R.I.P. MIKE KEMP (Madd Dog, DeadBeats ect.)

It's been a long month, and I'm sorry about the lateness of this sad news. I had heard rumors during the last week that local musician Mike Kemp died and while keeping my composure, I was in denial, until someone confirmed the sad news.
Local musician (bass player) Mike Kemp passed away in his sleep (heart attack) on 1/24/09.
Mike Kemp was an awesome bass player, sweet, sensitive, laid back guy, with great presence and talent. Mike Kemp has jammed and performed with such local/regional and national musicians as the Grateful Dead Cover band DEADBEATS, Dean Scala Band, Jeremy Baum Trio, Murali Coryell, Madd Dog and many others.
"Mike Bass" as I called him was a very laid back and personable guy, the kind of man that you would just gravitate to, and regardless of musical genre, would talk to you about music and life, and before you knew it, I was in the presence of some great jazz musicians, and awestruck of the awesome talent and Mike Kemp's humble nature. I haven't seen Mike Kemp in a while as he explained to me a few years ago that he was now situated in Wappingers Falls, NY. However, I enjoyed convo with Mike Kemp, as he introduced me to a great African American jazz drummer whom blew me away, whom used old school verbage such as "jamming with those cats".
I'm absolutely shocked, stunned and heartbroken at the sad news of Mike Kemp's untimely death and we send condolences out to Mike Kemps friends and family. Mike Kemp is much appreciated as a kindred spirit, sweet chivalrous man and talented musician, as Mike will never be forgotten. It aint the same without Mike Kemp.
RIP Mike Kemp, keep on jamming \m/
FROM THE POUGKEEPSIE JOURNAL:

Michael W. Kemp
WAPPINGERS FALLS - Michael W. Kemp, 32, a local resident of Wappingers Falls since 1977, formerly of the Bronx, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Mr. Kemp was a music teacher for Alto Music and also was a musician who played with local and national music groups. Born on Aug. 15, 1976 in the Bronx, he was the son of the Robert and Joan Fahy Kemp. In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his twin brother, Robert J. Kemp of New Paltz; his sisters, Carolyn Sutton and Joe Collucci of Wappingers Falls; Maureen Reel; his brother, Paul O'Brien; his sister, Joan Foran and her husband, Michael; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, at the Delehanty Funeral Home, 64 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Wappingers Rural Cemetery, in the Spring.

Published on January 27, 2009.
FROM PLOCHMANN LANE (Blogspot) AND MADD DOG's MYSPACE:
The Dutchess County (NY)-based band Mad Dogg has lost a great man. He left us this past Saturday (01/24/09) due to a heart attack. This blog message is posted on the band's MySpace page:


FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

DELEHANTY FUNERAL HOME

64 E. MAIN ST

WAPPINGERS FALLS N.Y. 12590

(845) 297-2640

THE WAKE WILL BE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 2:00 TO 4:00 AND WEDNESDAY EVENING 7:00 TO 9:00

THE FUNERAL WILL BE A SMALL SERVICE THURSDAY MORNING AT THE FUNERAL HOME AROUND 10:00

IF ANYBODY IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER - MIKE WAS PROTESTANT - AND WOULD LIKE TO DO THE SERVICE- CALL ME A.S.A.P. AT (845) 721 3618 (MIKE THE DRUMMER)
FROM MADD DOG ON MYSPACE:

BIG MIKE KEMP

Thank you to everyone who came out to show their love for Big Mike Kemp The wake last night was – in Mikes words – TREMENDOUS!!. The family – especially the parents, who have been residing in Florida for the past 10 to 12 years was very impressed that so many people –from all walks of life – braved the nasty weather – ice – and rain for the chance to pay their last respects to a man who had obviously touched so many lives!!. People were lined up past the post office at one point- nobody leaving in spite of the elements. I am guessing at well over a modest 700 people attended. The .bike clubs represented were The Bishop’s. Dutchess M.C , Riding Free , and even some brothers from A Few Good Men made the funeral. We had law enforcement officers from Wappingers –Town of Poughkeepsie And the Sheriffs office there . If I missed any bike clubs – or law enforcement groups, my apologies – I went by the colors that I saw and the faces that I recognized – no disrespect intended

AS far as musicians – I was amazed myself. The list is too extensive to even begin, coming from upstate , the city, all over the place. Mike was a special talent that will surely be missed – NOBODY SOLO’D LIKE BIG MIKE!!

