Noisecreep

Cathedral's Lee Dorrian on the Band Ending, How Their Former Label Tried to Make Them the Next Black Crowes

Mike Gitter — 2013-04-26T13:00:00+00:00

Rise Above

Cathedral is dead. Long live Cathedral.

What started 21 years ago when then-former Napalm Death vocalist Lee Dorrian plumbed the depths of the then unhip doom metal underground has finally come to its end. Cathedral's final eulogy will be spoken later this month with the release of their final album, The Last Spire.

From the doom-plod of 1990's In Memorium demo and it follow-up album, 1991's Forest of Equilibrium, Cathedral not merely helped popularize the sound that Dorrian & Co. found in the likes of Saint Vitus or Pentagram, but also became a vehicle to explore the heavy sounds of generations past. From the troubled-funk of songs like "Midnight Mountain" from '93's The Ethereal Mirror (the product of Cathedral's one-album stand with major label benefactors, Columbia) to 2010's The Guessing Game, which pushed into the outer limits of psychedelic and progressive sounds, Dorrian and Cathedral (rounded out by guitarist Gaz Jennings, drummer Brian Dixon and returning bassist Scott Carlson, also of grind heroes Repulsion) were never one too pious to adhere strictly to doom metal's touchstones.

Dorrian has also spearheaded his own label, Rise Above for nearly two and a half decades as well. With a roster that includes the likes of Witchcraft, Electric Wizard and the first album from everyone's current darlings, Ghost B.C., Rise Above has become an institution in itself.

Noisecreep caught up with Lee one rainy (of course!) Saturday evening at Rise Above's London offices to talk about Cathedral's last days, his future plans and John Lydon. Yes, John Lydon.

Iwrestledabearonce: Exclusive Studio Report From Guitarist Steven Bradley

Mike Gitter — 2013-04-22T16:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Jeremy Saffer

"Tour years are sorta like dog years," says Iwrestledabearonce guitarist Steven Bradley. "One year being on tour is like seven years of normal life in terms of wear and tear and the body and soul and such. I'm 27 now but in tour years it's more like 75 or 113! I figure I'll be in a wheelchair pretty soon."

Welcome to wry and wretched world of Iwrestledabearonce. Noisecreep recently checked in with Bradley for an update on what's up with the former Shreveport, Louisiana fivesome (now largely relocated to El-Lay).

For the minute, Bradley and the rest of Team IWABO are taking a break from summarily beating the tar out of themselves and the road. They're presently ensconced in a North Hollywood recording studio kicking out the avant-grind-spazz-nonsensical-power-violence-jazzbo ramalamdingdong that IWABO has become known and loved (or alternately hated) for.

The yet-untitled disc, which, Bradley is producing himself, is the first to feature the vocals of new vocal recruit Courtney LaPlante, who has seamlessly assumed the spot of founding vocal-abuser Krysta Cameron. Cameron became a casualty of the road for very good reason - she got preggers. In the middle of IWABO's stint on last year's Warped Tour, that is. The culprit: Krysta's longtime boyfriend, Andrew Sudderth, frontman for Texan alt-proggers Fair to Midland.

'Lords of Salem': Rob Zombie Says Going Back Home Inspired His New Film

Mike Gitter — 2013-04-19T15:35:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Albert L. Ortega, Getty Images

Today, horror fiends will be flocking to their local cinemas to catch a screening of Rob Zombie's latest frightmare, Lords of Salem.

Starring Rob's beautiful wife, Sheri Moon Zombie, Lords of Salem tells the tale of Heidi, a radio station DJ living in Salem, Massachusetts, who receives a strange wooden box containing a record, a _thumbnail.gift from the Lords." As she listend to the strange sounds coming from inside the box, she starts getting horrific flashbacks of Salem's brutal past.

Noisecreep writer Mike Gitter recently chatted with Rob Zombie and got some insight on the inspiration behind Lords of Salem and if there's a connection with his upcoming Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor album.

