Tag Archives: Metal

Sonic Pulse Announce East Coast Tour

Self proclaimed “Adventure Metallers” Sonic Pulse announced a 16 date east coast tour Wednesday titled the “Party Like Your Dad Before He Had You” tour.

The tour will begin on August 14 at The Wreck Room in Peterborough, NH and commence on August 29 at Sammy’s Patio in Revere, MA – a short distance from the bands hometown of Boston.

The tour is to promote Sonic Pulse’s long awaited sophomore album, “Vs. The Internet,” scheduled to be released sometime in August.

“We’re really excited to finally be back on the road and looking forward to catching up with old and new friends along the way. Be sure to come hang out and party with us like your dad before he had you!” said the band via Facebook.

The tour flyer can be viewed below. Several dates do not yet have venues but have a destination in mind. To help, contact Sonic Pulse at sonicpulsemetal@gmail.com.

Bonesaw Podcast: Episode 15 – Karen Stever

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For the first time we go international with Canadian avant garde metal mistress Karen Stever. Stever and our esteemed host Chris Butera go back and forth about a myriad of topics including the art and music of Stever, growing up in their respective areas, hard times, struggles and triumphs in this lucrative podcast that will amaze you.

Check out Karen Stever at karenstever.com.

Bonesaw Update: Thrash, Doom and BBQ’s

Hi Everybody,

Haven’t posted anything in a few days guys so I figured I should cue you in on what’s been going on.

I’ve been working like a dog at my “joe” job while trying to become a force in publishing. During my days off, I’ve been recording podcasts with a number of fantastic underground artists, writing for Metal Insider and working on some musical projects (which I’ll get to later).

On top of that, I’m still doing some booking for the Thrash Bash BBQ. It’s been a little tricky since we changed the date from August 1st to August 15th so there has been some re-booking issues here and there. I am also waiting for the artwork to be delivered by Paul Motisi. He does work for Moon Tooth and is a fantastic artist. You can check out his stuff here. Once the artwork is taken care of the final flyer will be made and we’ll be going into heavy promotion mode.

I’ve been reading Hardcore Holly’s book “The Hardcore Truth” and my God, is it good. Holly holds nothing back in his tell-all. If you’re the type who enjoys a good shoot this is for you.

On a side note, prepping for my cousin’s wedding this Fourth of July weekend so it’s been hectic. I’m very proud of her and can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle along with friends and family.

Music has been interesting to me lately. Some new artists I think should be taken care of are Gruesome and Temple of Dagon, who are hitting their stride with their new EP titled “Revelations of the Spirit.” Both artists are incredibly talented and deserve a listen. Gruesome’s “Savage Land” album is great. How they managed to nail Death’s “Leprosy” sound is beyond me because this was an effort that took much more than studio magic. There will be some reviews for these pieces and hopefully that will open a few doors.

Saw The Skull the other night at Santo’s Party House along with Sunlord, who’s guitarist Alfonso Ferrazza was a recent guest on the podcast. It’s always nice to meet the people you work with. They had some high energy but no energy was higher than The Skull as singer Eric Wagner was inhaling cigarette smoke and other substances that are legal in some states (but not this one) on stage. If you don’t know The Skull they’re a doom/stoner band consisting of former member of the band Trouble – who are still active with different members. If you don’t know Trouble then check them out. “Plastic Green Head” and “The Skull” are good places to start.

Last but not least, my musical endeavors have begun to start back up. The Zamboni album is sounding great but is still in the early mixing stages. Hopefully it’ll be finished by the end of the year. I’m very proud of it and can’t wait to get my hands on the end result. I have also been working on a blackened doom project with my friend and coworker. I won’t be giving away any details but I will say that it’s instrumental with soundtrack concepts.

Thanks for giving me the time to fill you in on my current events. At some point I hope to bring back the band of the week and throwback Thursdays. If you or anybody you know would be into writing about anything the site focuses on feel free to email me at bonesawzine@gmail.com. We’re always looking for contributing writers. Until then know what you’re worth and fight the good fight.

-Chris Butera

Bonesaw Podcast: Episode 13 – Sunlord’s Alfonso Ferrazza

We talk metal with Alfonso Ferrazza from Queens thrashers Sunlord. Ferrazza chats about recording Sunlord’s debut “The First One,” touring with the legendary Anvil, and his passion for music as well as gearing up for Sunlord’s June 28 show at New York’s Santo’s Party House where the band will be opening for The Skull (featuring ex-Trouble frontman Eric Wagner).

Check out Sunlord on Facebook or Reverb Nation.

