The Sludgelord News : BLOODSTOCK announce Motorhead icon Phil Campbell's band and five more...

 

 

 

BLOODSTOCK is thrilled to reveal six more bands confirmed to play the Sophie Lancaster Big Top stage in August.

Thursday night is set to be livened up by these two! Throwing down the party gauntlet are returning favourites, the PHIL CAMPBELL ALL STARR BAND. The MOTORHEAD guitarist had such a great time at BLOODSTOCK last year, he’s coming back to do it all over again. Wrap your eyes and ears around these clips from last year’s fest of the MOTORHEAD classics ‘Killed By Death’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGe85gq2ZU4 and ‘Ace Of Spades’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_4l-i_cVdY. Get ready to hold your beer aloft!

Nottingham thrashers INCINERY are happy to take up the challenge, stating “Things have been stepping up a gear and the unbelievable is becoming a reality, so it is with great excitement that we return to the place that started it all for us! It’ll be a real homecoming, and we’re looking forward to playing at what is the keystone of the metal scene in the UK.” Get a free INCINERY track on the CD included in the current PANTERA cover issue of Metal Hammer magazine, or visit http://www.reverbnation.com/Incinery for tunes, video, and more info!

By name but not by nature, DIABOLICAL will bringing their unique brand of Swedish death metal to the Sophie Stage on Friday. They declare, “It is with great pleasure that we announce our appearance at BLOODSTOCK! Rest assured we will take equally great measures to make this a highly memorable show!” The band recently released new concept album ‘Neogenesis’ via ViciSolum Productions. Investigate via Terrorizer mag’s preview at: http://www.terrorizer.com/news/streams/diabolical-stream-new-album-neogenesis-terrorizer/ and check out the video for ‘Metamorphosis’ at: http://youtu.be/1cGOG_kPXZg.

BLOODSTOCK is also pleased to add Mancunian black metallers, WINTERFYLLETH to Friday’s line-up. For a taster of their current album, ‘The Threnody of Triumph’, head over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NEgZ5x7D-I to hear the epic ‘A Thousand Winters’. The band have also just released a split EP with cult Ukranian band DRUDKH, premiering it online at: http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/exclusive-winterfylleth-preview-new-trve-kvlt-cover-version/. Get the lowdown on upcoming plans on their official site: http://www.winterfylleth.co.uk/.

Southwest metal band CAMBION are determined to get heads banging on Friday. Drawing their djent/tech/prog influences from the likes of Fear Factory and Meshuggah, the band commented, “We are beyond happy to be playing the best UK festival, BLOODSTOCK! CAMBION is growing into a force to be reckoned with and that’s down to hard graft and BLOODSTOCK itself for believing in and supporting the next generation of metal bands!” Check out their ‘Virus’ EP and more over at: http://www.cambionofficial.co.uk/.

Joining them on Friday are Norwegian groove metallers, ZEROZONIC. The band couldn’t be more excited to get to play at Catton Park, exclaiming “Finally, ZEROZONIC will play a big festival outside Norway for the first time. It’s about time! Ten years of existence and three albums in we are very excited to play the amazing BLOODSTOCK. Let’s get it on!” ZEROZONIC’s current album ‘Aftersane’ has just been re-released by their new label Metal Age Productions, and the band are busy working on their fourth album. Listen to some tracks at: https://soundcloud.com/zerozonic and then learn more at: http://www.zerozonic.com/.

Need a lift to BLOODSTOCK? Or driving there and want some extra cash for the empty seats in your car? BLOODSTOCK have teamed up with GOCARSHARE once more to make it easier than ever to rock out and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time. Simply register where you’re travelling to/from, or the route you’re taking, and then sit back and wait for drivers/passengers to get in touch! GOCARSHARE is integrated with Facebook, so you can check out the profiles of your possible travel buddies and they also encourage travellers to post feedback. Learn more at: http://gocarshare.com/page/about. Plus...register and confirm your journey to BLOODSTOCK 2014 with GoCarShare and they will put your name in a hat to win a pair of FREE TICKETS for BLOODSTOCK 2015! For full details and to find your ride or fill your car, head over to http://gocarshare.com/festival/bloodstock. For more travel options to the festival, including details of coaches from all over the country with Big Green Coach and shuttles from local train stations, visit: http://www.bloodstock.uk.com/pages/travel-info.

