photos by Tim Griffin and BBG, words by BBG

Youth of Today

After incredible shows with Cro-Mags/D-Clone at Emo's, Autopsy/Citizen's Arrest at Emo's, and Tragedy/Origin of M at Broken Neck, my third day at Chaos in Tejas started out at Emo's at 9PM where I caught a couple of songs by Spazm 151 before heading into see The Impalers on the inside stage. The Impalers is a supposedly short-lived project that features members of Mammoth Grinder, but from what I could tell, they could be taking it to another level. Brutal punk/crust with touches of metal.

After The Impalers, I hightailed it down to see one of my most anticipated shows of the fest, Youth of Today at Mohawk. Though Youth of Today had set-up but hadn't taken the stage (Ray Cappo was doing complicated yoga poses off stage), the energy was electric, with audience members literally moshing/stagediving to no music. Now that's excitement.

Ray Cappo, Porcell, Ken Olden, and drummer Vinny Panza are Youth of Today 2011, and as the band opened with the Break Down The Walls burner "Make a Change", Mohawk erupted with energy. The stage dives continued for the duration of their set as they played faves like "Disengage" and both a 7 Seconds ("Young Till I Die") and a Minor Threat cover ("Minor Threat"). Though I missed it, I heard from a few that there were people diving off of the top of Mohawk's balcony into the crowd below. Check out the video below. The show was one of the highlights of my night.... though there were a few.

After Youth of Today, I headed back to Emo's to catch a few minutes of the always fun Shitstorm (who also played Maryland Deathfest), followed by Feral Ward's signees Kieltolaki. Kieltolaki's crusty d-beat was great, but I cut out early to check out Iron Age at their last ever show (supposedly). It was good to see them one last time and the crowd responded appropriately, with fists raised, stage divers, and a pit. They will be missed.

Kriegshog

After watching a good portion of Iron Age, I made sure to leave to check out all of Kriegshog, as the band was playing their first and last ever US show. The noisy Japanese crust band were furious, and the indoor Emo's crowd went insane for their short but incendiary live set which was comprised of material from their self-titled record, the Hardcore Hell EP, and various splits. Stage divers dove on top of each other, hung from the rafters, and ate up ever moment of the band's blistering performance. Check out their recorded material if you haven't already, its amazing.

Miasmal (who were also impressive at Maryland Deathfest) played the headlining slot on the indoor stage so I watched them until crusty hardcore legends Doom were ready outdoors. After Kriegshog the crowd outdoors were ready for more crusty hardcore, so the energy that the Tokyo band had built during their set only helped make Doom's set all the more incredible. Not to say that Doom was anything less than amazing on their own - their set was even somehow better than their showing at Maryland Deathfest, but it doesn't hurt to have a lead-in as amazing as Kriegshog was. Helluva way to finish off an amazing night three at Chaos in Tejas.

And while Tim and I were checking out crust, hardcore and metal, Keith Marlowe and Harriet Roberts were checking out garage and rock from bands like Guitar Wolf. Their set from Saturday is on the way. Ours continues, with video, below...

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas 2011 in pics, video & review (part 5)"

by BBG

Tragedy fan at Europa (more by Konstantin Sergeyev)

No rest for the wicked. After a grueling weekend of heavy music at Maryland Deathfest (pictures of day 1 HERE, day two HERE, day three HERE, and day four HERE), I am looking forward to a mix of punk, hardcore, metal, crust, d-beat, and indie at Chaos in Tejas in Austin this week! Kicking off on Thursday (June 2nd) the four day festival features appearances from tons notables, day shows, after parties, and in-stores, some for free. Swing down for a blow by blow breakdown of what you should look for every day at the multi-venue music fest.

---

Thursday, June 2

Ah the start of the festival.... fresh legs and feet, and a hunger for tons of good bands. Thursday will sate your hunger too, as there are tons of great hardcore/metal shows to choose from. Shows tonight happen on both stages at Emo's, both stages at Red 7, at the Mohawk, Beauty Bar, Beerland and the Broken Neck.

Despite the high profile cancellation of Killing Joke at Emo's outdoor, CIT bounced back and added Cro-Mags to an already awesome lineup of rare appearances from strong>Asta Kask (Swedish d-beat), D-Clone (a rare show from these Japanese hardcore monsters), Veins (featuring Mark McCoy from Charles Bronson/Das Oath as well as Ian from Copremesis/Castevet), Double Negative (North Carolinian hardcore greats who released the awesome Daydreamnation last year), Vile Gash (brutal hardcore on Youth Attack), Japan'sThe Slowmotions, and NYC's Cult of Youth (dark folk with a great new LP on Sacred Bones) and Crazy Spirit (excellent hardcore with members of Perdition).

