Sanford with Nachmystium at the BV Day Party, March 2012 (more by Greg Cristman)

Chicago musician and production powerhouse Sanford Parker has graced us with his best of 2012... and not just albums. Check out the Twilight/Minsk/Buried at Sea/Nachtmystium member's contributions below...

Continue reading "Sanford Parker shares his 'Top 10 Albums' and 'Top 5 Bloody Marys' of 2012"

photos by Zach Pollack, words by Parker Langvardt

Pelican @ Lincoln Hall on 6/29/2012

Anatomy of Habit's sprawling compositions make for a captivating live performance. The fluctuating tension over the course of their seven-plus-minute songs creates a sense of drama that negates the attention span problems that could potentially result. Their performance at Lincoln Hall (on 6/29) consisted of the two tracks from their new self-titled EP and the noisy and heavy "Torch" from their self-titled LP. Frontman Mark Solotroff delivered his softer clean vocals with thoughtful inflection and enunciation, becoming more assertive as the group got louder, eventually yelling twisted melodies. Percussionist Blake Edwards complimented drummer Noah Leger (also of Electric Hawk) with a large gong bass drum and an array of industrial objects including a big spring and the brake drum of a car, which he hit and scraped with metal mallets. After the slow droning intro of "Torch," guitarist Greg Ratajczak provided a chugging rhythm that repeated throughout bassist Kenny Rasmussen's low-frequency noise experimentation. Rasmussen got on top of the subwoofers to create feedback through a PA speaker, and then proceeded to saw his bass, strings down, against the subs.

A recording of "Ataraxia," the introduction of Pelican's Ataraxia/Taraxis, played until the band walked on stage to perform "Lathe Biosas". As a result of guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec's official announcement of indefinite hiatus two days prior, The Swan King guitarist Dallas Thomas filled his place, as he has done for all non-Chicago shows for the past two years. Thomas' tight, rhythmic style fit in well with Trever de Brauw's often harmonizing or atmospheric guitar parts. Their set consisted of songs from their third album, City of Echoes, and the releases that followed. They played the sludgy "Mammoth" from their debut EP as an encore.

More pictures and the setlist from Pelican's 6/29 hometown show below...

Continue reading "Pelican, Anatomy of Habit & Redgrave played Lincoln Hall (pics, setlist)"

Anatomy of Habit @ Saint Vitus in Brooklyn (more by Mariah Karson)

Local doom favorites Anatomy of Habit recently lost their longtime bassist/drummer, but show no signs of slowing down.

Next Saturday (April 21), they're headlining The Burlington with support from Man (aka Sean Patrick Riley of Bloodiest). As always, shows at The Burlington run on a suggested donation-basis (this one says $8). You can also catch the band at the Hideout on May 12, joined by Chord and Jon Mueller. Advance tickets are on sale.

Speaking of Chord (which features Pelican guitarist Trevor de Brauw), Anatomy of Habit have been added as one of the openers on his other band Pelican's June 29 show at Lincoln Hall. Redgrave are also included on the bill, for which tickets are (somehow) still available. Pelican's new EP, Ataraxia​/​Taraxis, just hit stores yesterday via Southern Lord.

A few days before they open for Pelican, AoH will act as main support for NYC trio RØSENKØPF's June 22 show at the Cobra Lounge. Maledicere and Sun Splitter are also on the bill; advance tickets are on sale. Just yesterday, RØSENKØPF released a new track from their forthcoming debut LP for Wierd Records. Stream the song, titled "Burning Spirits," over at BrooklynVegan.

As mentioned, AoH entered Soma Studios in January to track their forthcoming album with Tortoise drummer/producer to many John McEntire. The band recently revealed that test pressings are just a few weeks out and will once again be mastered and cut by Chicago Mastering Service's Bob Weston (who's also the bassist of Shellac).

Stream AoH's debut LP below...

Continue reading "Anatomy of Habit have upcoming shows w/ Man, Chord, Pelican & RØSENKØPF"

Chicago metal band Arriver are set to release their sophomore LP, Tsushima, on March 12 via BloodLust! Records. Taking its name from the 1905 naval battle between Russia and Japan, the band states that the album is the "retelling of the destruction of the Russian Navy." You can stream two of Tsushima's tracks, "Togo, Son Of A Samurai" and "Winter Palace War Council" the album in its entirety at the bottom of this post.

