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!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

New Band To Burn One To-Carusella



Freshly created in 2008, by Guy Shechter (drums/vocals) and Tamar Aphek (guitar/vocals). This Tel-Aviv heavy rock duo brings out the essence of "Boy-Girl", "super loud", "two people are enough" attitude, with an uncompromising desire to prove their music to be hardcore and poppy at the same time. Carusella's music easily reflects their tensed chemistry and hormone-charged energies, a fact very much shown in their live performance. Having gained a lot of experience playing and touring with various Israeli bands, 'Carusella' are defiantly an outrageous and strong experimental act to step out of Israel. So for your listening pleasure, I present to you Carusella as today's "New Band To Burn One To".



Review:

"Carusella is from Israel and they fit somewhat outside of the music that we usually post here. They bridge the gap between garage-indie and noise rock, but bring something heavier that defies that troublesome "indie" tag. The record starts off establishing the band's pummeling presence, before Tamar Aphek (vox, gits) chimes in, bringing a lighter feel to the atmosphere. Her voice wavers a bit at parts, noticeably untrained, but in a charming way. Aphek's vocal tracks are the more melodic and catchier of the few peppered throughout the record, which was most likely a deciding factor in their decision to front "Star Quality" at the head of their promotional push. Guy Schechter's (vox, skins) vocal tracks are typically the heavier tracks on the album, with more off-kilter moments that slip into something akin to Unsane or Helmet. Carusella is, without a doubt, another band you should keep an eye on in the next few upcoming years. (Fred, Mindgrinder)

MySpace
CD Baby

ISIS: Entire New Album Available For Streaming

"Wavering Radiant", the fifth full-length album from ISIS, the innovative Los Angeles-by-way-of-Boston-based band, is available for streaming in its entirety on the group's MySpace page.

"Wavering Radiant" is scheduled for release on May 5 via Ipecac Recordings. The CD, produced by Joe Baressi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE), will receive a limited-edition vinyl release on April 21. TOOL's Adam Jones contributed guitar to two songs from the LP.

"Wavering Radiant" track listing:

01. Hall Of The Dead
02. Ghost Key
03. Hand Of The Host
04. Wavering Radiant
05. Stone To Wake A Serpent
06. 20 Minutes / 40 Years
07. Threshold of Transformation

FPE-TV's posted behind-the-scenes footage (see below) from the recording sessions for "Wavering Radiant".

Having been on the forefront of the progressive metal scene for over a decade now, ISIS has managed to pump out landmark records like a well-oiled machine, each one more unique and daring then the last. Routinely changing the genre's landscape, the group produced destructive, incendiary riffs on their debut, explored the sprawling, vast unknown via 2004's "Oceanic" and discordant, rhythmic textures on "The Absence of Truth". Enter "Wavering Radiant". Their first full-length in over two years, it marks yet another push towards the unexplored; solidifying a career in adaptation and transformation. Acting as the culmination of twelve years spent unleashing backbreaking riff-age and sonic explorations of light and dark, "Radiant" sees the colossal five-some moving beyond the visible spectrum of rock and the realm of the uninspired. Blissfully melodic, frighteningly dense; the album is an epic conflict between worlds of beauty and the darkest of demons. A monster of epic proportions, its seven tracks clock in at a total of 54 minutes. The shortest number (also the album's title cut) stays under two minutes, while its longest reaches 11 minutes. Less tracks then they are portions, they are better described as subsections to one massive piece. After just one listen, it's clear that "Radiant" is the sum of years of experimentation, varying influences and the organic infusion of their multiple personalities (band members are featured in a slew of successful side-projects).

Pre-order CD Now!

BIRDS OF PREY: Entire New Album Available For Streaming

"The Hellpreacher", the third full-length album from BIRDS OF PREY — the band featuring Erik Larson (ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY), Bo Leslie (THE LAST VAN ZANT), Summer Welch (BARONESS), Ben Hogg (BEATEN BACK TO PURE) and Dave Witte (MUNICIPAL WASTE) — is available for streaming in its entirety at TheHellpreacher.info.

"The Hellpreacher" is scheduled for an April 28 North American release (May 4 internationally) via Relapse Records.

The follow-up to last year's "Sulfur & Semen", "The Hellpreacher" is a full-concept effort that tells the story of an inmate-turned-priest. It was recorded last fall at Sniper Studio in North Carolina.

"The Hellpreacher" track listing:

01. Momma
02. Juvie
03. As The Field Mice Play
04. Alive Inside!
05. Tempt The Disciples
06. Taking On Our Winter Blood
07. The Excavation
08. Blind Faith
09. False Prophet
10. The Owl Closes In
11. Warriors Of Mud…The Hellfighters
12. Giving Up The Ghost

New Stoner Rock Documentary in the Works

The trailer for Lo Sound Desert is now available on MySpace. While the documentary is not yet complete, it has already gained loads of interest from MySpace users all over the world. In addition to Lo Sound Desert, the filmmakers are also planning a documentary on TRUCKFIGHTERS.

www.myspace.com/losounddesertfilm

In the meantime, check out this cool documentary "Such Hawks, Such Hounds"

Monday, April 27, 2009

Album Of The Week-Positiva-"Centaur's Ride" (2007)

I was on StonerRock.com gathering up some recent news stories and came across this band. I have never heard of them and figured I'd give them a listen. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. Therefore, I am making "Centaur's Ride" by Spain's very own Positiva the Album Of The Week. Enjoy!



Review:

"While you can peg the four-piece with “radio friendly,” Centaur's Ride isn't an empty, saccharine bit of ear candy. True, the nine songs are almost all uplifting in tempo, even when the band attempts more somber directions. Sprawling, psychedelic tracks bring to mind the hippie grandiosity of Hypnos 69. The more mannered and controlled delivery of “Rock n Roll Troopers” and the title track bring to mind fellow Spaniards in the late, lamented Fooz and 404 Not Found. The second singer pops up more frequently on the second half of Centaur's Ride and his delivery is a little more forceful and less polite sounding. For a rock album, that's just the sort of singing you need. Centaur's Ride shows that there are bands out there that can write songs within the genre that can be accessible and still kick out the jams. If you like a bit of A Perfect Circle alongside your Kyuss, these guys are for you."
(Arzgarth, StonerRock.com)

Track Listing:

01. Rock 'N' Roll Troopers
02. Centaur's Ride
03. Never Turn Your Back on a Friend
04. Hi-Lo Charge
05. Sea of Mud
06. Feel the Evolution
07. Zopilote
08. Mushroom Grave

MySpace

Translation Loss Records Signs City of Ships

Translation Loss Records are extremely excited to announce the addition of Richmond, VA’s CITY OF SHIPS to their roster!

CITY OF SHIPS has been touring relentlessly since its inception in 2005, promoting self-released EPs as well as CD and vinyl releases from independent Richmond, VA labels Forcefield Records and the Perpetual Motion Machine. The trio will embark on an extensive European tour this summer, first with label mates ROSETTA and later joining The End Records’ BRAVEYOUNG (previously named GIANT, from NC). In addition, the band is currently booking a run of East Coast US dates with LIQUID LIMBS happening late May through mid-June.


Look What God Did to Us is CITY OF SHIPS’ first release with Translation Loss. The album will be co-released with indie label Sound Study Recordings from Gainesville, FL. Translation Loss will take charge of the CD release (expecting a mid-late summer release) while Sound Study will handle the vinyl and digital versions for this remarkable ten song full-length debut. Both record labels are intensely passionate about the band’s music and look forward to helping present CITY OF SHIPS to the world. For more information on Sound Study Recordings, please visit soundstudyrecordings.com.


Drew Juergens from Translation Loss on the signing and co-release:


“I could not be more excited about working with CITY OF SHIPS. Ever since I heard their tour EP and saw them live, I knew they were destined to create greatness. The new record is absolutely amazing and will take the world by surprise with its intrinsic groove and the jaw-dropping musicianship it presents.”


CITY OF SHIPS’ Translation Loss debut, entitled Look What God Did to Us, was tracked and mixed over two sessions in February and March of this year with producer Andrew Schneider at Translator Audio (PELICAN, MADE OUT OF BABIES, UNSANE) in Brooklyn, NY and will be mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East in Boston.


What folks are saying about CITY OF SHIPS:


“Pounding bass lines and quirky rhythms and structures that almost have a math metal sort of vibe, but there`s also a constant flow of all kinds of incredibly tactful "post-" influences, from lush clean passages and swirling, spacey effects to noisier layers of intense guitar work. I`m really fuckin` impressed by this material. Excellent.”
– Aversionline.com


“The group`s frenetic energy and obvious emotional stake in the music which they play is simultaneously impressive and inspiring.”
– Scenepointblank.com


“Amidst the ocean of droney post-rock, post-hardcore clones, there are only a couple bands that catch my attention. CITY OF SHIPS had me hooked from beginning to end.”
- Razorcake


“This takes me back to a time of discovering exciting new sounds in the underground scene that really blew minds, from KEROSENE 454 to ETHEL MESERVE — bands unhindered by genre and expressing endless enthusiasm for just playing great music. CITY OF SHIPS are hard to describe and easy to enjoy, both great things.”
- Exclaim Magazine


For more information on CITY OF SHIPS, visit www.myspace.com/cityofships.



