Deathwish has announced that they will be releasing a new Coliseum 7" prior to their full length Relapse release later on this year. While much like the full length, the 7" doesn't currently have a release date, we are still totally stoked about it. Any chance to hear how the band is evolving since their phenomenal full length No Salvation gets us all excited in the nether regions.
As always the band is constantly on the road, read more for their dates with Converge, Young Livers, and more.
Coliseum 2009 tour dates03/20: Chicago, IL @ Subtterranean ^
03/21: Toronto, ON @ Adrift Clubhouse
03/22: Montreal, QC @ Underworld #
03/23: Allston, MA @ ICC *
03/24: Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place *
03/25: Cleveland, OH @ The Grog Shop *
03/26: Lemoyne, PA @ Championship *
03/27: Brooklyn, NY @ Europa *
03/28: Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz %
03/29: Philadelphia, PA @ The Church *
03/30: Wilmington, NC @ Lucky's $
04/01: Orlando, FL @ Black Box Collective $
04/02: Miami, FL @ Churchills $
04/03: Lake Worth, FL @ Klein Dance Studio $
04/04: Tampa, FL @ Transitions $
04/05: Gainseville, FL @ Atlantic $
04/07: Birmingham, AL @ Cave 9 $
04/08: Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn $
04/09: Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone $
04/10: Louisville, KY @ Skull Alley $
^ = w/ Get Rad
# = w/ Bane, Have Heart
* = w/ Converge, Rise and Fall, Pulling Teeth, Ceremony
% = w/ United Blood Festival
$ = w/ Young Livers
January 31, 2009
New Coliseum 7" Announced
January 28, 2009
Crusty Clip of the Week: Mastodon - Blood and Thunder
Every Wednesday, your hosts post a suitably stale video clip that we think needs to be revisited. Click here for more Crusty Clips. Got a clip you think we should post? Send it to crustcake@gmail.com.
by theseseans (NYC)
Well fuck, that new Mastodon song is awesome. In honor, this week's crusty clip goes out to Mastodon. Blood and Thunder is one of my favorite Mastodon songs, easily the best song on Leviathan (my least favorite album of theirs), and features (in my opinion) one of the best guitar riffs of all time. Yeah, I went there. One of the best parts about Mastodon is their ability to take something that should sound "mathy" and have it come off as "neanderthal" as possible. Without further adieu:
Mastodon - "Blood and Thunder":
Buy: Mastodon - Leviathan [Amazon]
New Mastodon Song
"Divinations." Put it in your earholes. It's hard to tell due to the painfully tinny 28k (estimated) lo-fi MySpace stream, but "Divinations" is a progged out monster of a song-- more melodic and hooky than most of the band's previous efforts, and we're definitely feeling it.
Perhaps nothing the band does will ever top Remission with regards to raw power and aggression, but Mastodon certainly seems to be evolving nicely.
"Divinations" comes off the highly-anticipated Crack the Skye, which is due out later this year. Bassist Troy Sanders recently revealed Mastodon's love for King Crimson: "Some aspects of 'Crack the Skye' are extremely progressive I think, but I don't feel it's going to be labelled as a progressive rock album. As far as prog rock goes, we all love King Crimson. Roughly ten years ago, our guitarist Brent introduced me to King Crimson. I've fallen in love with the group, and listen to their material all the time. King Crimson are both amazing, and mind blowing."
If you can't stand the MySpace stream and can't wait for the album to drop, the single is available on iTunes, if you're the type to spend nearly a buck on a single MP3... Us? Not so much.
January 27, 2009
New Kylesa Posted Online
Kylesa have posted the first song from their upcoming album Static Tensions. The track, "Said and Done" can be found on their MySpace page.
The track? How is it? It's awesome. Go listen, we are definitely stoked to pick this up on 20 Buck Spin's vinyl version (or if you aren't into vinyl, the Relapse release on March 17th).
Converge post tour dates, album update
photo by Jesse Angelo
by theseseans (NYC)
Converge have posted a string of tour dates following their stop at the Scion Rock Festival. The seven day stomp around the eastern United States is a hardcore fan's dream come true. The tour includes Coliseum, Ceremony, Rise and Fall, Pulling Teeth, and a one off show for Genghis Tron. Fuck! These shows are going to be insane!
The band also said that while they have been writing new material for some time, they will actually be hitting the studio after this run of shows. Expect a new record out this year!
Read more for the dates.
