words by Doug Moore, photos by Caroline Harrison

Mike Scheidt, 7/21/2012

Saturday night (7/21) saw an unusual double header at Saint Vitus. The intimate first offering consisted of metal dudes playing decidedly un-metal acoustic music: Mike Scheidt (YOB), Nate Hall (US Christmas), and Kevin Hufnagel (Gorguts, Dysrhythmia). Prurient's post-midnight set offered latecomers a noise-addled second helping. (More on that later.)

Kevin Hufnagel is best known for shredding guitar performances in NYC prog-metallers Dysrhythmia and the death metal legends Gorguts. As a solo performer, Hufnagel cuts the volume dramatically; his recent run of live shows have focused on his baritone ukulele compositions. Though the medium has changed, Hufnagel's voice remained audible. His labyrinthine pieces demonstrated both scary chops and a gift for ghostly melody.

With a broad-brimmed hat casting his face in shadow, Nate Hall cut a Neil Young-esque figure onstage. His plaintive voice tended to wobble off pitch at times, but it's endearing--the kind of mistake that signifies sincerity. Hall fell in line with seemingly every metal musician who dabbles in acoustic balladry (Scott Kelly, Wino, Dax Riggs, Steve Brodsky, etc.) by paying tribute to Townes Van Zandt --his covers included "Kathleen" and "The Rake."

Mike Scheidt is one of the most talented musicians in metal today. His set made it clear that his voice is just as potent as his guitar work. (His considerable fretboard skill did make an appearance via a Doc Watson-influenced flatpicking exhibition.) Scheidt's vocal tone is simply superb; it reverberates with a fluid vibrato that many dedicated singers would envy. His voice illuminated a short but enthralling set that featured a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Dead Flowers" alongside a string of originals.

Kevin Hufnagel will return to Saint Vitus on August 22nd for a date with Wino of the bar's namesake band and others (tickets).

Pictures from the early show at Saint Vitus are below.

Continue reading "Mike Scheidt, Nate Hall and Kevin Hufnagel played an acoustic show at Saint Vitus (pics)"

Krallice at House of Vans (more by Fred Pessaro // BBG)

Krallice have announced that their fourth LP, Years Past Matter, will see a self-release on CD/Digital with vinyl via Gilead Media "shortly thereafter". In celebration, the Brooklyn band will play NYC at Saint Vitus on August 25th. Tickets are on sale and support will come from Ancient Wound.

Reminder, Colin Marston of Krallise is readying Dysrhythmia's new LP which is due this fall. The band also has a record release show scheduled for  Saint Vitus, this one on September 22nd (tickets). Two-thirds of Dysrhythmia recently played Irving Plaza as 1/2 of Gorguts (pictures).

Another reminder though more on the imminent tip, Kevin Hufnagel of Dysrhythmia will play Saint Vitus on 7/21 (tickets) supporting Mike Scheidt (YOB) and Nate Hall (US Christmas).

Mike Scheidt at Bell House (more by BBG)

Mike Scheidt of YOB will head out on the road on a string of tour dates with Nate Hall (US Christmas), hitting the East Coast as part of a celebration of both's recent solo releases. The dates include an NYC stop on July 21st at Saint Vitus with Kevin Hufnagel, and tickets are on sale.

Both Nate Hall's solo debut and Scheidt's Stay Awake are out now via Neurot and Thrill Jockey respectively. Check out a video for "In Your Light" by the latter below.

in related news, Dysrhythmia (which features Kevin Hufnagel on guitar, along with bandmate Colin Marston) will team with The Wayward and Praetura as part of their record release show on September 22nd at Saint Vitus (tickets). The band's Profound Lore debut is due this fall.

And while on the subject, Colin and Kevin are now members of the reformed Gorguts, who play next week with Death to All at Irving Plaza.

All listed tour dates and that video are below.

Continue reading "Mike Scheidt (YOB) and Nate Hall (USX) are on tour, including Saint Vitus show with Kevin Hufnagel (dates)"