The Sludgelord News: DESERT STORM confirm UK tour with Hang The Bastard

DESERT STORM have today confirmed that they'll be hitting the road with Hang The Bastard next month, on a short UK tour. The announcement follows the release of the Oxford riff-hounds' third studio album, entitled Omniscient.

The band commented: "We are stoked to be joining join Hang The Bastard on their UK headline tour next month. We've all been fans of them for a while now and we're sure it's going to be fun run of dates. Come along and catch us at a show!"

UK TOUR DATES SUPPORTING HANG THE BASTARD:

Mon 16 March     Liverpool - Shipping Forecast
Tue 17 March      Milton Keynes - Craufurd Arms
Wed 18 March     Sheffield - Corporation
Fri 20 March        Birmingham - Oobleck
Sat 21 March       Swansea - Sin City

The five piece band entered the studio in 2014, to lay down the tracks for Omniscient with Jamie Dodd at Flesh & Bone Studio, Hackney, before the producer - who counts Orange Goblin among his credits - returned to The Animal Farm studio in south London, where it was mixed.

The follow up to 2013's critically acclaimed 'Horizontal Life', which was mastered by Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Cathedral) was released on 26th January 2015. What may appear to the untrained eye to be a straight up stoner rock album, has a bluesy depth and at times veers towards a folk-tinged acoustic edge.  The band will be showing off their diversity on stage when they play Desert Fest in London this coming April, alongside the likes of Sleep, Red Fang, and Orange Goblin.

DESERT STORM will appeal to fans of The Sword, Clutch, Down and Torche. 'Omniscient' is their third album - their heaviest, yet most diverse release to date. The band have notched up many high profile support slots over the years, including tours with Karma To Burn and Nashville Pussy.

Omniscient is available digitally via iTunes, or via the Blindsight Records Bandcampdigitally or on CD. Vinyl will follow via Secret Law Recordings

Source: Pioneer Music Press

Find DESERT STORM on the internet:
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
WEBSITE
BANDCAMP
INSTAGRAM

The Sludgelord News: Damnation Festival 2015: First band announced, tickets now on sale

Swedish metal legends AT THE GATES will headline Damnation Festival in their only UK show of 2015.

The melodic death pioneers will top the Jagermeister Stage at Leeds University Union on Saturday, November 7.

The band said: "We are very happy to announce that At The Gates will be a part of the Damnation Festival 2015.

"Especially fun to be back on Yorkshire soil where it all started back in the day on Deaf/Peaceville Records.

"See you there folks!"

At The Gates are the first of 27 bands to be announced for the 11th instalment of the festival, which will have a reduced capacity this year to ease fans' concerns over congestion, following last year's sold out event.

Ticket prices will also be frozen at £36, as a thanks for the continued support from fans over the past decade.

Festival director Gavin McInally said: "We plan to, once again, deliver the best line-up of music the UK will see this year at a cost to our fans which is also unrivalled, and having At The Gates as our first announcement can be taken as a statement of our intent for 2015.

"Our capacity has been decreased, our ticket prices will remain the same and by the time we've completed our four stages of, we fully expect another sold out day of Damnation this November."

Tickets are available now from: www.damnationfestival.co.uk

The Sludgelord News: Doom Over London V: Latest additions to the one day doom fest

DOOM OVER LONDON has just announced the latest additions to their stellar line up for 2015. Death Penalty and Witchsorrow will join the bill for the event due to take place at The Dome, Tufnell Park on Saturday 4th April.

Now in its fifth year, DOOM OVER LONDON brings together both up and coming new bands, as well as long standing favourites - all tied together by a common thread of doom. For the first time, the event will take place in its new home at legendary north London venue, The Dome.

The current line up for the event is:
Asphyx - a UK exclusive for the Dutch legends, it will be their first time on British soil since their reformation.
Death Penalty - another exclusive; this will be the first UK show for the band that features ex members of Cathedral and Serpentcult.
Draconian -  a hypnotic soundtrack of apocalyptic proportions. First time in the UK.
Forgotten Tomb -  the band will be airing songs from their as yet untitled new album for the first time in the UK
Isole - Swedish doom by the bucket load, and with new album 'The Calm Hunter' just released, Isole are ready to return to UK shores.
October Tide - Formed as a side project by original members of Katatonia, October Tide perform the essence of death doom metal. First time in the UK.
Serpent Venom - Huge walls of achingly slow, punishing doom sets the tone.
Witchsorrow - a new album is expected later this year from this heavy, heavy doom trio.

More additions will be made over the coming weeks.  Stay tuned on the DOOM OVER LONDON Facebook and Twitter accounts for all news and information as it happens.

Early Bird tickets have sold out, but regular tickets are available to purchase here, priced at £29.50.

