Windhand and Balaclava at Slim's

I've been trying not to use a flash when I shoot bands, mostly because I don't want to get on the band's nerves, but partly because I think most band shots work better with ambient light. But when shooting at Slim's, where the stage is small and dimly lit, sometimes that doesn't work out.

Windhand, a solid female-fronted '70s-style doom band from Richmond, were awesome last Saturday night. But singer Dorthia Cottrell performed in the audience rather than on the stage, which basically meant she was in the dark the whole time. Still, I kind of like the trippiness of the shots I got.

And these guys were loud. This was one of the few shows where I actually wore earplugs. As a result, the audio is blown out here, but you can still get an idea of what they sound like.

I feel bad because I really and truly thought Balaclava was called BACLAVA. Luckily the band (who are also from Richmond) laughed when I told them, and said that's a common mistake. They were a lot faster and thrashier than Windhand.  See more photos. 

During the show I noticed that I knew almost NO ONE at the show. Turns out the rather considerable crowd had traveled from Richmond to see two bands that they probably get to see on a regular basis. That's dedication. I'm sorry Raleigh missed such an awesome show, and I wonder if there's any band here that would inspire so many people to drive to another state to see them.

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New music from Caltrop!

My day got a lot more exciting yesterday, thanks to an email from Team Clermont publicity with a new Caltrop .mp3 from the band's upcoming Holidays for Quince album, Ten Million Years and Eight Minutes, scheduled for release April 3.  The song premiered on The Obelisk, which also has a few dates listed (no Triangle so far).

This song rocks. No two ways about it. I seriously can't wait to hear the rest of the album.


 
Caltrop - "Blessed"

Photos of COC and Valient Thorr from March 3

Here are a few belated photos of COC from last Saturday's show at Lincoln Theatre. The songs from the band's new self-titled album sounded great live. I have come to the conclusion that Woody's mom, Karen Weatherman, really needs her own profile in Decibel's "Metal Muthas" feature because of her untiring devotion to the band.

 I do have to say, Valient Thorr came mighty close to stealing the show. I hadn't seen them in a while and couldn't believe how tight they were. Constant touring is seriously paying off for those guys. Torche seemed to be having an off night. For whatever reason, they just didn't seem to connect with the audience.  Unfortunately A Storm of Light was ending their set as I got to the show, so I didn't hear much from them.  See more photos.

Catching up: Cool shows and new music

I feel like I write this post every few months or so, but this time I have good reason to be out of touch. I recently started a new job in public relations, and I love it, but as I'm settling in I've had a lot less time to think about blogging. I expect that will change as I get more comfortable in my job, especially since March is shaping up to be a stellar month to see live music in the Triangle.

And this week starts with one of the biggest shows of the month: COC's homecoming show with Valient Thorr, Torche and A Storm of Light, Saturday at Lincoln Theatre. COC is riding high with this week's release of their stellar new, self-titled album -- the first in six years, and the first in a very long time with just core members Woody, Reed and Mike Dean.  But other than COC, I'm probably most excited about A Storm of Light, whom I haven't seen but have heard good things about. Hear Reed talk about the record, and the band's history, on Metaholic.co.

Next weekend I'll be at Pinhook on Friday, March 9 for the Scott Kelly (Neurosis)/Eugene Robinson (Oxbow) show. A local group called WOWOLFOL, with members of Hog, Lurch, Future Kings of Nowhere, MAKE, and Hammer No More the Fingers, will play their first show as well. The next night, Richmond doomsters Windhand will be at Slim's.


On Wednesday, March 14, I'll be running back and forth between Pour House for stoner band Karma to Burn and Slim's for New Hampshire blackened doom band Vattnet Viskar. Wolf has some good info on that band plus a video here. EDIT: Just got the word that Karma to Burn are not playing but that Truckfighters (from Sweden) will be worth the show.

The following weekend is the big Racing the Cure megashow to benefit Oliver Gant, son of New Raleigh co-founder Jedidiah Gant (Friday, March 23). I'm really debating whether or not I want to deal with the insane crowd at Kings for The Avett Brothers. I admit it would be fun to see them in a club (something I never did), but I also get really freaked out being in overly crowded clubs, and that night Kings is going to be insane.

The next night, one of my favorite N.C. alt-country bands, The Debonzo Brothers, will have their CD-release at Slim's.


Unfortunately, the Debonzo Brothers show on March 24 clashes with another great show in Carrboro: Caltrop's CD-release show with Black Skies, Pipe and Dave Heumann of Arbouretum. You really can't go wrong with either show.

Finally, the month winds down on Monday, March 26, with Alcest, Deafheaven, MAKE and Grohg at Kings.



Finally, I'll leave you with a little new music.

First is a new song from Viva La Venus, whose new album, "Bleeding on the Edge of Happiness," is out now.

Viva La Venus - "Hesitate"


And Horseback is streaming a new song over at Brooklyn Vegan.
Horseback - "On the Eclipse" (Streaming via Brooklyn Vegan)

Photos and video from the Bull City Metal Fest

(Shadow of the Destroyer, night two)

Here are a few photos and some videos from this weekend's 2nd Annual Bull City Metal Fest, which took place at the Casbah in Durham. I admit that I originally wasn't as excited about this year's line up as I was about last year's. But I think I had a better time this year. I got to see a few local bands I'd somehow missed (Bitter Resolve, Knives), experienced the amazing Body/Braveyoung collaboration, and ended the weekend with one of my favorite current bands, Black Tusk. My only recommendations for improving the weekend would be to spread it out over three days, either Thursday-Saturday nights, or Friday and Saturday with an afternoon show on Sunday. A 10-hour show on Saturday is just too much for me.