Noisecreep

Black Tusk Tour Dates with Pentagram, Eyehategod

Vicki Siolos — 2010-05-12T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Tours

Black Tusk have just announced another round of late spring and summer tour dates that extend their already never-ending itinerary. After touring with Skeletonwitch back in late January, the Savannah, Ga. band found time to finish recording its debut LP for Relapse Records, 'Taste the Sin,' with Jay Matheson and Steve Slavich in Columbia, S.C. (Baroness, Band of Horses, Kylesa). Without skipping a beat, the band members were back on the road, performing at both the Scion Rock Fest and at SXSW.

Early last month, drummer James May checked in with Noisecreep on BT's tour with Weedeater, which included Zoroaster -- another band to come out of Savannah. The new tour dates include a co-headlining bill with Zoroaster that spans most of America, but before that begins on June 15, Black Tusk will tour for most of June with Eyehategod after a week's worth of dates with Pentagram. With an album release date for May 25, 'Taste the Sin' will come out while the band members perform around their old stomping grounds in the Southeast.

Billy Corgan Names the 10 Greatest Heavy Metal Records

Vicki Siolos — 2010-05-03T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Top Ten Lists

Despite last week's social networking drama with Courtney Love or the news that he is (was?) dating Jessica Simpson, Billy Corgan is still one of the most important figures in modern rock music. Smashing Pumpkins, in their original form during the 1990s, were one of the most ground-breaking bands that emerged during the height of alternative rock, all while rejecting the punk rock roots that sprung grunge and other forms of metal.

Secret and Whisper, a newer Tooth and Nail band, still consider Corgan one of the original rock stars. On the same day of Billy's Twitter rant, he also laid down the 10 greatest heavy metal records of all time.

Swans' Jarboe Teams Up With Hull

Vicki Siolos — 2010-05-03T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Tour Diary

Jarboe has been exceptionally busy over the last six months. The Atlanta-based vocalist contributed vocals to A Storm of Light's latest record, 'Forgive Us Our Trespasses' and has also been touring constantly, though she is not part of the reformation of her old band, Swans. She and her band took off to Europe for a tour this month only to find themselves stranded by the volcano. Bassist Nick Palmirotto, who normally plays guitar in the Brooklyn metal band Hull, teamed up with fellow live band member Fade Kainer (Inswarm, Batillus) to put together a recap of their tour experience with Jarboe before the volcano hit.

"Finally! We arrive in Oslo," said Palmirotto at the very end of March. After a six-hour flight to London and an eight-hour layover, the band explored Camden and Picadilly Circus. A bit shocked by the currency exchange rate between the US dollar and the British pound, the crew fueled up on Red Bull and hopped on their two-hour flight to Norway and headed straight to a Reverend Horton Heat show on zero sleep in an over-24-hour period! "Talk about feeling in a different world," he added. "Also, I didn't think it was possible for an entire country to look like an Ikea! Very aesthetically pleasing, I must admit."

Bison B.C., 'Dark Ages' -- New Album

Vicki Siolos — 2010-03-17T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music

Vancouver's own Bison B.C. have finished recording their third album, 'Dark Ages,' which they'd been working on for several months at Hive Studios. The four-piece band worked with Jesse Gardner, who recorded both of their prior releases. "He's taking us on a dark, mystical, next level s--- kinda journey," vocalist Dan And recently told Noisecreep in a studio update last December. "And [he's] going so far as to even help me out with some arranging quagmires." The album will be titled 'Dark Ages' and has a release date set for April 13 on Metal Blade Records.

In the previous update, And added that "musically, the tunes are leaning towards the 'thrash-doom-sludge-crust-pop-punk-noise-classic-rock side of things.'" After releasing their first album with just a little over 1,000 copies printed, their sophomore came out in 2008 on a freshly-inked deal with Metal Blade. 'Quiet Earth' combines a variety of sludge, thrash, stoner and doom angles in their sound and was really impressive for, at the time, a relatively unknown band.

