photos by Adam Murray and Genie Sanchez, words by BBG

Morbid Angel

Two outdoor tents, a club, and a theater hosted 26 bands. Perhaps by design, the premises lacked alcohol (except for the theater). So bad behavior was scarce. Fans happily bounced from venue to venue, queuing for some bands (Wormrot, Floor, Atheist, Obituary, Morbid Angel), and eating burgers from the Grill 'Em All trucks. To order the Witte Burger (beef, bun, cream cheese, deep-fried bacon, beer-and-Sriracha-soaked onions, malt vinegar aioli), my friend Robert merely pointed several feet away, where Dave Witte himself was standing.
-[Invisible Oranges]

Kvelertak were supposed to play too. but their passports and visas were stolen at the airport moments before they boarded the plane to the US. As a result, they'll also miss some days of the Weedeater/Zoroaster tour, but should "be in the states by Friday" (3/11). That means they should have no trouble making it to SXSW where they're on board to play Full Metal Texas. The band was replaced in Pomona by Black Cobra.

More pictures and some videos from Scion Rock Fest 2011, below...

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest 2011 in pics & video (Morbid Angel, Obituary, Integrity, Agalloch & more) (but not Kvelertak)"

by BBG

Dispirit at Elbo Room (more by Taylor Keahey)

Even though it's now "sold out" (but there's a waiting list), Scion Rock Fest has finalized their free festival lineup, adding Anaal Nathrakh, Immolation, Atheist, Anaal Nathrakh, Dispirit, Cough, and Dark Castle to an already jaw-dropping lineup that includes Morbid Angel, Agalloch, Floor, Black Breath, and many others. Full lineup is below, including the finalized flyer.

Dispirit features John Gossard (ex-Weakling) and they released their Rehearsal At Oboroten cassette last year, and it made quite a few Best of Lists.

Immolation played NYC last year, as did Cough who played the BV-BBG Official Showcase for CMJ. Dark Castle has played NYC a few times last year, and DC drummer Rob Shaffer also sat behind the kit for Monarch.

Agalloch will be in NYC in March.

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest final lineup (Dispirit & Immolation included)"

by BBG

Bastard Noise at Death By Audio (more by BBG)

Scion has posted the official Scion Rock Fest 2011 lineup which is identical to the lineup posted yesterday, and they promise that more additions are still on the way, RSVP for the free March 5th Pomona, California event will be open soon.

The poster and initial lineup, along with updated Nails dates (they are playing Scion, MDF and Union Pool), below...

Continue reading "Scion Fest initial 2011 lineup confirmed + updated Nails dates"

by BBG

Yob at Scion Rock Fest 2010 (more)

Scion has confirmed exclusively to LA Weekly that they will be bringing their metaltastic Rock Fest this year to Southern California.

"Scion's major event of the year," confirms their publicist, "is a huge metal festival with four stages and 30 bands. We did the first in Atlanta and the second in Columbus [check out part one and and two of our pics & review]. It's always a mix of legendary bands, important bands and up-and-coming bands, representing all the areas of underground metal. And like all the stuff we do it's all ages and free."

"What no one knows yet," he continues "is the next one will be on March 5, 2011 in Pomona. We're taking over the Fox Theater and the Glass House and building two more stages nearby."

Headlining the Scion Rock Fest in the LA area will be death metal royalty Morbid Angel with their first US show in six years (and as of now, the only scheduled US date in 2011)

...Founding member guitarist Trey Azagthoth, regarded by many as the greatest death metal guitarist of all time, will be at the helm along with bassist David Vincent (member 1986-1996 & 2004 - present) and Destructhor (member since 2008).

The Scion Rock Fest will include 26 bands on four stages (including The Fox Theater, The Glass House and two outdoor stages). -[LA Weekly]

One of the bigger names at Scion Rock Fest in 2010 was Shrinebuilder. Don't forget that half of Shrinebuilder, Scott Kelly and Wino, are going on a solo tour in February. Tickets are still on sale for the February 12th Mercury Lounge show which now looks like this:

Scott Kelly (of Neurosis) 11:30
Wino (of Saint Vitus) 10:30
Man's Gin (of Cobalt) 9:30
Hunter Hunt-Henrix (of Liturgy) 8:30

The PRP is also reporting a rumored list of other artists playing Scion Rock Fest 2011. I can confirm that at least half of a dozen of those are true. That list is reprinted below...