On February 25, Arriver will play a record release show at Hideout with local favorites Anatomy of Habit and The Swan King. Tickets are still available.

The band are also hosting a record listening party at the Ultra Lounge on February 22 with DJ Stavros (Stavros Giannopolous of The Atlas Moth).

Album stream and a flyer for the record release, below..

Continue reading "Arriver to release 'Tsushima,' playing Hideout w/ Anatomy of Habit & The Swan King"

photos by Carmelo Espanola, words by BBG

YOB @ Empty Bottle

Mike Scheidt of thundering doom gods YOB attempted to show off the fact that his musical prowess goes beyond glowing tubes at The Empty Bottle on January 25th. The guitarist/frontman played a rare acoustic set to open the show, which also featured his main project, as well as Chicago favorites Anatomy of Habit. Pictures from the show are in this post.

YOB, with drummer Travis Foster instead of fill-in Rob Shaffer of Dark Castle, is currently on tour in the US supporting Tool and the Chicago show was one of a handful of headlining gigs as part of that round of dates. Soon after the Tool trek comes to a close, Scheidt will begin preparation for his solo debut due on Thrill Jockey this year.

More pictures from the Empty Bottle are below.

Continue reading "YOB played the Empty Bottle with Anatomy of Habit and a solo set from Mike Scheidt (pics)"

Chicago-based independent record label Thrill Jockey are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a bunch of reissues from seminal artists, plus some new releases too.

All six of Tortoise's albums and two 7"s (Mosquito, Lonesome Sound), six Sea and Cake records, four Trans Am LPs, the Fiery Furnaces' I'm Going Away, Califone's Roomsound and Heron King Blues, and many more releases will be repressed this year. New releases from Golden Void, Golden Retriever, Barn Owl's Jon Porras, Yob's Mike Scheidt, Plankton Wat, kandodo, and Man Forever will all hit the stores in 2012.

Speaking of Tortoise, tickets are still available for their January 24th performance at the Empty Bottle. As mentioned, band member John McEntire is keeping busy this month, recording Anatomy of Habit at Soma Studios.

In semi-related news, Chicago indie label Drag City's preview party for their film Dragonslayer is TONIGHT (1/18), at Rodan. The documentary will premiere at The Music Box on the 24th, along with performances by Mayor Daley and Bitchin Bajas (members of CAVE). More information HERE.

All 2012 Tortoise dates and some videos, below..

Continue reading "Thrill Jockey celebrates 20-years w/ reissues & stuff; tix are still available for Tortoise's show @ the Bottle"

by BBG

Yob at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC (more by Markus Shaffer)

As discussed, the mighty Yob, who released one of my fave albums of 2011, will occupy Empty Bottle on January 25th (a few days before they head out on tour with Tool). To sweeten the deal, they'll be joined at the Chicago show by Anatomy of Habit. While that pairing is enough to blow your socks off, the most intriguing bit is the opening act: Yob frontman Mike Scheidt playing a solo set. Not a fluke either. Mike writes:

"I have played acoustic guitar for many years but never really considered doing an acoustic album until very recently. My influences for acoustic music are all over the place: Townes Van Zant, Dead Can Dance, Scott Kelly, Son House, Merle Travis, Michael Gira, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills and Nash, Reverend Gary Davis, and the list goes on. All of a sudden I had an intense need to record a collection of original acoustic music. So I did. It's kind of all over the place, and I had an immensely pleasurable time writing and recording these songs. I hope that translates to folks out there in the quantum soup." -[Mike Scheidt]

Until then, make sure and head down to catch Scheidt (and his little project called Yob) at Empty Bottle (tickets are still available).

Show and tour flyers are below...

Continue reading "Yob show to feature Mike Scheidt solo set (updated dates)"

Anatomy of Habit @ Saint Vitus in Brooklyn (more by Mariah Karson)

As discussed, Anatomy of Habit said they weren't going to play any shows this month, then they added just one, and now it seems they can't stop adding gigs to their schedule.

The first brand new show will take place on February 25th at the Hideout, with support from Arriver and The Swan King. Look out for tickets to be posted. Next, is the Cobra Lounge on March 23rd with Alma Negra and Electric Hawk. Look out for tickets on this one, too. AoH will then play The Burlington on April 21st, support TBA. Yup, you guessed it, ticketing info is forthcoming for this show as well.