Howl, 'Jezebel' and 'Asherah' -- New Songs

Vicki Siolos — 2010-03-16T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music

Howl's 'Full of Hell' is one of the most anticipated album releases from the Relapse roster this year, and the Providence, R.I. metal act just debuted the first tracks from it on their MySpace page. 'Jezebel' and its intro piece, 'Asherah,' are just a taste of the record, which was recorded at Machine With Magnets studios (Battles, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Lightning Bolt, Daughters) in December and January. Guitarist Vincent Hausman had told Noisecreep that the band "really tried to incorporate the various styles in metal we love, though never losing sight of what this band is ultimately about: the almighty riff."

Howl will be back on the road with a dense number of dates around the Texas area, hitting up several South by Southwest shows, including the Relapse Records showcase on March 17. The band has also been confirmed for New England Metal and Hardcore Fest and Maryland Deathfest, taking place later this spring. Some of their shows are shared with Tombs and Bison B.C. but the majority of the two-week tour are with Javelina.

The High Confessions Sign to Relapse

Vicki Siolos — 2010-03-05T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music

Four musicians from some of the most influential metal, hard and indie rock circles have joined forces to form the High Confessions. Planting their roots in Chicago, the band consists of Chris Connelly (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Killing Joke), Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), Sanford Parker (Minsk, Nachtmystium, Buried at Sea), and noted recording engineer Jeremy Lemos (Smog, Stereolab, Jim O'Rourke). At the moment, there are zero audio clips circulating around the Internet, but you can expect their full-length debut, 'Turning Lead Into Gold With the High Confessions,' this summer from Relapse.

Killing Joke, Ministry and Revolting Cocks all have history together. Noisecreep had checked in with Ministry last September to discuss the probability of the Cocks to continue touring while Ministry hands in its towel. Stereolab may not often be found in the same sentence as metal, but the name stands out in history as one of the most popular post-rock bands of the 1990s. Doom metal favorites Minsk have been around for nearly a decade now and have released their last two studio albums with Relapse.

Shadows Fall Tour Dates with Baptized In Blood

Vicki Siolos — 2010-03-05T10:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Tours

Shadows Fall are currently finishing up their first headlining tour through Canada. Throughout next week, the Massachusetts-based metal band will cover ground with Baptized In Blood in Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City before taking a break from the road. They've been touring since late January in mostly Western US territory in support of their latest record, 'Retribution,' which came out on Everblack Industries, their own label, last September.

Bison B.C. Tour Dates With Shadows Fall, Priestess and High on Fire

Vicki Siolos — 2010-03-04T22:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Tours

Vancouver's Bison B.C. have a string of tour dates with Shadows Fall, Priestess and High on Fire. They'll also be playing a South by Southwest showcase with High on Fire at The Mohawk, as well as a Brooklyn date with Priestess a few days prior. After a few shows during March, the band will head on the road for a full-on assault of U.S. tour dates with High on Fire, Priestess and Black Cobra through the month of April and into early May. The band will be hitting up major cities all around the country, so be sure to keep an eye out for when they come to your town.

As of now, the tour will end in Oakland, Calif. with a special show at the Fox Theater with Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me and Valient Thorr.

Order of Ennead Finish Recording 'An Examination of Being'

Vicki Siolos — 2010-03-03T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Interview, New Music

With much anticipation building, Florida's Order of Ennead have finished recording their latest album, 'An Examination of Being.' The band released footage from their studio sessions in December to give us a sampling of their new material, and vocalist/guitarist Kevin Quirion recently expanded on each song. "I know that most people don't read lyrics these days," he said in a press release, "[The record] wasn't intended to be a concept album, but since all of the subject matter is on the same topic it lends itself to being one."

Ennead was actually a collection of nine deities in ancient Egyptian mythology, and the most important of its time. One's own existential crisis is a topic that goes back to the beginning of civilization. And even in today's society, Order of Ennead tie in their observations with historical and mythological events. 'The Scriptures of Purification' suggest listening to your inner voice for guidance. "How many times," asks Quirion, "have you had that 'gut feeling' that you didn't listen to and ended up regretting?"

