THINNING THE HERD Are Streaming Their NEW Album 'Freedom From The Known'

Talk about persevering! Last year, right after THINNING THE HERD completed the recording sessions for their NEW album 'Freedom From The Known', their drummer Rick Cimato passed away after being involved in a massive car accident (Details HERE). After contemplating retirement, the band decided to move forward and to release their unique blend of music.

TTH recorded the album with acclaimed producer Steve Albini (NIRVANA) last summer and it was not an easy task. Here is what the bands leader Gavin Spielman had to say about presenting the massed with 'Freedom From The Known'.

"This record (Freedom From the Known) was written over several years, after going through a bunch of friendships and lineup changes – I knew I had to create a record reflecting my acceptance of working alone in music, in becoming a bandleader and not a team member. After a trip to Alaska in 2011, I found I had written Freedom From the Known – and came back hopeful to record with Steve Albini – I was already booking a tour, when the band fell apart.

My drummer Ben decided it was time to go back to school, while my bassist Nick – (who is one of the most amazing guitarists in New York, and now plays in the L.I. band Moontooth), who was just filling in and wound up staying for 2 years – got swept up by a Brooklyn Hipster band for a European tour. That night I went out drinking and met Wes – who has been playing Bass for TTH since, he also mixed the record. The next day Rick Cimato called me knowing I was looking for a drummer – and TTH 2.0 was formed. It was that easy, I did not sweat over the lineup change – and subsequently opened myself up to record Freedom From the Known with inspiration – with people who wanted to play it. All the music was already written by the time Rick and Wes entered the band – and this makes me proud to be able to create something worthy of other peoples time and money.

When we finished recording and mastering Rick died. I was going to pull the plug – but the record and my love for life pulled me to completing this thing. The message in this record, before Rick died – was to engage the Unknown, to go the path not usually taken. I trust in light and sound, in music and love, as well as darkness and death – and hope to put this into the music.

Since then we have moved on – Wes is still playing bass, and Garth Macaleavey is on drums. Garth also plays guitar and writes music. One funny thing is – Garths old bassist was also pilfered – by the same hipster that took mine.

The band sounds better than ever now. The live shows and rehearsals are super tight. I am looking forward to this being the final shift in rolls – and the best lineup possible."

Listen to 'Freedom From The Known' HERE!

Related links:
Thinning The Herd
Rick Cimato's memorial page

THINNING THE HERD To Hold Memorial For Rick Cimato Tomorrow; Band Debuts A Batch Of NEW Songs!

Rick Cimato, drummer for NYC stoner metal outfit THINNING THE HERD and previously of Locked In A Vacancy, was tragically killed over the holidays in a car crash. Cimato was on his way home from visiting relatives in Maine, when the head-on collision took place in Connecticut. More info HERE!

Last week THINNING THE HERD founder Gavin Spielman issued the following statement via the band’s Facebook page about Cimato’s passing: “Being in a band is about being friends. In shock and in tears over the loss of my friend and bandmate, I have to think of the band. I named the band THINNING THE HERD when my father Steven A. Spielman passed, to cope with the loss. Rick would want me to keep writing for Thinning the Herd. If stop, I would not be doing his legacy service. His drumming on the new record is some of the best rock I have heard, and I want you guys to hear it. Thank god for this guy, what a gift as a friend, brother and band mate. For anyone who jams with others, anyone who lets another into that higher conscious world - you might understand the depth of how one can integrate and nurture the spirit.”

Cimato’s distraught bandmates have set up a memorial for their fallen brother, set to take place this Sunday, January 6th at The Grand Victory [245 Grand St., Brooklyn] at 6pm. The memorial will be hosted by members of Gods Green Earth, Locked in a Vacancy, Nassau Chainsaw, Hickory Hawkins and of course the remaining members of THINNING THE HERD. Full info is available HERE.

This special gathering will also serve as the public’s first listen to the newly-completed THINNING THE HERD album 'Freedom From The Known'. The trio recorded the album with acclaimed producer Steve Albini (NIRVANA) over the Summer, and have just wrapped up the mastering on the album. Previously slated for a late 2012 release, the album will now be released on February 5th via Saint Marks Records.







Related links:
Thinning The Herd
Rick Cimato's memorial page

Rick Cimato: Video Footage Of His Last Performance With THINNING THE HERD At HORNS UP ROCKS' "Holiday Tribute Show To Dimebag Darrell & The Victims Of Hurricane Sandy"!

