As suspected, the lineup announcement for the 2022 Maryland Doom Fest is relatively short on fluff. No flowery descriptions of the acts involved, no hype about how important it is to get together in these times of plague and support the community, the underground, whatever it is. That’s all true enough, but as ever, Maryland Doom Fest is putting the name out there for you to see, and if you know, you know. If you’re a part of that family down there in Frederick, you’ve already got your calendar marked. This is who’ll be at the reunion.

And to that, with bands like Horehound, Thunderbird Divine, Caustic Casanova, fest-organizer JB Matson‘s own Bloodshot, Faith in Jane, ZED, Helgamite, Shadow Witch, The Age of Truth, Apostle of Solitude, Horseburner, Dead East Garden, Strange Highways and Foghound on the bill, this one will no doubt feel like a reunion in no small part. These acts and some of the others as well have shared MDDF bills in the past, and indeed, some were included in the announcement for January’s Doom Hawg Day as well, as was speculated. Still cool to see some of those returning coming across the country to do it, though, be it ZED or Formula 400.

Set for June 23-26 at Cafe 611 and Olde Mother Brewing in Frederick, MD, and of course subject to some changes between now and June, the lineup for Maryland Doom Fest 2022 is as follows:

Maryland Doom Fest 2022 Lineup

Black Road
Dust Prophet
Ol’ Time Moonshine
High Priestess
Wrath of Typhon
Alms
Black Lung
Thunderbird Divine
Atomic Motel
Byrgan
Faces of Bayon
Grief Collector
Crystal Spiders
Helgamite
Shadow Witch
The Age of Truth
Heavy Temple
Problem with Dragons
Strange Highways
Fellowcraft
Formula 400
Tines
Indus Valley Kings
The Stone Eye
Crow Hunter
Caustic Casanova
Coma Hole
Wizzerd
Mythosphere
Horehound
Bloodshot
NobleSoul
Coven
ZED
Faith in Jane
Future Projektor
Apostle of Solitude
Orodruin
Dead East Garden
Ritual Earth
Grave Next Door
Black Sabbitch
Lost Breed
Horseburner
Foghound
Hot Ram
Flummox

https://www.facebook.com/MdDoomFest/
www.marylanddoomfest.com

Apostle of Solitude, When the Darkness Goes (2021)

The Age of Truth, Resolute (2021)

Maryland Doom Fest 2021 is set for Halloween Weekend, Oct. 28-31, in Frederick, Maryland. Some of the acts on the newly announced bill are carryovers from the first-delayed-then-canceled 2020 edition — among them Sasquatch, Worshipper, and so on — but it’s worth noting that among those and others, the likes of The Age of Truth will have a new record out by this Fall, and pre-pandemic, Boozewa didn’t even exist. So yes, things have changed.

For further proof of the festival’s stylistic branching out — and with this many bands, they’d just have have to — you’ll note the departure in the poster art from the fest-standard purple toward a greater range of color. The music they’re pushing is likewise broader in palette, and to think of seeing the likes of Howling Giant and Revvnant alongside Arduini/Balich, Omen Stones, and Place of Skulls is an encouraging thought indeed. This even was much-missed last year.

Expect a time-table sooner than later, as organizer JB Matson doesn’t screw around when it comes to that kind of thing. The lineup announcement — short and sweet, as ever — is further proof of same.

I don’t know what the world’s gonna look like come Halloween, but I know damn well this is one reason I’m glad I got that vaccine.

[UPDATE 04/30: Black Road and Vessel of Light can’t make it. Lo-Pan and When the Deadbolt Breaks have been added. If there are any further changes, I’ll probably just make a new post.]

To wit:

Here is the Md Doom Fest 2021 roster folks!!!
Halloween weekend – Oct 28-31, 2021
WE CANNOT WAIT TO DOOM WITH YOU!!

