Review: Darkening – ‘In Exile United’ [Stream]

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Darkening was formed in 2004 by guitarist Oscar Pita in Havana City, Cuba. That same year the band released their first EP ‘When The Soul’ and played numerous venues around the island of Cuba. Oscar in 2008 moved to the U.S. and the band was on a hiatus for a period of 7 years before he started to reform the band on American soil. He was able to reform the band with several other Cuban musicians in the bands new hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Over 1,000 miles from where the band originated it was rebuilt. They began to write music and it was somewhat different than the previous material, but it stayed true to the bands brutally heavy roots. The band recently finalized their sophomore release ‘In Exile United’ and it released on December 9, 2016. The album was produced by Artifex Pereo guitarist Jordan Haynes (We Were Giants, Greyhaven, Intent To Kill) at Earlygrayce Studios in Louisville, Kentucky. The band also recently recorded a music video for the track “Time” from the EP. The video was filmed and directed by YoYo Lopez, and is expected to release in March, in the meantime you can see a small clip of the video below.

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Review: KARABAS BARABAS – ‘Return Of The Sexy Demon’ [Song Stream]

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Today we step into the weird, wacky world of Karabas Barabas. The band has managed to create something unlike anything else I’ve ever heard. The alt rock trio combines elements of alternative, psychedelic, and punk rock to make for some epic driving music. ‘Return of the Sexy Demon’ was released last year on December 22nd, 2016 independently. It was recorded and mixed by Steve Albini (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Neurosis, Helmet, Zao) and mastered by Bob Weston (Sebadoh, June of 44, Polvo). This band from Brooklyn, New York will take you on a strange, trippy journey throughout the 28 minute period of the record. Just sit back and take it all in. Check out their live performance of “Casino Tears” below and see what they had to say about it: “While the Sexy Demon ran amok, the angels whispered in our ear “Let it thunder let it rain, let the buffalo remain”. So we visited the people of standing rock, where we met a great chief, who was 133 years old. He told us his tale, and in turn we wrote “Casino Tears”. Now is the time to stand with the indigenous people of the world, because the demon is out for blood and revenge.” – Karabas Barabas Continue reading →

Review: HEY SATAN – S/T [Album Stream]

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Photo Credit: Pacifique Vuillemin

HEY SATAN is a rock trio from Lausanne, Switzerland. The band is comprised of long time friends, which you can easily hear their chemistry together. The friends were former members of the bands Shovel and Houston Swing Engine. They create a sound that is unique and encompasses several different elements that will appeal to fans of most any genre. From their fingertips to your ears the band brings heavy groove riffs, thundering beats and lyrics with attitude. Their influences range from Led Zepplin to Rage Against The Machine, which you can hear in their wide array of sounds within their songs. The band recently completed their debut self-titled album. It was recorded, mixed and mastered by Serge Morratel at Rec Studio in Geneva, Switzerland and released via Cold Smoke Records on January 28th. The band delivers 10 stellar track, but you will become a fan before the opening track comes to an end. Continue reading →

AMON AMARTH Are Bringing The Viking Ship To Chicago Open Air!

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Photo Credit: Gary Wolstenholme @ ThrashHits

Amon Amarth is about to make Chicago Open Air even more special. They our bringing The Viking Ship to Chicago. When Swedish metal band Amon Amarth take the stage at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois on Sunday, July 16 in support of their current album, ‘Jomsviking’, attendees will be treated to a visual spectacle. The band’s full production plans include the infamous life size replica of a Viking ship hull and live Viking fighting! The impressive setup pays homage to the band’s Swedish roots and the Jomsvikings, a shadowy and legendary sect of Viking mercenaries. This will be a rare chance to catch the band with the most extraordinary stage prop live in the U.S..

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PHIL ANSELMO Joins BATTLECROSS For “Fucking Hostile” [Video]

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Photo Credit: Cindy Vogel

Last night on the final show of the “Caught Up In The Gears” tour in Pensacola, FL at Vinyl Music Hall, metal fans were treated to something very special. For the final song of Michigan thrash metal band Battlecross, frontman of Superjoint Phil Anselmo joined them for a shredding rendition of his own song from Pantera, “Fucking Hostile”. Video can be viewed  below courtesy of  Horns Up Video Productions. Make sure to follow the bands from the tour on Facebook. Continue reading →

EVOCATION Reveals Album Details; Launches Single, “Children Of Stone” [Streaming]

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On March 10th, Evocation will celebrate their return to death metal with the stunning new album, The Shadow Archetype! While honoring their Swedish death metal roots, The Shadow Archetype also adds thrash metal elements to their addictive, heavy sound. Evocation guitarist Marko Palmen comments: “In my opinion, the new album is a step towards the roots of the band, although it also has a footing in the future. I think the sound of the new album in many ways reflect the dynamic of me and Simon, who wrote the music for the album. I’m more of an old-school death metal kind of guy and Simon comes from the younger generation of death metal freaks who enjoy technicality and brutality. Somehow, we just merged those two sides of death metal into the creation that will be known as ‘The Shadow Archetype’. But I also have to point out that the album is a creation made by all the members of Evocation and I think we all pushed ourselves to the very limit of what is achievable. I’m certain that we all can stand proud of the album in the future.” Pre-order the new album at www.metalblade.com/evocation  Continue reading →

The Underground, Inc. Documentary Presents: An Interview With Failure Drummer Kellii Scott!

