Monthly Archives: June 2017

NECROT To Kick Off US Tour With Undergang TONIGHT

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 Photo: Peyote Gutierrez

“Blood Offerings is all old ground, but it is hallowed earth. We’ve heard everything played on this album before, but we’ve never heard it played quite like this. If you’re that curmudgeon who keeps saying nothing can displace your aging death metal album collection, it might be finally time to buy a new record.” — Decibel


Blood Offerings is the newest studio recording from Bay Area death cult NECROT. Released via Tankcrimes on June 9th, the record earned the #29 spot on Billboard’s Hard Rock Chart and #52 on Billboard’s New Artist Chart upon its first week of release!

The eight ravaging tracks comprising NECROT’s Blood Offerings were captured by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer (Vastum, Graves At Sea), mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Nails, Gatecreeper), and comes shrouded in the unhallowed cover art of Marald Van Haasteren (Bolt Thrower, Baroness). Blood Offerings is out now on CD, LP, and digitally on Tankcrimes and on cassette through Sentient Ruin Laboratories. The limited vinyl edition comes as a foil-stamped, gatefold deluxe LP available in four color variants: 150 in purple splatter, 350 in gold splatter, 500 in black, and 1000 in gold.


Stream the record in full THIS LOCATION where you can also purchase the record digitally. Find physical preorders at THIS LOCATION.


NECROT will embark on the month-long North American tour with Denmark-based death metal tyrants, Undergang, beginning June 30th and rolling through July 29th. The band will also make their way to Europe this fall for a journey that will include stops at Bloodshed and Graveland Fests. Further details to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

NECROT w/ Undergang:
6/30/2017 Thee Parkside – San Francisco, CA
7/01/2017 5 Star – Los Angeles, CA
7/02/2017 Tower Bar – San Diego, CA
7/03/2017 Yucca Tap Room – Phoenix, AZ
7/04/2017 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
7/05/2017 Sidewinder – Austin, TX
7/06/2017 Satellite Bar – Houston, TX
7/07/2017 Siberia – New Orleans, LA
7/08/2017 The Earl – Atlanta, GA
7/09/2017 The Brass Mug– Tampa, FL
7/11/2017 Slim’s – Raleigh, NC
7/12/2017 The Camel – Richmond, VA
7/13/2017 Sidebar – Baltimore, MD
7/14/2017 Gooski’s – Pittsburgh, PA
7/15/2017 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY
7/16/2017 Dusk – Providence, RI
7/17/2017 Stamps – Buffalo, NY
7/18/2017 Corktown Tavern – Detroit, MI
7/19/2017 The Summit – Columbus, OH
7/20/2017 Quarters – Milwaukee, WI
7/21/2017 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
7/22/2017 Lookout Lounge – Omaha, NE
7/23/2017 Hi Dive – Denver, CO
7/24/2017 Club X – Salt Lake City, CO
7/26/2017 The Highline – Seattle, WA
7/27/2017 High Water Mark – Portland, OR
7/28/2017 Starlite – Sacramento, CA
7/29/2017 Eli’s – Oakland, CA

Forged in 2011, NECROT — founded by current and former members of Acephalix, Vastum, Saviours, Watch Them Die, Atrament, Rude, and more — unleashed the audio bone-crush of their The Labyrinth full-length in 2016 via Tankcrimes. Spewing forth eight tracks amassed from three hard-to-find and long out-of-print demo tapes, the record reaped critical acclaim from fans and media alike compelled by the band’s unrepentant Autopsy, Bolt Thrower, and Sacrilege worship.

