Photos and video from Suppressive Fire

Raleigh's Suppressive Fire pull you headfirst into the blood- and flesh-filled trenches with their caustic, nihilistic blackened thrash. Their first full length, "Bedlam," is out now and is definitely worth a listen. Here are some photos and a little video from their album release show, which took place Jan. 14 at Slim's. Old Raleigh death metal group Eldritch Horror, and thrashers Temple Crusher were also on the bill. Videos below from Suppressive Fire and Temple Crusher.

Photos and video of Toke and Plow at Schoolkids Records

Toke, from Wilmington

Plow, from Boone

On Friday (Jan. 7), I checked out Toke, a very heavy, sludgy doom band from Wilmington, and Plow, a jammy, spacey Appalachiacore band from Boone. I've been listening to both these bands on Bandcamp, especially the Toke split with Charlotte's Green Fiend. Check out the videos below. This show took place at Schoolkids, which is always cool because the shows are pass-the-hat, they have good beer on tap, the music starts early, and you can actually browse records in between bands.