MAMMOTH GRINDER Signs to 20 Buck SPIN

It’s been nearly four years since the last MAMMOTH GRINDER full length Extinction Of Humanity was released via Relapse Records (CD) and Cyclopean Records (LP). That album showcased the band’s direction into a distinctly death metal permutation, full of aggression and punk rawness. The band continued in this spirit on 2011’s split LP with fellow Austin, Texas-based Hatred Surge. Now in 2013, after much anticipation, MAMMOTH GRINDER has found a home on 20 Buck Spin for the release of their wildly destructive third full length album Underworlds.

Underworlds marks a peak at which MAMMOTH GRINDER have sharpened and perfected their sound into a seething grind/death/thrash maelstrom of intense degree; unrelenting in its concentrated raw precision and focused power, Underworlds careens violently through ten tracks with effortless versatility and the fixated songcraft expected of a band on their third record. Tracks like “Wraparound Eyes” with its Unleashed style mid-section or the short sharp shock of “Paragon Pusher” illustrate MAMMOTH GRINDER’s mastery over multiple variations of metal to assemble their own sound. Fans of Entombed, Pig Destroyer, Municipal Waste, Discharge, Napalm Death and Iron Lung will beat themselves into submission for missing out on this album, so do yourself a favor, and don’t miss out on it...

MARTYRDÖD Dark Lords Of Swedish Crust Sign With Southern Lord

New LP Under Construction At Studio Fredman Now Swedish crustpunk horde MARTYRDÖD have officially inked a multi-release deal with Southern Lord Recordings, and are currently barricaded in the infamous Studio Fredman (At The Gates, Amon Amarth, Opeth) recording their debut label LP, Paranoia. 

 
After formation in 2001, MARTYRDÖD, have since slammed the crustpunk and underground metal scene with a surplus of CD and LP releases on such brutal labels as Plaguebearer, Havoc, Farewell, La Familia and Prank, as well as sporadic touring across Europe and a massive offensive on the United States in 2011.

In an scene overabundant with clones of the founding/front running acts of the genre, MARTYRDÖD manage to remain heavily unique in their filth-ridden approach. While undeniably influenced by acts like Anticimex, Bathory, Totalitär, Oral and Wolfpack, the band intertwines their crust roots with sinister, haunting soundscapes and unique riff attacks. With genuine Swedish lyrics, distinguished songwriting manifested through bleak and obscure original artwork MARTYRDÖD will continue to conjure up their blackened d-beat crust, now under the Southern Lord banner.

Paranoia will be released sometime this Spring/Summer 2012.

CORROSION OF CONFORMITY Signs To Candlelight Records

Candlelight Records today proudly announces the worldwide signing of Corrosion Of Conformity. Since early this year, the band -- featuring the esteemed Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin -- has been working with long-time producer John Custer. Now nearly complete, their still untitled eighth studio album is planned for release early in the New Year.

Gathering last summer to jam as a trio for the first time in over a decade, the treasured threesome quickly rekindled the magic that originally united and ultimately bound the musicians on a journey that today continues to impress both fans and critics. It is the efforts of this line-up that Decibel Magazine recently called  "crucial stylistic lynchpin in the bridge between metal and punk. CORROSION OF CONFORMITY irrevocably reshaped crossover's sonic possibilities. AllMusic.com notes, "C.O.C. weren't following any trends. They just incorporated all the things they liked about thrash, punk and 70's metal originators Black Sabbath into their constantly evolving sound. It secured them artistic and commercial credibility."

Candlelight's Steve Beatty says of the signing, "Animosity is one of my favorite records ever. To have C.O.C. on Candlelight with that line-up is simply mouth-watering. I saw the band in London recently and they did not disappoint. This hungry child can't wait for the record."

Candlelight's Edward Christie adds, "we are extremely excited to welcome the band to the label and are looking forward to an amazing album. We are all huge fans and this is truly a memorable day for all of us."

The band shares the excitement the immediate future holds. Woody Weatherman comments, "writing and recording this new record as a three-piece has been a blast. Having Reed back in the fold with Mike and I brings it around full circle. I'm really looking forward to all that lies ahead this upcoming year."

Reed Mullen adds, "Mike, Woody and I essentially learned how to play music together and cultivated our own style, sound, and unspoken language. Re-bonding with them musically has been the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."

