by crustcake gerf (NYC)
Boris, Torche, and Clouds hit Webster Hall last week. I wrote a bit about it already, but Brooklyn Vegan had a photographer at the show (and a damn good one at that). You can see Jason Bergman's fantastic photos of Boris here and check out Black Bubblegum's write up on the show (with photos of Torche and Clouds) here.
Remaining dates for the Boris/Torche trek after the jump. This is one tour you do not want to miss.
Boris, Torche - Remaining 2008 Dates:07/14/2008 Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON *
07/15/2008 Tralf - Buffalo, NY *
07/16/2008 Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH *
07/17/2008 Diesel - Pittsburgh, PA *
07/18/2008 St. Andrews Hall - Detroit, MI *
07/19/2008 Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI *
07/20/2008 Pitchfork Music Festival / Union Park - Chicago, IL *
07/22/2008 The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE %
07/23/2008 Granada Theatre - Lawrence, KS %
07/25/2008 Marquis Theater - Denver, CO %
07/26/2008 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT %
07/29/2008 Neumo’s - Seattle, WA %
07/30/2008 Vancouver, BC, Canada %
07/31/2008 Thu Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre %
08/02/2008 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall %
08/03/2008 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex %
* w/ Nachtmystium
% w/ Lair of the Minotaur
July 14, 2008
Boris, Torche, Clouds @ Webster Hall
July 11, 2008
I Fucking Did It
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
After a shot of espresso and a stop into the bookstore to kill time (I picked up The Triumph of Evolution and the Failure of Creationism by Niles Eldredge and a copy of Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, which I've really been meaning to read practically forever, especially since I'm a Hoosier), I headed to Webster Hall. When I got there (shortly after 7pm), Clouds were already playing (!), and Torche followed shortly at a quarter to eight or so. Talk about an early show... as one member of Clouds (Adam, I think) mused, "they make more money on the dance club."
Torche was just as good as they were the last time I saw them, though the mix wasn't quite as clear (thankfully it wasn't as bad as the sound at Blender). I picked up a copy of Meanderthal on vinyl, so you can expect a review of that next week, finally (I've been watching the Robotic Empire store like a hawk for this damn record-- it's still not up there, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna import the thing).
Boris and Mr. Kurihara eased into "Flower Sun Rain" around 9pm, and I knew from theseseans' report last night that At The Gates wouldn't take the stage until an hour later (and thankfully The Fillmore is literally a five minute stroll from Webster Hall), so I was able to catch probably about half of the Japanese dream weavers' set before Black Bubblegum and I made a break for it. (thanks for the bev, Chris!)
Minutes later we were at The Fillmore, which was, natch, packed to the brim and emanating the distinct odor of schweaty heavy metal dude armpit. I asked for a 'cheap' beer, having spent nearly all my cash at Webster (and I'll be damned if I'm paying a fucking ATM fee), and was served a $6 Budweiser. I love New York.
At The Gates slaughtered souls for more than an hour-- they were extreeeeeeeme... for 1995-- and though I didn't totally geek out, I did enjoy the chance to catch a glimpse of history. ATG were the masters-- the founders of a movement, the innovators of a sound, a sound so ubiquitous (and so often and poorly counterfeited) today it's hard to imagine the world without these Gothenburg heavy metal heroes.
Sorry for lack of photos. Going to pour myself a glass of whiskey. Goodnight. \m/
July 10, 2008
Crustcake Picks - NYC Shows 7/10 - 7/16
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
As if you didn't know it already, At The Gates are in New York City at this very moment. Tomas and his friends are probably bogged down in endless interviews and press-related events today... That or they're still sleeping. The melodic death metal inventors played the first of two NYC shows last night, and Blabbermouth has the setlist. The second long-soldout show is tonight, but you can still find tickets at face value on Craigslist. Oh, and Municipal Waste is warming up the stage, but get there early-- the neo-thrashers hit the downbeat at shortly after 8pm last night.
Hopefully, though, you saw ATG last night in order to clear your schedule today for Torche, Boris, and Clouds at Webster Hall. If you're not going to see At The Gates tonight, go see Torche and Boris! I cannot stress this enough-- GO SEE TORCHE. It's required for all crustcake readers. Have a full report on my desk in the morning-- six pages, single spaced, 10-point font-- or you get an F.
Make the jump for more, and please let us know if we missed anything.
On Saturday, friend of the site Jaclyn Sheer will be showcasing her photography at Death By Audio. Why should you give a shit? Because Ms. Sheer has secured a kickass lineup of four of New York's best metallic ensembles for you to enjoy while guzzling brews from DBA's semi-legal bar: Krallice, Wetnurse, Bloody Panda, and Tombs. It's only $7, and it's not like you have anything better to do on Saturday.