BLOODSTOCK 2014 is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with early bird and rocksoc tickets selling out in record time and weekend tickets flying out the door! Friday night’s headliners are New Orleans sludgemeisters, DOWN. Joining them to head up Saturday night are re-united black metal overlords, EMPEROR and closing out proceedings on Sunday are the mighty thrash legends, MEGADETH. Also announced so far are AMON AMARTH, OBITUARY, CROWBAR, HATEBREED, LACUNA COIL, CARCASS, PRONG, CHILDREN OF BODOM, SAXON, DECAPITATED, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, PRIMORDIAL, EVIL SCARECROW, ROTTING CHRIST, SISTER SIN, and SATAN. More bands and other cool things on site will be announced in the coming weeks. Watch the video trailer for BLOODSTOCK 2014, pick up your tickets and get excited about what’s in store!! You can view it at: http://youtu.be/xukFwVTNkZc

 

Tickets are available now priced £130 (plus booking fee) for a 4-day Thurs-Sun weekend pass with camping. VIP tickets and upgrades are also now available, as well as the very popular ticket deposit scheme, which helps make a ticket purchase a bit more manageable, breaking the payment over three months. Look up all the ticket options over at bloodstock.seetickets.com.

BLOODSTOCK will be held at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 7th-10th August 2014. Keep up to date with the very latest info on BLOODSTOCK’s official sites at www.facebook.com/bloodstock and www.bloodstock.uk.com.



Source : Cosa Nostra PR

The Sludgelord News : FOSSILS: Full Album From Danish Instrumental Maniacs Streaming At No Clean Singing

Flesh Hammer To See Release This Monday Via Indisciplinarian

 

Denmark's off-the-chain drums/bass duo, FOSSILS, is ready to provide their meaty sophomore LP, Flesh Hammer, this coming Monday, March 3rd.

FOSSILS' succinctly pulverizing Flesh Hammer is packed with ten precise, noisy, no-bullshit pieces of instrumental noise rock in twenty minutes, produced by Danish sound-enigma Q (Beta Satan, Entombed). The past several weeks saw FOSSILS careening on a rambunctious pre-release propaganda campaign which included virtually giving the entire album as in-studio videos one-by-one, as well as the release of a video filmed in an abandoned factory in Philadelphia after midnight where the band and album names were laser-etched onto a slab of beef jerky. Now, for their final swindle before the dropping of the Flesh Hammer, the entire album has been carved up and served over at No Clean Singing in one big old family-style helping for all to gorge upon, the open-all-day purveyor noting of the platter, "Fossils do create skull-splitting grooves, but they also generate a storm of hornet-swarm riffs that veer from feedback-drenched cacophony to some seriously spine-shaking rock 'n' roll. It's more than slightly unhinged - it's rude, raving, and radioactive."

Leave your utensils behind; get your hands dirty and feast on the Flesh Hammer right now, RIGHT HERE.

And just because the record is streaming now, doesn't mean you can't still scope out that gnarly laser vs. beef jerky episode with the "Filet Horizon" video playing HERE.

The bangin' Flesh Hammer wax -- limited to 300 copies on virgin black vinyl -- is shipping now! Order direct from the sole North American meatmarket carrying the Flesh Hammer, Earsplit Distro, right HERE or direct from Indisciplinarian web shop HERE.

The release Flesh Hammer will be celebrated with two Danish release shows, at Radar in Aarhus on February 28th and at Beta in Copenhagen, on March 1st. In the unconventional spirit of FOSSILS, these will not simply be "typical" release shows with the usual canapés and support bands, but instead an overload of awesome musical guests will be involved in each of the performances, not at least at the Aarhus gig where the program is quite overwhelming. Aarhus will see the resurrection of FOSSILS' old band, the local high-octane rock n' roll heroes, Studson playing a sweet set of oldies but goodies. Then FOSSILS will mutate into their own doom version, Slissof, covering an old Cola Freaks-classic with several guests from Cola Freaks, Rising and Studson. Hereafter, FOSSILS will perform Flesh Hammer from beginning to end, and finally the dynamic duo concludes the show when joined by numerous vocalists such as Jacob Bredahl (The Kandidate, ex-HateSphere) and Kim Kix (Powersolo) who will interpret various FOSSILS compositions from earlier releases. In Copenhagen FOSSILS will play a more straight-up set and special guests will be the aforementioned Studson and new local rock outfit, Weak.

