New Releases For 2/16/2010

I only have one new release for you guys that is worth checking out. I freakin' love this band!!

Barn Burner-"Bangers" (Metal Blade)

"From the metal loving city of Montreal comes one of the most killer riff machines this side of the 3 headed love child of Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and Fu Manchu. Barn Burner have been cruising around Canada over the past few years spreading their love of the riff, good times and are ready to spread their beard encrusted rock to the rest of the world."

Listen

New Stoner Rock/Doom/Psychedelic Releases 1/26/2010

Sorry people, I forgot to post the new releases for the week on Tuesday. Here is what I could find.

Harvey Milk- "Harvey Milk"  (Hydra Head)
"Reissue of these early recordings by the Athens, GA-based band. You may know this Harvey Milk release as the Bob Weston Sessions, an unreleased full-length that has been floating around the .blogspot world for some time. This limited Tour Edition is the first time this record has been made available on a physical format and the audio has been re-mastered for a more enjoyable listening experience."

Mondo Drag- "New Rituals" (Alive Records)
"From deep in the cosmos of Iowa comes a force known as Mondo Drag! With a wall of sound all their own, an arsenal of guitars, and a head full of clouds, they are on a rock n roll mission all their own. Members Johnnie Cluney, Nolan Girard, John Gamino, Dennis Hockaday, and Jake Sheley find themselves somewhere between garage, psych, space, sludge and stoner rock. With songs of life, death, love, revenge, and the unknown, they are flying head first into the future with an anchor of reference for the past. Channeling artists like Pink Floyd, Pentagram, Blue Cheer, even Hendrix just to skip decades for hints of Sonic Youth, Dead Meadow, and Comets on Fire. The band spent the months of September and October of 2009 recording "New Rituals" which will be released on Alive records. The album was recorded at Future Apple Tree Studios Too with Pat Stolley. Since their start Mondo Drag has had the privilege of playing with such artists as: Sleepy Sun, Dead Meadow, Witchcraft, Black Diamond Heavies, Radio Moscow, Jennifer Gentle, The Dodos, La Otracina, Cass McCombs, Cave, Awesome Color, Monotonix, just to name a few."

Divide the Sea- "Man" (Blood & Ink)
"Groove-laden, southern fried metalcore"

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.

Blood Ceremony Set to Release Debut Album

Canadian doom-psyche band Blood Ceremony has completed work on its debut album. The self-titled Blood Ceremony will drop on September 30 in North America via London, England based independent label Rise Above Records.

Born out of an obsession with ‘70s occult rock, Blood Ceremony bears witness to the heavy bands of yesteryear, fusing psychedelic rock and folk with an early ‘70s downer feel. Blood Ceremony strives to achieve a distinctive presence through their music; the desired effect is “the creation of an utterly heavy and doomed-out vibe.” Songs built upon the foundations of medieval heavy blues-rock riffs are characterized by psychedelic ‘60s-style organ work, as well as mystical fluting (a la the manic piping of Jethro Tull), the end result creating a profound sense of musical other-worldliness. Blood Ceremony keeps it simple and heavy; its songs are tempered with strong, brooding melodies that could readily appeal to fans of Black Sabbath and Black Mountain alike.


Recorded at Toronto’s Halla Music and mixed by the legendary Billy Anderson (High on Fire, Neurosis, Melvins), Blood Ceremony’s debut album looks backwards for forward inspiration, resurrecting the spirit of groups such as Coven, Affinity, and Black Widow. Add to the mix some vintage Pentagram, and you have the essential ingredients for the band’s sound. Although the tag of “heavy metal” may be a stretch, there is a sense of heaviness and funereal gloom in Blood Ceremony’s music, as well as a lyrical obsession with eldritch themes, that aligns them with much of traditional doom. Invoking the mischievous “Pipes of Pan,” Blood Ceremony songs are distinguished by singer Alia O’Brien’s energetic jazz-flute solos – accenting an instrument long-associated with a list of devilish mythic characters.


Since forming in the winter of 2006, Blood Ceremony has regularly played the club circuit in Toronto and Montreal, gaining a devoted fan base in each city. The band has performed at Pop Montreal 2007 and at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York. In their short time as a group, Blood Ceremony has also made an effort to play non-conventional shows, performing before bizarre film-projections, in wooded areas and in venues more in tune with the atmosphere of weird nocturnal rituals. The band`s name was adopted from the 1972 Spanish-horror film, Ceremonia Sangrienta.


