Posted in Whathaveyou on August 25th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
The lineup for Keep it Low 2023 is finished with the last additions of Zeal and Ardor, a stopthrough from the Howling Giant and Heavy Temple tour, as well as a trio of bands from Germany in Morast, Instrument and Einseinseins. The former rest atop a wild bill, and anyone who would accuse heavy underground music of all sounding the same should go ahead and listen to the first five bands listed here in succession. Zeal and Ardor, Colour Haze, Mantar, The Obsessed and King Buffalo — it wouldn’t work as a Spotify playlist, or maybe it would, but it will make for a killer festival.
This is the ninth Keep it Low Festival, the vibe of which I’ve always found particularly alluring from a distance, and for what started as a kind of humble event, this looks pretty huge. It’s still at Backstage in Munich, so the amount of tickets available will be the same as ever, but even as the names get harder to read on the poster below, there’s good stuff to be had. I see The Moth and Lucid Void and Swan Valley Heights down there. It would be far too easy to do worse.
Sound of Liberation sent the following down the PR wire:
Hey friends,
We’re super stoked to present you the last bands for our beloved Keep It Low festival in Munich 2023, including the last headliner! (#128121#)
And alongside we must warn you: our 2-day-passes are almost sold out and you need to be fast if you want to enjoy the full weekend experience!
Posted in Whathaveyou on August 1st, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Been waiting for news about new Howling Giant? Me too. With a European tour lined up to support it before it’s even officially out — seems likely they’ll have some for the merch table at least before the run finishes at Desertfest Belgium on Oct. 22 — the heavy prog-rocking Nashville four-piece will unveil their second album, Glass Future on Oct. 27 through Magnetic Eye Records. They’ve posted the title-track to coincide with the release announcement, following the groove-riding “Sunken City” with a speedy and twisting riff complemented by Hammond shimmering enough to remind me of mid-period Amorphis (not a complaint), the two duking it out with solos near the end after the band have coursed through their tale of seemingly apocalyptic woe, presented of course with considered melody and arrangement, uptempo, fun.
Compared to the various apocalypses humanity has actually been through in the four years since Howling Giant released their first album, 2019’s The Space Between Worlds (review here), it is far preferable. Below you’ll find ordering links and some background info. This came in a Bandcamp announcement but I expect a press release won’t actually be far behind (it’s early here, so maybe once the US actually wakes up?), so if there’s more on the recording or whatever that’s relevant or a video or something like that, I’ll drop it in as needed and hope to edit accordingly [EDIT: Yup, that happened. Video below]. Just a heads up.
Every song on HOWLING GIANT’s sophomore album “Glass Future” tells its own story. Yet even without an overarching concept, all could exist within the same universe. Such crafty lyrical world-building is hardly surprising coming from a trio of enthusiastic fantasy and science fiction aficionados. “Glass Future” downright asks to inspire a book or graphic novel, even as it explodes with furious energy and thunderous acrobatics.
Musically, “Glass Future” offers a continuation and evolution of all the elements that made the debut album “The Space Between Worlds” (2019) such a success. HOWLING GIANT entice classic metal and hard rock to interact dynamically with spacy, prog-infused passages, desert and psychedelic metal moments, rock organs, catchy hooks, and top everything off with soaring harmonized vocals.
HOWLING GIANT hail from one of the most legendary places for music on earth: Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Despite the city’s reputation for assembly-line pop country, the town called Music City is a place of deep history, where brilliant songwriters and virtuoso session players keep dozens of musical legacies burning bright. Fertile ground, then, for a preeminent fuzz-psych power trio who consciously live in the pocket of that lineage.
During the last two years, the trio integrated bassist Sebastian Baltes, the son of German metal legends ACCEPT’s former bass player Peter Baltes, fully into the band as a co-writer. HOWLING GIANT take a gargantuan leap forward with “Glass Future” that brings their outstanding musicianship and golden-throated triple vocal attack fully into stride. Nothing to do but try to keep up and enjoy the stunning sonic scenery along the way!
