Friday, September 30, 2011

DOWN: ANNOUNCE( NOLA) HALOWEEN DATES



New Orleans, Louisiana based metal warriors DOWN have announced two HALLOWEEN dates in NOLA.

FROM DOWN: Come see Down in New Orleans on Oct 29 and 30!


October
29 - Southport Music Hall - New Orleans, LA
30 - Southport Music Hall - New Orleans, LA

November
11 - El Teatro - Buenos Aires, Argentina
12 - Maquinaria Festival - Santiago, Chile
14 - Starts With You Festival - Sao Paulo, Brazil
16 - Opinao - Porto Alegre, Brazil
17 - Master Hall - Curitiba, Brazil
19 - Vivo Cuervo - Mexico City, Mexico
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

OTEP: MORE DATES ADDED FOR FALL 2011 U.S. TOUR WITH EARTH CRISIS, CAVELERA CONSPIRACY and MOLDBREAKER



California metal warriors OTEP have announced more dates on the bands anticipated fall 2011 U.S. tour with EARTH CRISIS, CAVELERA CONSPIRACY and MOLDBREAKER.

FROM OTEP:

10/04 Dallas, TX – South Side Music Hall
10/05 Austin, TX – Emo’s
10/06 Houston, TX – Scout Bar
10/07 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
10/08 Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
10/09 Clearwater, FL – Gasoline Alley
10/10 Atlanta, GA – The Loft
10/11 Winston-Salem, NC – Ziggy’s
10/12 Washington, DC – The Rock And Roll Hotel
10/13 New York, NY – Best Buy Theatre
10/14 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
10/15 Trois-Rivieres, QC – Batisse Indusrielle
10/16 Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
10/17 Toronto, ON – The Mod Club
10/18 Syracuse, NY – Lost Horizon
10/19 Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
10/20 Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock
10/21 Dayton, OH – McGruffy’s House Of Rock
10/22 Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
10/24 St. Paul, MN – Station 4
10/25 Sauget, IL – Pop’s
10/26 Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
10/27 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
10/28 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
10/30 Farmington, NM – Top Deck
11/01 Pomona, CA – The Glass House
11/02 Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
11/03 San Francisco, CA – The Mezzanine
11/04 Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.011 REVIEW: AMON AMARTH: SURTUR RISING



BAND-AMON AMARTH (STOCKHOLM,SWEDEN) GENRE-DEATH/VIKING METAL LABEL-METAL BLADE RECORDS RELEASE DATE: 3/23/2011

PREVIOUS RELEASES (CATALOG): TWILIGHT OF THE THUNDER GOD (2008-METAL BLADE RECORDS),
WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE (2006-METAL BLADE RECORDS), FATE OF NORNS (2004-METAL BLADE RECORDS), VERSUS THE WORLD (2002-METAL BLADE RECORDS), THE CRUSHER (2001-METAL BLADE RECORDS), THE AVENGER (1999-METAL BLADE RECORDS), ONE SENT FROM THE GOLDEN HALL (1998-METAL BLADE RECORDS), SORROW THROUGHOUT THE NINE WORLDS (EP-1996-PULVERIZED RECORDS), THE ARRIVAL OF FIMBAL WINTER (1994-DEMO), THOR ARISE (1993-DEMO)

DVD's and COMPILATIONS: GREATEST HITS: HYMNS TO THE RISING SUN (2010-METAL BLADE RECORDS), WRATH OF NORSEMAN (DVD-2006-METAL BLADE), FATE OF NORMS RELEASE SHOWS (COMPILATION-SPLIT-2004-METAL BLADE RECORDS)



BEST RELEASE(S): WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE (2006), THE AVENGER (1999), TWILIGHT OF THE THUNDER GOD (2008), ONCE SENT FROM THE GOLDEN HALL (1998)

TRACK-LISTING: AMON AMARTH: SURTUR RISING:
01. War of the Gods
02. Töck’s Taunt – Loke’s Treachery Part II
03. Destroyer of the Universe
04. Slaves of Fear
05. Live Without Regrets
06. The Last Stand of Frej
07. For Victory or Death
08. Wrath of the Norsemen
09. A Beast Am I
10. Doom Over Dead Man
11. Aerials (*BONUS TRACK: SYSTEM OF A DOWN COVER)





ITP RATING: ****
PRODUCTION: ****
SONGWRITING: ****
PERFORMANCE: ****


Formed in 1992, AMON AMARTH are a Swedish death metal band featuring Viking and Nordic myth related lyrical themes.

AMON AMARTH took the bands name from (Sindarin) "mount doom” in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium.

AMON AMARTH merge brutal, melodic riffing with harmonies and vocalist Hegg's intense blackened/death roar as perhaps every Norse battle is documented lyrically.

Here we have AMON AMARTH's eighth studio release entitled "SURTUR RISING" on deck for review.

AMON AMARTH's "Surtur Rising" kicks off with the track "War of the Gods" an interesting fable about the (Norse) Vanir and Aesir Gods. "War of the Gods" features awesome guitar riffing (2:43) and brutal vocals via Johan Hegg.

AMON AMARTH's "Töck’s Taunt – Loke’s Treachery Part II" evokes a mid pace with, unconventional prog rock riffing and death vox. "Töck’s Taunt – Loke’s Treachery Part II" features quality songwriting and vocal variety as Hegg switches to black metal rasps (at 1:24) as the song extends into an acoustic interlude and back into the main riff. Quality songwriting.

AMON AMARTH's "Destroyer of the Universe" evokes a faster, thrash oriented pace combining melody and good quality vocals.

AMON AMARTH's "Slaves of Fear" toys with a typical prog rock riff before a back and forth interplay of quality melodic death metal intertwined with good song structure.

AMON AMARTH's "Live Without Regrets" is quality melodic death metal tune, "Don't despair, show no fear, live your life with no regrets", featuring quality death metal vox via Hegg.

Get out your viking history books and swords, AMON AMARTH's "The Last Stand of Frej" is slower tune, melodic and damn awesome.

AMON AMARTH's "For Victory or Death" is a mid paced quality Viking battle/fight song,
perfect for rowing you viking battle ship and a confident battle hymn for conquering your enemy.

AMON AMARTH's "Wrath of the Norsemen" evokes a mid paced, slow sludgy riff for starters before merging into a victim plea from a Vikings brutality.

AMON AMARTH's "A Beast Am I", evokes good and simple riffing a Midgard conceptual tune, as the tune closes with a beautiful acoustic guitar melody.

AMON AMARTH's "SURTUR RISING" closes with the tune "Doom Over Dead Man" evoking a slow mid pace with orchestral leanings, with an epic melodic chorus.

AMON AMARTH's "SURTUR RISING" also features a bonus track, a good EXTREME METAL cover of SYSTEM OF THE DOWN's "Aerials" (1:59 converted thrash riff) featuring quality death vox.

AMON AMARTH are one the most epic and conceptually interesting bands in extreme metal. Over the years, AMON AMARTH has stripped down the bands more brutal metal musical leanings for a slightly more melodic approach with prog rock influences.

AMON AMARTH's "Surtur Rising" is not "Surtur's" story nor about the war torn battles of Aesir and Vanir. AMON AMARTH's "Surtur Rising" is a more varied release both musically and lyrically as not every tune is a historical footnote of Viking battles.

While AMON AMARTH are not progressing musically, the riffs feel somewhat recycled offering no distinction from previous releases, the band does play tight evoking a near epic musical journey.

AMON AMARTH's "Surtur Rising" features a good consolidation of melody and mid paced heaviness as the epic battle tales weave a wondrous narration of Viking adventures. AMON AMARTH enriches and enlightens to a historical perspective, a Norse/Scandanavian pride of sorts, for a generation in an identity crisis.

As AMON AMARTH awaken the Norse Gods, thunder rolls from the sky as indeed the Vikings are victorious.

ITP RATING: ****
PRODUCTION: ****
SONGWRITING: ****
PERFORMANCE: ****

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Thursday, September 29, 2011

OBSCURA: ‎ ANNOUNCE NOVEMBER 2011 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR



German technical death metal warriors OBSCURA have announced a fall 2011 North America tour with ABYSMAL DAW, LAST CHANCE TO REASON and ENFOLD DARKNESS.

FROM OBSCURA: North American Headlining Tour with Abysmal Dawn, Last Chance To Reason & Enfold Darkness Announced!

