Harm’s Way - "New Beginnings" (stream)

Brand new single from Chicago-based hardcore/metal outfit Harm’s Way. The single "New Beginnings" comes from the band's forthcoming album Isolation via Closed Casket Activities. You can hear the whole track on the Decibel Magazine's website.

Чисто нов сингъл от Чикагската хардкор/траш дружина Harm’s Way. Сингълът "New Beginnings" идва от предстоящият албум на групата Isolation, издавам от Closed Casket Activities. Можеш да чуеш цялата песен от сайта на музикалното списание Decibel.

Harm's Way - "New Beginnings"

Olde Growth - Olde Growth LP

Here's something that sounds absolutely fucking awesome and I like it. First time hearing of Olde Growth but already a fan. So what's the deal? Two guys making doom/stoner/sludge metal or something in between. It's very similar to stoner rock but in the same time it's way heavier. Psychedelic heavy guitars, frantic drumming and angry but haunting vocals are what grabbed my attention upon first hearing. First I thought that they sounded like Boris, Fu Manchu or Acid King. And though Olde Growth shares many similarities with the aforementioned bands their sound is somehow different. Maybe they're closer to Melvins but with a darker vocal tones. Still they're making a damn good music which I absolutely enjoy. Below is their self-titled debut album released about a month ago via Meteorcity Records. Listening to it will give you a better understanding of their music. Heavy psychedelic mayhem that will haunt you for a very long time.

Ето нещо адски добро, което ме грабна веднага. Признавам се, че досега не бях чувал за Olde Growth, но вече съм фен. За какво иде реч? Един барабанист и един китарист се обединяват, за да правят doom/stoner/sludge метъл или нещо по средата. В началото тяхната музика много ми биеше на stoner rock с неговите тежки, провлачени китарни рифове, но бързо устонових, че тук става дума за доста по-тежка музика. Знам, че може би ще прозвучи странно, но това което първоначално ме грабна от първо слушане беше странната смесица от psychedelic и метъл и натрапчивите, гневни вокали. Първата ми мисъл след като ги чух беше, че звучат като Boris, Fu Manchu или Acid King, но често казано въпреки приликите все пак става дума за различни неща. По-скоро могат да бъдат сравнявани с ранните Melvins, при все по-мрачните вокални тонове. Честно определенията тук са без значение. Важното е, че групата прави адски добра и твърда музика, които едва ли би допаднала на всеки, но на мен ми харесва. По-долу съм постнал дебютният им едноименен албум, който препоръчвам на феновете на твърдия саунд. Чуйте го, за да прецените най-добре за какво става дума. Според мен това е адски силен дебют.

Street Sweeper Social Club

Street Sweeper Social Club is the latest musical project of Tom Morello (of Rage Against The Machine fame) in collaboration with Boots Riley (of hip-hop band The Coup). I get the impression that everything Morello does can't be bad and SSSC only proves. Still gotta admit that their music is like a less aggressive version of RATM. Nevertheless is damn good. So far the band released one self-titled album and one EP, The Ghetto Blaster. One of their songs, "Clap For The Killers", is used in one of the promo clips for the upcoming TV series "The Cape". As always no matter what he does Morello delivers.

Odd Crew - Two Steps To Hell (Official Video)

Here's the brand new video for "Two Steps To Hell" by the bulgarian metal band Odd Crew off their second album "A Bottle Of Friends". Good stuff!

Horseback – “Blood Fountain”

“Blood Fountain”, the new video from psychedelic metal/drone band Horseback off the album The Gorgon Tongue. Pure epicness!!!

Horseback - "Blood Fountain" from stereogum on Vimeo.

