The Chicago scene has always been known for its gritty and honest punk rock defined by bands like Naked Raygun, Screeching Weasel, and 88 Fingers Louie. Newcomers ALL EYES WEST, no strangers themselves to the Chicago scene, are continuing in its great tradition with the release of their self-titled debut LP on Jump Start Records. All Eyes West came together in the summer of 2010 and is lead by vocalist/bassist Justin Miller’s emotionally charged lyrics which have been a signature to bands like Signsedso and indie rockers Hinter. Guitarist Jeff Dean is known for the sound that has defined bands like The Bomb(with Jeff Pezzati of Naked Raygun) , Noise By Numbers, and Explode And Make Up. In a relatively short amount of time the band has managed to build an impressive resume, touring both the US & UK, playing with bands like OFF!, Alkaline Trio, Seaweed, Bob Mould, Samiam, Rival Schools, Braid, and Amusement Parks on Fire. The band’s self-titled effort was recorded at Million Yen Studios by guitarist Jeff Dean and mastered by Jon Drew (Tokyo Police Club, Fucked Up). On it, the band pays homage to 90’s rock giants like Swervedriver, Drive Like Jehu, Jawbreaker, and Fugazi while garnering comparisons to bands like Seaweed, Husker Du and early Foo Fighters.
At the outermost fringe of the universe, far beyond the range of sentient thought, they were born. Four beings, spawned forth from the unholy union of dark matter and the semen of God. For eons they have grown powerful beyond comprehension, enveloping stars, entire solar systems, with their presence. They have eaten suns. They have shat galaxies. They have tasted the sweat of the purest virgins.
The collective consciousness of the demigods has encompassed all of time and space. Knowledge of the dawning of life and of six different apocalypses fills their minds. Their gargantuan and pulsating influence yet expands, even to the mortal realm, silently but swiftly penetrating the spongy and waiting minds of the human race. Women lie with their clothes rended from their bodies, their naked flesh exposed and their minds rotted, maniacal babble exploding from their lips. They speak of lands undreamed, creatures blacker than the deepest abyss, and a name: Baldor…
Split Heaven is one of the most important upcoming promises Heavy Metal has to show to the world. They combine thundering speed, ’80s metal riffs (we all miss), battles of solos and high pitched vocals to create a vicious monster ready to bite, infect and spread the word of Heavy Metal. These five amigos from Mexico are ready to make you scream.
Pedro Zelbohr and Tomas Roitman formed the band in 2005. After one year, now with two new members: Eli Valenzuela & Carlo “Taii” Hernández, Split Heaven recorded a demo called R.I.P, which gave life to this Mexican heavy metal act.
In 2007, the band recorded a second demo, which was released in a limited edition by Asenath Records of Monterrey, México. With this recording, the band started to make noise in the Mexican scene, being the supporting band for Hammerfall (Sweden), Rata Blanca (Argentina) & L.A Guns (U.S.A).
Being not 100% satisfied with their sound, Split Heaven decides to add a new member, Armand “Hank” Ramos, and in 2008 Blower Records offers a contract for the first full-length album which is “Psycho Samurai” and was released in July of the same year in a show with U.S Metal bands: At War & Agent Steel.
In 2009, Split Heaven won the Mexican Metal Battle contest of Wacken Festival, which took place in Mexico City at Circo Volador venue. With this, they received the opportunity to represent México in the 2009 Metal Battle at Wacken Open Air, on its 20th Anniversary, being the first Mexican band ever to perform in this festival. In the same year, High Roller Records (Germany) acquires the license of “Psycho Samurai” and releases the LP in a limited edition on February of 2010.
In July of 2010, the band got invited to play in Brazil, sharing stage with Brazilian and American bands of the German label Pure Steel Records and after this, the label signed the Mexican maniacs releasing their new album “Street Law” in April of 2011. In the same month, Skol Records releases a tribute album of Metalucifer, which Split Heaven took part of.
The band have played in Mexico with some of the most important bands in the worldwide metal scene, such as: Hammerfall, Paul Di’ Anno, L.A Guns, Rata Blanca, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Brainstorm, among others, and is one of the strongest heavy metal bands in their country.
In 2012 Split Heaven is attending to their first European Tour, playing at Swordbrothers Festival in Germany together with other shows in the german territory and visiting countries like Holland and Belgium, metalizing the heavy metal maniacs around the old continent!
