words & photos by BBG

Russian Circles @ Bowery Ballroom

I'm covered in drool and sweat from last night (11/14), but couldn't be happier. Besides a blown guitar head that hindered The Men's opening set, Russian Circles/Deafheaven's tour stop at Bowery Ballroom went spectacularly, featuring both touring bands in prime form. And if The Men weren't plagued by technical difficulty (I know what that band is capable of), the show could have possibly gone down as one of my favorites of the year.

The Men opened the show energetically, pulling material from their latest LP Leave Home. After borrowing a head from Deafheaven, the band ripped into three songs before trouble started to set in; the head would not work. After fumbling with it for one song and some awkward pauses, the band went into a final track before calling it a night.

"You're blowing our big chance!" the bassist jokingly said to his bandmates before sounding off for the evening. Disappointing set, but by no fault of their own... the band's rendition of "Think" from the new record was particularly ripping (one of the few songs they played from start to finish).

A fuse was replaced in guitarist Kerry McCoy's rig in between bands, and Deafheaven preceeded to wow the crowd with their screamo-infused take on black metal. Though the band was sporting a pair of new members (on guitar and drums), they sounded no worse for the change. In fact, by the time they really dug into the set-opener "Violet" (which we premiered in February), I was convinced that this was my favorite live outing from the band thus far (I have seen them at least four times by this point... at our SXSW parties and Cake Shop). Maybe it was my experience of seeing them on Bowery Ballroom's juggernaut-of-a-system, but the Bay Area band was in rare form last night.

Russian Circles batted clean-up, utilizing minimal stage lighting and counting on half a dozen light bulbs around stage to set the mood. The Chicago trio played an impressive set of hardcore-infused post-rock, equally as jaw-dropping as their Fun Fun Fun appearance amidst the sunset at Auditorium Shores. Russian Circles cannot make a bad album and in my experience, are incapable of a bad live show.

If you missed the show last night, do your best to get to Maxwell's tonight (11/15). Tickets are still on sale and surely The Men will have worked out their guitar head situation, and will definitely up the ante from an already impressive Bowery Ballroom show last night.

The Men also play a show with Total Control in Brooklyn on Wednesday.

More pictures from Bowery Ballroom are below.

Continue reading "Russian Circles, Deafheaven & The Men played Bowery Ballroom (pics) ------ catch them again @ Maxwell's tonight"

by BBG

Total Control at Fun Fun Fun Fest (more by BBG)

In addition to their previously discussed dates with Thee Oh Sees, Australia's Total Control have added a third NYC date which is actually happening before the others. The band will team with The Men, Nude Beach & Kicking Spit at Saint Vitus on 11/16. Tickets are on sale OR you can roll the dice and try to win a pair! Details on how are below.

Meanwhile The Men, who are going to SXSW in March, will support Russian Circles and Deafheaven at Bowery Ballroom tonight (11/14) and Maxwell's tomorrow.

Total Control's NYC shows with Thee Oh Sees happen at 285 Kent on 11/17 with The Beets and Doomsday Student who ripped it at Public Assembly (tickets), and at LPR on 11/18 (tickets).

All tour dates, contest details, and some streaming audio, below...

Continue reading "Total Control playing 3 NYC shows this week, The Men too"

by Andrew Sacher

Russian Circles (not Danzig) @ FFF Fest (more by BBG)

Post rockers Russian Circles released their most recent LP, Empros, on October 25 via Sargent House. Some of the album, especially the track "Miladek," which you can grab HERE, tends to cross over into the territory where post-rock meets emo and post-hardcore, similarly to The Appleseed Cast, though the sludgy guitars of their earlier albums still come through in full force. Though the majority of the album is instrumental, vocals do appear on the last track, "Praise Be Man." You can listen to the whole thing at Spotify.

Russian Circles are currently on a tour that just hit FFF Fest in Austin, and will come to the NYC-area for shows on November 15 at Bowery Ballroom and November 15 at Maxwell's with shoegazey San Francisco black metallers Deafheaven. The Men are also on both shows. Tickets are still on sale for the Bowery show and the Maxwell's show.