Converge 2009 dates02/28 Atlanta, GA Scion Rock Festival
03/23 Allston, MA ICC Church+
03/24 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place+
03/25 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop+
03/26 Lemoyne, PA Championship+
03/27 Brooklyn, NY Europa+
03/28 Richmond, VA United Blood Fest+
03/29 Philadelphia, PA The First Unitarian Church*
+ = w/ Ceremony, Coliseum, Rise And Fall, Pulling Teeth
* = w/ Genghis Tron, Ceremony, Coliseum, Pulling Teeth
January 23, 2009
Crustcake Reviews: Sakes Alive!! - Act I
by theseseans (NYC)
Act I begins with the strong build up of well played melodic punk, driving drums and melodies that are able to build to a climax in just under thirty seconds. But interesting things start to happen when frontman/guitarist Chris Vandeviver opens his mouth, because pure hell comes out. He gives Sakes Alive!! an interesting duality, when it comes down it they are a punk rock band playing punk rock songs. Chris, however, sounds like he grew up in Norway not upstate New York. His howl is pure black metal, and over the Sakes Alive!!'s melodic guitar leads and energy it all sounds...awesome. Sakes Alive!! would fit well on at metal and punk shows equally, but in a much different way then thrash bands of 80's yore.
The 7" features three songs and clocks in around seven minutes. The band covers a variety of tempos and themes but the sound of the band remains intact throughout. Act I is a fun listen. The band's aggression and energy coupled with Chris' voice give the music enough gusto to really bang your head, but their sense of melody make Act I an accessible, easy listen. The melodies may be Sakes Alive!! real strength, catchy enough to keep you humming along, but never so overpowering or poppy to get in the way of the band's power. I can't wait to hear these songs live, because the one thing I think this recording is missing is gang vocals (maybe I just love gang vocals?). When Chris ends the raucous opener "I'm Religious" with "alive! scream alive!" there is nothing more that I want than a response.
As a fan of both metal and punk rock, I would strongly recommend Sakes Alive!! Sure the influences are there and many comparisons could justly be made, but I have never come across a band that sounds wholly like Sakes Alive!!
The 7" itself comes in two colors, green and purple. Both colors correlate to the albums stellar artwork. You've got to love when a releases artwork really works with the music. Here we have a slightly confusing barrage that perfectly reflects the feel of a punk rock flyer put together with cut outs, tape, and the photocopier at high school. But much like the band, upon further inspection you find a carefully planned, well executed, and dynamic piece of art.
[Front Cover]
[Back Cover]
[Purple]
[Green]
[Stream] or [Buy] Sakes Alive!! - Act I
January 22, 2009
Update On Update On *BLEEEP* Rock Fest
We're not going to give a certain car company more free press (we'll leave that to Frisky Dingo), but there's a certain festival of the 'rock' variety coming up (you know, the one with Mastodon and Neurosis and High On Fire and Converge and Boris and Torche and Nachtmystium and-- ah, fuck, just look at the freakin flyer) and, like, we really wanna go. Problem is, tickets are a bit hard to come by. They're free, but you gotta pick 'em up in person at certain record stores. Details have been murky so far, but word is that Lambgoat has some inside info that they'll be sharing with the world tomorrow, Thursday, January 22nd. So, crack open a beer, click over to Lambgoat, and keep on hitting refresh 'till thems tickets is yers and we'll see you in Atlanta.
Here's the skinny, people:
Here's the deal with the tickets. At 9pm EST today, you will be able to go to the Scion Rock Fest website and register. You will have to provide your email address and your zip code. If you live within a 60 mile radius of a participating pick-up location (see list here), you will be told which store to go to for your tickets. An email confirmation will be sent you and you can then claim your pair of tickets. Please note: you MUST register on the Scion Rock Fest website and bring your confirmation email to the store. Do not call the store or just show up there. If you live outside of the aforementioned radius, your name will be added to a will-call list to get tickets on the day of the show. You will be emailed a confirmation for that arrangement.Click over to Lambgoat for more details. Continue Reading...
ISIS detail new record, Cult Of Luna post DVD Trailer
ISIS have announced some the details pertaining to their next full length record. The album will be entitled Wavering Radiant, and is set for release on May 5th via Ipecac Recordings (with a limited vinyl release on April 21st, fuck yeah). Wavering Radiant was recorded by Joe Baressi (Tool, Queens off The Stone Age), and will feature Adam Jones of Tool on two tracks for additional guitar.
And yes, this should have been on our Most Anticipated list. Fuck, good call anonymous reader.
Swedish "post rockers" Cult Of Luna have posted an online trailer for their upcoming DVD Fire Was Born. The DVD will include an hour and a half long show, band interviews, and videos for "The Watchtower", "Leave Me Here" and "Back To Chapel Town." For people on other side of Atlantic, this DVD will see it's own release, but for we in the United States on March 23rd the DVD will be packaged with a special edition of the band's latest album Eternal Kingdom. This is pretty lame, but that album was pretty sweet, seeing the band get a lot heavier.
Read more for the trailer.
Cult Of Luna - Fire Was Born Trailer:
January 21, 2009
Crustcake Picks - Most Anticipated Records of 2009
Before the year gets too far away from us, we thought we would take a look at some records scheduled for release in 2009. Below are a number of records that have our interests piqued for a variety of reasons...
Baroness - TBA: Since the release of The Red Album, Baroness' popularity has soared. So where will the next album find the band, especially after this past year's line up change? We personally think that the next record will continue in the direction that The Red Album was going in; not for the sake of sheer success, more because of the love and energy that is so evident in the live versions of that material. While the older EP songs seemed more "on the verge of falling apart" we think that the real difference in material is that Baroness now just has a stronger grip on their creative intentions.
