It’s not a bad time for the American Black Metal scene. Seems like every year we’re getting superb releases from upstarts and institutions like Leviathan, Krallice, Nachtmystium (RIP), Wolves In The Throne Room, Vattnet Viskar, and dare I say, Deafheaven. Woe, and their latest album, Hope Attrition (Vendetta) are no exception to this budding tradition.Continue reading
Great Scott in Allston, MA is a personal favorite venue of mine in the Boston area. Right by the T, tons of nearby restaurants for a quick dinner, easy street parking unless it happens to be snowing, and of course, the intimate venue. Tonight helped solidify my feelings on the venue as Black Elm, Vattnet Viskar, and The Atlas Moth brought their best even in the middle of the week. Given the late start time (9PM), I was able to toss back a giant bowl of Japanese Ramen noodles before entering Great Scott for what promised to be a great show.
Black Elm, by Meg Loyal Photography
Black Elm kicked off the night dishing out some groovy hardcore. The band received a successful response from the crowd that showed up “early” to catch the openers. Regardless if they were up front, at the bar getting a beer, or purchasing merch, everyone applauded their approval at the end of each song and at the close of the set.
Vattnet Viskar, by Meg Loyal Photography
Vattnet Viskar was the band I was most excited to see as I have not seen them in almost five years and with their new material being played live. The New Hampshire foursome brought their special blend of atmospheric black metal and post-metal to the Allston crowd in full force. For fans of the latest album, Settler, the majority of the set was of new material. Such songs included: ‘Dawnlands’ , ‘Yearn’ , ‘Impact’ , and closer, ‘Coldwar’. The sheer energy on stage for each song from these guys was truly inspiring. A lot of heavy bands today just do not seem to understand the importance of giving the audience a show. Hell more than a show, an experience. Vattnet Viskar provided quite the experience at Great Scott on this evening so I ensured a t-shirt and a patch was purchased.
The Atlas Moth, by Meg Loyal Photography
Finally it was time for the headliners, The Atlas Moth, to provide their own breed of post-metal to the eager fans. Complete with green lasers and mesmerizing light show, the Chicago natives put on quite a show that certainly ended the night on a high note. The set list was a solid mix of new and old for the group as the Allston crowd received three tracks from An Ache for the Distance and two from The Old Believer. Off of those albums we heard tracks such as: ‘Holes in the Desert’ , ‘Perpetual Generations’ , ‘The Sea Beyond’ , and closing out the night, ‘Blood Will Tell’. Additionally, ‘The 6th Passenger is Death’ and ‘Hope for Atlantis’ were also tossed into the mix. One of the highlights of the night was when David Kush called on a vote for either a cover song or a new song. The crowd was almost unanimous in voting for a cover. David and the rest of The Atlas Moth busted out a memorable rendition of Failure‘s ‘Golden’. There was truly something for everyone during the band’s set!
The Atlas Moth, by Meg Loyal Photography
Even though the overall turnout for the show was not one of the strongest I have witnessed at Great Scott, these three bands came together and put on a great show. I am certainly looking forward to catching Black Elm once again, potentially on a bill with some better fitting bands for them, as well as Vattnet Viskar and The Atlas Moth. And for those nearby to the Boston area and have not had a chance to attend a show at Great Scott, I highly encourage you take the Green Line B train up to the Harvard Ave stop and give them a try.
The Atlas Moth, by Meg Loyal Photography
The Atlas Moth, by Meg Loyal Photography
The Atlas Moth, by Meg Loyal Photography
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WORDS BY TIM LEDIN
PHOTOS BY MEG LOYAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Khemmis, photo by Travis Heacock
Denver, Colorado Melodic Doom dealers Khemmis released their debut album, Absolution, today via 20 Buck Spin. The quartet recorded the album with famed producer Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Nightbringer) at Flatline Audio in Denver.
Absolution features six tracks of moving and meticulously crafted music, calling up sonic similarities to Pallbearer, Graves at Sea, and the hypnotic hum of Sleep.
The album is available for digital download through the Khemmis BandCamp.com page; it can also be picked up via the 20 Buck Spin Website at www.20BuckSpin.com.
Khemmis will also head out on a West Coast tour supporting the new album, taking on cities from Denver to Seattle, along with special guests.
