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MINSK: Midwest Atmospheric Metal Conjurors Unveil New Tune; The Crash & The Draw To See Release In April

Saturday, February 28th, 2015

Scattered between the sleepy city of Peoria and metropolis of Chicago and drawing inspiration from a remote Belarusian city that has been burned to the ground only to be rebuilt like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, MINSK has been cultivating sonic exploration and alchemical outpourings since 2002. Rooted in the post-metal landscape that brought forth visionaries like Neurosis and Isis, with their latest opus, The Crash & The Draw, MINSK step out of the shadows of the giants of their genre to create a psychedelic blend of tuneful, trance-inducing heaviness.

Set to drop via Relapse Records this Spring, The Crash & The Draw follows the eclectic collective’s six-year hiatus and boasts eleven arresting psalms that transcend far beyond the boundaries of post-metal, sludge and psychedelia. An instant contender for one of the most forward-thinking metal records of the year, each cascading movement is a crucial sonic passage through dark and light. At once crushing, hallucinatory and at times, spiritually illuminating, tracks ebb and flow with a pastoral elegance and tangible urgency.

Reflects co-founding member Timothy Mead (vocals, keyboards) of the recording: “So much attention and care have gone into this process, this renewal.  We knew in order to really move MINSK forward in a meaningful way we would need to raise the bar all over again.  This realization lit a fire within us to transcend what was. Lots of changes, to be sure, and yet the results are unmistakably MINSK.”

Adds co-founder Christopher Bennett (guitars, vocals): “This new album will present inroads to some of the musical archetypes we initially discussed when starting this band, but ones we have not yet touched on in the macrocosmic sense. It embodies the furtherance and expansion of MINSK in ways desired in the past, but not realized until these songs began to show themselves to us.  The aggregate elements combining into a solid form.  We hope to reveal this process to any and all who have the ears to hear.”

“We are very pleased to finally be able to share an actual piece of the record,” Mead continues of “To The Garish Remembrance of Failure,” available for the first time today for public consumption. “As always with MINSK, it’s incredibly difficult to lift out one piece of the narrative and imply that it is fully representative of the whole, but I think that ‘To the Garish Remembrance of Failure’ is a fitting first taste, something succinct, and something that feels really good to turn up loud. The phrase alone, to the garish remembrance of failure, is exceptionally meaningful to us, and we are proud to share a first glimpse of some of what is ahead. Raise a glass, feel and know the vivid memory of what has gone wrong and what must change… to the garish remembrance of failure.”

Sample “To The Garish Remembrance of Failure” via YouTube HERE or SoundCloud HERE.

Recorded almost exclusively in The Prairie State, The Crash & The Draw was captured by the band alongside Sanford Parker (Twilight, Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob etc.) at Earth Analog in Tolono, mixed by Parker and MINSK at Hypercube in Chicago and mastered by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Indian, Wovenhand, Voivod etc.) at The Boiler Room in Chicago with additional vocal tracking by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City. Old Man Gloom, Floor etc.) at Antisleep Audio in Oakland, California and further tracking, editing, and mixing by Kevin Rendleman at Trash Rocket Audio and Aaron Austin at We Know Who You Are, both in Peoria. The record includes the striking cover creation of Orion Landau (Yob, Inter Arma, Red Fang etc.), a reinterpretation of original artwork by contributing artist, Corinne Reid.

MINSK’s The Crash & The Draw will be released via Relapse Records in North America on April 7th, 2015, April 3rd, 2015 in Germany, Benelux and Finland and April 6th, 2015 in the UK and rest of the world and come available on CD, double LP and digitally. Preorder your copy today at THIS LOCATION. For digital orders, go HERE.

http://www.facebook.com/Minsk
http://www.thesoundofminsk.com
http://www.relapse.com
http://www.facebook.com/relapserecords

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WHITECHAPEL TO Kick Off Brotherhood Of The Blade Headlining Tour Tomorrow; “Let Me Burn” Video Unveiled

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Top 10 Billboard charting metal collective, WHITECHAPEL, will return to the road again tomorrow for the Brotherhood Of The Blade Tour. The journey will take the Tennessee natives from Memphis through the Midwest and includes an appearance at Self Help Fest in San Bernardino, California March 7th alongside The Devil Wears Prada, Pierce The Veil, Stick to Your Guns, The Ghost Inside, and more. For tickets and information, visit selfhelpfest.com.

In conjunction with the tour’s kick off, WHITECHAPEL have unveiled a video for “Let Me Burn,” from their critically-lauded Our Endless War full-length issued last year via Metal Blade Records. For “Let Me Burn,” the band collaborated with director Mitch Massie (Cattle Decapitation, The Dillinger Escape Plan et al) who brought the track’s lyrics to to life in gloriously gory fashion; this video is not for those with a weak constitution.

