In "Freshly Baked," we feature promising young bands or bands that are otherwise lacking the attention we think they deserve.
by theseseans (NYC)
Download: the_Network - "Corpse Paint" [MP3]
I was fifteen. In the previous year or two I had begun to move away from MTV marketed heaviness, exploring a brand new world called hardcore. As an angry New England youth Blood For Blood were an easy sell, but it was Hatebreed that really got me. Satisfaction Is The Death Of Desire did not leave my car. I traveled down the coast of Maine to Portland to see Hatebreed, and what I found was five dudes setting up to open the show under the name Converge. After their set I was lost down the rabbit hole today called metal-core. I immediately sought out Converge’s discography and soon saw them again live (this time just a four piece) and bought Jane Doe at the show. Soon I found Dillinger, Botch, Coalesce, Cave In and my love for extreme music blossomed. I got into Pantera, saw what would be their final tour and was introduced to Morbid Angel. I spent hours listening to Slayer. But it all started with Converge and really, Hatebreed. Unfortunately metal-core has since been perverted, the results replacing the very marketed garbage I was escaping in the beginning; but there was a time when metal-core truly embodied innovation in heavy music.
the_Network bring an honest and invigorating record forth in their Black Market Activities debut Bishop Kent Manning. While you aren't going to bask in seemingly impossible Knudson-esq guitar parts, or Dillinger like tempo changes, the_Network clearly have early nineties metal-core as the heart of their sound. What makes this band special is that in a time when metal-core seems like a corporate sponsored way for 17 year olds to live out their dreams of rock stardom under a blurred sky of breakdowns; the_Network have created a sound and feel all their own. How about that? The bulk of their sound is abrasive and noisy, but as the track "Corpse Paint" (download available above) shows, the band has versatility. Their use of melody and a not-quite-screaming-all-the-time vocal delivery walks a fine line of being true to a song, without falling into an easy way out.
See our previous post for the_Network's current tour dates. Their live shows have reputation for being violent. Unhinged. Dangerous. Not safe. Sounds like fun right? Sounds like this music is supposed to.
September 28, 2009
FRESHLY BAKED: THE_NETWORK
September 25, 2009
ANDREW W.K. IS NOT REAL
Really?
But this tour, featuring Wilkes-Krier (or maybe Steev Mike, or maybe just an apparition from a salvia dream) playing his hits with the four-member Calder Quartet (did I really just write four-member quartet?), is. Maybe not really. But I'll be at the Lakeshore next Thursday just to check.
Oh yeah, and he'll be playing selections from his recently-released (I shit you not) improvisational piano record, 55 Cadillac. Or maybe just vomiting blood. Still improvising.
And hopefullyhopefullyhopefully doing stuff from his (I continue to not shit you) Japan-only Mobile Suit Gundam tribute album.
I feel so cool saying this guy was my favorite band in high school.
Switched up my name, by the way.
September 24, 2009
CRUSTCAKE PICKS - NYC SHOWS 9/24 - 9/30
by theseseans (NYC)
As if there wasn't enough to do in this city. So much that NYC's residents are often admonished for their exposure, begrudged observational laureates; when in reality the abundance of options often breeds the desire to seclude oneself into the pretense that maybe tonight I can be stuck without options.
But what kind of idiot would seclude himself from a week that includes Rorshach, Hellbastard, Attake (who Van recently reviewed), Batillus*, Hull, Obituary, and Goatwhore?
And then of course, there's a secret show.
Read more for details, see you out there.
CRUSTCAKE PICKS - NYC SHOWS 9/24 - 9/30Friday the 25th - Hellbastard, Resistant Culture, Atakke, Rabia @ Europa
*= in interest of full disclosure, Batillus features our very own crustcake gerf on drums. We try not to cover them too much for any conflict of interest/self promotional bullshit. But I am not going to pass over mentioning a great tour (Beard Destroyer Tour -which featured Hull, Salome, and Batillus,), especially when it is a tour composed of awesome doom bands. Which is sort of Crustcake's thing. Unfortunately Salome will not be at this Sunday's show. Major bummer.
- Rorshach, Celebrity Murders @ Santos Party House
- Brooklyn Vegan Secret Show @ The Charleston
Sunday the 27th - Hull, Batillus, Dark Vibe @ Union Pool
Monday the 28th - Destroyer 666, Agrath, Negative Plane, Open Grave @ Europa
Tuesday the 29th - Obituary, Goatwhore, Krisiun, The Berzerker, Warbringer @ Blender Theater at Gramercy
FLOOR BOX SET AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
If you're a fan of Torche, there's a good chance you'll like Floor. Their later material definitely lays the groundwork for Torche's doom/pop merger, while Floor's earlier rock is just straight up bomb-note sludge. Will you like them enough to drop $250 on an insane box set including "Ten 12" LPs, one 7 inch EP, eight CDs and a (roughly) 32-page booklet of writings, photos, lyrics, artwork (and more)?" Can you even handle "and more" after all of that other stuff? That's up to you, but we say you should definitely go for it.
