by BBG

Struck By Lightning's album art for True Predation

As discussed, Struck by Lightning is back with more venomous crusty hardcore on True Predation, the band's new release out TUESDAY via Translation Loss (who just showcased their bands in NYC and Philly. - pics on the way). We previously posted a new track before, but now you can stream the entire LP! Listen below...

Continue reading "Stream all of Struck by Lightning's 'True Predation' (premiere)"

by BBG

As you might have been able to tell from the recently released song "We Are All Rotting Corpses", Columbus, Ohio crew Struck By Lightning have expanded their pallette beyond the focus of d-beat and Motorhead-style high-octane chug on their follow-up to Serpents. The band's new LP True Predation slows it up a bit, adding some sludge riffs and tremolo-picking/chord progressions that clearly are influenced by black metal. Some examples of that are on clear display on the band's latest single "Funereal" available for streaming for the first time here.

Check out "Funereal" and "We Are All Rotting Corpses" from True Predation below and look for the record on April 24th via Translation Loss....

Continue reading "Struck By Lightning prep 'True Predation'; stream a new track (premiere)"

words and photos by BBG

East of the Wall

Primus be damned. Black Cobra raged out at The Studio at Webster Hall on Friday (7/30) with help from Rhode Island killers Howl, the Ohio freight train known as Struck By Lightning and the incredible and beyond-under-rated East Of The Wall. All four bands delivered dependably massive sets in the Studio space, though as a veteran of shows with BC/Howl/SbL, I was most struck by the five piece lineup of East of The Wall (they played with four on tour, and at SXSW). Incredible night and thanks to all who came/were involved.

East of The Wall plays again TONIGHT (8/2) with Name, Meek Is Murder, and Iron Thrones at The Charleston.

More pics from the show, and some video, below...

Continue reading "Black Cobra, Howl, Struck by Lightning & East of the Wall played The Studio @ Webster Hall (pics, video) "

by BBG

Black Cobra at Gramercy (more by Chris LaPutt)

There aren't many cases when a duo can make a seriously ear-splitting racket. Jucifer (who is coming to NYC). Dark Castle (them too). Lightning Bolt. And one that you definitely can't leave off of that list is the thundering and formidable Black Cobra!

The San Fran band was last seen in NYC at the ultra-ultra-sold-out Gramercy show supporting the great High on Fire, but now the band (which features members of the great Cavity and Acid King) will hit the road for a US headlining tour of their own sponsored by BV. What's more? It'll be alongside similarly muscular miscreants, Howl! Struck By Lightning (who knocked me out at The Studio in April) and the fantastic French doom outfit Monarch! will rotate in the final slot. Struck By Lightning will be on the bill when the package impacts NYC on July 30th, where they will join forces with the incredible East of The Wall at The Studio at Webster Hall. Tickets are on sale.

In the meantime, Black Cobra's Chronomega is out NOW via Southern Lord. Howl, who played NYC post-SXSW, have a new album, Full of Hell, out now via Relapse. Struck By Lightning released Serpents on Translation Loss in the tail end of last year.

Full tour dates, the tour flyer, and tons of video are below...

Continue reading "Black Cobra, Howl & Struck by Lightning - 2010 Tour Dates"

words by Ilya Blokh, photos by Markus Shaffer

Maybe the photographer had some of that sizzurp too...

I had two options last Saturday - a picnic in the park with sunshine and puppies, or crowded basements full of feedback and filth as part of a big weekend of heavy music. Obviously I chose the latter, starting with Thou's suffocating mid-day performance at ABC No Rio (photos on the way, meanwhile check out Mike Hill's interv), then heading over to The Studio at Webster Hall for a monstrous nightcap.

