by BBG

Morne at Union Pool (more by BBG)

Outside of the previously discussed date with Antisect at Europa on June 10th (tickets), Morne will play a string of dates on their own at the end of March and into April. The four date East Coast jaunt will include a stop for an NYC date on March 30th at Saint Vitus. Tickets are on sale for this BrooklynVegan/Order of The Serpent Event.

The show will also include an appearance from Chicago's The Swan King, who released their Eyes Like Knives via Seventh Rule last year. Stream all of it below, and head to the band's Bandcamp to download a digital copy for free.

All tour dates and that Swan King stream, below...

Continue reading "Morne schedules an East Coast tour, add Saint Vitus date"

by BBG

We previously discussed Antisect's reunion and US appearance at Chaos in Tejas 2012 along with a list of tentative tour dates and cities, but now comes more details including an NYC stop at Europa on June 10th (NYC is no longer scheduled on June 9th). Tickets are on sale for the Brooklyn show that will also feature Morne (who released one of my favorite LPs from last year), Perdition and Death First.

Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, Death First will hit Acheron on Saturday (1/7) with the mighty No Statik, Natural Law, and Deathrats. No Statik have the new "No Hospice"/"Clean Swift Sunshine" 7" out via Prank Records. Get your copy.

Updated Antisect tour dates are below.

Continue reading "updated Antisect dates -- include Brooklyn show with Morne, Perdition & Death First (who play Saturday with No Statik)"

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

Midnight at Rites of Darkness (more by BBG)

2011 was a year that I spent delving deep into record bins, in the pit at shows, and searching for the most brutal of the brutal at festivals across the country including Maryland Deathfest, Chaos in Tejas, Rites of Darkness, SXSW, the A389 Anniversary show, California Discord Fest, and many others. It was also a year when I revisited my hardcore roots, and went further down the rabbit hole with DIY shows and independent records.

2011's choices for best of the year were tougher than I could have imagined, as opposed to my clear cut 2010 choice for favorite album of the year. That said, favorite records are about playability, and these are the LPs that wore out my needle and earned the most plays on my digital device (note: I made sure to remove a record that I was directly involved in because that would clearly be near the top of the list). I hope you enjoyed these records as much as I did in 2011 and if not, please share what you enjoyed below. I already can't wait for 2012.

My favorite records and shows of 2011 are below.

Continue reading "The Year in Heavy (BBG's favorite records & shows of 2011)"

by BBG

Seven Sisters of Sleep at A389 2011 (more by BBG)

Seven Sisters of Sleep (mems Tafkata) are two for two with releases in 2011, dropping both their excellent debut and their similarly crushing split with Children of God this year. Get both at A389. Though no full East Coast trek has been planned, Seven Sisters of Sleep will join the great All Pigs Must Die, labelmates Low Places, and NYC's Grudges for an NYC date at Acheron on 1/20, just a few days after the always awesome A389 Anniversary show at Sonar in Baltimore with Eyehategod, Gehenna, and many others.

All Pigs Must Die was recently given an "honorable mention" in Pitchfork's top metal of 2011 list (though no shout out for Seven Sisters of Sleep). Check out the full list, along with some streaming APMD material and a few videos below...

Continue reading "Pitchfork lists the best metal of 2011, All Pigs Must Die & Seven Sisters of Sleep schedule a Brooklyn show"

photos by Greg Cristman, words by BBG

Batillus

Let it be known, Batillus was officially the heaviest band in Brooklyn on Saturday night (4/23). The band's earth-shaking volume forced a premature ending to their record release set at Union Pool due to a "neighbor's noise complaint". It was fun while it lasted (they finished most of their set) and, once again, a guest appearance from the always incredible Kat (Agoraphobic Nosebleed, ex-Salome) was a welcome/unholy addition. I've said before that Batillus is a band that improves with every outing, and I thought Saturday night was their crowning achievement.

Co-headlining were the always malicious Morne, whose crusty prog-sludge set of over an hour was fantastic. The band played material from their forthcoming LP Asylum. Their set was amazing, and definitely topped their last NYC performance at Studio B with Tragedy.

Belus, featuring members of the once-great Curandera, opened the show and were an excellent way to set off the night.

Saturday was a disappointment and a huge triumph in equal measure, but that just makes room for an exciting set at Batillus's next appearance, May 14th at Acheron as part of a one-year-anniversary celebration of the venue with Trenchgrinder (pretty much Atakke sans Chloe and avec a new vocalist), Mutant Supremacy, Mortals, Defeatist, Tournament, Bad Dream & Beer & Cable.

