Metal Bulletin Zine

Monday, March 17, 2014

Italy's answer to System of a Down: 81db: "A Blind Man's Dream"

81db does not stick to one genre, instead it's a blender of prog rock, classic rock, metal, rap rock, funny rock and other things, too. They might sound like a prog metal band one moment, and like Korn the next, and more than a few moments like System of a Down.

Let's just say that they do not like limits too much.

Check it out if you want to hear a band from Italy that will gladly confuse you!

www.facebook.com/81dbofficial

Sunday, March 16, 2014

SAINT VITUS: Legendary Doom Metal Icons Announce Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Tour

Legendary doom metal icons, SAINT VITUS, are pleased to announce a very special run of live rituals to celebrate their astounding thirty-fifth anniversary! Sponsored by Scion AV, the tour will commence on May 8th in Albuquerque and wind its way through fifteen cities, coming to a close on May 25th in Dallas. The band will be performing the planet-rumbling Born Too Late album -- the first SAINT VITUS outing to feature the imperious voice of Scott "Wino" Weinrich -- in its entirety alongside other renowned VITUS hymns. The band will be joined by Portland stoner rock power trio Sons Of Huns, supporting their recently released Banishment Ritual full-length on EasyRider Records. Comments the band of their coveted spot on the tour, "We can't be any more stoked to support one of the finest purveyors of doom and crush many cities in our wake!" Tickets go on sale Friday, March 14th.

SAINT VITUS w/ Sons Of Huns

5/08/2014 Launch Pad - Albuquerque, NM

5/09/2014 Club Red - Phoenix, AZ

5/10/2014 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV

5/11/2014 The Observatory (Psycho De Mayo Fest) - Santa Ana, CA

5/13/2014 The Echo - Los Angeles, CA

5/14/2014 SLO Brew - San Luis Obispo, CA

5/15/2014 Strummer's - Fresno, CA

5/16/2014 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA

5/17/2014 Branx - Portland, OR

5/18/2014 Highline - Seattle, WA

5/20/2014 In The Venue - Salt Lake City, UT

5/21/2014 Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO

5/23/2014 Red 7 (Outside) - Austin, TX

5/24/2014 Fitzgerald's Downstairs - Houston, TX

5/25/2014 Three Links - Dallas, TX

SAINT VITUS:

Dave Chandler - guitar

Scott Weinrich - vocals

Mark Adams - bass

Henry Vasquez - drums

www.facebook.com/saintvitusofficial

Tour News: Destrage will tour Italy

Destrage have confirmed their first tour of 2014! The band will be touring throughout their home country, beginning on March 29th. This tour will follow up the band's massively successful hometown show in Milan. The venue was sold out, with several hundred more fans outside of the venue! Destrage posted an update about that show with images on their facebook page HERE. Vocalist Paolo Colavolpe comments: "What's better than hitting some of the best venues of our country to start our AYKMN tour 2014? This is gonna be some serious fun! See you on the road people, ciao belli!"

Are You Kidding Me? Tour.

03/29 Gualtieri, IT Temporock

04/04 Roma, IT Traffic

04/10 Cesena, IT Vidia

04/11 Calenzano, IT Cycle Club

04/12 Calvari, IT Muddy Water

04/24 Torino, IT Lapsus

04/25 Romagnano Sesia, IT Rock 'n' Roll Arena

04/26 Verona, IT Sincity

04/27 Tricesimo, IT Interstate Studio 270

www.facebook.com/destrage

an answer to Killswitch Engage and All That Remains: Eyes Wide Open (Sweden)

Eyes Wide Open (Sweden): "Aftermath"

or perhaps a young version of Killswitch Engage, All That Remains and In Flames.

Eyes Wide Open sounds like they have really, really studied the most successful bands in the genre of melodic/growl rock-metal and have set themselves the goal of making it as big as they can.

Let's do a checklist:

Chugging rhythms? Check.

Melodic guitar? Check.

Pop hooks? Check.

Simple, easy songs that are radio-friendly? Check.

Aggro vocals? Check.

"Clean" vocals? Check.

On YouTube it looks like the young kids like the music a lot and it makes them jump up and down with excitement. Eyes Wide Open is in your face about it: they want to make it big and have the songs that can do it. They just need the audience and the promotion.

If you want melodic rock ear candy, then Eyes Wide Open should be one to look out for.

On the other hand, if you are a grumpy pants and you roll your eyes every time you hear the words "In Flames" or "Killswitch Engage," then stay away from this because you will be very upset and you will get a heart attack from anger about how this is not "real" metal and how...blah, blah, blah.... oh, you know... Just go listen to Marduk. You'll feel better.

www.facebook.com/Eyes.Wide.Open.SWE

FREE 12-minute EP of grind: Eaten (U.S.)

"Depraved" is the name of the EP with 12 songs of grind, just like the doctor ordered!

www.eatengrind.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Eaten/290800964380242

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Tour News: PILGRIM: Rhode Island Doom Conjurors Tour Underway

Rhode Island doom conjurors, PILGRIM, is currently crumbling stages across the US supporting reunited stoner rock icons, Spirit Caravan. The trek will level nearly two dozen metropolises by its conclusion and features three performances at this year's edition of SXSW including special sets at the Metal & Lace Lounge Showcase and the Tone Deaf Touring Showcase. Additional live PILGRIM rituals to be announced in the weeks to come.

