I do my best to not talk about politics on this site, and I’m not always successful. I am of the firm belief that everything — even the decision not to talk about politics on this site — is political. So as Revvnant, which is the post-The Flying Eyes project helmed by that band’s drummer Elias Schutzman (here cast as a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist), unveil the new single “The Second Coming” with lyrics derived from Yeats‘ poem of the same name — “what rough beast” and all that — it’s harder than usual not to engage with the political moment in which we’re living. As much as COVID-19 would seem to be the plague of our times — or at least until the next one hits — perhaps too one might consider the persistent spread of the schism between sides of humanity that might lead some people not to care as others are dying. I know that’s nothing new, but it sure is stark these days.

If you’re not considering radical labor action, you probably don’t work at a grocery store right now. I know the young woman who scanned my blueberries at Shop-Rite yesterday was thinking about putting a bullet in my brain, and I can’t fault her for that.

Capitalism. Symptoms and causes.

Enjoy the track:

Elias Schutzman on “The Second Coming”:

Shortly after the 2016 election I came across the apocalyptic poem “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats… It perfectly expressed the existential dread I was feeling so I decided to put it to music, enlisting the help of Adam Bufano (my long time bandmate in The Flying Eyes) on guitar. I wasn’t really planning to release it, but in this moment it feels so relevant. This song isn’t the “feel good jam” people probably wanna hear right now. But for me music is supposed to express truth, no matter how dark and ugly that is. And the truth here is we are in deep shit. We have a “leader” who cannot, or will not adequately protect us in this time of crisis, instead feeding us incessant lies and looking out for his own self interest. If we don’t remove this human virus from office, we will truly reap the whirlwind…if we haven’t already.

Lyrics adapted from William Butler Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming”…

“Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: a waste of desert sand;
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Wind shadows of the indignant desert birds.

The darkness drops again but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”

released March 24, 2020

Elias Schutzman- Vocals, Synthesizers, Programming
Adam Bufano- Guitar
Stella- Backing Vocals

Produced and mixed by Elias Schutzman

https://www.facebook.com/revvnantmusic
https://www.instagram.com/revvnant
https://revvnant.bandcamp.com/

Revvnant, “The Second Coming”

There’s a new Enslaved album. It’s called Utgard. It’ll be out this Fall. It’ll probably be brilliant. There’s a single. It’s coming out May 22. It’s not out yet. No. Not yet. Not today. Today’s not May 22. Unless it is. Then it’s out. In that case, I take it all back.

That’s pretty much the news though. After saying they were going to record an album and recording an album, they have recorded an they are releasing an album. Oh yeah, it has a cover. It’s kind of Mordor-esque, but also pretty great. It’s by Truls Espedal, who at this point is basically a member of the band and should probably be considered as such. Doing nine out of their now-15 record covers isn’t nothing. It’s more albums than at least 40 percent of the band have appeared on, for example.

Enslaved are doing the streaming-gig thing on April 1 as part of a big Norwegian brewhaha. That’s cool. I’ve yet to ever watch them play and regret it, in-person or otherwise.

Here’s the album info they’re giving out thus far:

ENSLAVED ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM, “UTGARD,” TO BE RELEASED THIS FALL

BAND REVEALS ARTWORK & ANNOUNCES ONLINE SHOW

Norway’s avantgarde metal heroes ENSLAVED reached out to their fans yesterday, to present them the cover artwork for their upcoming album “Utgard”:

ENSLAVED’s official statement:
“Due to the current situation, we took the decision together with our label Nuclear Blast to postpone the release of ‘Utgard’ to the fall. Therefore, as you can imagine, the whole schedule had to be adjusted quickly! We understand that seeing a video teaser followed by nothing has been confusing. As of today, we can announce that our first single and video will be released on May 22nd, and we can’t wait to share this new music with you all! We are sure you understand that this is for the best.

In the meantime, we’d like to tell you a little more about the ‘Utgard’ cover artwork! This is the 9th consecutive album cover artwork done by Truls Espedal – and like the album itself it is definitely on the wavelength of the long-distance pulse from the Enslaved generator. It is a piece of art that mirrors a massive concept and a band that is also more lyrically and philosophically inspired than ever before. That Truls is a master of his art is established a long time ago, but he has truly outdone himself on this interpretation of our Utgard. Just looking at how the colors and techniques are used to create the depth and grandiosity of the horizon. The perfect travelling companion into these uncharted territories.”