UPCOMING SHOWS
05/27/09: St.Augustine, Florida - St. Augustine, with LIQUID LIMBS
05/28/09: Orlando, Florida - Backbooth, with LIQUID LIMBS
05/29/09: Tampa, Florida - New World Brewery, with LIQUID LIMBS, GUILTMAKER
05/30/09: Gainesville, Florida - The Atlantic, with LIQUID LIMBS, SO PASTEL
05/31/09: Pensacola, Florida - Pensacola, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/01/09: Birmingham, Alabama - Birmingham, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/02/09: Chattanooga, Tennessee - JJ’s Bohemia, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/03/09: Louisville, Kentucky - Louisville, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/04/09: Cincinnati, Ohio - Cincinnati, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/05/09: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Pleasure Island, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/06/09: Frederick, Maryland - @ Guido’s Speakeasy, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/07/09: Richmond, Virginia - Nara Sushi, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/08/09: Washington, DC - TBA, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/09/09: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/10/09: Lancaster, Pennsylvania - The Stomping Grounds, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/11/09: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - TBA, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/12/09: Brooklyn, New York - TBA, with LIQUID LIMBS, IREPRESS, JUNIUS
06/13/09: Boston, Massachusetts - TBA, with LIQUID LIMBS
06/14/09: Providence, Rhode Island - TBA, with LIQUID LIMBS


EUROPEAN TOUR, with ROSETTA AND BRAVEYOUNG
06/17/09: Wroclaw, PL - Firlej Club, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/18/09: Prague, CZ - 2 Klub 007 Strahov, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/19/09: Athens, GR - An Club, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/20/09: Brno, CZ - Yacht Club, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/21/09: Budapest, HU - Dürer Kert, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/22/09: Vienna, AT - Arena Dreiraum, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/26/09: Paris, FR - TBA, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/28/09: Tilburg, NL - 013, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/29/09: Berlin, DE - Mikz, with ROSETTA and BLINDEAD
06/30/09: Potsdam, DE - Black Fleck, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/01/09: Dresden, DE - Az Conni, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/02/09: Leipzig, DE - Zoro, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/03/09: Frankfurt, DE - Elfer Club, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/04/09: Antwerpen, BE - De Rots, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/05/09: Lille, FR - Le Select, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/06/09: Southern UK - TBA, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/07/09: StokeonTrent, UK - Harry’s Bar, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/08/09: Leicester, UK - Criterion, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/09/09: Glasgow, UK - Cassette, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/10/09: Leeds, UK - Joseph’s Well, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/11/09: Lincoln, UK - Groomfest, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/12/09: Le Havre, FR - Kingstown Cafè, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/13/09: Montaigu, FR - Le Noctambule Bar, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/15/09: Toulouse, FR - Le Pavillon Sauvage, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/16/09: TBA - Spain, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/17/09: Porto, PT - Fabrica Do Som, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/18/09: Madrid, ES - Siroco, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/19/09: Badalona, ES - Estraperlo Club, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/20/09: St.FeliuDeCodines, ES - Centre Civic La Fonteta, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/21/09: Lyon, FR - Lyon’s Hall, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/22/09: Vicenza, IT - Centro Tecchio, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/23/09: Arezzo, IT - Habitat Skatepark, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/24/09: Meunchen, DE - Sunny Red, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/25/09: Solingen, DE - Waldmeister Club, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/26/09: TBA - Austria, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/27/09: TBA - Germany, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/28/09: Hof, DE - Gruene Haidt, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/29/09: Wuerzburg, DE - Immerhin, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/30/09: Amsterdam, NL - Winston, with BRAVEYOUNG
07/31/09: Utrecht, NL - ACU, with BRAVEYOUNG
08/01/09: LaLouvière(Hainaut), BE - La Taverne du Théâtre, with BRAVEYOUNG
08/02/09: Blankenberge, BE - Offshore Fest, with BRAVEYOUNG

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Dali`s Llama Breaks Into The Movie Business

Shoot The Hero, directed by Christian Sesma and starring Jason Mewes (Clerks/Zack and Miri Make a Porno), Danny Trejo (Con Air/Heat), and Nick Turturro (Mo Better Blues/The Longest Yard) will feature three DALI’S LLAMA songs from their latest CD, Full On Dunes.

The movie is about a 30-something couple (Jason Mewes and Samatha Lockwood) who unintentionally become involved in a botched jewel heist while shopping for wedding rings. The plot thickens when the crooked casino owner (Danny Trejo) who engineered the heist hires two unassuming hit men to clean up the mess, and the soon-to-be husband and wife find themselves discovering new things about themselves and their relationship.


The movie features the DALI’S LLAMA songs “Floating,” “On Dunes,” and “Cheap and Portable.”


Check out the movie website at www.shootthehero.com.


More info on Dali’s Llama at www.myspace.com/dalisllama.

Southern Lord Artists Dominate New Jim Jarmusch Movie Soundtrack

Southern Lord is proud to announce that three of the label`s artists will be represented in acclaimed film director Jim Jarmusch’s latest tour de force, The Limits Of Control. The film’s soundtrack features music by EARTH, SUNN 0))), and BORIS, all representatives of Southern Lord Recordings.

Responsible for such films as Down By Law, Dead Man, Ghost Dog, Broken Flowers, and Coffee and Cigarettes, Jarmusch is notorious for tying music to his films, previously casting musicians such TOM WAITS, RZA and more as characters. Jarmusch`s films are scored to fit hand-in-glove with the transitions/conflicts within the plot, the songs acting as an actual “soundtrack” to help propel his unique, minimalist character-driven productions, as seen in previous Jarmusch works include NEIL YOUNG’s soundtrack for the movie Dead Man, or with the inclusion of doom-artists SLEEP in the movie Broken Flowers.


Southern Lord is honored to house artists worthy of Jarmusch’s newest work, The Limits Of Control. These acts are contemporary musical heavyweights in today’s doom, drone and ambient genres, and should act as an incredible soundtrack for this artistic drama.


Southern Lord artist songs used in The Limits Of Control:

BORIS - " " aka “Smile” (from the Japanese version of Smile, on Disk Union Records)
BORIS - "Feedbacker I & IV" (from Feedbacker, on Disk Union Records)
BORIS -"Fuzzy Reactor" (from Rainbow, on Disk Union Records)
BORIS -"Farewell" (From Pink, on Southern Lord)
SUNN 0)))/BORIS - "N.L.T." (From Altar, on Southern Lord)
SUNN 0)))/BORIS - "Blood Swamp" (From Altar, on Southern Lord)
EARTH - “Omens and Portents 1: The Driver” (from The Bees Made Honey In The Lions` Skull, on Southern Lord)



About the movie, The Limits Of Control

The new movie from filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (Broken Flowers, Down by Law, Dead Man) is set in the striking and varied landscapes of contemporary Spain. The location shoot there united the writer/director with acclaimed cinematographer Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love, Paranoid Park). Isaach De Bankole stars in the lead role for Mr. Jarmusch; this marks the duo`s fourth collaboration over nearly two decades, following Night on Earth, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and Coffee and Cigarettes. The film also features several other actors with whom Mr. Jarmusch has previously worked, including Alex Descas, John Hurt, Youki Kudoh, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton; and actors new to his films, including Hiam Abbass, Gael García Bernal, Paz De La Huerta, Jean-François Stevenín, and Luis Tosar. The Limits Of Control is the story of a mysterious loner (played by Mr. De Bankole), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. His journey, paradoxically both intently focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain but also through his own consciousness.

The Limits Of Control is out in theaters, June 3, 2009.



The Limits Of Control movie trailer



The Limits Of Control Soundtrack will be available on Lakeshore Records



www.southernlord.com
www.myspace.com/southernlordrecordings

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Gösta Berlings Saga News

From Gösta Berlings Saga:

Finally we are able to reveal that the upcoming album by the Swedish instrumental quartet Gösta Berlings Saga, titled Detta Har Hänt will be released worldwide on Transubstans Records in May/June. The album was recorded during winter 08/09, partly assisted by Mattias Olsson of Änglagård and represents the evolvement the band has taken since the release of the critically acclaimed debut album Tid är Ljud (2006). Whereas the previous album dealt with the interaction between nature and city, Detta Har Hänt focuses entirely on the latter with eight stories of industrialism and love. A more exact release date will be set in a few weeks from now together with a couple of sample songs.

Track listing:

1. Kontrast
2. Sorterargatan 3
3. Svenska hjärtan
4. Fem trappor
5. Nattskift
6. Bergslagen
7. Innilegur?
8. Västerbron 05:30

Total running time: ~ 53 mins

MySpace

SAN FRANCISCO POST-ROCK BAND AMBER ASYLUM SET TO UNVEIL NEW ALBUM, “BITTER RIVER”

Critically acclaimed Bay Area dark ambient collective AMBER ASYLUM has completed work on its new album entitled Bitter River. The record will see a June 23 release date via Profound Lore Records.

Known for its utterly moving music that blends spellbinding passages of introspective dark ambient, shadowy neoclassical dreamscapes and romantic, avant-garde chamber music, AMBER ASYLUM possesses the rare gift of turning deep feelings into gorgeous sound. Bitter River was produced by front woman, multi-instrumentalist and soprano vocalist Kris T. Force at Knobsnob studios in Pacifica, CA. Piano and Classical guitar was laid to tape by Shawn Biggs at Studio Paradiso in San Francisco’s Mosser Hotel and the record’s bass was captured by Kevin Kipnis in North Hollywood, CA. The album’s bewitching cover art can be viewed at this location.

Joining Force on Bitter River is a small ensemble of some of the most accomplished musicians within the underground experimental music world. The team is comprised of Leila Abdul-Rauf (also of Saros and Bastard Noise) on guitar / piano / vocals, long-time conspirator Jackie-Perez Gratz (Giant Squid, Grayceon) on cello, bass player Eric Wood (Bastard Noise), and drummer Chiyo Nukaga (Noothgrush, Graves at Sea) with guest appearances by Sigrid Sheie (Hammers of Misfortune) on flute, and narration by ex-SWANS chanteuse Jarboe. The result of the cooperation is an album that takes the shape of an introspective journey into lost love and innocence, conjuring cinematic structures and painting powerful sound portraits of vast lonely landscapes, deep dark chambers, encasing fog and inevitable twilight.