Nov 05 Gramercy Theater New York, NY
Nov 06 Petit Campus Montreal, Canada
Nov 07 Hard Luck Toronto, Canada
Nov 08 Peabody's Cleveland, OH
Nov 09 Mojoe's Joliet, IL
Nov 10 Station 4 St Paul, MN
Nov 11 The Zoo Winnipeg, Canada
Nov 13 Louis' Pub Saskatoon, Canada
Nov 14 Pawn Shop Edmonton, Canada
Nov 15 The Distillery Calgary, Canada
Nov 16 Rickshaw Theater Vancouver, Canada
Nov 17 Branx Portland, OR
Nov 18 Studio Seven Seattle, WA
Nov 20 DNA LOUNGE San Francisco, CA
Nov 21 Key Club Hollywood, CA
Nov 23 The Clubhouse Tempe, AZ
Nov 25 The Marquis Theater Denver, CO
Nov 27 The Marquee Theater Tulsa, OK
Nov 28 The Rail Club Dallas, TX
Nov 29 White Rabbit San Antonio, TX
Nov 30 Warehouse Live Houston, TX
Dec 02 BRASS MUG Tampa, FL
Dec 04 Firestone Live Orlando, FL
Dec 05 Masquerade Atlanta, GA
Dec 06 Kingdom Richmond, VA
Dec 07 Sonar Baltimore, MD
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

TROLLFEST: NEW MUSIC VIDEO FROM NORWAY’S TROLLFEST + SECOND INSTALMENT OF FANS Q & A VIDEO SESSION



Norwegian black metal warriors TROLLFEST have unleashed a new video for the track
“Karve” from the band’s latest album “En Kvest For Den Hellige Gral”.

FROM TROLLFEST:
While we're on our way to Germany for the start of Heidenfest tomorrow we've left management with not one, but TWO new videos. The music video for "Karve" that we promised you and the new Q&A Video session. She's put then all one one news item, so here you go - video, music and the full tour schedule. Enjoy!

FROM TROLLFEST MANAGEMENT:
Norway’s TROLLFEST has today released a video for the track “Karve” from the band’s latest album “En Kvest For Den Hellige Gral”. Made by Manskow Productions, the video was filmed in Super 8, and shows scenes of the band performing at a neighbourhood barbeque in the company of family and friends, including members of PANTHEON I and DEAD TROOPER, as well as fans who had heard about the filming and turned up to enjoy the fun. As Manskow himself is actually TROLLFEST’s accordionist, Oslo-based Romanian photographer and writer Andrea Chirulescu assisted with the video, which can be seen below:
VIDEOS BELOW: TROLLFEST CARVE, TROLLFEST VS. FAN Q AND A:





“En Kvest For Den Hellige Gral”, was released on NoiseArt Records in April of this year, and since then TROLLFEST, whose line up drawn from bands such as URGEHAL, PANTHEON I, UNTIME, MELCH, SARKOM, HALLUCINATIONS and POWERSWORD has been sharing its particular brand of exuberance and fun with festival goers in Europe. With members who between them are able to play a selection of unusual instruments from a variety of countries which are more typically used in folk music, as well as the more standard instruments you would expect from a metal band, TROLLFEST manages to somehow blend folk music sounds from their native Norway and from the Balkans, with the sinuous and seductive melodies of the Middle East and lively Hispanic rhythms, all mixed in with a healthy dose of pure headbanging metal to produce what the band themselves define as “True Norwegian Balkan Metal”. TROLLFEST will hit the road on the 30th September as part of this year’s Heidenfest tour along with FINNTROLL, TURISAS, ALESTORM, ARKONA and SKÁLMÖLD. Tour itinerary as follows:

September
30 DE – Geiselwind, Music Hall *EXTENDED*
October
01 DE – Gießen, Hessenhallen *EXTENDED*
02 DE – Berlin, Postbahnhof *EXTENDED*
03 PL – Warsaw, Progresja
04 PL – Krakow, Studio
05 DE – Hannover, Faust
06 DE- Hamburg, Markthalle
07 DE – Stuttgart, LKA Longhorn *EXTENDED*
08 DE – Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle *EXTENDED*
09 NL – Tilburg, O13 *EXTENDED*
10 NL – Leeuwarden, Romein
11 UK- London, HMV Forum
12 FR – Lille, Aeronef
13 CH – Pratteln, Z7
14 DE – Munich, Backstage
15 DE – Leipzig, Hellraiser
16 BE – Antwerpen, Trix
17 DE – Lindau, Vaudeville
18 IT – Bologna, Estragon
19 SI – Ljubljana, Cvetlicarna Mediapark
20 HU – Budapest, Club 202
21 AT – Vienna, Arena
22 AT – Linz, Posthof
23 AT – Innsbruck, Hafen
*EXTENDED SHOWS + WINTERSUN + DORNENREICH + TODGELICHTER

The band has also released another part of their Q&A videos where fans are invited to send in their questions for the members of TROLLFEST who then answer them on video. You can see the latest instalment below:
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

KATATONIA: NEW ORLEANS, HANGER SHOW CANCELLED



Swedish metal warriors KATATONIA have regrettably announced that the bands show tonight at THE HANGAR, New Orleans, Louisiana is cancelled.

FROM KATATONIA:

It is with great regret to inform you of the cancellation of our "20th anniversary" headline show at The Hangar in New Orleans, LA this coming Sunday October 2nd. The extensive touring without any break of late has caused Jonas vocal chords to act up and with so many shows still to go on our current tour supporting our friends in Opeth we would be risking cancelling many more shows if Jonas lost his voice entirely during this way more challenging 2+ hours double set. We humbly apologize to our fans who were planning to attend and we promise to make it up to you soon, hopefully sometime next year.

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

ITP V.011: UPDATE: METAL NEWS FEATURES THIS WEEKEND

EDITORS NOTE: BTW, if you haven't noticed, ITP V.011 added FEEDJIT for live traffic feed AND a FAVICON.



ITP V.011 REVIEWS STILL PENDING:



9/29/2011-OPETH-"Heritage" (TONIGHT-OVERNIGHT)




ITP V.011 METAL NEWS FEATURES (VERY tentative schedule): (INSTEAD OF REVIEWS THIS WEEKEND, I'LL TRY TO GET THE NEWS FEATURES DONE, DEPENDING ON LIFE. ITP V.011 REVIEWS (HOPEFULLY, depending on mood and stability will return on weekends in early OCTOBER)..
DAMNED IN BLACK (BLACK METAL NEWS) coming up on SATURDAY, NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND will be posted on SUNDAY and HUMANITY IS DOOMED MONDAY. ITP V.011 THE ART OF DANCE TUESDAY.

Through everything I've been through, I've been very dedicated to writing and keeping ITP updated even if it meant using public access 'puters through some dark times in my life.
I can NOT express the dedication of ITP's READERS and thank them enough as ITP's readers are international from my homeland in the USA to Norway, to Australia, to South America, Germany, UK everywhere. ITP's author/editor thanks YOU the READERS, a mighty SALLLUTe and HAILS to you all for being dedicated readers. I would honestly be writing ITP even if no one read it, as an expression, but I must give the metal horns to ITP's readers as YOU INSPIRE ME.







ITP REVIEWS will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (time, mood and stability permitting).

It's time to get to WORK on ITP V.011, long hours as it will be.
Yes, I said I would do this late last year, and it is officially DONE. ITP's author JUST started an account for this blog on TWITTER. Again, I just started the ITP V.011 TWITTER account in JUNE, so it will take me a while to build a following and to follow others. Keep in mind I'm a NUBIE to TWITTER as I will have an secondary private TWITTER account for myself. I'm digging TWITTER already.
Do NOT add ITP V.011 if you're a phisher or SPAM BOT, because we hate that crap.

Look to the RIGHT of this journal (DISCLAIMER) for ITP V.011 anticipated weekly review schedule..
Please TWEET me your band news and tour dates @ITPV011, send me a bulletin or message to SWORDSANDGRAVES@MYSPACE or add me on MYSPACE, TWITTER or Individual Thought Patterns V.011 on FACEBOOK.
:Looks to the RIGHT of ITP V.011: I've also added ITP V.011 on a NETWORK of Extreme Metal blogs VIA FACEBOOK and BLOGSPOT entitled NETWORKED BLOGS (trying to fix the syndicate regarding NETWORKED BLOGS on FACEBOOK-hopefully by this weekend), hit me up for an add as I don't want to lose touch with my metal compadres and I want to meet new metal heads as I really do enjoy the extreme metal bloggers on BLOGSPOT and elsewhere on the net.
All bands on MYSPACE add me on Theresa Geteles FACEBOOK and I might even start a secondary FACEBOOOK account.
So please, all friends on MYSPACE for SWORDSANDGRAVES, ITP V.011 on FACEBOOK, BLOGGED, BLOGCATALOG and technorati.com follow ITP V.011 on TWITTER.
Follow ITPV011 on Twitter

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

TAAKE: RELEASE VIDEO FOR "Nordbundet"



Norwegian black metal warriors TAAKE have unleashed a official video for the track
"Nordbundet" from the bands new release entitled “Noregs Vaapen” unleashed 9/20/2011.

