photos by Greg Cristman, Pallbearer photos & words by BBG

Alcest @ Lovejoys

By the time that Hull hit the stage at around 2:20pm, the deal was sealed; intimate Austin bar/venue Lovejoys was officially one-in-one-out until we closed the doors. The Saturday BrooklynVegan day show during SXSW included the awesome lineup of Alcest (their only Austin show), Nachtmystium (with Will Lindsay and Sanford Parker in tow), The Atlas Moth, Pallbearer, Speedwolf, Hull, Bruce Lamont with Man's Gin (their only show), Mutilation Rites and Vestiges. All of the bands ruled and I can't thank them enough.

Vestiges opened the party at 12:15 to a relatively large crowd of people (considering the inevitable hangovers from the night prior), and proceeded to wake us all with their spacey hybrid of black metal, hardcore, doom, and crust. A truly amazing band that is definitely worth looking out for. Mutilation Rites followed with new bassist Ryan Jones (Wetnurse/Today is The Day) in tow, but seemed no worse for the changeover; the band's punk-y black-metal-thrash ripped as usual.

Bruce Lamont and Man's Gin collaborated next, using everything from guitar, sax, and bass ukelele in their renditions of Man's Gin songs. It was a special one-off collaboration during the festival, and one that I was grateful to be hosting in such a small space. Hats off to Erik, Josh & the Man's Gin crew, as well as Bruce Lamont.

After that relatively low-key set, of course Hull brought it up a few notches with their thundering post-metal stomp, the first of three shows for the band that day. The rattling doom power of Hull live cannot be denied, but neither can the Motorhead-y beer-swilling pummel of Speedwolf who followed directly after. Speedwolf is currently on a US tear, so look for them at a town near you (including NYC).

Pallbearer @ Lovejoys

Pallbearer, one of my favorite bands from SXSW this year, are undeniably great and just destroyed after Speedwolf. Their melodic doom riffs and soaring vocals owe a lot to the doom-fathers of yesteryear but still reimagine some of those approaches on their stunner of an LP Sorrow & Extinction. Pick it up if you can, and don't miss them when they come to NYC with Loss!

The Atlas Moth and Nachtmystium, out on tour together, played the following two sets with the latter featuring Sanford Parker on keys and Will Lindsay (Indian, Middian, etc) on bass. The Atlas Moth was also in a different configuration, with Andrew Ragin out with medical issues and replaced with his brother-in-law and former member of Stabbing Westward Marcus Eliopulos. Despite configuration changes, both bands were fantastic.

Alcest, who in no way resembles a metal band other than in pedigree, closed out the night. The French quartet's focus is on shoegaze-influenced beauty and were a perfect way to end the hectic and brutal day at Lovejoys. Alcest are on the road in the US, and will play NYC at Public Assembly next week with another BV-SXSW-show-alumnus, Deafheaven (I'll be DJing).

Yet another successful year at Lovejoys in Austin, and I'd like to send a big thank you to the staff, Jester King for the free suds, all of the bands, and most importantly all of the fans who came for the day. Thank you so much, and I can't wait until next year!

More pictures from the whole day, below...

Continue reading "pics from the Saturday BV show @ Lovejoys (Alcest, Nachtmystium, Atlas Moth, Pallbearer & more)"

by BBG

Alcest at Gramercy Theater (more by Greg Cristman)

On March 17th, 2012 (Saturday), BrooklynVegan will return to the scene of the crime (where we hosted two shows last year) for a FREE show at Lovejoys in Austin during SXSW! From noon until just before 7PM we'll host a lineup that includes:

Alcest (their ONLY appearance during SXSW)
Nachtmystium
The Atlas Moth
Pallbearer
Speedwolf
Hull
Bruce Lamont
Mutilation Rites
Vestiges

The show is one of several shows that BrooklynVegan is hosting during SXSW including four days at Hotel Vegas, and our back-to-back day party as part of Converse/Thrasher Deathmatch followed by one of our (with an exclusive appearance from Black Breath) three official SXSW showcases. Stay tuned for more details on Hotel Vegas and the other two showcases.

Nachtmystium is currently in the studio sawing away at their new LP Silencing Machine due on July 31st via Century Media. The band will be hitting the road for a set of Midwest dates right around the album release, with an assist from Krieg and Murmur. Details are on the way.

The Atlas Moth and Pallbearer will both play an upcoming Scion showcase in LA on March 31, and for free! RSVP now. Pallbearer recently released their monster new LP Sorrow & Extinction via Profound Lore and are heading to NYC with Loss for a rare one-off show.

Alcest is heading out on the road for a string of dates with Deafheaven (who play our Deathmatch day party in Austin) including NYC at Public Assembly on 3/31 with Vaura (who have a new album) and yours truly on the turntables. Tickets are still available.