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest 2011 will be in California, Morbid Angel confirmed (and more artists rumored) ++ more Liturgy dates"

by BBG

YOB at Scion Rock Fest (more here)

Of all the epic performances that I managed to catch at Scion Rock Fest, one smoked 'em all: the return of the mighty YOB who played to a packed crowd.

Yob, the three-man doom-metal band from Eugene, Ore., played a show here at Skully's on Saturday night that left you wondering when you'd heard something as good, and when you might again. It was all graceful molasses cohesion, moving in focused minor-key riffs and strong processional grooves from the bassist Aaron Reiseberg and the drummer Travis Foster, lighted up by Mike Scheidt's fat, fuzzed guitar tone. His solos were creeping abstraction with a plan, an almost visual display of cathedral-echo notes, bending and decaying and transforming.

The band envelops you without hard sell, in big and small ways. The biggest is that Yob just doesn't get out much anymore. "We don't make enough money on tour," Mr. Scheidt said on Sunday. "I've got 14-year-old twins and an 11-year-old boy, and doom metal don't pay the bills." (Yob hasn't come to New York since 2005, when it played the Lower East Side club Rothko.)

Yob might be one of the best bands in North America...-[NY Times]

Continue reading "live YOB video & interview (and still no NY dates) "

by BBG

There are always casualties. Scion Rock Fest 2010 was incredible (review part 1 and part two), but like any festival, there will always be bands that you miss due to travel/scheduling/food/any number of other reasons. One band I missed on that overcast day in March was Pelican, who rocked a set at Skully's culled from their latest LP What We All Come To Need. Luckily, some pro-shot video from that show was recorded; view a pair of songs from that show (as well as an interview) below.

Pelican is celebrating their ten year anniversary in the coming months with a pair of shows in LA (with Goatsnake!) and Chicago. In addition, the band will release a limited-to-500 box set that will package the bands four LPs and three EPs for a 10xLP (!) set due via Viva Hate Records (the label responsible for that jaw-dropping Agalloch box set). More details on that box set are on the way.

Continue reading "Pelican celebrating 10 years, releasing box set, Scion videos"

photos by Jessie Barber, Christopher Mumma

Matt Martinez of Landmine Marathon belts it out (by Jessie Barber)

While BBG and Kim Kelly were trolling about the blackened stage at Bernie's, getting southern-fried by the Louisiana frighteners Thou, and checking out the thundergods known as YOB, Chris and Jessie were on the case at the other Scion Rock Fest on 3/13 in Columbus, Ohio. Pictures from their travels which include some (more) shots of Landmine Marathon, as well as Shrinebuilder (right before they played NYU), Pelican, D.R.I., Black Tusk, Voivod (who then made their way to SXSW), Magrudergrind, Saviours, and so much more, below....

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest pics (part 2) - Cannibal Corpse, Voivod, Black Tusk, Magrudergrind, Pelican, Shrinebuilder, Deadsea & more"

words by Kim Kelly, intro by BBG, photos by Christopher Mumma & BBG

Thou

SXSW was a blast, but days before that the Scion Rock Fest shook the college town of Columbus, Ohio (March 13th) with it's mix of metal gods of the past (DRI, Cannibal Corpse, Voivod, Shrinebuilder, etc) and killers of today (Ludicra, Landmine Marathon, Yob, Thou, etc). The one-day fest was spread throughout four of the town's venue, meaning any one person could only see a limited amount of the full lineup. Luckily I went to Columbus with my own camera, two other photographers (Jessie Barber and Christopher Mumma), and crossed paths with writer Kim Kelly along the way. If there is a metal show worth a damn within hundreds (thousands?) of miles from Kim, she'll be there. Her version of the story along with half of the pictures from the day (the rest HERE), below...

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest in pics & review (part 1) - Ludicra, Liturgy, D.R.I., Yob, Thou, Lightning Swords of Death & more "

by BBG

Grace Perry barking at thee

Landmine Marathon was the first band I caught on the big stage at Scion Rock Fest in Columbus, Ohio on March 13th and they positively ripped it. Downtuned old-school death metal riffs and a kinetic frontwoman made them all the more powerful and fun. Good time, which can be were relived TODAY at Emo's when the band plays the BrooklynVegan day party that kicks kicked off at noon.

For more on the seven shows and 91 bands that BV will host over 3 days, head to our complete guide of BV events. To see our picks on metal shows at SXSW, check out our guide to metal.