Speaking of Arriver, The Swan King, and Alma Negra, they've all got upcoming gigs of their own. This Friday (1/13), Lovely Little Girls, Arriver, Alma Negra, and Never We See play the Cobra Lounge. Alma Negra also play Stavros Giannopoulos (of The Atlas Moth)' Heavy... Weekly at Ultra Lounge on February 15th. They'll share the bill with Himalayan, which consists of the owners of Chicago's Emperor Custom Guitar Cabinets and are former members of the band Raise the Red Lantern. Stay tuned for a split 12" from the two bands. As mentioned, The Swan King are playing The Burlington this Saturday (1/14) and have now added a February 11th performance at the Empty Bottle, with support from Bridesmaid, Sun Splitter, and Oyarsa. Tickets are on sale now. Two more noteworthy Cobra Lounge shows take place on the 20th and 28th and those are: Harpoon, Sweet Cobra, Head of Skulls, Jar'd Loose and then Ringworm, Keelhaul, Hate, Making Ghosts, and The Infected.

Did we miss any? Please let us know!

As the band points out, though the Empty Bottle haven't announced it yet, Anatomy of Habit are in fact opening for Yob and Mike Scheidt (solo) on January 25th. Tickets are still available. This will most likely be their only January show, as they previously had shunned the idea of playing out at all due to being camped out at Soma Studios with John McEntire (of Tortoise).

Bruce Lamont @ St Vitus in Brooklyn (more by BBG)

We've been compiling and posting 'Best of 2011' lists by many metal/heavy artists and posting them on BrooklynVegan (with more to come). Today's roundup includes a list of the "11 recordings, events, people, and places that made 2011 awesome" by Chicago's Bruce Lamont (solo artist and member of Bloodiest/Yakuza). Here it is:

11. winters in osaka-clandestine
10. Bloodiest Manor BBQ Oct. 9th Chicago il
9. anatomy of habit-self titled
8 indian -guiltless
7. Mans Gin-live at st vitus brooklyn ny
6. roadburn-April 2011 tilburg holland
5. seldon hunt
4. sanford parker
3 fred pessaro (i mean it)
2 the soft moon- self titled
1. empty bottle chicago il

BBG (AKA FRED PESSARO) also listed Chicago bands Indian and Anatomy of Habit in his year end list.

The Atlas Moth @ Subterranean (more by Carmelo Espanola)

Two of them made the main list. Three were honorable mentions. All in all proof (scientific proof even!) that some of the best heavy music is coming out of Chicago right now. Check out BBG's full list at BrooklynVegan now.

"Going from a Polish restaurant playing Michael Bolton to the Metro to hear Scratch Acid. May need moonshine to ease the transition." - Michelle Osburn

Scratch Acid @ Metro 11/12/2011 (photo by Amanda Clifford)

The recently reunited Scratch Acid toured through Chicago this weekend, tagging Metro on Saturday night (11/12).

"The Metro was pretty full when the members of Scratch Acid walked out on stage. They took their places and opened with "Mary Had a Little Drug Problem" which was the best song on their third and final record, Berserker. It was a fast paced and energetic way to start of their set and the middle of the main floor immediately started bouncing up and down and into each other as everyone suddenly felt the need to try to get closer to David Yow as he flailed about as he sang and shouted andgurgled the lyrics to the song. The band sounded well-rehearsed and tight and Yow's trademark vocals sounded as good as ever proving he still has the pipes. What else he also still has is energy as he rarely held still during the entire set. That song sounded so good that had they just played that and said "thank you, goodnight" it would have been worth whatever the price of admission was but thankfully the band had a fairly lengthy set list in store for the crowd that evening.

The band jumped backward two releases to their debut EP and played "Mess" and "El Espectro" back to back and they sounded just as good as the opener. Suddenly it didn't feel like 2011 anymore, it felt like this was 1987 and everyone was witnessing Scratch Acid in their prime... [Examiner]

Were you there? What did you think? Some videos from the show below....

Continue reading "Scratch Acid & Anatomy of Habit played Metro"

Anatomy of Habit @ Saint Vitus in NYC (more by Mariah Karson)

Chicago-based doom quintet Anatomy of Habit recently made their way to NYC for a BrooklynVegan/Wierd-presented show at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn. Check out some more pictures from the show (like the one above) HERE. A few days before they headed to New York, the band also played a record release show here in Chicago at El Mamey.