Salem, 'Drums of the Dead Part 1' -- New Song

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-25T18:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Video, New Music

Over the next few weeks, extreme Israeli metal band Salem will be putting up songs on an individual basis to build the anticipation towards their next album. Titled 'Playing God and Other Short Stories,' the 12-song LP will include a cover of Bob Marley's 'Exodus' as well as two vocal appearances by At the Gates' frontman Tomas Lindberg. As of now, the album's opener - 'Drums of the Dead Part 1' -- is up on the band's MySpace page for all to preview. It features vocalist Ze'ev T's at his most raw display, and leaves the listener begging for more.

The band is planning to have a CD release show at Barbie club in Tel Aviv soon (Greece's Rotting Christ just did a gig there), and we can only hope that they make it to America sometime this year. Formed in the mid '80s and brought up with the guidance of legendary black metal outfit Mayhem, Salem have always come through as one of the most fierce bands in Eastern European metal. This new record was recorded at Harold Studios in Tel Aviv and mastered by U.E. Nastasi -- who has also worked with Type O Negative, Fear Factory and DevilDriver -- at the prestigious Sterling Sound in N.Y.C. More tracks from 'Playing God' will become available on their MySpace over the course of the next few weeks. Below you can check out a four-minute long piece of footage that leaked of the album's tracking, featuring guitarist Nir Gutraiman.

Hammerfall, 'Hearts on Fire' (Curling Version) -- Killer Video

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-23T19:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Video

Black metal Swedes Hammerfall paired up with their country's women's Olympic curling team years ago to film the the music video for 'Hearts on Fire.' It was the only single from the band's fourth studio album, 'Crimson Thunder,' in 2002.

Tombs' Frontman Upgrades Gear, Spring Tour Plans Still Uncertain

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-19T21:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Interview, Metal Minutia

After a successful European tour with Buried Inside, Tombs are gearing up for a new set of U.S. dates this spring. The Brooklyn-based band will perform at Relapse Records' SXSW showcase, which takes place on Wednesday, March 17 at Red 7, and includes labelmates such as Voivod, Howl and comedian Brian Posehn. It's been almost a year since the band's Relapse release, 'Winter Hours,' came out, but its popularity continues to grow and garner good reviews.

Keeping up the momentum, Tombs frontman Mike Hill has upgraded some of his gear for upcoming shows. "I picked up a Boss DD-6 Digital Delay Pedal to replace the Rocktron Short Timer," he told Noisecreep. "I'm also back to the Boss [CH-1] Super Chorus Pedal. It lends that sort of later '80s sheen to the guitar sound, similar to 'Best Wishes' by Cro-Mags."

Rumpelstiltskin Grinder to Tour with Deceased in August

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-17T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Tours

Following a collection of tour dates that span the next five months, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder will join Deceased on a West Coast tour in August. Including several dates in California, Arizona and a handful of other states, it'll be Deceased's first time in some of these cities in 25 years.

Since the release of the record 'Living for Death, Destroying the Rest' on Relapse, Rumplestiltskin Grinder have been garnering favorable attention from various outlets. The Philadelphia Weekly, which comes from their hometown, says that "the end of the world finally gets its soundtrack" and Metal Hammer finds the album's crossover appeal to be one of its most enticing aspects.

Scion Discusses Selection Process for Rock Fest

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-15T17:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Interview, Festival

In anticipation of the second Scion Rock Fest this March, Noisecreep spoke with Scion Sales Promotions Manager Jeri Yoshizu, who directs all aspects of the car company's involvement with art, film and pop culture initiatives. She told Noisecreep that "nothing is ever planned to be continuous." Experimentation is key and tweaks are made for improvements. "We never continue things just to do them. It has to make sense," she said. The success of 2009's debut and this year's sophomore installment could turn the free event into into an annual underground staple, like Hellfest or Krazy Fest, within the American metal and hardcore communities.

Throwing a free music festival is definitely one way to garner success, but more exciting is the event's changing location. Scion Rock Fest's debut in 2009 took place in Atlanta, GA while this year's version will happen in Columbus, Ohio. Yoshizu said the decision to move was based on the venues that supported the community. "I put a lot of thought after discussing it with many different people coming from many different angles," she told Noisecreep. "I am not looking for a massive mainstream audience so, therefore, I do not have to go where the general population is big. I look for what makes sense to the listener."