When asked for comment on Bitter River, Force reflects, “"With “Bitter River”, I feel that Amber Asylum has come full circle. I spent a lot of time investigating new territory with previous work and it felt different than “Bitter River” now feels. While previously it may have felt like I was trying something on for size, with “Bitter River”, it feels like I have arrived."

Abdul-Rauf adds, “Bitter River is classic Amber Asylum, referencing earlier work, but with greater maturity and expansion of influences. Straying from the rock feel of [2007’s] “Still Point,” this is Amber Asylum going back to its roots, with elements of early music, dark ambient, experimental and some 80’s guitar effects for good measure.”

The final track listing for Bitter River is as follows:

01.) Twilight
02.) Bitter River
03.) Bounding Main
04.) Winter Winds
05.) Auger of Thrall
06.) Fear and Doubt in the Frozen Dawn
07.) Thee Apothecary
08.) Mountain Haze
09.) Nocturne
10.) Haze Reprize

A taste of the atmosphere that Bitter River holds in store can be heard now as the album’s title track has been posted online at this location. A new photograph of AMBER ASYLUM, brought to life by Taija Lynn, can be viewed at this location.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

RIGHTEOUS FOOL Featuring CORROSION OF CONFORMITY Members: First Song Released

Two founding members of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (C.O.C.), Reed Mullin (drums, vocals) and Mike Dean (bass, vocals), have started a new band called RIGHTEOUS FOOL. Completed by guitarist Jason Browning from HR of BAD BRAINS' solo band, the trio's music contains "elements familiar to C.O.C. listeners, particularly hardcore punk, doom/stoner rock, as well as some prog-rock."

A rough-mix version of a track called "Asteroid" is available for streaming on the RIGHTEOUS FOOL MySpace page. "It's not the final version, but it gets the point across," Browning told BLABBERMOUTH.NET.

RIGHTEOUS FOOL will play limited dates this spring, some of which will be alongside CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - BLIND, singer Karl Agell and Reed's project which pays tribute to the classic C.O.C. album "Blind" (1991). An EP is also in the works.

Mullin co-founded CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1982 as a hardcore punk act alongside guitarist Woody Weatherman and bassist Mike Dean before leaving the band in 2001 amidst health concerns.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's latest album, "In the Arms of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records.

NACHTMYSTIUM Announces Tour With PENTAGRAM

Chicago-area psychedelic black metal group NACHTMYSTIUM has issued the following update:

"It is with much honor to announce our upcoming mini-tour with U.S. rock/doom legends PENTAGRAM!!! The tour kicks off right here in our neighborhood in Chicago and will take us to the West Coast and then down to Texas for six exclusive performances with this very influential band that's been around for nearly four decades in one form or another!!

"Thanks to everyone who had a hand in getting us the direct support slot for this tour…we're very stoked about it and hoping to make it to some of our fans who missed us on our canceled tour in April as a result of Blake's broken leg."

NACHTMYSTIUM has also shed some light on a recent near-death experience for guitarist Jeff Wilson. The band explains, "Last Friday (April 17) at about 5:30 - 6:00 p.m., Jeff Wilson left his apartment building here in Chicago (that Blake also has an apartment in) to head two blocks away to our neighborhood grocery store. On his way out, walking back down the small side street right near our building….an SUV comes flying around the corner of a small side street just south of where he was walking, two men hung out of the window and opened fire in Jeff's general direction (and many other people, including children…) towards someone located behind where Jeff was walking. Fortunately, Jeff's amazing ninja-style, bullet-dodging skills kicked in, instinctively, and he some how managed to escape what became a crossfire of bullets and made it home safely with his smokes and a 2 liter of Diet Coke. Although the Diet Coke was tempting to Jeff, as he was out of breath and parched with thirst after running his ass off from the onslaught of violence, Jeff opted for a can (or twelve) of High Life that he found in the fridge….and then enjoyed one of his cigarettes, which he fought for his life to have. This, dear fans, is just one more example — smoking kills!!"

NACHTMYSTIUM is currently hard at work on material for the follow-up to 2008's "Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1".

NACHTMYSTIUM on tour with PENTAGRAM:

Jun. 27 - The Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
Jun. 30 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
Jul. 01 - Satyricon - Portland, OR
Jul. 02 - DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA
Jul. 03 - House of Blues - Hollywood, CA
Jul. 06 - Emo's - Austin, TX

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

New Band To Burn One To-Koala



The "New Band To Burn One To" today is the Boston, MA based experimental band Koala. They just released their debut EP on March 1st. They've been playing together for about a year now and are preparing to record their first LP in April. The LP will have approximately 7-8 songs. You can check them out on their MySpace page and download the EP for free while you are there.



If you are into bands like Explosions In The Sky, Godspeed You Black Emperor, etc. then you will like this.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

HEAVEN & HELL: Entire 'The Devil You Know' Album Available For Streaming

"The Devil You Know", the debut album from HEAVEN & HELL — the band featuring BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar), Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Geezer Butler (bass) and Vinny Appice (drums) — is available for streaming in its entirety on VH1.com's The Leak.

BLACK SABBATH fan site Black-Sabbath.com has revealed the details of several "exclusive" physical and digital retail versions of "The Devil In You", which is scheduled to arrive in North America on April 28 from Rhino for a suggested list price of $18.98 (physical) and $9.99 (digital). The effort will also be released as double vinyl LP featuring a laser etched design and exclusive poster on May 12.

The details are as follows:

* Best Buy will offer an exclusive version featuring a DVD with unreleased video of the band recording the album including studio performances, interviews, and other behind-the-scenes content. (See several clips from the DVD below.)

* Wal-Mart will offer an exclusive alternate cover (see image below) that prominently features the traditional BLACK SABBATH devil logo. When finalizing the cover, the band narrowed it down to their two favorites but had a difficult time making a final decision. Now the alternate cover will also be available as a Wal-Mart exclusive.

* iTunes will offer an exclusive version with previously unreleased live recordings of "Die Young" and "I" from the band's 2007 European tour.

* Select independent retail stores will offer exclusive HEAVEN & HELL T-shirts and/or copies of the album signed by the entire band, while supplies last. See below for a list of all participating stores and contact them directly for more details.

Participating independent retail stores:

* Cactus Music - Houston, TX
* The Exchange - Cleveland, OH
* Independent Records - Denver, CO
* Looney Tunes - Long Island, NY
* Newbury Comics - 28 total stores in Boston, MA area
* Record Theatre - Buffalo, NY
* Record & Tape Traders - Washington D.C.
* Rolling Stone - Chicago, IL
* Silver Platters - Seattle, WA
* The Omega Order - online only
* Vintage Vinyl - Fords, NJ
* Zias - Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ & Las Vegas, NV





"The Devil You Know" track listing:

01. Atom And Evil (5:15)
02. Fear (4:48)
03. Bible Black (6:29)
04. Double The Pain (5:25)
05. Rock And Roll Angel (6:25)
06. The Turn Of The Screw (5:02)
07. Eating The Cannibals (3:37)
08. Follow The Tears (6:12)
09. Neverwhere (4:35)
10. Breaking Into Heaven (7:03)

Pre-order now from Heavy Planet!

Dark Castle To Release Debut Full-Length

The city of Saint Augustine, FL has the distinction or being the oldest city/port in the United States and the home of the duo DARK CASTLE. Brought to the attention of At A Loss Recordings by both Sanford Parker (MINSK/BURIED AT SEA) and Philip Cope (KYLESA), the couple will release there first full-length, Spirited Migration, on May 26. Recorded by Phillip Cope and mastered by Scott Hull (both KYLESA and BARONESS), Spirited Migration continues the metallic doom psyche journey the band`s stunning Flight of the Pegasus began. Guttural howls and towering volume are broken up with post-rock interludes. Exotic scales and haunting rhythms pull the listener further into DARK CASTLE`s unique atmospheres. For fans of YOB, RWAKE, SAMOTHRACE, etc.

The band will be playing the following dates this summer:


5/07/2009: Hickory, NC - Drip`s, with US CHRISTMAS, STINKING LIZAVETA
6/04/2009: Panama City, FL - Spinnaker, with ZORASTER, MOUTH OF THE ARCHITECTS, IT STARTS TODAY


Spirited Migration Tracklisting

"Awake In Sleep" (6:51)
"Into The Past" (5:35)
"Spirited Migration" (1:46)
"Growing Slow" (4:31)
"Weather The Storm" (3:26)
"Flight Beyond" (4:14)
"Grasping The Awe" (4:12)
"A Depth Returns" (6:33)


www.myspace.com/darkcastlemetal

Cofffins Unearthed for West Coast US Tour

Japan’s COFFINS is finally making it back to the US after last year’s successful East Coast tour. This time they will bring the doom/death to the American West Coast. Going along for the ride are their Oakland label mates STORMCROW. The tour will start in Seattle on April 30 and culminate with both bands appearing at the infamous Los Angeles Murderfest alongside such bands as SAMOTHRACE, EYEHATEGOD, DESPISE YOU, GENERAL SURGERY, 16, ABSCESS, GHOUL and many others.

Coffins released their third LP, Buried Death, in 2008 to much critical acclaim in the metal world. A split release with STORMCROW will come later in 2009, followed by their fourth LP to be released on 20 Buck Spin in 2010. STORMCROW has a vinyl only split release, Sacred Death, with 20 Buck Spin label mates LAUDANUM coming out on 20 Buck Spin in April.


