Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 at 12:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
Yep, you read that right — Sumerian has signed T.R.A.M., a new supergroup consisting of Animals as Leaders guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes, Suicidal Tendencies drummer Eric Moore, and Adrian Terrazas (who used to go by “Adrian Terrazas-González” but whatever), who played flute/sax/bass clarinet/percussions on three albums by The Mars Volta (Frances the Mute, Amputechture,and The Bedlam in Goliath). The band’s moniker, in case you haven’t put it together, is an amalgamation of the last initial of each musicians’ name (For the cheap seats: Terrazas, Reyes, Abasi, Moore).
Friday, February 25th, 2011 at 3:00pm by MetalSucks
When we first started to discuss doing the release for Meek is Murder’s upcoming Algorithms with the band, we suggested they get creative and come up with some kind of cool limited edition compact disc to do in conjunction with the mostly-digital offering.
Well, we had no idea how much creativity and work they’d put into it.
The cover art for each CD is handmade. Instead of signing each disc, each member of the band is putting his actual fingerprint on it. And, oh yeah, drummer Frank Godla is spraying them all with his own personal cologne. Nope, I’m not kidding. Here, check out this video about the making of the CDs:
There’s only 50 of these bad boys being made, so if you want one, get on that ASAP. You can pre-order the CDs, a digital download, or some combination thereof with one of two awesome t-shirt designs, right here. We’re releasing Algorithms on March 22; if you order the CD or a t-shirt, please be aware that it will take 7-14 days after the release date to arrive.
But wait, there’s more! You already know that Meek is Murder (along with Kvelertak, Havok, Red Fang, and Wormrot!!!) are playing South by South Death, the 100% free SXSW day party we’re doing with NARM and Roxwel in association with Metal Insider, right? Well did you know that they’re actually doing a full tour in the days leading up to that show? It’s true! Check out a tour poster and complete itinerary, after the jump. You really, really do not wanna miss these dudes live.
Monday, February 21st, 2011 at 2:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
I don’t have a problem with nerd metal — I mean, to some extent, ALL metal is nerd metal, but what I really mean is, I don’t have a problem with the idea of nerds making metal about computers or other such dorkery. Hell, Meek is Murder’s Algorithms, which we’re very, very happily releasing next month (pre-order it here), deals by and large with computer code. So obviously, I have no problem with metal that draws on such a geeky topic for inspiration.
But it’s only Monday, and I still have to imagine that The Unhandled Exceptions‘ “Random Access Memory” is the worst thing I, you, or anyone either of us knows will hear all week. I mean, I suppose it’s possible that Johnny Plague and Frankie Palmeri could release a new duet cover of “Close My Eyes Forever,” but it would still be a million times better than this. (Actually, come to think of it, I really, really hope that Plague and Palmeri do just that. I know for a fact that people who work with the band read this website; fellas, please make that happen.)
If I thought the band was in on the joke, I might not have any problem with this; but it feels completely, and painfully, sincere. Maybe that just means that they are kidding and they’re more clever than I am, but, uh, no I don’t think so.
You should really check out their website, too, ’cause it provides plenty of additional lulz.
-AR
Thanks to Kurt Hansen for the tip. Kurt promises “to make it up with an excellent suggestion in the future.”
Friday, February 18th, 2011 at 1:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
We haven’t bugged you about Meek is Murder’s new album, the Kurt Ballou-produced Algorithms, in awhile, but now’s a good time — ’cause Brooklyn Vegan is streaming a brand new track, “(null),” right now. And it’s AWESOME — furious and raw and larger than life… basically, it epitomizes everything Vince and I love about Meek is Murder. So go listen to it right fucking now. They’ve also posted some pretty killer (and totally hilarious) behind-the-scenes studio footage, which originally debuted on The Deciblog and Noisecreep.
And, oh yeah, don’t forget that you can download a demo of MiM’s song “Sundowners” as part of Volume 1 of NYC Sucks! And it’s FREE!!! The finished version is even kick-assier, but this will at least give you some sense of the awesome roller coaster ride that is Algorithms.
