by BBG

As discussed in our recent interview/MP3 debut with the band, Battlefields have gone in new and impressive directions with Agassiz. The new EP (out now on INIT Records) finds the band scaling down their sludge-epics into more bite-size chunks, and the results are rewarding.

Stream all of Agassiz below for the first time, and look for them on the road.

Continue reading "Stream all of Battlefields' new EP "Agassiz""

by BBG

Battlefields at Union Pool (more by Brian Reilly)

Let's be honest, Battlefields have never been one to keep it short and sweet. Over the course of their recording output, the Minnesota band always crafted longer, Yes-style sludge-epics with multiple movements. many songs clock in above the double digit mark. On their latest EP Agassiz, the band have not only undergone a lineup shift, but an entire facelift as well. The sludge-prog epics have been replaced with shorter nuggets that touch on black metal and doom rooted in hardcore. The change isn't just fitting, it's flattering.

It might be somewhat obvious to call Agassiz their most focused release yet. but what isn't so obvious is the record's playability. At a taut and easily digestible 28 minutes, Battlefields have created six short and extremely well-crafted "pop songs" that are loaded with memorable riffs that never hang on too long (the number one offense commiteed by "epic" bands). This is definitely a record that will warrant repeat listening and may even end up on a few year-end lists; this new direction is definitely a welcome one. Check out two new songs from Agassiz (out in October via Init Records), "Manitoba Winds" and "An Entire Epoch", below.

We cornered drummer Rob Schmidt and vocalist/noise technician Rusty Steele about the concept behind the record, the new lineup/direction and what is in their current rotation that might give the average metal fan a case of the sadface. The results of that discussion, the song streams, and the Seldon Hunt art are all below.

Continue reading "an interview w/ Battlefields ++ 2 songs from their new EP"

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble, BBG

East of The Wall, in full on crushing mode (by Samantha Marble)

East of The Wall and Goes Cube are finally home. The pair hit the road for SXSW shortly after their 3/5 show at Union Pool and have been skipping around the US ever since, with Goes Cube tagging The End's official showcase on 3/18 and East of The Wall playing a succession of shows including Goodbye South By at Red 7 on 3/21 (pics of both below). The bands are finally back on tri-state soil and will play a FREE in-store at Generation Records TODAY (3/30) at 6:30 with Descender.

East of The Wall's appearance at Goodbye South By on 3/21 at Red 7 was a jaw dropper. The NJ band play a smoking instrumental prog/hardcore hybrid that is technical with out feeling wanky. Think Pelican with the occaisional hardcore vocal and a little more tech, but with TONS of energy.

Flyer for the record store show, more tour dates, and SXSW pics, below...

Continue reading "Goes Cube & East of the Wall played SXSW (pics), playing free in-store @ Generation Records (today) & other dates"

by BBG

Tombs at Cake Shop (more by Samantha Marble)

As previously discussed, Tombs will do battle with Rosetta, Irepress, and Junius at the Studio @ Webster Hall today (Saturday, 12/12, tix here), but that isn't the only show scheduled for the Brooklyn killers/year-end list toppers.

BrooklynVegan is proud to present Tombs with Rosetta, City of Ships, and Battlefields at Union Pool on January 22nd in association with our friends at 1000 Knives. Flyer for that show is below.

In other Rosetta news, the band recently dropped a three way split with Year of No Light and East Of The Wall on Translation Loss. Pick that up here. The East of The Wall lineup on the split differs slightly from the lineup today:

EAST OF THE WALL is excited to announce its new lineup. Joining the band are guitarist Chris Alfano and drummer Seth Rheam. Both played in the band Biclops with EAST OF THE WALL bassist Brett Bamberger and guitarist Kevin Conway. Due to the merging of the two bands' lineups, all music created by the aforementioned collective, along with guitarist Matt Lupo, will be released under the name EAST OF THE WALL. This will include the release of the groups next record, Ressentiment, due out next summer through Translation Loss Records.

With this lineup change, EAST OF THE WALL has parted ways with original drummer Mike Somers. The band would like to thank Mike for his outstanding musicianship and hard work since the inception of the band.