10 Heavy Metal Albums You Need to Check Out This Spring

Mike Gitter — 2013-04-16T15:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Top Ten Lists

A389 Recordings/Sumerian Records

Spring is upon us and its gearing up to be banner year for all things hard, driving and metallic. Already, the Mayhem Festival tour is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, Iron Maiden is set to clobber North American shores and Metallica themselves are even threatening to head into the studio.

Of course, the releases are starting to pile up with the likes of Killswitch Engage, Clutch, Volbeat, Terror, Anthrax, Kvelertak and Rotting Christ, amongst a horde of others, already dropping their share of volume-dealing, eardrum-assaulting discs with a host of others wating in the (black) wings.

Here's ten albums currently making a racket 'round Noisecreep hallowed halls you should be ready to part with your hard earned cash for. Believe us, you won't be disappointed.

Rob Zombie on 'Lords of Salem,' His Future Film Projects + Why He Won't See the 'Evil Dead' Remake

Mike Gitter — 2013-04-12T12:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Universal Music Group

Anno 2013. No rest for the wicked, weary or one Rob Zombie. In the space of a mere few days, the Zombie shadow will be once more cast upon the land: in the form of a new Rob Zombie album, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (due April 23) but more profoundly with the unveiling of his long awaited new film, Lords of Salem (April 19). Both are already garnering their fare share of - Shock! Surprise! - enthusiastic word of mouth. The mind boggles and the senses tingle!

Not merely has Zombie unleashed a record that huffs in the dust of his 25-year musical existence: from the cyclopean shamble-groove of classic White Zombie to the sexed-up sonic grindhouse oeuvre that's become the good man's calling card since hopping in his Dragula with 1998's Hellbilly Deluxe. As a filmmaker, he's also stepped up his game, moving beyond the visual single mindedness of his earlier works and concocted a genuinely smart, stylistic horror yarn.

Now in his late forties, you get the feeling that this Massachusetts native with a two-headed-monster of a career: equal parts rock icon and cinematic auteur, is having a blast. Not only is he readying for a Summer onstage headlining the Rockstar Mayhem Tour but he's also prepping at least one new film, The Broadstreet Bullies, his first venture into non-horror-but-equally-violent turf: a hockey flick set in the 1970's telling the tale of the most despised team in the NHL, The Philadelphia Flyers.

Noisecreep hunkered down with Senor Zombie to chat about Lords of Salem and his other cinematic projects. Welcome back to Planet Zombie, motherfuckers!

10 Bands That Should Have Been Huge, Part 2 (BY POPULAR DEMAND)

Mike Gitter — 2013-04-11T15:10:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Top Ten Lists

George Marks, Hulton Archive

After we posted a list of ten bands that should have been phenoms rather than footnotes, up came the cry of "What about Handsome? What about Dragpipe?" from none other than editor Carlos Ramirez. Oh shit! Forgot 'em.

Clearly, there was room for 10 more "Bands That Should Have Been Huge" - so here they are: another grippe of unsung metal and hard rock heroes that have sadly been relegated to the $3.99 bin at your local used CD store.

10 Bands That Should Have Been Huge

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-27T13:05:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Top Ten Lists

Getty Images

A favorite conversation 'round the Noisecreep office often starts with the words "Does anyone else remember the Rock City Angels?" These were the unsung heroes of metal and hard rock major label-dom: bands that should have towered above the competition but remain sadly relegated to the $3.99 bin of your local nearly-out-of-business CD store.

Why? Why did they fail to snare the ear and win fans? Record companies dropping the ball? The public failing to "get it?" Bands becoming casualties of hard drugs and jealous girlfriends? In truth, it's all of the above and more.

So here are ten great bands that we think could have and should been huge.

Killswitch Engage Vocalist Jesse Leach on Almost Missing Out on the Job Again, Singing Howard Jones' Songs

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-26T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Classic Rock Magazine, Getty Images

When frontman Jesse Leach reemerged to rejoin Killswitch Engage in 2012, it was a major turning point for the Western Mass. band. Not only was it a seismic shift from the soaring vocals of Howard Jones (who parted ways with KsE earlier that year). It also signaled the return of the voice that not only embodied the spirit of 2002's modern metal classic disc, Alive Or Just Breathing.