3/17/2014 Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM

3/18/2014 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV

3/19/2014 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA

3/21/2014 Rotture - Portland, OR

3/22/2014 El Corazon - Seattle, WA

3/24/2014 The Shredder - Boise, ID

3/25/2014 Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

3/27/2014 Marquis Theater - Denver, CO

3/29/2014 Reggie's - Chicago, IL

3/30/2014 Cactus Club - Milwaukee, WI

3/31/2014 The Fifth Quarter - Indianapolis, IN

4/01/2014 Outland Ballroom - Springfield, MO

4/02/2014 Rock Island Brewing - Rock Island, IL

4/03/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO

4/04/2014 Hi Tone - Memphis, TN

4/05/2014 V Club - Huntington, WV

4/06/2014 Hideaway - Johnson City, TN

4/08/2014 Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI

4/09/2014 Skully's - Columbus ,OH

4/12/2014 31st St Pub - Pittsburgh, PA

4/13/2014 Empire - Springfield, VA

4/14/2014 AS220 - Providence, RI

4/15/2014 Saint Vitus Bar - Brooklyn NY

www.facebook.com/hailthepilgrim

the legion of boom, doom and gloom: Descend into Despair (Romania)

Descend into Despair (Romania)

After hearing the music, it’s clear why Descend into Despair is one to watch in the doom genre, particularly after the new album “The Bearer of All Storms.” Perhaps it might help to see the following information in this format about “The Bearer of All Storms”:

DISC 1.

1.Portrait of Rust (10:09)

2.Mirrors of Flesh (8:28)

3.Pendulum of Doubt (10:44)

4.Triangle of Lies (16:35)

DISC 2.

1.The Horrific Pale Awakening (17:54)

2.Plânge glia de dorul meu (17:44)

3.Embrace of Earth (10:28)

The total time is more than 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Opener “Portrait of Rust” projects a grey forlorn musical landscape of plodding guitar, depressive keyboards, decidedly unhappy melodies and an amicable, cave-monster growling at a slow pace. After that song, the listener will not expect anything merry to show up. The slow-motion depression is well on its way as the second song begins and you’ll be forgiven for not noticing that it is a different song, given that the album flows so well, taking depression to lower lows and melancholic valleys of no sunshine.

The mood that you are in will likely affect the reception to this giant of a doom/death doom/funeral doom album. Or, maybe the album will change your mood. No matter, the only real requirement, I would say, is an affinity for very slow, melancholic doom. I, for one, had no idea what awaited going into this. Once the music began, I did not have any intentions of sticking around for an hour and half listening to one album. I thought that I would check out a song or two, but that’s not what happened. I ended up staying for the complete album. That’s why it’s best to let it play and see where the spectrum of miserable moods goes.

“Pendulum of Doubt” has some melodic singing, but how depressive that sounds, too. It almost sounds like it’s a man crying; not quite, but you get the idea. “Triangle of Lies” runs more than 16 minutes, yet it works dense melodies that somehow make one forget that it’s the same song, it’s another long passage of low-key melodies and heaviness.

This tunnel of no light only gets more oppressive and claustrophobic once we enter each of the two almost-18-minute tracks. Monsters and ghosts growl and chant at the listener passing by in the night. With that, we reach the end, the last song is “only” more than 10 minutes; and so it is: 10 minutes of sad bells, more ghostly weirdness. This track, in all seriousness now, could work at a funeral.

By the way, the band has other, earlier recordings available for free at Bandcamp. For instance, “Wings of Solitude” (23:10) is a demo from 2010, “Vanity Devotion” (30:31) is an EP from 2011 and “Hierophant of the Night” (12:36) is a single from 2012. Personally, I like these older recordings and have been listening to them recently when I stumbled upon them. The demo from 2010 gives a good idea of the aesthetics at work with Descend into Despair, but the new album is miles ahead, of course, in terms of songwriting, experience, skills and sound quality. Therefore, these recordings are a good preview of the band’s potential, while the album is the manifestation of the potential carried out to its logical conclusion.

The album certainly becomes more comprehensible with each new listen, and it’s highly recommended to the listener seriously into doom/death doom/funeral doom. With so much to absorb, that it will take the rest of 2014 to make sense. In a way, I hope that the band does not have a new album out in 2015 because I will need some time just to uncover what’s going on and to recover from the totality on display.

www.facebook.com/descendintodespairband

www.descendintodespairdoom.bandcamp.com

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

FREE 17-minute recording of black doom by Predatory Light from New Mexico

How about some new music today? Predatory Light has something for you!

www.predatorylight.bandcamp.com

Tour News: GNAW: NYC Demented Noise Peddlers To Annihilate Pitchfork's SXSW Show No Mercy Fest Tuesday

GNAW Live Incursions 2014:

New York demented noise peddlers, GNAW, will be showering Austin ears this week with their corrosive canticles at Pitchfork's Show No Mercy showcase March 11th alongside Indian, Kylesa, Power Trip, Christian Mistress, Windhand, Iron Reagan, Youth Code, Primitive Man, Psalm Zero, Sannhet and Yautja. The following month GNAW will spread their audio plague across Europe with their cohorts in Italian avant noise duo, OvO, for a run of live rituals through Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. But the sonic deconstruction won't end there. On May 16th, GNAW will crush the dreams of the hopeful as part of the Red Bull Music Academy Fest alongside Tim Hecker, Napalm Death, Gunplay, Wolf Eyes, Bastard Noise, Lubomyr Melnyk, Skullflower, Okkyung Lee, Clipping and more!

3/11/2014 Pitchfork/Show No Mercy Showcase @ The Mohawk - Austin, TX

4/26/2014 Ancienne Belgique - Brussels, BE w/ Alos

4/28/2014 Le Saint Des Seins - Toulouse, FR w/ OvO, Cober Ord

4/29/2014 Les Instants Chavirès - Paris, FR w/ OvO

5/01/2014 The Victoria - London, UK w/ OvO, Shitwife

5/02/2014 Mellomello - Liverpool, UK w/ OvO

5/03/2014 The 13th Note - Glasgow, UK w/ OvO, Black Sun-Drum Korps

5/04/2014 Leave Me Here All Day Fest @ The Cluny - Newcastle, UK w/ OvO, Necro Deathmort, more..

5/08/2014 St Vitus Bar - Brooklyn, NY w/ Whitehorse

5/16/2014 Red Bull Music Academy Festival @ Knockdown Center - Queens, NY

www.facebook.com/Gnawtheband

Tour News: SAMOTHRACE European Tour 2014

Tour News: SAMOTHRACE European Tour 2014 Seattle's riff-dredging doom powerhouse, SAMOTHRACE, is preparing to return to European soil in just over two weeks, with a new bout of shows confirmed in Holland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, France and Belgium at the very end of March and into the first two weeks of April.