FOSSILS Flesh Hammer Record Release Shows:

2/28/2014 Beta - Copenhagen, Denmark

3/01/2014 Radar - Arhaus, Denmark

"This here is well written yet chaotic buzzing and distorted bass and drum instrumental attacks bouncing off your skull in a jackhammer whir of snare hits and tom rolls, screeching noise and sped up Tool riffs. Insane cymbal work and especially addictive kick drum patterns... Show your teeth!" - Metal Riot

"My bobble-head was nodding by the time it ended (I'm talking about the thing that sits between my shoulders)." - No Clean Singing

"These Danish fellows are energetic and loud, and while they like to keep things short, they pack as much noise as they can into each and every track... Imagine The Jesus Lizard and Kylesa combined forces... Their music is loud and constantly shifting rhythms and tempos." - Media Snobs

http://www.meatrush.com

https://www.facebook.com/fossilsmusic

http://fossilsmusic.bandcamp.com

http://www.indisciplinarian.com



Source : EarSplit PR

The Sludgelord News : STONEBURNER RELEASE VIDEO TEASER FOR UPCOMING ALBUM, LIFE DRAWING

 

Sludge deviants Stoneburner today reveal their first audiovisual insight into the sounds that propel their forthcoming full-length, Life Drawing. Who better to visualise their desolate sludgy blues than Kenneth Thomas, director of Blood, Sweat & Vinyl, the captivating documentary about independent music, as told through the eyes of some forward thinking labels - including Neurot Recordings, home of Stoneburner.

This video teaser opens with a quote from A.A Milne whilst the lurching bassline of "Caged Bird" sets the scene. J.J. Shirey's dark artwork features prominently making sure our eye is cast over every part, until we are confronted with raw live footage of the band performing album highlight, "An Apology To A Friend In Need", replete with devastatingly heavy, magma-thick riffs and subterranean growls. Overall a great indicator of what we can expect from the upcoming full-length and something to keep us going as we edge closer to release date.

WATCH THE STONEBURNER ALBUM TRAILER

Recorded, mixed and produced by Fester at Haywire Studios, mastered by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering – both in Portland - and swathed in the visually abrasive cover art of J.J. Shirey, Life Drawing promises to hurl Stoneburner’s habitually chest-caving sludge mantras to entirely new realms of earth-deteriorating heaviness.

Life Drawing Track Listing:
1. Some Can
2. Caged Bird
3. Drift
4. An Apology To A Friend In Need
5. Pale New Eyes
6. Giver Of Birth
7. Done
8. You Are The Worst
9. The Phoenix

Stoneburner features a persuasive musical ancestry that winds through Buried At Sea, Buried Blood, Heathen Shrine and others. An array of talented individuals also contribute guest vocals including; Benjamin Caragol (Burials/Hang the Old Year), Joshua Greene (Bastard Feast, Ephemeros), and Krysta Martinez (Transient/Landmine Marathon).

Life Drawing will be unleashed via Neurot Recordings 14th April in the UK/EU . Stay tuned for further info.

http://www.facebook.com/Stoneburner.PDX
http://www.neurotrecordings.com
http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings

Source : Rarely Unable

The Sludgelord News : CARNIFEX | Band streams new album 'Die Without Hope' on YouTube

 

San Diego death metal outfit CARNIFEX are streaming their new album 'Die Without Hope' over on YouTube! Listen to the album in full, here:

Die Without Hope, was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida and produced by the esteemed Mark Lewis (ARSIS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, DEICIDE, SIX FEET UNDER). Cover art for the album was created by renowned artist and longtime collaborator, Godmachine. The recording also marks the introduction of new lead guitarist and longtime friend of the band, Jordan Lockrey.

Die Without Hope will be released on March 3rd, 2014 and is available for pre-order here: http://smarturl.it/CRNFX-DWH-NB.