The final track listing for Blood Ceremony is as follows:


1.) Master of Confusion
2.) I’m Coming With You
3.) Into the Coven
4.) A Wine of Wizardry
5.) The Rare Lord
6.) Return to Forever
7.) Hop Toad
8.) Children of the Future
9.) Hymn to Pan


Blood Ceremony features Sean Kennedy (guitars), Alia O`Brien (vocals, flute, organ), Chris Landon (bass) and Andrew Haust (drums).


Updated Blood Ceremony news and tour information will be made available via the Blood Ceremony online domain, www.myspace.com/bloodceremony, and the Rise Above Records website, www.riseaboverecords.com.

New Magnolia Shows

Here are a few new gigs that Ronny from Magnolia just sent me.

9/20 at Hellbar in Sundbyberg/Sweden www.gotohell.se

10/25 at Café XO in Åmål/Sweden (release gig for Magnolia´s
next album)www.cafexo.se

http://www.myspace.com/magnoliarock

Misty Morning`s New Release

Title: Martian Pope
Format: EP (mini album)
Release Date: March 2008
Reference Genres: Doom, stoner, southern rock, space rock, other


“… and a rumble shook the galaxy. The goat and the mole arrived, adoring. From the highs of the new Babel tower He stood tall, proud and austere: Martian Pope. Meantime, on the planet Earth, the mist of the morning didn’t seem to clear away…”


The musical entity Misty Morning was born in the far 1995 from the mind of Luca Moretti who, together with Massimo Vendittozzi, decided to give sonic form to the strange agitations of their souls. At the dawn of the year 2007, after more than one decade of musical experiences and parallel projects, Francesco de Dominicis finally joined the duo. The agreement of this three-some, held together by the shared influences of the individuals, gives life to the musical alchemy of the band, that after a year of live exhibitions and studio work, recorded the lysergic testimonies and the mystic visions of Martian Pope.


Fat and sepulchral voices, monolithic guitars, acid and choky basses, cosmic-hermetic-like drums are their weapons of choice. Martian Pope is a galaxy set with wondrous tales, it’s a journey on a starship piloted by Misty Morning through the Dantesque rounds of multiverses; The trio, though inspired by the doom founders, manages to keep a very personal sound and songwriting and their Astral Stoner Doom` n` Roll breathes and transudes from the five aria which compose their first EP. If the title track begins the poisonous celebrations for the awakening of the Pontiff From Mars, “Doom Saloon” sings about the centre of the universe: sci-fi-western blends with fast-paced southern-doom and makes arrangements for the coming of the stony suite: “My Wicked Dream (The Fabulous Trip of Mangustadrone in the Land of Cobra Porn),” a granitic mantra with pachydermatous movements inspired by Jodorowsky’s Holy Mountain. “No Mood (Necromancer’s Ride)” is akin to a Cathedral-style doom ride, where the rhythmic breath scans the phases of a Faust-like thirst of knowledge, until the final stage: the dramatic loss of the last bit of humanity (like the best Lovecraftian tradition teaches us). A vague arpeggio from the ancient Egypt brings a sandy taste to the mouth as we’re introduced to “Astrosarcophagus,” a reflection on the dilemma of the never ending war. Inspired by the Warhammer 40.000 gothic-future setting, the sulphureous gait à la Electric Wizard shows all the agony of a soldier’s soul, sentenced to fight on, even after his own death, up to the end of the universe. This is the journey of the Martian Pope, this is the Astral Stoner Doom` n` Roll of Misty Morning.


Tracklist
01 - Martian Pope (1.22)
02 – Doom Saloon (4.29)
03 – My Wicked Dream (The Fabulous Trip of Mangustadrone in the Land of Cobra Porn) (9.43)
04 – No Mood (Necromancer’s Ride) (6.16)
05 - Astrosarcophagus (7.09)

BORIS To Release New Album "Smile" In April

According to Ground Control magazine, Japanese noise/rock heavyweights BORIS will release their new album, "Smile", on April 29 via Southern Lord Recordings. The follow-up to 2005's "Pink" features contributions from previous collaborators such as Michio Kurihara and SUNN O)))'s Stephen O'Malley.

