Thursday, March 31, 2011

New Stuff. Lots and lots of totally awesome new stuff. Clouds, Discordance Axis, Neurosis, Oxbow, Prurient

Saturday, April 16th, is Record Store Day. Its like a great big present for anyone involved with creating, making, selling or buying records.  Stores get to sell a lot of albums, fans go bananas and labels, well obviously we're totally loving it all right about now! When else could we release five titles on the same day and not have a mild panic attack?  Last year we put our toe in slightly (Melvins orange box set on black vinyl), for November's Black Friday we got in right up to our knees (Daughters 's/t' LP, Harvey Milk 's/t' 2xLP, Cave In 'Anomalies' LP), and this year we we're pinching our nose and going full on submerged.  We've got 5 titles scheduled, all of which we have received an overwhelming response to.  In fact, they are each oversold via our distributers to a degree where we're still having a hard time believing.  So, for you diehards out there, here's the full rundown.  Today at noon west coast time we'll be putting up pre-orders for the 5 titles via our online shop.  Since RSD is about physical retail stores, we have limited quantities available of these titles through our online store.  Over the coming two weeks, in advance of RSD, we'll put together a full list of US stores that have ordered, and will be receiving, our titles for April 16th.  If you don't get in on today's pre-order for something you'd like, then go old school and get in touch with your local record store.  You know, tell 'em how much you love Hydra Head Records, and how they really need to be carrying our records;)  And, without further ado, here's the jams: 


Waaaaay back in '08, after a year supporting the likes of Torche and Boris across the US, Clouds dropped these four jams to tape like it wasn't no thing.  These perennial staff favorites hit us right where it hurts when they called it quits just after this session…but with sadness comes recovery…and so, thankfully, we've got these final four for all enternity.  Still present here are the rumbling low-strung guitars, up-tempo drum blasts, and raw throated harmonies as showcased in the bands earlier recordings, but also apparent is a more complex layering of melody and focused composition.  Includes free mp3 download.  Limited one time vinyl pressing.

There are certain records that pass almost immediately into legend from the moment they are created. Discordance Axis' third full length album "The Inalienable dreamless" is one such record. Though previously heralded as one of grindcore's leading lights, this album sent the band sailing far beyond that horizon into the stratosphere of deities, to dole out punishment from on high to the puny mortals who groveled below. It was voted Decibel Magazine's #12 'Greatest Metal Albums of the Decade'.  First time on vinyl since 2000!  Members went on to Gridlink, Hayaino Daisuki and Municipal Waste.


Having built their legacy on a series of formidable full lengths that have garnered both critical praise and a level of success massive in relation to the world from whence they came, Neurosis' "Sovereign" EP has become something of a lost classic. Recorded by Steve Albini in the same sessions as the now classic "Times of Grace"  album, this collection of songs could hardly be considered a set of cast offs from the album proper, but rather a succinct and powerful statement on par with, and perhaps even exceeding its counterpart. While the band had never shied away from experimentation and purposeful steps on a path of progression, "Sovereign" contains some of their darkest and strangest material, as well as their most melodic and spacious. First time on vinyl since 2001! Album artwork by our mainman, Aaron Turner!


Their long out of print sophomore release, available now in all its remastered and repackaged glory…and arguable even truer to the beast Oxbow had in mind when they recorded it two decades ago.  'King of the Jews' marks the second in Hydra Head's lovingly currated Oxbow catalog reissue campaign.  This LP comes correct with a free mp3 download for the album as well as several recently uncovered (and lovingly mastered!) bonus tracks from the album's original source tapes.  Limited one time vinyl pressing. This one may ship a bit late, just fyi.


Lead off anti-single from Hydra Head's favorite new obsession. Non-album version of first track from Prurient's Hydra Head debut, 'Bermuda Drain', backed with it's raw raw raw demo counterpart (recorded as a collaborative work with Cold Cave's Wes Eisold).  We can clearly hear the echoes of Prurient's howling past, but are also faced with something perhaps even more unsettling - that being the territory of the unknown present and its indication of possible futures. Combining harsh strands of electronic noise and distorted vocals with more overtly melodic lines and forms, Fernow has not only grown beyond his initial set of ideas, but also beyond the confines of genre norms. Full length out July 2010. Limited one time vinyl pressing.