3/28/2014 DB's - Utrecht, Netherlands

3/30/2014 Loppen - Copenhagen, Denmark

4/02/2014 Chemiefabrik - Dresden, Germany

4/05/2014 McQueen - Parma, Italy

4/06/2014 Freakout Club - Bologna, Italy

4/08/2014 La Miroiterie - Paris, France

4/09/2014 Jeugdhuis Tijl - Diest, Belgium

4/10/2014 Roadburn Festival - Tilburg, Netherlands

www.facebook.com/samothracedoom

Tour News: YAUTJA Currently On Tour To SXSW; Massive Spring Tour With Cult Leader Announced

Nashville's grinding hardcore trio, YAUTJA, is already back out on the road on their third major tour of the season, while the dust from their last two tours still settles atop the remains of the cities where the band recently visited.

3/11/2014 Mohawk - Austin, TX @ SXSW Pitchfork Showcase

3/12/2014 Javalina - Austin, TX @ SXSW Stereofly Showcase

3/13/2014 Quantum Lounge - Austin, TX @ SXSW Invisible Oranges Showcase

3/14/2014 Austin, TX @ SXSW

3/15/2014 Trends Die Haus - San Antonio, TX @ SxSw Spillover Pt. II

3/16/2014 Walter's Downtown - Houston, TX

3/17/2014 Hound Dogs - Baton Rouge, LA w/ Christworm

3/18/2014 Seasick Records - Birmingham, AL w/ Null

4/03/2014 TBA - Knoxville, TN

4/04/2014 MACRock - Harrisonburg, VA

4/05/2014 TBA - Louisville, KY

4/06/2014 TBA - Kansas City, MO

4/07/2014 Bar Bar (Carioca Cafe) - Denver, CO

4/08/2014 Baby Haus - Laramie, WY

4/09/2014 TBA - Salt Lake City, UT

4/10/2014 The Crux - Boise, ID w/ Cult Leader

4/11/2014 New Frontier Lounge - Tacoma, WA w/ Cult Leader

4/12/2014 Laughing Horse - Portland, OR w/ Cult Leader

4/13/2014 100th Monkey Café - Chico, CA w/ Cult Leader

4/14/2014 TBA w/ Cult Leader

4/15/2014 Aladdin Jr - Pomona, CA w/ Cult Leader

4/16/2014 51 West - Tempe, AZ w/ Cult Leader

4/17/2014 The Naylair - El Paso, TX w/ Cult Leader

4/18/2014 Red 7 - Austin, TX w/ Illustrations w/ Cult Leader

4/19/2014 TBA w/ Cult Leader, Illustrations

4/20/2014 Three Links - Dallas, TX w/ Cult Leader, Illustrations

4/21/2014 The Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK w/ Cult Leader

4/22/2014 TBA - St. Louis, MO w/ Cult Leader

4/23/2014 TBA - Memphis, TN w/ Cult Leader

5/05/2014 Cafe Coco - Nashville, TN w/ Cult Leader

5/06/2014 The Forge - Birmingham, AL w/ Cult Leader

5/07/2014 TBA - Atlanta, GA w/ Cult Leader

5/08/2014 TBA - Tallahassee, FL w/ Cult Leader, Ex-Breathers

5/09/2014 Churchill's - Miami, FL w/ Cult Leader

5/10/2014 Uncle Lou's - Orlando, FL w/ Cult Leader

5/11/2014 Tin Roof - Charleston, SC w/ Cult Leader

5/12/2014 Milestone - Charlotte, NC w/ Cult Leader

5/13/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA w/ Cult Leader

5/14/2014 Sidebar - Baltimore, MD w/ Cult Leader

5/15/2014 TBA - Philadelphia, PA w/ Cult Leader

5/16/2014 The Grand Victory - Brooklyn, NY w/ Cult Leader

5/17/2014 O'Brien's - Allston, MA w/ Cult Leader

5/18/2014 AS220 - Providence, RI w/ Cult Leader, Tinsel Teeth

5/19/2014 The Lair - Buffalo, NY w/ Cult Leader

5/20/2014 Mr. Roboto Project - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Cult Leader

5/21/2014 Yonka House - Detroit, MI w/ Cult Leader

www.facebook.com/YautjaTN

Gilead Fest final schedule

Gilead Fest 2014 presented by Gilead Media July 18-20 Oshkosh Wisconsin

Friday - July 18th, 2014:

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Oozing Wound

Protestant

Thou + The Body Collaboration

Inter Arma

Hell

Ash Borer

Saturday, July 19, 2014

2:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Hexer

Owlfood

Sea of Bones

False

Geryon

Kowloon Walled City

Mutilation Rites

Bastard Sapling

The Body

Sunday, July 20th, 2014

1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Northless

Alraune

Generation of Vipers

Seidr

Lychgate

Uzala

Loss

Barghest

Thou

www.gileadmedia.net

Tour News: FULL OF HELL Announces April Tour With Column Of Heaven & Record Store Day Split With Psywarfare

The invincible, noiseblasting killing machine, FULL OF HELL, this week confirms a pair of impending offensives upon the humans, including new tour actions and new studio documentation of their tactics.

FULL OF HELL Tour w/ Column Of Heaven:

4/24/2014 TBA - Buffalo, NY w/ Gas Chamber

4/25/2014 TBA - Boston, MA w/ Cleansing Wave

4/26/2014 AS220 - Providence, RI w/ Fucking Invincible

4/27/2014 Silent Barn - New York, NY w/ The Communion

4/28/2014 The Gütah - New Brunswick, NJ w/ Fleshtemple

4/29/2014 Secret Location - Philadelphia, PA w/ Backslider

4/30/2014 TBA - Washington, DC w/ DOC

5/01/2014 The Shop - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Slices

5/02/2014 Yonka House - Detroit, MI w/ Dead Church

5/03/2014 Soybomb - Toronto, ON w/ Wastoids, Cvntpvnt

www.facebook.com/fullofhell

Tour News: ENABLER Locks East Coast Tour To New England Metal & Hardcore Fest

After several months off the grid, metallic punk radicals, ENABLER, now pledge full-on annihilation in 2014, today announcing their revamped lineup, a plethora of upcoming live actions, and the completion of their highly anticipated second LP.