More pictures from Union Pool below...

Continue reading "Batillus, Morne & Belus played Union Pool (until the show got shut down) -- pics"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Morne - "Edge Of The Sky" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Morne - "My Return" (MP3)

Morne

As previously discussed, Morne is following up their stellar debut for Feral Ward, Untold Wait, with the new doom opus Asylum at their new home Profound Lore on 6/14. Sprawling and progressive without meandering, the furious and anthemic Asylum is their best work to date. Check out "Edge Of The Sky" (which makes its premiere here) and "My Return", both of which are downloadable above and streaming below. The new LP features guest shouts from the likes of Kris Force of Amber Asylum and the one and only Jarboe, who guests on the album closer "Volition".

Morne hits Union Pool on 4/23, one of only two US dates scheduled for the band so far. Morne will be joined by Belus and Batillus who will be celebrating their spanking new burner Furnace. The Batillus record is due in hard formats via Seventh Rule, but you can purchase an e-copy via the label for the very amenable price of "whatever you want". Pick up a copy of Furnace at the Seventh Rule bandcamp and stream the entire record, with the Morne tracks, below...

Continue reading "listen to the new Batillus LP, a new Morne song (MP3 debut) "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Morne - "My Return" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Caulfield - "Set Fire to the Heavens" (MP3)

With their epic show with Batillus fast approaching, Morne has released a new song from their upcoming LP for Profound Lore, Asylum (due 6/14). Check out "My Return" downloadable above/streaming below and check out the band on 4/23 at Union Pool with Batillus/Belus!

Sacramento's Caulfield stand at the crossroads of Neurosis and Integrity, and their impressive new LP available now via A389. The band is currently touring the East Coast and will hit Tommy's Tavern with Pharaoh, Grudges, Bear Trap, Ruin Lust on 4/20. Check out "Set Fire to the Heavens" from the band's self-titled LP above.

Danava are embarking on the previously discussed Down/Haarp trek, but have also added a show at Glasslands on 5/1 with La Otracina.

The Austerity Program will team with The Netherlands and Passive Aggressor to play The Charleston on 4/22. The show is one of two dates (and two completely different sets) scheduled for the band, as they'll also play Union Pool on 5/15 with Coliseum

Download a comp from MetalHit.com that has new tracks from Necros Christos, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, and Blut Aus Nord among many others.

Check out the new Haemmorage video for "Flesh-Devouring Pandemia" at Metalsucks. The band will release their new album Hospital Carnage on May 24th via Relapse.

Head below for more suggested upcoming NYC shows, a new Autopsy video (!), audio from a new Krieg-related project, and more.

Continue reading "Evillive (Morne, Caulfield, Danava, Autopsy & more)"

by BBG

Morne (photo by Jeff Allen)

Morne's Untold Wait LP and Demo were both well done (as discussed previously), and now the band (featuring Jeff of ex-Grief/Disrupt fame) is prepping their newest abomination for a new label. Details on that are forthcoming, but look the the New England band to dip into said new material when they return to play NYC at Union Pool on April 23rd. The show is their only current US date and will double as the Batillus album release show (a co-headlining show). Batillus will drop their new LP Furnace via Seventh Rule on 4/16. Belus will support both doom killers.

Batillus recently destroyed The Studio at Webster Hall with Hull, Horseback & Caltrop.

All tour dates and some video is below.

Continue reading "Morne & Batillus working on new LPs, playing a show"

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 Black Bubblegum

"Am bummed that I missed Tragedy at Studio B, , but I have to tell you..." -Ted Leo

Tragedy @ Studio B - July 12, 2009

Due to a layover on their way to Europe, crusty hardcore gods Tragedy did their part to help shutter the stages of Studio B on July 12th with a little help from Morne (mems-Grief, profiled here), Blacklisted, Brain Handle, and Brain Killer. I got to the venue moments after the great Blacklisted started. I unfortunately missed Brain Handle and Brain Killer.

"We don't take requests", vocalist George Hirsch quipped from on stage, not that the band needed to. Blacklisted ran through some favorite selections of older material, as well songs from the excellent Heavier Than Heaven, Lonlier Than God from last year. As far as stage presence and performance, Blacklisted as a band is as impassioned as Hirsch's lyrics, and the barefooted vocalist took command of the crowd with ease. I'm a big fan.