More pictures from Scion below...

Continue reading "Landmine Marathon @ Scion Roc Fest - pics "

words by BBG, Union Pool photos by Jesse Lindmar, Brooklyn Psych Fest photos by Samantha Marble

Naam @ Union Pool

Liturgy and Naam double teamed NYC at Union Pool on 3/6 with Tournament. Both bands are hitting the road in the near future for dates on the way to SXSW, where they will play multiple notable showcases. Liturgy will hit the BV-Sponsored Profound Lore/20 Buck Spin show and a WFMU show among many others, while Naam will play the Action PR Showcase on 3/17 (with an exclusive appearance from High On Fire) and Full Metal Texas on 3/18 among many others. Both Liturgy and Naam are on board to play Attitude Adjustment at Red7 on 3/20.

Naam also recently played the Brooklyn Psych Fest at Glasslands on 2/28 (pics of them and La Otracina below courtesy Samantha Marble), but are scheduled to take on Music Hall of Williamsburg on 3/13 with Priestess (tix) as well as Cake Shop on 4/14 with Radio Moscow as part of a greater tour for the pair. Full dates are below.

Meanwhile, Liturgy have Scion Rock Fest this weekend and will be back in NYC to team up with White Mice at Shea Stadium on April 16th as part of a larger tour for 'da Mice, who will also play the Profound Lore/20 Buck Spin showcase at SXSW. Liturgy are also scheduled to play the WBAR-B-Q at Columbia University on April 25th with Cold Cave, Jana Hunter, US Girls, and many others. Full White Mice dates and Scion Rock Fest set times are below with more pictures from the two Brooklyn shows...

Continue reading "Naam & Liturgy played Brooklyn shows (pics), playing SXSW & lots of other gigs (2010 dates, Scion set times, more)"

by BBG

Shrinebuilder at LPR (more here)

Atlanta no more! Scion Rock Fest 2010 will take place in Columbus, Ohio on March 13, 2010. The show will officially expand its reach from one to FOUR venues in Columbus: Circus, Newport Music Hall, Skully's, and Bernie's Distillery. 2010's lineup contains zero return bands from the 2009 festival but does contain sets from bands that released my favorite albums of last year (namely Magrudergrind, Yob, Absu) and played my favorite shows of last year (Lightning Swords of Death, Landmine Marathon, Trap Them, Black Tusk, Ludicra) in addition to sets from headliners Cannibal Corpse, Voivod, Shrinebuilder, Brutal Truth.

The rest of the lineup, the show flyer, and RSVP info is below...

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest 2010 (March 13 in Ohio) - lineup announced"

by Black Bubblegum

"I think that black metal fundamentally is an attempt to reawaken an ancient spirit."

Aaron Weaver of WITTR at Scion (more by Anthony Childs)

Wolves In The Throne Room are the outcasts of the outsiders. Among the black metal community, WITTR are constantly named as a band that dodges the conventions of Black Metal, much to the chagrin of its purist (tr00) core. That desire to push the boundaries of the genre has won them copious fans as well, as evidenced by the success of their 2007 release Two Hunters, and their heavy touring cycle in support of their new long player Black Cascade. The Black Cascade tour with A Storm Of Light and Krallice hits NYC twice. The first show is at Europa in Brooklyn TONIGHT (5/22) (tickets). The second is at the Studio @ Webster on 5/26 (tickets). The two shows surround their appearance at Maryland Death Fest this weekend.

We recently sat down with WITTR drummer Aaron Weaver to discuss the meaning of black metal, their recent releases Black Cascade and Malevolent Grain, Gang Gang Dance, and the darkest depths of human experience...

====

The material recorded for the Black Cascade and Malevolent Grain EP, was that all done together and then separated into the two releases afterward?

No, definitely not. I know that's often times the case with EPs that are released ahead of a full length record. This was conceived as two completely separate entities or part of different recording sessions that had a very different spirit behind them. The reason that we did this was because we talked for a long time about doing another collaboration with Jamie Meyers who is the vocalist on Malevolent Grain but we didn't want to have another song on our full-length record that we couldn't play live. Whenever we would have a guest vocalist like Jamie or on Two Hunters, Jessica Kinney, when we would play those songs live it's missing something. We wanted the material on Black Cascade to be something that we could perform in the live setting in their entirety. At the same time, female vocals are an element I wish that we could have all the time, but it's just not in the cards right now.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview w/ Wolves in the Throne Room's Aaron Weaver"

by Black Bubblegum

"So I have to be guarded in a way and kinda prepare myself for what's gonna happen, because when it happens, I don't even know."