NABLER Confirmed Tour Actions:

4/10/2014 Dragonfly Lounge - Madison, WI

4/11/2014 Error Records - Champagne, IL @ Skeletal Lightning Fest II

4/12/2014 Bier Stube - Moline, IL w/ Northless

4/13/2014 The Demo - St. Louis, MO

4/14/2014 The Donut Shop - Covington, KY

4/16/2014 Badlands - Syracuse, NY

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

4/18/2014 The Worthen - Lowell, MA w/ Cop Problem

4/19/2014 Grand Victory - Brooklyn, NY w/ Cop Problem, Go Deep, Agitator

4/20/2014 Backroom Studios - Rockaway, NJ w/ Cop Problem

4/21/2014 Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA w/ Cop Problem

4/22/2014 Hook Up - Virginia Beach, VA

4/23/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA

4/24/2014 Mr. Roboto Project - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Die Choking, Black Mask, Meth Quarry, Rabid Pigs

4/25/2014 Carabar - Columbus, OH @ Forward Ohio Fest

4/26/2014 Blind Bob's - Dayton, OH

4/27/2014 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL

5/16/2014 Centre-Ville De - Montreal, QC @ Pouzza Fest

5/25/2014 Baltimore Soundstage - Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest

6/14/2014 Sharks Club & Billiards - Appleton, WI @ No Tomorrow Fest

www.facebook.com/enablermke

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Jojo from Fuglymaniacs has heard the new Hirax album and this is what he told me to tell you

Jojo from Fuglymaniacs has heard the new Hirax album and this is what he told me to tell you:

www.fuglymaniacs.com

FREE 4-song recording by Brazilian modern death metal upstarts: Degolate

If you are angry that you lost one hour today, then mosh. Advice from Degolate.

www.degolate.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/degolate

FREE EP of symphonic power metal: Mindwake (France)

This 22-minute EP gives an excellent idea of Mindwake's version of symphonic power metal!

www.mindwake.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/MindWake

TOUR NEWS: IRON REAGAN Tour To Commence This Sunday

Relapse Records is extremely proud to announce the signing of Richmond, Virginia hardcore thrash supergroup, IRON REAGAN. Consisting of current and former members of Municipal Waste, Cannabis Corpse, Darkest Hour, Mammoth Grinder, Suppression and a thousand other killer bands, IRON REAGAN formed in 2012 and consists of vocalist Tony Foresta, guitarists Phil Hall and Mark Bronzino, bassist Rob Skotis and drummer Ryan Parrish.

Additionally, IRON REAGAN are plotting a roadside takeover set to begin this Sunday. The seven-week run will take them to SXSW and back and includes dates with Occultist and Ghoul.

IRON REAGAN

3/09/2014 The Hideaway - Johnson City, TN

3/11/2014 Pitchfork Showcase @ Mohawk - Austin, TX

3/13/2014 The Basement - San Antonio, TX

3/14/2014 Converse/Thrasher Showcase @ Scott Inn - Austin, TX

3/14/2014 MetalSucks Showcase @ The Dirty Dog - Austin, TX

3/15/2014 Tone Deaf Showcase @ Red Eyed Fly - Austin, TX

3/16/2014 Spill Over Fest @ Club Dada - Dallas, TX

3/18/2014 529 - Atlanta, GA

3/19/2014 The Odditorium - Asheville, NC

w/ Occultist:

4/02/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond VA

4/04/2014 Macrock Festival - Harrisonburg, VA

4/05/2014 The End - Nashville, TN

4/06/2014 Vino's - Little Rock, AR

Weapons Of Mosh Destruction Tour II w/ Ghoul, Occultist:

4/09/2014 Club Red - Tempe, AZ

4/10/2014 Soda Bar - San Diego, CA

4/11/2014 Constellation Room - Santa Ana, CA

4/12/2014 Rock City - Camarillo CA

4/13/2014 The Roxy - Los Angeles, CA

4/14/2014 Midtown Barfly - Sacramento, CA

4/15/2014 Branx - Portland, OR

4/18/2014 Tankcrimes Brainsqueeze Fest - Oakland, CA [info] *no Occultist

w/ Occultist:

4/22/2014 Gino's - Salt Lake City, UT

4/23/2014 Moe's - Denver, CO

4/24/2014 Replay Lounge - Lawrence, KS

4/25/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO

4/26/2014 Three Floyd's Brewery [Dark Lord Day] - Munster, IN

4/27/2014 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL

4/28/2014 Frankie's - Toledo, OH

4/29/2014 Ace of Cups - Columbus, OH

4/30/2014 Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, PA

www.facebook.com/pages/IRON-REAGAN/235448059864772

Friday, March 7, 2014

FREE thrashing EP and interview with Thy Blood (China)

Thy Blood (China)

These thrashers’ EP, simply called “Thy Blood,” is available for free at Bandcamp. Thy Blood was active 2001-2007 and in 2011 they returned to action. When you hear it, you will notice the skill level and the overall tightness of the execution. Thy Blood is no beginners’ band, and they sound professional. Whether you like Bay Area thrash, the German thrash style or the newer thrash from nowadays, there is something in it for everyone: headbanging riffs, modern growling vocals, songs with a beat, a bit of melodies in places. The five-song EP is: 1.Golden Age (3:38)

2.Blindfold (4:23)

3.Feather (4:15)

4.War (4:15)

5.Polizei (4:24)

The band is comprised of guitarists Jack Chen and Wei, bassist A Gui, screamer Cao Hui and drummer Alain. When this zine contacted Thy Blood about more information about the band, it was the drummer Alain who responded. This is what Alain reveals about Thy Blood. --

Do you have other recordings?

Currently we are in the writing process of the next songs, so for now that's all there is on tape.