Die Without Hope track listing:
01. Salvation Is Dead
02. Dark Days
03. Condemned To Decay
04. Die Without Hope
05. Hatred And Slaughter
06. Dragged Into The Grave
07. Rotten Souls
08. Last Words
09. Reflection Of The Forgotten
10. Where The Light Dies

Visit CARNIFEX online:
Like: www.facebook.com/CARNIFEXMETAL
Follow: twitter.com/CARNIFEX
Watch: www.youtube.com/CARNIFEXVEVO

Source : Nuclear Blast UK

The Sludgelord News : STEPHEN O MALLEY, OREN AMBARCHI & RANDALL DUNN CREATE SHADE THEMES FROM KAIROS

 

 

 

Shade Themes From Kairos is a new iteration of the dream for all the guitar freaks out there, bringing together a couple of singular players together, just to see what happens. In this case, the players were old friends and collaborators Oren Ambarchi and Stephen O'Malley, playing in a space engineered and co-populated by Randall Dunn.

The Shade album began in 2009, when Belgian filmmaker Alexis Destoop asked Ambarchi and O'Malley to score his short feature, "Kairos." Randall Dunn was their first and best choice to record and co-produce the music - and as the session progressed, all three men found themselves acting as a trio to bring the music. In the end, this album was made by a trio of players. Decamped in an old radio station in Kortrijk, Belgium, they filled a bare, stripped live broadcast room with the needed equipment as well as other amazing old pieces made available by the gearheads of the European lowlands.

With guitars, drums, analog synthesizers, vibes, crotales, Sruti box and a mellotron, deep emanations were evoked, while other spirits emerged from the old wooden sound panels in the room - the ghosts of music makers past? It will suffice to say that all who were there contributed something. The soundtrack was completed - but the vast space they'd discovered together required deeper investigation. Ambarchi, O'Malley and Dunn determined to go further with the music, reconvening back at Randall's ALEPH Studio in Seattle (now RIP), where further recording and mixing was done.

In the end, all the sites, people, instruments, rooms and distance, had come together to make a deep trip down varied paths in successful pursuit of the sound, realised once again, this time as Shade Themes From Kairos, by Oren Ambarchi, Stephen O'Malley and Randall Dunn.

To sythesise the mood of the music, artwork was commissioned from the Russian symbolist Denis Kostromitin, who provided astonishing visuals that matched the mutations of the album.

 

TRACK BY TRACK NOTATION...

From the top, Shade Themes From Kairos is resonant as a collective inquest in sound, with all the players deeply immersed within the panorama they are creating. "That Space Between" blows in from a distance, rolling rhythmically, with synthetic percussion chattering, before it settles into a stately pace, as the guitars wind ethereal around the procession. Under the beat lies always space, and as the cadential clusters drift off, metal chimes and keys sputter and dig deep and clean through the abyss.

"Temporal, Eponymous" shines with guitar distortions and drum explosions, combining to create a tonal fugue state that swells as it loops around, climaxing with the thrill of guitars and drums crashing forward as waves of mellotron suddenly burst from their belly.

"Circumstances of Faith" dawns dark and damp, with electric waves and flashes of analog synth, stark yet sinuous, an environment growing into our ears. More frantic drums from Ambarchi swing into the picture, joined by Tor Deitrichson's tabla, in best Badal Roy fashion, while the guitars ascend the path to self-destruction and plunge everthing over the edge into pure nothingness.

From the mist comes the ruminative piece "Sometimes," featuring Ai Aso on vocals amidst brushed drums, cutting through a web of acoustic and electric guitars.

For the finale, the cleansing call of electricity is summoned, as the guitars of Ambarchi and O'Malley arc and drone, slowly passing through a profusion of moods and moments, leaving the listener purified at the foot of the "Ebony Pagoda." What a passage it has been!

TRACK LISTING:

1. That Space Between
2. Temporal, Eponymous
3. Circumstances of Faith
4. Sometimes
5. Ebony Pagoda



Source : Rarely Unable

The Sludgelord News : ORBWEAVER: Exploratory Death Metal Behemoths Issue Winter Tour Update

 

 

Florida exploratory death metal behemoths, ORBWEAVER, recently waged audio Armageddon upon the US with a twenty-date run of live takeovers alongside fellow Sunshine State sludge slingers, Shroud Eater.

