words by Jamie Ludwig, photos by Carmelo Espanola

BV Chicago contributors Jamie Ludwig and Carmelo Espanola were on the scene in Chicago at Reggie's on 2/3 to take in the ongoing Slow Southern Steel/Hail! Hornet tour. The tour hits NYC at Europa TONIGHT (2/8) and tickets are still available. -BBG

Hail Hornet! @ Reggie's

An enthusiastic crowd gathered at Reggie's Rock Club in Chicago on Friday night (2/3) for a rare appearance of Southern metal super-group Hail! Hornet, with Atlanta psychedelic-sludge trio Zoroaster, and the Chicago premiere of the Slow Southern Steel, a documentary exploring the heaviest bands throughout the South [ED: it premiered in NYC last year].

Directed by Chris Terry (CT, front man for Little Rock, Arkansas-based Rwake) and David Lipke, and produced by Karim Kahn of I Am Better Than Everyone Records, Slow Southern Steel has been drawing attention among heavy music fans since production began in 2009. The devil horns that flew as the house lights went down and the opening credits started to roll seemed telling that many in the sizable audience had been awaiting the screening for quite some time.

Slow Southern Steel proved itself to be a smart, thoughtful film that sheds light on how regional culture and common experiences continue to shape art even in a time where the spread of technology and the homogenization / strip mall-ization of the American landscape can appear to render those factors invalid. Told exclusively through the musicians' perspectives and featuring interviews and concert footage from over 40 bands including Hank III, Kylesa, Eyehategod, Alabama Thunderpussy, Torche, Dark Castle, Sourvein, Music Hates You, and Weedeater, Slow Southern Steel is a testimony to the longevity, power, and rich diversity of sounds of an under-recognized genre. For the uninitiated, it provides an honest and compelling look into a music community where good riffs matter more than what you wear or how many records you've sold.

The film left the audience primed for a show, and thankfully the night was only just beginning. Zoroaster took to the stage in a haze of smoke and laser lights, visually matching the moody atmospherics of its dark, groove-laden metal. A slight muddiness that plagued the beginning the set was soon remedied, leaving guitarist/vocalist Will Fiore's winding, experimental guitar solos to soar over the rumble of Mike Morris' bass and Dan Scanlon's unwavering drum beat. The effect was heavy enough for the vibrations to resonate off the floor.

Hail! Hornet, comprised of vocalist T-Roy Medlin (Sourvein, Buzzov*en), drummer Erik Larson (Alabama Thunderpussy), guitarist Vince Burke (Beaten Back to Pure), and bassist / Slow Southern Steel narrator "Dixie" Dave Collins (also of Weedeater, Buzzov*en) capped off the night with a set of raunchy, fuel-guzzling metal. The same crowd that only an hour ago had sat so peacefully through a feature-length film combusted into a volatile pit, as if everything up to this point in the evening had just been foreplay before getting down to business.

Although this tour is Hail! Hornet's first as a unit, you wouldn't know it from watching. With the grace of a chainsaw the band barreled through songs from their second and latest record Disperse the Curse (Relapse) as well as a few tracks from their debut eponymous album. Chaos reigned as Medlin cooed from the stage, "I wanna see you fucking miserable in the morning." It's a guarantee that many of Friday's concertgoers weren't so chipper come Saturday, but it's doubtful that after such a celebratory night out anyone really cared.

The tour arrives in NYC tonight (2/8). More pictures from Chicago below...

Continue reading "'Slow Southern Steel', Hail! Hornet & Zoroaster played Reggie's (pics & review), hit NYC tonight"

by BBG

Dixie Dave of Weedeater at Europa (more by BBG)

BrooklynVegan is proud to present the inaugural US tour of Hail! Hornet, the Southern supergroup consisting of "Dixie" Dave Collins (Weedeater, Buzzov*en), Erik Larson (Alabama Thunderpussy, Parasytic), Vince Burke (Beaten Back to Pure) and T-roy Medlin (Sourvein, Buzzov*en). The quartet recently released their second LP Disperse The Curse via Relapse and you can stream it in its entirety below.

In addition, the tour will feature TWO other notable appearances: Zoroaster (who play NYC next week with Black Cobra) and a screening of the excellent Slow Southern Steel which was directed by CT of Rwake (and which made its East Coast debut in August). Full tour dates are below, including Europa in Brooklyn on 2/8. Tickets for that show are $15/17 DOS and will be on sale soon.