Alley Sin w/ Reckoning

22.04.11 ALLEY SIN w/ Reckoning@The Box
Friday some are in love, others attend concerts. I'm from the latter. Friday night has always been a time for drinking and having a good time and this Friday was no exception. The past one year I learned many things but above all one in particular: when there's Alley Sin there's always fun. The bulgarian glam-rockers are already well-known to the local rock community with their two EPs, one demo, an extensive tour across the country and numerous gigs throughout Sofia, and with fans coming from Sofia and beyond. The only true glam-rock band in Bulgaria (which by the way is the only one that can really support someone as big as glam-rock legends Cinderella) is a favorite among many with it's genuine R&R attitude that attracts all kinds of people from rockers to punks. During their previous concert at one time there was even a pogo in which I proudly took part. Every gig of the band is sure to bring good emotions and fun to all attendees. Knowing all that and being a fan of the band already I went that night knowing that Alley Sin will not only perform their most beloved songs but they'll present it's audience with a brand new single - "Shut Up, Bitch", the video of which will have it's separate promotion of the 15th of May. So that night I went like 30 minutes later only to find out that the sound-check was over moments ago. Noone knew exactly when the concert will start but I don't think anyone really cared. All this meant one thing: more meet, greet and drink with the band. And who doesn't want that. I'm always in for a drink with the band. So after a hour and something chatting and drinking with the band it was time to head back to club "The Box" as the concert was about the start. First for the night was the supporting act, Reckoning, a trash-metal band I've heard for the very first time. The youngsters tried to put up a decent show, some of their schoolmates were even trying to form a moshpit. But I wasn't impressed. The lack of experience was clearly evident. Not that it was that bad, it's just that they need some more practice. Good thing was that eventually they finished playing. Alley Sin were eager to jump on stage which they did with no further delay. Well it was obvious that it's gonna be a fun night when Alley Sin are playin' and that my friends was proven once more. The crowd went crazy with the very first accords and from then on it was only rock & roll and they liked it. Alley Sin did perform some new tracks, the aforementioned "Shut Up, Bitch", "Two Chicks" and a few others which will end up on their very first album who hopefully will see the light of day. The band ended their set with a cover of Misfits' "Attitude" (if I recall correctly). Overall it was a fun night as always by the way. See you again, guys.

EPICA 26.03.11

Now that was interesting (and completely unexpected). I was invited by a friend of mine to go to a metal concert. I was kinda hesitating because the band I was about to see was one that I didn't know much about nor I've heard much from them. The band's Epica, a dutch symphonic metal band with a lead female singer much like Nightwish. Don't get me wrong I like metal or at least some of it but when I heard what I'm going to listen to I was like "bitch please...". I mean the band's good no doubt about it but I wasn't in the mood for such music. But since I got nothing better to do that day I accepted the invitation. Good thing I did. For the opposite would meant not attending the greatest metal concert in my life (so far). I went there with no expectations at all only to find one damn good band fronted by a great singer.
Let's rewind a little bit. First we (me and two of my best friends) had to find the exact location of the concert. No easy task I assure you for it was placed far, far away from my comfort zone in which I usually wander. We even had to walk for about three or four bus-stops as we weren't sure where exactly was our bus-stop. Big fun i tell ya. At the end we managed to find the location and got there just in time. Before Epica there was a bulgarian support by a band that I only knew by name and never actually saw live until that day. Project Arcadia was it's name and they were pretty good considering the fact that they're relatively new band. they didn't play long but nevertheless the crowd was appreciative of their performance. What began as a set of their own original material ended up with ACDC's “Back in Black”. Nice cover though. Next on stage came Epica. What I saw first was this good-looking red-headed chick that looked hot in her super tight clothes. But then she opened her mouth and I was in awe. Damn, that lady got great voice above else. Well during their entire set I could stop staring at her for she's one damn good singer. Although I wasn't familiar with their songs it's save to say that they didn't have a single weak song or at least I couldn't remember for such. The entire concert was exceptional and one that left only good impressions in my mind. I feel lucky that decided to go for missing this concert was equal to committing a crime against myself. Still not a fan of the band nor the genre but much more appreciative of it for Epica is a shining example of how great some scandinavian metal bands are. Thanks to them now I know that when it comes to symphonic metal there's more than just Nightwish. Definitely much more.