Attila, Memphis May Fire, Chelsea Grin, etc Confirmed For Never Say Never Fest 2015


never say never fest 2015

Never Say Never Festival 2015 is confirmed for March 20-21, 2015 at Las Palmas Park in Mission, TX. The lineup is still being updated, but confirmed artists include so far:

Attila
Memphis May Fire
Chelsea Grin
Against The Current
Ghost Town
Slaves
Fallujah
After The Burial
Vanna
The Color Morale
Beartooth
My Ticket Home
No Bragging Rights
Upon A Burning Body
Like Moths To Flames
Erra
Dance Gavin Dance
Fit For A King
Chiodos
Crown The Empire
Real Friends
Knuckle Puck
Capsize
Courage My Love
A Skylit Drive
Kublai Khan
Gideon
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Black Tongue
Monuments
Boris The Blade
I See Stars
The Maine
Enter Shikari
Mayday Parade

 

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South By So What?! Announces First Round of Acts


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The 2015 South By So What?! Fest has announced their first round of acts. Atreyu, Capsize, Cartel, Chiodos, Hatebreed, Motionless In White and more have been confirmed. More acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The fest is being held on March 20-22nd, 2015 at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie, TX. For more information, please visit www.southbysowhat.com.

South By So What?! On Facebook


Summer Slaughter 2014- Live at The Palladium, Worcester MA


 

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Sometimes dreams do come true, and sometimes not so much. As much as I have been a supporter of Summer slaughter in all its incarnations, it has been some time since it really lived up to the billing of “The Most Brutal Tour of The Summer”. I even heard a NASCAR or WWE wrestling announcer’s voice in my head as I typed those words. Still, it’s the true to say that this tour has been lacking in the brutality department for a while and even though I rather enjoy prog and djent bands, and the “whateverthehellyoucallit” style of bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan, something was lacking the last few summers. It was death metal and balls to be blunt. Well this year the tour got all its balls back and then some with an amazing lineup stacked pretty much top to bottom. A death metal fans dream to be sure.

 

Of course my life has a way of clusterfucking my plans over sometimes and so on the big day of the show I got waylaid by a bunch of BS things all happening at once. I ended missing a good half of the bands I wanted to see most, which had me in sick to my stomach to be honest. I hate missing any bands, let alone some amazing locals and bands I admire like Fallujah, Decrepit Birth, and Origin but that’s what happened. I showed up in time to see Goatwhore and heard a bit of their set before I had to run and interview Alex from Fallujah. He was so cool, that it almost made up for the BS I went through.

The first full band performance I saw was Thy Art is Murder and these guys are always excellent live. I actually enjoy them in concert, even more on record. Perhaps it’s because I think their explosive live act hasn’t fully translated to a recording for me yet. Nonetheless, they destroyed the stage, the pit was insane and the crowd of moshing hooligans were feeling it. I know some people griped about TAIM being higher on the bill than Origin, but believe me, they deserve the props they are getting.

 

The Faceless was up next and I have covered them a lot in my career. At one point it seemed like they were going to be a hybrid of Cynic and Meshuggah and be a legendary band. At times, they actually are. They were cursed by really setting the template for all the “Sumerian” bands to follow them on that label and others, similar to Unearth with metalcore. Still, on this warm August night, The Faceless reminded everyone in the room just how much ass they can kick when they want to. Playing a predominantly old-school set (for them) mainly from the Akeldama and Planetary Duality albums, they just crushed it. Geoffrey Ficco long ago came into his own as the front man of this band, but he left no doubt about his mastery of brutal vocals, his domineering stage presence, and his great sense of humor. Michael Keene as usual played great. He could smile a little less, but I guess he is allowed to feel smug based on what he created here.

 

Even after the last notes of ‘Zenochrist’ rung out from The Faceless, it was all about Dying Fetus. Fetus is as close to a religious experience as it gets for tech death. They are flawless live and possibly the best band in all of metal in concert. The reason being is they insane virtuosity coupled with their extreme style is just a perfect match for many fans of the genre. They were flawless on this night, true masters of the sick tempos and heavy grooves. They played a short (always too fucking short for me) set list of deep cuts and classic tracks. John Gallagher’s growl is only matched by his unrelenting guitar style. I can’t really believe I have only seen them headline one time ever, but it’s true. ‘One Shot, One Kill’, ‘Intentional Manslaughter’, ‘Justifiable Homicide’ were all mind-blowing! Trey Williams is almost underrated when you start listing the best drummers in death metal. He certainly is never mentioned by most within the first few names, but he should be. He is one of the few drummers in all of metal that can still play super fast double-bass, but still hit for power when he wants to. ‘Praise The Lord (Opium of the Masses)’ was a fitting closer, despite not getting to play ‘Kill Your Mother, Rape Your Dog’ (again). If I ruled the world, DF would be contractually bound to play that song every single show. And at my house on my birthday!

