Review of Necro Deathmort’s ‘The Colonial Script’

AJ Cookson and Matthew Rozeik have done it again: following their largely well received predecessor Music of Bleak Origin that grabbed our full attention yesteryear, Necro Deathmort have descended upon us with another monolithic masterpiece full of electronically unloading twists and turns down an undefined dooms day promenade.

The London based deuce put an immediate dent in your tracks with the steep and slow opening track: Imperial. A dread filled hum punctuated with a mechanical percussion. It breaks into a fast paced, panicked interlude of rhythm that swiftly dies leaving just the dread. The entire album is filled with these suspense games, releases of desperation and fear to a backdrop that’s drowned in doom.

A cold sense of darkness and descent is palpable on first listen, only to be introduced to the evenly spread calculous vocal injections throughout, taking you off into a uncompromising, subterranean wonder. With cascading omnipresence and elements of terror, the story that needs to be told here is nothing short of a subversively lonely tale.

Technically speaking, this is a tight and intricate piece of work. The record jumps into live vocals and heavy as hell guitars in unexpected places, like a scream from humanity lost.

The Colonial Script is a raw, yet slick venture into black metal, doom and electronica. With its ominous edge and subjugating attitude The Colonial Script is a rite of passage that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The album is released on Distraction Records on Monday. For more info you can visit Necro Deathmort and Distraction Records

Thank you to Ollie and Nes for these awesome words.

 

Weedeater announce European tour 2012

 

Sic Alps announce self-titled fifth album, out September 10th on Drag City

With the self-titled Sic Alps now ready to hit on September 10th via Drag City, we’re looking at another fresh dawn in the storied history of a band. But what really is the story anyway?

During Pavement’s “One More for the Money” tour of 2010, Sic Alps played some British gigs with them – it’s been written that during one long night in Brixton, Stephen Malkmus was heard uttering within shot of a microphone that Sic Alps would be one of the most important bands of the next ten years. Not that we’re inclined to disagree, but Malkmus is a habitual liar, so who knows how apocryphal one can really be about that.

All speculation aside, here are the facts as we know them: Sic Alps be the fifth album from Sic Alps, if you include the compilation album Long Way Around to a Shortcut, which we do. There’s been a number of singles and some splits and who knows, we may be looking at a second way around to a shortcut someday soon. First though, we deal with the cracking and recasting of the mold that is apparent when you start to hear the sounds of Sic Alps. Where on previous recordings there was space and distance, this time, they have carved a fuller sound, fleshed out with instrumental textures and classic vocal melodies, expanding upon the playful experimentation for which they’re known.

And lest you be deprived of that gentle bombshell, that first sting of strings, we present the lead-off track to the record, “Glyphs” premiered earlier this week on Pitchfork.

Sic Alps Tracklisting:

1. Glyphs

2. God Bless Her, I Miss Her

3. Lazee Son

4. Polka Vat

5. Wake Up, It’s Over II

6. Drink Up!

7. Thylacine Man

8. Moviehead

9. Rock Races

10. See You On The Slopes

Stay tuned for further information regarding this release in the near future.

http://www.sicalps.com/

http://www.dragcity.com/artists/sic-alps

Tomahawk spill the beans on new album set to drop January 2013

It’s been 5 years since the release of their 3rd and wondrous album entitled Anonymous, so as best expected, Tomahawks latest creation Oddfellows is on the highly anticipated list of must have records for the year coming up.

Oddfellows features the many talents of Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton, Battles/former Helmet drummer John Stanier and former Mr.Bungle/Fantômas bassist Trevor Dunn, so, in the way of supergroups, we really do have something to look forward to after all these years.

Duane Denison (Tomahawk guitarist) told Rolling Stone magazine  that “[Oddfellows] is more of a full-on rock album. There’s no quirky weirdness – it’s very straightforward for us,” “The heavy stuff is as dark and heavy as anything we’ve ever done, but then there’s a lighter edge to it. There’s almost like this weird, upbeat [sound], what I call ‘heavy pop,’ and Patton totally got the vibe right away…[Patton likened it to] really heavy Beach Boys.”

 

This 15 track affair will be starting off our new year rather nicely, with the album set to drop in January 2013 on Ipecac Records although, the word over at Rolling Stone tells of a yet to be selected single that will be released during Autumn this year to keep us on our toes…

From Ashes Rise: New 7″ to see July release via Southern Lord

Portland, Oregon’s legendary crust punk pioneers FROM ASHES RISE are preparing to unleash their brand new 7″ via Southern Lord, the band’s first material to be released in nine years!

