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Roundup From The Compound – March 20th, 2017

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UNTIL RAIN Signs To Sensory For Spring Release Of Inure; Trailer + European Tour Dates Posted – Greek progressive/alternative metal outfit UNTIL RAIN has signed with Sensory Records for the release of their impending third full-length, Inure. The band has issued some insight into the album, releasing a dramatic trailer, as well as the album art, track listing, and more. Additionally, the band has scheduled both European mainland and Balkan tours in conjunction with the album’s release. [MORE…]

ORANSSI PAZUZU To Reissue Back-Catalog Stateside Through 20 Buck Spin; Band To Make US Debut At Maryland Deathfest – 20 Buck Spin will officially issue the back-catalog for Finnish cosmic black metal outfit ORANSSI PAZUZU in the US for the first time, confirming stateside editions of the band’s Muukalainen Puhuu MLP, Farmokologinen LP, and Kosmonument LP. All three records will be made available domestically in conjunction with the band’s debut and only confirmed US performance at Maryland Deathfest. [MORE…]

MAYHEM: Norwegian Black Metal Legends Prepare For European Takeover; Purgatorium Europæ Septentrionalis MMXVII To Commence March 24th“MAYHEM are a band that remind us of the power of the live concert experience, morphing concert into macabre ceremony… “ – BeatRoute  Norwegian black metal icons MAYHEM are commemorating the release of their 1994 landmark De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas full-length with a worldwide live takeover performing the monumental record in its entirety. The band recently wrapped up their critically-lauded Purgatorium Americæ Septentrionalis MMXVII tour with support from Black Anvil and Inquisition and will return to the road for a near-month-long European jaunt. [MORE…]

SNARES OF SIXES: Act Founded By Jason Walton Of Agalloch To Release Yeast Mother: An Electroacoustic Mass Via Crucial Blast; EP Features Members Of Winds, Lawnmower Deth, Musk Ox, Sculptured – Crucial Blast confirms the early May release of the debut EP by SNARES OF SIXES – a volatile and exploratory new entity created by Jason Walton, founding member of now defunct Agalloch – with Yeast Mother: An Electroacoustic Mass. [MORE…]

SLOTH HERDER: No Pity, No Sunrise By Avant-Grind Act Streaming At Metal Injection; Album Out March 24th Via Grimoire Records – The unhinged and devastating No Pity, No Sunrise debut album by Maryland grindcore cross-contaminators SLOTH HERDER sees release through Grimoire Records on March 24th, and as an early warning shot, Metal Injection is now streaming the entire album. [MORE…]

CLASSHOLE: Louisiana Hardcore Punk Unit Announces West Coast Tour – New Orleans’ hardcore punk misfits CLASSHOLE are pleased to announce their long-awaited West Coast tour. Slated to take place from March 27th to April 12th, the sixteen-date journey includes performances alongside Swedish hardcore punk miscreants, DS-13, and Cleveland, Ohio-based hardcore merchants, Fuck You Pay Me. Additionally, CLASSHOLE will be joined by drummer Jorge Herrera (Despise You, ACxDC) this run filling in for Paul Webb. See all confirmed dates below. [MORE…]

ISENORDAL Black Funeral Doom/Neofolk Project To Unveil Shores Of Mourning Debut Full-Length; New Track Streaming + Record Release Show Announced – Black funeral doom/neofolk project ISENORDAL will unleash their debut full-length later this month. Titled Shores Of Mourning, the follow-up to the band’s 2014 demo recording, Imbolc MMXIV was record at Soundhouse Studios in Seattle, Washington, and is conjured from both old and new compositions. [MORE…]

GRIDFAILURE “Target Rich Environment” Playing At Toilet Ov Hell; Hostile Alchemy Out Next Week + Each March/April Preorder To Plant A Tree – Experimental/dark ambient project GRIDFAILURE will issue the politically-charged Hostile Alchemy record next week, deploying “Target Rich Environment” into the population early through a premiere at Toilet Ov Hell. “Target Rich Environment” features guest trumpet by Leila Abdul-Rauf and synth by Jeff Wilson in addition to the vocals, bass, guitar, percussion, electronics, field recordings, and more by GRIDFAILURE‘s David Brenner. [MORE…]