At last it was time for Morbid Angel to take the stage. I was impressed at how fast and pro their crew was getting set up with nary an extra soundcheck to be done or needed. The band came out to some fitting intro music before lighting up the stage with ‘Immortal Rites’. The band was on-point and note for note perfect. I know David Vincent and crew have had their well-documented missteps, but the band was fierce and played like they had something to prove. Actually they do, and that is they still deserve to be mentioned among the greatest death metal bands/legacy acts around. The set list choices were phenomenal. I think a lot of people forget how many killer songs and albums this band has produced. ‘Fall from Grace’, ‘Day of Suffering’, ‘Maze of Torment’, ‘Curse the Flesh’ and so many more were so good to hear! Trey Azagothoth is still an insane level guitar player and performer. I wish I was able to see more than his elbow, since he hung to his side of the stage mainly. The only guy I was less than impressed with was Tim Yeung (Divine Heresy, World Under Blood). Don’t get me wrong, Timmy can play his ass off. I’d just rather him skip the Tommy Lee worshiping drum stick twirling, and pointing crap. Dude, that shit is lame and you are not getting laid because of it.

Meanwhile, everything on this end of the night set sprang from the presence of David Vincent. Ring leader, demon master, king; he was not to be denied as he curated the set bit by bit. He kept his comments entertaining, but thankfully short. The guy is brilliant and was great at motivating the crowd to keep their energy up after a long day and night. As tonight’s performance indicates, the band is far from over, certainly can still deliver live, and are not to be trifled with!

 

Until next year Summer Slaughter

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Morbid Angel Set List:

 

Immortal Rites
Fall from Grace
Day of Suffering
Rapture
Maze of Torment
Vengeance Is Mine
Ageless, I Still Am
Curse the Flesh
Existo Vulgore
Where the Slime Live
Blood on My Hands
Bil Ur-Sag
Word of Shit (The Promised Land)
God of Emptiness

 

Summer Slaughter on Facebook

 

WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES

PHOTOS BY HILLARIE JASON PHOTOGRAPHY

 

 

 


Fallujah – The Flesh Prevails


fallujah album cover

One of America’s best kept secrets, Fallujah have made quite the impression in their home nation during their relative infancy. The well-received full length The Harvest Wombs and last year’s Nomadic EP were fine slices of the band’s impressive mix of melodic progressive metal and blistering, ferocious death metal, whilst the UK saw a brief but well taken support slot on Suffocation’s European tour. Now finally the band are about to get some well-deserved attention European attention with latest release The Flesh Prevails (all via Unique Leader).

The initial brace of songs are archetype of what this band can do when at top gear. Opener ‘Starlit Path’ begins in a manner of ambience before slowly creeping forward with blast-beats, chugging guitars and then a guttural bark from Alex Hofmann. This slow build encapsulates this bands formidable streak and perfect marriage between the two contrasting styles in one cohesive mesh. Following tracks ‘Carved From Stone’ and ‘The Night Reveals’ have less of a growth, but still are prime examples of their prowess as masters of the time old cliché of melodic yet heavy.

Things begin to lose momentum in the latter half of the album, which takes its foot off the gas and feels less straight for the throat. Much of these latter tracks, such as ‘Allure’ and ‘Alone With You’, shed vocals almost completely and have less of a death metal focus, with hints of a video game soundtrack. These tracks feel all the more improvised and jammed out and prove good showcases for their talent, but lack in necessity.

What started off so promisingly with an initial barrage of force, sadly becomes fragmented and surplus, if not dull. Shed some of this and The Flesh Prevails would have made a great EP release, but instead brings with it a lot of baggage.

7.0/10.0

Fallujah on Facebook

CHRIS TIPPELL


Dying Fetus Announce European Headline Tour


 

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Technical Death Metal legends Dying Fetus are heading back to Europe this fall for a six-week tour. They will be joined by fellow musical misanthropes in Goatwhore, Malevolence and Fallujah. The long-running band is still out on the road supporting their exceptional 2012 album Reign Supreme (Relapse). Of the trek, Guitarist / vocalist John Gallagher has said:

 

 

We’re stoked to hit the European road this winter and crush the weak! Every band on this tour brings something unique to the table thus making an amazing package which will pulverize. This will be a death metal party that shouldn’t be missed. Bring your war helmet!”

