Wednesday, the rabble-rousers at The Obelisk hurl forth a hump day surprise in the form of a full stream of Deteriorate,from Italian sludge dealers, GRIME. Commended by Cvlt Nation for “overflowing with rotten, bluesy riffs that will keep your reality buried in misery,” and called “an aural evisceration… not at all for the faint of heart,” by the Obelisk, Deteriorate spews forth a ferocious platter of dirgy, down-tuned delightfulness made of colossal rust-crusted riffs and all-purpose acrimony. Self-described as the sound of “a decaying swamp filled with trash,” GRIME’s slow, heavy groove is sincere, imposing and impossible to ignore.
Deteriorate was recorded at Igloo Audiofactory in Italy by Enrico Baraldi and mixed and mastered by sound wizard Billy Anderson.
Dirty up your Wednesday with some soul-tearing GRIME HERE,
courtesy of The Obelisk.
Deterioratewill see official release on LP via Forcefield Records on a new date of July 9, 2013. It will be available in two different color variants on 180 gram vinyl encased with black dust sleeves and full color jackets with a poster and download card. The limited run is oxygen rich blood haze of oxblood red and grimace purple and a larger run of grey and red haze. Preorder your copy today atTHIS LOCATION. The CD version will be handled by Morgrimm Records.
“The only possible explanation for Deteriorate is that the band found a deeper basement to record in, under a filthier murder shack….this album will crush your moral compass until you’re making a call about doing something bad. And that’s a good thing.” – Decibel Magazine
“Every second is filled with negativity, bad tidings and woe which when thrown together make one of the most oppressive sounding records I have heard in a long time.” – The Sleeping Shaman
“Mental health is a fragile thing. One minute, birds are chirping and the sun is beaming. But that sunshine can quickly turn to despair, emptiness and aggression. Some people turn to pharmaceuticals, crime, or suicide, but fortunately, the members of GRIME chose instead to channel their suffering into music, and if you are a fan of sludgy howling insanity, then their new album Deteriorate may cure what ails you…This album is a great example of capturing, channeling, and expelling negativity and hatred.” – Invisible Oranges
“Deteriorate is an eight song chug that sounds like a train pushing through a tar pit…From there on it’s clear that GRIME are pushing right into it without any relenting. Feedback and slow, crushing instruments fill every track. Every track follows in this style as though the band were pushing knee-deep through the dead.” – Metal Injection
“‘Vile’ and ‘repulsive’ are two words that come immediately to mind after hearing this filthy slab and I’m sure Italy’s GRIME would be thrilled by that. They obviously set out to make one hateful chunk of sludge/doom here and they succeeded at that.” – Doommantia
“With this album the Italian sludge-meisters have delivered filth-laden journey into the ugliest recesses of humanity. This sure ain’t pretty; it won’t pound you into the ground, it’ll drag you in feet first and screaming.” – The Lair of Filth
2013 Has been a great year and it is only getting better. We have a ton of bands on the road, a bunch of new stuff in the works, and are finishing up some releases that we are extremely proud of. Thanks for your continued support! We will be back in July with another newsletter with a ton of announcements about our fall lineup and more. Cheers!
I. WINDHAND BEER RELEASE, “s/t” RE-PRESS
II. GRIME “Deteriorate” LP UPDATE, PRE-ORDERS UP
III. EARTHLING PRESS, BOOKING SUMMER/FALL TOUR
IV. SET AND SETTING CASSETTE
V. HUMUNGUS TOUR GIVE AWAY, NEW DISTRO ITEMS, + FOUND FFR TITLES
VI. TOUR DATES
I. WINDHAND IPA BEER RELEASED, NEW REPRESS OF “s/t” LP
This past week we put into motion a 4th pressing of Windhand’s critically acclaimed “s/t” debut LP. The new pressing will feature 3 different color variants. Two limited runs of “Barbie” pink and lime green as well as a larger run of starburst black and purple. Paired with that, yesterday the band announced the release of their very own IPA courtesy of South County Brewing the same day as leaving for a 17 day jaunt of the Northeast and Midwest. Below we have the release circulating from Enabler PR.
“In celebration of their US Tour, Windhand are pleased to announce that they will be releasing their own IPA with South County Brewing. The band embark on their tour tomorrow and make their way along the East Coast and through the Midwest. Fans can expect to hear tracks from their previous releases as well as new material from their recently recorded debut on Relapse Records, out this fall. For more information on the Windhand IPA, read a statement from the brewers and check out tour dates below.