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Inspired by the underground music of the 90’s, award winning Australian Director/Producer Shaun Katz (Sleeping in Blood City) has set off on a huge undertaking to document this historic musical era in the upcoming Underground Inc: The Unsung Story Of Alternative Rock. With the help of Co-Editor/Co-Producer and Animator, JB Sapienza, prize winning Editor/Co-Director of the documentary, My Name Is Jonah, regular collaborator, Writer/Producer Adam Lovett (also of Sleeping in Blood City notoriety) and the combined musical genius’ of Grammy nominated Peter Mengede (Helmet, KRS–One, Handsome), Grammy nominated record producer Alex Newport (Mars Volta, Bloc Party, At The Drive–In) and Mark Bardridge covering the documentary scoring have their dreams set on bringing Underground, Inc. to fruition. Interviews on what promises to be one of the most important music documentaries of this decade will include members of Queens Of The Stone Age, Failure, White Zombie, Stone Sour, Primus, Helmet, Bad Religion, Ministry, Quicksand, Jawbox, Filter, A Perfect Circle, Down, Revolting Cocks, Corrosion Of Conformity, Jets To Brazil, Rocket From The Crypt, Clutch, Red Fang, …Trail Of Dead, The Sword, Sugartooth, Steve Albini (producer – Nirvana, Pixies), Matt Wallace (producer – Faith No More, Deftones), Only Living Witness, Alex Newport (producer – At The Drive In, Bloc Party), Public Image Ltd, Sepultura, Agnostic Front, Biohazard, Texas Is The Reason, Killing Joke, Monster Magnet, Handsome, Stegosaurus, Brad, Cop Shoot Cop, Course Of Empire, Fishbone, My Head, Sense Field, Trouble, Downset, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult, Skrew and many others!

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Review: DECONBRIO – ‘Hail To The Liars Throne’ [Stream]

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Deconbrio is a Coldwave / Industrial Rock band from Knoxville, Tennessee headed by frontman Danny Rendo. The vocalist also writes, produces and records the music. Since the band’s last release they have added some new members to the already talented group. Second guitarist Wolfegang and new bassist Kevin Humler have rounded out their live lineup while the band recently unveiled their latest release ‘Hail To The Liars Throne’ which was issued on November 9, 2016. The album is a slight change from the band’s 2012 EP “Voyeur” which showcased ample amounts of anger within the music. While ‘Hail To The Liars Throne’ does carry with it an aggressive tone, it takes you through a wide range of emotions from the time the track begins and ends. It’s a roller coaster ride of emotionally filled industrial rock that you are sure to enjoy.  Continue reading →

Review Of Scenario II’s Upcoming Release Of “A New Dawn”, Due Out February 17, 2017

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Scenario II is:

Mark van Doren – (Songwriter/Guitars, Synths)
Simone van Straten – (Live Guitars) also Sisters of Suffocation
Bas van den Boom – (Drums/Technician)
Myrthe van Beest – (Female Vocals)
Bas de Kruyff – (Vocals)
Liza Hoek – (Bass)

 

From Eindgoven, The Netherlands, Scenario II started life under the name of Aura way back in 1991. After a number singles and EPs, the band finally released their official, full-length debut in 2006 entitled (you guessed it) Scendario II; naming it for the polar perspectives of the outcome of an apocalypse: doomsday or new beginning. Soon after the release, songwriter, guitarist and synth player Mark van Doren razed the band and started over with a new band and a new direction. With many band member changes and sound experimentation in the coming years, Scenario II was able to release Uniforms of Death in 2009, the lineup including Mark, Martijn Luppens on bass, Matthieu Boer on drums, Dani Lopez on guitar, Maarten Vloon on keys and Bas de Esch covering vocals. Almost eight years later, the influences of bands like Soilwork, In Flames, Arch Enemy, At the Gates, Dark Tranquility, Moonspell, Muse, Dimension Zero, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and Amorphis have distilled themselves into something altogether unique and cool, coming together to create A New Dawn, due out on February 17, 2017 with the above members on the Hysteria Music label.

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State of the Art: Idaho – Wolvserpent

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*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured State*

This month’s State is Idaho!

Unfortunately, today closes our State of the Art: Idaho series. Such a diverse and truly spectacular Metal scene has allowed us all a plethora of incredible choices to spotlight. When searching for bands I ran across so many deserving bands and even had one land in my lap after they read an article posted about one of their contemporaries the week before. Good stuff! Really have to admire the apparent friendly rapport and unity among bands. Not to denigrate any of the fine bands covered this month, I saved my de facto favorite for last. This week’s spotlight goes to the first band I picked up this month called Wolvserpent.

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