Metal Bulletin Zine: February 2014

Thursday, February 27, 2014

former Morbid Angel vocalist Steve Tucker returns: Warfather

Warfather: “Orchestrating the Apocalypse” (Greyhaze Records). If you wonder whatever happened to former Morbid Angel growler Steve Tucker, here’s a definitive answer: Warfather. To tell the truth about how I hear this: there are many similarities between this title and Morbid Angel’s “Heretic” with Steve Tucker. The growling phrasings, the fast semi-black metal riffing, the midpaced chug-chug, the general speed, and some of the guitar solos/hooks/vibes have that “Heretic” feel. Nevertheless, the use of atmospherics and the slower passages provide contrasting points. In addition, this album is more clinically perfect/robotized than “Heretic.” I sense that Warfather believes that it is wise not to freak out the listeners with something experimental, so this is a total modern death metal album for the listener that likes fast/current death metal, with some melodies here and there. Nothing surprising, fully expected and overall competent: recommended for Steve Tucker-era Morbid Angel supporters, the modern hi-tech death metal audience, such as Behemoth and Hate Eternal, especially if the listener consumes large quantities of death metal frequently, and is not super critical/jaded, as long as it is good for headbanging. www.facebook.com/pages/WarFather/240931366011521

FREE 28-minute direct, moshing thrashing growl metal: Ashen Divinity (Croatia)

This is a well-recorded and well-performed demo by these metallers from Croatia. The main thing to know is that they want you to bang your head, and the band's enthusiasm and experience shows. What some people call "meat-and-potatoes" metal (or "tofu-and-potatoes", for the vegetarians out there) has the advantage of not wasting your time and getting down to the business of metal quickly.

www.ashendivinity.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/AshenDivinity

FREE 35-minute recording of melodic doom black yaaaaarg!: Nature's Grave

The recording is simply titled "Nature's Grave" and it sounds both like doom and black metal and like neither one in a "pure" sense, but that's for the listener to decide what to do if feeling confused. No need to be confused, though. Just listen for yourself. It's a free album, so that leaves the metal listeners with no excuses.

www.naturesgrave.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/naturesgrave

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

FREE: two full-length albums of prog instrumental one-person project from India: Archangel

For the times when you want something musical, but you just don't need another angry dude screaming and yelling about whatever he thinks is "important" to him, with his "message" about who knows what anyway because no one can figure out what all the dog barking is about, that's when this music sounds like a nice break from all that yelling.

How about some musical, instrumental metal? It's free.

www.archangel221.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Archangel/427970173915545

FREE 30-minute recording of old-style crusty death: Worship No One (Brazil)

Here's some totally free music for today for the supporters of the old school death metal. If you want death metal that sounds dirty and crusty, you can't wrong with this band!

www.worshipnoone.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/Worship.no.one

what Helloween singer Andi Deris does in his free time: Andi Deris and the Bad Bankers

Of course, this does not sound like Helloween at all. This album is called "Million Dollar Haircuts on Ten Cent Heads" and it's rock music, pure and simple. Like Guns n Roses with a political message about the greed of capitalists. Andy does the catchy vocal lines, as usual, but in this context the music is a bit of that bluesy, jammy rock that people call "hard rock" or "classic rock" or anything like. Somewhere between that and a bit of that vulgar grunge/punk feel, too. Rockers and ballads, obscene and sweet, it's all here.

As long as you like to check out all Andy Deris-related things and you like rock in the styles mentioned above, this album will be a cool little place to hear Mr. Deris explore his other musical instincts. The music is all over the place, not a particular style and it's no happy-guitar album, but the singing provides lots of melodies. I think we see that Andy prefers 70s and 80s rock music, from classic, punk, and glam to AOR and that's the range found on here.

www.facebook.com/andiderisofficial

Monday, February 24, 2014

prog instrumentalists Scale the Summit are going your way: Washington state, Oregon, California, you, too, Texas, and Illinois and New York and a bunch of other places

Instrumental progressive adventure metallists SCALE THE SUMMIT are headed out on a co-headlining tour with The Ocean this March to support their Billboard-charting release "The Migration"!

TOUR DATES

3/5 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey

3/6 Portland, OR - Branx

3/7 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill

3/8 Los Angeles, CA - The Lyric

3/9 San Diego, CA - Soda Bar

3/10 Tempe, AZ - Yucca Tap Room

3/11 El Paso, TX - The Spot

3/13 Austin, TX - Dirty Dog (SXSW Metal Injection Showcase)

3/14 Grand Prairie, TX - South By So What?! @ Quiktrip Park

3/15 Houston, TX - Fitzgerald’s

3/16 Metairie, LA - Cypress

3/17 Tampa, FL - Crowbar

3/18 Pembroke Pines, FL - The Talent Farms

3/19 Orlando, FL - Backbooth

3/21 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade

3/22 Louisville, KY -The Diamond Pub

3/23 Chicago, IL - Subterranean

3/24 Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room @ Grofoot

3/25 Cleveland Heights, OH -The Grog Shop

3/26 Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar

3/27 Washington, DC - DC9

3/28 Philadelphia, PA - Voltage Lounge

3/29 New York City, NY - The Studio @ Webster Hall

3/30 Cambridge, MA - Sinclair

4/7-4/12 Miami, FL - Cruise to The Edge (w/ Yes)

with The Ocean & The Atlas Moth & Silver Snakes

www.scalethesummit.com

www.facebook.com/scalethesummitband

a sibling to Death's "Leprosy": Morfin "Inoculation"

Morfin: “Inoculation.” (FDA Rekotz). As a sibling to the album “Leprosy” by Death, this work proudly and shamelessly exhibits songwriting inspired and lifted from said classic. Thus, the long-hold, painful, drawn-out growling style; the midtempo/uptempo simple drumming; the midpaced, headbangable guitar riffing/phrasing/tone all point to that specific heritage. With only tiny differences (the very, very brief use of blasting in some places; don’t blink or you’ll miss it), Morfin doubles down on the “Leprosy” zealotry by covering the song itself “Leprosy.” You see, that’s their story and they are sticking to it. For listeners into: late 80s Death, Massacre, early Morgoth, early Gorguts, and back-to-the-future death metal in general. www.facebook.com/morfindeathmetal

Saturday, February 22, 2014

FREE 25-minute EP of polished modern melodic growl groove: Storm Cry (Italy)

"Beginning of Darkness" is the name of the EP. The EP is from 2014, actually. Storm Cry appears to have mastered the melodic chugging groove sound and appears ready for an audience. They have figured out how to make a recording that sounds professional and shows off their sound well. Storm Cry is a modern "mainstream metal" band, with everything that that implies: if given a chance, the listener will find the music to be within the range of In Flames/Soilwork to Pantera/Machine Head and Metallica and Trivium.

