Tuesday, April 19, 2011

A New Local Band, A New CD, Concert News, And More!!

It's time for some assorted news, including some big stories! After this morning's Woods of Ypres-centric post (check it out in the post below), we have much more in the pipeline right now, including some concert updates and a brand new local album I recieved a copy of, but first, we have a new local band! Here's what you need to know!

The band in question is Eden Plague, a new death/black metal solo project from Bear Hunters guitarist Mitch Sirie! Though you might figure/expect this to be another name change for his recently re-renamed April Eyes solo project, this is a separate venture, and seemingly a place for heavier solo material! Details are scant so far on Eden Plague, but Mitch launched their MySpace page last October, though didn't post detailed public info until late last month. In Eden Plague, Mitch is going by the stage name "Lucifus Omegus", while spreading the word of Satan through the influences and biographical information, which fits the music. Three songs featuring Mitch on all instruments have been posted onto Eden Plague's MySpace page, including an original named "Barren" and new mixes of "Zen Omega", an older April Eyes/Animas song that appears to have been shifted to this new project. How do the songs sound? I like "Barren" with it's slow and heavy riffs, sped up latter section, and Mitch's death growling suits everything well! It's a wonder that he doesn't do this more live. The "classic edition" of "Zen Omega" is superior to the "Nightmare Remix", but needs a touch up production wise to make it sound more like "Barren".

Promising stuff mostly, but the "nightmate remix" doesn't do anything for me, it sounds inferior from the effects and alterations. That aside, I like what I'm hearing! Mitch is a talented musician and this is more proof! Check the above links for more on Eden Plague, including their Facebook page, and stay tuned for some April Eyes updates as well!

Secondly, I have in my possession a brand new local metal album, and it's not by who you may think! Yesterday, I recieved a package in the mail from Sault Michigan containing, surprisingly, Clownsack's second album! Colour me surprised at that, I hadn't heard anything new from them since last fall! I knew they'd slowly been working on a new album since 2009, but I had no idea when (or if) we'd ever see it released! What should you know about their new album? Entitled "Funny Farm", the cover is obviously on your left, featuring bassist Slappy locked up in the mental asylum. The artwork by Tony Rogers is great, featuring the band members in varying asylum settings with a comic book motif. The album features the band's 2008-2010 lineup, including Slappy and frontman Schloppy, then-guitarist Butter Cookie (more on him in a second), and drummer Skronko, in his first studio appearance with Clownsack. Remember, the band are under clown personas and stage names, and they pull it off well! The album was produced and recorded with Electric Motor Fish guitarist Fran Blackwood, with ex-Clownsack drummer Bob Helsten ("Orb") handling the drum production.

I don't know if I have an advance copy, or if "Funny Farm" has seen a local release already, but keep an eye out for it at Sault Michigan music stores just in case, and yes, at their next local shows, whenever they're booked. If you want to hear/buy the EP online, it's not on CD Baby yet, but all five songs are available to stream on the band's MySpace page, as uploaded earlier this month! Odd that they've done minimal advance promotion for it yet, but their pages aren't updated frequently as it is. "Funny Farm" barely crosses 20 minutes in length, but it's packed with good stuff, and I definitely won't give this a bad review! Speaking of which, I'd like to announce that this will be our next CD review on The Sault Metal Scene! It will be reviewed on here after my exams are over, so you should see it posted next week! Is it ironic that it's after a Woods of Ypres CD review again, as was the case 15 months ago? Definitely check the songs out on MySpace and keep an eye out for "Funny Farm" at a store or concert near you, and huge thanks to the guys in Clownsack for sending me a copy!

Oh yeah, and the band have officially parted ways with guitarist Butter Cookie, who had been with Clownsack since their inception. The writing was on the wall for this, as the band mentioned that he was planning to leave once the album was finished, but it's still a shame! He hasn't been replaced yet, though I figure he will be, as the band added Sparxx as a second guitarist last year with the intent on being a quintet going forward. Maybe things might change though, stay tuned! Again, check out their MySpace page for more!

Finally, here's some assorted concert updates! Firstly, the other two bands have been added to THIS THURSDAY'S Roosevelt Hotel metal night, the first since the weekly schedule adoption, so who's joining Shit Liver to melt faces before the Easter weekend? Headlining will be As It Stands, with The Bear Hunters also opening, giving this show a nice blend of hardcore and death metal with a grimy touch! My source is Dismembertainment's Facebook page. Also, you could consider it a "preview" of the April 29th all ages show at The Oddfellows Hall, as both As It Stands & The Bear Hunters are opening that show as well! Good to hear, so make note of the full lineup for THURSDAY, and you can't use work or school as an excuse not to go, cause it's Good Friday coming up, so there's no need to be up early! Speaking of shows with As It Stands, drummer John Mignacca is running a draw for two free tickets to the April 29th show with Dead & Divine, so how do you enter? Invite all your friends to attend this show, then press the Print Screen button on your keyboard to copy a screenshot that proves you invited your friends, then save it and send the picture to John's Facebook page via e-mail, and you'll be entered to win! The winner will be chosen on Monday, so if you wanna try to win free tickets, get on that A.S.A.P.!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for some more news and notes in the coming days! Thanks everyone!

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