MOON CURSE - s/t

LP-Album | Bilocation Records | 2014
Doom, Stoner, 70s Rock
9/10
Deutsch	English
Words by Sven Mihlan
Bilocation Records, der Ableger von Kozmik Artifactz, schiebt eine Vinyl-Perle nach, welche die hohe Qualität der Label-Veröffentlichungen einmal mehr bestätigt. In diesem Fall handelt es sich um eine Deluxe-Reissue des Debüts von MOON CURSE aus Milwaukee, welches sechs Songs lang beweist, dass es in der Schnittmenge aus SABBATH- und ZEPPELIN-Riffing sowie einer gediegenen Portion Fuzz und Stoner-Groove noch einiges zu sagen gibt, vor allem, wenn das Ergebnis derartig tief in den Analen der heavy Rockmusik gräbt und die richtigen Zutaten nicht nur findet, sondern zu eingängigen und kurzweiligen Kompositionen zusammenfügt. Allen ORCHID-, KADAVAR- und klanggenössischen Retro-/Doom-Fans sei dieses Album dringend ans Herz gelegt. Hier geht's allerdings sehr gemütlich und erdig zur Sache, zuweilen auch offensiv WINDHANDig und CATHEDRALisch - das gefällt! Hört euch unbedingt den Vinyl-Only-Track "Seminary Woods" an!	Beneath the faded light of Milwaukee's infamous "polish moon" clock tower (a structure built for the sole intent of dominating the night sky and the view of it's immigrant residents), three bleary eyed mystics brew stoner hymns dedicated to baphomet bongsmoke, Pontiac muscle and 70's rock n' rollers. following a DOOMED path, tred by true HEAVY fanatics before them, a path that will always remain for those dedicated to the riff; MOON CURSE walk with intent to play loud and proud! Keith bangs the drums, Rochelle strums the Squier P bass, and Matt breaks Orange amplifiers and howls. One could cite Sabbath (duh!), Zeppelin, or a handful of other protometal-fuzz-stoner-whatever-rock as influnces, but you get the idea! You know it! You love it! So ... GET CURSED!
VINYL FACTZ - 100x white w/ green (EXCLUSIVE MAILORDER edition) - 200x clear w/ white - Plated & pressed on high-performance 180g vinyl - pressed in Germany - matt laquered 300gsm gatefold cover - Artwork by Vincent Zager - handnumbered - especially mastered for vinyl - incl. bonus track TRACKS A1. Medicinecoma 5:42 A2. Northern High 7:11 A3. Seminary Woods 9:10 (BONUS TRACK!) B1. Brontis 5:43 B2. Chandra 2:05 B3. Black Elk 8:45
MOON CURSE Bandinfos

Author by:

Sven Mihlan

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INTER ARMA: Streamen 45-Minuten-Opus "The Cavern" auf Pitchfork | Streaming 45 minutes opus, "The Cavern", via Pitchfork

INTER ARMA aus Richmond/Virginia streamen ihre 45-minütige Single-Song-Ep mit dem Namen "The Cavern" vollständig auf Pitchfork. 

Bereits im Sommer 2009 geschrieben, in den darauf folgenden Jahren überarbeitet und perfektioniert, wurde "The Cavern" im vergangenen Jahr während der Pausen zwischen den Touren mit BARONESS, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, ULCERATE u.a. gemeinsam mit Produzent Mikey Allred in den Dark Art Studios in Madison unter den selben Bedingungen wie die "Sky Burial" LP aufgenommen.

INTER ARMAs "The Cavern" ist ein Opus, der ohne Zweifel für lange Zeit als ein visionäres und von Ausdauer zeugendes Kunstwerk angesehen werden wird, und es schafft, innerhalb eines einzigen Songs den Bogen vom amerikanischen Extrem-Metal über Doom und Stoner, bis hin zu progressivem Rock zu spannen.

Die EP, auf welcher WINDHANDs Dorthia Cotrell als Gastsängerin in Erscheinung tritt, wird am 14. Oktober offiziell in Nordamerka, am 13. Oktober im Vereinigten Königreich/weltweit und am 10. Oktober in Deutschland, den Benelux-Ländern und Finnland veröffentlicht. Die physische Form des Albums kann an diesem Ort vorbestellt werden, die digitale Variante HIER.

Desweiteren wird die Band noch im Oktober die Ostküste der USA mit einigen Shows betouren, u.a. als Headliner auf der Metal Sucks/Metal Injection CMJ-Show in Brookly/New York. Das Quintett bestätigte darüber hinaus eine Europatour als Co-Headliner mit MANTAR im November und kompletten Dezember. INTER ARMA wird auch auf dem nächsten Maryland Deathfest auftreten. Am Ende des Posts findet ihr die vollständige Liste der Tourtermine.

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ENGLISH

Richmond, VA genre-destroying metallers INTER ARMA are streaming their entire 45+ minute, single song EP entitled The Cavern via Pitchfork HERE.

Originally written during the summer of 2009, but reworked and perfected over the last few years, The Cavern was recorded last year during breaks from the relentless touring the band did with the likes of Baroness, Russian Circles, Ulcerate and numerous others. The recording was captured with producer Mikey Allred at Dark Art Studios in Madison, TN, the same surroundings and setup that captured last year's monolithic Sky Burial LP.

Shifting from Americana laced extreme metal to doom to stoner rock to prog all within a single song, INTER ARMA's The Cavern is an opus that will surely be heralded for years to come as a work of true artistic vision and endurance.

The EP, which features guest vocals from Windhand’s Dorthia Cottrell will see it’s official release in North America on October 14th, in the UK/World onOctober 13th and in Germany/Benelux/Finland on October 10th. Physical pre-orders are currently available via this location with digital pre-orders available HERE.

Additionally, the band has announced a short run of East Coast shows this October, including headlining the official MetalSucks/Metal Injection CMJ Showcase in Brooklyn, NY. The quintet has also confirmed a co-headlining European tour with German sludge duo Mantar this November through December. INTER ARMA will also be making an appearance at next year's Maryland Deathfest. A complete listing of tour dates is available below.

INTER ARMA - US East Coast Dates:

Oct 11 Blacksburg, VA Ceritano’s

Oct 21 Brooklyn, NY Acheron w/ King Parrot, So Hideous, Lazer/Wolf and Moon Tooth

Oct 22 Philadelphia, PA Mitten House

Oct 23 Lindenwold, NJ Sex Dungeon

Oct 24 Harrisonburg, VA Blue Nile 

Nov 14 Charlottesville, VA Main Street Annex

May 23 2015 Baltimore, MD Maryland Deathfest XIII (2015) @ Soundstage

All European Tour Dates from Nov 27 to Dec 20

w/ MANTAR

Nov 27 Athens, Greece Death Disco (Inter Arma only)

Nov 28 Tilburg, Netherlands Little Devil (Inter Arma only)