All Alcest dates and some streams and video below...

Continue reading "announcing the BV-BBG day party at Lovejoys on 3/17 with an exclusive appearance from Alcest & much more!"

by BBG

Aaron with Defeatist at their last show (more by BBG)

I previously posted my highlights of 2011 but my opinion is obviously just one of many. To try and get a better feel for the year, we cornered some of our favorite artists and heavy music industry friends to ask them about 2011 in music, art, and memories. We have so many responses that we needed to split it into three posts. Here is the first. Head below to hear from members of Noisear, Monarch!, Mammoth Grinder, Pulling Teeth, Sulaco, Bloodiest, and many more...

Continue reading "The Year in Heavy 2011 according to artists & friends (part 1)"

by BBG

The Body @ Saint Vitus

Though equipment issues kept their set on the short side, The Body headlined a rainy Tuesday evening (9/6) in Brooklyn. Bruce Lamont and Man's Gin (who are touring together) and locals Iron Tides opened the show at Saint Vitus. Pictures are in this post.

The Body are now on tour with LP collaborators Braveyoung. That tour was originally listed with an October 5th NYC show at a venue TBA, but that show has since been cancelled. Stay tuned for more info on where The Body will play in NY next. More Saint Vitus pictures below...

Continue reading "The Body, Bruce Lamont, Man's Gin & Iron Tides played Saint Vitus (pics)"

by BBG

The Body at LPR (more by Greg Cristman)

BrooklynVegan is proud to present doom faves The Body at Saint Vitus on September 6th with special guests Bruce Lamont, Man's Gin, and Iron Tides. The show is the first of a string of US dates for The Body which will continue the following day with Braveyoung in celebration of the pair's collaborative LP together.

After a collaborative recording session at Providence's Machines With Magnets (Battles, Daughters, Lightning Bolt, Chinese Stars) earlier this year, the end result has surfaced as Nothing Passes, a layered but cohesive voyage through cavernous, noise-laden tumult and chaos, ethereal horror-soundtrack creepouts and even serene acoustic passages, exploring new styles for both acts. The album also features vocal contributions from members of The Assembly Of Light Choir who have also previously collaborated live with THE BODY and BRAVEYOUNG, as well as a cover of Exuma's song, The Vision.

Meanwhile, Bruce Lamont & Man's Gin are heading out for a weekend together, tagging Chicago and Philly on the way to NYC. Full tour dates and some video of that Body/Braveyoung collaboration below.

Continue reading "The Body playing Saint Vitus w/ Bruce Lamont & Man's Gin before tour w/ Braveyoung (dates)"

photos by Samantha Marble & BBG, words by BBG

Tombs @ Lovejoys

After a day of mayhem and floorpunches with Ringworm on Friday (3/18), the BrooklynVegan/Profound Lore Records day show on Saturday at Lovejoys centered more on the metal side of things. The 3/19 show featured nine bands in total, of which four called the label home. The amazing Tombs headlined, and I couldn't help but feel a large share of local (NYC) pride since three of the nine bands call Brooklyn home (Tombs, Castevet, Batillus).

more below....

Continue reading "BV/Profound Lore Day Party @ Lovejoys - pics & video (Tombs, Bruce Lamont, Mike Williams, Batillus, Dark Castle & more)"

by BBG

Bruce Lamont at Union Pool (more by Samantha Marble)

Thanks everyone who came out to Emo's on Wednesday. It was a blast.

BV-BBG Metal week continues in Austin today, Thurday, 3/17, at Emo's again for Full Metal Texas, though unfortunately the mighty Rwake has been forced to cancel all Austin appearances due to a family emergency, Full Metal Texas included. In their stead, we've added The Funeral Pyre who will set the stage ablaze before Kvelertak. AND on the other stage of Full Metal Texas, The Word Alive has dropped off and will be replaced with Motionless in White.

In related news, Bruce Lamont, who will play the Profound Lore showcase Saturday night, is also a late minute addition to the BrooklynVegan/Profound Lore Day show happening on Saturday too! Lamont will play short pieces at Lovejoys in between sets by Tombs, Dark Castle, The Body, Deafheaven, Wolvhammer, Grayceon, Castevet, Batillus & Altaar. The show kicks off at 12 noon, and will feature free beer courtesy of Victory.

Set times for Full Metal Texas and the BV/PLore shows, and all shows, are below.