Updated dates below...

Continue reading "Russian Circles released 'Empros', continue on tour"

photos by BBG

Four stages and more. Fun Fun Fun Fest truly is non-stop fun of many varieties. BBG spent most of Friday at the Black Stage (the one Danzig headlined). His pictures, including Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Murder City Devils, Russian Circles and the afterparty at Red 7, continue below...

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 -- Day 1 in pics (part 1) -- Thee Oh Sees, Ty Segall, Murder City Devils, Russian Circles & more"

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Russian Circles - "Miladek" (MP3)

Russian Circles

Russian Circles willl team with Deafheaven (whose former tourmates KEN Mode just played NYC) for a tour that includes a show at Bowery Ballroom on 11/14. Tickets for the NYC show go on sale on 10/7 at noon.

The tour hasn't been announced in full yet (UPDATE: it has now, dates updated below), but will also include an appearance at Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest and a free show for FFF ticketholders on 11/5 at Red 7 with Boris as part of "Fun Fun Fun Nites", a string of post-festival after parties with a lineup almost as venerable as the fest itself. Full details on FFF Nites are below and tickets for Fun Fun Fun Fest are still available. BrooklynVegan is a proud sponsor of at least one party during FFF Nites, details are forthcoming.

Before Russian Circles hits the road for those dates, they'll be in readying the release of Empros, the band's new LP and follow-up to the awesome Geneva due on 10/25 via Sargent House. The LP features "Mladek" which is available for download above. LP art and album details are below.

Reminder: Boris plays Irving Plaza on 10/27.

More details on FFF Nites, as well as all known Russian Circles dates are below.

Continue reading "Russian Circles readying new LP, touring w/ Deafheaven --- MP3, some dates & initial FFFFest afterparty lineup"

Slayer at Izod Center (photos by Samantha Marble)

Slayer, Thee Oh Sees, Public Enemy, Girls, Danzig Legacy, (Danzig + Doyle von Frankenstein playing Misfits, Samhain & Danzig), Hot Snakes, Diplo, Major Lazer, Henry Rollins, Ted Leo & The Phramacists, Spank Rock, Murder City Devils, Hum, Lykke Li, Passion Pit, Four Tet, Rakim, The Damned, Austra, Purity Ring, and Flynt Flossy are just a few of the acts announced today as part of the Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup. Another amazing year! Check out the full lineup below and stay tuned for more announcements coming in August and September.

The new additions to the Austin, Texas festival, which takes place from 11/4 - 11/6, are in addition to the the previous "lineup leaks" that included Brian Posehn, Odd Future, Okkervil River, M83, X (performing "Los Angeles"), Reggie Watts, Flying Lotus, Tune-Yards, Ra Ra Riot, Kid Dynamite and others

2011 is the festival's sixth year, but first at its new home Auditorium Shores (no more Waterloo Park). Tickets are on sale now.

Slayer also has a NYC performance coming up with Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth as part of the "Big Four" show at Yankee Stadium on 9/14. Tickets are still available.

Fun Fun Fun 2011 flyer and almost-full lineup is below.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 lineup (Danzig Legazy, Passion Pit, Slayer, Lykke Li, The Damned, Henry Rollins & much more)"

by BBG

Boris, in pillow and undergarment form

Boris's new LP offerings Attention Please and Heavy Rocks (2011) represent a bit of a stylistic change for the ever-shifting Japanese band. As such, they've recruited some bands outside of the usual suspects in their upcoming North American tour announced today. Boris, who is currently in the EU with Russian Circles, will hit the road in the US for dates with Asobi Seksu, Tera Melos, True Widow (who play Union Pool in August), Master Musicians of Bukkake, Liturgy and others in October. Full tour schedule is below, including an NYC date with Asobi Seksu and Liturgy at Irving Plaza on 10/27. Ticketing info is forthcoming.