Nov 29 Nijmegen, Netherlands Merelyn

Nov 30 Antwerp, Belgium Music City

Dec 01 London, England Our Black Heart

Dec 03 Glasgow, Scotland Audio

Dec 06 Gigors, France Gigors Electric

Dec 07 Draguignan, France Bucephale

Dec 08 Geneva, Switzerland La Graviere

Dec 09 Bologna, Italy Freak-Out

Dec 10 Milan, Italy Lo-Fi

Dec 13 Leipzig, Germany Zorro

Dec 14 Prague, Czech Republic 007

Dec 15 Cologne, Germany Sonic Ballroom

Dec 17 Olso, Norway Pokalen

Dec 18 Aalborg, Denmark 1000Fryd

Dec 19 Lyngby, Denmark Templet

Dec 20 Leeuwarden, Netherlands Romein 

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PIG DESTROYER: Streamen komplette 2-Song-Doom-EP | Stream full "Mass & Volume" EP

Die Grindcore-Band PIG DESTROYER kündigten kürzlich ihre Pläne zur Veröffentlichung einer Zwei-Song-Doom-EP an, die den Titel "Mass & Volume" trägt. Bisher und für einen begrenzten Zeitraum gab es das Release nur als digitale Veröffentlichung, dessen Einnahmen direkt an die Familie des Relapse Records-Angestellten Pat Egan gingen, der letztes Jahr auf tragische Weise ums Leben kam. Jetzt wird das Kult-Release zum allerersten Mal auch in physischen Formaten erhältlich sein. Heute präsentieren PIG DESTROYER den kompletten Stream der monolithischen EP.

Die zwei Songs auf "Mass & Volume", für welche PIG DESTROYER die Handbremse gewaltig angezogen haben, wurden während der Sessions zur 2007er LP "Phantom Limb" komponiert und aufgenommen. Herausgekommen sind zwei atemberaubende, epische Doom-Songs. Das Album wird am 14. Oktober in Nordamerika, am 13. Oktober in Großbritannien/Europa/weltweit und am 10. Oktober in Deutschland/Benelux/Finland erhältlich sein. "Mass & Volume" gibt es in einer limitierten weltweiten Auflage von 2000 CDs und auf limitiertem farbigem Vinyl, welches vom tollen Cover-Artwork des legendären Künstlers Arik Roper geziert wird (HIGH ON FIRE, SLEEP).

Physikalische Vorbestellungen können hier getätigt werden; digitale Vorbestellungen hier.

Außerdem gab die Band zusätzliche US-Tour-Dates inklusive Shows mit EYEHATEGOD, RINGWORM, DROPDEAD und FULL OF HELL in bislang unbespielten Städten bekannt.

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ENGLISH

Grindcore masters PIG DESTROYER recently announced plans to release a two song doom EP entitled "Mass & Volume". Previously available for a limited time as a digital only release with all of the proceeds going to the family of former Relapse Records employee Pat Egan, who tragically passed away last year, this cult release will now be available on physical formats for the first time ever. Today, PIG DESTROYER present the the full stream of this monolithic EP.

Listen to "Mass & Volume” on Soundcloud here

Written and recorded during the final hours of the sessions for 2007’s "Phantom Limb" LP, "Mass & Volume" finds PIG DESTROYER’s typically break neck speed virtually come to a grinding halt with two epic songs of crushing doom. The album will be available on October 14th in North America, October 13th in the UK/Europe/World and October 10th in Germany/Benelux/Finland. "Mass & Volume" will be limited to a one time press of 2000 CDs worldwide and a limited run of colored vinyl, each featuring the stunning cover art from legendary artist Arik Roper (High on Fire, Sleep).

Physical pre-orders are available here with digital pre-orders available here. 

Additionally, the band has revealed more upcoming US tour dates including shows with EYEHATEGOD, RINGWORM, DROPDEAD and FULL OF HELL in numerous cities that they have never before played.

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THE SKULL: Artwork & erster Track vom Debütalbum online! | Artwork & first track of debut album available for streaming!

"Till The Sun Turns Black", ein brandneuer Song von THE SKULL ist online, der Band um die originalen TROUBLE-Mitglieder Eric Wagner am Gesang und Jeff "Oly" Olson am Schlangzeug, die vom langjährigen, ehemaligen TROUBLE-Bassisten Ron Holzner sowie den Gitarristen Lothar Keller und Matt Goldsborough (PENTAGRAM) komplettiert werden. Der Song stammt vom Debütalbum, "For Those Which Are Asleep", das am Dienstag, 2. November 2014, weltweit über Tee Pee Records erscheinen wird.

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ENGLISH

"Till The Sun Turns Black", a brand new song from THE SKULL featuring original TROUBLE members vocalist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff “Oly” Olson, alongside longtime former TROUBLE bassist Ron Holzner and guitarists Lothar Keller and Matt Goldsborough (PENTAGRAM), is now available for streaming via the Sound Cloud. The track is taken from the band's debut album, "For Those Which Are Asleep", which will be released worldwide on Tuesday, November 4th via Tee Pee Records.

Photo credit: Ty Klingsick

From left to right: 

Jeff "Oly" Olson - drums/keys 

Matt Goldsborough - guitar 

Eric Wagner - vocals 

Ron Holzner - bass 

Lothar Keller - guitar 

“For Those Which Are Asleep” Track Listing:

01. Trapped Inside My Mind

02. The Touch Of Reality

03. Sick Of It All

04. The Door

05. Send Judas Down

06. A New Generation 

07. Till The Sun Turns Black 

08. For Those Which Are Asleep 

09. Sometime Yesterday Mourning

10. The Last Judgment 

Upcoming tour dates: 

October 10 - Day Of Doom Festival - Barcelona, Spain 

October 11 - Side B - Benavente, Portugal 

October 13 - The Underworld - London, England 

theskullusa.com

teepeerecords.com

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ALBEZ DUZ - "The Coming of Mictlan" | Doom/Dark Metal | 8/10

ALBEZ DUZ

The Coming of Mictlan

Doom/Dark Metal

Archaic Sound 2014

Nach drei Jahren meldet sich die Berliner Band ALBEZ DUZ mit einem neuen Album zurück, das den großen Vorbildern aus den frühen 90er Jahren nicht nur zu huldigen weiß, sondern dem mittlerweile verwaschenen Stil der frühen TIAMAT, PARADISE LOST, ANATHEMA oder MY DYING BRIDE mit "The Coming Of Mictlan" ein zur Ehre gereichendes neues Kapitel hinzufügt.
Vor allem denjenigen, welche immer noch um Pete Steel und die mit seinem Ableben ad acta gelegten TYPE O NEGATIVE trauern, sei ALBEZ DUZ neuestes Werk dringend ans dunkle, leiderfüllte Herz gelegt. Gerade auch weil die Stimme unwahrscheinlich nahe an das Vorbild heran kommt, ohne wie bei so vielen Nachahmern lächerlich gekünstelt zu wirken. Die Kompositionen bedienen sich gekonnt gotisch-düsterer Stilmittel und bauen eine unglaublich dichte Atmosphäre auf, die durchaus auch an die episch ausgefeilten Stücke von THE VISION BLEAK erinnern, ohne nur einen Fuß neben den doomig-zähen Klangpfad zu setzen. Die instrumentale und die Produktions-Messlatte wurden überhaupt sehr hoch angesetzt. Da stört es nicht einmal, dass sich ein Cover von Tanika Tikaram in die Tracklist geschlichen hat. "Modern Twist In My Sobriety" ist in der Version von ALBEZ DUZ sogar ein ausgesprochen Doom-affines Stück geworden. Meine persönlichen Anspieltipps sind "Fire Wings" und ""Mictlan". Anno 2014 schließen ALBEZ DUZ gekonnt die klaffende Lücke, die sich in den letzten zwanzig Jahren zwischen Gothic und Doom Metal geschoben hat. (SM)

