Guess I hafta change the name of today’s post to The Slaughterhouse. Or at least The Animal House, based on the wild band names behind some of today’s submissions. If you’re game, get ready to roar — or howl — or make whatever noise you feel is suitable:
Saltpig | Burning Water
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “U.S. / Italian occult doom-rock purveyors Saltpig share the single Burning Water, taken from their intoxicating self-titled debut album due May 31. “Burning Water is like just the end of the world,” the band say. “A song about the end of everything. They say the animals sense these things first and you find them running from the danger stampeding in the opposite direction, but here they are frozen in fear. They can do nothing but give up while the oceans turn to flame and everything just crumbles. There’s no hope left. At that point, what can you really do?” Formed by former Annihilator drummer Fabio Alessandrini and N.Y.C. multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Mitch Davis (L.A. Guns, Damon Albarn, Mark Lanegan), the duo conjure up a delightfully gritty, devastatingly noisy and unfailingly satisfying LP that should win over fans of evil downtuned grooves. Says Davis: “It’s melodic but embraces dissonance. Underproduced and real. Recorded onto analogue tape and pushing the levels with a ‘distortion is never bad’ ethos.”
Hog Meets Frog | Adolf The Ant… Am I Steve?
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Renowned for their eccentricity and boundary-pushing music, Hog Meets Frog are back with a provocative new single. Adolf The Ant… Am I Steve? showcases the band’s signature blend of weirdness, storytelling, and innovation, promising fans an unforgettable auditory experience. The genesis of the song stems from the whimsical imaginations of the band members, blending elements of fantasy, satire, and social commentary. Inspired by the red imported fire ant and its destructive tendencies, the song paints a vivid picture of an inebriated ant named Adolf, indulging in fantasies of conquest and domination. The band say: “It’s a metaphor for the increasing number of politicians with autocratic tendencies in the world’s democracies. It is a current phenomenon that the so-called enlightened Western societies are flushing more and more totalitarian-minded people to the top of governments. At the moment, it seems as if more and more people are allowing themselves to be instrumentalized, turning them into little ants that just march along without thinking — unfortunately.”
Thunderor | Get ’Em Counted
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian heavy rockers Thunderor have released their new video and single Get ‘Em Counted, starring pro wrestling champ Clash Kincade. “This is a really fun tune about pro wrestling and stars my brother Remy aka Clash,” says vocalist and drummer JJ Tartaglia. “We had a blast shooting this and I’m happy to say that the song really doesn’t sound like anything else out there that I can think of haha, I hope people enjoy it as much as we do.” Formed in 2020 by Skull Fist bandmembers Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta, Thunderor deliver hook-driven anthems to the caliber that has come to be expected from a Canadian power trio.”
Extrema | Paralyzed
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Italian metal band Extrema are ready to shake up the music world once again with their latest single and video Paralyzed. Following the success of their album Headbanging Forever in 2019, Extrema return with a video directed by the talented Adelaide Fiori, with Valerio Matteu as director of photography. The video for Paralyzed promises to be an epic visual experience capturing the essence and overwhelming energy of Extrema.”
Geezer | Acid Veins
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “In anticipation of the forthcoming Geezer and Isaak split release Interstellar Cosmic Blues & The Riffalicious Stoner Dudes, the stoner-blues rifflords share a third excerpt: The lyric video for Acid Veins. Geezer say: “Acid Veins is about life on the road. The good, the bad and the ugly side of touring in an underground rock band. While it is (in many ways) the best experience in the world, it ain’t for the faint of heart and it sure as hell ain’t always fun and games. We love what we do and we don’t take anything for granted. This one’s for the road dogs, for the lifers.”
Thalia | Vision Empire
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After two decades, French cult quartet Thalia are set to captivate the world once again with their just-released album The River Of Books. The long-overdue followup to their 2000 debut album Forest of Minds, Thalia’s latest opus is a culmination of two decades of musical maturity and evolution. The River Of Books is a unique compendium of emotions and groove, seamlessly blending hard rock power with a progressive edge. Influences ranging from Rush, King’s X, Dream Theater and Living Colour to The Police and Muse are skillfully digested, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and avant-garde.”
Isle Of The Cross | Ghost At The Feast
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Isle of the Cross, the U.S. progressive metal powerhouse led by the multifaceted Je Schneider, announce the upcoming release of their second album Faustus The Musical. This groundbreaking metal opera draws inspiration from the epic 16th-century saga Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe. The compositions weave an engaging narrative, accompanied by a powerful vocal delivery from a stellar cast. Daniël de Jongh takes on the role of the lead vocalist, guiding listeners through an exhilarating journey. From symphonic heights to brutal depths, the entire album is masterfully mixed and mastered by the renowned Joost van den Broek (Epica, Ayreon, Powerwolf).”
Ape Vermin | Awakened
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ape Vermin, the formidable trio hailing from the depths of North Carolina, are gearing up to conquer the cosmos with their latest sci-fi-infused album Andromedas Colossus on May 17. Your journey into otherworldly realms begins with their single Awakened, which singer-guitarist Brett Lee call his “personal favorite. We’re back, and we’re making up for lost time. Hell has come back to life. The Colossus is awake, prepare for your imminent obliteration. “Ten thousand years, through portals of time. Awaken this hell, your world will be mine. Destroyed to extinction by hellish invention.”