From their crust punk origins of more than twenty years ago, Scott Kelly and Neurosis have forged their own path with searing imperial riffery and singular artistic vision. Over the course of nine LPs including 2007's critically acclaimed Given To The Rising, Neurosis's firebrand mix of hardcore, metal, psychedelia, and all-of-the-above has inspired fans and musicians alike, giving way to sub-genres and sub-sub-genres based on their compelling, emotive songwriting.

Outside of Neurosis, Scott Kelly has took on additional projects like Blood & Time, Tribes of Neurot, solo recordings, his online radio station Combat Music Radio, and Neurot Recordings. In addition, Kelly announced his involvement in Shrinebuilder, an underground metal supergroup featuring Scott "Wino" Weinrich, Al Cisneros (Om, Sleep), and Dale Crover (Melvins).

With Roadburn 2009 going down this weekend in Tilburg and Neurosis on board to curate Beyond The Pale, we sat down with Scott Kelly in March to discuss Neurosis, the making of Shrinebuilder's debut LP, and why children's mobiles should come installed with music box versions of Lunar Womb!

====

Where are you exactly in the process as far as Shrinebuilder is concerned? I know you provided recent updates on your blog, but since then, how's it coming along?

We are basically in the same spot we were... Not finished mixing yet, artwork's not done yet, but getting closer on both. Wino ended up doing an extra day of guitar in Baltimore about ten days after he did the initial recording and Dale's done a little bit of percussion overdubs and we've been kinda dialing in each song a little at a time. Its actually really close to a final mix. Al is recording the new Om album in Chicago, so when he gets done he'll be in there with those guys. I'd expect to have it all mixed probably within a couple weeks... it's really close.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview w/ Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Neurot, Shrinebuilder)"

words & photos By Black Bubblegum

Rwake headlined the Slow Southern Steel day show at Room 710 on March 21st in Austin during SXSW, along with support from Hex Machine, The Roller, Seahag, Music Hates You, and last minute addition Zoroaster (following the drop out of ASG). The show was one of a few Rwake have played with new bassist Alan Wells (Shitfire):

Some of you have probably notice a change at the Rwake shows. We have a new band member. Our very old and close friend Alan Wells from the band Shitfire. There is no bad blood what so ever between us and Reid [Raley]. He is, and will forever be our brother. Things just happen. He stills jams with the ever crushing Deadbird, and we love them, and him.

We are also very honored to be jamming with our longtime friend Alan. What we have done so far has been well received. This weekend at SXSW from at least 8 people we heard that it was our best show ever. That makes us feel very good, and thanks to everyone there from all over the globe.

We are gonna try and take a small break from shows so that we can finish writing some more tunes. We have one 12 minute song now called "It Was Beautiful, But Now It's Sour", and an untitled 5 minuter so far. We have so much more written. We just need to take the time now to put it all together.

We'll be back around October playing some new stuff. Thanks again to everyone hanging in there for the new tunes. -[Myspace]

Check out video of Alan Wells and Rwake performing "Crooked Rivers" at Scion Rock Fest, and more pictures from SXSW below...

Continue reading "Rwake have new bassist, taking time off to write - SXSW pics"

by Black Bubblegum

WITTR @ Scion Rock Fest - Feb 28, 2009 (more by Anthony Childs)

In a forthcoming interview with Aaron of Wolves In The Throne Room, it was revealed that the band is headlining a tour with A Storm of Light and Krallice. The TWO NYC shows are already on sale: May 22nd at Europa WITHOUT Krallice (tickets here) and May 26th at The Studio @ Webster Hall with Krallice (tickets here)! Full tour info is forthcoming.

WITTR are currently touring off of their Malevolent Grain EP (out now) with Pelican & Tombs. Their new LP, Black Cascade, is due in the tail end of March. WITTR has also been added to Maryland Deathfest, replacing Today Is The Day.

All dates and a live video from Scion below...

