by Kim Kelly

"Grim" Kim Kelly just got home from being on the "Metalliance" tour. She served as crew for the mighty Saint Vitus and rode in the van (read: school bus) with The Atlas Moth. That tour, which also featured bands like Helmet, Kylesa, Crowbar, Red Fang and Howl, hit Irving Plaza in NYC on 3/26, and ended 4/5 in Hollywood. Kim kept a diary and took some pictures on the road. Here is the first half:

Continue reading "on the road with Metalliance (part 1)"

words & photos by BBG

Crowbar @ Irving Plaza

"Helmet promised and delivered the entire "Meantime" album and more. Never got to see them in the early 90's when they were all the rage, cuz' I was already really not into going to shows in 92' and much more into smoking pot and making videos at the School of Visual Arts, but that "Meantime" CD, I remember, sure did get a workout for awhile.

Paige Hamilton, probably the most infamous post-hardcore millionaire ever, has always been an interesting fella in the annals of the mini-major/independent controversies that sort of started and ended in the post Nirvana, halcyon days of 90 whatever, with A & R's running around and signing every art school weirdo, whilst taking all the blue M&M's from their green rooms. Interesting to see them after all these years and ponder, "Has it really been 20 fucking years since film school?" Jeez. Paige looks good and his guitar was quite loud and supra, ahem, "staccato". Just a really weird bill, what with Helmet sort of inheriting that weird art school place they once lorded over. Not really metal, not really alternative, not really punk. Couldn't help but wonder how much of that one million bucks he still has? Great set, nada banter, just loud and sing alongish..." [TrashmansReader]

Metalliance is in Merriam, Kansas tonight (without Helmet). All dates and more pictures and some videos from Irving Plaza are below...

Continue reading "Helmet played 'Meantime' & Saint Vitus, Crowbar, Kylesa, Red Fang, Howl & the Atlas Moth played Irving Plaza too (pics)"

Metalliance photos by Samantha Marble, Whitehorse photos & words by BBG

Helmet @ Dirty Dog

Metalliance swoops in on NYC TONIGHT (3/25) at Irving Plaza (tickets still available). The tour moves into its East Coast leg after hitting SXSW and the south last week. Pictures of Saint Vitus, Helmet, Crowbar, Kylesa, Red Fang, Howl, The Atlas Moth and more from the Austin stop adorn this post.

A friday night during SXSW is always nuts, but nothing could compare to the scene at Dirty Dog which was packed to the gills on 3/18. With a line snaking down the block through the already heavily trafficked 6th Street, Dirty Dog was clearly beyond capacity (and then some) with people itching to see the traveling festival to the riff, as well as the SXSW addition of the almighty Weedeater (the show also featured Witchburn, who I/we missed). Dirty Dog was the place to be that night for metal fans in the area and it showed; during Kylesa's set the venue frantically removed tables to add extra capacity and even reportedly/unfortunately told a few bands that they had to remove their merch table as well. Venue issues aside, the bands sounded great and there was a reason why everyone wanted in; Metalliance is stacked with killer bands and performances.

Saint Vitus @ Dirty Dog

It may sound blasphemous, but knowing I would see Saint Vitus tonight in NYC, I left halfway through their set to head to the WFMU showcase down the street. It was there in a relatively light Barbarella that I caught one of my favorite performances at SXSW, Australians Whitehorse who tore the place down with their crushing death-doom punctuated with noise. Absolutely sick band that deserves to be playing to the hessian masses, and luckily for NYCers, you'll be able to catch them with The Body at Acheron on 4/1.

More pictures from Metalliance and Whitehorse at WFMU, and tour dates, below.

Continue reading "The Metalliance tour hits NYC tonight, Whitehorse is coming soon (here are pics from both at SXSW)"

by BBG

Kylesa @ Santos in January (more by Samantha Marble)

The Metalliance tour featuring Helmet (playing all of Meantime), Saint Vitus, Crowbar, Red Fang, Howl & The Atlas Moth has expanded, adding dates on the west coast and adding the great Kylesa to the bill as well. All dates are now on sale including tickets to March 25th at Irving Plaza.