CalatrilloZ Premiere “Z the Psychopath” Video

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Everyone loves a carnival.

Enter CalatrilloZ, a London Symphonic Metal troupe drawing NWOBHM influences merged with vaudevillian attire and theatrics. The band (active since 2009) are preparing to release their debut album “Psalms of Zahyin.”

The five band members (who create a cocktail that’s one part Kiss and two parts Demons & Wizards) describe themselves as “a troupe of wanderers” and are all fitted with unique personas complete with elaborate backstories, makeup and costumes to complete the aura of CalatrilloZ.

Set to be a concept album based on the bands mysterious origins and their mission statement to scour the earth for five marionettes with powerful demons imprisoned within them, “Psalms of Zahyin” contains six tracks of wailing guitars, entrancing arrangements and operatic vocals by singer Zayhin (who’s persona is the focal point of the album if not the band itself).

“Through Zayhin, though his universe, my compositions are free.” He said in a press release. “The only limitations I have are the ones I impose upon myself: none.”

In anticipation of their release, Calatrilloz has filmed a music video (which can be viewed below) for the final track on the album “Z the Psychopath.” The video revolves around Zayhin shifting in and out of each of his bizarre personalities with the band playing in a desolate room (or realm).

Calatrilloz ominous debut “Psalms of Zayhin” becomes available for your listening pleasure June 22.

Goatsnake: Black Age Blues Review

For the first time in 15 years, Goatsnake has a new record.

The album, “Black Age Blues” is doomy as ever and it puts the “south” in Goatsnake’s new label and home Southern Lord Recordings (for which this is their first true release with).

Defiantly sludgy riffs merge southern rock and stoner metal; appropriately setting the albums tone from square one with “Another River to Cross.” The opener softly lulls you in with the sounds of rain, church bells and a gospel choir before kicking you in the teeth with heavy growling guitars.

Next up is a hot order of good vibes and southern hospitality with the insanely catchy “Elevated Man” and “Coffee & Whiskey.” The grooves are so tasteful you’ll be banging your head and snapping your fingers in no time. These two will get stuck in your head and cause one to strut down the street like an elevated man with said tasty beverages on the brain.

Before we go any further, it is worth noting that the albums artwork completely defines “Black Age Blues” before hearing anything. A southern church with an ominous storm brewing in the distance. The sheer simplicity alone shows us how clear of a vision the members of Goatsnake had going into this.

The title track, “House of the Moon” and “Jimi’s Gone” take a more serious shape for the second act; cranking the doom with more of the heavy and less pizzazz. The latter leaves sorrow in the air with a tinge of despair looming overhead. “House of the Moon” especially quells much of the upbeat from the first third of the album with roaring dirges and a murky midsection. The drums especially take the pace as they channel the river downstream before the fall of the third act.

“Black Age Blues’s” torrential downpour rages on with “Graves,” “Grandpa Jones” and the closer; “A Killing Blues.”

“Grandpa Jones” is a masterpiece unto itself and one of the best pieces Goatsnake has ever written. The hook of the chorus presents itself as an audible offering to any fan of metal. “A Killing Blues” brings the album full circle with a reprisal of the opener’s use of the gospel choir and the pitter-patter of rain; a calming end to a beautiful and treacherous outing.

The Unravelling “13 Arcane Hymns” Review

In 2010, Canadian Industrial band “The Unravelling” released an album that shook (and continues to shake) the very core of the metal underground.

That album is “13 Arcane Hymns.”

While drastically different from their newly released single “Revolt,” “Hymns” focuses on Lamb of God/ Tool influenced progressive grooves with locking tribal drumming and a frightful array of haunting, mid-range vocals crossing a link between Fear Factory and Alice In Chains.

The kicker: a mammoth wall of sound created by two Canadians.

Singer Scott Moore and instrumentalist Gustavo de Beauville have unleashed the early stages of a complicated vision with “13 Arcane Hymns” that is currently building into something beautiful.
Standout tracks from “Hymns” include the three openers “Move Forward Until You are Dead,” ”Becoming Chaos” and “Fire Breather.” The chemistry between Moore and Beauville is striking, capturing fear and imagination in the layers of emotions flattened into a myriad of sound.

“Last Rights Protest” is arguably the most gripping song on the album. Moore’s anger is expressed ten-fold with Beauville’s aggressive talents backing him.

“My Resignation” and “Arjuna” help round out the album with soothing intimidation reimagining pain. The progressive tendencies contain a great ebb and flow that build to impressive portraits through an innate wall of sound.

