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Roundup From The Compound – June 19th, 2017

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EARSPLIT DOES INSTAGRAM – We have a new Instagram! Follow us today! http://www.instagram.com/earsplitcompound

POWER TRIP Announces North American Tour With Exodus And Obituary – Nightmare Logic Out Now Via Southern Lord — Listen In Full: YouTube  | Spotify | iTunes POWER TRIP will hit North America again this Fall with Exodus and Obituary, still touring in support of their latest album, Nightmare Logic. The band returns after a wild European run with Napalm Death and Brujeria and a sold-out US. tour. Highlights of the newly-announced tour include shows at New York City’s Music Hall Of Williamsburg, Los Angeles’ Teragram Ballroom, plus performances at Sacramento’s Aftershock and Houston’s Open Air festivals. See below for a full list of dates. [MORE…]

LAGO: Phoenix-Based Death Metal Legion Signs With Unique Leader Records – Unique Leader Records is proud to announce the signing of Phoenix, Arizona-based death metal quartet, LAGO, for the release of the band’s impending second LP. Issues LAGO of their new album which is currently under construction, “With this record, we are really trying to step outside of the box that we’ve created for ourselves. Our previous stuff is very heavily influenced by Morbid Angel and Emperor, and though those influences are still very heavy in our sound, we really want to make sure we just aren’t going to put out the same record as our last one, Tyranny.  A lot of the new stuff we’re doing is exclusively two-part guitar. We wouldn’t go and call this a prog record, but in terms of what’s going on within the songs themselves I would say the guitar work is a lot busier. Lyrically, I think you can expect a lot of similarities. Our country is a crazy place right now with the political climate and a seemingly divided population. There’s a lot of vile, and disgusting things happening, and I think that will reflect in the writing and really set the tone for the album.” [MORE…]

TRICKY LOBSTERS: German Doom Rock Trio Issues “Tarred Albino” Video Via The Obelisk; Worlds Collide LP Nears Release Through Exile On Mainstream – “…man, this one just has ‘sleeper hit’ written all over it…” – The Obelisk “Tarred Albino” is the crushing new single from Rostock, Germany’s groove-heavy doom/blues rock trio, TRICKY LOBSTERS and their impending Worlds Collide LP. The track sees release through a video premiere at The Obelisk this week as the band’s cohorts at Exile On Mainstream prepare the album for official release. [MORE…]

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER To Co-Headline The Summer Slaughter Tour With Dying Fetus; New Album Due Out This Fall – Currently finishing work on their upcoming eighth full-length, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER will head back out on the road this summer, as co-headliners of The Summer Slaughter Tour with Dying Fetus. The US trek — which runs from July 27th through August 26th — will also see THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER perform Nocturnal in its entirety in honor of the album’s ten-year anniversary! Support will be provided by The Facelsss, Oceano, Origin, Slaughter To Prevail, Rings Of Saturn, Betraying The Martyrs, and Lorna Shore. See below for all dates. [MORE…]

LLNN And WOVOKA: No Clean Singing Streams Punishing Marks/Traces Split In Full; Record To See Release Friday Via Pelagic Records“…it would be difficult to imagine an album cover that’s more evocative of the chilling, unearthly, and inhumanly destructive power of these seven tracks, or their ability to seize and hold the listener’s attention.” – No Clean Singing Marks/Traces is the impending and wholly crushing new split release between LLNN and WOVOKA set for release this Friday via Pelagic Records. In advance of its official descent, today No Clean Singing is streaming the record in full. [MORE…]

CORMORANT: Progressive Black/Death Practitioners Undrape Stunning Diaspora Cover Art + Preorders AvailableDiaspora is the impending new full-length from progressive black/death practitioners CORMORANT. Slated to drop this August, the consuming, four-track follow-up to 2014’s critically-lauded Earth Diver sees CORMORANT take their inimitable brand of progressive metal in expansive and exploratory new directions. Recorded and mixed by Greg Wilkinson (Vastum, Graves At Sea, Noothgrush, Brainoil) at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California, the sixty-one-minute offering features the band’s longest, most detail-oriented compositions to date — the collective result of two years of collaborative writing. [MORE…]