COFFINS West Coast tour
4/30/2009: Seattle, WA - El Chorazon, with SKARP, GREY
5/01/2009: Olympia, WA - Northern, with THRONES, SIXES
5/02/2009: Portland, OR - Satyricon, with THRONES, ALDEBARAN
5/03/2009: Eugene, OR - Oak St Speakeasy, with HC MINDS
5/04/2009: Eureka, CA - Auntie Moe’s
5/06/2009: San Jose, CA - KFJC radio live recording
5/07/2009: San Francisco, CA - Annie’s, with LAUDANUM, SAMOTHRACE
5/08/2009: Berkeley, CA - Gilman St., with ALDEBARAN
5/09/2009: Los Angeles, CA - The Knitting Factory (part of LA Murderfest)

MySpace

Monday, April 20, 2009

Album Of The Week-Rhino-"Dead Throne Monarch" (2009)

The Album Of The Week is "Dead Throne Monarch" by Rhino.



Review:

"What would you get if you mixed sludge metal, doom metal, thrash, death metal and grunge (yes, grunge) in a heavy iron cauldron? You would get an album called Dead Throne Monarch with a side of Rhino. Yes, I know that is an over-used opening style, but when you hear this music you will understand. It threatens to defy the very idea of being stuck in any one genre. This is infectious, groove-filled, heavy music that is not unlike getting hit repeatedly with a brick and liking it!
Every so often you will come across a band that quite unexpectedly delivers everything you did not know you were looking for at that very moment. The last time this happened for me was back in the Fall of 2007 when I first encountered the French act Gojira. It was a live show and as soon as they began my jaw dropped. Heavy, intense, and just, well, heavy! When I first hit play on the opening title track, Rhino induced a similar reaction.

The first sound you hear sounds like vocalist Javier Galvez is removing his vocal cords through sheer will. It is enough to give you momentary pause, but before it sinks in the guitars hit with this heavy sludgy riff that reinforces the vocal cord vomitous that the track began with. "Dead Throne Monarch" proceeds to run roughshod through the musical gamut from sludge to thrash to grunge, thus keeping you off guard as to what to expect.

The title sludger is followed by "Reins of the Warlord," a track that retains the Rhino sound demonstrated in the prior track, while being a bit more of an uptempo thrasher. That is followed by the epic "Earth Reclaims the Usurper." This one is decidedly more along the doom/sludge line, and again retains that distinctive Rhino-ness that permeated the first couple of tracks.
The fourth track sees the band letting their grunge flag fly. After hinting at it a couple of times throughout the opening songs, "Bahamut" lets loose wit a heavy sludge attack that seems to have been directly inspired by Alice in Chains, with perhaps a touch of Danzig. Listen as Galvez frees his vocal cords from the sludgy, blood-soaked shackles and delivers a haunting pained wail the late Layne Staley would have been proud of. Alice in Chains was always the "most metal" band to emerge the grunge scene, and this tune seems to play out what it might have been like had they gone all the way into metal territory.

If nothing else, Rhino keeps you guessing what is coming next while continuing to deliver on the promises made early on. Dead Throne Monarch is an absolutely punishing dose of relentless brutal metal. Listening to this is likely to cause bruises. With a total of ten tracks clocking in just north of seventy-minutes, there is ample opportunity to be drawn into the sludgy surge. Guaranteed to leave battered, beaten, and thoroughly satisfied.

Hailing from Spain, this trio has only been around since 2004, with this being their sophomore release, they are fast proving to be a band to keep an eye on. I am unsure how far into mainstream recognition they will go, but if there is justice they will be discovered.

Bottomline. This is one of those albums that jumps ahead early and is bound to be among my favorites come the end of the year. If you are a metal fan this is an absolute must own. There can be no questions. Dead Throne Monarch will be yours, you will recognize the excellence. It is inevitable.

Highly Recommended. (Chris Beaumont, Draven99's Musings)

Track Listing:

01. Dead Throne Monarch
02. Reins Of The Warlord
03. Earth Reclaims The Usurper
04. Bahamut
05. Pale Horses Coming
06. Funebre
07. Wolf Among Black Sheep
08. Promise Of A Storm
09. Wendigo
10. Horned Crown

MySpace

Buy Now!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

New Band To Burn One To-Locrian

From the heart of Chicago, Illinois comes an awesome band for you guys to check out. Since their inception in late 2005, Locrian have been honing their sound; working and re-working material; finding the right blend of noise, power electronics, dark ambient, and black metal to work into their sound. Drenched Lands is Locrian's first full-length studio recording of all new material, and unfolds with an almost narrative structure. It starts with a slow descent into a dark abyss, moving torturedly, gradually rediscovering the light, then leaving you where everything began - completely transformed. The hour-long disc is rounded out by an extended bonus track previously unavailable in any digital format. The black-on-black disc is packaged in an arigato pack with a 4-panel insert. Limeted Edition of only 1000 copies. Co-released by At War With False Noise.



Reviews:

"Almost disturbingly prolific, this is the latest (though that might change by the time you read this) disc from this noise/drone/metal duo. While they have been cranking the releases out in their relatively short career, they have at least been consistent with the quality of their releases, and Drenched Lands, for all its metal look and presentation, is one of the more subtle releases I have yet to hear.

At War With False Noise/Small Doses

The opening track, "Obsolete Elegy in Effluvia and Dross," sounds like it could be some black metal track, replete with battle axes, corpse paint, and scrawny Nordic men posing in the snow, but instead it starts with simple, clear guitar strumming that is allowed to breathe, with only a subtle underpinning of synth hums, which is a lot more pure and open than a lot of their backcatalogue.

This is pretty much the lightest moment here, the next one, "Ghost Repeater," leads off with a buzzing amplifier and subtle guitar scrapes. High frequency pings start to come in, giving a very rhythmic, but natural sense of minimalism. Towards the second half of its lengthy duration, an anemic guitar squall comes in to push the treble levels even higher. Unfortunately the mix mostly neglects the lower end of the sonic spectrum, and would benefit more from a bit of bass added.

The brittle mix continues into "Barren Temple Obscured By Contaminated Fogs," but is more of an asset. The bits of clear guitar and digital organ sound better skewed this way, and the screamed metal vocals and white noise sound a bit more like a lo-fi Sunn O))), but more experimental and less metal. This contrasts the more bassy "Epicedium" that showcases guitar and some ambient tones, a more open work that, once the taut guitar playing kicks in towards the second half, has the structure and tension of a great film soundtrack.

"Obsolete Elegy in Cast Concrete" brings back the pained vocals that do sound very black metal, but are contrasted with the distant electronic bells and more airy synths, where even the chugging metal riffs keep it away from boring and clichéd metal territory. The disc ends with the 30-plus minute "Greyfield Shrines," which is the same live recording I reviewed in its original LP form. While it loses some of its charm as a bonus track rather than a heavy slab of vinyl, it still is a strong and well composed piece of live material.

I must say I’m a bit nervous since each release I’ve heard from this project is managing to be somewhat different, yet still consistent with the overall vibe of the band, and have not lost any bit of quality. Any time I see this frequency of music being released, I anticipate boredom to set in, but it has yet to happen with Locrian." (Creaig Dunton, Brainwashed.com)

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

"With a cover that wouldn’t look out of place on a Corrupted record, one could be mistaken for thinking that this record is going to fall into the heavier, riff driven end of doom-metal, when infact it manages to teeter more on its fringes. Locrian is an altogether more majestic and ethereal beast than perhaps their visual aesthetic would suggest and while Drenched Lands is a record that is primarily driven by audial manipulations and dronescapes it also has a more sinister edge to it.


Someone once wrote of Nadja that they were like doom-metals’ awkward, poetry writing cousin. The same too is true of Locrian only they are clearly more influenced by Aleister Crowley and have a penchant for flirting with the occult, given the blackened vocals, darker electronics and harrowing atmospheres within their loop driven gloom. Musically Locrian feel like the desolation of Halo Manash combined with the vibrant, uplifting play-throughs of Keith Fullerton Whitman or Area C. Dark chainsaw esque guitars are overlaid with open, light melodies in a juxtaposition of light and dark that at times culminates in overdriven sound devastation, while creating a smooth soundscape at others. Vocals are interestingly interspersed amongst the flow of the drone and seem to take more of a backseat to the music in the sense that they seem to sit behind it, although never become lost. The variety in this album is excellent especially given that it is mainly guitar/synth drone which can, without innovation be a limiting genre. Those types of people who enjoy artists such as Halo Manash, Area C, KFW, Greg Davis, darker Nadja and probably even Black/White era sunn O))) will undoubtedly be into this record.


‘Drenched Lands’ is an interesting record in many ways, not least because it is the coming together of two great DIY labels in the form of Small Doses (USA) and At War With False Noise (Scotland) but also because - given the chance - it will engross you in a sea of awesome drones and harrowing blackness." (Chris Naughton, Gradiations Of Morbidity)

MySpace
Discogs
At War With False Noise

Friday, April 17, 2009

Karma to Burn w/ Come to Dust & Rebreather Show

Karma to Burn w/ Come to Dust & Rebreather
April 24th
31st Street Pub
Pittsburgh, PA
9 PM
10 bucks

Thursday, April 16, 2009

BIRDS OF PREY: Another New Song Posted Online

BIRDS OF PREY, the band featuring Erik Larson (ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY), Bo Leslie (THE LAST VAN ZANT), Summer Welch (BARONESS), Ben Hogg (BEATEN BACK TO PURE) and Dave Witte (MUNICIPAL WASTE), has posted another new song, "Juvie", on MySpace. The track comes off the group's third full-length album, "The Hellpreacher", which is set for an April 28 North American release (May 4 internationally) via Relapse Records.