Big Business - Mind The Drift: As you may have just read, Big Business have posted a new song from their upcoming mucho anticipated record, the cleverly titled Mind The Drift. Getting fresh with a permanent guitarist these days, Big Business' new tune has our heads cocked sideways with an curious yet welcoming expression in anticipation of this new record. From the likes of what we can hear thus far, this one is sure to be a fun trip.
Coliseum – TBA: Coliseum first blew us away in May of last year and their Relapse debut is still a modern standard of energy and aggression. We expect the trio to up the ante for the next one, playing faster, harder, and with more energy than most bands could ever dream of.
Kylesa - Static Tensions: Time Will Fuse Its Worth got a lot of things right. It has punk rock attitude, great stoner riffs, and 70's psychedelic exploration laced with rock and roll urgency. Still, something wasn't quite right. Kylesa have all the ingredients to make a mind blowing album, but will they?
Mastodon - Crack The Skye: Let's just say they got some Mastodon-sized expectations to live up to. With each new effort that the boys from ATL have given us, they have managed to expand on strengths that were only a shimmer on the previous records. We already know it's going to be more of a rock record, but maybe they'll bring in some of that raw crunch from Remission and run loose on another epic masterpiece... But who are we kidding? Surely anyone reading the cake right now has already marked this upcoming release as a priority.
Nile - TBA: We know you folks out there like technical death metal but what about supreme brutal groove laden blasphemy splattered with some of THE best death metal drumming on record? That's what we thought about Nile's 2006 effort Annihilation of the Wicked, anyway. 2007 saw the release of Ithypathic, which added to Nile's unique Egyptian theme, but something about the production sucked the thickness out of it. Our eyes are on Nile to reach a new level in death metal in 2009 and bring back the huge bottomless tone that makes us do the "sour face."
Obscura - Cosmogenesis: This year's Origin, plain and simple. Only this isn't plain or simple at all: highly technical German death metal complete with sweeps, blasts, and other worldly themes. It's so prog'd out that if you are really trying to pay attention, the awesome guitar solo you were in awe of will fade when you notice the seamless and continuous time changes the rhythm section throws underneath all those sweeps. But what really makes this album special is just how damned listenable it is. It's not just that there are melodies mixed in "to give reprieve," these songs are fully realized compositions. The result is an album as easy to headbang to, as it is to analyze.
The Red Chord - TBA: What is The Red Chord to do? "Deathcore," an absolutely terrible genre is now proudly waving the "popular" flag in the metal community, while many of the bands within the genre openly admit that nu-metal is a major influence. But when they aren't listening to the newest Korn album, these bands (I just typed out a list, then decided I didn't even want their names on this site, even unlinked, the print itself would be morally damaging.) are shamelessly aping what make The Red Chord great. No one (not even the band themselves) ever made a big deal about how The Red Chord mixed death metal with hardcore; they were making great metal and for once, that was good enough.
So how will the The Red Chord respond to the recent change in climate? Their last effort Prey for Eyes was good, but it lacked the brilliance and intensity of their first two albums. Will the band expand their sound and try new things? Will they stick to what they do and just try to make the best album they can?
Shrinebuilder – TBA: This might be the most anticipated album of 2009. To be honest, after more than a year of waiting we were sort of starting to worry that an album from this mega-group would never materialize, but the band— Wino, Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Al Cisneros (Om), Dale Crover (Melvins)-- recently finished recording their debut, which will be released via Kelly’s Neurot Recordings in the summer.
Tombs – Winter Hours: This entry is a bit unfair, as we’ve already been spinning this record on the regular and we already know how good it is. Being released so early in the year (February 17th) we’re confident that it will set the bar for all other records to follow, and set the bar very high.
Wolves in the Throne Room – Black Cascade: We’re not sure why ‘organic’ has become a four letter word, at least when it comes to describing music, but ‘organic black metal’ is simply the best way to describe Wolves in the Throne Room. Pacific Northwest organic American Black Metal, to be more precise. If Black Cascade picks up where 2007’s Two Hunters left off, fans of American Black Metal are in for a dark, bleak, dismal treat.
YOB - TBA: If Zoroaster is the standard in American doom metal, YOB is the most interesting in American doom metal. They faked the funk on us in 2006 When they declared they were putting a lid on things and founder Mike Scheidt went on to create Middian. Faced with a bit of legal junk, Schedit reformed YOB and will lay upon us, we're hoping, one of the best heavy records of 2009. Yes, we're calling it now: though they probably will not hit the road much, YOB will decimate us with some of those Getty Lee-esque drone tones for a great slow nodder to spark one to.
Zoroaster – Voice of Saturn: Zoroaster are the standard in American doom, what with Graves at Sea barely active. We’re not sure what to expect with Voice of Saturn, but if "Spirit Molecule" (not as heavy as most of their past work, but very strong from a songwriting perspective) is any indication it promises to be one of the year’s best records.