“Metaphorically, it’s like putting your ear up to the chest of a rotting corpse and listening to the parasites eat it from the inside out. NECROT has recorded an album so putrescent you can almost smell it.” – Paste Magazine


 “…essential listening…” – Indy Metal Vault


 “…a modern-day classic…Bolt Thrower played a simple, but highly aesthetic style of death metal. NECROT refreshes the template with a slew of quality, catchy riffs and accessible song structure that sounds quite original.” — Echoes And Dust


“…an album that does the region’s growling, guttural legacy proud, and with a new layer of contemporary punch.” – Treble

“…raw, fast and razor sharp…  a pummeling at its finest!” – Metal Assault


“…Blood Offerings separates itself from the pack by offering, in addition to blood, some damn fine riffs.” – Last Rites


“Engrossing from start to finish, NECROT have crafted a death metal masterpiece in “Blood Offerings” that looks reverently towards the genre’s past while casting its own deadly shadow for the future.” – Riot Nerd


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http://www.tankcrimes.com

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http://www.tankcrimes.merchtable.com

http://www.sentientruin.com

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Cloak of Skies: Drug Honkey

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Imagine reaching into the dark crevices of the mind and mulling through every emotion that drives an individual into oblivion Cloak of Skies by Drug Honkey would be the soundtrack. Combining elements of Doom, Death, and Atmospheric Black Metal with darkened synth infused industrial passages the band has created a plethora of feeling proving the point that Drug Honkey is the only drug you need. 

Dabbling in various territories Drug Honkey does not give in to the typical sound you would expect with the different genres, instead they encompass each one breathing in the atmosphere of a sickening trip and this is most definitely not a bad thing. Pool of Failure fills the ears with synthesized doom ladened riffs transporting the listener into the ruins of the mind, and throws in a psychedelic brew of unforgiving vocals. This song acts as a great introduction, paving the way for the rest of the album. Apocalyptic synths give Sickening Wasteoid an almost haunting presence and opens up the door to an industrial wasteland. 

While this album stays true to the vision it does not tread lightly, there are aspects of pain and unforgiveness here. There is no safe space and Outlet of Hatred serves that purpose. The distorted vocals mingled with the swelling sounds feed into a feeling of catharsis. In a true psychedelic fashion (It’s Not) The Way seperates itself from the other songs leaning more heavily into the noise aspect while not straying too far from the curve. The title track Cloak of Skies feature impressive saxaphone work by Bruce Lamont of Yakuza which add more depth and mystery to this album. If “psychedelic doom jazz” was a real thing Drug Honkey have made it so. Normally remixed songs are something that are casually listened to in passing but Pool of Failure remixed by Justin K. Broadrick give the salutary nod to early Godflesh material which is definitely a big factor within this band. Drug Honkey transcends the genres presented making their unique sound an escapism from reality. If music is to be experienced it can be done with Cloak of Skies, but not only that it can be felt. Within the realm of metal there are plenty of bands that stand out but Drug Honkey are in a league of their own, pushing boundaries and bringing emotions forth to break barriers… highly recommended. 

EXPULSION Shares “Comatose” Via BrooklynVegan And Invisible Oranges

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EXPULSION Shares “Comatose” Via BrooklynVegan And Invisible Oranges

 

[Photo by Jay Valena]


“The tune aims for a pure high. Speed hits nostril. Nerves hit overload. Volume hits maximum. As it should be.” – BrooklynVegan/Invisible Oranges on “Comatose”

 

Extreme metal act EXPULSION — which features members of Repulsion, Exhumed, Phobia, Intronaut, Gruesome, and numerous others within its ranks – today shares a new track off from their forthcoming debut album Nightmare Future due out July 14th via Relapse Records.

 

Hear closing track “Comatose” via a shared premiere through BrooklynVegan and Invisible Oranges HERE and HERE respectively.

 

Comments guitarist Matt Olivo, “You’re living an undead existence connected to machines to keep you alive. Death is imminent, but when? Minutes? Days? Years? Decades? ‘Comatose’ tells this cautionary tale with vivid morbidity and sheer ultra-violence.”

 

Adds the respected blogs, “The band sound a whole lot like Motörhead writing a grindcore LP. The bass is thick, the riffs come first, and each brief piece of the record seems catchy as well as mosh-inducing,” furthering of “Comatose,” “The tune aims for a pure high. Speed hits nostril. Nerves hit overload. Volume hits maximum. As it should be.”

