Sunday, September 30, 2012

What went down this past week

The past week and a bit has been a busy one to say the least but I’ll get through some of the best points quickly. It kicked off last Sunday when the mighty Hexis played in Dublin, playing a seriously devastating set along with touring mates This Gift is a Curse. I interviewed the five guys early on in the day, which should hopefully be online tomorrow, or in the coming days, on CVLT Nation.

On Tuesday, I went over to London to witness some history – Nasum’s only UK show on their farewell tour. Needless to say, it was something special. Nasum are probably my favourite grindcore band, in fact they were the band that introduced me to grind so finally getting to hear tracks like ‘Inhale/Exhale’, ‘Shadows’, ‘Closer to the End’ (I could go on and on) was amazing. Shane Embury (from Napalm Death, in case you’re a bit slow) joined them to play bass for ‘The Masked Face’, which was a nice touch. This was a memorable night to say the least. Black Breath and Dripback supported, the former were fairly mediocre and the latter didn’t do anything for me but that’s neither here nor there.

Here's a really shit photo I took of Nasum
Roll on Thursday then for a double header of gigs. Dutch atmospheric black metallers Urfaust were in town for their set at Dublin Doom Days on Friday but played an “acoustic” show downstairs in Bruxelles. It was a hit and miss show. Firstly, it wasn’t acoustic as advertised, more like a regular Urfaust gig but without a full drum kit. It was also Arthur’s Day so the rest of Bruxelles was packed and noisy, which definitely hampered the atmosphere. The gig was originally meant to take place in the basement of Into The Void Records, which would have been so much better. It’s a tiny little room where the shop used to hold intimate acoustic shows, most notably Patrick Walker last year.

Here's another shit photo, this time of Urfaust
After Urfaust, the next destination was the Button Factory for OM. Dead Skeletons were originally headlining the venue that night but poor sales meant their gig was merged with OM, who were initially booked for The Twisted Pepper. This caused some problems. I got in for about the last 20 minutes of Dead Skeletons, who weren’t my bag at all, actually they were pretty boring, but their set was shortened because of the gig merge. OM’s set was also shortened, playing less than an hour, but what they did play were phenomenal, particularly ‘State of Non-Return’. These set time cuts apparently led to some quarrels from Dead Skeletons with OM and the promoter. There was a strict curfew too for 11pm and as we were leaving the usual night club crowd were already filing in, the venue must have been anxious to get those out on the beer for Arthur’s Day inside the club. When I left the venue there was a group of young lads in the queue setting fire to a cardboard box, y’know… for the craic. Ah, Dublin. So Thursday was a mixed bag to say the least.

But Friday was the continuation of a September tradition – Dublin Doom Day. Except this year was Doom Days, with the festival expanded to two days. Every year is fantastic and always a gig highlight of the year and this was no exception. You’ll be able read my full review soon but the standouts of Friday were The Wounded Kings first and foremost and Urfaust coming in second. Solstice stole the show on Saturday but Hour of 13 killed it too and Pantheist were great.  I also had the pleasure of interviewing Hour of 13 on Saturday afternoon, Chad Davis and Phil Swanson are two of the nicest dudes you could hope to meet, so that’s always a plus.

So this hasn’t been a live review or anything like that, just an update on what was a fantastic week. October is upon us so 2012 really is flying by quickly but there are still some amazing shows coming up too.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Second new Converge track

When each day passes we get a little closer to the new Converge album, All We Love We Leave Behind. The band recently released the video for the track ‘Aimless Arrow’ and Pitchfork are now streaming a second teaser called ‘Shame in the Way’. Where ‘Aimless Arrow’ was a little more on the melodic side of things, ‘Shame in the Way’ is a much more ferocious and unrelenting number with Jacob Bannon’s fierce barks, as per usual. Click HERE to listen to the track on Pitchfork. Or just have a listen below.





Thursday, September 27, 2012

In the Hearts of Emperors / Reka split LP

"Sometimes two bands were just made to put out a split". Click HERE for the review of the new split LP from In the Hearts of Emperors and Reka over on CVLT Nation now.


Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Faceless - Autotheism

Deathcore band turned prog metallers, The Faceless have begun a path of rebirth with their new album Autotheism. Click HERE for the review of the album now.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

New Downfall of Gaia track

Germany’s post metallers Downfall of Gaia have posted a second new track from their forthcoming concept album, Suffocating in the Swarm of Cranes. ‘Drowning by Wing Beats’ is being streamed my Metal Hammer Germany HERE. This new LP, their first for Metal Blade, is a highly anticipated one, especially considering the staggering split with In The Hearts of Emperors they’ve been charged with following up. Downfall of Gaia’s music has always been one wrought with emotional fervency and that really rings true here with ‘Drowning by Wing Beats’. The band has flirted with more black metal influences of late and the eerie tremolo-led atmosphere at the start really attests to this on this new song. Check out the song HERE.


Monday, September 24, 2012

Faith Addiction - Order from Chaos EP

Check out the review HERE of the new Faith Addiction 7” Order From Chaos, definitely one of the year’s best grind 7”s, and what’s even more, you can stream the whole thing too.


Saturday, September 22, 2012

Lento post track from new LP

Italian sludgy instrumental outfit Lento have completed work on their new album Anxiety, Despair, Languish and have posted a new song for streaming ‘Death Must Be The Place’. This will be the follow-up to the impressive LP, Icon, from last year. German label Denovali will be releasing the record again, released on October 26th.  Listen to the, painstakingly short but enthralling, ‘Death Must Be The Place’ below and also check out the imposing artwork.