Lineup:

Poobah, Sasquatch, Place of Skulls, Lo-Pan, Lost Breed, Cavern, Horseburner, Spiral Grave, The Age of Truth, Mangog, Wrath of Typhon, Helgamite, Almost Honest, Indus Valley Kings, VRSA, Monster God, Et Mors, Astral Void, Worshipper, Boozewa, Admiral Browning, Omen Stones, Formula 400, Molasses Barge, Arduini/Balich, Dirt Eater, Dyerwolf, Ol’ Time Moonshine, Shadow Witch, Revvnant, Bloodshot, Ritual Earth, Gardens of Nocturne, Conclave, Crow Hunter, Bailjack, Warmask, Akris, Alms, Thunderbird Divine, Strange Highways, Howling Giant, Yatra, Jaketehhawk, When the Deadbolt Breaks, Grave Huffer, Dust Prophet, Plague Wielder, Weed Coughin, Morganthus, Tines

www.marylanddoomfest.com
#4daysofdoom

https://www.facebook.com/MdDoomFest/
https://www.instagram.com/marylanddoomfest/
www.marylanddoomfest.com

Chicago doom rockers Black Road recently welcomed new bassist Trey Wedgeworth, also known for guitar and vocals in Faces of the Bog. Black Road‘s Witch of the Future, issued last Halloween, will see a repress with new artwork through DHU Records (EU) and The Company (US) that features new artwork handled by the latter and the vinyl-specific mastering work of Tony Reed of Mos Generator.

The bassist announcement came down just last week, so I’m not sure what the band’s plans are going forward or anything, but the first pressing of Witch of the Future would seem to have sold through its 250 copies handily, and that’s a pretty decent start for a band who’ve got strong word-of-mouth momentum behind them. Maybe some new songs written in quarantine? Maybe just waiting to play shows? Either way, the new release of the debut looks pretty killer, and if you missed it the first time around, the stream from Bandcamp is down at the bottom under the PR wire info.

So by all means, dig in:

Black Road ~ Witch of the Future Repress to be released through The Company & DHU Records

DHU Records is proud to announce a repress of unfathomed coolness!

Witch of the Future, the stunning debut album by Chicago Doomers Black Road will be released in a new jacket with new colors and will be presented to you by The Company in the US and DHU Records in the EU!

Strictly Limited to 250 copies on Blood Red Wax, if you didn’t score this one the last time, or perhaps you did, you’re going to want to need this as well!

Featuring amazing new artwork by The Company!

More details and order info coming soon…

Black Road ~ Witch of the Future (DHU035 Repress)

Side A:
A1. Purgatory
A2. Radiation
A3. Witch of the Future

Side B:
B1. Torches
B2. Blood on the Blade
B3. Hash King
B4. End of Man

Cover artwork by The Company
Recorded & mixed at Roosterbat studios by John Becker & Alec Haley
Mastered for vinyl by Tony Reed at HeavyHead Recording Company

https://www.facebook.com/BlackRoadChicago
https://instagram.com/blackroadband/
https://blackroadchicago.bandcamp.com/
darkhedonisticunionrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DHURecords/
https://darkhedonisticunionrecords.bandcamp.com/
http://thecompanykc.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thecompanykc
https://www.instagram.com/thecompanykc/

Black Road, Witch of the Future (2019)

In the immortal words of one Peter Steele: Happy Halloween, baby. Those playing along at home know that today means one thing to the realms of doom, and it’s that it’s time for Maryland Doom Fest to unveil next year’s lineup. Maryland Doom Fest 2020 has some significant shoes to fill in following up this year’s, which of course was held in June in Frederick, Maryland, and they’ve lined up a full four-dayer onslaught to make a go of it.

Headlining sets from Cirith Ungol, Blood Ceremony, Speedealer and Mondo Generator, with direct killage from The Skull, Victor Griffin‘s Death Row Assembly (this will be incredible, especially there), Witch Mountain and Sorcerer, the fest is pretty much blowing its own prior reach out of the water. I’ll especially look forward to Arduini/Balich and hope that this performance accompanies a new album, but return appearances from The Age of Truth, Bailjack, Earthride (yes!), Shadow Witch, Spiral Grave, Knoxxville and Helgamite will be awesome as well, and I’ve no doubt the likes of Vessel of Light, Galactic Cross (with Dave Sherman of Earthride), Yatra, Black Lung, Plainride, Cavern, Molasses Barge, Admiral Browning, Black Road, Poobah, Omen Stones and Crystal Spiders will be made to feel welcome into the MDDF family vibe, at least those who aren’t already a part of it. I guess particularly in the case of Admiral Browning, it’s more like family reunion.

