April 23, 2013

Ufomammut Head Out on the Road in Support of ORO

Italian supernatural sludge sorcerers Ufomammut hit the road again in support of their Neurot Recordings debut LP, ORO - which was released in two parts Opus Primum and Opus Alter in 2012. The tour begins in Frankfurt tomorrow and will also take in London's Desertfest and culminates at Poland's infamous Asymmetry Festival.


The band's sixth full-length boasts the most gargantuan and expansive material the trio have constructed to date. As with all previous Ufomammut albums, the concepts behind ORO are multi-faceted, mutating the Italian palindrome which translates to "gold" with the Latin translation of "I prey." ORO explores the concept of knowledge and its power; the magical stream controlled by the human mind to gain control of every single particle of the world surrounding us. ORO is the alchemical process to transform the human fears into pure essence; into Gold. Although ORO's two chapters were released months apart from each other, they must be considered as a single track in which the musical themes and the sounds appear and reappear, mutate and evolve, progressively culminating in the crushing final movement. ORO is an alchemic laboratory in which substances are flowing, dividing and blending themselves in ten increments from the alembics and stills, culminating into the creation of Gold.



Check out more video footage of Ufomammut's previous live events on the band's website here.

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To purchase ORO - Opus Primum or Opus Alter on CD or LP, or other Ufommamut merchvisit the Neurot Recordings Store here, or Ufomammut's own Supernatural Cat Records store.
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"You don't get to be called space-doom without being pretty out-there as it is, but even by Ufomammut's standards, the opening track of the Italian trio's sixth album is a surprise. Charting the point equidistant between Pink Floyd, Vangelis and LTJ Bunkem, Empireum sounds like the lost broadcast of an ancient alien civilisation (one that has a penchant for doom metal, obviously) Things get more grounded with the churning, planet-sized riffs and death-march drumming of Aureum and Infearnatural - but, in the background, distorted chants, wails and radio inference accompanied by swaths of analogue, and unsettling, unearthliness. With a sprinkling of melody here and there, Ufomammut are smart enough to know that, when it comes to heaviness, it's all about dynamics: when to leave a listener floating weightlessly, and when to set the controls for the heart of the sun. Apparently, this is just the first instalment of a two-part suite. It looks set to be a fantastic voyage. Truly cosmic." - 4/5 REVIEW GUARDIAN FILM AND MUSIC

"While it’s normally a bit of a daft but understandable practice marking albums out of ten, it simply won’t wash with UFOmammut, an insanely heavy Italian spacerock trio who have recently signed to Neurosis’ label. If you were to walk out of your front door and notice that buses, trains and tower blocks were being sucked into a supermassive black hole overhead there wouldn’t be any point in ranking it using the pitchfork system or awarding the interstellar gravity aberration a thumbs up, thumbs down or a middling hand waver because it simply exists in a higher realm of awesomeness." - VICE - ∞/10 REVIEW

"ORO has proved that the band also excel through similarly gargantuan scales of duration and depth" - ROCK A ROLLA

"Psychedelic metal in which the sound leaps from minimal guitars to maximal sludge noise" - 4 STAR Q REVIEW

"Opening out the grinding space junk of Opus Primum to reveal an ascending metal beast inside" - 4 STAR MOJO REVIEW

"Amazing stuff, whether it's riffs you're seeking or something more transcendental" - 8/10 ROCKSOUND

"Devastating post metal monster of an album full of head-spinning psychedelia…massive grooves and riffs" - 4/5 TERRORIZER

"All we puny humans can do is prostrate ourselves and give offerings to the mighty powers poised to bring about our extension. Oro feels like such an offering." - WIRE


April 16, 2013

IRON TONGUE: Exclusive Track Premiere Hosted By The Obelisk

Today the rock ‘n’ doom derelicts at The Obelisk bring forth “7 Days,” the first official track premiere from Arkansas southern rock rabble-rousers IRON TONGUE. The tune comes by way of the band’s forthcoming The Dogs Have Barked, The Birds Have Flown debut. Produced by renowned audio sage Billy Anderson (Melvins, Sleep, Neurosis, etc) at IRON TONGUE guitarist Jason Tedford’s Wolfman Studios, the seven track offering is set for release via Neurot Recordings on May 27th in Europe and May 28th in North America.

Fronted by Chris “CT” Terry, the founding frontman of sludge legion Rwake, IRON TONGUE formed when a group of veteran players with diverse musical backgrounds found a common interest in the need to get down and dirty and way, way gone. Featuring CT alongside guitarists Jason Tedford and Mark Chiaro, bassist Andy Warr, drummer Stan James, keyboardist JR Top and backing vocalist Stephanie Smittle, IRON TONGUE offer up a thick, soulful blend of girthy, heavy-amped, blues-based rock. IRON TONGUE aren't singing of magical moonlit escapades. These are songs of true hurt, regret and despair reminiscent of everything from the proto-metal stomp of Blue Cheer and Grand Funk to the darkest hours of Kiss, Deep Purple, Buddy Guy and ‘Skynyrd.