In addition to intense work on the album, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has kept busy in 2011 touring throughout the US and abroad. One of the main attractions at this year's Maryland Death Festival, the band mesmerized a salivating capacity audience. Sean Palmerston, editor for Canada's online magazine Hellbound, said, "I lapped this set up. It was like the tastiest comfort food after a hard day's work. I haven't listened to those classic C.O.C. albums in a long, long time. It put a smile on my face."

Mike Dean says of the new songs, "we have been overdubbing vocals and guitars in between our live dates for the better part of a year. Now it's time to mix. The process we started back in April is finally coming to fruition. The results should reflect all eras of the band's existence filtered through our current reality. This is a beast we can't wait to set free."

Formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY quickly transformed heavy music. Politically charged and socially aware,  the band has influenced countless others and today remains humble about their accomplishments. With over 1.1 million albums sold in the United States  alone, the new album will be their first since 2005's In The Arms Of God. On release, Billboard Magazine called the album a "riff-fueled set that ranks with
(the band's) best work."

GRAVE DESECRATOR Sign to PULVERISED Records

Brazilian death metallers GRAVE DESECRATOR have officially joined the Pulverised Records extreme metal family! Formed in 1998 and backed by two full-length albums and a string of EPs, GRAVE DESECRATOR remains one of the few remaining Brazilian acts true to its untamed and barbaric form of death metal darkness.

Commented bassist Necrogoat on the union: "We're really ravished to be signed with Pulverised Records, a label that really fits to our music in terms of ideological aspects and works professionally. We are sure this partnership will result in a tormenting sonic deliverance that will lead you all to a thunderous and malignant holocaust! The new album shall come in 2012, and we promise it will not disappoint! It will contain lots of good surprises on it, but with the same infamous essence we have become known for! We are really eager for this release! We are the BRAZILIAN BLACKEST METAL MASSACRE!"

Added Pulverised Records' A&R Manager Calvin Chiang also added: "Anyone with a knowledge of traditional Brazilian death metal will know most distinguishing quality: its rabid, unstoppable force of christ-bashing sonic blasphemy. GRAVE DESECRATOR is of course no exception and we believe the follow-up to (2012) Insult will definitely exceed our expectations. GRAVE DESECRATOR shall carry the burning flag of old school Brazilian death  metal up high and be prepared for one of the most lethal death metal albums in 2012!"

IMPIETY Joins PULVERISED Records

Pulverised Records is proud to welcome the infamous Singaporean black death warmachine known as IMPIETY to their illustrious roster for their upcoming eighth studio album.

The band, which has a winding history that spans over two decades, is a champion of the underworld having released a host of crushing albums that consistently push the boundaries of extreme.

Commented founding bassist/vocalist Shyaithan of the signing: "The best of IMPIETY has yet to come! Writing the upcoming storm serves as a greater challenge to myself and all previous endeavors. One thing definitely to expect is that this new full-length album will hammer you ten times harder than all previous revelations. Blood and Chaos shall dominate but Lightning Death will be its ultimate crowning glory!

Added Pulverised Records A&R Manager Calvin Chiang: "IMPIETY, with their vibrant history as the first band to put Singapore on the extreme metal map, has grown rapidly in recent years with a fearsome reputation of being a no-holds-barred ferocious live act. And now it has come full circle; this formidable co-operation for the upcoming new full-length opus will prove once again that IMPIETY is truly at the top of their game, sitting proud and high at the blackened elite throne of blasphemy. Asian and Arrogant!"

IMPIETY:
Shyaithan - Vocals/Bass
Guh Lu - Guitars
Eskathon - Guitars
Atum - Drums

WOODEN SHJIPS Sign to THRILL JOCKEY

WOODEN SHJIPS Sign To THRILL JOCKEY RECORDS!

New Album West Due on August 16th!

Thrill Jockey is very pleased to announce that Wooden Shjips will record for the label. Formed in 2006, Ripley Johnson (guitar and vocals), Dusty Jermier (bass), Nash Whalen (organ), and Omar Ahsanuddin (drums), began with the simple drive to get their music heard. Their first 10" was available for free to anyone who wrote them an email requesting one. After a few albums, singles, and collections the band are leaders of the modern psychedelic movement.

West is their first album recorded in a studio (Lucky Cat Studios). The album was engineered by Phil Manley and was mastered by Sonic Boom at Blanker Unisinn, Brooklyn, with additional mastering by Heba Kadry at The Lodge in New York.