1. The Descent (01:55)

2. The Sun Dies Here (05:03)

3. The SYS (05:35)

4. Fear Now (04:32)

5. Void (03:29)

6. Beginning of Darkness (04:44)

TOTAL TIME 25:18

Matteo Rizzo: Drums

Cesco: Guitars

Shoto: Vocals

Leonardo Pasqualetto: Bass

Zack: Guitars

www.stormcry.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/StormCry

CARCASS to tour the U.S.

Carcass, The Black Dahlia Murder, Gorguts, Noisem

Tues, March 18 / Orlando, FL / The Beachum Theater

Wed, March 19 / Atlanta, GA / Masquerade

Fri, March 21 / Dallas, TX / Prophet Bar

Sat, March 22 / Austin, TX / Mohawk

Mon, March 24 / Phoenix, AZ / The Press Room

Tue, March 25 / Santa Ana, CA / The Observatory

Wed, March 26 / San Francisco, CA / The Regency Ballroom

Fri, March 28 / Vancouver, BC / Commodore Ballroom

Sat, March 29 / Seattle, WA / Showbox Market

Sun, March 30 / Portland, OR / Roseland Theater

Wed, April 02 Denver, CO / Summit Music Hall

Fri, April 04 / Minneapolis, MN / Mill City Nights

Sat, April 05 / Chicago, IL / House Of Blues

Sun, April 06 / Columbus, OH / Newport Music Hall

Mon, April 07 / Pittsburgh, PA / Stage AE

Tue, April 08 / Toronto, ON / Sound Academy

Wed, April 09 / Montreal, QC / Metropolis

Thu, April 10 / Boston, MA / Paradise Rock Club

Fri, April 11 / New York, NY / Best Buy Theater

Sat, April 12 / Philadelphia, PA / Trocadero Theatre

Sun, April 13 / Silver Spring, MD / The Fillmore

www.facebook.com/OfficialCarcass

FESTIVAL NEWS: Dark Troll Festival 5 in Germany

Dark Troll Festival 5

Starting on the 29th until 31st of May, the Dark Troll Festival 5 will be celebrating its fifth edition located at the "Schweinsburg in Bornstedt" (Sachsen-Anhalt close to Halle/Saale). More than 20 international acts covering diverse metal genres are invited in order to make this festival a memorable event along with the exceptional surroundings that shouldn't be missed by anyone!

A true pearl among the insider tips of the festival-scenery opens its gates once again in May. This time the festival will even begin on Thursday already, thus expanding its quantity. The main act during those three days will be Netherland's Heidevolk who will overwhelm their audiences with heroic melodies and get the party going. In addition, Cryptic Forest will present songs from their EP Dawn of the Eclipse which they have never performed live before. The young band Firtan are also presenting something special, by introducing their new album. Fans and to-be fans of the bands Falloch and Celtachor can look forward to their first gigs in Germany!

Signs are pointing to a true highlight of the year to spend some memorable days amongst familiar company and bonfire romances.

Datum/date: 29.-31.05.2014

Ort/town: Bornstedt (Sachsen-Anhalt)

Bands: Abrogation, Aethernaeum, Agrypnie, Ahnengrab, BifrÃ¶st, Buchonia, Caladmor, Celtachor, Craving, Cryptic Forest, Delirium, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Eden Weint Im Grab, Falloch, Firtan, Fjoergyn, Heidevolk, Kultasiipi, Obscurity, Stormlord, Strydegor, Trimonium

www.in-fiction.eu

Thursday, February 20, 2014

REVIEW: the neoclassical thrash of Exmortus: "Slave to the Sword" (Prosthetic Records)

Exmortus (U.S.): "Slave to the Sword” (Prosthetic Rec.)

Did Exmortus set for itself the objective of making its own latter day “Rust in Peace”? Did the guys in the band convince Eddie Van Halen or Yngwie Malmsteen to join them for a thrash album?

Right away, the attentive listener will notice with these songs that the obvious reason that Exmortus stands out is the amount of effort taken to make a professional recording with quality instrumentation. From the start, the album overflows with neoclassical shredding; and the spirit of neoclassical metal and shredder guitar comprise a substantial portion of the fundamentals of Exmortus.

Yet, Exmortus also compiles quite an array of seemingly colliding traits. The polished neoclassical leanings, for instance, may not be the most immediate characteristic that listeners imagine when they think of thrash, a genre associated with speed and “punk” energy, not necessarily finesse. In some songs, such as “Moonlight Sonata (Act 3),” classical music takes over in the form of metal; it’s metal, but it’s classical music on guitar, too. “Neoclassical thrash” puts Exmortus in a distinct niche, apart from less skilled “street” or “crossover” thrash bands. Of course, shredding thrash has been Exmortus’ style for years, but it just seems that the planets aligned in a row for this album and the band has made the one that they will have to live up to for the foreseeable future (ever?).

Headbangers should worry not, though, because Exmortus is very much a metal band. Not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants and not rough-and-ready thrash band like Toxic Holocaust, but still very much a thrashy entity, in the live setting this music should be both entertaining and bit virtuoso, not just obnoxiously loud. As a band of contradictions, Exmortus seems to go against the stream of its own sound by employing rough growling and completely typical “metal” lyrics. Perhaps one would think that with such polished, skilled elegance goes a clean production and would necessitate melodic singing. Or if not that, then maybe it would be some of the smoother growling found in a band like Insomnium. Instead, this growling is a bit aggressive and the lyrics are all about “warriors,” “fighting” and “steel,” in a Manowar-ish lyrical style. In point of fact, the art for this work seems to be inspired by all those bands with warriors and swords on the cover, too numerous to name them here.