Keeping with the festival’s no-dragged-out-staggered-announcements spirit, I’ll be up front about this: it’s gonna be a good ‘un. You should do whatever you need to do to make it happen.

Check it:

MARYLAND DOOM FEST Announces 2020 Lineup: June 18-21 – Feat. CIRITH UNGOL, BLOOD CEREMONY, MONDO GENERATOR, SPEEDEALER + MORE! EarlyBird Sales Start Dec. 17!

The Maryland Doom Fest celebrates its 6th anniversary next June and today brings you its confirmed roster of over 50 of today’s heaviest bands to hit its stages in 2020.

Maryland Doom Fest brings both U.S. and international artists from all over the map into Frederick, MD for a full four days of mayhem, featuring the legendary Cirith Ungol and Blood Ceremony, to Speedealer and Mondo Generator set to headline the four nights of top shelf doom metal and heavy underground sounds! This year includes more than fifty bands to cover every dark and dank corner of metal subgenres across every inch of the stage from start to finish each night.

A few words from JB Matson, founder and organizer of The Maryland Doom Fest:

“I simply could not be more excited about the fifty-plus band roster for the Maryland Doom Fest’s 6th annual show in 2020!! This will be a splendid #4daysofdoom!!!”

We invite all to become part of the family at the Maryland Doom Fest 2020 weekend events! Please support the Doom and Heavy Music scene and come share in this epic event with us. We will see you at #4daysofdoom!!

THE MARYLAND DOOM FEST 2020

CIRITH UNGOL + BLOOD CEREMONY + SPEEDEALER + MONDO GENERATOR

THE SKULL + SORCERER + DEATH ROW ASSEMBLY + WITCH MOUNTAIN

Ol’ Time Moonshine + Arduini/Balich + Dirt Eater + Switchblade Jesus
Doperider + Condenados + Cultic + Yatra + Bailjack + Poobah
Earthride + Black Lung + Jake The Hawk + Black Road + Warmask
Admiral Browning + Sourpuss + Molasses Barge + Thunderbird Divine
Dust Prophet + Wolftooth + Vessel Of Light + Wrath Of Typhon + Spiral Grave
Plainride + Mangog + Cavern + Galactic Cross + Shadow Witch + Burgan
Akris + Plague Wielder + The Age Of Truth + Knoxxville + The Astral Void
Serpents Of Secrecy + Omen Stones + Crystal Spiders + Helgamite
VRSA + Conclave + Et Mors + Strange Highways + Alms + Dyerwulf

June 18th – 21st, 2020 + Frederick, MD

www.marylanddoomfest.com

Early Bird Discount tickets are available from December 17th through 31st.

Standard ticket sales start January 2020.

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/827407774319811/

https://www.facebook.com/events/827407774319811/
https://www.facebook.com/MdDoomFest/
https://www.instagram.com/marylanddoomfest/
www.marylanddoomfest.com

Cirith Ungol, “I’m Alive” live at Up the Hammers Festival 2017

It starts with a slow-mo Wes Anderson-style walk off an elevator, and soon enough, Black Road‘s new video and single unfold with attitude-laced bluesy vibes and an underpinning of heavy rock grit. And of course, by the end of the video, there is indeed “Blood on the Blade.” There was a moment there where I thought frontwoman Suzi Uzi was carving up the rest of the band, but that’s not the way it goes. Maybe next time. The Chicago outfit will, like the rest of the universe, head to SXSW this month to play the SX Stoner Jam, and they’ve also got shows booked around that with Wisconsin’s Attalla that you can see presented in the at-sign language of Instagram under the video itself below. If you’re headed that way, consider yourself lucky. That’s going to be a special time, and cheers to Black Road for taking part.