NYC show picks 7/10 - 7/16:Thursday 7/10 - At The Gates, Darkest Hour, Municipal Waste @ The Fillmore at Irving Plaza [sold out]
Thursday 7/10 - Torche, Boris, Clouds @ Webster Hall [$18]
Saturday 7/12 - Tombs, Bloody Panda, Wetnurse, Krallice @ Death By Audio [$7]
June 27, 2008
Flick Friday - Boris, The Dillinger Escape Plan
Ok, what the fuck is up with non-embeddable videos? It's 2008 for chrissakes, get with the program people!
Check out Boris live at MetalKult and The Dillinger Escape Plan live at UVTV, and then email them and tell them to make their videos embeddable. Contact MetalKult here and UVTV here.
Peace.
June 23, 2008
Crustcake Picks - New Music 6/24
[UPDATED 6/24] Duh. Wow, we really need to lay off the sauce and get organized. When we originally published this post we omitted Made Out Of Babies' scathing third LP, The Ruiner, which indeed has a release date of 6/24. Of all the great stuff coming out today, this is the best. More about that here. [end update]
Tomorrow, more 'thrash revival' (we don't care what you say, Warbringer, it's a revival), this time from the band that takes its name from Exodus' seminal debut, Bonded By Blood. While we're on that topic, did you hear that Exodus plans to re-record BBB with their current lineup? Why can't artists just leave their old shit alone. Let it be what it is, don't try to 'fix' it. Are you listening, George Lucas? To quote MetalSucks commenter 'Master of Puppies,' "classics should be left untouched." We couldn't have said it better.
Also out tomorrow, the vinyl version of Boris and Merzbow's Rock Dream, a 3XLP live album recorded in Tokyo in 2006. We're talking nearly two hours of music here, and for a live album this sounds pretty great.
Download: Boris & Merzbow - "Flower, Sun, Rain" [MP3]
And while we're talking Southern Lord and Tokyo, we should mention Coffins' Buried Death. Sludgey, dirty, raw Japanese death-meets-doom metal. Buried Death was released earlier this year via 20 Buck Spin, which quickly sold out. Southern Lord re-issues the album in CD and LP form tomorrow. It's being reissued tomorrow, with distribution through Southern Lord.
Download: Coffins - "Under the Stench" [MP3]
More after the jump.
Our picks:
Listen: Aborted [MySpace]
Buy: Aborted - Strychnine.213 (Century Media) [Amazon]
Listen: Bonded By Blood [MySpace]
Buy: Bonded By Blood - Feed the Beast (Earache) [Amazon]
Listen: Boris [MySpace]
Listen: Merzbow [MySpace]
Buy: Boris & Merzbow - Rock Dream LP (Southern Lord) [Amazon]
Listen: Coffins [MySpace]
Buy: Coffins - Buried Death (20 Buck Spin) [Amazon]
Listen: Cryptopsy [MySpace]
Buy: Cryptopsy - The Unspoken King (Century Media) [Amazon]
Listen: Daylight Dies [MySpace]
Buy: Daylight Dies - Lost to the Living (Candlelight) [Amazon]
Listen: Made Out Of Babies [MySpace]
Buy: Made Out Of Babies - The Ruiner (The End) [Amazon]
June 2, 2008
Crustcake Picks - New Music 6/3
Download: Opeth - "Lotus Eater" [MP3]
Tomorrow sees the release of at least two new albums that come with the ever-coveted crustcake seal of approval. Unless you've been living under a rock, you're aware that the floodgates on Opeth's eagerly-anticipated Watershed are to be open tomorrow (though the album has been leaking quite a bit).
If you're a fan of latter-day Opeth, Watershed is highly recommended. It's maybe not the strongest Opeth album of the 2000's, but given the band's high standards, that is by no means a negative assessment.
Also out tomorrow, Athens, GA stoner-sludge mainstays Harvey Milk are back with their fifth LP, Life... The Best Game In Town. It's a solid listen and also highly recommended for fans of The Melvins, Boris, and... Harvey Milk. Check out the cut "Decades" on the band's MySpace, and you'll be sold. None Louder says they gots the 'exclusive' full album stream, but it ain't even hosted on their site. I think you mean 'exclusive announcement' of full album stream, dudez. Regardless, check out the full album stream of Life... The Best Game In Town here.
Our picks:
Listen: Harvey Milk - Life... The Best Game In Town [full album stream]
Buy: Harvey Milk - Life... The Best Game In Town (Hydra Head) [Amazon]
Listen: Opeth [MySpace]
Buy: Opeth - Watershed (Roadrunner) [Amazon]
May 26, 2008
Monday Metal Update 5/26
As previously mentioned, Boston's Clouds 
(feat. Adam McGrath, ex-Cave In) will be releasing their debut full-length, We Are Above You (cover art at right), via Hydra Head on June 17th.
Clouds have been added as support for the first third of the Boris/Torche summer tour.