More on the band merger here.

January is turning out to be a nutso month, with the previously announced Magrudergrind/Defeatist show at Cake Shop and HopeCon/Blacklisted at Cake Shop (TICKETS), not to mention the previously discussed Disembodied show at Santos.

Rosetta/Battlefields/City of Ships & East of The Wall dates, along with the Tombs flyer, below...

Continue reading "Rosetta touring w/ Battlefields (dates), playing NYC show w/ Tombs (BV presents), released split w/ Year of No Light"

by Black Bubblegum

Battlefields' Rusty, belching forth the unholiest of bellows

To quote my Aunt from Pennsylvania, I was in "a pickle". French Swans-y post-metallers Overmars were touring the US for the first time ever with another favorite of mine, the criminally underrated North Dakota (!) band Battlefields at Europa. Across town, LA's Night Horse were playing Union Pool with Tournament & Orphan. Which to go to? With impeccable timing and some well-placed text messages, I was able to make both on Sunday (8/16).

Starting out the night at Union Pool, I caught an opening set by Orphan, my first live experience with that band. As a fan of the well-written and brilliantly executed Aborted By Birth, I can't tell you how disappointed I was by their live show. Union Pool definitely felt like a practice session, complete with false starts, off timing, and an overall lack of interest in engaging the audience. I hope their live show improves, because the riffs and the songs are definitely there.

After Orphan, I made it over to Europa to catch the last few moments of Inswarm before Battlefields set-up to tear down. Battlefields' new LP on Translation Loss, Thresholds of Imbalance, hits that sweet spot between post-metal dirge and post-rock ambience, with a touches of jazz (!). It's a favorite of mine and is recommended for those who appreciate bands like Neurosis, Cult of Luna, and Samothrace (with which they once shared a member). Their live firepower is impressive as well, as I originally learned when I saw them headline a show with Amenra at Precious Metal close to two years ago. Their lineup has changed considerably since that encounter, but their performance/ability hasn't. If any of this sounds appealing, I highly recommend that you get to The Charleston on September 3rd (also with Overmars).

As Battlefields were waving sayonara, I made it back to Union Pool in record time to catch Night Horse who had just begun their set (I missed Tournament). Night Horse has all the makings of a really killer blues-based rock band, and are tons of fun to boot, but I could have done without the stage stylings of vocalist Sam James Velde who comes off like as a Chris Robinson knock off complete with the shoeless 70s dances. I could be sensitive to this schtick (The Black Crowes and in particular, Chris Robinson, bother me), but it came off as a distraction. That said, there was nothing distracting about the instrumental arrangements that surrounded Velde. Performing simple bluesy rock is walking a fine line, as bands in this style are a dime a dozen, but searing solos by Justin Maranga (also in Ancestors), and Greg Buensuceso, elevate this band from cool neighborhood local to a worthy touring band. While at the show, Saviours dropped in (fresh off their Dinosaur Jr appearance) and received an birthday wish from the band.

I skipped out of the last couple Night Horse songs in order to make it to Overmars in time. The French band's "new" LP (released in 2007, out now on Crucial Blast) is comprised of a single massive song, "Born Again", which dabbles in blackened ambience, but recalls faves like early Swans, Godflesh, and Neurosis. Overmars performed with the lights out (hence the poor photos), a coordinated video presentation (possibly a little cliche?), and were absolutely stunning. Highly, highly recommended along with their new LP. In addition, look for an upcoming split in the works with Starkweather. More on that soon.

Night Horse also played a show at Pianos with Graveyard (who played the Gramercy Theatre that same night) while they were in town. More of their dates HERE. More pics and full Battlefields/Overmars dates are below...

Continue reading "Overmars, Night Horse, Battlefields & Orphan @ 2 Brooklyn venues in one Sunday night - pics & more tour dates"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Saviours - "Acid Hand" (MP3)

Battlefields

Battlefields are hitting the road (again) this time with Overmars and TWO dates in NYC. Europa gets the bands on August 16th and The Charleston gets them on Septemeber 3rd. Full tour dates are below. Battlefields' massive Thresholds of Imbalance was released earlier this year while Overmars' Büccolision EP dropped in the tail end of last year.

