GWAR B-Q VIP Passes Nearly Sold Out, Phil Anselmo Signing Added

Posted on July 2, 2015 by News Team

With under two months to go, GWAR’s GWAR B-Q has announced they are nearly sold out of VIP passes for the event. In addition to the previously announced VIP Meat & Great with bands like Clutch, Cro-Mags, Ghoul, Goatwhore and more; there will be an exclusive celebrity signing with Phil Anselmo only for VIPs.

Many other perks and all the fest info can be found at the Ultimate Bohab Guide To GWAR B-Q, and the FAQ page for the fest: https://gwarbq.com/faq.

Phil Anselmo with Down, photo by Echoes In The Well

Premium/VIP Ticket benefits include:

An exclusive VIP Laminate (mailed in advance)

Entry to B4BQ pre-party show at the National

VIP seating at the B4BQ

VIP Meet n Greet with B4BQ bands

VIP drink specials at the B4BQ

All day entry to GWAR B-Q at Hadads Lake

Official GWAR B-Q event t-shirt

GWAR B-Q swag bag stuffed with FREE shit!

FREE beverage ticket/token for the GWAR B-Q

Access to VIP Pavilion at the GWAR B-Q

Access to VIP Restrooms at the GWAR B-Q

Access to Express Lanes including – Main Gate Entry, Merchandise Booth, and Beverage Ticket Kiosks at the GWAR B-Q

Exclusive Celebrity Signings – GBQ Bands TBA

Not to mention the pinnacle of any Bohab’s miserable existence; a Meat-n-Meet signing with GWAR, and a chance to win the ultimate prize; a once in a lifetime opportunity to be killed on stage by the mighty GWAR!

Get your VIP tickets here: http://gwarbq.com/buy-tickets

Audio:Cattle Decapitation Stream New Song Mammals In Babylon

Posted on July 1, 2015 by News Team

Cattle Decapitation has released a new song today, ‘Mammals In Babylon’, from their forthcoming new album The Anthropocene Extinction due for release from Metal Blade on August 7^th. You can stream the track at this link.

The Anthropocene Extinction is the followup to the critically acclaimed and beloved by death metal fans Monolith of Inhumanity. The Anthropocene Extinction was produced by frequent collaborator Dave Otero (Allegaeon, Cephalic Carnage) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado, and includes guest appearances from the Philip H. Anselmo, Tristan Shone/Author & Punisher and Bethlehem’s Mr. Jurgen Bartsch.

Cattle Decapitations’s artwork for cattle decapitation ‘The Anthropocene Extinction’

Cattle Decapitation will appear on this year’s edition of the Summer Slaughter tour with Arch Enemy, Born Of Osiris, Veil Of Maya, Obscura and more.

In conjunction with the Summer Slaughter Tour, the band has announce a special Halfway To Slaughter contest! To enter go to the Summer Slaughter Tour’s FaceBook page and share the streaming single post to enter: https://www.facebook.com/SummerSlaughterTour. One random fan on FaceBook will be selected on July 6thto win prizes courtesy of Indie Merch and Metal Blade Records. The mega prize pack will include:

– The Anthropocene Extinction T-shirt
– 30″ x 60″ full-color custom album art beach towel
– Aluminum water bottle with gold band logo print
– 4′ x 2′ full-color album art tapestry
– 4-count button pack with custom hangcard
– 5″ square full-color album art sticker
– 5″ embroidered patch with gold band logo
– Cassette copy of The Anthropocene Extinction
– CD copy of The Anthropocene Extinction
– Double LP copy of The Anthropocene Extinction

Prize package is expected to ship around August 3rd, 2015. Prize pack details and image are available at http://www.indiemerch.com/metalbladerecords/item/33188.

Albert Mudrian – Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore (Reissue)

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Steve Tovey

Released twelve years ago, Albert Mudrian’s anthology of Death Metal has stood the test of time; an engaging read taking you on a loose zig-zag through the birth and, um, death of Death Metal. Unveiled through the eyes of its’ progenitors, there is method to the tale that begins in England, moves to Tampa, takes in Entombed and Scandinavia and reserves a special mention for the oft overlooked Dutch input of Gorefest and Pestilence.