In conclusion, thrash listeners or guitar-friendly listeners searching for a band that has a modern, polished production and lots of shredding will find many things to smile about with this new Exmortus album. It’s also melodic and upbeat enough that the traditional heavy metal audience can find something to its liking, the only obstacle obviously is the growling. Even so, the playing and the songs deserve a chance based on the overall quality.

Now, boys, a word about those lyrics…

www.facebook.com/exmortusofficial

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

FREE 16-minute demo of gang-shouted, retro, street thrash: Neurotik (Poland)

Neurotik wants to thrash, mosh and shred. That's their demo. Ain't no big fancy thing, just a thrash band doing what they want. They want their music to sound real, played by humans, imperfect and moshable. Can I get a witness?

www.neurotik.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/neurotikband

FREE five songs of symphonic power metal in Spanish: Mexicah (Mexico)

Mexicah has available five songs of their brand of symphonic power metal. The songs are actually the complete demo "El gran imperio" (The Great Empire) and provide a rather clear idea of the musical goals of the band. Check it out, especially if you like power metal and high vocals, and want to hear a band getting started.

www.reverbnation.com/mexicah

www.facebook.com/Mexicahofficial

FREE 20-minute, 5-song raw black metal recording: Pozoga (Poland)

"Infernal Seeds" is the name of their demo of ugly black metal. The themes seem to center around religion, as often expected in the genre. The overall vibe is that of a band that has got it together pretty well, from the sound quality to the songs themselves. The recording is pretty rough, but it's likely that the band wants it that way, right?

www.pozoga.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pozogabm

Saturday, February 15, 2014

black metallers Sirannon (Turkey) have a new song now from their upcoming recording

Sirannon says that soon they will have their new EP ready and it is called "Forgotten Laments of the Forsaken."

Fortunately, they have a song for everyone to hear now and get a very good idea of the type of black metal that Sirannon is all about. The title of the song is "The Shadow Queen."

After hearing the song, I think that it is abundantly clear that EP is going to be worth investigating and I have already written it down on my list. (yes, for real, I actually keep a list {on paper, written by hand!} and this EP is on it because I will be getting it one way or another!).

www.facebook.com/SirannonOfficial

FREE 16-minute EP of modern prog thrash groove growling metal: Silent Images (Sweden)

Their name sort of by itself says that the band is a bit out there, in the sense that they don't stick to any particular category: grooves, breakdowns, chugging guitar, melodic parts, scream-growling, singing, weird yelling and a bunch of other things. At the same, it is very modern metal, not anything truly, truly weird. (although that may happen in the future.)

Aren't you glad in this case that you can check it out for yourself and see what you think? The band says that they have an album that is coming up to follow this EP and this EP is very recent, so it looks like they are just getting warmed up.

www.silentimages.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/SilentImages

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

FREE 1-hour long modern prog metal album: Mindpatrol (Luxembourg)

The vocals seem to change styles from song to song, it's not really, really true, but there are some noticeable changes from melodic singing to some scream-yell passages. It appears that this is exactly how the band envisioned it because this album is basically a story of a person eventually losing their mind.

My ears are telling me that the vocal changes are a bit too abrupt, but that's just me, maybe. Anyway, this band has made the complete album available for progheads and that's good news. This is not the kind of album that one can figure out in one sitting. It's going to take a while, but that's expected with this type of music.

www.mindpatrol.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/mindpatrolband

FREE 13-minute EP of slimy, dirty, stinky death metal: Dossier Negro (Spain)

What this band must think about "modern death metal"!! From the sounds of it, they hate it forever. They prefer to play death metal very much in the old ways of the 80s, when demos was the way to get it around, and the music was so ugly, it made thrash sound like commercial rock.

Approach this only if you love 80s death metal.

www.dossiernegro.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/dossiernegro

FREE EP of dirty,old thrash from Chicago: Misanthropy (U.S.)

Speaking of this band, Janis Joplin once said, "What I like about this band is the fact that they play old thrash. Old hippies like myself like bands that play old folks music. These 22 minutes of gang-shouted, thrashing, moshing songs just help get me through my stupid Tuesdays."

Yup, it's old thrash and this might as well be from 1987.

www.misanthropychicago.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/MisanthropyChicago

FREE 42-minute album of melodic moshy growl/sing metal: Nilfgaard (Poland)

FREE 42-minute album of melodic moshy growl/sing album: Nilfgaard (Poland)

What? The complete album is available for free? Is that correct?

Yes, it is.

If you are skeptical of the quality of the music, check it out for yourself. The recording quality is a-ok, not too clinical and the personality of the band gets across very well. While you might think it ridiculous that some bands want 7 or 8 dollars for a 4-song homemade demo, this band is making the complete album available for free, with a donation if you want.

Nilgaard appear to be doing a pretty smart move here: this is not a demo, this is not a garage recording and once listeners who like "melodeath" hear it, this band should have some new supporters.

www.nilfgaard.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Nilfgaard/241481849217772

FREE EP of 9 minutes of crust grind death: Sokushinbutsu (U.S.)

I am not sure how to pronounce their name, and I also don't know where "Maryland" is located on a map, and I also don't know how to read maps, but when death/grind and crust aficionados hear this music they're going to like it and when they find out that it is free, then they will smile and say, "Muy bueno, señores, muy bueno."

It's perfect that it is not too long. That way everybody can check it out and get it, listen to it again. The sound quality is good and fits this music nicely. Sounds like a bunch of people playing music with human skills, and not many robotized elements thrown in.

www.sokushinbutsu.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/sokushinbutsumd

TOUR NEWS: ORBWEAVER: Psychedelic Death Metal Ensemble To Kick Off Winter Tour; New Dates Announced

Sunshine State psychedelic death metal ensemble, ORBWEAVER, is readying to kick off a twenty-date stretch of roadside assaults next week. The live abrasions will commence on Tuesday, February 18th with a special hometown kick off show before the band joins fellow Floridian sludge assassins, Shroud Eater for a westward run of audio debauchery.