Crowbar's killer new LP Sever The Wicked Hand is out now via E1. Order a copy, it's definitely highly recommended and could be Windstein's best work yet.

Saint Vitus's Wino just completed a solo tour with Scott Kelly. Maybe you caught them Saturday night at Mercury Lounge.

The full updated set of Metalliance tour dates and some videos, below...

Continue reading "Metalliance expands tour, adds Kylesa (updated dates)"

by BBG

Crowbar at Santos (more by Samantha Marble)

As discussed, the "Metalliance" tour will join Helmet (who will play all of Meantime) with Saint Vitus and Crowbar. Tickets are currently on sale for the NYC stop which will hit Irving Plaza on March 25th with additional openers Howl, Red Fang, and The Atlas Moth (and even more bands TBA). The full lineup for the entire tour will be revealed in one week, but until then you can check out the routing below.

Meanwhile Kirk Windstein of Crowbar will be back in NYC to play Nokia Theater on April 28th and in NJ at Starland Ballroom on April 30th as part of Down. Tickets go on AMEX presale at 10AM on 1/26 and regular sale at noon on 1/28 for Nokia, and at noon on 1/28 for Starland Ballroom.

Down's Jimmy Bower will play Europa on Feb 18th as part of Eyehategod. Tickets are still available for the show which includes Misery Index, Magrudergrind, Strong Intention & Mutilation Rites.

Don't forget that Crowbar's new LP Sever The Wicked Hand will hit store shelves on February 8th via E1 Music. Tour dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "NYC Metalliance date on sale ++ Down announce shows"

photos by Greg Cristman, words by BBG

Nachtmystium, Zoroaster, The Atlas Moth, and Dark Castle played their second of two NYC dates at Knitting Factory on 9/19 (the first show was four days earlier at The Studio at Webster Hall). Now they're back on the road. You can catch them at Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia tonight.

More pictures from Knitting Factory, and some new videos from The Studio at Webster Hall show, below...

Continue reading "Nachtmystium, Zoroaster, The Atlas Moth & Dark Castle played Knitting Factory (pics & video) "

photos by Markus Shaffer, words by BBG

Blake Judd, saluting the horned one

Long Island Press: I've heard some traditionalists who deride Nachtmystium as populist black metal-does that mindset ever influence your artistic choices?

Blake Judd of Nachtmystium: I don't care what anyone says about my band. Nachtmystium is my life, it's all I do, and any f**king asshole black metal douche bag who wants to question me or my integrity can feel free to do so right to my face if he feels so inclined. I and the four people who travel with me six to seven months out of the year are total extremists in our lifestyles and there is nothing "fancy" or "glamorous" about our lifestyles as members of Nachtmystium, We just happen to get paid enough these days to keep gas in our van (note, VAN) and the wheels on it turning and maybe pay a month or two of rent each after a tour. If someone thinks that is like living some rock star lifestyle, think again.

In related news, the great Dark Castle have completed recording their new LP at Electric Audio in Chicago with Sanford Parker. The follow-up to Spirited Migration will be released by Profound Lore on CD, with At a Loss (their former home) doing the vinyl honors. Spirited Migration is FINALLY out now on vinyl and available on all of their tour stops. Look for it!

More pictures and video from the Studio are below...

Continue reading "Nachtmystium, Zoroaster, The Atlas Moth & Dark Castle played The Studio (pics & video) "

by BBG

Nachtmystium at Europa (more by Samantha Marble)

Nachtmystium, Zoroaster, The Atlas Moth, and Dark Castle are going to tour, and BrooklynVegan and 1000 Knives have teamed up to present the Manhattan show at The Studio at Webster Hall on September 15th! Tickets are on sale. It's one of two NYC shows on the trek. The foursome also play Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on September 19th. Tickets are on sale for that too. All dates are below.

In other news, Zoroaster and Dark Castle's recent tour mates, Black Tusk, are scheduled to play NYC on with Fu Manchu at Santos Party House on 9/4. Support will come from the great It's Casual, along with Vagina Panther. Tickets are on sale. The show is part of a larger set of dates for Fu Manchu and It's Casual; dig on those below too.