Tracklisting: 1. Hourglass 2. Siren Song 3. Aluminium Crown 4. Hawk in a Hurricane 5. First Blood of Melchor 6. Glass Future 7. Tempest, and the Liar’s Gateway 8. Sunken City 9. Juggernaut 10. There’s Time Now
HEAVY TEMPLE & HOWLING GIANT Euorpean tour 29 SEP 2023 Pratteln (CH) Z7, Up in Smoke Festival 30 SEP 2023 Leeuwarden (NL) Neushoorn, Into the Void Festival 02 OCT 2023 Siegen (DE) Vortex 03 OCT 2023 Hamburg (DE) Hafenklang 04 OCT 2023 Jena (DE) Rosenkeller 05 OCT 2023 Kassel (DE) Goldgrube 07 OCT 2023 München (DE) Backstage, Keep It Low Festival 2023 09 OCT 2023 Budapest (HU) Robot 10 OCT 2023 Wien (AT) Arena 11 OCT 2023 Bologna (IT) Freak Out 12 OCT 2023 Milano (IT) Barrios 13 OCT 2023 Roma (IT) RCCB 14 OCT 2023 Viareggio (IT) Circolo ARCI GoB 15 OCT 2023 Carmagnola (IT) Circolo ARCI Margot 18 OCT 2023 San Sebastian (ES) Dabadaba 19 OCT 2023 Barcelona (ES) Razz3 22 OCT 2023 Antwerp (BE) Trix, Desertfest Belgium
Engineering & Mix by Kim Wheeler in Nashville, TN Mastering by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege in Portland, OR
Artwork by Susan M. Davies Layout by Peder Bergstrand
Guest musicians Drew David Harakal II – organ, piano, synths James Sanderson – additional vocals on ‘Siren Song’, ‘Hawk in a Hurricane’, and ‘There’s Time Now’
HOWLING GIANT is Tom Polzine – Guitar and Vocals Zach Wheeler – Drums and Vocals Sebastian Baltes – Bass and Vocals
Posted in Whathaveyou on July 19th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
When Heavy Temple and Howling Giant were announced in April for Into the Void in Leeuwarden, I noted that I hoped the two bands would tour together. What they most have in common between Heavy Temple‘s hard-fuzz dark boogie and Howling Giant‘s sprawling heavy prog — aside from being labelmates under the banner of Magnetic Eye Records — is that both have only just begun to realize their potential. Doing this tour will help push both acts forward, and more over, doing this tour together is important.
Yeah, they’re playing Up in Smoke, Into the Void, Keep it Low and Desertfest Belgium, but the truth is these two — both with multiple tours under their respective belts — are the kinds of acts who in another decade or decade-plus could very well headline these kinds of events, so their pairing for a run now is an investment in further comity over the longer term of their careers. I hereby — and you know I mean business when I break out “hereby” — formally request on-stage collaboration, abundant guest spots if not the formation of a Heavy Giant Howling Temple family big band. Also video of that. Like, decent video.
And a note to Europe specifically: These bands are two of America’s brightest hopes for next-gen heavy. Skip seeing them now and you may live to regret it later.
Dates came down the PR wire with comment from the bands:
HEAVY TEMPLE & HOWLING GIANT announce co-headlining EUROPEAN tour!
HEAVY TEMPLE from Philadelphia, PA and Nashville, Tennessee’s HOWLING GIANT will both make their first journey overseas for a co-headlining European tour in advance of their upcoming new albums. The tour will include appearances at several key festivals. It kicks off in Switzerland at the Up in Smoke Festival in Pratteln and runs through until October 22 in the city of Antwerp at Desertfest Belgium.
Please see below for all confirmed HEAVY TEMPLE and HOWLING GIANT tour dates.
HOWLING GIANT comment: “We are fired up about this European quest with our shield companions in Heavy Temple,” drummer Zach Wheeler writes. “We’re ready to sling riffs and cross swords with the best of the best beyond the great pond.”
HEAVY TEMPLE add: “We hope that Europe is as ready for us as we are for them!”, bassist and vocalist High Priestess Nighthawk declares. “Can’t think of another heavy-hitting power trio that we’d like to shred across the pond with than Howling Giant.”