You can pre-order the entire package from Robotic Empire and get a free t-shirt. How cool is that?
Also, if you're interested in ever seeing a Floor song played live, we'd recommend seeing Torche the next time they're in town, as they're known to play "Tales of Lolita" every once in a while.
CRUSTCAKE PICKS - NEW CAKE IN THE OVEN: LAUDANUM'S THE CORONATION
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
Download: Laudanum - "Invoke" [MP3]
20 Buck Spin is at it again. This time with Laudanum, a band that includes none other than Nathan Misterek of Graves At Sea fame on vocals. The band's debut album is called 'The Coronation,' which is 49 minutes of dark, dismal, atmospheric doom. The riffs aren't densely packed, but when they hit, they hit hard. This is the kind of record you want to listen to after, say, smoking a bit of opium (in fact, the band's name is a reference to an alcoholic preparation method for opium).
A few live appearances have recently popped up on the band's myspace page, all in the Pacific Northwest-- they're reportedly working on a tour with Japan’s Black Ganion. No word on whether or not Laudanum will bring their apocalyptic sounds to the rest of the States or the world any time soon, but we'll certainly keep you posted. In the meantime, download the MP3 above and pick up 'The Coronation' from 20 Buck Spin.
September 23, 2009
CRUSTY CLIP OF THE WEEK: ASUNDER - 'TWILIGHT AMARANTHINE'
Every single Wednesday without fail, 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)
I love doom that sounds cold, like it was recorded in a cave. Give me some reverb, some deep, echo-laden growls and a little sprinkle of low-pitched, monkish chanting and I'm in head over heels.
Asunder's "Twilight Amaranthine" gives me that special feeling. Ya'll might remember the split Asunder did with Graves At Sea, right? I think it might be one of the best – if not the best – doom collaborations put to tape. Might I add that the drummer/vocalist always steals the live show? I caught them live with Japan's Corrupted in downtown LA not long ago and it changed my life. Really. Not only was seeing Corrupted a treat in and of itself, but Asunder's drummer/vocalist hit low notes I wasn't aware were humanely possible while keeping the tempo at a rain-drenched, funeral march. Maybe that slow, sepulchral step is necessary to reach such depths.
I should mention that I was completely blazed out of my mind that night, so this might have enhanced the overall slowness of the evening.
I probably also should mention I'm completely blazed right now.
Anyway, check the clip and try not to get annoyed by the out-of-tune
cello. In-tune or not, I'll give props to anybody for bringing out the live cello.
Cellos in doom = cold doom!
CRUSTCAKE PICKS - ATX SHOWS 9/24 - 10/1
By Van Damned (ATX)
O my Gods of Metal, my All, in Thy goodness and mercy, grant that before I die I may regain all the graces which I have lost through my carelessness and folly, for I failed to pay homage and bear witness to your (un)holy and anointed disciples, Motörhead, on Sunday.Yeah, yeah, I know. Woulda, shoulda, coulda. Anyway, I guess the Gods heard my plea and granted me a full week to atone for my transgressions. After a month-long drought – literally and figuratively – Austin's finally got some good things comin' its way. And like they say, when it rains, it pours.
Permit me to attain the degree of merit and perfection to which Thou didst desire to lead me, and which I failed by my unfaithfulness to reach. Next time They appear in vision to the masses attending Your temple at Stubb's, I will go.
Mercifully grant also that others regain the graces which they have lost through my fault. I will prepare the hearts and minds of my brethren for Their wonder and majesty, and faithfully attend.
In the Sacred names of Cliff, Chuck, Dime and Piggy, Amen.
First up are Kylesa, Tombs and Bison B.C. at Red 7, Thursday night. I'm interested to see if material from Kylesa's wan Static Tenions beefs up in a live setting. All signs point to yes. Tombs are still touring behind January's massive Winter Hours and are always crushing. Canada's Bison B.C. are getting some play stateside – their stoner-boogie tradcore ranks up there with fellow Canucks Priestess in terms of throwback/forward-thinking fun.
Since it's a Saturday, and you're probably not doing anything that cool anyway, hop in the car and head Southbound 35 to San Antone, where Gothenburg's melodic death metal stalwarts In Flames play host to a veritable who's who in death and shred these days. Between the Buried and Me, 3 Inches of Blood and the Faceless are all blowing brains to bits at the White Rabbit. Make sure to bring a bucket. You'll need it catch your melting face.
As an aside, I'm sure there's some of you out there who will be interested to know that Lamb of God, GWAR and Job for a Cowboy are playing the Austin Music Hall on Sunday. Good luck to you, whoever you are.
Come Tuesday, make it a point to catch Sweden's Burst at Red 7. These post-metal legends are hanging up their hats after this fall's tour, so this is your last chance to witness one of Europe's finest contributions to the genre. Atlanta's psych-doom sludgemasters Zoroaster open.