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ENGLISH

This band brings back great memories from the 90s around the time we heard Type O Negative, only this is a lot more atmospheric, dark and intriguing too. Music of this texture is rarely found these days. This is moody, melancholic music with a dark twist. It's heavy, gloomy and soulful at the same time. It's vaguely comparable to the bands from the 90s period such as Tiamat, Paradise Lost, Anathema, My Dying Bride and of course, the great and much-missed Type O Negative. Not anymore - Albez Duz is here, taking the occult and gothic atmosphere and infusing it into music that's epic, grand and ominous in a deceptive way. This is as accessible as you want it to be. This is something that came to be known as Dark Metal or in other words Doom or Doom Rock - one thing that remains consistent with any descriptor is the sublime quality of music and emotions.

archaic-sound.bandcamp.com/

https://albez-duz.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/archaicsound

https://www.facebook.com/albezduz

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THE SKULL: Neues Album erscheint im November | The new album of Trouble successors out in November

Der Name THE SKULL dürfte bei all denjenigen Begeisterungsstürme auslösen, die nach dem Doom-Anker im tobenden Retro-Rock-Sturm suchen. Dieser wird gleich von drei ehemaligen Mitgliedern der Doom-Metal-Legende TROUBLE zielsicher ausgeworfen – von Sänger Eric Wagner, Bassist Ron Holzner und Drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson – deren 1985er Album "The Skull" einen Meilenstein in der Band- und Genregeschichte markierte und nun programmatisch über der neuen Formation schwebt.

THE SKULL starteten 2011, um Sound und Spirit des klassischen Doom Metal am Leben zu erhalten, was ihnen mit "For Those Which Are Asleep" hervorragend gelingt. Das Album rockt zeitlos, ohne retro zu klingen und zeigt, dass hier ein paar echte Profis am Start sind, die ihre Musik mit tiefster Leidenschaft zelebrieren. Ein weiterer Genre-Spezialist im THE SKULL-Line-up ist der ehemalige PENTAGRAM-Gitarrist Matt Goldsborough.

Im Interview mit Doom Metal Front (#12/2014) sagt Eric Wagner über das neue THE SKULL-Album: "Meines Erachtens ist es eine ziemlich heavy Scheibe. Natürlich wird sie die Leute an TROUBLE erinnern, weil drei von uns dabei sind. Das wird man nicht los, auch weil ich die Songtexte geschrieben habe. (...) Die Leute werden das Album sehr mögen. Mir geht es so, obwohl ich der schärfste Kritiker von allen bin."

THE SKULL

"For Those Which Are Asleep"

Tee Pee / Soulfood

Veröffentlichung/Release:

07.11.2014

http://theskullusa.com

www.facebook.com/troubletheskull

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PALLBEARER: Neues Album "Foundations Of Burden" erscheint am 25. August | New album, "Foundations Of Burden", to be released August 25th

Pallbearer

"Foundations Of Burden"

Label: Profound Lore

Release: 25 August 2014


DEUTSCH

Ende August ist es endlich soweit! Zwei Jahre nach "Sorrow and Extinction" lassen PALLBEARER das bislang kraftvollste und fesselndste Kapitel in der Bandgeschichte auf die Menscheit los. "Foundations Of Burden" gleicht einem Triumphzug der in Arkansas beheimateten Band, mit dessen Songs sie ihr eigenes musikalisches Universum über die Grenzen des Heavy Metal hinaus weiter ausbauen und die Messlatte für alle, die im stilistischen Fahrwasser schippern, kaum erreichbar hoch auflegt.

Letzten Winter legte Billy Anderson in Portland seine goldenen Hände an die Produktion des Albums an, dessen Songs mit melodischer Komplexität und schwerster, zerstörerischer Melancholie aufwarten, die den trostlosen Weg von PALLBEARER auf brillante Weise weiter schmieden. Eindeutig im Heavy Metal verwurzelt, balanciert die Musik fernab jedweder Genre-Dynamiken an der Schwelle zur erbarmungslosen Leere.

Anstatt sich einfach in Sicherheit zu wiegen und die Erwartungen der Hörer zu erfüllen, tauchen PALLBEARER  für "Foundations Of Burden" noch tiefer in ihre melodiöse Welt ein, indem Rowland den Klangstrukturen seinen beeindruckenden Gesang hinzufügt, der PALLBEARERs Musik um eine authentische, intuitive Note und gleichermaßen unwiderstehliche wie unbarmherzig fesselnde Dimension erweitert.

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ENGLISH

This August, two years on from the release of their seminal debut LP "Sorrow and Extinction", PALLBEARER will unleash the most powerful and engaging chapter in their story thus far; "Foundations of Burden"; a triumph for the Arkansas natives in that each song sees the band shaping their own musical paradigm unfettered by the confines of heavy metal and indisputably setting an unparalleled standard for those that follow in its wake.

Produced and mixed by Billy Anderson (Sleep, etc) in Portland, OR in the late winter of last year, the album evokes a sonic consciousness of melodic complexity with each song carrying a weight of melancholic devastation that sees PALLBEARER forging it's own brilliantly desolate path that, while firmly rooted in heavy metal, reaches far beyond any genre dynamic by crafting music that seeks to balance itself at the very threshold of an unforgiving void.

Initially formed in 2008, by Joseph D. Rowland (bass) and Brett Campbell (vocals/guitars), PALLBEARER grew from the fertile underground metal scene of Little Rock, Arkansas. A year later, joined by guitarist Devin Holt and (since departed) drummer Zach Stine, the four members quickly recorded the band's first demo. These three tracks garnered well-deserved attention, with critics and fans taking notice of what could only be described as a wholly singular sound from the promising band.

PALLBEARER's debut full-length "Sorrow and Extinction" was released in early 2012. At just under fifty minutes, the album's five tracks capitalised on the primal clout of the band's demo, but here the songs were freed from reliance on volume as the music wavered beautifully between subdued introspection and towering aural force. Released by the well-respected Canadian indie metal label, Profound Lore, "Sorrow and Extinction" instantly made waves among listeners and critics who found Pallbearer's compositional paradox of vulnerability and might unparalleled in a metal world replete with imitators.

"Sorrow and Extinction" proved to be an unequivocal masterpiece in any genre of music and, most importantly, compelled PALLBEARER to reach even further creatively for what would come next. 2012 would also see the addition of drummer Mark Lierly, adding further depth to the already immense and mercurial sound the band had pioneered. Rather than settle themselves in the convenient safety of listener expectation, PALLBEARER delve even deeper into melodic contexts for "Foundations of Burden", with Rowland now adding his own impressive vocalisations to the sonic texture. This new vocal dynamic brings an authentically visceral component to PALLBEARER's music that, while giving credence to their metal foundations, adds a new and compelling dimension to music which has long since proved itself to be inexorably captivating.

PALLBEARER is:

Brett Campbell - Lead vocals, guitar

Devin Holt - Guitar, vocals on songs 1 & 3

Joseph D. Rowland - Bass guitar, piano/Rhodes/analog synthesizer, vocals on songs 1, 4, 5

Mark Lierly - Drums.

