Metal Riot

“Going dark” in theatre speak means a show is closed down whereas it is “lit” when the production is up and running. Some things manage to be both lit and embrace the dark at the same time (Kerli’s recent confident electro-spooky wub wubbing  “Where The Dark Things Are” track from the awesome as hell Shadow Works album comes to mind). Tribulation, one of the most darkly theatrical and grandiose yet no nonsense musical bands in any era of metal, certainly also could count as both “lit” and very dark, indeed. You might even call them creatures of the night.

Now Tribulation are unveiling their first official live album, the marvelous new Alive & Dead at Södra Teatern. This is a major moment for this acclaimed band from Sweden who have wowed so many with their deep dives into the inner fears of humanity.  Invited by ex-Nirvana 2002 vocalist and curator Orvar Säfström, who served as master of ceremonies, Tribulation’s first-ever Södra Teatern (Southern Theatre) main hall gig was a very special night of black celebration.

Founding member Adam Zaars took the time to speak to me through mists of swirling terror (actually through email) to attempt to illumine what the chemistry, moment and import of this release means to the frighteningly talented band behind it. Read MORE below.

IMMORTAL BIRD are very high up in my estimation for which bands made the best heavy record of 2019 and now they will close out the year with a stretch of North American headlining dates. The two-week run goes from December 7th in Dayton, Ohio and close December 20th in their home city of Chicago, Illinois. Thrive On Neglect is everything you loved about this band taken to the next level, a barrage of rough edged fringe genres and raw emotions honed to a more technically astounding attack that never loses heart, soul or fury for the sake of what good old arbiter of fine, rare metals Gollum would call tricksiness. I mean, they slay and can play. Ok?

Comments IMMORTAL BIRD vocalist Rae Amitay, “We’re stoked to finally kick off the touring cycle for Thrive On Neglect. This will be a great opportunity for us to play the full record in a bunch of cities we love before the year is over. There’s a lot more traveling in the works for 2020, too. Don’t tell my cats; they’re mad enough about this run.”

See all confirmed dates below.

photo by Meredith Rice

Stream / Share KNAAVES‘ “The Serpent’s Root” At THIS LOCATION.

Milwaukee-based metallic hardcore practitioners KNAAVES will release their The Serpent’s Root debut full-length via Confluence Records this fall. KNAAVES is vocalist Andy Parmann and guitarist Jamie Kerwin, formerly of Amora Savant, bassist/vocalist Amanda Daniels formerly of Enabler, and drummer Antonio Ninham formerly of Die Alone.

Surrounded by deceit and destruction – lies from the media, corruption of our planet, and even our own minds shifting thoughts within, each day is a war upon our senses as we struggle to sort out the truth in an age of disinformation. The music of KNAAVES is inspired by the often-palpable negative energy that surrounds us. Some songs are drawn from the media’s manipulation and sensationalism of cults, serial killers, and murders, while others are drawn from anxiety, depression, abuse, neglect, or the relentless destruction of our planet’s resources.

With the combined influences of its members’ previous bands and modern influences like Axis, Black Breath, and Disfear, KNAAVES’ The Serpent’s Root delivers seven unapologetically heavy tracks of pissed-off grooves, dark melodic riffs, and emotionally-driven lyrics. The Serpent’s Root was produced, recorded, edited, and mixed by Kerwin at Davidian Studios and mastered by Brad Boatright (Converge, Integrity, Obituary, Vastum) at Audiosiege with artwork by Scott Shellhamer (American Heritage, Ghosts And Vodka). The record will be released September 3rd on CD, digital, and cassette formats via Confluence Records.

KNAAVES will play a special hometown record release show on September 13th as well as a show in Chicago with Venom Prison, Homewrecker, and Call Of The Void on September 22nd with additional performances to be announced in the weeks to come. See all confirmed dates below.

It was pretty fun to learn about the Serpent Of Gnosis release from 1126 records literally the day before it drops like a megaton piano on the heads of the world. The last minute “Oh shit, how did I miss this” of it all was a nice way to head into the weekend. I had no idea Johnny Davy had a sickeningly heavy new band at all and thought he had like vanished into Area 51 or something awhile ago. How cool to hear that completely unhinged roar again!