Meanwhile, Asobi Seksu play a FREE show at Pier 17 on Friday (7/15) with The Radio Dept AND a show at Brooklyn Bowl on 10/1 (tickets). Full Asobi Seksu dates are below.

All tour dates and a video for Boris's "Hope/Riot Sugar" (a song from each new LP in a single video) is below. For all of you superfans, keep a lookout for Boris - Attention Please underwear and/or pillows (above) which go on presale on 7/30.

Continue reading "Boris playing shows w/ Asobi Seksu, Liturgy, Tera Melos, Coliseum, True Widow & more (2011 Tour Dates)"

words and photos by BBG

CoC

The Animosity lineup of Corrosion of Conformity played all of their Animosity LP at Highline Ballroom on Sunday (10/10) with one-off help from Today is The Day, Keelhaul, and The Ghosts of Saturday Night (who I missed). The three piece headliner (Mike Dean/Reed Mullin/Woody Weatherman) ripped out jams from the fave LP while sprinkling in new material along the way. Look for that soon on Southern Lord.

Today Is The Day is currently writing new material for their forthcoming LP on Black Market Activities/Metal Blade Records. The band now features Ryan and Curran of Wetnurse in addition to TITD mastermind Steve Austin.

In related news, Wetnurse will play Fontana's on 10/23 with Powerglove, Meek is Murder, Pack of Wolves, Batillus, and The Binary Code. The show kicks off at 4PM, 3 hours before the kick off of the Official BV-BBG showcase at Union Pool with The Body, Cough, Inter Arma, and Royal Thunder. The Fontana's show is one of two for presenters MetalSucks & 1000 Knives who are also bringing A Life Once Lost, Baptized in Blood, and Carbomb to Europa on 10/20 (tickets).

Keelhaul is done opening for CoC dates for now, and will hit the road next weekend for a string of dates with Russian Circles and Call Me Lightning (none in NYC). Those tour dates, as well as more pictures and video from Highline are below...

Continue reading "Corrosion of Conformity played Highline Ballroom w/ Keelhaul & Today is the Day -- pics, video, more dates & stuff"

words by BBG, photos by Greg Cristman

I don't know where you were on Friday night, but if it wasn't at the sold-out Boris and Torche show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, I feel bad for you....

Torche's set was great. Melodic doom? If I had to guess, I'd say Torche might be the heaviest band playing in standard tuning. And if that's not standard tuning [ED: it definitely isn't], these guys play a lot of happy chords, but can still run a nasty bass line underneath for a giant cosmic explosion at the end. I'm not sure if a lot of bands not Boris ever used Boris' equipment, but Torche was allowed and it sounded great. My one complaint was the music could stand on its own without singing, maybe even profit from less.

Boris opened with "Farewell." The set was up and down in terms of slow beautiful Boris songs to fast crazy-as-hell Boris songs. I think sometimes the audience wanted more of the latter, but "Rainbow" with hired gun Michio Kurihara's guitar shredding and Wata's "16:47:52" were highlights for me. I was standing near Wata because I'm in love with her. She's so serious! I've seen Boris plenty of times and for some reason I always describe the sets as a lot of fun and Boris is not like U.S. metal bands-the members actually have a lot of fun. I don't know why I say these things because Wata, Michio and Takeshi are expressionless. Japanese metal stoicism?...

...When I see Boris play, I'm embarrassed for the entire U.S. metal scene. -[NY Press]

Boris will be back in NYC in a month, but this time with sunn o))) and performing Altar at BMT (tickets) in it's entirety (which they'll also do at ATP NY).

More pictures from MHOW below...

Continue reading "Boris, Torche & Russian Circles played MHOW (pics) "

by BBG

Boris @ Scion Rock Fest (more by Steven Brown)

As hypothesized, Boris will team up with Russian Circles for a NYC show on August 6th. It's at Music Hall of Williamsburg. What I didn't foresee? It's with TORCHE. Tickets are on sale, full tour dates are below. Um, I'm in.