[Clouds]
Clouds - 2008 Dates:Jun 19 2008 Canal Club Downstairs Richmond, Virginia w/ HARVEY MILK
Atlanta extreme metallers Withered, who
w/ Torche and Boris:
Jun 24 Casbah San Diego, California
Jun 25 Clubhouse Tempe, Arizona
Jun 27 Rubbergloves Denton, Texas
Jun 28 the Mohawk Austin, Texas
Jun 29 White Rabbit San Antonio, Texas
Jul 1 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Jul 2 Common Grounds Gainesville, Florida
Jul 3 the Social Orlando, Florida
Jul 5 the Earl Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 6 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, North Carolina
Jul 8 Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC
Jul 9 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 10 Webster Hall New York, New York
Jul 11 Middle East Downstairs Cambridge, Massachusetts
are currently on tour with The Ocean, Kylesa, and Lair of the Minotaur, will be releasing their second LP, Folie Circulaire, on June 24th via Prosthetic Records. Folie Circulaire was produced by Phillip Cope (Kylesa, Baroness) and features artwork by Paul Romano (Mastodon, Hate Eternal) as well as guest vocals from Napalm Death's Barney Greenway. Check out a track from the album:
Download: Withered - "The Fated Breath" [MP3]
Bludgeoning Sacramento, CA hardcore quartet Trash Talk are set to deliver their Steve Albini-produced debut full-length on July 8th via their own Trash Talk Collective label.
Trash Talk - 2008 Dates:US w/ The Carrier
05/21: Hutchinson, KS @ McGraws
05/22: Denver, CO @ Underground
05/23: Boise, ID @ Myrtle Morgue
05/24: Tacoma, WA @ Rain Fest
05/25: Tacoma, WA @ Rain Fest
Europe w/ The Mongoloids
06/19: Steenwijk,HOL @ Trash Fest
06/20: Newcastle,UK @ TBA
06/21: Hull,UK @ Ringside
06/22: Birmingham,UK @ TBA
06/23: Newport,UK @ Le Pub
06/24: London,UK @ TBA
06/25: Paris,FR @Le Klub
06/26: Saarbrucken,GER @ TBA
06/27: Sint-Niklaas,BEL @ T Verschil
06/28: Rosswein,GER @ Juha Rosswein
06/29: Essen,GER @ Pressure Fest
06/30: Vienna,AU @ Shelter
07/01: Florence,IT @ Ulisse
07/02: Madrid,SP @ Sala Baracuddas
07/03: Nice,FR @ TBA
07/04: Raesfeld / Rurhr,GER @ Jugendhaus Raesfeld
07/05: Eindhoven,HOL @ Bar 51
07/06: Tessenderlo,BEL @ JH Tessloo
US w/ Cold World and Iron Age
07/11: Boston, MA @ TBA
07/12: New York, NY @ Knitting Factory
07/13: Pittsburgh, PA @ Subculture
07/14: Baltimore, MD @ Talking Head
07/15: Harrisonburg, VA @ VFW Hall
07/16: Mauldin, SC @ Ximenos Skatepark
07/17: Orlando, FL @ Backbooth
07/18: Atlanta, GA @ Treehouse
07/19: Birmingham, AL @ Cave 9
07/20: Nashville, TN @ Muse
07/21: Dallas, TX @ Red Blood Club
07/22: San Antonio, TX @ Crossing
07/23: Tucson, AZ @ Living Room
07/25: Santa Barbara, CA @ Earl Warren Showgrounds @ Sound and Fury Festival
[Cancer Bats]
Black Market Activities will be releasing Hail Destroyer, the second LP from Toronto's Cancer Bats. Cancer Bats' brand of raw, pummeling post-hardcore marks a bit of a departure from BMA's usual fare of 'short-hair death metal' and deathcore.
Cancer Bats have dates scheduled in Europe, and US dates will be announced shortly have been announced. The US dates are with Bullet For My Valentine, our favorite band ever, right after Jeff Killed John.
Cancer Bats - 2008 Dates:May 19 2008 ROCK CITY *venue change* Nottingham
Earache neo-thrashers Bonded By Blood will be embarking on their first US tour this summer, joined by Merciless Death and Fueled By Fire. And according to the press release, "[t]here may even be some special surprises along the way!" Maybe those 'special surprises' will include some cameos by first-wave thrash bands to show these kids how it's really done.