Continue reading "Nachtmystium touring w/ Zoroaster, the Atlas Moth & Dark Castle ++ Black Tusk touring w/ Fu Manchu (2010 dates) "

words by BBG, photos by Diana Zadlo, Samantha Marble, BBG

Grace of Landmine Marathon (by Samantha Marble)

A hearty thanks go out to everyone who showed up to the BrooklynVegan/1000 Knives/Crustcake show at Hoeks Death Metal Pizza on 3/18! Though the hot sun was blaring down, the bands in the shade somehow made it hotter with their scorched earth policy and unbridled energy.

Trash Talk was beyond violent, The Atlas Moth was soaring/epic as usual, The Funeral Pyre was furious and powerful (as I found out the previous night), Book of Black Earth's crusty metal was ferocious, and Kill The Client was just as punishing as they were at Emo's. Due to some scheduling issues, we bumped Speedwolf to the last slot after Trash Talk and I missed them entirely, though reviews from the trustworthy point toward badass. Zoroaster played mostly newer material from their promising new doom-crust-leaning LP, and managed to hold back their massive firepower on stage to just "loud as fuck" as opposed to "bleeding ears". Landmine Marathon were fun and elblematic of what is great about metal today. And Coffinworm? Just plain sick blackened doom.

More pics and and a bunch of videos are below...

Continue reading "pics & video from the Hoeks pizza party (Coffinworm, Trash Talk, Landmine Marathon, Zoroaster, Atlas Moth, more) "

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble, BBG

East of The Wall, in full on crushing mode (by Samantha Marble)

East of The Wall and Goes Cube are finally home. The pair hit the road for SXSW shortly after their 3/5 show at Union Pool and have been skipping around the US ever since, with Goes Cube tagging The End's official showcase on 3/18 and East of The Wall playing a succession of shows including Goodbye South By at Red 7 on 3/21 (pics of both below). The bands are finally back on tri-state soil and will play a FREE in-store at Generation Records TODAY (3/30) at 6:30 with Descender.

East of The Wall's appearance at Goodbye South By on 3/21 at Red 7 was a jaw dropper. The NJ band play a smoking instrumental prog/hardcore hybrid that is technical with out feeling wanky. Think Pelican with the occaisional hardcore vocal and a little more tech, but with TONS of energy.

Flyer for the record store show, more tour dates, and SXSW pics, below...

Continue reading "Goes Cube & East of the Wall played SXSW (pics), playing free in-store @ Generation Records (today) & other dates"

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble, Tim Griffin, Brian Reilly

"Emo's Jr. is way too tiny to handle [Torche and] their enormous sludge, enormous hooks, enormous energy, enormous crowd." - Rolling Stone.com

Landmine Marathon (by Tim Griffin)

While Fucked Up and six other bands were causing a ruckus on the bigger stage at Emo's (3/17), the BrooklynVegan day party began early and STRONG with a hot blast of Kill The Client at noon on the indoor stage. The newly Relapse-d and semi-local (partial Austin/Dallas) grinding four piece was a metallic triple-espresso to kick start the day.

Trophy for busiest metal band goes to The Atlas Moth, who booked a whopping seven shows in Austin during SxSW. Their trek began with Emo's and a killer set from their new album A Glorified Piece Of New Sky. Jovial singer Steve was all smiles at the show, and the band's epic sound echoed throughout Emo's.

Philadelphia's Javelina followed The Atlas Moth with their positively pummeling sludge filth, keeping momentum going. Bands like Buzzoven, Eyehategod, and others come to mind when listening to this quartet, but their driving sound is decidedly more punk rock in it's gallop but just as "fuck you" in it's 'tude. A big thank you goes out to the band, who also went on to fill in for the broken Nebula at Red 7 on Saturday (3/20). They rule, and can't wait to see them again on Wednesday (3/25) at Cake Shop with Howl, Sea of Bones, and Flourishing.

Though the band spent a good hour circling Emo's, Dark Castle did manage to squeak into the venue and be only a touch late for their designated set time. Again the Florida duo impressed. Dark Castle's sound is positively mammoth, and through the large PA at Emo's they sounded bigger than ever.