If you missed it, Rwake's Rest made both the Decibel and Pitchfork favorites of the year.

All tour dates, that Hail! Hornet stream and the tour flyer, below...

Continue reading "Hail! Hornet hitting the road with Slow Southern Steel movie"

Weedeater words by Lindsay Maharry, photos & Oxbow words by BBG

Weedeater

Weedeater headlined Europa Saturday night (9/10), playing alongside Oxbow, Bison BC, and Fight Amp as part of a larger tour for Weedeater & co. It was a rare one-off for Oxbow.

Weedeater as a band, and as people, are completely unaffected, giving their live show a remarkable jolt of undeniable authenticity. Beloved frontman "Dixie" Dave Collins' collision of dirty Southern grit and seemingly effortless talent is mesmerizing. Collins started the show off with a back pocket full of salami cold cuts and an arm full of American flag Budweiser. After riffing Sleep for the sound test, the band exploded into "God Luck and Good Speed". The room shook.

Cross-eyed madman Collins is also a jack of many trades. One minute he's knocking himself in the head, while the next he's straight-faced and seamlessly manipulating feedback in perfect sync with the rest of the band. Between growled lyrics, Collins shot strands of mucus in and out of his mouth, but not without casualties; spit strung through his beard for the rest of the set. He didn't wipe it away.

At one point, early on, he found a bottle of water on the stage. "What the fuck is this for? washin' clothes or something?," he muttered to himself, then threw the bottle over his shoulder and pounded the rest of his beer. He never missed a beat. - LM

Oxbow

Oxbow (my favorite band of the night) vocalist Eugene Robinson's well-documented knowledge of the combative arts translates to his moves on stage, punctuating big bang moments from the songs with uppercuts and downward fist strikes. Slithering to the band's bluesy-avant-jazz-meets-Am-Rep backing, Robinson would disrobe piece by piece- eventually grabbing, fondling and thrusting himself in his skivvies and a black leather vest. To say Robinson's performance is confrontational is an understatement, but also to discount Oxbow as a band with a novelty frontman would be a travesty. The trio of Dan Adams, Greg Davis, and Niko Wenner are exceptional musicians that write incredibly compelling tunes regardless of the vocal situation. David Yow knows it, so take notes young folk... this is how it should be done: raw, in your face, soulful, brutal and excellent.

Fight Amp and Bison BC also delivered my favorite performances yet. Bison are at the top of their live game. More pictures from the show, below...

Continue reading "Weedeater, Oxbow, Fight Amp & Bison BC brought the crazy to Europa (pics & review)"

by BBG

Saviours during Fun Fun Fun Fest (more by BBG)

There's a fine line between embracing your roots and aping them. While Oakland's Saviours wear their influences proudly ( Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Motorhead and gods of the 70/80s riff), the band has always distinguished themselves from their retro-leaning peers with great songwriting and a fun live show. Now Saviours have put away the pipe long enough to craft a new set of beer-soaked stoner jams out on September 6th!

Saviours are preparing Death's Procession, the band's latest set of ass-kickers due on Kemado. The new eight track LP features "The Eye Obscene" and "To the Grave Possessed", the latter of which makes its first appearance in this post. Stream both below, you can almost hear glasses clinking and motorcycles roaring in the background.

Though Saviours will be bypassing NYC on their current trek with Weedeater (are you kidding me?), they will be hitting a ton of East Coast dates. Weedeater though, plays a BrooklynVegan/Osiris event on September 10th at Europa with Oxbow, Bison BC, Fight Amp. Tickets are on sale.

Dates and songs below..

Continue reading "Saviours releasing "Death's Procession" (song premiere & upcoming dates too)"

by BBG

Dixie Dave on stage with Buzzov*en at MDF (more by BBG)

Apparently resurrected after their encounter with a frightening Mancoon, Weedeater (with a spankin' new website) will hit the road in early September for a round of dates through middle October. Support will come from Saviours, Bison BC & Fight Amp, except for NYC & Philly who Saviours will bypass, with NYC getting a rare appearance from Oxbow! The show goes down on September 10th at Europa (ticketing information is forthcoming). BrooklynVegan is the proud sponsor of the Europa date and the tour as a whole.

Oxbow played an acoustic set at The Stone last year, but havent appeared as a full band since playing Isis's 10th anniversary show at Irving Plaza in 2007.

