by BBG

DOWNLOAD: The Secret - "Double Slaughter" (MP3)

The Secret has something to tell you, and it won't be polite. After releasing a pair of promising LPs via the now-defunct Goodfellow Records (2003's Luce and 2008's Disintoxication), the abrasive blackened/hardcore/grind hybrid has found a new home in Southern Lord Records, who will release their new LP Solve Et Coagula on September 28th. If Disintoxication was just a hint, then Solve Et Coagula is the full answer; this is The Secret's most cohesive and powerful release yet, worthy on any shelf with records by Integrity, Converge, Pulling Teeth, or recent faves like Amenra and Celeste. If there is justice, The Secret will be a secret no more. Dig on a sample in "Double Slaughter", available for the first time above.

We cornered guitarist Michael Bertoldini of The Secret to ask him about the new record, touring plans, and some of his fond memories of Makh Daniels of Early Graves (RIP).

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Coming off of Disintoxication, what were your goals with the new record?

The year before the recording of Disintoxication was transitional for us, as the whole line up of the band changed drastically. We wanted to write an album and record it very quickly, but afterword we felt like we put too many ideas into each of the songs.

With the new record, we just did what we wanted, and what we wanted was to write fast, dark, straightforward heavy songs.

continued below...

Continue reading "new MP3 & interview with The Secret (now on Southern Lord)"

by BBG

R.I.P. Makh Daniels (more by Samantha Marble)

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- A van carrying nine members of two California-based "death metal" bands lost control crashed on Interstate 5 in Central Point when the driver fell asleep, killing one passenger and injuring two others just after 5:30 AM Monday.

Oregon State Police say the van, pulling a trailer, was carrying members of a San Francisco-based death metal band to California when it crashed in the southbound lane between the Central Point and Blackwell Road exits.

OSP didn't release the names of the band and van occupants. But KTVL has confirmed the van was transporting the two bands Early Graves and The Funeral Pyre.

OSP says a 2003 Chevrolet extended van pulling a utility trailer was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 34. The van contained nine adult males returning to California from Eugene where they played at a weekend outdoor concert.

The van's driver reportedly fell asleep and he lost control. The van and trailer traveled off the right shoulder, rolled and came to rest off the freeway in a grassy area. None of the nine occupants were using safety restraints and the adult male victim was ejected from a rear cargo area where he and two others were. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene by responding emergency medical services personnel.

The driver and one passenger were transported by ambulance to Rogue Valley Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. -[KTVL]

The Gauntlet is currently reporting that the "adult male victim" is Early Graves vocalist Makh Daniels. So sad to hear this news... our condolences go out to Daniels's family, the Early Graves guys, and The Funeral Pyre.

Early Graves and The Funeral Pyre were last in NYC in mid-July at Union Pool (view video from that show courtesy Metal Injection), supporting EG's incredible new LP Goner.

UPDATE:

Memorial Service for Makh Daniels: Monday August 9th @ 2-5pm. Location: Good Shepard Funeral Home/ 901 Oceana Blvd Pacifica, California. Please bring a food item along w/ you... and please re-post this information so others may attend to pay their respects.

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