FROM TAAKE:
For everyone in the US who missed the announcement earlier today, here it is, the new video. Album out now on DARK ESSENCE RECORDS. North American release slated for 1st Nov. Limited ed copies signed by Hoest available now from http://svartekunst.bigcartel.com/
FROM TAAKE MANAGEMENT:
With the MCD “Kveld” released in April as a taster for the band’s fifth full-length album “Noregs Vaapen”, and with the album itself hitting the streets on DARK ESSENCE RECORDS on the 20th September in Europe, and a release date set for the 1st November in the USA, TAAKE has today released a music video for a track from the album. Directed by Torgeir Ness Sundli, the video, for song “Nordbundet”, is a mix of live footage of the band interspersed with scenes of the countryside around TAAKE’s home town of Bergen, which have been filmed by founder and front man Hoest, who also produced the video. Audio production is by Bjornar E. Nilsen and the video can be seen below.

“Noregs Vaapen” was a much anticipated release from the band that is now seen as one of the leaders of the Norwegian Black Metal scene. Whilst never losing TAAKE’s traditional sound and atmosphere with its icy riffs, its melodies redolent of Norway’s history, and distinctive vocals, Hoest has not hesitated to add a few twists that have taken everyone by surprise and kept the music fresh and original, including the use of the banjo on one track. The addition of guest appearances by some of Black Metal’s elite including Nocturno Culto (DARKTHRONE), Attila Csihar (MAYHEM), Demonaz (IMMORTAL) and Skagg (GAAHLSKAGG, DEATHCULT) as well as producer and VULTURE INDUSTRIES front man Bjørnar E. Nilsen have added a further dimension to “Noregs Vaapen”.

TAAKE will celebrate the release of the album with a special live set at Det Akademiske Kvarter in Bergen on the 30th September, and will then head out for a European tour in October with fellow Bergen Blackened Metallers BYFROST and the UK’s DONN THE PHILOSOPHY. Tour itinerary, including newly confirmed dates as follows:

October
14 – The Rock, Copenhagen (DK)
15 – Die Werkstatt, Koln (DE)
16 – Baroeg, Rotterdam (NL)
17 – Gloppe, Leeuwarden (NL)
18 – Biebob, Vosselaar (BE)
19 – Underworld, London (UK)
20 – Glazart, Paris (FR)
21 – Club 45, Zug (CH)
22 – Hellraiser, Leipzig (DE)
23 – Melodka, Brno (CZ)

More information about TAAKE can be found on the band’s website at http://taake.svartekunst.no/

The video for “Nordbundet” from the album “Noregs Vaapen” can be seen below:
The official video for the track "Nordbundet" from the TAAKE album "Noregs Vaapen" released on Dark Essence Records 2011. © Taake. Directed by Torgeir Ness Sundli, the video, for song "Nordbundet", is a mix of live footage of the band interspersed with scenes of the countryside around TAAKE's home town of Bergen, which have been filmed by founder and front man Hoest, who also produced the video. Audio production is by Bjornar E.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ITP V.011: STRAIGHT EDGE


I hate when people "assume" this and that, I don't put labels on people. I don't shove any lifestyle down anyones throat. In case you wanted to know I am NOT for the legalazation of drugs, "It's NOT something I need".. WTF? I have more respect for the "POSI" straight edge kids than you think, (although I'm not a fan of hardcore music) I do smoke cigarretes, dumbest thing I ever did, I like tea and coffee, so I don't consider myself completely straight edge. However, if I had a kid whom was into the lifelong commitment of straight edge culture, I would be very proud. It doesn't mean that life won't have it's peaks and valleys, but self destruction or drug abuse won't be the issue, right?

I'm very much for stem cell research, could help alot for people with brain disorders Alzheimer's, cancer ect.
LET'S MAKE STEM CELL RESEARCH LEGAL:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stem_cell_laws_and_policy_in_the_United_States



I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and fuck my head
Hang out with the living dead
Snort white shit up my nose
Pass out at the shows
I don't even think about speed
That's something I just don't need

I'VE GOT STRAIGHT EDGE

I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and smoke dope
'Cause I know I can cope
Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue
Always gonna keep in touch
Never want to use a crutch

I'VE GOT STRAIGHT EDGE

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-Stay EDGE

GOREGROWLERS BALL 2011: DREAMING DEAD CANCELS



Promoters for the 2011 GOREGROWLERS BALL set to take place NOVEMBER 18-20, 2011 @ THE KOROVA, San Antonio, Texas have announced changes in the festival lineup.

FROM GOREGROLWERS BALL PROMOTERS: For those keeping up, you all know we were at 58 bans booked for this amazing festival. When we had some trouble early on with the lineup, we were filling up slots with replacements, and by some strange turn of events, we were actually at 59 bands. WTF?!?! Recently INTERNAL BLEEDING had to be switched to Saturday, and I was looking for a band to switch with them for Sunday. Well due to some minor scheduling problems with jobs and not being able to tour to the fest, the band, DREAMING DEAD have been removed from the Ball. We are sad about this, as we are fans and friends to the band. We are talking about getting them back though for 2012. Thanks!

GOREGROWLERS BALL 2011 LINEUP:

SUFFOCATION *** (New York, Nuclear Blast Records)
BRUTAL TRUTH *** (Relapse Records)
HIRAX*** (California, Black Devil Records)
EXHUMED *** (California, Relapse Records)
GOATWHORE ( Louisiana, Metal Blade Records)
IMPIETY (Singapore, Agonia Records)
CEPHALIC CARNAGE (Colorado, Relapse Records)
INTERNAL BLEEDING (New York, unsigned)
DECEASED… (Virginia, Shrieks from the Hearse Records)
SOLSTICE (FL, unsigned)
MALIGNANCY (New York, Willowtip Records)
HAVOK (Colorado, Candlelight Records)
MAAX (Abyss Records)
LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR (Illinois, Southern Lord Records)
PUTRID PILE (Wisconsin, Sevared Records)
NOISEAR (New Mexico, Relapse Records)
NOKTURNEL (Texas, unsigned)
LECHEROUS NOCTURNE (SC, Unique Leader)
DREAMING DEAD (California, unsigned)
GRAVEHILL (California, Ibex Moon Records)
FUNERUS (Pennsylvania, Ibex Moon Records)
HELLWITCH (Florida, Xtreeme Music)
ROTTENNESS (Mexico, Sevared Records)
VOMIT GOD (Colorado, unsigned)
DEHUMANIZED (New York, Unsigned)
VIRAL LOAD (Texas, Sevared Records)
UNCLEANSED (Texas, Unsigned)
DERKETA (Pennsylvania, Necroharmonic Records)
ATROCIOUS ABNORMALITY (North Carolina, Comatose Music)
BLOODSOAKED +++ (North Carolina, Comatose Music)
CARDIAC ARREST (Illinois, Ibex Moon Records)
HOD (Texas, Ibex Moon Records)
SACRIFICIAL SLAUGHTER (California, Crash Records)
THE EVIL AMIDST (Florida, unsigned)
FACE OF OBLIVION (Minnesota, Comatose Music)
VORE (Arkansas, unsigned)
SEVERANCE (Texas, Sevared Records)
DROGHEDA (Ohio, Goatgrind Records)
DISFIGURED (Texas, Comatose Music)
MEATHOOK (Arizona, Sevared Records)
THE MEATFUCKERS (Mexico, Sex’n'Leather Productions)
FACE OF RUIN (Wisconsin, unsigned)
ENABLER (Minnesota, unsigned)
INFERNAL DAMNATION (California, HPGD Records)
PROLICIDE (Texas, Ossuary Industries Records)
INVIDIOSUS (Minnesota, unsigned)
SARGON (Florida, Old Cemetery Records)
EXTREMELY ROTTEN (Florida, unsigned)
LOCUSTA (Ohio, unsigned)
ENGAGED IN MUTILATING (Texas, Comatose Music Records)
EVISCERATED (Texas, Sevared Records)
BARING TEETH (Texas, Willowtip Records)
VOMIT GOD (Colorado, unsigned)
VEX (Texas, Horror Pain Gore Death productions)
VAGINAL BEAR TRAP (Texas,Ossuary Industries Records)
GUTSAW (California, Unsigned)
PILLCRUSHER (Texas, unsigned)
GOREMATORY (New Jersey, unsigned)
FUNERAL RITES (Texas, unsigned)
EMPERIAL MASSACRE (Texas, unsigned)
BLOWTORCH SODOMY (Florida, unsigned)
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Monday, September 26, 2011

MARYLAND DEATH FEST 2012: RUNNING ORDER ANNOUNCED



Promoters for the 2012 MARYLAND DEATH FEST set to take place 5/24-27, 2011 @ SONAR, Baltimore, Maryland have announced the running order of the festival.