MetalSucks is proud to be releasing this bad boy on March 22. And we’re now accepting pre-orders here! You can get a high quality digital download for five bucks, a download and a t-shirt (in one of two stylish, uh, styles) for fifteen bucks, or a special, super-limited edition (only fifty pressed!), hand-made, autographed CD for just ten bucks. Check that shit out and see what tickles your fancy.
And, finally, keep in mind that the band is gonna be on tour all next month. You really, really need to see these dudes live — that’s how they made me fall in love with them. Here are dates:
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at 4:00pm by MetalSucks
Earlier this month, we told you that we’d be doing the digital release for Meek is Murder’s new, Kurt Ballou-produced album, Algorithms, upon its release on March 22; last week, we finally got to hear an unmastered version of the entire album, and even in this unfinished form, it absolutely wrecked us. What an epic, punishing piece of work… we feel so lucky to be associated with this release.
And now we’re glad to finally be able to share some of it with you, in the form of the below teaser video. It features just a small taste of the semi-title track, “Algorythms,” but we feel confident that it will be enough to get your blood pumping…
Good shit, right? Want some more? Well then don’t forget that you can get a demo version of the MiM tune “Sundowners,” which will appear in its final form on Algorithms, just by downloading 100% free comp, NYC Sucks, Volume 1, which spotlights some of the best bands the New York area has to offer.
Algorithms will be out March 22… more info coming…
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 at 5:00pm by MetalSucks
IT’S HERE! IT’S FINALLY HERE!!! Volume 1 of NYC Sucks, the completely free comp we’ve compiled to spotlight some of the best metal bands currently dominating the New York metal scene. This volume features fourteen songs by as many bands, who run the gamut of genres, from death to tech to prog to grind to black to hardcore to doom and more. We truly feel that this is a great sampling of all that New York’s thriving metal scene has to offer, and we’re beyond proud to be sharing it with you — absolutely, 100% free of charge.
You can stream, or, better yet, just download the comp below. It contains high-quality 320kbps MP3s, and as well as a PDF of digital liner notes with information about all the bands. Please help get the word out… send the comp to your friends, put it up on torrent sites, submit it to .rar Mediafire blogs… just spread the friggin’ music by any means necessary!
And don’t forget that Volume 2, featuring thirteen more great bands and songs, will be out on February 22nd!!!
1. East of the Wall, “The Ladder”
2. Made out of Babies, “Invisible Ink”
3. Tiger Flowers, “Cuts”
4. Black Anvil, “The Evil of All Roots”
5. Naam, “Frosted Tread”
6. Batillus, “The Children of the Night Make Their Music”
7. Meek is Murder, “Sundowners” (demo)
8. The Binary Code, “Encircled”
9. Castevet, “Stones”
10. Hung, “Desert of Sad”
11. Wizardry, “The Falconer”
12. Pyrrhon, “King of All Tears”
13. Mutant Supremacy, “Epitaph”
14. Incendiary, “Victory in Defeat”
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at 5:00pm by MetalSucks
In 2009, MetalSucks did a digital-only release for The Binary Code’s Suspension of Disbelief. We did this because the band was unsigned, the album was awesome, and we thought it would be fun to actually help some great music find its way out into the world for once, instead of just bemoaning the state of metal from our armchairs.
And it was fun! We had a blast, and have wanted to do it again ever since. But it’s hard to find good bands period, let alone good bands that meet our particular set of criteria.
But one such band is Meek is Murder, the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Mike Keller (ex-The Red Chord), who we’ve been raving about for some time now. So when Mike and his fellow Meek Men Frank Godla (drums, also of Empyreon fame) and Sam Brodsky (bass) told us they were entering the studio this month to record a new album with producer Kurt Ballou — yep, that Kurt Ballou — and that the record did not yet have a home, well, we jumped at the chance to partner with them to help get their message to the masses.
The result will be Algorithms, which we’ll be releasing on March 22. You can check out the awesome cover art by Mr. Keller himself above, and there will be a demo of one of the new songs appearing on the album, “Sundowners,” on our upcoming NYC Sucks comp.