 

Produced by Matt Olivo, mixed by Toxic Holocaust’s Joel Grind, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Mayhem, Faith No More, Halford), Nightmare Future will drop on July 14th on CD, LP, and digital formats via Relapse Records. Physical preorders and bundles are available at Relapse.com HERE and digital downloads can be preordered via Bandcamp at THIS LOCATION.

 

Spawned from the cerebral mind of grind legend Matt Olivo (Repulsion), EXPULSION combines grind, punk, and crust into a caustic musical vomit guaranteed to stack the corpses high. Olivo’s partner-in-grind, Matt Harvey (Exhumed, Gruesome) was recruited over beers in a sweaty Los Angeles apartment to bring his classic brand of oratory assault. The additions of veterans – drummer Danny Walker (Intronaut, Exhumed, Phobia) and bassist Menno Verbaten (Lightning Swords Of Death) – complete the fit-to-burn outfit. Expect nothing but the best of throat-shredding vocals, relentless blast beats, buzzsaw riffs, and raw bass tones. EXPULSION will leave you horrified with their vile brand of classic, ’80s sickness!

 

“The production is raw yet meaty. The guitars are thick and the drums are like mini gunshots. Even during the chaotic moments of the songs, you can easily identify the riff patterns which makes this album enjoyable right from the first spin. EXPULSION hits the mark with their debut Nightmare Future. They deliver what they promise and don’t disappoint even a bit despite the mountain of expectations the listener may have considering each member’s legacy.” – Metal Wani

 

“…high speed, take-no-prisoners bangers that give Iron Reagan or Lock Up a fair fight in the over the top intensity department.” – Metal Riot

 

EXPULSION:
Matt Harvey – Vocals
Matt Olivo – Guitar
Danny Walker – Drums
Menno Verbaten – Bass

   

http://www.relapse.com

http://www.relapserecords.bandcamp.com

http://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords

http://www.twitter.com/RelapseRecords

CORMORANT: Decibel Premieres “Preserved In Ash” From Progressive Blackened Death Unit As Diaspora Full-Length Nears Release

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CORMORANT: Decibel Premieres “Preserved In Ash” From Progressive Blackened Death Unit As Diaspora Full-Length Nears Release
 

Preorder Diaspora at THIS LOCATION.
 
Slated to drop this August, Diaspora is the imminent new full-length from progressive blackened death collective CORMORANT. Recorded and mixed by Greg Wilkinson (Vastum, Graves At Sea, Noothgrush, Brainoil) at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California, the expansive four-track, sixty-one-minute offering features the band’s longest, most detail-oriented compositions to date – the result of two years of collaborative writing.
 
In advance of its release, today Decibel Magazine offers up first single, opening track “Preserved In Ash,” for public feasting at THIS LOCATION.
 
“‘Preserved In Ash’ is the last song we wrote for the album,” elaborates guitarist/vocalist Matt Solis, “but as it was coming together it became clear that it fit perfectly as a lead-off track. Lyrically, it’s about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, which buried the city of Pompeii in volcanic ash. There’s a lot of psychedelic black metal and funeral doom stuff going on in this song, and Greg Wilkinson’s crushing production allowed us to establish a good balance between those two tonalities.”
 
Diaspora will be released independently on 2xLP, CD, and digital formats on August 11th with US and European distribution through War Crime Recordings. Preorders are currently available at THIS LOCATION.
 
Musically, CORMORANT‘s Diaspora features familiar elements of black, death, prog, and folk metal, but pronounced psychedelic and funeral doom influences can be heard throughout as well, particularly on the twenty-six-minute closing epic, “Migration.” Diaspora also features dynamic performances from renowned cellist Jackie Perez Gratz (Grayceon, Giant Squid, ex-Amber Asylum). Mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, YOB, Gatecreeper) at Audiosiege, the album is a crushing statement from one of the Bay Area’s most consistent extreme metal bands.
 