Relays guitar demoness, Sally Gates, from the van, "The 'Wintour' has been excellent so far. We've had a great response at all the shows and some very generous hospitality. A couple of highlights from the road including stopping in New Orleans in the lead up to Mardi Gras. We had a massive sci-fi-themed parade go right past the venue. There were even Dr. Who costumes and floats! We also had an archery challenge in Pensacola -- New Zealand vs Colombia vs USA. Scores are still being debated...It's great to be on the road with our good friends Shroud Eater, and the bonus of touring in the Winter is that the van still smells fresh! Thanks to everyone who's come out to our shows so far, and hope to see the rest of you on the road!"

ORBWEAVER is currently touring in support of their cranium-crumbling Strange Transmissions From The Neuralnomicon EP, released last Summer. Recorded at Miami's Pinecrust Studios with Jonathan Nunez of Torche and mixed/mastered with Brian Elliot at Mana Recording Studios (Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, Exhumed), on Strange Transmissions From The Neuralnomicon, ORBWEAVER travels far beyond conventional genre realms with a kaleidoscopic fusion of psychedelia, noise, and a distorted rendering of progressive death metal. Perpetually shape-shifting between these impulsive, trance-like elements, ORBWEAVER manifests interplanetary pandemonium reminiscent of a Zappa-esque brand of controlled and violently elegiac chaos. The unsung gem continues to win the approval of adventures fans and critics alike. In a perfect 5/5 review The New Noise boasts, "ORBWEAVER have definitely blended the right mix of atmosphere with the right mix of experimental technical death metal to make a listen that is superbly solid and second to none. Whatever you want to call this stuff, I definitely hope to hear more 'alien metal' in the future." Adds Metal Roos, "From the giant aliens on the EP sleeve, to the freak show, drug crazed blends of musicianship, this EP is an absolute ball-tearer..." Invisible Oranges commends the band's "twitchy, trippy tech death," while Sea of Tranquility, in a 4/5 rating, calls the head-scratcher of a record "big and oozing and unusual." Quizzical listeners are encouraged to check out Palm Beach New Times' recent interview series with Gates, guitarist/vocalist Randy Piro and bassist Jason Ledgard about their rigs, influences and obscure sonic handiwork HERE.

ORBWEAVER w/ Shroud Eater [remaining dates]:
2/26/2014 Eli's Mile High Club - Oakland, CA
2/27/2014 Frankie Teardrops - San Luis Obispo, CA w/ Hashmouth
2/28/2014 The Complex - LA, CA w/ Lightning Swords Of Death
3/01/2014 Yucca Tap Room - Phoneix, AZ
3/02/2014 The Trainyard - Las Cruces, NM
3/03/2014 Taqueria Pedritos - Dallas, TX
3/04/2014 Vino's Pizza And Pub - Little Rock, AR
3/05/2014 The End - Nashville, TN
3/06/2014 Chapel Hill Underground - Chapel Hill, NC
3/07/2014 The Maywood - Raleigh, NC
3/08/2014 529 - Atlanta, GA
3/09/2014 Burro Bar - Jacksonville, FL w/ Porter, Atma
3/10/2014 Fubar Downtown - St. Petersburg, FL w/ Landbridge, Ulcer, Cosm

Strange Transmissions From The Neuralnomicon was initially released in a limited run of 100 cassette tapes via Primitive Violence Records HERE and on CD direct through the band. The record is also available digitally via their official BandCamp page where you can bang out to Strange Transmissions From The Neuralnomicon in full at THIS LOCATION.

"Death metal weirdos like Gorguts and Obscura hook up with the unstable bent of Dysrhythmia and Psyopus for a sensory taxing good time." - Decibel

http://www.orbweaverband.com
http://www.facebook.com/Orbweaver.Official
http://www.orbweaver-official.bandcamp.com



Source : Earsplit PR

The Sludgelord News : CRADLE OF FILTH: Iconic Extreme Metal Ensemble To Release Total Fucking Darkness Demo On Vinyl This Spring Via Mordgrimm; Preorders Now Available

 

 

After more than two decades, Total Fucking Darkness, the infamous third demo from notorious UK extreme metal magicians, CRADLE OF FILTH, will be unleashed on gatefold double LP and digipak CD via Mordgrimm this Spring.

The undertaking was helmed by vocalist Dani Filth, former guitarist Paul Ryan (currently of The King Is Blind) and Cacophonous Records founder Frater Nihil, who first signed CRADLE OF FILTH, in an effort to bring fans old and new a remastered version of the demo along with material that had been sitting in the vaults for twenty years.

