Suppressive Fire and Noctomb photos and video

Suppressive Fire

Deathcrown

Dreaded

 Noctomb

Suppressive Fire has released a killer new album of Teutonic-style thrash, which I reviewed for Metal Bandcamp. They held an album release party on Jan. 14, 2017 at the Maywood with a selection of openers from across the metal spectrum, including sludgy doom (Raleigh's Noctomb), black metal (Greensboro's Dreaded) and straight-up death metal (Richmond's Deathcrown). Check out the videos below.
 

Photos and video from Noctomb and Chateau

Chateau

Noctomb 

I was able to catch two promising local bands -- Noctomb and Chateau -- Wednesday, Dec. 23, at  Slim's. Basura was also on the bill, but they were already on when we arrived, and I didn't get anything from them. Chateau has been consistently described to me as black metal, and while I do hear a lot of black metal in their music, I think that's a limiting term for them. They describe themselves as "black metal with rock 'n' roll influences," which I think it pretty accurate. Check out the videos below and judge for yourself. See more photos here.

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. 

Local metal band to donate show proceeds to Nielsen fund

Folks,
I'm sure you've all heard about Jenna Nielsen, the 8-months-pregnant newspaper carrier who was killed as she delivered USA Today last month. Her killer has not been found, and a fund has been set up to keep awareness of this case in the public eye. Local metal band Pivot is going to play a benefit show this Saturday at Volume 11. Kudos to both Pivot and Volume 11 for doing this.


From the press release:

A personal note from Jenna's father:
I am the father of Jenna Nielsen who was murdered in Raleigh on June 14, 2007.
We were approached last week by a local Rock Band named Pivot that practices around the corner from where Jenna was murdered. They asked us if they could donate their proceeds from their show at the Volume 11 Tavern on Saturday July 21st to the Nielsen Family Fund. Needless to say I was amazed that a young bunch of guy's would want to do something as great as this to help a family they don't even know.
I wanted to bring this to your attention. I just thought that something like this should be shared because throughout this terrible time the community around us just keeps steeping up and helping out. Truly amazing!
Thank you,
Kevin Blaine

Here are more details from the press release:

Justice 4 Jenna Benefit Concert planned for
Saturday, July 21


Volume 11 Tavern and Pivot team up to support Justice 4 Jenna


Raleigh, NC – July 17, 2007 – Volume 11 Tavern and the progressive rock band Pivot will hold a “Justice 4 Jenna” benefit concert for the family of Jenna Nielsen on Saturday, July 21 at 8:00 p.m.


Pivot, a progressive rock band from Raleigh, Transient, also from Raleigh, and Agents of the Sun out of Baltimore will be performing. Volume 11 Tavern is located at 658 Maywood Ave in Raleigh.


Brian Kelly, lead singer of Pivot, approached the Nielsen family with the idea to shift the focus of the July 21 event, which had been planned for months, from a regular Saturday night concert into a support/fundraising event that has been titled the “Justice 4 Jenna Benefit Concert.”


“Myself and the rest of the band wanted to know how we could help,” said Kelly, “This incident happened in our back yard so to speak. We rehearse and record at Volume 11 Studios located off Maywood Avenue, and this is the best way we can think of to show our support in this time not only for family and friends, but for the community.”


Kevin Blaine, Jenna’s father, was excited about Pivot’s plan, “This could work out to be very beneficial for all,” said Blaine, “Most importantly giving the family a way to keep our efforts in the media with the hopes that someone will recognize the person of interest and call the police so that we can get this killer off the streets.”


Jenna’s family will be at the event in hopes of raising more awareness in finding the identity of the man in the composite sketch that has been in the news and is posted on flyers all over Raleigh and the surrounding areas. The benefit concert is open to all ages.


The State Fairgrounds along with the State Farmer’s Market will advertise the event on their marquees.


For more information visit www.Justice4Jenna.org

Viva La Venus and Tinfoil Fuse at Volume 11

(Video removed)
I wasn't familiar with Tinfoil Fuse, who opened last night's show at Volume 11 Tavern, but was pleasantly surprised. I thought their vocalist had good metal chops -- could scream and growl with ease.

Viva la Venus from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Viva La Venus played their second to last show with Mary Anne as the bass player. I'm not sure why the lighting was so much better in their set than Tinfoil Fuse's. Automag closed the show, but it's been a long week for me, so I took off early.