In my ongoing and inevitably-doomed-to-failure quest to be somewhat less than 100 percent behind on absolutely everything, this news about Venomous Maximus touring that I now present to you came down the PR wire yesterday. The Texas metallers, signed as of March to Napalm Records, have announced a round of dates to herald a July 2 reissue of their 2012 full-length, Beg upon the Light (review here), and included is a stop at Days of the Doomed III on June 21 in Wisconsin, where they’ll join the likes of Dream Death and In~Graved in riffly demolition at The Blue Pig outside Milwaukee. Good fun.

So sayeth the PR wire:

VENOMOUS MAXIMUS Announce North American Tour Dates

Debut Album Beg Upon the Light Out July 2nd on Napalm Records

The Texan Dark Occult Metal outfit VENOMOUS MAXIMUS has already risen to the status of a heavy hitter in the depths of the underground. Now, the band is ready to finally unleash their album debut Beg Upon The Light. The album will be released in North America on July 2nd via Napalm Records. Today the band has unveiled the tracklisting, which includes three bonus tracks.

In support of the new release, VENOMOUS MAXIMUS will be hitting the road this May and June. The tour sees the band playing select shows with Royal Thunder, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Valient Thorr amongst others. A complete list of dates can be found below.

Singer Gregg Higgins has a message for fans coming out to the shows: “Hide your daughters and bring a crucifix!”

Beg Upon the Light is full of heavy riffs and driving drums, which create the perfect foundation for the musical and lyrical direction of the songs, which bring the enthralled listener into the realm of the Occult! The Texans turn the mix of Stoner and Doom Metal into a deadly blend that goes right into your blood. Pounding and powerful songs filled with energy set the stage for the glorious vocals of frontman Gregg Higgins, the grand marshal who leads through these occult hymns Beg Upon the Light combines occultism, heavy riffs and the perfect Stoner attitude to create a pitch-black and irresistible album.

Tracklisting:
1.Funeral Queen
2 Path of Doom
3. Give Up The Witch
4. Father Time
5. Dream Again
6. Moon Child
7. Battle for the Cross
8. Venomous Maximus
9. Mother Milk
10. Hell’s Heroes
11. The Mission (Bonus Track)
12. The Rider (Bonus Track)
13. The Gift (Bonus Track)

Venomous Maximus Live:
5/18 – College Station – Stanford Center – Loudfest!
5/24 – Austin, TX – Mohawk – w/ Dillinger Escape Plan, Royal Thunder, Ancient VVisdom
5/25 – San Antonio, TX – Fitzgeralds w/ deadhorse
6/18 – Little Rock, AR – Downtown Music
6/19 – Nashville, TN – The End w/ Windhand
6/20 – Indianapolis, IN – Indy Jukebox w/ Devil To Pay
6/21 – Milwaukee, WI – Blue Pig Bar – Days of Doomed Fest
6/22 – Chicago, IL – Reggies w/ Valient Thorr
6/24 – Cincinnati, OH – The Comet
6/25 – Johnson City, TN – The Mecca
6/26 – Atlanta, GA – Purgatory
6/27 – Birmingham, AL – The Bottle Tree w/ Stoned Cobra
6/28 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia w/ Holy Grail

For More Info Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/VenomousMaximus
http://www.napalmrecords.com

Venomous Maximus, “Path of Doom” from Beg upon the Light

If Lo-Pan do anything at all, they keep busy. The Ohio-based fuzz frontrunners — do I need to call them the best American heavy rock band going right now again what I do well okay they’re the best American heavy rock band going — will partner with Capital City riffers Borracho for what I’ve no doubt will be a long weekender of bro downs and fuzz outs. Pennsylvania seems to be the lucky state playing host to most of these shows, but fear not, rest of the country, as I seriously doubt this’ll be the last time Lo-Pan and Borracho pair up. They’re like stoner rock Superfriends.

I wrote this press release, so here’s me quoting myself:

LO-PAN: Ohio Rockers Announce Tour Dates With Borracho

They’re the hardest working band in fuzz, and on July 18, Columbus, Ohio’s LO-PAN will continue their mission to obliterate eardrums nationwide. Late in 2012, the foursome took to stages across the land with High on Fire and Goatwhore, and in June, they joined forces with Torche and KENmode.

As they prepare to headline the Eye of the Stoned Goat 3 fest in Brooklyn on July 27 at The Acheron, LO-PAN be taking Washington D.C. up-and-coming heavy trio Borracho along for a few dates along the Eastern Seaboard. Both bands have new material in the works and will be showcasing material from forthcoming releases.