May 20 2008 Corporation Sheffield
May 21 2008 Satan’s Hollow Manchester
May 22 2008 Camden Barfly London UK
May 24 2008 Spring and Airbrake Belfast, Northern Ireland
May 25 2008 The Hub Dublin Ireland, Dublin
May 28 2008 Magnet Berlin
May 30 2008 Underground Koln
May 31 2008 X Herford
Jun 1 2008 Treibhaus Luzern
Jun 2 2008 Rockhal Luxembourg
Jun 4 2008 Boule Noir Paris
Jun 5 2008 Helling Utrecht w/ The Black Dahlia Murder
Jun 6 2008 Melkweg Amsterdam
Jun 7 2008 Waterfront Rotterdam
Jun 9 2008 007 Prague
Jun 10 2008 Arena Vienna
Jun 11 2008 Cafe Schlachthaus Dornbrim
Jun 14 2008 Rock Planet Ravenna
Jun 15 2008 Traffic Rome
Jun 17 2008 Le Caravan Serail Toulouse
Jun 18 2008 AVV Arrebato Zaragoza
Jun 19 2008 Porto Rio Oporto
Jun 20 2008 Ritmos Y Compas Madrid
Jun 21 2008 Mas Guinada Barcelona
Jun 22 2008 Casino Royale Palma De Mallorca
Jun 29 2008 SCENE FEST St. Catharines, Ontario
Jul 14 2008 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Jul 15 2008 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
Jul 16 2008 Minneapolis, MN The Myth
Jul 19 2008 Billings, MT The Shrine
Jul 21 2008 Spokane, WA The Big Easy
Jul 22 2008 Seattle The Sodo
Jul 23 2008 Portland The Roseland
Jul 24 2008 Sacramento, CA The Boardwalk (* NO BFMV)
Jul 25 2008 Los Angeles The Wiltern
Jul 26 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
Jul 27 2008 San Diego House of Blues
Jul 29 2008 Phoenix, AZ The Marquee
Jul 31 2008 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Aug 1 2008 Houston Verizon Wireless Center
Aug 2 2008 Austin, TX Stubbs
Aug 5 2008 Baltimore TheRams Head
Aug 6 2008 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
Aug 7 2008 Lemoyne, PA The Championship (* NO BFMV)
Aug 8 2008 NYC Hammerstein Ballroom
Aug 9 2008 Hampton Beach Hampton Beach Casino
Aug 10 Holyoke Waterfront Tavern (* NO BFMV)
Aug 11 208 Montreal The Metropolis
Aug 12 Toronto The Kool Haus
Aug 13 Dayton, OH The Attic (* NO BFMV)
Aug 14 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Aug 15 Grand Rapids, MI The Orbit Room
Aug 16 Detroit, MI State Theatre
Aug 23 2008 READING FESTIVAL LOCK UP STAGE Reading
Aug 24 2008 LEEDS FESTIVAL LOCK UP STAGE LEEDS
Thrashing Like A Maniac Tour feat. Bonded By Blood, Merciless Death, Fueled By Fire:Sat June 14th San Fransisco, CA – Thee Parkside
Bonded By Blood's debut album, Feed The Beast, will be out June 9th via Earache Records.
Tue June 17th Sacramento, CA – On The Y
Sat June 21st Kelso WA – Kelso Theater Pub
Sun June 22nd Lakewood, WA – Maggie O’Toole’s
Tue June 24th Hoquiam, WA – The Building
Wed June 25th Everett, WA – Jimmy Z’s
Fri June 27th Salt Lake City, UT
Sat June 28th Billings, MT
Sun June 29th Denver, CO
Thu July 3rd Austin, TX– Head Hunters
Sat July 5th Baton Rouge, LA – The Darkroom
That's it for use, head to Brooklyn Vegan where Black Bubblegum has more metal morsels for ye. Happy Monday, and happy Memorial Day!
May 12, 2008
Monday Metal Update 5/12
The previously announced Boris/Torche North American tour has been updated. After Wolves In The Throne Room dropped off the tour, Nachtmystium and Lair Of the Minotaur have been confirmed to pick up some of the slack.
[Nachtmystium]
Dates and much more after the jump.
Boris & Torche - North American Dates:06/24/2008 Casbah - San Diego, CA
Swedish post-metallers Cult of Luna have posted a new song from their upcoming album Eternal Kingdon (due out June 16th in the UK/Europe and July 8th here in the states). The band will be touring Europe this summer in support of Eternal Kingdon.