Marduk, who are coming to the US and playing Gramercy with Tombs and Black Anvil, have announced the title for their new album. Behold Wormwood.

Black Anvil are playing a free show at Duff's TONIGHT (6/27).

Asphyx's Death... The Brutal Way is out now overseas, but the LP will drop on Ibex Moon in the US on September 1. Look for the LP honors to be handled by War Anthem Records and the limited edition CD to come with a DVD of their 2007 reunion show in Germany. Until then, dig on the music video for the title track below. In related news, Martin Van Drunen's other band, Hail of Bullets, will release a limited MCD (2000 copies) entitled Warsaw Rising on July 17th.

That video, plus news on Dark Castle, Suffocation, Saviours, Gaza, sunn 0))) and more as This Week In Metal continues...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (06/27/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Harpoon - "Frogs, Boils, Locusts..." (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Complete Failure - "Like Rainbows in Gasoline" Demo (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Complete Failure - "Brown Acid Brainwound" Demo (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Complete Failure - "Subliminal Force of Suggestive Notion" Demo (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Super Happy Fun Slide - "Fast One" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Super Happy Fun Slide - "Bohemian" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Elder - "White Walls" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Serpentcult - "The Weight Of Light" (MP3)

Welcome to this week in Metal! This week we'll start with the pedal to the floor with Harpoon of Chicago, who will release their new LP Double Gnarly / Triple Suicide on Interloper Records. Featuring members of 7000 Dying Rats, the band recorded the LP in August 2008 with Andy Nelson (Weekend Nachos), sending it off to metal-mastering go-to Scott Hull (Pig Destroyer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed) for the finishing touches. The trio takes advantage of the drum machine gun to create a relentless grind assault reminiscent of Plague Bringer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, or Genghis Tron (sans keys). Check out "Frogs, Boils, Locusts..." available for download above, and cop it on limited LP (400 in black, 100 in white & blue marbled vinyl) when it drops on Feb 10th! Harpoon recently added bassist DJ Baracca (ex-Lair of The Minotaur) to their ranks and have added a few live dates in and around the Chi (dates below).

Absu have announced a new self-titled album, posting the ripping new track "Girra's Temple" to their myspace. Due on Feb 24th on Candlelight Records, the band have also lined up a few dates including SXSW on Mar 20th at Spiros and at... you guessed it... Maryland Deathfest. Meanwhile, Absu is garnering alot of media attention lately... check out features in Metal Maniacs, Terrorizer, and Zero Tolerance.

Hot off of the release of his first solo album Punctuated Equilibrium, Wino will play his first show with his solo band (featuring skinsman extraordinaire Jean-Paul Gaster of Clutch) at the 9:30 club in Washington, DC on Sat Feb 7th! Wino will be joined by King Giant and the mighty Salome, who will be in NYC with Ocean on Feb 15th. In related news, Clutch have released their first digital single "King Of Arizona" (iTunes users, buy it here), from the upcoming remastered Slow Hole to China, Rare & Unreleased. The band have lined up a few dates with their alter ego (most of 'em anyway), The Bakerton Group including Feb 27 at The Chance in Poughkeepsie and Feb 28 at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale. Full tour dates below.

As much theorized and finally realized, The Auditory Assault Festival will take place at Club Europa on May 16 & 17.

Complete Failure announced a short tour of the east coast and the midwest with Polish grinders Antigama including an NYC date at Europa on May 20th. Details are forthcoming, full tour dates are below. The Pittsburghers (CF) have posted a trio of demo tracks at their website, check them out above. Antigama is prepping for March 3rd, when Relapse will drop their new album Warning.

Mastodon's Crack The Skye artwork

Mastodon is currently streaming "Divinations" from the upcoming Crack The Skye. Check it out kids... it's a burner! The single is also available for sale with a limited edition tee. Mastodon and Genghis Tron are playing the Coachella festival this year.

Eyehategod, Rotten Sound, Cripple Bastards, Malignancy, Resistant Culture, and Voetsek have been added to the Los Angeles Murderfest!

