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Tag Archives: Obsidian Tongue
PREVIEW: New Music Friday Rock and Metal Releases 2-2-24
Obsidian Tongue (Shabti, Falls of Rauros) Shares a New Single and Video for “The Stone Heart” EP ft. Obsequiae’s Tanner Anderson
Portland, Maine-based atmospheric black metal outfit Obsidian Tongue presents their most epic work to date, with their new EP, The Stone Heart. Alongside the record’s cover art, track listing, preorders, and other details, an official video for its stunning title track, which features an otherworldly guest vocal appearance from Tanner Anderson of Obsequiae and Majesties, has been premiered exclusively through Decibel Magazine. Continue reading
Bindrune Recordings Signs Eave, Announces New Distro Deal with Season of Mist
Bindrune Recordings, one of the best labels for underground music for 20 years has signed Maine’s atmospheric post-Black Metal band Eave to a new deal. Their new album Phantoms Made Permanent, is coming in 2020. The label has also announced a new distribution deal in Europe with Season of Mist. The partnership begins with three albums including the new Obsidian Tongue album! Continue reading
Obsidian Tongue Streams New Single, New Full-Length Album Due Early in 2020
North American Atmospheric Black Metal band Obsidian Tongue has shared a new single, their first for their new album due in early 2020. ‘Return to the fields of Violet’ is the first track from Volume III, due out January 31st via Bindrune Recordings. The track is the first new music from the band since the band released a single a few years back, two 2015 split EPs, and 2013’s epic full-length A Nest of Ravens in the Throat of Time. Jam the new track right now! Get hype as this will be a major underground release on the schedule for us, and should be for you as well if you love high-quality USBM. More info and pre-orders are coming soon about the album! Continue reading
Abbath – Obsidian Tongue – Sangus – Infera Bruo: At The Sinclair
Many touring bands today enjoy their seldom “days off” while on the road. Every once in a while, a touring band will use these days off and turn them into one-off shows nearby to their trek. Abbath provided Boston with such an occasion, a day before the first official stop on the tour they were supporting. Add in a few solid local openers inside a smaller venue such as The Sinclair and you have quite the show for a Tuesday night! Continue reading
Thrawsunblat – Metachthonia
Thrawsunblat initially started as a side-project of Wood of Ypres members Joel Violette and later, David Gold. Thrawsunblat became the Joel Violette’s main project since the passing of Gold and the end of Woods. Sadly, until being asked to review this I’d not heard anything by them, something which was rectified very quickly after hearing this.
Metachthonia (Ignifera Records/Broken Limbs) is their latest album and is released on Ignifera records. The title Metachthonia is Greek for “the age after that of the earth” and this concept album addresses that which we are yearning for and has been taken away in the modern world. Describing the style of the new album as ‘folkened black metal’ the anticipation is that Metachthonia shifts from their folk sound to a much blacker sound.
Opening track ‘Fires that Light the Earth’ begins sombrely with cello courtesy of Raphael Weinroth-Browne, before being joined by the guitar and drums which begin a short-lived lament but then branches into blackened blasting drums from Rae Amitay (Immortal Bird) and the bass of Brendan Hayter (Obsidian Tongue) and the tone for the album is set, and it is considerably blacker.
The folk elements and blackened parts juxtapose well, and give a better balance to their sound than before: emphasised by an ebb and flow to the track. The more subdued folk elements provide beauty and the enhanced blackened elements combining with excellent production which gives it an immediacy and a very satisfying sound.
Whilst very much a different band from Woods of Ypres, their enhanced blackened style creates sections where the similarities in tonality and pacing are very difficult to ignore. This can mean that if already familiar with woods it can take a few listens before appreciating Thrawsunblat in their own right. Those few listens however, are truly worth it as this album is incredibly well-crafted and a wonderful listen.
They display a much more palpable sense of optimism and rebirth in their work, which is further emphasised by the organic feel of the folk elements woven throughout. A yearning to what has been lost in the modern era and the desire for its return. The feeling being similar to seeing nature reclaiming abandoned places, that sense that no matter what the natural world can and will survive humans be damned.
Ultimately, Metachthonia is a fantastic album from opener ‘Fires that Light the Earth’ right up until the phenomenal final track ‘In Mist We Walk’, highly recommended!
