by BBG

Its been eight long years since the Bay Area's Brainoil released their self-titled debut on Life is Abuse, and oh how I've missed them. The band's self-titled LP is a gem of underappreciated misanthropy, mixing bits of Buzzoven-y sludge-thrash with melodic-crust to create burners that just won't leave your head. In the time since the release of their LP, members of Brainoil have kept busy in projects with names like Laudanum, Stormcrow, Watch Them Die, Grimple, Pig Heart Transplant and Dead Language (who recently released their new LP), among many esteemed others.

But now the time has come for a new Brainoil LP! The Oakland band will welcome their new LP of chunky-riffed crust-sludge via 20 Buck Spin on August 2nd. Featuring seven new tracks of their signature hostile melodies, Death Of This Dry Season features "Gravity Is A Relic", which is available for stream below for the first time. Fans of early High on Fire, Eyehategod, Buzzov*en, Grief and even Tragedy (before those d-beats kick-in) take note, this is the record for you. Look for Death... to hit the racks of the 20 Buck Spin store in mid/late July with art courtesy of FEEDING (which includes Jon of Iron Lung).

Stream the new song "Gravity is a Relic", alongside more material from Brainoil below.

Continue reading "Brainoil returning with new LP (song premiere)"

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble, BBG

Coffinworm (by BBG)

If there was a single SXSW show that intrigued from top to bottom, it'd have to be the Profound Lore/20 Buck Spin official showcase at minuscule Headhunters on 3/19 (we were proud to be a sponsor). With an estimated capacity of no more than 100 people (and probably considerably less), the show was packed from top to bottom with a wide palette of heavy music that dabbled in doom, noise, powerviolence, and everything in between. All my favorites were present and delivered predictably blistering sets (Salome, Dark Castle, White Mice, Liturgy, others), and there were other bands on the lineup that delivered to the fullest (Yakuza, Coffinworm).

By the time their set rolled around at Headhunters, I had already seen Coffinworm once (one day earlier) at the BV show at Hoeks Death Metal Pizza. Promises offered on their demo were delivered, and the band played a punishing set that realized all of the bite of their recorded output. The theme of focused and taught blackened doom continues on their new album, When All Became None, which is a contender for one of my favorite debuts of the year. Must.

Another band that I hadn't caught in the flesh, Yakuza, is a bit of a peculiar character. This Chicago band's progressive metal is punishing live, with seriously heavy and catchy riffage that, in itself, would be very distinctive.... and in comes the saxophone! Frontman Bruce Lamont's replaces guitar leads/solos with a saxophone that, despite what you are thinking, sounds nothing like a metal Dave Matthews Band. Though it was admittedly off-putting the first time I heard it, I have come to find the sax to be a crucial part of their sound, with all of the parts tailored around it compelling and awesome. Yakuza ripped it at Headhunters.

More pics from the show (except The Atlas Moth and Liturgy ones which are forthcoming) are below, as well as a few videos of Coffinworm, White Mice, Hatred Surge, and Salome...

Continue reading "Coffinworm, Yakuza, Dark Castle, Hatred Surge, Salome, Endless Blockade & White Mice @ Headhunters (SXSW) - pics"

by BBG

The Atlas Moth @ Union Pool (more by Samantha Marble)

BrooklynVegan is proud to announce Salome, The Atlas Moth, and Dark Castle as on board for the BrooklynVegan Day Show on 3/17 at Emo's along side Torche, Fucked Up, and Javelina! Stay tuned for more announcements, it's gonna keep getting bigger, I assure you!

In addition, BrooklynVegan is also proud to announce sponsorship of one of the best official metal showcases at SXSW 2010, the 20 Buck Spin/Profound Lore showcase at Headhunters on 3/19! Featuring an absolutely jaw-dropping lineup of Yakuza, Liturgy, Coffinworm, White Mice, Salome, and The Endless Blockade, the show will be punched up by some of our favorite bands that currently don't reside on either label, The Atlas Moth, Dark Castle, and Hatred Surge! Set times and the show flyer is below, so get there and stay there... it's gonna be pretty amazing.

Both The Atlas Moth and Salome will be in NYC in the coming weeks, and both on unmissable shows. The Atlas Moth will open the night at LPR on 3/8 with Coalesce and Harvey Milk (tix), while Salome will play NYU on 3/11 with Shrinebuilder and Wolves In the Throne Room. Tickets for the NYU show are currently on sale for NYU students, while details for non-NYUers are forthcoming.

