Basson Laubscher and The Violent Free Peace Launch Fundraiser


Capetown Bluesy Rock band Basson Laubscher and The Violent Free Peace have launched their online store to raise funds to offset the loss of their European due to the global coronavirus pandemic outbreak. The band was three dates in on their first European tour when lockdowns started happening and hey needed to get out of Amsterdam and head home. They managed to get the last flight back to Cape Town that was available. This has left them with huge debts. What they’ve done is to launch their online store for merch and physical products so they can try and make some money pay. There is a donation option too, but the focus is on selling mech and vinyl. In an effort to try to recoup some of their cash, they’ve just launched their own online store so fans can order merchandise directly from them. If you’re willing, you can also make a donation via their PayPal account to help cover their costs. Watch Basson’s message here: Continue reading


Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum to Host Exclusive Livestream Event


Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum are teaming up for a joint livestream event, taking place on Friday, April 10 at 18.00 CEST. The event is going to raise funds to offset the awful developments of their massive North American tour, canceled by the Coronavirus Pandemic outbreak. Both bands will be playing live on April 10 and the viewers are going to be able to comment and react on the performance in real-time. This offers the opportunity for the fans to react and interact during the show. During the changeover, members of both bands will be available for a live chat as well. The ticket sale has started and available on the same platform. The recording will be available for 48 hours after the live stream. (Ticket price is: 8,90€.)Continue reading


Fundraiser for Kris Norris (Darkest Hour, Scar The Martyr, Weapons of Anew) Following Heart Attack


Former Darkest Hour, Scar The Martyr, and Weapons of Anew guitarist Kris Norris are seeking help with medical bills after recently suffering a heart attack. The fundraiser is already halfway met, but Norris has also been selling his prized gear to afford treatment. Please help Kris if you can by donating or sharing this fundraiser. Norris commented on social media, offering that he was “diagnosed with inflammation of the heart or pericarditis and had a procedure done called a cardiac catheterization.” He further went on to state that the heart attack was the result of a suspected bacterial infection.Continue reading


Fundraiser Launched For Matt Pike To Defer Costs Of Medical Bills


As we’ve been following the story, Matt Pike of High on Fire and Sleep has had a rough time with his health of late. After a banner year in 2018 which saw stellar releases from both of his bands (and an incredible single too), Pike was forced to cancel two huge headline tours due to ill-health. Any artist not able to tour is in a bad place when it comes to earning money to survive. With medical bills mounting and Pike off the road, for now, a friend has stepped in to help. Respected photographer Tim Bugbee of Tinnitus Photography has covered Matt and his bands for many years. Well-known in the scene for his terrific concert photography, candid shots of artists, interviews, and reviews of bands, Tim is a fixture at shows in his home of Boston, as well as around the world. Amassing a huge archive of photos of hundreds of bands, Bugbee has also shot “roughly 30 shows of Sleep and High On Fire”, according to his site. Now he is selling blown-up photos as a fundraiser for Matt, shipping to the US and Canada. There is an autographed option and 100% of the gross profits from sales will go directly to Matt. This is amazingly kind of Tim and for a great cause. Details below at the link to Tim’s website. Continue reading


Filmmaker Aaron Aites Stricken With Cancer, Go Fund Me Launched


Aaron Aites photo Until the light takes us ghostcultmag

Aaron Aites, the musician and filmmaker best known to music fans as the creator of the stellar historical black metal documentary Until The Light Takes Us has been stricken with an aggressive form of cancer. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by Aaron’s partner Audrey Ewell to try and save Aaron’s life. Please read and share the post below and give if you can.

https://www.gofundme.com/e3pbfwrj

 

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Obsidian Tongue, Native Construct, Caricature, Others To Play Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert


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In the wake of two earthquakes that have devastated the people of Nepal, a collective of Boston-area promoters, bands and music industry people have come together, to create the Metal For Nepal Benefit Concert. Held at the Middle East Night Club in Cambridge MA on June 20th, the concert will be headlined by Obsidian Tongue, followed by Native Construct, Caricature, Sonic Pulse and BruteMukti. The show is $10 and will be All Ages. All proceeds go to relief funds. You can get tickets online here:

Link to the Facebook Event for Metal For Nepal here:

All proceeds collected will go toward the Jai Nepal Youth Club, No Silence for Nepal, WHR Nepal and Reaping Hope.

 

Event co-promoter Kunan Joshi captured the essence of the current plight of Nepal earthquake victims:

“Remote villages and settlements are still untouched as a result of earthquake and landslides making access to these places very risky and limited. What we are trying is to provide these places with immediate relief. A dollar in Nepal converts to NRs 100 so a $100 in Nepal is NRs. 10,000 which is a lot of money there.”

“The issue right now is that if you send aid to some of the existing orgs, ngo, and ingos collecting funds, those funnel into the Prime Minister fund.”

“As of press time the Prime Minster fund has received millions of dollars so far, but there isn’t a plan yet to move to action those funds into tangible help. No public statement has been made yet on a timetable to disperse the funds to organizations that can help, especially people in remote regions who are suffering badly. We have a mission to help as much as we can, as fast as we can. Literally every friend is on the field. So that’s the best way to help now: equip them with funds, medicines and supplies to help people right now at this crucial time following the earthquakes.”

Event co-promoter Kevin Brown commented on the mission of Metal For Nepal:

From the music that drives our hearts and minds, to the scene that we are the water to its rivers, we want to use our passion to help those on the other side of the world. Nepal’s rivers are dirty with what’s left of their shattered worlds, and we can use our rivers to help clarify theirs, put their worlds back together. Metal for Nepal is our desalinization plant, our efforts to cleanse what we can as we mosh and head-bang the day away.”

 

There is also a benefit compilation organized by Metal for Nepal performers BruteMukti featuring Nepalese metal bands dubbed Nepal Earthquake Relief. You can donate and download the collection from Bandcamp here:

Many record labels, music publicity firms and music industry people have pledged to donate resources. More information, including a direct donate link will be available soon.

 

Obsidian Tongue on Facebook

Native Construct on Facebook

Caricature on Facebook

Sonic Pulse on Facebook

BruteMukti on Facebook

For more information on how you can contribute to Metal For Nepal, please contact:

Kunjan Joshi

Kevin Brown

Erik Wormwood of Wormwood Joint

Keith Chachkes of Ghost Cult Magazine