Their next upcoming show (which was just added), will be opening for none other than Scratch Acid this Saturday (11/12), at Metro! Tickets are still available.

Take a listen to their self-titled LP via a widget below..

Continue reading "Anatomy of Habit played a BV-presented show in NYC, opening for Scratch Acid @ Metro!"

Anatomy of Habit @ El Mamey (more by Carmelo Espanola)

In honor of the show the Brooklynvegan-presented show they're playing in Brooklyn soon, we posted the pictures from Anatomy of Habit's recent record release show at El Mamey over on the BrooklynVegan main page. Check 'em out.

Anatomy of Habit

Chicago's own punishing Anatomy of Habit now have a busy few months ahead of them. The doom group self released their debut LP about a month ago, which we can proudly say that every aspect of the process was done in-state.

First up, is an October 27th record release show at El Mamey with Aseethe, Oyarsa, and Young Bear. The Humboldt Park dive bar is not necessarily a place that comes up very often, though with Phantom Note Productions behind this one, it is bound to be fantastic.

The group will then head to NYC for a November 5th BrooklynVegan/Wierd-Presented debut at Brooklyn's St. Vitus. They'll share the bill with Vaura and Rosenkopf. Tickets are on sale now, if you can make it.

They've also been added to the previously announced Russian Circles and Young Widows show, taking place on December 3rd at Lincoln Hall. Tickets are still available.

Stream their debut LP below (which is actually two really long tracks) and check out flyers for both their record release, and NYC-debut at Saint Vitus, below...

Continue reading "Anatomy of Habit add record release @ El Mamey, supporting Russian Circles @ LH, and stuff..."

Secret Chiefs 3 @ Terminal 5 in 2009 (more by Zach Dilgard)

Genre-spanning, instrumental group Secret Chiefs 3 are currently in the midst of a world tour which will hit Chicago's Empty Bottle this Saturday night (9/17). Trey Spruance (SM3/Mr. Bungle)'s Mimicry Records is home to their tour mates, French drum and synth duo Fat 32.

Chicago-based doom band Anatomy of Habit are first on the bill, and will also be celebrating the release for their debut self titled LP. Empty Bottle will be the first place the album is available for purchase, with distribution via Revolver USA and the band's webstore shortly after. CD and digital versions will be available soon. The LP Package designed by Malsonus (artist Jonathan Canady). The project was recorded by Andrew Ragin of The Atlas Moth at Phase Recording Studios in Highland Park, IL, and was mastered and cut by Bob Weston (Shellac) at Chicago Mastering Service.

Speaking of the Atlas Moth, they have their own show coming up on October 16th at Ultra Lounge.

All SC3 dates and a poster for the Empty Bottle show, below...

Continue reading "Secret Chiefs 3 on tour, playing Empty Bottle Saturday w/ Anatomy of Habit (who will be celebrating a new LP)"

Spencer Krug (aka Moonface) @ Sasquatch 2011 w/ Wolf Parade (more by Josh Darr)

today in Chicago
* John Maus, Twin Sister @ Schubas
* Pitchfork Festival (Day 2) @ Union Park
* Soundgarden, The Mars Volta @ UIC Pavilion
* Austra, Cult of Youth @ Empty Bottle (Late Show)
* Sailor Jerry's Music Fest (Day 2) @ Cobra Lounge
* Cages, Anatomy of Habit @ Empty Bottle (Early Show)
* Moonface, Shabazz Palaces, Flow Child @ Lincoln Hall
* Kurt Vile & the Violators, Woods, Arc in Round @ Subterranean
* Deerhunter (DJ Set), Twin Shadow (DJ Set), Ariel Pink (DJ Set) @ Beauty Bar

Continue to live stream the 2011 Pitchfork Music Festival.

What else?

DOWNLOAD: Iceage - "Broken Bone" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Iceage - "White Rune" (MP3)

Iceage (photo by Alberte Karrebaek)

Surrounding their previously mentioned Chicago date on August 6th, Iceage have added an August 7th performance at the Empty Bottle. They'll be supported by the Chicago-based band Anatomy of Habit. Tickets are on sale now.

Iceage's debut LP New Brigade hit stores on June 21st via What's Your Rupture? Download two tracks off of the album titled, "Broken Bone" and "White Rune" at the top of this post.

Head below to view an updated list of 2011 tour dates.

Continue reading "Iceage adds show @ Empty Bottle (updated tour dates, MP3's)"