06/25/2008 The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
06/27/2008 Rubber Gloves - Denton, TX
06/28/2008 The Mohawk - Austin, TX
06/29/2008 White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
07/01/2008 Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
07/02/2008 Common Grounds - Gainesville, FL
07/03/2008 The Social - Orlando, FL
07/05/2008 The Earl - Atlanta, GA
07/06/2008 Cat’s Cradle - Carrboro, NC
07/08/2008 Black Cat - Washington, DC
07/09/2008 First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA
07/10/2008 Webster Hall - New York, NY
07/11/2008 The Middle East - Cambridge, MA
07/12/2008 La Sala Rosa - Montreal, QC *
07/13/2008 Barrymore - Ottawa, ON *
07/14/2008 Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON *
07/15/2008 Tralf - Buffalo, NY *
07/16/2008 Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH *
07/17/2008 Diesel - Pittsburgh, PA *
07/18/2008 St. Andrews Hall - Detroit, MI *
07/19/2008 Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI *
07/20/2008 Pitchfork Music Festival / Union Park - Chicago, IL *
07/22/2008 The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE %
07/23/2008 Granada Theatre - Lawrence, KS %
07/25/2008 Marquis Theater - Denver, CO %
07/26/2008 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT %
07/29/2008 Neumo’s - Seattle, WA %
07/30/2008 Vancouver, BC, Canada %
07/31/2008 Thu Portland, OR Hawthorne Theatre %
08/02/2008 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall %
08/03/2008 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex %
* w/ Nachtmystium
% w/ Lair of the Minotaur
Cult of Luna - 2008 Dates:17 June 2008 Berlin, Germany - Magnet
18 June 2008 Warsaw, Poland - Progesja
19 June 2008 Wroclaw, Poland - Firlej
20 June 2008 Chemnitz, Germany - AJZ Chemnitz
21 June 2008 Trier, Germany - The Ultimate Summerblast Festival
22 June 2008 Brittany, France - Hellfest
24 June 2008 Munich, Germany - Feierwerk e.V.
25 June 2008 Vienna, Austria - Arena Vienna
26 June 2008 Prague, Czech Republic - RockCafe
27 June 2008 Marburg, Germany - KFZ
28 June 2008 Leeds, UK - Ghostfest
29 June 2008 Birmingham, UK - Carling Academy
30 June 2008 Brighton, UK - Brighton Barfly Club
01 July 2008 London, UK - SCALA
03 July 2008 Hamburg, Germany - Hafenklang
12 July 2008 Joensuu, Finland - Ilosaari Rock
Deicide's new album, Till Death Do Us Part, is currently streaming on their MySpace. The special edition version of the release comes with-- get this-- a "Glen For President" patch. We can't make this shit up people. Well, we could, but it wouldn't be as funny.
[End of a Year]
Deathwish announced the addition of Upstate NY hardcore band End of a Year to their ranks. The band is currently working on their first release for Deathwish, and has several European tour dates scheduled.
End of a Year - 2008 European Dates:5/23: Hessen, Germany @ AK 44
That's it for us today, happy Monday!
5/24: Freiburg, Germany @ KTS
5/25: Esslingen, Germany @ JH Komma
5/28: Barcelona, Spain @ Miercoles
5/29: Palma de Mallorca, Spain @ Jueves
5/30: Madrid, Spain @ Nastl
6/01: Lisbon, Portugal @ Domingo
6/02: Asturias, Spain @ Lunes
6/03: Getaria, Spain @ Martes
6/04: Toulon, France @ Rock Live Cafe
6/07: La Spezia, Italy @ RDA Mayday
6/08: Vienna, Austria @ Tuwl
6/09: Prague, Czech Rep @ Chateu Rouge
6/10: Budapest, Hungary @ Kuplung Klub
6/11: Bayern, Germany @ Kafe Kult
6/12: Mannheim, Germany @ Juz
6/13: Berlin, Germany @ Subverslv
6/14: Aalborg, Denmark @ 1000 Fryd
6/15: Kiel, Germany @ Schaubude
6/16: Hamburg, Germany @ Rote Flora
6/17: Ibbenburen, Germany @ JKZ Scheune
6/18: Utrecht, Germany @ Acu
6/19: Gent, Belgium @ Frontline
6/20: Hannover, Germany @ Sturmglocke
6/21: Steenwijk, Netherlands @ Trashfest
6/25: Santa Barbara, CA @ Earl Warren Showgrounds
6/26: Santa Barbara, CA @ Earl Warren Showgrounds
6/27: Santa Barbara, CA @ Earl Warren Showgrounds
April 30, 2008
Crusty Clip of the Week: Boris - Live in Oh-Five
Every Wednesday, your hosts each 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 crustcake gerf (NYC)
In honor of yesterday's release of Smile, here's a fifty-three-minute-long fan film of Boris from '05 with pretty decent audio quality. The perfect way to spend your lunch hour!
I especially dig the uploader's description: "boris live you fucks."
Boris - Live at First Unitarian Church (2005):
Download: Boris w/ Merzbow - "Flower, Sun, Rain" [MP3]
Buy: Smile [Amazon]
April 28, 2008
Crustcake Picks - New Music 4/29
Three new records on our radar for tomorrow... We've been spinning Boris' Smile for so long, it feels like it's already been out for months. But, tomorrow is its official release date, and if you haven't yet heard it, you best remedy that. In Christopher R. Weingarten's review of the album for Decibel, he mentions that "[i]t's hard to pinpoint exactly why [Boris'] least focused record is also their best in years."
We couldn't agree more-- Smile is all over the place, even schizophrenic. But it's also the pinnacle of all their recent sonic experimentations, and the album is perfectly paced. Highly recommended.
Also out tomorrow, a new one from Baltimore one-man-band Darsombra, Eternal Jewel. Recommended if you're into dark, electronic, ambient soundscapes; check out some tracks on Darsombra's MySpace page.
And lastly, Brooklyn-by-way-of-Pennsylvania folk singer Langhorne Slim is releasing his eponymous LP via crustcake-fave label Kemado. Check it out, metalheads, don't be afraid.