Furthermore, the band announces today to headline the Verftet online music festival in USF, Bergen, on April 1st.
The online event will be streamed via www.bt.no and www.youtube.com.

The band states:
“When the old Bergen ring-fox Mikal Telle asked us to join his and local venue USF’s fantastic initiative that is this festival, we pretty much said “yes and thanks for asking!” before he could finish the sentence. Of course we are itching in our fingers to play now that the world of live music is on halt, but we also saw a chance to get our live music out there to all the fantastic fans out there – the studio recordings is of course a pillar in what Enslaved is, but without the other pillar of playing high-energy shows and creating musical magick together with our magnificent audience – things get out of balance. Now we will have a chance to restore that balance for a virtual time with all of you – and time is time no matter what matter it moves through, right? See you in the ether!”

Enslaved is:
Ivar Bjørnson – guitar
Grutle Kjellson – vocals/bass
Ice Dale – guitar
Håkon Vinje – keys/vocals
Iver Sandøy – drums

http://www.facebook.com/enslaved
https://www.instagram.com/enslavedofficial
http://www.enslaved.no/
http://www.facebook.com/nuclearblastusa
http://instagram.com/nuclearblastusa

Enslaved, “What Else is There” (Röyksopp cover) official video

Like I said with the Berlin post, we all knew this was coming, and I respect and admire the crew from Desertfest London for their ongoing efforts, frankly, to make the world a better place. Over the nine years, you’d be hard-pressed to find individuals who’ve done as much to bring heavy rock and roll to public consciousness on an underground level or otherwise, and as someone who’s sweated each year’s lineup from afar since last making the trip to London in 2013, I am sorry to see 2020’s festival go. Again, it’s awesome that they’re letting people roll over their tickets to 2021 — that is deeply, deeply, deeply excellent — and all we can do is wait and rejoice all the more when the lineup announcements start for what I have no doubt will be the Desertfest blowout to end, or better, to not at all end, all Desertfest blowouts for their 10th anniversary.

If you’re thinking about going next year, I encourage you to buy a voucher now. Worst thing that happens is you support the people putting this together. And they are people. I’ve met them. They’re super-nice.

Here’s what they have to say:

Hello to our amazing Desertfest family,

Thank you for your patience and kind words over the last few days, it has kept us grounded through all this uncertainty. With the utmost sadness we must announce the cancellation of this year’s Desertfest London. We know this will not come as a surprise to many of you, as so many of our peers have made, and will continue to make, the same difficult choices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was not an easy decision and there has been much to work through behind the scenes which required ironing out before we could make this announcement. We want to let you know that we tried our best to bring you an event in some capacity, but sadly no scenario would bring the outcome we all want; the incredible atmosphere of Desertfest. With so many different venues, plus a lot of shared acts with our Berlin team, rescheduling to a later date in 2020 has also shown to be impossible. We feel the safest and most logical option is to take this year out and re-build for our 10-year anniversary next May.

Desertfest is a completely independent venture, there are no backers, investors or corporate sponsors keeping us afloat, making this cancellation more than just emotionally devastating. We have reached this level purely because of our amazing community of heavy music loving fans, you are the reason Desertfest is the festival it is. Now, we must look forward to making our 10-year anniversary the most incredible comeback ever, with your continued support allowing us to firmly keep our feet in the metaphorical sands of Camden.

Below you will find several different options for refunds and DF support packages:

? Keep hold of your ticket: Roll your 2020 ticket over to the ‘Decade in the Desert’ 10-year anniversary taking place May 2021. This is a HUGE help to us, allowing us to see the lay of land well in advance of the event. All those who roll their ticket over will receive a free patch sent in the coming months, plus an exclusive merch item at the 2021 event. You do not need to do anything to roll it over, DICE will take care of it.

? 10 Year Anniversary Voucher: Purchase a 2021 ’10 Year Anniversary Voucher’ these are effectively a super early-bird and again a huge support for us in the immediate few months. All those who purchase the 2021 voucher will receive a free patch sent in the coming months.

? Refund your ticket in full: We completely understand these are unprecedented and difficult times where some of you may need to claim a refund. You can do so by contacting DICE (your point of purchase) who can assist.

For those who want to show their support, but cannot commit to a 10-year anniversary voucher at this time, we have also set up several donation options via www.desertscene.co.uk/support, many with free merch as our way of showing our thanks.