Thankfully, I can use my wristband from Emo's to hit up Red 7, right around the corner, where an awesome metal show will clash with an awesome garage show on the two stages. Finnish doomers Hooded Menace will headline on stage with Denmark's Undergang, crusty death metallers Acephalix (mems of the amazing Vastum), more death metal from Bone Sickness, and local death and rollers Mammoth Grinder. Meanwhile, the second stage will feature The Spits, the Arrivals, Shellshag, TV Ghost, and others. All of this means that I'll probably miss Converge/Title Fight/Touche Amore/Trap Them/Burning Love/the Menzingers at Mohawk and How I Quit Crack/The Indicator Dogs at Beauty Bar. At least I can end the night right with Tragedy and Origin of M at Broken Neck as part of an after-party. Yikes!

the rest of Thursday's schedule and what to do on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, below...

Continue reading "BBG's Guide to Chaos in Tejas 2011"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Mammoth Grinder - "Surveilled" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hatred Surge - "Invega" (MP3)

Innumerable Forms @ Acheron (more)

Yet ANOTHER MDF-related tour to get excited about, as Hatred Surge, Mammoth Grinder, and Innumerable Forms (who all toured together last year) will hit the road with Miasmal (mem Martyrdöd) for a string of US dates that will include shows at Maryland Deathfest and Chaos in Tejas. Those dates kick off in Austin and include a Brooklyn show at Acheron on May 24th.

Meanwhile, Mammoth Grinder and Hatred Surge (who now have Rahi of Insect Warfare on vocals) have a split LP on the way via Cyclopean Records. The split is currently on preorder via the label, and features three songs from Mammoth Grinder and four from Hatred Surge. Download a pair of tracks from that record above and stream the entire thing below. Both Mammoth Grinder & Hatred Surge, as well as Scapegoat & Iron Lung will be featured on the upcoming Brutal Supremacy double 7" compilation due via Painkiller Records.

In related news, Cyclopean will also release the final (?) recordings by Iron Age:

The last Iron Age release will be available on March 1st. It will be a 2 song demo tape, and limited to 300 copies. The "Saga Demos" are essentially excerpts taken from our unfinished album "Fate in the Shadow of Eluvimal". They were recorded in our practice space last October and will finally see the light of day before we play our last couple of shows this Spring/Summer. Stay tuned for more info.

Continue reading "new tracks from Hatred Surge/Mammoth Grinder split, tour dates with Innumerable Forms & Miasmal"

photos by Chris La Putt

Blood Red Shoes @ MHOW

After Chris left the BV Loft Party all the way back on Friday, October 22nd, he headed over to Music Hall of Williamsburg for the Blue Flowers-presented CMJ showcase for a lineup of mostly UK bands including Chapel Club, Everything Everything, and Blood Red Shoes (who toured North America with Sky Larkin in October). Pictures from that show are in this post.

The occasion (to post these belated pics)? SXSW has already announced an initial lineup of bands playing in Austin from March 16-20, 2011, and Chapel Club is on that list (and I wouldn't be surprised of the other 2 mentioned bands end up coming too). Also on the list: Lia Ices, Braids, Asobi Seksu, Wye Oak, Suuns, Sun Airway, A Place to Bury Strangers and more. Full list under the rest of the MHOW pictures, below...

Continue reading "Chapel Club played CMJ w/ Everything Everything & Blood Red Shoes (pics), playing SXSW 2011 (intial lineup)"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Gay For Johnny Depp - "Suckcess" (MP3)

It's a hard road to tread when press refers to you as "the band that taste forgot", but depending on what you're going for, that could be a complement (and in this case, I think it is). Bringing to mind the post-hardcore nuttiness associated with bands like Refused, The Blood Brothers and Daughters (RIP?), Brooklyn wildmen Gay For Johnny Depp are prepping to release a new six track EP entitled Sex Vid Singles Club. The band, which features members of Mind Over Matter and Errortype 11 in their ranks, will release the EP on October 12 via Shinebox Recordings (A new label). The EP will serve as a primer for the band's full length which is due in February 2011. Dig on "Suckcess" above and a video for literally every other song below.