SNAKES-CROSSS Split LP To See Release Via Brett Netson’s Scavenger Cult Label – Scavenger Cult, the independent label founded by Brett Netson (Caustic Resin, Earth, Built To Spill), is in the process of readying several new titles for release in the second half of 2017, beginning with a split LP by Netson’s own SNAKES, and the artist’s close allies in CROSSS. [MORE…]

INFINITE SPECTRUM: North American Tour With Fates Warning Underway – NYC progressive metal outfit INFINITE SPECTRUM is currently out on their North American tour providing direct support for Fates Warning. The tour kicked off Sunday in Poughkeepsie, New York, and now continues to wind through the East Coast and Midwestern states and into Canada for one show over the next three weeks. See the full current tour itinerary below. [MORE…]

HE WHOSE OX IS GORED: Invisible Oranges Streams Paralyzer Seven-Inch From Progressive Sludge Collective In Advance Of Friday’s Release; Preorders Available – “As increasing amounts of metal bands flirt with syncopation and contortionist rhythms, HE WHOSE OX IS GORED is one of the few that do so while inviting the listener in with catchiness and grooves.” – Invisible Oranges Paralyzer is the latest seven-inch from progressive sludge-bringers HE WHOSE OX IS GORED. Scheduled to drop via Chain Letter Collective and the band’s own label Void Assault Records this Friday, the track “Paralyzer” was captured by renowned producer Jack Endino (Soundgarden, Nirvana, L7, High On Fire, Zeke etc.) at Avast! Recording Studio (Soundgarden, Mudhoney, Earth, Supersuckers etc.) as part of a Converse Rubber Tracks session and includes two previously released tracks — “Buried Twice” and “Void Assault” from the band’s critically-lauded Rumors EP — remixed by their cohorts in Seattle’s Newaxeyes. [MORE…]

POISON BLOOD: Black Metal Duo Featuring Members of Krieg and Horseback Announce Debut EP; New Song “The Scourge And The Gestalt” Streaming – Newly formed black metal duo POISON BLOOD has signed to Relapse Records for the release of their debut, self-titled EP. POISON BLOOD is a collaboration between Jenks Miller (Horseback) and Neill Jameson (Krieg) born out of Miller’s desire to write music that was an outlet for a more straightforward kind of aggression. The two musicians came together as fans of each other’s work, a mutual appreciation for Beherit’s classic Drawing Down The Moon LP, and the experimental deathrock of cult UK act Rudimentary Peni. Although they have yet to meet in person, the project was crystallized with the contribution of Jameson’s vocals. Across eight songs and nineteen+ minutes with explorations into deathrock, dungeon synth, and the occult, POISON BLOOD‘s eponymous debut EP is a short but furious chronicle of cold, reptilian sonic terror shrouded in album art by Viral Graphics. [MORE…]

Just For Us Hardcore Kids: Hardcore-Punk Compilation To See July Release Through Tripsquad Records; Preorders + Track Samples Posted – Newly-founded Tripsquad Records presents the label’s debut official release with Just For Us Hardcore Kids, a collection of exclusive hardcore and punk tracks from a wide range of bands. A diverse, sixteen-track mix of true punk and hardcore Just For Us Hardcore Kids features sixteen tracks of raw and intense music and powerful lyrics. Some of the compilation’s highlights include new music from Eddie Sutton of Leeway NYC and his new band TRUTH & RIGHTS, Rob Kabula formerly of Agnostic Front and his new band DEAD BLOW HAMMER, Russell Iglay of Underdog and his new band HUGE, Tim McMurtrie of M.O.D. and his new band FULL SCALE RIOT, as well as tracks from CRIME SCENE, STRONG, SILENCE EQUALS DEATH, DESPAIRADISIO, ONPOINT, CHOKE ARTIST, STRIKE AGAINST ALL, DECIMATE THE LIVING, CROSSFACE, THE CARBOMB PARADE, SARDONICA, and PAVE THE WAY. [MORE…]