WHITECHAPEL vocalist Phil Bozeman explains: “The basis of the video is about a man, his wife and daughter. The story depicts the degradation of the man and him going insane. He kills his wife and eventually douses himself in gasoline and begs his daughter to strike the match. But the whole point of the story is that the man has everything he wants and needs, but has no control over his mind and suffers with clinical insanity/schizophrenia and regrets everything he has done.” Guitarist Alex Wade adds: “It’s our first time trying a story based video versus a performance video with us playing and we’re really happy with how it came out. Phil’s idea for the concept of the video mixed with Mitch Massie’s directing developed a very dark and sinister feel that represents the song well.”

Check out the video, currently hosted by Bloody Disgusting, at THIS LOCATION.

WHITECHAPEL:
2/28/2015 Hi Tone Café – Memphis, TN
3/01/2015 Firebird – St. Louis, MO
3/02/2015 Aftershock – Merriam, KS
3/03/2015 Sokol Underground – Omaha, NE
3/05/2015 Murray Theater – Murray, UT
3/07/2015 NOS Events Center (Self Help Fest) – San Bernardino, CA
3/08/2015 Nile Theatre – Mesa, AZ
3/09/2015 The Rock – Tucson, AZ
3/10/2015 Jakes Sports Cafe – Lubbock, TX
3/11/2015 The Conservatory – Oklahoma City, OK
3/12/2015 Juanita’s – Little Rock, AR

WHITECHAPEL will be touring in support of their Our Endless War full-length issued in April via Metal Blade Records. Their most streamlined, atmospheric, and emotionally powerful release to date, the album debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, #2 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums Chart, #1 on the Billboard Hard Music Albums Chart (Current) and #2 on the Billboard Rock Albums Chart. Check out videos for “Worship The Digital Age” and “Our Endless War” at youtube.com/metalbladerecords.

“…fantastic…definitely one of WHITECHAPEL’s best albums.” – Metal Injection

http://www.whitechapelband.com
http://www.metalblade.com/whitechapel
http://www.facebook.com/whitechapelmetal

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IRIS DIVINE Releases New Single From Sensory Records Debut; Exclusive Track Premiere And Gear Feature Live At PureGrainAudio

Friday, February 27th, 2015 
[photo by Robert Fortenberry]

Northern Virginia’s progressive hard rock/metal trio, IRIS DIVINE, has released another new single from their impending debut full-length release, Karma Sown, which will hit the streets worldwide via Sensory Records on March 31st. The opening track from Karma Sown, “The Everlasting Sea” thunders with almost six-and-a-half minutes of sonic enormity, displaying the outfit’s heavier metal influences as well as the more serene and beautiful elements of IRIS DIVINE’s vibrant sound. This new anthem is now available for streaming through an exclusive premiere at PureGrainAudio, who also just published a gear feature with bassist Brian Dobbs.

Explore the depths of “The Everlasting Sea” HERE and the extensive gear interview on IRIS DIVINE’s sound HERE, both courtesy of PureGrainAudio.

The band also previously released Karma Sown’s third track, “A Suicide Aware,” at THIS LOCATION.

Sensory Records will release Karma Sown worldwide on CD and digitally on March 31st, 2015. Additional album details, audio teasers, preorder links and much more will be released over the coming weeks, including 2015 tour dates for IRIS DIVINE.

IRIS DIVINE Live:
5/03/2015 Empire – West Springfield, VA w/ Haken

With a brand of emotional, progressive hard rock/metal not quite like anything else out there, IRIS DIVINE is musically rooted in the raw energy and rhythmic interplay of Rush and King’s X. Fans of dark, guitar-driven rock bands from Alice In Chains, Deftones to the contemporary metal riffing of Lamb of God and Pantera will connect to the heavy core of the band’s modern sound. Add to that progressive complexity and moody synths inspired by Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree, and a liberal dose of memorable hooks and melodies, to understand some elements of the band’s sound. And yet, the band has a distinct identity, not quite sounding like any of the aforementioned bands, and with an emotional urgency that pulls subtly from alternative and other influences. Embodied by vocalist/guitarist Navid Rashid, drummer/programmer Kris Combs and bassist Brian Dobbs, IRIS DIVINE’s glorious debut full-length, Karma Sown, is a triumph of a debut album, immediate and memorable but revealing layers and depth upon repeated listens. The record was produced by IRIS DIVINE, engineered by Drew Mazurek and Farhad Hossain, mixed by Drew Mazurek, and mastered by Brian J. Anthony, and its cover art conceived by Kris Combs and executed by Visual Decay.

