If you aren’t yet hip to NYC doom crushers Batillus then you’re missing out on some serious metal. Axl and I were toking on some super-potent mega-Chronic he happened to score recently and we popped on the vinyl of their Vendetta Records split release with Maine’s Hallowed Butchery. The pounding, slow, and decimatingly crushing tones that washed over us were the perfect compliment to the perfect high, and coupled with a glass of Knappogue Castle Whiskey put us in just the right mood for that night’s show (Valient Thorr, Junius, and Howl). Batillus’ side of the split features the same tracks that were on their second EP (the Beard Destroyer Tour EP, recorded last summer by Brendan Tobin of Made Out of Babies). Live, the band crushes just as hard as they do on record; even MS commenter / uber-elitist Ziltoid copped to liking Batillus, but that was like two years ago already and they’re probably too popular for him now or something.

Three of the four members of Batillus wrote exclusive studio blogs for us this past Spring when they trekked to Chicago to record with esteemed producer Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Rwake, Pelican, etc); we can’t wait to hear the combined efforts of that pairing at some point in 2011.

In the meantime Batillus are playing one of our two CMJ showcases, Saturday, October 23rd at Fontana’s, along with Powerglove, Wetnurse, The Binary Code, Pack of Wolves, and Meek is Murder (4pm / $10 / 21+). Sailor Jerry Rum is providing free booze from 4-5pm and drinks for only $3 after that, so come on out early on your Saturday to get your fix of doom. They’re also doing some dates around the Northeast this fall, posted after the jump.

-VN

October 23 – Manhattan, NY – MetalSucks CMJ Showcase @ Fontana’s

November 19 – Wallingford, CT – @ Red Scroll Records w/ Author and Punisher, Theologian

November 20 – Somerville, MA – @ The Starlab w/ Author and Punisher, Theologian

November 21 – Albany, NY – @ Valentine’s w/ Author and Punisher, Theologian

November 26 – Philadelphia, PA – @ The Rotunda w/ Author and Punisher, Theologian

November 27 – Brooklyn, NY – @ Coco 66 w/ w/ Author and Punisher, Theologian