Undertaking a task as complicated as trying to find the true source of the Nile (Karl Sanders – badoom tish!), Mudrian begins his tale by trying to uncover the birth of what became known as Death Metal, settling on Napalm Death and their 1985 era hybrid (Siege meets Discharge meets Celtic Frost) of hardcore punk, thrash and a desire to be harder, faster, sicker than everyone else. The book then focuses on the influence of their Scum release (Earache) on other vital artists, like Morbid Angel (via Pete Sandoval, then in Terrorizer) and the incestuous, small nature of the scene where, due to tape trading and pen palling, most of Death Metal’s predominant protagonists all knew and inspired each other.

As the tales unfurl, you find yourself swept up and wanting to revisiting all the classic albums that are mentioned – Possessed ‘s Seven Churches (Combat), Pestilence Consvming Impvlse (Roadrunner), Massacre From Beyond (the story of Massacre’s signing to Earache being another fun aside revealed in the book) and Master Master (Displeased) forming part of my own soundtrack while reading.

The re-issue picks things up as the roots of recovery were just sprouting through the top soil at the tail end of the 90’s, highlighting the rise of a new DM general in Nile. After touching on the diversification of Death Metal of this millennium, including the mind-sucking brilliance of Portal and their focus on eldritch, dark atmospheres, Mudrian covers the popularity of technical Death Metal (a section that introduced me to Necrophagist and Obscura as you can’t help but be enthused to check all the recommends as you go) over the last decade. The tome now concludes by covering the return to the scene of the apex predators with Carcass, At The Gates, Death (DTA) and others reforming to reap the benefits of their respective legacies and the rewards of the now lucrative and high profile festival market, and to satisfy an urge that, in the case of Bill Steer, they didn’t even know they had. If you read the original, the added content is an agreeable appendix.

Peppered with short anecdotes, but above all an informative and enjoyable potted history of Death Metal, all imparted with the enthusiastic love that a doting parent has for a child, Choosing Death is an affectionate, if whistlestop, walk through of the story of Death Metal to date. In the authors’ own words, he is “Just a fan. Just like you.” He just happens to be a damn good writer who has written The Improbable History of Death Metal & Grindcore. And updated it.

Buy the book here:

8.5/10

STEVE TOVEY

GWAR -BQ Adds Clutch As Co-Headliner, Pre-Party, VIP, Show Details

Posted on June 3, 2015 by News Team

Clutch, by Evil Robb Photography

Maryland rock royalty Clutch have been added as the co-headliner of the 6^th Annual GWAR BQ. In addition the B4BQ event pre-party show now features the entire lineup of the Summer Slaughter Tour, as well as Coal Chamber and Fear Factory.

The B4BQ has come into its own as an event the last few years, after getting its start as an informal gathering. The show will be held at The National (708 E Broad St, Richmond, VA) on Friday, August 14th. Doors are at 2:00 PM and features Coal Chamber, Fear Factory, Arch Enemy, Born Of Osiris, Veil of Maya, The Acacia Strain, Obscura, After the Burial, Cattle Decapitation, and Beyond Creation.

Tickets to the B4BQ go on sale TODAY! June 3rd at 2:00pm EST Buy yours here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01004EC398BD3071

VIP Ticket Options and Package Details Are also now available

Premium/VIP Ticket benefits include:

An exclusive VIP Laminate (mailed in advance)

Entry to B4BQ pre-party show at the National

VIP seating at the B4BQ

VIP Meet n Greet with B4BQ bands

VIP drink specials at the B4BQ

All day entry to GWAR B-Q at Hadads Lake

Official GWAR B-Q event t-shirt

GWAR B-Q swag bag stuffed with FREE shit!

