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Infernal Overdrive Kick into Gear

Posted in Reviews on July 28th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

With production by Andrew Schneider (Throttlerod, The Brought Low, Hackman) and mastering by Nick Zampiello at New Alliance East in Boston, there’s no doubt that New Jersey riff rockers Infernal Overdrive are going for that Small Stone Records sound. The four tracks that comprise their new self-titled EP fall in line with the kind of straightforward guitar-led rock the Detroit label has proffered for well over a decade now, and with a similar southern/classic ‘70s influence to New York’s The Brought Low, Infernal Overdrive seem remarkably conscious of what they’re doing sonically. More so than you might expect for a band just releasing their first EP.

The story goes that when guitarist/vocalist Marc Schleicher (ex-Cracktorch, Antler) moved from Massachusetts to central New Jersey, he got hooked up with drummer Mike Bennett and guitarist/backing vocalist Rich Miele (both ex-Loud Earth). Keith Schleicher (relation assumed) was added on bass and Infernal Overdrive began rocking out early 2008. The EP was recorded over two days in February and four in April, and though that seems quick, none of the songs feels rushed or underdone. Schneider, who also shows up on extra backing vocals, makes his mark sound-wise in the tone of Schleicher and Miele’s guitars and Bennett’s snare sound, which has the same pop Schneider has become known for – not too bright, but able to cut through the mix and propel the songs forward. Some of Schleicher’s leads, as on EP closer “Motor,” feel a little too thought out, too structured where what I’d like to hear is a little bluesy ‘70s recklessness, but they get the job done nonetheless, and the vocals are never out of place.

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Place of Skulls Post Trailer for As a Dog Returns

Posted in Bootleg Theater on July 28th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

It’s too bad that “In a world…” movie preview voice-over guy is dead, because he’d be perfect for this trailer. “In a world where scrunchy hardcore kids think they know something about playing doom, one man stands apart from the pack…” and so forth. It would be awesome, but fortunately the music speaks for itself when it comes to Victor Griffin‘s Place of Skulls. Their new album, As a Dog Returns, is due out late September.

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On the Radar: Hog

Posted in On the Radar on July 27th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

I gotta be honest, I don’t know what I like more about Hog, the free-for-all sludge or the name. It’s so simple, but it says so much about who the band are and what they do. If I came up to you on the street (wouldn’t that be awkward) and said, “Hey man, you gotta check out this band from North Carolina, they’re called Hog,” you’d have a pretty good idea of what you were getting into, right? I think that’s killer.

Hog have two demo tracks posted on their MySpace, “On the Eve of War” and “A Word is Born,” and yeah, they definitely sound like demos, but the recordings are clear enough for you to get an idea of what Hog are going for. They play a kind of post-Mastodon thrashing sludge (think Javelina, but a little riffier), hitting tempo changes on the quick to keep listeners on edge and making good use of R. James‘ lead guitar. They’re new school, yeah, and there are other bands out there doing this kind of thing, but I ask you, are they named Hog? No they are not. So there you go. Hog wins.

And it’s not like they’re annoyingly derivative. They just have some growing to do. According to the MySpace, they’re slated to head into the studio for a session with none other than Kylesa‘s Philip Cope at the helm. One imagines that someone of his boardly prowess should have no problem bringing the best out of a band like Hog, and that the righteous groove that caps off “A Word is Born” will be all the more lethal for time spent getting it right. Here’s looking forward to hearing how it all comes out.

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Stone Axe Sign to Ripple Music, Announce Butt-Load of Releases

Posted in Whathaveyou on July 27th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

Ripple Music, which released the recent Stone Axe/Mighty High split 7″ single, has signed Stone Axe for future releases, which apparently include an EP before the end of the year and their next full-length, as well as a slew of reissues to come from both Stone Axe and multi-instrumentalist T. Dallas Reed‘s prior outfit, Mos Generator.

The PR wire has the details:

T. Dallas Reed has signed with Ripple Music to re-release the critically praised Stone Axe self-titled debut on both vinyl and deluxe CD packages. Originally released in 2009, Stone Axe lit the message boards on fire with its ballsy, retro, bluesy sound, bringing back the classic sound of rock that so many were craving. Now set to be gloriously re-unleashed, the vinyl edition of the album includes an extended jam of one of the original tunes and a full lyric sheet. The LP version will hit the streets on September 7th.

The CD edition of the album, which will see the light of day later in the year, will be a deluxe package with almost 30 minutes of bonus live tracks and a DVD of original promotional videos, live performances, and bonus footage from the recording of the album. A true panacea for the Stone Axe fans!

But that’s not all. Now signed to Ripple Music, T. Dallas Reed has opened his ever expansive vault of recorded material. In 2011, Ripple Music will release a mind-blowing third Stone Axe full length LP, and a re-release of the first Mos Generator LP to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the debut of this legendary stoner rock band. This Mos Generator LP will be laden with bonus material and live performances.

Look for a surprise Stone Axe EP to come out later this year as well!

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Buried Treasure: Here are a Couple Albums I’d be Reviewing if I Hadn’t Bought Them

Posted in Buried Treasure on July 27th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

I’m not exactly awash in free shit, but with a backlog of promo discs and downloaded albums waiting to be reviewed, it wouldn’t be fair for me to take the time and effort away from people soliciting evaluation and grant it to stuff I bought just because I feel like talking about music I like. On the other hand, it wouldn’t be right for me to ignore good records just because I didn’t get them for free. Enter the happy medium.

Here are two records that’d be on top of the review pile had I not bought them instead:

Wovenhand, The Threshingfloor: I did an old school CD store search for this album. True, I could have bought it from Sounds Familyre, the label, but I wanted the satisfaction of finding it on a shelf and making the purchase. Only after calling and visiting more than five stores, including such heavy hitters as Vintage Vinyl and Generation Records did I finally come across a copy at Other Music in NYC. I knew they’d have it. They’re just that hip.