All tour dates and that "Mancoon/Turkey Warlock" video is below.

Continue reading "Weedeater announce tour w/ Saviours, Bison BC & Fight Amp +++ NYC show w/ Oxbow (2011 dates)"

by BBG

Weedeater has a new video for "Mancoon/Turkey Warlock" from their recent LP Jason... The Dragon. Check that video out for the first time below.

In related news, Hail! Hornet will release their new LP Disperse The Curse via Relapse Records next week (7/19). Featuring Dixie Dave (of Weedeater), Erik Larson (Parasytic, The Might Could), Vince Burke (Beaten Back to Pure) and T-Roy Medlin (Sourvein), check out "Beast of Bourbon" from that record streaming below.

Sourvein played Saint Vitus on Friday (7/8).

Continue reading "new Weedeater video for 'Mancoon, new Hail! Hornet song too"

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)"

photos by Greg Cristman, words by BBG

Santos Party House

Weedeater played Santos on Feb 24th as part of an ongoing tour for the North Carolinians in support of their new LP Jason... The Dragon. The band's current trek has them splitting time with ASG (who played Santos and are now done with their part of the tour) and Zoroaster, who is currently out with the band. Shortly after this weekend's Scion Rock Fest, Kvelertak will link up with the tour and they'll head on down to Austin for SXSW, teaming up with Trap Them, Hull, Rwake, All Pigs Must Die, and the recently added Goes Cube to play the BrooklynVegan/1000Knives stage at Full Metal Texas on 3/17 (Emo's 12 - 7PM). More details are forthcoming.

Weedeater is also scheduled to join on to the Austin date of the Metalliance tour, which will also feature Helmet, Saint Vitus, Crowbar, Kylesa, Howl, Red Fang and The Atlas Moth. The Austin show goes down on March 18th show at Dirty Dog Bar in Austin. There are no advanced tickets for that, but tickets are still available for the NYC date at Irving Plaza on March 25th.

All tour dates, and more pictures from Santos are below.

Continue reading "Weedeater played Santos Party House w/ ASG, Naam & Clean Teeth (pics), playing Metalliance & BV shows @ SXSW"

by BBG

Weedeater at The Studio at Webster Hall (more by Markus Shaffer)

After years of blown-out woofers and blown-off toes, the south's most notorious sizzurp sippers Weedeater are back with their latest ode to doom and intoxicants, Jason... The Dragon. Clocking in at 35 minutes, the LP features a lot of the same booming, razor-throated doom that marked their killer last release, God Luck & Good Speed, as well as a few curve-balls. Much like with God Luck, Southern Lord is behind the band's new effort, and the LP features ten tracks including the lead-off single "Mancoon", which makes its debut here. Stream it below, and preorder the record via our friends at Shirtkiller.

As previously discussed, Weedeater is on the road for a BrooklynVegan-sponsored trek for much on February and March (including SXSW), and will tag Santos Party House on Feb 24th with ASG. Tickets are still on sale.

Full & updated Weedeater tour dates, that song stream, and some video is below.

Continue reading "listen to new Weedeater, see them live (updated dates)"

by BBG

Weedeater at The Studio at Webster Hall (more by Markus Shaffer)

After over a year of literally crippling injuries to all three of WEEDEATER's members hitting the headlines, including infamous classics like "Dixie Dave blew off part of his foot with a shotgun," or "Keko tore his meniscus this week," and "Shep broke his goddamn pinkie on tour" or even "Dixie nearly died in his ninja-scuba assassin Halloween costume" and more, the band still forged on through these blows for multiple tours -- several regional and national headlining tours, as well as supporting Down and The Melvins -- to finally complete [their new] record. Although delayed by eight months, the haggard trio infiltrated Steve Albini's Electrical Audio Studio in Chicago this past September to pound out Jason... The Dragon.

As with their Southern Lord debut God Luck And Good Speed, the Jason... album was mastered by the legendary John Golden at Golden Studios in southern California, unearthing the true grit that this band dumps forth. [press release]

All dates, some videos, the tour flyer, and the new album tracklist and Arik Roper-created cover art, below...

