Bon Iver at Bonnaroo 2012 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

Bon Iver recorded an iTunes session at East West studios which is available exclusively from iTunes starting today. It includes six tracks off 2011's great Bon Iver, Bon Iver and a cover of Bjork's "Who Is It?," which the band has played live many times. You can stream the session's opening track, "Beth/Rest" below.

As mentioned, Bon Iver is touring internationally throughout the summer and fall and will come to NYC on September 19 and 20 at Radio City Music Hall. Both of those shows are now sold out. All Bon Iver dates, including a recently announced European leg, are listed below.

Speaking of Bjork, she's teaming up with the New York Public Library (NYPL) and the Children's Museum of Manhattan to create interactive educational programs for middle school-aged students based on her Biophilia app. Speaking about the program, Bjork said:

"It's not a bookish thing. You cannot learn to make music from a book." "I love books; they're like the best ever," she added. "There are things you can only learn from books, but it's also important to introduce the physical aspects. So for me, it was very important to make, somehow, music education that was physical." (via NY Daily News)

Way Out West (Aug 9-11) in Gothenberg, Sweden features many of the same bands as Oya like Bon Iver, Refused, Afghan Whigs, St. Vincent, Purity Ring, John Maus, and Bob Mould in addition to Blur, Wilco, I Break Horses, Hot Chip, The War On Drugs, Mark Lanegan Band, Adolescents, Swans, and more. Check out the spotify playlist. The full lineup is listed below.

As mentioned, the reunited Mazzy Star is set to play both of those European festivals. Full lineups and the Bon Iver dates and song, below...

Continue reading "Bon Iver's new iTunes session, Bjork's new program at the NYPL & the full Oya & Way Out West festival lineups"

by BBG

Kvelertak in Oslo

Compared to days one and two, day three of By:Larm was considerably more indulgent. Two artists (Kvelertak and Mayhem) have played the US several times, and though I was definitely familiar with both, I wanted to see them on their "home turf" so to speak.

After a day of looking at records at Tiger and Big Dipper, I caught a super-early show from The Avalanche (who I saw on day one) before heading to Folketeateret to catch some of Ida Maria's opening set of indie-laced pop-punk. She commanded the crowd to get out of their seats and the audience agreed, dancing in the aisles.

continued below...

Continue reading "By:Larm 2012 Day 3 in pics & review (Kvelertak, Ida Maria, Mayhem, Arabrot, Nekromantheon & more)"

DOWNLOAD: Ceremony - "Adult" (MP3)

High on Fire at Webster Hall (more by Greg Cristman)

High on Fire have announced De Vermis Mysteriis, the band's new album due on EOne Records on April 3rd. The LP, produced by Kurt Ballou, features 10 tracks and draws inspiration from "a fictional grimoire created by Psycho author Robert Bloch and incorporated by H. P. Lovecraft into the lore of the Cthulhu Mythos." Head below for all tour dates and details on the release.

Don't forget that High on Fire will join Trash Talk and a mammoth cast of others for the BV/Power of The Riff show during the Converse/Thrasher Deathmatch at Scoot Inn on March 16th in Austin. All High on Fire dates are below.

Another band scheduled to play the day party, Ceremony, have posted a new track from their forthcoming Zoo. Check out "Adult", downloadable below as well as a a video for "World Blue" below. All Ceremony dates are below.

The Melvins have announced TWO new releases, including the The Bulls & The Bees EP due on March 13th via Scion A/V and the forthcoming LP Freak Puke due via Ipecac on June 5th. Those expecting a four-piece will be surprised to know that the Freak Puke LP will be from "Melvins Lite", aka Buzzo, Dale and bassist Trevor Dunn. Fans of the four piece shouldn't fret, Jared and Coady will be on the road with Unsane this April.

Arabrot, who were one of the most impressive bands at byLarm this past week in Oslo (pics/review coming) have released a video for their title track to Solaranus. Check that out below, along with a stream of another Norwegian band that I enjoyed, Dark Times.

More suggested NYC shows, streams, a new Rise & Fall video and a full live set by Bolt Thrower from 1989 is below.

Continue reading "Evillive (High on Fire, Arabrot, Ceremony, Dark Times & more)"

by BBG

Bands like Black Cobra, Wizard Rifle and Arabrot remind you that two people can still make one helluva racket. Arabrot's riffy noise thunder does just that Solar Anus, the band's latest Steve-Albini-blessed LP out TODAY via Fysisk Format. Stream the LP in its entirety here exclusively, recommended for fans of mid-period Melvins (Houdini/Stoner Witch era) and heavy fare ranging from High on Fire to Unsane..

One of the Solar Anus tracks, "Madonna Was A Whore" has been immortalized in a rare-and-limited-to-200 7" featuring an exclusive B-side track. Head to our Facebook page to win a copy!

Arabrot have no US dates currently, but will kickoff a European tour with the supremely great Okkultokrati and Haust this week. All tour dates and that album stream is below.

Continue reading "Arabrot release 'Solar Anus' (album stream)"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Arabrot - "Interim Me" (MP3)

Arabrot

Norway's seething noise-rock pummelers Arabrot are teaming with Wizard Rifle to play a string of US shows directly following their date at the Nanotear SXSW Showcase at Barbarella Patio (3/17 with YOB, Agalloch, Witch Mountain, etc). Look for the band in NYC on March 27th at the Acheron with Alien Whale (featuring Matt Mottel of Talibam! on keys, Colin Langenus of USAISAMONSTER on guitar, and Nick Lesley of Necking, on drums). Arabrot released their latest LP Revenge via Fysisk Records. Download "Interim Me" above and stream it below.

Hate Eternal is hitting the road with Origin (who has a fresh new lineup), Vital Remains and Abysmal Dawn (who have a new LP in Leveling The Plane of Existence) for a string of dates including NYC at Santos Party House on July 10th. Tickets are on sale. All tour dates are below.

Always the road warriors, Skeletonwitch are back at it, and will team with 3 Inches of Blood for a few dates including NYC on April 17th at Gramercy Theater. Tickets are on sale. All tour dates are below.

Fuck The Facts will team up with Psychic Limb, Radiation Black Body, and Swords of Chaos to play Cake Shop SATURDAY (3/12) at 5PM SHARP. $10 get you into this BrooklynVegan/1000Knives event.

Song stream, some video, and more suggested NYC shows are below...

Continue reading "Evillive (Arabrot, Hate Eternal, Skeletonwitch & more)"

by BBG

Yob at Scion Rock Fest (more by BBG)

Amongst the zillions of bands playing billions of showcases, every year presents certain must-go events at SXSW. Thursday Mar 17th at Barbarella Patio will feature an incredible line-up of bands as part of the Nanotear Showcase, co-headlined by the one-and-only Yob with Agalloch, and featuring appearances from Witch Mountain, Worm Ouroboros, Amber Asylum, Arabrot, and Wizard Rifle. The show will be Yob and Agalloch's lone appearance at SXSW, and the first date of a East Coast tour for Agalloch/Worm Ouroboros that will eventually land them at NYC's Le Poisson Rouge on March 22nd. Tickets are still available.

Yob recently cancelled their appearance at Roadburn, as well as their entire European tour. While that comes as sad news, the festival has added Keiji Haino, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, and a performance of Eve by Ufomammut in its entirety to counteract that. Full Roadburn lineup is below.

Arabrot will hit the road with Wizard Rifle, playing dates along the East Coast. More on those dates very soon, but for now check out some video, the Roadburn lineup and all Agalloch dates below...

Continue reading "Yob playing Nanotear showcase @ SXSW w/ Agalloch, but not Roadburn (updated dates & lineups)"