I haven’t been to a show downstairs at The Middle East since 2014 when Septicflesh and Fleshgod Apocalypse tour together for the Conquerors of the World Tour, so needless to say, this was both an exciting and nostalgic night. Dragon plated shoulder armor, Dungeons and Dragons lore discussions, and a theory about a giant tortoise God that will take over the universe alongside Cthulhu fill the air with anticipation for the first band to take the stage.
Walking into The Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts, I realized I was unintentionally about to bookend a month-ish long tour by attending both the first date (at Maryland Deathfest) and last date of the U.S. run of Japan’s doom masters, Church of Misery. For this, the final show, the supporting bands were The Atomic Bitchwax from New Jersey and Toke, minus their very recently axed drummer, from North Carolina.Continue reading
That Boston’s Rozamov is an excellent band won’t surprise too many that have seen them live, or checked out their available tuneage. Their 2013 short player of Gods And Flesh was a flesh peeler and an ear opener to me for sure. Plus, it had some seriously sick artwork if I recollect. Their split with Deathkings, released a year ago showed a further exposition to the style they started, unafraid to take chances musically, yet playing to their strengths as a unit. If groups like early Mastodon, High On Fire, YOB, Black Tusk, Pallbearer, and Vallenfyre are your thing, this band will be right in your wheelhouse. In advance of an interview we are brewing with the band; Matt Lambert photographed them in their natural habitat for Ghost Cult. You can see them here, destroying it live at this hometown gig at the Middle East Nite Club, while opening for Intronaut and Scale The Summit. The band hits the road in June for a short run of tour dates with Moon Tooth. Their new album will follow later this year.
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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.
For more information on how you can contribute to Metal For Nepal, please contact:
Erik Wormwood of Wormwood Joint
Keith Chachkes of Ghost Cult Magazine
Revocation recently undertook a short headline tour of clubs in the US. Touring almost non-top since the release of last year’s Deathless (Metal Blade) album with are plethora of different bands. The band has been remarkably consistent as a live band throughout there career and shows in their hometown of Boston have been the stuff of legend. Joined on this night by Black Crown Initiate, themselves hardcore road warriors of late and locals Sexcrement and Coagula at the famed Middle East Night Club for a fun night of metal. Check out these photos by Evil Robb Photography, who caught the wild Dave Davidson of Revocation, in his natural habitat, on stage shredding.
Revocation, by Evil Robb Photography
Revocation, by Evil Robb Photography
Revocation, by Evil Robb Photography
Revocation, by Evil Robb Photography
Black Crown Initiate, by Evil Robb Photography
Black Crown Initiate, by Evil Robb Photography
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