Now confirmed for official UK/EU release on July 16th, the anticipated new two-song Rejoice The End/Rage Of Sanity 7″ follows-up the band’s lauded Nightmares LP, released by Jade Tree Records in 2003. The songs were recorded in February at Audible Alchemy in Portland, engineered by Bryan Sours and Steve Lobdell, and mastered by the band’s Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.

The A-side track of the 7″, “Rejoice The End,” is available now for download via a Southern Lord label mixtape released this week via Cvlt Nation.

Formed in Nashville, Tennessee during the mid 1990s’ American crust punk surge, later relocating to their current home in Portland, Oregon, the band have unleashed three LPs and a plethora of split releases, EPs and more, amidst waves of heavy underground touring. The infectious, downtuned FROM ASHES RISE sound has become a staple in the scene, and alongside bands like Tragedy and His Hero Is Gone have helped pioneer what is defined as modern crust punk, the band remaining one of the most brutally-charged and hauntingly melodic forerunners of the scene.

http://www.facebook.com/fromashesrise
http://www.audiosiegepdx.com/fromashesrise
http://www.southernlord.com
http://twitter.com/twatterlord
http://www.facebook.com/SLadmin

Scott Kelly, Steve Von Till & Wino – Songs of Townez Van Zandt

This is the first of an exclusive series giving insight into the voices behind the covers of Songs of Townez Van Zandt…

Sample “State Of Non-Return” from OM’s new album Advaitic Songs now

OM have just offered a first taste of music from their hypnotic new album Advaitic Songs. “State of Non-Return” delivers their signature immense low end, genre-defying musical themes, and entrancing grooves offering an early indicator of the album’s incredible depths of sound and thematic purpose.

And here’s a link:

http://www.dragcity.com/system/tracks/downloads/5360/original/1-02_State_of_Non-Return.mp3

Southern Lord Tour Underway – Download Your Free Southern Lord Mixtape

The crushing Southern Lord label tour featuring ENABLER, BURNING LOVE, MARTYRDÖD and BLACK BREATH began in Seattle last night, with special guest headliners for the evening, POISON IDEA!

 

In celebration the kickoff of this incredible tour, Cvlt Nation is hosting a crushing Southern Lord label mixtape, as well as a personal statement from label owner Greg Anderson on the reasons behind booking this tour. The mixtape features twenty tracks, including brand new and previously unreleased tunes from the ‘Lord’s foreboding roster including music from the anticipated new FROM ASHES RISE 7″, the forthcoming XIBALBA album, POISON IDEA, WOLFBRIGADE, HIGH ON FIRE, BLACK COBRA, THE SECRET and more. Download this FREE slab of brutality RIGHT HERE.

 

Undoubtedly the most crushing package of the Summer touring season, the tour is a true DIY undertaking that was booked by Southern Lord owner Greg Anderson himself. The core acts for the tour includes Milwaukee’s metal/hardcore crossover outfit ENABLER, Ontario-based hardcore/rock outfit BURNING LOVE (featuring ex-Cursed vocalist Chris Colohan), the dark lords of Swedish crust MARTYRDÖD, and Seattle’s d-beat/death-infused hardcore bastards BLACK BREATH headlining the tour. All four bands have brand new albums either already out or set to be unleashed based around the tour. Special guests POISON IDEA, NOOTHGRUSH, PELICAN, POWER TRIP, WILD//TRIBE, DEAD IN THE DIRT, THE SECRET and more will also infiltrate the routing, each with one or more regional performances.

 

In addition, Southern Lord is hosting a label showcase co-presented with Scion A/V Metal, set to take place at The Glass House in Pomona this Saturday, June 23rd. The lineup for this show features all four core acts on the label tour in addition to a special headlining guest appearance by PELICAN. As a free RSVP-only event the spots will fill up extremely fast. If you plan on attending, make sure to reserve your spot AT THIS LOCATION.