Since parting ways with KsE Jesse's passionate screams and heart-wrenching singing became the focal point of now-defunct blues metallists, Seemless. He's also headed the Meshuggah-ish stomp of The Empire Shall Fall and more recently reunited with Killswitch Engage guitarist and mainman Adam Dutkeiwicz in Times of Grace, whose single album: Hymn of a Broken Man recalled the glories of a Leach-fronted KsE.

Now back in Killswitch Engage, whose new album Disarm the Descent, is readying for an April release, Jesse Leach is back to the business of being one of the most unforgettable voices and personas in modern metal. Noisecreep sat down with Jesse to talk about the decade plus of sound and fury, his battle with depression and a well-deserved second lease on a very loud life.

Rob Caggiano Opens Up About Anthrax Split, Joining Volbeat + His Proudest Moments (EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW)

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-20T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Strong Management

Since vacating his spot as lead guitarist in Anthrax on January 4th, Rob Caggiano's stock-in-metal has only gone up. The New York-bred guitarist, who has also made a name for himself behind the boards, producing records for the likes of Cradle of Filth, A Life Once Lost, singer-songwriter Jesse Malin, themselves, hit the metal world's collective radar when he headed to Denmark shortly after leaving to produce the upcoming record from Volbeat - but became the band's lead guitarist in the process!

Not a surprise, really, when you take into account just how prolific, Caggiano has been over the course of his career. In addition to playing in Anthrax, he formed The Damned Things with fellow 'Thrax-er Scott Ian and members of Everytime I Die and Fall Out Boy. He's stuck his thumb into the world of black metal, helping to mix records by the likes of God Seed and even contributing a solo to the latest album from Sweden's notorious, The Shining. There's even a long-threatened collaboration between black metal mainstay, Tom "King Ov Hell" Cato and Cradle's Dani Filth called Temple of the Black Moon on the horizon. The guy practically eats metal for breakfast!

Noisecreep caught up with Rob in scenic Lubbock, Texas on Volbeat's current U.S. tour to talk about everything from his first band to producing a track with none other than Bruce Springsteen.

Andrew Stockdale Goes Solo: Wolfmother Mastermind on His New Album, Future Plans (EXCLUSIVE)

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-13T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

5Bam

Wolfmother is dead. Long live Wolfmother. Well, maybe. One thing is certain; the recordings that the Australian band began in 2011 as the third Wolfmother album are now coming out as a solo effort from guitarist, vocalist and main man, Andrew Stockdale. In recent weeks, Stockdale himself tweeted: "I'm putting this record out as Andrew Stockdale.... it's a different trip now and I need to be true to myself."

Set for release in early Spring, the album, entitled Keep Moving, is bigger and broader than the backyard-party-Zeppelin geist of 2005's self-titled debut or the psychedelic introspection of 2009's Cosmic Egg. Recorded with members of Wolfmother's penultimate touring lineup - including former The Vines drummer Hamish Rosser - Gatherings encompasses all the strands of hard rock DNA that made Wolfmother and tracks like "Woman" sound so damn vital no matter what decade they were plucked from.

Noisecreep caught up with Stockdale at his home in Byron Bay, Australia to talk about the future and fate of Wolfmother as well as what lies ahead as he heads down the solo road.

Negative Approach 2013: a Chat With Singer John Brannon

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-12T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Negative Approach, MySpace

Let's get this straight - Detroit, Mich. just may have been the birthplace of American punk and hyper-ballistic rock 'n' roll. You tell me if this heritage doesn't fit that assumption: The Stooges, MC5, Ted Nugent, Mitch Ryder, Grand Funk and Negative Approach - just to name a few. That's right kids; fuckin' Negative Approach. NA was the sound of brute force hardcore that cut a bloody swath through the early '80s. Their recorded output may have been slim but it's unforgettable - a few compilation tracks, that 7" with Linda Blair from The Exorcist on the cover and Tied Down; an absolute classic of American hardcore. And yes, I would put the song "Nothing" up there with the Stooges "I Got A Right." That's an audacious claim fer sure; but just take a listen to that 2:19 of bass-dominated nihilism and you might just agree.