Photo credit: Diana Lee Zadlo

www.profoundlorerecords.com

www.facebook.com/

www.twitter.com/profound_lore

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WOLVSERPENT: Kündigen Termine für Europatour im Herbst 2014 an | Announce European Tour Dates for fall 2014

DEUTSCH

WOLVSERPENT, die Doom-Schamanen aus Boise, kündigen eine dreiwöchige Headliner-Tour durch Europa an, auf welcher sie ihr zweites Vollzeitalbum "Perigaea Antahrakana" live präsentieren. Die Tour startet am 25. September in Tschechien und endet am 18. Oktober in Moskau, Russland. Die vollständige Terminliste findet ihr unter der Tourankündigung.

Das 80-minütige Album, "Perigaea Antahkarana", beinhaltet vier Titel und wurde vergangenen Herbst auf Relapse Records veröffentlicht. Ihr könnt es hier bestellen. Hier gibt es das Live-Footage zu einem der unübertroffenen und tief bewegenden WOLVSERPENT-Auftritte im vergangenen Jahr.

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ENGLISH

Boise doom shamans WOLVSERPENT have announced a three week headlining European tour in support of their second full-length album Perigaea Antahkarana. The tour kicks off on September 25th in the Czech Republic and ends October 18th in Moscow, Russia. A complete listing of dates is included below.

Perigaea Antahkarana, a four song, 80-minute album was released by Relapse Records last fall and is available for purchase here. Live footage of one of WOLVSERPENT's unsurpassed and inescapably haunting performances from last year can be viewed here.

WOLVSERPENT - European Tour Dates:

Sep 25 Prague, Czech Republic Club 007

Sep 26 Leipzig, Germany IFZ

Sep 27 Salzburg, Austria: Feast

Sep 28 Munich, Germany: Backstage

Sep 29 Zurich, Switzerland Boschbar

Sep 30 Basel, Switzerland Hirscheneck

Oct 01 Marseille, France Le Lounge

Oct 02 Barcelona, Spain Razzmatazz 2

Oct 03 Madrid, Spain Sala But

Oct 04 Oviedo, Spain La Lata De Zinc

Oct 05 Oporto, Portugal Amplifest

Oct 08 Borduex, France Heretic

Oct 09 Montaigu, France Zinor

Oct 10 Paris, France Les Instants Chavires

Oct 11 Utrech, Holland t DBS

Oct 12 Bruxelles, Belgium Mag4

Oct 13 Liege, Belgium Inside Out

Oct 14 Freiburg, Germany Slowclub

Oct 16 Arnhem, Holland Willemeen

Oct 17 Berlin, Germany Urbanspree

Oct 18 Moscow, Russia TBA

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ALUNAH: Geben Details zum neuen Album bekannt! | Unveil details to upcoming album!

DEUTSCH

Birmingham's Stoner Rock Doomster ALUNAH veröffentlichen im Oktober 2014 ein neues Album via Napalm Records. Nach den vielversprechenden Vorgängern „Call Of Avernus“ und „White Hoarhound“ ist es endlich an der Zeit für ein neues Meisterwerk. Die Engländer, rund um Gitarristin & Frontfrau Sophie Day gaben nun erste Details zum Cover, Titel, zur Tracklist & den Release Dates bekannt!

„Awakening The Forest“ wird am 03.10.2014 veröffentlicht und verspricht jede Menge schwere Grooves, harte Gitarren und eine ganz besondere, tiefe Atmosphäre, die dem einst von Black Sabbath begründeten Genre alle Ehre machen wird.

Die Tracklist liest sich wie folgt:

1. Bricket Wood Coven

2. Heavy Bough

3. Awakening The Forest

4. The Mask Of Herne

5. Scourge And The Kiss

6. The Summerland

ALUNAH zum kommenden Album „Awakening The Forest“: "We are delighted to introduce our 3rd album "Awakening The Forest" to our old, new and future friends. Recorded by Greg Chandler and mixed/mastered by Tony Reed, we are extremely proud of this album. We are also very lucky to have worked with the exceptional illustrator Michael Cowell who brought our songs to life visually in the CD and LP package. Napalm Records have been very supportive of us throughout the whole process, and we hope that you guys love the album as much as we do. Our video for "Heavy Bough" and also a short film with Michael talking about the artwork are coming soon; both shot and directed by Rhodri Thomas at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire, England."

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ENGLISH

Birmingham's Stoner Rock Doomsters ALUNAH are set to release a new album via Napalm Records in October 2014. Following their previous releases Call Of Avernus and White Hoarhound it's finally time for a new masterpiece. The band centered around guitarist & singer Sophie Day have now unveiled first details of artwork, title, track listing & release dates!

Awakening The Forest is set to be released on October 6th in the UK & October 7th USA/CAN and forges forward with hard guitars, pumping heavy grooves and a sound that will make fans of this genre, fans of this album!

Check out the track listing for Awakening The Forest:

1. Bricket Wood Coven

2. Heavy Bough

3. Awakening The Forest

4. The Mask Of Herne

5. Scourge And The Kiss

6. The Summerland

ALUNAH on the upcoming album Awakening The Forest: "We are delighted to introduce our 3rd album "Awakening The Forest" to our old, new and future friends. Recorded by Greg Chandler and mixed/mastered by Tony Reed, we are extremely proud of this album. We are also very lucky to have worked with the exceptional illustrator Michael Cowell who brought our songs to life visually in the CD and LP package. Napalm Records have been very supportive of us throughout the whole process, and we hope that you guys love the album as much as we do. Our video for "Heavy Bough" and also a short film with Michael talking about the artwork are coming soon; both shot and directed by Rhodri Thomas at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire, England."

For More Info Visit: 

http://www.alunah.co.uk/ 

http://www.facebook.com/alunah.doom

http://www.napalmrecords.com

http://www.facebook.com/napalmrecords

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OPHIS: "Abhorrence In Opulence" erscheint am 5ten September auf Cyclone Empire! | "Abhorrence In Opulence" to be released via Cyclone Empire on September 5th!

OPHIS

"Abhorrence In Opulence"

Label: Cyclone Empire

Release: 5 September 2014

Tracklisting:

1. Discuisition Of The Burning 14:54

2. Among The Falling Stones 12:53

3. A Waltz Perverse 9:16

4. Somnolent Despondency 11:52

5. Resurrectum 11:49

The third full-length masterpiece of Hamburgs finest Doom/Death heroes OPHIS will be released on 5 September 2014 via Cyclone Empire. "Abhorrence In Opulence" was recorded, mixed and mastered at Blastbeat Productions Studios, Kiel (https://de-de.facebook.com/BlastbeatProductionsKiel) by Oliver Carell (co-produced by OPHIS). The Cover Artwork was made by Leenke Zander, Layout & Sleeve-Artwork by Dusan Belohlavek (e.g. MEDECOPHOBIC, ODPÖROVÄT 1968, AMELOTHATIST, SAKRAMORTEM ... www.dusan-belohlavek.net)
OPHIS are one of the hottest and best underground treasures of the German Doom scene and they played many festivals like Hells Pleasure, Doom Shall Rise, Killtown Deathfest, Heavy Veddel, Death Doomed The Age Fest, Dublin Doom Day, Doomstock Finland, Metal Bash Open Air, Dordrecht Doom Day, Dutch Doom Days, Madrid Is The Dark and more, cool tours with EVOKEN, AHAB, SKEPTICISM, ESOTERIC, PANTHEIST and single shows with bands like SATURNUS, OFFICIUM TRISTE, SPANCER, ATARAXIE, ISOLE, EVOKEN, AHAB, MOURNFUL CONGREGATION and MOURNING BELOVETH.