Uzi and cohorts Tim M. (guitar), Casey Papp (bass) and Robert Gonzales (drums) are teasing the impending prospect of their first full-length with the new song. You might recall they also issued the single “Witch of the Future” (posted here) way back in November, and of course that may or may not wind up on the same record. Their eagerness to get their songs out to the public is justifiable beyond even the band-releasing-their-debut-album standard antsy-ness. Set for issue through DHU Records and BloodRock Records, whenever it arrives and whatever it’s called will see the band having already worked to build considerable momentum, not only with the show at SXSW, but also at New England Stoner and Doom Fest II in Connecticut this May, among others, and having already garnered much hyperbole around their 2017 self-titled EP (discussed here), which was fairly enough earned.

“Blood on the Blade” does little to make me think the pattern won’t hold when the album eventually shows up, and of course that’s the whole point of an advance single. I won’t predict how the whole record is going to play out based on one song, but the rolling groove here, the on-the-couch guitar solo, and the brooding overall vibe suit the band well.

PR wire info follows, as well as those live dates.

Please enjoy:

Black Road, “Blood on the Blade” official video

Chicago, Illinois Doom rock outfit Black Road surprised everyone Saturday with a release of a brand new video and song titled “Blood on the Blade” of the upcoming, as of yet untitled, debut full length.

“Blood on the Blade” is the first track taken from the new Black Road album and is a sassy Blues Rock anthem which trudges in a half tempo blues beat while being told a short story of ‘who can you trust’. The video was filmed/edited and directed on location by Don Corthier and Liza Moon

The debut album will feature 7 brand new heavy hitting rock anthems and will be nothing short of an instant classic!

Watch out for the Limited Edition vinyl and cassette through DHU Records and CD on BloodRock Records in 2019.

Black Road live:
Wed March 13 @rudyards_htx with @mtntmr @salemsbend @attallawi
Thurs March 14 @spiderhouseatx for #sxstonerjam19
Fri March 15 @89thstreetokc with @croboneband @kingcaravan @attallawi
Sat March 16 @dgstaphouse with @sonofthemorningband @attallawi .

Black Road:
Suzi Uzi (vox/lyrics/piano)
Tim M. (guitar)
Casey Papp (bass)
Robert Gonzales (drums)

Black Road on Thee Facebooks

Black Road on Instagram

Black Road on Bandcamp

DHU Records webstore

DHU Records on Thee Facebooks

DHU Records on Bandcamp

It’s time to talk about the real potential of the New England Stoner and Doom Fest. No, I don’t mean the lineup. That’s awesome. You know it and I know it. I’m talking about the acronym. That’s always huge for a festival. How is it abbreviated? Think MDDF or SHoD or any of the DFs spread around the universe. These things matter.

I’ve seen NESDF tossed around for New England Stoner and Doom Fest, and that’s cool, but it’s missing the opportunity. You could have a festival abbreviated NES! Who the hell wouldn’t buy that t-shirt? I hereby cast my vote in the imaginary referendum on festival abbreviations for New England Stoner and Doom Fest to henceforth and forthwith and withhence be known as NES fest. Second the motion?

There’s reportedly one more band to be added and reportedly several in the running for that slot, so this might not be the final update before May 3-5 gets here and NES fest kicks off (see me using the acronym already?), and the lineup for a pre-party at 33 Golden St. in New London has been announced as well, which will be headlined by Fox 45, so, you know, more of a good thing and all that.

The full lineup as has been revealed follows. Note the Wretch reunion. NES fest!

New England Stoner & Doom Fest II

The New England Stoner and Doom Festival will make its return in 2019 on May 3,4, and 5 at Altones in Jewett City, CT.

Earthride
Brimstone Coven
Wretch
Kings Destroy
+1 TBA
Foghound
Pale Divine
Vessel of Light
Spiral Grave
Solace
Black Road
Curse the Son
Shadow Witch
Hell Camino
Clamfight
Eternal Black
Thunderbird Divine
Stonecutters
When the Deadbolt Breaks
Mourn the Light
Entierro
Bone Church
Buzzard Canyon
The Age of Truth
Void King
Horseburner
Scuzzy Yeti
Witchkiss
Cortez
Benthic Realm
Faith in Jane
Conclave
Set Fire
3 Parts Dead
Insano Vision
Old Earth Analog
Pinto Graham
The Stone Eye
Sentinel Hell

