by BBG

Pulling Teeth at Sonar in 2010 (more by Chris Bavaria)

Pulling Teeth are releasing their new album Funerary via guitarist Dom Romeo's own A389 imprint. The record is currently up for preorder on vinyl and on CD via Firestarter Records, and will begin to ship soon, but you can stream it in full now, exclusively in this post. The player is below

Dom is also keeping busy with releases from the Pulling Teeth-related project Pala, a new record from Seraphim, a forthcoming The Love Below/Homewrecker split 7", a Withdrawal 7" and the signing of Low Places. The new Pala, We Don't Exist, and Seraphim, The Light In The Distance, are currently up for preorder at A389 too.

Listen to "Funerary" below...

Continue reading "Pulling Teeth releasing 'Funerary' (full album stream)"

by BBG

Haymaker

It started with me, G.I.S.M., and Cracker Barrel. On my way to Sonar in Baltimore on 1/22, a democratic vote in the Honda Accord led to a late lunch at the most American of all pit-stops, Cracker Barrel. Lined with rocking chairs (for sale!) and a menu with items like "Chicken Fried Chicken", I could feel the burning stinkeye as I walked through the "homey" restaurant and "country store", surrounded by a crew of tattooed hooligans, wearing my G.I.S.M. sweatshirt that reads "Die, You Bastards!!!" (replete with an anarchy symbol fashioned from an AK-47).

This un-American theme would continue later that night with the US debut of UK band Rot in Hell who openly discussed their disdain for the US ("I don't give a fuck"). Dropdead would add to that sentiment by (predictably) pointing out that the government was lying to us all, while the band that would follow had printed their manifesto on a 7": Fuck America. This negative, anti-authoritarian, and anti-social tone is how I like my hardcore, and what I got at the A389 anniversary.

The US may not have been king on stage, but its currency was king at the merch tables (save for Dropdead's that is) where phrases like "limited to 65", "ultra-rare", "test pressing", and "band only copies" reigned supreme. As we arrived at the venue, the merch tables were swarmed, as the show was an eBay fiend's dream with "show only" items like an Integrity flexi-disc and a 10" commemorating the 2010 edition of the show. The kids ate it up, as expected, so look for those items in a secondary market near you.

Pharoah's post-metallic hardcore kicked off the 2011 show at the stroke of 7PM, followed by blasting and punishing Californians The Love Below shortly thereafter. Seven Sisters of Sleep followed the pair, and the former members of Tafkata, Spring Break!, and Arm & Sword of a Bastard God ripped out crusty-sludgy post-metal that impressed. My first visit with SSoS was a great one.

Following SSoS was Pale Creation, and though their live show left something to be desired, the highly energetic Rot in Hell brought back the fun and energy. The rare US appearance doubled as the band's As Pearls Before Swine record release party, and in line with their negative imagery and blackened sound, RiH were not so much in a celebratory mood as they were antagonizing. Terms like "Fuck America" and "shite" (in reference to America/its products) were peppered throughout the on-stage banter. RiH got the pit started for the next band, Providence's Dropdead.

Dropdead made sure to point out their longetivity at A389 ('doing this for 20 years"), and broke-up their set of crusty and break-neck grind/hardcore with political and animal rights testimony. Fast, bludgeoning and beyond powerful, the Rhode Island band's performance was my first indication of the pit mayhem that would follow. But there was no way I could have predicted Haymaker.

Haymaker's reputation precedes them; tales of agression and live show violence coupled with their well-regarded recordings made their rare US appearance all the more exciting. Dressed like a clan of Western Virginia hillbillies, the band took to the stage while the clearly-inebriated vocalist took to the pit, performing the entire set while shoving off zealous fans. Trash cans were thrown, pizza boxes became weapons, and the kids went nuts. Pit antics aside, the two guitars/bass/drums, which featured Johnny Ibay of Fuck The Facts, were booming, unrelenting, and technically proficient. Haymaker was as good as they were fun, which says a lot.