As previously reported, the New York City Heavy Music scene was struck with tragedy when news surfaced of the tragic passing of Rick Cimato of THINNING THE HERD (formerly of GODS GREEN EARTH and NASSAU CHAINSAW, among others). Yesterday morning, according to state police, Rick was involved in a head on collision that took his life as well as the life of Michael Heeks (who was driving the other car).

Reportedly, Heeks, 22, of Mansfield, was driving a 2011 Honda Accord northbound in the southbound lanes of Route 15 just after 2 a.m. when he hit a 2004 Hyundai Elantra head on near exit 66, by the Meriden town line with Wallingford. Heeks' car rolled over and landed upside down in the median.

Rick's brother Nicholas Cimato, 47, of New York City, and his girlfriend Ashley Robinson, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, both survived the crash and are expected to leave the hospital soon. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Here is video footage of Rick's very last performance with THINNING THE HERD HORNS UP ROCKS' "Holiday Tribute Show To Dimebag Darrell & The Victims Of Hurricane Sandy":



Related links:
Thinning The Herd
Rick Cimato's memorial page

Tragedy Strikes The New York Metal Scene: Rick Cimato From THINNING THE HERD/GODS GREEN EARTH Passes Away During The Holiday Weekend!

Hey guys, Jö Schüftan here. I hope you all had a GREAT holiday weekend and that in 2013 all of your dreams come true!

It is with a very heavy heart that I need to break some very sad news, which I hate to do (but it is part of the "job"). My good friend Gavin Spielman, frontman from THINNING THE HERD, has posted the following message regarding the passing away of his best friend and drummer Rick Cimato:

"I just found out my best friend and drummer Rick was killed in a car accident this weekend.

"I don't think I can continue with Thinning the Herd anymore."

- Gavin

RECENT UPDATES: 

"Rick was in an auto accident last night... he did not survive it. His brother Nick and Ashley are both in surgery. Pray for all, I am devastated by his loss." - Marian Cimato (family member)

"Rick Cimato, my old roommate, band mate, and friend was killed yesterday in a car accident coming home from his Moms in Maine. Somewhere in CT a 22yr old was driving north in the southbound lane. Head on collision. His gf Ashe and brother Tony are in hospital in surgery due to severe injuries." - Jason Madrock

"Ashley is OK. She broke her left eye socket and ruptured spleen, but is OK. Nick is also out of surgery and is going to be fine." - Posted on Rick Cimato's memorial page

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Via NBC:

According to state police, Michael Heeks, 22, of Mansfield, was driving a 2011 Honda Accord northbound in the southbound lanes of Route 15 just after 2 a.m. when he hit a 2004 Hyundai Elantra head on near exit 66, by the Meriden town line with Wallingford.

Heeks' car rolled over and landed upside down in the median.

Heeks died in the crash, as did the driver of the Hyundai, 37-year-old Patrick Cimato, of Lisbon Falls, Maine. Cimato was driving in the proper direction when he was hit by the car driven by Heeks, police said.

Cimato's two passengers, Nicholas Cimato, 47, of New York City, and Ashley Robinson, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, both survived the crash.
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Please take a moment to send Rick, his family, his friends, and his band mates in both THINNING THE HERD and GODS GREEN EARTH, the most rocking positive vibes!

I was honored to have had Rick perform his very last show at the Horns Up Rocks' "Holiday Tribute Show For Dimebag Darrell and the victims of Hurricane Sandy" with THINNING THE HERD, and I will personally never forget how he was the first person I ran into when I arrived at The Trash Bar that Saturday, December 8th. ROCK IN PEACE brother and see you on the other side!

Recently, THINNING THE HERD unfurled a brand NEW self-released video from their pending third full-length, 'Freedom From The Known', the album recorded over the Summer by Steve Albini (NIRVANA).

With February 2, 2013, now confirmed as the street date for 'Freedom From The Known', THINNING THE HERD’s psychedelic self-released video for the opening track from the album, “Never Wanted,” brings some fun and shame and good old fashioned filth back to Rock without a dribble of pretentiousness. Stated Stoner/Rock/Metal portal The Obelisk about the NEW visual depiction of the track: “Some videos just have it all, man. Drug innuendo, psychedelic booty dancing, a swirling drummer, tripped out ’90s-type digital effects, Orange stacks, the Buddha. The list goes on.”

Watch the video here:



Related links:
Thinning The Herd