom/sludge enthusiasts. (Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

Disc 1 Speak of the Sea

01. We are Musicmakers (Long Version)
02. Speak of the Devil, Speak of the Sea
03. Dead Men Tell No Tales (Spoken Version)

Disc 2 Die Tonight

01. Winter Bride
02. Swan Song

Listen

MySpace



Thursday, November 6, 2008

Album Of The Day- Mustasch -"Latest Version Of The Truth" (2007)

The Album Of The Day is "Latest Version of the Truth" by Mustasch.



Review:

Now here is a group every fan of heavy music must hear! MUSTASCH is a Swedish hard rocking machine that will blow your minds off! It’s unbelievable how much energy this band can transit to the listener!

MUSTASCH started in 1997 and they have already released four full-length albums (including the one presented here). Two of them ("Above All" and "Ratsafari") have been nominated for Best Heavy Metal Album at the Swedish Grammy Awards. In addition, the band has toured with Motorhead and Rose Tatoo and they have surely learned a lot from both these legends of heavy music.

In this new effort, entitled “Latest version of the truth” the band combines stoner rock with classic hard rock riffing and metallic approach. Having created a sound that mixes up the best elements of groups that have influenced them (such as The Cult, AC/DC, DIO, Iron Maiden), the band has the qualifications to please every fan of the genre.

Most of all MUSTASCH can write good songs. Listen to the opener “ In the night” and you will know what I mean! Great riffing, amazing guitar solo work and high class drumming are the basic characteristics not only of this specific song but also of the record as a whole. Other songs that stand out are “Double Nature” (with its strings section), “I Wanna Be Loved” (with its fuzz guitar riff and impressive vocal performance of Ralf Gyllenhammar) and the “The end” which summarizes in a way the whole album.

This is music for enjoyment. Believe me it will take control of your body eventually. I would like to see this band performing live. Only then it can be fully appreciated. (Vassilis Avlonitis, Metal-Invader.com)

Track Listing:

01. In the Night
02. Double Nature
03. Falling Down
04. The Heckler
05. I Wanna be Loved
06. Scyphozoa
07. Spreading the Worst
08. Bring Me Everyone
09. Forever Begins Today
10. I am Not Aggressive
11. The End

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



Saint Vitus to Headline Friday Roadburn Festival

Legendary US doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus have been confirmed as the headliner for Friday`s April 24 date at the 2009 Roadburn Festival. The 14th annual Roadburn Festival will take place April 23-26, 2009 and will be held at the 013 venue in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

David Chandler comments: “We are extremely happy that were invited to Roadburn and we are excited to play. Those of you that saw us on the original reunion tour in 2003 are going to be extremely surprised at our set list. We are pulling stuff out of the hat that we haven’t played in a long long time. So I suggest that you all get up front and prepare for your DOOM!”



Saint Vitus is known as one of the very first doom metal bands, starting out in the late 1970`s, and have released many classic albums over the ensuing decades. Although Saint Vitus has been on hold for several years now, they will be reforming as the classic Born Too Late line-up (Dave Chandler, Scott "Wino" Weinrich, Mark Adams, Armando Acosta) headlining Friday night at Roadburn 2009.



Over the last two decades, Saint Vitus has become revered as one of the main architects of the modern doom scene, encompassing all that doom metal is all about: emotion, melody and epic songs stacked with enough behemoth riffs to light a week long bonfire. Every note the band has ever put to tape is a benchmark by which all other doom records have been judged. Saint Vitus` classic phrase “Born Too Late” has become the war cry for generations of doom-aficionados.


Wino comments: "We will be playing a lot of everybody’s favorite stuff. Also, my project band Wino will be playing as well, playing tracks from my solo record, Punctuated Equilibrium, and some surprises too!" Wino`s solo band is set for Roadburn 2009`s additional Afterburner event, scheduled for Sunday, April 26, alongside Solace, Dyse, and Bill Steer`s Firebird, amongst others.



In other developments, Roadburn is also pleased to report that UK doom legends Cathedral will play the Friday Roadburn date. Purveyors of psychedelic doom since 1991, Cathedral have been amazing audiences with impassioned live performances thanks to the monstrous grooves and monolithic riffs from tracks like "Hopkins (The Witchfinder General)" and "Utopian Blaster."


Also scheduled to appear on the Friday are both Scott Kelly & Steve Von Till from Neurosis, Mono (Japan), Bohren und der Club of Gore, Negura Bunget, Dragontears, The Winchester Club, Omega Massif, Colour Haze, and The Outskirts of Infinity, amongst others.