MELTED SPACE: French Metal Opera Begins Recording Second Album For Fall Release Through Sensory Records – MELTED SPACE is proud to announce a new album for November 2017. Recording sessions have started this week with François-Maxime Boutault in Bordeaux (France), with additional recording sessions planned in the Czech Republic, Sweden, United States, Norway, and more. The outfit’s founder Pierre Le Pape comments, “I can’t wait to share the nine new songs with you guys and go back on the road with all the crew! This album should bring some new sides of the MELTED SPACE universe; different sounds, different voices… I’m very proud of it and I can’t wait to start to production process!” [MORE…]

GNAW: NYC Avant Noise Merchants To Play First Hometown Show Featuring New Member Dana Schechter (Insect Ark, Wrekmeister Harmonies) Later This Month + Album Trailer Revealed – Long-running New York City-based noise merchants GNAW will lay waste to Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, New York later this month opening for BardSpec – the experimental side project featuring Enslaved’s Ivar Bjørnson and Today Is The Day’s Steve Austin – and IIVII, the intergalactic solo project featuring Josh Graham (A Storm Of Light, Battle Of Mice, Red Sparowes). The show, set to take place on June 29th, will serve as GNAW’s first hometown performance with newest member Dana Schechter (Insect Ark, ex-Angels Of Light, Wrekmeister Harmonies) on lapsteel. [MORE…]

TOMBS: Tour With Fit For An Autopsy And Moon Tooth Underway – Brooklyn-based experimental metal outfit TOMBS will kick off a three-plus week US tour with Fit For An Autopsy and Moon Tooth later this week. The journey will commence on June 16th and run through July 9th. See all confirmed dates below. The tour comes in conjunction with the release of TOMBS’ fourth full-length, The Grand Annihilation, set to drop via Metal Blade Records this Friday. Produced by Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Soilent Green, Belphegor, Hate Eternal), The Grand Annihilation remains rooted in the blackened, post-metallic sound that the band has become known for since 2007′s self-titled EP, while also being their most experimental record to-date. To sample previously released singles from the record, visit metalblade.com/tombs. [MORE…]

LACES OUT: Nefarious Industries To Release Eponymous Debut EP By Upstate New York Trio In July – Nefarious Industries announces the July release of the eponymous debut EP from upstate New York-based trio LACES OUT, featuring alumni of former Nefarious act, Pigeon. LACES OUT​ sounds like licking dirt with tiny granules of sugar scattered throughout. Hailing from Orange County, New York, the band features members of Warwick-based post-punk quintet Pigeon, as well as acts Mandark, Veneer, and others. Drummer Steve Delucia and guitarist Ed Ciarfella have been playing together in various projects for nearly fourteen years. Longtime friend and local scene veteran Ray Wasnieski joined the duo in Pigeon, and continued onward with them in LACES OUT. [MORE…]

ANIMA NOSTRA’s Cataclysmic Atraments Album Streaming At Echoes And Dust; Album Out NOW Via Malignant Records – Atraments, the new album from Sweden/UK-based industrial/doom metal duo ANIMA NOSTRA, is now streaming in its writhing entirety at Echoes And Dust, advancing the record’s release through Malignant Records this week. Formed by and featuring Margaux Renaudin and Nordvargr architect Henrik Björkk, ANIMA NOSTRA presents a monstrous and demoralizing album with Atraments. Decibel Magazine offers, “ANIMA NOSTRA create dark soundscapes that rumble and crash not unlike a storm building in the distance,” while No Clean Singing declares, “The enormous boom of the ritualistic drum rhythms and the abrasive, heaving chords of the song generate an ominous atmosphere, verging on apocalyptic, and the vocals are terrifying enough to stiffen the hairs on your neck.” [MORE…]

THE COLD STARES: Head Bent Out NOW And Streaming; Video Interviews Posted + Live Dates Announced – Head Bent is the newest full-length from Nashville rock duo THE COLD STARES. Produced and mixed by the band with Greg Pearce and mastered by Chris Goosman (Acid King, La Chinga, Solace, Lo Pan, Freedom Hawk et al), the record serves as a must-have gem for fans of The Black Crowes, Dirty Streets, Rival Sons, and Royal Blood. [MORE…]