We are Smash Potater from the desolate wastelands of Aurora, Illinois. We attempt to write memorable music tailored for moshing and prefer to mock typical thrash cliches rather than embrace them. We have conquered the small rural area known as Chicago and are now setting our sites on the rest of the world. Fire up the grills and bust out the Arizona because shit’s about to get real. Aww here it goes…..
Formed in Toronto, Ontario in 2005, THE CREEPSHOW has redefined the saying “No Rest For The Wicked”. Since their inception, the band has brought their genre-defying blend of country-tinged, psycho punk rock n’ roll to over 25 countries worldwide with plans to conquer many more as soon as possible. Fronted by the fiery Sarah Blackwood (guitar/vox) and backed by the swarthy Sean “Sick Boy” McNab (stand-up bass/vox), The Reverend McGinty (sermons/organ/vox) and the righteous Sandro Sanchioni on drums, THE CREEPSHOW is an explosion of live energy that is a tasty treat for the ears and eyes alike.
THE CREEPSHOW’s passion for touring is borderline obsessive-compulsive. They have an incredibly personal dedication to their fans and their live show that is nothing short of astounding. Watching their set is a full frontal assault on all your senses and you definitely have to stay on your toes when you’re at one of their shows. You never know when or if Sarah might decide jump off Sean’s stand-up bass and launch herself across the stage or drop a size 6 TUK creeper upside the head of unruly photographers. THE CREEPSHOW have shared the stage with countless awesome bands including Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Eagles Of Death Metal, Faith No More, Tiger Army, The Unseen, Alexis On Fire, Agnostic Front, Paramore, Janes Addiction, Mad Sin and have appeared on killer touring fests like Warped Tour, Ink n’ Iron, Festival Of Fear, Mighty Sounds, Rebellion and Australia’s Soundwave Festival.
Dead Bundy and the Neat Neat Neats is a psychobilly powerhouse hailing from Minneapolis Minnesota. They boast an explosive live show, and the songs to back it up. Not interested in fashion or make believe monsters, Dead Bundy is a real rock n’ roll band. Plain and simple. With three records under their belt, numerous american tours from California to New york, opening up for bands like Koffin Kats, Lee Rocker (Stray Cats), Goddamn Gallows, Jayke Orvis, Wayne The Train, The Creepshow, and more. Dead Bundy hasn’t slowed down yet, and have no plans to.
Connecticut’s Twitch The Ripper is the brainchild of singer/songwriters Jon Dobyns and Lonn. The two hung up their coats from performing nationally and internationally in hardcore / punk bands together in 2009, desperately in need of a fresh outlet and a change of pace. The synth pop duo self released a demo/EP followed soon after by their first full length. This was the Bodiless LP, which received praise from multiple media outlets. Fearnet hailed,” it’s their moody, ’80s-influenced melodies and vocals that tie the whole package together, and that element has led many listeners to compare them favorably with the post-punk icons of that decade, including New Order and Depeche Mode. Not too shabby for a band that’s only been on the scene for a couple of years.” Within weeks of the release of Bodiless, and regional shows with Nitzer Ebb, Xiu Xiu and The Birthday Massacre, TTR was selected to open for industrial legends, My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult and 16Volt on a full national tour. From there, Jon and Lonn stayed on the road throughout the next few months supporting their record and soon to be label mates, Imperative Reaction, God Module and System Syn.
Revocation creates extreme music for extreme times. On New Gods, New Masters, their fifth record for Metal Blade, the quartet–spearheaded by founder/vocalist/guitarist Dave Davidson–delivers nine potent and portentous songs of brutal lyrical and musical significance.
Produced by Davidson mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (The Haunted, Spiritbox), tracks including “Cronenberged” (feat. Jonny Davy of Job for a Cowboy), “Sarcophagi of the Soul,” “Confines of Infinity” (feat. Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation) and “Dystopian Vermin” thematically explore AI and its impact on humanity.
“I’ve been very fascinated with the development of Artificial Intelligence, and I’m deeply concerned where this could lead humanity,” says Davidson, “whether it’s the slow march towards a technological dystopia or the all-out annihilation of our species.”
To wit, “Cronenberged” is about a science experiment gone wrong. Davidson is a massive Sci-Fi horror fan who loves the body horror genre that David Cronenberg helped create; the song is an homage to that. And, Davidson adds, “Shout out to Rick and Morty for inspiring the song title.”