Serpent Of Gnosis’ debut As I Drink From The Infinite Well Of Inebriation is one of the heaviest records you are likely to hear anytime soon, managing to be next level technical while still having emotional impact AND the heavy vibes of a lot of modern dethcore. Dudes are not fucking around. The album title also reminds me of the myth where Thor drank from a mead horn that was like connected to the seas and actually lowered the sea level, if I recall. Iconic, lol.

“Fragile Vessel Of Serenity” and some other tracks also feature some weird creepy ambient type moments that will freak you out like a horror movie and add to the unsettling onslaught very effectively. I am super stoked on this album. Darren Cesca on drums is a whirlwind throughout, elevating and blurring the tech deth parts into deadly grind territory quite often. “The Colorless Capsules” is one of the most punishing tracks, a masterful wrestling match of extreme subgenres that all dance around the death metal totem pole. Dying Fetus or even old Whitechapel fans could co-exist raving about this thing but there are also a few brilliant little progressive guitar moments that sneak in and out between extreme pit starters (“Harvest” has the best example of this and is maybe the best tune on the record, just fucking unreal).

“Cognitivity” has a thunderous slow intro that almost sounds like old Burn the Priest for a minute and adds some superb mosh value to a record that most often goes for Zoom vs. The Flash levels of speed. “A Mask of Lucidity” also mixes it up and has a very tasty lightning solo section and some darkly melodic bridge action that was pleasantly unexpected and cool. The band don’t overstay their welcome on any track, as the songs are all relatively short but kick your ass across the pavement and allow for you to get very invested in the record. A lot of people are gonna flip shit on how solid this release is, I am telling you now. You definitely want more (including a black eye and a T-shirt), by the time this bad boy is through.

Pittsburgh heavyweights Slaves BC have released an intense new song “300 Dead Rapist Priests Floating at the Bottom of the Ocean”.

Says the band ,”This song was written in response to the report about the over 300 priests in Pennsylvania that have committed child rape in their churches.”

If you think the song title is just meant to shock or ‘virtue signaling’ you are 1. an asshole and 2. gonna have to eat your words when you hear how the track masterfully manages to induce horrific claustrophobic anxious agony and never cheapens such serious subject matter. The song is very long and while very well done, the oppressiveness almost feels inescapable. It is like an eerie micro/macro of how long trauma can stay with someone and ripple outward to affect everything in their life. I found it a rewarding but also very challenging listen for that reason, albeit it is inarguably a killer song. One of the most meaningful and extreme, emotional and incredibly well executed performances yet from a band that hopefully has no plans of slowing down applying their vital pushback to the dipshits, edgelords and relics of the metal world.

Here’s hoping as many of you give this your attention this week as those who are scrambling to watch another exploitative Ted Bundy doc this week. Let’s support actually helping victims.

We have released a new single.

All sales from our bandcamp will go to @RAINN https://t.co/ghnuKNxWBv

— SLAVES BC (@SLAVES_BC) May 6, 2019

Holy smokes, this is just what I needed to get out of the doldrums today. One of the most intense and brightest lights of the underground are back. Immortal Bird have released some initial music from their anticipated Thrive On Neglect sophomore release (and 20 Buck Spin debut) and it gets like twenty extra gold star stickers for gnarly pit-worthiness. While the band’s earlier stuff is excellent, this feels like growth in many ways. The mean but more crisp production, even harsher vocals and a tightening of musical devastation all around feels like a huge win. I love it when a band I already liked and was rooting for goes ahead and hits a fucking giant grand slam. Feast your ears on ‘Anger Breeds Contempt’ below. \m/

Bandcamp:
https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/thrive-on-neglect

1. Anger Breeds Contempt
2. House Of Anhedonia
3. Vestigial Warnings
4. Avolition
5. Solace In Dead Structures
6. Quisquilian Company
7. Stumbling Toward Catharsis