Two sides, two shows, one from 2008 and one from late last year. To my knowledge, Live will be the first captured-on-stage offering from long-running Portland trad-metal rockers Danava, as well as their first collaboration with Heavy Psych Sounds — their 2023 LP, Nothing But Nothing (review here), came out through Tee Pee — and considering how much touring they’ve done since their mid-aughts outset, they’re well due. Seems pretty clear the intent in dividing Live between ‘then’ and ‘now-ish’ is to give their latest work and current lineup some deserved documentation — i.e., the album ruled — while the A side offers longtime followers a chance to remember where they came from. What’re you gonna do, argue? It’s Danava. If you’re a fan, you’ve probably already ordered. If not, not. They’ll keep going regardless.

But if you’re here, before you move onto the next thing, click off, get distracted, whatever, take a listen to “Shoot Straight with a Crooked Gun” below. It’s the first single from Live and the song that starts the 2023 gig. Before the song starts, you’ll hear the crowd being welcomed and, just before the music kicks in, “We’ve been ready.” I think once you hear what follows, you’ll agree, even if you’ve never listened to Danava before today. That’s why you put out a live record.

From the PR wire:

DANAVA to release “Live” album on June 21st via Heavy Psych Sounds; first track and preorders available now!

Pacific Northwest’s proto-heavy revelers DANAVA announce the release of their “Live” album this June 21st through European powerhouse Heavy Psych Sounds and present a thunderous first excerpt with “Shoot Straight With A Crooked Gun”.

Capturing the frenzy of their European tours in 2008 and 2023, this new album from the revered proto-heavy merchants is a must-have for fans old and new! Featuring a live recording from Whelan’s in Dublin and 007 Strahov in Prague, the tracklist is a testament to DANAVA’s prowess on stage. From the hypnotic rhythms of ‘Introduction/Spinning Temple Shifting’ to the raw energy of ‘Let The Good Times Kill,’ each song is a journey through the band’s dynamic universe!

With two decades of relentless dedication, the Portland-based rock’n’roll overlords have endeavored to unleash their authentic and electrifying fusion of hard rock and heavy metal upon a world burdened by strife and turmoil. Their mission is to harness music’s power as a beacon of hope, uniting lives and imaginations as one collective force. Join them on this journey toward a vibrant existence amidst the chaos we never chose to inhabit. Together, we rise. Together, we create. Don’t miss the chance to embark on this exhilarating ride as DANAVA ushers in a new era of fluidity before we vanish into the ether!

Described as a concoction reminiscent of Rainbow, Dio, Thin Lizzy, early Maiden and Judas Priest, DANAVA’s sonic brew promises a bold assertion of dominance in the current rock and roll landscape. As acclaimed musician Mike Scheidt of YOB puts it, Danava has always exemplified excellence in their craft, and this latest release is no exception.

DANAVA – New album “Live”
Out June 21st on Heavy Psych Sounds – PREORDER: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/danava-live

TRACKLIST:
Side A – Recorded at Whelan’s, in Dublin (4/13/08)
1. Introduction/Spinning Temple Shifting 11:59
2. Maudie Shook 8:41
Side B – Recorded at 007 Strahov, in Prague (11/11/23)
1. Shoot Straight With A Crooked Gun 5:57
2. Nothing But Nothing 4:14
3. Longdance 7:55
4. Let The Good Times Kill 3:31

DANAVA is
Gregory Meleney – vocals/guitar
Levi Campbell – vocals
Kerby Strom – guitar
Dominic Casciato – bass
Matt Oliver – drums

https://facebook.com/danava
https://www.instagram.com/danavaband/
https://www.danavaband.com/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

Danava, “Shoot Straight with a Crooked Gun” from Live

On May 24, Swedish heavy rockers Långfinger will release the limited LP Live in an edition of 200 copies only. It arrives through Beduin and Sound Pollution less than a full month after Långfinger‘s new split 7″ with JIRM (formerly Jeremy Irons and the Ratgang Malibus), and presents a show that took place on Xmas 2017 in the band’s hometown of Gothenburg. In short, it sounds like a holiday. In total, Långfinger rip through eight songs and every bit sound like they knew they were going to end up releasing the gig. Rising to the occasion and all that.

Mixed and mastered by guitarist/backing vocalist Kalle Lilja and with Lukas Väremo sitting in on keys for “Fantasy Ridge” and “Atlas” — from their first album, 2010’s Skygrounds, and their third album, 2016’s Crossyears (review here), respectively — along with bassist/vocalist Victor Crusner and drummer Jesper Pihl, Live lives up to any live album cliché one might be tempted to apply. Whether it’s “capturing a moment in time” or presenting the band’s studio material in raw and raucous fashion, whatever. It’s all true. It’s all there. It all works. By the time they’re through “Fox Confessor” and “Caesar’s Blues” from Crossyears and into the winding riffery of “Feather Beader,” the sense of witnessing a kickass classic heavy rock show is palpable, and it seems like no coincidence at all that in talking about the record below, Lilja would shout out Deep Purple‘s Made in Japan or Thin Lizzy‘s Live & Dangerous.

Anyone who encountered Skygrounds, 2012’s Slow Rivers, Crossyears or any of the handful of shorter outings they’ve had along the way can tell you Långfinger work to a pretty high standard. Live demonstrates plainly that the same applies to their stage work, and for someone like me, who’s never been fortunate enough to see them live, hearing the no-nonsense strut of “Crossyears” and the arrival of the telltale guitar and key line of “Atlas” is a boon that only emphasizes the pivotal forward-looking nature of their approach, as rooted in the classics as it is. Somewhat curiously, Slow Rivers isn’t represented at all on Live, but I guess there are only so many spots in the set, and with the fact that Långfinger were playing a special gig in their hometown, maybe the blend of old(est) and new(est) was something they decided to go with to make the night stand out all the more. Can’t argue with the reception the older songs are given, though one might say the same of the newer ones as well.