GFJD currently has one date on its calendar,10/21 at Matchless Death by Audio with Strife, Cruel Hand, Batillus (who just played Cake Shop), and Primitive Weapons (lineup seems to be up in the air) as part of CMJ (it's the Shinebox Recordings showcase).

The show is part of a short east coast tour one of two in NYC that the ex-straight-edge kingpins Strife are scheduled to play that week, They also play Mercury Lounge on 10/20 as part of the Converse-presented "True Til Def" show with the decidedly non-straight-edge crew of Priestess, Earthless, Disembodied, Iron Age, and Naam. Smoke 'em if you got 'em and head to the site to RSVP to the free CMJ show.

Tracklisting and tons of videos are below....

Continue reading "Gay For Johnny Depp releasing EP (MP3), playing CMJ show w/ Strife who plays free 'True Til Def' show during CMJ too"

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble

Andrea of Howl will destroy you

Howl and Javelina are here, and ready to wreck NYC with Sea of Bones and Flourishing as part of a BV/1000 Knives production that kicks off TONIGHT (3/25) at Cake Shop. It's an early show, so doors are at 7 and the show begins PROMPTLY at 7:30. Want to go? I have two pairs of tickets up for grabs, details at the bottom of this post.

The show will serve as a record release party for the incredible Flourishing (featuring Garett of Wetnurse), who drop their new EP A Momentary Sense of the Immediate World on The Path Less Traveled Records next week. Cop it.

Howl is also prepping to release their new album Full of Hell on Relapse Records, pre-order that now. They played many of those new songs at their appearance at the BrooklynVegan, Converse, Tee Pee Records & Chronic Youth co-hosted Attitude Adjustment show at Red 7 in Austin, Texas on 3/20. Javelina (who filled in for Nebula) was also on board, playing the metal stage (with The Gates of Slumber, Priestess, Naam, and Liturgy) with the other stage featuring raging hardcore (Alpha & Omega, Touche Amore, Iron Age, Trash Talk) and some of the greatest names in underground hip hop (Black Milk, Buckshot of Black Moon with special unannounced guest Smif N Wessun!) for a killer mix...

"Black Milk (March 20, Red 7): After Detroit superproducer/MC Black Milk's set, someone behind me compared Milk's band to The Roots. But even Philly's finest have never been as dynamic as hard-hitting drummer Daru Jones, keyboardist AB and Milk himself during their set. With a driving rendition of posse cut "The Matrix," Milk proved that he's as dope on the mic as he is behind the boards for stars like GZA. If the forthcoming Album Of The Year consists of this trio live in the studio, you'll hear no complaints" [Eye Weekly]

Continue reading "Howl & Javelina in NY tonight (win tix), played BV party @ Red 7 w/ Black Milk, Buckshot, Priestess, Trash Talk,more (pics)"

by BBG

Buckshot (more by Tim Griffin)

I know we are a bunch of teasers, in between all of the (not so subtle) hints we have dropped lately. But now BrooklynVegan, in association with Tee Pee Records, Chronic Youth and Converse, is proud to announce 'Attitude Adjustment' at Red 7 in Austin on Saturday, March 20th from Noon to 6PM! The free show will pair some of the greats in hip hop with brutal hardcore, all while a riff-stravaganza destroys the other stage. You've been warned. Here's the lineup:

Indoor Stage
5:30 PM Black Milk
4:30 PM Buckshot
3:45 PM Trash Talk
3:00 PM Iron Age
2:15 PM Touche Amore
1:30 PM Torae
12:45 PM Alpha & Omega

Outdoor Stage
5:00 PM The Gates of Slumber
4:15 PM Nebula
3:30 PM Priestess
2:45 PM Bison BC
2:00 PM Howl
1:15 PM Liturgy
12:45 PM Naam

The Red 7 show is one of MANY BrooklynVegan shows during the festival this year, and one of four that involves metal. The other three are the two stage Emo's shindig with Torche and Fucked Up on 3/17, the Profound Lore/20 Buck Spin Official showcase on 3/19, and the BV/100Knives/Crustcake Pizza Party on 3/18. Actually it's five if you count the M for Montreal show on 3/20 with VOIVOD.

Other non-metal BV shows include our official showcase on 3/17 with Califone, Serena Maneesh and more, and the BV/Anso party on 3/18 with Tyvek, Cheeseburger, and many more, and our day party at Club DeVille on 3/19 with Lucero, The Antlers and others. Half of this stuff is still not fully announced. Stay tuned.