ORBWEAVER:

2/18/2014 Churchill's - Miami, FL

w/ Shroud Eater:

2/19/2014 Will's Pub - Orlando, FL w/ Ad Nauseum, Ex Vietnam

2/20/2014 The Shark Tank - Tallahassee, FL w/ Atrocitus, Short Walk

2/21/2014 The Handlebar - Pensacola, FL

2/22/2014 Siberia - New Orleans, LA w/ Lordy Dying, Gristnam

2/23/2014 Beerland - Austin, TX

2/25/2014 Kim's Sports Bar - Riverside, CA

2/26/2014 Eli's Mile High Club - Oakland, CA

2/27/2014 Frankie Teardrops - San Luis Obispo, CA w/ Hashmouth

2/28/2014 The Complex - LA, CA w/ Lightning Swords Of Death

3/01/2014 Yucca Tap Room - Phoneix, AZ

3/02/2014 The Trainyard - Las Cruces, NM

3/03/2014 Taqueria Pedritos - Dallas, TX

3/04/2014 Vino's Pizza And Pub - Little Rock, AR

3/05/2014 The End - Nashville, TN

3/06/2014 Chapel Hill Underground - Chapel Hill, NC

3/07/2014 The Maywood - Raleigh, NC

3/08/2014 529 - Atlanta, GA

3/09/2014 Burro Bar - Jacksonville, FL w/ Porter, Atma

3/10/2014 Fubar Downtown - St. Petersburg, FL w/ Landbridge, Ulcer, Cosm

ww.orbweaverband.com

Monday, February 10, 2014

TOUR NEWS: NAILS: to tour U.S. and Europe

NAILS Tour Dates:

4/17/2014 The Palladium - Worcester, MA @ New England Metal & Hardcore Fest

NAILS West Coast Tour w/ Iron Lung, Bone Sickness, Skinfather:

5/01/2014 The Echo - Los Angeles, CA w/ Nausea

5/02/2014 Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA w/ Violent Reaction, The Flex

5/03/2014 Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA

5/04/2014 Star Theatre - Portland, OR

5/05/2014 El Corazon - Seattle, WA w/ Gag

NAILS European Tour:

6/26/2014 Birthdays - London, United Kingdom

6/27/2014 Festivalpark Dessel - Dessel, Belgium

6/27/2014 Tuska Open Air - Helsinki, Finland

6/28/2014 Graspop Metal Meeting - Hasselt, Belgium

6/29/2014 Nouveau Casino - Paris, France

6/30/2014 Kleiner Klub Garage - Saarbrücken, Germany

7/01/2014 Juha West - Stuttgart, Germany

7/02/2014 Sunny Red - Munich, Germany

7/03/2014 Die Werkstatt - Cologne, Germany

7/04/2014 Hafenklang - Hamburg, Germany

7/05/2014 With Full Force Festival - Leipzig, Germany

7/06/2014 Roskilde Festival - Roskilde, Denmark

www.facebook.com/NAILSoxnard

TOUR NEWS: COFFINS: Tokyo Doom Destroyers Announce US Tour Including Return To Maryland Deathfest

Following their most widely-received LP to date with the 2013-released, The Fleshland, Tokyo, Japan's COFFINS have confirmed a new American invasion this Spring.

COFFINS will bring their diseased, suffocating death-doom decimation back to this side of the Pacific once again in May with a special mini-tour, marking a four-year gap since their previous stateside visit. Bringing forth bulldozing hymns from The Fleshland in addition to their brutal back-catalog of mid-paced gravedigging metal, in addition to their recently revamped lineup, beginning May 18th, COFFINS will plunder Chicago, Cleveland, Brooklyn and Philadelphia before closing down the run with their return to Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore on May 22nd, their first time storming MDF since their set at the 2010 edition of the event. COFFINS will be provided with support from Chicago death'n'rollers, Bones, on the tour dates leading up to Deathfest.

COFFINS 2014 U.S. Tour Dates:

5/18/2014 Reggie's - Chicago, IL w/ Bones

5/19/2014 Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH w/ Bones

5/20/2014 Saint Vitus Bar - Brooklyn, NY w/ Bones

5/21/2014 Kung Fu Knife Shop - Philadelphia, PA w/ Bones

5/22/2014 Maryland Deathfest - Baltimore, MD

www.facebook.com/intothecoffin

Sunday, February 9, 2014

TOXIC HOLOCAUST: Are they any good live?

TOXIC HOLOCAUST: Are they any good live? Well, Fuglymaniacs snuck up on the band live in Houston and took footage and decided to show it to you so can opine. OK, your turn, take it away here: www.fuglymaniacs.com

FREE complete album of instrumental: Near Neptune (U.S.)

What? No vocals?

No gimmicks? no image? no blah, blah, blah? and no "are you ready to blah and blah"? or "our band will blah, blah and blah"? and nothing about how "we really blah blah and blah..."?

Apparently, not. Just the music, kiddo. Just the music. This album is one hour long and I am still listening to it. I don't hear any vocals so far, so...

Anyway, join the adventure and find out.

www.nearneptune.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Near-Neptune/146276718753482?fref=ts

FREE EP of doom: Crypt Sermon (U.S.)

Crypt Sermon plays doom in the old style because that's what it is all about for them; old school, old style, and they apparently are not very happy with the fickle, look-at-me fashions of metal music and it's cool-now, forget-it-later trends. Oh, man, who are we kidding. These guys are right. Doom on.

www.cryptsermon.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/CryptSermon

TOUR NEWS: EAST OF THE WALL Confirms SXSW and Treefort Fest Appearances Routing Of Co-Headlining Tour With Diamond Plate Complete

The final dates for EAST OF THE WALL's upcoming co-headlining tour with Diamond Plate have been locked in, extending the routing to a colossal five-week venture.