Continue reading "Wolves in the Throne Room, A Storm of Light & Krallice tour"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Steven Brown & Anthony Childs

DOWNLOAD: Rwake - Leviticus (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Kylesa - Said And Done (MP3)

"How about this fuckin' lineup man? Whoever put this thing together, I'd like to shake their hand" - CT of Rwake

Boris (Steven Brown)


I'd like to think it was the jawdropping lineup decreed by the gods upon Mt Scion that brought people out in droves to The Masquerade in Atlanta on February 28th, but I would imagine that some of it was also due to "free show" factor. Either way, there is something ridiculawesome about bands as great as Harvey Milk, Wolves In The Throne Room, and Coalesce having to turn people away due to reaching capacity. That is my idea of sweet metal justice... some of my current favorite bands in front of the audiences they deserve.

The Masquerade is a 2+ level club. The biggest stage, dubbed "Heaven", is located on the second floor and houses somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 people. Two adjacent clubs on the main level, "Hell" & "Purgatory", house considerably less: "Hell" is primarily a dance floor, so there were some obstructed sightlines. "Purgatory" had multiple tiers, no elevated stage and very little room in front of the band. Behind the venue in a grassy area which was muddy due to the prior night's rain, a 4,000 person capacity tent was constructed for the main stage.

continued below...

Continue reading "Scion Rock Fest in review & pictures (Boris, Neurosis, Kylesa, Salome, Withered, Krallice, 1349 & more)"

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Anthony Childs

Scott Kelly of Neurosis on stage with Mastodon

SCION ROCK FEST OUTDOOR STAGE (2/28)
1:00-1:40pm Kylesa
2:00-2:40pm Torche
3:00-3:40pm Baroness
4:00-4:50pm Boris
5:10-5:40pm Pig Destroyer
6:00-7:00pm High On Fire
7:30pm-9:00pm Neurosis
9:30pm-11:00pm Mastodon

Mastodon is scheduled to play two nights in NYC in May, as part of their tour where they'll be performing the entire Crack The Skye album. The NY dates are May 9th at Irving Plaza (on sale Saturday at noon) and May 10th at Music Hall of Williamsburg (on sale Saturday at noon).

Along for the ride is Kylesa and Intronaut, both of whom had to drop off the previously mentioned tour with The Haunted and Nachtmystium (tickets for that BB Kings show on April 19th are here - The Agonist and Merauder are the new openers)
(not sure what the deal on refunds is).

New video, and more Scion pics and the setlist, below...

Continue reading "Mastodon played Scion Rock Fest (pics), released new video "

by Black Bubblegum

Mastodon @ Scion Rock Fest - Feb 28, 2009 (by Michael Woodruff)

Less than 36 hours after Mastodon left the stage at Scion Rock Fest where they played a few tunes with Scott Kelly of Neurosis (!!!), the band announced a tour that includes a NYC date at Irving Plaza (May 9th, tickets on sale soon) and a Brooklyn show at Music Hall of Williamsburg (May 10th, presale starts Wedesday). All dates will include Kylesa (who was also at Scion) AND Intronaut. Both openers will be coming off of their tour with The Haunted and Nachtmystium.

During the April & May North American trek, the Atlanta crew will play all of their upcoming album Crack The Skye (out March 24):

The complete album performance is something new for the group, says guitarist Bill Kelliher, but "there's something about [the album] where it would be weird to leave a song out. We'll incorporate a whole stage show, which will hopefully make it even more exciting for kids to come see and more visually stimulating." The band is also hoping to make a short movie from all the songs, which Kelliher predicts will be Mastodon's version of "The Wall." -[Billboard]

"It's about a crippled young man who experiments with astral travel. He goes up into outer space, goes too close to the sun, gets his golden umbilical cord burned off, flies into a wormhole, is thrust into the spirit real, has conversations with spirits about the fact that he's not really dead, and they decide to help him. They put him into a divination that's being performed by an early-20th-century Russian Orthodox sect called the Klisti, which Rasputin is part of.

"Knowing Rasputin is about to be murdered, they put the young boy's spirit inside of Rasputin. Rasputin goes to usurp the throne of the czar and is murdered by the Yusupovs, and the boy and Rasputin fly out of Rasputin's body up through the crack in the sky and head back. Rasputin gets him safely back into his body."

"That's the basic story," he [Brann Dailor] says, "but it's all metaphors for personal sh*t."

Tickets are still available for the April 19th BB Kings show with The Haunted, Nachtmystium, Kylesa, & Intronaut.

A Storm Of Light recently played Europa with Amenra & Zoroaster.

All Mastodon shows go on pre-sale on Wednesday (password = CracktheSkye), and then regular sale Friday. All dates on this "intimate" tour are below...

