I usually don’t get behind mp3 blogs, mostly because they’ll give you a virus if you’re not careful, but of those working within the stoner/doom genre, Doomed to be Stoned in a Sludge Swamp operate in such a way as to be entirely above board. For example, they dropped an email asking permission before posting my band’s demo way back when. And I’m sure they don’t do that for all the albums they post, but as an unsigned act, it was a great way of promoting the release, because damn near everyone goes there.

Now they’ve taken it to the next level with an original compilation all their own. Appropriately called Swamp Comp Vol. 1, it brings together unsigned groups from all over the doomed spectrum and is basically sampler of bands the site thinks you should check out. And it’s all band-approved, so it’s entirely guilt-free. Hard to beat that. Thanks to those guys for supporting the scene and for keeping the public aware of new acts coming down the pike. For anyone interested, here’s the link to download.

And here’s the track list:

01. Low of the Low – Mississippi
02. Dirt Communion – A Trip to the Slaughterhouse
03. El Supremo – Julius Pleaser and the Renegade Brigade
04. Black Thai – Satan?s Tool Shed
05. Alcoholic Alliance Disciples – Blues for the Heretic Confraternity of Drinkers
06. Ever Circling Wolves – Alone, into the Silent Ice
07. Hate – Needle
08. Dead Existence – Underhanded
09. Bad Actor – Sinister Smoke and Smolder
10. March to the Sea – Replicant
11. Black Sleep of Kali – Chorus of Flies
12. After the Dust – Crash Down
13. The Central End – I See Walls (James Plotkin Remix)
14. The Storm Explosion – Everything that?s Living

Well, since I missed that show in Philly on Sunday, and I knew I wouldn’t make it to Brooklyn either (the evening was filled with literary endeavors both involving and not involving alcohol), I thought it might be worth seeing if there’s any clips from the Pelican/Eagle Twin/SunnO))) tour on the YouTubers. Sure enough, some timely bloke uploaded video shot less than 24 hours ago at the Masonic Temple in that most gentrified of boroughs. So, here’s what Eagle Twin were doing last night while I was out at the bar in Newark. Thanks, internet.

Despite having downsized Puny Human bassist Jason Diamond since the release last year of their EP, Sign Here, Here and Here, and replaced him with Fu Manchu‘s Brad Davis, corporately-themed stoner supergroup The Company Band are pressing forward with a new release due out Nov. 10. Here’s the PR wire news:

The Company Band, featuring vocalist Neil Fallon, drummer Jess Margera, guitarists Jim Rota and Dave Bone with bassist Brad Davis, today confirm November 10 as the release date of their full length debut. The self-titled album was recorded in Los Angeles earlier this year and teamed the band with renowned producer/engineer Andrew Alekel (Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters). The band will release in advance to the album a special digital-only single featuring the album track ?It?s a Confusing World? with an exclusive cover of BTO?s ?Not Fragile.? The single will be available for download via various DSPs in early October.

?It was pretty awesome to get everyone into a studio together and make this record,? reveals Jess Margera of the album?s recording process. ?I never thought it would happen given that everyone has insanely crazy touring schedules. But sure enough the results turned out amazing. It was a strange reality for me, personally, as I am a huge fan of Fireball Ministry, Clutch and Fu Manchu. So to be in a room playing drums with members of all those bands was kind of unbelievable.”

?It’s not very often that one gets to write and play music with people that they respect as well consider family,? says Jim Rota. ?This band is a dream come true.?

?Good times and great friends made this music that we are proud to bring you,? adds Dave Bone. ?So pick up your balls and load up your cannons for the 21 gun salute!?

Founded by Margera (CKY) with Rota (Fireball Ministry) and Dave Bone in 2006, The Company Band originally got together to jam among friends. Their initial recordings were laid down for the band?s 2008?s mini-album Sign Here, Here, and Here. It quickly sold through its limited pressing and has continued to be a popular digital seller via CDBaby.com and others since release. Restricted Release has now pressed it on a special 10-inch available now exclusively through the label?s Amazon store. The vinyl pressing features exclusive artwork and is hand-numbered; limited to 1000 copies.

Stepping outside his identity as one third of Argentine free riffers Los Natas, guitarist/vocalist Sergio Chotsourian formed the solo outing Ararat as a means for expressing experimental tendencies that did not otherwise fit into his main outfit. Ararat‘s debut, Musica de la Resistencia, crosses cultures and sonic norms en route to bleeding ambience and sometimes dark psychedelia. Based as much around acoustic guitar as noisescaping, the outing defies expectation in almost every way and produces an unsettling, challenging atmosphere.

Chotsourian, joined in his endeavor by his brother Santiago, El Topo (Dragonauta) and others, has shown there’s more to his musical personality than riffs, solos and singing about revolution. With Musica de la Resistencia, a new sonic direction is established and the boundaries seem limitless for what Ararat can accomplish. Sergio was kind enough to once again answer some email questions, and the resulting interview is after the jump. Enjoy.

Read more »

Franklin, Pennsylvania, merchants Argus make a positive first impression on their self-titled debut full-length, released via Shadow Kingdom Records. ?Devils, Devils,? the album?s catchy opener, rocks an old school doom that borders on Solitude Aeturnus? style of rougher epics without directly taking from it. The track turns out to be the record?s highlight alongside the later and longer ?The Damnation of John Faustus,? but Argus have plenty to offer between the two when it comes to twin-guitar riffs, able soloing and chunky doom grooves, played American style.

