life is noise

Christopher Dexter Greenspan, the man behind San Francisco project oOoOO, has made his name in honing dark and witched-out rhythms. While his memorable 2010 self-titled EP surpassed the realms of goth-pop, drone dub and ghost rave – his latest offering solidifies his place as one of the pioneers of the ‘drag’ sound. Ahead of his show supporting Lapalux at the Bakery on Saturday, May 19, Jessica Willoughby finds out more about the Our Love Is Hurting Us EP…

So how are you occupying your time before the Australian tour this month?

CDG: I’m just working on a bunch of songs at the moment that have been just sitting around, so finishing them up. Also, a few new ones. Hoping to have an LP out by the end of the year. I have a couple of shows in the U.S before I come out to Australia. The schedule is pretty busy for the trip. I’ll be there for, I don’t know, 10 days… I think. Australia is the next big thing on the horizon and I’m looking forward to it. Read the rest of this entry ”

The art of collaboration is a fickle creature, but if the pieces fit the results can be timeless.

“In Fulminic Blaze” unfurls the joining of stark Chicago three-piece Locrian and Mamiffer – the compositional project between pianist Faith Coloccia and her husband, guitarist Aaron Turner (ex-Isis).

Set to be featured on the upcoming 51-minute opus Bless Them That Curse You, this droning, slow-burner delivers the more haunting and atmospheric tones of the former with Turner’s soaring tones bursting to life as a final call in the track.

Signalling great things to come from this partnership, the six-song album will be out on March 6 on Profound Lore. Read the rest of this entry ”

Ceremony have a monumental task ahead of them. The California hardcore punk outfit set the bar two years ago with Rohnert Park, an album that painted an unflattering picture of the city they call home. Now these five forward-thinking musicians have returned with a snippet from their upcoming fourth full-length, Zoo. But album opener “Hysteria” takes a more, daresay, positive path than those of past offerings. Stepping away from the pessimistic ties exhausted by many hardcore bands of yore, vocalist Ross Farrar notes this stance is explored to its hilt throughout newer material.

Available as a 7-inch single through Matador Records, the full album will be out this March.

Drowning The Light have finally learnt how to breathe.

Oceans Of Eternity, the twelfth offering from this prolific Sydney-based black metal outfit, will be released in little over a month. Considering this is the eleventh album from Azgorh, the founder and only main constant behind this project, since 2007 — not to mention the many demos, splits and collaborations — leaving more than a year between full lengths’ is an age for this artist. But time has proven its worth.

Leaking a snippet from his latest work, The Poison Kiss shows just how far this maturing songwriter has come. Enlisting the help of Wraith (Naxzul, Nox Inferi) and Blackheart (Atra), now both semi-permanent additions, Drowning The Light’s ability to strip back the most crushing of rhythms to their crusty core has been taken to new heights. From more traditional raw blackened tones, driving strings reach euphoric chants as rollicking toms gallop towards a victorious tide at track end. Read the rest of this entry ”

The accidental formation of Californian hardcore supergroup OFF! has sparked nothing short of an all-out punk revival.

Rising from the ashes of a new Circle Jerks album attempt in 2009, the band became the fierce brainchild of legendary frontman Keith Morris (Circle Jerks/Black Flag) and Dimitri Coats (ex-Burning Brides). Adding Redd Kross bassist Steven MacDonald and drummer Mario ‘Ruby Mars’ Rubalcaba of Earthless, Rocket from the Crypt, and Hot Snakes to the equation — this eclectic four-piece was always meant to produce something special. Read the rest of this entry ”

Time can be a double-edged sword for any artist. And the countdown is now on to see how more than two decades has touched UK crust legends Amebix.

After completing work on their first material since 1987’s Monolith earlier this year, the March offering of a 12″ single set the wheels in motion for what has become one of the most anticipated releases of the year. With a departure from mainstay label Alternative Tentacles and forged by the birth of their own home, Amebix Records, the expectations placed on Sonic Mass are heady to say the very least. Read the rest of this entry ”

Wolves In The Throne Room have taken a deviation.

On the eve of the release of their fourth LP, Celestial Lineage, the two brothers at the creative core of Washington-based black metal outfit have leaked an unusual slice off their latest. “Woodland Cathedral”, sung by occasional contributor Jessika Kenney (Sunn O))) and Asva), takes a step away from the raw yet soaring BM rhythms tied to the Weaver duo and grounds itself in pagan hymn.

Drifting along as if in procession, aloof and broad percussion is overwhelmed by droning organ tones with the ring of light guitars building this soothing sermon. Although the band have noted the track may not be indicative of the rest of the album’s content, drummer Adam Weaver hinted this was a sign of things to come for the band. Read the rest of this entry ”