Continue reading "Mastodon playing full new album on 2009 tour w/ Kylesa & Intronaut - dates & presale info"

2/27/09 - Chicago, IL:
Nachtmystium has sad news today with a once-again recurring issue surfacing from the wake of our past. We've been forced, at the request of the promoters and the folks at Scion / Toyota, to pull out of the Scion Rock Festival, scheduled for Saturday, February 28th. This news came to us just this past Tuesday and was very disheartening to say the least. A troubling, and unjustly-applied notion that we are, or ever have been, in any way, a "Nazi" band or a political band on any level, is completely absurd and we are disgusted that there is someone out there who really believes we are of this ilk. It made it as far as the sponsors of this events desks, and now we are forced to pull out of it after some political threatening on the part of these ridiculously uneducated person/people who have caused this ruckus.

Continue reading "Nachtmystium deny racism charge. Regardless, Toyota kicked them off this weekend's Scion Rock Fest"

by Black Bubblegum

Torche in San Francisco 2008 (By Yasuyuki Takaha)

Scion Rock Fest in Atlanta is TOMMORROW (Feb 28th), but until the opening tones of Kylesa's guitars, we'll present a series of discussions with some of the key artists taking one of the four stages at the Masquerade. Monday we spoke to Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Tuesday meant CT of Rwake, Wednesday equals Jacob Bannon of Converge, and Thursday was Kat of Salome/ANb. In our final interview of this week, we are talking to Steve Brooks of Torche.

Nachtmystium, Disfear, Leviathan.... there were a shit ton of great records that dropped in 2008. Each had their own de/merits, but my conclusion was simple: Torche's Meanderthal was the best album of the year.

Torche emerged from the ashes of Floor, one of a number of notable bands that form the basis of the southern crew (Cavity, Shitstorm). Robotic Empire did the honors of their first LP, as well as the critically acclaimed follow-up, the In Return EP which hinted at the "thunder-pop" direction to come. Released in early 2008 on Aaron Turner's (Isis) Hydra Head imprint, the Kurt Ballou-produced Meanderthal followed. Cheers and massive touring ensued with the likes of Pelican, Boris, The Sword, and others. Unfortunately, along with the acclaim and the odometer clicks came the departure of guitarist/founding member Juan Montoya in the tail-end of last year, prompting the band to remain as a trio.

That brings us to today. Torche are 24 hours away from burning the main stage at Scion Rock Fest to the ground. We sat down with Steve Brooks (Vocals/Guitar) to discuss plans for new material, what kind of hours they are planning to log in the van, and the recent departure of Juan Montoya.

====

Meanderthal was lavished with tons of praise upon it's release, and it was my favorite record of last year... Are you surprised with the reaction?

Of course I'm surprised. All we can do is write whatever makes us happy and hopefully others will dig it. Working with Kurt helped a great deal. Our previous releases were self recorded, so it was nice to have an outside ear help guide us with Meanderthal.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview w/ Steve Brooks of Torche"

by Black Bubblegum

Who has the gnarliest throat? The answer may suprise you...

Scion Rock Fest in Atlanta is just a couple days away (Feb 28th) and until the opening tones of Kylesa's guitars, we'll present a series of discussions with some of the key artists taking one of the four stages at the Masquerade. Tuesday we spoke to CT of Rwake, yesterday we spoke with Jacob Bannon of Converge, and on Monday we spoke to Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed. Today, we speak with Scott Hull's ANb band mate Kat (pictured above, top left, with long blonde hair).

Turns out the whole "big things, small packages" thing is not just a way for your family to cheat you on birthday gifts. Case and point: Kat from Salome. This pint-sized terror could scare the "grrr" off a tiger with the ferocious voice showcased on two recent releases, Salome's self-titled debut and the coming Agorapocalypse by ANb (due via Relapse on April 14th). A few weeks ago, Salome scared the pants off us at Show No Mercy and as a result, we felt it necessary to confer with said instigator using a few choice interrogatives. Check 'em out below.

====

How long has Salome been in existence? What were the circumstances behind the formation?

We started playing together in 2006. I met Aaron at a music store and we started talking about music and realized that we liked a lot of the same stuff. We were both interested in doing a doom type project. Rob and Aaron had played together in other bands before Salome, so we started jamming and the fit was really natural.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview with Kat of Salome & Agoraphobic Nosebleed"

by Black Bubblegum

Scion Rock Fest in Atlanta is just a few days away (Feb 28th) and until the opening tones of Kylesa's guitars, we'll present a series of discussions with some of the key artists taking one of the four stages at the Masquerade. Monday we spoke to Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed and yesterday it was CT of Rwake. Today, we speak to none other than Jacob Bannon of Converge.