For fans of SKEPTICISM, EVOKEN, PANTHEIST, early ANATHEMA & AHAB 

Biography:

OPHIS [greek: serpent] was founded in the German harbour city of Hamburg in late 2001, as an outlet for its members very own darker sides: an abyssic immersion of slow monolithic Doom Metal and raw, nihilistic and staggering old school Death Metal.
The band steadily became a solid institution among Doom-fans worldwide, collecting a loyal following by constantly playing live all over Europe. After the release of their debut album “Stream of Misery” in 2007, OPHIS toured with Pantheist and Skepticism. Their sophomore record “Withered Shades” (2010) was praised by the press as one of the best Death/Doom records of the past decade and even won the 2nd place in Metalstorm’s “best extreme Doom album award”, and followed by a tour alongside Ahab and Esoteric.
Recently, Cyclone Empire re-released the debut album and the first EP as a compilation entitled “Effigies of Desolation”, which was accompanied by yet another European tour, this time with Evoken.
OPHIS is musically rooted in the early 90s, yet NOT a retro band, as they push their musical progress onward with every release. This tension grants OPHIS their own niche in a scene dominated by trends, which the band always refused to follow. Lyrically OPHIS are – unusual for a Doom band – observers of society, sometimes even with political undertones. But also personal lyrics dealing with the inner struggles of the members can be found.

Line-Up:

Phil - guitar, vocals

Martin - guitar

Olly - bass

Nils - drums

www.ophisdoom.de

www.facebook.com/pages/Ophis/113159458768736

Discography:

2002: Empty, Silent And Cold - Demo-CD

2004: Nostrae Mortis Signaculum - MCD

2007: Stream Of Misery - CD

2008: Empty, Silent And Cold - MC Re-Release

2010: Withered Shades - CD

2012: Immersed - Split w/Officium Triste - MCD

2013: Effigies Of Desolation - DCD (Cyclone Empire)

2014: Abhorence In Opulence - CD/LP (Cyclone Empire)

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AUTUMNAL unterschreiben nach 8 Jahren Pause bei Cyclone Empire. Holt euch den ersten Höreindruck! | AUTUMNAL sign with Cyclone Empire after 8 years break. Check out new track!

English / Deutsch

Cyclone Empire is completely proud to announce the signing of Spanish Doomers AUTUMNAL!

Hailing from the Spanish capitol, Madrid, AUTUMNAL are well known in the Doom scene and finally back after almost 8 years with their second album. We are very happy to welcome this great band in our little CYCLONE EMPIRE family! But we let the guys describe their style in their own words: “Atmospheric, tear-crushing Doom Metal, from hearts, experiences, mind and hands.”

Their second album will be called ‘The End of the Third Day’ and will be released in fall 2014!

Fans of melancholic doom in the vein of ANATHEMA, KATATONIA, OCTOBER TIDE, RAPTURE, NOVEMBRE or THE FORESHADOWING will know what to do this autumn!!!

As a first taster check out the incredible “A Tear From A Beast“:

Biography/Info:

AUTUMNAL was formed in Madrid, in 1998, by Ricardo and Javier de Pablo, being considered the cornerstone of Iberian metal both by fans and media, a must hear and crucial reference among bands within this genre that has slowly increased their fan-base with each release and each intense live performance, no mattering the pace. Through different changes in the line-up and different stages in the band, 3 different EPs and 2 full-length albums have been the result of years of experiences and hearts full of passion; a catalog of mainly self-produced works slowly built, attracting media and fans and submerging them in a true, unique atmospheric universe.

In 2006, the release of “Grey Universe”, the band’s first full-length album presented via Xtreem music, brought about a new stage in which the highest praise from world-wide media and fans has prevailed, being the key for opening newopportunities in different countries (Portugal, The Netherlands, Ireland) with important bands like ANATHEMA, MORGION, KATATONIA, DRACONIAN, ISOLE or SATURNUS, and for being featured in Metal Magazines such as Rock Hard, Metal Hammer and among countless webzines world-wide.

“The End of the Third Day” (Cyclone Empire - 2014; recorded by Carlos Santos -Sadman Studios, Spain-, and mastered by Jens Bogren -Fascination Street Studios, Sweden) will set the future for a step further. This second full-length album turns to be the perfect gathering of melancholic harmonies with epic passages and deep tones, always sounding like the caress of a dark, melodic and doomed hammer, demolishing walls and breaking souls. Records like this happen when music and feelings come straight from the heart. AUTUMNALs heart-crushing passages are back, opening a new stage to come... Be ready for more, be ready for AUTUMNAL.

AUTUMNAL:

Javier de Pablo - Vocals

Julio Fernández - Guitars

Ricardo de Pablo - Drums

Miguél Ángel Gutiérrez - Bass

STATEMENT BY THE BAND:

“We AUTUMNAL are more than proud of becoming a part of CYCLONE EMPIRE family, with whom we feel comfortable and fully identified, given that they are one of the most important references. This step further, joining this serious, solid label, means the beginning of a new stage to come, in which our will power, together with our new record “The End of the Third Day”, will be crucial for making all true metal believers be ready for our universe, coming straight from our hearts and experiences.

This is a unique opportunity for working with a label and people entirely focused on making this kind of music evolve and reach a higher echelon from which the most interesting projects can be successful. We have been looking for this opportunity since the very beginning and at last it has become true. We have never given up and this new deal will make us strive harder than ever to make you all enjoy. Thanks to the CYCLONE EMPIRE crew for believing and thanks to you for listening/reading. Be ready for AUTUMNAL.”

-------------------------------------------------

Cyclone Empire verkünden mit Stolz das Signing der spanischen Doomer AUTUMNAL!

AUTUMNAL aus der spanischen Hauptstadt Madrid sind in der eingeschworenen Doom-Szene längst keine Unbekannten mehr und nach fast 8 Jahren Pause kehren sie endlich mit ihrem zweiten Album zurück!

Wir freuen uns sehr diese großartige Band in unserer kleinen CYCLONE EMPIRE-Familie willkommen zu heißen! Wie die Jungs klingen? Lassen wir sie am besten selbst beschreiben: „Atmoisphärischer, zu Tränen rührender Doom Metal, der vom Herzen kommt und von Erfahrungen, Geist und ehrlicher Arbeit geprägt ist.“

Das kommende zweite Album wird den Titel ‘The End Of The Third Day‘ tragen und wahrscheinlich im Herbst 2014 erscheinen.

Fans von melancholischem Doom im Stile von ANATHEMA, KATATONIA, OCTOBER TIDE, RAPTURE, NOVEMBRE oder THE FORESHADOWING werden jetzt schon wissen, was sie da erwartet!!!

