by Fred Pessaro // BBG

Yob @ Saint Vitus, 2/10/2013

Yob played their first of two NYC shows last night at a sold-out Saint Vitus (2/10), snagging support from Hull and Bezoar. The show is part of a BV/Invisible Oranges-sponsored short run of dates for the Portland crew, who play again at Saint Vitus tonight (2/11) with Batillus and Sea of Bones. Tickets are still available for tonight's show (which is on the verge of sell out), highly recommended.

There are plenty of doom bands out there that understand the power of a great riff and an impressive vocal, but what separates Yob from the pack is something entirely different. The trio's live show incorporates a swing -- a groove that deviates from standard pacing and hits off of the traditional downbeats. They're almost hard to headbang along to for the most part, but when they do lock in it just makes those parts seem more muscular and menacing.

More pictures and video from Sunday's show are below.

Continue reading "Yob played Saint Vitus w/ Hull & Bezoar (pics, video), do it again to night with Batillus & Sea of Bones"

Yob at Beat Kitchen in Chicago, Sept 2012 (more by Carmelo Espanola)

Nanotear, BrooklynVegan and Invisible Oranges are proud to welcome incendiary gods of doom, Yob for a two night stay at Saint Vitus on Feb 10 & 11! Support for will come from Hull and Bezoar on the first evening, while night two will feature an appearance from Batillus. That show is a rare, one-off appearance for the Oregon doom killers, and not part of a larger planned tour. Tickets are on sale for both 2/10 and 2/11.

The Fouth Annual Brooklyn Invitational Custom Motorcycle Show is more than just a parade of killer bikes, it will also feature drinks, photography and live music at its 131 N.14th St (in Williamsburg) location on Saturday (9/22). Starting at 3 PM and lasting until midnight, you can head by the otherwise lonely stretch of Williamsburg block to catch performances from Endless Boogie, Hessian, Multitudes, Hull, Brothers and Psychic Limb starting at 5PM. What's more, the entire event is free and open to the public! So get in on it.

The Brooklyn Invitational will kick off with a pre-party tonight (9/20) at Lone Wolf (1089 Broadway in Brooklyn) featuring Cocaine and Abel and Multitudes. Friday (9/21) will be occupied by a party at The Gutter at 9PM, where the organizers promise "Bowling Beer Bikes Bromance". Sounds enticing.

Endless Boogie also play ATP NY on Sunday (9/23).

For more wandering around Williamsburg, motorcycle-related fun, Saturday is also the annual Indian Larry block party (check out our pictures from the first one in 2004!).

by BBG

Jef Whitehead

Jef Whitehead, aka Leviathan/Wrest, who was arrested in January 2011 and charged with sexually assaulting his then-girlfriend, has been acquitted of all but one (aggravated domestic battery) of the 34 charges against him and will now serve probation as reported in the Chicago Reader. Look for Whitehead on the road as part of Chrome Waves when they tour later this summer. We posted the first taste of Chrome Waves songs in January, and the band has a new self-titled debut LP due on Gravedancer.

Drew Mack is leaving Hull, but not without one farewell show! The final triple guitar-attack version of Hull (though no word on if he'll be replaced) show will go down on June 29th at Acheron with guests Praetura, Gang Signs and Blackout.

North, from Arizona, are currently in the midst of a US tour and will play The Charleston on June 23rd with My America. Full tour schedule is below.

Mutilation Rites will team with Blood of Kings (ex-Wolves in The Throne Room) and Brohammer for a show at ABC No Rio tonight (6/22).

Sons of Tonatiuh will team with locals Pyrrhon for a show at Saint Vitus on July 19th, one of a few select dates for the Atlanta sludge team. Tickets are on sale.

All Evillive-approved NYC shows and a widget for the new "Profound Lore live" EP that hit via Scion is below.

Continue reading "Evillive (Leviathan, North, Mutilation Rites, Sons of Tonatiuh)"

by BBG

UV POP at Home Sweet Home on Wednesday night (photo by Phil Maier)

As discussed, UV POP played their first NYC show on Wednesday, 4/18 as part of Wierd Wednesday at Home Sweet Home. The band continues its attack on NYC with a late show at Saint Vitus tonight (4/20) when they team with Lost Tribe. Tickets are still available.

Before UV POP, Hull will team with Caltrop and Family to play a BrooklynVegan-presented early show at the venue. Doors open at 8 and the show starts soon thereafter. Tickets are still available (if not online, then at the door).