HEAVY TEMPLE & HOWLING GIANT Euorpean tour 29 SEP 2023 Pratteln (CH) Z7, Up in Smoke Festival 30 SEP 2023 Leeuwarden (NL) Neushoorn, Into the Void Festival 02 OCT 2023 Siegen (DE) Vortex 03 OCT 2023 Hamburg (DE) Hafenklang 04 OCT 2023 Jena (DE) Rosenkeller 05 OCT 2023 Kassel (DE) Goldgrube 07 OCT 2023 München (DE) Backstage, Keep It Low Festival 2023 09 OCT 2023 Budapest (HU) Robot 10 OCT 2023 Wien (AT) Arena 11 OCT 2023 Bologna (IT) Freak Out 12 OCT 2023 Milano (IT) Barrios 13 OCT 2023 Roma (IT) RCCB 14 OCT 2023 Viareggio (IT) Circolo ARCI GoB 15 OCT 2023 Carmagnola (IT) Circolo ARCI Margot 18 OCT 2023 San Sebastian (ES) Dabadaba 19 OCT 2023 Barcelona (ES) Razz3 22 OCT 2023 Antwerp (BE) Trix, Desertfest Belgium
Heavy Temple: High Priestess Nighthawk – vocals, bass Lord Paisley – guitar Baron Lycan – drums
Howling Giant: Tom Polzine – guitar, vocals Zach Wheeler – drums, vocals Sebastian Baltes – bass, vocals
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 17th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Admittedly, I’m a few days behind on this. I don’t know how many — I didn’t want to look — but it’s times like this I like to remind mostly myself that I’m doing the best I can here with the time and energy I have on any particular day. Up in Smoke 2023 is set for Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in Pratteln, Switzerland, the location same as ever, and seems to be the kickoff point for the Fall heavy touring and festival season in Europe. As much as there even are seasons anymore and tours and fests aren’t just happening all the time — by which I mean they are, the dead of winter kinda notwithstanding, for now — but still, moving out of summer brings a new round of beginnings and offerings coming out.
Seeing Nebula and Heavy Temple and Howling Giant together here after also being added to Desertfest Belgium in Antwerp, which takes place nearly a month later means that’s going to be some significant touring for the three American acts. I’m hoping they’re going together — love a package tour — but I have no info or confirmation that that’s what’s happening. At very least, they’ll be meeting up along the way.
Basel’s own Sons ofMorpheus round out the new announcement, and as their last release was 2019’s The Wooden House Session (review here), the inevitable curiosity is piqued as to whether they might have a new release in the works for Fall. We’ll see, I guess, and in the meantime, they strengthen an already strong lineup of acts oldschool and new that still has more to come. Good fun.
From social media:
UP IN SMOKE – NEW BANDS ADDED
Hey friends,
We’re more than happy to present you today the new bands for our beloved Up In Smoke Festival!
Please give a very warm welcome to: NEBULA SONS OF MORPHEUS HEAVY TEMPLE HOWLING GIANT
This is just a small update – there are many more bands to come!
Stay tuned!
29. Sep – 01. Oct 2023
Konzertfabrik Z7 Pratteln (Basel, CH)
Get ready for three full days of finest heavy rock music!
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 20th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
If you’re thinking, “Hey wait, wasn’t Into the Void just in January?” then first of all, kudos on keeping up, and yes, it was. That was Eindhoven, this is Leeuwarden, and if these Netherlands cities aren’t familiar, if these festivals keep happening almost certainly they will be. Into the Void Leeuwarden 2023 is set for Sept. 30 — all-dayer; nice — and has just announced its first 12 bands.
Yeah, crazy right? First 12 bands? It’s one day! How many more bands can there be? The headliner is still TBA, but with Alabama Thunderpussy leading the charge, they’ve brought on The Atomic Bitchwax, Yawning Man, REZN, Samavayo, The Machine, Howling Giant, Fire Down Below, Heavy Temple, Rrrags, Onhou and Moan, and that looks like a hell of a day to me. Shit, pick any four and that’s a good night alone.
I wanna know if Howling Giant and Heavy Temple are going to tour Europe together. It’d be the most adorable heavy rock export package of the year, hands down. For that alone I want it to be true. Charm offensive.