Continue reading "Boris & Russian Circles add Brooklyn show with Torche"

by BBG

Boris at ATP NY 2009 (more by Ryan Muir)

The Japanese rumblers are back. Boris will strap on their double necked-axes and hit the road this summer for a US tour with Russian Circles, and then Red Sparowes. No NYC dates scheduled as of yet (there is a pretty glaring hole on 8/5 and 8/6 though....), but the band will be at ATP 2010 as part of Altar with sunn O))).

Boris recently released a trio of limited 7"s and played ATP in the UK curated by Pavement. All dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "Boris touring w/ Russian Circles, Red Sparowes - 2010 dates "

by Black Bubblegum

They say that the clothes make the man, but in the music world, the drummer makes the band. That's the only way to explain the string of successes that have followed Dave Witte since he first sat behind the kit as a member of the influential yet under-appreciated Human Remains. Since then, Witte has played with some of the greatest bands in the heavy underground, laying the back beat to names as powerful as Municipal Waste, Discordance Axis, Anodyne, Black Army Jacket, Melt Banana, and we can't forget about Burnt By The Sun.

Burnt By The Sun recently released their swansong, Heart of Darkness, via Relapse Records. In celebration of this last LP, the band will embark on final tour of Europe in October with only one US date scheduled: October 2nd at Cake Shop with Tombs, Black Anvil, Bloodhorse, and Torchbearer. Considering the band members' current undertakings, it isn't out the question to say that this could be their last show for a very very long time.

With that as a primer, I fired some questions at Dave Witte about Municipal Waste, the end of Burnt By The Sun, and the possiblity of him returning to the kit for Human Remains, Discordance Axis or Black Army Jacket. The conversation is below....

Continue reading "an interview w/ Dave Witte (of Burnt by the Sun, Municipal Waste, Human Remains, Black Army Jacket...)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Russian Circles - "Malko" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Bad Secrets - "Gimme Sound" (MP3)

Russian Circles (photo by Chris Strong)

Russian Circles have Geneva due on 10/20 and are hitting the road with Young Widows, tagging Bowery Ballroom on 12/1 in the process. Tickets for Bowery, which will also feature Phantom Family Halo, are on AmEx presale now, and go on general sale Friday (9/25) at noon.

Speaking of Young Widows, Evan Patterson recently dropped a 9" with his side project Bad Secrets on Robotic Empire. The lo-fi, somewhat sparse psychedelic look at post-punk is the product of a few weekends in 2007 when Patterson teamed up with Dan Davis (Kodan Armada). Dig on a track from the Bad Secrets 9"/CD above.

And while we're on the subject of Robotic Empire, the label is currently taking preorders for a MASSIVE TWELVE LP (!) box set of Floor material. The comp, which will set you back $250, comes with an exclusive (and rather rad, I must say) Floor tee. Pre-order that sumbitch here. Members of Floor went on to form Torche, Dove, and House of Lightning.

Young Widows JUST played Bowery with Thursday and Fall of Troy on 9/20.

"Since Settle Down City, the band has toured with little rest, contributed to a bevy of split 7-inch records alongside acts like Coliseum and Melt-Banana, replaced a drummer, and released the combustible Old Wounds. More work (including a third full-length) is forthcoming but Patterson insists that all of Young Widows' output reach a personal high mark. "This is what I want to be passionate about," he says." [Hartford Advocate]

Continue reading "Russian Circles & Young Widows touring (dates), Bad Secrets release music (MP3), Floor box set coming soon"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Russian Circles - "Malko" (MP3)

TAAS

Minus The Bear are touring and working on new material. Their Suicide Squeeze labelmates have been busy as well!

These Arms Are Snakes, who we already knew were playing Mercury Lounge on 9/26, have scheduled a date the night before (9/25) at Shea Stadium in Brooklyn. TAAS also recently dropped the digital single "Washburn" from their previously released split with All The Saints. Vinyl split cover art below.