Khemmis’ Absolution was released July 7, 2015 via 20 Buck Spin
Khemmis Tour Dates
Aug 01: Denver, CO: HiDive w/ Call of the Void, Of Feather and Bone
Aug 06: Seattle, WA: Highline w/ Satanarchist, Brainscraper
Aug 07: Olympia, WA: McCoy’s w/ Infinite Flux
Aug 08: Portland, OR: High Water Mark w/ Druden, Satanarchist
Aug 09: Eugene, OR: The Wandering Goat
Aug10: Sacramento, CA: Café Colonial w/Decade of Statues
Aug11: Oakland, CA: Golden Bull Bar w/ Bog Oak
Aug12: San Jose, CA: San Jose Rock Shop
Aug13: Los Osos, CA – TBA
Aug14: Los Angeles, CA: Complex w/Atlas Moth, Vattnet Viskar, Atriarch
Aug15: Tempe, AZ– Yucca Tap Room w/ Atlas Moth, Vattnet Viskar, Atriarch
LINDSAY O`CONNOR
Although emotive, the dark harshness of Vattnet Viskar’s sound seemed a strange choice to accompany the heavier, more melodic Pallbearer on last winter’s US tour. Look deeper, however, into the very British blackness of Settler (Century Media), the New Hampshire quartet’s second album, and the melancholy shines through.
Brutal stickwork permeates the tremolo riffs of ‘Colony’ until a wholly unexpected mid-point breakdown of slow, deliberate Shoegaze, reappearing at the track’s coda, marks the band out as a different breed. ‘Yearn’ begins with a portentous yet evocative passage, building with delicate synth effects into vocalist Nicholas Thornbury’s colossal yet almost whispered, dry bark; a more Doom-laden pace seeing lead shimmerings emerge only in a Post-style underpin. It’s a savage track, yet pregnant with emotion: the layered, twisting chicanes sending the sound into the more inventive horror of Inter Arma’s Blackened spin-off Bastard Sapling, rather than that of the band’s core which is heavily influenced by Winterfylleth, Fen et al. ‘Impact’, for example, evokes images of rolling, furze-heavy hills in winter, as is expected from that UK Pagan contingent: yet a Viking element adds punch to this truly moving track.
This is an album giving true meaning to the ‘Atmospheric Black Metal’ tag: expertly blending the hostile, hissing tundra with chest-swelling passion and, in doing so, creating a living monster. Seamus Menihane’s pounding, resonant tubs return as the direction for the aptly named ‘Glory’, more sadness wrought from that lead guitar as an initial Trad metal rhythm gives way to dual Post wails, crushing riffs returning at the height of the ensuing explosion, an emphysemic roar coating the whole in a wonderful disease. The brutalised, throbbing heartbreak of both the title track and ‘Heirs’, meanwhile, where those expressions of angst remain constantly on the right side of Metalcore to emit sincere feeling, are supreme examples of the band’s organic versatility and heart of fire.
Closer ‘Coldwar’ melds elements of Black, Melancholia, Post-metal and Rock in a swelling, distraught yet euphoric finale. A refreshing, ambitious effort whilst remaining faithful to the dark core, Settler shows Vattnet Viskar to the stage of serious contenders.
8.0/10
Vattnet Viskar on Facebook
PAUL QUINN
New Hampshire post black metallers Vattnet Viskar are streaming their new multimedia artist Josh Graham (ex-Neurosis, Soundgarden) directed music videos for “Impact” and “Yearn” off of their sophomore album Settler, out June 16, 2015 in North America and June 29, 2015 in Europe via Century Media Records. Watch it below.
The band will be hitting the road for a month with 1349 and Necrophagia.
Vattnet Viskar live:
Jun 21: Hideaway – Johnson City, TN
Jun 22: Double Happiness – Columbus, OH
“Chaos Raids North America 2015” tour dates with 1349, Necrophagia, Vattnet Viskar
May 30: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
May 31: St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
Jun 01: Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
Jun 02: Mod Club – Toronto, ON
Jun 03: Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY
Jun 04: Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
Jun 05: Amsterdam Bar – St. Paul, MN
Jun 06: Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA
Jun 09: The Crazy Horse – Boise, ID
Jun 10: Club SUR – Seattle, WA
Jun 11: Tonic Lounge – Portland, OR
Jun 12: Metro Opera House – Oakland, CA
Jun 13: Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
Jun 14: Joe’s Grotto – Phoenix, AZ
Jun 15: Mesa Music Hall – El Paso, TX
Jun 16: Korova – San Antonio, TX
Jun 17: Tomcats – Fort Worth, TX
Jun 18: Siberia – New Orleans, LA
Jun 19: The Haven – Orlando, FL
Vattnet Viskar line-up:
Nick Thornbury – Guitar/Vocals
Chris Alfieri – Guitar
Seamus Menihane – Drums
Casey Aylward – Bass
Settler track-listing:
01: Dawnlands
02: Colony
03: Yearn
04: Impact
05: Glory
06: Heirs
07: Settler
08: Coldwar
Vattnet Viskar on Facebook
Vattnet Viskar on Twitter
New Hampshire post black metallers Vattnet Viskar is streaming their Josh Graham (ex-Neurosis, Soundgarden) created music video for “Colony,” off of their upcoming sophomore album Settler, out June 16th in North America (June 29th in Europe) via Century Media. The band has booked a string of live dates with Early Graves prior to their appearance at Maryland Deathfest, and followed by their upcoming tour supporting 1349 and Necrophagia across North America.