Thank you to the people on the air who helped spread the news of this tragedy , and for the love – support and dedications that were sent out on Big Mike’s behalf.

.. ..

And now it’s time to start healing. We are still going to play at The Keltic House this Saturday, as a very good friend of Big Mike – Gil Cruz – requested to sit in and – not replace Mike, but in his words “do Big Mike Proud”. Gil is a good friend of Mike – had Big Mike living with him for awhile also , and is willing to help us carry on So Saturday night – come out to The Keltic House and let’s hoist a few in his honor.

.. ..

We are making plans to have big jam at one of the bars Big Mike loved. That will probably be towards the end of February , and all will be welcome ,but it will be geared for everyone that played with Big Mike. We are going to do it on a Sunday so that it will not conflict with too many gig schedules. I will give out more info on that as it happens but for now…..let's pick up the pieces and carry on like Big Mike would have wanted!!
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-RIP MIKE KEMP \m/ -l-

SUFFOCATION ANNOUNCE BLOOD APOCALYPSE HEADLINING TOUR

New York Death Metal (NYDM) Gods SUFFOCATION are headlining a U.S. tour with WHITECHAPEL, DECREPIT BIRTH and VEIL OF MAYA and PSYCROPTIC. SUFFOCATION will also play select (festival) dates with CARCASS so prepare to be brutalized.
FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: Commented drummer Mike Smith: "We are looking forward to this upcoming tour and playing with all the bands involved. It will be the first run on our 20-year celebration in the genre! We thank all our friends and fans in advance for their participation in the upcoming 'Blood Oath' sessions across the world. We look forward to the mayhem it will create!"

Confirmed dates so far:

With WHITECHAPEL, DECREPIT BIRTH, VEIL OF MAYA:

Mar. 11 - Long Island, NY - Crazy Donkey
Mar. 14 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
Mar. 15 - Virginia Beach, VA - Masonic Temple
Mar. 16 - Wilmington, NC - The Soapbox
Mar. 17 - Raleigh, NC - Volume 11
Mar. 20 - Lafayetta, LA - Grant Street Hall
Mar. 21 - Ft. Worth, TX - Ridglea Theatre (w/ CARCASS, SUICIDE SILENCE)
Mar. 22 - Corpus Christi, TX - House of Rock
Mar. 24 - El Paso, TX - Chic's
Mar. 26 - Palmdale, CA - The Crossing
Mar. 27 - Phoenix, AZ - The Marquee Theatre

With WHITECHAPEL, DECREPIT BIRTH, VEIL OF MAYA, PSYCROPTIC:

Mar. 28 - Anaheim, CA - The Grove (California Metal Fest)
Mar. 29 - Sacramento, CA - The Boardwalk
Mar. 30 - Modesto, CA - Modesto Virtual
Apr. 02 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
Apr. 03 - Lubbock, TX - Tequila Jungle
Apr. 11 - Madison, WI - The Loft
Apr. 17 - Worcester, MA - New England Metalfest
Apr. 18 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Also, U.S. death metal legends MONSTROSITY have announced a summer 2009 (July) U.S. summer tour with THORNAFIRE and TORN THE FUCK APART. MONSTROSITY has been one of the leaders of the US
Death Metal scene since the early 90's with hundreds of shows
worldwide. Their live show is nothing short of brutality at its finest.

We are now booking for their North American tour that will take place
from July 1st thru July 25th, 2009. Package is as follows..