A world wide tour kicks off on the West Coast in August.

MOON Signs to MORIBUND - Aaaarrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!

Today, MORIBUND RECORDS announces the signing of Australia's MOON, dark occult black metal from one Miasmyr. The band's first release for MORIBUND shall be Caduceus Chalice, set for release on June 28th. MOON's Caduceus Chalice pervades a hypnotic sense of obscure mysticism within a dark ambience of distorted screams, cavernous echoes and entrancing pulse. Ceremonial Magick, invocations of spirits, glorifications of darkness, underworld realms and apocalyptic apparitions are the basis for this astral visionary experience. Breeding the unlife in archaic worlds, MOON is an ode to darkness and its spirit.

Biography

Obscure black metal from Brisbane, Australia, MOON is the visionary experience of ceremonial magick and astral projection. It works through transcendent hypnosis and bleak atmospheres.

Formed in 2007 by one Miasmyr, MOON stirred interest in the underground black metal scene for its ethereal spirit and raw but evocative sound. Three EPs were released, which sold well, and gained MOON a small following. The first full-length, Caduceus Chalice, was released on cassette in early 2010 and will be released on June 28th, 2011 on CD through MORIBUND RECORDS. MOON have been playing live since 2009, putting on dark and evocative shows in Brisbane.

Miasmyr has played in several black metal bands since 1999. Starting with the cult Catacomb, which played for many years in Brisbane, he has also played in Urgrund and Forn Valdyrheim. MOON, his solo project, also developed a strong following within its early life, starting with a compilation MCD called Magick Rituals from the Dutch label Svartgalgh Records. He went on to release a self-titled EP through Wolfsvuur (Netherlands) and two more MCDs, Apparitions and Blood. Following that, he featured as being the only black metal band on the Brismetal compilation with "Apparition III" from the Apparitions EP. Another split was released featuring MOON, Nekrosov and Nekros Manteia called The Haunting Resonance (Fall of Nature Records), which received good reviews for exhibiting black metal's fringes with outside genres.

The new full-length Caduceus Chalice was released on limited-edition audio cassette through Wolfsvuur Records (Netherlands) in February 2010. It evokes the darkness of the underworld and necromantic summonings. It has the underground black metal sound like Elysian Blaze, Xasthur and Striborg.

MOON is currently getting together a new lineup to play more live shows in Australia.

You got a record deal now buddy. Maybe now you can afford a better camera. Also, I would never, ever, ever compare my sound to Striborg's.  Sin Nanna has zero skills.

NEUROT Recordings Signs ACROSS TUNDRAS

Creating unique moonshine-soaked organic rock in the hills of Tennessee, ACROSS TUNDRAS seamlessly meld classic rock, folk, country, psychedelia, and doom into an original, organic style of rock that defies classification and bleeds true Americana. In true nomadic style ACROSS TUNDRAS have previously set-up camp on multiple labels including Crucial Blast and Forgotten Empire, have now found a home with Neurot Recordings.

Stated Neurot/Neurosis' Steve Von Till on the signing: "It is with great honor that Neurot Recordings welcomes Across Tundras to our home. Their past releases have shown immense dedication to spirit and commitment to growth and sonic evolution. Those are traits that we admire and look for when declaring kinship among those also on the quest for emotional release through sound."

ACROSS TUNDRAS' Tanner Olson this week also made a statement on their induction into Neurot's family: "The opportunity to stand alongside such a talented and driven group of artists and musicians is something we have been working along time for. Neurot Recordings releases the most inspired and original music out there, and its a huge compliment that they see us as kindred musical spirits. Eternal gratitude to the Neurot family for believing in us and giving a proper home to our nomadic sounds."

Here is a band that definitely deserves our attention. I have spent many afternoons listening to Western Sky Ride, an album that is 80% awesome. Highly recommended.

THRILL JOCKEY Welcomes LITURGY!

New Record Coming In April 2011.

Launch Fall Tour.

Thrill Jockey is very pleased to announce that Brooklyn's transcendental black metal band Liturgy, have signed to Thrill Jockey. Liturgy's music is an ecstatic affirmation of becoming. It is an assault on the floating malaise of contemporary information-age life. The ebb and flow of their churning, swarming rhythms and melodies both models and fosters the eternal flux. Their Thrill Jockey debut is slated for release in Spring of 2011.

