Minsk Streaming The Crash and The Draw Album Trailer

Posted on February 15, 2015 by newsteam

Midwest sound exhibitionists Minsk will be releasing their new album The Crash & The Draw in North America on April 7th, 2015, April 3rd, 2015 in Germany, Benelux and Finland and April 6th, 2015 in the UK and rest of the world via Relapse Records. View an album trailer here.

Recorded almost exclusively in The Prairie State, The Crash & The Draw was captured by the band alongside Sanford Parker (Twilight, Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob etc.) at Earth Analog in Tolono, mixed by Parker and MINSK at Hypercube in Chicago and mastered by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Indian, Wovenhand, Voivod etc.) at The Boiler Room in Chicago with additional vocal tracking by Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City. Old Man Gloom, Floor etc.) at Antisleep Audio in Oakland, California and further tracking, editing, and mixing by Kevin Rendleman at Trash Rocket Audio and Aaron Austin at We Know Who You Are, both in Peoria. An instant contender for one of the most forward-thinking metal records of the year,each cascading movement is a crucial sonic passage through dark and light. At once crushing, hallucinatory and at times, spiritually illuminating, tracks ebb and flow with a pastoral elegance and tangible urgency. Only furthering the record’s captivating allure, The Crash & The Draw is a thematic continuation of the group’s long-standing attraction to alchemical and esoteric ideologies, with marked nods toward the thought and writings of perennial inspiration, Kahlil Gibran, and the espoused words of Hermes Trismegistus, the fabled author of the Corpus Hermeticum and other sacred texts and serves as a fitting audio soundscapade for those souls devoted to the manifestations of Neurosis, Rwake, Yob, Isis and the like.

Comments the band of their latest output:

“We are so thrilled to be able to finally share this next chapter. Much time has passed. New lines have formed on faces and hands. And new faces have emerged. The spirit arose once again, and the call was answered, with every ounce of will, and care, and attention as was available. There is still much to be discovered. We thank you for your interest, for your attention. There is no currency as valuable.”

Scattered between the sleepy city of Peoria and metropolis of Chicago and drawing inspiration from a remote Belarusian city that has been burned to the ground only to be rebuilt like a phoenix rising from its own ashes, MINSK has been cultivating sonic exploration and alchemical outpourings since 2002. Rooted in the post-metal landscape that brought forth visionaries like Neurosis and Isis, with their latest offering, The Crash & The Draw, MINSK step out of the shadows of the giants of their genre to create a psychedelic blend of melodic, trance-inducing heaviness.

Minsk on Facebook
Relapse Records on Facebook

Taken By The Sun Streaming “Ornaflux”

Posted on February 9, 2015 by newsteam

Chicago progressive post metal doom/gazers Taken By The Sun is releasing their debut self titled full length album on February 24, 2015 and can be purchased here. Stream “Ornaflux” here.

Tracked almost exclusively live at Electrical Audio (with “Confessions Of An Opium Eater” recorded at Studio 54 Music Zone), engineered by Sanford Parker (Twilight, Voivod, Eyehategod, Yob etc.) and mastered by Collin Jordan (Eyehategod, Indian, Wovenhand, Voivod etc.) at The Boiler Room, all in Chicago, Taken By The Sun is monolithic in its delivery boasting a sprawling, eight-track, forty-two minute sound expedition. Multilayered, nuanced, gristly and meticulous arranged, thick gnarled riffs coil around gravel-throated voice incursions, the planet rumbles, tracks heave like the sky is breaking. Aggressive yet cathartic, at times otherworldly, TAKEN BY THE SUN recalls the confounding atmospheres of veteran sound contortionists Neurosis, Isis, Pelican, Rosetta, Mouth Of the Architect, Red Sparowes, and The Ocean without replicating them.

Forged in 2011, TAKEN BY THE SUN, a moniker representing decay and rebirth, is a Chicago metal band rooted within The Windy City’s venue-shaking, riff-worshipping doom and stoner metal traditions. At the core of their sound there lies fuzz-addled guitars, grinding bass, cavernous drums, and dry-throated vocals fused with prog metal acrobatics, lush vocal harmonies, and pedal steel twang to heighten the intensity and plain epicness of their compositions. And now, with their self-titled debut, TAKEN BY THE SUN is able to convey the energy and diversity of their music in recorded form. Recorded live with only minimal subsequent overdubs, the album is faithful to both the earnestness and magnitude of the band’s sound. TAKEN BY THE SUN is William Arroyo, Patrick Auclair, Justin Cape, Mark Cichra, and Kris Ziemlo.

Taken By The Sun Track Listing:
01. Scars
02. Demons Tempt the Dying Man with Crowns
03. Fuse
04. Red
05. Detached
06. Volatile
07. Confessions of an Opium Eater
08. Ornaflux

Taken By The Sun on Facebook

Minsk Releasing The Crash & The Draw In April

Posted on January 29, 2015 by newsteam

Minsk is releasing their first new studio album in six years, The Crash & The Draw via Relapse Records in North America on April 7th, 2015, April 3rd, 2015 in Germany, Benelux and Finland and April 6th, 2015 in the UK and rest of the world.

