Sleepbringer's name tends to evoke images of a slow, down-tuned head crush. With Compendium, Sleepbringer brings forth their latest release of eerily earth shaking doom. A charged swelling of misanthropy is the backbone for Sleepbringer's distrust and gloomy tumult. Willing to take their time, Sleepbringer purge lost souls with gravel throat vocals, the clamor of war drums, abyssal bass bombardment, and the demolition of dual guitar passages bent on nuclear winter. This is a lament in pursuit of descending desolation. At times bluesy, cold, and forlorn, Compendium is a haunting and stark collection of grimy dirges. At just over an hour, Compendium is a continual transition from one song to the next that relies on patience and a lingering sense of ruin. Sleepbringer build layers of riffs, tempo changes, and solos only to drop you to the depths of humanly woe. At the end of it all, you will know their morose tale of suffering and ultimate redemption: everything you know is a lie.
You can download Compendium at this link.
http://sleepbringer.bandcamp.com/
www.myspace.com/sleepbringer
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Raining black arrows of extinction...
There is a rumor, a grimy rustling that stirs only a few times a year down the crumbling streets of Indianapolis. It is the building rumble of a band that simply cares not for the collective existence of humanity in its current condition. They are a band that only springs forth a few times yearly to anoint their followers with nihilistic live rituals. This band is Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity.
Their name alone sets the tone for the band, conjuring immediate images of all things negative doused with depravity. The members of the band, vocalist Dave Britts (Coffinworm, World Eater), drummer Dustin Boltjes (Demiricous, The Dream is Dead, Transgression), bassist Todd Manning (Coffinworm), and guitarist Tony McGuire (Coffinworm) assault anyone listening with their blend of experimental grind and death metal rooted firmly in hardcore punk.
Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity’s sound is potent, defiant, and filled with sonic dissonance. It is a visceral challenge to the listeners. It is music spawned from the musicians trying to challenge each other within the band. It is the unexpected that keeps the Black Arrows' annihilation machine rolling forward. If they clear a room along the way, then the listeners failed the challenge.
Coming together as equals, the member of Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity take their time when writing new material. In March 2009 their debut album (1984 (Eternal)), was rereleased on CD by Gilead Media. The Cracked Skull spoke to Tony McGuire about the inner workings of the band, their writing process, and the band’s future.
How long have Black Arrows been around, and how did you all get together? Was (is) there a central idea or aesthetic you’re trying to achieve? If there is a particular aesthetic then how close do you feel that you’re getting to it?
We’ve been playing together since sometime in 2003. I had known Dustin from going to shows, and then I answered an ad that he and Todd placed online looking for a guitarist. We got together in late 2003, and the rest is a sweet romantic poem that we have all lovingly crafted since. I don’t know if there is a specific aesthetic other than pushing things as far as we can musically while all keeping our sanity, which rarely happens while we are writing. As far as the lyrics go, Dave is pretty straight forward, so they are all self-explanatory. I guess, overall, we agree that the current state of humanity is one that needs to be extinguished, but that tends to be the norm with most grind bands past or present. The stuff we are working on now is going to be more concept-oriented, and I feel like we have been paying more attention to cohesion while writing the music. We do take our time while writing. I feel our new releases are actually going to delve deeper into the human experience, specifically the future of human experience. But then again that could all change.
There seems to be a political slant to the music. How much does local, national, and international politics influence the music?
I think we, as most bands of the hardcore/punk/grind variety, are products of our environment. I know it sounds cliché as fuck, but the things that we have all witnessed growing up in an environment like the Midwest come out in our music and especially Dave’s lyrics. We didn’t exactly grow up being fostered for our differences and unique outlooks on life, and modern day politics seems to try to keep these same ideas and status quo in place. We will hopefully be there to jab a rusty fork in its eye.
Is there a sense within the band that Black Arrows is always pushing for the most extreme reaches with the band’s music? The music is a continual onslaught. Any plans on slowing down or speeding up?
Honestly, we all just want to piss each other off when we are writing. We are always trying to do the unexpected. Anything to challenge ourselves while playing. Challenging the listener is definitely a plus. I’ve always kind of wanted to play in a band that clears the entire room out while we are playing. Maybe we need to get a show at the VFW? As far as speeding up or slowing down, that will just be decided as needed. Ideally, our fast shit will get faster and our slow shit with get slower.
Who are the main song writers within the band? Or do the songs come together as a collective group effort?
