Videos from Demon Eye, Colossus and Solar Halos

 On Saturday I went to the Demon Eye album release party at Kings with Solar Halos and Colossus, and did something I haven't done in quite a while -- shot video of the bands playing. I didn't really feel like shooting stills with my camera. Honestly, I was pretty tired and had to drag myself to the show, but once I got there, I had a great time. All three bands were in top form. I can honestly say it was the best Demon Eye performance I've seen.

I bought a copy of the new album, "Leave the Light," which is out now on Soulseller records. Apparently they ran out of vinyl, so I was glad I actually scored a copy. The album sounds killer. Much doomier than what I've heard them do live. I'm also pretty excited that the band used my Instagram shot of them from the Maywood. I still think that's one of the best photos I've ever taken.

If you missed the show, Demon Eye will open for Lord Dying, who released an underrated album last year, on Feb. 24 at the Maywood.

New Music: Solar Halos, Demon Eye and more

Very glad to start of with TWO local bands who are getting some national/international recognition for their upcoming releases.

Invisible Oranges has a stream of the upcoming self-titled Solar Halos album, plus an interview with singer/guitarist Nora Roger here. Their release party is tomorrow night (Jan. 18) with Irata and Bitter Resolve at Cat's Cradle.

Terrorizer is now exclusively streaming, and has some kind words for, Demon Eye's "Leave the Light" here. Their release party with Colossus and, coincidentally, Solar Halos, is Feb. 1 at Kings.

In semi-local news, if you missed Red Fang's performance on Letterman last week, you can check it out here.

Right now I'm listening to the new Indian release "From All Purity," which is streaming on Pitchfork here. If you need to remain calm and collected for any reason, I suggest you don't listen to this.

Catching up: Hopscotch and Windhand

(Sleep at Lincoln Theatre)

What a weekend! I am still recovering from seeing some great shows, and I am very grateful that all those great shows were concentrated together. Last year I spent Hopscotch Thursday wandering from club to club because there was nothing in particular I wanted to see, and ended up discovering some great new bands. This year I knew exactly where I wanted to be on each night. 

It was a hectic weekend because I was shooting for Invisible Oranges, and by extension, for Brooklyn Vegan. I am very happy that they published my photos of ASG and Golden Void (best band of the weekend BY FAR) here; photos of Pig Destroyer/Gorguts/Vattnet Viskar/Sannhet here; and Sleep/Evoken/Inter Arma/Solar Halos here. I also have a set from Bitter Resolve (who opened for Golden Void) here. I was very excited to be shooting for IO, and hope to shoot more for them in the future. 

Also, today my review of Windhand's new album, Soma, was published on About.com Heavy Metal. My interview with guitarist Garrett Morris will be published later this week. If you haven't checked out Soma, please go here and take a listen. Then buy the album and support this awesome band. These guys have worked really hard on this album, and have truly created something special. 

Photos and video of Mourning Cloak, photos of Solar Halos

(Mourning Cloak)

(Solar Halos)

Here are a few photos from Greensboro's Mourning Cloak and Chapel Hill's Solar Halos from Thursday's (Aug. 14) show at Chapel Hill Underground. Bitter Resolve and Curtains of Night also played, but I had to make an early evening of it. I hadn't shot video in a while and decided to get footage of Mourning Cloak. If you like what you hear, they'll be at the Maywood for an early show tomorrow night. More details here. Solar Halos will be on the bill with Sleep at Hopscotch.  See more photos. 

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.