This cancellation affects not only the three of us, but our amazing line-up of artists, please support them by buying music and merch directly from their sites. We also want to extend our love to our huge and incredible crew of stage managers, merch sellers, photographers, videographers, writers, drivers and so many more – all of which we can’t wait to hug and drink a pint with next May.

Thank you so much for your understanding, support and kindness at this time. We are nothing but a small team of people wanting to bring joy to other music lovers.

Please stay home, safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you in May 2021.

Much love,
Desertfest London – Reece, Jake & Sarika

https://www.facebook.com/events/464163361105416/
http://www.desertfest.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/DesertfestLondon
https://www.instagram.com/desertfest_london/

Fu Manchu, Live at Desertfest London 2019

And so it goes. My sincere respect and condolences to the crew behind Desertfest Berlin 2020 who had assembled and enviable lineup for this year’s festival before the outbreak of COVID-19 began to spread across Europe. The stakes are of course higher than canceling tours and the like — lives are being lost, remember — the fact is these people are deeply creative professionals and this is not only their livelihood, but their passion. Much respect to them for making 2020 tickets valid for 2021, which will be the 10th anniversary of the Desertfest brand and no doubt a celebration to remember. I’d love to be there to see it, regardless of who’s playing.

We all know the deal here. Nobody wanted this to happen, but it had to happen. Look forward and hope for brighter, riffier days to come.

Here’s their statement:

Dear Desert Rockers,

sad news today from our Desertfest headquarters.

It is with such a heavy heart that we have to announce the cancellation of Desertfest Berlin 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The current dramatic and worldwide situation leads us to the point, where we are unable to continue with the event in any capacity.

We have been working with all our powers on a possible postponement of this edition but it seems like there’s no other way, so we will come back in 2021 even stronger, with the 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION of Desertfest Berlin! We hope this gives you as much hope about the future as it does to us! We will inform you about the exact dates for our 2021 edition as soon as possible!

Ticket holders can keep their tickets. They will remain VALID for the 10th anniversary of Desertfest, and not only that but we also plan to provide a little surprise to all of you that showed us your trust and supported us by buying a ticket for 2020 already.

Of course you can also return them and get your money back if you can not make it to the 2021 edition but now, more than ever, we would need your solidarity and would be thankful for your support by keeping your tickets.

The whole DF Berlin team would like to thank you all, dear fans and friends, for being so patient and positive in the last couple of weeks.

Health comes first and our hearts and hopes are with all of you, dear friends, fans, musicians and crews all over the world.

Stay safe and healthy, better times will come and we will all rock again.

Much Love from Berlin,
Your Desertfest Team

https://www.facebook.com/events/520164272080736/
www.desertfest.de
www.facebook.com/DesertfestBerlin
www.instagram.com/desertfest_berlin

Desertfest Berlin 2019 official aftermovie

I hate to say it, but it’s getting to the point where I’m hanging a lot of hopes on making the trip to Norway this October for Høstsabbat 2020. Will it happen? I don’t know. Will anything? Maybe by then the world will be up and running — or maybe at least the rest of the world will, if not my home country — and the fest will take place in glorious fashion as a collective sigh of relief among those fortunate enough to be there. But with so much uncertainty around and the Spring festival season at least shuddered in its entirety, I have to wonder what’s in store thereafter. I by no means think that puts me in an exclusive category, by the way. We’re all waiting to see what happens, as the shadow of COVID-19 has become the context in which our lives seem to be taking place. Isn’t being a part of history fun???

Not usually, no. For one night in 2008, maybe.

Anyhoo, I give points to the Høstsabbat crew for pressing ahead and giving folks like me something to look forward to. It helps, genuinely.

Can’t help but notice REZN — added below — and Bongripper, who were added last time, are both Chicago bands. Wonder if — if, if, if, if — they might tour Europe together in some capacity this Fall. Or if at least that might be the plan under which they’re proceeding for now.

I pronounce the species day-to-day:

HØSTSABBAT 2020 – REZN (US)

Finally Friday has kind of lost its meaning nowadays, but to finally be able to announce awesome bands, making their way across the pond to us Europeans for the first time, seems more than legit. The incredibly talented REZN has been a bubbling name in the US scene for years, and their coming to EU seems way overdue.

It’s with massive pride we are able to welcome REZN to Høstsabbat 2020

It’s lovely to see a band fulfilling the intention of our festival as a whole. The sound of REZN sums up the reasons we’re doing this, and reminds us of where it all started. Slow, dynamic riffs, ethereal vocals, grooving, rolling drums, all wrapped up in a sound that makes you forget time and space.