We’ll give you lots more details about Algorithms in the coming weeks, but for now, we just wanted to put it on your radar and let you know to get excited about it — ’cause we sure as hell are!
Thursday, January 6th, 2011 at 1:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
Reader Dan Wolfson maxin’ and relaxin’ at home
Early this week I kinda ripped on reader Dan Wolfson for making me listen to Painted in Exile; I may have been a little rude, but in my defense, Dan called me us “idiots” and “fools,” and I’m pretty grumpy even when someone is nice to me.
But Dan e-mailed me later that very same day to make nice and “redeem” (his word, not mine) himself. So I thought we might all check out these bands together, and see if there’s not anything that washes the taste of Painted in Yucky out of my mouth.
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010 at 2:30pm by MetalSucks
The 2010 incarnation of the CMJ Music Marathon is almost upon us! A solid week of booze, partying and music in the streets and clubs of New York City makes us all just a little bit crazy every year, but there’s just so much fun shit happening all week that impossible not to heed its beck and call. Fortunately for you and for us, there’s plenty of metal at this year’s festival including some killer shows that aren’t even officially sanctioned by CMJ. Here’s a list of MetalSucks-approved events happening next week:
Mon, Oct. 18: The Syndicate Conflict of Interest Party feat. Nada Surf, Reggie Watts, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and more. Drink specials. 7pm at Club Rebel. RSVP only.
Mon, Oct. 18: Cattle Decapitation, Son of Aurelius, Devourment, Knights of the Abyss and Burning the Masses at Santo’s Party House. 7pm, $13 advance, 18+. This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
Tues, Oct. 19: Nevermore, Warbringer, Blackguard and Hatesphere at The Gramercy Theater. 6pm Doors, $32.25, tickets available here. This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
Thur, Oct 21: Metal Insider’s Mosh Potatoes book release party! Release party for the forthcoming metal cookbook Mosh Potatoes and listening party for the new The Damned Things album Ironoclast, with drink specials and yummy treats of recipes from the book. Idle Hands Bar, 5-8pm. Private event (if you think you should be invited, you should know who to contact).
Thur, Oct 21: Skateboard Marketing / Nova Entertainment CMJ Showcase featuring SuperMetal Records / Megaforce artists Misery. 5:30-7:30pm, Bowery Poetry Club. Budweiser and Jaeger drink specials. First hour is RSVP only, second hour is open to the public and CMJ badges.
Thur, Oct 21: Doomsday Mourning, Hivesmasher, The Judas Syndrome, Fin’amor at the Charleston in Brooklyn. 7:30pm doors, show starts at 8:30pm, 21+. This is not a CMJ-sanctioned event.
Thur, Oct 21 – Sunday, Oct 24: The Grill ‘Em All burger truck guys will be here all the way from L.A. without their truck, making special guest chef appearances at area restaurants!! Get details here.
Fri, Oct 22: Smell the Glove Party / Holy Grail Crisis in Utopia CD Release Party at St. Jerome’s (155 Rivington). No cover, 21+, 9pm.
Fri, Oct 22: Tee Pee Records / Metal Insider Showcase: Naam, Priestess, Quest for Fire, The Atomic Bitchwax, Mirror Queen, Hopewell, and Weird Owl. 6pm, Union Pool, Brooklyn, $10/adv and $12/dos. Tickets available here.
Friday, October 8th, 2010 at 12:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
Earlier this week Vince discussed the Inspector Gadget theme, his most beloved cover from the new Powerglove album, Saturday Morning Apocalypse; now I’d like to discuss my own personal favorite track from that record.
Tim Burton’s 1989 version of Batman was a seminal moment in my moviegoing life. We waited on a line down the block to see the movie; the audience started cheering as soon as the lights went down even though absolutely nothing had happened yet; and then Danny Elfman’s now-classic march kicked in, and as soon as the main title came up, the crowd applauded with such force that I thought there might be a riot. At that point in my life, I’d never had that movie-as-a-rock-concert experience before. So even though the flick hasn’t aged very well, I will always have a soft spot for it in my heart.