What is going on with Thy Blood in China at the moment? You are in Shanghai, correct?

We are writing new songs and hope to start to get some gigs starting in April. Yeah, we are in Shanghai, and actually there's not much going on, so as to say the metal scene is very, very limited. A few big bands made it to China though, Metallica came last year and some other bands like Behemoth, Periphery.

In Shanghai there may be around 20 million inhabitants in the broader region, but there are only a mere 3-5 places where bands can have shows, that’s not including stadiums that welcome bands like the Rolling Stones (they are coming soon).

What are your plans for the band?

Our plan for now is to have a good batch of songs, and then start having shows in the surroundings of Shanghai and the other centers in China, Beijing being the most important (others are Chengdu, Wuhan, etc.)

What happened that made Thy Blood reunite in 2011?

In 2007, the original drummer left Shanghai for Ireland and at that moment it just fell apart for some time. It took 4 years to take things up and get a new drummer and reunite musicians.

What type of jobs do you all have in Shanghai? Is it difficult to find jobs?

Project manager, electronic commerce, computer engineer. Yes, it's not so easy to get jobs here as well. A few of us are project managers in different fields.

Do you think that you will have a website in English in the future? I visited your website, and it looks cool, but unfortunately, I cannot understand Chinese.

For now Bandcamp is our only presence in English. We are considering adding something else to the mix in the future.

Where did you record the EP "Thy Blood"?

We recorded it in our very tiny 12 square meters rehearsal room. There are many recording studios in Shanghai, but not the type that would record Metal bands. For our next release we are thinking of renting some place at least for the drums.

Your song titles are in English. Are the lyrics, too? Well, "Polizei" is German, actually. What do you think about having lyrics in Chinese? or perhaps, you do both?

All our lyrics are in English. On our next release will have both English and Chinese copies of the lyrics.

So, what inspires your lyrics? Most of our lyrics describe our lives and how the society and the government interrelates with it. “Golden Age” is a song about our longing for the 80's rock 'n roll stars. “Feather” is about the Movie Paradise Now.

Thanks for posting the music on Bandcamp! What would you like thrashers outside of China to do to support Thy Blood?

Download our music and share it! Who knows maybe some day we can tour overseas. Thanks a lot for your mail! All the best to you.

Alain

www.thyblood.bandcamp.com

THE END.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Tour News: GIGAN: Exploratory Tech Metal Ambassadors Announce Ceremonies And Hallucinations Tour 2014

Exploratory tech metal ambassadors, GIGAN, will take to the streets this May for another rash of live rituals. Scheduled to initiate on May 2nd in Wisconsin, the Ceremonies And Hallucinations Tour will wind through twenty metropolises. As a bonus, the Chicago show will feature a full liquid light show and Super 8 visual accompaniment, manifesting the ultimate live GIGAN experience! Additionally, the tour will include special guests on both coasts, specifically Transylvanian eclectic metal sorcerers, Negură Bunget, in both Santa Ana and Las Vegas, as well as Mike Browning's iconic Nocturnus A.D. in Tampa!

GIGAN Ceremonies And Hallucinations Tour 2014:

5/02/2014 The Bottom End - Appleton, WI

5/03/2014 The Wisco - Madison, WI

5/04/2014 The House Of Rock - Eau Claire, WI

5/05/2014 The Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL

5/06/2014 The Brass Rail - Fort Wayne, IN

5/07/2014 The Haymarket - Louisville, KY

5/09/2014 The Haven - Orlando, FL

5/10/2014 The Brass Mug - Tampa, FL w/ Nocturnus A.D.

5/11/2014 Atticus Bar - Jacksonville, FL

5/14/2014 White Swan - Houston, TX

5/15/2014 Reno's - Dallas, TX

5/16/2014 Beerland - Austin, TX

5/17/2014 Zombie's - San Antonio, TX

5/18/2014 The Weather Balloon - Roswell, NM

5/20/2014 The District - Tucson, AZ

5/21/2014 Tempe Tavern - Tempe, AZ

5/22/2014 The Boncroft - San Diego, CA

5/23/2014 The Handbag Factory - Los Angeles, CA

5/24/2014 Malone's - Santa Ana, CA w/ Negură Bunget

5/25/2014 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV w/ Negură Bunget

www.facebook.com/Giganmusic

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

interview with funeral doomsters Ephemeros (Portland)

Ephemeros (U.S.)

Speaking of funeral doomsters Ephemeros back in issue number 38, Metal Bulletin Zine observed:

“Recently, I have been listening to Ephemeros a lot, and I have been wondering why that is. It could be that Ephemeros masterfully works funeral melodies and that is really all there is to it: Ephemeros has great melodies. This trait makes it very difficult to argue with the music, and very easy to agree with it.”

This zine also noticed about the album titled “All Hail Corrosion”:

“Ephemeros plays very slow throughout the complete album, yes, and the growling is low and slow, yes, and the slow heaviness is meant for stopping and smelling the roses, and for forgetting your fast, busy life. The riffs themselves are a journey to the places where plodding, tripped out heaviness meets up with melancholy and melody, and it all makes sense when Ephemeros puts it together.”

Recently guitarist Chris gave these answers to an interview about Ephemeros and other bands that the members of Ephemeros are in, and about life in Portland, Oregon. Ephemeros is: Garrett (bass), Chuck (drums), Jesse and Chris (guitars), Josh (vocals).

“All Hail Corrosion” is:

1.All Hail Corrosion (13:53)

2.Stillborn Workhorse (10:40)

3.Soilbringer (15:29)

Is "All Hail Corrosion" your debut. I have read the names of your other bands, but I am not going to lie: I have not heard your previous bands. For Ephemeros, whose insane idea was it to play very slow doom?!

Yes, “All Hail Corrosion” is our debut record, and we're very excited about it. We have 2 long ass songs written and plan to finish a 3rd and record a new album in the fall of 2014. Previous bands span lots of genres. Graves at Sea is sludge/doom, Nux Vomica is crust/melodic death metal, post-metal, and ambient/atmospheric, Elitist was, well, I dunno what to call it, very angry and heavy music rooted in hardcore. This band was the idea of Jesse and Chris, and we basically just wanted to play very slow and heavy music that was both brutal and beautiful, following in the steps of a lot of European funeral and death doom bands.