Our picks:
Boris - Smile [Amazon]
Darsombra - Eternal Jewel [Amazon]
Langhorne Slim - Langhorne Slim [Amazon]
Monday Metal Update 4/28
Nine Inch Nails released a new song, "Discipline," last week which you can grab here or here. Meanwhile, Trent Reznor posted a message stating simply, "2 weeks!" Last time that happened, we got a new album...
Check out a (the?) hilarious video for "Discipline":
Experimentalists Kayo Dot will be releasing a new album, Blue Lambency Downward, on May 6th via Hydra Head. Stream the whole album below. Kay Dot has several dates scheduled, including a few with Earth and several with Gregor Samsa.
Kayo Dot - 2008 Dates:May 4 2008 Rock and Roll Hotel Washington DC *
Listen: Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward [full album stream]
May 5 2008 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania *
May 6 2008 The Knitting Factory New York, New York *
May 25 2008 TBA, France %
May 26 2008 Main d’Oeuvres Paris, France %
May 27 2008 TBA, Switzerland %
May 28 2008 Treibhaus Luzerne, Switzerland %
May 29 2008 Belvedere Namur, Belgium %
May 30 2008 Dqliq Luxembourg %
May 31 2008 Gleis 22 Munster, Germany %
Jun 1 2008 TBA with Gregor Samsa TBA, Benelux %
Jun 2 2008 Cassiopeia Berlin, Germany
Jun 3 2008 Lades Kaelder Copenhagen, Denmark
Jun 4 2008 Az Conni Dresden, Germany
Jun 5 2008 Chateau Rouge Prague, CZ
Jun 6 2008 Feierwerk Munich, Germany
Jun 7 2008 Elfer Frankfurt, Germany
Jun 8 2008 Worm Rotterdam, Netherlands
* w/ Earth
% w/ Gregor Samsa
Mouth of the Architect is set to release Quietly on July 22 via Translation Loss. Check out a new track on MOTA's MySpace page and check them out on the road with Intronaut and Behold... the Arctopus.
Russian Circles just finished recording their forthcoming album, Station. Core members Dave Turncrantz and Mike Sullivan were joined by Brian Cook (These Arms Are Snakes, Botch) in the studio, and the session was helmed by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus the Bear, Isis). Check out the song "Harper Lewis" from the album at the band's MySpace page, and catch them on tour with Daughters.
[Russian Circles]
Daughters, Russian Circles 2008 Tour:Jun-03 Iowa City IA Picador
Jun-04 St Louis MO Bluebird Theater
Jun-05 Kansas City MO The Riot Room
Jun-06 Denver CO Marquis
Jun-07 Salt Lake City UT Burt's Tiki Lounge
Jun-08 Boise ID Neurolux
Jun-09 Seattle WA Neumos
Jun-10 Portland OR Doug Fir Lounge
Jun-11 Chico CA Cafe Coda
Jun-12 San Francisco CA Slims
Jun-14 Pomona CA The Glasshouse
Jun-15 Los Angeles CA Troubadour
Jun-16 San Diego CA The Casbah
Jun-18 Phoenix AZ The Clubhouse
Jun-20 Austin TX Red 7
Jun-21 Ft Worth TX Lolas
Jun-22 Houston TX Rudyards
Jun-23 Baton Rouge LA Spanish Moon
Jun-24 Birmingham AL Bottle Tree
Jun-25 Atlanta GA The Drunken Unicorn
Jun-26 Chapel Hill NC Local 506
Jun-27 Wilmington DE Harmony Grange
Jun-28 Cambridge MA Middle East Upstairs
Jun-29 Brooklyn NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
Jun-30 Baltimore MD The Ottobar
Jul-01 Buffalo NY Mohawk Place
Jul-02 Detroit MI Magic Stick (*no Daughters )
[Scott Kelly]
Metal heroes go solo! Scott Kelly and Steven von Till of Neurosis have each announced solo albums, as has Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer/Agoraphobic Nosebleed. Kelly's The Wake is due May 6th, von Till's A Grave is a Grim Horse will be out May 20th, and Hull's Requiem will be available June 10.
Interviews:
Pitchfork interviewed Atsuo of Boris if you want to read that, but if you're feeling lazy, just watch ours.
MetalKult talks shop with Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth.
That's it for us, happy Monday!
April 25, 2008
Boris, Torche - North American Tour
Download: Torche - "Healer" [MP3]
Download: Boris - "Statement" [MP3]
When Boris drummer Atsuo told us in our interview with him that his band would be back in the US this summer for a string of dates, he failed to mention that said dates were with Torche. The creators of two of the year's best albums on a bill together? Not ten, not twenty, but twenty-seven dates? Wolves in the Throne Room supporting? Check, check, and check.
Torche's latest, Meanderthal is already out and slaying eardrums worldwide, while Boris' Smile hits stores in the US this coming Tuesday.
Pre-order: Smile [Southern Lord]
Tour dates after the jump.
Let's hope Michio Kurihara decides to grace this tour with his presence like he did for Boris' recent NYC gig.