Russian Circles currently dont have any NYC dates, but the band is hitting the road in late October, hitting up Fun Fun Fun Fest along the way. Russian Circles have a new long-player on the way, Geneva, due on 10/20. Dig on "Malko" from that record above.

Full Russian Circles and TAAS dates, below...

Continue reading "These Arms Are Snakes add 2nd NYC show - updated tour dates +++ new Russian Circles MP3"

August 25th, 2009 (Austin, TX) - Transmission Entertainment is pleased to announce the lineup for the 2009 Fun Fun Fun Fest, taking place on November 7th and 8th at Waterloo Park in Austin. Fun Fun Fun Fest made its first appearance on a cold Friday evening in 2006, offering a unique approach to festival booking, filling stages with talent bubbling from the underground: what sounded great, and what was making an impact, regardless of what mainstream media said was cool. What started out as a show for a few touring acts and local favorites has become a movement -- a festival that fans and bands alike realize needs to be experienced year after year.

Now in its fourth year, Fun Fun Fun Fest has made a significant impact on the country's winter calendar, successfully combining the vast worlds of indie, punk, rap, electronica and comedy while showcasing some of the city's most unique local businesses.

Continue reading "Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009 lineup (Jesus Lizard, Of Montreal, Gorilla Biscuits, LSF, 7 Seconds, D.R.I. & DANZIG!! & more)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Slough Feg - "Tiger Tiger" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Prizehog - "Husky" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Wildildlife - "Shining Son" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Funeral Mist - "Jesus Saves" (EDIT) (MP3)

Slough Feg have announced their new album, Ape Uprising, due June 3nd on Cruz Del Sur! Recorded by Justin Phelps and Justin Weis (again), and later mastered at Traxwork studio. Check out the Larry Luna cover art above. Iron Kodex will do the vinyl honors for Ape Uprising in "the end of April" in a limited edition run of 666 copies. Slough Feg will join the mighty Absu, Wildildlife, and many others as part of the WFMU/Acquarius Records show at Spiro's on March 20th during SXSW. Prizehog is also along for the ride... check out "Husky" downloadable above, and pick up their CD-R at Aquarius Records!

Karma To Burn are BACK and have scheduled a short tour of the east coast, though no NYC date is scheduled.... you'll have to travel up to Danbury to check 'em out on Apr 22 at Cousin Larry's. Full tour dates are below.

The music portion of SXSW kicks off in Austin today (3/18). if you're there, stop by our party and check our our guide for even more heavy show options, or just to grab all the free music.

Church of Misery have completed recording of their new album, Houses of the Unholy, and are streaming a new song, "El Padrino", at their myspace. Look for the new record on Rise Above Records, which is on pre-order here.

Zoroaster, The Gates of Slumber, and Serpentcult are tripleteaming the US, having added US dates including a night at The Studio @ Webster Hall on August 9th. Ticket info is forthcoming. Zoroaster recently dropped Voices of Omens on their own Terminal Doom Records, while Serpentcult recently dropped The Weight of Light on Rise Above.

Funeral Mist's Maranatha is out NOW. Check out an edit of "Jesus Saves" available for download above.

Cattle Decapitation were already on their way to NYC to play with Mayhem, Marduk, Cephalic Carnage, Withered, AND the just-added Lair of The Minotaur at Irving Plaza on May 21st (tickets here). But NOW the band has added another NYC show, part of yeat another round of dates for the band, but this time as headliners! Ticket info is forthcoming for Cattle Decapitation, Rose Funeral & Woe of Tyrants at The Studio @ Webster Hall on May 1. Full tour dates are below. In related news, make sure and check out the mighty Withered (who absolutely killed it at Scion) when they headline Union Pool on April 16th!

Bison BC & Children will team up for a show at Death By Audio on April 18th, linking up with Violent Bullshit (ex-Panthers), Circle of Buzzards (with Bob D'Amico and Jason Lowenstein of Sebadoh and Fiery Furnaces) and Naam. Children's new record is due on Kemado on April 14th, no word on the title yet. Bison BC are riding high off of their killer record from last year, Quiet Earth, and Death By Audio will be the bands first appearance since they played Europa with Harvey Milk. Full Bison BC tour dates are below.

