In a span of just five years, Northern Germany's destructive duo MANTAR have toured all over the world and recorded three studio albums, a live record, and an EP. With no signs of calming the storm, the duo have decided to showcase their musical roots and record a DIY covers album of their biggest influences from the 90’s.
Today on the 30th anniversary of Mazzy Star’s release of their seminal debut album, MANTAR have shared a music video for their cover of “Ghost Highway” and announced a brand new mini-album entitled Grungetown Hooligans II, paying homage to their influences. Watch the video for “Ghost Highway” below and Pre-Order the album at this LOCATION.
While MANTAR have always been categorized in the “metal” scene, the musical socialization of both members undoubtedly took place in a completely different world in the early 1990s. The time was about noise rock, Riot Grrrl bands and what was marketed by MTV as “grunge”, or even worse as “alternative rock”. These sounds greatly appealed to two moderately cool kids in a very uncool, post-Cold War era Germany.
As teenagers, the guys immediately gravitated towards the aggression, message, and uncompromising attitudes of bands like Babes In Toyland, 7 Year Bitch, L7, Sonic Youth, The Jesus Lizard, Mudhoney, Mazzy Star and others of the era that is still unmatched to this day. Even back then, the term “grunge” was as silly as the words “punk” or “heavy metal”, so the similar shitty title of Grungetown Hooligans IIwas quickly decided to pay tribute to the era and artists that influenced the band to become one of the heaviest and sonically destructive acts making music today.
Grungetown Hooligans II will be released on June 26th on LP/Digital via Brutal Panda Records and can be pre-ordered at this LOCATION. A complete tracklisting is available below.
Reading, PA technical death metal phenoms RIVERS OF NIHIL have teamed up with Brutal Panda Records to release their critically acclaimed debut full-length The Conscious Seed Of Light on limited edition vinyl format. Originally released in 2012 by Metal Blade Records, The Conscious Seed Of Light was recorded by Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal) at Mana Studios in Florida and featured 10 tracks of intelligent and infectious, technically proficient death metal. Cover art was handled by the legendary Dan Seagrave (Entombed, Morbid Angel, etc.)
The vinyl release of The Conscious Seed Of Light will see a March 31st release via Brutal Panda Records and will be limited to 1000 copies across three colors. Pre-Orders are available via the following location while The Conscious Seed Of Light can be streamed in its entirety via Bandcamp here.
The band commented on the vinyl release:
" After years of rabid fan demand for our debut to be committed to vinyl, we are proud to announce our partnership with Brutal Panda Records in order to make that a reality. The raw, death metal, purist production style of Erik Rutan paired with the artwork of the legendary Dan Seagrave realized to its full potential make The Conscious Seed of Light an obvious choice for the vinyl format. Thanks to BPR, the record will be released in three fantastic color varieties; green, clearwater blue with brown splatter (limited to 100 online only pieces), and classic black. We'll be unleashing these on the upcoming 'Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora' tour alongside Darkest Hour, Rotten Sound, Tombs and Ringworm. Come out to a show and pick up a copy!"
Additionally, RIVERS OF NIHIL will embark on the "Godless Prophets & The Migrant Flora" Tour across the US supporting Darkest Hour starting February 17th and running through March 21st. Also on the bill is Ringworm, Tombs and Rotten Sound. The band has also been announced for the “Devastation on the Nation” tour in May and June with Cryptopsy and Decrepit Birth A complete listing of dates is available below.
The Conscious Seed Of Light pressing info:
100 Clearwater Blue w/ Brown Splatter
400 Green
500 Black
Rivers of Nihil Tour Dates:
02/18 Pittsburgh, PA – Diesel 02/19 Cleveland, OH – The Agora Theatre 02/20 Philadelphia, PA - The Voltage Lounge* 02/21 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus 02/22 Detroit, MI – New Dodge Tavern 02/23 Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club 02/24 Milwaukee, WI – The Metal Grill 02/25 Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze 02/26 Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room 02/29 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre 03/01 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Bar 03/02 Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar 03/04 Reno, NV – Jub Jub’s 03/05 Portland, OR – Analog Cafe & Theater 03/06 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven 03/08 San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 03/09 Sacramento, CA – Colonial Theater 03/10 Los Angeles, CA – The Regent 03/11 San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick 03/12 Mesa, AZ – Club Red 03/13 Tucson, AZ – Club XS 03/14 Albuquerque, NM – The Blue Phoenix 03/15 Lubbock, TX – Backstage Lubbock 03/16 Austin, TX – Grizzly Hall 03/17 Houston, TX – White Oak 03/18 San Antonio, TX – Korova 03/19 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill 03/21 Cincinnati, OH – Northside Yacht Club
Austin, TX hard rock / heavy psych quartet SWEATLODGEhave announced a brand new, four song EP titled Tokens For Hell. After almost seven years as a group, the band has decided to go on temporary hiatus. Consequence of Sound is currently streaming the opening track "Life Goes On" via this location and added "Of all the modern practitioners of Sabbathian stoner doom, SWEATLODGEare among the finest, adding their own tinge of Texas blues and melodic psych."