FROM MDF 2012 PROMOTERS: Thursday, May 24th
AUTOPSY
AGALLOCH
EYEHATEGOD
DYING FETUS
DESASTER
RORSCHACH
NEEDFUL THINGS
DIE PIGEON DIE
EXTERMINATION ANGEL

Friday, May 25th

GODFLESH
NAPALM DEATH
ARTILLERY
NEGURA BUNGET
UNSANE
GHOUL
BLACK WITCHERY
MACABRE
DEMIGOD
TODAY IS THE DAY
MORGION
NASHGUL
CASTEVET


Saturday, May 26th

MORBID ANGEL
BRUJERIA
ANVIL
TSJUDER
WINTER
CONFESSOR
YOB
HORNA
ARCHGOAT
NOOTHGRUSH
HELLBASTARD
DEVIATED INSTINCT
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
INTERMENT
HAEMORRHAGE
LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER
DRAGGED INTO SUNLIGHT
OCTOBER 31
INFERNAL STRONGHOLD
BLOODY PHOENIX


Sunday, May 27th
ELECTRIC WIZARD
SAINT VITUS
SUFFOCATION
MORGOTH
DØDHEIMSGARD
SARGEIST
CHURCH OF MISERY
BETHLEHEM
UNANIMATED
DISMA
DEMONICAL
ULCERATE
RWAKE
THE DAY EVERYTHING BECAME NOTHING
COUGH
NAUSEA
COKE BUST
AGENTS OF ABHORRENCE
BACKSLIDER

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER: INK DEAL WITH CANDLELIGHT RECORDS




U.S. grind warriors RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER have nked a deal with CANDLELIGHT RECORDS as the band will unleash thier new offering “Ghostmaker” in the spring of 2011.

FROM RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER: “We are psyched to be on Candlelight. Right now we are in the studio working on our third and most intense release to date. This album promises to be the fastest, darkest, most relentless and insane album yet. It will contain some of the most bone-crushing, graveyard stomping, Frankenstein/Dracula/Wolfman hate-fuck riffage written thus far.”

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ARCH ENEMY: NORTH AMERICAN 2011 TOUR VIDEO UPLOADED



Swedish death metal warriors ARCH ENEMY have uploaded the bands 2011 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR video.
FROM ARCH ENEMY:
Follow Arch Enemy and their crew as they melt faces across Canada and the USA, on the North American leg of their World Khaos tour.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.011: "BULLYING IS FOR LOSERS"


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http://www.thetrevorproject.org/


PAWS and HORNS UP for Jamey Rodemeyer, RIP young man, but please, "Only One Per Coffin", I agree "Bullying is for Losers". Jamey Rodemeyer, from Buffalo, New York took his life last week after years of being the victim of anti gay bullying as his funeral was attended by over 500 people and more spiritually. Jamey Rodemeyer commited suicide at only 14 years old as he had so mutch more to offer this world.

FROM WGRZ:
Buffalo, NY - They came from all over Western New York and beyond. The majority of them never met Jamey Rodemeyer in person, but they will never forget his name and the tragic story that led to his death.

More than 1,000 people gathered in Allentown Sunday night for an anti-bullying "No Hate" march, and candlelight vigil. They came to let the Rodemeyer family know that they're not alone.

"We've just been deeply moved by Jamey's passing, and we're just adamant that this has got to stop, and it's not going to be a death in vain," said Jennifer Ward. She admits her own sister was bullied by her classmates as well.

Marchers came from every walk of life. High school and college students. Senior citizens marched as well. They all walked down Main Street with candle in hand. Some parents shared this experience with their children.

Arianna Morris is still in elementary school.

"No one deserves to get bullied and bullying is a terrible thing that goes on and on," said Morris.

The march ended a few blocks away at the Club Marcella. Several invited guests spoke out against bullying. Including well known same sex marriage activist Kitty Lambert Rudd.

"Not here in New York. We will not tolerate this."

Senator Mark Grisanti (R, 60th Senate District) also spoke out about the bullying problem. Taking a firm stand similar to the one he took supporting same sex marriage.

"If you feel like you're bullied you need to step up. You need to talk to your school. You need to talk to your parents," said Grisanti.

Jamey Rodemeyer's aunt Sue Haynes says the support for her and the rest of the Rodemeyer family was quite overwhelming.

"I would love to just say thank you to this group that started this. That's all I want to say," said Haynes.

Club Marcella, The Purple Door Project, and local Bank Of New York branches are collecting donations c/o "Friends of Jamey Rodemeyer." The money will be given to his family, or the charity of their choice.
FROM ABC NEWS.COM:
Police have opened a criminal investigation in the suicide death of Buffalo, N.Y., 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, who was bullied online with gay slurs for more than a year.

The teen's parents, friends and even Lady Gaga, who was his idol, have expressed outrage about what they say was relentless torment on social networking websites.

The Amherst Police Department's Special Victims Unit has said it will determine whether to charge some students with harassment, cyber-harassment or hate crimes. Police said three students in particular might have been involved. Jamey was a student at Heim Middle School.

Jamey had just started his freshman year at Williamsville North High School. (Both Amherst and Williamsville are just outside Buffalo.) But the bullying had begun during middle school, according to his parents. He had told family and friends that he had endured hateful comments in school and online, mostly related to his sexual orientation.

Jamey was found dead outside his home Sunday morning, but Amherst police would not release any details on how he killed himself.

"The special victims unit is looking into the circumstances prior to his death," Captain Michael Camilleri said. "We are not sure if there is anything criminal or not."

No bullying laws exist in New York State, according to Camilleri, so police would have to determine whether aggravated harassment charges fit this case. Whether suspects would be tried in juvenile court would depend on whether the alleged bully was 16 or older, he said.

Police said they had spoken with Williamsville School Superintendent Scott G. Martzloff, who has pledged the district's cooperation.

"We've heard that there were some specific students, an identifiable group of students, that had specifically targeted Jamey, or had been picking on him for a period of time," Police Chief John C. Askey told the Buffalo News.

Jamey sent out many signals on social networking sites that he was struggling with his sexuality, even though he encouraged others on the It Gets Better project website YouTube to fight off the bullies.

He killed himself this weekend after posting an online farewell.

Lady Gaga weighed in on the situation via twitter: "Bullying must become illegal. It is a hate crime," she tweeted.

"I am meeting with our President. I will not stop fighting. This must end. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey," the singer posted to twitter last night.


Gay Teen's Suicide Sparks Outrage Watch Video

Teen Suicide Prompts Anti-Bullying Summit Watch Video

Adolescents Driven to the Brink Watch Video

Students had been posting hate comments with gay references on his Formspring account, a website that allows anonymous posts.

"JAMIE IS STUPID, GAY, FAT ANND [sic] UGLY. HE MUST DIE!" one post said, according to local reports. Another read, "I wouldn't care if you died. No one would. So just do it :) It would make everyone WAY more happier!"

Friends reported the bullying to guidance counselors. But everyone, including his mother, thought he had grown stronger.

His death coincides with a national summit this week sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., an effort to stem the toll of bullying school children.

Speaking at the second annual Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Summit were the parents of Justin Aaberg, a gay 15-year-old from Champlain, Minn., who hanged himself after being bullied. The parents, Tammy and Shawn Aaberg, said that one form of the bullying came from a student religious group whose members told Justin that he was going to hell because he was gay.

"Justin was a smiley, happy boy who loved to play his cello," said his parents. "School systems need to do more to protect LGBT students from bullying, and not turn their back on them because of their sexual orientation."

Rodemeyer's suicide also sets off a somber beginning to LGBT History Month in October.

"Jamey's suicide is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of gay teens," said Malcolm Lazin, founder and executive director of the Equality Forum, which focuses on LGBT civil rights and education.

"They are bullied and marginalized," he said. "While some may say that Jamey took his life, it is unrelenting homophobia that murdered him."

Jamey's mother, Tracy Rodemeyer, who did not return calls from ABCNews.com, told the Buffalo News that her son had been questioning his sexuality and had expressed thoughts of suicide, but had also been encouraged by good friends and was a "happy" and "strong" teen.

Friends described him as caring and friendly, and he had been seeking help from a social worker and therapist.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 28 percent of students aged 12 to 18 reported that they were bullied in school during the 2008-2009 school year. Bullying also slows down as children get older from a high of 39 percent of all sixth graders to 20 percent of high school seniors.

The most overwhelming form of bullying is done through ridicule, insult and rumors, rather than physical aggression, according to the report.

The rate of victimization among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students has remained constant between 1999 and 2009, the latest date for which there are statistics, according to the National Climate Survey conducted by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

Parents and educators say they face significant challenges in stemming LGBT bullying, particularly at schools where there are fewer resources and support groups such as gay-straight alliances.

"We have seen some positive signs in available resources and supportive educators and society is moving in a good direction," GLSEN spokesman Daryl Presgraves said. "But it's still very difficult to be an LGBT youth in school."