We come together pretty equally on all fronts. We’ve always said that if one of us quits the band then it’s over. I can’t imagine trying to write any of these songs with any other people than these three dudes. We all understand how each other thinks now when it comes to writing. It’s almost kind of scary. Todd, Dustin, and I write all the music together, and then Dave comes in and usually has ideas for structure and the overall feeling of the song. Then the lyrics are all Dave.
The record has been out for some time now, and released on CD by Gilead Media, but is there anything coming up recording and release wise?
If we can ever find the time to make it in the studio between all the other shit that we do, then we have more than enough unrecorded material to put out a pretty massive release or a couple of different things. The dates tend to keep getting pushed back, but hopefully we can make it in the studio this year.
In terms of Indy’s music scene, what are some of the bands you feel you have a kinship with or have similar views?
The Dream is Dead and World Eater, not just because we share members, but I feel like we are all sonically and lyrically raw as fuck. Plus, we tend to view society and politics in the same light. That’s not to say that there aren’t other bands around that we share these views with. There are so many awesome bands here that it’s silly. I could sit here for a good ten minutes listing bands that we feel a kinship with.
Black Arrows is a band that rarely plays out. Is there a specific reason for this or is it due more to conflicting schedules?
It’s more just because we all have too much other shit going on. Unfortunately, life tends to happen in the meantime. I wish I could devote everything to bands, as do all of us, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Plus, it seems that when a local band plays out all the time people tend to lose interest. This works in our favor because when we do have a chance to get out and play people will make an effort to come out since it doesn’t happen too often.
**Your next chance to see Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity comes at 2010’s Dudefest July 9 and 10.
www.myspace.come/blackarrowsoffilthimpurity
http://www.gileadmedia.net/
http://www.festdude.com/
Their name alone sets the tone for the band, conjuring immediate images of all things negative doused with depravity. The members of the band, vocalist Dave Britts (Coffinworm, World Eater), drummer Dustin Boltjes (Demiricous, The Dream is Dead, Transgression), bassist Todd Manning (Coffinworm), and guitarist Tony McGuire (Coffinworm) assault anyone listening with their blend of experimental grind and death metal rooted firmly in hardcore punk.
Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity’s sound is potent, defiant, and filled with sonic dissonance. It is a visceral challenge to the listeners. It is music spawned from the musicians trying to challenge each other within the band. It is the unexpected that keeps the Black Arrows' annihilation machine rolling forward. If they clear a room along the way, then the listeners failed the challenge.
Coming together as equals, the member of Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity take their time when writing new material. In March 2009 their debut album (1984 (Eternal)), was rereleased on CD by Gilead Media. The Cracked Skull spoke to Tony McGuire about the inner workings of the band, their writing process, and the band’s future.
How long have Black Arrows been around, and how did you all get together? Was (is) there a central idea or aesthetic you’re trying to achieve? If there is a particular aesthetic then how close do you feel that you’re getting to it?
We’ve been playing together since sometime in 2003. I had known Dustin from going to shows, and then I answered an ad that he and Todd placed online looking for a guitarist. We got together in late 2003, and the rest is a sweet romantic poem that we have all lovingly crafted since. I don’t know if there is a specific aesthetic other than pushing things as far as we can musically while all keeping our sanity, which rarely happens while we are writing. As far as the lyrics go, Dave is pretty straight forward, so they are all self-explanatory. I guess, overall, we agree that the current state of humanity is one that needs to be extinguished, but that tends to be the norm with most grind bands past or present. The stuff we are working on now is going to be more concept-oriented, and I feel like we have been paying more attention to cohesion while writing the music. We do take our time while writing. I feel our new releases are actually going to delve deeper into the human experience, specifically the future of human experience. But then again that could all change.
There seems to be a political slant to the music. How much does local, national, and international politics influence the music?
I think we, as most bands of the hardcore/punk/grind variety, are products of our environment. I know it sounds cliché as fuck, but the things that we have all witnessed growing up in an environment like the Midwest come out in our music and especially Dave’s lyrics. We didn’t exactly grow up being fostered for our differences and unique outlooks on life, and modern day politics seems to try to keep these same ideas and status quo in place. We will hopefully be there to jab a rusty fork in its eye.
Is there a sense within the band that Black Arrows is always pushing for the most extreme reaches with the band’s music? The music is a continual onslaught. Any plans on slowing down or speeding up?