Sadly I missed Struck By Lightning, who by all accounts ripped the place to shreds [BBG's note: I was a fan of their LP, but live is where they excel. Crusty, and killer charging metal/punk ala Motorhead meets His Hero is Gone]. I caught The Gates of Slumber's solid but reserved take on the classic/proto-doom sound, leaning heavily on material from last year's Hymns of Blood and Thunder. For me though, the show really kicked into high gear with Black Tusk. Mind-blowingly fun in that increasingly popular, old dirty metal way, their mix of punk beats, stoner riffs and metal bravado sent hair flying all over the place. Their new album, Taste The Sin, hits shelves in late May.

Weedeater took the stage in true, drunken form for a performance that blew their Charleston show out of the water. Between fellating the microphone, sipping Robitussin (evidence below) and puking in the trashcan (I think), 'Dixie' Dave's rasp, rumbling bass and cross-eyed stare basically define "sludge". Chugging doom riffs and rolling drums filled out the thick, muddled sound as the band banged out a good mix of old and new(er) material. They are finishing up a US tour, then spending the summer in Europe. Hopefully Dave can keep most his appendages intact (he shot off his toe earlier this year) and we'll see them back here soon.

Tons of pictures and video from the show continue below...

Continue reading "Weedeater, Black Tusk, the Gates of Slumber & Struck by Lightning played The Studio @ Webster Hall - pics & video"

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"

by BBG

Dixie Dave of Weedeater and his lovely singing voice (more by Paul Birman)

"I would say the biggest underground band from here that deserves all the credit in the world is Weedeater. They are the godfathers of what we do." -[An interview with CT of Rwake]

The show is part of a string of dates for the North Carolinians (Weedeater). The first leg kicks off on 3/12 with ASG and US Christmas and continues on to SXSW where the trio will meet up with Rwake and Black Cobra at Encore for the Tone Deaf Showcase (3/20). From there, the fearsome foursome (Weedeater, The Gates of Slumber, Black Tusk, and Struck By Lightning) will depart Austin and scoot out west before heading back east for the NYC show.

Stay tuned for some big announcements regarding BV shows during SXSW, and also note that tickets are now on sale for the BV-presented Mayhem / Tombs / Krallice / Ludicra show coming to Irving Plaza two days before Weedeater get here.

Of all of the formidable bands mentioned above, two are playing the Scion Rock fest on 3/13 in Columbus, Ohio: Black Tusk and Struck By Lightning. Struck by Lightning, which features Gregory Lahm (ex-Mouth Of The Architect), is currently promoting their 2009 release Serpents (we previewed it here).

Lahm's old band Mouth of The Architect has a new EP due on Translation Loss this March. The EP will be "a little faster and a little more metal" than the MOTA we are used to. MOTA are currently gearing up to hit the road leading up their appearance at Roadburn 2010.

All tour dates with a bunch of videows below...

Continue reading "Weedeater touring w/ Black Tusk, Gates of Slumber, Struck By Lightning & others - NYC Studio show, Mayhem tix & 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 BBG

DOWNLOAD: Arckanum - "Þursvitnir" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Impetuous Ritual - "Ceremonial Disembowelment" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Amenra - "Wear My Crown" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Fistula - "Bi-Polar Bear" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Fight Amp - "Be Safe" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: KEN Mode - Holiday Sampler (Zipped MP3s)
DOWNLOAD: Elder - "Friendly Fire" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Struck By Lightning - "False Hope" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Ludicra - "A Larger Silence" (MP3)

Dark Castle @ Union Pool (more by Sam Marble)

In recent months, the upswing in metal coverage on BV has rendered the moniker "Week In Metal" unnecessary. Small blurbs in "WIM" (as we call it around here) about Dark Castle have given way to photosets from their shows and posting of tour dates as they happen. Chalk it up to progress.

Starting this week, we will introduce a bit of a new direction for the old Week In Metal column, but without straying too far from the previous. The new column, entitled Short Wave Warfare, will scale back a bit, focusing on news that falls below the radar as well as shining a spotlight on new bands and upcoming shows in the NYC area. It won't be weekly. I hope you enjoy it.