“Great beer and heavy music are a staple at South County Brewing. So, when we recently saw Windhand play here in Pennsylvania and discovered their affinity for great IPA’s, we knew a collaboration was in order. Naturally we have always wanted to create a rock solid IPA, so we chose to brew with our favorite Maris Otter Malt, Nugget and Millennium hops and a crisp yeast strain, making their beer a nearly sessionable IPA. The fruity citrus notes blend together in perfect harmony with this brew’s toasted malty sweetness, creating an experience any beer lover will appreciate, although we think it pairs perfectly with the hundreds of watts of detuned brilliance!” Asechiah, Windhand’s guitarist, did the artwork for the labels and the band will be having a keg of the beer on tap at their show at Strange Matter on June 22 with Inter Arma.
Formed in 2009, Richmond, VA’s Windhand (Asechiah Bogdan – Guitar, Parker Chandler – Bass, Dorthia Cottrell – Vocals, Garrett Morris – Guitar, and Ryan Wolfe – Drums) play what has been described as a tinnitus inducing mix of eerie psychedelia and haunting ambient doom. 2012 saw the release of their critically acclaimed, self-titled LP via Forcefield Records. A subsequent heavy dose of East Coast touring followed, culminating with a four week U.S tour in August of that year. The response from the press and fans alike has been immense. Cvlt Nation’s review insists, “Windhand are way more than a band you should be on the look out for, they are a group of humans that will change the way you hear doom.” While Decibel Magazine said, “For the most part, Sabbathian doom bands stand out by only writing great songs because sonically it’s damn near impossible to separate yourself from the overcrowded genre. But there is something about Richmond’s Windhand that makes them even more drugged out and exceptional… it’s massive, addictive destruction. Yeah, these fuckers are gonna be huge.””
II. GRIME “Deteriorate” LP UPDATE, PRE-ORDERS UP
Well we are finally in the home stretch for the release of Grime’s long awaited debut full length “Deteriorate”. The bad part is the record has hit a few snags along the way pushing it off of its scheduled release of June 11th but all that is in the review mirror now. We are looking at a new ship date of the last week of June for pre-orders and a stock date with Revolver of July 9th. The record will come in two different color variants on 180 gram vinyl encased with black dust sleeves and full color jackets with a poster and download card. The limited run is oxygen rich blood haze of oxblood red and grimace purple and a larger run of grey and red haze. The CD version will be handled by our UK brothers in heavy Mordgrimm Records. We will also be running a limited pre-order package that includes a t-shirt. The record has been gaining great praise for it’s concentrated dirty misanthropic sludge, below is a great video from their set at Heavy Days in Doomtown as well a link to a bunch of reviews for “Deteriorate”. On Wednesday June 12th we will be streaming the album in its entirety, courtesy of the Obelisk!
“Every second is filled with negativity, bad tidings and woe which when thrown together make one of the most oppressive sounding records I have heard in a long time.” – The Sleeping Shaman
“The only possible explanation for Deteriorate is that the band found a deeper basement to record in, under a filthier murder shack….this album will crush your moral compass until you’re making a call about doing something bad. And that’s a good thing.” – Decibel Magazine
“Mental health is a fragile thing. One minute, birds are chirping and the sun is beaming. But that sunshine can quickly turn to despair, emptiness and aggression. Some people turn to pharmaceuticals, crime, or suicide, but fortunately, the members of Grime chose instead to channel their suffering into music, and if you are a fan of sludgy howling insanity, then their new album Deteriorate may cure what ails you…This album is a great example of capturing, channeling, and expelling negativity and hatred.” – Invisible Oranges
“Deteriorate is an eight song chug that sounds like a train pushing through a tar pit…From there on it’s clear that Grime are pushing right into it without any relenting. Feedback and slow, crushing instruments fill every track. Every track follows in this style as though the band were pushing knee-deep through the dead.” – Metal Injection
“The eight slabs of pure filth and destruction on this album are fuckin’ awesome. A drummer that pounds in your fuckin’ head like Thor with his hammer, a bass player that grooves all way around, a guitar player that delivers only addicting riffs and a vocalist that gives a very GOOD name to the genre” – Cvlt Nation
“”Vile” and “repulsive” are two words that come immediately to mind after hearing this filthy slab and I’m sure Italy’s Grime would be thrilled by that. They obviously set out to make one hateful chunk of sludge/doom here and they succeeded at that.” – Doommantia
“With this album the Italian sludge-meisters have delivered filth-laden journey into the ugliest recesses of humanity. This sure ain’t pretty; it won’t pound you into the ground, it’ll drag you in feet first and screaming.” – The Lair of Filth
III. EARTHLING PRESS, BOOKING SUMMER AND FALL TOURS
Earthling has been shredding ears left and right. After an April east coast trek with Inter Arma up north and back they took a couple weeks off before heading out to Chicago and back. Now after a few weeks back in the mountains it seems the cabin fever has set in. The boys are now making plans to head down to the wonderful beaches of Florida around Labor Day weekend and then a 5 week jaunt this September/October. If anyone is interested in helping please drop them a line at earthlingva@gmail.com. Below we have the Southeastern dates as well as a link to some press for the LP.