http://www.irisdivine.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/irisdivine
https://twitter.com/irisdivineband
http://www.lasersedgegroup.com/labels/sensory-records
http://www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge

http://twitter.com/thelasersedge

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ENABLERS: San Francisco Outfit Returns With Fifth Album Of Gripping Post-Post-Rock, The Rightful Pivot; European Tour Booked

Friday, February 27th, 2015

San Francisco’s ENABLERS will release their fifth full-length album, The Rightful Pivot, this April with their longtime collaborators Exile On Mainstream handling the CD release in conjunction with Lancashire and Somerset handling the LP and Atypeek Music releasing the album digitally. Formed in 2002, ENABLERS’ subsequent four LPs and two EPs have all achieved a certifiable non-compliance with standard approaches to “spoken word” music, and their latest proves to be a further development in the band’s powerful sense for difference and absolute indifference to classification. The Rightful Pivot will come as a treat to explorers of unique expression.

Since the 2004 release of their first LP, End Note (Neurot Recordings), ENABLERS has established a new direction in spoken word music. The prose and poetry of Pete Simonelli (published poet, writer, and audiobook narrator) is intricately woven into the dynamic interplay of guitarists Joe Goldring (former Swans, Toiling Midgets, Touched By A Janitor) and Kevin Thomson (former Nice Strong Arm, Timco, Touched By A Janitor), and is punctuated by drummer Sam Ospovat (PIKI, Beep!, tUnE-yArDs, William Winant). Musically, the compositions range from melodic minimalism to heavy, rhythmically challenging thickets of sound. Following End Note was Output Negative Space (Neurot Recordings) and Tundra (Exile on Mainstream) as well as two EP’s featuring extended improvisations (The Achievement on Awesome Vistas and Now You Can Answer My Prayers on Lancashire and Somerset). With an almost entirely DIY approach to touring and intense live performances, the band continually pleases fans in the underground of the European continent and the UK, and have earned merit as a consistently visible band, always on the road. Their last release, Blown Realms and Stalled Explosions (Exile On Mainstream and Lancashire and Somerset Dance Society), found ENABLERS evolving even more. The record’s textural and evocative sound realized a new direction while maintaining the distinct elements of musicianship and imagination that made the previous releases so engaging.

And now ENABLERS return with The Rightful Pivot – an album incorporating their several stages, stops and progressions of a stunning career. Recalling some of the early days in rough and direct approaches without sacrificing any of the maturity of songwriting inherent to its predecessors, The Rightful Pivot comes across like brackets around what the band was, is, and will eventually become. The album was recorded and mixed by Desmond Shea and Joe Goldring at Coast Recorders S.F. and mastered by Doug Henderson at Micro-Moose Berlin.

The Rightful Pivot will see official release on April 10th. Check out the trailer for the album HERE.


The Rightful Pivot Track Listing:
1. Went Right
2. She Calls After You
3. The Percentages
4. Look
5. Solo
6. Good Shit
7. West Virginia
8. Enopolis

ENABLERS will be touring Europe once again starting in early March, with a more than month-long trek taking them through early April. Additional live dates will be added and announced in the coming days.

ENABLERS Tour Dates:
3/02/2015 Chaff – Brussels, BE
3/03/2015 La Zone – Liege, BE
3/04/2015 Le Petit Bain – Paris, FR
3/05/2015 Periscope – Lyon, FR
3/06/2015 Black Sheep – Montpellier, FR
3/07/2015 Les Pavillons Sauvages - Toulouse, FR
3/08/2015 Satellite T – Bilbao, SP
3/10/2015 Lata de Zinc - Oviedo, SP
3/11/2015 Club Vila Real - Villa Real, SP
3/12/2015 Musicbox – Lisbon, SP
3/13/2015 The New Rio Pincon Sound - Don Benito, SP
3/14/2015 La Faena – Madrid, SP
3/15/2015 Centro Cultural Las Armas - Zaragoza, SP
3/16/2015 Lupita Del Raval – Barcelona, SP
3/18/2015 L’embobineuse – Marseilles, FR
3/19/2015 Teatro Della Maddalena - Genova, IT
3/20/2015 Circolo Agora – Milan, IT
3/21/2015 Freakout – Bologna, IT
3/22/2015 Stadtwerkstadt – Linz, AU
3/24/2015 007 – Prague, CZ
3/25/2015 Klub Re – Krakow, PL
3/26/2015 Dwa Osiem – Warsaw, PL
3/27/2015 Ut Connewitz – Leipzig, DE
3/28/2015 Shockoladen – Berlin, DE
3/29/2015 Hafenklang - Hamburg, DE
3/31/2015 The Joker – Brighton, UK
4/01/2015 The Cube – Bristol, UK
4/02/2015 Gullivers – Manchester, UK
4/03/2015 The Maze – Nottingham, UK
4/04/2015 Electrowerkz - London, UK
4/05/2015 Ramsgate Music Hall - Kent, UK

http://www.enablerssf.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Enablers/212885122067703
http://enablers.bandcamp.com
http://www.mainstreamrecords.de
http://atypeekmusic.com
http://www.lancashireandsomerset.co.uk