January 20, 2009
New Music: Big Business, Napalm Death, Cattle Decapitation
Big Business have finally posted a new song from their highly anticipated new full length Mind The Drift. With the new album Big Business have added a new member, Toshi Kasai on guitar. To hear what the band now sounds like as a three piece check out the track "Gold and Final" on their MySpace page. Mind The Drift will see it's release in April from Hydra Head Records, and was produced by Phil Elk (The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Built to Spill).
Napalm Death have post a full stream of their new album Time Waits For No Slave on their MySpace page. While this album is just what you'd expect from the band, their solidarity and ability to still produce worthwhile material (the record is good) is worth note. Time Waits For No Slave will be released in the US on February 10th from Century Media.
Speaking of grind with an agenda, it's been rumored that Cattle Decapitation have actually gone ahead and made a good album. They have always been a band where we've found ourselves liking some, but never all of their material. Curiosity easily got the best of us, and if "The Gardeners of Eden" is an accurate representation of The Harvest Floor, we are going to be picking this up quick! Check out the song on their MySpace page. The Harvest Floor is out now on Metal Blade Records.
January 16, 2009
Crustcake Reviews: Thou/Black September 7" Split
by theseseans and crustcake gerf (NYC)
One thing we love about 7” releases is their upfront nature. Usually with only one or two songs from a band, the 7” defies further “context,” giving you a momentary snapshot of a band in the creative process. With Thrive and Decay we are given one band defining themselves while another reaches new ground; together Black September and Thou issue forth a collaborative 7” wholly worth your time.
Black September gets the ball rolling with side A’s “Under the Rising,” giving their death metal styles a creative push. The song begins with a mid-tempo guitar riff that sounds Mastadon-ish set against a heart racing blast beat. The intro immediately got our attention and from there we found ourselves submersed in death metal with some serious grit and attitude. Black September aren’t playing super technical death metal, they seem more grounded in sound and songs. Being aware of their strengths makes Black September’s full presentation confident, a word easily applied to their front woman. Clearly not daunted by the male dominated genre, her voice not only fits with the bands attitude, but completes it. The hoarse sound of a woman's screams is rarely this pleasing.
On “Smoke Pigs,” Baton Rouge, LA’s Thou present two contrasting voices concerning abuse of authority (“Please calm down with all the violent rhetoric. Some people who put on a badge are just trying to help people / There is a psychological deficiency in policing others. [T]hose who would coerce others under the implicit threat of violent subjugation—your reign is at an end.”). This theme is supported by balls-out, gritty, rumbling up-tempo sludge— quite a bit more aggressive than much of the band’s prior output. And speaking of prior output, Thou has made much of their work freely available from their website. Scroll down for a nearly comprehensive list of songs, by album, complete with lyrics and MP3s.
Physically the 7” is black. Real black. The front cover is almost completely black. The record IS completely black. Black September’s lyrics are even black printed on an even blacker background. All this black, coupled with Thou’s pleasing woodcut art, make this package an excellent companion to the audio it cradles.
[Front Cover]
January 15, 2009
Crustcake Picks - NYC Shows 1/15 - 1/21
This weekend the Charleston and Precious Metal are hosting an awesome Sunday night treat. Masters of semi-absurd grind, Graf Orlock are playing with Brooklyn's own Wetnurse, and recent Deathwish Inc. addition Lewd Acts. This show should be a total shitshow of fun, and for $6, there is no reason not to go.
That's it for the weekend, but Monday night Lit Lounge is bringing Black Anvil and Woe to get your week off on with a blackened note.
See you out there!Sunday 1/18/09 - Graf Orlock, Wetnurse, and Lewd Acts @ The Charelston [$6]
Monday 1/19 - Black Anvil, Woe @ Lit Lounge
January 14, 2009
Crusty Clip of the Week: Dissection - "Where Dead Angels Lie"
Every Wednesday, your hosts post a suitably stale video clip that we think needs to be revisited. Click here for more Crusty Clips. Got a clip you think we should post? Send it to crustcake@gmail.com.
by beatmasterspeech (LA)
Old song, new clip. Dissection is amongst the other legends (think At
The Gates) from Sweden who helped establish the Gothenburg sound.
Their record, Storm of The Light's Bane, is definitely a black/death
metal classic. You can choose where you want to put this in your
"organized by genre" collection (I think it's more black than death
but that's just me). In August of 2006, vocalist/guitarist Jon
Nodtveidt surrounded himself with lit candles and shot himself in the
head. He had sent letters to his family and girlfriend indicating he
was "going away for a long long time." Message boards blew up with
Satanists praising him for controlling his own destiny. But hey,
at least his band mates didn't take pieces of his skull and make jewelry
out of them...