 

 


Dying Fetus tour dates / European Tour with Goatwhore, Malevolence and Fallujah

Nov 08 – Liege, Belgium – Fonck

Nov 09 – Essen, Germany – Turock (Matinee)

Nov 10 – Frankfurt, Germany – 11er

Nov 11 – Dessau, Germany – Beatclub

Nov 12 – Prague, Czech Rep – Meet Factory w/ Cannibal Corpse

Nov 13 – Ludwigsburg, Germany – Rockfabrik

Nov 14 – Berlin, Germany – Lido

Nov 15 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Dynamo

Nov 16 – Trier, Germany – Exhaus

Nov 17 – Brighton, UK – Audio

Nov 18 – Cardiff, UK – Clwb Ifor Bach

Nov 19 – Glasgow, UK – Cathouse

Nov 20 – Dublin, Ireland – Voodoo Lounge

Nov 21 – Manchester, UK – Sound Control

Nov 22 – Wolverhampton, UK – Slade Rooms

Nov 23 – London, UK – Garage

Nov 24 – Paris, France – Divan Du Monde

Nov 25 – Toulouse, France – La Dynamo

Nov 26 – Santander, Spain – Escenario

Nov 27 – Porto, Portugal – Hard Club

Nov 28 – Madrid, Spain – Penélope

Nov 29 – Badalona, Spain – Estraperlo Club

Nov 30 – Nimes, France – Paloma

Dec 01 – Clermont-Ferrand, France – Le Tremplin

Dec 02 – Aarau, Switzerland – Kiff

Dec 03 – Brescia, Italy – Circolo Colony

Dec 04 – München, Germany – Backstage

Dec 05 – Budapest, Hungary – Blue Hell

Dec 06 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Gala Hala

Dec 07 – Cluj-Napoca, Romania – Flying Circus

Dec 08 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Jet Rock

Dec 09 – Brasov, Romania – Club Rockstadt

Dec 10 – Kosice, Slovakia – Collosseum

Dec 11 – Wien, Austria – Viper Room

Dec 12 – Nürnberg, Germany – Rockfabrik

Dec 13 – Aarhus, Denmark – Voxhall

Dec 14 – Oslo, Norway – John Dee

Dec 16 – Helsinki, Finland – Nosturi

Dec 18 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser Medis

Dec 19 – Hamburg, Germany – Kaiserkeller, Große Freiheit

Dec 20 – Leer, Germany – Zollhaus

 

JOHN GALLAGHER of DYING FETUS

JOHN GALLAGHER of DYING FETUS

 

In the meantime Dying Fetus hits the road in the USA on this year’s Summer Slaughter Tour, as direct support for Morbid Angel, and also counting Goatwhore and Fallujah on that bill. That tour begins tonight in California. When they are done with touring for the year, they will turn their attention to recording their next album, due in 2015, also for Relapse.

 

dyingfetusreignsupremecover

 

Check out the new video for ‘Second Skin’ here

 

Dying Fetus on Facebook

Dying Fetus on Bandcamp

Dying Fetus on Instagram (new)


Fallujah – Nomadic EP


fallujah-nomadic(ep)-20130318155918Most know Fallujah as a modern tech-death band. Some people like them. Some people don’t. I am decidedly ambivalent. ‘But Sean,’ you ask, peering at me from across a diner table while a waiter hands me some French toast because I have a munchie attack and you’re drinking free water like a fish because you’re poor and I won’t share, ‘What’s there not to like about Fallujah? They’re kinda like The Faceless, Born Of Osiris, and Animals As Leaders in one burrito of musical prowess that’s lilting, atmospheric and yet surprisingly heavy. You hatin’?’ Frankly, I’m still not sure what to think even though I have attempted to listen to their first full-length Harvest Wombs, and all I could say was ‘Well that was cool, but where’s the meat?’ I must ask Fallujah if they’re low-level chefs because they continue to feed me soup.

 

And as much as I like soup, I enjoy a substantial meal more. Fallujah have melodies that can stir the heart, but it’s trite and flashy in the end, intended to be so fanciful rather than convincing. Just because you can use big words, write atmospheric passages and layer on the sweetness like a killer ice cream cake, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily fit for daily consumption, but just a once-in-a-while treat to remind you that it exists and is readily available for cheap. Fallujah just don’t impress me, and Nomadic (Unique Leader) is thus far not really changing my opinion. The fact that this is a three song EP and the second song is just a synth’n’sample pisstake that does nothing more than massage your ears isn’t becoming of their talent with actual instruments. It’s a good track for easy listening, but until they make an easy listening release, it’s just there taking up space on your computer for no reason.

It’s no more captivating than the better moments on their official debut Harvest Wombs, and I’m sad to say that their blackened deathcore EP Leper Colony sounds more groundbreaking by comparison to what they’re doing now. Hell, the fact that they managed to take frosty black metal blasting and integrate modern hardcore elements (read: breakdowns and circlepit parts) without making them too corny was a much more ballsy experiment than waxing cosmic/aethereal and hoping for the best. Too many bands of their type exist, and I’m drowning.

 

7.0/10

 

Fallujah on Facebook

Sean Pierre-Antoine

 


Fallujah, Havok, Cephalic Carnage & Suffocation – Live @ Islington Academy, London


Fallujah-1As the slow decent into arctic oblivion comes to an end, glorious sunshine spills over a bemused Islington who inhabitants are seemingly perplexed at the sudden appearance of the giant, yellow orb. In contrast, death metal patrons head to the cramped and stuffy surroundings of the Islington Academy for an evening of gloriously indecipherable grunting and frantic guitar bashing.Continue reading