In May, after coming out to friends, Jamey posted a YouTube video on the new online site, It Gets Better Project, which provides testimony from adults and celebrities to reassure troubled and potentially suicidal LGBT youth that life improves as they get older.

He wrote: "Love yourself and you're set. ... I promise you, it will get better."

ROCK AGAINST BULLYING:


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal and STAY ALIVE-\m/ -l-
RIP JAMEY

Sunday, September 25, 2011

KAMELOT: ISSUE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR UPDATE


Norwegian/U.S. power metal legends KAMELOT have issued a North American tour recap.

FROM KAMELOT:

NA Tour Recap

ORLANDO ROCKED!! Thanks to all the came out for the show, it was a perfect tour finale. Tour is now over ;( The fans on this tour were amazing each and every night. The Kamelot Crew (Kyle, Roger, Rory, Taz, Jan and Robin), you guys were awesome! Thanks to our special guest singers Fabio, Elize, Simone, Alissa and Paul. The support bands The Agonist, Blackguard and Alestorm, all great people and it was a pleasure to tour with you. Thanks to all for our most successful North American Tour so far! Stay tuned for concert news and announcements!
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.011 REVIEW: PATHOLOGY: AWAKEN TO THE SUFFERING



BAND-PATHOLOGY (SAN DIEGO,CALIFORNIA,USA) GENRE-DEATH/SLAM/METAL LABEL-VICTORY RECORDS RELEASE DATE: 9/13/2011

PREVIOUS RELEASES (CATALOG): LEGACY OF THE ANCIENTS (2010-VICTORY RECORDS), AGE OF ONSET (2009-COMATOSE MUSIC), INCISIONS OF PERVERSE DEBAUCHERY (2008-GRINDHEAD RECORDS),SURGICALLY HACKED (2006-AMPUTATED VEIN RECORDS)



BEST RELEASE(S): INCISIONS OF PERVERSE DEBAUCHERY (2008), LEGACY OF ANCIENTS (2010)

TRACK-LISTING: PATHOLOGY: AWAKEN TO THE SUFFERING:
01. Dissected By Righteousness 03:40
02. Ingestion of Creation 02:52
03. Hostility Towards Conformity 02:35
04. Media Consumption 02:12
05. Society's Desolation 03:02
06. Prolonging the Suffering 01:13
07. A Perverse Existence 02:02
08. Humanity's Cesspool 03:59
09. Festering in Filth 01:47
10. Opposing Globalization 03:05
11. Emesis 03:36
12. Revocation of Earth 01:10







ITP RATING: ***
PRODUCTION: ****
SONGWRITING: ***
PERFORMANCE: ***

Formed in 2006, San Diego, California based gore death metal warriors PATHOLOGY have been making a name for themselves brutalizing the world with their gory brand of slam death metal.

PATHOLOGY, founded by drummer DAVE ASTOR (formally of spaz grind project THE LOCUST and death grinders CATTLE DECAPITATION)combine the slam death breakdowns of DYING FETUS, with the unique pig squeals and burping death vocals of DEMILICH and the gory lyrical themes of CARCASS. PATHOLOGY have endured many lineup changes most notably vocalist Jonathan Huber (formally of I DECLARE WAR) replacing Matti Way and Tim Tiszczenko replacing Diego Sanchez on guitars. Even (EX) ORIGIN vocalist James Lee has passed through PATHOLOGY's ranks.

In 2009, PATHOLOGY inked a deal with VICTORY RECORDS and are poised to bring their gore soaked death/slam metal to a new level as here we have PATHOLOGY's newest offering "Awaken to The Suffering" on deck to review.

PATHOLOGY's "Awaken To The Suffering" kicks off with the track "Dissected By Righteousness" with it's mid pace, chuga chuga riffage and pointless pigs squeals (new PATHOLOGY vocalist Jonathan Huber) as the only riff variety are within a few pinch harmonics and a badly composed lead.
PATHOLOGY's "Dissected By Righteousness" gets interesting at 5:27 with a subtle riff change before they resort to the standard and generic slam death riffs.

PATHOLOGY's "Ingestion of Creation", evokes more boring mid paced chugging, too much chugging. Only at 1:35 does "Ingestion of Creation" become remotely interesting with an extra added riff and some decent blast beats ala drummer DAVE ASTOR as the "breakdowns" are generic and we've all heard this before.

PATHOLOGY's "Hostility Towards Conformity" evokes a mid pace before picking up into brutality at :38 seconds with quality blast beats as the slowly evolving riffs are boring, generic, repetitive.

PATHOLOGY's "Media Consumption" evokes a mid pace of generic slam death boredom before picking the pace at :55 into blast beat death/slam with a quality guitar solo. Pathology's "Media Consumption" evokes a good thrash/break down at 1:41, and even that you've heard from a cazillion hardcore/metal core and pig squealing generic crap bands.

PATHOLOGY's "Society's Desolation" is far more listenable with more of an old school death metal feel with a variety of riffs. "Society's Desolation" riffs, slightly more technical (2:05) and varied compared to tracks thus far, morph with subtle essence, enhancing the pig squealing gutturals.


PATHOLOGY's instrumental "Prolonging the Suffering" evokes a typical, down tuned death/core thrash riff (ala WHITECHAPEL) as we've heard from millions of deathcore bands.

PATHOLOGY's "A Perverse Existence" is quite brutal and damn funny as finally Jonathan Huber's vocals seem to mesh with PATHOLOGY's music. PATHOLOGY's "A Perverse Existence" screamed segue from the generic slam breakdowns into some brutal death (:59)should be used more often as some vocal and riff variety would enhance the tunes from it's usual one dimensional approach.

PATHOLOGY's "Humanity's Cesspool" evokes some decent riffs segueing into generic death core thrash riffs. PATHOLOGY's "Humanity's Cesspool" takes off for a faster pace with blastbeats sounding better with melodic riffs (1:34) as Huber's guttural vocals could be the primary "brutality" in PATHOLOGY's arsenal. Huber incomprehensibly squeals along "wooooorrrrrrrr" barely keeping up with any sense of vocal patterns only meshing with the generic death/core breakdowns.

PATHOLOGY's "Festering in Filth" blazes in at light speed, with some brutal and typical death/slam break downs progressing well and played tight.

PATHOLOGY's "Opposing Globalization" evokes a variety of riff changes,consolidating melodic solos with brutality and blasting off into brutal blastbeats and slam death eternity.

PATHOLOGY's "Emesis" evokes some good brutal death, into generic breakdowns, into "WOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRR", better know as pig squeal/gutturals, as the track is brutal and entertaining.

PATHOLOGY's AWAKEN TO THE SUFFERING closes with the shortest track on the release entitled "Revocation of Earth", 1:10 of sick ass brutal/slam death grind "weeeeeeeeWOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRR".

PATHOLOGY's AWAKEN TO THE SUFFERING features improved production, guitar solos and Jonathan Hubers pig squeals/deep guttural vocals.

However, PATHOLOGY's AWAKEN TO THE SUFFERING induces boredom into half way through the release when the band finally pick up the pace (with blastbeats) varying the riff structures from it's generic death/core slam breakdowns.

PATHOLOGY's new vocalist Jonathan Huber's deep guttural "Pig squeals" can be overbearing as a little variety in his vocal approach would enhance the music as the "Pig squeals" vocal approach is not for everyone. I do enjoy "Pig Squeals",guttural or unorthodox death metal vox ("Antti" of DEMILICH is one of my fave death metal vocalists of all time.) if the musical compositions and riffs are varied and not generic.


However, I do hear potential in PATHOLOGY tracks "Opposing Globalization", "A Perverse Existence" and "Society's Desolation" with riff and time changes, morphing song structures into an art of brutal slam/death.

PATHOLOGY need to reach inside for some misanthropic riff structures, try something different as PATHOLOGY are a one dimensional musical concept reverting to stale, boring death/core and generic slam riffs, as tempering the pig squeals/gutturals for some vocal variety would evoke brutality, not just heaviness. Otherwise, we've all heard this standard slam/death before performed my many talented death, grind and now metal core bands.

Of course all this pig squealing and deep gutturals makes me want to dust off those old REGURGITATE and DEMILICH releases for the true masters, I suggest you do too.


ITP RATING: ***
PRODUCTION: ****
SONGWRITING: ***
PERFORMANCE: ***

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/
WEEEEEWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR

Saturday, September 24, 2011

SOUTHERN LORD: NEW RELEASES 2011




EDITORS NOTE: STOP THE PRESSES and DO NOT WRITE your 2011 "Best Of, Year End Releases" until DECEMBER. NOVEMBER 2011 will be a BIG month for metal releases, specifically if you're into doom or black metal. NOVEMBER 2011 will feature new releases from ESOTERIC, LEVAITHAN, CRAFT, MOURNFUL CONGREGATION and the below releases via SOUTHERN LORD.