8/29 – Knoxville, TN – the Poison Lawn
8/30 – Birmingham, AL
8/31 – Tallahassee, FL
9/1 – Tampa / Jacksonville / Orlando, FL
9/2 – Atlanta / Savannah, GA
9/3 – Columbia, SC
9/4 – North Carolina
“Earthling shifts between various speeds of thrash… Those changes in direction and speed allow Earthling to push each part of the song decisively into the red, so that, just when the whole thing starts to wobble, they transition and regain their footing. The instability breeds the same sort of excitement as a mosh pit, where the risk of wiping out only increases the thrill of serving as a standing pinball.” – Pitchfork
“…a ripping blend of crust and proto-black metal riffs that boil from a vast melting pot of extremity; their truly diverse extreme sound also brings with it the incessant need to thrash.” – Terrorizer
“…Earthling’s first full length album gallops at break-neck speed through a crusty, blackened, desolate musical landscape. 4/5” – About.com
“Earthling is quite original. They basically play thrash metal but their take on it is completely different compared to the sound of most thrash metal bands you hear these days. The sound is heavier and contains numerous black and heavy metal influences.” – Lords of Metal
“…like bong ripping yourself into a black hole where the other side is the embodiment of Mob Rules era Sabbath with the addition of some major Mega Man shred duals.” – Mxdwn
“…a potent blend of Southern riffs and black metal atmospheres, casting off much of that genre’s pretentious silliness in favor of an earthier pummel.” – The Aquarian Weekly
“The urgent speed that the band goes at for the most part easily reminds one of the early days of Teutonic thrash, and bands such as Kreator and Destruction quickly come to mind with the extremity that is present on the record.” – Heavy Metal Tribune
Stream ‘Dark Path’ in its entirety, courtesy of Terrorizer Magazine.
More and full reviews are posted here.
IV. SET AND SETTING CASSETTE
We are excited to announce we are getting back into the cassette tape game with our long time buddies Set and Setting! They have a 12″ LP coming out this June on NYC based Science Of Silence Records who will also be handling the digital version. We are just fortunate enough they allowed us to piggyback on being involved with “Equanimity” in some sort of fashion.
Set and Setting’s perfect accompaniment would be a psychedelic drug of your choice and a body of flowing water surrounded by lush plant-life.
Beautiful soundscapes laced with pounding rhythms that aren’t afraid to delve into the darkness and then re-emerge into light textures leaving you begging for the sun on your face.
We have the pro made, full color layout, with clear cassettes with gold print available in our web-store now.