Jacob Bannon has a tattoo of a heart that covers his throat. Heart in your throat... I'd say that it's appropriate. As vocalist and lyricist for Converge, Bannon is one of a handful of the hardcore elite that crafts poignant, thought provoking lyrics that can comfortably sit side by side with the challenging hardcore mindbenders that the rest of his band spews forth. Converge has delivered blistering hardcore for more than seventeen years, and along the way Bannon has been involved in multiple side projects (Irons, Supermachiner, etc) and solo efforts, all while also steering the hardcore superlabel Deathwish Records.

Converge is set to close out Scion Rock Fest at The Masquerade in Atlanta, just a few short weeks before the band goes on a short tour that will include Europa on March 27th (tix here, full tour sched below). We sat down to talk to Bannon about the new Converge LP, Deathwish, his collaboration with Dwid of Integrity, and his forthcoming solo record.

===

You and the guys are working on the new Converge... Does it have a title? Any song titles yet? A theme?

The record does have a title as well as song titles, however we are not ready to release them just yet.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview w/ Jacob Bannon of Converge"

by Black Bubblegum

CT & Rwake in Tampa, FL (Nicole Kibert)

Scion Rock Fest in Atlanta is just a few days away (Feb 28th) and until the opening tones of Kylesa's guitars, we'll present a series of discussions with some of the key artists taking one of the four stages at the Masquerade. Yesterday we spoke to Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer and Agoraphobic Nosebleed. Today it's CT...

I'll always remember the first time that I picked up Judge's Bringing It Down and saw..... "Mike Judge: Throat". Damn right. Conversely, Rwake's liner notes in Voices of Omens and If You Walk Before You Crawl, You Crawl Before You Die credit CT with "vocals". I beg to differ.

CT's rusty razorblade of a throat and his band of Arkansan hooligans, Rwake, have been around for more than ten years, trudging in sludge, doom, and wading in the generally unpleasant mucky southern marsh that birthed Eyehategod and Buzzov*en. Rwake dropped their last LP in 2007, the critically acclaimed Voices Of Omens. Since then the band has kept busy on the road, and CT has spent a good portion of his free time at the helm of a documentary examining the southern underground metal scene. It's called Slow Southern Steel.

With Scion Rock Fest right around the corner and Rwake set to hammer the Masquerade stages, We sat down with CT to discuss his band, the movie, and emerging artists on the southern metal scene.

===

Rwake released Voices Of Omens in 2007, since then have you guys been working on any new material? If so, any recording plans? What are they?

Yes, we have a few new songs, but we'll be holding off on playing them for a bit. We want them to be just right. One new song is 11 minutes long and it's called "It Was Beautiful, But Now It's Sour" we have about 3 more in the making that are almost finished. When we get em done, I'm sure we'll be headed right back to Sanford [Parker]'s to lay it all down.

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Continue reading "an interview with CT of Rwake "

by Black Bubblegum

Scott Hull performing with Pig Destroyer @ Europa (Josh Sisk)

Scion Rock Fest in Atlanta is just a few days away (Feb 28th) and until the opening tones of Kylesa's guitars, we'll present a series of discussions with some of the key artists taking one of the four stages at the Masquerade.

As either the maniacal mastermind behind Agoraphobic Nosebleed, riffmeister for deathgrind gods Pig Destroyer, ex-member of provocateurs AxCx, or honcho of Visceral Sound, Scott Hull has left a significant mark in the racks of your friendly neighborhood record store. On April 14th, Scott Hull's "digi-grind" project Agoraphobic Nosebleed releases it's second LP, Agorapocalypse and although ANb won't be in Atlanta (the band has logged only one show in it's existence), Pig Destroyer will. We sat down with Hull to discuss his upcoming work behind the boards, the current status of Pig Destroyer, solo work, and the coming of the Agorapocalypse.

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Agorapocalypse drops on April 14th, how would you estimate the new ANb differs from previous releases? How has the addition of Kat changed your sound?

I feel as though everything leading up to Agorapocalypse has been nothing more than a series of demos. For me Agorapocalypse is where the band really starts. The sound is more focused and alive. It doesn't in any way resemble "digi-grind". In addition to Kat's amazing vocals, she's added a new sense of excitement to the band. She's opened up a lot of new possibilities and brings a unique perspective.

