MetalSucks

I would like to go on record as saying I wasn’t too big on the whole re-thrash trend of 2006-2008 from the get-go. I mean, I loves me some thrash, but 99% of the time any band regardless of genre tries to do something that sounds exactly like an old band(s) I’m against it. The key to artistic progression is moving forward, not back, and unfortunately many of the re-thrash bands just brought nothing new to the table. Taking elements of the old and infusing it into the new is all good by me, though, which is why I’m all for bands that have successfully fused vintage thrash influence into a modern shell; Sylosis and Lazarus A.D. are two examples who readily spring to mind.

And Iron Age. Holy fucking shit, you guys.

I was not expecting to like this record at all (see above). But Iron Age’s blend of ripping thrash, NYHC pummel and doomy ambience channeled through modern-sounding production on their second record The Sleeping Eye just hit that fucking SPOT. This is music for fans of fucking furious, tight, beer-soaked, basement mosh-pit party metal like Trash Talk and Bison B.C., Metallica Ride The Lightning-era guitar riffs pushed to the fullest and real in every way with nary a speck of hipster retro throwback. The Sleeping Eye kicks as much ass as any thrash-influenced record released all year, right up there with Rumpelstiltskin Grinder’s Living For Death, Destroying the Rest (albeit in a different way).

So, without further ado, here’s a stream of the entire album. It comes out today. Listen.

[This promotion has ended. -Ed.]

The big buzz on the street yesterday was that Metallica would be playing at the 2,100 capacity Stubb’s; was it worth getting there early to ensure a spot inside? The 8 semis parked outside the venue loomed large. Would us plebes even be able to get in?  Some friends from the Relapse goon squad opted to try, and apparently getting in wasn’t quite the shit-show we’d anticipated. We opted for Whitechapel instead (bad decision), but did end up listening to three songs from outside the outdoor venue along with a few hundred other kindred souls.

While I was busy not seeing Metallica, I did catch Tia Carrera, Hesta Prynn, Jump Back Jake, Dance Gavin Dance, Whitechapel, Wolves in the Throne Room, Dredg, and then an epic DIY show/party on a bridge over the Colorado River with makeshift performances by Vivian Girls and Trash Talk. Highlights and lowlights after the jump.

Click to read more…

Free of the shackles of a major record label, The Bronx frontman Matt Caughthran seemed like a newly reinvigorated man when I spoke to him on the phone this fall. Excited about finally having a team behind the band that actually cares about the band and their awesome new record The Bronx III, Matt told us about how the band’s deal with Island / DefJam went south, what’s it’s like to be in control of everything again, and about the writing and recording of the both the band’s new record and the already-recorded, soon-to-be-released traditional mariachi record they have in the can.

We were supposed to rendezvous at the midtown offices of the band’s publicists but Matt got caught up handling band business at their management’s office, the same firm who handles Fall Out Boy. And that’s where the conversation began.

Click to read more…

Our bro-bros at BITPOM have posted pictures from the MetalSucks co-sponsored CMJ showcase this past Tuesday night featuring The Bronx, Trash Talk and Akimbo. To say that all three bands impressed and tore the tiny basement of Fontana’s apart would be an understatement. Check out BITPOM for the full photo-set of all three bands.

Lest you forget, MetalSucks is sponsoring a show this year at CMJ, otherwise known as the week in which thousands of annoying skinny pants-wearing indie snobs descend upon downtown Manhattan. But fuck ‘em, because there are a ton of great metal events going on this year, of which your favorite metal douchebags are sponsoring one!

Tuesday, October 21st
Fontana’s
105 Eldridge St., NYC
8pm, $8 cover

THE BRONX
TRASH TALK
AKIMBO

See you there.

-VN, AR & KW

MetalSucks is proud to announce our first-ever CMJ event. Together with the fine folks at Solid PR, Sailor Jerry, and Keep-a-Breast.org, we will be hosting a show during the week in which thousands of music industry minions and self-important snobs descend upon NYC’s Lower East Side, also known as the CMJ Music Marathon. The details:

Tuesday, October 21st
Fontana’s – 105 Eldridge St.

THE BRONX
TRASH TALK
AKIMBO

That’s a fucking great lineup. I love The Bronx, and you should too; even if they’re actually from L.A., we’ll forgive them because they rock so damn hard. Akimbo is also a really cool and innovative band; and though I don’t much about Trash Talk, I’m sure they’re worthy of your time by way of inclusion on this bill.

See you there! Buy us drinks. We poor.