Honestly, we all just want to piss each other off when we are writing. We are always trying to do the unexpected. Anything to challenge ourselves while playing. Challenging the listener is definitely a plus. I’ve always kind of wanted to play in a band that clears the entire room out while we are playing. Maybe we need to get a show at the VFW? As far as speeding up or slowing down, that will just be decided as needed. Ideally, our fast shit will get faster and our slow shit with get slower.
Who are the main song writers within the band? Or do the songs come together as a collective group effort?
We come together pretty equally on all fronts. We’ve always said that if one of us quits the band then it’s over. I can’t imagine trying to write any of these songs with any other people than these three dudes. We all understand how each other thinks now when it comes to writing. It’s almost kind of scary. Todd, Dustin, and I write all the music together, and then Dave comes in and usually has ideas for structure and the overall feeling of the song. Then the lyrics are all Dave.
The record has been out for some time now, and released on CD by Gilead Media, but is there anything coming up recording and release wise?
If we can ever find the time to make it in the studio between all the other shit that we do, then we have more than enough unrecorded material to put out a pretty massive release or a couple of different things. The dates tend to keep getting pushed back, but hopefully we can make it in the studio this year.
In terms of Indy’s music scene, what are some of the bands you feel you have a kinship with or have similar views?
The Dream is Dead and World Eater, not just because we share members, but I feel like we are all sonically and lyrically raw as fuck. Plus, we tend to view society and politics in the same light. That’s not to say that there aren’t other bands around that we share these views with. There are so many awesome bands here that it’s silly. I could sit here for a good ten minutes listing bands that we feel a kinship with.
Black Arrows is a band that rarely plays out. Is there a specific reason for this or is it due more to conflicting schedules?
It’s more just because we all have too much other shit going on. Unfortunately, life tends to happen in the meantime. I wish I could devote everything to bands, as do all of us, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Plus, it seems that when a local band plays out all the time people tend to lose interest. This works in our favor because when we do have a chance to get out and play people will make an effort to come out since it doesn’t happen too often.
**Your next chance to see Black Arrows of Filth and Impurity comes at 2010’s Dudefest July 9 and 10.
www.myspace.come/blackarrowsoffilthimpurity
http://www.gileadmedia.net/
http://www.festdude.com/
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
june shows of interest...
*6-4-2010, the dojo, black breath, give, stick together, lion of judah, and thought crusade, 7 p.m., $10.
*6-5-2010, upland radfest (bloomington, upland brewery), coffinworm (indy), deadmen (indy), humans (bloomington), bible of the devil, webcam teenz, and kiss army, 5 p.m., $25 in advance $30 at the door.
*6-6-2010, bear's place (1316 e. 3rd street, bloomington, in), junker (indy), rat storm (indy/bloomington), and lockstep, 8 p.m., $5.
*6-11-2010, the melody inn, sleepbringer (indy/bloomington), devils of belgrade (indy), devil to pay (indy), and lo pan, 9 p.m., $5.
*6-13-2010, the vollrath (118 e. palmer street, indianapolis), junker (indy), off with their heads, and dear landlord, 9 p.m. $7.
*6-16-2010, the dojo, chaotic neutral (indy), coerced (boston), and veloz, 7 p.m., $5.
*6-23-2010, the dojo, floor, and slam dunk, 7 p.m.
*6-25-2010, the melody inn, racebannon (bloomington) wrap the body release show with jill from we are hex, red shadows, and small arms fire, 9 p.m., $5
*6-5-2010, upland radfest (bloomington, upland brewery), coffinworm (indy), deadmen (indy), humans (bloomington), bible of the devil, webcam teenz, and kiss army, 5 p.m., $25 in advance $30 at the door.
*6-6-2010, bear's place (1316 e. 3rd street, bloomington, in), junker (indy), rat storm (indy/bloomington), and lockstep, 8 p.m., $5.
*6-11-2010, the melody inn, sleepbringer (indy/bloomington), devils of belgrade (indy), devil to pay (indy), and lo pan, 9 p.m., $5.
*6-13-2010, the vollrath (118 e. palmer street, indianapolis), junker (indy), off with their heads, and dear landlord, 9 p.m. $7.
*6-16-2010, the dojo, chaotic neutral (indy), coerced (boston), and veloz, 7 p.m., $5.
*6-23-2010, the dojo, floor, and slam dunk, 7 p.m.