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THE COMPOUND & EARSPLIT DISTRO Update: GODHUNTER And AMIGO THE DEVIL, LAE, WINO & CONNY OCHS & More

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

THE EARSPLIT COMPOUND continues to infiltrate the populous with quality non-mainstream music through its three subdivided branches of public propaganda — EARSPLIT PR, THE COMPOUND RECS, and EARSPLIT DISTRO – and here declares the latest actions on behalf of its label and mailorder sects for the first quarter of 2015. THE COMPOUND RECS methodically plots the deployment of new works from across the musical underworld through cult label sub-faction, THE COMPOUND RECS, including the new collaboration from GODHUNTER & AMIGO THE DEVIL, the impending vinyl version of Break The Clasp from LAE, and much more. New and exclusive wares are also now available through EARSPLIT DISTRO, including preorders for the second collaborative LP from WINO & CONNY OCHS, as the only US outlet to purchase the vinyl edition of the album.

Out as of Valentine’s Day is the new collaborative release from political sludge faction, GODHUNTER, and banjo-attacking murderfolk soloist, AMIGO THE DEVIL, a succinct but imposing two-song release capturing both bands in an entirely new approach. GODHUNTER & AMIGO THE DEVIL PRESENTS: The Outer Dark leads off with a barren hymn, “Weeping Willow,” wrought with both beauty and sadness, ill-omened from the start. The video for the track, created by Frank Huang (Metal Injection’s Pit Full Of Shit), was recently premiered at popular rock underworld portal, The Obelisk RIGHT HERE. On the B-Side, a stark rendition of Nirvana’s iconic ballad, “Something In The Way” pays homage to the already bleak anthem, painted with the foreboding, southwestern Americana vibe of the collaboration, which was released in conjunction with GODHUNTER’s Battleground Records. Stream the entire 7” HERE.

Following its CD and digital release in November, Break The Clasp, from Montreal-based post-rock/hardcore outfit LAE — featuring lead vocalist Steve Austin from Today Is The Day — is now being constructed in its prime, intended format, with the vinyl edition now in the production process. With nearly fifty-three minutes of unearthly, heartbreaking, psychedelic audio artistry delivered in four segments — Life, Hope, Love, Death — fans of Three Mile Pilot, Pink Floyd, Swans, Sonic Youth, Unwound, Slint, Shellac, early Today Is The Day and more will be instantly hooked. Having restructured their original lineup and works forged in the Y2K era as LAE-TSU, this dynamic five-piece invited Steve Austin to produce the album, which landed him a seat as the band’s new lead vocalist. Recording in founding member Marc Ablasou’s wood shop, utilizing acoustic and electric guitars, trumpet, saws, organs, pianos, accordion and more to capture their debut full-length, Break The Clasp was captured on an arsenal of vintage analog equipment, mastered at Austin Enterprises and bearing artwork by Sonny Kay (The VSS, Angel Hair, Gold Standard Laboratories label). Break The Clasp is out now on all digital platforms as well as eco-friendly, 6-panel, spot-varnish digipak CD, and a massive 180-gram gatefold double-LP will be available this late Spring/early Summer. Two videos for the album are also in construction. Stream Break The Clasp in its entirety and order the CD/digital RIGHT HERE. Vinyl preorders coming mid-March.

And as the anxiously anticipated second collaborative LP from American doom metal legend and solo artist, SCOTT “WINO” WEINRICH, and iconic German singer/songwriter, CONNY OCHS, entitled Freedom Conspiracy nears late March release via Germany’s Exile On Mainstream, EARSPLIT DISTRO has just posted preorder links to both the CD and LP version. Not only is our depot the ONLY outlet in the US from which to order the vinyl version, but the first fifteen preorders of the LP will also receive a FREE copy of CONNY OCHS’ Suiciety 7”, with two new songs and an outtake from the Raw Love Songs sessions, initially released to accompany Ochs’ November tour in November 2014 European tour with labelmates, Kristian Harting and Friedemann, limited to 300 copies worldwide. Recorded at Kabumm Studio with producer Thommy Krawallo, as was their Heavy Kingdom LP, the newest collection of ambitious, harrowing and beautiful music created by WINO & CONNY OCHS not only brings forth the same quality of organically conceived folk/rock fans of the previous album should expect, it simply excels in every imaginable aspect. Freedom Conspiracy’s approach is slightly different from Heavy Kingdom as it has been created in a much more organic way with rudimentary ideas brought in by each and then carved into songs by both together. Fusing acoustic and electric guitars and with both artists’ standout vocal styles searing through these thirteen well-crafted brand new hymns, the album delivers forty-five minutes of some of the most refined, dynamic and unforgettable folk/rock music in years. Fans of Woodie Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Bob Dylan, The Black Crowes, Scott Kelly, Mike Scheidt and the like should make sure this duo is on your radar. Imported from Germany, the LP version of Freedom Conspiracy is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl in a reverse board sleeve with thermographic print and an extensive booklet, the CD packaged in a mini-gatefold with booklet and matt laminate varnish. Preorders can be placed in the US right HERE and internationally via Exile On Mainstream HERE.