Kayo Dot's Toby Driver Breaks Down "Stained Glass"


ASCAP has an excellent, in depth write up on Kayo Dot's latest, Stained Glass, written by Toby Driver.  Head over to their website here to check it out. 

And make sure to check out Kayo Dot in concert:
4/23 New York, NY @ Webster Hall Studio w/ Gnaw, Retro Grave (Buy Tickets)

You can also get a physical copy of Stained Glass here.  It will be available digitally on April 26th.


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

GRIDLINK Karaoke Video Winner!


Jon Chang emailed us to let us know his choice for the winner of the Gridlink - Orphan Karaoke Video Contest:

"The Carpet Remains guys with the guitar players and the peeps. That shit just rules LOL"

Congrats, guys! You just won an Orphan/Amber Grey LP test press and some other goodies! Here's the winning entry:



You can see the original karaoke video, as well as the other entries in the comments for the original contest blog post.


Buy GRIDLINK - Orphan CD, Digital
Buy GRIDLINK - Orphan / Amber Grey LP at your local record store (it sold out in our webstore during preorder!)


Mamiffer / Demian Johnston split cassette OUT NOW!

We are excited to announce (and to have our hands on) the super-limited MAMIFFER / DEMIAN JOHNSTON split cassette. Only 110 copies in existence, designed and assembled by Mamiffer's own Faith Coloccia. Pick it up from Real Tomato Ketchup or BCD.





Mamiffer on this Recording: 
Faith Coloccia 
Aaron Turner 
with: 
Alex Barnett (Oakeater)
Demian Johnston on this Recording: 
Demian Johnston
New material from Mamiffer recorded post-Mare Decendrii. One long 18 minute piece - organ, voice, guitar and field recordings. 2 new tracks from Demian Johnston - guitar, metal desk and drones. Comes in an oversized box with 13 photo prints and Cyrillic text made / designed by Faith Coloccia. Limited to 110 copies.
Track Listing: 
1. Mamiffer - Dead Settlers 
2. Demian Johnston - Kallikantzaros 
3. Demian Johnston - Sawdust and Old

Also, pick up Mamiffer - Mare Decendrii. It is good. The CD hasn't left Sugarbear's car since he got it.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

BUZZOV-EN 'Revelation: Sick Again' Available Today!

A decade of dust didn't damage this one a bit.  'Revelation: Sick Again' sees the light of day...TODAY...on CD/LP/Digital.  Nice!


Gridlink 'Orphan' Available Today!

The grindcore album of the year, and its only the end of March.  Available today for all y'all that didn't already pre-order it...which was a literal boatload of you! Diehards, one and all, thank you...and enjoy!  (on CD/LP/Digital)

Benefit for Japan: Mamiffer/HOLC/Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang





A last minute show with Mamiffer/House of Low Culture/Jessika Kenney & Eyvind Kang benefitting relief efforts in Japan is now confirmed: April 5th at the Arabica Lounge in Seattle. If you live in the area, please attend. Thank you.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Kayo Dot's Toby Driver Live on the Radio



THIS SUNDAY! March 27, between 11PM and 1AM (Eastern Time!!!), Kayo Dot's Toby Driver will be doing a live, on-air interview with Lincoln, Nebraska's KZUM radio - the interview will be streaming live online at this web address: http://www.kzum.org/

Then, the very next night, on Monday, March 28, Jeff "Oly" Olson from Trouble and Retro Grave will host Toby on his internet radio show, "HEADY METAL WITH JEFF OLSON" - please listen in, it was a great interview! 

http://www.headymetalwithjeffolson.com/fr_home.cfm 

This will be followed by a concert: Saturday, April 23rd @ Webster Hall Studio with Gnaw (ex-Khanate) and Retro Grave (ex-Trouble)!!!
This is Retro Grave's debut show! 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

CAVE IN Tour Dates! May 2011.