Formed in 2010,SWEATLODGEreleased their debut self-titled EP in 2013 and their first full-length Talismanain 2015.SWEATLODGE performed with YOB, Acid King, Earthless, The Sword, Pentagram, Monolord and Beastmaker during their tenure as a band. The band commented on their final release: "We really appreciate all the support we've had from fans along with all the great bands we've got to share time with but at least for the time being we're going to concentrate on growing the family with the addition of Austin's twins and a new guitarist for SweatLodge in the future. We love y'all Keep an eye out for the Sweat Trio during SXSW"
Tokens For Hellwill see it's release on March 10th via Brutal Panda Records. The EP will be available digitally and as a limited-edition cassette. Pre-Orders for the cassette are available HEREwith digital pre-orders available HERE.
Haunted by electric guitars and FX pedal neon-distorted dreams, New England's newest power trio NOMAD STONES have arrived. Formed in late 2015 and led by Adam McGrath (Cave In, Zozobra, Clouds) and JR Conners (Cave In, Doomriders, ex-Goatsnake, etc), NOMAD STONES come out the gate with a burst of barn burning jams on their incredible self-titled debut album. Today Noisey is streaming the track "Frugal Yankee" via this LOCATION. They describe the band as "straight-forward, no-nonsense rock ‘n’ roll" who play "short, punked-up, noisy as hell, and straight to the point" songs.
Combining the heavy guitar crunch, wanky solos and infectious sensibility of Dinosaur JR with the punk urgency and raw aggression of Black Flag, NOMAD STONES bring a fiery and fuzzy, rock n' roll energy across eight tracks of driving, no-nonsense shredders.The album was completed in January 2016 and recorded with Richard Marr at Galaxy Park Studios in Watertown, MA. Nomad Stones will see it's official release on August 5th via Brutal Panda Records on LP/Digital formats. The record, featuring gorgeous cover art from Converge's Jacob Bannon, can be pre-ordered HERE and digitally HERE.
Additionally, NOMAD STONES will perform with United Nations at Great Scott in Allston, MA on June 21st. More information is available HERE.
Nomad Stones Tracklisting: 1. Dead Batteries 2. Dirty Boots And A Friend Named Goo 3. Drain Brain 4. The Frugal Yankee 5. Glory Days 6. Heartbeat 7. In Too Deep 8. The Sandwich Police
Austin, TX cult noise rock kings, Cherubs have announced a brand new EP entitled Fist In The Air to be released on double 7" and digital download on February 26th. The band has premiered the song "Red Carpet Blues" from the forthcoming EP via Consequence of Sound at this location. Pre-Orders for the EP are available via Brutal Panda Records HERE and digitally via Bandcamp HERE.
Produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, ....And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead) and including remixes by Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington and $hit and $hine, Fist in The Air is another warm fuck you from the venerable Cherubs. This double EP package comes with TWO 7" slices mastered at 45 RPM, all packaged inside a plastic wrapper to keep the freshness locked in. Includes a bonus RUSH sticker!
Fist In The Air Tracklisting
1. Fist In The Air 2. Donkey Suite 3. Red Carpet Blues 4. Fist In The Air ($hit & $hine Remix) 5. Fist In The Air (Tim Harrington Remix)
Fist In The Air Pressing Info:
10 Test Presses 50 Red Carpet Blue Split Vinyl 150 Moldy Green 450 Clear
Philadelphia, PA noise rock powerhouse Fight Amputation (Fight Amp for short) have announced their first new record in three years, entitled Constantly Off. Set for release on June 9th via Brutal Panda Records, Constantly Off was recorded in August 2014 at Gradwell House Studios in Haddon Heights, NJ with engineer Steve Poponi (Ladder Devils, Fight Amp). A trailer with a sampling of new music can be viewed HERE.
Constantly Off will be released on limited edition LP with the artwork available in three different colors covers including pink, yellow/royal blue and black. Pre-Orders are available at this location. Additionally a limited edition cassette version will be released by Lost Tape Collective (pre-order here), while CD and digital versions are available here.
The band documented their time in the studio via Decibel Magazine in three parts which can be viewed HERE.
Additionally, Fight Amputation are set to kick off a short run of dates with revered Canadian noise rock trio KEN Mode. A complete listing of dates is included below.
FIGHT AMP Tour Dates:
*All dates with KEN Mode*
June 16 - Toronto, ON - Parts & Labour w/ he Great Sabatini June 17 - Montreal, QB - Turbo Haus w/ the Great Sabatini June 18 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus w/ Pyrrhon & Couch Slut June 19 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie June 20 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups w/ Lo-Pan June 21 - Chicago, IL - The Burlington w/ Jar'd Loose
About Fight Amp:
FIGHT AMPUTATION is a heavy, grungy, hardcore punk crossed with sludge rock trio from the seedy underbelly of Philadelphia's thriving noise rock scene. Drawing influence from Dead Kennedys, Cherubs, all things AmRep, His Hero Is Gone, Eyehategod, skateboarding, and foreclosed suburban ghost towns, FIGHT AMP has crafted a sound similar to early Melvins being molested by Queens of the Stone Age.