Check out a live video of UV POP from Home Sweet Home below.

Continue reading "UV POP played Home Sweet Home (video), play Saint Vitus tonight (before Hull)"

by BBG

Horna in Paris

The previously discussed Horna show on the June 6th at Saint Vitus is one of TWO at the venue, with the second (actually first) going down on June 2nd. Kommandant are on board for both nights, with Abazagorath and Woe on board for June 2nd and Mutilation Rites and Mortum hitting the June 6th show (the prior is celebrating a new LP). Tickets for both June 2nd and June 6th are still available. Kommandant will ALSO play Saint Vitus on 5/22, this time with Sweden's Demonical as part of a string of dates for the band. Tickets are on sale, and all Demonical and Horna dates are listed below.

Baltimore punks Deep Sleep are on the road starting next week, and will play on 4/23 at Black Light in New Brunswick NJ with Real Cops, Radio Exiles, Easy Rider and Attitude Era. Unfortunately no NYC dates in this go-around, but you can check out some of their other dates below.

Supporting acts for the Negura Bunget show at Cameo on 4/20 have changed. The band will now be joined by Din Brad (side project of Negura Bunget's keyboardist), Inia Dina, and Heathen. Tickets are still available.

Naam will play Glasslands on May 12th as part of a Record Release show for their new baby, Starchild. Hull, who are also on board to play Saint Vitus on 4/20 (tickets), will join them and Rainbows at the venue, and tickets are on sale.

Spazzy noise-core Frenchmen Escarres will team with Hessian and Only Child for a show at Acheron TONIGHT (4/13). Stream some Escarres material below.

Stream tracks from the new Mammoth Grinder 7", video from that Veins/Hoax/Raw Nerve show with all previously mentioned streams and dates, and this week's list of suggested shows. below. What did I miss?

Continue reading "Evillive (Deep Sleep, Horna, Negura Bunget, Mammoth Grinder, Naam & more)"

photos by Samantha Marble, words by BBG

Hull will team with Caltrop and Family for a Brooklyn show at Saint Vitus on April 20th. U.V. PØP plays the same venue later that night. The early show will open doors at 8PM and will set you back $10. Tickets are on sale.

The show is part of a string of dates scheduled for Caltrop in celebration of their new LP Ten Million Years and Eight Minutes, out via Holiday For Quince Records on April 3rd. All Caltrop dates are below.

Speaking of U.V. PØP, that 4/20 appearance recently completed its lineup, adding the awesome Lost Tribe and DJ Plastic Flowers to the bill. Tickets are on sale. You can also catch U.V. PØP two nights earlier at Home Sweet Home.

Hull recently played a homecoming show at Acheron on 3/23 with Mutilation Rites, Batillus and Trenchgrinder. Pics & video from that show are in this post. More below...

Continue reading "Caltrop prepping LP, touring, playing NY w/ Hull (who recently played Acheron); Lost Tribe added to UV POP (dates & pics)"

by BBG

A Storm of Light at the Tone Deaf showcase (more by Greg Cristman)

A Storm of Light plays NYC TONIGHT as part of a round of dates with Mustard Gas & Roses (mem Isis) and Magic Circle. Tickets are still available for the Saint Vitus show. The band recently played a round of dates surrounding SXSW including the Tone Deaf showcase (pictures). Tonight's show is in direct competition with Hull, Mutilation Rites, Batillus and Trenchgrinder at Acheron, the latter two of which played Lovejoy's as part of the BV Day Party. Hull also played Red 7 with Fear on 3/15, which was down the street from Pallbearer, Screaming Females, Ringworm & Power Trip (pictures).

Punk rock crew Kim Phuc will team with Family Curse and Herzog Rising to play Death By Audio on April 7th. The show is one of a few notable and recently added shows at the space, including April 14th with White Suns (who have a new LP on Load, stream a song below), Pop 1280, and Richard, April 28th with Dysrhythmia, Kayo Dot & Vaura, and 4/29 with a mystery guest, Child Abuse, Behold...The Arctopus and PAK.

Check out the recent Decibel Flexi of In Solitude covering Samhain's "Mother of Mercy".

Youth Attack have updated their site with orders for the new Salvation House of the Beating Hell EP, new second Hoax EP, a new ARTS LP Thousand Wounds of War, and so much more. Head to their site for more details (I recommend the Hoax, ARTS and Salvation records).