Tour Dates

11/10 Philadelphia, PA Kung Fu Necktie
11/11 Richmond, VA Gallery 5
11/12 Charlotte, NC Snug Harbor
11/13 Asheville, NC Broadways
11/14 Athens, GA Farm 255
11/15 Atlanta, GA The Earl
11/16 Nashville, TN The End
11/17 Knoxville, TN Pilot Light
11/18 Raleigh, NC Kings Barcade
11/19 Washington, DC Comet Ping Pong
11/20 Baltimore, MD Golden West Café
12/03 Brooklyn, NY Acheron
12/09 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands

Their debut album Renihilation topped many 2009 year-end lists including those of Stereogum, Pop Matters, Impose, and the Village Voice.

Expect the next Burzum record via Sub Pop Records.

HEAVY ARTILLERY Signs MIDNIGHT CHASER

HEAVY ARTILLERY RECORDS is pleased to announce the signing of San Francisco traditional hard rock and heavy metal purveyors MIDNIGHT CHASER. Forged in the blast furnaces of Pittsburgh and tempered in the waters of the San Francisco Bay comes a new force in the art of badass; enter MIDNIGHT CHASER! Influenced by the gods of 70's and 80's hard rock and heavy metal, MIDNIGHT CHASER was originally conceived of by guitarist Stephen Lauck and bassist "Texas" Josh Hunt while both still living in Pittsburgh, the Rust Belt of Pennsylvania. However it wasn't until both rockers found themselves relocated to the fog cloaked Bay Area of California that MIDNIGHT CHASER began to take shape.

First recruiting the steam hammer drumming skills of Brandon Thomas, the pair immediately knew that they had found the missing piece of their rhythm section that they had been searching for. All that was lacking now was a voice that could suitably realize their ambitions. Unsatisfied with the pool of vocal talent in their new surroundings they imported fellow Pittsburgh native Scott Atwood in order to fill the final void and complete that which is MIDNIGHT CHASER. The line-up finally completed, the band whipped themselves into a creative furor, writing and rehearsing original material while playing shows up and down the West Coast, rocking any venue that would have them from bars and theaters to strip clubs and basements.

Fans of early hard rock and heavy metal such as Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Saxon and Diamond Head take note! Having completed recording their debut full length album, tentatively scheduled for a February 2011 release on HEAVY ARTILLERY RECORDS, MIDNIGHT CHASER is now ready to hit the rest of the world like a runaway train.

NAPALM Records Signs BRANT BJORK - Whaaaaaatttt?????

Brant Bjork: "Es freut mich sehr, dass ab sofort Napalm Records mir in meiner Arbeit in der Rock-N-Roll Welt hilfreich zur Seite stehen werden. Viele Dank an alle, die mich all die Jahre in meiner Unabhängigkeit begleiten haben. Euer Support hat mir direkt und indirekt geholfen, diese neue Chance zu ergreifen. Danke auch an Napalm, dass sie den Mut und das Wissen aufbringen, mit einem Künstler wie mir zu arbeiten...und vor allem...vielen Dank an alle, die meine Shows besucht und meine Platten gekauft haben! Ihr alle seid der Grundstein für meine musikalische Reise. Vielen Dank!

We are guessing that translates to:

The grand master of rock signed a worldwide recording deal with Napalm Records and the new overdose of riffs and grooves will be ready in 2011! Brant Bjork: "I am pleased to announce that I have joined the good people at Napalm Records for assistance in my contribution to the world of rock-n-roll. Thank you to all who have been with me through out my years of independence. Your direct and indirect support has lead me to this new opportunity. Thanks to Napalm for having the courage and insight to work with an artist such as myself...And most of all, thanks to all those who have attended my shows and purchased my recordings. You all are the cornerstone of my musical journey. Thank You."

Not sure what is it with the folks of Napalm Records –maybe they realized that you can only live so many years after consuming so much cheese - but now we welcome the news that they just signed Brant Bjork. Kinda. Bjork, as many shall know, was the drummer for Kyuss, Fu Manchu and others and has sloooooowly established himself as a solo artist. Along with Monster Magnet, Bjork stands out in the label’s roster as one of the few artists who don’t have a gothic chick at the mike singing in falsettos about fairies and elves. Good for him! At least he is in hot company.