Melvins/Unsane touring the U.S. this Spring

Melvins will be touring the U.S. with Unsane this Spring. Amrep is also putting together a tour 7" with the two bands covering each other. No word yet on how many will be pressed, check the Amrep bored for more details. Tour dates are below...

April 11, 2012 - San Jose, CA - The Blank Club

April 12, 2012 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall

April 13, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour

April 14, 2012 - San Diego, CA - Casbah

April 17, 2012 - El Paso, TX - House of Rock

April 19, 2012 - Austin, TX - Mohawk

April 20, 2012 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live

April 21, 2012 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack's

April 23, 2012 - Orlando, FL - The Social

April 24, 2012 - Gainesville, FL - Double Down Live

April 25, 2012 - Atlanta, GA - The Loft at Center Stage

April 26, 2012 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend

April 28, 2012 - West Chester, PA - The Note

April 29, 2012 - New York, NY - Webster Hall

May 1, 2012 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom

May 2, 2012 - DeKalb, IL - Otto's Nightclub

May 3, 2012 - St. Louis, MO - The Firebird

May 4, 2012 - Nashville, TN - Exit In

May 7, 2012 - Dallas, TX - Trees

May 9, 2012 - Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Brewing Company

May 11, 2012 - Santa Ana, CA - Galaxy Concert Theatre

Amrep will also be doing a series of 12" records. The 13 record Sugar Daddy Splits series is the Melvins tracks from their Ipecac "Sugar Daddy" CD combined with bands they love from past, present, and future. Okay, maybe not future. Starting it off, COWS and the U-MEN!!! Pressing sizes will be a lot larger than recent projects, and way more affordable. But still slick as %$#@ Let the stupid questions that would've already been answered had some one bothered to read this far - BEGIN!

One song per side, 33 1/3 rpm 180 grain Splatter vinyl.

Silk screened print.

Price not yet set (likely in the $20ish range)

Release date - not yet set. 5-7 weeks estimated.

No subscriptions.

We can't list all the tracks now, but some are previously released material by defunct bands, and some new exclusive material from current bands. Other bands confirmed so far: Off, Fucked Up, Mudhoney, Butthole Surfers, Tweak Bird

(((03)))

Regina urbs

(((03)))

In Nomine Odium

Beginning today, AOL Music will stream In Nomine Odium, the third full-length offering from French black metal miscreants, HAEMOTH in its entirety. Rupture your ear drums at here. In Nomine Odium, called “pretty damn terrifying” by Decibel Magazine in a 8/10 review of the record, comes by way of Debemur Morti Productions.

Following six years of unsettled silence, HAEMOTH return with seven singeing psalms of uncompromising Satanik supplication. Corrupted by the glorious, bountiful presence of all-knowing evil — vice and deviance their predominant muse(s) – the hateful hellmongers channel pestilence, corruption and occult rituals into their most scathing and relentless concoction yet. In Nomine Odium is a caustic, toxic and breathtaking excursion into the darkest corridors of the human psyche, where even the more ambient passages are dark, menacing and deeply disturbing.

“…a cacophonous cauldron of churning fuzz, pitch-black ambience, and way-more-than-two-minutes-hate. “ – Decibelmagazine.com on the song “Slaying The Blind”

“ In Nomine Odium, despite its homogeneous nature, strikes the ideal balance between primal rage and epic grandiosity from which traditional black metal flourished.” — Metal Review

“If you’re looking to drink some nihilistic tincture, the indiscriminate hate of In Nomine Odium is exactly what you’re waiting for.” — Exclaim

“This is a solid BM album that fuses the tranquil with the tumultuous, the serene with the intense, and the raw with the atmospheric. In Nomine Odium is more than worth your time.” — Sea Of Tranquility

“If HAEMOTH‘s goal is to contribute to humanity’s ruin, then I feel they have done an admirable job with In Nomine Odium.” — Teeth Of The Divine

“…raw black metal in its purest form.” — Metal Machine

“HAEMOTH brings the now known as the typical French style to a new and greater intensity. Such a performance should not be underestimated. It is evident that the fans of extreme black metal, at the very least should take notice of this.” – Lords Of Metal

(((03)))