Napalm fucking Death will be in NYC in April!

Rise Above dropped the new album by Belgians Serpentcult, a doomy hybrid of Electric Wizard and High on Fire fronted by Michelle Nocon, a female with some SERIOUS pipes. The Weight of Light was produced by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Melvins) and the band is streaming three of those tracks at their myspace, with the title track available for download above. So far the band haven't added any North American dates, but if they do, we'll let you know (european tour dates below). Meanwhile, dig on an interview that Serpentcult did with Hellride Music here.

Coliseum have announced a slew of tourdates (below) as well as a new seven-inch entitled "True Quiet / Last Wave" on Deathwish! Full tour dates are below. Coliseum with join Converge, Genghis Tron (who was recently added), Ceremony, Pulling Teeth, and Rise & Fall at Europa on March 27th.

Blut Aus Nord have posted "The Formless Sphere (Beyond The Reason)" to their myspace page, the first new song from the upcoming Memoria Vetusta II - Dialogue With The Stars. Look for in Feb 23rd on Candlelight.

Valient Thorr have added a February 6th show at The Shank in Greenpoint (98 Bayard @ Leonard) with Acid Tiger, Golden Error, with Tournament. This show makes it TWO NYC dates.... don't forget about their upcoming show with Anthrax and a half pipe.

Minsk, Slayer, Battlefields, Devourment, Obituary, and more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (02/02/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Khanate - "Wings From Spine" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Grey Machine - Vultures Descend (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Outlaw Order - Siege Mentality (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Millions - "Lest the Professor Catches Fire"(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Orphan - "Bogman"(MP3)

Hmm.... who's guitar rig could this be?

In his own special way, Stephen O'Malley dropped a bunch of news on his upcoming projects via a detailed discography. SOMA posted the following unreleased, unannounced records:

SUNN O)))
Che (SUNN O))) & Pan Sonic do a Suicide cover, pic 10" 2009)
Dimensions (TBA) (2xCD & 2xLP 2009)

Æthenor
Faking Gold & Murder (CD & LP 2008)

Khanate
Clean Hands Go Foul (LP & Picture Disc 2008, CD & CD Japan 2009)

So, TWO new sunn o))) records, a Khanate, AND an Æthenor record! We knew that sunn 0))) was working on a new record, but a quick search turned up that Blast First (Petite) will drop that sunn 0))) and Pan Sonic pic 10". On further review, Æthenor's website reveals the following:

David Tibet sings and contributes lyrics on the forthcoming Æthenor album; other guests are Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver) and long time Æthenor collaborator Alexander Tucker [who just played ATP].

Tentatively titled 'Faking Gold and Murder' from a line in the text, Æthenor is the project of Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley, Vincent de Roguin (Shora) and Daniel O'Sullivan (Guapo)

Most importantly though, what the hell is that Khanate record Clean Hands Go Foul?!? Stephen O'Malley had this to say:

The long lost 4th KHANATE album Clean Hands Go Foul will finally emerge later this year. This was recorded directly after the Capture & Release album at Bisi Studio Brooklyn February 2005.

James Plotkin, bassist for Khanate, posted one unreleased song excerpt to his website, "Wings From Spine" which is downloadable above. Will "Wings" appear on Clean Hands Go Foul? Who knows, but in the meantime prepare for the thundering evil doom of the mighty Khanate! On a related note, Plotkin's Khlyst, is taking orders for Chaos Live, a multicamera live DVD shot at Hydra Head's CMJ show in 2006. While you're there, pick up Boris's limited-to-1000 Floorshaker 12".

Mastodon's Brent Hinds had a little run-in with King Khan over the weekend, and while we have heard King Khan's side of the story, ridiculous pictures included, we haven't heard a peep from Brent Hinds. My thoughts echo that of one astute Blabbermouth reader: "The real victim here is the beer". Brann Dailor of Mastodon was recently interviewed by Metal Injection.

Justin Broadrick (Jesu, ex-Godflesh) dropped a bombshell of sorts.... a new project, Grey Machine, featuring Aaron Turner (Isis), Diarmuid Dalton (Jesu), and Dave Cochrane (Transitional)! From the upcoming album Disconnected, the band posted "Vultures Rise" available for download above!