Salome was similarly massive, and I felt fortunate to have the band booked for their only unofficial appearance at SXSW. With the band having issues unloading gear due to street closures and general parking malaise, it seemed like vehicular frustration bred more stage-side fury. The trio's sludge doom caused numerous screams of joy and lots of recitations of the word "amazing". Agreed, and I truly believe that Salome was one of the best bands at SXSW this year.

Grace Perry may have been given the dubious ranking of one of the "hottest chicks in metal" according to Revolver (even though I agree), but don't think that Landmine Marathon's success is attributable to anything but hard touring. This band's strength is in the live show, which was firing on all cylinders at Emo's and leading to circle pits, including one with Perry on vocals! Video of that is below.

Withered's icy blasts were the antithesis of Torche's pop bliss, but the band were as sinister and powerful. I caught them again at Mohawk later that night (pics coming). I was honestly worried about Withered and Dark Castle's lighting rigs, and their ability to translate on stage during the day time, but I forgot about the most important part of those bands: both have intense and kinetic live shows, whether with or without a fancy stage setup.

Torche closed out the room with an assist from a fill-in drummer in the absence of Rick Smith (who broke his hand while touring with his side project Shitstorm). Although Smith's theatrics were missed (you rarely ever see anyone standing and jumping down TOWARD the kit, save for Rob Shaffer of Dark Castle and a few others), the band played a well-executed set of bubblegum pop which contained one song from their upcoming split with Boris, and a ton of thundering but sugary classics. The band closed with my favorite Torche track ever, the sickeningly heavy "Tarpit Carnivore" from their killer In Return EP.

More pics and some videos from the show are below...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan Emo's day party pics (SXSW 2010 - Torche, Withered, Salome, Dark Castle, Landmine Marathon, more) "

words by BBG, photos by Meghan McInnis

Jes of Coalesce forgets there is a stage for a brief moment

I loved Mr. Spiers's guitar sound: big and oily and slightly overdriven. I loved his stage presence: he is very, very calm, but not sullen. He played a powerful, warped, original blues called "Lay My Head Down." "I've been tired every day, every day of my life so far," he seethed. "But when that sun comes back around, that guillotine will lay my head down."

As a guitar player, he's learned from Jimmy Page, just as Mr. Spence has learned from John Bonham, laying way back in the groove and going hard on the bass drum. Both "Lay My Head Down" and the stop-time stomp "Shame" used the greatest parts of Led Zeppelin: not just the riffs and grooves, but also the sense of space. The bassist Stephen Tanner, making big, resonant notes like paving stones, enlarged that space.

And they burrowed into 17 years of music: new stuff, old stuff; thrashers, howlers, tender songs; short songs at a crawling tempo; long songs that needed their length; the Southern-boogie "Misery," mixing dumb riffs and strange ones, taking what you already know and melting it into something else; "Motown," like a Weezer hit with an unexpected cosmic chorus; a new dirge, "I Just Want to Go Home," heartfelt and miserable. -[New York Times]

And Coalesce was a mess, but in the best possible way. I've heard that the band refers to itself as a "bass and drums band", and live it is definitely adheres to that. Guitarist Jes barely plays his instrument, opting for noise/feedback and spastic dance moves instead (to great effect) while the rest of the band lays down the brutality. Jes spent at least 3/4 of one song laying on the floor of venue and feedingback the guitars like Thurston Moore circa Dirty. Wild to say the least.

The Atlas Moth impressed yet again, drawing heavily from one of my favorite LPs of 2009 for their bluesy and epic set. Those of you heading to SXSW will have plenty of chances to check them out, including at TWO BrooklynVegan shows: 3/17 at Emos and 3/18 at Hoeks Death Metal Pizza.

More pictures (including one of HM's setlist) and some video from the show, below...