The Devil & The Sea

One record that I gave alot of spins in 2008, but didnt make my year end faves was The Devil & The Sea's Heart vs Spine (pick that up here). The band is gearing up to tour the Northeast and have added a date at The Charleston on Mar 31st with another band that has been ringing my ears lately, Music Hates You. Full tour dates are below.

Justin K Broadrick dropped a MEGA-update on all of his projects, including Jesu, GreyMachine (with Aaron Turner), White Static Demon, Solaris BC and his many many remix projects. On the Jesu front, look for TWO live LPs, Opiate Sun EP in July, Infinity in June, Heart Ache reissue with a bonus Unreleased EP from 2003, and a reissue of the ENVY/jesu with an "Unconfirmed Bonus Mix". Check out the full update here.

Grief have called it quits... again. Sob. Their appearance at Maryland Deathfest has been cancelled as well. In honor of the fallen, Kill That Cat posted a video from a show before they kicked the bucket for the first time. Check that out below.

That video, and news on Atheist, Craft, Obscura, Municipal Waste, and soooo much more as The Week In Metal continues!...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (03/18/09)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Wino - "Release Me" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Bakerton Group - "Peruvian Airspace" (MP3 Snippet)
DOWNLOAD: The Bakerton Group - "Bait & Switch" (MP3, from Space Guitars EP)
DOWNLOAD: The Bakerton Group - "Mainstream" (MP3, from Space Guitars EP)
DOWNLOAD: The Bakerton Group - "The Mack" (MP3, from Space Guitars EP)

Recognize those dudes? That's the original members of Clutch.... but it's also The Bakerton Group, aka "the psychedelic instrumental jazz-laden alter ego" of Maryland's finest. The Bakerton Group have recruited Per Wiberg (Opeth) for their third release, the J.Robbins (Jawbox) produced LP El Rojo!. The album will be released, on their own Weathermaker imprint, on Feb 17th, 2009. Check out the MP3 snippet of "Peruvian Airspace" above.

The Bakerton Group & The Bakerto-, er-, I mean Clutch, will tour (together?) in February around the release of El Rojo!, so look for those dates as the come up. In the meantime Clutch have some shows scheduled this month in Jersey, CT and elsewhere (dates below). In the Spring, Clutch will hit the studio to record their follow-up to From Beale Street to Oblivion. Full Fathom Five, a live CD (and separately, a DVD) dropped on Nov 11th.

Clutch/TBG skinsman extraordinaire Jean-Paul Gaster is also manning the kit on the new album by doom legend Scott "Wino" Weinrich, Punctuated Equilibrium. We previewed the record recently (and also way before that). Look for it in January 2009 on Southern Lord and check out the first track "Release Me", downloadable above.

Neil Fallon of Clutch is also frontman for The Company Band featuring members of Fireball Ministry, Fu Manchu, CKY, and Puny Human. The Company Band released their debut EP in early 2008, Sign Here, Here, & Here, with plans of a follow-up LP in 2009.

Per Wiberg's band members in Opeth have a masterful side project as well, Bloodbath.

Clutch dates below...

Continue reading "new album by The Bakerton Group, Clutch tour dates, MP3s"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Khanate - "Wings From Spine" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Grey Machine - Vultures Descend (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Outlaw Order - Siege Mentality (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Millions - "Lest the Professor Catches Fire"(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Orphan - "Bogman"(MP3)

Hmm.... who's guitar rig could this be?