It's tough to follow a band like Haymaker, but I can't imagine a better way to start an Integrity set than with the Humanity Is The Devil opener "Vocal Test". Apparently vocalist/mastermind Dwid agrees. Backed by a dual guitar attack played by a band half his age, Dwid's version of Integrity in 2011 were great, and delivered classics like "Incarnate 365", "Systems Overload", and newer material. Awesome set from Dwid & co, but Haymaker was the king of the stage (and the floor) that night.

More pictures from A389 are below.

Continue reading "A389 2011 in pics & review (Integrity, Haymaker & more)"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Weekend Nachos - "Black Earth" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ancient Shores - "BTK" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Full of Hell - "Black Iron" (MP3)

Weekend Nachos

Though the label is currently preparing for their annual Anniversary show at Sonar in Baltimore (January 22nd with Integrity, Haymaker, Dropdead, Rot In Hell, many notable others), A389 Records is also are prepping for 2011's release schedule. In addition to new burners from Integrity, Seven Sisters of Sleep, Pale Creation and forthcoming material from Gehenna, Ringworm, Xibalba, Deathammer, Rot In Hell, and others, A389 also has a new Weekend Nachos 7", and LPs from new signings Ancient Shores and Full of Hell. Check out "Black Earth" from Weekend Nachos (the 7-inch's namesake), as well as "BTK" from Ancient Shores's Step To The Edge 7", above. Both MP3s are available for the first time above. Also grab Full of Hell's "Black Iron" from The Inevitable Fear of Existence up there too. All songs are also streaming, with some videos, below...

Continue reading "new Weekend Nachos, Ancient Shores & Full of Hell MP3s"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Rot In Hell - "Behavioral Resistance MMIX" (MP3)

The UK's Rot In Hell are not to be fucked with. The band takes crusty hardcore and adds a blackened-metallic spin much like the Clevo-core "Holy Terror" crew and its disciples (Ringworm, Gehenna, Pulling Teeth, etc) have done to such great/furious effect. The band's previous releases like Hallways of The Always have indicated the brutality to come, but now comes word of Rot in Hell's first LP!

As Pearls Before Swine is the band's first full-length of new and unreleased material, and will be released on February 1st via Deathwish Inc (album art above). Check out "Behavioral Resistance MMX" which is downloadable above/streamable below for the first time, as well as an additional two songs, "Traitor's Gate" and "Coyotenia", that are currently streaming in a Deathwish player. Preorder details are on the way.

Rot In Hell have one show on their calendar in the US, that is supporting Integrity, Haymaker, Dropdead, Pale Creation, and a slew of others at Sonar on January 22nd as part of the A389 Anniversary show in Baltimore. If you're in the area (or even if you aren't) then make sure and get there. Tickets are on sale.

If you go to the show, make sure and hit the merch table:

This year we will have a limited edition show only release: (A389-058) V/A 'The Show That Ends The World' 10? for sale at this show. Featuring a song by each of the bands that played last year (INTEGRITY, RINGWORM, GEHENNA, PULLING TEETH, SERAPHIM, GRAY GHOST) recorded live with a mobile studio and mixed by Keven Bernsten @ Developing Nations. There will only be 200 for sale ever (with an additional 100 split up between the 6 bands) and they will be available at this show only.

Sold. Look for that as well as the Rot In Hell one-sided live 12" Niu which is also currently up for sale at A389.

Song stream, A389 flyer and some video is below.

Continue reading "Rot in Hell releasing As Pearls Before Swine (MP3), playing A389 Anniversary (tix on sale) "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Oak - "Cowards And Undeserving" (MP3 Excerpt)

Oak II album art

Oak owes a debt of gratitude to the dimly-lit and woofer-rattling corners of doom inhabited by the likes of Burning Witch, Khanate, sunn o))), and funeral doom of the most frightening kind. Light-hearted it is not, but unrelenting and merciless it is. The band's self-titled debut, released on A389 Records, was a sleeper hit for some (like Kim Kelly) and now the band is preparing it's new LP for release, II. The LP, which features "Cowards And Undeserving" excerpted above, is currently available for preorder on 210-gram vinyl in white (100 of em) and black (566).