Finally, make sure your seatbelts are fastened and your tray-tables are in a locked upright position, because Them Crooked Vultures land in Austin at Stubb's Thursday. Everybody's holding their collective breaths to see what Josh, Dave and John Paul have put together, but if any of the previous evidence is any indication, chances are it's going to RAWK!
Crustcake Picks: ATX Shows 9/24 - 10/1
-Thursday, Sept. 24: Kylesa, Tombs, Bison B.C. @ Red 7
-Saturday, Sept. 26: In Flames, BTBAM, 3 Inches of Blood, The Faceless @ The White Rabbit, San Antonio
-Sunday, Sept. 27: Lamb of God, GWAR, Job for a Cowboy @ Austin Music Hall
-Tuesday, Sept. 29: Burst, Zoroaster @ Red 7
-Thursday, Oct. 1: Them Crooked Vultures @ Stubb's
Continue Reading...
September 22, 2009
REVOCATION STREAMS EXISTENCE IS FUTILE
[Stream]: Revocation - Existence is Futile
Do yourself a favor and listen to the new Revocation album, Existence is Futile. With the technical ferocity of Cryptopsy, the sweeping epicness of early Metallica and the melodicism of At the Gates, Revocation have crafted a slab of metal that is just that - Metal. Here's something you can headbang, mosh, pump your horns and drink beer to. Listen to it online and then pre-order it (it comes out on September 29th) from Relapse.
Record release show dates below.
Revocation Live 2009September 29 Providence, RI @Club Hell (W/ VITAL REMAINS, DESTROYER 666)
September 30 Boston, MA @The Church
CRUSTCAKE REVIEWS: ATAKKE - MARCH TO THE GALLOWS AND AVALANCHE 7" EPs
by Van Damned (ATX)
Somewhere in the bombed-out, post-apocalyptic wastelands that lie between metal and punk, a ragged tribe of dedicated and resourceful heshers have carved out an existence free from the rigid doctrine of either camp. By cherry-picking their favorite elements from two disparate cultures, these bands have forged a sound that's both unique and timeless. So much so, in fact, that they've been given their own Wikipedia page. Whether or not you knew it, chances are you've heard crust. If you're reading this, chances are you liked it.
Following in the hallowed footsteps of tribal elders Hellbastard, Amebix and Antisect, Brooklyn's Atakke (pronounced a-TAK-ay) are easily the cream of the current crust crop. With no major label backing, minimal web presence and anemic distribution, Atakke have released two near-classic 7" EPs on New York's fledgling Mountains of Madness label (purveyors of such awesomley-named bands as Blood of Christian Children), 2008's March to the Gallows and this year's Avalanche. The former is raw and earnest; the latter, more studied and polished thanks to the steady hand of Kylesa's Phillip Cope, who produced it at his Savannah enclave, the Jam Room. Rife with paranoid admonishments ("Lock the doors, they're coming for you!"), misanthropy, allusions to war and eco-political awareness ("We slash and burn everything that we see, everything we can reach"), Atakke resemble other, older anarcho-punk stalwarts but do so in a fresh and informed manner. They are the state of crust in 2009.
Sure there may be a bit of Bolt Thrower and Sepultura aping (they list both bands as influences on their Myspace) but what's less advertised is the Swedish deathgrind riffage, Bay Area thrash gallop, dual-guitar shredfests or the fact that the whole shebang is dipped in a viscous coating of NOLA sludge. That their image and artwork is also absolutely dripping in gas masks, bullet bets, ruined cityscapes and patched, denim vests is enough to prove that hero worship, when done right, can result in a fully-realized sound distinctive to the band.
Included with March to the Gallows (pressed on "beer"-colored vinyl) is a plethora of stickers, inserts and other printed ephemera. Avalanche, though fantastic sounding, lacked the cache of DIY-flavored, faux-photocopied paper products. I did miss out on the ice-blue-and-white, "glacier" edition, however, which could have come with additional materials. No matter, as the music is superb.
March To The Gallows - Front Cover
March To The Gallows - Back Cover
March To The Gallows - Insert
March To The Gallows - Spread
March To The Gallows - Sticker
March To The Gallows - Vinyl
Avalanche - Front Cover
Avalanche - Insert
Avalanche - Insert Back
Avalanche - Vinyl
Avalanche
Audible: 8/10
Physical: 5/10
March to the Gallows
Audible: 6/10
Physical: 9/10
September 21, 2009
TOXIC HOLOCAUST, GOATWHORE AND SKELETONWITCH EUROPEAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
Toxic Holocaust are earning true road dog status as they are still on tour supporting 2008's An Overdose Of Death... After wrapping up a couple more US dates with the likes of Satyricon, Trap Them, Skeletonwitch and The Black Dahlia Murder, Toxic Holocaust will be heading to Europe with Skeletonwitch and Goatwhore. Hot Damn! Now that is a horn-raising tour if we've ever seen one!