DylanCarlson Wonders from the House of Albion LP/CD/DVD/Book

Dylan Carlson is creating his first major solo project outside of earth.There will be a limited edition lp/dvd/book and cd/dvd/book(500 of each format) and a special pressing of 150 copies(lp only) with personalized ex libris by Simon Fowler (Who will also do the cover and end papers). The illustrations will be by Kiyo Lappalainen. The limited edition books will be pop-up style. There will also be an open edition with regular flat printing in a cd booklet and flat lp printing. The recording will combine field recordings from various megalithic and other sites of human/fairy encounters across the UK, also the use of ritual and folkloric magical practices. The expedition will be filmed by Clyde Petersen. These recordings will be layered with Dylan's interpretations of classic Scotch-English ballads about human/fairy encounters from early modern England and Scotland(15th-18th century). It will also feature guest vocalists to sing the songs. This is not being done through a label, as earth's output has, but is a labor of love/obsession of Dylan's. Being primarily of Scotch-English descent, this is an historical journey to his personal and cultural past, embracing music/folklore/the occult dimension and history. This is also result of personal experience's of 'the other side'. His blog, has details, if interested. The field recordings will be accomplished in April-May of 2012. The rest of the recording/mastering will be finished in summer and early fall, the artwork is an ongoing process, already begun. Dylan is planning to have it all done for a May 2013 release. Join in the restoration of magic, a return to a world of spirits. Where all objects have a will of their own and a language they speak in, and we have learned how to speak with them again. It will be titled "Coleman Grey presents 'Falling with a Thousand Stars and Other Wonders from the House of Albion'."

(03:Ks)

Anges des Ténèbres, Les démons de Lumière II

Following the release of EARTH’s praised Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light I – released by Southern Lord in February 2011 — the public’s first chance to hear a number from the 2nd installment of the series has arrived.

While conceived in the same sessions as the first installment, recorded by Stuart Hallerman at Avast and mastered by Mell Detmer, Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II invokes even more improvisational and unrestrained energy than its predecessor. Traces of this progression are evident in the track “His Teeth Did Brightly Shine” — the second song from the upcoming album — as premiered worldwide today by Spin Magazine.

Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light will be released by Southern Lord in North America on February 14th via CD, 2xLP and digital download.

(((03)))

Ataraxia/Taraxis

Thunderous post-instrumental outfit PELICAN have announced the long awaited follow-up to their sprawling 2009 full length What We All Come To Need, a new four song EP Ataraxia/Taraxis to be released via Southern Lord on April 10. With members now residing in separate cities, the EP represents a new chapter in the band’s evolution with a reenergized focus on composition and the utilization of the recording studio as a creative tool in the songwriting process, yielding one of the most diverse efforts in the band’s prolific discography.

The four new songs highlight the manifold sonic strengths of the band by delving into moments of triumphant melodic rock, smokey doom, ambient soundscape, acoustic desert-folk, and minimalist electronics. In contrast to the EP’s origin as the product of four different recording studios, including stints with engineers Sanford Parker (Twilight, Circle of Animals, Nachtmystium) and Aaron Harris (ISIS), the carefully crafted track listing boasts a cohesive narrative flow, lending the release an epic feel worthy of a full album.

Ataraxia/Taraxis Track Listing:
1. Ataraxia
2. Lathe Biosas
3. Parasite Colony
4. Taraxis

PELICAN is supporting the release with a two-week run of dates in Europe and the UK, including coveted spots at Roadburn and Dunk! Festivals.

PELICAN Upcoming Tour Dates:
4/06/2012 Dunk! Festival – Zottegem, BE
4/07/2012 The Garage – London, UK w/ Chelsea Wolfe
4/08/2012 Vudu Club – Birmingham, UK w/ Chelsea Wolfe
4/09/2012 Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, UK
4/10/2012 Stereo – Glasgow, UK
4/11/2012 The Ruby Lounge – Manchester, UK
4/12/2012 The Haunt – Brighton, UK
4/13/2012 The Cooler – Bristol, UK
4/14/2012 Roadburn Festival – Tilburg, Netherlands
4/15/2012 La Maronquinerie – Paris, France
4/16/2012 Jubez – Karlsruhe, Germany w/ Tombs
4/17/2012 Bad Bonn – Dudingen, Switzerland
4/18/2012 Magnolia – Milan, Italy
4/19/2012 Feierwerk – Munich, Germany w/ Tombs
4/20/2012 Cassiopeia – Berlin, Germany w/ Tombs
4/21/2012 Nosturi – Helsinki, Finland

(((03)))

Körkarlen (1921)

The Phantom Carriage Released on New Year's Day 1921, directed by and starred Victor Sjöström, with Hilda Borgström, Tore Svennberg and Astrid Holm and based on the novel Thy Soul Shall Bear Witness! (Körkarlen; 1912), by Nobel-prize winning Swedish author Selma Lagerlöf.