If you’ve never experienced David Eugene Edwards (formerly of 16 Horsepower), there are two things you need to know about him: he’s a genius and he’s super-Christian. Oh man, does he ever love him some Jesus. And it shows on the music, but if you let that bother you, you’re going to miss out. Michelangelo‘s Sistine Chapel is Christian too, doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful.

On The Threshingfloor, Edwards reminds that although he’s one of the most gifted songwriters and vocalists out there today, his true point of innovation and individuality is in arrangement. He brings in a variety of styles (from electronic drum beats and a New Order cover to Hungarian shepherd’s flute on a song about a town in Indiana) to these songs, and it might be his most accomplished collection yet. There are some downright rocking moments (“Denver City”), but Edwards is never really reigned into one genre or another. In short, I’m really, really glad I found this record, and I think when and if you hear it, you might be too.

Master Musicians of Bukkake, Totem Two: I actually bought this back in April at Roadburn, and I’ve been debating back and forth ever since whether or not to give it a full review. Helping the “no” side is laziness, since the seven-piece (plus guests) Master Musicians of Bukkake make music so complex it would literally take me days to describe every twist, turn and influence on Totem Two, their style harkening a ritualistic drone meshed with world music structures and instrumentation. Totem Two isn’t going to be for everyone, but man, there’s a small group of people out there who are going to worship at its proverbial feet.

The most recognizable figure in the band is Randall Dunn (producer for SunnO))), etc.), but Master Musicians of Bukkake isn’t the kind of outfit where one player really stands out. Rather, it’s an encompassing listening experience demanding attention, an open mind and patience. It is unrepentantly self-indulgent, unwaveringly pretentious and, in the shadow of its predecessor, Totem One (also on Important Records), so caked in complexity that you get tired just hearing it. Spiritually drained, but in a good way, as though you’ve been on some kind of auditory vision quest and glimpsed the horror of your own consuming insignificance.

…There. That’s a load off my mind. I hope you get to check out either of these records, and when you listen, I hope you dig them even half as much as I do.

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Moth Eater EP for Sale on iTunes; Stream “The Aftermath” Here

Posted in audiObelisk, Whathaveyou on July 27th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

Today is the day Moth Eater‘s new EP, The Thunder God of Monster Island (Giddy Up! Records) goes live for sale on something called… iTunes(?). I’m not sure what that is, but I hear tell it’s all the rage amongst the children, and if there’s one thing that’s good for the children, it’s killer doomed sludge of the kind Moth Eater play. Mothers will be shocked, fathers will disapprove, rock and roll shall reign.

To celebrate the iTune-ification of The Thunder God of Monster Island, Moth Eater have generously granted me permission to host the track “The Aftermath,” which you can stream below. Enjoy.

The Aftermath

Purchase The Thunder God of Monster Island on iTunes

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99 Diamond: Come and See about The Naked Heroes

Posted in Reviews on July 27th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

Were it not for their ultra-playful take on classic blues, the male/female Brooklyn duo The Naked Heroes would be just another hipster rock outfit playing jangly fashion jams to rooms full of self-impressed creative professionals. In short, they’d be intolerable. As it is, however, The Naked Heroes are a good bit of fun. Their guitar-and-drums-only ethic gives them a rawness that the production of their first album, 99 Diamond (Drug Front Records, free download available through Powerload), only enhances, and while I’m still pretty sure I’m nowhere near cool enough to be granted entry into whatever Brooklyn bar they’re playing this or any other Friday night, I get the sense from the album that what they do they do with love and from a sincere place. That goes a long way.

Vocalist/guitarist George Michael Jackson affects a gruff throatiness in his delivery on the opening title track, which relies on a call and gang response to kick off the album in both enjoyable and memorable fashion. There is some straightforward riff rock to be had in the form of “Sheila” or “Opposable Thumb,” or maybe even “Foxy Moxy,” which reminds me of Nebula’s early and bluesiest moments. Some bass would really do well to thicken out these songs, but maybe the kids these days are afraid of low end. I don’t know. In any case, The Naked Heroes do well with what they have, drummer/vocalist Merica Lee backing Jackson’s riffs and singing with simple but effective beats that only underscores the bluesy feel of the tracks. On a song like “Double Chin,” her switch from soft to hard ride cymbal hits winds up making the difference in the track.

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Roareth’s Acts I-VI is Cool Enough to Sell at a Seattle Coffee Shop; Band Announces Doom Fest Appearance

Posted in Label Stuff, Whathaveyou on July 26th, 2010 by JJ Koczan

I have only 14 copies left for sale of Roareth‘s Acts I-VI, so if you want one, use the Paypal button below to make it yours. The band has informed me that Porchlight Coffee in their native Seattle is selling the album, and that they’ll be kicking ass on August 1 at the Seattle Doom Fest, alongside the likes of Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, Witchburn and a band called Fuck Knuckles, who I can only imagine are the coolest ever.

Roareth will have a limited t-shirt for sale at the show, and I can’t imagine they won’t sell out of their CDs, so get yours while you can. They send along the following:

Hey Seattle: The only actual store that you can pick up our new Roareth CD is at Porchlight Coffee, on the hill. We are so happy that Zach (owner) will make room for our copies. Get caffeinated, warmly greeted and find awesome vinyl (and our CD) there.

Super-limited new t-shirt will be available at our August 1st, Seattle Doom Fest show… VERY limited. Get yers at the fest (only), no pre-orders, no mail orders, no “hey, please save me one” orders.

Buy Roareth‘s Acts I-VI via Paypal:

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