Read more for all of Toxic Holocaust's tour info, and enjoy their latest video for "Nuke the Cross."
Toxic Holocaust w/ w/ Satyricon, Bleeding Through, CthonicSeptember 25 Baltimore, MD Sonar
Toxic Holocaust w/ The Black Dahlia Murder, Skeletonwitch, Trap Them
September 26 Norfolk, VA Norva Theatre
September 28 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
September 29 Orlando, FL The Club @ Firestone
October 1 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
October 2 Dallas, TX The Door
October 3 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
October 5 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
October 6 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
October 7 Pomona, CA The Glass House
October 8 Los Angeles, CA Key Club
October 9 Orangevale, CA The BoardwalkOctober 13 San Diego, CA Soma
Toxic Holocaust w/ Skeletonwitch, Goatwhore
October 14 Victorville, CA Karma
October 15 San Luis Obispo, CA Downtown Brewing Co.
October 19 Murray, UT Murray Theater
October 20 Colorado Springs, CO The Black Sheep
October 22 Iowa City, IA Picador
October 23 DeKalb, IL The House Café (w/ TRAP THEM)
October 24 Madison, WI Annex
October 25 Columbus, OH The Basement
October 26 Evansville, IN Boney Junes
October 27 Nashville, TN Rocketown
October 29 Metairie, LA The High Ground
October 30 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
October 31 Augusta, GA Sector 7G
November 1 Wilmington, NC Soapbox Laundrolounge
November 2 Baltimore, MD The Ottobar
November 3 Farmingdale, NY The Crazy Donkey
November 4 Hartford, CT Webster Underground
November 6 Cleveland, OH Peabody’s Down Under
November 7 Grand Rapids, MI The Intersection
November 8 Louisville, KY Uncle Pleasants
November 10 Syracuse, NY Lost Horizon
November 11 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
November 12 Poughkeepsie, NY The Chance
November 13 Bucksport, ME The KaveNovember 27 Nijmegen, Netherlands Doornroosje
November 28 Gent, Belgium Minus One
December 1 Sheffield, UK Corporation
December 3 Glasgow, UK Ivory Blacks
December 6 Prestatyn Sands, UK Hard Rock Hell Festival
December 9 Hamburg, Germany Hafenklang
December 14 Prague, Czech Rep. 007
December 15 Munchen, Germany Feierwerk
December 16 Arcene, Italy Soundcheck
December 19 Essen, Germany Turock
FRESHLY BAKED: IRON AGE
In "Freshly Baked," we feature promising young bands or bands that are otherwise lacking the attention we think they deserve.
by The WZA'd (ATX)
Download: Iron Age - "A Younger Earth" [MP3]
I've been living in Austin, Texas for less than a month now, but I think I already know who my favorite local band is: crossover powerhouse Iron Age. They've been compared to both Ride the Lightening-era Metallica and the Cro-Mags, which isn't so far off, but I think they're only a few tokes away from High on Fire.
This year they released their second album, The Sleeping Eye on Tee Pee Records. It's a solid album filled with memorable riffs, howled vocals, hardcore intensity and plenty of room to headbang. Their live show is where they really slay though, and because they tour heavily, you have no excuse to not see them. They're touring with Baroness later this year, so you really have no excuse to not see them.
Tour dates after the jump.
Iron Age TourSept 19 Pedicab Bar San Antonio, TX
Baroness Tour with Iron Age
Sept 20 Red 7 Austin, TX
Oct 8 TBA Dallas, TX
Oct 9 Now That's Clas Cleveland, OH
Oct 10 Championship Vinyl Lemoyne, PA
Oct 12 Poor Alex Theatre Toronto, ON
Oct 13 Zoo Bizarre Montreal, Quebec
Oct 14 Skalpel HQ Sherbrooke, Quebec
Oct 15 TBA Boston, MA
Oct 16 Cake Shop New York, NY
Oct 17 Generation Records (day show) New York, NY
Oct 17 The Charleston Brooklyn, NYDec 2 Bottom of The Hill San Francisco, CA w/ Earthless
Dec 3 Troubadour Hollywood, CA w/ Earthless
Dec 4 The Casbah San Diego, CA w/ Earthless
Dec 5 The Clubhouse Tempe, AZ w/ Earthless
Dec 7 Emo's Austin, TX
Dec 8 Warehouse Live Houston, TX
Dec 9 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA
Dec 10 The Social Orlando, FL
Dec 11 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
September 18, 2009
GRAVES OF VALOR RELEASE VIDEO FOR 'BRIDLES OF INCITATUS'
Graves of Valor have just released the video for "Bridles of Incitatus," the first from their 2009 kickass, full-length Salarian Gate. Check the video and make note: they start a new tour tonight.
Read more for tour dates and info.