The Crash & The Draw Track Listing:
1. To The Initiate
2. Within And Without
3. Onward Procession I. These Longest Of Days
4. Onward Procession II. The Soil Calls
5. Onward Procession III. The Blue Hour
6. Onward Procession IV. Return, The Heir
7. Conjunction
8. The Way Is Through
9. To You There Is No End
10. To The Garish Remembrance Of Failure
11. When The Walls Fell

MINSK:
Aaron Austin – guitar, vocals
Christopher Bennett – guitar, vocals
Zachary Livingston – bass, vocals
Timothy Mead – vocals, keyboards
Kevin Rendleman – drums

Minsk on Facebook
Relapse Records on Facebook

On The Road… Corrections House

Posted on January 23, 2015 by News Team

If you didn’t catch Corrections House on their brief run of US dates, before Mike IX Williams fell ill, and they canceled the remainder of the tour, that’s a real pity. Catching the band in Boston on a dead Sunday night the band played a superb set, oblivious to whether the room had been packed or not. Each member of the collective was laser focused and on point. If Mike IX was feeling ill, his performance showed not an iota of weakness. Just anguished brilliance and passion that he delivers every time he steps on stage. It was interesting to see the band spread out on a decent stage for once, rather than smushed together uncomfortable as I had seen them in the past. Bruce Lamont and Scott Kelly made the most of some extra foot space, thrashing around at times, convulsing in time to riffs and movements. As per usual, Sanford Parker may take his spot at the back of the stage, but his sonic work speaks volumes and is the glue that holds the group together. In addition to jamming cuts off of Last City Zero (Neurot), they played their touching, twisted cover of ‘Cortez The Killer’ by Neil Young. The band promises to spread more discontent with their sophomore release in 2015, as well as more touring, so don’t sleep next time!

Scott Kelly photo by Echoes in The Well

Bruce Lamont photo by Echoes in The Well

Sanford Parker photo by Echoes in The Well

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Corrections House on Facebook

Corrections House Cancel Remaining Tour Dates

Posted on December 16, 2014 by newsteam

Due to vocalist Mike IX Williams’ exhaustive touring and recording schedule these past years, a doctor’s strict orders to rest, vitamins and general physical recovery has been prescribed. It is with great regret that Corrections House has postponed the last remaining dates of the Writing History In Advance US Tour.

Notes Williams in an official statement:

“Overwork, nonstop travel, overexertion on stage and poor eating habits will eventually grind you to rubble. I need a bit of time to heal and repair my wounded body and mind.”

CORRECTIONS HOUSE features IX Williams (EyeHateGod) alongside accomplices Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) Sanford Parker (Minsk) and minister of propaganda, Seward Fairbury. The collective released their Last City Zero debut via Neurot Recordings last year. Produced by Parker at Electrical Audio, Soma Studios, 60 Psycho Hum and Nodferatu’s Lair, Last City Zero is the audio end product of government conspiracies, societal ruin and psychological decay.

War Crimes Recordings at Big Cartel
War Crimes Recordings on Facebook
Neurot Recordings on Facebook

Lord Mantis Streaming “Possession Prayer” Music Video

Posted on December 14, 2014 by newsteam

Lord Mantis is streaming their music video for “Possession Prayer”, off their third album Death Mask, out via Profound Lore, here.

Engineered at Electrical Audio and Soma studios by Sanford Parker, mixed at Hypercube and mastered by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room, Death Mask features artwork by Jef Whitehead (Leviathan, Lurker of Chalice) and layout duties handled by Chimère Noire.

Following recent tour actions in support of Death Mask, including treks with Hell Militia and Today Is The Day and more, LORD MANTIS will return to Europe on tour this Spring, the main objective being their second crushing performance as the massive Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Holland.

Lord Mantis on Facebook
New Density Official Site
Profound Lore on Facebook

Vattnet Viskar Recording New Album With Producer Sanford Parker, New Live Dates in January

Posted on December 13, 2014 by newsteam

New Hampshire metallers Vattnet Viskar will be recording their next full length release with producer Sanford Parker (Twilight, Pelican), with a release expected out via Century Media Records. They also released a string of live dates, which will be done in between recording time.

Jan 21: Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
Jan 22: The Avenue – Lansing, MI
Jan 23: Livewire Lounge – Chicago, IL
Jan 31: Ottawa Tavern – Toledo, OH
Feb 01: Stamps – Tonawanda, NY
Feb 02: Just Be Cause – Ithaca, NY
May 21: Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD

Vattnet Viskar on Facebook
Vattnet Viskar on Twitter

Corrections House Issues Roadside Missive, Tour Dates

Posted on December 11, 2014 by newsteam

Corrections House minister of propaganda, Seward Fairbury, has issued the following roadside missive.