Stay tuned for more upcoming shows in addition to Coalesce at Europa, Magrudergrind at Cake Shop, and The Hope Conspiracy at Union Pool, as well as a year-end best of 2009 post from myself and some of my favorite artists.

Thanks for reading. News on Portal, Oxbow, Master's Hammer, a collaboration between sunn O))) and Ulver, a new Haiyaino Daisuki & Gridlink, Amenra, Earthride, Kreator, Mammoth Grinder and so much more as (the new) Short Wave Warfare continues below....

Continue reading "Short Wave Warfare (12/9/09) (formerly This Week in Metal)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Doomriders - "Lions" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Portal - "Omenknow" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Javelina - "Step Child" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Karma To Burn - Live at Lit Lounge 4/20/09 (Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: 20 Buck Spin Label Sampler (Mediafire, Zipped MP3 via)
DOWNLOAD: Kowloon Walled City - Gambling On The Richter Scale (Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Converge - "Axe To Fall" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Power Pellut - "Black Molly" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Black Skies - "Smoke and Mirrors" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yoga - "Seventh Wind" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sleep - Live at ATP 5/9/09 (MP3)

Javelina @ the Northside BV-BBG Showcase (more by Jason Walker)

Alright! I get it. Doomriders rules. Revocation is up there. There's a new Converge and Baroness on the way. But even with all of those great releases, it suprises me that Javelina isn't near some of the top of those lists. The band's filthy debut was a monster and their new one, Beasts Among Sheep, only adds to their considerable reputation. If you are a fan of the last LP, this one is a must have. Dig on "Stepchild" above and preorder the limited edition LP version of Javelina's Beasts Among Sheep via Brutal Panda Records and the CD version via Translation Loss.

Speaking of that Doomriders album, Darkness Come Alive is out NOW via Deathwish Records. Though the party vibe that permeated through Black Thunder is mostly gone, it has been replaced by a propulsive punk rock fury and, at times, a Misfits-era Danzig croon (see "Come Alive")! There are quite a few killer moments on this long-player, but we present to you the most "fuck you" of them all, the galloping "Lions" downloadable above!

In our last round up, we shined a light on into the deepest fathoms of Australia and the truly frightening Portal. The band's claustrophobic and positively frightening new death metal LP, Swarth, relies as much on freak-out atmosphere as it does killer discordant riffery. Swarth is due out on 10/20 via Profound Lore and we have a second taste in the form of "Omenknow" above.
Misery Index have completed four new songs and are looking to enter the studio in early 2010 to record their follow up to Traitors! Stoked.

Iron Age @ Cake Shop (more by Jason Walker)

I still remember that kick ass Cake Shop show with Iron Age, Mind Eraser, and Sex Vid, and walking out of that show wanting more. Thankfully, I can add to those great memories with a PAIR of Iron Age shows in the coming weeks! First up, the rowdy Texans will team up with the great Mother of Mercy (profiled here) for a show at Cake Shop (10/16). The next day (10/17), look for the band to pull a double header with a day show at Generation Records and a night show at The Charleston with Brain Killer, Naam & Descender. Speaking of Mind Eraser, the band will team up with the kick ass Iron Lung for a string of east coast dates which will include Cake Shop on 11/8! Full Iron Age and Iron Lung dates are below.

Black Skies will release the limited edition vinyl from their 2008 EP Hexagon on I'm Better Than Everyone Else Records. The Chapel Hill doom trio is currently on the hunt for drummer #5, but not before blessing us with some seriously killer riffage in the form of "Smoke & Mirrors" above. Preorder Hexagon here.

Power Pellut is also releasing their debut LP via I'm Better than Everyone Else Records. Preorder that here and dig on "Black Betty" from that LP above!

Church of Misery will release a live record culled from their recent set at Roadburn 2009! More details are to come, but look for Burning World to do the honors in November/December of this year. In the meantime, dig on this killer live video from Roadburn 2009!

That video, news on Kowloon Walled City, Boris, Asphyx, Struck By Lightning, Ringworm, Repulsion and more!

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

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)"