Graves of Valor Fall Tour 2009 September 18 Raleigh, NC The Brewery
September 19 Wilmington, DE Mojo 13
September 20 Holyoke, MA The Waterfront Tavern
September 21 Charleroi, PA Club Octane
September 22 Wheeling, WV Yesterday’s
September 23 Louisville, KY Bulldog Café
September 24 Herrin, IL Hitts Café
September 25 Poplar Bluff, MO The Well
September 26 Wichita, KS The Eagles Lodge
September 27 Tulsa, OK Side Stage
September 28 Dallas, TX The Prophet Bar
September 29 Houston, TX Java Junction
September 30 San Antonio, TX The White Rabbit
October 1 El Paso, TX Chic’s
October 2 Albuquerque, NM The Compound
October 3 Tempe, AZ The Phix
October 4 Las Vegas, NV The Box Office
October 5 Pocatello, ID Studio 208
October 6 Riverton, WY F.O.E.
October 7 Jefferson, SD Jefferson Community Center
October 8 Buffalo, MN The Vault
October 9 La Crosse, WI The Warehouse
October 10 Macon, IL The Walmsley
October 11 Murphysboro, IL VFW
October 12 Pontiac, MI American Legion
October 13 Columbus, OH Bernie’s
October 14 Charleroi. PA Club Octane
October 15 Nitro, WV The Brickhouse
October 16 Johnson City, TN The Hideaway
September 17, 2009
CRUSTCAKE PICKS: NYC SHOWS 9/17 - 9/23
by theseseans (NYC)
My jeans probably smell like smoke. My dismal hangover is worsened by the fact that I know I didn't drink that much last night. Instead I suspect a recent and steady lack of sleep is working in coercion toward internal corrosion with my precious, precious whiskey. Misery Index are playing tomorrow night at Red Star Bar. I wish I had grind now. The slow warm spread of alcohol last night has led to this morning at work. I open the office refrigerator and am greeted with a plethora of Brooklyn Lager. Needing something carbonated I buy a Dr. Pepper. I am defeated.
A bright sun shines for next week. Sunn 0))), I should say. Earth too. I wish I had drone now.
Details after the jump.
CRUSTCAKE PICKS: NYC SHOWS 9/17 - 9/23Friday September 18th - Misery Index, Criminal Element, Mortal Decay @ Red Star Bar (18 Plus)
- Whiplash, At War, Black Anvil, Deathrash, Enforcer, Cauldron, Undivided, Vermafug @ Europa
Saturday September 22nd - Sunn 0))), Earth, Pelican and Eagle Twin @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple
THE_NETWORK ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR
Remember how much/when Botch ruled? God, those were good times. New Hampshire's the_Network certianly remember; their brand of math-infused hardcore sounds like it's 1998 in some shitty midwestern basement venue all over again. While all of this has been done before, the_Network manage to sound inspired and more than just a little dangerous. The group recently announced fall tour plans in support of their Black Market Activities debut Bishop Kent Manning.
Read more for the dates.
the_Network 2009 fall tourOct 2 Austin, TX @ Red 7
Oct 3 Houston, TX @ Moto Warehouse
Oct 4 New Orleans, LA @ Dragon's Den
Oct 5 Birmingham, AL @ Magic City Wholesale
Oct 6 Charleston, SC @ Weekends Pub
Oct 7 Raleigh, NC @ The Brewery
Oct 8 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
Oct 9 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
Oct 10 Binghamton, NY @ The Downtown Quarterback
Oct 11 Brooklyn, NY @ The Charleston
Oct 12 New York, NY @ Lit Lounge
Oct 16 Providence, RI @ The Sweatshop
Oct 17 Burlington, VT @ 242 Main St
Oct 18 Dover, NH @ The Brickhouse
September 16, 2009
CONVERGE AXE TO FALL PRE-ORDER NOW UP. ALSO RISE AND FALL.
So this new Converge record we've been slobbering about since May? The one that comes out October 20? You know, this one?
As of right now Axe To Fall is up for pre-order via the Deathwish estore. Both a CD (Epitaph) and vinyl (Deathwish) version are available, so everybody can get their Bannon, Ballou, Newton and Koller on.
Bannon, Ballou, Newton and Koller. Sounds kind of like an attorney's office. The most awesome, hardcore, face-ripping attorneys in the world.
Deathwish Inc. also has a pre-order for the new Rise and Fall record, who just released a new song yesterday.
You can grab both records right here.
BORIS TO RELEASE 7" SERIES, CRUSTCAKE TO INDULGE ITS VINYL FETISH
While we're still waiting on that Boris/Torche split (already released in Japan) from Hydra Head, we can rejoice in the fact that we have a steady stream of Boris seven-inches coming out from Southern Lord over the next three months. The series is called Japanese Heavy Rock Hits and will have three installments.
So maybe not really a steady stream. But a consistent trickle at least. Details on tracks below. The records are available in single form or grouped together, available for order from Southern Lord's online store.