LO-PAN will share the stage not only with Borracho, but also with Philly riff-slingers Kingsnake, Pittsburgh metallers Sistered and Supervoid and Virginia-based Southern metallers King Giant.

Check out the Chris Smith (http://burzum.deviantart.com/) poster above, and here’s the info for the shows:

LO-PAN AND BORRACHO ON TOUR:
Jul 18, 2013 Pittsburgh, PA  Howler’s  w/ Borracho, Sistered, Supervoid
Jul 19, 2013 Washington D.C.  Rock N Roll Hotel  w/ Borracho, Kingsnake, King Giant
Jul 20, 2013 Stroudsburgh, PA  The Sherman Theater  w/ Borracho, Kingsnake
Jul 21, 2013 York, PA  The Depot  w/ Borracho

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lo-Pan/130592378248
http://lopandemic.com
http://smallstone.com

Hey, doom works slow. It’s been more than four years since Chicago doom legends Trouble first started tossing around word of their first album in the post-Eric Wagner era. Back then, the record was called The Dark Riff and Trouble was fronted by former Warrior Soul vocalist Kory Clarke. Neither of those panned out, it seems, and founding guitarists Bruce Franklin and Rick Wartell have (re)joined forces with singer Kyle Thomas, who previously worked with the band between 1997 and 2000, to release The Distortion Field through FRW Records on July 16, 2013.

Another full-length of Trouble riffs is nothing to complain about, and anyone who heard Alabama Thunderpussy‘s 2007 swan song, Open Fire, let alone Exhorder or Floodgate, knows Thomas is no slouch vocally. It’s hard to imagine Trouble without Wagner‘s Beatles-loving melodies up front (and I saw them with Clarke), but one hopes that in the years since Trouble‘s last record, Simple Mind Condition (originally out in 2007, then again I think in 2009 or 2010; it was complicated), Franklin and Wartell have used some of that time to meld their approach with that of their new lineup.

That’d be the ideal, anyway. We’ll find out soon enough. Here’s the info off the PR wire:

Chicago Metal Legends TROUBLE Return!

New Album The Distortion Field out via FRW Records
July 16th in North America | July 26th in Europe

Chicago metal legends TROUBLE return with their first album since ‘Simple Mind Condition’, released in 2007. The album entitled ‘The Distortion Field’ features 13 tracks and will be released by FRW Records in North America on July 16th 2013 and in Europe on July 26th, 2013.

‘The Distortion Field’ makes history in the TROUBLE camp through the band’s acquisition of a new lead vocalist, Kyle Thomas of Exhorder and Floodgate fame.

Commenting on new vocalist Thomas, TROUBLE founder and guitarist Rick Wartell says, “Kyle is one of the most impressive singers I’ve ever heard, and by far the most extraordinary singer I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. He’s got incredible range, incredible power, and an incredible knowledge of TROUBLE, as he’s been a fan for 20-something years. We’ve known him forever, and he innately understands what TROUBLE is about. He’s like the perfect guy to come in and do this job. It’s awesome.”

Veteran Music Producer Bill Metoyer is once again lending his expertise, having previously worked with the band on ‘The Skull’ and ‘Trouble’, both Metal Blade releases.

“Musically, I think this album is a true TROUBLE record.”, states Wartell. “In the early days, we used to just write what we felt and didn’t really care about what anyone said. We just wrote heavy riffs and played our music our way. But outside influences can kind of get a hold of you and start telling you what to do. When we were writing this album, the thinking was, we don’t care what anybody thinks. We’re going to write what we write. So this is basically a return to our roots, while combining some reflections of our band’s long history as well. With the two different music writers, Bruce and myself, we have a slight variation in our writing; Bruce has more of a ’70s groove to his writing, and I’m more the old school doomy metal thing. And when you put it together, you get TROUBLE.”

The band consists of Kyle Thomas – vocals, Rick Wartell – guitar, Bruce Franklin – guitars, and Mark “Marko” Lira – drums.

More details including song titles and album artwork are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The band has planned a string of festival dates and will tour the album in both Europe and North America.

Visit the band’s website www.newtrouble.com for updates.

