Xasthur announces final album, Portal of Sorrow (yes, it's the one with Marissa Nadler)

By Jon Lorenz on

Xasthur announces final album, Portal of Sorrow (yes, it's the one with Marissa Nadler)

As Neil Young said, “It’s better to burn out then to fade away.” I usually hate this quote, especially when tied to that one guy who used to be in that really popular “alternative rock” band (Nirvana, I think they were called), but in this case, Malefic, a.k.a. Xasthur, is taking Young’s advice. Instead of going on for years on end, hashing out mediocre after mediocre recreations of previous records, Malefic has officially called it quits from music-making under his Xasthur moniker. “I’m not able to make it work anymore. I don’t want to turn into one of those bands who rely on too many guests and session musicians to make people interested in their music again.”

Not only has he given up the name, but he’s also given up on trying to change the face of “metal.” “There’s no use in trying to reinvent black metal or turn it upside down, it’s all been done and in the end, it’s still metal and will remain within those circles, stereotypes and boundaries no matter what.”

Good news is that Malefic isn’t giving up on playing music. In fact, he’s already working on a new project. “It’s a new beginning that I’m quite excited about. It’s probably of no interest to you and again, it has nothing to do with metal and I’m not trying to keep any connection or ties to it. I will not name influences, genres or anything of the sort.” Read the rest of Malefic’s explanation here.

With all this said, Malefic has decided to end things on a good note and release one final album, Portal of Sorrow, which features vocals from singer/songwriter Marissa Nadler, as we reported earlier. The album’s out now on Xasthur’s own Disharmonic Variations label and will be released on vinyl in June on Hydra Head.

Portal of Sorrow tracklisting:

01. Portal of Sorrow
02. Broken Glass Christening
03. Shrine of Failure
04. Stream of Subconsciousness
05. Karma/Death
06. Horizon of Plastic Caskets
07. Mesmerized by Misery
08. This Abyss Holds the Mirror
09. Mourning Tomorrow
10. Miscarriage of the Soul
11. Obeyer’s of their own Deaths
12. Released from this Earth
13. The Darkest Light
14. hiver de glace

• Xasthur: http://xasthur.mercurous.net
• Hydra Head: http://www.hydrahead.com

Frog Eyes have fans gather around Paul’s Tomb this summer

By Harold Shueberg on Apr 5 2010

For those of you who are unaware of the spastic music opera that is going to be Paul’s Tomb: A Triumph, the upcoming death-yell from Victoria, British Columbia’s Frog Eyes, well, now you do. Trust me, I would have a field trip describing my giddiness over this thing. Unfortunately, that’s not what this little post is all about. (Plus, that can all be inquired out elsewhere.) Instead, I’m informing you that Frog Eyes, being so conveniently located geographically, will be leading a procession of the dead throughout the US beginning late May. Not only that, but a few lucky Canadians will even get to see them play, as they’ve set a whopping three dates in their home country. Way to represent, guys. I suppose venturing down south was a bit of a stretch as well. Maybe next time (cough)?

They are playing with Beach Fossils on a few dates though. Gotta give ‘em some props for that.

05.22.10 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe
05.23.10 - Portland, OR - Holocene*
05.25.10 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Crepe Place*
05.27.10 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah*
05.28.10 - Los Angeles, CA - Echo*
05.29.10 - San Francisco, CA - The Hemlock Tavern*
06.10.10 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry #
06.11.10 - Madison, WI - The Frequency #
06.12.10 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern #
06.13.10 - Pontiac, MI - The Pike Room at Crofoot Ballroom #
06.15.10 - Toronto, ON - Music Gallery Courtyard #
06.16.10 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks #
06.17.10 - Montreal, QC - Il Motore #
06.18.10 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs #&
06.19.10 - New York, NY - The Mercury Lounge #&
06.22.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie #&
06.23.10 - Washington, DC - DC9 #&
06.24.10 - Columbus, OH - The Summit #
06.25.10 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop #
06.26.10 - St. Louis, MO - Luminary #

* Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
# Pearly Gate Music
& Beach Fossils

• Frog Eyes: http://www.myspace.com/frogeyes
• Dead Oceans: http://www.deadoceans.com

Mono Tour Every Inch of North America with The Twilight Sad

By Harold Shueberg on Apr 5 2010

Despite what music critics have to say, post-rock is not dead, and Japanese instrumental crew Mono are leaving the shores of their home turf in order to prove this. Starting in late April, the band will be bringing their notoriously bombastic live show to almost every conceivable city in North America with Scottish indie rock act The Twilight Sad in tow. This particular trip across the states is in support of Mono’s upcoming live release on Temporary Residence Limited, Holy Ground: NYC Live with The Wordless Music Orchestra, which will be in stores April 27. You should probably try to catch this.