Our favorite band that starts with a 'CAVE' and ends in an 'IN' just announced three new headlining shows on the way to and from their Krazy Fest 2011 appearance this May.  Support slots TBA.  


Word on the street is that they'll have a brand spankin' new LP and CD littering their merch table....but more on that later.  


We is excited like its 1998!



5/19 New York NY @ Santos Party House
5/20 Pittsburgh @ The Altar Bar  
5/21 Louisville, KY @ Expo 5 (Krazy Fest) 
5/22 Wash DC @ The Black Cat 

Monday, March 21, 2011

GRIDLINK - Orphan Karaoke Entries

The GRIDLINK - "Orphan" Karaoke video contest submission deadline is TOMORROW! Upload your video and post the link in the comments on the original contest blog post. There's an Orphan/Amber Grey LP test press (and more!) in it for the winner (chosen by Jon Chang himself!).

Here are the latest entries:



Friday, March 18, 2011

HARKONEN shows this weekend + 'The Grizz' Digital EP. $1.99 today!

Yep, that'd be two days of HARKONEN obsession for us.  And that'd be two days of discount HARKONEN albums for you...nice!

Catche 'em while you can...who knows when they'll play again (soon we hope...and in LA would be nice too):
3/18 Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown w/ Lozen, Dog Shredder
3/19 Tacoma, WA @ Top of Tacoma w/ Helms Alee, Swayze




Thursday, March 17, 2011

HARKONEN 'Shake Harder Boy' Digital Album. $2.99 today!

We have been tooooootally geeking out on this album all morning. Can someone please give us a bunch of money so we can finally press it on vinyl? We just put it up on our digital store for $2.99 (.27 cents a song! Those are parking meter prices right there, folks!) today because if you haven't heard it you need too! Featuring Ben Verellen, who has gone on to yet another high-end North West crusher, Helms Alee.









Tuesday, March 15, 2011

BUZZOV-EN premiere song on Noisecreep!

The Buzzov-en track, "Drying Out", from the long delayed, and now finally scheduled-for-release, album 'Revelation: Sick Again' gets its full fledged online premiere today from our dear friends at Noisecreep. In case there was any uncertainty as to the meaning behind the song, main man Kirk Fischer confirms that 'the use of chemicals' had something to do with it's creation...

You can check it out here and now on Noisecreep
.







Pre-order the 'Revelation: Sick Again' CD, LP and shirt from the Hydra Head Shop.  The album will be in-stores March 29th.

Mamiffer "Mare Decendrii" out today


Hydra Head alumni Mamiffer have a new album that came out today. It's called "Mare Decendrii". It's real good. These people seem to think so as well: AlarmCMJbrainwashed.comStaticBlow the SceneThe 1st Five.... If you want to order the CD online go here. LP version is experiencing a minor delay, but will be available shortly.

Monday, March 14, 2011

GRIDLINK premiere song on Noisecreep!

GRIDLINK have premiered the full version of their song "Orphan" from their upcoming album of the same name on Noisecreep.com. Enjoy!



Perhaps Jon Chang's vocals will inspire your entry for the Karaoke Video Contest? Submissions must be in by March 22nd.

Pre-order the Orphan CD and limited shirt from the Hydra Head Shop. The LP pre-order already sold out(!) but your local store can still order it from Redeye Distribution. Please go tell them to.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

New RTK Items - Jesu Hoodie, Shirt, last Pelican box!

A couple new Jesu items and the very last Pelican wooden box that we have, now available at www.realtomatoketchup.com.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

LUSTMORD Live in NYC, April 2011 Trailer

Lustmord NY 2011 Teaser from Lustmord on Vimeo.

BUZZOV-EN 'Revelation: Sick Again' LP/CD Pre-order

It is safe to say that we can't believe this day has arrived.

This album, for a number of reasons, has been sitting unreleased for well over a decade. We're pleased as punch to announce today that 'Revelation: Sick Again' is finally available for pre-order on LP/CD!

The album is officially released on LP/CD/Digital on March 29th, 2011.

For you vinyl nerds...the pressing is 1000 units on 3 colors of vinyl (including black).