*6-25-2010, the melody inn, racebannon (bloomington) wrap the body release show with jill from we are hex, red shadows, and small arms fire, 9 p.m., $5
Friday, May 21, 2010
mix tapes...
maybe the cracked skull is a bit nostalgic, but what happened to the art of the mix tape? a good mix tape could get you by in a rough spot. a good mix tape made you listen to the songs in the order of the person that gave the tape to you. one side straight through then flip it and a person could convey whatever they were feeling or trying to get across via song and band selection/order. a good mix tape had a life expectancy, but when it died you remembered it. a good mix tape came with hand written fold outs with song listings and maybe even a drawing or sketch. a good mix tape would often make you think. and sometimes those thoughts were not pleasant. often a good mix tape had a theme, and that theme could range from the changing of the seasons to drunken thrash ragers. lately the kvlt among us are turning out small batches of enigmatic music back on cassettes, and independent labels are releasing records once again via cassette in limited quantities. so here's the deal: let the mix tape resurgence shine. dust off those tape player, scour the streets for blank cassettes, and start making mix tapes.
the cracked skull mix tape exchange is now official. if you're interested then leave a comment with your email or send an email to the cracked skull's email (thecrackedskull@gmail.com). once a healthy list of people are gathered then we'll pair off, and make a one off themed mix tape to exchange with whomever you're paired with. you'll have a month to complete the tape and get it to the other person. the theme will change monthly as well as the person you make it for. the first tape is for june. there is about a week in may left, so if you're interested then let the cracked skull know soon. here's the first theme: atlas holding the crushing weight of the world on his shoulders. so start thinking about that tape...
the cracked skull mix tape exchange is now official. if you're interested then leave a comment with your email or send an email to the cracked skull's email (thecrackedskull@gmail.com). once a healthy list of people are gathered then we'll pair off, and make a one off themed mix tape to exchange with whomever you're paired with. you'll have a month to complete the tape and get it to the other person. the theme will change monthly as well as the person you make it for. the first tape is for june. there is about a week in may left, so if you're interested then let the cracked skull know soon. here's the first theme: atlas holding the crushing weight of the world on his shoulders. so start thinking about that tape...
Monday, April 26, 2010
upcoming shows in may of interest...
*5-1-2010, the dojo (4640 E. 10th St., indpls), coffinworm (indy), velnias (colorado), batillus (nyc), and kata sarka (indy), 6:30 p.m., $6.
*5-4-2010, the dojo, black breath, sleeping in gethsemane, deceiver, and sick world, 7 p.m., $8.
*5-6-2010, the tip top tavern (1341 n. capitol ave., indpls), demiricous (indy), heavy lies the crown (indy), cattle decapitation (ca), and revocation, 8 p.m., $10.
*5-8-2010, the dojo, demiricous (indy), no regard (indy), deceiver, vital error, and picked clean, 7 p.m., $6.
*5-16-2010, the melody inn (3826 n. illinois st., indpls), apostle of solitude (indy), necropharmacon (indy), black pyramid (ma), and let the night roar (ga), 7 p.m., $6.
*5-26-2010, the melody inn, red shadows (indy), rat storm, capitalist casualties, verbal abuse, and fang, 7 p.m., $12.
*5-27-2010, locals only, demiricous, red shadows, and plaguesayer, 9 p.m., free 21+.
*5-4-2010, the dojo, black breath, sleeping in gethsemane, deceiver, and sick world, 7 p.m., $8.
*5-6-2010, the tip top tavern (1341 n. capitol ave., indpls), demiricous (indy), heavy lies the crown (indy), cattle decapitation (ca), and revocation, 8 p.m., $10.
*5-8-2010, the dojo, demiricous (indy), no regard (indy), deceiver, vital error, and picked clean, 7 p.m., $6.
*5-16-2010, the melody inn (3826 n. illinois st., indpls), apostle of solitude (indy), necropharmacon (indy), black pyramid (ma), and let the night roar (ga), 7 p.m., $6.
*5-26-2010, the melody inn, red shadows (indy), rat storm, capitalist casualties, verbal abuse, and fang, 7 p.m., $12.
*5-27-2010, locals only, demiricous, red shadows, and plaguesayer, 9 p.m., free 21+.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Lair of the Minotaur review... Evil Power
Chicago’s Lair of the Minotaur has never had their metal credentials challenged. They are a band that exudes love of all things metal on their previous releases. Their fourth release, Evil Power on The Grind House Records, is no different. Instantly, the blood soaked skull fragments and inherent lyrical violence are penned against Lair of the Minotaur’s sludgy brand of thrash.
Their previous release, War Metal Battle Master, crashed metal’s front line with sharpened battle axes. Evil Power smashes straight ahead with the band’s raw brand of no nonsense metal. This is a call to arms wielding mighty war hammers instead of blades. It’s unapologetic and as always testosterone fueled.