(((03)))

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY Signs To Candlelight Records; Album Planned For Early 2012 Release (good news, no mention of Pepper)

Candlelight Records today proudly announces the worldwide signing of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Since early this year, the band — featuring the esteemed Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin — has been working with long-time producer John Custer. Now nearly complete, their still untitled eighth studio album is planned for release early in the New Year.

Gathering last summer to jam as a trio for the first time in over a decade, the treasured threesome quickly rekindled the magic that originally united and ultimately bound the musicians on a journey that today continues to impress both fans and critics. It is the efforts of this line-up that Decibel Magazine recently called “a crucial stylistic lynchpin in the bridge between metal and punk. CORROSION OF CONFORMITY irrevocably reshaped crossover’s sonic possibilities.” AllMusic.com notes, ” C.O.C. weren’t following any trends. They just incorporated all the things they liked about thrash, punk and ’70s metal originators Black Sabbath into their constantly evolving sound. It secured them artistic and commercial credibility.”

Candlelight’s Steve Beatty says of the signing, “Animosity is one of my favorite records ever. To have C.O.C. on Candlelight with that line-up is simply mouth-watering. I saw the band in London recently and they did not disappoint. This hungry child can’t wait for the record.” Candlelight’s Edward Christie adds, “we are extremely excited to welcome the band to the label and are looking forward to an amazing album. We are all huge fans and this is truly a memorable day for all of us.”

The band shares the excitement the immediate future holds. Woody Weatherman comments, “writing and recording this new record as a three-piece has been a blast. Having Reed back in the fold with Mike and I brings it around full circle. I’m really looking forward to all that lies ahead this upcoming year.”

Reed Mullen adds, “Mike, Woody and I essentially learned how to play music together and cultivated our own style, sound, and unspoken language. Re-bonding with them musically has been the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

In addition to intense work on the album, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has kept busy in 2011 touring throughout the US and abroad. One of the main attractions at this year’s Maryland Death Festival, the band mesmerized a salivating capacity audience. Sean Palmerston, editor for Canada’s online magazine Hellbound, said, “I lapped this set up. It was like the tastiest comfort food after a hard day’s work. I haven’t listened to those classic C.O.C. albums in a long, long time. It put a smile on my face.”

Mike Dean says of the new songs, “we have been overdubbing vocals and guitars in between our live dates for the better part of a year. Now it’s time to mix. The process we started back in April is finally coming to fruition. The results should reflect all eras of the band’s existence filtered through our current reality. This is a beast we can’t wait to set free.”

Formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware, the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States alone, the new album will be their first since 2005’s In The Arms Of God. On release, Billboard Magazine called the album a “riff-fueled set that ranks with (the band’s) best work.”

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY will perform with Danzig tonight at the Gibson Ampitheater in Los Angeles. The band’s final performances for 2011 will be alongside Clutch December 27 through 31. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster and venue box offices.

12/27/2011 House of Blues – Boston MA
12/28/2011 State Theater – Portland ME
12/29/2011 Westcott Theater – Syracuse NY
12/30/2011 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville NJ
12/31/2011 Trocadero Theater – Philadelphia PA

http://www.coc.com

(o3:EsC)

10.29.11

(((03)))

Al-dhammé Magic(k)

(((03)))

IM&HRvsOA

(((03)))

The Lord Giveth

Upcoming Southern Lord Releases for 2011

In their continued reign of bringing some of the most talented, underground bands on the heaviest end of the musical spectrum to the public, Southern Lord have just unveiled their upcoming schedule for the remainder of the year, including releases from NOOTHGRUSH, DEAD IN THE DIRT, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, BLACK COBRA, CRAFT, HEARTLESS and SUNN 0))).