MIRACLE DRUG: WAR Records Issues Teaser For How Much Is Enough Debut By Louisville Hardcore Veterans; EP To See Release July 21 – WAR Records has issued a trailer and preorders for the How Much Is Enough debut EP from MIRACLE DRUG – the Louisville-based outfit uniting a cast of hardcore veterans hailing from the likes of Mouthpiece, Supertouch, By The Grace Of God, C.R., and more – as the record is confirmed for release on July 21st. MIRACLE DRUG has also announced new tour dates, including a performance at this year’s massive This Is Hardcore. [MORE…]

TELOCH VOVIN To Release “Psalm Ov Khaos VII – In Praise” Single For Summer Solstice; The Nightside Of Eden Fest Announced – “Praise the soul which offers up the lips To the kiss of mother death. To quench the lust for life, slake thy thirst upon Absu drunk dry. Passage thru the black hole sun, the final trip has begun” TELOCH VOVIN will issue the seventh installment in the ongoing Psalms Ov Khaos singles series on the Summer Solstice, with “Psalms Of Chaos VII – In Praise.” New York City-based black/death coven TELOCH VOVIN began the Psalms Ov Khaos singles series on the 2015 Winter Solstice, having released a new song in the sequence on each changing of the seasons since. The intent of the series is to shed further Black Light upon the electronic and ambient instrumentation and ritualistic elements of the band’s primal, occult black metal attack. The Psalms Ov Khaos series will continue, with new tracks being issued on the current quarterly seasonal shift schedule throughout the coming months until all eleven individual Psalms are released. This is when TELOCH VOVIN will amass the works onto a physical package, which will include individual pieces of art work for each Psalm for a disorientating dance with divine madness. [MORE…]

CIRCLE: “Sick Child” From Southern Lord-Bound Terminal LP Co-Premiered At BrooklynVegan And Invisible Oranges – As Finland’s uncompromisingly creative rock outfit CIRCLE prepares to add another crushing record to their mammoth discography with the release of their Southern Lord-bound Terminal LP, a new track from the album has been let out of the cages. [MORE…]

TAU CROSS Shares “Killing The King” Music Video Via BrooklynVegan/Invisible Oranges; Band Announces European Headlining Dates – Multinational punk/heavy metal collective TAU CROSS has shared the official music video for the second single off the impending Pillar Of Fire full-length album. Watch the Jakub Moth-directed video for “Killing The King” via Brooklyn Vegan HERE and Invisible Oranges HERE. Issues bassist/vocalist Rob “The Baron” Miller, “It is a time for dismantling the apparatus of authority and control. We live within the landscape of T.S. Elliot’s Waste Land, within the age of the Hollow Men and the new Crisis of cultural disintegration in the West. It is a time for ‘Killing The King.’” [MORE…]

YOB Plays First Show Since Guitarist/Vocalist Mike Scheidt’s Diverticulitis Surgery + Additional Live Dates Draw Near – Cosmic doom trio YOB made their return to the stage this past weekend at the Northwest Terror Fest in Seattle, Washington alongside Coven, Cephalic Carnage, Wolves In The Throne Room, and so many others. The performance serves as guitarist/vocalist Mike Scheidt’s first show since undergoing emergency diverticulitis surgery earlier this year. Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the digestive tract and is often life-threatening. [MORE…]

KHOST: Governance Album By Birmingham, UK Industrial Metal Outfit Out NOW On Cold Spring Records – Stream and share KHOST’s Governance album at THIS LOCATION. One of the most terrifying, brutal albums to see release this year, Governance, by Birmingham, UK-based industrial metal duo, KHOST, is now available through Cold Spring Records. KHOST’s Governance is like driving at night with your spirituality asleep at the wheel. Continuing the band’s immersion in themes of detachment and dissonance, the album was written and recorded during the Winter of 2016-17, a time of great unease and sickness for the band which nearly resulted in the death of one member. A hinterland of low resolution transmissions interspersed with broad concrete columns of distortion that loom suddenly from the dim landscape which devastates the listener with nearly fifty minutes of entrancing yet hazardous tectonic doom-laced revulsion. [MORE…]

