Why On Earth Did NEUROSIS Decide To Get Rid Of Their Awesome On Stage Visuals?

Today, NEUROSIS has made an official band statement regarding their decision to pull the plug on their on stage visuals.

“As of today, after much thought and discussion, visual projections as we have presented them over the last 20 years will no longer be part of Neurosis live shows.

“We are going to begin the process of reinventing our live presentation. This process will begin at zero, allowing the music to speak for itself and lead us where it may. Whatever form or however long this may take is unknown.

“This also signals a parting of the ways with our visual artist of the last twelve years, Josh Graham. Josh’s tireless work and talent came at a time when we really needed it and carried us gracefully into the video age with original content we couldn’t have dreamed of when we were just starting out. Our parting comes from a place of mutual respect, friendship and understanding. We all agree that this is a step Neurosis has to take and are open to working together on specific projects in the future. We wish him success and the best of luck with all of his own musical endeavors and artistic passions.

In the spirit of sound,

-Steve, Dave, Jason, Noah, and Scott”

In conjunction with this release, Josh Graham issued the following statement:

“For us all, time for change has come. The friendships and body of work that have spawned from our time together will live on as we move forward. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Neurosis over the last 12 years.

“As the crossroads are upon us, and we feel that the pinnacle of our collaborative efforts have been reached; we now look toward our individual futures with support and encouragement. Constant reinvention is at the heart and soul of us all, and we will all continue to persevere.

“Despite the larger picture winding down as we move on in our own directions, we will continue to work together on specific legacy projects including reissues and possibly more if/when the right projects come up. Onward.”

-Josh Graham

Following the recent delivery of their monumental tenth studio album 'Honor Found In Decay' – released at the end of October worldwide via the band’s own Neurot Recordings – NEUROSIS recently returned to their point of inception in Oakland, California to perform a massive album release show, with support from Voivod and YOB. The event brought in fans from all across the country and beyond, packing the massive, historic Fox Theater with a legion of diehard supporters of the band. View new live footage of NEUROSIS performing material from Honor Found In Decay and more from the release show AT THIS LOCATION..

This week, NEUROSIS will cross the Atlantic to perform at two special UK concerts; first at ATP’s Nightmare Before Christmas as hosted by Steve Albini’s band Shellac, followed by a concert in London with the mighty Godflesh. Additional live performances will continue to be announced in the coming weeks.

NEUROSIS Live Performances:

- 11/30-12/02/2012: ATP’s Nightmare Before Christmas – Camber Sands Holiday Camp, England
- 12/02/2012: HMV Forum – London, England w/ Godflesh

Related links:
Official Site of Neurosis
Neurosis on Facebook
Neurot Recordings
Neurot Recordings on Facebook

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

Black Skies Tour Wrap Up + Live Footage Posted!

Heavy Rock trio Black Skies recently returned from a 16-date North American tour. Commented the band in a collective statement:

"Thanks a ton to MAKE & Vaz for joining us on parts of this last run. Getting to play with bands you enjoy not only musically, but also as people really makes the whole experience that much better. Thanks also to all the venues, promoters, and other bands for helping make this such an enjoyable time. Thanks to Mother Nature for being cooperative and allowing us and our friends to travel safely. Most importantly, thanks to all of those who came to the shows and supported us by buying merch, giving us places to stay, etc. You are the reason we can do this.

"This was the last tour we'll be doing for a while, as we plan to take a break from touring over the next several months to focus on writing and other obligations not related to the band. With that in mind, having a good trip before this break was something very important to us, so thanks again to everyone who made it possible. We'll see you soon with new songs. Until then, take care and be good to each other!"

Black Skies have been tuning down and turning up since late 2005, constantly evolving their aural offerings of psychedelic sludge. With a combination of the foreboding heaviness of blues based proto-Metal, the spry attitude and approach of punk, and the dynamics of progressive rock, their songs often project a dark and urgent energy. The band's recently released On "The Wings Of Time" full-length is currently available on digital download cards included with the purchase of a limited edition, silk-screened poster. A CD version with alternate cover art is also available. Check the band's website for further info. You can also check out the record in its entirety below. Said Creative Loafing of On The Wings Of Time: "Black Skies play like an amped-up version of Sleep: think stoner Metal on a caffeine bender. It's visceral hard Rock defined by low-end, hypnotic riffing." Added The Kalidiaries: "On the Wings of Time is a head banging punk rock ear fest with a lovely heavy grunge Metal tinge... It's a loud cacophony of guitars with understated vocals. It's music to lose yourself in."



Here is some live footage of the band (courtesy of Dan Andrews of Trickledown Productions).





Related links:
Official site of Black Skies
Black Skies on Facebook
Black Skies on MySpace

Black Skies Check In From The Road + Live Song Posted!

North Carolina power trio Black Skies have been ravaging the North American masses since November 14th on their 2011 Fall tour excursion in support of the recently unleashed "On The Wings Of Time" full-length.

The band checks in from the tour van:

"The tour is going great! We've played some of our favorite venues, hit some new ones and had a great first time playing Canada! The crowd, promoters and venues in Montreal and Toronto were very welcoming and we look forward to going back! We've been playing songs off our new record for the most part including a tune we hadn't really played out live before and a May Blitz cover on some nights. It's been a blast being back out. Our friends Make from Chapel Hill were on the first half of the tour with us. It's been great to share the stage with these guys every night. They're an excellent band, and good, fun people to hang with. We joined up with Vaz in Montreal for a string of dates. It's time to take over Easthampton, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Annandale!"

BLACK SKIES - Fall Tour 2011 [remaining dates]:

- 11/26/2011: Flywheel Arts Collective in Easthampton, MA**
- 11/27/2011: St. Vitus in Brooklyn, NY**
- 11/28/2011: JRs in Philadelphia, PA**
- 11/29/2011: Cellar Door: Annandale, VA
** with Vaz

"On The Wings Of Time" is currently available at all shows on digital download cards included with the purchase of a limited edition, silk-screened poster. A CD version with alternate cover art is also available. To hear "On The Wings Of Time" in its entirety, check out the stream below.



In addition, you can check out a live recording from the band's first show of the tour at the Get Down in Asheville, North Carolina.




Related links:
Official site of Black Skies
Black Skies on Facebook
Black Skies on MySpace