This coming Tuesday, September 27th, prepare for a crushing live release from one of the sludge metal scene’s most underrated, unsung, and recently reformed acts; NOOTHGRUSH. Southern Lord will drop the notorious Bay Area act’s Live for Nothing CD, bearing an hour and 20 minutes of some of the most low-end sludge/doom known to man. The record hosts two live radio broadcasts from NOOTHGRUSH; the first from KZSU from 1996 and the other from KFJC in 1999. Both recordings are a precise document of the powerful group in their prime, the recordings were mastered by From Ashes Rise guitarist Brad Boatright. The label will then release the gatefold 2xLP vinyl edition of Live For Nothing on November 8th.

++++++++++

DEAD IN THE DIRT’s debut 7” Fear will be released will be released next week as well. The Atlanta-based band’s unhinged style draws from the discordant heaviness His Hero is Gone, the urgency of Cursed, the speed of DropDead and the blackened darkness of Deathspell Omega. Fear, is literally one of the heaviest and most brutal recordings from a new act to come out in recent times, and will see a one-time pressing of 1500 copies via Southern Lord on September 27, 2011, and once it’s sold out, it’s dead. Catch DEAD IN THE DIRT still on their current tour through next week and watch for much more in the coming weeks.

++++++++++

A record as dynamic as it is devastating, Invernal, the almighty fourth full-length from San Francisco’s BLACK COBRA, will finally bulldoze its way into the hands of North American fans on CD this October 11th, and on gatefold-jacketed LP to be released in the months ahead. Raging with whiplash-inducing time change-ups and wreaking more damage than lineups three times the size of this brutalizing duo, BLACK COBRA will be on the road with Kyuss Lives! in November and December and will be announcing countless more support and headlining tours through 2012, as always proving to remain one of the hardest-working bands on the scene.

++++++++++

Washington’s WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM recently set free their fourth full-length Celestial Lineage on CD September 13th, boasting some of the clan’s most majestic and mammoth black metal magic to date, and bringing their ongoing trilogy of albums to a brilliant finale. Celestial Lineage has been overtaking their fans and the media, bringing hundreds of fans to nearly every show of their ongoing North American tour. The new opus will be presented on 2xLP this October 25th. Following their currently ongoing North American tour, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM will embark on their European phase in support of Celestial Lineage.

++++++++++

On October 25th, Swedish horde CRAFT will once again threaten humanity with their gritty, orthodox style of blackened might via the official North American release of their newest full-length, Void. followed by a 12” vinyl pressing on November 8th. Void delivers a nine-track convoy of black hymns over forty nine-minutes, showcasing CRAFT integrating more black ‘n roll vibes and slow-motion suicidal stomps, and ultimately spewing forth some of this hateful Scandinavian crew’s swiftest and cruelest punishment to date.

++++++++++

Pittsburgh hardcore warriors HEARTLESS will make their Southern Lord debut this autumn, with the release of Hell Is Other People. HEARTLESS’ sound is exactly what their moniker implies; brutal, suffocating, and void of remorse. Bellowing with sinister, mayhem that diehards of metallic hardcore in the vein of Integrity, Cursed or Nails, rushing with crust/powerviolence intensity. Following a rash of 7” releases via an array of D.I.Y. labels over the past handful of years, the band’s debut full-length Hell Is Other People will see a North American compact disc release on November 8th, and on LP November at a later date to be announced shortly. Stay tuned for continuous updates on this unit into 2012.

++++++++++

Closing out the 2011 release schedule, Southern Lord will proudly reissue SUNN 0)))’s long out-of-print sophomore album ØØ Void, finally finding its proper resting place. Following the duo’s Grimmrobe Demos debut, ØØ Void was initially released in 2000 via HydraHead in North America and Rise Above in Europe, with only a limited reissue via Daymare Records in Japan in 2008, making these hymns virtually out of print for some eight years. Not only featuring the core guitarists Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, ØØ Void features bass by Stuart Dahlquist (Burning Witch, Goatsnake), as well as guest contributions from Petra Haden (QOTSA, Foo Fighters, The Decemberists) on violins and vocals, as well as Pete Stahl (Scream, Wool, Goatsnake, QOTSA) contributing vocals, and was recorded on 2″ tape by Scott Reeder (The Obsessed, Kyuss, Goatsnake). This 2011 reissue features revamped artwork by Stephen Kasner and a layout by Stephen O’Malley. Now this highly sought-after catalog piece for worshippers of the pulverizing SUNN 0))) drone style will be available again via a proper Southern Lord reissue. The reissue of ØØ Void will hit North American streets on November 22nd via CD, with an LP pressing at a later date to be announced soon.