The Red 7 show will also be one of two hip hop events we are involved with at SXSW this year. We're also happy to report that we're media sponsoring the official Audible Treats showcase on 3/20. More details to come! Pictures from their most recent CMJ show HERE.

Buckshot tells a story in the video, along with the flyer, below...

Continue reading "announcing 'Attitude Adjustment' - a Saturday party @ Red 7"

by BBG

Javelina at The Charleston (more by Chloe Rice)

Are we gluttons for punishment? That is the only way to account for the fact that Javelina will beat us down at TWO BrooklynVegan events in the coming weeks.

We are pleased to announce that Javelina will play one of the two stages at the BrooklynVegan Day Party at Emo's in Austin on 3/17 along with the previously announced Fucked Up and the incredible Torche.

Then, just a shade over one week after we destroy Austin as part of SXSW, BrooklynVegan and 1000 Knives will team up to present Javelina again, this time with another SXSW-er, Howl, as well as Sea of Bones and Flourishing at Cake Shop in NYC on 3/25.

More upcoming shows, flyers and videos, below...

Continue reading "Javelina playing BV shows (in NYC & Austin), 'Full Metal Texas' announces lineup, Your Demise & more "

words by BBG, photos by Jesse Lindmar

Iron Age played Union Pool with Inhuman, Snake Sustaine, and Total Social Suicide on 2/16. Good news: Reports say that it was nowhere near the mess it was on their last go around. Bad news: It looks like they may have lost a member... and a key one at that.

Iron Age took the stage sometime after midnight, and were sans part-time Mammoth Grinder and full-time Hatred Surge-r Alex on guit. Word is that the axe-slinger has left the band (which if you are familiar with Iron Age, is par for the course). Either way, reports also indicate that the ATX badasses laid it down heavy.

In related news, Snake Sustaine and a A Life Once Lost were originally scheduled to play Santos Party House on March 10th with White Wizzard and Wizardry. That show has since been cancelled. The band will however scoot on down to Austin to play dates around SXSW including the Ear/Splitters party on 3/20 and a Chronic Youth show at East End Tattoo on 3/18. More on both of those shows soon. More shots from the Union Pool show are below...

Continue reading "Iron Age, Inhuman, Snake Sustaine & Total Social Suicide @ Union Pool in Brooklyn - pics"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Nebula - "The Perfect Rapture" (MP3)

Nebula at BV-BBG Day Party during CMJ (more by Paul Birman)

After passing through customs on their return from a European trek, Nebula will take a few weeks away from the road before heading back out in middle March for a string of dates that'll take the band through SXSW, on to Pianos in NYC on 3/27, and out to the West Coast by the middle of April. The Pianos date is just one of a few that the band have lined up with their Tee Pee compadres Quest for Fire after SXSW. Then in Chicago on April 1st they team up with The Willowz and Clutch side project Lionize for the remainder of the west-heading tour. All dates below.

The Willowz meanwhile are in the midst of a tour with Delta Spirit that brings them to Pianos in NYC TONIGHT (2/4) (and to Union Hall Friday, 2/5) (and then to the same two venues a week after that).

Nebula's tour dates include the Tee Pee showcase at SXSW on Thursday, March 18th at Habana Calle 6. The two stage affair will feature appearances from Priestess, Iron Age, Nebula, Naam, Quest For Fire, Kreisor, The Atomic Bitchwax, Sweet Apple (featuring J Mascis), Imaad Wasif, Spindrift, Hopewell, Jason Simon (of Dead Meadow), and The Main Street Gospel.

Sweet Apple will play their first NYC show on April 20th.

Nebula and tourmates Quest for Fire are on the verge of going half on a 7". The release, due March 23rd, will feature artwork by Andre Ethier (The Deadly Snakes) and be limited to 1000 copies. Download Nebula's contribution to that split, "The Perfect Rapture", above.

All dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "Nebula touring w/ Quest for Fire, Willowz & Lionize - 2010 tour dates (include Tee Pee showcase @ SXSW) ++ new MP3"

by BBG

Rorschach at The Charleston (more by Ryan Muir)

Last year's jaw-dropping lineup at Chaos In Tejas was sick, and 2010 is proving to be no different. For four days across four different Austin venues, May 27th to the 30th at Emo's, Mohawk, Red 7 and Beerland, the festival will offer some of the most impressive names in the independent/underground scene including the indestructible Rorschach, the first ever US appearance from Australian punk greats X, a one-time reunion of Japanese crust-core band Bastard, the quirky cutesy indie pop-punk of Grass Widow, Gehenna (who just played A389), Subhumans, Bastard Noise (who have a new record), Bone Awl, BV faves Jeff The Brotherhood, The Spits, Psychedelic Horseshit, Ty Segall, The Ponys, Iron Lung (who recently played Cake Shop), Poison Idea, Inquisition, and many many many others.

In addition to the obvious mayhem that will ensue over the four days, Chaos in Tejas will also showcase art from some of the scene's most interesting names including Tim Kerr (of Big Boys), Winston Smith (responsible for tons of collage work, including the Dead Kennedys best album art), and Bryan Ray Turcotte (best known for his book Fucked Up and Photocopied).

The full (and intimidating) list is below...

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas 2010 (May 27-30) - intial lineup (Rorschach, Bastard reunion, Spits, Bone Awl, Ty Segall, much 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.

dates below...

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

words by BBG, photos by Chloe Rice,

Iron STOMACHS?

Before any of this CMJ nonsense, Iron Age played (?) The Charleston along with Brain Killer, Naam, Dustheads, Descender, and The Banner, part of a two day stint that the Austin band was doing in NYC. Our photographer Chloe sent in the following report from the show:

"Iron Age took forever to set up, bragging about polishing off a bottle of scotch and making out with random ladies in between disappearances to a room behind a curtain. As they finally got ready to play, Iron Age realized they had not only drunkenly lost a guitar, but also guitar PLAYER. The crowd was getting more and more anxious while their tech searched for him, and once he was found, he was almost too wasted to stand, let alone play! Eventually, they started to play (borrowed Naam's guitar?) but took breaks to stumble through some bad jokes and to tell some PMS'ing broad to fuck off. The playing was shortlived; one guitar amp blew out, the second guitar player broke a string (and proceeded to restring mid-song), which left the drummer and bass player carrying the song. I think they played four songs within the hour or so that they were on."

Naam played the BrooklynVegan Day Party on 10/23 along with Ume, Goes Cube, Crystal Antlers, and Nebula. Pics from that show will be posted very soon.

Continue reading "Iron Age, Naam & friends @ The Charleston in NYC - pics "

by BBG

forgetters @ Lit Lounge (photo by Bill Shouldis)

"forgetters were the reason for the season for me. Seven songs in just under a half-hour, with no retreads from the Thorns material. They all sounded like fast Blake Schwarzenbach songs, so if you've liked any of his musical projects, you will not find forgetters to be a drastic departure. I recorded the show. If you'd like it, and you're not going to sell it or otherwise rankle them, e-mail me and I'll send you a link. forgetters actually have a collective web presence, so keep track of their upcoming shows (and Blake's political leanings) here." [Jaded Scenester]

The show is one of two NYC shows for Chicago's The Bomb, who are also scheduled to play Europa on 10/24 with Used Kids & Basement Black. The Bomb is currently touring off of their new LP, Speed is Everything , which is out NOW via No Idea Records.

In semi-related news, the previously mentioned Iron Age day show at Generation Records is cancelled. Iron Age IS scheduled to make a pair of appearances in NYC though, including at Cake Shop on 10/16 with Mother of Mercy, War Hungry, and Thriller and at The Charleston on 10/17 with a killer diverse bill of Naam, The Banner, Brain Killer , Descender, and Dustheads. Flyer for The Charleston is below.

Naam was recently added to the FREE BrooklynVegan-BBG day party at Fontana's on 10/23.

Descender recently released their S/T EP for FREE download. Get that here, and get out to see them support Iron Age and/OR with Raise The Red Lantern/God's Revolver at Lit Lounge on 10/19.

Full tour dates for The Bomb, the Iron Age flyer and forgetters videos, below...