FROM SOUTHERN LORD and EARSPLIT PR:
Southern Lord: Upcoming 2011 Releases

In their continued reign of bringing some of the most talented, underground bands on the heaviest end of the musical spectrum to the public, Southern Lord have just unveiled their upcoming schedule for the remainder of the year, including releases from NOOTHGRUSH, DEAD IN THE DIRT, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, BLACK COBRA, CRAFT, HEARTLESS and SUNN 0))).



This coming Tuesday, September 27th, prepare for a crushing live release from one of the sludge metal scene’s most underrated, unsung, and recently reformed acts; NOOTHGRUSH. Southern Lord will drop the notorious Bay Area act’s Live for Nothing CD, bearing an hour and 20 minutes of some of the most low-end sludge/doom known to man. The record hosts two live radio broadcasts from NOOTHGRUSH; the first from KZSU from 1996 and the other from KFJC in 1999. Both recordings are a precise document of the powerful group in their prime, the recordings were mastered by From Ashes Rise guitarist Brad Boatright. The label will then release the gatefold 2xLP vinyl edition of Live For Nothing on November 8th.

++++++++++



DEAD IN THE DIRT’s debut 7” Fear will be released will be released next week as well. The Atlanta-based band’s unhinged style draws from the discordant heaviness His Hero is Gone, the urgency of Cursed, the speed of DropDead and the blackened darkness of Deathspell Omega. Fear, is literally one of the heaviest and most brutal recordings from a new act to come out in recent times, and will see a one-time pressing of 1500 copies via Southern Lord on September 27, 2011, and once it’s sold out, it’s dead. Catch DEAD IN THE DIRT still on their current tour through next week and watch for much more in the coming weeks. And find a full stream of DEAD IN THE DIRT’s Fear EP via BrooklynVegan RIGHT HERE.

++++++++++



A record as dynamic as it is devastating, Invernal, the almighty fourth full-length from San Francisco’s BLACK COBRA, will finally bulldoze its way into the hands of North American fans on CD this October 11th, and on gatefold-jacketed LP to be released in the months ahead. Raging with whiplash-inducing time change-ups and wreaking more damage than lineups three times the size of this brutalizing duo, BLACK COBRA will be on the road with Kyuss Lives! in November and December and will be announcing countless more support and headlining tours through 2012, as always proving to remain one of the hardest-working bands on the scene.

++++++++++



Washington’s WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM recently set free their fourth full-length Celestial Lineage on CD September 13th, boasting some of the clan’s most majestic and mammoth black metal magic to date, and bringing their ongoing trilogy of albums to a brilliant finale. Celestial Lineage has been overtaking their fans and the media, bringing hundreds of fans to nearly every show of their ongoing North American tour. The new opus will be presented on 2xLP this October 25th. Following their currently ongoing North American tour, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM will embark on their European phase in support of Celestial Lineage.

++++++++++



On October 25th, Swedish horde CRAFT will once again threaten humanity with their gritty, orthodox style of blackened might via the official North American release of their newest full-length, Void. followed by a 12” vinyl pressing on November 8th. Void delivers a nine-track convoy of black hymns over forty nine-minutes, showcasing CRAFT integrating more black ‘n roll vibes and slow-motion suicidal stomps, and ultimately spewing forth some of this hateful Scandinavian crew’s swiftest and cruelest punishment to date.

++++++++++



Pittsburgh hardcore warriors HEARTLESS will make their Southern Lord debut this autumn, with the release of Hell Is Other People. HEARTLESS’ sound is exactly what their moniker implies; brutal, suffocating, and void of remorse. Bellowing with sinister, mayhem that diehards of metallic hardcore in the vein of Integrity, Cursed or Nails, rushing with crust/powerviolence intensity. Following a rash of 7” releases via an array of D.I.Y. labels over the past handful of years, the band’s debut full-length Hell Is Other People will see a North American compact disc release on November 8th, and on LP November at a later date to be announced shortly. Stay tuned for continuous updates on this unit into 2012.

++++++++++




Closing out the 2011 release schedule, Southern Lord will proudly reissue SUNN 0)))’s long out-of-print sophomore album ØØ Void, finally finding its proper resting place. Following the duo’s Grimmrobe Demos debut, ØØ Void was initially released in 2000 via HydraHead in North America and Rise Above in Europe, with only a limited reissue via Daymare Records in Japan in 2008, making these hymns virtually out of print for some eight years. Not only featuring the core guitarists Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson, ØØ Void features bass by Stuart Dahlquist (Burning Witch, Goatsnake), as well as guest contributions from Petra Haden (QOTSA, Foo Fighters, The Decemberists) on violins and vocals, as well as Pete Stahl (Scream, Wool, Goatsnake, QOTSA) contributing vocals, and was recorded on 2″ tape by Scott Reeder (The Obsessed, Kyuss, Goatsnake). This 2011 reissue features revamped artwork by Stephen Kasner and a layout by Stephen O’Malley. Now this highly sought-after catalog piece for worshippers of the pulverizing SUNN 0))) drone style will be available again via a proper Southern Lord reissue. The reissue of ØØ Void will hit North American streets on November 22nd via CD, with an LP pressing at a later date to be announced soon.

Stay tuned for tons of news from the Southern Lord camp over the coming weeks, as many a horde of brand new and pending label signings are announced, and a rash of new releases for the first quarter of 2012 are unveiled.



http://www.myspace.com/noothgrush
http://www.facebook.com/deadinthedirt
http://www.blackcobra.net
http://www.wittr.com
http://heartless.bandcamp.com
http://www.southernlord.com
http://blog.southernlord.com
http://twitter.com/twatterlord

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

KAYO DOT: TO PLAY SET OF NEW MATERIAL 10/5/2011 @ Littlefield, Brooklyn, NYC, NY FOR NEW RECORDING

Brooklyn, New York "experimetal" warriors KAYO DOT have announced plans to record a new CD at the bands scheduled 10/5/2011 NYC (Brooklyn, NY) show.

FROM KAYO DOT:
II. NEW Kayo Dot material!!! We have a very special concert lined up on October 5, 2011 at Littlefield in Brooklyn, NY. At this concert, we're going to play a full set of all-new material and record the whole thing. Afterward, we're going to take these recordings home and do a million overdubs. This will be our next album. We hope that as many of you as possible can come to this show, especially because there will be some audience participation, which will be crucial to the sound of the record! That's at Littlefield, Brooklyn NY, October 5, 2011, 7PM, openers TBA.

III. Kayo Dot touring! Yes, we do have more tour plans, and yes, the United States is included this time! Firstly, we're planning a short Western European thing in early December. Secondly, we're planning a U.S. thing (Southeast to West coast!) for May 2012. Anyone interested in helping us with a show, please contact me at this address. Additionally, we need to get a new van for this tour, so if anyone out there has any leads, also please contact me here or at my regular email address, toby@kayodot.net

V. Speaking of Antithetic Records, they are doing a box set of vinyl phonograph record reissues of the classic MAUDLIN OF THE WELL albums, Bath and Leaving Your Body Map! The box set will also feature a 7" of "The Secret Song" as well as some other goodies, and is slated for a winter release this year. Antithetic Records needs only a little over 100 preorders in order to go into production, so please check out some more information about this at their blog.

VI. Speaking of Bath and Leaving Your Body Map, I am finally able to put these albums up on iTunes, eMusic, Spotify, etc. I'm doing it today, and the official digital release date will be this coming Monday, August 8, 2011!

VII. The Tartar Lamb II kickstarter-funded album, Polyimage of Known Exits, is finally here. We're sorry that it took sooo long to produce these vinyl phonograph records. Seriously, an almost five-month turnaround time. Anyway, they have arrived, and we'll be packing and shipping them in the next couple weeks! Check out this purty photo!

VII. Myspace - it sucks! Please DON'T use our myspace page as the definitive source for info about us. Instead, please use our official site, http://www.kayodot.net
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

HIRAX: ANNOUNCE NOVEMBER 2011 POLISH DATES



U.S. thrash legends HIRAX have announced the “POZERKILL 4EVER Poland Tour” set for NOVEMBER of 2011.

FROM HIRAX:
NOVEMBER 4th. Warszawa Poland
Venue: Klub Progresja
http://www.progresja.com/

NOVEMBER 5th. Bydgoszcz Poland
Venue: Estrada Stagebar
http://estrada.bydgoszcz.pl/

NOVEMBER 6th. Katowice Poland
Venue: Megaclub
http://www.megaclub.pl/
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP UPDATE: REVIEWS THIS WEEKEND



ITP V.011 UPDATE: Reviews and news are running a little late this weekend, (dead news day) as I'm a bit tired, suffering from a re occurring knee injury, (ugh!), so hang tight ITP V.011 is still kicking ass.

