Noisecreep

Battle Sites in Belgium Kicked Off God Dethroned's Concept Albums

Justina Villanueva — 2010-12-12T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Stefan Schipper

"First of all, I never expected to play in the same band for 20 years. But being signed to an established label like Metal Blade for almost 14 years helped a lot to just focus on the music and the band," God Dethroned's Henri Sattler told Noisecreep. After 20 years of playing in the same death metal band, he says the only hardships have been lineup changes, like former drummer Roal Sanders -- who played on 'Grand Grimoire' and 'Bloody Blasphemy' -- leaving the band in 2000.

"Then, there weren't too many drummers around Holland who could play what he could," guitarist Sattler said. These days it's a different story for God Dethroned, who now have Michiel Van Der Plicht on the kit.

Withered End 2010 Touring Schedule With Labelmates

Justina Villanueva — 2010-12-03T17:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

New Haven, Conn. is the home to both Hatebreed and John Mayer. And that alone sums up southern Conneticut's youth demographic -- a blend of preppies and hardcore lifers. So it makes sense that in the center of ivy league coffee shops and mall stores by the way of Yale, New Haven also houses a nice, cozy rock/metal venue called Toad's.

On Nov. 21, three of Prosthetic Records' best bands -- Skeletonwitch, Withered and Landmine Marathon -- played just upstairs from Toad's main stage at The Lilly Pad. With no tall stage to divide bands from fans, the show was a total blast.

Dying Fetus Make It to the Capital With Reissues on the Way

Justina Villanueva — 2010-11-24T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

On Nov. 21, one of the biggest death metal tours of the year made it's way to Washington, D.C.'s Rock and Roll Hotel. Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Vital Remains and Devourment brought the brutal, and their fans brought the mosh.

"That was a good, ugly pit. I love that s--- man!" Devourment frontman Mike Majewski said to the nearly-sold-out venue. It was almost as if Maryland Deathfest came a little early this year -- and moved 45 minutes south.

Suffocation Are Ready for a Big Holiday

Justina Villanueva — 2010-11-17T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

On Nov. 12 the Decibel Defiance Tour passed through Springfield, Va., bringing Suffocation, the Faceless, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Decrepit Birth, Fleshgod Apocalypse and ten local bands to Jaxx. Even minus all the people in bands, the club was packed and ready to mosh.

Decrepit Birth frontman Bill Robinson credited metal's beginnings to just a couple of bands, and he admitted that "[Suffocation] was one of them." Even though Suffocation wasn't one of the first death metal bands, they sure as hell remain one of the most influential bands. Their first release in 1991, 'Effigy of the Forgotten,' spawned not just one, but two subgenres in metal: slam and deathcore. There are few bands in the world who will leave behind that kind of legacy.

Nile and Ex Deo Bring History on the Road

Justina Villanueva — 2010-11-09T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

"I want to take the time to say how great it is to explore history with you guys," Ex Deo frontman Maurizio Iacono told the crowd at Sonar in Baltimore. Iacono, who is better known for his vocal duties in Canadian death metal band Kataklysm, believes you have to understand the past to be prepared to the future. Ex Deo like to revisit the Roman empire in their songs.

And on Nov. 2, with everyone still over-sugared and hungover, Ex Deo weren't the only metal mavens with the past in mind. Nile revisited history, too -- just one that was much closer to the present.

Waking the Cadaver Bring 'Slamming Gore Groove' in New Album

Justina Villanueva — 2010-11-07T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Interview, New Music

Justina Villanueva

It was just a year ago that Noisecreep spent three days in the heart of death metal New Jersey -- Clifton. We learned all about classic New York death metal from the likes of Mortician, Malignancy and Incantation. Gravehill taught us that blood and spikes can be scary and fun at the same time. Most importantly, however, Waking the Cadaver showed us how New Jersey became the slam capital with breakdown brothers Digested Flesh, Abacinate and a bunch of others whom played that weekend.

Well, because this writer couldn't make it to New Jersey Deathfest 2010, we talked to headliner's frontman -- Waking the Cadaver's Don Campan -- to find out all about their new album, 'Beyond Cops. Beyond God.'

Immolation and Vader Tour Comes to an End

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-30T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

On Oct. 25, when New York death metal legends Immolation played Virginia's Jaxx, the band wanted to make the most of their set time. With minimal space between songs, frontman Ross Dolan thanked the crowd for coming out on a Monday night. "Now I'm going to shut the f--- up," Dolan said as he introduced the band's next song, 'Hate's Plague.'

Immolation are a working person's band. When they are at home, they work hard and they know their fans do, too. While they embrace the time they get to play shows, they know not everyone's life is filled with playing death metal. And yes, that can be said about many American bands -- but Immolation really get it.