MONSTROSITY (FL)
THORNAFIRE (CHILI)
TORN THE FUCK APART (KS)
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

CARCASS, SAMAEL, SUICIDE SILENCE, ARSIS, PSYCROPTIC ANNOUNCE MARCH 2009 U.S. TOUR

Move over CARCASS clones, the metal heads are hungry for the original. The CARCASS re- union is doing well, and CARCASS SHALL return to the USA.
FROM SMNNEWS.COM:
After the initial round of dates we released, reunited UK melo-death/gore-grind legends, CARCASS, will return to the United States this March for the “Exhumed to Consume II” tour. The follow up to last years highly successful “Exhume to Consume” tour will feature SUICIDE SILENCE, SAMAEL, ARSIS and PSYCROPTIC plus a few special guests on select dates.

Vocalist/bassist and all around optimistic person Jeff Walker commented:

“Well, I’m pleased to announce that CARCASS is gonna settle it’s unresolved scores in the U.S.! There was some slight whimpers of discontent that we didn’t hit some cities such as Chicago and Denver last time round - places that were always hot spots of enthusiasm for us. So we’re coming back in March to finish off our unsettled business! We seemed to have had a profound influence on your economy and gas prices have gotten cheaper haha! That’s doesn’t mean we’re not gonna come through and provide some value for your buck with some old (and new) school friends and comrades such as SUFFOCATION, SAMAEL, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, EXODUS, SUICIDE SILENCE etc. - check out locally as for who is on the bill where! And hey, I couldn’t think of anywhere better to be on my 40th birthday than the Sunshine Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico! We promise this will be the last time we darken your shores (I said that with my fingers crossed behind my back)!”

March 13 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
March 14 - Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH (w/ ABIGAIL WILLIAMS)
March 15 - The Pearl Room - Mokena, IL (w/ THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER)
March 16 - Majestic Theater - Detroit, MI (w/ THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER)
March 17 - Headliner’s - Louisville, KY
March 21 - Ridglea Theater - Ft. Worth, TX (w/ SUFFOCATION)
March 22 - Meridian - Houston, TX
March 24 - Gothic Theatre - Denver, CO
March 25 - Sunshine Theatre - Albuquerque, NM
March 26 - The Grand Ballroom - San Francisco, CA (THE FACELESS, TOXIC HOLOCAUST)
March 27 - The Marquee Theatre - Phoenix, AZ (w/ SUFFOCATION)
March 28 - The Grove - Anaheim, CA (California Metal Fest)

In February of 1999, CARCASS drummer Ken Owen suffered a near-fatal brain hemorrhage, leaving him in a coma for over 10 months. As a result, he is not taking part in CARCASS‘ current reunion run (ARCH ENEMY skinsman Daniel Erlandsson is filling in), but will reportedly be traveling with the band whenever possible and making brief appearances at select shows.

CARCASS‘ reunion lineup:

Bill Steer (FIREBIRD) - Vocals, Guitar
Jeff Walker (BRUJERIA) - Vocals, Bass
Michael Amott (ARCH ENEMY) - Guitar
Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY) - Drums
Also, ARSIS (USA) shall embark on a winter tour with MISERY INDEX, FACELESS, and THE TONY DANZA TAP DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA. FROM ARSIS MYSPACE:
USA TOUR W/ THE FACELESS, MISERY INDEX, TONY DANZA TAPDANCE EXTRAVAGANZA Feb 21 2009 7:00P Fayetteville, North Carolina
Feb 21 2009 8:00P
Jester’s Pub Fayetteville, North Carolina
Feb 22 2009 8:00P
Volume 11 Raleigh, North Carolina
Feb 23 2009 8:00P
The Masquerade Atlanta, Georgia
Feb 24 2009 8:00P
The Muse Nashville, Tennessee
Feb 25 2009 8:00P
Pop’s St. Louis, Missouri
Feb 26 2009 8:00P
The Village Little Rock, Arkansas
Feb 27 2009 8:00P
The Max Dallas, Texas
Feb 28 2009 8:00P
Java Jazz Houston, Texas
Mar 1 2009 8:00P
Emo’s Austin, Texas
Mar 2 2009 8:00P
House of Rock Corpus Christi, Texas
Mar 3 2009 8:00P
The Key Abilene, Texas
Mar 4 2009 8:00P
Chic’s El Paso, Texas
Mar 6 2009 8:00P
The Crossing
Mar 6 2009 8:00P
Palmdale, California
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