If you missed it, we posted two sets of pictures from Deatmatch during SXSW (SET 1, SET 2), a set of pictures from Lovejoy's during SXSW, my official showcase during SXSW, and pictures from our bridge show. We welcomed a new EP from Cop Problem, interviews with Black God, new shows from Ilsa, Rorschach, Old Man Gloom, D-Clone, Young Widows, Autopsy and more. Got stoked and then immediately diappointed with the Kiss it Goodbye reunion and scratched our heads in disbelief at the "Death to All" reunion and Wolvhammer cover of The Cure (the latter in a positive way).

More suggested shows, a stream of a new Horseback song, the Split Cranium LP (with Aaron of Isis and members of Circle) a 16 song, an Author & Punisher song, a White Suns song and more is below. What did I miss?

Continue reading "Evillive (Kim Phuc, Horseback, Salvation, Split Cranium, 16, more)"

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

Jackie of Giant Squid at BV/Profound Lore SXSW (more by Samantha Marble)

Fight Amp, Giant Squid, East of The Wall and special guests will team up for Translation Loss showcases at North Star Bar in in Philadelphia on 4/20 (with Rosetta) and at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn on 4/21 (with special guest TBA). Tickets for both shows are on sale (at the links).

Giant Squid, who released the Cenotes EP last year, is celebrating its vinyl release with these shows. The band currently have no other new releases on the way but their labelmates Fight Amp do...

Studio time is officially booked for our next full-length! Starting April we're recording to 2" tape at Gradwell Studios here in South Jersey, same place we used for our splits with Black Tusk, Kowlloon Walled City, and Ladder Devils. Here come the bummer jams...

Meanwhile, East of the Wall are hitting the road for a string of US dates with Hull and Black Tusk. You can also catch Brett from East of the Wall at Union Pool as part of Argonauts. All tour dates and some video is below.

Continue reading "Translation Loss schedules label showcases with Fight Amp, Giant Squid, East of the Wall and more"

by BBG

Rosetta at Gramercy Theater (more by Di Lynn Ring)

Rosetta will team with Kings Destroy, Hollow Leg and Clamfight for a one-off date at Saint Vitus on March 14th. Tickets are on sale.

The Brooklyn show is one of a few select dates coming up for Rosetta, including an interesting show with Batillus, Restorations, and Sunburster in Philadelphia on 2/10 as part of a celebration of the art of Bruno Guerriero

Decibel Magazine presents the art of Decibel's head designer and chief illustrator Bruno Guerreiro with a special Kung Fu Necktie art show and musical showcase February 10th at 8pm....

Showing:
- Collection of original metal and rock show posters
- Original illustrations featured in Decibel
- Other original Bruno Guerreiro works

In other news, King Destroy will welcome their new LP And The Rest will Surely Perish via The Maple Forum this year. In the meantime, if you can't make Saint Vitus, then head to Chaos in Tejas (which is officially on sale) to catch them, and check out their new video for "The Toe" below.

Continue reading "Rosetta playing an art show; Hull/Batillus add an NYC date; Kings Destroy prep new LP"

by BBG

Kevin Baker of All Pigs Must Die @ Power of The Riff (more by Taylor Keahey)

Here is our third and final installment in a series where we asked our favorite artists about their highlights of 2011. This batach includes contributions from members of All Pigs Must Die, Altar of Plagues, Hull, "Grim" Kim Kelly, J.Bennett, Chris Bruni (Profound Lore) and many others. Part 1 is HERE. Part 2 is HERE. Part 3 is below...

Continue reading "The Year in Heavy 2011 according to artists & friends (part 3)"

photos by Greg Cristman

While Coke Bust/Masakari/Sick Fix/Grudges was tearing down Acheron on 11/19, a much larger show was brewing at Terminal 5 featuring Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang as part of the trio's tour together. Mastodon's set covered their entire recorded output, including newer tracks like "Curl of The Burl" all the way to earlier favorites like "March of The Fire Ants" and, according to the set-list, "Iron Tush" (aka "Iron Tusk").

The sold-out show also featured an appearance from original DEP vocalist Dimitri Minkanakis (now a member of Argonauts) who joined the band on stage for performances of "Sunshine The Werewolf" and the classic "43% Burnt". Video of that is below.