Dissection - "Where Dead Angels Lie":
Buy: Dissection - Storm the Light's Bane [Amazon]
New Music: Cannibal Corpse, Tombs
Cannibal Corpse and Tombs have both recently posted new songs online. Cannibal Corpse has released the titled track from their upcoming full length Evisceration Plague. Meanwhile, Metalsucks brought it our attention that the Deciblog is hosting a clip from the upcoming DVD that will accompany Evisceration Plague.
[Stream] - Cannibal Corpse "Evisceration Plague"
[Video] - Cannibal Corpse Preview, Making of DVD
Tombs posted a second track from their upcoming Relapse debut Winter Hours, entitled "Beneath The Toxic Jungle." Winter Hours will be released in early February, and recently received a 9/10 in this month's Decibel. We got our advance copies a few weeks ago and have been steadily rocking it ever since. "Beneath The Toxic Jungle" shows off the band's blackened doom capabilities, incredibly worth checking out. Stayed tuned in the upcoming month, as we will have some exciting exclusive coverage with Tombs!
[Stream] - Tombs "Beneath The Toxic Jungle"
Read more for tour dates.
Tombs 2009 datesJan 16 2009 8:00P Mill Creek Tavern Philadelphia, PA
Cannibal Corpse 2009 dates
Jan 17 2009 8:00P The Stomping Grounds Lancaster, PA
Jan 28 2009 8:00P The Charleston Brooklyn,, NY
Jan 30 2009 8:00P The Zine Library Cambridge, MA
Jan 31 2009 8:00P North Street Rochester, NY
Feb 1 2009 5:00P Oddfellow’s Hall Rensselaer, NY
Feb 2 2009 8:00P The Church Boston, MA
Feb 3 2009 8:00P Savannah’s Albany, NY
Feb 4 2009 8:00P Union Pool Brooklyn, NY
Feb 5 2009 8:00P Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA
Feb 6 2009 8:00P Talking Head Baltimore, MD
Feb 7 2009 8:00P Nara Sushi Richmond, VA
Feb 8 2009 8:00P Velvet Lounge Washington, DC
Feb 21 2009 8:00P ABC NO RIO MATINEE SHOW 3PM NYC w/BLACK ANVIL/WOE/BASTARD SAPLING, New York
Feb 21 2009 8:00P DEATH BY AUDIO TOMBS RECORD RELEASE SHOW NYC w/DEFEATIST/ENGINEER/THE WAYWARDJan 30 2009 7:00P Huxleys Berlin
Jan 31 2009 7:00P Haus Auensee Leipzig
Feb 1 2009 7:00P Stadtgarden Erfurt
Feb 2 2009 6:00P LKA - Longhorn Stuttgart
Feb 3 2009 7:00P Backstage Munchen
Feb 4 2009 7:00P Z7 Pratteln
Feb 5 2009 7:00P Z7 Pratteln
Feb 7 2009 7:00P Syma Hall Budapest
Feb 8 2009 7:00P Gasometer WIen
Feb 9 2009 6:00P Hafen Innsbruck
Feb 10 2009 7:00P Alcatraz Milan
Feb 11 2009 6:00P Lowensaal Nurnberg
Feb 12 2009 7:00P Paradiso Amsterdam
Feb 14 2009 6:00P ABC Glasgow Glasgow
Feb 15 2009 6:00P Norwich U.E.A. Norwich
Feb 16 2009 6:00P Academy 2 Manchester
Feb 17 2009 6:00P Rock City Nottingham
Feb 18 2009 6:00P Wedgewood Rooms Portsmouth
Feb 19 2009 6:00P The Forum London
Feb 20 2009 7:00P Elysee Montmatre Paris
Feb 21 2009 7:00P Hof Ter Lo Antwerp
Feb 22 2009 7:00P Hof Ter Lo Antwerp
Feb 23 2009 7:00P Docks Hamburg
Feb 24 2009 6:00P Godset Kolding
Feb 26 2009 7:00P Sentrum Scene Oslo
Feb 27 2009 8:00P Tyrol Stockholm
Mar 1 2009 7:00P Jaahalli Helsinki
Mar 2 2009 7:00P Rytmikorjaamo Seinajoki
January 13, 2009
New Video: Gojira - "All The Tears"
France's Gojira have posted a new video for the song "All The Tears." The song comes from The Way Of All Flesh which our own beatmasterspeech ranked #5 on his best of 2008 list.
All The Tears
January 10, 2009
Want to see Kylesa and Tombs in a basement?
by these seans (NYC)
Of course you do! Until recently, the "Secret Guest" on Jan. 28th's show at the Charleston hadn't been publicly announced, and we were hesitant to run our mouths off about who it was. Thankfully Black Bubblegum has more balls than us, and we can now comfortably tell you all that it's fucking Kylesa! Also on the bill will be Tombs, Tournament, and Black Anvil.
Seriously, we are so pumped about this show that we are actually taking time away from football and general Saturdayness to bring you this bit of awesomeness. We're not even sure where Kylesa's two drum sets will fit? There are few places as intimate as The Charleston, and of course by "intimate" we mean: it's a tiny, dirty, awesome basement.