Sponsored by MetalSucks and Metal Injection, the Redacted Pulse Tour is due to kick off on February 28th in Brooklyn, New York, before tearing its way across the US through the entire moth of March and into April. EAST OF THE WALL is touring in support of their latest release, Redaction Artifacts, which is out now worldwide.

EAST OF THE WALL Redacted Pulse Tour w/ Diamond Plate:

2/28/2014 The Omega Order - Brooklyn, NY

3/01/2014 The Brighton Bar - Long Branch, NJ

3/02/2014 10th Street Live - Kenilworth, NJ

3/03/2014 The Depot - York, PA

3/04/2014 Empire - Springfield, VA

3/05/2014 Ground Zero - Spartanburg, SC

3/06/2014 The Milestone - Charlotte, NC

3/07/2014 The Bowery - Knoxville, TN

3/09/2014 Uncle Lou's Entertainment Hall - Orlando, FL

3/10/2014 Jack Rabbits - Jacksonville, FL

3/11/2014 The Tavern - Hattiesburg, MS

3/12/2014 Siberia - New Orleans, LA

3/14/2014 MetalSucks South By South Death Showcase - Austin, TX (EOTW only)

3/15/2014 Leon's Lounge - Oklahoma City, OK

3/16/2014 The Jam Spot - Albuquerque, NM

3/17/2014 Yucca - Phoenix, AZ

3/18/2014 Mirror Image Studios - Anaheim, CA

3/19/2014 Jub Jubs - Reno, NV

3/20/2014 The Bar Deluxe - Salt Lake City, UT

3/21/2014 Rojo's Tavern - South Tahoe, CA

3/22/2014 Treefort Music Fest (EOTW only) - Boise, ID

3/23/2014 Rotture - Portland, OR

3/24/2014 El Corazon - Seattle, WA

3/25/2014 Checkerboard Bar - Spokane, WA

3/27/2014 Machinery Row - Great Falls, MT

3/29/2014 The Railyard - Billings, MT

3/30/2014 Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO

3/31/2014 Vega - Lincoln, NE

4/01/2014 Fubar - Saint Louis, MO

4/02/2014 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL

4/03/2014 The Ritz - Warren, MI

4/04/2014 Annabell's - Akron, OH

4/05/2014 Broadway Joe's - Buffalo, NY

4/06/2014 Mac's Mad Art Bar - Syracuse, NY

www.eastofthewall.com

TOUR NEWS: SECRETS OF THE SKY: Oakland Progressive/Doom Act Confirms West Coast Spring Tour

Following a brief silence after touring the West Coast through the latter half of 2013 in support of their debut album, To Sail Black Waters, Oakland-based SECRETS OF THE SKY, has been extremely busy locking down several new tours for the first half of the year.

SECRETS OF THE SKY Spring Northwest Tour Dates:

3/28/2014 Back Bar - San Jose, CA

3/29/2014 Black March at Dudes Garage - Livermore, CA

3/30/2014 Tiny Tavern - Eugene, OR w/ Ninth Moon Black

3/31/2014 Dante's - Portland, OR

4/01/2014 Chop Suey - Seattle, WA w/ Eye Of Nix

4/02/2014 Boise Shredder - Boise, ID

4/03/2014 Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

4/04/2014 Triple Nickle Bar - Colorado Springs, CO

4/05/2014 7th Circle - Boulder, CO

4/12/2014 Sky Lounge - Modesto, CA

4/27/2014 924 Gilman - Berkeley, CA w/ He Whose Ox Is Gored

www.facebook.com/secretsofthesky

TOUR NEWS: FALLUJAH: Atmospheric Death Metal Collective To Take Part In The Best In Brutality Tour

San Francisco-based atmospheric death metal collective, FALLUJAH, are very pleased to take part in The Best In Brutality Tour 2014 this Spring with co-headliners Oceano and Broken Hope. Set to join the tour on March 20th in Los Angeles, California, the near month-long run of live assaults will storm its way across North America, drawing to a close on April 19th in Columbus, Ohio. Additional support will be provided by Rivers Of Nihil and Kublai Khan.

FALLUJAH The Best In Brutality Tour w/ Oceano, Broken Hope, Rivers Of Nihil, Kublai Khan

3/20/2014 Whisky A Go Go - Los Angeles, CA

3/22/2014 Industry Theater - Lancaster, CA

3/23/2014 DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA

3/25/2014 Branx - Portland, OR

3/26/2014 Studio 7 - Seattle, WA

3/27/2014 Biltmore Cabaret - Vancouver, BC

3/28/2014 Pawn Shop - Edmonton, AB

3/29/2014 Golden Age Club - Calgary, AB

3/31/2014 Park Theater - Winnipeg, MB

4/01/2014 Skyway Theater - Minneapolis, MN

4/03/2014 Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA

4/04/2014 Mojoe's - Joliet, IL

4/06/2014 Hard Luck - Toronto, ON

4/08/2014 Le Dagobert - Quebec City, QC

4/09/2014 Maverick's - Ottawa, ON

4/11/2014 Underworld - Montreal, QC

4/12/2014 Empire - Springfield, VA

4/13/2014 Mojo 13 - Wilmington, DE

4/15/2014 Reverb - Reading, PA

4/16/2014 Gramercy Theater - New York, NY

4/17/2014 New England Metal & Hardcore Fest - Worcester, MA

4/18/2014 Agora Ballroom - Cleveland, OH

4/19/2014 Alrosa Ville - Columbus, OH

www.facebook.com/fallujahofficial

Saturday, February 8, 2014

the magical zombie death metal live footage of Exhumed in Houston, Texas

they're back in Texas and Fuglymaniacs caught a bit of it

www.fuglymaniacs.com

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

FREE crossover thrash obsessed with 80s: Mutank (Canada)

They like thrash. They play thrash. They like 80s thrash. Could anything else ever be clearer? You won't confuse this music with anything else, that's for sure.

www.mutankthrash.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/bonebrainsnotdemolishers

LIVE FOOTAGE of Ramming Speed taking the thrash to Houston, Texas; footage courtesy of Fuglymaniacs

Tonight I have been watching Ramming Speed working the crowd in Houston, Texas. This footage surely shows the type of concerts that Ramming Speed likes to put on. Thank you, Fuglymaniacs! There is more footage coming, by the way. I will let you know about it.