 

Southern Lord Summer 2012 Label Package Tour
w/ ENABLER, BURNING LOVE, MARTYRDÖD, BLACK BREATH:
6/19/2012 El Corazon – Seattle, WA w/ Poison Idea [tickets]
6/20/2012 Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR w/ Poison Idea [tickets]
6/21/2012 The Mezzanine – San Francisco, CA w/ Noothgrush [tickets]
6/22/2012 The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA w/ Pelican, Noothgrush [tickets]
6/23/2012 The Glass House – Pomona, CA *Southern Lord label showcase w/ Pelican [RSVP]
6/24/2012 The Casbah – San Diego, CA w/ Pelican [tickets]
6/25/2012 Chasers – Phoenix, AZ [tickets]
6/27/2012 Club Dada – Dallas, TX w/ Power Trip, Wild//Tribe [tickets]
6/28/2012 Red 7 – Austin, TX w/ Power Trip, Wild//Tribe [tickets]
6/29/2012 Walter’s – Houston, TX w/ Power Trip, Wild//Tribe [tickets]
6/30/2012 Three Ring Circus – New Orleans, LA w/ Dead In The Dirt [tickets]
7/01/2012 529 – Atlanta, GA w/ Dead In The Dirt [tickets]
7/02/2012 Kings Barcade – Raleigh, NC w/ Dead In the Dirt [tickets]
7/03/2012 Strange Matter – Richmond, VA w/ Dead In The Dirt [tickets]
7/04/2012 Talking Head Lounge at Sonar – Baltimore, MD w/ The Secret [tickets]
7/05/2012 Radio Bar – Boston, MA w/ The Secret [tickets]
7/06/2012 Acheron – Brooklyn, NY w/ The Secret [tickets]
7/07/2012 The Barbary – Philadelphia, PA w/ The Secret [tickets]
7/08/2012 Blind Bob’s – Dayton, OH w/ The Secret (*NO Martyrdöd) [tickets]
7/09/2012 Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL (*NO Martyrdöd) [tickets]
7/10/2012 Borg Ward – Milwaukee, WI (*Black Breath & Enabler ONLY) [tickets]
7/11/2012 Medusa – Minneapolis, MN (*Black Breath & Enabler ONLY)
7/13/2012 Carr’s Corner – Spokane, WA (*Black Breath ONLY)

 

http://www.southernlord.com

http://www.facebook.com/SLadmin

http://twitter.com/twatterlord

No Means No announce three UK shows

Lovingly pinched from the Louder than War website, because they wrote it so well after all…

NoMeansNo announce UK dates – however before everyone gets excited they are only playing three gigs which are sure to sell out very quickly…

The Canadian trio of John Wright (bass, lead vocals) Rob Wright (drums, vocals) and Tom Holliston (guitar, vocals) arrive in the UK this October.

Based in Vancouver, originally hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, a large portion of the NoMeansNo following exists on mainland Europe. Their devoted and hardcore fan base sees the band regularly touring Germany, Holland, Italy and Czech, though trips to the UK are less frequent and all the more exciting when they occur.

Never conforming and always conspiring, NoMeansNo exist on their own terms having never courted nor sought after the mainstream successes some of their peers have enjoyed. Their main aim has been longevity and survival through endless recording and touring. John Wright explained in a rare interview, “We write the music, find people who want to put it out, and go from there.” This rare insight is taken from a 2007 interview. It remains relevant and although a simple philosophy it’s one that means NoMeansNo are still on the road. Formed in 1979 and approaching 35 years in existence, with just one member change and the same line-up since 1994. Not many bands can lay claim to stability like that.

The cult of NoMeansNo spreads far and wide influencing countless bands across varying genres. Alongside DC legends Bad Brains they are Dave Grohl’s favourite band, whom he describes as “the best hardcore band ever”. Billy Joe Armstrong cites the 1989 album ‘Wrong’ as one of the “greatest” albums. They have been credited as a major influence and quite possibly founders of math rock. NoMeansNo themselves are influenced by punk legends D.O.A., the bass heavy Minutemen and have been described as “Motorhead after art school.”

This tour sees NoMeansNo for the first time in Liverpool or the North West since anyone (so far) can remember.

October 4th – Camden Underworld, London
October 5th – Kazimier, Liverpool
October 6th – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

The gig in Liverpool promoted by Antipop Records promises to be rather special – The Kazimier is one of the most interesting live music venues in the country. Previously an (in)famous 70’s disco, the current owners have not altered the layout, so its complete with double staircase either side of the dance floor which is directly beneath the stage offering a very up close and intimate experience. Overlooking this is a full venue width balcony area providing everyone with eye popping views of the mayhem on stage.