Einen ersten Höreindruck könnt ihr euch beim grandiosen “A Tear From A Beast“ machen:

https://soundcloud.com/autumnalband/a-tear-from-a-beast

BIOGRAPHY/INFO:

AUTUMNAL wurden 1998 von Ricardo und Javier de Pablo in Madrid gegründet und erspielten sich schnell bei Fans und medienvertretern den Ruf einer der Eckpfeiler der iberischen Metalszene zu sein, eine Pflichtband, die man kennen muss und zudem eine wichtige Referenzband ihres Genres. Die Band durchlief mehrere Entwicklungsstadien und Line-Up-Wechsel, erschuf dabei dennoch 3 EPs und mittlerweile 2 Alben, die allesamt das Ergebnis der wachsenden Erfahrung und jeder Menge Herzblut darstellen, ein ganz eigenes atmosphärisches Universum entstehen ließen und der Band eine solide Fanbase bescherten.

2006, als das erste Album “Grey Universe” via Xtreem Music erschien, waren die Reaktionen weltweit entsprechend euphorisch und die Band erhielt die Chance sich in den unterschiedlichsten Ländern im Vorprogramm von Bands wie ANATHEMA, MORGION, KATATONIA, DRACONIAN, ISOLE oder SATURNUS auch live zu präsentieren.

“The End of the Third Day” (aufgenommen von Carlos Santos in den Sadman Studios, Spanien und gemastert von Jens Bogren im Fascination Street Studio, Schweden), das heiß ersehnte zweite Album, das im Herbst 2014 via Cyclone Empire erscheinen wird, wird den nächsten Entwicklungsschritt in der Vita der Band darstellen. Das Album stellt das perfekte Zusammenspiel von melancholischen Harmonien, epischen Passagen und Tiefgang dar, was immer irgendwie wie die Liebkosung eines düsteren, melodischen und doomigen Hammers klingt, der sowohl teils Wände zertrümmert, als auch Seelen und Herzen bricht. Ein Album voller Gefühle aus tiefstem Herzen. AUTUMNAL sind zurück mit ihrem herzzerreißenden Sound…seid ihr bereit?

AUTUMNAL:

Javier de Pablo - Vocals

Julio Fernández - Guitars

Ricardo de Pablo - Drums

Miguél Ángel Gutiérrez - Bass

STATEMENT DER BAND:

“Wir von AUTUMNAL sind mehr als stolz, zu einem Teil der CYCLONE EMPIRE Familie zu werden. Wir fühlen uns sehr wohl mit diesem Signing und können uns zu 100% mit dem Label identifizieren, auch weil sie zu den wenigen wichtigen Labelreferenzen in unserem Bereich zählen. Dieser Schritt nach vorne - nichts anderes ist es, nun bei diesem rennommierten und seriösen Label sein zu dürfen - stellt für uns ein neues Entwicklungslevel dar, wobei unsere Willenskraft zusammen mit dem neuen Album “The End of the Third Day” uns helfen werden, jeden Metaller auf unsere Seite zu ziehen und von unserem Herzblut zu überzeugen.

Mit einem Label und Leuten, die sich stets bemühen unsere Art Musik voran zu bringen, stellt für uns eine einzigartige Chance dar, und wir werden gemeinsam alles dafür tun erfolgreich zu sein. Wir haben seit den Anfangstagen auf solch eine Chance gewartet und nun hat es endlich geklappt! Wir haben trotz aller Probleme nie aufgegeben und dieser neue Deal wird dafür sorgen, dass wir uns noch mehr anstrengen. Danke schon jetzt an die CYCLONE EMPIRE-Crew dafür, daß sie an uns glauben und auch danke an euch da draußen für´s reinhören und lesen! Be ready for AUTUMNAL.”

DISCOGRAPHY:

1998: Demo - Demo-CD

1999: In My Shell - Demo-CD

2004: The Age Of The Sin - Demo-CD

2006: Grey Universe - CD (Xtreem Music)

2014: The End Of The Third Day - CD (Cyclone Empire)

www.facebook.com/Autumnaldoom

www.soundcloud.com/autumnalband

The Official Cyclone Empire Webshop:

www.metal-recycler.de

Cyclone Empire in the web:

www.cyclone-empire.com

www.facebook.com/cycloneempire

www.youtube.com/CycloneEmpireTV

www.soundcloud.com/cycloneempire

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YOB: Veröffentlichen zweiten Video-Trailer für das neue Album "Clearing The Path To Ascend" | Reveal Second Video Trailer For Their Upcoming Album, "Clearing The Path To Ascend"

Oregon doomsmiths, Yob, will release their long-awaited full-length, the aptly titled Clearing The Path To Ascend, via Neurot Recordings this Autumn. Recorded at Gung Ho Studio in Eugene, notorious for its reserve of vintage equipment, alongside longtime collaborator/iconic sound-sage Billy Barnett, and mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, Beastmilk, Nails) at Audiosiege Engineering, Clearing The Path To Ascend is undoubtedly the crowning achievement for a band whose journey now nears two decades of creating music as commanding as it is cathartic.

  As is the Yob way, the tracks here don’t simply offer a vacuous glimpse into the already riff-soaked doom genre. These songs demand the tandem attention of mind, body, and soul – etching a mark across a sound that finds Yob as formidable and unequaled as they’ve ever been. The path to ascend is clearly an arduous one, fraught with the peril of mediocrity. Thankfully, Yob pummels that path, climbing upward into a realm that sets the band in a heavy metal place that has been and will always remain wholly their own.

 As a precursor to the release, Yob is offering up a second Clearing The Path To Ascend video teaser, produced by William F. Haldane of Solder House.

Lose yourself!

 In related news, Yob will bring their otherworldly riff rituals to stages across the UK and Europe this Autumn, commencing on September 3rd, 2014 in Utrecht, Netherlands, the band will play in twenty-eight cities, the tour coming to a close on October 11th, 2014 at Desertfest in Antwerp, Belgium. Yob will be joined by Pallbearer.

YOB UK/EU Tour 2014 w/ Pallbearer

9/03/2014 Tivoli de helling – Utrecht, NL

9/04/2014 The Fleece – Bristol, UK

9/05/2014 Roadhouse – Manchester, UK

9/06/2014 Audio- Glasgow, UK

9/07/2014 Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, UK

9/08/2014 The Underworld – London, UK

9/10/2014 FZW – Dortmund, DE

9/11/2014 Vera  - Groningen, NL

9/12/2014 Atlas – Aarhus, DK

9/13/2014 Truckstop Alaska – Gothenburg, SE

9/14/2014 Hostsabbat @ Betong – Oslo, NO

9/16/2014 Tavastia – Helsinki, FI

9/17/2014 Slakthuset – Stockholm, SE

9/18/2014 Loppen – Copenhagen, DK

9/19/2014 Connewitz – Leipzig, DE

9/20/2014 Firlej – Wroclaw, PL

9/21/2014 Bi Nuu – Berlin, DE

9/23/2014 Klub 007 – Prague, CZ

9/24/2014 Arena – Vienna, AT

9/25/2014 PMK – Unnsbruck, AT

9/26/2014 Gaswerk – Winterthur, CH

9/29/2014 Le Romandie – Lausanne, CH

10/02/2014 Razzmatazz3 – Barcelona, ES

10/03/2014 Villamanuela – Madrid, ES

10/04/2014 Amplifest – Porto, PT

10/05/2014 ES ESonora – Erandio, ES

10/10/2014 Kyttaro Club – Athens, GR

10/11/2014 Desertfest – Antwerp, BE

Clearing The Path To Ascend will be released on September 1st, 2014 in the UK and Europe and in the US on September 2nd, 2014 via Neurot Recordings.