Stay tuned for tons of news from the Southern Lord camp over the coming weeks, as many a horde of brand new and pending label signings are announced, and a rash of new releases for the first quarter of 2012 are unveiled.

(03:EsC)

Summus void venditiones

(((03)))

Infernal Magic(k)

(((03)))

Drôle (Cela n'aurait pas dû arriver)

(((03)))

So Many Dead Things... So Little Time...

When I was laid off back in September of '09, TorqueZine took a back seat. I heard from a lot of people that I didn't even know visited that they missed dropping by to see about what I had ranted or news from the "somewhat" underground. When I began working, again, in late '10, I jumped back on board the blogosphere, for a short time, with the intention of going full-time once more in 2011. And, I did... to an extent. There is a lot going on out there and a lot of brilliant music and musical happenings on which I could report. However, there are an even greater number of sources that beat me to the punch more times than not. So why try to compete?

TorqueZine was, and never will be, about reporting, for the most part, what others wouldn't. I was well sick of seeing tiny posts about ISIS next to giant posts about stupider-than-fuck Stone Sour. I was appalled by idiot reviews of great, cult music by the same assholes who gave St. Anger 5 stars. So TorqueZine, named after a once arcane song by ABSU, was brought to life to take the "moron" out of music news and reviews and the beginning came with a bang. I did my research, marketed the blog to the right people and got the only promoter one needs to know to begin sending me material so that I could write and my humble little upstart was getting a thousand hits a week. Enough for said promotions guy to report TorqueZine to labels as a viable means of promotion. It was working.

With the loss of my job and the lack of will to work with a music business that was giving up, TorqueZine was dead (but dreaming). Nearly 2 years later, I have made some progress in the reviving process but it has been a slow road. As I look, each day, at the slew of other sites and blogs, I can't help but notice a SEVERE lack of upkeep that I feel as though I have to take personally. I drop by these sites every day hoping that the label will have news of their bands. That the bands will have news of their shows or how to get merch. Alas, some of these bands and labels haven't bothered to even post a "...we're sorry for the lack of updates" since their last posts in early Spring. Some have taken years to post anything... the point is. If YOU can't... get someone who can. There are THOUSANDS of people out there who would be glad to do posts and updates for you for a couple items from your webstore, or maybe a shirt or entrance to a show... or FOR FREE.

I've lost track... my point is, I am cleaning house. The links on the right side of TZ are going to start disappearing. There is no need to support that which is already gone. In return... I will be making the most out of my position as proprietor of TorqueZine and will start giving you, the reader, more reasons to stop by. As a favor, I would ask that you link me, spread the word, and get this mother fucker back off the ground. The more hits I have, the easier I can get my promoters back and get subject matter about which I can write and we can all live happily, together, until the day we see articles about Machine Head disappear off the face of our planet!

merci d'avance and MUSIC OR DIE!

Matthew Kim Amyx

(((03)))

Me sequere

Check out the newly launched ABSU website. Complete, thorough and wondrous. To the Abzu, you will follow.

(((03)))

חדש מוות שוא אדם

(((03)))

Lord Mangrum

(((03)))

VOID

Erupting forth from the filthiest ranks of the underworld, the long-awaited new album from Swedish black metal horde, CRAFT, is finally upon us!

Diehards of CRAFT’s vicious, orthodox black metal bombardment have been seething in anticipation of this album for years, their immensely praised/feared 2005-released Fuck The Universe full-length having infected the metal community on impressive new levels for this previously cult outfit. But 2011 will bring that wait to a crushing end, with the release of the band’s fourth LP, Void. Delivering a nine-track convoy of punishing black hymns over forty nine-minutes, Void does not just pick up where Fuck The Universe left off, rather it also explores some crushing new angles, as well as revisits some of CRAFT’s earlier, scathing days, and wholly channels the band’s obvious, endless hate unto the human population.