And Danny Elfman’s score is still the best part of the whole thing. That music gets me pumped every time I hear it.
So Powerglove’s metallicized version of the song is something of nerd heaven for me. I might need to make it my ringtone, even.
Saturday Morning Apocalypse is out now on E1. As Vince mentioned, Powerglove are headlining the second of two MetalSucks CMJ Music Marathon showcases; this one will take place during the afternoon of Saturday, October 23rd at Fontana’s in NYC, and will also feature Wetnurse, The Binary Code, Pack of Wolves, Meek is Murder and Batillus. Sailor Jerry Rum will be providing rum mixed drinks for free from 4-5pm and for only $3 after that. That means that we’re all gonna be really, really, really drunk before nightfall, and then watch six totally kick-ass metal bands tear a small room to shreds. Holy shit I am so excited. Is it October 23 yet?
Thursday, September 30th, 2010 at 4:00pm by MetalSucks
Yesterday Axl reminded you why you should attend the MetalSucks / Metal Injection / 1000Knives CMJ showcase featuring A Life Once Lost, Car Bomb, This or the Apocalypse, Baptized in Blood and Last Chance to Reason. And guess what? We’re doing two CMJ showcases this year! ‘Cause we love you like that, and we also love seeing our name on top of a flyer. Since the aforementioned showcase features a smattering of bands from across the metal record label spectrum, we decided to devote this one to honoring the best and brightest of NYC’s metal bands, with a few special friends as well. The lineup:
Saturday, October 23rd
Fontana’s – 105 Eldridge St., New York
4pm / 21+ / $10 (a limited number of CMJ badge-holders will be admitted, but event is open to the public)
As if that killer lineup isn’t enough to convince you to spend your Saturday afternoon headbanging,Sailor Jerry Rum will be providing complimentary cocktails from 4-5pm, and mixed drinks will be $3 thereafter so even the brokest of the broke can get their buzz on. See you at the show.
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010 at 2:30pm by Axl Rosenberg
I saw Meek is Murder again on Sunday night; I think this is the fifth or sixth time I’ve seen them this year, although it might be more like the seventh. In any case, I’ve seen them perform a lot in 2010, and the gigs really never get old. There’s a fun drinking game to be had in doing a shot every time Frank Godla breaks a drum stick, or bassist Sam Brodsky crashes into the audience; this band feels truly spontaneous and unpredictable in a way most modern extreme music outfits do not. I am determined that as many Suckalos as possible will see this band live, or, at the very least, start listening to them.
The group guest-hosted the latest edition of “The Fix,” Metal Injection’s weekly video podcast, and you should all watch it below, ’cause, surprise surprise, they have great taste. Frank told me that this is the most number of videos to have ever been selected for an episode of “The Fix,” and, yet, it is still the shortest episode in the series’ history; that should surprise absolutely no one, given that MiM’s sets are so short (roughly twenty minutes, maybe even less), and a cover of Botch’s “Japam” is usually the longest song.
Watch more episodes of “The Fix” right here. And for the third time this article, in case you still haven’t clicked through, Meek is Murder on MySpace.
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 12:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
Empyreon is one of New York’s best unsigned acts, a band so metal that their music will make you shit nuts and bolts for a week. They haven’t necessarily gotten the amount of attention they deserve in the past, but hopefully all that’s about to change, in part thanks to this excellent, David Brodsky-directed video they just released for the title track to their 2009 album, Beyond Perception. It’s basically just a performance clip, but it’s a really excellent performance clip, unlike some recent videos.
Empyreon’s Beyond Perception is out now; you can download it from iTunes, or you can order a copy in Empyreon’s merch store. It was produced by the great Anssi Kippo, who has also worked with everyone from Children of Bodom to Insomnium to Rotten Sound. Good shit.
On a semi-related note: Empyeron drummer Frank Godla’s other band, experimental grind freaks Meek is Murder (who sound nothing like Empyreon), are playing at the Charleston in Brooklyn tonight. And they are so much fucking fun live, I can’t begin to tell you. If you live in the NYC area, don’t miss it.