Wednesday January 28th @ The Charelston
Kylesa, Tombs, Tournament, Black AnvilSee you there.
Continue Reading...
January 9, 2009
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW
Wanna see the best lineup for a festival, like, ever?
Mastodon
Neurosis
High on Fire
Boris
1349
Cryptopsy
Torche
Nachtmystium
Wolves in the Throne Room
Baroness
Harvey Milk
Kylesa
Zoroaster
Withered
Krallice
Toxic Holocaust
Skeletonwitch
Rwake
A Storm of Light
Warbringer
Salome
Suidakra
Tyr
Alestorm
The curator of this ridiculous event? Surprisingly, Scion (you know, they make those boxy little customizable cars). Well, some dude who's apparently a fan of all the same bands we are who's a consultant for Scion anyway. So, yeah, road trip. Anyone who lives in New York wanna carpool with us? The festival is Saturday, February 28th and it's FREE! Though, you'll probably have to get your picture taken in the back seat of a Scion while holding Jack Hollis' cock in your left hand and getting fucked in the ass by Henry Ford. It's, you know, marketing.
Shrinebuilder is Coming
More than a year since we first broke news about Shrinebuilder, we finally have a major development to report: the band-- comprised of Wino (St. Vitus, Hidden Hand), Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Al Cisneros (Om, Sleep), and Dale Crover (Melvins)-- will be in the with Toshi Kasai (Big Business) this very weekend (1/9 - 1/11). If you're interested in keeping tabs on this supergroup's studio progress (of course you are), you can do so at Scott Kelly's blog.
To be continued...
January 8, 2009
Attn Eastern Seaboard: Break Out the Bongs and the Blunts
All you stoners out there will want to take note of this one-- Witch will be touring the East Coast in February. As most know, Witch is comprised of Kyle Thomas (Alabama Thunderpussy) on guitar/vox and J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) on drums. They released their sophomore LP, Paralyzed, last year which, according to the press release anyway, "melds punk rock tempos with acid guitar freak-outs while maintaining sludgy head nodding grooves. Rather than revisiting the sounds of the 60's/70's, Witch reinvented them."
'Reinvented' may be a strong word, but Witch definitely summon the spirits of 60's/70's rock. There's no doubt about that.
The band will be joined on the road by labelmates Earthless, everyone's favorite instrumental stoner-jam trio. Burn one and check this shit out, you fuckin' hippies:
Witch, Earthless - 2009 Dates:2/20 Toronto, CA The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Earthless recently released a double live LP, Live at Roadburn. Pretty awesome-- no one does live albums anymore...
2/21 Montreal, CA Les Saints
2/22 Providence, RI AS220
2/23 Boston, MA TT The Bears
2/24 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's
2/25 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
2/26 Washington, DC DC9
2/27 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes
2/28 Baltimore, MD Ottobar
Crustcake Picks - NYC Shows 1/8 - 1/14
2009 is starting off with a pretty dry weekend, with an almost complete lack of metal shows. The main draw is blackened death-thrashers Skeletonwitch being in town on Sunday, along with Cannabis Corpse, the weed-themed death metal (duh) outfit of Municipal Waste's Land Phil. The show is the last of a three-date tour featuring the two bands:
Skeletonwitch, Cannabis Corpse - January Tour
1/9 Chamption Ship - Lemoyne, PA
1/10 Kung Fu Necktie (Early Show) - Philadelphia, PA *
1/11 Public Assembly - Brooklyn, NY #
* with Javelina
# with Atakke
The New York show will be opened by locals Atakke.
Other than this show, both Rotting Christ and Epicurean are playing B.B. King's tonight (Thursday). We know next to nothing about either of these bands other than Rotting Christ is an awesome fucking band name.
See you out there!
Thursday 1/8/09 - Rotting Christ, Epicurean, Novembers Doom @ B.B. Kings [$30]Continue Reading...
Sunday 1/11 - Skeletonwitch, Cannabis Corpse, Atakke @ Public Assembly [$12]
January 7, 2009
Death Metal Spotlight: Obscura, Psycroptic
by theseseans (NYC)
At the end of 2008, I grabbed the latest Bloodbath record, The Fathomless Mastery, and it's so good that I have been on a death metal spiral ever since. Two death metal bands that are garnering a lot of attention in early '09 are Obscura and Psycroptic.
I first heard about Obscura when Gerf and I took our incredibly metal venture to Philadelphia. PR extraordinaire Betsey Cichoracki managed to give us a tour of Relapse while talking up this band non-stop. They play a highly prog'd up death metal, full of Opeth like interludes, virtuso playing, and some excellent song writing.
Metalsucks brought Psycroptic to my attention, and damn it if they aren't doing something right. Not too showy, not too ridiculous...it's just right. One thing I really like is that their vocalist has several different voices, and isn't afraid to use them all. Their record certainly won't be forty minutes of the same vocal over and over.