Continue reading "Harvey Milk, Coalesce & The Atlas Moth @ Le Poisson Rouge in NYC - pics & video "

As previously mentioned, we've lost our minds and are doing seven shows in Austin during SXSW this year. The first of those parties kicks off at Emo's at noon on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 (doors @ 11:30am) on two 100% FREE stages:

Outside/Main Stage
12:00 YellowFever
12:45 The Rural Alberta Advantage
01:30 The Morning Benders
02:15 Japandroids
03:00 Titus Andronicus
03:45 The Black Angels
04:30 GZA
05:15 Fucked Up

DJs: Finger on the Pulse

Inside/Metal Stage (Emo's Jr)
12:00 - Kill The Client
12:35 - The Atlas Moth
01:20 - Javelina
02:05 - Dark Castle
02:50 - Salome
03:35 - Landmine Marathon
04:20 - Withered
05:05 - Torche

FREE DRINKS COURTESY OF: Magic Hat & Firefly Vodka & Vitamin Water (while supplies last)
FREE VEGAN BREAKFAST TACOS COURTESY OF: Mr. Natural
(starting @ noon. while supplies last)
MORE FREE FOOD COURTESY OF: Daily Juice (catering from 2-5)
MORE FREE FOOD COURTESY OF: Raw Revolution Bars
MORE FREE FOOD COURTESY OF: Hail Merry

Thanks Zach Jaeger for the sweet flyer.

The Morning Benders, The Rural Alberta Advantage, Austin's own YellowFever, AND GZA are all being announced for the first time in this post. Those following along already knew about Fucked Up, The Black Angels, Titus Andronicus, and Japandroids.

It should be a wild first day in Austin and needless to say, we're very excited for this one. And did we mention this was all free? No RSVP. No Badges. Just stop by. Get there early if you want a free vegan breakfast taco. Stay around if you want even more catering by Daily Juice. Drink for free from our 10 kegs of Magic Hat beer and the many bottles of Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka that we'll be pouring. Then after the show, if you're still hungry (and standing), get dinner quickly and head over to the official BrooklynVegan SXSW showcase at Club DeVille right down the block (Dawes go on at 8, Serena Maneesh finish things off at 1am). Then get some rest because you've got 19 more bands to catch on Thursday afternoon at Spider House.

And for those in NYC, don't forget that we're also hosting a free Morning Benders show, TONIGHT (3/8).

We also just announced the full lineup of our Saturday day party at Red 7 which is happening at the same time as our Saturday day party at Galaxy Room.

GZA's "Liquid Swords" video below...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan presents a day party @ Emo's (Fucked Up, GZA, Black Angels, Torche, TRAA, Withered & much more) "

by BBG

Withered with Mayhem at Irving (more by Paul Birman)

Enough of the onesy-twosy crap! We've already let it slip that the BrooklynVegan Day Party at Emo's on 3/17 will feature some heavy hitters like Torche, Fucked Up, The Atlas Moth, Dark Castle, and Salome. But now we are proud to announce more details! Kicking off at noon, the first (of a few) free BV Day Parties will be held across the two stages at Emo's (not the Annex). The "outdoor stage" will feature a headlining set from the hardcore hooligans in Fucked Up with a jawdropping lineup to fill out the rest of the bill (including Titus Andronicus, The Black Angels and Japandroids). The "indoor stage" will be where the darkness happens, and will feature the following lineup:

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 @ Emo's Indoor Stage - daytime lineup::
Torche
Withered
Landmine Marathon
Salome
Dark Castle
The Atlas Moth
Javelina

We will announce a third heavy music leaning show at Red 7 on 3/20 in the coming days Stay tuned for that along with more information on our seven shows in Austin this year, and don't forget to follow @bvSXSW on Twitter for lots more SXSW coverage!

Continue reading "BV Wednesday day party @ Emo's - full metal stage lineup "

by BBG

So a few weeks ago,I sat down with Crustcake.com and Rich Hall (1000 Knives) to decide the greatest Austin venue for a metal show. BrooklynVegan metal is already going HUGE this year between a show on 3/17 at Emo's (with Torche, Fucked Up, Salome, Dark Castle, The Atlas Moth, Javelina and more TBA), and another day party at Red 7 on 3/20 (lineup TBA), so we figured why not go small. REALLY small.