V. HUMUNGUS TOUR GIVE AWAY, NEW DISTRO ITEMS, + FOUND FFR TITLES
We updated the web-store for the first time in way too long. Also found and added 12 copies of Windhand “s/t” LP and 12 copies of Cough “Sigillum Luciferi” DLP both are of the 3rd pressings. As well for the next week we will be running a special to celebrate the kick off of Humungus’ first full US tour. Any order of 15 dollars or more pre-postage will receive a free copy of the translucent red variant of the band’s 7″. www.forcefieldrecords.org/store
NEW ARRIVALS
VALKYRIE / EARTHLING – split 7″
GENERATION OF VIPERS – “Howl and Filth” LP
HUATA – “Atavist Of Mann” DLP *import
SERPENT OMEGA – “s/t” LP *import
POMBAGIRA – “Iconoclast Dream” LP *import
COFFINWORM – “Great Bringer of Night” LP
PALLBEARER – “Sorrow And Extinction” DLP
ALARIC – “s/t” LP
BARGHEST – “Untitled” LP
ASH BORER / FELL VOICES – split LP
BARGHEST / FALSE – split LP
MUTILATION RITES – “Empyrean” LP
NATE HALL – “A Great River” LP
JUDAS HORSE – “Holy War” LP
V/A – Inherent Records Compilation – “Volume One” LP
SAMOTHRACE – “Life’s Trade” DLP
SCHOOL JERKS – “s/t” LP
NIGHT BIRDS – “Fresh Kills Vol. 1” LP
KRALLICE – “Years Past Matter” gatefold DLP
MIDNIGHT – “Complete and Total Hell” DLP
SPEEDWOLF – “Ride With Death” LP
DEATHHAMMER – “Onward To The Pits” LP
SANGUIS IMPEREM – “In Glory We March Towards Our Doom” LP
SATANIC BLOODSPRAYING – “At The Mercy Of Satan” LP
NUNSLAUGHTER – “Hells Unholy Fire” LP
PROTESTANT – “Reclamation” LP
NORTHLESS / LIGHT BEARER – split LP
NATIVE – “We Delete; Erase” LP
CANYONS / TIGON / FOREIGN THEATERS – “Can’t Have Nothin’ Nice” split LP
TIGON – “Infinite Teeth” LP
BRIGHTER ARROWS / LOCKTENDER – split 10″
BIG FICTION – “Prison Van” LP
RESTOCKS
BASTARD SAPLING – “V: A Sepulcher To Swallow The Sea” 7″
EAGLE TWIN & POMBAGIRA – ‘Grimm Eighteen’ Split LP *import
ASUNDER / GRAVES AT SEA – split LP
ENTH / AMAROK – split LP
VI. TOUR DATES
Dates for Bastard Sapling, the Catalyst, Cough, Humungus, Inter Arma, Mutilation Rites, Set and Setting, and Windhand. All bands in alphabetical order. More info at http://www.forcefieldrecords.org/site/tours/
All dates are in alphabetical order by band name.
BASTARD SAPLING
6/30 – Brooklyn, NY – Martyrdoom Festival @ the Acheron
THE CATALYST
7/14 – Brooklyn, NY
7/15 – Philadelphia, PA
7/16 – Washington, DC
7/17 – Richmond, VA
COUGH
6/28 – Brooklyn, NY – Martyrdoom Festival @ the Paper Box
EARTHLING
8/29 – Knoxville, TN – the Poison Lawn
8/30 – Birmingham, AL
8/31 – Tallahassee, FL
9/1 – Tampa / Jacksonville / Orlando, FL
9/2 – Atlanta / Savannah, GA
9/3 – Columbia, SC
9/4 – North Carolina
HUMUNGUS
6/6 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern
6/7 – Savannah, GA – The Jinx w/ Dead Yet?, Sons of Tonatiuh
6/8 – St. Petersburg, FL – Fubar w/ Hot Graves
6/11 – Austin, TX – Holy Mountain
6/12 – San Antonio, TX – The Korova
6/13 – Albuquerque, NM – The Iron Haus
6/14 – OFF
6/15 – Los Angeles – L.A. Pyrate Punks Pad
6/16 – Las Vegas – Favorites
6/17 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Z Club
6/19 – Oakland CA – Eli’s Mile High Club
6/20 – Eugene, OR – Tiny Tavern
6/21 – Portland, OR – The Know
6/22 – Seattle, WA – The Kraken
6/23 – Missoula, MT – TBA
6/24 – Boise, ID – The Shredder
6/25 – Salt lake City, UT – Burt’s Tiki Lounge
6/26 – Denver, CO – SeventhCircle Music Collective
6/27 – OFF
6/28 – Minneapolis, MN – Station 4 w/ Hot Graves
6/29 – Appleton, WI – The Maritime Tavern w/ Hot Graves
6/30 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge w/ Hot Graves
6/1 – Wyandotte, MI – The Rockery w/ Hot Graves
6/2 – Columbus, OH – Carabar w/ Hot Graves
INTER ARMA