FIVE HORSE JOHNSON Streams “Smoke Show” At New Noise Magazine; Jake Leg Boogie Release Day Nears – …hard, heavy, dirty blues rock ’n’ roll for people who like the sound of an engine roaring or the feeling obtained by following a cold beer with a shot of good whiskey…. Toledo blues riff machine FIVE HORSE JOHNSON will drop the gritty fruits of their Jake Leg Boogie full-length upon the masses later this month. In advance of its release, today New Noise Magazine is streaming “Smoke Show” at THIS LOCATION. Issues Eric Oblander [vocals/harp], “‘Smoke Show’ is the type of greasy pork chop of a tune that we made our bones with. It’s a simple recipe: start with one sloppy relentless harp riff — that harp part was actually originally a scratch track but [guitarist] Brad [Coffin] made me keep it in and I’m glad he did — next, have the rest of the band jump in at the right time with thumpin’ bass, slide guitars, and sick beats like a sledgehammer, and finally yell about booze and/or women. Voila! Another FIVE HORSE JOHNSON classic is born! [MORE…]

ALL OUT WAR: New York Overlords Complete Sixth Studio LP Give Us Extinction For August Release – Longstanding New York hardcore/metal overlords ALL OUT WAR have completed their punishing new studio LP, Give Us Extinction. The album’s details, artwork, and track listing have been issued this week, advancing the album’s August 11th street date. Following in the smoldering wake of the band’s 2015-issued Dying Gods extended EP, ALL OUT WAR arises with arguably the band’s most crushing material to date with their sixth official album, Give Us Extinction. With more than forty-two minutes of unchecked aggression, the new album sees vocalist Mike Score’s scornful accusations at mankind strike with more venomous intensity than ever. The monstrous grooves and slamming breakdowns executed by drummer Jesse Sutherland, bassist Erik Carrillo, and guitarists Taras Apuzzo and Andy Pietroloungo leave craters of scorched earth in their wake with a monolithic NYHC-fueled mandate, while searing elements of thrash metal blaze forth from the wreckage. The album furiously delivers eleven original tracks, and the band pays homage to New York punk/crust icons Nausea with a cover of the band’s “Cybergod.” [MORE…]

DIMESLAND: Oakland Avant-Metal Unit Releases Video For “Are They Cannibals?” From Acclaimed Psychogenic Atrophy Album – Following an extensive span of radio silence, Oakland-based experimental thrash metal squad DIMESLAND has just issued a video for “Are They Cannibals?” The track resides on DIMESLAND’s acclaimed 2014-released debut album, Psychogenic Atrophy, and matching the band’s unclassifiable and pounding avant-metal attack, the Gustavo Charif-directed visual companion to the track is equally perplexing and deadly. [MORE…]

MARZI MONTAZERI Featuring TIM “RIPPER” OWENS: New Track Streaming At Decibel Magazine; The Uprising EP To See Release This WeekMONTAZERI drives the song with distorted riffs and intricate soloing, while OWENS employs his trademark glass-shattering screams to great effect.” — Decibel The Uprising is the forthcoming debut EP from Heavy As Texas guitarist MARZI MONTAZERI featuring TIM “RIPPER” OWENS on vocals. The record is set for release on June 23rd via MONTAZERI’s recently-launched Crunchy Western Records. As a precursor to its release, Decibel Magazine is streaming second track, “A Monster Within” at THIS LOCATION. [MORE…]

SOURVEIN: Cape Fear Sludge/Doom-Bringers Kick Off Live Takeover – Cape Fear sludge/doom-bringers SOURVEIN kicked off a short run of live takeovers Friday in Denver, Colorado. The mini trek will rumble a total of ten cities, coming to a close in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 29th. See confirmed dates below. [MORE…]

EARSPLIT DISTRO: Be sure to raid EARSPLIT DISTRO for all titles from The Compound Recs including CLASSHOLE (featuring members of Eyehategod, Mountain Of Wizard, haarp, and more), DIE CHOKING, LAE (featuring Steve Austin from Today Is The Day), GRIDFAILURE, GODHUNTER, and more, in addition to hundreds of imported/distributed titles from Selfmadegod Records, Supernatural Cat, 20 Buck Spin, Indisciplinarian, Exile On Mainstream, and many others. [GO HERE]

Contact liz@earsplitcompound.com, dave@earsplitcompound.com or pr@earsplitcompound.com for interviews with the above artists, or bands listed below with current and/or pending tour dates; keep up to date on all Earsplit-related tour offensives at our Live Actions page HERE.