Continue reading "Weedeater releasing 'Jason... The Dragon' (art & tracklist), touring w/ ASG & then Zoroaster (2011 dates)"

In what is now an annual tradition, we're playing catch up during this final week of the year. If this post seems outdated, that's because it is. Happy Holidays!

words & photos by BBG

CT and the Invisible Orange

Rwake and Weedeater played the Tone Deaf SXSW Showcase at Encore in Austin on 3/20 as part of SXSW. It was Rwake's only SXSW show, and one of two for Weedeater (they played a surprise show the next night). The bill included numerous favorites from the roster, including Black Tusk, Black Cobra, ASG, and US Christmas and the show was part of a larger tour for Weedeater/Black Tusk/The Gates of Slumber/Struck By Lightning (who played the Studio @ Webster Hall in NYC).

The capacity packed house at Encore was buzzing to hear the Arkansas five piece, and though the band's shortened set featured zero older material (yes, no "Crooked Rivers"), new material on display was heavy, emotive, with tons of light and shade, and some serious riffs. The three as-of-yet unnamed songs showed serious promise for the follow-up to Voices of Omens, scheduled for 2011 on Relapse.

More Rwake and Weedeater pics are below...

Continue reading "Rwake & Weedeater @ Encore (SXSW pics)"

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"

words by BBG, photos by Samantha Marble

TONIGHT (Friday, 4/9) caps off an unfucwitable weekend of killer shows starting with the sold out(!) High on Fire / Priestess / Black Cobra / Bison BC show at Gramercy. Saturday (4/10) during the day means Louisiana's Thou will destroy you at ABC No Rio, while the Weedeater / Black Tusk / The Gates of Slumber / Struck By Lightning extravaganza rolls into town Saturday night. Tickets are still available (get'em here). And Sunday (4/11) means avant-garde (Kayo Dot playing Coyote at Union Pool) or brutal/spanish-speaking (Brujeria at Webster, tickets) as the final nail in the coffin.

Want to go to Weedeater? I have TWO pair up for grabs! More details are at the bottom of this post.

Both High on Fire (at the Action PR showcase) and Weedeater played SXSW, and previously discussed, Weedeater teamed up with Dark Castle and The Roller for a surprise show at Lovejoys on 3/21, the last night of SXSW. A second set of pics from that show (like the one above), and current tour dates, continue below...

Continue reading "it's a busy weekend for metal in NYC - win Weedeater tix (which are still on sale) ++ new pics & more dates"

words and photos by BBG

Weedeater

One of the greatest things about South by? Surprise shows! As I pondered my limited choices for the evening of 3/21 in Austin, I received a text about a FREE and last minute show at Lovejoys. The bill included notables like Green & Wood (who I missed), local doom killers The Roller, Dark Castle, and the mighty Weedeater who killed the previous night (3/20) at the Tone Deaf Showcase!

I was in, and naturally a lineup like this in a tiny venue like Lovejoys was not disappointing. More pics from the killer show that ended my South By Southwest experience are below.

Weedeater are currently on tour and are scheduled to hit NYC on 4/10 at The Studio at Webster Hall with The Gates of Slumber, Black Tusk, and Struck By Lightning. Tickets for this killer (BV/Osiris-presented) four way are still available. Weedeater also added more headlining dates in April and May. Their updated schedule is also below...

Continue reading "Weedeater adds more tour dates, played a surprise Austin show w/ Dark Castle & the Roller @ Lovejoys (pics) "

by BBG

Javelina at The Charleston (more by Chloe Rice)

Are we gluttons for punishment? That is the only way to account for the fact that Javelina will beat us down at TWO BrooklynVegan events in the coming weeks.

We are pleased to announce that Javelina will play one of the two stages at the BrooklynVegan Day Party at Emo's in Austin on 3/17 along with the previously announced Fucked Up and the incredible Torche.

Then, just a shade over one week after we destroy Austin as part of SXSW, BrooklynVegan and 1000 Knives will team up to present Javelina again, this time with another SXSW-er, Howl, as well as Sea of Bones and Flourishing at Cake Shop in NYC on 3/25.

More upcoming shows, flyers and videos, below...

Continue reading "Javelina playing BV shows (in NYC & Austin), 'Full Metal Texas' announces lineup, Your Demise & 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

Godflesh (1988-2002) - Mission is Terminated

"On April 10th 2002, I disbanded Godflesh. This was something I had painfully been pondering since GC Greens' departure from the band in Oct 2001. Regrettably it took until the day of leaving for a lengthy U.S tour for the realization to finally take its toll on me.