Tyrant Defend the Old In Baltimore

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-26T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

On Oct. 16, heavy metal bands from around the country met at a small club in Baltimore to prove that the dust has not been bitten just yet. While the bustling club scene had lines around the corner with half-dressed women, metal fans and musicians alike joined each other at Sonar to "defend the old faith and bash some posers" (as predicted on the fest's MySpace page). However, aside from a couple broken beer bottles, there was no bashing at the 2nd annual Defenders of the Old festival.

Virginia's October 31 showed support all night, as vocalist King Fowley (Deceased) stage managed all the bands and occasionally threw in some air guitar solos. New York's Fischel's Beast was joined by the gracious Sentinel Beast vocalist Debbie Gunn. The two beasts came together to play most of the metal classic 'Depths of Death.' Unfortunately there was not enough time for them to finish the album. Missouri's ultra mean and heavy Ares Kingdom followed with a killer set. Then there was Tyrant.

Devourment Want the Yankees to Lose

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-20T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

"This song goes out to all the ladies. Because all women are serial c--- suckers," Devourment frontman Mike Masewski said. Second to last on a seven band bill, Devourment must have downed a lot of coffee before their set on Oct. 15 at Baltimore's Sonar.

"Play a song where everyone dies!" a fan yelled. Masewski responded, "That fits every song, dude." The band opted for the song where babies die: 'Baby Killer.' It's quite true, Devourment's song content doesn't slouch in the gore and filth department.

Bone Marrow Transplant Awareness Comes to CMJ

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-19T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Interview

Getty Images

In support of Behemoth frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski -- who recently announced he's been diagnosed with luekemia -- 1,000 Knives, MetalSucks and MetalInjection haved teamed up with an event. A Life Once Lost, Car Bomb, This or the Apocalypse, Baptized in Blood and Last Chance to Reason will play a show on Oct. 20 that will provide heavy headbanging and bone marrow donation awareness.

The show, which is part of the annual CMJ Music Marathon, will take place at Europa in Brooklyn. Noisecreep got a chance to chat with Rich Hall of 1,000 Knives about the event.

Hellbastard Could Live Two Months on $100

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-15T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Slayer is one of the most recognizable names in all of heavy metal. On Oct. 8, Slayer played Long Island's Nassau Coliseum with Megadeth and Anthrax. Just over 20 miles away, at a venue more known for it's dance parties than metal shows, Slayer was the topic of the night, as Mutant Supremacy and Hellbastard slayed at Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Europa.

"I want to thank each and every one of you for not paying $60 to see Slayer and coming here instead," Mutant Supremacy vocalist Sam Awry said to fans. Still fairly new to the New York metal scene (in comparision to the New York death metal pioneers at least), Mutant Supremacy play with an old-school spirit. The don't feel they are owed anything. They just want to shred, scream and go off.

Wormrot Felt at Home in the U.S.

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-12T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Singapore grinders Wormrot traveled halfway around the world to play a month's worth of shows in America. They had Tomb's Mike Hill to guide them along the way, driving them from city to city. Many times they stopped at Walmart, Target and one of the band's favorite places for grub: Denny's.

In their hilarious tour diary, band manager Azean Rot honestly said, "You U.S. people are so lucky you have [Walmart]!" That's not the kind of statement you'd typically hear from a metal punk, but that's how excited Wormrot were to travel the States.

Doro Fears No Evil After Playing Shows for Over 25 Years

Justina Villanueva — 2010-10-05T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Doro's 'Fear No Evil' tour only made a couple stops in the States before embarking on a journey to the other side of the world in Japan. One of those dates, Manchester, N.H., was canceled due to a family emergency, making her Oct. 2 visit to Springfield, Va. at Jaxx much more special.

"Are you guys ready to sing 'Burning the Witches'?" Doro asked the crowd. Most of the audience wasn't aware that Doro was already on stage when the petite German woman started singing. Yet it didn't take long for her to plunge into her fans with a mic and giant smile. Despite her size, her presence is mammoth-sized -- in a delightful way, of course -- making that mic in your face very commanding. In other words, you better sing and not disappoint the metal legend.

Katatonia Surpassed Their Career Expectations, Tour North America

Justina Villanueva — 2010-09-18T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Swedish death metallers turned dark rockers Katatonia have released eight albums and seven EPs. It should be no surprise to the band that after almost 20 years their following has grown so immensely. Yet, the band gets shocked every once and again.

"This isn't what I expected when we started 10, 15 years ago," frontman Jonas Renkse said to the crowd about the sold out New York City show. The Joy Division-influenced band played Gramercy Theater on Sept. 10 with Gwynbleidd, Orphaned Land and Swallow the Sun. The band's North American tour continues through early October.

Sleep Wow Fans With Two-Hour-Long Set During Reunion Tour

Justina Villanueva — 2010-09-16T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Sleep was away for over 10 years. In the interim we got Om and High on Fire, two undeniably amazing bands for the sludge-adoring crowd. But neither is responsible for the inspirational monster that is 'Sleep's Holy Mountain' and the epic one-song long 'Jerusalem.' So to make up for lost time, Sleep played two-hour-long sets in select cities around the country. That includes two sold out New York City shows and All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Monticello, N,Y.