Additionally, Utah-based visionary artist Jeff Christensen created the album’s vivid four-panel artwork. Issues Christensen, “The idea was to create four panels of artwork based on a migration theme. I thought it would be interesting to have the panels run consecutively to form an expansive, evolving image where the eyes can just roam. We wanted each painting to be able to hold its own as a standalone image but also be a link to the wider image of the migratory theme. The original artwork was done with oil paints on four 16″ x 16″ panels. The entire process was a challenge, and the finished images are really different than anything I’ve done before. I was given a lot of reign to just do my thing and I’m very happy with the way it turned out.”
 
Oakland dwellers can catch CORMORANT live this August. Future CORMORANT performances are in the plotting stages.
 
CORMORANT:
8/11/2017 Oakland Metro Operahouse – Oakland, CA w/ Inanimate Existence, Wrvth, Logistic Slaughter
 
CORMORANT is a progressive black/death metal band from Petaluma, California. Forged in 2007, the group consists of bassist/vocalist Marcus Luscombe, guitarist Nick Cohon, guitarist/vocalist Matt Solis, and drummer Brennan Kunkel. In addition to performing numerous shows throughout the Bay Area with notable acts like At The Gates, Wolves In The Throne Room, Ne Obliviscaris, and Pallbearer, CORMORANT has completed full US tours with Primordial, While Heaven Wept, YOB, Norska, and others.
 
 

Label Watch: Ascension Monuments Media Release Fresh Nachtymystium Merchandise

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New Label based in Southern California have released a run of new Nachtmystium merchandise. After some silence the band is back and are currently set to headline Festum Carnis in Wilseyville California on July 8th. AMM can be found on Facebook and Bandcamp and are currently taking orders. Listed below is what is available 

Nachtmystium – “Reaper” back patches.

Nachtmystium – “Reaper” grey-on-black 18×24″ screen prints

Nachtmystium – “Eulogy IV” cassettes (ltd. to 100)

Hate Meditation – “Condemned To Death” demo 2003 reissue cassettes (ltd to 100 – side project of Nachtmystium)

And announced today is the official release of Nachtmystium Live Decay: Roadburn Rites 2012 details below:

Our first CD release is scheduled to be arriving this afternoon!  Nachtmystium’s previously unreleased live album, “Live Decay: Roadburn Rites 2012″ (in which they performed their entire 3rd LP, American black metal classic ”Instinct: Decay” in it’s entirety for the first time ever!  Includes five additional tracks beyond the album material as well! 13 tracks all together clocking in at 55 minutes!)  Soundboard, multi-tracked recording that was later mixed at a studio.  Quality is as good or better than the Nachtmystium “Live at Roadburn 2010” album (Roadburn Records / Diabolus Templum Sanus, 2011) and this mini-gatefold style digipak is strictly limited to 500 units only!  We will not be repressing this.  This is a special release, out just in time for the bands first performances in nearly 5 years that occur in Los Angeles on July 7th and Wilseyville, CA on July 8th (headlining Festum Carnis Open Air), where they will again perform this classic album (at these two shows only) for the first time on American soil after five years in the shadows.  Nachtmystium are back and this totally unreleased gem is now available for you fans.  $10 + s/h!

Please give this new label your support and help boost them up, also be sure to check out Nachtmystium Live at Festum Carnis.

For European orders Nachtymstium is working with House of Inkantation and they have the following in stock

House of Inkantation Bandcamp

 Nachtmystium – “Doomsday Derelicts” cassettes (ltd. to 100)

Nachtmystium – “The Demon Has Awoken Once Again” ltd.tshirt (purple & grey print on black tshirts)

BANDCAMP

FACEBOOK

Nachtmystium Official Facebook

CATTLE DECAPITATION Announces Headlining Tour With Revocation, Full Of Hell, And Artificial Brain

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This fall, CATTLE DECAPITATION will headline the MetalSucks & Exclaim! Aggressive Tendencies Presents: The North American Extinction Tour Part II: Inhuman Beings, featuring Revocation, Full Of Hell, and Artificial Brain as support. The tour will run from October 10th through November 20th with Tijuana, Mexico’s mad doctors of gore, Thanatology, replacing Full Of Hell as support on the first three  
dates. See below for all confirmed shows.
 