"Unfortunately the finality of the decision and the responsibilities of making the decision proved too much for me to bare, and I collapsed under the weight. I found that without GC Green, Godflesh is not Godflesh, and him leaving proved to be an omen for me. I also feel that everything we originally intended or even imagined with Godflesh we have done....

"JUSTIN K BROADRICK / MAY 2002"

Godflesh joins the recently confirmed 16, Asphyx, Crowbar, Katatonia, Omega Massif, Sick Of It All, and the mighty Ulver as well as quite a few others who have recently been confirmed and Agnostic Front, Suffocation, 7 Seconds, Black Cobra, Weedeater, Rwake, and many more who were previously confirmed. Full (current) lineup below...

Continue reading "Godflesh reuniting, playing Hellfest in France (lineup) "

words by Black Bubblegum, photos by Nathaniel Shannon

Down recently released the following statement:

"This past week Philip Anselmo did an interview with writer Dave Wedge of the Boston Herald... Within the article Mr. Wedge made some statements that are falsehoods and we wanted to clear it up before the rumor mill starts turning.

First off, Mr. Wedge states that 'Down has no plans to record after this tour.' This is absolutely untrue. The band will be writing and recording for a release in 2010.

Secondly he states, 'Rex Brown, who also played in Pantera, has left the band for personal reasons.' This is categorically and unequivocally untrue. As you all know Rex did not join this tour due to imminent health concerns. As Philip states on stage every night, Rex is the bass player in Down and will continue to be...

"We hope this clears up any questions anyone may have had." -[Blabbermouth]

Unfortunately, no pics of Weedeater or Evil Army from this show, but dig on more Down & Melvins shots below. Full tour dates, as well as a video of Down performing the Van Halen classic "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" also below...

Continue reading "Down played Nokia Theatre w/ Melvins (pics), writing & recording for a release in 2010 & stuff"

photos by Paul Birman

As we made kind of obvious and then confirmed yesterday, Weedeater were the special guest at last night's Laptop of Satan / Naam show at The Charleston in Brooklyn (9/10). Weedeater are currently ona tour with Down, The Melvins and Evil Army which hits Nokia Theatre in NYC TONIGHT (9/11). From there the tour continues, but without one of the bands on Saturday (sorry Philly). That's when The Melvins make a pitstop in upstate NY to perform at ATP. On Sunday they all rejoin in Boston.

Naam have more NYC shows coming up too - one for CMJ, and other with Om.

More pictures from last night's intimate show, below...

Continue reading "'special guest' Weedeater joined Naam & Lapdog of Satan @ The Charleston (pics), play w/ Down & Melvins TONIGHT"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Naam - "Skyling Slip" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Naam - "Kingdom" (MP3, from EP)
DOWNLOAD: Lullabye Arkestra - "We Fuck The Night" (MP3)

Naam ist griim.

The name "Naam" doesn't denote a typist with a particularly itchy left pinky, but a Brooklyn based psychedelic trio that is prepping their self-titled debut for release on 10/20.

Since the release of their Kingdom EP, Naam has gigged quite a bit around our fair city, logging dates with Nebula, Cable, Violent Bullshit, and many others. Don't let that diverse list confuse you though! Much like their Tee Pee Records compatriots or like-minded hallucinogen explorers in The Black Angels or Black Mountain, the band plays a grim electric blues that recalls a more spacey Black Sabbath. The band isn't afraid to explore different territory though, as Naam even briefly visits black metal blast beats for the album closer "Black Ice". Versions of "Skyling Slip" and "Kingdom" (above), can be found on that LP as well as the Kingdom EP, though only "Skyling Slip" above comes from the new joint (double-entendre).

Naam has a few dates laid out in the coming months including supporting Om/Six Organs of Admittance at Europa on 10/11 (tix), the official Tee Pee CMJ showcase at Union Pool on Oct 23rd with Nebula, Quest For Fire, Weird Owl and more, as well as another curious bill on 9/10 at the Charleston that features a "special guest" headliner. The band can't officially be announced, but I do have a riddle... see if you can figure it out!

What bong-totin' riff-smokin' cross-eyed Southern Lord sons o' bitches happen to have a night off on September 10th?

Having trouble guessing? Well God Luck & Good Speed.