The follow-up to last year's "Sulfur & Semen", "The Hellpreacher" is a full-concept effort that tells the story of an inmate-turned-priest. It was recorded last fall at Sniper Studio in North Carolina.

"The Hellpreacher" track listing:

01. Momma
02. Juvie
03. As The Field Mice Play
04. Alive Inside!
05. Tempt The Disciples
06. Taking On Our Winter Blood
07. The Excavation
08. Blind Faith
09. False Prophet
10. The Owl Closes In
11. Warriors Of Mud…The Hellfighters
12. Giving Up The Ghost

Pre-order "The Hellpreacher" now!

SOUTHBORN Confirmed For Italy's STONED HAND OF DOOM Festival

SOUTHBORN, the 70's-inspired Italian heavy rock project featuring members of the death metal bands NATRON and CRUENTUS, has been confirmed for Stoned Hand Of Doom, the biggest Italian event in the stoner/psych/doom rock genre, to be held May 10-16 in Rome. SOUTHBORN will open the first show as the support act for DOOMRAISER (Italy) and SOLACE (USA).

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

THE HEADS
SERPENT CULT
RADIO MOSCOW
WHITE HILLS
CHEER ACCIDENT
WITCHFIELD
BLACK RAIMBOWS
OBIAT
GOWATT REDEMPTION

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

SOUTHBORN recently posted three songs on the band's MySpace.

Formed in February 2008, SOUTHBORN is the brainchild of "five freaky lads willing to pay their tribute to the greatest moment hard rock music has ever lived," according to the band's official bio. "Therefore SOUTHBORN is bloody influenced by '70s but with a modern and heavy approach coming from each member's experience in their own heavy-extreme metal projects. SOUTHBORN already performed live supporting ENTOMBED, NATRON, REBEL DEVIL, CHAIN REACTION and is currently looking for a label to release their debut soon!"

Commented the group: "We recorded eight songs with a 'crazed' Fostex multi-track recorder, a couple of microphones, one crate of beers, unnumbered joints and uploaded three songs on the page. More are coming!"

SOUTHBORN is:

Nicola Bavaro (vocals)
Domenico Mele (guitar)
Antonello Maggi (guitar)
Toni Carrassi (bass)
Max Marzocca (drums)

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - BLIND To Play Charlotte In May

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - BLIND will perform at Amos' Southend in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 15. The group's schedule is now shaping up as follows:

Apr. 18 - Ground Zero - Spartanburg, South Carolina
May 15 - Amos' Southend - Charlotte, North Carolina

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - BLIND features Karl Agell, who sang on the classic CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (C.O.C.) album "Blind" (1991), and founding C.O.C. member Reed Mullin (drums). The group, which performs the entire original version of the "Blind" LP, also features Scott Little from Agell's band LEADFOOT, and Jason Browning and Jerry Barrett, both of whom were previously in BAD BRAINS singer HR's solo group.

"We tried a couple of different times to get this going and it didn't click for various reasons," Agell recently told Yes! Weekly. "We all seemed to have different things going on, but the chemistry is just right this time."

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - BLIND's set includes such classics as "Damned for All Time", "Echoes in the Well", "Dance of the Dead" and "Vote with a Bullet".

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY - BLIND is:

Karl Agell (CORROSION OF CONFORMITY) - Vocals
Reed Mullin (CORROSION OF CONFORMITY) - Drums
Scott Little (LEADFOOT) - Guitar
Jason Browning (HR of BAD BRAINS) - Guitar
Jerry Barrett (HR of BAD BRAINS) - Bass

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

SuperGiant News

From SUPERGIANT:

Hi all we`ve added some summer shows in Albuquerque, check them out below. Next show on April 17 at Launchpad and should be really killer. A fairly new ABQ band, SABERTOOTH CAVITY, is opening, and they are not to be missed so make sure you get there early! Also on that bill is Albuquerque`s metal darlings ANESTHESIA and OUTHOUSE (featuring Noah Wolters who played keys on our album Antares) This show is only $2.


Apr 17, 2009: Alburquerque, NM - Launchpad
May 9, 2009: Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
Jun 13, 2009: Alburquerque, NM - Burt`s Tiki Lounge


What else? We`re gearing up for a big east coast tour with WHITE WITCH CANYON in August. The tour is slated to start mid-August in San Francisco. Details to come.

Come check out our ReverbNation page and hear some of our live songs recorded at the Agency.


Also, come check out our new Facebook profile and become a fan!


Love,
SuperGiant

Throttlerod Finishes New Album

From THROTTLEROD:

We are very happy to announce that we are putting the final touches on the new record. Listening to these songs next to Hell and High Water and Nail, it is clear that this is the biggest sounding record we`ve done! There is no release date yet but we should know something fairly soon.


In other news, we are playing shows in May, including one with CLUTCH. These will be the first shows we`ve done since October, so we`re really looking forward to getting back on stage.


5/21: Norfolk, VA - The Norva, with CLUTCH, WINO, AND MAYLENE & THE SONS OF DISASTER
5/22: Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
5/23: Charlotte, NC - Snug Harbor
5/24: Greenville, SC - The Handlebar

In other news, MTV has been using a few of our songs on their new Nitro Circus featuring Travis Pastrana. There is a page up for us at soundtrack.mtv.com/throttlerod. Head over there, register, and vote for us (often). Apparently, this is how MTV will pick music going forward.

Lastly, we`re now on Facebook, so stop by and be a fan.

www.throttlerod.com
www.myspace.com/throttlerod
www.smallstone.com

Upcoming Ramesses Shows

RAMESSES will be playing the following gigs:

April 15: Manchester, UK - Star & Garter
April 16: Newcastle, UK - Trillians
April 17: Glasgow, UK - 13th Note
April 18: Birmingham, UK - BUSK
April 19:- London, UK – Underworld

The band still has copies of their Misanthopic Alchemy 2x12" LP, which will be available while they last at these shows.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Album Of The Week-Elder-"Self-Titled" (2009)

The Album of the Week comes from Massachusetts psychedelic doomsters, Elder.



Reviews:

"This is the first official full-length release from Boston's Elder and it's heavy-duty monster for sure. My initial response that it reminds me a lot of Sleep's Holy Mountain. Perhaps it's more like an album that would have followed had Sleep became heavier and gone a more progressive route. I dare say that Elder have a greater knack for subtlety than Sleep and they be a little less self-aware as well. From the opening notes of "White Walls" I could feel myself being sucked in by the thick, dark sludge being created. They take a basic approach to their music, but that works wonders as they just dip down low and start hammering out the skull-crunching rhythms. Each track just seems to get better as Elder summon up slabs of Sabbath style doom and when needed they call forth some fuzzed out type grooves reminiscent of early Electric Wizard. Yes, indeed this album is a virtual doom paradise that grabs you roughly and drags you ever so slowly down a dark and winding path. Each song has it's own personality and the band seem to gain momentum as they move along. The riffs are mainly slow and deliberate, but you can feel parts multiplying as they move along and become more and more comfortable with what they are constructing. Everything is very deliberate, but they have a strong grasp on how to create and manipulate these massive grooves. This year hasn't had as many good doom albums as I was hoping for, but the Elder's self-titled release does a lot to fill that gap." (Live4Metal.com)

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

"My first experience with the youthful, Massachusetts doom crew Elder was their recent split with Queen Elephantine. That was a masterpiece of a split album and Elder blew me away with their soulful, sludge/doom that was packed to the brim with killer riffs and psychedelic tendencies. This S/T is the band's first official full-length and they are currently looking for a label to put it out. All I can say to those that run labels is this; what the hell are you waiting for?!

This 5 track, 40+ minute monster is a huge achievement of thunderous, bluesy rumble that gambles with just the right amount of space-rock and metallic plunder to ensure the listener a record where literally every riff matters. You have got to hear these riffs! I'm talking grooves that make mountains seem tiny by comparison in that classic Sabbath, Sleep and Soulpreacher kind of boogie style. Throw in a bit of Electric Wizard for sheer weight and Bongzilla for that smoked-out atmosphere while you are at it and you've got yourself the recipe for crushing heaviness that breathes fire and molten lava with every exhale..." (HellRideMusic) Read more...

Track Listing:

01. White Walls
02. Hexe
03. Riddle of Steel Pt. 1
04. Ghost Head
05. Riddle of Steel Pt. 2

MySpace

Buy Now!

SAINT VITUS Plays Sold-Out Show In New Orleans; Photos and Video Footage Available

Legendary U.S. doom metal band SAINT VITUS played a sold-out show at One Eyed Jacks in New Orleans this past Saturday night (April 11). They were joined on stage by DOWN's Pepper Keenan, Jimmy Bower and Philip Anselmo for the chorus to "Saint Vitus" and Anselmo returned to sing the chorus to "Dying Inside". Also on the bill were A HANGING and HAWG JAW.

SAINT VITUS' setlist was as follows:

01. The War Starter
02. Living Backwards
03. I Bleed Black
04. Look Behind You
05. The Lost Feeling
06. Clear Windowpane
07. The Troll (guitar solo & drum solo)
08. Mystic Lady (extended)

First Encore:

09. Saint Vitus
10. Dying Inside

Second Encore:

11. Born Too Late

Check out photos at this location.





(Videos courtesy of Danielle Hinson)

THE ATLAS MOTH Unveil New Music, Title, Artwork for New Album

Chicago atmospheric sludge metallers The Atlas Moth have posted a rough demo of a brand-new song from their forthcoming debut album, which is to be entitled, A Glorified Piece Of Blue-Sky. The album will be produced, mixed, and recorded by The Atlas Moth’s bassist, Andrew Ragin, at Phase Recording in Chicago, and post production on the album will be done by Tranquility Bass.