BrooklynVegan/Crustcake/1000 Knives Present a Pizza Party at Hoeks Death Metal Pizza! The day show happening on Thursday, March 18th will be headlined by a special guest we can't announce yet and feature nine of our favorite destroyers. This show promises to be one of the biggest- um, I mean SMALLEST metal shows during SXSW. Who's on board?

lineup:
* Special guest
* Zoroaster
* Coffinworm
* Kill The Client
* Landmine Marathon
* Book of Black Earth
* The Atlas Moth
* The Funeral Pyre
* Speedwolf

The party kicks off at noon. More details are on the way. Check out the flyer and some videos of other recent shows at Hoeks below...

Continue reading "come to a metal show @ Hoeks Death Metal Pizza in Austin"

by BBG

The Atlas Moth @ Union Pool (more by Samantha Marble)

BrooklynVegan is proud to announce Salome, The Atlas Moth, and Dark Castle as on board for the BrooklynVegan Day Show on 3/17 at Emo's along side Torche, Fucked Up, and Javelina! Stay tuned for more announcements, it's gonna keep getting bigger, I assure you!

In addition, BrooklynVegan is also proud to announce sponsorship of one of the best official metal showcases at SXSW 2010, the 20 Buck Spin/Profound Lore showcase at Headhunters on 3/19! Featuring an absolutely jaw-dropping lineup of Yakuza, Liturgy, Coffinworm, White Mice, Salome, and The Endless Blockade, the show will be punched up by some of our favorite bands that currently don't reside on either label, The Atlas Moth, Dark Castle, and Hatred Surge! Set times and the show flyer is below, so get there and stay there... it's gonna be pretty amazing.

Both The Atlas Moth and Salome will be in NYC in the coming weeks, and both on unmissable shows. The Atlas Moth will open the night at LPR on 3/8 with Coalesce and Harvey Milk (tix), while Salome will play NYU on 3/11 with Shrinebuilder and Wolves In the Throne Room. Tickets for the NYU show are currently on sale for NYU students, while details for non-NYUers are forthcoming.

20 Buck Spin/Profound Lore flyer and some videos below...

Continue reading "Shrinebuilder NYU tickets on sale (sort of) ++ Atlas Moth, Salome & Dark Castle playing BV shows @ SXSW "

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble

Coalesce at Europa

If my favorite records of 2008 collided into my favorite records of 2009, dollars to donuts it would probably look like this wildly eclectic tour. Harvey Milk, Coalesce, and The Atlas Moth will team up for a string of East Coast dates including NYC on 3/8 at Le Poisson Rouge. Tickets are not on sale as of this posting.

Coalesce last played NYC on Dec 30th as part of a BV sponsored show with Coliseum and A Storm of Light. We originally posted a set a of pictures from the show by Chloe Rice. Here is a second set from Samantha.

The last time The Atlas Moth played NYC was part of another BV sponsored show with Dark Castle, Wetnurse and Tiger Flowers.

Harvey Milk last played NYC with Torche at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The band is prepping the CD release of their lost debut, which hits store shelves on 1/26.

Full tour dates for the trek, and more pics from the 12/30 Coalesce show, below...

Continue reading "Harvey Milk & Atlas Moth touring w/ Coalesce - 2010 dates & more pics from Europa show w/ Coliseum "

by BBG

Laura of Kylesa (more by Paul Birman)

Earlier I discussed my favorite LPs of the year, but why leave the fun to just one? I asked some of my favorite artists and promoters for their 2009 highlights. The responses were great. You already saw some of them. Justina listed some quotes, Liam Wilson talked about Philly, and Josh Graham listed good things about 2009. They continue below. You'll find lists of favorite songs and albums of the year, not to mention answers to crucial questions like:

• What are Coalesce's favorite pizza toppings?
• Which one of my top 20 artists of the year tried to get in a cab with Kirsten Dunst?
• What is the #1 sauce/condiment of 2009?

Continue reading "The Year in Metal continued (BBG asked countless others to make lists... and here they all are)"

by BBG

Dave Verellen of Narrows (more by Samantha Marble)

Another year gone, but not without lasting memories! Eyehategod (x2). Akitsa. Rorschach (x2). BV-BBG @ CMJ. Ludicra. BV @ Northside. Keelhaul... Not to mention the tons of memories jogged by my turntable and iPod. Estimates place the number of albums released in 2008 at 115,000, and while similar data for 2009 is scarce, I think that number seems on the low side. With so many to choose from, you can imagine that it was tough to sift through 20 (22 actually) that represented my year...