Now simply put, Negative Approach's frontman John Brannon is the real deal. Brannon's lung-shredding howl has distinguished itself over time: sometimes a bluesy baritone. Other times it's a harsh weapon of primal power. Forget any subtlety or even annunciation when he gets onstage as Negative Approach's glass-gargling throatsman. In his post-NA ensemble, The Laughing Hyenas he warbled like Nick Cave on a bender. In Easy Action, his other current ensemble, he busts out a mean-as-shit rock n roll howl.

This Detroit legend, which also works as a short order cook, is as intimidating as Henry Rollins but somehow more dangerous and definitely more fucked up.

Noisecreep hung with Brannon at a recent NA gig in Los Angeles and slung the shit about his past, present and the reinvigorated Negative Approach.

Former Anthrax, Current Armored Saint Singer John Bush Reflects on His Diverse Career (INTERVIEW)

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-11T12:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Chiaki Nozu, Getty Images

John Bush's spot in heavy metal history is assured. At first, with LA metal vets Armored Saint and then as the gritty, soulful voice that propelled Anthrax for twelve years. Since exiting the 'Thrax in 2005, Bush's life has taken a quieter turn - doing voice-over at home in Los Angeles and doing the occasional show (and very occasional record - the last being 2010's excellent La Raza) with Armored Saint.

Noisecreep caught up with Bush a few days after performing at the Hard Rock Cafe in Universal City as part of the launch party for the much-anticipated video game, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Talking to Bush about a career that began when he donned Armored Saint's trademark armor in the early '80s to the last shows he played with Anthrax in 2005, he's reflective but still enthusiastic about his three-decade true metal legacy.

While the vocal powerhouse has taken a step back from the stage these days, Bush still does the occasional guest spot on records like the last effort from instrumentalists Long Distance Calling as well as the Nuclear Blast All-Stars album of a few years back. Have we heard the last of John Bush? Hell no! Saint John Bush marches on!

SXSW Metal: 10 Killer Bands to Check Out in Austin Next Week

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-07T12:25:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Top Ten Lists

Relapse/Metal Blade

The month of March is synonymous with one thing in Austin, Texas: South By Southwest. Each year, hipsters, hacks and industry pros descend upon the Lone Star State's Capital for a weeklong musical binge. From March 12-17, the landscape surrounding Austin's bar-dotted 6th Street will be clogged from noon to the wee morning hours. The Austin air will ring with the din of thousands of bands ranging from young hopefuls to seasoned vets. And, in the spirit of pure fucking bacchanalia, much brew will be consumed.

The word "Clusterfuck" doesn't begin to describe it. And I mean that in a good way.

Of course, metal is alive and well at SXSW this year. From established names like Clutch, Lacuna Coil and The Sword to denizens of the underground including Today Is the Day, Exhumed and Mutilation Rites, the sound of heaviness will be heard in the streets. So for those of you making the trek (and those of you who wish you were), Noisecreep is highlighting ten bands you need to check out while throwing down the horns and throwing up the booze in the town the locals have nicknamed "Bat City."

Nails Singer/Guitarist Todd Jones on Touring Full Time: 'When I Tried to Make Music My Livelihood, I Hated It'

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-06T13:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Earsplit PR

Nails vocalist/guitarist Todd Jones is the sort of musical misanthrope that actually does give a shit. He cares so much about his band's brand of chaotic, grinding hardcore that he recorded the much overdue follow-up to 2010's Unsilent Death album not once, but twice.

"We had to the find the right direction," Jones recently told Noisecreep. "We scheduled time with Kurt [Ballou] at GodCity in May of 2011 with the idea to record a follow-up EP to our last record but when we got into the studio and started recording the songs, we realized that the songs were bullshit. They weren't fucking good and we weren't feeling inspired by them so we ended up scrapping that session."