The band have also unveiled the album cover, a Pink Floyd-inspired work of art done by the band’s dear friend Ryan Kasparian, and announced an upcoming show supporting the one and only COALESCE.

As the band stated on their official Myspace page, “It's called A Glorified Piece Of Blue-Sky and we are about 75% done with it right now. We are going into the studio at the end of April to hopefully have this sucka finished up by June 1st. This record is ACTUALLY The Atlas Moth, when we wrote the EP, we weren't a complete band yet. This record, from start to finish, was a collaborative effort between all 5 of us. We've actually been playing a couple of these songs almost as long as we played some of the stuff off of Pray for Tides.

"As of today our EP has been out for about 14 months and, frankly, we are starting to feel bad about not posting something new for all of you to hear. Not to mention that we just got added on the Coalesce show here in Chicago on April 24th and we are feeling down right smitten. Regarding Tranquility Bass: Mike is a close friend of ours and a supporter of our music from the beginning. He understands the vibe we are trying to create on this record. His musical creativity & outside perspective towards making this record a solid entity is really exciting to us and we are looking forward to his contribution to it!”

So, without further ado, here is the title track from our new record in demo form. This is not the album version of the track but since we still aren't giving you anything completely done, I do feel as though you should get a little taste of the album.”



The Atlas Moth were Heavy Planet's "New Band To Burn One To" Sept. 9, 2008. Check it out here.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Atomic Bitchwax Return To Tee Pee Records With "TAB 4" out April 21st



The Atomic Bitchwax return to Tee Pee Records with TAB 4 due out April 21st. Here is the lead track off TAB 4 - Revival.

Chris Kosnik (Bass & Vocals) Bob Pantella (Drums, also from Monster Magnet) and Finn Ryan (Guitar & vocals) are back again combining the best of their Rush-like riff mazes and the dueling Kosnik/Ryan vocal harmonies creating the wall of sound and precision TAB fans have come to expect.


In 2008, The Jersey Shore power trio The Atomic Bitchwax set out to record their latest 11 high energy Riff-Rock tunes on the appropriately titled "TAB 4". Recorded by the band themselves and mixed by Eric Rachel at the famed NJ Trax-East Studios. This time around finds the band shifting gears over and over from the pulsing groove of the title track "Revival" to the inhuman face melting speed of the instrumental "Super Computer" will leave listeners and players alike wanting more.

For more than 10 years the band has climbed up and out from the basements of NJ to play nearly 1000 live shows in over 20 countries, the band is currently on tour in Europe. This is no three chord bullshit...this is the Bitchwax.



TAB 4 Tracklisting:

01. Revival
02. Super Computer
03. Don't Do It
04. Astronomy Domine
05. Sometimes Wednesday
06. Middle Man
07. Daisy Chain
08. Giant
09. Run
10. Wreck You
11. Pawn Shop

Click here for European tour dates

Pre-order now!

EARLY MAN Completes Work On 'Death Potion'

EARLY MAN leader Mike Conte has issued the following update:

"Unfortunately, due to an arm/back injury that I suffered after our last tour, we have had to cancel all of our tour dates this month with VALIENT THORR so I can get some much-needed rest. We will hit the road again after this month and all summer long in support of our [sophomore] full-length which will come out this summer. The record is called 'Death Potion'. I actually had a chance to hear a couple mastered versions of the new songs earlier today for the first time and they sound amazing. This record is clearly a new level for us as a band and I can't wait to take these songs out on the road. We will see you all soon!"

The follow-up to 2005's "Closing In", "Death Potion" was produced by Jack Endino (HIGH ON FIRE, ZEKE, VALIENT THORR, NIRVANA) and is scheduled for release later in the year via The End Records.

EARLY MAN released a four-song EP last October entitled "Beware The Circling Fin". The group's The End Records debut was mixed with the help of legendary producer Jack Endino.

EARLY MAN is:

Mike Conte (vocals, guitar)
Adam Bennati (drums)
Pete Macy (guitar)
Tim Ramage (bass)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

ZOROASTER, THE GATES OF SLUMBER, SERPENTCULT To Team Up For North American Tour

Avant-garde psych metal band ZOROASTER, Indianapolis doom metal trio THE GATES OF SLUMBER and Belgian "über doom" unit SERPENTCULT will team up for the "North America is Doomed" tour this summer. The 14-city trek will kick off on August 1 in Chicago, Illinois and will hit major markets, including New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland, Toronto and Montreal.

Already being called "one of the most anticipated underground metal packages of 2009," the tour spotlights three of metal's most talked about new bands and will be headlined by ZOROASTER, the Atlanta-based group who has most recently been turning heads with its new album, "Voice of Saturn". Fresh from a number of high-energy gigs at SXSW 2009 and a headlining appearance at the inaugural Scion Rock Fest alongside like-minded peers HIGH ON FIRE, MASTODON and NEUROSIS, ZOROASTER continues to bring its revered live show — described as "an obliteration of the senses" — to every city it can.

Special guests on the tour include THE GATES OF SLUMBER, whose high-potency live performances have garnered serious word-of-mouth kudos and built it a cult following amongst the die-hard traditional metal/doom community and the Belgian band SERPENTCULT, whose massive sound, self-described as a "neck-breaking, down tuned riffing apocalypse," has drawn parallels to CELTIC FROST, CATHEDRAL and ELECTRIC WIZARD and met with much critical acclaim within underground metal circles.

ZOROASTER guitarist/vocalist Will Fiore states, "This tour is going to be so heavy, it's scary! Each and every show is going to feature an amazing night of massive riffs, so come out and get lost. This is going to hurt…in all the right ways."

"North America Is Doomed" tour dates:

Aug. 01 - Chicago, IL - The Metal Shaker
Aug. 02 - Lansing, MI - Mac's Bar
Aug. 03 - Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
Aug. 04 - Ottawa, ON - Rainbow Bistro
Aug. 05 - Montreal, QC - Katacombes
Aug. 06 - Danbury, CT - Billy Baloney's
Aug. 07 - Boston, MA - O'Brien's
Aug. 08 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head Club
Aug. 09 - New York, NY - The Studio at Webster Hall
Aug. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
Aug. 11 - Pittsburgh, PA - Howler's Café
Aug. 12 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Aug. 13 - Columbus, OH - Ravari Room
Aug. 14 - Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theatre

CLUTCH: New Album Title, Track Listing Revealed

Maryland rockers CLUTCH have set "Strange Cousins From The West" as the title of their new album, due on July 7 via the group's own label, Weathermaker Music. The CD was recorded at Magpie Cage studio in Baltimore, Maryland with producer J. Robbins (JAWBREAKER) and will feature the following track listing:

01. Motherless Child
02. Struck Down
03. Unstoppable Watts
04. Abraham Lincoln
05. Metroliner Special
06. Minotaur
07. The Amazing Kreskin
08. Witchdoctor
09. Let a Poor Man Be
10. Freakonomics
11. Algo Ha Cambiado
12. Sleestak Lightning

The remastered reissue of the band's "Slow Hole To China" album will arrive in stores on April 28.

SERPENTCULT: Arnhem Footage Available

Video footage of SERPENTCULT's April 5, 2009 performance at Willemeen in Arnhem, the Netherlands can be viewed below (courtesy of "ErhanLiveMetal").

SERPENTCULT is the new Belgian band featuring former members of THEE PLAGUE OF GENTLEMEN and WELKIN. The group's full-length debut, "Weight of Light", came out will in North America on January 27, 2009 via Rise Above Records.

A four-piece from Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, SERPENTCULT delivers punishing, down tuned music that transcends the standard doom fare into a maze of monolithic, molten metal. SERPENTCULT's massive sound, a self-described "neck-breaking, down tuned riffing apocalypse," has drawn parallels to CELTIC FROST, CATHEDRAL and ELECTRIC WIZARD and met with much critical acclaim within the underground metal community since the band's formation in 2006.

Recorded at Priory Studios in Birmingham, England with producer Greg Chandler (of UK doom act ESOTERIC) and mixed by Billy Anderson (SLEEP, NEUROSIS, MELVINS) at his Oakland home studios, "Weight of Light" is a dark, thundering storm of sound. SERPENTCULT's unorthodox, gnarled guitar work and Cliff Burton-inspired wah-wah bass flow throughout the album like a never-ending stream of lead weight ploughing its way across sodden landscapes to create elephantine grooves that back the "air raid siren vocals" of Michelle Nocon (which have inspired comparisons to Geddy Lee, Messiah Marcolin and Bruce Dickinson). The combination of savage material and the heavyweight pedigree of the production team has resulted in the creation of one the absolute heaviest metal albums you are likely to hear.





Tuesday, April 7, 2009

New Band To Burn One To-Aseethe

The "New Band To Burn One To" is the one-man (Brian Barr, ex-Law of All Ends) doom/shoegaze/noise outfit Aseethe from San Fransisco, CA. If you are a fan of bands such as Sunn O))), Isis, Jesu, etc. then this is right up your alley. Check out their current split release "Navitas Est Dues" with Mauul and watch for the future full-length release "Iron Mountain" due out shortly.



Review:

"I know what you're thinking - two one man bands, each with a single track pressed on an obscenely limited split (109) released by a tongue-in-cheek record label - this is going to be pretentious drivel. But it's not.