Given new life at Turan Studio in Oxford with the aid of engineer Tim Turan (who has worked on everything from Emperor to Thin Lizzy), Total Fucking Darkness commences with "Spattered In Faeces," the only surviving track from the now mythical Goetia sessions, followed on Side A and the rest of Side B with the recordings from the Total Fucking Darkness demo. Side C offers up another previously unreleased hymn with "Devil Mayfair (Advocatus Diaboli)," recorded in a rehearsal studio on Samhain 1992, followed by three more tracks from the same session, a further hint of the material that would have featured on the aborted Goetia album. Two short instrumental movements from former CRADLE OF FILTH keyboardist Ben Ryan are also included.

Housed in a heavy gatefold sleeve with paintings featuring the perverse visions of Radio 1 Presenter and occult artist, Daniel Carter, the legendary recording will be released in an initial mail-order edition of 666 copies, unleashed in an unholy trinity of three two-color, 180-gram vinyl variants limited to 222 copies each; orange/black, blue/grey and grey/black. Each copy includes a limited edition booklet with a foreword by Dani Filth and formerly unseen photos from the band archives. A retail version in blue vinyl with insert, and a digipak CD, will be available from Amazon and other outlets on May 5, 2014, with the limited edition version slated for release two weeks earlier.

Total Fucking Darkness Track Listing:

Side A

1. Spattered In Faeces

2. The Black Goddess Rises

3. As Deep As Any Burial

Side B

1. Unbridled at Dusk

2. The Raping Of Faith

3. Fraternally Yours, 666

Side C

1. Devil Mayfair (Advocatus Diaboli)

2. The Black Goddess Rises

3. Seance And Mandrake (Instrumental)

Side D

1. The Raping Of Faith

2. Unbridled At Dusk

3. Hekate Enthroned (Instrumental)

CRADLE OF FILTH's Total Fucking Darkness will drop on May 5, 2014 via Mordgrimm. Preorders are currently available at THIS LOCATION.

http://www.mordgrimm.eu

http://www.facebook.com/Mordgrimm

http://www.facebook.com/cradleoffilth



Source : EarSplit PR

Shrapnel - The Virus Conspires - Album Review

Album Type : Full Length

Date Released : 3/2/2014

Label : Candlelight Records

The Virus Conspires, album track listing :

1). Kingdom Come 02:45

2). Titan 03:49

3). Braindead 02:42

4). 22 04:22

5). The Virus Conspires 05:17

6). The Wake 03:57

7). Red Terror 04:02

8). The Watchers 03:57

9). Pseudocommando 05:16

10). Poison the Mind 03:34

11). All That We Know 04:02.

Bio :

Thrash metal has been pumping our veins full of hot adrenalin for the last three decades and regardless of commercial peaks and troughs, it continues to be the true fire that burns within heavy metal’s immortal heart. Exploding out from the deceptively genteel streets of Norwich, England, riff-wielding die-hards Shrapnel are one of the finest new bands to proclaim their devotion to keeping the thrash flame blazing.

Formed in April 2009, this five-man wrecking crew began their campaign of destruction disgusted with the lack of a vibrant local metal scene. Driven to provide what few others seemed to be doing, Shrapnel pooled their myriad influences and came up with a sound that revolves around formidable core of pure-to-the-bone thrash and speed metal, but that never fails to keep one eye on the future of the genre too. Proudly citing the likes of Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Exodus as influences, the band have also assimilated elements of everything from traditional heavy metal to modern death metal. The result is a thrilling lesson in neck-wrecking sonic violence

The Band :

Adam Reed | Bass

Simon Jackson | Drums

Nathan Sadd | Guitars (Lead)

Chris Martin | Guitars (Rhythm)

Jae Hadley | Vocal

Review :

Whoa.

Whoa.

Whoa.

Was that Tom Araya I just heard? What? No? What d’you mean no?! It’s actually Jae Hadley, vocalist for Norwich-based thrash band Shrapnel? And they’ve just brought out their brand new album ‘The Virus Conspires’, and it’s a heavy-duty mallet of thrash aimed straight for your jaw? Hellfire: step back Big Four, and give these guys the spotlight for a minute, would ya? Cheers.