Source: Pioneer Music Press

The Sludgelord News: CASTLE unveil new video, plus European tour in the works



Heavy metal enthusiasts, CASTLE have today unveiled their brand new video for the track A Killing Pace. The song is taken from their most recent release, Under Siege, released via Ván Records earlier this year.

The dark and sinister video was filmed at The Trash Palace in Toronto, Canada, ahead of their run of Californian tour dates due to kick off this week.

Check out the video for A Killing Pace HERE.

Following a successful 2014, which saw the release of Under Siege and a seemingly endless cycle of tours that saw the band traverse the globe, 2015 is not showing any signs of letting up. CASTLE are already planning a return to Europe this spring/summer, with the first show already confirmed.

CASTLE will join the stellar line up on Ván Records' Acherontic Arts Fest - which will take place on May 1st, in Oberhausen, Germany - alongside Atlantean Kodex, Necro Deathmort, Vanderbuyst and many others. The finishing touches are being put to the remainder of the tour dates, which will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Consisting of eight tracks of riff-driven melodic metal, Under Siege -- CASTLE's third full-length release -- was released last year to stunning reviews. The Chicago Reader praised its "Iron Maiden-ish guitar leads (that) tickle like bloody claws", while A.V. Club lauded the album as the band's "most throttling full-length" yet.
 

Under Siege is available via the Ván Records webshop on CD or LP

For further information on the band, please visit:
facebook.com/CastleSF
www.heavycastle.com

Source:  Pioneer Music Press 

The Sludgelord News : Raging Speedhorn return to play Damnation Festival 2014

Raging Speedhorn return to play Damnation Festival 2014

Heavyweight UK metallers RAGING SPEEDHORN will reform with original vocalist Frank Regan for a special set - featuring tracks from their first two albums - at Damnation Festival.

The Corby bruisers will play through their back catalogue of sludge and crust classics from 'Raging Speedhorn' and 'We Will Be Dead Tomorrow' when they take the stage in Leeds on November 1, 2014.

The reunited group, who haven't played with original singer Frank Regan for almost a decade, join the previously announced headliners, Bolt Thrower, as the first bands confirmed for the four-stage metal event's 10th anniversary.

The band said: "We are really excited to be back playing again this year, and we're looking forward to laying waste to Damnation Festival as only the 'Horn know how!

"We are chuffed to see Frank making a return on vocals with John, and will be re-visiting some of our favourites from the first two albums."

Festival director Gavin McInally said: "Back in 2000, Raging Speedhorn's 'Thumper' derailed my nu-metal train, right into the path of Charger, Stampin' Ground, Sikth, Earthtone9 and many other fantastic UK bands who were grossly underrated... which ultimately led to the creation of Damnation Festival.

"It wasn't a coincidence that they were asked to headline our first event and to have them back all these years later - with Frank in tow - is pretty special.

"If scenes of complete devastation don't accompany the likes of 'Knives & Faces', 'The Hate Song' and 'Mandan' we'll be sorely disappointed."

Tickets for Damnation Festival are priced £36 and on sale NOW fromhttp://www.damnationfestival.co.uk , facebook.com/damnationfestival andhttp://www.leedstickets.com

Source : PioneerMusicPress

The Sludgelord News : TORCHE SIGN TO RELAPSE RECORDS CURRENTLY RECORDING FOLLOW UP TO HARMONICRAFT

Photo credit: Janette Valentine

TORCHE, the Florida-meets-Georgia quartet whose album Harmonicraft, was proclaimed “one of the strongest guitar-rock records 2012 will yield” by Alternative Press, have signed with Relapse Records.

“We’re looking forward to working with a label that has stood the test of time while continuing to expand their diverse roster.” Explained Jonathan Nuñez, adding, “Releasing this record on Relapse lined up pretty well since it contains some of the heaviest songs we’ve written to date.”

TORCHE are often cited for their masterful combination of melodic songwriting and heavy music, with Spin dubbing their music “sludge-pop” and Filter saying the band proves “a heavy-rock band can be optimistic and sincere-without sacrificing any of the edge.”

The band is currently recording at Pinecrust Studio in Miami, with Nuñez serving as producer and Converge’s Kurt Ballou mixing the album.  The as-of-yet untitled album is expected to come this Summer.

The band's 2012 7" entitled Harmonslaught can be streamed for free at the TORCHE Bandcamp.


Torche is: 
Steve Brooks - (Guitar/Vocals)
Rick Smith - (Drums)
Jonathan Nuñez - (Bass)
Andrew Elstner - (Guitar/Vocals)  

Torche are a band consisting of four dudes playing the loudest and heaviest hard rock on the planet.  Formed by vocalist / guitarist Steve Brooks in 2004 after the dissolution cult, sludge / stoner metal pioneers Floor, the group introduced the world to a refreshingly unique version of rock n' roll.  Torche have spent the last 10 years shattering ears and captivating crowds with their infectiously original heavy rock complete with soaring, harmonic vocals.