OPETH , ENSLAVED ANNOUNCE SPRING 2009 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

ENSLAVED have signed with a new North American booking agency, and OPETH are coming back for a another round of U.S. dates in support of their latest release WATERSHED. This should be a good tour hitting up smaller markets OPETH have yet to play, so do catch it as the spring 2009 touring/fest season heats up.
FROM ENSLAVED MYSPACE: Enslaved will support Opeth on their upcoming North American tour. The 23 shows will take place between May 1st and May 27th; the line-up consists of Enslaved opening for Opeth.

Ivar Bjørnson, Enslaved's songwriter and guitarist comments: "I am stoked that we are going out with Opeth. We have been admirers of Opeth's work for years, specially the direction of their newer works. This is great news for us to take back to our loyal fans and friends in North America at this point; the reception for our newest album "Vertebrae" has been fantastic and unforgettable. We can't wait to present the songs live, we promise you won't be let down! Finally we wish to express our sincere gratitude to Opeth for giving us this opportunity."

May 1 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
May 2 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues Boston
May 3 – Montreal, QC @ Le Medley
May 4 – Toronto, ON @ Sound Academy
May 5 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small’s Place
May 6 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
May 8 – Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium
May 9 – Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
May 11 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Concert House
May 12 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
May 13 – Chico, CA @ Senator Theatre
May 14 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Center
May 15 – Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
May 16 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Avalon
May 17 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
May 19 - San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar
May 20 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
May 21 – Memphis, TN @ New Daisy Theatre
May 22 – Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
May 23 – Columbus, OH -@Newport Music Hall
May 24 – Pontiac, MI @ Clutch Cargo’s
May 26 - New York, NY @ Grand Ballroom
May 27 - Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

SLAYER, BEHEMOTH CONFIRMED FOR ROCK STAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL

Yep, Polish blackened death metal band BEHEMOTH will support SLAYER on the ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL. This tour will hit up some "B" or small and middle markets. TOUR DATES UPDATED 1/29/09: FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: In addition to being confirmed for this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour alongside SLAYER, MARILYN MANSON, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, TRIVIUM, CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOD FORBID, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and JOB FOR A COWBOY, Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH will support SLAYER on a three-week pre-Mayhem festival trek that will include dates in "B markets" — smaller cities which the Mayhem festival will not reach. This tour is also expected to include SUICIDE SILENCE, although this has not yet been corroborated by an official source.

BEHEMOTH mainman Adam "Nergal" Darski had this to say about taking part in the Rockstar Energy trek: "I cannot find words to express the enthusiasm that literally blows us up! It's a great ennoblement to be accompanied by SLAYER and MARILYN MANSON. This is the best reward that we could ever get after a dozen of years of hard work and wandering on various venues all over the world. I can promise that BEHEMOTH will be at its best. We will play a cross-sectional set with some new material included!"

BEHEMOTH is in the final stages of the songwriting process for te hband's as-yet-untitled new album. The record is tentatively expected sometime in the fall via Metal Blade (USA) and Nuclear Blast (Europe). Adam "Nergal" Darski and his bandmates are planning to enter the studio in the middle of February.

The first in a series of webisodes documenting the making of BEHEMOTH's new album can be viewed below.

BEHEMOTH was honored in three categories in Terrorizer magazine's 2008 readers' poll: "Best Live Band", "Best Vocalist" (Nergal) and "Best Drummer" (Inferno). Nergal also took second place in the "Personality Of The Year" category and BEHEMOTH was named the third "Best Band" of 2008.