Void Track Listing:
1. Intro (John’s Nightmare)
2. Serpent Soul
3. Come Resonance of Doom
4. The Ground Surrenders
5. Succumb To Sin
6. Leaving The Corporal Shade
7. Want To Commit Murder
8. Bring On The Clouds
9. Void

Void is set to pollute the North American masses on September 27, 2011, once again under the reign of Southern Lord Recordings, the label having also been responsible for the release of Fuck The Universe to the continent.

(03:EsC)

Su Nioj

(((03)))

Magic(k) comprobāvī (tersus)

ABSU’s New Album Confirmed For October 4 Release; Artwork Revealed

Candlelight Records today confirms October 4th as the North American release date for ABSU’s new album titled Abzu. As previously announced, the album is part two of a planned trilogy of recordings from the Dallas-based mythological occult metal band. Mixed by J.T. Longoria (King Diamond/Solitude Aeternus), the album features the original works of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Watain, Behemoth, Destroyer 666, Vader).

Recorded at Nomad Recording Studios in Carrollton, Texas, Abzu finds drummer/vocalist Proscriptor and bassist/vocalist Ezezu sharing equal vocal duties and debuts the skills of new guitarist Vis Crom. Proscriptor comments, “Abzu is the first studio release to feature a co-vocalist alongside myself since our third album, The Third Storm of Cythraul. Ezezu’s vocal presentation is beyond superlative and I am overly pleased with his execution and delivery. The songwriting undertakings were equally distributed between both Ezezu and Vis Crom and I must admit it brings an admirable multiplicity to the album as a whole. The last song on the album, “A Song For Ea,” was composed in six movements, as it brought the entire band together as an equivalent songwriting team. Vis Crom has definitely proven to be ABSU’s most proficient guitarist in the history of the band.”

Writing began on Abzu last autumn as Proscriptor notes, “This album has not only been the most challenging in ABSU’s discography, but the quickest paced – composition and arrangement wise. The current line-up is scattered all across the United States, so the album was physically written utilizing internet file sharing. We even rehearsed, at times, while communicating via cell phones. Lyrically, the album descends deeper into Enki’s lower world as well Thelemic and Enochian Magic(k) Systems. My lyrical architecture is extremely convoluted, so I decided to create a generalized synopsis explaining the themes behind each song. I feel these are my best poems since 2001’s Tara.”

Abzu has benefited from the unity of the band despite limited face-to-face rehearsal time. In fact only two proper rehearsals were had; one preparing for the band’s dates with Immortal earlier this year. The six-date showcase tour was the first live American dates for the band since their headline tour in June of 2009. Proscriptor confirms, “We rehearsed one week prior to the tour supporting Immortal and exactly one week after in preparation for the studio experience. I can honestly say this is the first time ABSU has rehearsed for only one week, as an entire unit, before entering the studio.”

ABSU recently returned from Finland where they performed at the Hammer Open Air Festival. “For the first time in history, we presented a complete and unabridged version of ABSU’s second album, The Sun of Tiphareth,” shares Vis Crom of the performance. “Now, we prepare with eagerness to do the same at upcoming performances in Greece and The Netherlands. The crowds at Party San and Brutal Assault can expect a different, but unique live set. After that, our sights are set on North American abyss.”

ABSU came to prominence with the release of their 1993 debut, Barathrum: V.I.T.R.I.O.L. Each album saw continual expansion of the band’s now highly regarded artistic vision and international fanbase. It was with 2001’s Tara that the band truly arrived. The album reached top lists of countless magazines worldwide. Years, however, would pass before any new material would be recorded. In late 2007, the band finally announced their re-awakening. Now teamed with London-based Candlelight Records, the band would take nearly sixteen months writing/recording their sixth album. Absu, featuring contributions from members of King Diamond, Mayhem, Melechesh, Firstborn and Enthroned, was released early 2009.

Abzu Track Listing:
1. Earth Ripper
2. Circles of the Oath
3. Abraxas Connexus
4. Skrying in the Spirit Vision
5. Ontologically, It Became Time & Space
6. A Song for Ea including:
a. E-A
b. A Myriad of Portals
c. Third Tablet
d. Warren of Imhullu
e. The Waters – The Denizens
f. E-A (Reprise)

Upcoming ABSU Festival Performances:
8/12/2011 Party San Open Air – Schlotheim , Germany
8/13/2011 Brutal Assault Open Air – Jaromer, Czech Republic
9/10/2011 An Club – Athens , Greece (w/ZEMIAL)
10/29/2011 Aurora Infernalis Festival – Driel , Netherlands

(03:EsC) V.2

Reverto tenebrosus

"...if all goes according to plan, the cursed and wretched new LEVIATHAN full-length album, True Traitor, True Whore, will see its official release on November 8th. The return of Wrest, imminent..."