While Argonauts have no upcoming dates, Brett of Argonauts will play Public Assembly on 12/14 with his other project East of The Wall. They'll be joined by Tournament (who play an Acheron benefit tonight with Hull/Naam), Family, and Fashion Week. The band is finishing up their US tour post-the release of their latest LP The Apologist.

Pictures, video and the Mastodon setlist from Terminal 5 is below...

Continue reading "Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan & Red Fang played Terminal 5 (pics, video & setlist) ------- East of The Wall playing Brooklyn"

by BBG

Hull at Red 7 (more by BBG)

Hull is scheduled to join Eyehategod and Doomriders at Europa on 12/4 (tickets), but they'll also play another show a bit sooner. Hull will join Naam, Tournament, and Sannhet for an Acheron benefit show on 11/22 as part of Hull's return back to Brooklyn post-touring with The Fucking Wrath. The show kicks off at 6:30PM with a BBQ (FREE with entry to the show) and the whole thing will only set you back $10. Support DIY and all-ages venues, and get out to Acheron on 11/22!

by BBG

I'm on a mission. A mission to see as many bands as I can this weekend as part of Fun Fun Fun Fest. The festival hasn't officially kicked off quite yet but will do so in a few hours, so last night (11/3) meant a gang of pre-parties as part of Fun Fun Fun Nites. Those included sets from bands like Ty Segall, Underground Railroad to Candyland, The Coathangers, Ramesh (ex-Voxtrot), and the show that I attended, Toxic Holocaust with Hull, The Fucking Wrath, and Pushmen at Red 7 (as part of the larger Hull/TFW tour).

I missed Pushmen (mems Made Out of Babies, Heartless Bastards, Ratking) and have obviously seen my share of Toxic Holocaust and Hull shows so I won't delve too deeply into my thoughts on either (both were great, and the crowd was especially nutty for the former), but The Fucking Wrath were pretty damn amazing. If Matt Pike forgoed his jaw-dropping finesse and concentrated only on his own punk/Motorhead roots, HoF would sound alot like TFW. Live, TFW definitely up the ante thrown in for their recent Valley Of The Serpent's Soul. More pictures from last night at Red 7 are below.

If you're in Austin, come check us out at Red 7 TONIGHT (11/4) for Doomriders, From Ashes Rise, Touche Amore, Phobia, and much much more as part of the Fun Fun Fun Nites series.

Flyer and more pics below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest kicks off --- pictures from Toxic Holocaust/Hull/The Fucking Wrath at Red 7 last night"

photos by Markus Shaffer, words by BBG

Hull @ Mercury Lounge

Hull is currently on the road with The Fucking Wrath, and is also scheduled to play a Fun Fun Fun Fest Nite show in Austin with Toxic Holocaust and Pushmen at Red 7 on 11/3.

Hull have also been added to the previously mentioned Doomriders / Eyehategod show on December 4th at Europa with Knight Terror.

Hull recently played Mercury Lounge with Rwake as part of their Record Release celebration, and Union Pool as part of the Tee Pee CMJ Showcase. Time Out reports on CMJ:

By my count, my CMJ 2011 consisted of 13 metal sets. Not every one was great, but what impressed me overall was the willingness many of the bands displayed to cut across the genre's constrictive sub-borders. Locals Raspberry Bulbs and Tombs--whom I caught, respectively, at Saint Vitus on Tuesday and on Rock Off's East River-faring Jewel on Saturday--each drew on black metal; but while the former spiked the style with grimy punk, the latter took a more expansive and emotive path. Likewise, Norway's Kvelertak (who also played the Jewel) juxtaposed dire metalcore breakdowns with primitive, almost Queens of the Stone Age-ish rock & roll. Best of all, though, was Hull, a local quintet that toggled gracefully between doom and thrash stylings. On Friday night at Union Pool, the band's riffs, ground out by a trio of heavy-bearded six-stringers, rolled forth from the stage like massive boulders, and its stage presence oozed conviction; these were players who had clearly pored over everything from Sabbath to Mastodon, synthesizing their research into epic treatises on the nature of heavy. --Hank Shteamer

Continue reading "Hull played CMJ, added to Eyehategod show (here's a second set of pics from Mercury Lounge)"

photos by Greg Cristman, additional Rwake photos & words by BBG

Rwake / Hull (by Greg Cristman)

"Hey man, I'm Gravy," he said as he shook my hand.