2010 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival Details Announced

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-10T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Festival

The 2010 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival enters its 12th year this spring, returning to Worcester, Mass. Taking place at The Palladium, the event will be held April 23 and April 24 -- a special kickoff party, sponsored by Atticus, will also take place on April 22.

Tickets for the Friday's event are $40, and doors open at 3 PM. The lineup includes Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me, Baroness, Cro-Mags, Earth Crisis, Death Threat, Death Before Dishonor, COA, American Me, Thick as Blood, Forfeit, XtheWarX, Grave Maker, Rose Funeral, Conducting From the Grave and Howl.

Black Tusk Finish Album, Play Fests, Tour With Weedeater

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-10T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Tours, New Music

The members of Savannah's Black Tusk have a heavy tour schedule this coming spring. After finishing up their February dates with Skeletonwitch, the band will head to Columbus, Ohio to perform at the second Scion Rock Fest. Sharing the bill with them are Cannibal Corpse, Pelican and many other Noisecreep approved bands.

One week later, Black Tusk will be in Austin, Texas to perrform at the Tone Deaf showcase for South by Southwest. "This will be our third time playing SXSW," the band recently told Noisecreep. "The first time we played it, Andrew's hand was in a cast, and we had a fill-in guitar player on tour with us while Andrew just sang. The following year, everyone was asking what happened to our singer -- guess they missed the big neon green cast!"

Judas Priest Interviewed by 'Jersey Shore' Star Snooki -- Video

Vicki Siolos — 2010-02-04T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Video, Grammy Awards

MTV's 'Jersey Shore' somehow finds a way to work itself into everything, and Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi has penetrated the metal world by conducting her first interview with members of Judas Priest. While at the Grammy's this past weekend, Snooki -- the short one that is most ridiculed, adoringly, on a wide range of parodies -- admitted to Scott Travis and Rob Halford that she'd never interviewed anyone before

She immediately asked, "So who are you?" Halford introduced himself as "the metal god with Judas Priest." Halford's words were shown to be true when Judas Priest won the Grammy for Best Metal Performance, beating out Slayer, Megadeth, Ministry and Lamb of God.

Blacklisted Announce a Massive List of U.S. Tour Dates

Vicki Siolos — 2010-01-26T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Tours

About two months ago, Blacklisted took the uphill battle against online music piracy into their own hands and abruptly released a new record. With no preparatory promotion in tow, the band simply put out the album digitally and in vinyl format with the intention of getting it out to the fans before the press.

After finishing up the current supporting dates with the Hope Conspiracy's rare appearances, the band is heading back on the road in February for an extensive U.S. tour to support 'No One Deserves to Be Here More Than Me,' which is out now on Deathwish Inc.

Second Scion Rock Fest to Take Place in Ohio This March

Vicki Siolos — 2010-01-22T11:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News, Festival

This March marks the second Scion Rock Fest, which premiered in Atlanta last February. The location has moved to Columbus, Ohio and will take place on March 13. Once again, the event will be free, and you'll need to RSVP and follow the instructions to obtain your ticket, as there is a limited supply.

The lineup for this year's mayhem includes Liturgy, Pelican and 3 Inches of Blood, and the fest boasts Cannibal Corpse as its biggest act. The Atlanta premiere featured Mastodon and Neurosis along with Baroness and Kylesa, among others. The festival's figurehead is Adam Shore, who once founded Vice Records but now works closely with Scion to produce his Blackened Music Series, which he says allows him to put on the shows he personally wants to see.

Sewer Goddess Invoked by Black Plague Records' Relaunch

Vicki Siolos — 2010-01-19T20:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News, New Music

After seven years, Black Plague Records will return with the release of a new Sewer Goddess album. The return of the Maryland-based outfit was announced with a quote from the label's owner stating that there was no better way "to have it resurrected than with some ultra grim and hopeless death industrial/power electronics from this Boston-based cult project." It links through to a freshly-minted MySpace page, which features two new songs from Sewer Goddess.

Where many bands try to be clever when filling in the 'About Me' field on their MySpace pages, Sewer Goddess writes "Cold blood in a warm hole," and it leaves a disturbed sentiment behind. The death metal band focuses heavily on the death bit and has a number of releases on small, underground labels such as Razors and Medicine and Negation Is Freedom.