Ah, crusty youth. Like the riff itself, the crusty youth are everywhere you could look. Bazooka hail from Athens as part of Greece’s fertile heavy underground and will release their full-length debut on Slovenly Recordings next week. If you find yourself so inclined, the album is available for streaming courtesy of the label’s Bandcamp, and you can hear it below, following the info, taken fresh off the PR wire.

If it says anything, I’d never heard Bazooka before, but checked out the album on a whim and dug the ultra-fuzzy looseness enough to post about them, so there you go. Here’s the news:

GREEK PSYCHEDELIC GRUNGE PUNK BAND BAZOOKA SELF-TITLED ALBUM OUT MAY 21ST THROUGH SLOVENLY RECORDINGS!

DARK, HEAVY AND TWISTED ANTHEMIC SHAKERS FROM A GOD-LIKE MEDITERRANEAN ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SCENE!

It is with the filthiest of pleasures that Slovenly Recordings discharges the much anticipated full-length, self-titled LP from Greece’s BAZOOKA. A severely crusty unit from Volos, and now relocated to Athens, Bazooka, who is perhaps the most savage crew of an incredibly corrosive rock ‘n’ roll scene that includes Acid Baby Jesus and Gay Anniversary, has concocted an evil, grungy stomper of an album that Slovenly deems worthy of the grossly overused title of “epic”.

With just enough pop sensibility to keep it from being heavier than a death in the family, this surly, riff-heavy opus has been formulated for maximum distorto-crumble factor from a twin-guitar / double-drum onslaught with searing vocals as righteously delivered on their now classic “I Want To Fuck All The Girls In My School” single. But let it be known that the humor is null this time around – being the victims of a massive Greek financial crisis, there is no room for it.

From the fully pissed off screamer “Mr. George” to the smashing ‘”Koritsi Stin Akti” (sung entirely in Greek), “Bazooka” also resurrects the out-of-print and sought after single on France’s Inch Allah label, including the mentally tortured anthem “Shame Take My Brain”. Saturated with fuzzed out rumblers from a dark place we dare not glance at, this record somehow yields perfect melodies trying to claw their way out of Bazooka’s decimated destinies!

Bazooka, Bazooka (2013)

Portland metallers Lord Dying will debut on Relapse July 9 with the full-length Summon the Faithless. The record follows a 2011 demo and some hard touring alongside the likes of Witch Mountain and Down and is now available for preorder at the link below.

Today the band also unveiled the album’s tracklisting and Death-esque cover art (click to enlarge) and a video trailer, sent down the PR wire for all to see and be steamrolled by:

LORD DYING: Reveal Debut Album Details

Album Out July 9th on Relapse Records

LORD DYING come from Portland, Oregon, a place over abundant with purveyors of the heavy riff.  A region where the inhabitants are plagued with nerve and joint damage due to lack of sunlight. In a time where everyone is trying to out-sludge or out-doom each other LORD DYING gives something less than a fuck. They are a metal band with members of Black Elk , Portals, Le Force, and Damn Your Eyes, who in their short, one year’s time as a band have shared the stage with Down, Unsane, Yob, Valient Thorr, Black Cobra and many others.

The band recently completed work on their debut Summon the Faithless.  The album is set for release July 9th via Relapse Records.  The album will be available in CD, LP and digital formats.  The album is available for pre-order HERE.

After releasing a self-titled EP in 7″ form, the dudes kicked it up a notch, heading out on national tours with Witch Mountain followed by a long trek with label-mates Red Fang and Black Tusk.  Fast forward to 2013 and LORD DYING are poised to be the new heavyweight champions of metal.  Smashing the riffs of High On Fire into the groove of Kylesa, LORD DYING have delivered one of the most impressive metal debuts in a long, long time.  A young band that has matured well beyond their years into a fully developed titanic heavy metal machine, LORD DYING’s new album is poised to be one of the best debuts of 2013.

Look for a summer tour to be announced shortly.

Summon the Faithless Tracklisting:
1)    In a Frightened State of Gnawed Dismemberment
2)    Summoning the Faithless
3)    Greed is Your Horse
4)    Descend Into External
5)    Dreams of Mercy
6)    Perverse Osmosis
7)    Water Under a Burning Bridge
8)    What is Not…is

LORD DYING Live:
May 23 Seattle, WA Chop Suey w/ Glose, Tacos!