Since the release of ENABLER’s Flies CDEP on Samhain 2013, EARSPLIT’s DIY label division, THE COMPOUND, has been responsible for GODHUNTER’s City Of Dust album and split GH/0ST:S LP with SECRETS OF THE SKY, COP PROBLEM’s Buried Beneath White Noise 7”, ENABLER’s La Fin Absolue Du Monde sophomore album (now released through Century Media for Europe), DIE CHOKING’s self-titled debut 7” and II follow-up 7”, the magnificent Break The Clasp debut album from LAE, featuring Steve Austin of Today Is The Day on lead vocals, and the recent collaborative GODHUNTER & AMIGO THE DEVIL 7”. Updates on future releases and endeavors are being prepped for broadcast in the coming days.

Also stay frosty with updates from EARSPLIT DISTRO as new stock from our cohorts at Eolian Empire, 20 Buck Spin, Supernatural Cat, Selfmadegod, Battleground Records, Indisiplinarian, Exile On Mainstream and more, with new titles from Ufomammut, Rabbits, Encoffination, Treedeon, Secret Cutter, Graves At Sea, Big Black Cloud, Deivos and tons more now joining the hundreds of other releases in our arsenal. Free stickers, pins mags or other random swag included in every order. We’ve also got an Ebay store HERE.

http://www.thecompoundrecs.com
http://thecompound.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/TheCompoundRecs
http://www.earsplitdistro.com
http://www.earsplitcompound.com
http://www.ebay.com/usr/earsplit_distro

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PYRRHON: New York Experimental Death Metal Strategists Announce European Tour

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

New York experimental death metal strategists, PYRRHON, have announced their first ever European tour. Featuring support from French grinders Department Of Correction, the trek will commence on April 10th in Paris, France and runs through April 25th in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

The band will be touring in support of their sophomore full-length and Relapse debut, The Mother Of Virtues. Released in early 2014, PYRRHON’s The Mother Of Virtues take its listeners on a traumatic sonic voyage into the darkest portals of musical severity with a mind-altering synthesis of clanging death, dark jazz rhythms, twisted storytelling and subtle shades of otherworldly psychedelia. Heavy Blog Is Heavy calls the record, “delightfully off-kilter and forever twisting,” Pitchfork dubs it, “…interesting and audacious…” while Noisey elaborates, “NYC’s PYRRHON sits alone in the fold between a pair of local giants, Unsane and Suffocation. The band clearly leans on its nerdier than thou technical death metal approach to provide the backbone of what they do, but for some of the breakdowns and parts that surround the fretboard wizardry is a devotion to the noisy, misanthropy found on records by Today Is The Day and most of the early Am-Rep roster. It’s a mix of intelligent hatred that could only come from the five boroughs…”

PYRRHON also recently unveiled an official music video for the track “Sleeper Agent.” The seizure-inducing clip was directed by David Hall (Brutal Truth, Fuck The Facts) and can be viewed HERE.

PYRRHON w/ Department Of Correction:
4/10/2015 Cirque Electrique – Paris, FR
4/11/2015 TBA – Poitiers, FR
4/12/2015 Canadian Café – Tours, FR
4/13/2015 Pavillons Sauvages – Toulouse, FR
4/14/2015 Secret Place – Montpellier, FR
4/15/2015 Raymond Bar – Clermont Ferrand, FR
4/16/2015 L’Assomoir – Saint Etienne, FR
4/17/2015 La Tannerie – Bourg En Bresse, FR
4/18/2015 Caffette – Bern, CH
4/19/2015 Epplehaus – Tubingen, DE
4/20/2015 Péniche Inside Out – Liege, BE
4/21/2015 Unicorn – London, UK
4/22/2015 Temples of Boom – Leeds, UK
4/23/2015 Northumberland Arms – Newcastle, UK
4/24/2015 Alma Inn – Bolton, UK
4/25/2015 Tiki Pub – Plymouth, UK