6/6 – Will’s Pub: Orlando, FL w/ Set and Setting
6/7 – Octave: St. Petersburg, FL w/ Set and Setting
6/13 – Philadelphia, PA – The Barbary w/ Sadgiqacea
6/14 – Brooklyn, NY – 285 Kent w/ Torche, KEN Mode, Lo-Pan
6/15 – Brooklyn, NY – Union Pool w/ Pyrrhon
6/21 – Raleigh, NC – Slim’s Downtown w/ Windhand
6/22 – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter w/ Windhand
7/18 – St Paul MN – Turf Club **
7/19 – Chicago IL – Pitchfork Preparty @ Township **
7/20 – Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Fest After Party **
7/21 – Iowa City IA – Gabe’s Oasis **
7/23 – Oklahoma City OK – Conservatory **
7/25 – Austin TX – Mohawk **
7/26 – San Antonio TX – Korova **
7/27 – Houston TX – Walters **
7/30 – Tampa FL – The Orpheum **
7/31 – Miami FL – Churchhills **
8/1 – Orlando FL – Wills Pub **
8/2 – Savannah GA – The Jinx **
8/3 – Chapel Hill – NC Local 506 **
8/4 – Charlotte NC – Chop Shop **
8/6 – Asheville NC – Broadways **
8/7 – Johnson City, TN – Hideaway **
9/5 – Springfield VA – Empire w/ Gorguts
9/7 – Raleigh, NC – Hopscotch Music Festival @ Lincoln Theatre w/ Sleep
9/20 – Lexington, KY – Boomslang Festival
SET AND SETTING
7/1 – Tallahassee, FL – The Shark Tank
7/2 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia
7/3 – Houston, TX – Mango’s
7/4 – Denton, TX – J&J’s Pizza
7/5 – Austin, TX – The Frontier Bar
7/6 – San Antonio, TX – Ten Eleven
7/8 – Tucson, AZ – Plush
7/9 – Phoenix, AZ – The Trunk Space
7/10 – San Diego, CA – Til Two Club
7/11 – Corona, CA
7/12 – Los Angeles, CA – Star Bar
7/13 – Las Vegas, NV – The Dive
7/14 – Pomona, CA – Characters
7/16 – San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern
7/17 – Oakland, CA – Eli’s Mile High Club
7/18 – Sacramento, CA – The S.A.C.
7/19 – Springfield, OR – Goodfellas
7/20 – Portland, OR – Ash St. Bar w/ The Body
7/21 – Seattle, WA – Kraken
7/22 – Tacoma, WA – The Dwell Hole
7/23 – Vancouver, BC – The Zoo Shop w/ Seven Nines and Tens
7/24 – Olympia, WA – The Blue House
7/25 – Portland, OR – The Woods (generator show) w/ Nux Vomica
7/26 – Boise, ID – The Shredder
7/27 – Salt Lake City, UT
7/28 – Denver, CO – Seventh Circle Music Collective
7/30 – Kansas City, MO – Riot Room
7/31 – Minneapolis, MN – The Hexagon
8/1 – Milwaukee, WI – Frank’s Power Plant
8/2 – Madison, WI – Dragonfly Lounge
8/4 – Chicago, IL – Quenchers
8/5 – Bloomington, IN
8/6 – Nashville, TN – The Owl Farm
8/7 – Birmingham, AB – The Forge
8/8 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
8/9 – Athens, GA – The Caledonia Lounge
8/10 – Savannah, GA – The Jinx
UNHOLY THOUGHTS
6/8 – Richmond, VA – Gallery 5 w/ Night Birds, Big Eyes, Iron Reagan
6/13 – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter w/ Magrudergrind, Coke Bust, Hard Stripes, Meth Lab
TRIAC
6/8 – Richmond, VA – Bitch City Tab House w/ Callous, Barge, Unsacred
WINDHAND
6/5 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
6/6 – Philadelphia, PA – Golden Tea House
6/7 – Brooklyn, NY – St. Vitus Bar
6/8 – Providence, RI – AS220
6/9 – Boston, MA – O’Brien’s
6/11 – Buffalo, NY – Vault Art Space
6/12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Gooski’s
6/13 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
6/14 – Chicago, IL – Ultra Lounge
6/15 – St. Paul, MN – The Turf Club
6/16 – Milwaukee, WI – Quarter’s Rock n Roll
6/17 – Indianapolis, IN – The Sinking Ship w/ Skeletonwitch
6/18 – Cincinnati, OH – the Mayday
6/19 – Nashville, TN – The End w/ Generation of Vipers
6/20 – Knoxville, TN – The Pilot Light w/ Generation of Vipers
6/21 – Raleigh, NC – Slim’s w/ Inter Arma
6/22 – Richmond, VA – Strange Matter w/ Inter Arma, Sinister Haze
6/25 – WFMU Live Performance