ALL OUT WAR – AMENRA – BARDSPEC – BARROWS – BEHEMOTH – BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME – BLACK ANVIL – BLACK WIZARD – BLOODCLOT – BYZANTINE – CORMORANT– DIE CHOKING – DISCIPLINE – DORO PESCH, THE VOICE OF WARLOCK – DRAGONFORCE – FIRST  FRAGMENT – GOATWHORE – HIGHER POWER – HORSENECK – IIVII – INFINITE SPECTRUM –  INTRCPTR – INVOKING THE ABSTRACT – KHEMMIS – MIRACLE DRUG – NECROT – NEUROSIS – ONE MASTER – ORANSSI PAZUZU – ORM – POWER TRIP – PSYCHO LAS VEGAS – REVOCATION – RISING – SACRED REICH – SILENCE EQUALS DEATH – SLEEP – SOURVEIN – SUPERJOINT – TAU CROSS – TELOCH VOVIN – THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – THE COLD STARES – THE CONVALESCENCE – THOUGHTS OF IONESCO – TILES – TOMBS – TOXIC HOLOCAUST –TRICKY LOBSTERS – UFOMAMMUT – UNSANE – USNEA – WARBEAST – WILDERNESS DREAM – WOLFBRIGADE – YOB

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Roundup From The Compound – June 19th, 2017
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Ministry – HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES

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As we near the collapse of mankind and the imminent doom of our political system, a perfect stage has been set for the outspoken rebels to flood the airwaves with dissident upheaval bathed in musical bliss. With the end looming, no greater landscape could welcome the reemergence of the enigmatic Al Jourgensen and company with their latest release, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, via Nuclear Blast Records. Scheduled for a March 1st 2024 release, Uncle Al, along with guitarist Cesar Soto, Paul D’Amour, formerly of TOOL, on bass, John Bechdel on keys, Roy Mayorga (ex-STONE SOUR) on drums, and newly added guitarist Monte Pittman, form the current incarnation of the long-lived Ministry.

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This album is an open-book commentary on our American society at large, bathed in slow-burn angst and distortion injected with punk rock/thrash riffs and samples galore.

Within the opening seconds of track one, a female voice proclaims, “What was once forbidden becomes fringe, and what was once fringe becomes mainstream.” Soon Al’s vocals take over with a distorted and effect heavy declaration of “horny little boys filled with hormones and hate, waging war on women ‘’cause they can’t get a date,” thus laying the groundwork for the entire album. As “B.D.E.” (Big Dick Energy) continues, a heavy yet simplistic guitar riff drives the song forward while increasing the energy level and tempo. Al’s vocals continue with his immediate, recognizable attitude and tone, stating, “No one can justify the toxic behavior.”

“Goddamn White Trash” is perhaps the most accessible and rythematic song on the release. It has hints of the Psalm 69 days of the band. Chants of “USA, USA” ring out along side screeching guitar noise reminiscent of Mike Scaccia’s playing style.

Track three is titled “Just Stop Oil,” and it dives into yet another realm of political advocacy. Jourgensen delivers, “Dehumanization at a cellular level. Policy set by the corporate devils, There must be resistance, we cannot be silenced, There is the existence of possible violence” in a growled whisper.

On the track “Aryan Embarrassment,”  we are treated to a none-more-fitting guest appearance from what I believe is activist and Dead Kennedys front man Jello Biafra, who delivers a rap-style series of vocal lines backed by a driving rhythm. Jello wails, “How on Earth did all this happen? Plagues of militantly stupid” Followed by “Scamming on the punk scene.  Oi, oi, oi. Ain’t proud of you boys at all.”

Another standout track is “New Religion” which starts with a classic industrial riff and buries itself in the repetitive, slow-burn heaviness that has become the Ministry standard as of late. Followed by “It’s Not Pretty,” which opens as a haunting acoustic piece that I imagine being set in a post apocalyptic landscape with the reverberating lyrics “It’s not pretty. This is the end of the world to me. This is the end of society.”