20 Buck Spin/Profound Lore flyer and some videos below...

Continue reading "Shrinebuilder NYU tickets on sale (sort of) ++ Atlas Moth, Salome & Dark Castle playing BV shows @ SXSW "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Bastard Noise - "Mutant World Of Shame / Underworld" (MP3)

The Bastard Noise from No Fun Fest at MHOW (more by Lori Baily)

Thrones, aka Joe Preston, is confirmed for an NYC show on Feb 19th at The Stone. No word if the show is part of a greater East Coast tour. Joe Preston's first and only LP as Thrones, A Day Late And A Dollar Short, was released in 2005 on Southern Lord.

Thrones shared the stage with Bastard Noise last year during night one of No Fun Fest at MHOW (day 2 pics). That band is currently putting the finishing touches on a new full length entitled A Culture of Monsters, has a new split LP entitled The Red List out on CD via 20 Buck Spin and vinyl Deep Six Records, sharing billing with the unrelenting powerviolence of The Endless Blockade. Download the new Bastard Noise track "Mutant World Of Shame / Underworld" above.

The Red List marks a huge turning point for US noise legends Bastard Noise.... Recalling their seminal past ties with Man Is The Bastard, ...the exemplary bass-playing ("four steel girders") of Eric Wood certainly recalls MITB in their heyday, with recent addition and master drummer/percussionist Danny Walker (Intronaut/Phobia) providing the perfect foundation for Wood's brutal technicality. Long-time Bastard Noise/MITB member W.T. Nelson keeps the custom-built electronics sound of the band planted firmly in the present.

The Endless Blockade contribute ONE 14+ minute track (not fourteen one minute tracks), "Deuteronomy", as well as a pair of remixes from their Primitive LP by Noah Creshevsky and The Rita. The Canadian band is also prepping a split with Unearthly Trance, a new 12" EP, a discography CD, and a record with side project Slaughter Strike. They also have some planned dates with the great Hatred Surge in Texas, including an appearance at SXSW....

Continue reading "Thrones schedules a show, Bastard Noise releases split w/ Endless Blockade (MP3), SXSW showcase & more "

by BBG

Laura of Kylesa (more by Paul Birman)

Earlier I discussed my favorite LPs of the year, but why leave the fun to just one? I asked some of my favorite artists and promoters for their 2009 highlights. The responses were great. You already saw some of them. Justina listed some quotes, Liam Wilson talked about Philly, and Josh Graham listed good things about 2009. They continue below. You'll find lists of favorite songs and albums of the year, not to mention answers to crucial questions like:

• What are Coalesce's favorite pizza toppings?
• Which one of my top 20 artists of the year tried to get in a cab with Kirsten Dunst?
• What is the #1 sauce/condiment of 2009?

Find out the answers to those questions and more, below...

Continue reading "The Year in Metal continued (BBG asked countless others to make lists... and here they all are)"

DOWNLOAD: Ehnahre - "Part II" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Wetnurse - "Not Your Choice" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Agenda Of Swine - "Amongst The Forgotten" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Early Graves - "Safety Net Acrobats" (M4A)
DOWNLOAD: Wrnlrd - "Breath Of Doors" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Behexen - "Born In The Serpent Of The Abyss" (MP3)

Enslaved's Vertebrae

Enslaved announced domestic details of their new album "Vertebrae"..... it's due October 28th at their new home, Nuclear Blast! As previously reported, the band is ready to pounce on Europe with Stonegard & Krakow in tow. In related Enslaved news, Herbrand Larsen of has been tapped to produce the new album by the Gaahl/King Ov Hell version of Gorgoroth. The band will enter the studio on August 25th to record eight new tracks written by King ov Hell with Frost of 1349/Satyricon/Keep Of Kalessin fame on drums. 1349 will be at Nokia on Sept 6th (stoked! tix still avail) with Carcass, Rotten Sound, Suffocation, and Necrophagist. Satyricon recently announced the title of their new album due on November 3rd, The Age of Nero.

Boston's Ehnahre, featuring former members of Kayo Dot, will drop The Man Closing Up on Sept 1st via Sound Devastation Records. The gloomy experimental death/doom band enlisted Nick Zampiello (ISIS, Old Man Gloom, Mare, etc) to master the record, Jonah Jenkins (Only Living Witness, Raw Radar War) on guest vocals, as well as appearances by ex-Kayo Dot-ers Forbes Graham & Greg Massi. Check out on "Part II" (downladable above) featuring vocals by Jonah Jenkins!

Early Graves (fka Apiary) dropped We: The Guillotine on August 19th. Featuring a guest shot by Eugene Robinson (Oxbow), Steve Austin (Today Is The Day) appears on (vocals and guitar) and produced the record for Ironclad (Trevor from Unearth's label) Check out "Safety Net Acrobats" above.

Nifelheim, Lamb Of God, Wetnurse, Kylesa, Integrity, Withered, Om and more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (08/20/08)"