It's been said many times over that suffering can render magnificent, if sometimes horrifying, results when skillfully transmuted into image, word or song. Th is maxim might be a good summation of the existence of Buzzov•en who have notoriously lived the most extreme facets of the rock n' roll lifestyle - drug addiction, rehab, relapse, jail, break ups, reunions. Th rough all this they managed to produce some of the most beautifully damaged music since Black Flag's descent into the nihilistic abyss of My War. Straddling the lines of metal, doom and filthy hardcore, Buzzov•en still stand as a significant pillar of the 90's underground alongside other such disfigured anomalies (and occasional touring partners) Eyehategod and Neurosis. Their gait may have occasionally faltered due to some of the aforementioned obstacles, but in the first decade of their existence Buzzov•en revealed remarkable consistency, creating an ever growing procession of nightmarish, skull-scraping albums and EPs.

Th ough not surprising given their dysfunctional history, the premature burial of their last studio album due to legal entanglements was yet another frustrating occurrence in a long line of minor and major catastrophes for the band. Written and recorded under a selfdescribed period of "exhaustion, drug-induced confusion and frustration" their music once again managed to flourish despite (or perhaps because of ) the adverse circumstances under which it was created. Revelation: Sick Again is classic Buzzov•en, replete with blistering Sabbath-ian riffing, throat torn eulogies to the narcotically oppressed, and monumental gutter dwelling dirges. Over the course of the albums' eight tracks the untidy trio unfurl their tentacles reaching into the dim recesses of human existence to pull forth yet another grizzled portrait of life gone horribly wrong. Previously available only to bootleg diehards and internet trolls in inferior incarnations, this long lingering blackened gem has finally been disinterred for the world at large and properly presented in all its ragged filthy glory.

“ CHO I C E P R E S S QU OT E S ” _________________________
"Buzzov•en left bloody noses, broken mic stands, and irate club owners in their wake, in what has been described as Sherman's March to the Sea during the Civil War." - Exclaim

“ They were only together for about a decade, but the chaotic legacy of North Carolinian sludge bastards Buzzov•en endures even as no one since has been able to capture quite the same level of fuck you-itude that seemed to come so naturally from vocalist/guitarist Kirk Fisher and the sundry musicians with which he surrounded himself throughout the band’s tenure.” - StonerRock.com

T R A C K L I S T I N G ________________________________________
1. Never Again (S.F.)
2. Symptom
3. Drying Out
4. Break Me Off
5. Locked Up
6. Junkie
7. Lose
8. Porch

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Mamiffer "Mare Decendrii" pre-order up






























The CD version of the Mamiffer "Mare Decendrii" album is now available for pre-order. Interested parties may investigate here.

Thank you.

Unreleased Austerity Program track on Metalsucks comp

The Austerity Program says:


As we get settled into starting to write our next record, we took one song from the Black Madonna recording session that didn't make it onto the record and gave it to our friends at Metalsucks.net for a free compilation they did.  They've put the song on as part of the comp and it's available for download for a little while.  The song is called "Song 6" and we actually wrote it a long time ago.  It never found a proper home, and now it's got one.  
More info here: http://bit.ly/gB3B4X


It's part of the NYC Sucks compilation, and can be streamed or downloaded for free from Metalsucks.net


Wednesday, March 02, 2011

First Gridlink Karaoke Entry

Currently occupying the top of the heap (by default) in the Gridlink Karaoke Contest is Dillon Ashcroft (with some help from Tim Iweerks). Watch his entry below then get cracking on your own. We need grindcore related entertainment around the office. Otherwise Mark starts watching Willow Smith on Oprah.





Also, check out his music as Machinoir
http://www.myspace.com/machinoir


You can order/preorder Gridlink stuff in the Hydra Head Shop.



Steve Brodsky's Still Life cover on Exploding In Sound Comp

Steve Brodsky lent an unreleased cover to Exploding in Sound's free, new, digital compilation, Battery Acid Audio. He is in pretty good company on there (Marnie Stern, J Mascis...) so go give it a listen.



"it's my version of 'sometimes' by still life, an old emocore favorite... emphasis on CORE."

steve