Also due on A389 is the new LP from NJ's Pharoah, a post-metal/doom/hardcore band who posted their demo for free download earlier this year. The strong, two track demo reappears in 7" form via the label and is currently up for preorder. Check out the cover art below. Maybe you caught the band when they played The Charleston on Saturday with Dutchguts and High Priest.

The label also has a soundboard recording from of a recent Rot In Hell live show entitled Niu (preorder it). The label will also has new records in the works from Integrity, Creepout, Roses Never Fade, Weekend Nachos, Gehenna, The Love Below, Seraphim and others, not to mention a new LP from Pulling Teeth!

In other A389 news, the label confirmed it's annual bash for January 22nd, 2011. No word on the lineup thus far (last year included Ringworm and Integrity among many others) or where it'll go down, but be prepared.

The Pharoah cover art and current Oak tour dates with Anhedonist are below...

Continue reading "Oak releasing "II" (MP3), touring; A389 2011 date announced"

words by BBG, photos by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Millenial Reign - Luminous Veil (MP3)

Fucked Up at MWTX, 3/20/10

A389 Records have released their new label sampler, downloadable to one and all, with some fierce and antisocial hardcore, a good portion of which is currently unreleased. The free comp features faves like Integrity, Pulling Teeth (the previously discussed "Grudgeholder") Gehenna, Ringworm, Seraphim (we posted one track, a second appears on the comp), Gluttons (the previously posted "Point Break"), The Love Below, Triac, Hatewaves (we posted one track, includes a second hilarious track "Facebook Abuser"), Oak... the list goes on and on. Download it now with the code "A3892010".

One of the more notable bands (that I didn't just rattle off) from that compilation is the Fucked Up side project known as Millenial Reign:

After five years of promising each other that they would start a "clevo" style band [ED: as in Cleveland hardcore like Integrity, Ringworm, Pale Creation, etc] one day, Jordan (ex No Warning) and Damian (Fucked Up) finally just said fuck it and did it with the help of Jesse (ex No Warning). This band is about old friends getting together and playing heavy music again.

The project is not a new one though. According to A389 label head (and Pulling Teeth guitarist) Dom who said that the recording "was supposed to come out years ago on another label but fell through the cracks." Download the first Millenial Reign track from the forthcoming Bones... Dust... Nothing 7" above.

Fucked Up played a bunch of shows at SXSW including the BrooklynVegan day party at Emo's on 3/17, the previously mentioned surprise show on Beerland's patio on 3/18, and the MWTX Party on the rainy/freezing Saturday (3/20) (with Gwar). Not-yetpublished sets of pictures from the latter two, below...

Continue reading "an MP3 from Damian 'Pink Eyes' Abraham's side project Millenial Reign & 2 sets of Fucked Up pics from Austin"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Seraphim - "Unbelieve" (MP3)

Seraphim at A389 Anniversary (more by Chris Bavaria)

It's never a bad look when your record is packaged for sale with hardcore heavyweights Integrity, and if you're a young band, it's a definite show of faith. That young band? Tupelo, Mississippi's Seraphim, who rise to the occasion on their debut 7" on A389. Channeling post-metal and post-hardcore through a blackened sieve, the band bludgeons with introspection on the EP's opener "Unbelieve", available above. Seraphim push the pedal to the floor for the remaining two tracks, but without ever losing the punishment/dread. Three killer tracks, and I can't wait for the new LP planned for release later this year. Fans of Neurosis, Mastodon, Mouth of The Architect, Rosetta and Amenra, take heed. Ruling.

Seraphim will hit the road on 2/13 for a string of dates that will take them out west through middle March, so get out and catch 'em (no NYC dates yet). All dates and live video from their recent show for A389 Anniversary, below...

Continue reading "MP3 from Seraphim's debut 7" ++ tour dates & live video"

words by BBG, photos by Chris Bavaria

Dwid of Integrity

Billed as "The Show That Ends The World", heavy music label A389 Records celebrated six years of existence (and it's owner Dom of Pulling Teeth celebrated his 33rd birthday) at Sonar in Baltimore on Jan 8th & 9th, 2009. It marked the second year in a row that Integrity and Pulling Teeth graced the Sonar during one of the first weekends of the year. Integrity (featuring Dom on guitar) teamed up with Oak, Pala, and War Priest last year.