With Abandon All Life, Nails' forthcoming 10 ten-track plate-o-hate (due in March on Southern Lord), Todd has found that essence rare. It's a massive shot to the dome of blistering grind, shuddering drone and careening tempos - delivered in surgical strike fashion in less than 18 minutes. "Our band was originally meant to be lean," says Jones. "Albums and music shouldn't be judged on length but more on the emotions you feel after a completed listen.

Michael Alago: How a Gay Record Executive Helped Change the Course of Heavy Metal History

Mike Gitter — 2013-03-05T13:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Michael Alago

Michael Alago is one of the most original and passionate music people you could possibly hope to meet.

At 53, his career has spanned decades: first as a club promoter in the '80s. Then, as an A&R man for Elektra, he put an indelible stamp on the history of metal by signing a little band called Metallica, changing the course of heavy metal as we all knew it.

A few years later, while serving at Geffen, Michael inked a strange underground band from the sewers of NYC called White Zombie. Add the Misfits, Metal Church, Flotsam & Jetsam (amongst others) to that frothy brew and this quintessential New Yorker certainly gets metal mover n' shaker stripes emeritus.

Outspoken, energetic and openly gay Alago remains a fixture on the New York scene after exiting the record business in 2004. In recent years, he's turned his attention to his other passions: literature and photography. He's penned a book of poetry and musings entitled Night Blooming Jasmine Will Never Smell the Same with cohort and collaborator Mina Caputo, also singer of Life of Agony. He's also published two volumes of a photobook series entitled Rough Gods.

Noisecreep recently cornered the legendary Alago to hear tale of growing up in the New York scene; his legacy, working with legends and a career spent bucking against the mainstream.

Good for You: Skateboard Legend, Black Flag Founder Join Forces (SONG PREMIERE)

Mike Gitter — 2013-02-25T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Exclusive, New Music

Action! PR

Mike Vallely has no problems when it comes to busting his ass. He's been doing it for most of his 40 years, racking up time as a pro-skater, musician and actor and stuntman. He's even had a moment as a pro-wrestler. His biggest inspiration? Seeing a 1984 Black Flag gig in Trenton, N.J. in front of a crowd of 50 people.

"Black Flag couldn't have happened in my life at a better time, says Vallely. "I was 14 and I liked the idea of punk rock. It represented independence. I had also just gotten into skateboarding at the time, which also represented independence to me. I was feeling pretty alienated by everything around me but I still had this lust for life, this inner drive. Black Flag tapped into that. It was the moment that my life became full-color."

Cut to 2003. Vallely - who had met Black Flag's guitarist and brain trust Greg Ginn when his band, Mike V. and the Rats, opened for Ginn on a few of the iconoclastic guitarist's solo shows - was onstage at Hollywood's Palladium leading a reunited Black Flag (actually Ginn, a drummer and a pre-recorded bass-track) through the entirety of Flag's mind-decimating My War album. He pulled off former Flagger Henry Rollins' life-of-pain vocals like a motherfucker.

Bands No One Admits Listening to That Have Sold Millions of Albums

Mike Gitter — 2013-02-25T12:15:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Top Ten Lists

Vince Bucci, Getty Images

Who bought all those Nickelback records anyway?

You know them, you may even own their complete discographies but you'll never cop to loving (or even remotely liking) 'em. Still, consider these bands implacable, stone-cold facts of today's musical landscape.. (Drum roll please)

Bands no one admits listening to that have sold millions of albums.

Clutch Bassist Dan Maines Discusses 'Earth Rocker,' Their Past Label Issues + Being Called 'Stoner Rock'

Mike Gitter — 2013-02-22T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Weathermaker Music

Clutch, in fact, may be America's greatest (and heaviest) jam band. Call 'em the Grateful Dead for Black Sabbath freaks or simply the sound of heaviness sans boundaries. Does it really matter? They rock like nobody's business and prove it on their upcoming long-player, Earth Rocker.