Continue reading "forgetters playing in-store w/ The Bomb (who are on tour) ++ Iron age is here this week (Cake Shop & Charleston)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Doomriders - "Lions" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Portal - "Omenknow" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Javelina - "Step Child" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Karma To Burn - Live at Lit Lounge 4/20/09 (Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: 20 Buck Spin Label Sampler (Mediafire, Zipped MP3 via)
DOWNLOAD: Kowloon Walled City - Gambling On The Richter Scale (Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Converge - "Axe To Fall" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Power Pellut - "Black Molly" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Skies - "Smoke and Mirrors" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yoga - "Seventh Wind" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sleep - Live at ATP 5/9/09 (MP3)

Javelina @ the Northside BV-BBG Showcase (more by Jason Walker)

Alright! I get it. Doomriders rules. Revocation is up there. There's a new Converge and Baroness on the way. But even with all of those great releases, it suprises me that Javelina isn't near some of the top of those lists. The band's filthy debut was a monster and their new one, Beasts Among Sheep, only adds to their considerable reputation. If you are a fan of the last LP, this one is a must have. Dig on "Stepchild" above and preorder the limited edition LP version of Javelina's Beasts Among Sheep via Brutal Panda Records and the CD version via Translation Loss.

Speaking of that Doomriders album, Darkness Come Alive is out NOW via Deathwish Records. Though the party vibe that permeated through Black Thunder is mostly gone, it has been replaced by a propulsive punk rock fury and, at times, a Misfits-era Danzig croon (see "Come Alive")! There are quite a few killer moments on this long-player, but we present to you the most "fuck you" of them all, the galloping "Lions" downloadable above!

In our last round up, we shined a light on into the deepest fathoms of Australia and the truly frightening Portal. The band's claustrophobic and positively frightening new death metal LP, Swarth, relies as much on freak-out atmosphere as it does killer discordant riffery. Swarth is due out on 10/20 via Profound Lore and we have a second taste in the form of "Omenknow" above.
Misery Index have completed four new songs and are looking to enter the studio in early 2010 to record their follow up to Traitors! Stoked.

Iron Age @ Cake Shop (more by Jason Walker)

I still remember that kick ass Cake Shop show with Iron Age, Mind Eraser, and Sex Vid, and walking out of that show wanting more. Thankfully, I can add to those great memories with a PAIR of Iron Age shows in the coming weeks! First up, the rowdy Texans will team up with the great Mother of Mercy (profiled here) for a show at Cake Shop (10/16). The next day (10/17), look for the band to pull a double header with a day show at Generation Records and a night show at The Charleston with Brain Killer, Naam & Descender. Speaking of Mind Eraser, the band will team up with the kick ass Iron Lung for a string of east coast dates which will include Cake Shop on 11/8! Full Iron Age and Iron Lung dates are below.

Black Skies will release the limited edition vinyl from their 2008 EP Hexagon on I'm Better Than Everyone Else Records. The Chapel Hill doom trio is currently on the hunt for drummer #5, but not before blessing us with some seriously killer riffage in the form of "Smoke & Mirrors" above. Preorder Hexagon here.

Power Pellut is also releasing their debut LP via I'm Better than Everyone Else Records. Preorder that here and dig on "Black Betty" from that LP above!

Church of Misery will release a live record culled from their recent set at Roadburn 2009! More details are to come, but look for Burning World to do the honors in November/December of this year. In the meantime, dig on this killer live video from Roadburn 2009!

That video, news on Kowloon Walled City, Boris, Asphyx, Struck By Lightning, Ringworm, Repulsion and more!

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

photos by Jason Walker, words by Black Bubblegum

Sex Vid

I haven't been to a matinee in a while, but if they're all this good, look for X's on my hands every week. Sex Vid, Iron Age, and Mind Eraser teamed up with RZL DZL and The Rival Mob (mems-Mind Eraser) to decimate Cake Shop on June 6th, one of a pair of shows for Sex Vid that day (Death By Audio was later that night).

Mind Eraser was the first band I caught, and the band's "not powerviolence" attack emphasized the sludgy, furious, and abrasive. I am a big fan of their current record, The Prodigal Son Brings Death, and am curious as to how they can grow their already considerable sound. This band is a must see next time they come through NYC (which is pretty often).

After a brief and comparatively lackluster set by RZL DZL (not a fan), Sex Vid took the stage to reveal their dangerous take on hardcore. The WA band wears it's punk influences on it's sleeve, or rather under it; Void, Germs, and Black Flag tattoos are all visible. Their tense, manic and powerful set highlighted moments from their Communal Living LP, as well as their many 7"s.

Iron Age closed the show, drawing heavily from their LP The Sleeping Eye due on Tee Pee on August 4th. I was just as impressed with their galloping Clevo Hardcore-meets-Motorhead attack this time as I was last time I saw them. I rarely say this, but I am pretty sure I could have done with a longer set from these Texas boys.

More pictures below...