Seriously, Jae Hadley voice on this album sounds so much like Tom Araya it’s almost spooky. Add to this the frenzied stylings of guitarists Nathan Sadd, Chris Martin and bassist Darryl Abbot, along with the full-throttle power of drummer Simon Jackson, and you’ve got yourself a veritable musical onslaught at hand. I wonder if the CD of this come encased in its own patch-adorned denim jacket and bullet belt?

Off the bat, this record decides to hit the ground not only running, but churning up divots as it hurtles along its destructive metal path. All through this album the pace, the intensity and the sheer audio violence does not let up at all: from the booming, barnstorming beginning of ‘Kingdom Come’ to the ripping, shredding finale of ‘All That We Know’, it’s pedal to the metal thrash, painted Race car Red and nitro-injected.

For those that would like to know my highlight track, I have not one, but two. First of these is ‘Braindead’, a spiky, sneering riff that slams into vicious blast beats and howling vocals. The sheer thrashing nature of this track deserves any metal head’s attention: ‘Braindead’ is here, and you have been duly warned. The second pick of the bunch of big bad apples is ‘Pseudocommando’, an insidious little beastie that slinks and slithers with a prowler’s intent, before unleashing its switchblade ferocity upon you. Its chugging main riff is reminiscent of Megadeth’s ‘Peace Sells’, but with a jolt of Slayer’s ‘Dissident Aggressor’ spiked into the cocktail. Intake this vicious sonic brew at your own discretion.

Shrapnel have a neck-snapping quality to their music that makes it damn near impossible to listen without banging your head as much as you humanly can. ‘The Virus Conspires’ is a benchmark in new thrash metal, and is a vital addition to any and every thrasher’s collection. When Shrapnel hits you, it will leave its mark on you forever.

Words by : Chris Markwell

You can buy it here

For more information :

http://www.facebook.com/ShrapnelOfficial

Interview with SWAMP MACHINE

The next band I have been given the chance to interview are about to release their brilliant début album – MONDO MAGIC – and it's a fucking blast of insane styles and riffs.

I am interviewing the awesome and mighty – SWAMP MACHINE – who is a band you will be hearing a lot more from in the next twelve months or so.

Newly signed to ace record label – When Planets Collide – Mondo Magic is going to blow your whole world apart. It's style of Sludge, Southern Metal, Doom, Space Rock and Stoner Metal will have you rocking out in years to come.

We recently said this about the album.

“Your ear canal is overflowing with 10 tons of crematory sludge. To mitigate the damage the Swamp Machine cools down it's steamy, stony stroke with a soothing instrumental lullaby. After one full cycle Swamp Machine proves it's got the horsepower to manipulate the mind and scarify the soul. Heavily tripped out southern sludge at its finest. Welcome to the Swamp Machine..”

Welcome to the Swamp Machine indeed. Lets see what these heavy space riffsters have to say to us here at Sludgelord HQ.

Q1 – Hi guys. Thanks for doing this. Really appreciate you talking to us here at Sludgelord HQ. Congrats on your début album. What a brilliant album it is.

Thanx man! You’re welcome. It turned out pretty sweet indeed!

Q2 – Can you give our readers a brief history on how your band came about and where it is today.

Well you know… In the beginning we were just a bunch of stoners listening to classic bands like Kyuss, Soundgarden, psychedelic stuff like Pink Floyd… Started a band… Broke up… Begun a new, heavy-er band, and there you have it! The beginning of the mighty Swamp machine! Our hangout spot where we used to rehearse and play jams was lying opposite to some kind of swampy lake, that’s were we got our name from.

Q3 – So you have read our review of your album. In your own words, can you tell people what to expect when the album is finally released.

Haha! Being worshippers of the mighty riff, off course some heavy riffing! But we always try to throw some rhythms in the mix that are less logical, you know, not like 1-2-3-4. Besides that we’re always trying to create some kind of atmosphere in our songs. Like a picture you see in a dream or a trip… Always searching for the borderlines between fuzzed-out guitars and spacey sounds…

Q4 – Was it an easy or hard album to write and record for.