Did you record bits and pieces of the songs at a time or did you play the songs all the way through?

Oh, we had plenty of "go-backs" and overdubs, but nothing too excessive. We tried to take out each song in the largest cuts possible. I believe there was some minimal sound replacing done to certain kicks/snares that maybe didn't sound too hot, but most of what you hear is the live real time recordings. We didn't question Fester at Haywire much at all about his recording techniques, partially because we completely trust him, and also because we don't have any strong opinions for/against modern recording techniques. If it sounds good, which we think it does, we're happy.

I keep hearing that Portland has a thriving scene of punk and metal. Do you feel that this is accurate? I guess funeral doom is never going to be "hip" and "cool," is it? Or, maybe I'm wrong?!

Well, I went to see Pallbearer last night and couldn't believe there were 400 people there, so maybe it's catching on? Yes, Portland has a very thriving punk and metal scene and we are very much a part of it through our other bands, our jobs, and just our friend circles. Ephemeros is lucky to be part of such a thriving scene.

Your song "Stillborn Workhorse" was on YouTube even before the album was released. Does that bother you?

It bothers us just a little bit... but not much. I mean, we'd like for people to purchase our tunes and support our band as well as the record labels that put up so much money to make it happen. On the other hand, I'm just happy people are listening to our tunes. I'm happy anyone gave enough of a flip to bother putting our stuff on Youtube.... that's rad.

Reviewers usually talk about how funeral doom is depressive and use this silly language, like hopelessness and things like that. But when you are playing the songs, do you not feel joy and happiness?

I like to think our music evokes several feelings, but yes, there is some joy and happiness that comes from it. We try to make music that reflects our hopelessness in the world, but also those moments of light and hope that always shine through. I also think our tunes are a release for anger and rage. And also, it’s good stuff to get high, close your eyes, and take a friggin’ breather from this stressful life. Practice is like therapy to us.

I looked up the definition of Ephemeros and I was wondering if the lyrics are part of an overall concept. I have not read your lyrics, but I do like to know what people are screaming about. Who in the band writes the lyrics? How would you describe your lyrics?

They lyrics are written by Josh, the singer. They are all over the map, expressing all of the feelings I mentioned in the earlier question. We have a loose concept of time, erosion/corrosion, decay, and the slow march to death. Ephemeros is the Greek root word for the modern word "ephemeral" which means something, typically something in nature, that only lasts one day. Like an ephemeral insect or stream. The Greek root word translates to "of the day". So I suppose the theme is being aware of our gradual decay, but also living in the moment and embracing the moments of joy as they come and go.

How much of the song "Soilbringer" was made up at the studio? Was it more than 15 minutes before you recorded it? Did one of the guitarists, Jesse or Chris, just keep going with the riffs and then your drummer Chuck, just said, "Oh, well, I'll just keep going, too"? Next thing you know, boom, a 15-minute song?

Haha, no, that is nearly exactly how we wrote it at practice and perform it live, with maybe a few extra ambient sounds thrown in.

What is the longest that your vocalist Josh can hold a continuous growl? Also, if Josh forgets a lyric, would the rest of the band notice? Would your bassist Garrett give him a look, like, "Dude, you messed up!"?

You're cracking me up...I have no idea how long Josh could hold a growl, but he seems to be able to hold it as long as is needed hahah. And no, if Josh messed up, we wouldn't likely notice. In fact, we'd just assume he was experimenting and hopefully making his vocal part even more awesome.

Here are some quick Portland questions. What are some of your favorite metal or punk Portland bands from the 1980s?

Well, this is just me, but I'm gonna say the Wipers and Dead Moon.

What are your favorite places for vegetarians or vegans to eat in Portland?

None of us are actually vegetarian, but some of us are ex-vegans, and we all are part of a general community and environment here in Portland where there is vegetarian food all around us. So, unlike a lot of meat- eating Americans, we eat vegetarian often, and don't think much about it. When we have potlucks or meals with guests we always know there needs to be options for our veg fam/friends. I think we can all say we support a diet that consists of more than just fast food and processed meat. From there, we each have our different opinions and diets.

What are the clubs where Ephemeros and friends play?

We play currently a lot at Rotture, Tonic Lounge, and The Know. In the past we played Ash St, Plan B. We'll probably play Slabtown soon.

What are some things that you hate about Portland?!

Mostly the same things I love, all the progressive hippies and freaks. It's love/hate. I hate the way people drive. Overall though, I love it here … wait a minute, are you interviewing me? Or Ephemeros?

Have you ever watched Portlandia?! Do you like it?!

We've all seen it and I think we'd all agree it has its moments, but is a little overrated.

OK, that's it. Thanks for your time!

Thank you for the interview and interest in our band!!! Cheers!!!

www.facebook.com/Ephemeros --

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Tour News: BATTLECROSS Announces Dates With Killswitch Engage And Trivium; Tour With Protest The Hero To Commence

BATTLECROSS w/ Protest the Hero, The Safety Fire, Intervals, Night Verses:

3/05/2014 The Garage - Burnsville, MN

3/07/2014 The Eagles Hall - Milwaukee, WI

3/08/2014 Mojoe's - Joliet, IL

3/09/2014 Bourbon Theatre - Lincoln, NE

3/10/2014 Aggie Theatre - Ft. Collins, CO

3/11/2014 Mesa Theatre & Club - Grand Junction, CO

3/12/2014 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

3/14/2014 The Hop - Spokane, WA

3/15/2014 Knitting Factory - Boise, ID

3/16/2014 Knitting Factory - Reno, NV

3/17/2014 Assembly - Sacramento, CA

3/18/2014 House of Blues - Anaheim, CA

3/19/2014 191 Toole - Tucson, AZ

3/21/2014 Jake's Backroom - Lubbock, TX

3/22/2014 Red 7 - Austin, TX

3/23/2014 Juanita's - Little Rock, AR

3/24/2014 The Varsity Theatre - Baton Rouge, LA

3/26/2014 State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL

3/27/2014 Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL

3/28/2014 Jack Rabbits - Jacksonville, FL

3/29/2014 Ziggys By The Sea - Wilmington, NC

3/30/2014 Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC

4/01/2014 Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC

4/02/2014 The Rock and Roll Hotel - Washington, DC

4/03/2014 Webster Theater - Hartford, CT

4/04/2014 Montage Music Hall - Rochester, NY

4/05/2014 The Middle East Downstairs - Cambridge, MA

4/06/2014 Revolution - Amityville, NY

BATTLECROSS:

4/19/2014 New England Metal & Hardcore Fest - The Palladium - Worcester, MA

4/30/2014 Dingbatz - Clifton, NJ

5/01/2014 The Paramount - Huntington, NY w/ Killswitch Engage, Into Another, My Ticket Home

5/02/2014 The Loft - Poughkeepsie, NY w/ Beyond Dishonor, Soulstyce

5/03/2014 Mojo 13 - Wilmington, DE w/ Beyond Dishonor

5/04/2014 Reverb - Reading, PA w/ Killswitch Engage, Into Another, My Ticket Home

w/ Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Nothing More:

5/15/2014 Ram's Head Live - Baltimore, MD

5/17/2014 London Music Hall - London, ON

5/18/2014 Town Ballroom - Buffalo, NY (no Trivium)

5/20/2014 Iron City - Birmingham, AL

5/22/2014 Minglewood Hall - Memphis, TN

BATTLECROSS:

5/23/2014 Centerstage Bar & Grill - Kokomo, IN

5/24/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO

5/25/2014 Aftershock - Merriam, KS

w/ Killswitch Engage, Nothing More:

5/27/2014 Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM

5/28/2014 Mesa Theater - Grand Junction, CO

www.facebook.com/battlecrossmetal

Tour News: EXMORTUS will be joining Lich King for a co-headlining US tour next week

DATES 3/7 Queens, NY- Blackthorn 51*

3/8 Trenton, NJ- Backstage at Champs*

3/9 Richmond, VA- Strange Matter*

3/10 Charlotte, NC- The Milestone*

3/11 Columbia, SC- New Brookland Tavern*

3/12 Savannah, GA- Dollhouse Productions*

3/13 Jacksonville, FL- Atticus Bar*

3/14 Miami,FL- Churchill’s Pub

3/15 Tampa, FL- The Brass Mug*

3/16 Atlanta, GA - Club Famous*

3/17 Johnson City,TN- The Hideaway *

3/18 Pittsburgh, PA - Howlers Coyote Cafe *

3/19 Columbus, OH- Ace of Cups*

3/20 Cleveland, OH- Now That’s Class*

3/21 Rochester, NY- The Bug Jar*

3/22 Florence,MA - JJ’s Tavern *

* with Lich King

www.facebook.com/exmortusofficial

Tour News: THE SOCKS: Psychedelic Fuzz Rock Merchants To Tour Europe

THE SOCKS Tour Dates 2014

4/19/2014 Stone Rising Festival - Lyon, FR w/ Blues Pills, Radio Moscow, Aqua Nebula Oscillator...

4/20/2014 Doomed Gatherings Festival - Paris, FR w/ Windhand, The Body...

4/22/2014 El Diablo - Lille, FR

4/23/2014 DNA - Bruxelles, BE

4/24/2014 Kristonfest - Bilbao, ES w/ Colour Haze, Motorpsycho, Karma To Burn

4/26/2014 De Bastille - Schoonhoven, NL

4/30/2014 Underwerket - Copenhagen, DK

5/01/2014 Comet Club - Berlin, DE

5/06/2014 WakUum - Graz, AT

5/08/2014 Ruempetlum - St Gallen, CH

5/09/2014 Eldorado - Bern, CH

5/10/2014 Desertfox Fest - Piacenza, IT

5/24/2014 Kristonfest - Bialbo, ES

www.facebook.com/thesocks

Tour News: Cali punks, OBLITERATIONS, hit the road this week

OBLITERATIONS Tour Dates:

3/05/2014 Aladdin Jr. - Pomona, CA w/ The Body, Youth Code

3/07/2014 Billy O's - Ventura, CA w/ Lecherous Gaze

3/08/2014 Shaman Smith - Las Vegas, NV w/ Lecherous Gaze

3/09/2014 Monte Vista Hotel - Flagstaff, AZ w/ Lecherous Gaze

3/11/2014 The Mix - San Antonio, TX w/ Lecherous Gaze

3/12/2014 Hotel Vegas - Austin, TX @ SXSW Burger City/Ping Pong Booking/Inland Empire Touring Party w/ Natural Child, The Abigals, Cosmonauts, Guantanamo Baywatch

3/13/2014 Yellow Jackets - Austin, TX @ Juxtapose/Brixton Party w/ Coachwhips, Together Pangea, Fresh & Onlys

3/13/2014 The Lost Well - Austin, TX @ Vol. 4 Party w/ Windhand, Lecherous Gaze, Communion, Artic

3/14/2014 Scoot Inn - Austin, TX Thrasher/Converse Death Match w/ Judge, Bl'ast!, Power Trip, Kylesa, Lecherous Gaze, Youth Code

3/14/2014 La Barbecue - Austin, TX @ Metal BBQ w/ Spirit Caravan, Sweat Lodge

3/14/2014 Sailor Jerry House - Austin, TX @ Blundertown/Cultist Zine Party w/ Coachwhips, Coathangers

3/15/2014 Yellow Jackets - Austin, TX @ Rock Of Ages Party w/ Black Tusk, Lecherous Gaze, Youth Code, Cerebral Ballzy, The Young

3/16/2014 3 Links - Dallas, TX @ Spillover Festival w/ Ty Segall, Dum Dum Girls, Deafheaven

