New York-based extreme death metal band, Suffocation, shot a for the track "Cataclysmic Purification" on May 31 with director David Brodsky (Arsis, God Forbid, Kataklysm). When asked about the new track and their soon to be released sixth full-length album “Blood Oath,” Suffocation bassist Derek Boyer said, "Cataclysmic Purification audibly portrays a calamitous future approaching. With this song and the rest of the album I think we've maintained the musical integrity of the band while still having comprehendible brutality. Blood Oath combines straight forward crushing movements with unsuspecting twists that will certainly entertain everyone from the avid Suffocation listener to the first time innocent bystanders." Read more...
When I first got started in this business back in 1985, there was considerable value in an album of recorded music, in and of itself. An LP or cassette was, at that time, the primary item a band could offer for sale, and certainly the most important connection they had with their fans. Record companies recognized this value by financing the recording process in legitimate studios, and they would see the project through each creative element until it hit the store shelves. More importantly, the band at hand would be focused primarily, if not entirely, on creating meaningful music. Read more...
Holy crap! It looks like some gutsy (or foolhardy) soul in the programming department took our tongue-in-cheek recommendation to air this bloodbath of a music video literally, and it is somehow slipped right by the standards department and onto the airwaves on last Saturday's show. The clip features a man who accidentally runs over a little girl, then buries her to cover-up his heinous deed. But the young-un's soul doesn't rest and she lashes out "Evil Dead" style to murder the manslaughterer in a tangle of bloody vines and vomited intestines. If you've got a strong stomach click "more" to watch Wretched's "A Preservation of Immortality."
Having posted the new Attack Attack video, we figured why not also put up the Destroy Destroy Destroy clip for "The Wretched Forest?" Click "more" to check it out. Read more...
You like breakdowns, goth, dance-pop and sugary vocals (and don't we all?)? Then dig your fangs into Attack Attack. Click "more" to watch the band's video for "Stick Stickly." Read more...
Slava Giebel, guitarist for German Viking Metal band StrydegoR, was killed in a car accident on May 25.
"It is not easy for us to put our feelings into words," said the band in a statement. "The most important thing is that Slava will never be forgotten, and we will, in any case, continue with the band. Read more...
We're thrilled to present the new God Forbid video "War of Attrition." The video was was shot by acclaimed director Ian McFarland (Sick of It All) and captures the band’s frenetic stage show. See it again when it airs on MTV2’s Headbangers Ball this Saturday night.
“Shooting videos kinda sucks. Especially performance videos," says guitarist Doc Coyle. "You have to head bang for 10 hours in a row, fake play your songs, and you don't even know if all the work will pay off with an awesome video. With that said, this is by far the best performance video we've ever had and it really captures the intensity of the song. As you can see from the clip, we really put our trust in Ian who was incredible to work with. Ian and his crew were super professional. I can't wait for everyone to see the finished product. And like Dave Chappelle says, ‘Everything looks better in slow motion.’"
Click "more" to watch "War of Attrition. Read more...
I must say it’s really disturbing that music education has fallen to the bottom of the list of priorities in today’s education system. I’ve had many people ask me after Owl shows, ''What is that instrument you play? Is that a cello?” In addition to the traditional electric bass guitar, it’s the upright bass/double bass that I play. I’m always happy to explain and clarify to people, but I can’t help wondering what the hell is going on here? Read more...
LOW-TECH IN A HIGH-TECH WORLD
I often see raised eyebrows on my friends faces when I show them my low-tech cell phone. It is one of the cheapest models you can buy and can only be used to send text messages with an occasional phone call of course, nothing more. My friends wonder why I don’t have the latest generation with iTunes, TV and movies etc. ”But Leif, you travel so much, being away from home with no computer or TV around. Why don’t you get a 3G phone?” I always answer, ”I just buy a book and today’s newspaper and I’m set. Or maybe I actually spend some time with people.” Read more...
I decided to take a small break from custom work and wanted to do a personal art piece for fun recently. Being bombarded with goregrind requests and the usual blood-drenched horror scenes, its a fresh escape to
let my mind wonder into a more trippy and surreal environment. This piece is entitled "Confined Determination' and depicts a skeletal goat creature confined in an astral temple hovering over the earth. The vibe was meant to show the brooding desire within the creature to manifest the demolishing of worlds in the background. The entangled girls, black heart roses and bloodied dagger symbolize the sacrifice of love or compassion. The duality of the mind with the two headed fetus as his crown, and even within a confined imprisonment his passion boils and manifests destruction. This piece was not commissioned by any band and is open and available for purchase. Email mike@visualdarkness.com for more info.