Boris Boris Boris - Tour Tour Tour:04-25 Bielefield, Germany - AJZ *
Listen: Torche - Meanderthal [Full Album Stream]
04-26 Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen *
04-27 Aarhus, Denmark - Voxhall *
04-28 Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers *
04-29 Oslo, Norway - John Dee *
04-30 Stockholm, Sweden - Kagelbanan Sodra Teatrn *
05-02 Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia *
05-03 Turku, Finland - Klubi
05-06 Leipzig, Germany - UT Connewitz *
05-07 Berlin, Germany - Magnet Club *
05-08 Wroclaw, Poland - Firlej *
05-09 Prague, Czech Republic - Palace Akropolis *
05-10 Budapest, Hungary - A38 ^
05-11 Vienna, Austria - Szene *
05-12 Munich, Germany - Feiewerk *
05-13 Innsburck, Austria - PMK *
05-14 Milan, Italy - Garage *
05-15 Rome, Italy - Circolo Degli Artisti Club *
05-16 Ravenna, Italy - Bronson *
05-18 Winterthur, Switzerland - Salzhaus *
05-19 Stuttgart, Germany - Club Schocken *
05-20 Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique *
05-21 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino *
05-22 Nantes, France - Olympic *
05-23 Poitiers, France - Le Confort Moderne *
05-24 Toulouse, France - Vents du Sud *
05-26 Porto, Portugal - Porto Rio *
05-27 Lisbon, Portugal - Zedobois *
05-29 Barcelona, Spain - Parc del Fòrum (Primavera Sound)
05-30 Clermont, France - La Cooperative de Mai *
05-31 Dudingen, Switzerland - Kilbi Festival
06-24 San Diego, CA - Casbah !
06-25 Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse !
06-27 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves !
06-28 Austin, TX - The Mohawk !
06-29 San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit !
07-01 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon !
07-02 Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds !
07-03 Orlando, FL - The Social !
07-05 Atlanta, GA - The Earl !
07-06 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle !
07-08 Washington, DC - Black Cat !
07-09 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church !
07-10 New York, NY - Webster Hall !
07-11 Cambridge, MA - The Middle East !
07-12 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rosa !
07-13 Ottawa, Ontario - Barrymore !
07-14 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace !
07-15 Buffalo, NY - Tralf !
07-16 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop !
07-17 Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel !
07-18 Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall !
07-19 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall !
07-20 Chicago, IL - Union Park ^
07-22 Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room !
07-23 Lawrence, KS - Granada Theatre !
07-25 Denver, CO - Marquis Theater !
07-26 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge !
07-29 Seattle, WA - Neumo's !
* with Growing
! with Torche, Wolves in the Throne Room
^ Pitchfork Fest with Spoon, Dinosaur Jr., Spiritualized, M. Ward, Ghostface and Raekwon, Les Savy Fav, The Apples in Stereo, Dirty Projectors, Cut Copy, Dodos, King Khan & the Shrines, El Guincho, Fuck Buttons
Buy: Torche - Meanderthal [Amazon]
March 21, 2008
Flick Friday - Boris, The Roots
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
Other than what can be inferred from the title, I really have no idea what Boris' "My Neighbor Satan" is about because it's, you know, in Japanese. But this whimsical video is one of the most minimalistic 'music videos' I've ever seen-- five minutes and twenty five seconds, one take, static camera, and mostly static, out-of-focus performers.
You'd think that those factors combined would make for a dull video, and that click-happy web surfers would be quick to move on, but I find myself strangely drawn in. It's like a zen thing, or whatever.
And what is that contraption Wata's playing? Looks (and sounds) like some sort of MIDI guitar or something.
Boris - "My Neighbor Satan":
How do you make a cubicled office space cool? Add The Roots, of course. This video for the track "Get Busy" includes white collars, ties, copy machines, and an afro pick flash drive. Oh, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Yes!
The song is gritty and grimy, with a heavy beat. Dig it.
The Roots - "Get Busy" (ft. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, DJ Jazzy Jeff):
Download: The Roots - "Get Busy" (ft. Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, DJ Jazzy Jeff) [MP3]
"My Neighbor Satan" and "Get Busy" are taken from Smile and Rising Down, respectively. Both albums are out April 29th.
March 14, 2008
Crustcake Interviews Boris
by crustcake gerf (NYC), video by Bitterboxcar
A couple days before Boris' recent NYC gig, we tracked down drummer Atsuo at his hotel on the upper west side for a brief interview. Check it out.
Interview - Atsuo of Boris (3/2/08):
You can find the official video and MP3 for "Statement" (the song in the interview) after the jump.
Boris - "Statement":
New album Smile is out April 29 on Southern Lord.
Download: Boris - "Statement" [MP3]
Buy: Smile [Amazon]
March 5, 2008
Boris Played Knitting Factory [3/4/08]
by crustcake gerf (NYC) photos by Jesse Angelo
Boris played Knitting Factory last night, March 4th. It was loud, it was packed, energy was high (band and audience) and Boris fucking rocked the place. They closed with "Untitled" off their new album Smile-- I could listen to that closing riff for hours... mesmerizing...