The Boston-bred Davidson credits newest members Harry Lannon (rhythm guitar and backing vocals since 2023) and bassist Alex Weber with a renewed energy and intensity onstage. “It’s been a pleasure ripping with those guys alongside Ash (Pearson), who always crushes it behind the kit.” In terms of his playing, writing, and singing, “I’m always refining my craft and trying to get better,” he says.
Davidson was excited to welcome a guitar guest—as well as impressive vocal features—on New Gods, New Masters. Revocation had late Black Dahlia Murder singer Trevor Strnad and Corpsegrinder of Cannibal Corpse guesting on Netherheaven, and Davidson recruited more talented peers for New Gods. “I’m honored to have such amazing guests on New Gods. On vocals we have Jonny Davy and Luc Lemay, two vocalists that I really admire who have their own unique sound,” says Davidson. “I remember texting with Jonny about guesting on “Cronenberged” asking him if we wanted to be the personification of a mutated abomination that escapes a testing facility. He was stoked to go as unhinged as possible and his vocals on that track sound truly inhuman.”
A longtime fan of Gorguts’ Lemay, describing the Canadian singer’s vocals as “brutal but also tortured sounding at times. There’s a lot of emotion in his voice and that came through perfectly on the album closer ‘Buried Epoch.’” Slightly more unexpected is the contribution of jazz player Gilad Hekselman, who played with Pat Metheny at The Kennedy Center and won Rising Star in Downbeat Magazine, among numerous other accolades. He plays on “The All Seeing.” “Gilad is a buddy of mine and happens to be one of the best jazz guitarists in the world. His playing is awe-inspiring, and I’m truly honored to have him as the guest soloist on the outro of ‘The All Seeing.’”
New Gods, New Masters marks the band’s 20th anniversary. Revocation debuted with 2008’s Empire of the Obscene and subsequently released seven critically acclaimed albums and toured over 25 countries, bringing their technically charged, high-energy extreme metal to North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. New Gods follows up 2022’s Netherheaven, where Davidson’s lyrics took hard looks at Catholicism, hypocrisy, politics, the occult and demonic symbolism. Critics raved about Netherheaven, calling it “ Revocation’s best record in a decade” and praising the “darkest, heaviest songs of their career.”
That album set a high bar, but an even sharper musical and lyrical focus was achieved on New Gods, New Masters, which is deftly captured in the album artwork by Paolo Girardi. “He did an incredible job of bringing the lyrical themes of a bleak techno-nightmare to life,” Davidson says. “The ‘New God’ being birthed from the abyss of teeth and wires was even better than what I envisioned. I absolutely love the color palette he used. He even included some easter eggs from our first demo and first full-length album cover, which adds even more depth and meaning to the artwork for me.”
Titling the album New Gods, New Masters reflects his belief about humans’ need to worship various gods. “It seems as if that desire is encoded in our DNA. As science and our understanding of nature and the universe as a whole, increases, the religions of the old gods start to become obsolete,” believes Davidson. “However, I believe we’ve replaced our old gods with new ones, worshipping technology and creating a cult-like idolatry of innovators.”
Revocation, unafraid to upend musical and lyrical tropes with forward-thinking and sounding approach, with songs that excoriate society’s addiction to phones (‘Sarcophagi of the Soul”) and animal experiments that illuminate/replicate societal issues (“Dystopian Vermin”), Davidson’s science-backed observations all the more terrifying for their reality.
If technological advances create worse problems alongside “solutions,” Revocation forge ahead, four guys plugged in, fighting existential threats with metal, “waiting to see what the next trial of the human experiment brings.”
Music grounds and uplifts the band members—and fans. “I’m proud that I’ve been able to evolve as a musician and songwriter with every release. I never want to stagnate, and I think we’ve achieved real growth with every album,” says Davidson. “I’m also extremely proud that I’ve been able to keep this band going after all these years; it’s crazy to think of how far we’ve since the beginning.”
Lineup:
Dave Davidson: Vocals, Guitar Ash Pearson: Drums Harry Lannon: Rhythm Guitar Alex Weber: Bass
BLACK SEPTEMBER(Death Metal with female vocals)
Forged in the bowels of Chicago, IL, BLACK SEPTEMBER arose from the
depths in 2006 with their demo Contortion. Inspired by bands such as
Bolt Thrower, His Hero Is Gone, Dissection and Bathory, they decided
to form a band that was both heavy and aggressive, but more
importantly, original. Although unrefined, the demo laid the path for
the albums soon to come.