All dates with The Twilight Sad:

04.30.10 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
05.01.10 - Dallas, TX - The Loft
05.03.10 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
05.04.10 - Tucson, AZ - Plush
05.05.10 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
05.06.10 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
05.07.10 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
05.08.10 - San Francisco, CA - Slim’s
05.10.10 - Portland, OR - Berbati’s Pan
05.11.10 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
05.12.10 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
05.14.10 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
05.15.10 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater
05.17.10 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room
05.19.10 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
05.20.10 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
05.21.10 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall Ballroom
05.22.10 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
05.23.10 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
05.24.10 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
05.25.10 - Pittsburgh, PA - Brillobox
05.26.10 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace
05.27.10 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
05.28.10 - Boston, MA - Middle East Downstairs
05.29.10 - Milford, CT - Daniel Street
05.30.10 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
06.01.10 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
06.02.10 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
06.04.10 - Durham, NC - North State Sound
06.05.10 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade (Hell Stage)
06.07.10 - Nashville, TN - Exit In
06.08.10 - Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone Cafe
06.09.10 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon

• Mono: http://www.mono-jpn.com
• Temporary Residence: http://temporaryresidence.com
• The Twilight Sad: http://thetwilightsadblog.blogspot.com

The Dutchess and The Duke make clear their place in the pecking order, tour with The New Pornographers, The Dodos

By Erika H on Apr 5 2010

We’ve told you about The New Pornographers tour (TMT report) but c’mon, The Dutchess and The Duke deserve a little attention too. This June, Dutchess and Duke both join forces with The New Pornographers (nominally, monarchial nobility meets modern ignobility) and The Dodos, who are still reeling from the hype of their debut album Time to Die (TMT review) (and the Miller Chills that followed; see commercial). As far as we know, The Dutchess and The Duke will still be promoting their second album, Sunset/Sunrise, recorded with The Gris Gris’ Greg Ashley and released by Hardly Art last October. Duke puns will ensue.

06.11.10 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
06.12.10 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater #
06.13.10 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall #
06.15.10 - Toronto, ON - The Sound Academy #
06.17.10 - Montreal, QC - Le National #
06.18.10 - Boston, MA - House of Blues #
06.19.10 - New York, NY - Terminal 5 #
06.21.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theatre #
06.22.10 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
06.23.10 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
06.25.10 - Chapel Hill, NC - Memorial Hall at UNC #
06.26.10 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse #
06.27.10 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom #

# The New Pornographers, The Dodos

• The Dutchess and The Duke: http://myspace.com/thedutchessandtheduke
• Hardly Art: http://hardlyart.com

Synth washes across America! Jonas Reinhardt tours with Trans Am, Nice Nice

By E. Nagurney on Apr 5 2010

If there’s one issue people of all political stripes can agree on, it’s this: America needs more synthesizers. Thankfully, Kranky artist Jonas Reinhardt has got our backs by making his synths gurgle and wash and bubble all over this fine country. The man is supporting his very recently released sophomore record, Powers of Audition, which follows his self-titled debut from 2008 (TMT Review). And while Reinhardt may wield his synths mightily, he’s also getting some help from his buddies Trans Am and Nice Nice. With a crew like this, no city will be untouched by the powerful synthesizer. Well, except the ones they’re not playing at.

Jonas Reinhardt with Trans Am and Nice Nice dates:

04.15.10 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
04.16.10 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
04.17.10 - New York, NY - Santo’s Party House
04.18.10 - Brooklyn, NY - Market Hotel
04.19.10 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
04.20.10 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa
04.21.10 - Toronto, ON - Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
04.22.10 - Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom
04.23.10 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle

• Jonas Reinhardt: http://www.jonasreinhardt.com
• Kranky: http://www.kranky.net

Best friends forever! Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley go on tour together

By E. Nagurney on Apr 5 2010

One’s a New York rap legend. One’s the son of the most popular reggae artist of all time. Against all odds, they’ve become best friends forever! Yes, Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley don’t seem to have a lot in common, but, hey, you probably have friends who are nothing like you, too. Of course, we already knew Nas and Marley were buds, due to their forthcoming collaborative record Distant Relatives (out May 18), but we didn’t know they liked each other to spend the whole summer together. Turns out that’s exactly what they’re going to do, as the two are bringing their Distant Relatives jam to stage on a tour bearing the same name. Get ready for a summer of bromance.

Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley dates:

05.02.10 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sunfest
05.21.10 - Arcata, CA - Arcata Community Center
05.22.10 - Eugene, OR - Cuthbert Amphitheater
05.23.10 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Sodo
05.25.10 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theater
05.26.10 - Santa Barbara, CA - University of California, Santa Barbara
05.28.10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
05.30.10 - Valley Center, CA - Harrah’s Rincon - Open Sky Theater
05.31.10 - Los Angeles, CA - UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival
06.02.10 - Santa Fe, NM - Paolo Soleri Amphiteatre
06.08.10 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
06.09.10 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s Waller Creek Outdoor Amphiteater
06.11.10 - Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Music Festival
06.12.10 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
06.13.10 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
06.27.10 - Brussels, BE - Couleur Cafe Festival
06.28.10 - Paris, FR - Paris Hip Hop Festival
07.01.10 - Arendal, NO - Hovefestival
07.03.10 - Cologne, DE - Summerjam
07.04.10 - Gdynia, PL - Heineken Opener Festival
07.06.10 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega
07.07.10 - Hultsfred, SE - Hultsfred Festival
07.09.10 - Montreux Vaud, CH - Montreux Jazz Festival
07.11.10 - Rotterdam, NE - Holland North Sea Jazz
07.13.10 - Hamburg, DE - Stadtpark
07.14.10 - Munich, DE - Tollwood Festival
07.16.10 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Academy
07.17.10 - Dublin, IE - Tripod
o7.20.10 - Hammersmith, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
07.23.10 - Gräfenhainichen, DE - Splash Festival
07.31.10 - Brooklyn, NY - Williamsburg Waterfront
08.01.10 - Bridgeport, CT - Gathering of The Vibes Festival

• Nas: http://www.myspace.com/nas
• Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley: http://www.myspace.com/damianmarley

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