For More Info Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/LordDying
http://lorddying.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/Lorddying
http://instagram.com/lorddying#
http://www.relapse.com/

Lord Dying, Summon the Faithless album trailer

I’ve kept relatively quiet in the leadup to the release of Kings Destroy‘s second album, A Time of Hunting, which is out as of today, May 15, on War Crimes Records. This was basically on purpose. I’m not involved in the release, but since their 2010 debut, …And the Rest Will Surely Perish, came out on The Maple Forum, I still feel like glorifying the record is something of a conflict of interest. Even though all my copies are long since gone. A conflict of ego, maybe. Still, I probably won’t review it.

Because I’ve held off writing about A Time of Hunting, I’ve been more curious to see what others think of the album and its eight varied songs. From blurbs saying they sound like Queens of the Stone Age (they don’t) to reviews saying it’s their first record (it isn’t), this has been an almost universally frustrating process. Yeah, I’m biased, and yeah, I’ve got a different relationship to the music than the average reviewer — that’s not me touting band bro’ness, like I’m Mr. Ontheinsidetrack or some shit. I was in the rehearsal room with Kings Destroy when they were beginning to put these songs together. I’ve seen them coalesce live, seen the band find their identity after the departure of bassist Ed Bocchino, watched them discover the music they want to be making, and then watched them make it. At this point, I’ve lived with A Time of Hunting since before it had a name.

And nothing I’ve seen has come close to doing it justice. Sorry. I’m sure if you happened to review the record and I didn’t see it or whatever, your review was awesome. It was the one that got it. But from where I sit, even the good reviews have missed the point. A Time of Hunting isn’t a collection of post-Sabbath riffs set to Ozzy vocals. It’s not even doom, and to write it off as that is to cheapen the actual character of the material, which is dark and complex and progressive and much, much fucking harder to pin down. Even the clarion riff that opens “The Toe” has more to it than a genre tag, let alone the drama in both the guitars and the vocals that caps “Blood of Recompense” or the sheer creepiness of closer “Turul,” which is so strange with its sirens, yowl and chugging lurch that the band had basically no choice but to stick it at the end even though they knew it had to be included. And they were fucking right. A Time of Hunting — especially coming off …And the Rest Will Surely Perish, which was a doom album and very much wanted to be a doom album – is so much bolder and more realized than I’ve yet seen it given credit for being. Fucking buy it and fucking appreciate it.

A Time of Hunting is out now. Kings Destroy is guitarists Carl Porcaro and Christopher Skowronski, vocalist Steve Murphy, bassist Aaron Bumpus and drummer Rob Sefcik. Here’s the release off the PR wire:

Kings Destroy Album Out Today!

Kings Destroy is set to release A Time of Hunting via War Crimes Records today.

Kings Destroy is a twisted, thundering gang of musicians. The doom metal unit takes its name from an infamous late ’70s/ early ’80s Bronx-based graffiti crew, which make sense, as the principle members of Kings Destroy have been playing together in New York City hardcore bands and heavy music projects since as far back as 1986. Guitarist Carl Porcaro is a founding member of the New York hardcore/punk bands Breakdown, Electric Frankenstein, and Killing Time.  Guitarist Chris Skowronski also plays with Killing Time and first met singer Steve Murphy and drummer Rob Sefcik in 1988 when he joined their NYHC outfit, Uppercut.

Kings Destroy on tour:
Jun. 07 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus (Record Release Show w/ Clamfight, Windhand, Belus)
Jun. 20 Chicago, IL – Reggies (w/ the Swan King and Yakuza)
Jun. 21 Milwaukee, WI – Days of the Doomed Fest
June 22 Columbus, OH – Cafe Bourbon St (w/ Tank Destroyer)

http://warcrimerecordings.bigcartel.com/product/kings-destroy-a-time-of-hunting

Kings Destroy, “Stormbreak” official video

The language in the description below is a little hyperbolic, but the track “Darkside” below from Dark‘s Dark Round the Edges 1972 private press heavy psych full-length speaks for itself. To the best of my knowledge, the UK outfit never released another album, but this one was reissued in 2002 by Akarma as well, so this isn’t the first time someone has found it deserving of another look. The passionate party behind the latest version is Portland, Oregon-based Machu Picchu Records, which currently has Dark Round the Edges up for pre-order and will ship CDs and vinyl upon the official June 25 release date.

Info, links and music:

DARK – “DARK ROUND THE EDGES” LP/CD

NOW TAKING ORDERS – SHIPPING ON JUNE 25, 2013

One of THEE greatest guitar-heavy psych records in the world, “Dark Round the Edges”was originally issued in an edition of around 50 copies, mostly for friends, family, and the odd record company. Its reputation has since blossomed into something resembling a redwood, or perhaps an original Van Gogh. This album is the holy grail for lovers of fuzz-driven hard rock, and has been the most sought-after privately pressed LP on the planet.