9/24/2011-PATHOLOGY-"Awaken To The Suffering"

9/25/2011-AMON AMARTH-"Surtur Rising"
9/26/2011-OPETH-"Heritage"

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Friday, September 23, 2011

PALLBEARER: INK A DEAL WITH PROFOUND LORE



Little Rock Arkansas doomsters PALLBEARER have anounced a record deal with PROFOUND LORE RECORDS.

FROM PALLBEARER: We are proud to announce that we have allied ourselves with Profound Lore Records for the release of our debut full length "Sorrow and Extinction" ...In addition, the vinyl release of the album will be handled by our comrades at Contagion Releasing. Doom descends in February 2012!

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

MORBID ANGEL: BENIGHTED, NECROPHOBIC and NERVECELL CONFIRMED FOR MORBID ANGEL FALL 2011 EUROPEAN TOUR



French extreme metal label SEASON OF MIST have confirmed the support acts for Florida death metal legends MORBID ANGEL's fall 2011 European tour.

FROM SEASON OF MIST: Benighted, Necrophobic and Nervecell will be the opening acts on Morbid Angel's upcoming European tour!

MORBID ANGEL FALL 2011 TOUR DATES:
Fri, Sep 23 2011 US Los Angeles, CA House of Blues + Sadistic Intent + Abigail Williams + Dreaming Dead
Mon, Sep 26 2011 JP Tokyo O-East
Tue, Sep 27 2011 JP Nagoya Club Quattro
Wed, Sep 28 2011 JP Osaka Big Cat
Sat, Nov 19 2011 UK Weymouth Pavilion
Sun, Nov 20 2011 UK Wolverhampton Slade Rooms
Mon, Nov 21 2011 UK Sheffield Corporation
Tue, Nov 22 2011 UK London 02 Islington Academy
Thu, Nov 24 2011 DE Hannover Musikzentrum
Fri, Nov 25 2011 DE Glauchau Alte Spinnerei
Sat, Nov 26 2011 CZ Zlin Hala Euronics Winter Masters Of Rock
Sun, Nov 27 2011 HU Budapest Club202
Tue, Nov 29 2011 HR Zagreb Mocvara
Wed, Nov 30 2011 IT Treviso New Age
Thu, Dec 01 2011 IT Milano Magazzini Generali
Fri, Dec 02 2011 FR Marseille Cabaret Aleatoire
Sat, Dec 03 2011 CH Vevey Rocking Chair
Sun, Dec 04 2011 DE Ludwigsburg Rockfabrik
Tue, Dec 06 2011 SK Bratislava Majestic Music Club
Wed, Dec 07 2011 PL Krakow Kwadrat
Thu, Dec 08 2011 PL Warsaw Progresja
Sat, Dec 10 2011 DE Geiselwind Eventhalle Christmas Metal Festival
Sun, Dec 11 2011 CH Pratteln Z7
Mon, Dec 12 2011 DE München Backstage
Wed, Dec 14 2011 DE Bochum Matrix
Thu, Dec 15 2011 NL Antwerp Trix
Fri, Dec 16 2011 FR Paris La Machine
Sat, Dec 17 2011 FR Eindhoven Effenaar Eindhoven Metal Meeting
Sun, Dec 18 2011 DE Saarbrücken Garage

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.011 REVIEW: GRIMLAIR: SELF INFLICTED STATE



BAND-GRIMLAIR (Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes, FRANCE) GENRE-DEPRESSIVE,BLACK METAL LABEL-RIGORISM PRODUCTIONS RELEASE DATE: 2/27/2011

PREVIOUS RELEASES (CATALOG): LANDSCAPE OF LIFELESS MEMORIES (SPLIT-2011-SOLITUDE AND DESPAIR MUSIC-GRIMLAIR/UNENDING HATRED, KLAR), AU COMMENCEMENT DE L'OMBRE (2009-SELF MUTILATION SERVICES), GRIMLAIR/CLAUSROPHOBIA (SPLIT-2009-BONE STRUCTURE RECORDS), INSIDE(2007- SELF RELEASED), LOCKED UP AND FORGOTTEN (2007-OCCULTUM RECORDS), L'APPEL DE LA NUIT FUNESTE (2006-OCCULTUM), DEEP IN THE SPIRIT OF UNDERGROUND BLACK METAL (SPLIT-2005-KRUTOSLAV), CORRODED BY SICKNESS(2005-DEMO), GRIMLAIR (2005-DEMO), DEMO (2002)



BEST RELEASE(S): INSIDE (2007), L'APPEL DE LA NUIT FUNESTE (2006)

TRACK-LISTING: GRIMLAIR: SELF INFLICTED STATE:

1. Intro 03:05
2. On The Throne Of Lie 06:28
3. Lethargy I 10:06
4. Lethargy II 11:54
5. Lethargy III 09:15
6. Constant Trauma 03:02
7. Outro 06:47






ITP RATING: ***
PRODUCTION: ** 1/2
SONGWRITING: ***
PERFORMANCE: *** 1/2


Formed in 1998, GRIMLAIR is a one man depressive black metal project from Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes, France. The French scene is known for quality death and black metal as GRIMLAIR breaks boundaries slowing black metal down to an atmospheric crawl. GRIMLAIR is strongly associated with the DSBM (depressive, suicidal) black metal scene as GRIMLAIR main man "Cadavre" is making a name for him self in the black metal underground with hypnotic, mournful, bleak soundscapes.

DSBM (Depressive, Suicidal Black Metal) is defined by stripping the music down from it's thrash roots to a slower, ambient atmosphere, often employing shoegazer, piano, and tortured screams. DSBM lyrical themes differ from traditional black metal as depressive black metal evokes themes of suicide, psychosis, depression, nature and death. Traditional black metal evoke themes of Satanism, Anti Christianity, Pagan Gods ect.

Here we have GRIMLAIR's dark opus "Self Inflicted State" on deck to review.

GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" kicks off with the intro track, a beautiful piano
melody accompanied with a violin, emoting darkness in beauty.

GRIMLAIR's "On The Throne Of Lie" is pure, raw, cult, mid tempo black metal with simple, crusty and emotive guitar chords reminiscent of early BURZUM. "On The Throne Of Lie" (2:23) switches to a slower tempo (2:51) to form a bleak atmosphere consolidated with tortured screams. The storm rages within the sound of lightning and a melodic guitar solo.

GRIMLAIR's "Lethargy I" evokes a mournful guitar melody before segueing into gorgeous acoustic guitar harmony to form a beautiful mournful opus of raw depressive, darkness. At 5:17, "Lethargy I" segues into a gorgeous melodic riff with the typical tortured rasps, as the instrumental repetition of the hypnotic riff forms a melancholic atmosphere into the darkness.

The all instrumental "Lethargy II", is the longest track on GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" clocking in at 11:54. "Lethargy II" evokes a bleak, thumping bass line before sinking into a prozac crawl. . "Lethargy II" continues with it's bleak, melodic instrumental riffs to form a despondent, depressive atmosphere, repetitive, hypnotic and emotive. "Lethargy II" (8:34) evokes a power rock riff ending, very awkward as that riff totally ruined the bleak atmosphere set before it.

GRIMLAIR's "Lethargy III" evokes down tuned, bleak, torture with clean, spoken word vocals into tortured rasps as this is what bi polar would sound like. I love that bizarre picked guitar "riff" with the amazing effects as the babble (half crying/whining, half non sensible rambling) vocals denote a man descending into mental madness. "Lethargy III" ends with a dark, picked guitar passage questioning what would happen next regarding the suspense of mans descent into mental depravity.

GRIMLAIR's "Constant Trauma" rocks with a three chord minimalistic riff, with the occasional tortured screams, short, crusty as one could NOT imagine what the songs character would be doing within the concept of this song, or feeling in the effects of flashbacks from the past.

GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" closes with the "Outro" a quality, dark depressive opus as one should question the validity of thier own life and that of the despicable human race.

GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" should listened to as one composition specifically the three part "Lethargy" as the track has it's moments of hypnotic depravity and bleak atmospheres with subtle HYPOTHERMIA influences.

The cover art for GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" is familiar and striking for those in institutionalized isolation.
GRIMLAIR's "Lethargy II" could be edited down to nullify that awkward power riff as the atmosphere was tastefully bleak until that riff was cut and pasted in the tunes closing.

Yeh, it is considered "Kult and Necro" to feature garage like, tin canny production in "troo" black metal as I think GRIMLAIR could benefit from a slightly average production.

The drumming on GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" is intentionally minimalistic, light as a brush on a snare, as I actually kind of like that as it doesn't compete with the melancholy soundscapes. As delicate as a brush on a canvas the drums are very sparse and low in the mix as not to ruin any sense of atmosphere.