SILENCE EQUALS DEATH: “Peacemaker” From Eulogy Recordings-Bound End Times Debut Album Streaming At Decibel Magazine – The first single from New Jersey hardcore quintet SILENCE EQUALS DEATH and their End Times debut full-length is now playing at Decibel Magazine, as the record nears release via Eulogy Recordings. The opening track to End Times, “Peacemaker” surges with the energetic flow fans can expect for the duration of the album, as SILENCE EQUALS DEATH merges classic hardcore styles with energy and finesse. Charged-up gang chants back the empowering lead vocals, while elements of prime youth crew energy charge straight into a bruising groove-fueled breakdown. [MORE…]

DAMNATIONS DAY Premieres “The Witness” Video Through New Noise Magazine; A World Awakens Out Next Week Via Sensory Records – A World Awakens, the intense second album from Australian progressive metal outfit, DAMNATIONS DAY, will see release through the band’s new label home of Sensory Records next Friday. An official video for the album’s “The Witness” has been issued through an exclusive premiere at New Noise Magazine. Offers DAMNATIONS DAY on their new single, “Opening the album A World Awakens with a massive punch, ‘The Witness’ is the bridge between ‘Invisible, the Dead’ and ‘A World Awakens.’ It’s tough and heavy but melodic and with its own kind of emotive atmosphere.” [MORE…]

TOXIC HOLOCAUST And GATECREEPER Kick Off North American Tour Supporting Nails TOMORROW! – Oregon-based punk thrashers TOXIC HOLOCAUST and their Arizona-based, classic death metal labelmates GATECREEPER kicked off their long-awaited North American live takeover supporting Nails. The tour will commence on March 16th in Orlando, Florida and ravage eighteen cities through April 2nd in Los Angeles, California. See all confirmed dates below. [MORE…]

PAIN TANK: 97,901,726 Confirmed Kills Full-Length By Washington, DC-Based Hardcore Grind Unit Playing At Decibel Magazine; Album Out NOW – As Washington, DC-based PAIN TANK preps their 97,901,726 Confirmed Kills debut for independent release this Friday, the entire raging album is now pummeling all in earshot at Decibel Magazine through an early stream. PAIN TANK declares, “97,901,726 Confirmed Kills is an album created by a band that clicked instantly. We all knew one another from the other bands we’re in and knew what each of us were capable of, but we didn’t know what direction we wanted to go with PAIN TANK. This album was written in about a week-and-a-half and recorded live in about a day-and-a-half. Any preconceived notions we had coming in went directly out the window and we played off one another until we reached what we felt was something important.” [MORE…]

BARDSPEC: Ambient Project Of Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved, Skuggsjá) To Release Debut Album, Hydrogen, Via By Norse June 23rdBARDSPEC is the ambient project/band led by Enslaved composer/guitarist Ivar Bjørnson. This June, By Norse will release the debut album Hydrogen. Having launched at Roadburn in 2015, BARDSPEC has since evolved into a fully-fledged band, with Steve Austin on guitars/effects, David Hall presenting the live visual aspect of the project, with the layout created by Josh Graham (Soundgarden, Neurosis, IIVII, etc.) [MORE…]

NATHANAEL LAROCHETTE: Musk Ox/The Night Watch Guitarist Announces First Ever Solo European Tour – Musk Ox/The Night Watch guitarist and Agalloch contributor NATHANAEL LAROCHETTE has announced his first ever solo European tour supporting mystical Galician neofolk ensemble Sangre de Muerdago as they celebrate their ten-year anniversary. The trek will run from March 23rd through April 14th. See all confirmed dates below. [MORE…]

