Sonic Blast

The band formed in 1998 and apart from Matt Pike it consisted of drummer Des Kensel and bassist George Rice. The members were strongly influenced by thrash artists like Slayer as well as doom metal bands such as Napalm Death, Obituary, Venom, and Black Sabbath. High on Fire took the mystical themes prevalent in Sleep’s music, but adapted them to a harsher and more heavy tonal style. The group released their studio debut album “The Art of Self Defense” in 2000 through Man’s Ruin Records. Southern Lords reissued the album in 2012 and included the Celtic Forest cover “The Usurper”.

The group’s sophomore album “Surrounded by Thieves” came out in 2002 through Relapse Records. Though their 1st album received high acclaim “Surrounded by Thieves” was considered a drastic improvement and is often recognized as one of the best metal albums of 2002. The song “Hung, Drawn and Quartered” was used to promote the LPs release and was included on a 7” split with Mastodon’s “March of the Fire Ants”. Bassist George Rice left the band after it’s release and was later replaced by ex-Melvin’s member Joe Preston.

Preston only appeared on the band’s 3rd album “Blessed Black Wings” before being replaced by Jeff Matz. Their 4th studio album hit the record stores in September 2007 and was declared a critical success upon release. Like its predecessor it featured lyrics inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and additionally referenced the works of David Icke and the Bible. The group toured extensively through 2007 and 2008 in support of this album and played alongside artists like Mono, Panthers, Opeth, Baroness, and Nachtmystium. By the end of 2008 High on Fire signed a recording contract with Kosh Records and in the fall of 2009 they embarked on yet another tour (this time with Mastodon, Dethlok, and Converge).

In early 2010 the band put out their 5th studio album “Snakes for the Divine”, which was produced by acclaimed sound engineer Greg Fidelman (Black Sabbath, Metallica, System of a Down etc...). This year also saw the band opening for Metallica for several of their shows in Europe. Their 6th studio album “De Vermis Mysteriis” came out on 3 April 2012. It is considered a time travel concept album and closely resembles the narrative of the TV show “Quantum Leap” though not intentionally.

Featuring the members Hank Von Helvete (lead vocals), Euroboy (lead guitar), Happy Tim (bassist), Rune Rebellion (rhythm guitar), Pål Pot Pamparius (keyboards/percussion) and Chris Summers (drums), Turbonegro slowly built up steam throughout the 90s, finding success and global popularity in the latter half of the decade, garnering a strong cult following. They had released four albums prior but it was 1998’s “Apocalypse Dudes,” released on Virgin Records, that brought Turbonegro a large audience, peaking at number 20 in the Norwegian charts. Their blend of 70s US punk and rock & roll found fans across Europe and the US, with Turbonegro embarking on an extensive touring schedule in support of the album, playing sold-out shows across the continent.

However, with their hedonistic lifestyle and volatility, fractures in the group began to emerge, hampered also by drug addiction. The band decided to go on a hiatus in 1999, releasing a posthumous live album, “Darkness Forever!” as a celebration of their wild career. However, Turbonegro were to return in 2002, finding still, a loyal following and huge interest in the band.

They signed a new record contract with Burning Heart Records and embarked on a US tour in 2003, reigniting interest in the band. They released a new album that same year, titled “Scandinavian Leather,” which charted well in several European countries. This as followed by 2005’s “Party Animals” and “Retox” in 2007, continuing to place in the top 50 in several countries. In 2011, Turbonegro parted ways with drummer Summers and frontman Von Helmet, recruiting Tony Sylvester and Tommy Akerholdt in their place. Their ninth album, “Sexual Harassment,” was released in 2012.

The band began in 1990, with the members brought together by their shared love of punk, whose popularity had begun to decline after hair metal, synth pop and new wave began to top the charts. The band’s lineup has seen constant changes throughout their career, with Jorge Herrera being the only long lasting member. It was not until 1991 that the band managed to stabilise enough to record their first EP, “40 Ounce Casualty.”

After this release, The Casualties toured heavily, building a loyal following in their hometown of NYC, US. Further lineup changes occurred and it was another three years, in 1994, that the band were to release another record, their second EP, “Drinking Is Our Way of Life.” This EP never saw a formal release but it was incorporated into their retrospective “Early Years: 1990-1995” which came out in 1999.

In 1996, they travelled to London, UK to perform at the Sun Festival. From here they started to build fans in the UK, expanding their fan base. In 1997, their debut full-length, “For The Punx” was released, followed by an extensive tour in support, opening for the band, The Varukers.

The Casualties constantly toured throughout the next decade, travelling all across the US and Europe. In 2000 and 2001, they released the albums, “Who’s In Control?” and “Stay Out of Order,” before moving to Side One Dummy Records to release “Die Hards.” These albums helped build the band’s popularity, eventually building to achieving a main stage slot on the Vans Warped Tour. Moving to the Season of Mist record label, they released their ninth album, “Resistance” in 2012.

Forming from the ashes of two D.C based bands called The Impossible Five and Colour, the first incarnation of Dead Meadow was formed by guitarist and vocalist Jason Simon, bassist Steve Kille and drummer Mark Laughlin. With their seamless combination of prime 70's heavy metal , 60's psychedelia and lyrics cribbed from Tolkien and Lovecraft, the band signed to Fugazi bassist Joe Lally's record label Tolotta Records in 2000, a mere two years after they formed. Their self-titled debut album followed in the same year, which was so acclaimed that BBC Radio One legend John Peel asked them to record a session for his evening radio show. However, as the band couldn't afford to fly to London and record it, Dead Meadow became the first band in the session's 37 year history to record their session outside of the BBC's studios.

2001 saw the release of their second album “Howls From The Hills” and after the release of their live album “Got Live If You Want It” in 2002, the band signed to Matador Records in 2003, making them labelmates with the likes of Pavement, Guided By Voices and Belle and Sebastian. Ever since then, the band have remained one of the most consistent acts in stoner rock, with seven acclaimed studio albums to their name and a live show that could knock anyone for six. They've earned the respect of the likes of The Brian Jonestown Massacre's Anton Newcombe (no easy feat) and inspired acts like Wolfmother, who reinterpreted the Dead Meadow track “Everything's Goin' On” as “Pilgrim” on their second album “Cosmic Egg”. They're still going from strength to strength over a decade and a half after forming, and for that, Dead Meadow come highly recommended.