Continue reading "Naam releasing LP (MP3), playing w/ Om, the Tee Pee CMJ showcase & The Charleston w/ a secret guest headliner"

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.....

Continue reading "this week in Metal (8/5/09) (includes new Goes Cube video)"

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: Weedeater - "God Luck & Good Speed" (MP3)

It's official... As previously discussed, Down, Melvins, and Weedeater WILL team up for a tour with Canada getting Voivod (!!!) while the US will split Danava and Evil Army (NYC gets Evil Army). Tickets for the Nokia Theater show on 9/11 are on sale and full tour dates are below.

Southern doom gods Weedeater recently released their 2007 album God Luck & Good Speed on LP via Southern Lord. Dixie Dave of Weedeater first came into the public eye as a member of the legendary southern doom troupe Buzzov*en, but went on to play bass in Bongzilla and his cousin T-Roy's band Sourvein before forming Weedeater. Dixie Dave also plays with Hail! Hornet with T-Roy.

Voivod, who counts former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted as a studio member, released their final album Infini on Relapse last week. The album marks the final release for the band and the last material written by founding member Dennis "Piggy" D'Amour before his untimely passing.

Phil Anselmo's (of Down) bandmate in Arson Anthem (with Mike Williams of Eyehategod) and the now-defunct Superjoint Ritual, Hank III, recently played Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Bassist Bones of Evil Army recently passed away.

Full Weedeater tour dates as well as a video of "Downava", aka Down + Danava below...

Continue reading "Weedeater IS touring w/ Down/Melvins (& Evil Army) (dates)"

by Black Bubblegum

EyehateAnselmo: Mike "IX" Williams and Phil Anselmo at Hellfest in France (vivosi8)

They should call this tour Eyehatebigbusinesspornconformity with a crowbar, ritually.... As discussed, Down is hitting the road with the Melvins. That tour will hit NYC on September 11th with a show at the Nokia Theater in Times Square. Tickets go on AMEX presale today/Wednesday 6/24 at 10am, with regular Joes/Janes gettin' theirs on Friday at noon. All dates, with more likely to be announced, below.

Although there is no official indication that the Down tour will also feature long-rumored touring partner Weedeater, their merch company (which also happens to be Ryan Patterson of Coliseum) writes that "WEEDEATER joins MELVINS and DOWN for an incredible package tour in July". Maybe they meant September. We'll let you know when we get official word! In the meantime, Weedeater is playing NYC on July 9th at Cake Shop (CANCELLED), one of a few confirmed dates that the band has laid out for the coming months. All dates below.

In related news, Phil Anselmo's ex-bandmate in Superjoint Ritual and Arson Anthem, Hank III, is currently on the road with his band Assjack and will be at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Wed 6/24. Tickets are still available. Assjack (Hank III's death metal band) is touring to promote their upcoming debut album due via Curb Records on Aug 4th. All dates below.

Just one day after Melvins play the stages of Nokia, the band will play to an entirely different crowd up at Kutscher's for ATP New York. ATP New York's lineup also includes Autolux and Sleepy Sun, as well as Boredoms, Boss Hog, Deerhunter, No Age, and many more. Tickets are available here.

Down recently played Hellfest in Clisson, France along with Eyehategod, Torche, Amebix, and many many others. Phil Anselmo (of Down, Pantera) joined Eyehategod on stage to perform "Sisterfucker" from their classic LP Take As Needed For Pain.

Kylesa also played Hellfest SANS founder/guitarist Philip Cope, who is having passport issues and will join the band by next week. Video of that Cope-less performance is below.

Torche are coming to NYC soon too, and with Harvey Milk. Tickets are still available for their show at Music Hall Of Williamsburg on July 26th.

All tour dates and live videos of Weedeater and Down below...

Continue reading "Melvins tour w/ Down (and Weedeater?), play NYC (tix) before ATP NY ++ Hank III tour w/ Assjack (dates) & more"

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.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview with CT of Rwake "

by Black Bubblegum

DOWNLOAD: -16- - "So Broken Down" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Obscura - "Universe Momentum" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: JODIS - "Continents" (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Satyricon - "The Sign Of The Trident" (MP3)

Happy New Year and Welcome Back to The Week In Metal! We took some time away, but believe me, the hate only grew STRONGER.