It's hard to believe that it's been over two decades and ten albums for the Maryland-bred foursome. Still, they only get wiser and heavier as time goes on. As frontman Neil Fallon himself proselytizes on Earth Rocker's title track: If you're gonna do it, you better take it to the stage or don't do it at all!" when Clutch does hit stage, they do it for real. Guitarist Tim Sult's Orange Amp is nothing short of a riff factory. Drummer Jean-Paul Gaster and bassist Dan Maines aren't merely "in the pocket - they dig trenches. And of course, Fallon's Frank Zappa-by-ways-of a-frontier-preacher warble still grabs listener by the shoulders and tosses him into the baptismal broth like nobody's business.

Noisecreep caught up with Dan Maines to talk a bit of Clutch philosophy as well as their band-run, Weathermaker label and putting the power of the jam back in their very own hands.

Where Are They Now? Dan Clements of Excel

Mike Gitter — 2013-02-20T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview, Where Are They Now?

Excel

Next to Suicidal Tendencies, Excel is still hailed as Venice, California's best-known hardcore thrash band. Now, a decade and a half after calling it quits, they're back to business - and business feels pretty damn good. "It's not a reunion as much as it's a 'reunification'," says vocalist Dan Clements. "We're definitely picking up where we left off."

Joining Clements are founding members, bassist Shaun Ross and drummer Greg Saenez. Chain of Strength's Alex Barreto has replaced guitarist Adam Siegel, who quit the band in 1990 to focus playing with Infectious Grooves and his own band, My Head. "Adam was asked and he didn't want any part of it," says Dan. "We've known Alex ever since he was the drummer in Hard Stance [Zach De La Rocha's pre-Rage Against the Machine/Inside Out straight edge ensemble] and he brings a whole different dimension that is completely, 100% Excel. It's that spark we needed. We now find ourselves smiling and cracking up during rehearsal."

Formed in 1983 under the moniker Chaotic Noise, Excel made its vinyl debut on 1985's Welcome to Venice compilation with Venice Beach homies Suicidal Tendencies, No Mercy and Beowulf. Where the Venice Beach dress code was Pendletons and flipped-up Suicidal baseball caps, Excel were simply thrash-obsessed skaters intent crossing metal and punk years before that became de rigueur. "As much as I loved the whole Suicidal music and aesthetic, it wasn't what we were about," says Dan. "We're from there but we never adopted any image or ideal but our own.

FLAG vs. Black Flag: a Chat With Chuck Dukowski and Dez Cadena

Mike Gitter — 2013-02-19T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Interview

Kevin Scanlon

26 years ago: June 27, 1986, Black Flag played its final show.

The last song played at that Detroit gig was a nihilistic run-through of Chuck Berry's "Louie Louie." In the weeks following that, guitarist and band leader Greg Ginn would call singer Henry Rollins to inform the already multi-faceted frontman that he was quitting the band and thus, ending a decade of inventing and ultimately challenging the conventions of hardcore and American punk.

There would be moments where the specter of Black Flag would reemerge. First in 2003 when Ginn played three shows under the Flag banner, bringing in halcyon days drummer Robo, pre-Rollins frontman Dez Cadena and final bassist C'el Revuelta. What confounded fans was the inclusion of skate legend Mike Vallely in the Rollins role and a pre-recorded bass track for a run through of 84's scalding platter, My War. At the same time, Rollins hit the road with his band and the band's very original frontman Keith Morris (handling 10 songs at the beginning of the set) for a tour of America with the Rollins Band. Henry & Crew blazed through a full set of Flag songs on a U.S. tour to benefit the wrongly convicted West Memphis Three. As expected, Rollins' tour was the more brutish and hard-hitting of the two attempts at reviving the Flag's past glories.

Then silence. Ginn, relocated his legendary SST label to Taylor, Texas, where he's continued to release records that kicked hard against the mainstream. Rollins, Morris, drummer Bill Stevenson and bassist Chuck Dukowski have continued to make a racket with Off!, All and the Descendents and The Chuck Dukowski Sextet, respectively. Rollins has retired from making music altogether to concentrate on his spoken gigs and multi-media work.