We’ve spared no expense to bring you the deluxe reissue of this classic, an album be- loved by heads & cosmic couriers around the world for its great songwriting, terrific instrumental workouts, and mysterious vibe. ZERO TIME IS NOW.

•Officially licensed by Dark, who will receive royalties from sales of this album

•Remastered and restored by Warren Defever for maximum brilliance

•Sleeve notes by the group’s songwriter and guitarist Steve Giles, including a complete group history

•Sleeved in a tip-on gatefold jacket, with an expanded version of the original booklet – 20 pages of lyrics and never before seen photos from the group’s personal archives

http://machupicchurecords.com/

Dark, “Darkside” from Dark Round the Edges (1972)

Submerged in organ-drenched blues, The Devil Rides Out delve into some gritty atmospheres on their new single “The Righteous Walk.” Even the Perth, Australia, outfit acknowledge that this is new territory for them — their 2011 full-length, The Heart and the Crown (review here) touched on some of the same kind of moodiness in a song like “Hard Love,” but didn’t go nearly as far — and though they assure that the rest of their forthcoming Ugly Creatures LP is full-on, this stuff sounds pretty heavy to me and still has an underlying groove that should tie it well to what one can reasonably expect the rest of the album to offer.

Off to the PR wire:

THE DEVIL RIDES OUT STREAMING NEW SINGLE ‘THE RIGHTEOUS WALK’

The new single for Western Australia’s disciples of all things dirty and doomy THE DEVIL RIDES OUT was delivered to radio this week and has been posted for streaming online here.

The first taste of their upcoming ‘Ugly Creatures’ is probably the least “metal” song that the band have ever released. The irony of this will soon come to light, as overall the new release is easily the heaviest thing they have ever committed to tape, a pitch-black descent into crushing sludge and doom.

For now though, we walk ‘The Righteous Walk’, a blues-drenched lament to loss and redemption. Featuring tasty guest keys from Julian Bolleter, the track simmers and swaggers with vulnerability and menace in equal measure before erupting into a frenzied and desperate climax.

Written in the wake of death and the midst of disintegration, this song – and indeed all of their ‘Ugly Creatures’ – reveals a darker and more reflective Devil. Perhaps no longer running from demons but rather standing and facing them. Walking through the fire… walking the righteous walk…

LIKE www.facebook.com/thedevilridesoutband
FOLLOW www.twitter.com/devilridesout @thedevilridesout
VISIT www.thedevilridesout.com.au

The Devil Rides Out, “The Righteous Walk”

Heavy blues rockers Star and Dagger will unveil their new full-length, Tomorrowland Blues, on July 23. As you can see in the PR wire info below about the record, the band taps into a few names one might recognize, notably the likes of Sean Yseult (former bassist for White Zombie) and desert luminaries Gene Trautmann and Dave Catching along with Dava She Wolf, and vocalist Von Hesseling. Star and Dagger‘s previously released a three-song 12″ EP called In My Blood on colored vinyl through Last Hurrah Records, and “Your Mama was a Grifter,” the video for which you can see below, closes the new album:

Star and Dagger is a blues-rock/metal group made up of good friends Sean Yseult (White Zombie), Dava She Wolf (Cycle Sluts From Hell), Dave Catching (Eagles of Death Metal), Gene Trautmann (Queens of the Stone Age), and the sublime vocalist Von Hesseling. They have a full album titled Tomorrowland Blues recorded at Rancho de la Luna, produced by Ethan Allen and Dave Catching, and mastered by J. Yuenger (White Zombie) to be released on Cauldron 333, distributed by MRI July 23.

Star and Dagger was formed with auspicious beginnings: Sean and Dava were drinking late one night with the legendary Lenny Kaye (noted rock journalist and founder member of the Patti Smith Group) and he declared: “You two must start a band, I see it!” They took his word and set to it.