Obscura currently have three songs from their upcoming 2009 Relapse Records release Cosmogenesis on their myspace page. Psycroptic are about to embark on a European tour with The Black Dahlia Murder in support of their 2008 Nuclear Blast release Ob(servant). Read more for their video "Initiate" as well as both bands current tour dates.
PSYCROPTIC - Initiate
Get through the minute long intro...totally worth it.
Psycroptic 2009 tour datesJan 7 2009 8:00P @ Logan Ent Centre (AA) Gold Coast, Queensland%
Jan 8 2009 8:00P @ Manning Bar (AA) Sydney, New South Wales%
Jan 12 2009 8:00P @ The National Geelong, Victoria%
Jan 13 2009 8:00P @ Corner Hotel 1-4pm (u/18s) Melbourne, Victoria%
Jan 13 2009 8:00P @ Corner Hotel 8pm (18+) Melbourne, Victoria%
Jan 14 2009 8:00P @ The Old Jail (AA) Mt Gambier, South Australia%
Jan 23 2009 8:00P @ Substage, Karlsruhe*
Jan 24 2009 8:00P @ Turock, Essen*
Jan 25 2009 8:00P @ Uebel & Gefahlich, Hamburg*
Jan 26 2009 8:00P @ Voxhall, Aarhus*
Jan 27 2009 8:00P @ Kato, Berlin*
Jan 28 2009 8:00P @ Firlej, Wroclaw*
Jan 29 2009 8:00P @ Alter Stattbanhof, Schweinfurt*
Jan 30 2009 8:00P @ Conne Island, Leipzig*
Jan 31 2009 8:00P @ Chmelnice, Prague*
Feb 1 2009 8:00P @ Durer Kert, Budapest*
Feb 2 2009 8:00P @ Arena, Wien*
Feb 3 2009 8:00P @ Gala Hala, Ljubljana*
Feb 4 2009 8:00P @ Feierwerk, Munchen*
Feb 5 2009 8:00P @ La Gabbia, San Giorgio in Bosco*
Feb 6 2009 8:00P @ Rock Planet, Pinarella di Cervia*
Feb 7 2009 8:00P @ Transilvania Live Club, Erstfed*
Feb 8 2009 8:00P @ Ninkasi Kao, Lyon*
Feb 9 2009 8:00P @ Mephisto, Barcelona*
Feb 10 2009 8:00P @ Caracol, Madrid*
Feb 11 2009 8:00P @ Plateruena, Bilbao*
Feb 12 2009 8:00P @ La Locomotive, Paris*
Feb 13 2009 8:00P @ London Carling Academy Islington, London*
Feb 15 2009 8:00P @ The Park, Peterborough*
Feb 16 2009 8:00P @ Corporation, Sheffield*
Feb 17 2009 8:00P @ The Button Factory, Dublin*
Feb 18 2009 8:00P @ Ivory Blacks, Glasgow*
Feb 19 2009 8:00P @ TJs, Newport*
Feb 20 2009 8:00P @ Biebob, Vosselaar*
Feb 21 2009 8:00P @ Atak, Enchede*
Feb 22 2009 8:00P @ Kulturfabrik, Esch-Alzette*
% = w/ Whitechapel
* = w/ Black Dahlia Murder, Cephalic Carnage, Sylosis
Obscura 2009 so farJan 24 2009 8:00P EUROBLAST FESTIVAL Germany
January 6, 2009
New Kylesa Album; Coffins Coming to America
20 Buck Spin is off to a good start in '09-- the label announced that it will be releasing a brand new Kylesa LP in March, entitled Static Tensions, with artwork done by John Dyer Baizley (Baroness).
Additionally, Japanese death-doom destroyers Coffins will be hopping the Pacific for a few left coast dates, including a headlining appearance at the LA Murderfest. Details on all this and more are available at 20 Buck Spin's website.
Thanks to Invisible Oranges for the tip.
Crustcake Reviews: Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1
by theseseans (NYC)
Assassins getting released on vinyl was big news for us crustcake dudes. As soon as I found out that it was not only being released on vinyl, but as a double colored vinyl gatefold release I emailed gerf immediately to bring him the joy I had just found. Fittingly this review is more about the physical product, but just in case over the past year you disregarded our constant coverage of the band, the high ranks this album scored on our best of 2008 lists, or maybe just haven't listened to the record....
Nachtmystium's Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1 takes black metal for a ride in '72 Chevy Nova, windows up, car full of bong smoke. The power choruses littered around the record will have you singing along, banging your head, and coming back for repeated listens; the heavy Pink Floyd influence gives Nachtmystium's black metal sound new and interesting dimensions. Recorded without a click track, the best part of the record for me is its natural feel. With Assassins, an album full of risks and brave, full realizations, Nachtmystium have become the flag bearers for black metal.
9/10 [Audible]
8/10 [Physical]
Vinyl packaging is great for a number of reasons, but one of the most obvious (it's bigger!) works to Assassins advantage allowing for easier inspection toward the subtle details in the album's art work. The alternate coloring on the front cover (compare the thumbnail above to the picture below) is very visually effective, I honestly prefer the darker coloring over the green. The two records yellow coloring works wonderfully with the complete package.