YOB on Facebook

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings

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BRIMSTONE COVEN: Debüt der Retro Rock/Doom Metal-Zauberer erscheint auf Metal Blade Records; Erste Hörprobe ist online! | Retro Rock/Doom Metal sorcerers to release debut via Metal Blade Records; Preview track posted!

Retro rock/doom metal sorcerers, BRIMSTONE COVEN, will unleash the psychedelic rumblings of their self-titled new full-length and inaugural release for Metal Blade Records.

Formed in Wheeling, West Virginia in 2011, BRIMSTONE COVEN churns a cogent blend of dark, smoky cult rock that echoes the eerie reverberations of hard rock icons such as Black Sabbath and Pentagram, mixed with the classic rock craftings of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, all the while preserving a vintage rock sound mixed with a style all their own.

The outfit's Metal Blade debut boasts seventeen mind-altering tracks of occult conjurings - a combo of their self-released full-length and EP -- complete with new mastering and the vintage art renderings by Creighton Hill.

Described The Sludgelord of BRIMSTONE COVEN: "Coming across as Zeppelin meets '70s Black Sabbath (the best kind), BRIMSTONE COVEN certainly have that vintage sound in spades, guitars are crisp, bass feels warm and drums played adeptly, with a looseness that only Messieurs Moon, Ward and Mitchell …are known for. Great stuff and what a voice, 'Big John' is quite the frontman with an endearing and rich tone to his voice and yes he sounds. Killer."

Brimstone Coven will be released in Europe via Metal Blade Records on August 1, 2014. In the meantime, zone out to the witchy, jam-wrangled goodness of fifth cut, "The Grave" at metalblade.com/brimstonecoven.

Brimstone Coven Track Listing:

01. Cosmic Communion

02. Behold, the Anunnaki

03. The Black Door

04. Blood On The Wall

05. The Grave

06. Lord & Master

07. Vying

08. The Séance

09. Hades Hymn

10. The Folly of Faust

11. Intro (Bonus Track)

12. We Are Forever (Bonus Track)

13. The Ancients (Bonus Track)

14. Son of the Morning (Bonus Track)

15. LoSt in the oDyssey (Bonus Track)

16. Children of the Sun (Bonus Track)

17. Outro (Bonus Track)

BRIMSTONE COVEN:

"Big John" Williams - Vocals

Corey Roth - Guitar

Andrew D'Cagna - Bass

Justin Wood - Drums

http://www.facebook.com/brimstonecoven

http://www.metalblade.com/brimstonecoven 

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EARTHBOUND MACHINE: "Messengers of Deception" EP jetzt auf 12-Inch-Vinyl erhältlich!!! | "Messengers of Deception" EP now available on 12 inch vinyl!!!

EARTHBOUND MACHINE

"Messengers of Deception" EP

One sided 12" with screenprint on the b side. 300 copies!

"EARTHBOUND MACHINE is heavy from the very beginning whilst mixing
traditional Doom Metal and Stoner in the style of the early 90s.
The clear metal vocals of Haavisto are the best we heard for years." - Doom Metal Front

Order at:
ulteriorrecords.bandcamp.com
ulteriorrecords.bigcartel.com

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ELECTRIC WIZARD unveil "Time To Die" as title of forthcoming studio album; Official artwork revealed

Electric Wizard have today announced "TIME TO DIE" as the title of their forthcoming studio album; "TIME TO DIE" is the eighth full-length offering from the masters of aural punishment, and is testament to the fact that Electric ‘fucking’ Wizard continue to be the most uncompromisingly heavy, genuinely twisted and evil band in the world.

This will be their first album release since signing a worldwide deal with Spinefarm Records.

Says EW founding member, Jus Oborn: “All of our albums in the past have had a theme – revenge, drugs, black magick – and the theme of this one is death. Of course, death to us really means rebirth, so this album is a manifestation of a very primal occult belief in the final sacrifice. We have gone full circle – it was inevitable, but we had to do it. We had to kill the band so we could be reborn. It was the only way to ensure we could come back even stronger.”

The artwork, once again created by Oborn, is an extension of the theme; this is further solidified by the LP gatefold image, to be revealed at a later date.

Electric Wizard, who have just played at Hellfest in France, have the following festival appearances lined up for 2014, with more shows to be added:

July 3rd  Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark (Arena Stage)

July 4th  Sonisphere, Knebworth Park, UK (stage headline)

Aug 16th  Jabberwocky, The Excel Centre, London, UK

Sep 12th  Reverence Valada, Portugal (headline with Hawkwind)

Oct 10th – 12th  Desertfest, Antwerp, Belgium

ELECTRIC WIZARD are here for REVENGE… BE AFRAID...

www.facebook.com/electricwizarddorsetdoom 

www.youtube.com/user/ElectricFuckinWizard

www.spinefarmrecords.com

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SERVANTS OF THE MIST: Floridian Sludge Metallers to self-release "Gross Knowledge of Genital Mutilation" on June 24th!!!

Tampa merchants of misery SERVANTS OF THE MIST will self-release Gross Knowledge of Genital Mutilation on June 24. Unlike most doom metal and sludge from the American South, the usual bluesy "stoner" trappings are virtually non-existent in the depressive, depraved and terrifyingly abrasive brand of funeral sludge/doom. The new digital EP is the follow-up to last year's well received Suicide Sex Pact EP.

Proudly following in the giant footsteps of Suicide Sex Pact, the new material punishes the listener with devastating sonic results. In support of Gross Knowledge of Genital Mutilation the sextet will be embarking on its first tour this August, spreading their bitterness and misery throughout the East coast of the United States. Details and tour dates coming soon.

Sadism & Suffering

Undeserving

Commit Suicide

Gross Knowledge of Genital Mutilation

Praise for Suicide Sex Pact:

"This stuff has more in common both spiritually and harmonically with the bottom-feeding negativity of bands like Coffinworm and Lord Mantis, though Servantsof the Mist ditch the dense death/black metal rhythms in favor of endless slow-motion chugs. Spot-on sounds for cold weather and dark skies." - Invisible Oranges

"Highly recommended if you like your doom despondent, and your samples unsettling." - The Sleeping Shaman

"A group who embody the spirit of all that is doom, I cannot wait to hear more from these gentlemen in the future." - Two Guys Metal

"With audio collage work reminiscent of Eyehategod's more experimental passages and a muscular, bass-heavy attack that invokes Primitive Man and Conan, Suicide Sex Pact should interest fans of the loud, mean, and ugly." - Mister Growl

From the muggy, death metal drenched wetlands of Tampa, Florida comes a band with a sound not generally associated with this particular region- Servants of the Mist. Unlike most doom metal and sludge from the American South, the usual bluesy "stoner" trappings are virtually non-existent in their depressive, melancholic brand of funeral doom. Formed in 2010 by guitarist and chief songwriter Ed Tobar, Servants shuffled through several line-up changes before the entry of vocalist Richard Smyth Jr. Still trying to find their own unique sound, the group initially embraced the more traditional doom sounds of Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus, flirting with elements of gothic rock for enhanced melody and atmosphere. After several months of inner turmoil in the ranks, Smyth also assumed the role of drummer, in addition to his duties as a vocalist. For the next couple of years Servants would carry on as a three-piece, with Tim Straubb, Tobar's childhood friend, as bassist. During this period the group would distribute several self-financed demos throughout the Florida underground and share the stage with Jucifer as well as Tampa Bay death metal heroes Ulcer, After Death, and the Tardy Brothers (of Obituary fame).