The band has released three full-lengths and a series of EPs / splits with such revered labels as Hydra Head, Robotic Empire, Volcom and Amensian and has toured relentlessly with a diverse pool of acts including Mogwai, Hot Water Music, The Sword, Isis and many more.  In early 2014 the band signed with renowned label Relapse Records and entered the studio to record their highly anticipated fourth full-length and follow-up to 2012's Harmonicraft.

For more information
www.facebook.com/torcheofficial
www.torchemusic.com
www.torche.bandcamp.com
www.relapse.com
www.facebook.com/relapserecordseurope

Source : Pioneer Music Press

The Sludgelord News : BOLT THROWER EXCLUSIVE FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY DAMNATION FESTIVAL

Death metal titans BOLT THROWER will play their only UK show of 2014 headlining Damnation Festival.

The Coventry quintet, who haven't performed on home soil since selling out London's Forum in 2012, will play the Leeds event on Saturday, November 1, in their only UK appearance for the "foreseeable future".

The one-off performance - which will also mark the first time Bolt Thrower have ever agreed to appear at a British festival - will be a highlight of Damnation Festival's 10th anniversary celebrations, with at least 26 more stunning additions to be added across four stages.

Vocalist Karl Willetts said: "Well, we always knew if we were ever going to play a festival in the UK, it would be Damnation Festival; as we've only heard good things about it from mates who've been, and other bands who've played it.

"So we’re chuffed our only UK show of 2014 - and the foreseeable future - will be Damnation’s 10th Anniversary Bash… Grind on.”

Damnation Festival director Gavin McInally added: "In 2005 we asked Bolt Thrower to play Damnation Festival and there hasn't been a year that's passed since that we haven't sent a hopeful enquiry their way so it's with massive relief and delight that we're able to announce our absolute first-choice headliner for Damnation Festival.

"The band are by far and away the most requested group for Damnation Festival so there could not be a more fitting start to out 10th anniversary preparations than to have Bolt Thrower topping the bill."

Tickets for Damnation Festival are priced £36 and on sale NOW from

www.damnationfestival.co.uk , www.facebook.com/damnationfestival and www.leedstickets.com

Source : Pioneer Music Press

The Sludgelord News : RELAPSE RECORDS SIGNS ATRIARCH

Photo credit: Orion Landau

Relapse Records is extremely proud to announce the signing of Portland, OR blackened death/doom quartet ATRIARCH.  Formed in 2009, ATRIARCH (Lenny Smith - Vocals, Brooks Blackhawk - Guitars, Maxamillion - Drums, Joe Wickström - Bass) have released two full lengths including Forever the End in 2011 via Seventh Rule (STREAM) and Ritual of Passing 2012 via Profound Lore (STREAM) plus a split with Alaric on 20 Buck Spin.

The band will enter the studio this June with famed producer Billy Anderson (Sleep, Eyehategod, Agalloch) to record their third full-length and Relapse debut which is sure to be their most ambitious and darkest album to date.  The group commented on the upcoming material:

"We are constantly evolving as artists and we want to do something new with each release. Having said that it will always be dark and heavy and honestly reflect how we feel. Atriarch is a manifestation of our catharsis."

and the signing:

"It is an honor to be joining the ranks of Relapse Records. We are truly privileged to be able to stand along side so many great acts as peers."
More details on the new album will be announced shortly."


Fore more information : 

ATRIARCH Facebook
ATRIARCH Bandcamp
Relapse Records Europe Facebook
Relapse Records Europe Twitter

Source : Pioneer Music Press

The Sludgelord News : Gadget Enter The Studio

GADGET. Credit: Scott Kinkade

Swedish grindcore powerhouse GADGET have entered the studio to record their long-awaited third full-length LP and follow-up to 2006's The Funeral March.  The band is currently holed up in drummer William Blackmon's The Overlook Studios self-recording and producing their first new material since 2010's split with Phobia.  Guaranteed to be 100% true grindcore, the 18 songs were written sporadically since 2009, with the majority of new material manifesting in 2013.  An autumn 2014 release via Relapse Records is expected.  Pics and updates on the recording process can be found via the band's official site here.

Guitarist Rikard Olsson commented: " Since it was so long ago we did an album it still feels weird and kind of unreal! It's early to exactly say what the outcome will be like but it's still the same four guys in the band, so it will be GADGET for sure. Perhaps a slightly more "old school" aproach to the songwriting (comes with age I guess...), but we still have our death and doomy sludge parts thrown in the grinder!"

William added: "It's definitely more "in your face" on this album - less death metal influenced, more old school grindcore. Plus the mandatory doom parts, as Rikard mentioned."


The band's previous material is available for streaming via their official Bandcamp page here.

For more information
www.gadgetgrindcore.tumblr.com
www.facebook.com/GadgetGrindcore
www.gadgetband.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/RelapseRecordsEurope 

Source : Pioneer Music Press