Penance fans will recall Argus frontman Brian ?Butch? Balich?s vocal contributions to that band?s later material, and as much as his voice is perfectly suited to the music here, it?s the guitars of Jason Mucio and Erik Johnson that lead the way for most of the tracks. ?Bending Time? and the chugging ?None Shall Know the Hour? show off their impressive chops and provide a forum for Balich to display his masterful mid-range. Argus tends to drag in parts, largely since there?s so much in this kind of old school doom that can?t possibly be original — it?s been done so well, for so long, by so many — but the five-piece unit makes the best of it, the rhythm section of bassist Andy Ramage and former Abdullah drummer Kevin Latchaw adding a welcome metallic crunch to the sound.

Read more »

I don’t regularly post over at StonerRock.com, reviews aside, but I troll the discussion forums almost daily just to see what’s up, and I was saddened the other day to learn about the disappearance of forum member Tariq Ali, who has been missing for nine days as of Tuesday, Sept. 22. Never talked to the guy, but I figured I’d post the flier here and if anyone has any info, they can get in touch with the Midlothian police at the number given.

By that I mean it sounds just like Fu Manchu, and after their last album, the underrated 2007 release We Must Obey, that’s not a bad thing. Yes, we all know their tried their hand at watered-down commerciality with 2004’s Start the Machine (around the valley we call it The Debacle in Calacle — that’s not true), but the Fu are back doing what they’re best at: pure fuzz-driven Californian stoner rock. Their new record, Signs of Infinite Power, comes out Oct. 20 on Century Media, and the good people over at Noisecreep (namely Amy Sciarretto, whom I adore) have posted the preview track “Bionic Astronautics” for all the world to click over and stream. You probably won’t be surprised, but if the choice is new Fu Manchu or new 99 percent of other bands in the world, I’ll take Fu Manchu every time.

I feel compelled to do a wrap of the last day of Planet Caravan in this space, though the longer review will be posted sooner or later over at Brooklyn Vegan and that pretty much covers it. Even so, I humbly offer this quick rundown of the night for anyone interested. Thanks for tolerating the lack of photos here and updates these last several weeks as there’s been a major shift in the amount of available time I have to devote to reviews, interviews and whathaveyou. Rest assured I’m in no way finished with this experiment.

So, Saturday, Sept. 19, Asheville, NC:

The Pentagram Interview: Never happened. Kind of a shitter, but after hearing Bobby Liebling talking on the stage later in the night, maybe it’s for the best.

The Orange Goblin Interview: Did happen. I walked in and found Ben Hogg having a beer with them before any of the bands started. Ben Hogg is a Southern drinker, and I say that with the utmost respect. Interview was with the whole band, and it took a little time to get going, but was good and once I mentioned I knew the dudes from Solace, things were friendly. I should have it up around here one of these days.

Orchid: It’s saying something when even a room full of drunken doomers is laughing because of how blatantly you’ve ripped off Black Sabbath.

Taddy Porter: I missed most of them because of the Orange Goblin interview, but they were crazy young and all kinds of bluesy. They were on at The Orange Peel while Batillus played Mo Daddy’s next door. I don’t know who drew more people because, again, I was otherwise occupied.

Astra: A big bowl of noodles. Also the skinniest band of the festival. San Francisco hipster prog that was disappointing live after somewhat digging the record. I was back and forth between them and Salome and neither really did it for me.

Salome: Had expensive amplifiers, a heavily bearded drummer and a little blond girl doing death growls on vocals. No bass. Needless to say they’ll probably be the biggest thing in the world come two weeks from now.

YOB: Are the reason I made the trip. After waiting for more than half a decade to see them live, I can honestly say it was worth it by the time they were halfway through set-opener “Quantum Mystic.” Everything else was cake. Easily the highlight of the weekend. It was the first time I’d stood up front for a band because I actually liked them in a long while. Also met Mike Scheidt after the set (for not the first time) and he was a super-cool guy.

The Gates of Slumber: They played Mo Daddy’s and I watched from outside in the rain because the entire crowd who had been watching YOB ran over to catch the last 15 minutes of their set. Was worth it to see Karl Simon soloing.

Orange Goblin: Don’t know how to do anything other than kick ass, so that’s what they did. Covered “Into the Void” and still didn’t sound as much like Sabbath as Orchid did. Ben Ward is a monster who eats the souls of children.

Hull: Had a tough slot opposite Orange Goblin, but did their best and were helped by their time on the road. Congrats to guitarist Nick Palmirotto on his newfound sobriety as well. After this weekend I’m considering a dose of that for myself.

Pentagram: Were exciting more in theory than practice, though Bobby Liebling is a madman and Gary Isom killed it on drums. Was a sight to see when Victor Griffin came out and played on the encore of “When the Screams Come.” “Forever My Queen” kicked ass as well, and Liebling announced a new album called Last Rites to be released next year. Should be interesting.

That’s it. The entirety of Sunday was spent driving home nursing some serious heartburn after ouevos rancheros at The Laughing Seed, a vegetarian restaurant in Asheville. I guess now I know what that seed finds so damn funny. I missed the SunnO)))/Eagle Twin show in Philly owing to timing, and will sadly miss them again in Brooklyn tonight due to prior commitments. Bummer all around. Yesterday I spent recovering, doing class work and at my orthopedist. In many ways, I still feel like I’m traveling even though I’m back in the valley at long last and for most of the day today.

Thanks for reading.