Check it out at www.fuglymaniacs.com

FREE black death: Espera XIII (Brazil)

Here's another freebie for today. This is on the black/death side of things. These songs give a pretty good idea about the band's sound.

www.esperaxiii.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/EsperaXIII?fref=ts

FREE 30 minutes of angry thrash groove in Spanish: Sin Control (Spain)

In the mood for some Pantera-ish thrash groove in Spanish? Does it sound as angry? I don't know, you be the judge!

www.sincontrol.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pages/SIN-CONTROL/179859358703430

PYRRHON: Progressive Death Metal Collective Live Assaults Confirmed

TOUR NEWS:

PYRRHON: Progressive Death Metal Collective Live Assaults Confirmed

In related news, PYRRHON will bring their odes of crudeness to the streets next month on a near-two-week run of live assaults. Slated to embark on March 7th in Richmond, Virginia, the journey includes a pair of appearances at this year's edition of SXSW in Austin and will come to a close in Brooklyn, New York on March 28th. The band will be joined by hometown avant brutalizers, Psalm Zero.

PYRRHON Live Assaults 2014:

3/07/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA

3/08/2014 The Spring Water - Nashville, TN

3/09/2014 TBA - New Orleans, LA

3/11/2014 SXSW - Austin, TX

3/12/2014 SXSW - Austin, TX

3/14/2014 TBA

3/15/2014 Skihouse - Carbondale, IL

3/16/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO

3/18/2014 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL

3/19/2014 Berkley Front - Berkley, MI

3/20/2014 Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, PA

3/28/2014 Trans Pecos - Brooklyn, NY

www.facebook.com/pyrrhonband

TOUR NEWS: ANAGNORISIS: March Tour Dates Confirmed

Following several waves of live excursions during the second half of 2013 and a January 2014 Midwest tour, in conjunction with the release of their acclaimed sophomore LP, Beyond All Light, Kentucky's ominous black metal quintet, ANAGNORISIS, confirms their next bout of 2014 tour actions.

ANAGNORISIS is locking down a solid live run from their Louisville hometown out to the Northeast and down the East Coast during the first half of March, with a full week of dates including shows in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Charlotte confirmed at press time and several dates still being organized. The complete and final routing will be locked and announced in the coming days.

ANAGNORISIS Tour Dates:

3/6/2014 Haymarket Whiskey Bar - Louisville, KY

3/7/2014 The Metal Grill - Milwaukee, WI

3/8/2014 Emerson Theater - Indianapolis, IN

3/9/2014 The Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, PA

3/10/2014 Acheron - Brooklyn, NY

3/11/2014 Kungfu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA

3/14/2014 The Milestone - Charlotte, NC w/ Young and In The Way

www.anagnorisis.com

www.facebook.com/anagnorisismetal

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

sometimes, if the music is very slow, reaching an understanding of the music is also a slow process: SECRETS OF THE SKY: To Sail Black Waters (Kolony Records)

It took me a very long time to understand Secrets of the Sky. I had the sense that there was something there that I might enjoy, but the sheer massively slow music just kept blocking real inroads into the music.

I finally feel like I comprehend it a bit. That's the reason I kept coming back to it. Secrets of the Sky is primarily a doom band, that's obvious enough on the four-track, 40-minute mammoth of an album called "To Sail Black Waters."

The drumming keeps the music at a steady-slow (but not super slow, just regular, midpaced slow) beat. This element likely represents a saving grace for the album because it allows some listeners to hone in on the drumming as a way to go further into the music. In fact, there always seem to be moments in which the drumming picks up the energy a bit and that provides a boost to the doom.

One of the more acquired tastes in this case will be the "black metal screech" growl screaming. It is likely that if you absolutely hate that style of vocals, this won't change your mind because it is harsh, unpleasant yelling and growling. There is some "clean singing," but I do not know if it's a guest or not. The band uses it sparingly and it is not a formulaic piece of the puzzle.

The guitar work is minimalist and chugging in places, although the band does have some melodies that appear to be guitar work, to complement the heavy, play-on riffing. Then again, some of the melodies probably also come from the keyboards found on the album, although the keyboards are not very upfront and seem to be more for background sound. That's how it sounds to me, at least, given that I don't sense a dominant use of keyboards.

Thus, Secret of the Skies has a few surprises for the listener, including the use of melody in doom, depressive, slow heavy sounds. It does require some to time to make sense, but how much time depends on the listener, of course. In my case, it took a lot more than a few listens.

www.facebook.com/secretsofthesky

Yikes, the slow poke stoner doom sludge has taken over my day today: CLEANTEETH: Pushing Rope (Dullest Records)

Earlier today I told you about the slugs Lumbar and then sloths Culted, and now, just here are the turtles Cleanteeth. In the world of Cleanteeth, it's all smoke and mirrors between doomgloom and fuzzbucketry. The screaming goes roarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and arggggggggggggggggg and yargggggggggggggg and the guitar chugs spirally while the drummer chews his gum and blows bubbles, and occasionally plays the drums.

Holy guacamole, these cats are in a different world, the universe of sound manipulation, studio experimentation, soundwave bending, jamming for jamz, perhaps a bit of psychedelia, with the complete postmetal vibe thang all pat down.

Cleanteeth even has a special effects track that is not music at all and they call that thing "French Kissing Alexander Hamilton" and another called "Mermaids," because they're strange like that.

The song "Sexual Mustache" actually sounds like a normal song that another human might enjoy on a first listen. Shocking. And "RVH" somehow sounds like the band decided to rock out.

In the world of stoner doom postmetal scream stuff, Cleanteeth will be kings.

This is a different type of fun party. Oh, of course, the last "song" is called "Bedbugs" is another minute of annoying feedback/ET/computer sounds. Ha, ha, just in case you were having too much fun.

www.cleanteethdirtyteeth.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/cleanteethdirtyteeth

Oh, snap, here's another super slow one: CULTED Oblique To All Paths (Relapse Records)

What is it with these bands? They are all trying to play slower than everybody else and it's a competition that's going directly into the abyss. They want you depressed.