FREE beverage ticket/token for the GWAR B-Q

Access to VIP Pavilion at the GWAR B-Q

Access to VIP Restrooms at the GWAR B-Q

Access to Express Lanes including – Main Gate Entry, Merchandise Booth, and Beverage Ticket Kiosks at the GWAR B-Q

Exclusive Celebrity Signings – GBQ Bands TBA

Get your VIP tickets here: http://gwarbq.com/buy-tickets

Arch Enemy, Born Of Osiris, The Acacia Strain, etc Confirmed For 2015 Summer Slaughter Tour

Posted on May 25, 2015 by newsteam

Arch Enemy has been confirmed to headline the 2015 Summer Slaughter Tour with Born Of Osiris, Veil Of Maya, The Acacia Strain, Obscura, After The Burial, Cattle Decapitation and Beyond Creation. This also marks Arch Enemy’s first North American trek with new guitarist Jeff Loomis.

“Summer Slaughter 2015” tour dates feat. Arch Enemy, Born Of Osiris, Veil Of Maya, The Acacia Strain, Obscura, After The Burial, Cattle Decapitation, Beyond Creation
Jul 28: The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
Jul 30: Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA
Jul 31: Skyway Theater – Minneapolis, MN
Aug 01: Mojoes – Joliet, IL
Aug 02: The Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
Aug 03: The Northland Performing Arts Center – Columbus, OH
Aug 05: Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
Aug 07: Heavy MTL – Montreal, QC
Aug 08: The Palladium – Worcester, MA
Aug 09: Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
Aug 12: Webster Hall – New York, NY w/ The All Stars Tour
Aug 13: Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD
Aug 15: The International – Knoxville, TN
Aug 17: Gas Monkey Live! – Dallas, TX
Aug 18: Empire Control Room & Garage – Austin, TX
Aug 20: The Marquee – Tempe, AZ
Aug 21: House of Blues – San Diego, CA
Aug 22: City National Grove Of Anaheim – Anaheim, CA
Aug 23: The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA

More dates coming soon!

Arch Enemy live in Europe:
May 31: Komma – Wörgl, Austria (support by Drone)
Jun 01: Barba Negra Track – Budapest, Hungary (support by Drone)
Jun 03: Orpheum – Graz, Austria (supported by Unearth and Drone)

Jun 04: Out & Loud Festival – Geiselwind (DE)
Jun 05: Metalfest Open Air – Pilsen (CZ)
Jun 06: Plein Air de Rock Festival – Jarny (FR)
Jun 19: Nummirock Metal Festival – Nummijarvi (FI)
Jun 20: Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel (BE)
Jun 21: Hellfest – Clisson (FR)
Jun 25: Bravalla Festival – Norrköping (SE)
Jun 26: TopFest – Piestany (SL)
Jul 03: Pfeffelbach Open Air – Pfeffelbach (DE)
Jul 05: With Full Force Festival – Roitzschjora (DE)
Jul 17: Metal Collision Festival – Frankfurt (DE)
Jul 18: Dynamo Metal Fest – Eindhoven (NE)
Jul 19: Two Days A Week Festival – Wiesen (AT)
Jul 23: Metaldays – Tolmin (SL)
Jul 24: Lanzenanger Festival – Burglengenfeld (DE)
Aug 27 – 31: Full Metal Cruise III – Scandinavia
Aug 31: Headbangers Weekend – Istanbul (TU)

Nov 13: Principal Club Theater (GR)
Nov 14: Gargarin 205 – Athens (GR)