Wait, isn't Boris a trio?
Holy shit, that's Michio Kurihara!
Atuso atop the crowd:
More photos (and a ridiculous comment thread) at Brooklyn Vegan, live footage soon from MetalKult.
Download: Boris - "Statement" [MP3]
Buy: Smile [Amazon]
February 26, 2008
Smile- Boris is Coming to the Big Apple!
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
As previously mentioned, Boris will be in New York next week for a one-off show at the Knitting Factory. Tickets are on sale now, or you can get free tickets by snagging a couple Boris LPs from your favorite record shop. Reports Brooklyn Vegan:
The dudes/lady are offering a great deal to NYC fans! Buy any two Boris albums (including sunn0))) & Boris "altar", "Pink", "Akuma No Uta", "Amplifier Worship", "Absolutego") at either Mondo Kim's or Other Music, and receive a FREE ticket to their March 4th show at the Knitting Factory with Growing!
The perfect opportunity to bolster your record collection and secure tickets to this soon-to-be sold out show at the same time!
Boris just released a video for the song "Statement" off their upcoming LP, Smile. It's awesome, and it's after the jump along with an MP3.
Boris - "Statement":
Loving the yellow theme throughout their whole Smile campaign. Smile is out April 29 on Southern Lord.
Download: Boris - "Statement" [MP3]
Buy: Smile [Amazon]
Continue Reading...
February 4, 2008
Monday Metal Update
by crustcake gerf (NYC)
"Everyone's favorite Masshole," Red Chord bassist Greg Weeks, had this to say last week in anticipation for yesterday's Super Bowl:
Recently I was asked to do a blog for Decibel concerning the greatest football team in NFL history, the New England Patriots... or as the magazine refers to them, the “Gaytriots.” I understand their frustration, them being from Philly and all, and accept their fifth grade humor as what it is: sheer jealousy. Wherever I go, people remind me how much they hate the Pats. I love it.Sorry Greg, the "Gaytriots" may have been 18-0 coming in to yesterday's game (cheating, running up scores like a bunch of Massholes, and having the best fucking luck imaginable in the injury dept.) but they just couldn't put the perfect season away.
[...]
Bottom line is that, as much as I love [Full Blown Chaos vocalist] Ray Mazzola, his “Big Blue” and the rest of the country will be Full Blown Disappointed come Feb. 3rd. Go Pats!!!
(On a side note, I [crustcake gerf] have watched 5 of the last 7 Super Bowls in the winning cities-- Boston in 2002, 2004, and 2005, Indianapolis last year, and now of course I'm in the Big Apple. [beatmasterspeech was there with me in '02 and '04] The highlight, though, was definitely Boston in '02 when I witnessed first-hand Pats fans flipping cars and chanting "Yankees Suck.")
Pitchfork's resident metal geek Brandon Stosuy published his latest "Show No Mercy" column last week. In it he chats with Hellbutcher of notably un-prolific Swedish black/thrash metallers Nifelheim. In true misanthropic form, Hellbutcher declares that he is "not into any black metal bands of today.":
Pitchfork: You've been around more than 15 years and have seen a lot. What are your thoughts on the development of black metal? For instance, other groups who've persevered-- Immortal, for instance, or quite differently, Darkthrone-- verus those who've shifted their sound rather drastically toward the mainstream. I'm thinking of Dimmu Borgir.He is, however, a huge Maiden fan:
Hellbutcher: I am not into any black metal bands of today.
I have about 1,500 Iron Maiden albums, over 1,000 t-shirts and I have seen them live 140 times, I usually go to all Maiden gigs in Europe on their tours, on the last tour I saw them 32 times so you can probably say I am an Iron Maiden fan.Stosuy also chats with Danish doomster Emil Brahe of Sol and Brown Jenkins' "one-man Texas-based [blackened doom] project Umesh."
We love Cave In. So does MetalSucks:
Seminal Boston band Cave In have an intruiging history, one that took them from sweaty basement DYI hardcore shows to spaced-out progressive mettalirock to major-label bidding war and then all the way back, all within the span of a few short years. No heavy band from the Northeastern US seems to be as widely loved and respected yet criminally overlooked as Cave In.Cave In were MetalSucks' 'Sunday Spotlight' yesterday. Read the feature, thorough as always, right here.
Om, who released crustcake gerf's #4 album of 2007, have lost half their members:
Om is continuing forward with a new drummer and working on a new recording. Please check omvibratory.com and this page for updates. A live vinyl only LP Om - Live at Jerusalem will be forthcoming. This is Chris Hakius’ final release with the group. I personally apologize to east coast fans who planned on coming out to the shows. Please know that Om will be back in your area later in 08. Thank you to all of you. Live dates resume in late spring. There is a LOT of new material on its way. Shrinebuilder is also forging a