September
Japanese Heavy Rock Hits Vol. 1Side A: "8"
October
Side B: "Hey Everyone/ねえエヴリワン"
Japanese Heavy Rock Hits Vol. 2Side A: "H.M.A. - Heavy Metal Addict"
November
Side B: "Black Original/黒い点滅"
Japanese Heavy Rock Hits Vol. 3Side A: "16:47:52… / 16時47分52..”
Side B: " ..and Hear Nothing/きこえない"
September 14, 2009
SLAUGHTER STRIKE CASSETTE NOW AVAILABLE
About two weeks ago, we told you all about Slaughter Strike, the new death metal band made up almost entirely of members of The Endless Blockade. At that time, the mention of an actual cassette release may have seemed like unicorns and 100% pure-beef hot dogs (the stuff of fiction); but said 18-minute-long cassette, is now available. For details, go to Survivalist, where there's also a nice essay on death metal – then and now.
You can also get a t-shirt!
COALESCE SET TO RELEASE OX EP
Coalesce have announced the arrival of Ox EP. The companion to this years full length Ox, the EP will see release in CD and vinyl form. The CD has a pre-order set up right here. Vinyl pre-order? Guess we'll have to wait...
If you haven't checked out Ox yet, you can catch the entire album streaming right here. Read more for Coalesce's current US tour dates.
Coalesce 2009 tour datesOctober 3 Kansas City, MO The Riot Room
October 7 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade (FREE w/ CAVE-IN – RSVP here)
October 8 Los Angeles, CA The Knitting Factory (FREE w/ CAVE-IN – RSVP here)
October 30 Gainesville, FL The Fest 8 (w/ COLISEUM, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, YOUNG WIDOWS, TORCHE, more)
November 7 Austin, TX Fun Fun Fun Fest (w/ DANZIG, JESUS LIZARD, and many more)
September 11, 2009
MMM ... MOON PYRAMID
Shrinebuilder MyFaced about that song we mentioned a few days ago, and it's everything you'd expect from the Them Crooked Vultures of sludge: atmospheric/foreboding/insert overused metal cliche.
Plus, the title "Pyramid of the Moon" makes me want a moon pie. Even though I've never had a moon pie and really only know about them because Jasper thought they were a harbinger of the wonders of the future that time he froze himself at the Kwik-E-Mart.
THE GATES OF SLUMBER RELEASE "BLOOD AND THUNDER"
The Gates of Slumber are like an unrelentingly awesome songwriting factory made of lightning and boobs. We're pretty sure the press release said that anyway. It's true though; their last album made Decibel's "best of" year end list last year, and they're already set to release their new album, Hymns of Blood and Thunder for September 29th this year. A while back we alerted you to the first MP3 from that album, and it was awesome. Today, we have another one for you. It's called "Blood and Thunder."
Download: The Gates of Slumber - "Blood and Thunder" [MP3]
Why anybody would name a track "Blood and Thunder" after Mastodon did it is completely beyond us, but GoS also released a song called "Angel of Death," so there's a precedent for this sort of thing.
"Blood and Thunder" itself is more of what we expect from the band - Wino-esque vocals over groovy doom riffs put together in solid songwriting that gets to the point.
Album tracklisting and release party/Planet Caravan shows below.
Hymns of Blood and Thunder tracklisting:1. Chaos Calling
Gates of Slumber show dates:
2. Death Dealer
3. Beneath the Eyes of Mars
4. The Doom of Aceldama
5. Age of Sorrow
6. The Bringer of War
7. Descent Into Madness
8. Iron Hammer
9. The Mist in the Mourning
10. Blood and ThunderSeptember 19 Asheville, NC @ Mo Daddy’s (as part of PLANET CARAVAN)
September 26 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theater
October 2 Chicago, IL @ Doug's Rock House
THE RED CHORD DETAIL FED THROUGH THE TEETH MACHINE, RELEASE FIRST SINGLE 'DEMORALIZER'
The Red Chord have announced that their fourth record Fed Through The Teeth Machine will see an October 27th release date via Metal Blade Records. In conjunction, The Red Chord have released their first single "Demoralizer" through their myspace page. Guitarist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie commented on the record and their first single:
We spent the last year working hard on this one and we're excited for everyone to finally hear it. It's a lot faster and, in my opinion, more straight forward in a structural sense..."Demoralizer" kind of sums up what the record is about. It's aggressive and fast with some darker melodic parts. Probably one of the angriest-sounding songs we've recorded, which fits the records vibe.I am personally stoked on this record. I fought hard to get this into our most anticipated records of '09 list. The Red Chord may be a "deathcore" band, but they are (in my opinion) the only band that does the term any justice. They actually play death metal and hardcore, not just a bullshit hodge podge mash up of the two and the results have always tickled me just right. Read more for album art, track listing and tour dates.