Nightwish, Arch Enemy, Amorphis “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” European tour 2015
Nov 16: Falconer – Copenhagen (DK)
Nov 18: O2 World – Hamburg (DE)
Nov 19: Heineken Music Hall – Amsterdam (NL)
Nov 20: Heineken Music Hall – Amsterdam (NL)
Nov 21: König-Pilsener-Arena – Oberhausen (DE)
Nov 23: Hall Tony Garnier – Lyon (FR)
Nov 25: POPB-Bercy – Paris (FR)
Nov 26: Le Zénith – Toulouse (FR)
Nov 28: St. Jakobshalle – Basel (SI)
Nov 29: Unipol Arena – Bologna (IT)
Dec 01: Zenith – Munich (DE)
Dec 03: Schleyerhalle – Stuttgart (DE)
Dec 04: Jahrhunderthalle – Frankfurt (DE)
Dec 05: Arena – Nürnberg (DE)
Dec 07: Tip Sport Arena Prague – Prague (CZ)
Dec 10: Polivalenta Hall – Bucharest (RO)
Dec 14: Arena – Leipzig (DE)
Dec 15: Max – Schmeling-Halle – Berlin (DE)
Dec 16: Rockhal – Luxembourg (LX)
Dec 17: Lotto Arena – Antwerp (BE)
Dec 19: Wembley Arena – London (UK)

Arch Enemy on Facebook
Arch Enemy on YouTube
Arch Enemy on Twitter

The Summer Slaughter Tour is back for its 9th installment and joining us this year will be Arch Enemy, Born of Osiris,…

Posted by The Summer Slaughter Tour on Friday, May 22, 2015

Heavy Montreal Announces Daily Lineups

Posted on May 5, 2015 by newsteam

Daily lineups have been announced for the 2015 Heavy Montreal Festival, happening August 7-9, 2015 at Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal, QC.

Friday, August 07th:

Korn (performing their self-titled debut)
Alexisonfire
Mastodon
Meshuggah
Lagwagon
Extreme
Arch Enemy
Neurosis
Strung Out
Periphery
Gorguts
Fozzy
Lofofora
Veil Of Maya
The Flatliners
The Acacia Strain
Moneen
Obscura
After The Burial
Cattle Decapitation
Nothing More
Toyguitar

Saturday, August 08th:
Faith No More
Iggy Pop
NOFX
Billy Talent
Testament
Abbath
Gojira
Lita Ford
Rocket From The Crypt
Glassjaw
Pentagram
Devin Townsend Project
Deafheaven
Dying Fetus
B.A.R.E.
Swingin’ utters
The Brains
The Agonist
Masked Intruder
Battlecross
Slaves On Dope
Intervals
Dig It Up
Mass Murder Messiah

Sunday, August 09th:
Slipknot
Lamb Of God
Bullet For My Valentine
Within Temptation
Warrant
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg With Andrew W.K.
Nuclear Assault
Ihsahn
Asking Alexandria
Dokken
Coal Chamber
Pig Destroyer
Motionless In White
Sanctuary
Small Brown Bike
Insomnium
Jasta
Upon A Burning Body
Anonymus
Wilson
Omnium Gatherum
Dead Tired
Sandveiss

Alkaloid – The Malkuth Grimoire

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Steve Tovey

In recent times there seems to have been a near endless influx of overtly technical, progressive metal bands, all seemingly trying to prove more complex than the next and in too often the case at the expensive of actual, memorable songs. New outfit Alkaloid do have a few aces up their sleeves however; namely Christian Muenzner and Hannes Grossman, formerly of tech masters Obscura. Joining them is a cast of huge pedigree containing members of the likes of Aborted, Noneuclid and Dark Fortress.

Debut album The Malkuth Grimoire (Apostasy) certainly proves a bold statement of intent, proving insanely complex throughout as it constantly veers through death metal, more melodic passages and even a Between The Buried & Me sense of jazz progression at times, ever changing throughout. ‘Cthulhu’ proves one of the albums more straightforward offerings with a mostly traditional death/doom metal foundation with layers of futuristic keys and notes on top. As technically impressive as it all is, it does require your full attention and several listens to begin to fully grasp and take it all in, and with its huge duration that in itself can be a tricky undertaking.

It may not be a ground breaking album in and of itself, as many its components and influences are easy to trace, many of which coming from its own alumni. That being said, it is all pulled off with precision and culminates in a promising debut, with enough skill involved to become a true heavyweight in the progressive Metal genre. Far from the most catchy or accessible, and its running time comes close to the ridiculous, but regardless, a very strong and very cohesive effort from an all star cast with a huge pedigree.

