A little update

I have an article on Inter Arma out now in the latest edition of Decibel -- the one with Clutch on the cover. Unfortunately Decibel doesn't post many of their articles online, so you'll have to buy the magazine to read it.

I enjoyed writing this article. Drummer T.J. Childers was fun to speak to, and I really can't say enough about "Sky Burial," which is out March 19 on Relapse. It's early in the year, but I genuinely think "Sky Burial" will end up being one of the top, if not the top, metal albums of the year. Buy it as soon as it's out.

Bull City Metal Fest, night 2

(Across Tundras)

So much going on; too little time to blog. Dawnbringer was amazing at the Bull City Metal Fest, Saturday at Casbah in Durham. Never thought I'd get to see them. So glad I did. Fun seeing Fight Amp and Colossus again. Glad to see Bloodsoaked for the first time, and happy to discover Across Tundras. It was a great evening for sure. See more photos. 

Interview with James May of Black Tusk

I got a chance to interview James May of Black Tusk for About.com Heavy Metal. Check it out here. The band's split with Dead Yet? is out now on Hyperrealist Records.

Photos from the Mann's World 10th Anniversary Party

(Corvette Summer) 

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to the Mann's World 10th Anniversary party, including Corvette Summer, The Royal Nites and the Infamous Sugar. The evening turned out to be a sad one for many of us as news broke about the death of longtime Slim's friend Big Mike. The bands all dedicated their sets to him, and many High Life's were raised in his memory. 

Loincloth, Solar Halos and more at Kings

On Saturday (Jan. 19) I got a chance to see Loincloth, the instrumental math-metal band started by Confessor drum guru Steve Shelton and Richmond guitarist Tannon Penland. They've since added Thomas Phillips on bass and Craig Hilton on guitar.  This was their first Raleigh show, and it turned out to be a family reunion of sorts. I saw people I hadn't seen out in years. 

The band sounded fierce live, but if you want to hear any new recordings by the band, you'll have to wait a bit. Steve told me that even though they have a few riffs worked out, it will be a while before they record again. 

The lighting was very low during their set, so I got almost no photos. The video is very dark too. 
Loincloth - "Elkindrone" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Saturday was also the first time I was able to see Solar Halos, a new droning, doomy band from Chapel Hill including members of Caltrop, Curtains of Night and Bellafea. I really liked what they were doing, and I'm looking forward to seeing them at the upcoming Bull City Metal Fest.
Solar Halos - "The Vast White Plains" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

See more photos.