Spider One joins the show for a nice almost hour conversation. Spider talks about the history of the band and giving props to his heroes. We discuss PM5K opening for Kiss on the 1997 reunion tour. Spider tells about the transition from Mega Kung Fu Radio to Tonight The Stars Revolt!. Spider also talks about the current state of rock radio and the mostly ups of touring.
Credit: Joey Wharton
After six years the mighty Pig Destroyer are back with their sixth release Head Cage. Named after a medieval torture device, this album will be brutal skull-splitting grindcore. With the announcement of the new album comes the first single, “Army of Cops”. The video was directed by David Brodsky with Richard Johnson (Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Enemy Soil, Drugs of Faith) on guest vocals. This beautiful specimen of extreme metal is perfect for this combative political climate. Continue reading
After 2 years the silent metalcore kings are back to release another great album after releasing some of the records that created the genre such as ‘Portraits’ and ‘The Union Of Crowns’. It will get released on the 13th of July this year via Music For Nations. It is everything from ‘Runes’ and ‘Earthbound‘ combined and repolished into this beautiful piece of art we now know as ‘Black Flame’!
You would expect a band to be dead after their last original member (Alex) left and got replaced by another vocalist but Chelsea Grin overall and especially after the up and coming record ‘Eternal Nightmare’ is better than ever. Some may think they would be better off renaming the band since so much changed but I think that this album is truly a piece of Chelsea Grin!
*This is part of our “Louder Than Life 2018 Spotlight” series where we focus on some of the up-and-coming bands that fans can see at this year’s Louder Than Life Festival on Sept. 28th-30th. This week, we’re checking out Blacktop Mojo.*
Blacktop Mojo comes from the great state of Texas. The band had some of their roots in country music, but when forming decided to go with a more rock edge. The style in which they play combines elements of southern rock and 70’s classic rock, and they don’t forget the guitar solos either. Matt James provides the vocals within the band. He has a soulful sound that creates a overwhelming amount of passion within the songs. Though the band writes incredible original songs their covers is really what has helped propel their popularity. Blacktop Mojo covered Aerosmith’s classic song “Dream On” and it has climbed up the charts and impressed pretty much anyone that has heard it. The band has also covered songs by Phil Collins and Blind Melon. The Blind Melon cover of “No Rain” is what instantly made me a fan of the band. Continue reading
We got some new tour dates for y’all!
Alternative metal five-piece GEMINI SYNDROME is slated to headline the ‘Synner Conversion Tour‘ this summer, taking a break from writing their third studio album, expected to be released in late 2018 via Red Music.
“The Oracle has foreseen that Gemini Syndrome will be sharing the stage with fellow conspirators, Code Red Riot, occurring in alignment with the Estival Solstice. This Summer Conversion is a recess in writing and recording our next album, the third and final act of the trilogy. We look forward to sharing this sacred rite with you.” says Brian Steel Medina (drums) about the tour before the same ensues.
On Talk Toomey: The Metal Nexus Podcast, Rob “Blasko” Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Sabbath) is Joshua Toomey’s bonus interview guest this week. Nicholson joins the show via phone during the late-night hours from Barcelona, Spain. He talks about the unveiling of the first bingeworthy ten episodes of his new podcast, “A New Level” (available now on major podcast platforms) – A project that uncovers the ins an outs and dos and don’ts of the music industry through one-on-one conversations with notable veterans of the business. Among other topics, they discuss the music business past and present, retirement plans, and fanzines. Continue reading
*This is part of our “Aftershock Festival 2018 Spotlight” where we branch out and focus on some of the up-and-coming bands that fans can see at this year’s Aftershock Festival on October 13th & 14th. This week, we’re checking out Slothrust.*
Earning a slot on the impressive roster for this year’s Aftershock Festival is Boston indie rock trio, Slothrust. Since the band’s formation in 2010, Leah Wellbaum (vocals/guitar), Kyle Bann (bass), and Will Gorin (drums) have been busy writing, recording, and playing their captivating brand of rock that also includes a 2017 EP (‘Show Me How You Want it to Be’) of wildly inventive cover versions of some well-known hits of the past. Be sure to check out their take on The Turtles “Happy Together” with its awesomely maniacal twist. Their original material is equally impressive on tracks like the brand-new single, “Peach.” The sound harkens back to a time of great female-fronted alt-rock of the nineties such as The Breeders and Veruca Salt. Continue reading
*This is a part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state.*
This month’s state is Indiana!
The firey five piece Lavaborne was born in the cold month of February in 2017. Originally formed by Chris Latta (vocals) and Brandon Signorino (guitars). The duo spent a few months writing and composing what would become their demo as a way of recruiting and filling out the band. Chris and Brandon released the demo on September 15, 2017 with Chris Latta handling vocals duties as well as bass guitar and Brandon Signorino on lead and rhythm guitars, and setting up the drum programming. With their demo and classic influences like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Mercyful Fate, Candlemass it wasn’t long before the band had retained 3 additional members to fill out their band which would include Brandon Davis on bass guitar, Freddie Rodriguez riffing out guitars, and Max Barber on drums. The members are by no means new to the music scene in Indiana either and have played in various other established bands including Spirit Division, Steel Aggressor, and Mask of Sanity. Continue reading
From the ashes of Swedish Doom / Stoner band NORRSKEN rose two new bands. Whilst some of the band formed WITCHCRAFT, the rest formed the classic retro-modern GRAVEYARD. They strode into the spotlight with a steely stare and a sense of purpose.
After forming, the band were swift to record a two track demo and played a total of three shows, before planning for a full-length album. Their self-titled debut album was recorded by Don Ahlsterberg and released in early 2008. On the recording sessions’ completion, Truls Mörck was replaced by guitarist Jonatan Ramm.
GRAVEYARD then toured with label mates WITCH. In the fall of 2008, they also toured with CLUTCH. In 2009, they toured with the rock band CKY and released their second album in spring of 2011. Touring followed, with the likes of SOUNDGARDEN. However, bass player and co-founder Rikard Edlund then left the band to “pursue other musical ventures“. In September 2015, the band released the ‘Innocence & Decadence’ record through Nuclear Blast.
On 23 September 2016, the band announced they had broken up, citing, “all so classic reasons.” This hiatus lasted only until 2017, when the band announced their reunion, albeit with a new drummer as Axel Sjöberg decided to stay with his new band.
The album ‘Peace’ is the reunion tentpole. It was produced by Chips Kiesbye and is released via Nuclear Blast. It combined elements of Stoner/Doom, but with many more references to 60’s and 70’s artists. The warm, yet somewhat retro production, gives it a sound that is very welcome in the cold age of digital perfection.
The songs shift around your consciousness and I have generally been impressed by the thoughtfulness of songs such as “Walk On” and “Del Manic”. The sound is propelled by guitarist/vocalist Joakim Nilsson’s fantastically rich vocals and the jazzy content on some songs makes this record a genuine treat to fall into. Like a feather coated beartrap – you initially feel comfortable until the teeth chomp on your leg.
There is a feeling of a band genuinely understanding the pulls of the musical universe and who are acutely aware of their place in the patheon of chaos. They seem to be stretching out on an aural adventure in an effort to put distance between them and their somewhat tumultous past. However, it is a solid album with great tunes such as “A Sign Of Peace” and the opener “It Ain’t Over Yet”.
If your bag is thoughtful, grooving Stoner rock with a warm retro feel, then GRAVEYARD is a band for you to check out.