Anyhoozle, it’s another one for the Alabama Thunderpussy reunion, and a return trip for the Bitchwax that I think is TBA. Shit, put them on tour together too! Man, I’m booking gigs all over the place today. While we’re at it? I’d pair Samavayo and The Machine for a run too. And you don’t think Yawning Man and REZN wouldn’t be a good show? Come on.
I guess the underlying message is this lineup looks pretty good. Here it is as per socials:
Alabama Thunderpussy exclusive reunion show at Into the Void Leeuwarden
The first 11 names for Into the Void Leeuwarden are known. On September 30th Alabama Thunderpussy will host an exclusive Dutch reunion show at Into the Void. It’s the first time since 2008 that the band is back on tour, and despite their death, the Americans are still loved for their legendary live shows.
The Americans are taking Into the Void because as many as seven of the twelve are from the United States. Next to Alabama Thunderpussy that’s the atomic bitchwax, yawning man, REZN, heavy temple, and howling giant.
The (legendary) headliner is also from the US of A and we will announce it soon.
The Machine and Rrrags and the Groninger bands Onhou and Moan are from home. The Germans of Samavayo and the Belgians of Fire Down Below complete the line up for now.
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 18th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
So, a couple learnings here. First, at some point between then and now, Nashville’s Howling Giant pivoted from Blues Funeral to Magnetic Eye Records. I’m not sure when, but their new single “Sunken City” is hosted by the latter, and it’s all under the umbrella of Spkr Media and the cruel tutelage of Pai MeiJadd Shickler anyhow, so it’s good to know, but maybe more of a bookkeeping thing less important than what the song itself tells us.
To that: Big riff, big melody, big hook, big prog — Howling Giant are going for it. This is a band who’ve been positioning themselves to engage an audience for years now and it seems their upcoming album will find them looking at least in part to reap what they’ve sown and raise their profile in the heavy underground. Yes, I’m talking about touring Europe. Nifty and more that they’ll spend a month on the road with Elder and Ruby the Hatchet — Howling Giant are no strangers to touring, and I’m sure these dates will be killer; I hope to attend the Connecticut show — but as they’ve already been confirmed for Into the Void in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, and Desertfest Belgium 2023, I have to think there are more tour dates coming. Both of those fests are in October. Does that mean a September album release?
That would make releasing a first single four-to-five months ahead of time very, very early. And if they’re releasing it to promote the US tour, it’s still a month early. So maybe the record shows up in July, but the PR wire knows more than I do and says “autumn,” so I’m just going by what I read. All the same, “Sunken City” fucking shimmers and is every bit the righteous groove that might just aid Howling Giant in manifesting their long-laid plans for global domination — or Twitch streams; whatever that is — so if it’s half a year early, it’s still right on time as far as I’m concerned. The rest will fall into place with the hard work, extensive planning and unpredicted pains in the ass that always make new albums seem like magic.
Song is at the bottom of the post. The PR wire has the tour dates and more:
HOWLING GIANT release new single ‘Sunken City’ and announce US live dates with ELDER & RUBY THE HATCHET!
In advance of their upcoming US tour with ELDER and labelmates RUBY THE HATCHET, Nashville psych-metal power trio HOWLING GIANT release the soaring digital single ‘Sunken City’ as a first taste of their sophomore full-length, which is scheduled for autumn this year.
Please see below for all confirmed HOWLING GIANT live dates.
HOWLING GIANT comment: “‘Sunken City’ was one of the first songs we wrote for our new record and we’re excited to play it live on tour with Elder and Ruby The Hatchet”, drummer Zach Wheeler writes. “The track showcases some of our favorite riffs, licks, and songwriting to date, and we’re very much looking forward to everyone coming out to hang with us on the road and hear ‘Sunken City’ live!”