Continue reading "The Year in Metal (BBG's best of 2009)"

Baroness @ Bowery Ballroom - 11/20/2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

BBG will publish his own list of the best metal albums of 2009, but in the meantime here's what Decibel Magazine had to say:

Continue reading "Decibel's Top 40 Metal Albums of 2009 "

words by BBG, photos by Sam Marble

Stevie Floyd of Dark Castle

Dark Castle, The Atlas Moth, Wetnurse, and Tiger Flowers played on 11/17 as part of a BV sponsored event at Union Pool - part of a super intense week of NYC shows.

Young badasses Tiger Flowers started out the show with a steely dissonant hardcore intensity, but seemed to have a few nerves. As the set progressed the band became more focused, taut, comfortable, and WILD on stage. By the time they finished with personal fave "Drag", I was ready to hear another few songs.

I've liked Wetnurse for many years, and the local band were their usual intense and fun selves. They seemed water tight, possibly due to the show being the last of their touring cycle with The Atlas Moth. Frontman Eugene was in prime wild man form.

Chicago's The Atlas Moth were up next. The band's recorded output has been a recent favorite, but it doesn't match their live intensity and exacting execution; unreal live. The juxtaposition of vox/guitarist Stavros's high & low pitched screams against David's soaring and spot-on clean vocals sounded great against the wall of slight synths and crunchy guitars. I already can't wait to see them again.

It's hard to imagine such unholy bellows and thundering six-string power coming out of Dark Castle's thin as a rail frontwoman Stevie Floyd, and Rob Shaffer matches her riff-tensity with an intimidating drum kit. He uses both a marching snare and bass drum, with a floor tom that could pass for a regular kick drum and a rack tom that could pass for a floor tom. It was loud when i saw them at Lit Lounge, but through the more significant PA at Union Pool, needless to say, it was even louder. If you've never seen Dark Castle, you are truly truly missing out.

More pictures and Dark Castle tour dates below...

Continue reading "Dark Castle, The Atlas Moth, Wetnurse & Tiger Flowers @ Union Pool in Brooklyn - pics"

by BBG

Dark Castle at Lit Lounge (more here)

Reminder, TONIGHT (11/17) marks the return of psyche-doomers Dark Castle (not to be confused with the old school Macintosh video game) with the post-hardcore-gaze of The Atlas Moth, noise-math-tech-kitchen sink metal of Wetnurse, and the abstract hardcore of Tiger Flowers. First band goes on at 8:45 at Union Pool and it's only $8 to get in. OR... you can try your hand at a PAIR OF FREE TICKETS...

Continue reading "Dark Castle & The Atlas Moth are here - Union Pool tonight (win tix) ++ other 2009 Tour Dates "

by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Dark Castle - "Awake In Sleep" (MP3)

Dark Castle at Lit Lounge (more here)

Dark Castle and The Atlas Moth are now on tour, and BrooklynVegan is proud to present the Brooklyn show they'll be playing at Union Pool on November 17th. More details to come including additional bands to be added to the Brooklyn bill and an ill giveaway!

Two days before that show, one of the most highly anticipated NYC shows of the year happens at Le Poisson Rouge. I'm talking about Shrinebuilder + Rwake + Liturgy (11/15, tix here). And speaking of ill giveaways, one lucky BV reader will receive A PAIR OF TICKETS AND ENTRY TO CHECK OUT THE BANDS DURING SOUNDCHECK. Full details on how to enter are at the bottom of this post.

The Atlas Moth's debut LP marries the best of post-hardcore stomp, ambient, and metalgaze and is out NOW. Pick up A Glorified Piece of Blue Sky via their label, Candlelight Records. Recommended, especially if you dug the Prey For Tides EP and/or like Rosetta, Buried Inside, Jesu, or Isis.

Dark Castle released their debut LP, Spirited Migration, on At A Loss Records. Download the first track, "Awake In Sleep", above. The band played NYC in September at Lit Lounge along with the always awesome Malkuth, jaw-dropping duo known as The Body, and local duo Orphan. Pics from that show are here. Malkuth and Liturgy are scheduled to play at Krallice's album release party at Union Pool on 11/13, and to play with Mt. Eerie at Market Hotel on Halloween.