Dwid, PT & the gang were on board for the second night at the venue (along with Ringworm, Seraphim, Gray Ghost, and Gehenna), but Pulling Teeth also made an appearance the night before as the backing band for Jon Mikl Thor of Canadian metal greats Thor:

Jon Mikl THOR is an enduring icon of glam rock/metal, and one of the true originators of rock theatre. THOR's enviable career got off the ground with his appearance on the Merv Griffin Show in 1973 and he has maintained a steady pace ever since, selling hundreds of thousands of records. Over the last three decades, THOR has explored the tongue-in-cheek Sweet/Mott the Hoople/Bowie stylings, hard hitting metal moves of the 80Õs, and flirting briefly with Nu-Rock/Metal in the late 90Õs. - [Thor bio]

Slumlords (which also features Dom of PT), Deathammer (mems of Oak), and No Redeeming Social Value were also on board for the festivities, though the previously billed Starkweather were forced to cancel their appearance. No offense Starkweather, but from the looks of the near riot below, Baltimore did just fine.

More pics and a shit ton of videos from the melee are below...

Continue reading "A389 celebrated a birthday in Baltimore - pics (Integrity, Ringworm, Thor, Pulling Teeth, NRSV & more) "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Gray Ghost - Deep In The Shallow End (Mediafire Link)
DOWNLOAD: Chainsaw Safety Records/ A389 Records Sampler (Sendspace Link)
DOWNLOAD: Integrity - Those Who Fear Tomorrow (Zipped MP3s)

Iron Age at The Charleston in Oct '09 (more by Chloe Rice)

If you've ever raised a can of suds to the sound of blackened-thrash, then most likely the soundtrack was Skeletonwitch. The Ohio party animals are hitting the road in February, tagging the great Iron Age, Howl, Black Tusk, Doomriders, and even Ringworm for select dates in (continued) support of their thrash-terpiece, Breathing The Fire.

While the 'witch isn't scheduled to crash land in NYC, Iron Age IS, having nailed down a date at The Charleston on Feb 16. Here's to hoping it goes better than the last time they played The Charleston. All dates below.

Also a reminder: Mammoth Grinder, which features Alex from Iron Age (on occasion), will be at The Charleston on Jan 12th.

Meanwhile, Ringworm is preparing to reissue The Promise on wax via A389 and record their new album, Scars, this spring. The Cleveland band is one of many greats scheduled for a show in Baltimore in celebration of the sixth anniversary of A389 Records and the owner's (Dom from Pulling Teeth) birthday. The two day event (Jan 8th & 9th, 2010) will feature appearances from Canadian badasses Thor (backed by Pulling Teeth), Integrity, Gehenna, Pulling Teeth, Slumlords, No Redeeming Social Value, Deathammer (members of Oak), Seraphim, and many others. Holy Terror fans are officially stoked. Tickets are still available for both the first and second nights, in addition to a two day pass. Starkweather was originally scheduled to play the show, but were forced to drop out:

If you look at your hand and feel the tender center of your palm...well a few days ago, the drummer tore that at his day job. We waited a few days to find out what's going on before making an official announcement, and unfortunately it's going to put him out of commission for a while. [Vocalist] Rennie said his hand looked like a catcher's mitt. So regrettably to their disappointment, mine, and yours they had to bail out of the show.

Gray Ghost has been added as Starkweather's not-to-shabby replacement. The band released their Deep In The Shallow End on Chainsaw Safety Records and are offering a taste of said release for download above.

Integrity and Seraphim have a combo pack due this week on A389 which includes the To Die For 10" (first time on wax), as well as a Seraphim 7". The pre-order is currently sold out. Though To Die For isn't available, you can download virtually all of Integrity's other releases for FREE, including Those Who Fear Tomorrow available above.

dates below...

Continue reading "upcoming Iron Age, Skeletonwitch & Ringworm dates, an A389 Records anniversary party, MP3s & more"