HIGH ON FIRE Forced To Cancel Their Mayhem Fest Appearance - Statement Available!

This just in: Californian Metallers HIGH ON FIRE announced today that they have been forced to cancel their appearance at this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The reason? Frontman and guitarist Matt Pike is entering rehab for alcoholism. The award-winning power trio (also featuring drummer Des Kensel and bassist Jeff Matz) will put its scheduled touring plans on hold indefinitely as Pike takes the necessary steps towards regaining his health. Here is a statement from the band:

"HIGH ON FIRE would like to thank everyone involved with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival for the opportunity to be a part of this year's tour," said the band in a statement. "We regretfully will have to bow out as our friend and bandmate begins his recovery, but very much appreciate having been asked to be a part of this summer's festival run."

In other High On Fire news, it was announced earlier this week that the band will be releasing a reissue of the bands classic first recording 'The Art Of Self Defense'. The landmark long player has been completely remastered and enhanced by Brad Boatright (Sleep, Noothgrush, OFF! etc.) and includes the addition of the band’s first ever demo, two bonus 7” tracks as well as a 48-page booklet!

'The Art of Self Defense' Track Listing:

01. Baghdad
02. 10,000 Years
03. Blood From Zion
04. Last
05. Fireface
06. Master of Fists

Bonus 7” Tracks (2001):

07. Steel Shoe
08. The Usurper (Celtic Frost cover)

Self-Titled Demo (1999):

09. Blood From Zion
10. 10,000 Years
11. Master of Fists

Related links:
High On Fire's Official Site

HIGH ON FIRE To Reissue 'The Art Of Self Defense' Via Southern Lord Recordings!

Adding to their ever-growing catalog of sonic enormity, Southern Lord Recordings today is extremely pleased to announce the reissue of 'The Art Of Self Defense', the classic first recording from Oakland power trio HIGH ON FIRE. Set for release on July 31, the landmark long player has been completely remastered and enhanced by Brad Boatright (Sleep, Noothgrush, OFF! etc.) and includes the addition of the band’s first ever demo, two bonus 7” tracks as well as a 48-page booklet!







'The Art of Self Defense' Track Listing:

01. Baghdad
02. 10,000 Years
03. Blood From Zion
04. Last
05. Fireface
06. Master of Fists

Bonus 7” Tracks (2001):

07. Steel Shoe
08. The Usurper (Celtic Frost cover)

Self-Titled Demo (1999):

09. Blood From Zion
10. 10,000 Years
11. Master of Fists

'The Art Of Self Defense' was initially released in 2000 by Man’s Ruin Records. Featuring the collective energies of guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike, drummer Des Kensel, and bassist George Rice with producer Billy Anderson, the record billows at the seams with Pike’s instantly recognizable guitar tone, first unleashed during his days with stoner Metal behemoths Sleep. An audio hail storm of piledriving riffs, booming rhythms and Pike’s gruff vocal tirades , 'The Art Of Self Defense' remains a staple in HIGH ON FIRE’s renowned catalog of audio greatness.

“Listening to HIGH ON FIRE is a repetitive, near-relentless, harmful experience, an experience enhanced by the band’s thoroughly warped sound. Most of what you will hear on a HIGH ON FIRE release sounds like a hazy, resin-coated gurgle. The guitars are distorted to the point of melting, completely phased out and always a threat to your speakers. Adding to the foggy mayhem are the deafening drums and over-driven bass, both of which are robbed of much of their treble. The drums sound distant and sun burned, the bass sounds like the whore of Babylon’s vibrator. This is the true sound of throbbing gristle.” –

Related links:
High On Fire's Official Site

SLEEP To Release Reissue Of 'Dopesmoker'; Cover Art Revealed!

As previously announced, Southern Lord Recordings will release a deluxe reissue of one the most essential albums of modern times - 'Dopesmoker' from stoner Metal icons, SLEEP. This reissue is entirely remastered from the original smoke-encrusted Ampex reels, and features an unreleased live recording of one their greatest live performances -- “Holy Mountain” from San Francisco’s I-Beam in 1994 -- as well as a brand NEW artwork by long time SLEEP artist Arik Roper, who crafted something truly special and consciousness-expanding for the album’s rebirth. Check it out at THIS LOCATION.