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

"We are always looking for exciting, stimulating and interesting music at the moment and expressing in that way," the band says. Therefore our style is changing spontaneously and that change becomes its character at that point. Interesting experience and incident are way more important than surface style."

A full-length MP3 for the band's latest seven-inch single, "Statement", can be downloaded at this location.

Official Website

KINGDOM OF SORROW: Entire Debut Album Available For Streaming

KINGDOM OF SORROW, the band featuring Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Kirk Windstein (DOWN, CROWBAR), is streaming its self-titled debut in its entirety on the group's MySpace page.

KINGDOM OF SORROW will release its CD next Tuesday, February 19 in North America (February 25 internationally). To launch the record, Jasta has scheduled a number of in-store appearances and signings at various record stores along the East Coast for next week. During the week of release, Jasta will also be stopping by the Sirius and XM Radio satellite offices in addition to WSOU (NJ), WZMR (NY), and more, for live on-air interviews.

KINGDOM OF SORROW will make its live debut later this month as it begins a string of dates in support of the CD. These dates will kick off in Worcester, MA and extend for a week across the Northeastern U.S. Support includes TURMOIL, DEAD TO FALL, THY WILL BE DONE, and more on select dates.

Jamey Jasta in-store / on-air appearances:

Feb. 19 - West Babylon, NY - Looney Tunes (7:00 pm EST)
Feb. 20 - Sirius Satellite Radio - Live on-air (11:00 am EST)
Feb. 20 - WSOU South Orange - Live on-air (3:00 pm EST)
Feb. 20 - Fords, NJ - Vintage Vinyl Records (7:00 pm EST)
Feb. 21 - XM Satellite Radio - Live on-air (11:30 am EST)
Feb. 21 - Philadelphia, PA - Relapse Records Retail Store (7:00 pm EST)
Feb. 22 - WZMR Latham - Live on-air (10:00 pm EST)
Feb. 22 - Albany, NY - FYE Colonie Mall (7:00 pm EST)

KINGDOM OF SORROW tour dates w/ TURMOIL, DEAD TO FALL, THY WILL BE DONE:

Feb. 27 - Worcester, MA - Palladium Upstairs
Feb. 28 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
Feb. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - North Star Bar
Mar. 01 - Albany, NY - Valentines
Mar. 02 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory
Mar. 04 - Toronto, ON - El Macombo
Mar. 05 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody’s
Mar. 06 - Chicago, IL - Reggie’s Rock Club
Mar. 07 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick

TROUBLE: 'Simple Mind Condition' To Receive U.S. Release In February

FINALLY!!!!

"Simple Mind Condition" , the latest album from the Chicago doom legends TROUBLE, will receive its long-awaited U.S. release in February via Escapi Music.

The follow-up to 1995's "Plastic Green Head", "Simple Mind Condition" was produced by Vinny Wojno (KREATOR, MACHINE HEAD) and features vocalist Eric Wagner, guitarists Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin, drummer Jeff Olson and bassist Chuck Robinson (formerly of THIS TORTURED SOUL).

TROUBLE has scheduled the following U.S. dates:

Jan. 26 - Vnuk's Lounge - Cudahy, WI
Jan. 27 - House of Blues – Chicago, IL

TROUBLE will team up with DRAGONLORD and COVERED CALL for a European tour in April 2008.

The band was scheduled to begin shipping its long-awaited "Unplugged" CD last month. The first 100 copies to be sold were to be signed by the band.

The track listing for the "classic" portion of the "Unplugged" CD is as follows:

01. Misery Shows Act II
02. Flowers
03. Rain
04. Requiem
05. Tragedy Man
+ two new tracks

Escapi Music reissued TROUBLE's classic first two albums, "Psalm 9" (1984) and "The Skull" (1985), on October 24, 2006. Both were digitally remastered and are packed with rare photos and brand new liner notes. "Psalm 9" includes an extremely rare exclusive bonus DVD of a public-access TV performance from 1982. "The Skull" comes with an extremely rare exclusive bonus DVD of a 16-track live performance from 1984.



Thanks Blabbermouth