“Cult of Suffering” strays from the format of the balance of the album and could be firmly placed on an Alabama 3 album, and it may feel at home on a Surgical Meth Machine release.

Rounding out the album is a little ditty called “Ricky’s Hand.” This is a synth pop throwback to the early days of Ministry and leaves us longtime fans eager to hear the longtime teased rerecording of some of the very early Ministry material. This track has a Devo, Information Society, and even Depeche Mode feel to it and is a perfect bookend to a solid release from an iconic band.

Ministry will be on tour throughout the summer with Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper and Helmet.

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Bloodywood: Concert Review Pittsburgh, PA

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In a realm of modern music overflowing with musical genres, there are few bands that possess a unique sonic force that defies categorization while leaving listeners spellbound and yearning for more. One such band is Bloodywood. They are a musical force that blends cultural heritage with a relentless fusion of metal, hip-hop, and traditional Indian rhythms.

As a band, they are carving a distinctive path and leaving an indelible mark on the modern musical landscape. Their raw energy, cultural fusion, and a fearless spirit of rebellion is a testament to the transformative power of music, transcending boundaries and uniting people from all corners of the globe. With their infectious energy and thought-provoking lyrics, the band has built an ardent following, igniting a revolution that stretches far beyond the realm of music or the shores of any country.

Born in the vibrant streets of New Delhi, India, in 2016, Bloodywood showcases their unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, both musically and socially, as they fearlessly tackle pressing issues and ignite conversations.

The sonic odyssey of Bloodywood graced the stage of the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, which is nestled in the shadow of Pittsburgh only a short distance down the Ohio River from the infamous Steel City.

The show opened with a blast of energy from the British duo WARGASM, whose stage presence was undeniable. Sam Matlock, Milkie Way, and company tore through an unadulterated set of nu-metal tracks tinged with punk and electronica that included “Super Fiend”, “D.R.I.L.D.O”, and “Rage All Over”. They followed up with the video sensation “Fukstar” and wound down the set with some crowd surfing and a cover of N*E*R*D’s “Lapdance” and closed out the set with the track “Spit”.

After a brief break in the mayhem, Vended made the stage rumble to life. Their agro-metal induced a great deal of similarity to early Slipknot, and that is not surprising given that frontman Griffen Taylor is the son of Slipknot’s Corey Taylor and Simon Crahan is the son of percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan. The band sounded tight and featured competent song composition; however, the vocalist needed to learn how to work the stage. It was as if his shoes were nailed to the floor at center stage.

As stage lighting flickered to life, the crowd prepared to be immersed in a symphony of cultural fusion, electrifying riffs, and unapologetic lyrics. We all knew that we were about to experience something quite special. As the sonic saga began, drummer Vishesh Singh sat behind his kit, awash in blue and purple lights, as the anticipation grew more intense. The intro track for “Gaddaar” echoed throughout the theater before the bombastic bass, gnarly guitar riffs, and the thump of the drums shook the walls as the entire band burst onto the stage to metaphorically say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an electrifying evening filled with raw energy enshrined in a mesmerizing tapestry of sound that defies conventions.”

The crowd began losing themselves in the pounding intensity, their bodies moving in sync with each thunderous beat as Sarthak Pahwa wailed away on his dhol. The band seamlessly migrates from the thunderous “”Gaddaar” to “BSDK.exe” from their most recent release Rakshak that couples a more hip-hop vibe on the verses with a crushing guitar rhythm from Karan Katiyar throughout the rest of the track.

Adorned in their fusion of metal attire and traditional Indian clothing, twin vocalists Jayant Bhadula (vocals and growls) and Raoul Kerr (rap vocals) commanded a powerful presence as they ran through “Aaj” with its hypnotic flute licks and downright brutal lead vocals. The five minute long song pushed the audience into heightened frenzy before slapping them across the chin with “Dana Dan”. Which had Raoul Kerr rapping/screaming “I put a fist through the face of a rapist and yeah, I taped this. For the viewing pleasure of the nameless faces he disgraces.”