Stream The Mother Of Virtues in full via BandCamp HERE and pick up the album via Relapse HERE and iTunes HERE.



http://www.facebook.com/pyrrhonband
http://www.relapse.com

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IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS: Denver’s Doomiest To Kick Off US Tour Next Week; Additional Dates Confirmed

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Denver doom duo, IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS, will kick off their US live takeover next week. Set to embark on March 6th in Salt Lake City with additional dates added since the initial announcement, the band will bring their lead-footed tidings to fourteen cities down the West Coast and into the Southwest, with the tour coming to a halt on March 21st in Wichita. IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS will be joined a host of ear-bleeders throughout the journey including Top Dead Celebrity, Ladybird, Gale and more. Comments the band, “Let the waves of fuzz roll over you, empty your mind, and worship at the throne of Ohms.”

IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS will be scouring ears with hymns from their Merging In Light EP, unleashed at the close of 2014. Produced, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Catheter, Nightbringer, Primitive Man etc.) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado, Merging In Light boasts over twenty chest-heaving minutes of bottom-heavy, riff-sodden, fuzzed out cheerlessness. The Sludgelord champions the offering calling it, “perfect and depressing in its sound… a thunderous and downtuned beast. How this duo can make such a thunderous, epic, filthy, sludgy sound is bewildering.” Echoes And Dust crowns IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS, “…one of the most exciting bands around in the doom genre,” furthering of the EP, “ It’s a no frills affair with one eye on the old school and the other on a more contemporary affair and given time surely they must reap the dividends.” No Clean Singing elaborates, “The music is tank-like in the roll of its mechanics, the guitar and bass chords so distorted and sludgy that it seems like an experiment in the most efficient means of sonic spinal compression, the drum strikes so powerful that they come down like a pile-driver on concrete. The effect is near-cataclysmic. But oh man, the groove is so dominant — these are neck-grabbing songs that will bend your head up and down to their will,” while Heathen Harvest adds, “IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS have, yet again, succeeded in crafting a collection of tunes that are malicious and ugly, while still possessing an irrefutable catchiness. While the band seems to be embracing and exploiting their time in the studio for the occasional overdub or sound effect, it should be noted that they are not doing so at the expense of their live sound. Merging In Light is easily one of the year’s best… Perhaps not as spacey or as sprawling as Yob, IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS channels the same degree of unbridled anger, but without the occasional glimpse of hope or transcendence that is often intimated by Mike Scheidt and co.”

IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS:
3/06/2015 Bar Deluxe – Salt Lake City, UT w/ Oxcross, Top Dead Celebrity
3/07/2015 Crazy Horse – Boise, ID w/ Oxcross, Top Dead Celebrity, Swamp Shrine
3/09/2015 Highline – Seattle, WA w/ UN, Breag Naofa
3/10/2015 Tonic Lounge  – Portland, OR / Burials, Satanarchist, Dispossessed
3/11/2015 Eli’s Mile High Club – Oakland, CA w/ Devoid
3/12/2015 Complex – Los Angeles, CA /Teeth
3/13/2015 The First Universalist Church Of San Diego – San Diego, CA w/ Old Man Wizard, Garth Algar, Deep Sea Thunder Beast
3/14/2015 51 West – Phoenix, AZ w/ Twin Giant, Ladybird, Gale
3/15/2015 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM w/ End to End, Iceolus, Echoes Of Fallen
3/17/2015 Billiards Back Room – Abilene, TX w/ Adrenal Asphyxia
3/18/2015 The Badlands – Austin, TX w/ Mountain Of Smoke, Destroyer of Light + more for the Austin Heavy Music Vol.2 Showcase
3/19/2015 The Double Wide – Dallas, TX w/ Terminator 2, The Spectacle
3/20/2015 The Blue Note  – Oklahoma City, OK w/ Idre
3/21/2015 The Crows Nest – Wichita, KS w/ The Serpent Overlord, Idre

Featuring artwork by renowned illustrator Sam Turner, (Sleep, Speedwolf et al) the EP was released independently on limited 12″ colored vinyl and is currently available via the IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS BandCamp page HERE.

http://www.facebook.com/InTheCompanyOfSerpents
http://www.inthecompanyofserpentsdoom.bandcamp.com

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LIGHTNING BOLT: Long-Running Noise Duo Prepares For US Live Takeover; Fantasy Empire Release Day Draws Near

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Long-running Rhode Island noise duo, LIGHTNING BOLT, will kick off a mammoth US tour this Spring. Set to commence on April 15th in Buffalo, the pair will trounce twenty-eight cities on a cross country live takeover, with the final show to take place on May 16th in New York City. LIGHTNING BOLT will be joined by Canadian noise rock unit METZ, as well as New York black metal collective, Liturgy, on select dates.