Continue reading "Iron Age, Sex Vid & Mind Eraser @ Cake Shop, NYC - pics"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Iron Age - "Dispossessed" (new MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Iron Age - "The Way Is Narrow" (MP3)

With a maladjusted hardcore assault that's part galloping Motorhead and Clevo Hardcore's Ringworm but with the strength of High On Fire, Iron Age have announced that their new album will be released by Tee Pee Records. The Sleeping Eye, which was completed late last year, is currently available on 2LP (in limited numbers) via Cyclopean Records, but look for Tee Pee to release the CD and LP on August 4th. In the meantime, check out "Dispossessed" from the album available for download above!

Iron Age's last release, The Way Is Narrow 7" has just been repressed by Painkiller Records. Pick that up here, and dig on the title track (another version appears on The Sleeping Eye) also downloadable above.

Iron Age, along with many others involved in Chaos In Tejas next weekend, will be playing other dates before and after the show. Look for Iron age to join hardcore faves Sex/Vid and Mind Eraser on a short Northeastern tour that includes two NYC shows in one day, June 6th... Cake Shop early and Death By Audio late.

Alex Hughes, guitarist for Iron Age and ex-member of Insect Warfare, will also be busy with his other projects in the coming months. Look for Hatred Surge and fellow Texans Mammoth Grinder (who we profiled here) to tour the east coast as part of a cam-pain through NYC on July 17th at The Charleston with Defeatist (mems Anodyne) and Disnihil.

I caught Iron Age and Hatred Surge in their hometown of Austin during SXSW. All tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Iron Age signs to Tee Pee - first MP3 & 2009 Tour Dates"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Orcustus - "Asphyxiokenisis" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Subrig Destroyer - "God Of Furnace" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Disappearer - "A Skull Full Of Bats" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Roller - "Rattle Of The Shaman" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Gnaw Their Tongues - "Rife with Deep Teeth Marks" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Velvet Cacoon - "Funeral Noir" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Arrows Of Filth & Impurity - "Damn, Girlfriend, That Napalm Exfoliates As It Burns" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Arrows Of Filth & Impurity - "If Shit Were Gold, The Poor Wouldn't Have Assholes" (MP3)

Orcustus

Orcustus, a vile and caustic black metal crew that at one point featured Infernus and Tormentor of Gorogoroth, have released their long-time-coming LP via Southern Lord. Try and choke back the vomit while you check out "Asphyxiokenisis" above, and pick up the LP here.

While we're on the BM tip, a misanthrope who released my second favorite record of last year, Leviathan, has dropped a new split entitled Sic luceat lux with Greek black metallers Acherontas. Pick it up at Zyklon-B Productions.

Converge is currently in the studio recording their new album, fingers perched with on twitter. Meanwhile, Nate of Converge dropped some details on the new Doomriders record, Darkness Come Alive, which he professes to be "not as [much of a] party record" and a "little more serious". More in an interview here.

Speaking of Doomriders, Boston's Disappearer (also featuring Jebb Riley) have released The Clearing on Magic Bullet Records in CD and 2LP formats. Pick it up here, and dig on the MP3 for "A Skull Full Of Bats" above!

20 Buck Spin is repressing one of their greatest releases, the Graves At Sea / Asunder split. Pick that up here.

Red Sparowes have announced that they will hit the studio in August to record their LP follow-up to Amorphisms EP. Follow Red Sparowes on Twitter.

UK doomers Moss have a new 10" EP, Tombs Of The Blind Drugged, due this month via Rise Above Records. Preorder info isn't available yet, but when it is, you can pick it up here.

Black Arrows of Filth & Impurity. I know, the name is kind of a mouthful... but the names of the bands that are associated with this death/grind/ambient crew are pretty common around these parts: Demiricous, The Dream Is Dead, and Racebannon. BAOFAI drop their new album 1984 (Eternal) on Gilead Media and are streaming four tracks at their myspace, but have dropped off "Damn, Girlfriend, That Napalm Exfoliates As It Burns" and "If Shit Were Gold, The Poor Wouldn't Have Assholes" above! Pick up 1984 (Eternal) here.

Call me a loyalist, but I had the feeling that after being somewhat disappointed by In The Absence Of Truth, Isis would come back as strong as ever. Make sure and check out Wavering Radiant on May 5th or now, if you are a record fiend or feel like streaming it all at their myspace. Look for Isis at Irving Plaza on June 2nd with Tombs & Pelican (tickets here), and check out the video for "Holy Tears" below!