Up next was the more mellow and chill track “Jee Veerey” that featured more of Karan Katiyar’s enigmatic flute playing along with a more melodic yet still intense vocal delivery from Jayant Bhadula as he sang in his native tongue.

The track “Zanjeero Se” was followed by “Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)” which truly showcased the rhythmic prowess of drummer Vishesh Singh and dhol master Sarthak Pahwa. It was so enthralling to watch Sarthak perform on such a simplistic instrument and to make it so vibrant and energetic. His playing transports Bloodywood’s music to a completely different level.

As the set reached its crescendo, it was obvious that the sweat-drenched band had poured their hearts and souls into every note. Wrapping up their set was the sing-along inducing “Ari Ari” that left the crowd breathless and drenched in the passion that radiated from the stage.

But… There is more. As an encore, the band jumps back in to the opening track “Gaddaar” thus cranking up the mosh-pit’s intensity to eleven, causing every person down front to expel every ounce of remaining energy from their bodies.

It was incredibly refreshing to see a band that, in some magical way is able to unite people regardless of age, background, or nationality. To see people connected by their love of the music and a band. The shared experience created an atmosphere of camaraderie and acceptance, where strangers become friends, and barriers dissolve in the face of the music.

Unfortunately, this was the last stop on Bloodywood’s North American tour, save some festival dates. Hopefully, they will be returning to the states soon. If you have the opportunity to see them live, do not sleep on it. I promise you will not be disappointed.

In the meantime you can get more info at: www.bloodywood.net/

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Cattle Decapitation Terrasite Album Review

JJ Ulizio

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Terrasite by Cattle Decapitation

Today, 05/12/2023, saw the release of the 8th studio album from San Diego’s own Cattle Decapitation. The follow up to 2019s Death Atlas, Terrasite shows how a band can grow and evolve while staying true to their roots. Starting as a grind band in the late 90s and with relentless touring and continual releases this album shows them further building upon elements of their previous albums.

The album has great production. The copy I used primarily for my review is the vinyl version which is 45 RPM and it sounds great. In particular, I think the drum production is particularly well executed. A lot of times with death metal the kick drum is either too “bassy” so it’s difficult to hear or it’s the other way and you can hear all the hits without the bass tone. This album is a great balance of the two. You can hear clearly how fast drummer, Dave McGraw, is going without losing the “thump”. The blast beats alone will rattle the brain. The guitars are grimy and dirty with some blistering leads. The bass rattles while still having a solid low end. You can really hear it in songs like “Solastalgia” which has a small bass lead in it which I didn’t see coming and was pulled off great.

The vocals, I feel compelled to say that Travis Ryan has to be one of the most underrated and versatile vocalists in metal. Highs that make the ears bleed, lows that are gurgling, wet and gross sounding. Harsh singing reminiscent of 80s thrash bands, and clean singing that are almost, but not quite, reminiscent of the late Peter Steele from Type O Negative.

Lyrically they stay on brand ranging from the end of humanity, apocalyptic themes, and mistreating humans the same way humans mistreat animals. Very dark and grotesque subject matter. When asked about the lyrics to this album Ryan states “I wanted to do the 180° opposite of Death Atlas – I wanted this to take place in the daylight. I’ve always found daytime horror to be really unsettling so I wanted to make sure what was going on on the cover took place in the light of day, which also finds its place within the lyrics.”

Tracks like “A Photic Doom” showcase traditional style death metal guitar riffing, with elements of tech death and slam. “Dead End Residents” leans into some of the darker ends of thrash metal and is reminiscent of bands like Slayer. “Scourge of the Offspring” shows an impressive command of melody without sacrificing the grime that covers the album while almost coming off as anthemic.

The album closes with the ten minute epic “Just Another Body” which begins with a piano melody that would be at home in a late 70s era horror movie while building into something that’s not quite death, not quite thrash, and not quite grind. Ryan uses the full range of his voice while there are symphonics layered in the background to keep the melody from being lost while still playing with grind based riffs and blast beats.

Overall if you’re looking for a strong contender for death metal album of the year I will highly recommend this. As of this writing I haven’t been able to stop listening to it for three days now. The album currently available on all the usual streaming platforms and physical copies can be purchased here. (www.indiemerch.com/cattledecap)

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