Also worth noting is the price, not to sound like a salesman, but $13 for a double record is a hell of a deal. This record is great for collectors, consumers, even those just beginning their vinyl collection (hey did you know that vinyl sales were up %89 this year? Seriously!). 
\
[Front Cover]
\
[Back Cover]
[Inside Spread]
[Record]
[Buy] Nachtmystium - Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1
January 5, 2009
Pentagram to Play Webster Hall (New York); The Haunted, Nachtmystium, Kylesa, Intronaut Tour
That's right, the elusive Pentagram have confirmed a one-off date at New York City's Webster Hall on March 6th, 2009. Tickets are already on sale and, at $20, well worth it. Any true doom fans living in the tri-state area have no excuse to miss this! Brooklyn Vegan has more.
In unrelated news, tickets are also on sale for The Haunted, Nachtmystium, Kylesa, and Intronaut at B.B. King's on April 19th. That's a pretty un-fuck-with-able lineup. Nachtmystium's latest LP recently made all of crustcake's 2008 Top 10s. Full list of dates for that tour can be found after the jump.
The Haunted, Nachtmystium, Kylesa, Intronaut - 2009 Tour:January 17 2009 Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, UK
Kylesa - 2009 Tour:
January 19 2009 Academy, Birmingham, UK
January 20 2009 Garage, Glasgow, Scotland
January 21 2009 Academy, Manchester, UK
January 23 2009 Concorde 2, Brighton, UK
January 24 2009 Islington Academy, London, UK
January 26 2009 Die Röhre, Stuttgart, Germany
January 27 2009 Matrix, Bochum, Germany
January 29 2009 Knust, Hamburg, Germany
February 04 2009 Pumpehuset, Köbenhavn, Danmark
February 05 2009 Magnet, Berlin, Germany
February 06 2009 Conne Island, Leipzig, Germany
February 07 2009 Abaton, Prague, CZE
February 08 2009 Arena, Vienna, Austria
February 10 2009 Zoe Club, Milano, Italy
February 11 2009 Salzhaus, Winterthur, Switzerland
February 12 2009 Exhaus, Trier, Germany
February 13 2009 Melkweg, Amsterdam, Holland
February 14 2009 Nouveau Casino, Paris, France
February 15 2009 AB box, Brussels, Belgium
February 27 2009 House of Metal, Umea, Sweden
March 20 2009 Sala Heineken, Madrid, Spain
March 21 2009 Sala RockStar Live, Bilbao, Spain
March 22 2009 Sala Apolo 2, Barcelona, Spain
March 27 2009 Bronx Club, Istanbul, Turkey
March 28 2009 Principal Club, Thessaloniki, Greece
March 29 2009 Fuzz Club, Athens, Greece
April 02 2009 The Glasshouse, Pomona, CA*
April 03 2009 The Key Club, Hollywood, CA*
April 04 2009 Slim's, San Francisco, CA*
April 05 2009 Hawthorne Theater, Portland, OR*
April 06 2009 Neumo's, Seattle, WA*
April 07 2009 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC*
April 08 2009 Starlite Ballroom, Edmonton, AB*
April 09 2009 The Warehouse, Calgary, AB*
April 11 2009 Royal Albert, Winnipeg, MB*
April 12 2009 Station 4, St. Paul, MN*
April 13 2009 The Pearl Room, Mokena, IL*
April 14 2009 Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI*
April 15 2009 Opera House, Toronto, ON*
April 16 2009 Club Soda, Montreal, QC*
April 17 2009 The Palladium, Worcester, MA*
April 19 2009 BB King's Blues Club, New York, NY*
April 21 2009 Mr. Small's, Millvale, PA*
April 22 2009 Jaxx, Springfield, VA*
April 23 2009 Volume 11, Raleigh, NC*
April 24 2009 The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA*
* w/ Nachtmystium, Kylesa, IntronautJan 29 2009 Bowery Ballroom NYC, New York*
Jan 30 2009 AS220 Providence Rhode Island*
Jan 31 2009 Starlite Theater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*
Feb 6 2009 Huck finn Nagoya**
Feb 7 2009 Earthdom Tokyo***
Feb 8 2009 TBA w/ BIRUSHANAH, Cohol, tba Tokyo^
Feb 11 2009 51 w/ BIRUSHANAH, Eternal Elysium, tba Gifu^
Feb 13 2009 Graf w/ BIRUSHANAH, Hydrophobia + Tba Fukuoka^
Feb 14 2009 CLUB SQUAD w/ BIRUSHANAH, Hydrophobia + TBA Yamaguchi^
Feb 15 2009 CLUB DROP Osaka^^
* w/ Amebix
** w/ Birushanah, Eternal Elysium
*** w/ Birushanah, Coffins, Church of Misery, Revolt
^ w/ Birushanah
^^ w/ Birushanah, Swarrm, Garadama, Mortalized