MetalSucks & Exclaim! Aggressive Tendencies Presents:
The North American Extinction Tour Part II: Inhuman Beings  
CATTLE DECAPITATION w/ Revocation, Full Of Hell, Artificial Brain:
10/10/2017 Regent Theater – Los Angeles, CA * ^
10/11/2017 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA * ^
10/12/2017 Green Room – Flagstaff, AZ * ^
10/13/2017 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
10/14/2017 Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
10/15/2017 Diamondz Event Center – Jerome, ID
10/16/2017 Bossanova – Portland, OR
10/17/2017 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
10/18/2017 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC
10/20/2017 Starlite – Edmonton, AB
10/21/2017 Dickens – Calgary, AB
10/22/2017 The Exchange – Regina, SK
10/23/2017 Park Theater – Winnipeg, MB
10/24/2017 Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
10/26/2017 Agora Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
10/27/2017 Reggies – Chicago, IL
10/28/2017 Madison Live – Covington, KY
10/29/2017 Token Lounge – Detroit, MI
10/31/2017 Opera House – Toronto, ON
11/01/2017 Les Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
11/02/2017 Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
11/03/2017 Once Ballroom – Boston, MA
11/04/2017 Voltage – Philadelphia, PA
11/05/2017 Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
11/06/2017 Highline Ballroom – New York, NY
11/08/2017 Shaka’s – Virginia Beach, VA
11/09/2017 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
11/10/2017 The Haven – Orlando, FL
11/11/2017 Orpheum – Tampa, FL
11/13/2017 Southport Music Hall – New Orleans, LA
11/14/2017 White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
11/15/2017 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
11/16/2017 89th St Collective – Oklahoma City, OK
11/17/2017 Rock Box – San Antonio, TX
11/18/2017 Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
11/19/2017 Club Red – Phoenix, AZ
11/20/2017 Beauty Bar – Las Vegas, NV
* = no Full Of Hell
^ = with Thanatology
 
CATTLE DECAPITATION will be touring in support of their most recent full-length, 2015’s The Anthropocene Extinction. As the most sonically and thematically engrossing record of CATTLE DECAPITATION‘s maniacal discography, The Anthropocene Extinction was named one of the best albums of the year by Loudwire, MetalSucks, and Metal Injection among many others. To preview and purchase the acclaimed record, visit: metalblade.com/cattledecapitation.
 
 

Sixes: Worship Amps not Gods, A Live Offering

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On June 10th The Union in Los Angeles hosted a benefit show for the now closed Complex. This local venue catered to the underground and their many art forms but was particularly partial to the Metal Scene. After its sudden and unfortunate demise the Complex together with Church of the 8th Day brought forth a band of artists and musicians to raise money for expenses lost due to the closure. While there were plenty of notable acts such as Young and in the Way, Ironaut, and Plagues, the band Sixes delivered their Blackened brew of doomy stoner metal that has already stirred up a buzz within the metal scene. 


Video Courtesy of sexthrash69

The darkened room is suddenly filled with ominous distortion moving the ambience into a slow rhythmic pattern, as the first notes of Acid God ring through. The rest of the band then makes their entrance and the ears are graced by a mind numbing scream from vocalist Stephen encroaching into an unforgiving relentless doom ladened groove. Methistopheles was a treat in itself, not taking away from the haunting feedback Sixes jumped into a furious unmerciful tune, vocals being spit out with vigor and rage, dripping with emotion and seeping into the very core. A Cross to Burn was the final song of the set, already a fan favorite this was a pleasure to see performed live. Headbanging through the rumble and becoming entranced by the music could be seen by those present. Sixes definitely have a lot to offer in terms of musicanship but they also possess the ability to speak through their songs. Be sure to keep an eye out for their debut album out later this year.

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