While a difficult struggle with Cancer put a strong hiatus on the band for five years, The Unraveilling have returned with “Revolt,” but their debut album serves as a blueprint for where they can (and will) go. The Unravelling’s initial unraveling still holds a body of water for what the band will eventually become. If you haven’t heard them before, do yourself a favor and give The Unravelling a whirl, starting from square one.

The Unravelling Reemerge With “Revolt” Single

After five years of waiting, The Unravelling are preparing to unleash their follow up to their critically acclaimed 2010 album “13 Arcane Hymns” stating with their new single “Revolt.”

Shortly after the release of “13 Arcane Hymns,” vocalist Steve Moore became ill. In 2011, Morse was diagnosed with cancer. The fate of the Alberta, Canada duo would have to wait while Moore coped with his condition, resulting in a five year hiatus.

During Moore’s extensive battle, instrumentalist and band founder Gustavo de Beauville would spend his time working with soundtrack and various forms of production.

Moore’s perseverance would hold true and he eventually beat cancer. With his health restored, The Uravelling would rise from the ashes like a Canadian Phoenix.

While “13 Arcane Hymns” contained a sound that was one part Fear Factory, two parts Lamb of God and a sliver of Devin Townsend; “Revolt” is more Nine Inch Nails merged with early Alice In Chains. Beauville’s moving synths and well placed guitar drones connecting with Moore’s chilling, pained vocals cultivate the appropriately named piece into a deranged masterpiece.

Although the single (which can be heard here) sounds drastically different from their well received debut, The Unravelling have changed just as drastically from their own personal experiences and have found a way to have art imitate life for once.

King Parrot: Dead Set Review

When one finds a band that sells a t-shirt bearing the words “I’m not here to fuck spiders,” it’s safe to say they have no idea what they’re in for.

That band is King Parrot; a destructive grindcore act from the hardcore pubs of southern Australia who is bestowing their sophomore album entitled “Dead Set” on Pantera and Down’s legendary front man Phil Anselmo’s (who also produced the release) Housecore Records.

The album kicks off with “Anthem of the Advanced Sinner.” If you’re familiar with King Parrot’s music the difference in production is night and day compared to their first album “Bite Your Head Off.” The clarity of each individual member is striking and it goes to show what a difference a larger budget and ample amounts of time can make.

“Dead Set” progresses deeper into darkness with “Need No Saviour,” “Hell Comes Your Way” and “Like a Rat,” boasting speed and relentless grind with true precision and technicality. The plunge then goes further with “Tomorrow Turns to Blood” and “Home is Where the Gutter is” when the grind becomes blackened and sludgy. The songs slowly start to accumulate grooves in all the right places, twisting King Parrot into form.

“Sick in the Head” and “Punisher” shake things up a bit by starting with thrash laden riffs before taking some groove oriented turns at Albuquerque. One of the best things about King Parrot is that their music is all over the place, never sticking to the same formula twice. We could be looking at the first “progressive grindcore” band – if ever there could be such a thing.

Although every musician has bolstered their repertoire on Dead Set, no one has improved more than vocalist Matt “Youngy” Young. Youngy’s voice has gotten significantly higher (which he attributes to quitting cigarettes) and more ferocious at that. Whereas Youngy sonically was a bit more like Steve “Zetro” Souza (Exodus) on “Bite Your Head Off,” he’s much more in the vein of Tomas Lindberg (At the Gates, Lock Up) on “Dead Set.”

The final two songs “Reject” and the title track combine everything that King Parrot have done so far on “Dead Set” and then crank it up a few notches for good measure. The title track not only revolves around a blackened breakdown, but it also clocks in at six minutes and 49 seconds; the longest song King Parrot has ever recorded to date.

King Parrot continues to be unpredictable with “Dead Set” and have clearly gone a long way from playing locally to tens of people. With the added experience from the success of “Bite Your Head Off,” the band has musically matured for the better and it shows on every crevice of “Dead Set”.

After all, they’re not here to fuck spiders.

Bonesaw Podcast – Episode 10: Moon Tooth

Moon Tooth preparing for takeoff. (from left to right) Ray Marte Nick Lee, John Carbone, Vin Romanelli
Moon Tooth preparing for takeoff. (from left to right) Ray Marte, Nick Lee, John Carbone, Vin Romanelli

For our 10th episode we have Long Island based experimental metal masters Moon Tooth. In this episode, we talk movies, SXSW and all things Moon Tooth.

Check out Moon Tooth here: http://www.facebook.com/moontoothband

Donate to Thrash Bash BBQ IV: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/206782…ash-bash-bbq-iv