The recording of the album was pretty straight-forward. We played the basis track (guitar, bass, drums) live in one or two takes, then filled it up with some solo’s and overdubs and of course the vocals. That way you have the most organic feel to the songs. Maybe there are some minor flaws but hey, that’s the way they did it back in the seventies right? So it’s good enough for us! Its all about the ‘feel’.

Q5 – How would yourselves describe your sound. Doom, Psychedelic, Stoner, Heavy Rock, Southern Sludge. As you guys have included lots of great noises and riffs to impress people with.

I think you summed it up pretty much, yeah. I don’t know, ‘70’s-influenced psychedelic stoner-doom-rock. How ‘bout that!

Q6 – Are you pleased with the final version of the album that is currently out there. Would you change anything about it.

No man it’s perfect! We’re very proud. This is how we sound when we play live, but with an extra sauce of studio-goodness poured over it!

Q7 – How did you hook-up with When Planets Collide to release your début album.

Mr. Gareth Kelly from WPC came across some recordings we did ourselves that were going around on the internet, and he liked it. He wanted us to come to London to play on the Winter Warmer Weekender (doom-stoner-sludge festival) so yeah, that’s how things started rolling.

Q8 – What is the song writing process in the band. Is it a group collective or is it down to one individual.

Almost all our songs evolve from jams in our rehearsal room. We put some stuff together, write some new things, write lyrics… Sometimes a song can be written in a few evenings; sometimes it takes a few weeks. Aghori Ritual for example has had a lot of different shapes before we finally decided this was how it was going to be. Skull was much easier. That one just blasted out of our amps almost instantly.

Q9 – Which musical bands and artists influenced you as musicians.

Anything from 70’s hard rock to stoner rock, blues, metal, doom, grunge, psychedelia… To much to say. You know, since there are things like the internet and Spotify, you come across so much great new music and great new bands… Every day I hear some great new music that is a great influence to my own playing.

Q10 – Do you have plenty of opportunities to gig around in your home town or do you have to travel further afield to perform regular.

Haha we come from a little village in the middle of friggin’ nowhere, so we have to travel a lot to play. But that’s OK. As long as we can play its all good!

Q11 – It seems the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Scene in The Netherlands starting to gain a lot more exposure thanks to a certain music festival called Roadburn. And great bands such as Komatsu, yourselves, Menhir, Dresden/Leningrad and Monomyth to name but a few. How is the scene in your home country. Is it thriving or could it do with more publicity and promotion.

I think the scene doing quite nice here in The Netherlands. But its hard to get some good gigs outside of The Netherlands when you are a beginning band. Some extra publicity and promotion is always welcome of course. The internet plays an important role in that, too.

Q12 - What is your verdict on the whole crowd-funding scene currently going on. Are you a fan of this medium and would yourselves ever go down this route.

I guess it works for some bands. I don’t know. We have a more DIY-mentality.

Q13 – What albums are currently rocking your world. Any recommendations you can give to our readers.

Listening to Om- Pilgrimage right now. Classic!

Q14 - If you could give any advice to someone wanting to start a band. What helpful advice would you give them.

Contact mister Gareth Kelly.

Q15 – In 5 words or less what is the live SWAMP MACHINE experience like.

Loud. Fuzz. Energy. Sweat. Beards.

Q16 – We are massive Vinyl Heads here at Sludgelord. Are you Vinyl Fans yourselves. Is there a chance your album maybe released on Vinyl in the future.

Yes off course we are lovers of the black circle. If we can get the fundings together there will be vinyl. But its gonna take some time (or some help from a record company)…

Q17 – What things do like or hate the most of being in a band. And what would you do to change things if you had the chance to.

Like – Playing live, jamming, being creative, writing and recording music…

Hate - Driving the van, dragging around equipment. Business stuff. But we’re getting people to do that for us.

Q18 – What can people expect from Swamp Machine in 2014. Apart from the new album obviously. 

Anything exciting you like to tell your fans.

Doing a lot of great gigs and festivals. Swamp Machine is also looking to make a video clip. Maybe make some live-recordings or a split EP. And... We’re trying to put a little tour together. So Ye’ be hearing from us!

Q19 – Thanks for talking to us. Do you have anything to say to your fans.

Buy our CD. Take drugs. Be happy.

Thanks to Swamp Machine for talking to us here at Sludgelord HQ. Best of luck with your new album.

Check The Band From Links Below

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Written by Steve Howe