'Dopesmoker' stands as one of the towering achievements in recent Metal history: a mesmerizing, intoxicating, and incredibly complex composition that remains unrivaled in the evolution of stoner Metal. 



In conjunction with its release, SLEEP will be headlining the 2012 edition of the Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands before departing on a 24-city tour of Europe and the UK commencing May 3 in Wroclaw, Poland. 



SLEEP 2012 European Tour Dates:

- 
4/14/2012: Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands
- 
5/03/2012: Asymmetry Festival in Wroclaw, Poland w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/04/2012: Amager Bio in Copenhagen, Denmark w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/05/2012: Betong in Oslo, Norway w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/06/2012: Strand in Stockholm, Sweden w/ A Storm of Light
- 
5/08/2012: Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland

- 5/09/2012: Berghain in Berlin, Germany w/ A Storm of Light
- 
5/10/2012: Conne Island in Leipzig, Germany w/ A Storm of Light
- 
5/11/2012: Lucerna Music Bar in Prague, Czech Republic w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/12/2012: Club 202 in Budapest, Hungary w/ A Storm of Light
- 
5/13/2012: Tvornica Kulture in Zagreb, Croatia w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/14/2012: Arena in Vienna, Austria w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/16/2012: Circolo Degli Artisti in Rome, Italy w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/17/2012: Fillmore Club in Cortemaggiore, Italy w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/18/2012: Dachstock in Bern, Switzerland w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/19/2012: Fzw in Dortmund, Germany w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/20/2012: Gagarin 205 in Athens, Greece
- 
5/22/2012: The Arches in Glasgow, Scotland w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/23/2012: Button Factory in Dublin, Ireland w/ A Storm of Light
- 
5/24/2012: Stylus in Leeds, United Kingdom w/ A Storm of Light
- 5/25/2012: ATP I’ll Be Your Mirror in London, United Kingdom w/ Slayer, Melvins
- 
5/26/2012: Villette, Sonique in Paris, France

- 5/27/2012: Trix in Antwerp, Belgium w/ A Storm of Light

- 5/28/2012: Feierwerk in Munich, Germany w/ A Storm of Light
- 5/31/2012: ATP Primavera Sound Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain w/ Wolves In The Throne Room

Related links:
Sleep's Official Site
Sleep on Facebook
Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord's BlogSouthern Lord Records on Twitter

Hardcore Legend Harley Flanagan Signs With Southern Lord Records - Official Statement Available!

It is with maximum enthusiasm that we deliver this latest killer news from the Southern Lord Recordings headquarters; legendary Hardcore icon HARLEY FLANAGAN, bassist/vocalist of CRO-MAGS and HARLEY'S WAR fame, has officially signed with the label for several upcoming releases!

Southern Lord owner Greg Anderson released the following statement regarding this new alliance with Harley's newest endeavors:

"Harley Flanagan is one of the most revered, controversial and infamous musicians of the last 25 years of underground music. His resume and reputation speak equal amounts of vitriolic decibels as does his bass stack blaring in your face. I have personally been a huge fan of Harley and his work with the Cro-Mags from the first time I heard their debut album Age of Quarrel in 1986. Much like the feeling you got when you first heard Bad Brains, Discharge or Minor Threat, Cro-Mags were musically and aesthetically on another level that was matchless. Through the power of the net and sheer luck I started talking to Harley Flanagan over emails and telephone past year. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the intensity and honesty of his playing also carried through in his personality. Harley is humble, raw, intelligent, driven and focused. To say it is an honor for Southern Lord to be working with Harley Flanagan is a enormous understatement! We're in shock and CAN NOT WAIT to get this shit going! The first release we will be doing together will be the forthcoming Harley's War album. The demos of the material he has shared with us for this are fucking phenomenal! The new Harley's War material has the same feeling as the initial musical impact the Cro-Mags first had in the mid-'80s. Killer songwriting, raw lyrics and Harley Flanagan's trademark bass playing. As mentioned above this is "other level" shit! Expect nothing less than a brutal musical beatdown from the master!"

Stay tuned for developments on all things pertaining to HARLEY FLANAGAN and HARLEY'S WAR over the coming months.