Roadburn is also pleased to report that Amon Düül II, one of the most influential bands in the canon of Kosmische Musik pioneers has been confirmed for the Thurday Roadburn Festival date, Thursday, April 23, alongside Motorpsycho.



Pre sales will start, Saturday, December 13. Tickets for the main festival (including Neurosis` Beyond The Pale event at Roadburn 2009) will be priced from €99 with no campsite accommodation. More info about ticket sales and complete line up will follow shortly.



For more info, please check www.roadburn.com, www.myspace.com/roadburnfestival, and www.myspace.com/stvitus.

Sasquatch Provides the Soundtrack to Anarchy

Sasquatch`s “Money Man” (from their self titled debut) will be featured in episode #110 (airing 11/12/08) of the FX show Sons of Anarchy. Previous episodes have featured Fu Manchu, Fireball Ministry, and Clutch.

Album Of The Day- Wo Fat-"The Gathering Dark" (2008)

Talk about dedication to the music. It is 5:33 in the morning on my birthday and I am giving you an Album Of The Day. Well, this one is pretty obscure, but rocks nonetheless. The Album Of The Day is "Gathering Dark" by Wo Fat.

Review:

From the opening “The Wolf” onwards, the guitars buzz away inside my head and this is to the credit of guitarists Ken Stump and Matt Watkins who are influenced by Marino, Alvin Lee, Leslie West, Tony Iommi and Howlin ' Wolf. Together with a rhythm section as refined and valuable as Tim Wilson and Michael Waker , the twelve tracks put forward are complimentary in both their groove delivery and the rawness in sound the quartet often evoke.. Their material is based on powerful Sabbath/ Motorhead -like riffing, but tracks like the titlesong and “Holy War” have cool bluesy Skynyrd /Black Oak Arkansas -touches. “The Gathering Dark” swallows in a swamp of Beefheart -bluesiness and murky delusional Magnet dripping riffs, but the tune is able to capture a vibe and groove with it. Some of the passages do grab a voodoo sense of bluesy psychedelica , particularly on my fave “From Beyond” and the instrumental “ Runnin ' The Voodoo Down” .Let us hear more of the rapid-fire guitar riffs and hammering drums of “They're Coming For ou Barbara” and “Company Man” too. Further on we have a Mountain -cover “Land of Milk and Honey” with a tremendous guitarsolo . (Cosmicmasseur, Concreteweb.be)

Track Listing:

01. The Wolf
02. Manchurian Syndrome
03. Company Man
04. The Gathering Dark
05. Day of Judgement
06. From Beyond
07. Holy War
08. El Brujo
09. Risin' River
10. Dreams of Milk and Honey
11. They're Coming for You, Barbara
12. Runnin' the Voodoo Down

Listen

MySpace
Official Website



Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Album Of The Day- Bad Wizard-"Free And Easy" (2001)

The Album Of The Day is "Free and Easy" by Bad Wizard.



Review:

Though they hail from the alt-rock mecca of Athens, GA, Bad Wizard keep their collective feet firmly planted in the classic rock world -- '70s hard rock and the late-'60s Detroit sound to be precise. Now based in New York City, the ill-shaven combo's rambunctious 2001 debut, Free and Easy, is a retro-rock wet dream come true, recycling tried and true classic rock riffs with a healthy dollop of distortion and enthusiasm inspiring in their simplicity. In many ways, Free and Easy is similar to an AC/DC album in that three-chord nuggets like "Lay Your Love on Me" and "Tiger Tooth" are instantly familiar to rock & roll-schooled ears (almost disturbingly so, at times), but one still can't help but ignore these coincidences, such is the band's conviction in getting them across. "Come On" is pure Bon Scott-era AC/DC, the frenetic "Keep High/Stay Low" is little more than an excuse to let loose and solo like crazy, MC5-style, and the Four Horsemen-ish "Natural High" is simply awesome, the band cutting loose with wild abandon behind wild-eyed frontman Curtis Brown's full-throated howl. The fact that the entire disc clocks in at less than half an hour only adds to the raw vitality captured herein, qualifying Free and Easy as one of the new millennium's first retro-rock classics. (Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide)

Track Listing:

01. Lay Your Love On Me
02. Barefootin' Man
03. Hey Mama
04. Endless Lady
05. Keep High/Stay Low
06. Natural High
07. Tiger Tooth
08. Free and Easy
09. Come On

Listen

MySpace



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