Fortunately, Aseethe (Brian Barr) and Mauul (Phil Mauul) opt for experimentation that's palatable, engaging, and ultimately worth more than a couple of shock-your-brain listens. Aseethe's "Ill Omen" is the natural synthesis of amplifier worship, noise, and shoegaze. The mighty guitar riffs have great overtones, the keyboards sustain delicate melodies, and noise tweaks create cacophonous counter points. The live drums lend a strong groove to the music that is absent from similar endeavors, and give the music a sense of urgency. The noisy interludes are sandwiched between monster riffs and beautiful melodies, "Ill Omen" is expressive in a manner similar to Jesu, but is ultimately more varied and cathartic.

Mauul's contribution is "Filament," an experimental track that's half warm, easy listening and half fiddling-with-the-input-jack glitch. Not only is it full of warm tones, but it's ambient enough to enjoy with completely shattering musical sensibilities and expectations. The last third of "Filament" is the most interesting (you can fill in "varied" or "challenging" if you prefer). Both Aseethe and Mauul offer genuine, experimental music that's not just accessible, but damn good." (Nick DeMarino, StonerRock.com)



For more info and where to purchase check out these sites:

MySpace
Aseethe Blog
Scenecred.com

Monday, April 6, 2009

Album Of The Week-Hognose-"Longhandle" (2004)

The Album Of The Week is "Longhandle" by Hognose.



Reviews:

"If you like feel good stoner grooves, tons of energy and busy guitar lines then Hognose is probably right up your alley. These guys are doing a classic rock based sound that is 100% stoner good times. These guys have a lot of the same sort of driving rockers that veterans Motorhead have, and share a lot in common with Orange Goblin in that respect. It's 100% balls to the wall guitar rock and roll. If you like Throttlerod, Dozer, Orange Goblin even some Nebula fans might find this CD pretty damn tasty. Impressive guitar work, a tight well rehearsed unit and vocals that mean business." (robwrong, StonerRock.com)

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

"These good ol’ boys from the Lone Star state are all about the groove. They play down and dirty, bloodthirsty rock ‘n roll with the muscle of a stampede and the venom of a sidewinder. “Black Angus” jumps out as the most refined of the record’s nine tracks. Full throttle at it’s best which drops like a two-ton hammer leaving a wake of sawed-off guitar and devastating bass in its path. There is a slight hint of Nashville Pussy, Bad Wizard and even ZZ Top in songs like “Get Your Hands Off My Neck”, “Waxahachie” and “Il Gigante Reptil” where the riff leads the song and drags the rhythm section behind kickin’ and screamin’ Neanderthal-s t y l e.

With the full fusion of rock runnin’ in their veins they are compelled to kneel at the alter of primitive kings Motorhead, Sabbath, MC5 and Blue Cheer. “Fountainhead” and “Fourteen Wide” take it back to basics with a plodding dirge. The mix is spot on with each instrument clearly marked and the vocal dead center. Blaine Cartwright (Nashville Pussy, 9 Pound Hammer) would be proud as Hognose knocks back the whiskey and belches out a throaty rasp that keep the devils music in the right courtyard. “Slow Mutant Ride” kicks up the speed racing through the night with a thundering roar. When the band branch out into the funky “L.T.D.” and the Southern-s t y l e powerhouse opening track “Sneech” it’s like taking on a well worn leather jacket and give it the stench of sweaty nighclub. Something you want to hear over and over again." (The Cutting Edge)

Track Listing:

01. Sneech
02. Get Your Hands Off My Neck
03. L.T.D.
04. Fountainhead
05. Waxahachie
06. Il Gigante Reptil
07. Black Angus
08. Slow Mutant Ride
09. Fourteen Wide

MySpace


Devil To Pay Readies Third Album

From DEVIL TO PAY:

The third Devil to Pay CD, Heavily Ever After, is mixed and will be mastered shortly. We put up one of the new tracks, "When All is Said and Done" on our MySpace player, fresh out of the oven.


Thanks to the fine people at mediumFUSION, we also just released our first live DVD, 48 Minutes.


DTP has recently joined the madness over at Facebook.com... If you`d like to join our page, visit it here.


Here are some upcoming shows:


Apr 24, 2009: Indianapolis, Indiana - Zanies Too, with APOSTLE OF SOLITUDE and STONECUTTERS
Apr 25, 2009: Louisville, Kentucky – Shooters, with STONECUTTERS, GLASSPACK, and more (SXSEnd Fest)
May 30, 2009: Lafayette, Indiana - Jerilee’s Pub, with STATE, THE DISILLUSIONED, and SUNCRUISER


Thanks for your support,
Steve & DTP


www.deviltopay.net
www.myspace.com/deviltopay

Learn How to Play Like Brant Bjork

BRANT BJORK drum and guitar lesson videos now available at www.playthisriff.com. Come check out BRANT teaching "Dr. Special," "Let the Truth Be Known," "Low Desert Punk," "Too Many Chiefs," "Turn Yourself On," and one insane drum lesson!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Heavy Planet Followers Rule!

To all of those that follow Heavy Planet each and every day , I would like to extend my gratitude to you for your attention and dedication. I know that as of right now there are only 24 of you, but you are the 24 most important people to me and are the reason why I keep plugging away. Most blogs/websites have a staff of people to provide all of their posts while I do it all by my lonesome. I am a true music lover and know that many of you are also.

One of the features that I have on my blog is to promote new, exciting, original sounding upcoming bands. I cannot believe that any band would not want free promotion in these trying times. It is also baffling to me that many of these bands do not thank me nor duplicate my promotion on their Myspace pages or websites, I see that as being inconsiderate.

I do not write reviews of these submissions because frankly I do not have enough time to do so. I believe that just having the exposure to 300-600 people per day is worth a few hundred words. It only takes 1 person to suggest a band to a friend and then hope it spreads like wildfire. The internet is a very powerful tool so use it to your advantage.

I listen to each and every one of the bands that send CDs to me and have become a fan of many of them, bands that I would never have heard if it were not for this blog.

So going forward, keep the submissions coming and when I do post a feature on your band be kind enough to return the favor. Thanks!

\mm/

~Reg

p.s. The first Heavy Planet follower to send me their mailing address will receive a very cool grab bag.

New Band To Burn One To-Bird From The Abyss

Bird From The Abyss is a one-man band anti-band, presenting somewhat Lovecraftian atmospheres and other ancient occult themes expressed as instrumental doom fuzz, folkish, kind-of prog-rockish music, and also something else. Very unique, check it out!



Download

Official Website

Saturday, April 4, 2009

YAKUZA To Release Next Album Via PROFOUND LORE RECORDS

Avant-garde progressive experimental metal band YAKUZA will release its next full-length album via Profound Lore Records. Due in October, the follow-up to "Transmutations" CD will be recorded in July with Sanford Parker this July and "will be approached in a unique kind of way," according to a press release. Mastermind Bruce Lamont explains, "The songs we are working have some breathing room so to speak. I don’t think we will nail down exactly where things will go or how long a said part will be played until we record. With that in mind, I think the course of action will be to record live in the studio with a minimal amount of overdubs to keep the spontaneity things."

YAKUZA is slated to play this year's Maryland Deathfest and is heading to Europe next month with fellow Chicago comrades MINSK.

MASTODON To Perform On 'The Late Show With David Letterman'

Atlanta-based hard-rock iconoclasts MASTODON will be the featured musical guests on CBS' "The Late Show with David Letterman" airing on Friday, May 15 at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. Check local listings for details.

TROUBLE Writing 'Classic Doom' Album

Legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE have set "The Dark Riff" as the tentative title of their new album, due later in the year.

Commented vocalist Kory Clarke: "I'm really excited about all the new songs Rick [Wartell, guitar] and Bruce [Franklin, guitar] have played me thus far and have been singing them real tough. Really enjoying the power and latitude I'm able to move in lyrically as well as melodically. This going to be classic doom! I love singing this stuff!"

Added Bruce Franklin: "I've written about five songs so far. One of my tests to know if the song is memorable is to not record the riffs and ideas. If I have no trouble remembering the song that I wrote, then that's a good sign. Even if a month or more passes, I should be able to remember the song in full. Of course, that's just the music."

Rick Wartell said: "I am extremely pleased with the new songs, and in the direction this release is taking. It has the vibe of earlier times. If I had to sum it up in one word, the word is DOOM... Having a great time writing for it."

A previous post on the group's web site stated: "As you can tell by the [new album's] title, IT'S HEAVY! The band is resorting to the root of what made TROUBLE in the first place and what they are best at, DOOM! This will no doubt be the heaviest TROUBLE release since the mid-'80s when they crushed the masses with what is now known as 'Psalm 9' and 'The Skull'.

BATTLEFIELDS: Entire Album Available For Streaming

"Thresholds Of Imbalance", the new album from Minnesota's BATTLEFIELDS, is being streamed in its entirety at this location. Released on March 31 via Translation Loss, the CD was recorded at The Devil's Workshop in Minnesota with drummer Rob Schmidt at the helm and was mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance Audio.

According to a press release, "BATTLEFIELDS have been touring relentlessly for the last three years and accruing massive accolades for their astounding live performances and their two previous records, 'Stained with the Blood of an Empire' and 'Entourage of the Archaic', both released on indie label Init Records. Fresh off their first European tour this summer with Belgium's AMENRA (whom they previously did an extensive U.S. tour with during the spring of 2008), BATTLEFIELDS' new material encompasses a new direction in extreme and epic mind-expansive music."

Clayton Mills Leaves Dixie Witch

From Clayton Mills of DIXIE WITCH:

After ten years as the founding guitarist of DIXIE WITCH, I am leaving the band to concentrate on family for awhile. I know that there have been some word of mouth rumors circulating so I just want to set the record straight. My wife and I are having a child this summer and I`m going to stay at home and take care of business there for the time being. The band will continue to play shows and tour with a new guitarist and we`ll just have to play it by ear as to my involvement with DIXIE WITCH in the future. By no means am I getting out of music or quitting playing guitar for good or any bullshit like that. Y`all will be hearing from me and my Les Paul again! Its been a great decade of playing music with the WITCH, we`ve been all over and played nearly 1,000 live shows since 2000 and I`m very grateful for the experience and career I`ve had with the band.