The band layers dense guitars onto a heavy groove, strung together by Von’s towering vocals, which have the soul and presence of Tina Turner crossed with Cherie Currie. The band has recently attracted much attention, selling out their first show in LA and opening for High on Fire, Helmet, Eagles of Death Metal, Down and Saint Vitus. They performed at the 2012 Voodoo Fest and have plans for shows on the West Coast and the UK for Spring 2013. Star and Dagger’s first recording emerged a few months ago, a 12″ vinyl titled In My Blood.

http://stardagger.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/staranddagger
http://www.reverbnation.com/stardagger

Star and Dagger, “Your Mama was a Grifter”

Atlanta sludgers Sons of Tonatiuh have announced a run of shows between now and July that’ll see them sharing stages with Torche, Hooded Eagle and more. Their last album, Parade of Sorrow, came out last year on Hydro-Phonic and was recorded by Kyle Spence of Harvey Milk. Their 2010 self-titled debut was reviewed here, and the only bummer about the list of shows is that they’re not coming north again. Maybe next time, but for anyone in the Southeast, dates are below courtesy of the PR wire:

SONS OF TONATIUH: Down-Tuned Sound Savages Announce Spring Tour Dates

Down-tuned sound savages SONS OF TONATIUH will bring their bottom heavy sludge back to the streets this Friday beginning with a show in Atlanta alongside Torche. The band will then writhe its way through the Southeast on a round of weekend shows through July with additional dates to be added in the coming weeks.  The tour showcases the band’s new and improved powerhouse lineup of guitarist/vocalist Dan Caycedo and new recruits Twitch on bass and Josh Lomanto on drums.

Comments Caycedo, “The Mayans were wrong… SONS OF TONATIUH are here to show you the way. Through a heavy, dark road of despair and retribution we will pummel our way through the Southeast and beyond with plans to embark on the great big metal bird to the old world, Europe, by the end of 2013. Anyone crazy enough to stand in our way can either join our ranks or have their heads split open from the molten goodness of our tunage. See you on the killing floor.”

SONS OF TONATIUH Tour Dates 2013
5/10/2013 529 – Atlanta, GA w/ Torche
5/11/2013 The Atlantic – Gainesville, FL w/ Hot Graves
5/12/2013 Burro Bar – Jacksonville, FL
5/24/2013 Slim’s Downtown – Raleigh, NC w/ Old Codger (ex-Man Will Destroy Himself)
5/25/2013 Reggie’s 42nd St Tavern – Wilmington, NC
6/01/2013 Star Bar – Atlanta, GA w/ Degradations (ex-Withered)
6/07/2013 The Jinx – Savannah, GA w/ Humungous
6/08/2013 Tin Roof – Charleston, SC w/ Hooded Eagle
7/20/2013 529 – Atlanta, GA
7/21/2013 The Owl Farm – Nashville, TN
7/22/2013 Poison Lawn – Knoxville, TN

SONS OF TONATIUH will be touring in support of their current full-length Parade Of Sorrow issued via Hydro-Phonic Records last Summer.

http://www.sonsoftonatiuh.com
https://www.facebook.com/sonsoftonatiuh
http://www.sonsoftonatiuh.bandcamp.com
http://www.hydro-phonicrecords.com

Sons of Tonatiuh, Parade of Sorrow (2012)

Apparently they’ve been at it since 2006, but the new self-titled LP on Bilocation is the first studio full-length from Swedish triple-guitar six-piece Mexicoma. The band shares a hometown — Umeå, in the north of the country — with Meshuggah, Refused, Cult of Luna and Nocturnal Rites, but from what I can tell, there’s not much in common with any of them or much to point sonically to the low temperatures from which Mexicoma hail. Maybe rock is how they stay warm.

I’ve been a sucker for a “John the Revelator” cover since I first heard The Midnight Ghost Train do the song years ago. It’s included as a bonus to Mexicoma‘s self-titled vinyl, and you can hear it below, vocalist Magnus Olsson giving it a gruff, Mark Lanegan-style treatment. First, to the PR wire:

BILOCATION #10

You’re about to witness one of the heaviest bands of the gerne. These 6 dudes (incl. 3 guitars and 1 heavenly hellish voice) from Sweden bring you an earth shattering melange of stoner rock, doom and metal. So heavy, so melodic, so unique … no need to categorize any further, just listen for yourself …

BANDINFO

Since the beginning in 2006, Mexicoma has grown from being a clean-cut stonerband to expressing a much more ambient and heavier sound. Just as a good whiskey, Mexicoma has needed the time to age and evolve to get the right taste. The earlier flirt with the 70s and more peeled off sound, has developed into a heavier and saturnine presence, without discarding their riff-based foundations. The sound today is easiest described as heavy-hearted and transformative, but at the same time still captivating and progressive.