All dates below...

Continue reading "Dark Castle touring w/ The Atlas Moth (Union Pool & other dates) ++ win entrance to Shrinebuilder's soundcheck"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Asphyx - "Scorbutics" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Gods & Queens - "Head To Wall" (Quicksand cover, MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Catalyst - "I Hate The Future" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Planks - S/T (Rapidshare, Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: They Are Cowards - Demo (Mediafire, Zipped MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Overmars - "Born Again" (MP3 Snippet)

Asphyx

Thanks all who came out Sunday night to Public Assembly. Full recap and pics coming soon HERE. In the meantime, pics from Friday's Repulsion show are HERE.

Asphyx's Death... The Brutal Way is due out in the US on August 18th, but it's shipping NOW at the Ibex Moon site. It's a sickening death/doom trip that's part down-tuned riff fest, part beastly conjuring, but 100% heavy heavy heavy. Recommended for fans of old school death metal, Entombed, Dismember, Autopsy, and the like. Check out one of the tracks, "Scorbutics", available for download above.

Gods & Queens currently have a new split 7" on the way via Hawthorne Street with the mighty Medusa, and have taken the time to drop off a killer cover of the Quicksand classic, "Head To Wall"! Download that above.

Weedeater have announced that Steve Albini will record their new album, which will be available in Spring 2010.

Swallow Your Teeth is the end of a long road for Richmond's The Catalyst, as the band has dropped multiple releases over their seven year history but THIS is their first LP! The noise-core merchants are currently streaming their Swallow Your Teeth at Scene Point Blank, but you can download the sick opening track, "I Hate The Future", above! The Catalyst have a few shows in the very near future, including The Glass Door on August 14th and a TBA show lined up for Aug 15th in Manhattan. Full tour dates are below. Pick up a copy of Swallow Your Teeth here.

Attention hardcore fans! Lambgoat is reporting that the legendary Disembodied will release Psalms of Sheol on Prime Directive in August, comprised of thirteen tracks of rare and unreleased material that includes the Existence In Suicide MCD and the Confession 7". Disembodied has reunited and sporadically played shows recently.

Baroness has a new album on the way, which we knew, but we now can attach a name to that effort Blue Record! The LP was recorded in Dallas, Texas with producer/engineer John Congleton (Explosions In The Sky, Black Mountain) and will hit the racks in October. Meanwhile, dig on the cover art (to the left) and the tracklisting below!

First of all, The Endless Blockade would like it be known that they "have not broken up". As a matter of fact, they finally released their split with Agoraphobic Nosebleed and have a split with The Bastard Noise out soon (stream the new BN track here). The boys in TEB "just figured another band would give us even less time in our lives to do anything else". That new band? Slaughter Strike.

Candlelight records has signed the mighty midwestern band The Atlas Moth, whose new album A Glorified Piece of Blue Sky will be released on Oct 6th. The band dropped their massive EP, Pray for Tide, on Witch Trial last year.

Planks have reissued their 2008 split with Tombs as the "European edition" featuring artwork by Mike Wohlberg. If you never got a hold of the Black Box Recordings version, it is highly recommended. Pick that up through the either of the bands on tour. Meanwhile, Planks recently made their massive S/T LP (where these two songs came from) available for free download! Pick that up above. Mike Hill of Tombs has posted all of the lyrics from the massive Winter Hours via his blog.

Crucial Blast is set to release Overmars's 2008 LP Born Again. The LP combines electronics, ambient soundscapes, Swans industrial dirge, and the thunder of Neurosis to create a different and powerful take on post-metal. The band is scheduled to hit the US with the mighty Battlefields, logging a pair of dates in NYC: Europa on August 16th and September 3rd at The Charleston. This will destroy.

Mastodon, High On Fire, Converge, and Dethklok announced dates (and a presale).

The premiere of the NEW Goes Cube video for "Saab Sonnet", more news on Black Sun, Absu, Trap Them, Kylesa, Anaal Nathrakh, and Darkthrone as This Week In Metal continues.....

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