“The people of this country are lazy asses who want to sit around and believe the fear and lies that their TVs bring into their homes every night. Although the attendance has averaged around 200 people per night, on more than one night of this tour the turnout to our gigs was affected adversely by the fear-mongering in the press surrounding CORRECTIONS HOUSE. The boys have expressed to me their pleasure in getting out of the Northeast and Midwest and heading to the soul of America in the South and the Wild West were people are traditionally freer in their minds. CORRECTIONS HOUSE brings a very unique and intense performance to the stage every night and we look forward the last eight days of this journey. Step forward Americans, embrace the horror with clear hearts and open arms.”

CORRECTIONS HOUSE Tour 2014 [remaining dates]:
Dec 11: Fitzgeralds – Houston, TX
Dec 12: Hotel Vegas – Austin, TX
Dec 14: Three Links – Dallas, TX
Dec 16: Club Red – Mesa, AZ
Dec 17: Complex – Los Angeles, CA
Dec 18: Soda Bar – San Diego, CA
Dec 19: DNA – San Francisco, CA
Dec 20: Rotture – Portland, OR

In conjunction with the tour, CORRECTIONS HOUSE has released Writing History In Advance, a devious testament of sonic decomposition recorded live in Los Angeles earlier this year, out via War Crime Recordings.

CORRECTIONS HOUSE features Fairbury alongside sound conspirators Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod), Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) and Sanford Parker (Minsk). The collective released their Last City Zero debut full-length via Neurot Recordings last year. Produced by Parker at Electrical Audio, Soma Studios, 60 Psycho Hum and Nodferatu’s Lair, Last City Zero is the audio end product of government conspiracies, societal ruin and psychological decay. The collective recently put the finishing touches on their forthcoming new full-length, set for release sometime in 2015. Further info to be revealed as it develops. Until then, suffer.

War Crime Recordings on Facebook
Neurot Recordings on Facebook

Corrections House Announce US Tour, Release Writing History In Advance in December

Posted on November 28, 2014 by newsteam

Corrections House will venturing on their US Tour, and will release Writing History In Advance, a debaucherous testament of audio decomposition recorded live in Los Angeles earlier this year. The release will come available in a CD digipack via War Crime Recordings December 1st, 2014. Tour dates are posted below. Check out their cover of Neil Young’s “Cortez The Killer” here.

Proclaims minister of propaganda, Seward Fairbury, who was recently detained and placed in a psychiatric facility:

“CORRECTIONS HOUSE will bring their truncheon down on your head repeatedly until you submit or vacate the premises. This band has grown into a force since their initial trek through the landscape known as the United States of Unamerican activities. They will bludgeon you with no apology. Test us.”

CORRECTIONS HOUSE features Fairbury alongside sound conspirators Mike IX Williams (Eyehategod), Scott Kelly (Neurosis), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza) and Sanford Parker (Minsk). The collective released their Last City Zero debut full-length via Neurot Recordings last year. Produced by Parker at Electrical Audio, Soma Studios, 60 Psycho Hum and Nodferatu’s Lair, Last City Zero is the audio end product of government conspiracies, societal ruin and psychological decay.

CORRECTIONS HOUSE Tour 2014:
Nov 30: Brighton Music Hall – Boston MA
Dec 01: St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
Dec 02: Café 9 – New Haven, CT
Dec 03: Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
Dec 04: Strange Matter – Richmond, VA
Dec 05: Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
Dec 06: Pro Arena – Dayton, OH
Dec 07: Magic Stick Lounge – Detroit, MI
Dec 08: Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
Dec 09: The High Tone – Memphis, TN
Dec 10: Siberia – New Orleans, LA
Dec 11: Fitzgeralds – Houston, TX
Dec 12: Hotel Vegas – Austin, TX
Dec 14: Three Links – Dallas, TX
Dec 16: Club Red – Mesa, AZ
Dec 17: Complex – Los Angeles, CA
Dec 18: Soda Bar – San Diego, CA
Dec 19: DNA – San Francisco, CA
Dec 20: Rotture – Portland, OR

War Crimes Recordings on Facebook
Neurot Recordings on Facebook

Valkyrie Signs With Relapse Records, New Album Due Out In 2015

Posted on August 4, 2014 by News Team

Virginia riff rockers Valkyrie has signed with Relapse Records and worked on their first full-length release in seven years at Earth Analog Studios in Champaign, IL with producer Sanford Parker (Corrections House, Nachtmystium, Pelican, Twilight) earlier in the month. It is due out in early 2015.

Formed in 2002, the band features brothers Jake and Pete Adams (Baroness, Samhain) on guitar and vocals, Alan Fary (Earthling) on bass and Warren Hawkins on drums. Drawing comparisons to Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, Black Sabbath, early Iron Maiden and Deep Purple, Valkyrie play guitar driven rock n roll replete with infectious solos and catchy, powerful vocals.

Guitarist / vocalist Jake Adams commented on the signing and new material:

“We are really excited about this new record. Some of these songs we have been working on for many years and we are glad to see them have a proper release on an excellent label. This new record will be a step up in terms of song dynamics and musicianship from the previous albums. We think our fans will dig the fresh approach to the classic Valkyrie sound.”

For a more in-depth look into the band, check out this profile we did on them a few months ago, written by Ghost Cult scribe Dan Swinhoe:

Valkyrie on Facebook:

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