By Sept. 8, when the trio played to hundreds of people at Brooklyn Masonic Temple -- where just the night before Sunn 0))) and Boris caused a ruckus -- most of their merch was sold out. New York City locals A Storm of Light and Lichens opened the second show.

Hate Eternal Lead Death Metal Charge on the East Coast

Justina Villanueva — 2010-09-07T20:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

The East Coast gets all the good metal tours. Don't believe me? Hate Eternal, Cannabis Corpse and Order of Ennead made their way from Atlanta to Philadelphia for the Hostile City Death Fest in August, providing a blastbeat feast to all those cities and in between.

Order of Ennead -- featuring Deicide member Steve Asheim -- opened the tour slot on Aug. 27 at the northern Virginia metal mecca Jaxx. "This goes out to all religions who think they know everything and god. It's called 'Lies Upon the Lips of Judith,'" frontman Kevin Quirion told the crowd. The death metallers have a new album out on Earache Records called 'An Examination of Being.'

Keelhaul Had a Triumphant, Late Return to New York

Justina Villanueva — 2010-08-19T19:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

"I'm glad the show got pushed back. We were having a hard time getting here on time. For those of you who know us, that's our problem every day," Keelhaul bassist Aaron Dallison sincerely told the crowd. The show that was set to start at 6 PM ended up starting at 8 PM, saving the band some time and an ulcer or two. The native Ohioans played New York City's Santos Party House on Aug. 5 with Disappearer, Pigs and Unsane.

When you watch the band live, you can start to understand their influences (as stated on their MySpace page): corndogs, roast beef sandwiches, flat tires, drinking excessively and being broke and old. They are as bitter as they are funny. Above all, they are as musically athletic of a band as they come. It's hard to tell whether they love or hate their instruments -- or whether it's easier for anyone in the band to play these complex songs after 13 years. And that's OK, because last year they gave us their 'Triumphant Return to Obscurity.'

Slayer, Megadeth Play Classic Albums for American Carnage Tour

Justina Villanueva — 2010-08-19T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Gone are the days of Slayer frontman Tom Araya asking the crowd if they're tired from lifting our beer glasses all night, if they're into heavy metal or even if they''re into older women -- "the kind that have f---ing maggots crawling out of their p----s." Also gone are the days of Araya headbanging. The most recognizable scream in all metal history, the first part of 'Angel of Death' -- the live performance of that is also gone. A modern Slayer set consists of unabatedly playing songs.

On Aug. 12, when the thrash kings played with Megadeth and Testament at New Jersey's Izod Center, the crowd couldn't be more than content. With new songs 'World Painted Blood' and 'Hate Worldwide,' then all of 'Seasons of the Abyss' in its entirety, Slayer gave the crowd more than the $10 tickets were worth. They're the kind of band that will forever appeal to the pre-teen youth (like metal's favorite new blogger, Ezra Lux) and the people who grew up with the band in the early '80s. There was also 'South of Heaven' and 'Raining Blood' -- two songs it will be impossible to get tired of. I'm more familiar with those riffs and beats than I am with most of my close relatives.

Cynic's 'Focus' Tour Takes Fans on a 'Celestial Voyage'

Justina Villanueva — 2010-08-17T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

Cynic had a busy 1991. Members Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert played on Death's 'Human' album, while Cynic scored a deal with Roadrunner Records. Touring for 'Human' pushed back the recording of 'Focus' -- a masterpiece of progressive death metal. Almost a year ago, Decibel magazine inducted the band's first full-length into the Decibel Hall of Fame. For extreme music fans, the monthly article really is a text version of visiting the physical Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; it is that packed with information.

The band, magazine and label, Season of Mist, went a step further this summer and gave Americans the chance to see the album in full.

F--- the Facts Help Matinee Shows Survive in New York

Justina Villanueva — 2010-08-16T19:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Shows

Justina Villanueva

BrooklynVegan and 1,000 Knives put on an all ages matinee show for New York City's metal punks on Aug. 7. The Cake Shop is located in an area where rent is ever-increasing, so it is a miracle that the small venue (former record store) can survive. This is especially true with the rowdy lineup that played during the afternoon: Atakke, Defeatist, Magrudergrind and F--- the Facts.

"Is this a punk show? I thought it was a metal show," Atakke frontwoman Chloe Puke said to the crowd. Evidently, someone in the band was out of tune. While New York City is flooded with heavy bands, any show that includes Atakke billed at the front is a good one -- even if someone played a song out of tune. When you add Defeatist to the mix, the show becomes a great one. The trio are veterans of grind -- not because of age but because frontman Aaron Nichols is ruthless with words. A fan yelled "faster," he said "older." A fan yelled "heavier," he says "fatter."