8.5/10
RICH PRICE
Boston’s Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert Raises Money For Earthquake Victims
Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert
On June 20th Boston’s Metal For Nepal Benefit (#MetalForNepal) concert was held at The Middle East Nite Club in Cambridge, MA. The event was a resounding success, raising over $1200 for victims of two earthquakes in Nepal. The $1200 raised came from proceeds of ticket sales, an exclusive merch raffle of donated items, and sales from the Metal for Nepal compilation album. $1200 USD is the equivalent of NRS 120,000, and can be used to build temporary housing shelters and give life saving supplies to communities still reeling from the devastation. Headlining the bill was Obsidian Tongue, with Native Construct, Caricature, Sonic Pulse and BruteMukti. Special thanks to MediaBoss Television for being on hand to film the event.
Obsidian Tongue, by Meg Loyal Photography
All monies collected will go toward the Jai Nepal Youth Club, No Silence for Nepal, WHR Nepal, Reaping Hope and Jagaruk Nepal charities.
The co-founders of Metal For Nepal Boston commented on the event:
Kevin Brown : After an amazing outpouring of support, from friends and family, to locals who wanted to contribute, we have found ourselves at an end. One foot in the door of an awesome journey to help a wear country, head banging all the way!
Kunjan Joshi: It’s encouraging to see people from all walks of life supporting and helping rebuild Nepal. It’s a long way to recovery but we are very well on our way!
Keith Chachkes: Having volunteered at charity events in the past, I was surprised at how many people asked about the charities the money was going to, and what else they could do to help them. Metal For Nepal has inspired a deep and ongoing level of interest from metal fans. I am proud that I could lend a hand to make this happen. Thanks to Kevin and Kunjan for all of their support.
Metal For Nepal compilation cover
Sales of the physical copies of the benefit compilation organized by Metal for Nepal performers BruteMukti, featuring Nepalese metal bands dubbed Nepal Earthquake Relief, were brisk at the event. You can still donate and download the collection from Bandcamp here: https://nepal-earthquake-relief.bandcamp.com/releases. Physical copies will also be available for purchase at future Metal For Nepal events while supplies last, with all the proceeds going to charity.
The support of the metal community by the music industry has buoyed our efforts and we’d like to thank them:
Dewar PR (Special shoutout to Curtis Dewar for donating crucial publicity services!)
Several other PR firms, which made anonymous donations
Artist Mark Richards of Heavy Hand Illustration (Aborted, Pig Destroyer, Revocation)
Artist Michelle Duggan of Heartbeasts (Saint Vitus, Lord Dying, Cult Leader)
Please support the bands that performed at Metal For Nepal Boston:
There will be future Metal For Nepal Boston organized events in the near future. Metal For Nepal’s other shows have included one as in LA on June 13th and other events around the world. BruteMukti will participate in New York’s Metal For Nepal event on July 15th at Archeron long side such bands as Sangharsha, Tiger Flowers, and Skullshitter.
Facebook event for Metal For Nepal New York
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Metal For Nepal Boston: at The Middle East, Cambridge MA
Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert
As a person who has been a lifelong metalhead and a person that has worked in the non-profit world in the past, I find it strange when people are bemused to learn that people who love aggressive, heavy music also love helping people. When two devastating earthquakes struck Nepal and quickly turned entire communities upside down, a concerned crew of people stepped up and founded Metal For Nepal. They soon organized events all over the world, including one in Boston, MA. I was glad to contribute in any way I could personally and proud that so many people I know rallied around this show and this cause. (Editor’s Note: Ghost Cult participated in the planning of this event also helped run the show.)
On a sunny Saturday morning a bunch of folks from all walks of life, bands, fans, photographers, a crew camera and press people descended on The Middle East Nite Club in Cambridge, MA as we opened the sleepy club. Props go to the club and Erik Hansen of Wormwood Joint Booking. Slowly bands filled in and set up gear, volunteers set up tables with merch fans began to arrive for the show. Some fans were there early waiting for hours to get in, and it was odd to see battle vest wearing metallers hanging around the club in the bright of day. A few bands trooped in from Maine or Western Massachusetts. But by 1 PM bands were ready to take the stage, monies were being donated, merch was being sold, drinks were flowing and the crowd was joining in.
Along one side of the venue the bands set up some merch, as well as the main tables for the fundraising and raffle prizes. The early action was brisk where fans plunked down their cash to win cool stuff. Benefit organizers Kevin Brown and Kunjan Joshi were on hand to run the show, and Kunjan was selling the Metal For Nepal compilation CD at the show. Northeast Metal/Hardcore/Punk were on hand, volunteering their time to run the table. In addition to some of the bands playing that donated their own merch, labels such as Victory Records and Prosthetic donated signed items like posters and other stuff. Local Boston artists such as Mark Richards of Heavy Hand Illustrations and Michelle Duggan of Heatbeasts donated original artwork from the myriad of shows they’ve created posters for. Some bands even donated items from their personal collections, rare things they picked up over the years.