Evil Power is loaded with thick riffing. The record has an old school feel to it, with a nod to death metal and subtle hints of grind. Lair of the Minotaur’s thrashing sense of groove is immediately felt. The rhythm section, drummer Chris Wozniak and now with Demiricous’ bassist/vocalist Nate Olp on bass, churn out grimy heaps of low end rumble and thunder to match guitarist/vocalist Steve Rathbone’s guitar gnarl and guttural laments.
As to be expected with Lair of the Minotaur the elements of fantasy in the lyrics provide the imagery to meet the savagery of the music. Though not as urgent sounding as previous releases, Evil Power is backed by muscle and heft. This is a record bent on taking its dense sound and emotion to the listener. This is street level metal from and for the underground. It is not pretty or overly technical, but it is a record that will ravage all put before it. The deep grooves hoist riff after riff through the ground, cracking foundations as it pushes skyward, all the while blending varying sub genres of metal into one slab of destruction and rampage.
**Next chance to see Lair of the Minotaur is 4-16-2010 at The Melody Inn for their dual release show with Coffinworm. Red Shadows and Slam Dunk round out the evenings line-up.
Their previous release, War Metal Battle Master, crashed metal’s front line with sharpened battle axes. Evil Power smashes straight ahead with the band’s raw brand of no nonsense metal. This is a call to arms wielding mighty war hammers instead of blades. It’s unapologetic and as always testosterone fueled.
Evil Power is loaded with thick riffing. The record has an old school feel to it, with a nod to death metal and subtle hints of grind. Lair of the Minotaur’s thrashing sense of groove is immediately felt. The rhythm section, drummer Chris Wozniak and now with Demiricous’ bassist/vocalist Nate Olp on bass, churn out grimy heaps of low end rumble and thunder to match guitarist/vocalist Steve Rathbone’s guitar gnarl and guttural laments.
As to be expected with Lair of the Minotaur the elements of fantasy in the lyrics provide the imagery to meet the savagery of the music. Though not as urgent sounding as previous releases, Evil Power is backed by muscle and heft. This is a record bent on taking its dense sound and emotion to the listener. This is street level metal from and for the underground. It is not pretty or overly technical, but it is a record that will ravage all put before it. The deep grooves hoist riff after riff through the ground, cracking foundations as it pushes skyward, all the while blending varying sub genres of metal into one slab of destruction and rampage.
**Next chance to see Lair of the Minotaur is 4-16-2010 at The Melody Inn for their dual release show with Coffinworm. Red Shadows and Slam Dunk round out the evenings line-up.
Friday, April 2, 2010
upcoming shows of interest in indy in april...
*4-8-2010, the 1511, garrote (indy), torch runner (north carolina), and brainwreck (tennessee), $7, 8 p.m.
*4-10-2010, the dojo, apostle of solitude (indy), deadmen (indy), and bulletwolf (indy), $6, 8 p.m.
*4-11-2010, the melody inn, worldeater (indy), kata sarka (indy), and ludicra (california), $7, 8 p.m.
*4-16-2010, the melody inn, coffinworm (indy), lair of the minotaur (chicago/indy), red shadows (indy), and slam dunk (bloomington/indy), $6, 9 p.m.
*4-19-2010, radio radio, red sparowes (california), caspian, and fang island, $10 8 p.m.
*4-22-2010, the dojo, the dockers (indy), abstract artimus (new york), and daikajiu (alabama), 7 p.m.
*4-28-2010, the melody inn, kata sarka (indy), bulletwolf (indy), and music hates you (atlanta, ga.), $5, 9 p.m.
*4-10-2010, the dojo, apostle of solitude (indy), deadmen (indy), and bulletwolf (indy), $6, 8 p.m.
*4-11-2010, the melody inn, worldeater (indy), kata sarka (indy), and ludicra (california), $7, 8 p.m.
*4-16-2010, the melody inn, coffinworm (indy), lair of the minotaur (chicago/indy), red shadows (indy), and slam dunk (bloomington/indy), $6, 9 p.m.
*4-19-2010, radio radio, red sparowes (california), caspian, and fang island, $10 8 p.m.
*4-22-2010, the dojo, the dockers (indy), abstract artimus (new york), and daikajiu (alabama), 7 p.m.
*4-28-2010, the melody inn, kata sarka (indy), bulletwolf (indy), and music hates you (atlanta, ga.), $5, 9 p.m.
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