Comments The Obelisk: “…the album…makes no bones about establishing its own context and working on its own merits in establishing an atmosphere and constructing a genuine sonic breadth out of slow riffs, organic production, Southern woes and heaviness that goes beyond the tonal. As a piece of the whole, I think ‘7 Days’ represents these aspects well.

Adds Stan James of the number: “‘7 Days’ is one of the first songs we wrote when we started… It’s one of our favorites and we’re glad to give everybody a sample of the album before it comes out. We’ll have another up for everybody soon!”

Hear “7 Days” at THIS LOCATION NOW.

In related news, IRON TONGUE will bring the power of the riff to the stage with a handful of local shows beginning April 26 with additional dates to be announce in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

IRON TONGUE Live Dates:
4/26/2013 White Water Tavern — Little Rock, AR w/ Paleface, Prizehog (*IRON TONGUE acoustic set)
5/06/2013 Downtown Music — Little Rock, AR w/ Order of the Owl, Enchiridon
5/12/2013 Private video shoot and live studio recording/cookout — Little Rock, AR (Contact C.T. on Facebook if you can’t stand not being there.)
5/28/2013 M.F. Music — Bryant, AR w/ J. Baker (*IRON TONGUE acoustic set)
5/31/2013 White Water Tavern – Little Rock, AR IRON TONGUE Record Release Show

“a solid slab of balls to the wall shameless rock, with a power and an edge and soul that rarely exists in music today,” — Neurosis’ Steve Von Till

April 12, 2013

AMENRA Roadburn Appearance & EU Tour Fast Approaching!

As AMENRA's hotly anticipated European tour approaches they have unleashed this unsettling and mysterious visual trailer which leaves questions hanging in the air - unanswered, and suggests some powerful force at play.


AMENRA are themselves a powerful force, who can leave audiences stunned into silence, as the intensity of their live performance lingers long after they have left the stage. Check out the full listings below, and please note that there have been many new additions.

AMENRA 2013 LIVE SHOWS

FRI 19/04 : ROADBURN FESTIVAL-013 PATRONAAT, TILBURG
EU TOUR 2013
4/25/2013 Glazart - Paris, FR w/ TBHR
4/26/2013 Epicerie Moderne - Lyon, FR
4/27/2013 Bronson club - Ravenna, IT
4/28/2013 Traffic live club - Roma, IT
4/29/2013 Lo fi club - Milano, IT
4/30/2013 Gaswerk - Winterthur, Swiss w/ Syndrome
5/01/2013 Arena - Wenen, AU w/ Syndrome
5/02/2013 Feierwerk - Munchen DE
5/03/2013 Conne Island - Leipzig DE w/ Syndrome
5/04/2013 Centennial Hall - Wroclaw, Poland @ Asym.Fest
5/05/2013 Bi Nuu, Berlin DE w/ Syndrome

WED 08/05: DE CASINO, SINT-NIKLAAS BE
SUN 26/05: STUK, LEUVEN BE w/ Oathbreaker

SAT 01/06: FORTAROCK XL, NIJMEGEN NL w/ Motorhead

FRI 12/07: ROCK HERK, HERK DE STAD, BE
SAT 27/07: SUMMER DARKNESS, UTRECHT NL

SAT 10/08: IEPERFEST, IEPER BE w/ Black Flag

FRI 06/09: VOLTA CLUB, MOSCOW RU w/ COR
SAT 07/09: ARKTIKA, ST PETERSBURG RU w/COR


In other news, AMENRA are recording right now at Hearse studio for a release that will see the light of day in early summer. people should keep a close eye on Facebook or www.ritualofra.com.

The band have also made this limited 'Pater Noster' (see image to the left), that in fact is a custom wooden AMENRA rosary plus a COR flash drive containing the unreleased audio they are currently recording. CHVE comments "we initially started off from the Mass V album, and let it have it's way with us. We worked, reworked, processed and recorded extra layers and textures to this new ambient 'Messe'" - so there you have it! The drive will also include unseen live video footage (AB V releaseshow etc.), visuals, writings and plenty more. They're currently working on new videos and artwork with Jeroen Mylle to support the whole project. More information and exact release date will be revealed in good time. For more information, visit their official page, here.



April 5, 2013

Steve Von Till's Debut Solo Album, 'As The Crow Flies'

Photo by Niela Von Till
For thirteen years now, the Neurot Recordings family has not only survived, but has thrived, especially in recent years, the label’s flourishing roster of forward-thinking artists constantly expanding. Amidst releases from internationally-renowned acts Ufomammut, Isis, Shrinebuilder and of course Neurosis, the clan has also aided in exposing impressive acts from the more underground corners of the scene including Across Tundras, US Christmas, Ides of Gemini, Oxbow, A Storm of Light, Amenra and others. Along the way the members of Neurosis, founders of Neurot, have also spawned an incredible lineage of solo recordings, performances, and joint collaborations amongst themselves and with a close-knit band of other dedicated artists.