BruteMukti, by Meg Loyal Photography
And then it was time for the bands! BruteMukti kicked things off with a wild set led by front man Sanket Lama who leaped into the crowd sang from the mosh pit, waking everyone in the club up. This wasn’t going to be no Kumbaya singing, hand-holding event; this was a metal show dammit! Sonic Pulse took over next and played a raucous display of neo-thrash, youthful exuberance, and shred guitar goodness.
Sonic Pulse, by Meg Loyal Photography
Caricature, by Meg Loyal Photography
Next up was prog metallers Caricature, who triumphantly made their return to live action after nearly two years. Led by guitarist/vocalist Joseph Spiller (Aborted/System Divide, Last Chance To Reason) and a live lineup including Evan Sammons (Last Chance to Reason) the band tore through some classic material and news songs off of the just released Shadows Maxi-Single. It was great to see these guys in action. Metal Blade artists Native Construct were befouled by technical difficulties in the switchover between sets. This led to their 25 minute set being cut to 10, which was a shame. When they did get to play, the jammed their brand of genre-blurring, high-concept compositions that make up their début album Quiet World.
Native Construct, by Meg Loyal Photography
Obsidian Tongue, by Meg Loyal Photography
Obsidian Tongue, by Meg Loyal Photography
Closing out the show, Obsidian Tongue played their intensely emotional, well-crafted USBM songs. Although the room had many heads in attendance to see the headliner, the band made sure to remind everyone the purpose of the fundraiser, which was cool. Besides the enrapt fans, they captured the attention of every eyeball and earhole in the venue, leaving everyone raw and wanting more. We’re looking forward to their new album due out later this year!
All in all, it was great matinee metal show which raised funds for a great cause.
Information about donating to Metal For Nepal and the charities it supports.
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WORDS BY KEITH CHACHKES
PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Boston’s Metal For Nepal Concert Takes Place Tomorrow
Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert
After weeks of planning, Boston’s Metal For Nepal Benefit (#MetalForNepal) concert is nearly here. Spurred into action after two devastating earthquakes rocked Nepal, Metal For Nepal mobilized to do our part to join the people on the ground lending aid and energy to ravaged communities in need of aid. Taking place at the legendary Middle East Night Club in Cambridge MA, the concert will be held on June 20th from 12 noon – 4 PM. Headlining the bill will be Obsidian Tongue, followed by Native Construct, Caricature, Sonic Pulse and BruteMukti. The show is $10 and All Ages. You can get tickets online here:
Link to the Facebook Event for Metal For Nepal here:
Proceeds from tickets, as well as exclusive raffle merch and other donations will go toward the Jai Nepal Youth Club, No Silence for Nepal, WHR Nepal, Reaping Hope and Jagaruk Nepal.
There is also a benefit compilation organized by Metal for Nepal performers BruteMukti featuring Nepalese metal bands dubbed Nepal Earthquake Relief. You can donate and download the collection from Bandcamp here: https://nepal-earthquake-relief.bandcamp.com/releases. Physical copies will also be available for purchase at the Metal For Nepal, with all the proceeds going to charity.
Special thanks to Kevin Brown, Kunjan Joshi, Erik Hansen of Wormwood Joint Booking, The Middle East Night Club and all of the bands for helping to organize this relief effort so quickly. In addition to the performers, many music labels, publicity firms, and independent artists have pledged their support to the concert in the way of donating all kinds of exclusive memorabilia and band merch that will be raffled off, adding to the specialness of the event. The support of the metal community by the music industry has buoyed our efforts and we’d like to thank them here:
Several other PR firms, which made anonymous donations
Artist Mark Richards of Heavy Hand Illustration (Aborted, Pig Destroyer, Revocation)
Artist Michelle Duggan (Saint Vitus, Lord Dying, Cult Leader)
Exclusive items such as Aborted’s recent LP signed by the band, Death’s lyrics book signed by James Murphy, assorted signed posters, exclusive screen prints from Mark Richards and Michelle Duggan, limited edition box set, vinyl, patches, cds and more made as personal donations from participants in Metal For Nepal!
Our exclusive buttons for our Raffle entrants were made by Russ Orcutt of All About Records.
Please support the bands that are performing at Metal For Nepal :