Fed Through the Teeth Machine:
1. DemoralizerThe Red Chord, Gwar 2009 Tour
2. Hour Of Rats
3. Hymns And Crippled Anthems
4. Embarrassment Legacy
5. Tales Of Martyrs And Disappearing Acts
6. Floating Through The Vein
7. Ingest The Ash
8. One Robot To Another
9. Mouthful Of Precious Stones
10. The Ugliest Truth
11. Face Area Solution
12. Sleepless Nights In The Compound
09/29 Houston, TX Warehouse Live
09/30 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
10/03 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
10/04 Ybor City, FL The Ritz Ybor
10/06 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
10/12 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
10/14 Sauget, IL Pop's
10/15 Indianapolis The Vogue
10/17 Detroit, MI Harpo's
10/18 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
10/23 Richmond, VA The National
10/26 Buffalo, NY The Town Ballroom
10/27 So. Burlington, VT Higher Ground
10/31 Worcester, MA The Palladium
11/01 Montreal, QC Club Soda
11/02 Toronto, ON Sound Academy
11/04 Louisville, KY Expo Five
11/08 Dallas, TX The Door
11/09 Tulsa, OK Cains Ballroom
11/11 Englewood, CO Gothic Theater
11/12 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
11/13 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre
11/14 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
11/15 San Diego, CA House of Blues
11/16 Hollywood, CA House Of Blues
11/18 Ventura, CA Majestic Ventura Theatre
11/19 Chico, CA Senator Theatre
11/20 Sparks, NV New Oasis
11/21 Magna, UT The Great Salt Air
11/23 Pomona, CA Glasshouse
11/24 San Francisco, CA Regency Center
11/25 Bend, OR Midtown Music Hall
11/27 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
11/28 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
11/29 Seattle, WA The King Cat Theatre
11/30 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
12/02 Edmonton, AB Edmonton Events Centre
12/03 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall Ballroom
12/04 Regina, SK Riddell Centre
12/05 Winnipeg, MB The Garrick Centre
12/07 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
12/09 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
12/10 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
12/11 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights
12/12 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
12/13 New York, NY Irving Plaza
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CRUSTCAKE PICKS - NEW CAKE IN THE OVEN: CODE'S RESPLENDENT GROTESQUE
by Van Damned (ATX)
Download: Code - "The Rattle of Black Teeth" [MP3]
It's worth noting that during the latter part of this decade, all major metal genres saw a significant resurgence in bands who went beyond looking to the past for inspiration and straight up ripped it off. Thrash, death, tech-death, prog, trad: without exception, each saw increased sales across the board and (as a fortunate byproduct) dusty, long-forgotten bands saw new and untapped markets to reach. All except black metal. What makes it worth noting is the fact that black metal, more than any other, is rooted to its bedrock in orthodoxy, tradition, ritual and retrogression. So when dyed-in-the-wool black metal bands begin messing around outside of accepted norms, as more noteworthy bands are doing this decade, people start gathering in the wings to watch the ensuing spectacle.
Norway's Dødheimsgard is among the bold few who stepped beyond the pale early on into uncharted (and often experimental) waters. The criminally-overlooked, blackened-industrial avant-guardists have counted members of no less seminal (and kvlt) bands than Darkthrone, Ulver, Aura Noir and Satyricon among its ranks and yet continue to push as many boundaries as they do buttons. Part of this has to do with the addition of British vocal acrobat Matthew McNerney, aka Kvohst. There's a righteous few people who compare to Mike Patton in terms of versatility, reach and technical competency and Kvohst is one of them. Though he appeared only on 2007's Supervillain Outcast, Kvohst, together with DHG multi-instrumentalist Vicontik, left an indelible mark on the solidifying experimental black metal scene.
As far back as 2002, Viktonik had approached Kvohst (ex-Void) to work on a new project with then-DHG guitarist Aort. The resulting demo, Neurotransmissions: Amplified Thought Chemistry, brought the nascent Code to the attention of Spikefarm Records, who released 2005's Nouveau Gloaming. Now Vicontik, Aort and Kvohst are back, this time with drummer-about-town Adrian Erlandsson (Paradise Lost, Brujeria, ex-At the Gates, Cradle of Filth), on this year's Resplendent Grotesque (Tabu), about which Show No Mercy's Brandon Stosuy labeled "one of the year's best." Boy is he ever right. The eight-song, 35-minute platter is a benchmark in progressive, experimental black metal and should be required listening for all like-minded 'heads from here on out. Testament to the band's genius is Resplendent's timing and pacing. The album's longest song doesn't quite reach the six-minute mark and yet each billows and bulldozes like a high-dollar HBO epic miniseries. By including clean singing, acoustic passages, gang chants, jackhammer D-beats, labyrinthine melodies, dissonant chordage, proggy time signatures and wanky solos, Code have pushed black metal into an arena closer to Opeth's Scandi-deathprog than anything by fellow Weejie-blizzard beasts Nattefrost (or Immortal, for that matter.) Resplendent Grotesque is, quite simply, essential.