The tour comes in conjunction with the release of LIGHTNING BOLT’s long-anticipated Fantasy Empire full-length. Set for release next month, the band’s sixth album — and first in six years — is a fresh take from a band intent on pushing themselves musically and sonically while maintaining the aesthetic that has defined not only them, but an entire generation of noisemakers. It marks many firsts, most notably their first recordings made using hi-fi recording equipment at the famed Machines With Magnets, and their first album for Thrill Jockey. More than any previous album, Fantasy Empire sounds like drummer Brian Chippendale and bassist Brian Gibson are playing just a few feet away, using the clarity afforded by the studio to amplify the intensity they project. Every frantic drum hit, every fuzzed-out riff, sounds more present and tangible than ever before.

Issues Pitchfork of the recording, “The live feel of previous albums remains, but is as if they converted that vibe to 3D. The hi-res detail, especially in the fiery repetitions of Gibson’s bass, is as bracing as a face-slap. And the duo’s energy is so tangible you can practically see their sweat dripping. Even Chippendale’s trademark cover art has been made over, with his previous neon pastiches replaced by a darker swirl.” Adds Rolling Stone, “First taste, album opener ‘The Metal East,’ represents the band’s cleaner though no less pummeling sound, with quick blasts of Line 6 loops added to their signature bludgeon.”

Initially premiered via Rolling Stone, “The Metal East,” is currently available for public ingestion below.

LIGHTNING BOLT:
4/15/2015 Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY w/ METZ
4/16/2015 Double Happiness – Columbus, OH w/ METZ
4/17/2015 Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH w/ METZ
4/18/2015 The Loving Touch – Ferndale, MI w/ METZ
4/19/2015 Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL
4/20/2015 Turf Club – Saint Paul, MN
4/21/2015 The Luminary Center for the Arts – St. Louis, MO
4/22/2015 Jackpot Music Hall – Lawrence, KS
4/24/2015 GLOB – Denver, CO
4/25/2015 Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
4/27/2015 The Shredder – Boise, ID
4/28/2015 Neumos – Seattle, WA w/ Liturgy
4/29/2015 Dantes – Portland, OR w/ Liturgy
5/01/2015 The Chapel – San Francisco , CA w/ Liturgy
5/02/2015 Leo’s – Oakland, CA w/ Liturgy
5/03/2015 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA w/ Liturgy
5/04/2015 Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA w/ Liturgy
5/05/2015 Casbah – San Diego, CA w/ Liturgy
5/06/2015 Valley Bar – Phoenix, AZ
5/08/2015 Austin Psych Fest – Austin, TX
5/09/2015 Siberia – New Orleans, LA
5/10/2015 Mammal Gallery – Atlanta, GA
5/11/2015 Kings – Raleigh, NC
5/12/2015 Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC
5/13/2015 Floristree – Baltimore, MD
5/14/2015 Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
5/15/2015 The Wick – Brooklyn, NY
5/16/2015 Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY

Over the course of its two-decade existence, noise duo LIGHTNING BOLT has revolutionized underground rock in immeasurable ways. The pair broke the barrier between stage and audience by setting themselves up on the floor in the midst of the crowd. Their momentous live performances and the mania they inspired paved the way for similar tactics used by Dan Deacon and literally hundreds of others. Similarly, the band’s recordings have always been chaotic, roaring, blown out documents that sound like they could destroy even the toughest set of speakers.

Fantasy Empire is ferocious, consuming, and is a more accurate translation of LIGHTNING BOLT’s live experience. It also shows the two embracing new ways to make their music even stranger. More than any previous record, Chippendale and Gibson make use of live loops and complete separation of the instruments during recording to maximize the sonic pandemonium and power. Gibson worked with Machines very carefully to get a clear yet still distorted and intense bass sound, allowing listeners to truly absorb the detail and dynamic range he displays, from the heaviest thud to the subtle melodic embellishments. Some of these songs have been in the band’s live repertoire since as early as 2010, and have been refined in front of audiences for maximum impact. This is heavy, turbulent music, but it is executed with the precision of musicians that have spent years learning how to create impactful noise through the use of dynamics, melody, and rhythm.

Fantasy Empire will be released March 24th, 2015 via Thrill Jockey. In addition to standard formats, Thrill Jockey is offering a limited pressing of 300 deluxe double LP versions on black-and-white swirl vinyl. Preorder packages are available at THIS LOCATION.