~Profound Lore Records

(((03)))

Elláda Magic(k)

(((03)))

GLORIOR BELLI: French Black Metallers To Release The Great Southern Darkness

French black metallers GLORIOR BELLI have revealed the cover art and track listing for their new album The Great Southern Darkness to be released in North America on September 27, 2011.

Commented the band on the new release: “The Great Southern Darkness has been recorded over a few months period and is comprised of 11 tracks that magnify all the best elements of GLORIOR BELLI in a twisted unique way again; a tremendous journey through dark deserts and evil swamps with Lucifer as a personal guide. It’s also dangerously violent and fast, yet at the same time really dark with all the Americana/stoner/blues elements that we cherish. Though often warm and almost inviting, the allure of GLORIOR BELLI’s bidding is revealed by a vicious duplicity; you will find comfort here, but at an unspeakable toll. The production is clear yet just harsh enough to bring a warm, fuzzy and completely unique sound you won’t find in any other modern recordings. So load up your haversack and hit the dusty road!”

The Great Southern Darkness Track Listing:
1. Dark Gnosis
2. Secret Ride To Rebellion
3. They Call Me Black Devil
4. Negative Incarnate
5. Bring Down The Cosmic Scheme
6. The Great Southern Darkness
7. The Foolhardy Venturer
8. Per Nox Regna
9. The Science Of Shifting
10. Chaos Manifested
11. Horns In My Pathway

GLORIOR BELLI crept out from the temperamental suburbs of Paris in December 2002. What started as a notorious duo soon became a remarkable beast, acting as a beacon for everyone looking to free themselves of the influence of the Demiurge. A symbolic demo — Evil Archaic Order — was released in June 2004, followed by their first full-length album, Ô Lavdate Dominvs, in May 2005. Their sophomore album, Manifesting The Raging Beast, was released in June 2007 via Southern Lord Records followed by, Meet Us At The Southern Sign, which ravaged unsuspecting ears in June 2009 via Candlelight Records.

Lyrics and themes explored over the years reveal a sincere inclination for rebel-ism and a developed sense of poetry. Today, GLORIOR BELLI has garnered a stellar reputation in the extreme music community for mixing desert rock textures with the brutal, ominous, doom-laden vibe typical of black metal. But don’t bother trying to restrain that which cannot be confined, for this is merely the greatest curse of the cosmic scheme.

GLORIOR BELLI:
Julien: Vocals + Guitar
Gionata: Drums
Davide: Bass
Bjørn: Guitar

(03:EsC)

PROPHECY

My buddy Allen is playing bass for Prophecy. Swing by and check them out!

(((03)))

Mogwai announces new EP: Earth Division

When MOGWAI released their seventh album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, the Scottish post-rockers went back to basics, delivering an effort of Krautrock-tinged metal intensity. Now, though, the band is changing things up once more as they ready the release of a new EP. Due for release on September 13th via Sub Pop, Earth Division will feature four songs taken from the Hardcore sessions that didn’t quite make the cut. These brand new offerings still invoke the LP’s pulverizing sound, but gain a hazy, almost hypnotic sheen thanks to the infusion of a full string section.

Earth Division will be available on CD, 12″, and as a digital download. Check out the tracklist below.

Earth Division EP Tracklist:
01. Get To France
02. Hound Of Winter
03. Drunk And Crazy
04. Does This Always Happen?

(((03)))

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM: New Album Nears Completion

After devoting late Winter season to writing and recording, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM are in the final stages of completing their fourth full-length opus of epic, earthen Black Metal ceremony.

For over six months the Weaver brothers, Aaron and Nathan, have been immersed in the painstaking writing and recording process of their newest album, and this week the process is nearly complete, at press time the album in its final mixing stages. The WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM clan have confirmed the title of this forthcoming astral black metal document as Celestial Lineage.

