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We have newly updated tour dates for Wolves In The Throne Room plus the flyer and info for their all-ages show this Tuesday in SF with Graves at Sea and Ludicra. ([More →])

Stephen O’Malley is oft recognized as a pioneer of doom and drone metal from his participation in Khanate and Sunn O))). But before either of these incarnations, O’Malley and Greg Anderson (also of Sunn O) were creating blackest doom metal in Burning Witch and Thorr’s Hammer. Thorr’s Hammer was an incredible band with a charming female who sang in Norwegian (Runhild Gammelsæter aka Ozma, who was a 17 year old exchange student from Norway at the time). My favorite song by them is “Norge” which starts out softly, Ozma’s voice fades in, chanting in Norwegian. Then, that same female voice dives deeply into gravelly death metal vocalizations. It’s hard to believe that it’s a female singing still, she is so convincing with her delivery! ([More →])

Environmental campaigns seem to go hand-in-hand with music events. Live Earth is a fine example. Many bands are using their tours as platforms for environmental education and recycling programs, like Linkin Park, Cheryl Crow and the Beastie Boys. But nothing sings about environmental doom and destruction like a carefully chosen documentary soundtrack. Finally, someone has matched planetary doom with the perfect soundtrack of doom metal and dark ambient electronica! I feel I have finally found a single category of music to describe many of my favorite bands - a class of music that I haven’t been able to summarize with a single name until today - Music For Environmental Doom! It’s perfect! What other category could so perfectly link Khanate with Gas, Brian Eno with Arve Henriksen, and Mogwai with Sigur Ros or Lamb? I’d love to own a soundtrack with this music, especially if it were on gatefold double vinyl! ([More →])

The West Coast US is positively spoiled for epic underground metal music. Especially in the last 6 years, when we’ve had regular access to incredible performances by Sunn O))), Earth, Ludicra, Wolves In The Throneroom, and many of Mike Patton’s incarnations. My apologies to metal fans of afar who are teased by our repeated thrashings and harmonic tremors. Behind this veil of an intro, lies news of a metal extravanganza for all ages. It begins with warnings for the weak of heart residing on the west coast which is about to be invaded by Ludicra, Wolves In The Throne Room, Wormwood, Middian, Orb of Confusion and more. But, if you are in the UK, you can skip the first half of this article and read the report on Earth, Sunn O))) and Boris in London below. West Coast and UK read on - if you dare… ([More →])

Southern Lord is giving away FREE STUFF including tickets to west coast shows on the 777 Tour, Sunn O)))/Boris LPs and Southern Lord goodies. This is your chance if you don’t already have tickets to see Earth, Sunn O))), Wolves In The Throneroom, and Weedeater in either LA, San Diego, Portland or Seattle. ([More →])