Prolific New Jersey progressive death metallers The Binary Code — whose debut full-length album Suspension of Disbelief we released in December — are back with a new body of work a mere 7 months later, having just announced they’ll be releasing the 4-song Priest EP on August 10th. MetalSucks isn’t involved in the release effort this time around as that was only ever meant to be a one-time thing (as will be the case for any bands we decide to work with in the future), but we’ve had the privilege of hearing the Priest EP, and man is it smokin’! It’s the next step in the evolution of this incredibly creative band to be sure.
In addition to selling their own digital downloads and download + t-shirt packages for Priest, the band has made a very special limited edition of CDs available; the jewel cases have been hand-painted, autographed by all members of the band, and hand-numbered, and man do they look sweet. Only 50 copies will be available (25 Super-Special Edition and 25 Regular Special Edition!) and word from the band is that they’re already almost sold out despite having only been made available last night, so you better get on that horse and pre-order yours today.
Watch the above video clip of the guys making, assembling and signing the limited edition CDs set to clips from the new EP. That’s fucking dedication to your craft. Axl gave ya’ll a preview of new music from Priest back in April when it was first announced, so check that out too if you want to hear more of what the EP has to offer.
Priest EP drops August 10th. The Binary Code will have an EP release party at The Charleston in Brooklyn with East of the Wall (whose bassist Brett Bamberger will be pulling double duty!), Meek is Murder, and Name.
The weather is beautiful out, it’s the weekend, and I have a ton of new albums to listen to. I’m gonna put some shit on my iPod, get stoned, go eat some ice cream, and crank some shit. It’s a rough life, but someone’s gotta lead it.
Before I do that, here’s a wrap-up of crap that happened this week:
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 at 4:00pm by Axl Rosenberg
After I posted an open letter of apology to Meek is Murder yesterday, MS reader Hendecahedron accused me of being sarcastic in my praise for the band. And while I can understand Hendecahedron’s instinct – I’m sarcastic an awful lot more than I’m sincere – in this case, I was being completely unironic. I am now fucking in LOVE with Meek is Murder. So in love with them that I’ve been listening to their EP, Mosquito Eater, pretty much on repeat since Monday night, taking only two breaks – once to listen to Nevermore’s The Obsidian Conspiracy, and once to listen to it again. (Of course, I also ate and showered and pooped and all that stuff, but I mean of my considerable time spent listening to music… you get it.) In other words, if I don’t cut it out with Mosquito Eater soon, I’m officially going to be bad my job (hold your jokes, peanut gallery).
And I’ll let you in on a little secret: you can download the EP for free on the band’s MySpace page (scroll down and look on the right-hand side for the link). I’m sure they’d much prefer if you paid for a physical copy, but they’re making it avail for zip zilch nada, so, y’know. They get it. Go download it now.
And expect me to continue to fawn over this band with a trace of sarcasm for some time to come.
I am sorry it took me so long to finally see you guys live. Even though there were multiple opportunities for me to do so. Even though guitarist/vocalist Mike Keller used to be in The Red Chord. Even though drummer Frank Godla is in Empyreon, who are a totally awesome band that sounds nothing like Meek is Murder. Even though your bassist is named Sam Brodsky, and dudes with the name “Brodsky” have a good track record working in heavy music. Even though Vince has already written about how awesome you are. I have no excuse. I am a schmuck.
But if it makes you feel better, I did finally see you play last night, and it was by far the most fun I’ve had a show this year.
Meet Meek is Murder, the new (by way of old) project featuring guitarist Mike Keller (ex-The Red Chord), drummer Frank Godla (Empyreon, Dividing Light) and bassist Sam Brodsky (sorry dude, I’m sure you were in some cool bands too but I can’t find any info about them). Here’s their new video for “Hope Springs Eternal”; as Kip might say, it’s batshit crazy. Bands this talented and creative don’t come along often. The song’s only 1:23 long, so just click and listen… what have you got to lose?
Meek is Murder’s debut album Mosquito Eater drops this fall.