A solid treat for the mind and soul.

Their brilliant take on psychedelic doom adds more to the pot than just killer riffs.

REZN’s clever use of synths and eastern soundscapes make them sound forever fresh and relevant, putting them in a stand-out position in the jungle of bands trying to follow the same recipe.

Following last week’s announcement, they’ll join fellow Chicago band BONGRIPPER, for the most stacked bill of Høstsabbat ever.

October can’t come soon enough.

TICKETS
http://bit.ly/hostsabbat2020

HØSTSABBAT 2020 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
http://bit.ly/SFhostsabbat2020

NEWSLETTER
http://bit.ly/NLhostsabbat

Artwork: Trine Grimm Tattoo / Linda K Røed

https://www.facebook.com/events/431138574088425/
https://www.facebook.com/hostsabbat/
http://hostsabbat.no/

In case you’ve forgotten how the world works, reality isn’t polite enough to wait for one global crisis to end before the next one begins, and though the media cycle spotlight worldwide may have moved on to brighter, shinier travesties, the fallout from Australia’s wildfires earlier this year is still being felt and will be for many years to come. Ecosystem damage like that doesn’t disappear in a day. Particularly when humans are involved. We suck at that stuff. Good destroyers, bad rebuilders.

Anyhoo, there are those who do what they can, and among them stand organizations like WIRES and the Australian Red Cross, who are the beneficiaries of Copper Feast Records‘ new compilation out March 27, titled Hidden Noise. Australia’s one-of-a-kind environment and wildlife can’t be replaced, or cloned by futures usses, and the planet needs that ecosystem and those animals now. And not to mention the cost to humanity too in lost homes, livelihoods and lives. If a comp with killer tracks by killer bands gets any dollars — Australian or otherwise — to those causes, then that’s only a good thing.

So here’s the info:

Copper Feast Records – ‘Hidden Noise’ Charity Compilation

The world is on fire. Australia is on fire. Things will not get better until things change.

In late 2019 and early 2020, Australia was ravaged by bushfires which have destroyed vast expanses of its unique natural environment, pushing some species to the verge of extinction and causing the loss of many lives, livelihoods and homes. As our way of giving back, 100% of the profits from ‘Hidden Noise’ will be going to charity.

50% will be going to WIRES (www.wires.org.au)
50% will be going to The Australian Red Cross (www.redcross.org.au)

‘Hidden Noise’, a compilation from Copper Feast Records, showcases unreleased tracks from some of the best ‘hidden’ psych rock and stoner rock bands that Australia has to offer. In addition, a small number of previously released tracks from even more amazing bands completes the compilation.

Some of the artists that have contributed brand new songs include Planet of the 8s, Turtle Skull and The Black Heart Death Cult. We also have new mixes of existing tracks from the likes of Sleeping Giant and Narla.

The compilation title ‘Hidden Noise’ takes on a variety of different meanings in relation to this project. These are all Australian bands that are massively deserving of a greater following than they currently receive. Their music may be somewhat hidden for now, but I urge you to explore them all further. Albums, singles and even demos can be found on each band’s own Bandcamp page with links provided below.

‘Hidden Noise’ also references how at-risk persons and families have found their voice lost when requiring assistance before and after the bushfire crisis affecting the country. This is in addition to the vast number of wildlife voices that go unheard at this time as humans exploit their habitats causing their destruction.

Last but not least, the compilation title is in reference to the media obstruction and government inaction all over the world regarding climate change and the crisis affecting not only Australia, but every country in the world as a result of this.

We need change. Please enjoy the music and be a part of it.

narlamusic.bandcamp.com
theroyalartillery.bandcamp.com
planetofthe8s.bandcamp.com
turtleskullmusic.bandcamp.com
sonsofzoku.bandcamp.com
theblackheartdeathcult.bandcamp.com
cosmosmelbourne.bandcamp.com
numidia.bandcamp.com/releases
motemelbourne.bandcamp.com
theivoryelephant.bandcamp.com
footmelb.bandcamp.com
droiddoom.bandcamp.com
paulholden.bandcamp.com
sleepinggiantband.bandcamp.com

Thank you to all the artists above for their contribution and support to this project. Thank you to Carl Saff for ensuring such a broad-ranging sound compiled into one record sounds cohesive. Thank you to you, the listener, for your support.