HOWLING GIANT Live * +ELDER +RUBY THE HATCHET 03 May 2023 Buffalo, NY (US) Mohawk* 04 May 2023 Cleveland, OH (US) Grog Shop* 05 May 2023 Indianapolis, IN (US) Black Circle* 06 May 2023 Rock Island, IL (US) Wake Brewing* 07 May 2023 Kansas City, MO (US) The Record Bar* 09 May 2023 Denver, CO (US) The Bluebird Theater* 10 May 2023 Salt Lake City, UT (US) Urban Lounge* 11 May 2023 Las Vegas, NV (US) The Usual Place* 12 May 2023 Los Angeles, CA (US) Lodge Room* 13 May 2023 Santa Ana, CA (US) The Constellation Room* 14 May 2023 San Diego, CA (US) Brick By Brick* 16 May 2023 San Francisco, CA (US) Great American Music Hall* 17 May 2023 Fresno, CA (US) Strummer’s* 18 May 2023 Sacramento, CA (US) Harlow’s* 20 May 2023 Seattle, WA (US) Substation* 21 May 2023 Vancouver, BC (CA) Modified Ghost Festival* 23 May 2023 Calgary, AB (CA) Palomino* 24 MAY 2023 Edmonton, AB (CA) Starlite Room* 26 MAY 2023 Winnipeg, MB (CA) The Park Theatre 27 MAY 2023 Fargo, ND (US) The Aquarium* 28 MAY 2023 Minneapolis, MN (US) Fine Line* 29 MAY 2023 Milwaukee, WI (US) X-Ray Arcade* 30 MAY 2023 Grand Rapids, MI (US) Pyramid Scheme* 31 MAY 2023 Toronto, ON(CA) Lee’s Palace* 01 JUN 2023 Montréal, QC (CA) Les Foufounes Électriques* 02 JUN 2023 Providence, RI (US) Alchemy* 03 JUN 2023 Hamden, CT (US) Space Ballroom*
Despite Nashville’s reputation for assembly-line pop country, the town called Music City is a place of deep history, where brilliant songwriters and virtuoso session players keep dozens of musical legacies burning bright. Nashville’s preeminent fuzz-psych power trio HOWLING GIANT live in the pocket of that lineage.
HOWLING GIANT formed nearly ten years ago with the union of guitarist and singer Tom Polzine, drummer and vocalist Zach Wheeler, and bassist and vocalist Roger Marks. From day one, the trio locked into a musical groove of thunderous metal, proggy acrobatics, psychedelic flourishes and soaring melodic vocals, telling stories of fantasy and adventure with such sheer force of will that they seemed capable of opening a window to other dimensions.
Their early years saw a flurry of recorded activity, with an acclaimed self-titled EP in 2015 and an audacious concept piece split across two EPs, “Black Hole Space Wizard Part 1”, released in 2016 and a year later “Black Hole Space Wizard Part 2”.
Soon, HOWLING GIANT set out to bring their arena-sized energy to the people with the hunger of true road dogs. Throughout 2017 and 2018, they crisscrossed the United States, pouring out heart and soul (and sweat) while flying the flag of emotive, intricate heavy rock and roll. This tireless energy eventually brought them to such prominent festival stages as Psycho Las Vegas in 2018 and both SXSW and Psycho Smokeout in 2019. Around this time, Marks left the band and Howling Giant achieved its current form with the addition of bass player and vocalist Sebastian Baltes.
In early 2019, HOWLING GIANT released their debut full-length “The Space Between Worlds”, an album which saw the band channel the bristling electricity of their live sound and push further into both cosmic drift and punishing heaviness.
With activities locked down globally, HOWLING GIANT focused on recording their sophomore full-length, which is scheduled for release in autumn 2023. Ahead of this, though, the band embraced the opportunity to road-test the new tunes and share them with heavy rock fans everywhere as direct support on a far-reaching North American tour with ELDER and labelmates RUBY THE HATCHET, along with confirming a slot on the illustrious Desertfest in Belgium later in the year. As an enticing taste of things to come, HOWLING GIANT release the digital single ‘Sunken City’ from the upcoming album before hitting the road.