In his own special way, Stephen O'Malley dropped a bunch of news on his upcoming projects via a detailed discography. SOMA posted the following unreleased, unannounced records:

SUNN O)))
Che (SUNN O))) & Pan Sonic do a Suicide cover, pic 10" 2009)
Dimensions (TBA) (2xCD & 2xLP 2009)

Æthenor
Faking Gold & Murder (CD & LP 2008)

Khanate
Clean Hands Go Foul (LP & Picture Disc 2008, CD & CD Japan 2009)

David Tibet sings and contributes lyrics on the forthcoming Æthenor album; other guests are Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver) and long time Æthenor collaborator Alexander Tucker [who just played ATP].

Tentatively titled 'Faking Gold and Murder' from a line in the text, Æthenor is the project of Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley, Vincent de Roguin (Shora) and Daniel O'Sullivan (Guapo)

The long lost 4th KHANATE album Clean Hands Go Foul will finally emerge later this year. This was recorded directly after the Capture & Release album at Bisi Studio Brooklyn February 2005.

Mastodon's Brent Hinds had a little run-in with King Khan over the weekend, and while we have heard King Khan's side of the story, ridiculous pictures included, we haven't heard a peep from Brent Hinds. My thoughts echo that of one astute Blabbermouth reader: "The real victim here is the beer". Brann Dailor of Mastodon was recently interviewed by Metal Injection.

Justin Broadrick (Jesu, ex-Godflesh) dropped a bombshell of sorts.... a new project, Grey Machine, featuring Aaron Turner (Isis), Diarmuid Dalton (Jesu), and Dave Cochrane (Transitional)! From the upcoming album Disconnected, the band posted "Vultures Rise" available for download above!

Crom is back on the west coast, but evidence from their east coast killing spree is popping up all over the net. Check out pics from their show in Worcester, MA at Return To The Pit, an interview with a shirtless Crom at Vice magazine, as well as audio (and video below) from their appearance at WFMU.

Crom Live at WFMU, Mayhem, Amon Amarth, Baroness, Tweak Bird, Bison BC and more below.....

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (09/30/08)"

photos by Chris Graham

Continue reading "These Arms Are Snakes - 2008 tour dates. Bumbershoot pics "

Don't let this happen to your favorite touring band. Shop at Insound.

The "Give More" part of our new digital sales project is called "Show Support." It's really simple. Every time you buy an MP3 album from Insound (not EPs or singles), Insound will donate $.25 of our take to a touring band. We choose 6 lucky bands that we like, but you get to select the actual artist to earmark your quarter to. Furthermore, should you wish to "tip" additional funds to these great artists, you can add your own tip during checkout. 100% of these funds will go to the band you choose. If you do not choose a specific band, we will distribute the funds equally to all of the bands. We will add new bands 2-4 times each year. All funds are to be used by bands to support the next national tour. In short, their tours will be made possible by you - Insound customers!

Currently, the awesome bands that will benefit from our donations are:

The Big Sleep on the streets
Russian Circles
The Twilight Sad about the price of gas
Headlights are keeping me up at night
Epsilons
Videohippos

Please note: You do not have to buy an album by one of the Show Support bands above to donate money. The $.25 per MP3 album and your tips will be donated whether you buy their albums or you buy an album by any other artist. Additionally, tips will only be earmarked to one of the 6 bands above. For example, if you buy a Pinback MP3, that does not mean that Pinback will get an extra $.25 from that order. Their label and distributor will receive the same amount they always do, but another lucky Show Support band will get some extra help. Any questions email us: CassieHelp@insound.com.

Other good causes (ways to help the homeless) (no offense touring bands) can be found here.

PREVIOUSLY: Warner Music acquires Insound

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Narrows - "Life Vests Float, Kids Don't" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: These Arms Are Snakes - "Horse Girl" (MP3)

As mentioned by our fair compatriot Largehearted Boy, today marks the release of instru-metallers Russian Circles's Station on Suicide Squeeze. Mosey on over to Spinner and check it out. Me likey.

Russian Circles share a band member, ex-Botch-er and bassist Brian Cook, with These Arms Are Snakes who have announced a new album of their own. Slated for recording on May 9th and release on Oct 7th, the new album (the name is a secret) also has a new home....Suicide Squeeze! Chris Common, drummer of These Arms Are Snakes and producer of 2006's Easter (as well as Mouth Of The Architect's new one, and records by Minus the Bear) will run the boards.