LIGHTNING BOLT on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/ThrillJockey
http://www.thrilljockey.com

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ULCERATE Announces Australasia MMXV Tour Dates

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

Cutting-edge death metal outfit, ULCERATE, has announced a run of Spring and early Summer tour dates throughout Australia and their native New Zealand. At press time, the Australasia MMXV headlining tour consists of seven live performances in April, May and June, which will see the band overwhelming audiences in Napier, Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, New Zealand, as well as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.

ULCERATE Australasia MMXV:
4/18/2015 Cabana – Napier, NZ
5/08/2015 Whammy – Auckland, NZ
5/09/2015 Dux Live – Christchurch, NZ
5/22/2015 San Fran – Wellington, NZ
6/25/2015 Beetle Bar – Brisbane, AU
6/26/2015 Bald Faced Stag – Sydney, AU
6/27/2015 Bendigo Hotel – Melbourne, AU

Displaying a forward-thinking death metal style citing Hate Eternal, Gorguts and Immolation which collides head-on into the dissonant and blackened influences of Deathspell Omega and Portal, ULCERATE’s destructive methodology is in a class of its own. Following their debut album on Neurotic Records, and two subsequent LPs through Willowtip, ULCERATE signed with Relapse Records for the September 2013 release of their fourth full-length, Vermis, the album delivering the band’s relentlessly destructive methodology in its most ominous and technical form to date. While Vermis is an incredibly extreme, cerebral and devastatingly creative body of work in its own right, the mere three-piece lineup performs the new songs with astonishing strength and seamless professionalism, simultaneously mesmerizing and devastating audiences with a relentless tsunami of revolutionary death metal supremacy.

ULERATE followed the release of the Vermis LP with waves of brutal touring through Australasia, Europe and North America throughout 2013 and 2014, which continues into 2015 with Australasia MMXV. Stand by for further engagements in the months ahead.

Orders for the CD and 2xLP versions of Vermis are available HERE and digital HERE.

http://www.ulcerate-official.com
http://www.facebook.com/ulcerate
http://www.relapse.com
http://relapserecords.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords

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KEEP OF KALESSIN: New Hymn From Norwegian Black Metal Faction Streaming At Cryptic Rock; Epistemology Out TODAY In North America Via Indie Recordings

Tuesday, February 24th, 2015

Two-time Norwegian Grammy nominees, KEEP OF KALESSIN, today unleashes their long-anticipated new full-length in North America via Indie Recordings. Titled Epistemology, the eight-track offering, and first KEEP OF KALESSIN studio output in five years, finds the acclaimed black metal unit now conjuring their sonic wrath as a trio. Make no mistake, however. The indisputable power of these three musical craftsmen translates perfectly on the band’s most diverse recording to date.

In an 8.5/10 review, Metal Wani crowns the release “flawless,” further elaborating, “KEEP OF KALESSIN have definitely experimented a little with their sound and stepped out of their comfort zone in this album. It shows their ability to maintain that classic black metal vibe interwoven with melodic riffs and more airy yet dark elements. …their ability to bring in more subtle and even non-metal elements into a track and make them work extremely well, to the extent that they don’t seem too out of place…” Metal Hammer issues, “Epic and extreme, Epistemology could be an apt score to a bloodthirsty Tolkien-esque battle and the symphonic ‘Introspection’ in particular would be ideal for some post-skirmish tankard-smashing. Obsidian’s guitar-playing throughout the Norwegian’s sixth full-length opus is simply magical. Equal parts brutal (‘Universal Core’) and beautiful (‘Epistemology’), his stunning blues and classic rock-steeped solo during the title track is so good Dave Gilmore would sell his inflatable pig for it.” Adds Ultimate Guitar in an 8/10 score, “The musicianship is formidable, the mixing/engineering is good, and the ideas are interesting.”

Witness the delightful destruction of third cut, “Dark Divinity,” courtesy of Cryptic Rock, at THIS LOCATION.

Thematically based around the investigation of what distinguishes justified belief from opinion, KEEP OF KALESSIN’s Epistemology is as grandiose as a Peter Jackson battle scene bedecked with fire-breathing dragons and treacherous mountains draped in guitars and drums of doom. The record highlights the true guitar virtuosity of vocalist/guitarist Obsidian C. From bone-scraping riffs and sweeping solos, to smooth, melodic passages swathed in warm, poignant tones backed by the military precision of bassist Wizziac and drummer Vyl, KEEP OF KALESSIN anno 2015 is heading out for greatness!

Epistemology is out TODAY in North America via Indie Recordings. Order yours at THIS LOCATION. For digital orders, go HERE.


http://www.facebook.com/keepofkalessin
http://www.indierecordings.no
http://www.merchnow.com/catalogs/indie-recordings

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