I told you that Lumbar plays slow music. OK, well, Culted is actually slower, if you can believe it. Black Sabbath sounds like speed metal compared to these songs!

No happy. No fun. No melody. No rock.

Only slow. Only slug. Only depressed. Only lonely. Only darkness. Only abyss.

Slayer sounds so happy compared to this. So happy. So very happy. Oh, Slayer, the happy band.

www.facebook.com/Culted

some people say they want sludge, but let's see if they still feel that way after this: LUMBAR: The First And Last Days Of Unwelcome (Southern Lord)

Oh, no, you didn't! You didn't just say you want doom. Well, let's see if this what you meant by doom. This music is so slow (How slow is it?) it's so slow that I took a nap and when I woke up the band's drummer was still taking HIS nap on the drum stool! (ba dum tsssss)

Don't you get close to this music unless you are ready for some major slow-motion stoner doom sludge, child. I have not yet been able to finish listening to this album all at once. Man, it's slower than a slug napping. Good lord, Southern Lord!

www.lumbarsl.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/thelumbarendeavor

Monday, February 3, 2014

FREE 28-minute EP of melodic growl metal: Wrath Within (Spain)

Fans of old Children of Bodom, check out Wrath Within's continuation of the style! These crazies also have a cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal."

True story.

www.wrathwithinofficial.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/wrathwithinofficial

TOUR NEWS: THE OCEAN Prepares For Co-Headlining Tour With Scale The Summit

In just over a month, THE OCEAN will be returning to North America for the first time since last year's Summer Slaughter takeover. Sponsored by MetalSucks, the journey will commence on March 5th in Seattle, include two performances in Austin, Texas at SXSW and finds the band co-headlining with Prosthetic Recording artists Scale the Summit. Additional support will be provided by special guests The Atlas Moth and Silver Snakes.

THE OCEAN

w/ Scale The Summit, The Atlas Moth, Silver Snakes:

3/05/2014 Chop Suey - Seattle, WA

3/06/2014 Branx - Portland, OR

3/07/2014 Bottom Of The Hill - San Francisco, CA

3/08/2014 The Lyric - Los Angeles, CA

3/09/2014 Soda Bar - San Diego, CA

3/10/2014 Yucca Taproom - Tempe, AZ

3/11/2014 The Spot - El Paso, NM

3/12/2014 SXSW - Austin, TX

3/13/2014 SXSW - Austin, TX

3/14/2014 QuickTrip Ball Park - Grand Prarie, TX

3/15/2014 Fitzgerald's - Houston, TX

3/16/2014 Cypress - Metairie, LA

3/17/2014 Crowbar - Tampa, FL

3/18/2014 The Talent Farm - Pembroke Pines, FL

3/19/2014 Backbooth - Orlando, FL

3/21/2014 The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA

3/22/2014 The Diamond Pub - Louisville, KY

3/23/2014 Subterranean - Chicago, IL

3/24/2014 The Pike Room @ Crofoot - Pontiac, MI

3/25/2014 Grog Shop - Cleveland Heights, OH

3/26/2014 Altar Bar - Pittsburgh, PA

3/27/2014 DC9 - Washington, DC

3/28/2014 The Note - West Chester, PA

3/29/2014 The Studio At Webster Hall - New York, NY

3/30/2014 The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA

www.theoceancollective.com/pelagial

TOUR NEWS: Rivers of Nihil confirm tour dates leading up to Best in Brutality Tour, SXSW

Rivers of Nihil have announced a handful of dates leading up to the Best in Brutality Tour with Broken Hope, Oceano, Fallujah, and Kublai Khan. Rivers of Nihil will begin this new campaign in support of "The Conscious Seed of Light" in Fayetteville, NC on March 10th and perform at SXSW in Austin, TX on March 13th before beginning the Best in Brutality Tour on March 18th in Phoenix, AZ. The tour ends on April 19 in Columbus, OH and includes an appearance at the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest in Worcester, MA.

RIVERS OF NIHIL

03/10 Fayetteville, NC The Drunken Horse Pub

03/11 Elizabethton, TN The Bonnie Kate Theatre

03/13 Austin, TX SXSW

03/14 San Antonio, TX Korova (Basement)

03/17 Tucson, AZ The Rock

Best in Brutality Tour w/ Broken Hope, Oceano, Fallujah, Kublai Khan

03/18 Phoenix, AZ Joe's Grotto

03/19 Pomona, CA The Glass House

03/20 West Hollywood, CA The Whisky

03/21 Reno, NV Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor

03/22 Lancaster, CA Industry Theater

03/23 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge

03/25 Portland, OR Branx

03/26 Seattle, WA Studio 7

03/27 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret

03/28 Edmonton, AB The Studio

03/29 Calgary, AB Golden Age Club

03/31 Winnipeg, MB Park Theatre

04/01 Minneapolis, MN Skyway Theater - Studio B

04/02 Milwaukee, WI The Rave Bar

04/03 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews

04/04 Joliet, IL Mojoe's

04/05 Hamilton, ON The Underground

04/06 Toronto, ON Hard Luck Bar

04/08 Quebec City, QC Le Dagobert

04/09 Ottawa, ON Mavericks

04/11 Montreal, QC Cabaret Underworld

04/12 West Springfield, VA Empire

04/13 Wilmington, DE Mojo 13

04/15 Reading, PA Reverb

04/16 New York, NY Gramercy Theater

04/17 Worcester, MA The Palladium New England Metal and Hardcore Festival

04/18 Cleveland, OH The Agora Ballroom

04/19 Columbus, OH AlRosa Villa

www.facebook.com/riversofnihil

TOUR NEWS: Rivers of Nihil confirm tour dates leading up to Best in Brutality Tour, SXSW

RIVERS OF NIHIL

03/10 Fayetteville, NC The Drunken Horse Pub

03/11 Elizabethton, TN The Bonnie Kate Theatre

03/13 Austin, TX SXSW

03/14 San Antonio, TX Korova (Basement)