Stream all of Fight Amp's releases via Bandcamp HERE.
Northern Germany's two-piece monster, MANTAR, have announced the official US release of their debut album Death By Burning via Brutal Panda Records. A ferocious and infectious approach to heavy music, Death By Burning was named one of 2014's top albums by Metal Hammer Germany, LA Weekly (US), Exclaim (CA), MetalSucks (US), Terrorizer (UK) and many more publications, zines and websites. The album will see it's official US release on LP via Brutal Panda on May 19th with pre-orders available via this location. All LPs will include a full download of Death By Burning along with an exclusive 8 track live set from the band's German St. Pauli Sessions. Footage from those sessions can be viewed here and here.
The half-German/half-Turkish duo, consisting of vocalist/guitarist Hanno Klaenhardt and drummer Erinc Sakarya, are currently on their first US tour with American black metallers Mutilation Rites.
Recorded in 2013, the album was originally released to immense critical acclaim in Europe in 2014 by Svart Records, and is a raw, self-produced, and 100% DIY display of power. Managing to sound even heavier than most five-piece bands, in spite of the fact that no bass guitar was used on the record, Death by Burning channels early Melvins, Motorhead, and Darkthrone, to deliver a deliciously evil blend of blackened punk. A music video for the song "March of the Crows" can be viewed here.
We are happy to announce that Brutal Panda will be running a grab bag special for a limited time. For $20 plus shipping we are offering two 7" records and two 12" records. Records in the grab bag will be selected randomly for each order and will be available while supplies last!
Bellingham, WA progressive rock/metal trio WILD THRONE (formerly known as Dog Shredder) emerge with Blood Maker, the debut EP under their new moniker. A mind bending amalgamation of progressive rock, metal, jazzy syncopations and swirling melodies, Blood Maker was recorded this past Spring with legendary producer Ross Robinson (At The Drive In, Glassjaw, Machine Head). The album is set for release via Brutal Panda Records on March 4th via limited edition LP and digital download.
A preview of the album’s cover art designed by Orion Landau (Red Fang, Inter Arma). The music video for the EP’s first single, “Shadow Deserts” can be viewed HERE. The 12″ EP is limited to 500 copies (400 black, 100 red) with a limited number of test presses also available.
Guitarist/vocalist Josh Holland had this to say about the new material:
“Working with Ross Robinson on this new release is a huge step for us growing as a band. We went into the studio hoarding a ton of new material we had written since our last release and laid it all out in the open. He really believed in the music and helped us hone it all in and focus our energies on the best stuff for this record. We are thrilled with how it turned out and very excited to release these new songs with Brutal Panda!”
The band are fresh off a west coast run with Red Fang and Helms Alee, with additional tour dates set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Austin, TX psych/math rockers BOYFRNDZ have premiered the first single from their upcoming second album entitled Breeder. Listen to the song “Each Others” via Noisey who describe it as “celestial spacey rock territory a la The Mars Volta” HERE. Breeder was recorded in late 2013 at Cacophony Recorders with producer / engineer Erik Wofford (THE BLACK ANGELS, WHITE DENIM) and is set for release on vinyl and digital formats via Brutal Panda Records on April 1st. Physical pre-orders are available HERE while digital pre-orders are available HERE. Additionally the band has announced a month long North American Tour in support of Breeder that will start with multiple performances at SXSW starting on March 13th and hit both coasts plus Canada before wrapping up in Oklahoma City on April 20th. A full list of dates is available below.
BOYFRNDZ formed in 2011 and have released one prior full-length and a series of EPs that quickly garnered them attention from both fans and critics. The new record comes on the heels of their excellent Natures EP, which was produced by Ikey Owens (THE JACK WHITE BAND, THE MARS VOLTA) and released this past Spring. The video for the track ‘Moving Parts’ from that album can be seen HERE.
In a span of just five years, Northern Germany's destructive duo MANTAR have toured all over the world and recorded three studio albums, a live record, and an EP. With...
Reading, PA technical death metal phenoms RIVERS OF NIHIL have teamed up with Brutal Panda Records to release their critically acclaimed debut full-length The Conscious Seed Of Light on limited...
Austin, TX hard rock / heavy psych quartet SWEAT LODGE have announced a brand new, four song EP titled Tokens For Hell. After almost seven years as a group, the band has decided to go...
Bellingham, WA progressive rock/metal trio WILD THRONE (formerly known as Dog Shredder) emerge with Blood Maker, the debut EP under their new moniker. A mind bending amalgamation of progressive rock, metal, jazzy syncopations and swirling melodies, Blood Maker was recorded this past Spring with legendary producer Ross Robinson (At The Drive In, Glassjaw, Machine Head). The album is set for release via Brutal Panda Records on March 4th via limited edition LP and digital download.