"Ezkaton", the latest EP from BEHEMOTH, sold around 1,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD debuted at No. 26 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Ezkaton" features seven tracks, one brand new song titled "Qadosh", a live recording as well as a new studio version of "Chant For Ezkaton 2000 e.v.". Also included are live versions of "From The Pagan Vastlands" and "Decade Ov Therion" plus covers of THE RAMONES' "I'm Not Jesus" and the MASTERS HAMMER track "Jama Pekel". The EP was made available as a limited-edition box set that includes four picture-disc seven inches, a BEHEMOTH pendant and the CD all packaged in a deluxe box.
Other confirmed artists include:

* ALL THAT REMAINS
* GOD FORBID
* BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
* TRIVIUM
* CANNIBAL CORPSE
* JOB FOR A COWBOY
* BEHEMOTH
* BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
* WHITECHAPEL

Final tour dates are below:

July 10 -Marysville, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 11 - Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 12 - San Bernardino, CA @ Glen Helen Pavilion
July 14 - Seattle, WA @ White River Amphitheater
July 17 - Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Pavilion
July 18 - Albuquerque, NM @ Journal Pavilion
July 19 - Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 21 - Kansas City, KS @ Sandstone Amphitheater
July 22 - St. Louis, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 24 - Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheater
July 25 - Indianapolis, IN @ Verizon Wireless Music Centre
July 26 - Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
July 28 - Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheater
July 29 - Scranton, PA @ Toyota Pavilion
July 31 - Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center
August 1 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Post Gazette Pavilion
August 2 - Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
August 4 - Boston, MA @ Tweeter Center
August 6 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Virginia Beach Amphitheater
August 7 - Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
August 8 - Hartford, CT @ New England Dodge Music Center
August 9 - Washington, DC @ Nissan Pavilion
August 11 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre
August 12 - West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre
August 14 - Dallas, TX @ Superpages.com Center
August 15 - Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 16 - San Antonio, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

ENSLAVED, MUNICIPAL WASTE CONFIRMED FOR BLOODSTOCK U.K.'s OPEN AIR

Bloodstock, the U.K.'s finest metal festival (indoors and outdoors) are confirming 2009's lineup August 14,15,16, 2009 in Debyshire, England. ( Enslaved, Municipal Waste, Million Dollar Reload, ect.) FROM BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS: The Bloodstock team are pleased to announce that US thrashers MUNICIPAL WASTE have been added to the bill for BOA 2009.


Municipal Waste were formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2000. Born from a passion for the old-school crossover thrash scene of the 1980s and bands such as D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Nuclear Assault and Attitude Adjustment, they quickly made a name for themselves on the gig circuit with their chaotic live shows. After incessant touring and the release of three EPs, the band finally issued their debut album Waste ‘Em All in 2003. Its good-time blend of fast, furious and often funny hardcore thrash was an underground hit and the band quickly became the leaders of the current thrash revival movement.


In 2005, Municipal Waste inked a deal with UK label Earache and subsequently released their sophomore effort Hazardous Mutation to rave reviews all round. The band then embarked on yet another mammoth round of touring which took in a European trek with Sick Of It All, US dates with GWAR and UK appearances at the prestigious Reading and Leeds Festivals.


2007 saw the release of the band’s most recent album The Art Of Partying which easily maintained their status as the kings of loud, drunk, party thrash and saw them tour with Destruction, Suicidal Tendencies and The Haunted.


MUNICIPAL WASTE – Lock Up Your Lager - BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2009.
The Bloodstock team are pleased to announce that Northern Irish rockers
MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD have been added to the bill for BOA 2009.


Recalling the glory days of AC/DC, Guns N Roses and Aerosmith, M$R first brought their ballsy hard rock to life touring Ireland’s club circuit before taking their high-energy show to the rest of the UK in support of Alice Cooper, Black Label Society, Thin Lizzy and many others. This brought them to the attention of London-based label Lime Records who promptly signed the band and issued their debut Anthems Of A Degeneration in October 2008. Produced by Neil Calderwood (The Answer, The Almighty) the album enjoyed a great reception worldwide and the band plan to capitalise on this with global touring throughout 2009 including what promises to be a balls-out performance at their very first Bloodstock .


MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD – Get It Up - BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2009
The
Bloodstock team are pleased to announce that Norwegian progressive
black metallers ENSLAVED have been added to the bill for BOA as their
ONLY UK SHOW in 2009.