Either way, Skygrounds opener “Herbs in My Garden” and closer “Ragnar” make a righteous final pairing for Live, the latter of them taking the three-piece into a flowing final jam that carries smoothly to the end of the set. By then, Långfinger have handed the Musikens Hus its ass, and that’s all there is to it. There is less embellishment than in some of the ultra-classic live records from the earlier masters of the form — maybe that’s where Unleashed in the East comes in — but I considered Långfinger to be underrated before, and that’s only become all the more the case with Live. Even with the recent JIRM split and this offering, they’re due for a new studio album sometime soon, and whether or not it happens this year, you’d be wise to keep an eye out. And as for the 200 copies of Live that have been pressed to orange-colored vinyl? I wouldn’t expect them to last long either.

Good band. Good show. Good record. What the hell more would you ask?

Check out the premiere of “Feather Beader” below and hear what I mean:

Kalle Lilja on Live:

We all grew up listening to live albums. Whether it was Made in Japan, Unleashed in the East, Yessongs or Lizzy’s Live & Dangerous. It remains so powerful hearing a band (100% live or not…) cranking it up and delivering a grand snapshot of a moment in time. It’s embedded in our DNA as a group by now, to always portray everything of what we are on stage, and Live is a grand envoy for that directive.

Out May 24 on Beduin & Sound Pollution Distribution.

Limited to 200 copies on orange 180g vinyl…

Jesper Pihl – Drums
Victor Crusner – Vocals/Bass
Kalle Lilja – Guitar
Lukas Väremo – Keyboards (Track 5 & 6)

Recorded live at Musikens Hus, Göteborg, Dec 25, 2017.
Engineered by Sven Jansson
Mixed & mastered at Welfare Sounds by Kalle Lilja
Produced by Långfinger

Långfinger on Facebook

Långfinger website

Långfinger on Instagram

Sound Pollution website

Change has been afoot in Ancient Warlocks since before they put out their second LP, II (review here), earlier this year through STB Records, but it seems as though they were waiting for the right time to announce their new lineup with Chris Mathews Jr. (aka Chris Joonior, of the Live at Jooniors series of videos and live recordings) on vocals and lead guitar and Stu Laswell on bass alongside guitarist Darren Chase and drummer Steve Jones. With the impending June 25 release of their Live! 12″ — which was also included as a bonus with the first run of II — that time would seem to be right. Works for me.

They’ve got live dates over the next couple months with Mos Generator and Mars Red Sky, so as they say goodbye to the old lineup with Live!, they’re continuing forward keeping good company as they’ve done all along.

From the PR wire:

ANCIENT WARLOCKS ANNOUNCE NEW LINE UP, THEIR “LIVE” LP RELEASE AND SHOW DATES WITH MOS GENERATOR & MARS RED SKY

Ancient Warlocks have just announced their first round of shows in over one year, and now featuring a new line up. Celebrating their return to the stage, the Ancient Warlocks “LIVE!” LP will be released by STB Records on June 25th at High Noon (Eastern Standard Time – USA).

The band will kick things off with a few shows alongside Mos Generator and Mars Red Sky, play more shows through the summer, then record their 3rd studio LP once again with Steve Jones at Big Sound Productions (Seattle) in Sept/Oct., followed by more show dates during November & December.

The new lineup includes the veteran creative core of Darren Chase (Rhythm Guitar) and Steve Jones (Drums) along with the addition of Chris Mathews Jr. (Vocals & Lead Guitar) and Stu Laswell (Bass). Chris is known by many via the “Live at Jooniors” video series (Joonior Studios), where he has produced live music videos from bands such as Holy Grove, Sleep Capsule, X Suns, Mos Generator, Ancient Warlocks, and many more. Stu hails from the relentless touring band Antique Scream. These two bring plenty of their own experience to the table, and in addition to the existing core help to form quite a solid line up.

Ancient Warlocks NW Tour Dates (more cities to come);
July 29th, 2016 – Port Angeles, Washington @ Cherry Bomb (w/ Mos Generator)
July 30th, 2016 – Seattle, Washington @ The Funhouse (w/ Mos Generator)
August 5th, 2016 – Bremerton, Washington @ The Manette Saloon (w/ Mos Generator)
August 6th, 2016 – Tacoma/Fife, Washington @ Louie G’s (w/ Mos Generator)
September 2nd, 2016 – Portland, Oregon @ The Panic Room (w/ Mars Red Sky)
September 3rd, 2016 – Seattle, Washington @ The Funhouse (w/ Mars Red Sky)

Ancient Warlocks came to life in 2010; drawing from the members’ shared love for all things loud, heavy, and fuzzy driven by a solid groove. They’ve shared stages with the likes of Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Fu Manchu, Pentagram, Mos Generator, Corrosion of Conformity, Brant Bjork, Mars Red Sky, Radio Moscow, Zeke, etc., and the sophomore LP; Ancient Warlocks “II” out now, immediately being followed by the “LIVE!” LP will only continue to fuel this band towards more of the same as well as adding festivals into their touring plans for 2017!

http://ancientwarlocks.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/AncientWarlocks
http://www.ancientwarlocks.com
http://stbrecords.bigcartel.com
http://www.facebook.com/STB-Records-471228012921184

Ancient Warlocks, “Into the Night”

Nothing like bands performing in front of a giant rainbow when Rainbow hadn’t even formed yet. Behold Black Sabbath, “Children of the Grave” from the famous California Jam ’74 show. If anyone’s seeing this, you’ve probably already seen it, but damn it, it’s worth watching again. Nothing like the original doom to brighten your day.