Settler track-listing
01: Dawnlands
02: Colony
03: Yearn
04: Impact
05: Glory
06: Heirs
07: Settler
08: Coldwar
VATTNET VISKAR live 2015 with EARLY GRAVES:
May 16: Milly’s Tavern – Manchester, NH
May 17: Parlour – Providence, RI
May 18: Great Scott – Allston, MA
May 19: Waterfront Tavern – Holyoke, MA
May 20: Ortliebs – Philadelphia, PA
May 21: Saint Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
May 22: Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD (Maryland Deathfest)
“Chaos Raids North America 2015” tour dates with 1349, NECROPHAGIA, VATTNET VISKAR
May 30: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
May 31: St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
Jun 01: Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
Jun 02: Mod Club – Toronto, ON
Jun 03: Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY
Jun 04: Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
Jun 05: Amsterdam Bar – St. Paul, MN
Jun 06: Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA
Jun 09: The Crazy Horse – Boise, ID
Jun 10: Club SUR – Seattle, WA
Jun 11: Tonic Lounge – Portland, OR
Jun 12: Metro Opera House – Oakland, CA
Jun 13: Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
Jun 14: Joe’s Grotto – Phoenix, AZ
Jun 15: Mesa Music Hall – El Paso, TX
Jun 16: Korova – San Antonio, TX
Jun 17: Tomcats – Fort Worth, TX
Jun 18: Siberia – New Orleans, LA
Jun 19: The Haven – Orlando, FL
VATTNET VISKAR line-up:
Nick Thornbury – Guitar/Vocals
Chris Alfieri – Guitar
Seamus Menihane – Drums
Casey Aylward – Bass
1349 has confirmed the Chaos Raids North America Tour with Necrophagia and Vattnet Viskar as support.
May 30: Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
May 31: St. Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
Jun 01: Les Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
Jun 02: Mod Club – Toronto, ON
Jun 03: Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY
Jun 04: Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
Jun 05: Amsterdam Bar – St. Paul, MN
Jun 06: Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA
Jun 09: The Crazy Horse – Boise, ID
Jun 10: Club SUR – Seattle, WA
Jun 11: Tonic Lounge – Portland, OR
Jun 12: Metro Opera House – Oakland, CA
Jun 13: Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
Jun 14: Joe’s Grotto – Phoenix, AZ
Jun 15: Mesa Music Hall – El Paso, TX
Jun 16: Korova – San Antonio, TX
Jun 18: Siberia – New Orleans, LA
Jun 19: The Haven – Orlando, FL
1349 (Official)’s “CHAOS RAIDS NORTH AMERICA 2015” Tour – with Necrophagia (official) and Vattnet Viskar – begins May 30th! Click the link below for the current list of tour dates.
Posted by 1349 (Official) on Tuesday, May 5, 2015
New Hampshire post black metallers Vattnet Viskar is releasing their new album Settler on June 16, 2015 via Century Media Records. The album was recorded at Earth Analog Studios in Champaign, IL with producer Sanford Parker (Minsk, Voivod).
The band has confirmed a run of dates with Early Graves, aside from appearances at Maryland Deathfest.
May 16: Milly’s Tavern – Manchester, NH
May 17: Parlour – Providence, RI
May 18: Great Scott – Allston, MA
May 20: Ortliebs – Philadelphia, PA
May 21: Saint Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
May 22: Rams Head Live – Baltimore, MD (Maryland Deathfest)
VATTNET VISKAR is:
Nick Thornbury – Guitar/Vocals
Chris Alfieri – Guitar
Seamus Menihane – Drums
Casey Aylward – Bass
New Hampshire metallers Vattnet Viskar will be recording their next full length release with producer Sanford Parker (Twilight, Pelican), with a release expected out via Century Media Records. They also released a string of live dates, which will be done in between recording time.
Jan 21: Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
Jan 22: The Avenue – Lansing, MI
Jan 23: Livewire Lounge – Chicago, IL
Jan 31: Ottawa Tavern – Toledo, OH
Feb 01: Stamps – Tonawanda, NY
Feb 02: Just Be Cause – Ithaca, NY
May 21: Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD
Vattnet Viskar on Facebook
Vattnet Viskar on Twitter