Morne followed with their crusty Amebix/early Neurosis slant, drawing from their new LP due on Feral Ward. Their sound has infinite potential, but I found them to be less than energetic on stage. Nerves? They had second billing above Blacklisted (which I didn't understand) and were sandwiched between two of the greatest current hardcore bands today.

Though there are a few notable exceptions to this rule (like Blacklisted), I think hardcore should have an element of danger to it. A fire. A pissed off quality transcends the musician's ability, propelling the music forward with an intangible, urgent quality. Tragedy has that rage, which is why this band is so compelling both on record as well as on stage. They did not disappoint on Sunday night, save for the fact that the sound was muddy at different vantage points and their show clocked in at under an hour. I could have gone for two.

"Lemme just put it this way. I usually follow the "No crowd-surfing/stage-diving for kids over 175lbs" rule pretty fucking strictly. It definitely makes the show more enjoyable for the majority. For Tragedy, I smashed that rule to fucking pieces for the first time in years. I definitely heard "Not Fucking Fodder", "Call to Arms", "The Day After", and "The Ending Fight". They also played one, possibly 2 new songs as well. Could this mean a new album? Who knows?! Shit dude, for a bunch of semi-drunk dudes they were tighter than Nancy Reagan's asshole and heavier than a 10 ton weight. EURO-FRIENDS: GO SEE TRAGEDY." [NGNV]

Continue reading "Tragedy, Blacklisted & Morne @ Studio B - pics & video "

by Black Bubblegum

"Now, if you were talking about the hardcore band Tragedy, then this particular post would've been worth a helluva lot more." - d | September 6, 2007 4:56 PM

Studio B is on the way out, but not before hosting at least one more concert. The crusty gods of Tragedy (ex-His Hero Is Gone) are scheduled to play there on July 12th with Blacklisted and Morne (ex-Grief) as part of Hardcore Gig Volume. Tickets are on sale.

Morne are releasing their new album Untold Wait on Feral Ward before heading out for a European tour (dates below). Untold Wait will feature Alicia Morgan (of 13, who is looking to compile a discography) as well as Kris Force (of Amber Asylum, who recently released Bitter River).

Tragedy formed in 2000, so not surprisingly, there is some controversy every time we post about a more-recently named band that is also called Tragedy, and who bill themselves as... an "All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees" (speaking of which, I need to fix the way I have the tag setup on this website...).

In other "tragedy" news, Sky Saxon, Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Andy Hughes, and Dom DeLuise & Ed McMahon all recently passed on. We posted six obituaries yesterday (2 of them belated).

The Bee Gees Tragedy have a show coming up at Governors Island this summer. All dates below...

Continue reading "Tragedy (Studio B) vs. Tragedy (Governors Island)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Morne - "Machine" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hey Colossus - "Tight Collar" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hammers Of Misfortune - "Rats Assembly" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hammers Of Misfortune - "Church of Broken Glass" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Grails - "Reincarnation Blues" (MP3)

MORNE (members of Grief)

Influential doomers Grief are back from the dead! This time, the band have lined up a show in Baltimore (@ The Nowarehouse on 10/24) and Philly (@ The Khyber Pass on 10/25 with Black Cobra) in preparation for a European tour with the mighty Trap Them (European tour dates forthcoming). Meanwhile, guitarist/vocalist Jeff Hayward (formerly of the equally menacing Disrupt) is touring with his new band, the oh-so-crusty Morne, who are poised to attack the east coast and as far as Minneapolis during a ten-city tour (dates below) including one date at Cake Shop on Sept 28th with Attake, Cop On Fire, and Lost Cause. Morne will be promoting their recently released demo (out now) and the band was kind enough to drop a taste here! Check out "Machine" downloadable above, and check them out on tour.

Earth have added a few shows including a date at Columbia University (10/17), another at Wesleyan University (10/18), and a date at Union Pool (10/14), in addition to the previously announced date at the Knitting Factory with Arbouretum (10/19, tickets here).

Pelican announced a show at the Bowery Ballroom on 11/2 and some other tour dates.

From The Nursery Records, current home of locals Orphan, will drop 12" of Melvins tracks recorded during the Nude With Boots sessions. Look for it hopefully by the end of this year.

Jarboe, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hammers of Misfortune, Nachtmystium, Hellshock, Landmine Marathon and more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (09/05/08) "