Enslaved were formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson. Joined by drummer Trym Torson, theyreleased their first demo in 1992 followed by the mini-album Hordanes Land in ’93. 1994 saw the release of both their debut album Vikingligr Veldi and its follow up Frost, as well as the band’s first tour which extended into 1995.


Returning in 1997 with Eld, Enslaved presented a sound which incorporated many more Viking metal elements than their earlier work, a theme which was rolled back somewhat on 1998’s Blodhemn. In 2000, they issued one of the most important albums of their entire career Mardraum (Beyond the Within).
Fusing progressive rock elements to their established black and Viking metal hybrid, they
established a new direction which would see them reach out to a much wider audience. 2001’s Monumension and 2003’s Below the Lights continued this progression, and following an overhaul of their line-up, the band began to develop as a powerful live act to match the ambition of their studio work.


The new line-up released ISA in ’04 and Ruun in ’06, both of which met with reat critical acclaim and saw Enslaved scoop Norwegian Grammy awards.
After a long run of highly-successful touring, the band once again returned to the studio
for last year’s Vertebrae which looks set to continue a remarkable succession of albums which have done much to re-write the rules of extreme metal.


Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson sent this message: “We just got word that we’re playing the 2009 edition of Bloodstock Open Air! It will be our first appearance at a UK festival ever – what an absolutely great place to begin! The reception for both the Vertebrae album and its accompanying tour in the UK has been beyond anything we could hope for.
Both writers and listeners have boosted our confidence through placing us at the top of their various polls, now it is our privilege to prove them right on stage; see you all at Bloodstock!”

ENSLAVED – As Fire Swept Clean The Earth - BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2009


Lineup so far: AMON AMARTH, APOCALYPTICA, CANDLEMASS, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER, ENSLAVED, KATATONIA, MILLION DOLLAR RELOAD, MUNICIPAL WASTE, SATYRICON, SAXON, TURISAS, THE HAUNTED, WINTERSUN, SABATON,

Date: 14th, 15th, 16th August 2009-01-26
Location: Catton Hall, Walton on Trent, Derbyshire

To purchase your tickets to the UK’s biggest metal party of 2009 go to http://www. bloodstock. uk. com
Thanks- Stay Metal, Stay Brutal- \m/ -l-

ITP REVIEW-NECROPHAGIST-THE ONSET OF PUTREFACTION

BAND/ARTIST: NECROPHAGIST (Germany) GENRE/SUB GENRE-Technical death metal LABEL: (?)
CATALOG: EPITAPH-(2004) RELAPSE
ONSET OF PUTREFACTION (2004- Re-issue-RELAPSE
(1999) WILLOWTIP (NORTH AMERICA) RELAPSE (out side of North America)





NECROPHAGIST: ONSET OF PUTREFACTION
TTRACK LISTING

 1. "Foul Body Autopsy" 1:55
2. "To Breathe in a Casket" 5:43
3. "Mutilate the Stillborn" 3:45
4. "Intestinal Incubation" 4:13
5. "Culinary Hyperversity" 5:06
6. "Advanced Corpse Tumor" 5:29
7. "Extreme Unction" 4:48
8. "Fermented Offal Discharge" 4:42



FROM WILLOWTIP RECORDS FOUNDER JASON TIPTON: "I first heard Onset in 2000 and I started emailing Muhammed then asking about releasing it in the U.S. and stuff. Muhammed always wanted it to happen, but things were a complete mess. He had signed a really bad contract and his label had gone out of business and the rights to that album were sold to another company. So this company owned the rights to the CD and they were near impossible for anyone to deal with, in fact they weren't doing their job at all. They didn't really care at all about the band, didn't have the CD in press. It was a complete mess."