The man was guitarist Kris Graves of Rwake. I wondered whether that nickname came from his abilities as a guitarist and where he is from (the comfort-food lovin' South - specifically Little Rock, Arkansas), or if it was simply a play on his last name. I'd like to think the former, judging by the soulful and unique sludge-doom of Rwake at Mercury Lounge last night (10/10).

Rwake were in town to help celebrate the release of Hull's Beyond The Lightless Sky, out today via The End Records. Though performing as a five-piece due to the absence of keyboardist/vocalist Brittany Fugate (aka "B"), Rwake performed favorites like "Crooked Rivers" next to material from the new record Rest, out now via Relapse. The show, which ended past midnight, was the only current East Coast date for Rwake until a scheduled appearance at MDF.

Hull's focus was Beyond The Lightless Sky, performing the LP in its entirety with assists credited to Sarah of Bezoar, Joe Merolla (Death First), and Fade Kainer (Batillus). Their hour-long set featured tribal drums, synth/noise textures, and (quite clearly) a wall of loud rumbling 4x12s.

Primitive Weapons were the first band of the night after a DJ set from yours truly, bringing their sludge-influenced post-hardcore to a 2/3 packed room that filled significantly by the end of their last overdriven note. Pictures of them, Hull, and Rwake await below...

Continue reading "Rwake, Hull & Primitive Weapons played Merc (pics)"

by BBG

Rwake

BrooklynVegan is proud to announce that fresh off of the release of Rest, Little Rock sludge-doom titans Rwake have been added to our show at Mercury Lounge on 10/10, as part of Hull's previously discussed record release party! The show is a rare one-off for Rwake and a prelude to the band's upcoming appearance at MDF. Tickets for the Mercury Lounge show as well as MDF tickets, are on sale.

As mentioned, the suprise Rwake visit is part of a celebration of Hull's Beyond The Lightless Sky, the band's new LP due on The End on 10/11. Shortly after the release of the LP, HULL will hit the road for a string of US dates with The Fucking Wrath that will bring them into late November. Full tour schedule is below, along with a full album stream of Rwake's Rest.

Continue reading "Rwake coming to town to play w/ Hull before MDF, Hull touring w/ The Fucking Wrath (dates)"

photos by Devan Council, additional Iron Tides photos by Jonathan McPhail, words by BBG

ELKS @ Union Pool

While 40 Watt Sun was playing slower somber pieces at Public Assembly on Friday, Elks were headlining Union Pool with Heliotropes and Iron Tides as part of their record release for the Destined for the Sun EP. Pictures from the show are in this post.

Elks have a few tour dates in the coming weeks including a Pop Montreal showcase on 9/22 with Quest For Fire, NAAM, and Burning Love, and the Tee Pee CMJ showcase on 10/21 at Union Pool (which had Hull, who have since dropped off to be replaced with "TBA"). Hull WILL, however, play NYC at Mercury Lounge on 10/10 as part of their own Beyond the Lightless Sky release party presented by BrooklynVegan. Tickets are on sale.

All ELKS tour dates and more pictures below...

Continue reading "ELKS, Heliotropes & Iron Tides @ Union Pool (pics)"

by BBG

Hull at Union Pool on 9/10 (photo by Samantha Marble)

Hull played the final outdoor show of the summer at Union Pool on Saturday (9/10), a free affair with the new look Wizardry, Dead Sands and DJ Misery Creep. The band will lay low for exactly one month, hitting Mercury Lounge on 10/10 for their record release celebration for Beyond The Lightless Sky. More bands will be announced for this show ASAP, but for now, pick up your tickets when they go on sale at noon on Friday 9/16. The show is a BrooklynVegan presentation.

Meanwhile, the band recently wrapped up production on the video for the title track on the new LP. Check out a behind the scenes courtesy of MetalInjection below.

Continue reading "Hull played Union Pool, playing LP release show @ Mercury"

by BBG

Elks at Le Poisson Rouge (more by Greg Cristman)

The knowledge that they have signed to Tee Pee, recent shows with Pentagram, and some of the band member's decidedly 70s look would indicate that Elks is another retro-leaning band hell-bent on reliving the golden-age of guitar rock. But you'd be wrong, Elks mixes the big bang of early Mastodon-ian riffs with Iron Maiden's melodic gallop and a host of others on their new EP Destined for the Sun due via the label on 9/13. Stream "White Fang Learns to Hate" and "Two Moons of Mars" below. The latter makes its first appearance here. Learn more about the first track in a recent interview with Revolver Magazine.