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Continue reading "an interview w/ Scott Hull (Pig Destroyer / ANb)"

DOWNLOAD: Napalm Death - "The Silence Is Deafening" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Napalm Death - "Low Life"(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Napalm Death- "When All Is Said And Done" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Amesoeurs- "Gas In Veins / Amesouers" (MP3 Excerpt)
DOWNLOAD: Cobalt- "Arsonry" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Hellmouth- "Praying For Plague" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Big Business- "Gold & Final" (MP3)

Absu

With Absu's new self-titled LP due only a few weeks away (Feb 24th), the band have announced their participation in CIII along with French black metallers Glorior Belli, Austin's Averse Sefira, and Sothis, including a date at BB Kings on June 21st! Tickets are currently on presale here and go on sale to the general public on March 5th. Glorior Belli recently dropped a preview of their upcoming album.

Funeral Mist, the black metal crew featuring Mortuus of Marduk, have announced their NEW album, Maranatha due on Norma Evangelium Diaboli (link NSFW) on Feb 23rd! Funeral Mist's last album, Salvation, was released in 2006. In related/as exciting news, Marduk have announced more dates for their previously reported US trek with Mayhem, Cattle Decapitation, Cephalic Carnage, and Withered including Irving Plaza on May 21! No ticket details as of yet, but we'll let you know when they surface. Full tour schedule below.

Javelina have announced the more details about their previously announced Sanford Parker-produced LP coming soon on Translation Loss. Their sophomore effort will include nine original tunes, as well as a Buzzov*en cover ("Whisky Fit") that will be featured on a upcoming tribute record (which will also feature contributions from Sourvein, Deadbird, Fistula, Kylesa, Zoroaster and many more). Look for the new record in late summer or early fall with song titles like "You're Going to Hate This", "Towers of Silence", "The Black Blizzard" and "Stepchild".

Grace of Landmine Marathon

Landmine Marathon have scheduled an East Coast tour including TWO nights in NYC! On April 13th, Grace and the boys will descend upon Lit Lounge (Precious Metal) backed by Wizardry and Seizure Crypt. Three days later (4/16), the band have set aside the day to play an additional show in Brooklyn... details are forthcoming. Landmine Marathon are also on board to play both the New England Hardcore & Metal Fest, as well as the Los Angeles Murderfest. Full tour schedule below. Speaking of Wizardry, the band will record their entire live show at Union Pool on Feb 25th for later release.

Pelican have signed with Southern Lord! The band is currently recording material at Red Room studios in Seattle for what will be their debut EP for the label. Look for the new material to be "heavier, darker and very riff-oriented," according to guitarist Trevor De Brauw. Pelican also announced a slew of tour dates with Tombs (none in NYC), including a stint with Wolves In The Throne Room that will bring the trio to SXSW as part of the Southern Lord showcase. WITTR have a new EP AND LP on the way, and recently dropped a live LP, Live at Roadburn.

Deathspell Omega's Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum - Chaining the Katechon EP, culled from their split with S.V.E.S.T. is out NOW at Southern Lord, and if you were a fan of their last LP, I highly reccommend it. Also of note at Southern Lord: Wolves in The Throne Room's previously mentioned Malevolent Grain EP, the new and mega-rare Boris/Michio Kurihara Cloud Chamber LP (1500 total copies) as well as the Boris Vs. Choukoku - More Echoes, Touching Air Landscape reissue. WITTR's new album Black Cascade is due on Mar 31st.

Speaking of WITTR, Scion Rock Fest is a little more than two weeks away, and we have 10 PAIRS of tickets and 10 Josh Graham designed posters for giveaway. In the meantime, dig on the recently posted set times below (thx anon)!

As we originally reported in September, sunn o))) has a new album on the way that we THOUGHT was called Dimensions. Turns out, according to an interview with The Quietus, the new album is due in May, will be entitled Monoliths & Dimensions, and will feature Jessika Kenney, Eyvind Kang, as well as frequent contributors Oren Ambarchi, Attila Csihar (Mayhem) and Dylan Carlson (Earth). Check out the tracklisting below. Speaking of Stephen O'Malley, the previously discussed Aethenor record, Faking Gold & Murder is out NOW.

Napalm Death, Malkuth, Hellmouth, Cynic, Reverend Bizarre and more below...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (02/10/09)"