Crom is back on the west coast, but evidence from their east coast killing spree is popping up all over the net. Check out pics from their show in Worcester, MA at Return To The Pit, an interview with a shirtless Crom at Vice magazine, as well as audio (and video below) from their appearance at WFMU.

Crom Live at WFMU, Mayhem, Amon Amarth, Baroness, Tweak Bird, Bison BC and more below.....

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (09/30/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Bloodbath - "Slaughter The Will To Live" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Samothrace - "Slaughter The Will To Live" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: North - "Eidolon" (MP3)

Attila Csihar of Mayhem, The Winterdemon (metalnorge)

Highly influential black metallers Mayhem have announced that they will tour the US in spring of 2009! The 21 date tour will be announced soon, but in the meantime, look for the band to announce a new guitarist to replace departing axe-slinger Blasphemer. Mayhem's Attila Csihar lent his unholy vokills to the new Jarboe record Mahakali due Oct 14th on The End. Skip on down for video of Thurston Moore discussing Mayhem.

Doomriders are currently grinding away at their new album due on Deathwish in 2009! In the meantime, look for the band to hit the Autobahn on a European tour with Disfear & SSS. SSS is currently streaming two new tracks from their upcoming record The Dividing Line. Doomriders recently played Europa.

Metallica is streaming six tracks from Death Magnetic. Check out my review for their new record below.

Guitarist Kris Norris has left Darkest Hour and is "actively pursing some producing routes and any band that might want a guitarist".

Corrupted LIVE (tawaraya)

The extremely elusive Japanese doomers (in fact, the above is one of the only pictures I have ever found of them), Corrupted announced a brief West Coast tour with Asunder, check out the flyer here. Asunder's Works Will Come Undone recently dropped on vinyl via Kreation Records, pick it up here. Corrupted's (current? these guys are elusive I tell ya!) bassist Lowell Isles's old band, YOB recently reformed.

Vikings Amon Amarth are streaming a new track, "Guardians of Asgaard", from their upcoming Twilight Of The Thunder God.

Bloodbath, the death metal supergroup featuring Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth), Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström (Katatonia), Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Martin "Axe" Axenrot(ex-Witchery, Opeth), and Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson, will drop their new studio album The Fathomless Mystery on Oct 28th via Peaceville Records. Filled with ""nothing but hateful brutality", check out "Slaughtering The Will To Live" available for download above and stream another track, "Mock The Cross", at their myspace.

Bloodbath's cover art, plus news on Danzig, Celtic Frost, Landmine Marathon, sunn 0))), Necrophagist, Immortal and so much more....

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (09/15/08)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: The Sword - "Fire Lances Of The Ancient Hyperzephyrians" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Soilent Green - "Antioxidant" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Iron Maiden - "Intro", "Aces High", & "Two Minutes To Midnight", Live in Tokyo Feb 16th, 2008 (VIDEO, WMV)

Neurot Recordings have announced details for THREE Neurosis-related releases in the next two months! First up, a new solo album from the mighty Scott Kelly, who will release The Wake on May 5th, his first release in the seven years since his debut Spirit Bound Flesh. Two weeks later, the world's most intense elementary school teacher Steve Von Till drops A Grave is a Grim Horse, his first non-Harvestman release in six years (Harvestman recently collabo'd with Fear Falls Burning). More details on A Grave Is A Grim Horse can be found here. The third we knew about, but has now gone official: A Storm Of Light's debut And We Wept the Black Ocean Within will be released on June 2nd. Read our recent interview with Josh Graham here.

Tickets for the previously mentioned second At The Gates show go on sale Thursday April 3rd at 10 AM here. Tomas Lindberg's other band, the mighty Disfear, have announced a few more dates, including another show in Brooklyn at Europa on May 22nd with Trap Them and Bloodhorse! Ticket info for Disfear at Europa isn't available, but there are still tickets for their show at the Knitting Factory. New tour dates are down below.

MUCH MORE..............

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (04/02/08)"