7.0/10

Alkaloid on Facebook

CHRIS TIPPELL

Aklaloid Streaming The Malkuth Grimoire

Posted on March 18, 2015 by newsteam

Alkaloid. Photo Credit: Christian Martin Weiss

German extreme progressive metal supergroup Alkaloid is stream their debut album The Malkuth Grimoire below.

Consisting of a pedigree of extreme musicians, including current and former members of Necrophagist, Obscura, Spawn of Possession, Aborted, Dark Fortress, God Dethroned, Blotted Science and Noneuclid, Alkaloid set out to push the boundaries of progressive, extreme music on their full-length debut. The group also decided to self-record and self-release The Malkuth Grimoire via a successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.com.

ALKALOID is:

Morean (Dark Fortress, Noneuclid) – ¬Vocals, Guitars
Christian Muenzner (Spawn of Possession, Ex¬-Obscura, Ex¬-Necrophagist) ¬- Guitars
Danny Tunker (Aborted, Ex¬-God Dethroned) ¬- Guitars
Linus Klausenitzer (Obscura, Noneuclid) ¬- Bass
Hannes Grossmann (Blotted Science, Ex¬-Obscura, Ex¬-Necrophagist) –¬ Drums

Alkaloid on Facebook

<a href="http://alkaloid-band.bandcamp.com/album/the-malkuth-grimoire">The Malkuth Grimoire by Alkaloid</a>

Thulcandra – Ascension Lost

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Steve Tovey

Anyone that has ventured into the Thulcandra back catalogue has probably noticed this German black metal band seem to exist as a living shrine to one of the former giants of the genre. Although their Dissection worship has decreased with every release, recent album Ascension Lost (Napalm) has not truly shaken off the homage to the band, with veins of Reinkaos (Black Horizon) rippling throughout.

Despite being inspired by such revered material, Ascension Lost leaves very little impression. Lacking any distinct identity or style of its own, the material passes by you with only vague echo of a few musical moments really standing out at the end. Ascension Lost falls into the trap of becoming black metal by numbers, filling in all the tremolos and blasts in all the right places to make a black metal track, but it lacks the atmosphere that is so crucial to the genre. It’s hard to deny the bands technical proficiency in both playing and song writing, but the music is devoid of personality. Being the side project of Obscura’s Steffen Kummerer, it is hardly surprising that technicality has taken preference that leaves the record lacking.

Fans of the band will already know what to expect from the album. The songs follow a similar style to their previous work and this album is no departure from this. Ascension Lost remains enjoyable boasting impressive riffs and drumming, but is also distinctly unmemorable. As the title suggests, Thulcandra haven’t ascended to any level of brilliance with this record and until they break from their Dissection homage, are unlikely to any time soon.

4.0/10

Thulcandra on Facebook

CAITLIN SMITH

Obscura In Pre-Production For New Album, Seeking Help For Interactive Project

Posted on December 20, 2014 by newsteam

Obscura vocalist/guitarist Steffen Kummerer posted an update on their progress on their new album:

Obscura is working hard on the follow up to 2011’s “Omnivium”. The band is already in pre-production process and starts tracking demos for the new record. We are all pleased with the new material which pairs songwriting, technicality and arrangments of the last albums with creative input of Linus Klausenitzer, Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger and Sebastian Lanser, while keeping our trademark prog riffing across fusion and death metal that makes Obscura sound unique.
While working on Obscura’s fourth, yet untitled, record we just initiated an interactive project we need your help for. We are looking for all kinds of photos, videos, graphics, flyers and tour posters since the very beginning in 2002. If you have any footage you would like to share and be part of the band’s project, please get in touch via contact@realmofobscura.com.

Especially videos of our shows in Japan, South East Asia, Mexico, Europe and North America would be appreciated. If you made pictures with the band members after a concert or just made a few shots during a show, feel free to send an email to the band. Everyone contributing will be mentioned in the final credits.
Sincerely,
Steffen Kummerer

Ghost Cult Magazine

Music News, Interviews and Reviews that matter.

Tag Archives: Obscura