Fast forward to the end of 2012. The world may not have ended, but the first era of Servants of the Mist certainly had. After parting ways with bassist Straubb, a new lineup was being constructed. Smyth enlisted several friends to round out the group's latest roster- RJ Howley on drums, Kenny Nguyen on bass and Jason Kleim on keyboards. Now a five-piece, Tobar's dissonant riffs became heavier and darker, while Smyth's vocals ceased to include the moments of melodic crooning he had incorporated since the beginning, now favoring an anguished blend of screams and guttural growls. This new incarnation would record and distribute the Daydreamer demo and begin creating a buzz throughout the Florida metal community. However, 2013 would see yet another change in the Servants of the Mist camp.

In the interest of creating a thicker, heavier drone, Kenny shifted his role to second guitar. In addition, Jason assumed the more fitting position of bassist. This line-up would record the Suicide Sex Pact EP, released in an exclusively digital format through Bandcamp.com. Eschewing the melodic sensibilities of the group's earlier work, the 28-minute opus consisted of the band's darkest, heaviest material to date- three speaker shattering hymns of self-hatred, addiction and depravity. Following the release of Suicide Sex Pact, the band would round out its lineup with the addition of Brian Schille on keyboards.  

SERVANTS OF THE MIST are:

Ed Tobar - Guitar

Richard Smyth, Jr. - Vocals

Kenny Nguyen - Guitar

Jason Kleim - Bass

RJ Howley - Drums

Brian Schille - Keyboards

www.facebook.com/servantsofthemist 

servantsofthemist.bandcamp.com

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EARTH: Tenth studio recording, "Primitive And Deadly", to be released via Southern Lord in September. On European Tour in August!

(photo credit Samantha Muljat)

Earth’s career, like its music, has always been a slow, deliberate progression. Each record slightly removed from the last, a constant refinement of a singular vision. Dylan Carlson has remained focused throughout on coaxing moments of strange beauty and reflection from “the riff”. This elemental foundation of rock is refracted, in their earliest recordings, through the prism of sheer volume & feedbacking drone or, in the twin Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light set from 2011 & 2012, via a sparse unraveling take on folk.

 With Primitive and Deadly, Earth’s tenth studio collection, Carlson & long term foil, drummer Adrienne Davies, manage to pull off the trick of completing an Ouroborean creative cycle, 25 years in the making, whilst exploring new directions in Earth’s music. For the first time in their diverse second act, they allow themselves to be a ROCK band, freed of adornment and embellishment.   As much as Carlson’s guitar has always been the focal point of Earth’s music, it’s been surrounded by consistently diverse instrumentation. Here the dialog between Carlson and Davies drumming remains pivotal, underpinned by the sympathetic bass of Bill Herzog (Sunn 0))), Joel RL Phelps, Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter) and thickened by additional layers of guitar from Brett Netson (Built To Spill, Caustic Resin) & Jodie Cox (Narrows). Perhaps the largest left turn on Primitive and Deadly, though, is prominence of guest vocalists Mark Lanegan and Rabia Shaheen Qazi (Rose Windows) who transform the traditionally free ranging meditations of Earth into something approaching traditional pop structures.  

On "Rooks Across the Gates", a song stylistically the closest to the folk inspired modality of Angels of Darkness, Carlson stretches out into some of his most lyrical playing to date, creating an almost symbiotic relationship between his performance and the vocals of old friend Mark Lanegan. "From the Zodiacal Light", meanwhile, takes the late 60’s San Franciscan / freaked out jazz-rock transcendence of The Bees Made Honey in the Lions Skull and quickly re-appropriates that sound into a musky torch song for the witching hour.

 This contradictive tension between a band pushing themselves ever forward whilst surveying their history is reflected in the albums twin recording locales. The foundation of the record was laid in the mystic desert high lands of Joshua Tree, California where Earth recorded hour after hour of meditations on each tracks central theme at Rancho de la Luna. Upon returning to Seattle these were edited, arranged and expanded upon at Avast with the help of long-term collaborator Randall Dunn (who was previously at the helm for the Hex, The Bees Made Honey in the Lions Skull and Hibernaculum sessions).

Thick, dense and overdriven, melodically rich & enveloping, Primitive and Deadly is Earth reaffirming their position as a singular point in the history of rock.

Earth shall embark on tour in August in support of Primitive And Deadly here are the dates:

TOUR DATES:

July 31st - Katowice, Pl - Off Festival

August 1st - Leipzig, DE - UT Connewitz

August 2nd - Berlin, DE - Lido

August 4th - Sibenik, HR - Super Uho Festival

August 5th - Vienna, AT - Arena

August 7th - Wiesbaden, DE - Schlacthof

August 8th - Zurich, CH - Bogen F

August 9th - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere

August 10th - Antwerp, BE - Zuiderpershuis

August 11th - Utrecht, NL - Tivoli

August 13th - Dublin, IE - Whelans

August 14th - Glasgow, UK - CCA

August 15th - Manchester, UK - Gorilla

August 16th - London, UK - Jabberwocky Festival

SELECTED EARTH DISCOGRAPHY:

  Extra Capsular Extraction (Sub Pop) 1991* 

  Earth 2: Special Low Frequency Version (Sub Pop) 1993

Phase 3: Thrones and Dominions (Sub Pop) 1995

Pentastar: In the Style of Demons (Sub Pop) 1996

Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method (Southern Lord) 2005

Hibernaculum (Southern Lord) 2007

The Bees Made Honey in the Lions Skull (Southern Lord) 2008

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I (Southern Lord) 2011

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II (Southern Lord) 2012

Primitive and Deadly (Southern Lord) 2014

*re-issued as A Bureaucratic Desire for Extra Capsular Extraction (Southern Lord) 2010

 Prior to the album's release, on 24th June Southern Lord shall be reissuing Hex; Or Printing In The Infernal Method and The Bees Made Honey In The Lion's Skull on LP. You can order from this link: http://www.southernlord.com/store/search/name:/artist_id:30/format_id:

 Don't forget you can listen to the opening track from Dylan Carlson's solo soundtrack, Gold which will see independent digital and LP release on June 16th, 2014 — the deluxe vinyl limited to 1000 copies — while Daymare Records out of Japan will handle the CD pressing worldwide. Here is the link: https://soundcloud.com/drcarlson-albion/drcarlsonalbion-gold-i

http://www.thronesanddominions.com

https://www.facebook.com/thronesanddominions

http://www.southernlord.com

http://twitter.com/twatterlord

http://southernlord.bandcamp.com

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