Band founders and mainstays, guitarist C.M. and classically trained
vocalist J.M., and various lineups have released four EPs to date,
including a split with Louisiana’s Thou. “The Forbidden Gates Beyond,”
the band’s debut full-length, originally self-released in 2010, shows
BLACK SEPTEMBER firing on all evil cylinders with a steady lineup and
ready to unleash their madness upon the unsuspecting masses! The band
has previously shared the stage with the likes of Unearthly Trance,
Skeletonwitch, Javelina, Masakari, and Magrudergrind, among
others.
Panzer was first formed in the Spring of 2009. The band first jammed on covers whilst searching for a steady bassist and solidifying their goals. After a few months Billy McCartney was added to the band and the band spent the next several months writing and rehearsing original material in addition to a shrinking list of cover tunes. The band began recording a self-produced demo of four original tracks in late February 2010, which was finished in late March. After a brief hiatus over the summer, the band has since been writing more material, and playing gigs. There are plans to re-record the demo in December 2010 and possibly record a full-length in Spring 2011.
Featuring original USURPER guitarist/songwriter/founder Rick Scythe, who helped forge the Chicago Metal scene more than 20 years ago. This band takes up where Usurper left off, with total headbanging, fist-banging metal anthems. Total old-school 80′s denim and leather death/thrash/speed metal from one of the pioneers of the Chicago Metal scene. Usurper has released 7 albums on labels such as Earache (UK), RIP (USA), Necropolis (USA) and Head Not Found (Norway), Primitive Reaction (Finland) and toured 17 countries throughout the world including a headlining main stage gig at Oslo Norway’s prestigious INFERNO FEST before disbanding in 2007. Scythe will be debuting their 2nd album for R.I.P. Records, “Subterranean Steel”, so be prepared for a sonic juggernaut of apocalyptic aggression!
Old Man Markley are not your run-of-the-mill band. They’re not a traditional bluegrass band, nor a typical punk band. Instead, the band meld elements of both genres into a musical style that has resulted in a boot-stomping good time for fans around the world.
The seven piece – rounded out by Johnny Carey (vocals, guitar), Annie DeTemple (autoharp, vocals), Joey Garibaldi (bass, vocals), Jeff Fuller (drums), Ryan Markley (washboard), John Rosen (banjo) and Katie Weed (fiddle) – roared onto the scene in 2010. Their unique blend of punk rock sensibilities, ear for pop melodies, and deeply rooted love for bluegrass caught the ear of Fat Wreck Chords, who released OMM’s debut album Guts n’ Teeth in 2011.
Word quickly spread of the their incredible live shows, and over the next few years the band found themselves shredding strings on stage with the likes of Flogging Molly, The Reverend Horton Heat, and NOFX. Old Man Markley were quickly embraced by the punk rock community for their incendiary performances. At the same time, bluegrass fans warmly welcomed the band, earning OMM a #8 debut on the Billboard Bluegrass chart for Guts n’ Teeth. From rivets to rhinestones, even the world of glossy country music embraced OMM, yielding them a slot at California’s country festival mecca, Stagecoach.
After two years of relentless touring and winning over thousands of fans, Old Man Markley returned to the little house in Southern California where it all began to record their follow-up album, Down Side Up. With Fat Wreck Chords owner and NOFX frontman Fat Mike in the producer’s chair alongside singer/guitarist Johnny Carey, Old Man Markley plucked, bowed, and strummed their way through thirteen galloping new songs.
“With the support of Fat Mike, we went out on a limb with this album,” says Carey. “We didn’t restrict our creativity and can’t wait for the world to hear the variety on our album.”
It paid off. Down Side Up debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart. OMM followed the release with multiple tours across the United States, and international tours through Canada, across Europe, and in Japan, to play songs for old friends and new fans. A more cohesive unit than ever, Old Man Markley overflows with passion for their craft and for each other. Just have a listen for yourself.
T.S.O.L. is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California. Although most commonly associated with hardcore punk, T.S.O.L.’s music has varied on each release, including such styles as deathrock, art punk, horror punk and other varieties of punk music.
