Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Review: Kadavar's "Berlin"



German retro-rockers Kadavar have always sounded like the band who got kicked out of the commune for being too bluesy (and maybe too good), got sucked into a psychedelic space warp, then plopped right back down in Berlin just as it became the coolest city in Europe. Unlike other bands that have adopted the retro-rock mantle, nothing about Kadavar ever feels contrived. Read the rest of the review at About.com Heavy Metal. 

Monday, August 17, 2015

Photos of Helgamite at Slim's











On Saturday (Aug. 15), I had the pleasure of finally seeing Helgamite, a really fantastic psychedelic doom band from Rileyville, Va. I discovered them on Bandcamp a while back, but was reminded of them when I randomly met guitarist Casey Firkin and his wife Deanne Goode during the Ufomammut show at the Deathfest, and we all ended up hanging out for the rest of the fest. They're good people, and it was cool to see them again.


Sunday, August 02, 2015

Valkyrie at Slim's












I love a musician who knows how to give a good rock face, and brothers Pete and Jake Adams from Valkyrie definitely have that skill down. Meanwhile bass player Alan Fary and drummer Warren Hawkins (truly Valkyrie's secret weapon) are in the back, laying it down and providing a solid rhythm that can stand up to the Adams brothers intricate riffing.  Their latest album, Shadows,  is one of the best albums of the year. Their show on Friday at Slim's was only the second time I've seen them, but it was intense and good. Looking forward to seeing them again. See more photos here