Get your tickets now…

The Obsessed to headline South Of Mainstream Festival

Check out the news that just dropped into my inbox…

EXILE ON MAINSTREAM is thrilled to announce that THE OBSESSED have been confirmed as headlining act on this year’s edition of the fabulous SOUTH OF MAINSTREAM FESTIVAL.

We are utterly happy, not only to welcome such a legend but also one of the bands that can be named as being responsible for our whole existence. Not only is Exile On Mainstream a label based on a deep admiration for the underground and sometimes unexplored and a certain tradition of it’s manifestations like THE OBSESSED have presented in the past, we are also just plainly die-hard fans and who knows, if it wouldn’t have been for the discovery of their legendary albums, we might not haven’t started a label.

With the 2012 edition of the SOUTH OF MAINSTREAM Festival we intended to pay tribute to the different facets and inaugural manifestations of what became this label and we seem to have accomplished the mission we had in mind. The dreams came true. There is quite a number and variety of bands playing this year who had a massive impact on what we like to present, to achieve and, simply, to be. THE OBSESSED surely being one of these bands, but it doesn’t end here – also named can be BULBUL, of which we always said that when we discovered the band in the Nineties, Andreas, founder of Exile On Mainstream postulated whenever he would start a label, a band or whatever it shall be like BULBUL: no boundaries, no restrictions, just a massive sense of humor, paired with an urge do deconstruct clichees without negating the Rock.

Furthermore we are pumped to see OSTINATO appearing as well in a one-time-only reunion show. OSTINATO have probably been the band that did put Exile On Mainstream on the international map for music lovers as it was the first band we really marketed worldwide and numerous tours we did with them showed us not only how outstanding musicians they are but also their whole approach and attitude did put more than one grin on our faces. After they disbanded in 2009 after a breathtaking show in Leipzig, Germany, some tears were floating. Now they are back for one show.

It would be too much and probably boring for you reader to name all the bands appearing on the festival this year but be assured, each single one has some kind of connection to us and our appearance, being it WINO AND CONNY OCHS, who probably would have never met without this label (something which remarks probably the most heartwarming moments in running a label), being it IDES OF GEMINI, BLACK SHAPE OF NEXUS, TARENTATEC, VERSUS THE STILLBORN-MINDED, DXBXSX, COR, BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS, TSCHAI KA, WE INSIST!, REFLECTOR, KASAN, ARAN EPOCHAL and DER_WARRIOR – all bands consisting of people who are not only musicians but stalwarts in helping out the underground as journalists, promoters, tourmanagers, sound guys, graphic artists, web designers – we all owe them a great deal for help they had given us in the past, most of the time without expecting any revenue.

Apart from that we present two of our newest signings: DARSOMBRA and STINKING LIZAVETA who both will celebrate their record releases on the festival. This all framed by some of the musically most challenging acts of our times such as PLANKS, BROKEN.HEART.COLLECTOR, ANTLERED MAN, XANTHAN GUM, NINA and seminal ULME-frontman ARNE HEESCH, who will present an acoustic solo set for the first time in his life.

See, now I have named all of them and I hope I haven’t bored you. Please find some infos below and circulate this news wide.

Ticket presale will start on July 3rd 2012.

The new website just went up, giving all info necessary here:

http://www.southofmainstream.de

Details:

SOUTH OF MAINSTREAM FESTIVAL 2012

3 days of peace, music and lovemaking in a tent

Location: 04916 Schönewalde-Stolzenhain

(app. 1 hr South Of Berlin)

date: 6/ 7/ 8 September 2012

LineUp:

THE OBSESSED

OSTINATO

IDES OF GEMINI

WINO AND CONNY OCHS

STINKING LIZAVETA

BULBUL

WE INSIST!

COR

PLANKS

BLACK SHAPE OF NEXUS

DARSOMBRA

REFLECTOR

KHUDA

DxBxSx

KASAN

BROKEN.HEART.COLLECTOR

VERSUS THE STILLBORN-MINDED

ANTLERED MAN

TSCHAI KA

TARENTATEC

ORNAH-MENTAL

XANTHAN GUM

ARAN EPOCHAL

BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS

DER_WARRIOR

ARNE HEESCH (Ulme)

NINA UND DIE ANDERN BEEDEN

What a splendid line up its shaping to be, Rarely Unable will be their with bells on!