The transmutation reaches a new level with the completion of the album. In contrast to the bleakly hypnotic architecture of Black Cascade, the lifespan of Celestial Lineage breathes more expansive and visionary life into the duo’s work. The WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM trademark long-form approach to arrangement remains intact, but there is a stronger thread of Popul Vuh-inspired underworld synthscapes and star-lit pulse woven with the intertwining guitar figures. Celestial Lineage will end a trilogy of releases which began with Two Hunters (2007), and is segued by Black Cascade (2009), and like both previous albums, will be released via Southern Lord Recordings, with a street date of September 13, 2011 now confirmed. Three songs on the album feature Jessika Kenney’s liturgical choir and solo voice, as heard on Two Hunters as well as 2009’s Malevolent Grain EP, the album also including orations from Aaron Turner (Isis).

Stated WITTR drummer Aaron Weaver of the writing process for Celestial Lineage: “An ornate constellation of imagery is what that guides the songwriting process. Cedar temples crowned with burnished bronze domes glimpsed in a remote valley. Wild Midsummer bonfires and feasting on roasted flesh. All of the sounds serve to evoke the images that exist in our minds eye. With this record we’re going to explore an entirely new palette of sound. We want the instruments to sound like the liturgical music of a cedar cult.”

Besides closing out a trilogy within WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM’s own annals, Celestial Lineage also marks the final release to ever be recorded in engineering wizard Randall Dunn’s infamous Aleph Studio, the birthplace of a plethora of groundbreaking releases from Earth, Sunn O))), Boris, Cave Singers, Bjork/Omar Souleyman and countless more over the past decade, as well as where the immense tones and energy on WITTR’s lauded Two Hunters and Black Cascade albums were captured. Check out several brand new in-studio photos from these special recording sessions below.

In support of the album, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM will commence worldwide touring this September, kicking off in the Americas, and eventually engulfing many other regions of the planet through 2012. Stay tuned for final album details and tour dates to be unearthed in the weeks ahead.

(03:EsC)

Fukking WOW

(((03)))

BLOODROCK 2

(((03)))

...at last, VOID

CRAFT - "Succumb to Sin" from the upcoming album "VOID".

It´s been 6 long years of waiting for Craft-diciples since the release of the critically acclaimed FUCK THE UNIVERSE album
but now CRAFT´s long awaited new opus, titled VOID, will finally be unleashed upon mankind.
The 49 minutes of the album is divided into the following tracks:

Intro (John's Nightmare)
Serpent Soul
Come Resonance of Doom
the Ground Surrenders
Succumb To Sin
Leaving The Corporal Shade
I Want To Commit Murder
Bring On The Clouds
Void

The release date has been set to August 5th 2011.

The CD-version will once again be handled by Carnal Records and the vinyl-version will be released in
co-operation with Trust No One Recordings.

Both labels will soon start taking pre-orders.

Southern Lord will handle the US version.

(((03)))

THOU to crush ancestral homelands

Our southern sludge brothers THOU are about to embark on a journey to the ancestral lands... in other words, Europe: watch out!

10.06 - Brighton, England at Cowley Club
11.06 - Groningen, Netherlands at Vera
12.06 - Eindhoven, Netherlands at Area 51
13.06 - Leiden, Netherlands at 071
14.06 - Bielefeld, Germany at AJZ
15.06 - Hamburg, Germany at Flora
16.06 - Copenhagen, Denmark at Stengade
17.06 - Berlin, Germany at Cassiopeia
18.06 - Leipzig, Germany at Zoro
19.06 - Praha, Czech Republic at 007 Club
20.06 - Wien, Austria at Arena
21.06 - Koper, Slovenia at Pandamonium
22.06 - Milano, Italy at Dauntaun / Leocavallo
23.06 - Bologna, Italy at XM24
24.06 - Stuttgart, Germany at JH West
25.06 - Versmold, Germany at Cry Me a River Fest
26.06 - Mülheim, Germany at AZ Mülheim
27.06 - Utrecht, Netherlands at dB's CAB-Rondom 100
28.06 - Kortrijk, Belgium at Cinepalace
29.06 - Portiers, France at Le Confort Moderne
30.06 - Paris, France at La Miroiterie
01.07 - London, England
02.07 - Nottingham, England at Stuck on a Name Studios

Shortly upon their return we'll have a substantial new release from these burly boys titled The Archer & The Owle. More info forthcoming, but in the meantime... check out these fiends in action if you live on that side of the pond!

(03:RE)