If you live in in Germany, France, Austria or Switzerland, you can catch Code live through September and October (with Borknagar!) The rest of us will just have to wait.
September 10, 2009
NAAM RELEASES ARTWORK FOR UPCOMING ALBUM, ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SHOW WITH WHO WE THINK IS WEEDEATER
Brooklyn stoners Naam have released artwork for their upcoming self-titled album and announced two show dates, one with Om and the other with (probably) Weedeater. This new album, following the last rad EP we loved so much, is ten tracks long and is to be released on October 20th via Tee Pee records.
Download: Naam - "Skyling Slip" [MP3]
The band's show on September 10 (read: today) features a "special guest" from Southern Lord. Weedeater also happens to have played in New York last night with Down and have another Big Apple show scheduled with the Melvins tomorrow, so draw your own conclusions.
The album artwork and track we have for you above debuted on the Village Voice's website, where they also have a short, but nifty, interview with the band. Show dates & locations below the jump.
Naam 2009September 10 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Charleston (w/ a special guest)
October 11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Europa (w/ OM and 6 Organs of Admittance)
September 9, 2009
SHRINEBUILDER SHRINEBUILDER SHRINEBUILDER
Unfortunately, saying their name three times doesn't conjure the band's upcoming debut any faster, but for people as impatient as we are, there's hope: on his blog, Scott Kelly said that he will play "Pyramid of the Moon" off the upcoming album on his online radio show tomorrow. That's one of five tracks, or, if you're into math, 20% of the entire album!
He also announced that in addition to the previously reported NYC and Chicago shows, Shrinebuilder will be playing at Emo's in Austin on November 16th. That's three Crustcake cities down out of four! If they announce an LA show, there won't be another band in the world that has done as much to appeal to our interests.
CRUSTCAKE REVIEWS: CONSTANTS - THE FOUNDATION, THE MACHINE, THE ASCENSION
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
Download: Constants - "Those Who Cmae Before pt. 1" [MP3]
Constants' fourth release, The Foundation, The Machine, The Ascension, is a gorgeous record, both musically and physically. With artwork by Ira Bronson (Junius, Tombs, Circle Takes the Square) splayed out across a trifold triple LP (180 gram, if I'm not mistaken) is stunning. It's got the thickest spine of any record I own. Each 'movement' of the album is on a separate record, and in the case of the one I reviewed (limited to 100 copies, now unfortunately sold out) each record is a different color: "The Foundation" on brown vinyl, "The Machine" on gray vinyl, and "The Ascension" on clear. From The Mylene Sheath's (the label) website:
The triple gatefold jackets that house the vinyl contain no less than 6 FEET of artwork, upgraded to 350gsm stock with spot gloss across the top of the jackets. Mastered by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East (Torche, Converge, Isis, Caspian).Other labels, are you listening? THIS is how you release vinyl!
Let's get to the music. On this album, the band's songwriting is much more concise and focused than on past efforts. There are clearly over-arching thematic elements to the record and the record has a very consistent sound from song to song. Constants can most accurately be filed under 'post-rock,' but not the instrumental Explosions-in-the-Sky-wanna-be variety. One can certainly hear the influence of the aforementioned band here, but not in an overly derivative way like so many other bandwagon jumpers. One also hears Maserati in guitarist/vocalist Will Benoit's highly-structured delay pedal passages, but I'm not entirely sure who influenced who in this case. Similarly, there is evidence of the influence of contemporary composers such as Steve Reich, but filtered through a rock lens.
This album, which was recorded by Daryl Rabidoux at Strangeways Recordings and Benoit at various locations, is quite a bit more polished and refined than Constants' past work and there are positive and negative aspects to this. On the one hand, the record does sound quite a bit fuller and more consistent than the band's previous efforts. However, if I had to say anything negative about the album at all it would be this: the band seems to be lacking energy somewhat. The recordings seem almost too reserved, too refined. They lack the endearing over-ambition of the band's debut album, 2004's Nostalgia For The Future and the energetic, rough-around-the-edges sound of 2006's The Murder of Tom Fitzgerril. I attribute the change to two factors: improved production and tighter performances. Since 2006 the band has changed drummers, and there's a distinct difference in the style of current drummer Rob Motes, as compared to past drummer Duncan Rich-- Motes is more focused, less adventurous whereas Rich was always thinking outside the box and challenging himself and the listener alike.
Overall, a giant leap forward for Constants. If, on their next record, they can find a happy medium between the mature, focused nature of The Foundation... and the raw, youthful energy of past efforts, Constants will truly be a force to be reckoned with.
Audible - 8/10
Physical - 9.5/10
Front Cover
Back Cover
Inside Spread
Outside Spread
Art Detailed
LP Brown
LP Grey
LP Clear
[Buy] Constants - The Foundation, The Machine, The Ascension
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