Last Friday (1/29/21) I got to check out the live stream from Housecore bands Scour and Shock Narcotic. Both of these groups are “supergroups” but I’m not going to get into that right now. I will say though that the list of bands that make up the background for each band are some of my favorites so I was kinda excited for this show.
En Minor is a project that had been rattling around in Philip H. Anselmo“s head since he was a child; they are an unexpectedly emotional and deeply serious sound that freefalls out of the genres most of the band members are associated with, including Anselmo himself, and into uncharted territory. Unconventional and, in many ways, experimental, their 2020 release, When the Cold Truth Has Worn Its Miserable Welcome Out (Housecore Records) is steeped in reverence to the Jazz tradition in New Orleans, and maybe more markedly serves as a morose interpretation of a Jazz Funeral March with hints of Vaudeville; an unironic gothic twist on Tom Waits that Anselmo has since self-described as Depression Core.
To celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their now-iconic debut album NOLA (Elektra Records), the band Down originally planned a tour at select venues worldwide before a global pandemic shut down the normal cadence of life as any of us ever knew it for the foreseeable future. Not to be silenced on such a momentous occasion, the guys took to the stage at a private location instead to stream The Quarter Century Throwdown as a global virtual concert. Featuring vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower and Pat Bruders on bass, the event aired live with two encore performances in the days following the livestream for ticket holders.
Stoner Metal supergroup Down celebrated the 25th anniversary of its classic debut album, “NOLA”, with a special live-streamed event on Saturday, August 29th.”The Quarter Century Throwdown”, the high-production, multi-camera event took place using cutting-edge streaming technology to create a one-of-a-kind virtual concert experience. The show will be rebroadcast August 30 at 6:00 p.m. EST until September 1 at 6:00 p.m. EST. 10% of ticket sales and 10% of a special Down shirt, will be donated to the United Houma Nation (UHN), a state-recognized tribe of approximately 17,000 members residing within a six-parish (county) service area encompassing 4,570 square miles. The six parishes — Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines — are located along the Southeastern coast of Louisiana. The band had their 2020 reunion tour plans and festival appearances canceled due to the pandemic. You can watch the band play “Lifer” with Kirk WIndstein for the first time in 8 years below. The band also shared a video message of thanks.
Alice In Chains saw their stellar 1990 debut album Facelift turned 30 today, August 21st. The band themselves will be honoring the outing with a thirty-day look back at the album which will eventually culminate in a deluxe 30th-anniversary edition deluxe box set for the record. The band commented:Continue reading
Stoner Metal supergroup Down has announced a livestream concert to commemorate 25 years since the release of Nola (Electra). The band will play the full debut album at The Quarter Century Throwdown, the high production, multi-camera event will take place August 29th at 6:00pm EST using cutting-edge streaming technology to create a one-of-a-kind virtual concert experience. The show will be rebroadcast August 30th at 6:00pm EST until September 1st at 6:00pm EST. 10% of ticket sales will be donated to the United Houma Nation (UHN), a state-recognized tribe of approximately 17,000 members residing within a six-parish (county) service area encompassing 4,570 square miles. The six parishes — Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, St. Mary, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines — are located along the Southeastern coast of Louisiana. Within this area, distinct tribal communities are situated among the interwoven bayous and canals where Houmas traditionally earned a living. In addition, 10% of proceeds raised from a special, limited DOWN/United Houma Nation t-shirt will also be donated to the UHN. For preorders , click the link below. Down is vocalist Philip Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders. Continue reading
Doom metal supergroup’s return to live activity was broken by Down’s longtime manager, Skid Row guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo, who guested on this past Sunday’s (August 2) episode of “Tribute Wars”, the Internet show co-hosted by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson. The date of the show will be August 22nd with more details TBD. Continue reading
Psycho Las Vegas has announced their return in the summer of 2021. If you had tickets for this year, you are in luck! Most of the lineup will return next year, except Rebel Motorcycle Club, Ty Segall & The Freedom Band, and Crowbar. This still looks like one of the best festivals in the world next year, in a year overpacked with re-scheduled events and tours. See the full lineup below.Continue reading
Pantera, Down, and En Minor singer Philip H. Anselmo shared a new video with Revolver Magazine to discuss the best metal singers ever. He mentioned Rob “The Metal God” Halford and Ronnie James Dio. Yesterday (May 16th, 2020) marked the tenth anniversary of Dio’s death from cancer. Anselmo has always cited Halford as an influence, as evidenced by his early work in Pantera. Continue reading
Psycho Swim, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/15/19
Psycho Las Vegas has shared the bad news that they have canceled the 2020 festival that was set for August due to ot the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Psycho Las Vegas 2021 has been scheduled to August 19-22, 2021. “Nearly all the bands” have agreed to return for the 2021st dates. The full announcement is expected after they confirm those last bands. Continue reading