I`d really like to thank all of those who have supported us over the years! The list of names could go on and on forever so I`d just like to say thanks to all the fans who have come out to the shows and bought our CDs and merch, all the bands we`ve shared the stage with, all the family we`ve made on the road (especially those who have opened their homes to us), all the bartenders for the extended hospitality and all the clubs and venues who have let us rock their stages. I`d like to say an extra special thanks to Tone Deaf Touring (Erik, Troy, and Greg), webmaster Jeff Downing, Scott and Small Stone Records, John Perez and Brainticket Records, Mauro and Arclight Records, Erik Larson and ATP, Jeff Pinkus and HONKY, THE SUPLECS, Joel Hamilton, Klaus at the Vibra Agency in Europe, Greg Barrett from Emissions from the Monolith, Walter and the Roadburn festival, the Room 710, Emo`s Austin - and of course to Trinidad and CC for being the incredible musicians that they are! It`s been quite the ride! We have two more shows coming up in Texas with our good ol` friends HONKY - April 10 at the Continental Club in Houston and April 11 at Room 710 in Austin.


- Clayton

Thursday, April 2, 2009

BLOODY PANDA Signs With PROFOUND LORE RECORDS

Brooklyn, New York avant-doom juggernaut BLOODY PANDA will see its new full-length masterpiece released this summer via Profound Lore Records.

Following the band's impressive debut full-length, "Pheromone", BLOODY PANDA is putting the finishing touches on 60-plus minutes of cerebral, epic, and haunting hymnals; a no-training-wheels cinematic plunge into the unending nightmare that began four years ago with the band's debut release (a split with fellow east coast experimentalists KAYO DOT). Once again featuring the ghostly, death-defying wails of siren Yoshiko Ohara, the new opus is a monstrous cry from the depths. Almost like if film directors Takashi Miike and Michaelangelo Antonioni had a bastard horror-film child and raised him in Indonesia or Estonia, BLOODY PANDA's forthcoming release would likely be the soundscape.

BILL WARD On Possibility Of Full-Blown BLACK SABBATH Reunion: 'The Door Is Wide Open'

Original BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward will be interviewed by Ian Camfield of U.K.s Xfm Radio on Saturday, April 4 between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

If you are in U.K., you can listen to the show by tuning in to 104.9 FM on digital radio, or you can stream the program via the Internet at www.xfm.co.uk.

39 years after its 1970 release, BLACK SABBATH's "Paranoid" album is being re-released as a three-CD deluxe edition, featuring the original album, a quadraphonic mix and a disc full of instrumental and alternate versions.

Ward tells Shropshire Star: "There was some spare tape left, so we said, 'Let's see if we can get another song and we all went down the pub which is the best place to work — well, it was then — and when we got back Tony [Iommi, guitar] had got a really, really good riff. Tony and Geezer [Butler, bass] and myself just sat in and just started playing and it didn't take long at all to have the song with all its parts pretty much done. I think within the afternoon it was taken care of. Ozzy [Osbourne, vocals] had his jamming lyrics, almost rough stuff, as we jammed down the first things. It probably [was] pretty much in the ballpark, his melody's there. We did that with quite a lot of our songs and we would change that around until we reached the final album version."

Ward insists the door is not shut on the idea of a full-blown reunion of BLACK SABBATH's original lineup.

"I have an open mind when it comes to SABBATH," he tells Shropshire Star. "We just haven't done anything for the last three years. But the door's wide open as far as BLACK SABBATH is concerned.

"Playing, doing anything with the original band, that's where I would like to be."

He adds: "Ozzy and I have maintained our relationship, and I've maintained my relationship with the other fellas pretty much all the way through. Nobody's far from each other.

"I saw Oz on his birthday. We went to Vegas and that's the last time I saw him. But I actually spoke to him about three or four days ago. He's doing fantastic, he's doing really well."

THE GATES OF SLUMBER Signs To RISE ABOVE RECORDS

Heralded Indianapolis, Indiana doom metal masters THE GATES OF SLUMBER have signed to England's Rise Above Records. The band's as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2008's "Conqueror" is slated for a fall 2009 release.

Commented THE GATES OF SLUMBER frontman Karl Simon: "We're extremely pleased to be signing with Rise Above. The label understands what it is we want to do and shares the vision we have regarding the future of THE GATES OF SLUMBER and what it can become. Much praise was heaped on 'Conqueror'; however in reality I can say that it was just a beginning. We've been working steady for about a year now on the material that will make up our forthcoming record and once it's recorded, expect us to be that 'plague upon the land' we'd hoped to become so long ago as we intend to make the most serious run at touring we've ever made in order to support this new album. Lock up your daughters, lock up your wives, lock up your back door and run for your lives! Be seeing you soon."

The signing of THE GATES OF SLUMBER further bolsters the North American roster of Rise Above — the London based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian (vocalist of the band CATHEDRAL and original lead singer of NAPALM DEATH) — which has increased its stateside profile of late by also welcoming San Diego prog rockers ASTRA and Toronto doom-psyche band BLOOD CEREMONY to its family of artists.

Weaned on BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, the melodic might of IRON MAIDEN and a host of classic bands from THIN LIZZY to RAINBOW to MERCYFUL FATE, THE GATES OF SLUMBER draws deep from heavy metal's most powerful blood and delivers doom in its purest form. The band's high-potency live performances have garnered serious word-of-mouth kudos and built it a cult following amongst the die-hard traditional metal/doom community, resulting in fans literally driving hours to catch the band's live sets. The band's debut music video — for the song "Trapped in the Web" — saw considerable TV play on MTV2's long-running "Headbangers Ball" program, generating further excitement about the band.

New Band To Burn One To-The Fat Dukes of Fuck

The "New Band To Burn One To" today is The Fat Dukes of Fuck from Las Vegas, Nevada.

"The Fat Dukes of Fuck: A general synopsis-

When one thinks of Las Vegas, the first things that come to mind are drugs, booze, long nights full of debauchery and unthinkable acts of sexual exploits. The Fat Dukes of Fuck embrace all of these things and look only to provide a soundtrack for the local scum that inhabits the filthy desert that is Las Vegas, Nevada.

And now for a little history:

Two-thirds of this pounding fuck-punch hail from the steaming cesspools of Salem, Oregon. Ice Pube (guitar) and Shitwizard (throat), longtime friends and founding members of The Salem Drunkcore scene, joined forces and set out for a place where there is no last-call. Meanwhile, the Ragin’ Cajun, Rockin’ Ronnie Rad Stuff (bass) was relocating from Lafayette, Louisiana on his never ending quest for love. The three teamed up and said “fuck it, we don’t need a drummer.” The rest, as they say, is history.

These metal retards, who suck inspiration from such unlikely heroes as The Melvins, Ween, Ministry, Faith No More and Clutch to name a few, have been performing their red-blooded, crotch tingling live shows in the local gin-joints for anyone who will buy them a Jack & Coke. Their song “Please Don’t Feed the Animals” was recently chosen to be featured in the upcoming independent film One Long Day.

The Dukes new EP You and Your Opinion is sure to put a skip in the step of even the most casual of metal fans. Please open your ears and your hearts to the message of The Fat Dukes of Fuck."

MySpace



Buy their EP "You and Your Opinion" @ CDBaby

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

MINSK: New Song Posted Online

Chicago/Peoria, Illinois quartet MINSK has posted a new song, "Three Moons", on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the group's forthcoming album, "With Echoes In The Movement Of Stone", which is scheduled for release on May 26 in North America and June 1 internationally via Relapse Records. The follow-up to "The Ritual Fires Of Abandonment" was recorded at Volume Studios in Chicago with the band's Sanford Parker in the producer's chair.

MINSK is confirmed to take part in the sold-out Roadburn festival, to be held April 23 in Tilburg, Netherlands, as well as the Polish Asymmetry festival on April 26. The band is currently routing a European tour around these dates, with details to be announced soon.

MINSK recently released a split seven-inch of ROKY ERICKSON covers with labelmates UNEARTHLY TRANCE via Parasitic Records. The black vinyl release, which is limited to 500 copies, features MINSK covering "Stand For The Fire Demon" and UNEARTHLY TRANCE doing a version of "Night Of The Vampire".

CLUTCH Frontman Talks New Album; Video Available

"Talking Metal" recently conducted an interview with CLUTCH frontman Neil Fallon. Watch the four-minute chat below.

CLUTCH entered Magpie Cage studio in Baltimore, Maryland last month with producer J. Robbins (JAWBREAKER) to begin recording the band's new album for a tentative June 30 release via the group's own label, Weathermaker Music. Bassist Dan Maines recently told The Obelisk, "This [current CLUTCH] tour goes on until the first of March, and we are planning on going into the studio basically a week after that to record the [new] CLUTCH [CD]," he said. "We have about eight songs, or eight song ideas that we're gonna flesh out through this tour and write a couple of new ones on top of that. We're trying to do somewhere around two to three new songs a night and we'll switch them up and just kind of smooth out the rough edges."

CLUTCH released its first-ever live DVD, "Full Fathom Five: Video Field Recordings", on August 12 via the group's newly launched Weathermaker Music label. The band also released a live companion CD, "Full Fathom Five: Audio Field Recordings", on the same day. All tracks on the DVD and CD were recorded and filmed in late 2007 and early 2008 in New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Denver and Australia.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...