Mexicoma’s self-titled EP is far from the first recordings, still the release is stated as the first official issue. Although the band has been a part of Swedish scene in the north for several years, the time is now to reap what once was sown. Mexicoma is ready to conquer both the international scene as well as, once again, the Swedish one.

VINYL FACTZ

- 300 copies total: 200x transparent yellow / (100x transparent red-SOLD OUT)
– transparent red vinyl exclusively available from Kozmik Artifactz incl. tarot card signed by the band
– all high-quality heavy 180g vinyl pressed in Germany
– matte laquered 300gsm gatefold cover
– handnumbered

TRACKS

Side A:
1. 5.27 (7:04)
2. Pray (6:14)
3. Relentless (5:02)
Side B:
4. Truth Been Told (4:20)
5. Bright Black Day (3:50)
6. Omega Doom (7:27)
Bonustrack:
7. John The Revelator (Cover) (6:43)
Total 40:40

www.kozmik-artifactz.com
www.bilocationrecords.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/bilocationrecords

Mexicoma, “John the Revelator” (Blind Willie Johnson cover)

Some are coming from the north, some from the south, but this Saturday at BSP Lounge in Kingston, NY, the first-ever Hudson Valley Psych Fest will unite seven acts each with a different take on the traditions of psychedelia. The fest was put together by instrumentalists It’s Not Night: It’s Space, who are natives of New Paltz and who recently signed to Small Stone, and whose latest album, 2012′s Bowing Not Knowing to What, you can hear below.

Get grooved:

Three years after their humble beginnings, It’s Not Night: It’s Space decided it was high time to bring together all the heady friends they have made along the way for the very first episode of Hudson Valley Psych Fest.

BSP Lounge in Kingston, a beautiful venue coming up fast, will host seven bands for the evening-long festival. The lineup mixes true locals, B.B. Rebozo & Shana Falana, with some of Brooklyn’s finest: Weird Owl, Ancient Sky and Eidetic Seeing. Wildcard, Black Norse, will come down from the stoney shores of Maine.

Besides mixing locals and travelers, the lineup mixes a great array of stylings from the vast spectrum of what is considered psych: heavy hitters and dreamy wanderers (and all that lies between) will represent in a delightfully disorienting display. Along those lines, INN:IS producer Rick Birmingham will helm some interactive live visual projections.

Advanced tickets are available at hudsonvalleypsychfest.com. All who buy advanced tickets will be automatically entered to win a 2ft x 3ft copy of the beautiful flier done by INN:IS album artist Travis Lawrence of Infinity Prints.

May 11th||7pm||18+

It’s Not Night: It’s Space, Bowing Not Knowing to What

I’m very, very proud to be involved in helping promote The Eye of the Stoned Goat 3 in the way that I am. After checking out the second in the festival series back in February, it’s an honor to have signed on to help spread the word about the third, which boasts a strong lineup of bands at a choice venue on what I’ve no doubt will be a sweltering weekend night of heavy rock and roll. The fest sent over a victory lap of a press release, which you’ll find below:

The Eye of the Stoned Goat 3 set for Brooklyn, NY

Snake Charmer Booking announces its 3rd installment of its stoner rock and doom metal themed concert event “The Eye of the Stoned Goat”. The event will take place at The Acheron in Brooklyn New York on Saturday, July 27th 2013 at 6pm.

The Acheron, known to the locals as “the second coming of CBGB’s” is the perfect spot to host such a powerhouse line up, including Small Stone Records bands: Lo-Pan, Gozu, SuperMachine, and Lord Fowl. Washington, D.C.’s own Borracho, Delaware band Wasted Theory, and Philadelphia’s Wizard Eye will be making the trip up, while local support will be provided by Brooklyn’s Black Black Black, and Kingston, New York’s own Geezer.

In February 2013, Snake Charmer Booking hosted the second Eye of the Stoned Goat show in Delaware, home of event organizer Brendan Burns. Only a month later, Burns teamed up with Pat Harrington at the ‘Electric Beard of Doom’ podcast to announce that they would be bringing the event to New York.

Some of the bands who have previously played the ‘Stoned Goat events include- Pale Divine, Iron Man, Clamfight, Beelzefuzz, Blackhand, Skeleton Hands, Thee Nosebleeds and Black Cowgirl to name a few. “I’ve been fortunate being able to work with so many great bands, and this time around is no different” according to Burns. “This roster of artists are bands that I enjoy listening to regularly, and I am just absolutely thrilled to be working with them, it’s a promoter’s dream to work with bands that you listen to in your daily life”. Burns has also begun working on his roster for the Eye of the Stoned Goat 4 for 2014.