Wolves In The Throne Room have emerged from the dark forests of the Pacific Northwest to announce a pair of new releases and drop more details on their previously announced upcoming live LP, Live At Roadburn 08! First up, the Malevolent Grain EP will hit Southern Lord with a 180-gram LP bang, with Conspiracy Records dropping a small pressing of picture discs for the record (a limited batch of CDs will be available on tour). Then on March 31st, the band will drop Black Cascade their new full-length on Southern Lord! Both Malevolent Grain and Black Cascade were recorded by Randall Dunn/Mell Dettmer and are the first to feature new guitarist (former touring member) Will Lindsay of ex-Middian / Age Eternal fame. In addition, WITTR's Live at Roadburn 08 will be released with a companion DVD available with the first pressing of 500 copies, with 150 coming in gold vinyl with a silkscreen. Full WITTR tour dates are below, including their date at Scion Rock Fest.

Obscura, an astonishing tech-death band from Deutchland that may or may not be named after the classic Gorguts LP, are streaming a trio of new tracks from massive and recommended upcoming LP Cosmogenesis. Relapse has been kind enough to allow one of those tracks to be made available here for download... check out "Universe Momentum" available above! Cosmogenesis impacts on Feb 17th.

Tombs is pulling double duty on Feb 21st, having scheduled a day show at ABC No Rio with Black Anvil, Woe, and Bastard Sapling and a Winter Hours Record Release show with Defeatist, Engineer, and The Wayward later that night at Death By Audio. Winter Hours is due on Feb 17th via Relapse.

YOB have announced that they will hit the studio in late March with Sanford Parker to record their new album of "5 songs hitting about the 60+ minute mark". Look for it to surface in late summer 2009. In the meantime, Northwesterners can catch the band at their first reunion gig on 2/28 at The Ash Street Saloon in Portland, Oregon.

Shrinebuilder

Shrinebuilder is in progress! The band blogged through the weekend as they completed recording of their debut album for Neurot.

The previously announced Down/Weedeater/Evil Army tour has been postponed.

With a tagline like "2 stages + 2 days = Total Brutality", you better f'n deliver. That said, The LA Murder Fest will turn those sunny California skies black on May 9th & 10th when Coffins, Landmine Marathon, Ghoul, Stormcrow, Agenda of Swine, and Lack of Interest hit the stages of The Knitting Factory in Hollywood! Also on the bill are sickening sludgemeisters -16-, who's new record Bridges To Burn drops on Jan 20th. Check out "So Broken Down" available for download above from the record and to all y'all left coasters, support the band when they hit the road with Giant Squid! Tour schedule is below.
General Surgery will also report for duty at the LA Murderfest, and recently announced the release of their split with Butcher ABC. Look for it on CD via Obliteration Records on January 11 (email grindrock@hotmail.com for a copy) and limited-to-1,000 LP in February via Living Dead Society/Coperaction Records (email unsane_crisis@hotmail.com for a copy). The band will also hit the road with Ghoul following the Murderfest and leading up to Maryland Death Fest (thx SMNNews). Full tour dates are below.

Malkuth, an absolutely killer black metal band featuring members of No Neck Blues Band, have scheduled a show on 1/25 at Public Assembly with Villians, Castevet, and Ipsissimus. Malkuth recently released Mutus Liber out on Hospital Productions and are prepping their second LP for the label.

Converge have scheduled a show at Europa on March 27th! Tickets are on sale. Converge has been added to the Scion Rock Festival in Atlanta... yet one more reason to go! (Thanks Chris!)

Also recently added at Europa, Young Widows will team up with The Austerity Program, My Disco, and Tournament for a show on April 1st! Ticket info is forthcoming, full Young Widows tour dates below. Tournament is lined up to play with Kylesa, Tombs, and Black Anvil at The Charleston.

Satyricon's new record The Age of Nero drops on Jan 13th via KOCH Records, and I have to say that I definitely enjoyed it a hell of alot more than Now, Diabolical. Check out the video for "Black Crow On a Tombstone" below and dig on "The Sign Of The Trident", which the band has made available for download above! Satyricon will hit the road opening for Cradle of Filth at Starland Ballroom on Jan 15th (tix here) and have scheduled an NYC date at Nokia Theater on Feb 27th (tix here).

That Satyricon video, Mastodon, Khanate, Burnt By The Sun, Dillinger Escape Plan, Coliseum, Amenra, Pestilence and more as The Week In Metal continues...

Continue reading "This Week In METAL (01/13/09)"