Continue reading "Rwake cancels SXSW shows, the Funeral Pyre added to Full Metal Texas, Bruce Lamont to Saturday..."

photos by Samantha Marble, words by BBG

Kevin Hufnagel, Bruce Lamont, Lichens

Bruce Lamont played Union Pool on February 27th (maybe while you were watching the Oscars?). The show opened with the swelling synth/vocal soundscapes of Lichens, the serene yet jaw-droppingly-technical fretwork of Kevin Hufnagel and an improv set from Brooklyn sludgesters Cocaine & Abel. Lamont was seated for the bulk of his empassioned headlining set, which was comprised of looped samples, live guitar (from him and Kevin Hufnagel!), saxophone, and vocals. Robert Lowe of Lichens remains seated for his performances, which are always compelling, always unique, and always powerful as he weaves synth textures with stacked vocal loops. Kevin Hufnagel and his acoustic was easily the quietest of the three, and the crowd adjusted their volume to take in his impressive instrumental prowess.

Make sure and catch Bruce Lamont in Chicago on 3/3 or in Austin during SXSW at the Profound Lore showcase on 3/19 (more dates TBA). More pictures from Union Pool are below...

Continue reading "Bruce Lamont played Union Pool w/ Kevin Hufnagel, Lichens, Cocaine & Abel (pics)"

by BBG

Flyer, with art by Glyn Smyth of Scrawled Design

I am ecstatic to announce my partnership with the great Profound Lore Records for an Austin day party at Lovejoys (604 Neches St, right downtown) on March 19th! The free day show (lineup above) will run from noon-7pm and include Dark Castle, The Body, Deafheaven, Wolvhammer, Grayceon, Castevet, Batillus, Altaar from Norway (!), and the blasting NYC killers Tombs. Set times and more details are forthcoming but in the meantime save the date!

Altaar @ by:Larm 2010

March 19th is the last of FOUR BV DAY PARTIES catering to fans of heavy music, including the previously discussed Full Metal Texas show on 3/17 at Emo's with Trap Them, Rwake, Hull, All Pigs Must Die, and the recently added Kvelertak! Details on March 16th and 18th are still to come.

Moments after the BrooklynVegan/ProfoundLore day party comes to a close, the official Profound Lore SXSW showcase will begin at Valhalla! That show kicks off at 7PM and will feature a headlining set from Slough Feg, as well as performances from KEN Mode, Castevet, Grayceon, Bruce Lamont, and Wolvhammer. Check out the incredible show poster below and get a screened copy of it at the show from the artist, Glyn Smyth of Scrawled Design.

Bruce Lamont plays Union Pool in Brooklyn on SUNDAY (2/27) with Lichens, Kevin Hufnagel & Cocaine & Abel. Union Pool will also host The Body TONIGHT (2/22) with Braveyoung & Elks.

Show flyers, a stream of Deafheaven's awesome demo and more pictures of the mighty Altaar from Norway's by:Larm 2010 are below!

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan & Profound Lore present a Free Day Party @ Lovejoys (lineup, related shows, live Altaar pics & more)"

by BBG

Bruce Lamont with Yakuza at Gramercy Theater (more by BBG)


Bruce Lamont of Yakuza/Bloodiest/Circle of Animals will perform a rare solo set on February 27th at Union Pool in Brooklyn, one-of-four solo performances scheduled for the artist who is currently still out on the road with Led Zeppelin II. Union Pool will also feature an appearance from Cocaine & Abel and more TBA, and will be the lone East Coast date though two days earlier he is in Ohio.

Lamont recently welcomed his first solo LP via At a Loss Recordings, Feral Songs For The Epic Decline, and will open the 2011 Profound Lore SXSW showcase in Austin. More details on that showcase are on the way, but in the meantime take a look at what Nanotear has lined up for the March festival.

All Bruce Lamont tour dates and some video of Lamont in action, below...

Continue reading "Bruce Lamont schedules solo shows"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Bruce Lamont - "2 Then The 3" (MP3)

Bruce Lamont on stage with Yakuza at Gramercy (more)

Cover bands aren't usually my scene, but it's definitely interesting when the "Robert Plant" also does time in a band that I dig. In this case, the cover band is Led Zeppelin 2 and the frontman is Yakuza vocalist Bruce Lamont. Led Zeppelin 2 is currently touring the US and will hit Gramercy Theatre on Friday (1/14). Tickets are still available. Full tour dates are lised below.

In related news, Bruce Lamont is prepping to release his new LP Feral Songs For The Epic Decline via At A Loss Records on January 25th. Much like his work with Yakuza, Bloodiest, and Circle of Animals, it shows the Chicago native putting his patented spin on heavy music, this time in a more ambient/goth direction. Check out "2 Then The 3" available for stream below and download above, and look for the record at the end of January.

All tour dates, the song stream, and some video is below.

Continue reading "Led Zeppelin 2 are on tour, Bruce Lamont releasing solo LP"