No secret at this point that I enjoy presenting shows in foreign lands. Places I’ve never been and may never be so fortunate as to go — to have The Obelisk reach somewhere I can’t is huge for me. I’ve partnered with Argonauta Fest before, which is of course run by Argonauta Records, and as that festival blueprint expands with the exclamatory four-band evening Volume! in Viareggio, Italy, I’m once again thrilled to be involved in the small logo-on-poster way that I am. These things matter to me and it’s a good show, so what the hell.

Volume! is something of a mini-fest, or at least somewhere between that and a label showcase, but either way it’s held at a venue called GOB (as opposed to a magician with the name) and will feature Varego, Rancho Bizzarro, SuperNaughty and Vesta on a bill that runs between amtmosludge and straight-up heavy rock and roll. It looks like a cool time, and all the bands either have new records or new records in the works — I think Varego were in the studio recently — so all the better they’re getting together for a killer night on the northern Italian coastline.

Here’s the info and links for the fest. If you can make it there, why wouldn’t you?

Volume! Argonauta Fest LIVE at GOB

Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10 PM

GOB – Ganz of Bicchio – Circolo ARCI
Via Fosso Matelli 1 int 26, 55049 Viareggio, Italy

VOLUME! is the new Argonauta Records event in collaboration with GOB!

VOLUME! born as one of the satellite events of Argonauta Fest!

VOLUME! is four bands of Argonauta Records roster!

VOLUME! will be an evening dedicated to the right guitars!

VOLUME! will be an evening with lots of Heavy Rock!

VOLUME! is a new series of events sponsored by Argonauta Fest that was created with the aim of breaking down the barriers between fans, bands and insiders. Thanks to the collaboration with the GOB, we present this first appointment made of four bands of the Argonauta roster: Rancho Bizzarro, SuperNaughty, Vesta, Varego. An evening of Stoner Rock and Post Metal you can’t miss! We are waiting for you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/334225154013818/
https://www.facebook.com/argonautafest/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords/
http://www.argonautarecords.com

Rancho Bizzarro Mondo Rancho EP

I do a pretty fair amount of coverage for the doings of Italian imprint Argonauta Records. Helps that there’s a lot to cover. For the last couple years, the label has been on a spree of picking up bands, releasing new records, hosting showcases and so on. The work ethic of Gero, who heads the company, is second to none and because I admire the crap out of the work he does, I’m all the more thrilled to have The Obelisk among the presenters for Argonauta Fest 2018.

The lineup is set for the one-night event on Saturday, May 12, and Jex Thoth — who isn’t actually on Argonauta Records (yet, I guess; one never knows) — will headline along with label representatives Rancho Bizarro, Di’Aul and Sator.

Tickets are available now and are dirt cheap, so all the better. In addition, all the Argonauta bands will be playing special sets, the details of which you’ll find below. Check it out, and special thanks to Gero and Argonauta for having The Obelisk on board for this event:

Argonauta Fest: JEX THOTH + more!

Saturday, May 12

Officine Sonore
Via caduti sul lavoro 13, 13100 Vercelli

Behold the latest edition of the ARGONAUTA Fest, which celebrates the label’s first five years and features as a special guest and headliner JEX THOTH, the charismatic American singer and author of a high-class psychedelic doom based on occult and mythological themes.

And from the ARGONAUTA RECORDS roster: DI’AUL (Doom / Stoner), RANCHO BIZZARRO (Stoner Rock), SATOR (Sludge).

JEX THOTH will have two exclusive shows in Italy for their new tour, one is at argonauta fest. DI’AUL will present their new album “Nobody’s Heaven” out may 4th. SATOR will perform songs from the album ORDEAL. RANCHO BIZZARRO will present their new EP “Mondo Rancho” and extracts from their previous album.

ONLINE TICKET: € 12 + FREE CD http://hyperurl.co/ArgoFest2018
CASH TICKET: € 15

Argonauta Fest tickets

Argonauta Fest event page

Argonauta Fest on Thee Facebooks

Argonauta Records website

Italian label Argonauta Records has announced the seven-band lineup for its second Argonauta Fest. Given the mathematically-accurate designation Argonauta Fest 2, it will boast performances from France’s Denizen as well as a strong host of varied acts from Italy, including Bantoriak, who debuted on Argonauta with last year’s Weedooism (review here), and a few acts who’ve just released new outings in the past month, Muschio and Jordaan, both of whom making their debut through the imprint.

Argonauta has grown quickly over the last couple years and evolved into a label with a strong and aesthetically-diverse roster of bands, but has managed that growth well along the way so that each group/artist is supported along the way. The first Argonauta Fest featured the likes of Nibiru and Varego, and I think the fact that there isn’t one act held over from last year to this year shows the kind of scope they’re working with.

Fest is set for May 7 in Vercelli, Italy. Info follows from the PR wire:

ARGONAUTA Records present: ARGONAUTA FEST second edition!

From the label: “After a whole year of massive work, great bands and tons of feedback across the board, we’re happy to officially announce the second edition of ARGONAUTA FEST! Seven (!) bands of our roster will create a night that will move into Stoner, Post Metal, Fuzz, Noise Rock and Doom territories. A fine opportunity to share with us a party made of great sounds and bands. Stay tuned on our official sites for more details. ARGONAUTA FEST 2016 is scheduled by Saturday May 7th, 2016 at OFFICINE SONORE (Vercelli, Italy).

Official poster run by MARCO CASTAGNETTO (www.zenpunkart.com), also known for his musical projects SHABDA and THEE MALDOROR KOLLECTIVE.

ARGONAUTA Fest 2016 features the following bands:

DENIZEN (France, Stoner Rock)
SEPVLCRVM (Ita, Ritual Drone)
BANTORIAK (Ita, Stoner Desert Rock)
FILTH IN MY GARAGE (Ita, Noise Rock / Hardcore)
MUSCHIO (Ita, Fuzz Rock)
WOWS (Ita, Doom / Post Metal)
JORDAAN (Ita, Psych Post Rock)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1524250434546128/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords
https://www.facebook.com/argonautafest
www.argonautarecords.com

Bantoriak, Weedooism (2015)