https://copperfeastrecords.bigcartel.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CopperFeastRecords/
https://copperfeastrecords.bandcamp.com/

Foot, The Balance of Nature Shifted (2020)

Sleeping Giant, Sleeping Giant (2019)

In what might be called delightful happenstance if it actually were and I wasn’t just that behind on stuff, the just-reviewed San Francisco one-man space rock outfit Agrabatti have signed to Interstellar Smoke Records to release the debut album, Beyond the Sun, sometime between now and ever. When might that be? I don’t know, but let’s face it: the band formed in 2009 and it’s taking 11 years for the arrival of a first record. You can probably wait a little bit longer for it to show up on vinyl.

Though if you feel some urgency in that regard, I respect that, and to be honest, I get it. I know it was just reviewed in a batch with nine other records, but Chad Davis — whose pedigree is full of almost embarrassingly awesome projects at this point — absolutely nails a traditionalist ’70s-style space rock vibe, and the album is awesome. It was a highlight of my day, frankly, so if I get to talk about it again now, well, that’s a win as far as I’m concerned. Probably won’t be the last time, either.

Here’s hoping for a follow-up in sometime less than a decade:

It is with great pleasure that I announce Interstellar Smoke Records has formed a cosmic allegiance with Agrabatti. To say I am delighted is beyond the fact! ISR have an amazing track record of releases and their commitment to the underground music movement is beyond unparalleled!!

The debut recording “Beyond the Sun” will be released in the form of a “Dark Nebula” vinyl edition that is black in lime green wax and limited to 250 units with poster. All killer galactic visuals created by the legendary ZZ Corpse!! Release date to be announced once pressing info has been received.

I am grateful to Jack and ISR for believing in the music enough to offer their services to support the sound and ideals of Agrabatti, and to bring this project forth from the cosmic dust it was formed from some 11 years ago.

Stay tuned in, turned on and STAY COSMIC!

Chad Davis

https://facebook.com/agrabatti/
https://agrabatti.bandcamp.com/
https://interstellarsmokerecords.bigcartel.com/

Agrabatti, Beyond the Sun (2020)

I’ve included the day schedules here not to wallow, but to emphasize the tremendous amount of creativity and heart that goes into making Roadburn Festival each year. We all knew by now there was no way that as governments are increasingly warning people to shelter in place and beginning to tighten quarantine restrictions because of the global pandemic of COVID-19 that Roadburn 2020 wasn’t going to go forward as was originally planned, but I know at least I held out hope that there would be something next month. Almost anything. Really if I just flew to the Netherlands and hung around the 013 for a couple days pretending I work there like I do every year as we run the Weirdo Canyon Dispatch daily fanzine out of there and publish for the fest-goers, that would’ve been cool. Just some glimmer of that experience.

Not this year.

Everyone knows the circumstances here are bigger than the fest’s control, and while I’m super-bummed I won’t be able to obtain the glorious poster art below on a likewise glorious green Roadburn 2020 hoodie to go with the pinkish/red one I got last year, even I have to look outside myself for about 30 seconds and understand there are wider issues at play. And it looks like I’ll have plenty of time to come to that understanding while not traveling this Spring.

So it goes. Roadburn of course will be back in some way, shape or form, but today’s not the day even to think about what that might look like. For now, I want to send my sincere love and gratitude to Walter and Becky and everyone behind the scenes at the 013 venue who make Roadburn happen every year. Thank you.

Here’s the fest’s statement:

Due to the recent announcements from the Dutch government that all events in the Netherlands are forbidden until June, it will be impossible for us to hold Roadburn in April as planned. We know that many of you had already guessed that this would be the case, and we appreciate your patience as we have navigated the necessary processes that come along with organising an event as complex as Roadburn.

The current situation is having an enormous impact already – on the venues we rely on, the bands that we love and the events that we have planned for. Until we come out the other side of this, it will be impossible to do a full assessment of the damage caused to the live music industry. We ask for just a little bit more patience from you whilst we continue to work to bring you the most clear, concise and useful information relating to the postponement of Roadburn 2020. We know you have a lot of questions and we will do our best to answer in the coming days.

With much love, sadness and disbelief…

-Walter, Becky & the whole Roadburn team.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1081424195382564/
https://www.facebook.com/roadburnfestival/
http://www.instagram.com/roadburnfest
http://www.roadburn.com