Pre-party @ 33 Golden St.:
Fox 45
VRSA
Dark Ritual
Owl Maker
Feed the Beast

www.newenglandstoneranddoomfest.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/1613285008788252/
https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandStonerAndDoomFest/
https://www.saltoftheearthrecords.com/

Wretch, Bastards Born (2017)

Chicago doom rockers Black Road first issued ‘Witch of the Future’ as a standalone live track that came out in May 2017 as a name-your-price Bandcamp download. The studio version also tops 10 minutes and costs a buck. One dollar. Seems like a more than fair bargain for anyone who’s up for it. The classic Sabbathian roots of the guitar chug and bass runs are all over the song in whichever version, and frontwoman Suzi Usi tops a burgeoning instrumental chemistry between Tim Morano, Casey Popp and Robert Gonzales with a belted out melody that’s as much at home over the heaviest push as it is over the ending section of earliest-Witchcraft-style meandering in the guitar.

Black Road were recently part of the first lineup announcement to be part of the 2019 New England Stoner and Doom Fest (info here), and they’ll take part in that alongside Earthride, Youngblood Supercult and a host of others still to be announced. Should be good company to keep.

Here’s info on the single from the PR wire:

Black Road release digital single “Witch of the Future”

“The 11th Hour is upon us. “Witch of the Future” is now available on Bandcamp!

To all our buds: We have put a price of $1 (or name your own price if you’d like to donate more) on this over 10 minute track, in hopes of building up a fund to use toward our studio recording session for the upcoming full-length album. All proceeds will be put right back into the band and help us get this new album done and out to you faster! We truly appreciate any and all support you have shown us, and we sincerely hope you love the new track!”

THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM BLACK ROAD!

Black Road is:
Vocals/Lyrics/Composition/Tambourine: Suzi Uzi
Guitars/Composition: Tim Morano
Bass: Casey Papp
Drums: Robert Gonzales

https://www.facebook.com/BlackRoadChicago
https://instagram.com/blackroadband/
https://blackroadchicago.bandcamp.com/
https://vimeo.com/blackroad
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPo8q72PkOcBjHIFeGiHzTg
darkhedonisticunionrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DHURecords/
https://darkhedonisticunionrecords.bandcamp.com/

Black Road, “Witch of the Future”

Welp, I guess I know what I’m doin’ on May 3 and 4 next year. Calendar is marked. I was otherwise occupied during the first New England Stoner and Doom Fest earlier this year, but with the usual caveat that a piano might fall on my head between now and then, my plan is to hit New England Stoner and Doom Fest II as a priority, and the first lineup announcement has done nothing to dissuade me from that intention. Shadow Witch, Earthride, and Brimstone Coven are all vets of Maryland Doom Fest — Earthride are of course kingpins of that scene though release through NESDF-related Salt of the Earth Records — but Vessel of Light, Youngblood Supercult, Black Road, Set Fire and others it will be my first time seeing, so all the more reason to look forward to getting to Altones, which I hear kicks ass anyway.

And yes, I’m among the presenting media for the festival, but I don’t have the inside track or anything on who’s playing, so as the announcements come through for the bill, I’ll be just as surprised as everyone else. I’m looking forward to that too. There’s a good bit of diversity of sound already in the lineup, and any chance you get to see Brimstone Coven‘s harmonies in-person, you should do that. Bottom line is there’s a lot to like here so far, so dig in, and when I see the next round come through, that’ll get the same treatment.

For now, here’s the first poster and the list as posted on the fest event page on Thee Facebooks:

The New England Stoner and Doom Festival will make its return in 2019 on May 3 & 4 at Altones in Jewett City, CT.

Stay tuned for details!

www.newenglandstoneranddoomfest.com

Featuring:
Brimstone Coven
Earthride
Black Road
Vessel Of Light
Shadow Witch
Youngblood Supercult
Set Fire
Mourn The Light
Entierro

Many many more to be announced.

www.newenglandstoneranddoomfest.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/1613285008788252/
https://www.facebook.com/NewEnglandStonerAndDoomFest/
https://www.saltoftheearthrecords.com/

Earthride, Live in Los Angeles, June 13, 2018