by BBG

Seidr (not to be confused with, or spelled the same as, the meal you may have eaten this week if you celebrate Passover) came on my radar in multiple directions - via Seidr vocalist/guitarist Austin Lunn's black metal project Panopticon (whose work is also worth a look, and was highlighted here previously), and via two of Seidr's previous releases: a demo which is available for free, and their Cortez The Killer EP (which does in fact contain a cover of the Neil Young song of the same name).

Both the demo and EP toil in inching heavyweight doom, but add soaring shoegaze-y melody atop the darkness reminding me of faves like Asunder, Thou and Wolves In The Throne Room in one fell swoop. Their live show, which took place at Acheron in January with Lake of Blood & Falls of Rauros, was similarly impressive.

Seidr is welcoming a new LP now, For Winter Fire, from Bay Area label Flenser Records due in North America on May 24, and in Europe on June 7. That's the cover art above. For Winter Fire sees the doom band dipping their toe into post-rock, black metal, shoegaze, drone, thrash, and many different genres over the record's 73 minutes. Check out the first track from the LP, "A Vision From Hlidskjalf" which makes its debut in this post and is streaming belob. What begins with majestic post-rock beauty eventually evolves into a triumphant and emotional doom epic. For fans of Alcest, Agalloch, Thou, Mogwai (who are unfortunately not in NYC this week), Envy, and anything that straddles the line between pensive and punishing. Preorder For Winter Fire now.

Austin Lunn is also prepping a new demo due in June and has prepared a video teaser for its release. Check out the Kólga teaser, as well as the For Winter Fire teaser and the full song stream below...

Continue reading "Seidr releasing 'For Winter Fire' (song debut)"

by Kim Kelly

Castevet at Bowery Electric (more by Suren Karapetyan)

It was bitter cold outside. A starless sky and biting wind provided the perfect setting for a black metal ritual, as soiled snowdrifts hugged the sidewalk and surely made load-in a nightmare for the quartet of bands slated to perform. Those that braved the winter chill and got to the Acheron in time for the first band on 1/14 were richly rewarded.

Falls of Rauros' set unfolded over a series of long, gorgeously-crafted atmospheric black metal compositions. Their sprawling odes to the wilderness and man's primal past recalled the power and delicacy of Drudkh and Agalloch, with a taste of Ulver's Kveldssanger and a hungry intensity all their own. Unfortunately they'd already sold out of CDs by the time they rolled through Brooklyn, but this Maine collective are working on new material for an upcoming release that will undoubtedly surpass even my high expectations.

Louisville, KY's black/doom cult Seidr have long been a favorite of mine, and did not disappoint. The band, which includes Austin Lunn of Panopticon (who we profiled last year), was unafraid to allow beautiful melodies to shine through the thick black fog that envelops their funereal dirges. Their performance was absolutely riveting - total catharsis, and the strongest set of the night.

California black metallers Lake of Blood commanded our attention, and got it. While their imposing frontman roared and raged down on the floor with a whiskey- and blood-drunk crowd, the rest of the band closed their eyes and hammered away, churning out riff after riff of darkness and light. They managed to sound melodic and refined without sacrificing any of the barbarity and speed that keep underground black metal dangerous - impressive, to say the least. Look for a new album from these guys as well.

Castevet still stand out as one of NYC's most engaging live acts, and closed out the evening with a bang. If you haven't seen them yet, you're fucking up. Luckily, they'll be back at the Acheron soon with Phantom Glue and brother band Defeatist - don't miss out. All dates and a video from a previous show at the same venue, below...

Continue reading "Castevet played the Acheron with Lake of Blood, Seidr & Falls of Rauros, playing more shows soon "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Falls of Rauros - "The Fire We Fathered" EP

Justin of Mind Eraser at Acheron with his other project, Innumerable Forms (more)

Did you catch Friday night's Citizens Arrest show at Knitting Factory or Mind Eraserlater that night (12/17) with Concrete Cross at the Acheron. Justin of Mind Eraser is the mastermind behind one of my favorite 7"s of the year and he recently brought that project, Innumerable Forms, to Acheron with Mammoth Grinder as his backing band. cXa recently played a surprise show on Long Island.

This is the latest edition of "Evillive", a newish column where I try to highlight upcoming metal shows that may have not made it into other posts, or some that maybe did.

BrooklynVegan is proud to present a blackened lineup with Castevet who will team up with Lake of Blood, Seidr, and Falls of Rauros at Acheron on 1/14/11. Lake of Blood features a touring member of the incredible Altar of Plagues, and recently shared a split with Panopticon.

Meanwhile you can catch Castevet at Union Pool tonight, Sunday, 12/19.

Blackened doomers Seidr contains the lone member of Panopticon, A. Lundr, on guitar and vocals. The band recently independently released the Cortez The Killer EP gratis (get it) and are preparing a full length for Flenser Recordings for early next year.

Falls of Rauros dropped their last LP, Hail Wind and Hewn Oak, on Morbid Winter last year. Check out a track from that above.

In other news, I am happy to report that East of The Wall has been added as support for the Kylesa/Rosetta/Fight Amp show at Santos on January 26th. Tickets are on sale. All Kylesa dates are HERE.

And finally, one of my favorite records of the year, Pollution's smut 12" will be on display on 1/8 when they play with The Might Could and Tournament at Acheron. Pick up a copy of that 12", it rules.

Upcoming shows, Seidr/Lake Of Blood/Falls of Rauros dates, and some video is below. In case you missed it, I posted my favorite records of 2010 earlier this week.

Continue reading "Evillive (heavy shows & tours) (Castevet, Seidr & more)"