That video, Subrig Destroyer, Beherit, Velvet Cacoon, sunn 0))), Nattefrost, and more, as This Week in Metal continues!

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (05/02/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Iron Age - "The Way Is Narrow" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mind Eraser - "Teenagers" (MP3, Meat Puppets cover)
DOWNLOAD: Altar of Plagues - "Gas In Veins/Amesoeurs" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Amesouers - "Earth" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Old Wainds - "Cold Twilight of the Worlds" (MP3)

Hull

Brooklyn's own Hull will release Sole Lord via The End Records on May 26th. Spanning ten tracks over 44 minutes, and boasting art work by Josh Graham, look for the the band to kill it TONIGHT (4/16) at Union Pool when they open for the mighty Withered joined by Book of Black Earth and Hallux.

Withered's OTHER touring partners, Marduk, will enter Endarker studios in early May to record the follow-up to Rom 5:12, or their eleventh studio album. Look for it to drop in September, followed by the Funeral Nation World Tour 2009 and into 2010. Marduk will be at Irving Plaza on May 21 with Withered and Mayhem. Tickets are still available.

It a stroke of awesome luck, KARMA TO f'n BURN will be in NYC next monday (4/20) at Lit Lounge along with the mighty Tiger Flowers. Clear your schedules.

Landmine Marathon who I to NYC tommorrow (4/17) to slay The Charleston, are currently taking a break from writing their new album for Prosthetic. No word on when that record will show its ugly face, but in the mean time, make sure to... get. Your ass. To. The. Charleston!

Ringworm are currently writing their new album, The Ninth Circle, hoping to hit the studio this summer for a fall release on Victory Records. Ringworm dropped The Venomous Grand Design on Victory in 2007.

Saint Vitus LIVE (more by Firebaugh)

Over the past weekend (April 11), Saint Vitus played a single US date in New Orleans, where they were joined on stage by Pepper Keenan (Down, COC), Jimmy Bower (Down, Eyehategod), and Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down). Luckily there was a camera in attendance, and you can watch the entire show here. Saint Vitus will headline at Roadburn this weekend. Me jealous.

Municipal Waste have announced completion of Massive Aggressive, their new album recorded with Zeuss. Look for it August 24th on Earache. Meanwhile, you can face the Waste at Roseland with Lamb Of God, Children Of Bodom, and As I Lay Dying. Tickets are still available.

Victims have added Raging Speedhorn guitarist Gareth Smith, and will drop a new 7" entitled Lies Lies Lies on Deathwish. Meanwhile, make sure to catch the Swedish crew on tour with Trap Them and Black Breath!

The previously announced Buried Inside date as part of Show No Mercy (5/3), will serve as one date on a four stop New York state tour. Show No Mercy at Public Assembly is scheduled for 5/3 with headliners A Life Once Lost, Rosetta, and repeat offenders Wetnurse.

Week In Metal continued below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (04/16/09)"

words & photos by Black Bubblegum

Ancestors @ Room 710 in Austin - March 19, 2009

My SXSW adventure began Wednesday morning at the airport. Talk about starting things off on the wrong foot! A woman fell into a diabetic coma (she was ok later that morning) on my 6:30AM flight. That led to an unplanned stop in NOLA which was followed by a layover in a fogged up Houston Airport... to say I was a little late to our own day show at Emo's was an understatement. Unfortunately, Trash Talk were wheeling their amps out the door when I got there (which meant I also missed Garotas Suecas and Psychedelic Horseshit), but I managed to catch Trash Talk vocalist Lee cruising around, with a microphone grill imprinted on his forehead. His pain, our pleasure...

Continue reading "Black Bubblegum's SXSW-metal recap - part 1 "

by Black Bubblegum

Amebix, in a rare moment of calm? (more by Justina Villanueva)

Chaos in Tejas 2009 is on and poppin', having laid out May 21st-24th in Austin for a crust/punk/hardcore field day(s)... dig on the sick FINALIZED lineup that includes punk favorites like Amebix, Cock Sparrer, and Cro-Mags, as well as Eyehategod, The Thermals, Harvey Milk, Annihilation Time, Outlaw Order, Crude, Severed Head of State, Warcry, Ponytail, Trash Talk... the killer list goes on:

Continue reading "Chaos in Tejas is coming to Austin (no, not SXSW) ++++++++++ Mind Eraser & Sex Vid coming to NYC"