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

ARE YOU SHREDDIE?: Ahh, after dusting off this amazing CD, I remember again WHY this release is such a KULT classic, amazing, a technical death metal masterpiece, orgasmic, better than any sex. NECROPHAGIST started off as a one man project Muhammed Suiçmez who is a self taught guitarist vs. a religious family whom didn't like metal. Muhammed played all instruments on the original recording of " The Onset Of Putrefaction" (WILLOWTIP records) himself himself, brilliantly composing and programming a drum machine via a computer. As "Onset of Putrefaction" rose to popularity in the extreme metal scene, Suicmez employed a full band, including some talented drummers.

Arpeggios,sweeps and awesome solos, ahhh, technical death metal heaven. For technical death metal bands, the art of the genre is to combine head banging brutality with technical, mind blowing musicianship, AND good songwriting. Rarely can technical death metal bands achieve ALL of the aforementioned without resorting to soulless wankery. However, GERMANY's NECROPHAGIST achieve ALL of the aforementioned: brutality, clarity, technical, awe inspiring musicianship, and catchy as HELL brutal songwriting.

Listening to "Onset of Putrefaction", one could be reminded of INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT PATTERNS, or/and SYMBOLIC era DEATH as Muhammed Suiçmez's technical guitar solos are godly, well written and produced, with lower death metal vox, and a technical well programmed drum machine. The lyrical themes represented on NECROPHAGIST's "Onset of Putrefaction" are reminiscent of CARCASS, with morbid, medical terminology, enough to interest a medical examiner.

Chock full of amazing, catchy riffs, if "ONSET OF PUTREFACTION" were a meal, than fans would feast on these awesome riffs for years to come.
"Foul Body Autopsy" opens "ONSET OF PUTREFACTION", as the song clocks in at only 1:53 seconds, but Muhammed Suiçmez's awesome display of technical musicianship inspires one to play this tune more than once, or smash your guitar in utter frustration that very few guitarists are this good. The mix on the original version of "Onset of Putrefaction" is excellent as it employs , on occasion vocal and solo echo, taking you places on it's journey to technical death metal unholiest places.

"To Breath in A Casket" and "Mutilate the Stillborn" are excellent tech-death metal songs, as Suiçmez programmed the drum machine tightly within the rhythm guitar parts and Suiçmez flat out shreds. "Culinary Hyperversity" with it's memorable guitar melody, staccato rhythm guitar, and amazing sweeps fit well into Suiçmez's low register death metal vox.

"Advanced Corpse Tumor" is perhaps Onset of Putrefaction's anthem with awe inspiring technical riffs, great songwriting, death metal vocals and solos. "Advance Corpse Tumor's" solo at 2:30 is jaw dropping with the echo towards the solos end. "Extreme Unction" may very well be "Onset of Putrefaction's" best song with it's awesome opening slap bass line and at 2:00 the GODLY guitar solo with catchy rhythm guitar riffs.

Ahh, kneel to the later of NECROPHAGIST, technical death metal gods. "Fermented Offal Discharge", with it's tight guitar rhythm, displaying awesome bass guitar musicianship, just sit back and band your head and ride the brutality. About three minutes into "FOD" Suiçmez pulls of another awesome solo with reverbed echo mixed in towards the solos end.

The production on "Onset of Putrefaction" brings out an ambiance and clarity as solos are mixed perfectly at the end of solos, and at the start of songs, bringing the listener to extreme metal orgasm.
In all, ONSET OF PUTREFACTION's lyrical themes are a little silly cloning CARCASS as NECROPHAGIST's 2004 release EPITAPH featured more philosophical lyrical themes. However, the extreme metal scene took notice of this perfect CD, recorded by one man, performing, programming all of the instruments himself.

In 2004, Muhammed Suiçmez added a full band for recording and touring as ONSET OF PUTREFACTION was re-recorded, remixed (with live drums) and re-issued via RELAPSE RECORDS.
If technical death metal was this cohesive, I would think that the late Chuck Schuldiner is even giving Muhammed Suiçmez the horns and extreme metal blessings.

Hails to technical death metal gods NECROPHAGIST as they shall headline the 2009 U.S. SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR.

ITP RATING:******

PRODUCTION: **** 

PERFORMANCE: **** 1/2 

SONGWRITING: **** 1/2

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