Elks will play Union Pool on September 16th as part of their Record Release party for the new EP. The band will also play the upcoming Tee Pee CMJ showcase at Union Pool on 10/21 with Hull and The Fucking Wrath. Full tour schedule is below.

In other news, Hull has released a new track from their forthcoming Beyond The Lightless Sky. And Hull will play a FREE show at Union Pool on 9/10 as part of the venue's Summer Thunder series, teaming the Brooklyn five piece with Wizardry. Stream that alongside the new Elks tracks and all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Elks releasing EP (song premiere), playing Tee Pee CMJ show w/ Hull (who play a free show even sooner)"

by BBG

Hull @ Saint Vitus

Despite a climbing mercury outside, Hull headlined an icy Saint Vitus with A Generation of Vipers and Marching Teeth on Friday night (7/22). The show was a one-off for Hull, who are preparing to release their new and Billy-Anderson-mixed LP for The End Records in October. Details are forthcoming.

A Generation of Vipers (members US Christmas) recently released the new Kurt Ballou produced LP Howl and Filth and played entirely new material at the venue that night. Stream the new track "Slow Burn" below.

A Generation of Vipers' van broke down moments before the show, so the band spent an unexpected weekend in NYC, but their van is currently being worked on.

Marching Teeth were an excellent way to start the show with a booming set influenced by mid-period Melvins.

More pictures from Saint Vitus, and the stream of "Slow Burn" below.

Continue reading "Hull, A Generation of Vipers & Marching Teeth played Saint Vitus (pics)"

photos by Greg Cristman, words by BBG

Batillus @ Le Poisson Rouge

It's a a triple threat of events at Saint Vitus this weekend. Things kicks off Friday (7/22) with Hull/A Generation of Vipers/Marching Teeth, continue with Batillus/Mutilation Rites/Phantom Glue on Saturday and end with Dreams Were Made for Mortals, a collective art show on Sunday (7/24).

The art show features the work of Karlynn Holland (responsible for art that has appeared on LPs by Krallice, Dysrhythmia, many others) among many others. Karlyn describes it like this:

"My dreams, frequently, are broadcast across neural pathways in vibrant color. They are so vivid, the dreams feel more real than my waking life. It haunts me. Life feels like the dream, a series of passing moments. As I rise from paralysis, they evaporate from memory. How could something so real fade so quickly? I often find myself asking this question. Exploring the dawn hours of your fervent mind, please choose or create work that exposes our perishable nature and echoes human frailness so often deified by gods of rock and roll."

Batillus is currently on tour with Mutilation Rites and will return back to NYC on Saturday. Their last show was at LPR with Yob & Dark Castle. The NY Times was there:

[Mike Scheidt of YOB] did several things at once, singing in grunts and high precise wails, working bits of melody and middle-register guitar cries into the music without breaking the flow of the chord riffs. But there was also a feeling of conscious restraint: he didn't actually solo, in the usual sense, until nearly the end of the show. His chord repetitions were composed, micro-arranged, and they pulled you down, down, down; Mr. Scheidt uses a baritone-guitar tuning on a standard guitar, a perfect fifth lower than usual. You feel this music a lot; it's body-centered, in its rhythm and its mass. -[New York Times]

Continue reading "more pics from Yob @ LPR, 3 reasons to head to Saint Vitus this weekend (Hull & Batillus included)"

by BBG

Hull at The Studio at Webster Hall (more by Markus Shaffer)

Brooklyn band Hull will join Generation of Vipers and Marching Teeth at Greenpoint venue Saint Vitus on July 22nd, a one-off show for Hull and part of a string of dates for Generation of Vipers (which are still TBA).

Hull is currently hard at work on the follow-up to their Sole Lord LP featuring the great Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Buzzoven, Eyehategod) on the console. No word on completion/release date, but we'll keep you posted. Expect new songs at Saint Vitus.

Generation of Vipers features members of US Christmas, though the former definitely move in different directions than the latter. Check out the freshly released title track from Howl & Filth (produced by Kurt Ballou!) streaming below, and check out their other LPs at their bandcamp. Look for the new LP soon.

Song stream and some video below.

Continue reading "Hull playing a show w/ Generation of Vipers (both bands working on new albums)"