This summer’s event will also features such sponsors as Small Stone Records, The Obelisk, Wendigo Promotions and Electric Beard of Doom Podcast.

Tickets go on sale May 1^st 2013 for $12.00 (online price), and will also be available at the door for $15.00 to first come first served.  For more information, visit www.TheEyeoftheStonedGoat.com.

Ticket Link:
www.ticketfly.com/event/265667-eye-stoned-goat-2013-lo-brooklyn/

Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/353125964803490/

You know when the last time I listened to Sandrider‘s 2011 self-titled debut was? Frickin’ this afternoon. That album continues to thoroughly kick my ass around the block (review here), so it’s good news to see the Seattle trio are hitting the studio for a follow-up with producer Matt Bayles, who helmed the last one as well and who blah blah blah Mastodon, Isis and a ton of others. Right on.

Because the hits keep coming, Sandrider have some pro-shot footage of the new song “Gorgon” as well that follows with the PR wire update from Good to Die Records:

SANDRIDER enters the studio!

Seattle, WA’s hard rock saviors, SANDRIDER (ex-Akimbo), enter the studio this weekend to record the hotly anticipated follow-up to their much praised 2011 self-titled debut. The band is again recording with Matt Bayles (Russian Circles, Ken Mode, Mastodon, Helms Alee) at Red Room Studio and a Late Fall / Early Winter release is expected via Good to Die Records.

More details, including album title, release date and regional touring plans will be announced soon. The band’s debut is currently available for streaming via their official Bandcamp page, and a pro-shot video of brand new song “Gorgon” can be viewed [below].

This summer you can catch SANDRIDER on the Neumos stage at the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle. Pre-sale tickets are available HERE.

Sandrider, “Gorgon” Live at Columbia City Theater

Especially when it’s not for some falling out or some weirdo band drama, it’s a bummer to see a band go through lineup changes. In the case of Washington, D.C. heavy riffers Borracho, their guitarist/vocalist Noah has been out of the country for some time and will apparently continue to be for the foreseeable future, and the band has decided to press on with writing and recording in his absence, putting guitarist Steve Fisher in the vocalist role after playing for some time as an instrumental trio. I’ve seen Borracho three times since Noah left, and watched Fisher go from singing just a couple lines, to singing a little more, to filling a full-on vocalist position in March in Philly, the transition seems wholly natural and it’s all the better that Borracho got to work out the shift on stage, where it matters most.

Speaking of what matters most, Borracho have a beer coming! Beeracho! Okay, maybe they didn’t call it that, but the Port City Borracho Smokin’ Brown Ale will have an official release show May 18 in D.C. with Wasted Theory, Cortez and WeedisWeed. Details, links and music follow:

Port City Borracho Smokin’ Brown Ale coming May 18!

We’re proud to be working with Port City Brewing Company to create a limited edition beer — Borracho Smokin’ Brown Ale — to be released on May 18 at The Pinch in Washington, DC. The beer will only be available at the 18th of May show, so plan to be there if you want to taste it! Check out the Facebook event page for more info!

Changing of the Guard

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Borracho will continue on for the foreseeable future without our brother Noah. Guitarist Steve Fisher has ably taken over vocal duties full time and our forthcoming releases will feature Steve on vocals. Get the full scoop.

Upcoming Shows!

Lots of cool shows coming up this spring and summer. We’re stoked to play with our buds from Boston Cortez for two nights, and we’ll be joined by a tremendous bunch of bands over two nights, including Infernal Overdrive, Weed Is Weed, and When the Deadbolt Breaks.

May 17, 2013, 8:00pm
The Station, Philadelphia, PA
w/ Cortez, Infernal Overdrive, When the Deadbolt Breaks & The Company Corvette

May 18, 2013, 8:00pm
Borracho Smokin’ Brown Ale release show
The Pinch
Washington, DC
w/ Cortez, WeedIsWeed, and Wasted Theory

June 23, 2013, 6:00pm
Moving the Earth Festival – Day 2
The Windup Space
Philadelphia, PA
w/ Convocation, The 91?s, Lazlo Lee and the Motherless Children & more!

Borracho, Mob Gathering 7″ (2013)