Marking the origin of Neurot Recordings was one seminal release which has remained out-of-print for years, but As The Crow Flies -- the debut solo recording from Neurosis’ STEVE VON TILL — will soar once again this Spring, as the label prepares a reissue of this seminal outing. This nearly forty-five minute composition bore a vast contrast to Neurosis’ massive, plodding riffing and percussion, instead feeling more like a mental excursion into the outer realms of consciousness; an ambient, eclectic, organic and overall honest harvest from the mind of its creator.

Bearing updated artwork and packaging, Neurot will unveil a 2013 reissue of As The Crow Flies in Europe on May 13th and in North American on May14th, precisely thirteen years since its initial release.

As The Crow Flies Track Listing:

1. Stained Glass
2. We All Fall
3. Remember
4. Warning of a Storm
5. Twice Born
6. Midheaven
7. Shadows in Stone










April 3, 2013

IDES OF GEMINI Announce Additional Live Dates; Haze Over North America Tour With Ghost B.C. To Commence Later This Month, Band To Unleash New 7”

Los Angeles’ favorite trance-inducing doom weavers IDES OF GEMINI are pleased to announce additional live rituals this Spring, further spreading their ethereal hymns to unsuspecting souls throughout North America.

The supplementary dates come in the midst of their slot on the Haze Over North America tour opening for cult metalists, Ghost B.C., and will include Demon Lung, Boris and Deafhaven on select shows. See the updated itinerary below.


In related news, IDES OF GEMINI will release a new 7” entitled Hexagram 45. Fittingly set to drop on Record Store Day April 20th via Magic Bullet Records, Hexagram 45 features two new tracks: "Spectral Queen" and "Darkness At Noon." For more info, got to THIS LOCATION.

IDES OF GEMINI Haze Over North America Tour 2013 w/ Ghost B.C:

4/13/2013 Space 4 Art - San Diego, CA "
4/15/2013 El Rey Theater - Los Angeles, CA
4/16/2013 The Bunkhouse - Las Vegas, NV +
4/18/2013 Ogden Theater - Denver, CO
4/19/2013 Sunshine Theater - Albuquerque, NM
4/20/2013 Lost Leaf - Phoenix, AZ *
4/22/2013 Rocky Point Cantina - Tempe, AZ*
4/23/2013 Rialto Theater - Tucson, AZ
4/25/2013 The Regency - San Francisco, CA
4/26/2013 Wonder Ballroom - Portland, OR
4/27/2013 Showbox Market - Seattle, WA
4/28/2013 Shakedown - Bellingham, WA *
4/29/2013 Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
4/30/2013 Republik - Calgary, AB
5/01/2013 Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB
5/03/2013 Garrick Center - Winnipeg, MB
5/04/2013 Mill City Nights - Minneapolis, MN
5/06/2013 Opera House - Toronto, ON
5/07/2013 Corona Theater - Montreal, QC
5/08/2013 Theatre Petit Champlain - Quebec City, QC
5/10/2013 Royale - Boston, MA
5/11/2013 Webster Hall - New York, NY
5/12/2013 Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
5/13/2013 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
5/15/2013 Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI
5/16/2013 The Bishop - Bloomington, IN *
5/17/2013 St. Andrews Hall - Detroit, MI
5/18/2013 Mr. Smalls - Pittsburgh, PA
5/19/2013 Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH *
5/20/2013 Cobra Lounge - Chicago, IL *
5/21/2013 Zoo Bar - Lincoln, NB *
5/22/2013 TBA5/24/2013 The Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA #
* IDES OF GEMINI only

" IDES OF GEMINI w/ Author & Punisher

+ IDES OF GEMINI w/ Demon Lung

# IDES OF GEMINI w/ Boris, Deafheaven


IDES OF GEMINI will be touring in support of their transcendental doom masterwork, Constantinople. Released stateside via Neurot Recordings last Spring, Constantinople was fittingly commended by Outburn for its “depressing dynamics topped by ethereal wonderment,” and called, “…a dirg-y doom crawl of an album…,” by Decibel. Pitchfork crowned it, “darkly beautiful,” while MetalSucks applauded the offering noting, “Their accretion of small musical gestures inverts metal’s normal use of space. They imply terror without ever exposing it. Each song is an accumulation of outlines, a sort of sonic daguerreotype.” Spin agreed stating, “Processional doom, ethereal female harmonies and high-strung riffs incite head-bowing, not –banging,” while About.com noted: “…a proverbial treasure chest in terms of atmosphere, ideas and contrasting musical textures…original and breathtaking.” Purchase Constantinople at THIS LOCATION today!



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