3/18/2014 Trainyards - Las Cruces, NM w/ Cheap Disguise, Hypatia

3/19/2014 51 West - Tempe, AZ w/ Speech Impediment, Resinator

www.facebook.com/Obliterations

Tour News: NORTH: Arizona Post Sludge Metal Collective

NORTH 2014 Live Assaults:

3/12/2014 Club Congress - Tucson, AZ w/ Womb Tomb, Sleep Like Trees, Destroy Her

3/14/2014 Whiskey Funeral Co - Las Vegas, NV w/ Sinful Serpent

3/15/2014 Jub Jub's Thirst Parlor - Reno, NV w/ Countress, Weight of the Tides

3/16/2014 Tiny Tavern - Eugene, OR

3/17/2014 The Know - Portland, OR w/ Towers, Die Like Gentlemen

3/18/2014 Deux Yeux Manor - Tacoma, WA w/ 'Lo There Do I See My Brother, X-Suns (Early show)

3/18/2014 Black Lodge - Seattle, WA w/ He Whose Ox Is Gored, Bréag Naofa, Witch Ripper

3/19/2014 Shredder - Boise, ID w/ Mariana

3/20/2014 Shred Shed - Salt Lake City, UT

3/21/2014 Babe Haus - Laramie, WY w/ Fatalistic Witch Hunt (matinee)

3/21/2014 Bar Bar - Denver, CO w/ Turbokrieg, Secret Prostitutes, Ghosts Of Glaciers, Khemmis

3/22/2014 Moonlight Lounge - Albuquerque, NM w/ Bathhouse

3/23/2014 TBA - El Paso, TX

3/28/2014 191 Tool - Tucson, AZ w/ Deafheaven, Destruction Unit, Sex Prisoner

www.facebook.com/NorthAZ

Tour News: RUN WITH THE HUNTED will kick off a short run of live takeovers this week.

RUN WITH THE HUNTED w/ Seizures:

3/06/2014 FiftyOneWest - Tempe, AZ

3/07/2014 Oxford House - Los Angeles, CA

3/08/2014 Che Cafe - San Diego, CA

3/09/2014 Alladin Jr. - Pomona, CA

3/15/2014 Wallstreet - Phoenix, AZ w/ Hollow Earth, Old Wounds

www.facebook.com/runwiththehuntedaz

Tour News: PILGRIM: Rhode Island Doom Bringers To Tour

PILGRIM w/ Spirit Caravan:

03/07/2014 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD

03/08/2014 Straneg Matter – Richmond, VA

03/09/2014 Chop Shop – Charlotte, NC

03/10/2014 Drunken Unicorn – Atlanta, GA

03/15/2014 SXSW – Austin, TX

03/17/2014 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM

03/18/2014 Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV

03/19/2014 Thee Parkside - San Francisco, CA

03/21/2014 Rotture – Portland, OR

03/22/2014 El Corazon – Seattle, WA

03/24/2014 The Shredder – Boise, ID

03/25/2014 Burt's Tiki Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT

03/27/2014 Marquis Theater – Denver, CO

03/29/2014 Reggies – Chicago, IL

03/30/2014 Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI

03/31/2014 The Fifth Quarter – Indianapolis, IN

04/01/2014 Outland Ballroom – Springfield, MO

04/02/2014 Rock Island Brewing - Rock Island, IL

04/03/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO

04/04/2014 Hi Tone – Memphis, TN

04/05/2014 V Club – Huntington, WV

04/06/2014 Hideaway - Johnson City, TN

04/08/2014 Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI

04/09/2014 Skully's - Columbus ,OH

04/12/2014 31st St Pub – Pittsburgh, PA

04/13/2014 Empire – Springfield, VA

04/14/2014 AS220 – Providence, RI

04/15/2014 Saint Vitus Bar - Brooklyn NY

www.facebook.com/hailthepilgrim

Tour News: ILSA and SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP Northeast US Tour

Following the 2013 split release between the two acts, A389 Recordings this week announces a short Northeastern US tour with a duo of priority acts from the label's mighty roster; Washington DC's ILSA and Southern California's SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP.

ILSA and SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP Northeast US Tour:

5/16/2014 Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH

5/17/2014 The Firehouse Saloon - Rochester, NY

5/18/2014 B Fitzee's Irish Pub - Binghamton, NY

5/19/2014 The Meatlocker - Montclair, NJ w/ Pharaoh

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

5/21/2014 Kung Fu NeckTie - Philadelphia, PA

5/22/2014 Ram's Head Live - Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest [SSOS ONLY]

www.facebook.com/ILSADC

www.facebook.com/sevensistersofsleep

Sunday, March 2, 2014

TOUR NEWS: The experimental death metal perpetrators PYRRHON

The experimental death metal perpetrators PYRRHON will bring their crude canticles to the streets on a near-two-week run of live rituals scheduled to begin this Monday at Brooklyn's Acheron.

PYRRHON 3/03/2014 Acheron - Brooklyn, NY w/ Vattnet Viskar, Vaporizer

3/07/2014 Strange Matter - Richmond, VA / Guerilla Toss, Cloud Becomes Your Hand, R-Complex

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

3/09/2014 Vino's - Little Rock, AR w/ Yautja

3/11/2014 SXSW - Austin, TX

3/12/2014 Relapse SXSW Showcase @ Dirtydog - Austin, TX

3/14/2014 Bryant Street Tavern - Dallas, TX w/ Baring Teeth

3/15/2014 Skihouse - Carbondale, IL w/ Parlor, Wei Zhongle, Skinwalk

3/16/2014 Fubar - St. Louis, MO / Obliteration, Stormcaller, Enflesh, Decay Crawler

3/17/2014 Willy St. Pub And Grill - Madison, WI w/ Coordinated Suicides

3/18/2014 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL w/ Murmur, Venowl

3/19/2014 Berkley Front - Berkley, MI w/ Coffin Feeder, Writhing

3/20/2014 Smiling Moose - Pittsburgh, PA w/ Dendritic Arbor

3/28/2014 Trans Pecos - Brooklyn, NY Joint Record Release w/ Stern, Penchant

www.facebook.com/pyrrhonband