Overall, GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State", hits a deeply personal and intense mood of isolation, despair and agony. GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" gorgeous and melancholic instrumental passages would have an even bleaker effect if consolidated into better song structures.

GRIMLAIR's "Self Inflicted State" while imperfect and spotty is an intimate prozac crawl of hypnotic riffs, a bleak and dismal soundtrack to a psychic confrontation and you don't want it to end, until your life does.



ITP RATING: ***
PRODUCTION: ** 1/2
SONGWRITING: ***
PERFORMANCE: *** 1/2

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ITP V.011: UPDATE: NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND MONDAY, DAMNED IN BLACK (BLACK METAL NEWS) WED., HUMANITY IS DOOMED NEXT FRIDAY

EDITORS NOTE: BTW, if you haven't noticed, ITP V.011 added FEEDJIT for live traffic feed AND a FAVICON.

Wow, those catchy R.E.M. songs are stuck in my consciousness.






ITP V.011 REVIEWS THIS WEEKEND:

9/23/2011-PATHOLOGY-"Awaken To The Suffering"

9/24/2011-AMON AMARTH-"Surtur Rising"
9/25/2011-OPETH-"Heritage"


GRIMLAIR-"Self Inflicted State"-TONGHT (OVERNIGHT)


ITP V.011 METAL NEWS FEATURES tentative schedule: DAMNED IN BLACK (BLACK METAL NEWS) coming up on WEDNESDAY , NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND will be posted on MONDAY and HUMANITY IS DOOMED one week from today FRIDAY. ITP V.011 THE ART OF DANCE by the end of the month.

Through everything I've been through, I've been very dedicated to writing and keeping ITP updated even if it meant using public access 'puters through some dark times in my life.
I can NOT express the dedication of ITP's READERS and thank them enough as ITP's readers are international from my homeland in the USA to Norway, to Australia, to South America, Germany, UK everywhere. ITP's author/editor thanks YOU the READERS, a mighty SALLLUTe and HAILS to you all for being dedicated readers. I would honestly be writing ITP even if no one read it, as an expression, but I must give the metal horns to ITP's readers as YOU INSPIRE ME.







ITP REVIEWS will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (time, mood and stability permitting).

It's time to get to WORK on ITP V.011, long hours as it will be.
Yes, I said I would do this late last year, and it is officially DONE. ITP's author JUST started an account for this blog on TWITTER. Again, I just started the ITP V.011 TWITTER account in JUNE, so it will take me a while to build a following and to follow others. Keep in mind I'm a NUBIE to TWITTER as I will have an secondary private TWITTER account for myself. I'm digging TWITTER already.
Do NOT add ITP V.011 if you're a phisher or SPAM BOT, because we hate that crap.

Look to the RIGHT of this journal (DISCLAIMER) for ITP V.011 anticipated weekly review schedule..
Please TWEET me your band news and tour dates @ITPV011, send me a bulletin or message to SWORDSANDGRAVES@MYSPACE or add me on MYSPACE, TWITTER or Individual Thought Patterns V.011 on FACEBOOK.
:Looks to the RIGHT of ITP V.011: I've also added ITP V.011 on a NETWORK of Extreme Metal blogs VIA FACEBOOK and BLOGSPOT entitled NETWORKED BLOGS (trying to fix the syndicate regarding NETWORKED BLOGS on FACEBOOK-hopefully by this weekend), hit me up for an add as I don't want to lose touch with my metal compadres and I want to meet new metal heads as I really do enjoy the extreme metal bloggers on BLOGSPOT and elsewhere on the net.
All bands on MYSPACE add me on Theresa Geteles FACEBOOK and I might even start a secondary FACEBOOOK account.
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Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

Thursday, September 22, 2011

R.E.M: BREAK UP



"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine"-R.E.M.



It is the end of R.E.M as we know it, as Athens, Georgia alternative rock legends R.E.M. have disbanded.

FROM R.E.M:
"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening." R.E.M.

In their own words: The guys share their thoughts on why now.

MIKE

"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next'? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.

"We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this--there's no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We've made this decision together, amicably and with each other's best interests at heart. The time just feels right."

MICHAEL

"A wise man once said--'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it.

"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.

"We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."

PETER

"One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M. was the fact that the records and the songs we wrote meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by you. Being a part of your lives has been an unbelievable gift. Thank you.

"Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years. Even if it's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world."

------------------

READ Warner Bros. Press Release below:

ATHENS, GA--(Marketwire - Sep 21, 2011)

"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective; we started to ask ourselves 'what next?'," commented Mike Mills. "Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together. The time just feels right."

R.E.M. is unique in that they are very much still the group of friends from Athens, Georgia that they've been since the band formed in 1979. While their career has spanned 15 studio albums and huge global success, the band itself only ever comprised the four original members. The one person to leave this tight-knit group was drummer Bill Berry, who retired two years after suffering a brain aneurysm on-stage during 1995's "Monster" tour. But not before extracting a promise from his band mates that they would continue on as R.E.M.: "Bill insisted he would stay, if his leaving meant breaking the band up," remembers Michael Stipe.

Mills adds: "We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love and respect each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this -- there's no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring off. We've made this decision together, amicably and with each other's best interests at heart."

"A wise man once said -- 'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave," agrees Michael Stipe. "We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it. I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end; and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way. We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years, our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."

Buck picks up on his thoughts: "One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M., was the fact that the records we made and the songs we wrote, meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by them. Being a part of their lives has been an unbelievable gift.

"Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone that has followed and supported us through the years. Even if it's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of a club; watching a group of 19-year-olds trying to change the world."

R.E.M. will release a career-spanning Greatest Hits album through Warner Brothers in November. More information to follow.

FROM MTV.COM:
Some bands have a sound, some have a look, others a strange allure you can't quite explain and, in rare cases, all three.

R.E.M. were one of those bands. The long-running alt rock godheads who packed it in after 31 years on Wednesday (September 21) will be remembered for a lot of things by a lot of the people who bought millions of their albums. But I'll remember them best for the consistent, exquisite confusion they sowed.


It's hard to put your finger on how this strange brew came to define the alternative-rock era of the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Peter Buck's iconic, chiming, Byrds-inspired guitars — which came to be known simply as his signature "jangle" — bassist Mike Mills' flawless high harmonies and Nudie-suit style, original drummer Bill Berry's economic, steady-on drumming and singer Michael Stipe's cryptic ... everything.

This was a band that should have had no chance of becoming what they did. They were too odd, too hard to unpack. From day one, contemporaries like U2 had soaring rhetoric and urgent arena-reaching power that seemed destined to conquer the world through a combination of ambition, chutzpah and titanic riffs.

But R.E.M.'s alchemy was darker, not as immediately obvious, which is what made all the difference. They literally made no sense. From their 1983 full-length debut, Murmur, through to their final, 15th album, this year's Collapse Into Now, Stipe's lyrics were like Zen poetry: knotty, stream-of-consciousness and thought-provoking in a way 99 percent of rock music never is, or was. You couldn't sing along because half the time it was hard to hear what he was even saying. And when you did find out, the Rubik's cube just spun again as you tried to decipher what he was all about.

R.E.M. made you work for it.

It didn't matter if you were inspired enough to dig into their muses, which ranged from beat poets and mad literary ravers like William S. Burroughs to punk godmother Patti Smith and the Flying Burrito Brothers, or just let their music wash over you. The end result was that you left with more than you came in with.

Even when they hit the sweet spot with hits like "Everybody Hurts," "The One I Love," "Shiny Happy People" and the multi-VMA-winning "Losing My Religion," R.E.M. challenged you in other ways, through arty, envelope-pushing videos.

I got the chance to interview the band a number of times in the mid- to late '90s and early 2000s, and I probably worked harder preparing for those chats than for any others I'd done before or since. Because, like in their music, R.E.M. tested you in interviews. They didn't give pat, pre-planned answers. They fired back honestly and unflinchingly when it felt like the questions were unfair or slanted and always focused on the one thing that mattered most to them: the music.

With few exceptions, you didn't read tabloid reports about the personal lives of the group's members, their finances or Hollywood exploits. Mostly that was because there weren't any tales to tell. The stories were all there in the grooves, in songs like "Talk About the Passion" and "World Leader Pretend."

Their inner circle was a trusted group of friends and advisers that changed little over the years, one they treated like family. They were also one of rock's most politically and socially literate groups ever, supporting everything from PETA to Rock the Vote, environmental causes and human rights.

R.E.M. showed the world, and such acolytes as Nirvana and Pavement, that you could stick to your guns and keep making the music you heard in your head even if it wasn't fashionable — especially if it wasn't fashionable.

Talk about the passion.


Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-
EDITORS NOTE: REM= GREAT, CLASSIC band, great vocal harmonies, great people, REM made rock radio more tolerable.