Ryan Fredriksen (These Arms Are Snakes) has his own side project, Narrows, featuring the one and only Dave Verellen (ex-Botch) on throat but also boasting members of Unbroken and Some Girls. The band will release a 7" EP this month on Deathwish, followed by an LP due later this year.

Russian Circles are playing the MHOW with Daughters on June 29th. Tickets are on sale.

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Russian Circles - "Carpe" (MP3) from the Enter EP

Russian Circles live at the Echoplex in Los Angeles, 3/27/08 (Courtney Lyn)

Russian Circles must be fans of The Jeffersons.... cause these dudes are movin' on up! Last time these Chi-town natives got a piece of the big apple (pie) (Feb 25th), they packed (and laid waste to) the Mercury Lounge. Now the looping pedal magicians will play Music Hall of Williamsburg (!) on June 29th (tickets go on sale Sat 4/26 at 10AM) as part of a larger tour with openers tech-spazz-punks Daughters.

Seems like a stretch to me, but maybe it's because of their stellar new debut for Suicide Squeeze, Station. Out on May 6th, Station is produced by Matt Bayles (but you knew that), features Brian Cook of Botch/These Arms Are Snakes fame, and is as richly emotive as it is pummeling.

Like-minded (former) Chicago breathren Pelican will be at the MHOW on May 4th.

Metalsucks recently interviewed Dave (drums) from Russian Circles. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Russian Circles - 2008 Tour Dates w/ Daughters, MP3"

DOWNLOAD: Enslaved - RUUN (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Tera Melos - When Worms Learn To Fly (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Weedeater - Potbelly (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Avatar - Schlacht (MP3)

Motorhead's Lemmy

You need the heavy? Austin is bringing it this year! To recap, we have
already
discussed
quite
a few
amazing
bands
and
showcases
so
far, so lets get to some of the other ones that are must see!

Continue reading "Black Bubblegum's guide to METAL @ SXSW 2008"

by Black Bubblegum

Both Coliseum and Baroness have announced separate tours with before they hit the road with Converge/The Red Chord/Genghis Tron. Baroness will be joined by Young Widows (who recently signed to Temporary Residence) for their new Kurt Ballou-produced LP (does he produce everything?) and will be in NYC to open the Dalek/Russian Circles show @ Mercury Lounge. Now if we can only convice Evan Patterson to persuade his brother Ryan to play a Coliseum date in NYC soon..... All dates below...

Continue reading "Converge, Red Chord, Genghis Tron, Coliseum, Baroness, Young Widows, Russian Circles... - updated 2008 Tour Dates"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Disfear - "Get It Off" from "Live The Storm", out 1/22 (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Lair Of The Minotaur - "Horde of Undead Vengeance" from "War Battle Metal Master" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Rwake - Leviticus from "Voices Of Omens" (MP3)

A Storm Of Light

How do you top what will surely be one of the greatest metal shows of the year? Try adding A Storm Of Light - the new project from Josh Graham (recently ex- Red Sparowes, Battle Of Mice, Neurosis visuals)! Graham, Domenic Seita (ex-Asea), and Pete Angevine (Satanized) will open the January 25th date @ the Brooklyn Masonic Temple (now sold out), but not before playing Union Pool on Jan 20th with Ghastly City Sleep & Titan. Stream their new track, "Mass" from their upcoming LP "And We Wept The Black Ocean Within" @ MySpace. (and look for my interview with Josh coming very soon!)

D-Beat fiesta up in this mutha! Swedish D-Beat badasses Disfear will release their new crusher-of-an-album, "Live The Storm" on 1/22 via Relapse. Produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, et al.), the album features the first go around by ex-Entombed axeman Uffe Cederlund.... Download "Get It Off" above!

more below.....

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (1/18/08)"