Philadelphia’s Zodiak brings together members of some of the city’s finest heavy bands, including personnel from Rosetta, Javelina (Run, don’t walk to your local record store to buy a copy of this year’s self-titled debut on Translation Loss), Balboa, and Lickgoldensky. Recorded over the course of three years by Mick Mullins (High on Fire, Intronaut), Sermons, their debut full-length on Translation Loss, delivers an onslaught of expertly produced atmospheric metal that at its highest points manages to be simultaneously relaxing and unsettling.
The Melvins: Godfathers Of Grunge Still Going Strong
When Nirvana Hit It Big In 1991, The Melvins’ fate, for better or for worse, was up with their suddenly world-famous neighbors. But laboring ever since as “the other band from Aberdeen” doesn’t seem to have engendered much bitterness in the band.
L.A. rock band The Sound of Animals Fighting have posted a new song, titled “The Heraldic Beak of the Manufacturer’s Medallion,” on their MySpace page. In addition, pre-orders for their new album The Ocean and the Sun, due out in September, are now available. Only 400 of the special pre-order packages will be issued. Each package will include a hand-molded/hand-painted mask, a copy of the CD, and the band’s first 7″ vinyl.
The major label debut from The War On Drugs is a full bodied and healthy dose of nostalgia and longing that is usually reserved for country singers. The Philadelphia quintet, led by guitarist/vocalist Adam Granduciel, sounds more at home playing in a small bar surrounded by pasture and rolling hills than the city that Rocky built. Yet, like Rocky, the music speaks to a decidedly American idea.
Chicago-based rock outfit Pelican will be taking part in Rhapsody Rocks Chicago – an event taking place this Thursday at Subterranean in the Windy City. The 21+ show is free, but you must RSVP. However, since RSVPs are subject to venue capacity, you might want to get there early. Joining the hard-rockers will be such acts as Foals, Walter Meego, Chuck Inglish of The Cool Kids, and others.
“The T4 virus serves as a warning. When you see that image, that’s pretty creepy,” says Shannon Saint Ryan of the spidery bacteriophage symbol that serves as the T4 Project’s logo. Saint Ryan is the brain behind the punk music collective whose members include musicians from the Nina Hagen Band, The Screamers, The Damned, Buzzcocks, Subhumans, Naked Aggression, Circle Jerks, Glass & Ashes, Pennywise, Bad Religion, Strung Out, Le Meu Le Purr, From Satellite, and Porno for Pyros. 