Related links:
Harley Flanagan on MySpace
Official site of the Cro Mags
Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord Records on Twitter
Southern Lord Records on Facebook

From Ashes Rise Enter Studio To Record NEW 7" For Southern Lord Records!

This weekend, Portland, Oregon-based crust Punk icons From Ashes Rise entered the studio to lay down two vicious NEW anthems for Southern Lord Recordings. The crushing recording session marks the first time the band recorded in nine years!

Recorded at Audible Alchemy, engineered by Bryan Sours and Steve Lobdell, and mixed at Audiosiege by Sours and the band's own Brad Boatright, the two tracks -- "Rejoice The End" and "Rage of Sanity" -- are being finalized for a rabid NEW 7" set to be let off the chain via Southern Lord in April or May. A final release date, cover art and more will be be locked down in the coming weeks.

From Ashes Rise formed in Nashville, Tennessee during the mid 1990s' American crust Punk surge, their infectious downtuned moroseness catching on worldwide almost immediately. Having relocated to Portland, Oregon, the band have unleashed three LPs, a plethora of split releases, EPs and more to date, all amidst waves of heavy underground touring. Last May the band dominated the indoor stage at the annual Maryland Deathfest gathering in Baltimore, and then in November took part the Portland show of Southern Lord's massive The Power Of The Riff West Coast takeover.

From Ashes Rise remain one of the most brutally-charged and hauntingly melodic forerunners of the scene.

Related links:
From Ashes Rise on MySpace
From Ashes Rise on Facebook
From Ashes Rise on Audio Siege
Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord Records on Twitter
Southern Lord Records on Facebook

Instrumental Quartet Pelican Announce NEW EP!

Thunderous post-instrumental outfit Pelican have announced the long awaited follow-up to their sprawling 2009 full length 'What We All Come To Need', a NEW four song EP 'Ataraxia/Taraxis' to be released via Southern Lord on April 10th. With members now residing in separate cities, the EP represents a NEW chapter in the band’s evolution with a re-energized focus on composition and the utilization of the recording studio as a creative tool in the songwriting process, yielding one of the most diverse efforts in the band’s prolific discography.

The four NEW songs highlight the manifold sonic strengths of the band by delving into moments of triumphant melodic Rock, smokey Doom, ambient soundscape, acoustic desert-folk, and minimalist electronics. In contrast to the EP’s origin as the product of four different recording studios, including stints with engineers Sanford Parker (Twilight, Circle of Animals, Nachtmystium) and Aaron Harris (ISIS), the carefully crafted track listing boasts a cohesive narrative flow, lending the release an epic feel worthy of a full album.

'Ataraxia/Taraxis' Track Listing:

1. Ataraxia
2. Lathe Biosas
3. Parasite Colony
4. Taraxis

Pelican is supporting the release with a two-week run of dates in Europe and the UK, including coveted spots at Roadburn and Dunk! Festivals.

Pelican Upcoming Tour Dates:

- 4/06/2012 Dunk! Festival: Zottegem, BE
- 4/07/2012 The Garage: London, UK w/ Chelsea Wolfe
- 4/08/2012 Vudu Club: Birmingham, UK w/ Chelsea Wolfe
- 4/09/2012 Brudenell Social Club: Leeds, UK
- 4/10/2012 Stereo: Glasgow, UK
- 4/11/2012 The Ruby Lounge: Manchester, UK
- 4/12/2012 The Haunt: Brighton, UK
- 4/13/2012 The Cooler: Bristol, UK
- 4/14/2012 Roadburn Festival: Tilburg, Netherlands
- 4/15/2012 La Maronquinerie: Paris, France
- 4/16/2012 Jubez: Karlsruhe, Germany w/ Tombs
- 4/17/2012 Bad Bonn: Dudingen, Switzerland
- 4/18/2012 Magnolia: Milan, Italy
- 4/19/2012 Feierwerk: Munich, Germany w/ Tombs
- 4/20/2012 Cassiopeia: Berlin, Germany w/ Tombs
- 4/21/2012 Nosturi: Helsinki, Finland

Related links:
Pelican on Facebook
Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord Blog
Southern Lord on Facebook
Follow Southern Lord on Twitter