WHITE WILLOW: Ethereal Norwegian Prog Act Premieres “In Dim Days” Single Via Dread Central; From Future Hopes LP Nears Release Through Laser’s Edge – As eclectic and ethereal Norwegian progressive rock collective WHITE WILLOW prepares for the Laser’s Edge release of their seventh album, Future Hopes, major horror magazine Dread Central is hosting an exclusive early premiere of the album’s haunting, “In Dim Days.” [MORE…]

AMENRA Invited To Perform At Roadburn By Curator John Dyer Baizley – Roadburn Festival and the Church of Ra are certainly no strangers; and there’s no doubt they’ve left an impression on the wider music community. When Roadburn’s 2017 curator, John Dyer Baizley was so enthusiastic about having them as part of his event, they knew it was a no-brainer to have them return to the festival’s stage. [MORE…]

CONNOISSEUR: Decibel Premieres Forty-Five-Second “All Day Every Day” Lyric Video From California Stoner Violence Faction; Over The Edge Release Day Nears – “We set out to write a song that was the exact opposite of bands we love like Sleep. Who’s got an hour? We barely have a minute! … we got things to do, and this bong ain’t gonna smoke itself, ya know?” – CONNOISSEUR Over The Edge is the impending new full-length from California stoner violence faction CONNOISSEUR. Set for communal inhalation next month via Tankcrimes Over The Edge, flaunts fourteen resin-coated burners captured by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios (Iron Lung, Brainoil) and mastered by Dan Randall at Mammoth Sound (Spazz, Ghoul). [MORE…]

WOE: Hope Attrition Full-Length Out NOW Via Vendetta Records – “The passion, filth, and pure vitriol that USBM demands is all there, and especially given the state of our world in this moment, Hope Attrition is a required listen.” – Metal Bandcamp Out now on Vendetta Records, Hope Attrition is a dark, mournful work that draws from WOE’s darkest black metal influences while drawing out dormant death metal undertones, bolstered by the crushing production of renowned engineer Stephen DeAcutis (Evoken, Dim Mak) at Sound Spa Studios in Edison, New Jersey. Hope Attrition is a personal commentary on the chaos of the modern world that only WOE can offer. [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.

ALARIC – ALL HELL – ALL OUT WAR – ALL PIGS MUST DIE – AMENRA – AMON AMARTH – ARKAIK – ARMORED SAINT – BEHEMOTH – BRAIN TENTACLES – CHILD BITE – CLASSHOLE – CLITERATI – CONNOISSEUR – DIE CHOKING – DYING WHALE – DYSRHYTHMIA – EDENSONG – ENDORPHINS LOST – EYEHATEGOD – EXTREMITY – FORESEEN – FUCK YOU PAY ME – FUCKED UP – GATECREEPER – GHOST BATH – GHOUL – GOATWHORE – GOZU – GUST – HIGHER POWER –  I AM – IN THE COMPANY OF SERPENTS – INTERNAL BLEEDING – ISENORDAL – KHEMMIS – LOCK UP – MARTYRDÖD – MAYHEM – MIZERY – MOTHER FEATHER – NATHANAEL LAROCHETTE – NEUROSIS – OKKULTOKRATI – ORANSSI PAZUZU – ORM – PAIN TANK – POWER TRIP – PSYCHO LAS VEGAS – REALITY SLAP –RISING – RIVERS OF NIHIL – ROZAMOV – SCOUR – SILENCE EQUALS DEATH – SLEEP – SO THIS IS SUFFERING – SUNN O))) – TELOCH VOVIN – THE DITCH AND THE DELTA – THE DRIP – THE OBSESSED – THE OMNIOUS CIRCLE – THIS WILL DESTROY YOU – TOMBS – TOXIC HOLOCAUST – TRANSIENT – ULTIN RAIN – VARAHA –  WHITECHAPEL – WOE – WOLFBRIGADE – WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – WRVTH – XIBALBA – YOB

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Source: Earsplit
Roundup From The Compound – March 20th, 2017
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CD Reviews

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.

AFGHAN_WHIGS_METRO_2022

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

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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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