03/17 Tucson, AZ The Rock

Best in Brutality Tour w/ Broken Hope, Oceano, Fallujah, Kublai Khan

03/18 Phoenix, AZ Joe's Grotto

03/19 Pomona, CA The Glass House

03/20 West Hollywood, CA The Whisky

03/21 Reno, NV Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor

03/22 Lancaster, CA Industry Theater

03/23 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge

03/25 Portland, OR Branx

03/26 Seattle, WA Studio 7

03/27 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret

03/28 Edmonton, AB The Studio

03/29 Calgary, AB Golden Age Club

03/31 Winnipeg, MB Park Theatre

04/01 Minneapolis, MN Skyway Theater - Studio B

04/02 Milwaukee, WI The Rave Bar

04/03 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews

04/04 Joliet, IL Mojoe's

04/05 Hamilton, ON The Underground

04/06 Toronto, ON Hard Luck Bar

04/08 Quebec City, QC Le Dagobert

04/09 Ottawa, ON Mavericks

04/11 Montreal, QC Cabaret Underworld

04/12 West Springfield, VA Empire

04/13 Wilmington, DE Mojo 13

04/15 Reading, PA Reverb

04/16 New York, NY Gramercy Theater

04/17 Worcester, MA The Palladium New England Metal and Hardcore Festival

04/18 Cleveland, OH The Agora Ballroom

04/19 Columbus, OH AlRosa Villa

www.facebook.com/riversofnihil

TOUR NEWS: THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER announces European summer tour

Detroit's very own THE BLACK DAHILA MURDER have just announced they are returning to Europe this summer! The band will perform at festivals and clubs in June and July, including Download Festival, Graspop Metal Meating, With Full Force, and more! The confirmed dates are below.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER issues a statement on the tour: "This summer is going to be another awesome European adventure! We are looking forward to seeing you all at the festivals as well as the more intimate headlining shows. You had better start doing some neck exercises now to prepare for the molten melodic metal onslaught… Lookout Europe! Here we come!"

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER

13/06/14 NL - Ysselstein - Jera On Air

14/06/14 UK - Castle Donington - Download Festival

15/06/14 FR - Chelles - Les Cuizines

16/06/14 FR - Toulouse - Connexion Live

17/06/14 ES - Madrid - Boite Live!

18/06/14 ES - Barcelona - Razzmatazz3

20/06/14 FI - Kauhajoki - Nummirock Festival

22/06/14 FI - Clisson - Hellfest

23/06/14 CH - Geneva - L'Undertown

24/06/14 CH - Lucerne - Konzerthaus Schüür

27/06/14 DE - Montabaur - Mair1 Festival

28/06/14 DE - Hamburg - Logo

29/06/14 BE - Dessel - Graspop Metal Meeting

01/07/14 DE - Köln - MTC

02/07/14 DE - Augsburg - Kantine

03/07/14 CZ - Prague - 007 Strahov

04/07/14 DE - Rojtzschjora - With Full Force Festival

05/07/14 DE - Münster - Vainstream Rock Fest

06/07/14 DK - Roskilde - Roskilde Festival

www.facebook.com/theblackdahliamurderofficial

TOUR NEWS: ULCERATE: Vermis North America MMXIV Excursion Announced Stateside May Tour Includes Dates With Inter Arma, Maryland Deathfest Performance

In support of their most demoralizing recorded works to date with their fourth LP, Vermis, New Zealand death metal innovators, ULCERATE, will bring their audio terror to North American fans this Spring, on their second tour of the continent.

Sponsored by Metal Injection, ULCERATE will inundate the American and Canadian peoples for nineteen days and nights on the Vermis North America MMXIV tour, which will include the band's first shows on the West Coast. Beginning the first day of May, the horde will bring their incredibly destructive, dynamic style of delivering the most extreme, cutting edge death metal imaginable to a clockwise arc of cities, the mayhem coming to a close with a performance at the massive, annual Maryland Death Fest on May 19th. Support for ULCERATE will be provided by Relapse lablemates, Inter Arma, on the majority of the dates, joining the tour in Philadelphia on the 9th and pushing through until May 21st, the final date of the tour before MDF.

Vermis North America MMXIV will be ULCERATE's first return to the continent since their initial stateside mini-tour in 2012, culminated with their memorably punishing set at Maryland Deathfest that year. Stated the band on the upcoming live incursion, "After months of planning we are now in full lockdown mode with rehearsals for what is going to be one of the most intense tours we've done to date. We can't wait to bring the Vermis material to life and finally attack both East and West coasts of the continent - particularly with Inter Arma joining us for the second half of the run."

ULCERATE Vermis North America MMXIV:

5/01/2014 Complex - Los Angeles, CA

5/02/2014 Elbo Room - San Francisco, CA

5/03/2014 Tonic Lounge - Portland, OR

5/04/2014 The Highline - Seattle, WA

5/06/2014 Starlight Lounge - Sacramento, CA

5/09/2014 Boot & Saddle - Philadelphia, PA w/ Inter Arma

5/10/2014 Saint Vitus Bar - Brooklyn, NY w/ Inter Arma

5/11/2014 Middle East Upstairs - Boston, MA w/ Inter Arma

5/12/2014 Les Katacombes - Montreal, QC w/ Inter Arma

5/13/2014 Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Noranda - Rouyn-Noranda, QC w/ Inter Arma

5/14/5012 Comfort Zone - Toronto, ON w/ Inter Arma

5/15/2014 Corktown Tavern - Detroit, MI w/ Inter Arma

5/16/2014 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL w/ Inter Arma

5/17/2014 Brass Rail - Fort Wayne, IN w/ Inter Arma

5/18/2014 Carabar - Columbus, OH w/ Inter Arma

5/19/2014 The Shop - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Inter Arma

5/20/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA w/ Inter Arma

5/21/2014 Empire - Springfield, VA w/ Inter Arma

5/25/2014 Maryland Deathfest - Baltimore, MD

www.ulcerate-official.com