Line-up Tom Polzine – guitar, vocals Zach Wheeler – drums, vocals Sebastian Baltes – bass, vocals
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 7th, 2023 by JJ Koczan
Some expected names in this first announcement from Desertfest Belgium 2023 in Antwerp — Yawning Man, King Buffalo, Truckfighters who seem to be making the rounds all year, etc. — but plenty of unexpected too, with aCarlton Melton returning to Europe, Philadelphia’s Heavy Temple apparently traveling abroad for the first time (new album?), Sourvein returning to road work, REZN heading over to support their killer new record, BlackWater HolyLight, Howling Giant — maybe also their first time in Europe? — Duel getting back over and so on.
As ever, I’m curious to see which of these acts will be on tour, and which with each other, but for now Desertfest Antwerp 2023 looks like a banger in the making. Early-bird tickets sold out in like hours when they were put on sale in February — two months before this first unveiling of band names, mind you — and one expects the sale on weekend tickets to follow suit. I’m not much for the big name on the poster personally, but I recognize I’m in a minority pretty much of myself in that, and from there on I don’t see a clunker in the bunch. Call it a win.
Of course, Desertfest Belgium also helms the Ghent edition. I’m not sure if that will be earlier or later — my guess would be earlier, but maybe the Fall fests spill over to November this year; could happen, wouldn’t be terrible if it did — but for today there’s plenty to dig here as posted by the festival:
The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! We’re beyond stoked to announce the first round of names for Desertfest Antwerp!
Confirmed for Desertfest Antwerp 2023 are Cult of Luna, Truckfighters, MANTAR, King Buffalo, The Vintage Caravan, Year of no light, Nebula, Yawning Man, Dopelord, The Atomic Bitchwax, DUEL, Siena Root, Blackwater Holylight, Howling Giant, SOURVEIN, Carlton Melton, Heavy Temple, REZN, Margarita Witch Cult.
No doubt, it is going to be another epic version of Desertfest Anywerp!
Posted in Whathaveyou on May 24th, 2022 by JJ Koczan
Fun fact for you: I was working at my college radio station, WSOU, when CKY put out the song from which 96 Bitter Beings — which features Deron Miller, formerly of CKY, whose song also included the word “quite” — and man, that shit was everywhere. It’s been 20 years minimum and I still find myself with that riff stuck in my head. I hum it to get other songs out. Not daily, but probably more than once a week. That one and “Escape From Hellview.” Eternal repeat.
Miller‘s new band has signed to Nuclear Blast — feather in the cap — and announced that Howling Giant will provide support on an extensive hitting-of-the-road this summer. Howling Giant were a highlight of the recent Desertfest New York (review here) — where the above photo was taken, if the banner behind them wasn’t a clue — and the Nashville-based outfit will also be appearing at RippleFest Texas ahead of starting this run. The more the merrier.
And for a bonus, Howling Giant have already done the everybody-gets-covid-and-the-tour-gets-canceled thing, so hopefully that can be avoided this time around as well.
Fingers crossed, earplugs in, vibes positive. From socials:
Stoked to be hitting the road with 96 Bitter Beings this summer! We have a couple shows leading to RippleFest Texas and then we’re scootin’ right up to SLC to hop on this riff train. See y’all out there!
July 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Loading Dock July 26 – Denver, CO – Herman’s Hideaway July 27 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge July 28 – Sioux Falls, SD – Big’s Live July 29 – Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s July 30 – Sioux City, IA – Four Winds Festival July 31 – Iowa City, IA – Wildwood Aug 2 – Buffalo, NY – Mohawk Place Aug 3 – Manchester, NH – Jewel Aug 4 – Providence, RI – Alchemy Aug 5 – Hallam, PA – Tourist Inn Aug 6 – Akron, OH – The Empire Aug 7 – Chicago, IL – WC Social Club Aug 8 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary Aug 10 – Kansas City, MO – Vivo Aug 11 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street Aug 12 – Fort Worth, TX – Rail Club Live Aug 13 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks Aug 14 – Corpus Christi, TX – Boozers Aug 15 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live Aug 17 – Las Vegas, NV – Soulbelly Aug 19 – Scottsdale, AZ – Pub Rock Aug 20 – Santa Ana, CA – La Santa Aug 21 – West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go
HOWLING GIANT is Tom Polzine – Guitar and Vocals Zach Wheeler – Drums and Vocals Sebastian Baltes – Bass and Vocals
