Absu, Faith in Ashes and Lesser Life -- Maywood, Nov. 13

(Absu)

(Faith in Ashes)

(Lesser Life)

Bedowyn, Black Thai and Devil to Pay

This week, believe it or not, I managed to go out twice -- both times to the Maywood. Monday I was out to see Black Thai, a band of really awesome dudes from Boston who have just released a really great album. It's always good to see these guys, and I wish they could make it down here more often. I also really got into the opener, Minneapolis' Indianapolis' Devil to Pay, who were part of last weekend's Stoner Hands of Doom lineup with Black Thai in Richmond, and the headliner, local band Bedowyn who have a new release of their own. Looking forward to seeing them again. More photos below. Full photo set here.

(Bedowyn)

Black Skies preview 2 new songs from upcoming album!

I was VERY excited to get this email today: Chapel Hill's Black Skies -- who have been quiet way too long -- are previewing two new songs from their upcoming release, Circadian Meditations. You can pre-order the album and listen to a preview of the song "Time Lord" on their Bandcamp page. And you can see a video for a second song, "Celestial Coronation," above. That video seriously makes me want to go hiking.

Also, the band is releasing a digital single featuring an unreleased track, "Echoes In The Void" b/w "Dead Batteries" (previously released on a Digguptapes limited edition split cassingle with Caltrop). Bass player Michelle Temple says: "Both songs were recorded with Nick Petersen at Track & Field Recording Studio and feature Tim Herzog (Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Milemarker, DesArk) on drums. As an added bonus to our fans who purchase the download of Circadian Meditations, we will include a free download of this single. You can listen to these songs here.
Enjoy!

New Black Thai streaming on The Obelisk

Lots of good shows coming up in the next few weeks, not the least of which is Black Thai with Bedowyn on Nov. 11 at the Maywood. I've been listening to "Seasons of Might," the band's new release, which will be out on Nov. 6, and it's good stuff. The Obelisk has a full dissection, and a stream of "Start a War," here. These guys put on two great shows at the Dive Bar a couple of years ago, so I'm really excited for this show. Also, FYI, if you're going to the Stoner Hands of Doom fest in Richmond, Black Thai is playing on Sunday, Nov. 10. 

Photos of Windhand, Mourning Cloak and Satan's Satyrs on Invisible Oranges

Last Saturday (Oct. 19) I checked out Windhand, Mourning Cloak and Satan's Satyrs at Legitimate Business in Greensboro. Since I lived in Greensboro for five years, you would think I could easily find my way around that town. Evidently Legitimate Business (the recording studio/show space owned by the guitarist of Mourning Cloak) is in a part of town I never visited because nothing about that space, street or neighborhood looked familiar. Anyway, it's a cool spot, and I'll be on the lookout for more shows happening there now that I know where it is. 

Windhand and Mourning Cloak were great, as expected, but I was most impressed with Satan's Satyrs, a young Hellacopters-ish band from Virginia. Looking forward to seeing them again. Check out the photos on Invisible Oranges.