Video: “Here Is A Gift For You” Old Man Gloom Documentary

As the title above states “Here Is A Gift For You” is a 42-minute documentary on metal super-group,  Old Man Gloom (Cave In, Converge and ex-Isis). Kenneth Thomas put together the feature which chronicles the band up to the making of their 2014 album, “The Ape Of God.” The film is a great mix of interviews from various musicians, family remembers and scenesters that often retain a very dry and sarcastic sense of humor. A must for fans of any of the bands these guys are involved with or if you consider yourself a fan of gloomy psychedelic metal. 

OLD MAN GLOOM: HERE IS A GIFT FOR YOU from kenneth thomas on Vimeo.

Video: Old Man Gloom - "The Lash"

Late in 2014 super group Old Man Gloom released their latest record, Ape of God, to much acclaim in the “metal underground.” Now in 2015 we get a video for lead “single” "The Lash." The clip was directed by Andrew Cox who of course also makes music under the names Axed Crown and Andraus.

Listen: Old Man Gloom - "The Lash"

Metal super group, Old Man Gloom, who feature,  Aaron Turner, Santos Montano, Nate Newton and Caleb Scofield, are back with a new record, The Ape Of God,  on November 11th via SIGE and Profound Lore. What does this all mean, well for one we got a new track to share with you that goes by the name “The Lash.” Straight up quality but what would you expect from a band that boasts key members of groups like ISIS, Converge, Cave In, Zozobra, Doomriders and more. Stream it from below and take a second to appreciate some of the art work that will accompany the release. Alongside Jake Banon of Converge fame, Aaron pretty much defined an aesthetic for the scene back in the day so you know it will be quality, unique, and poorly mimicked by others. 

Video: Converge - "Precipice" / "All We Love We Leave Behind"

Converge have released a joint video for "Precipice" and “All We Love We leave Behind” from their 2012 album of the same name. The visuals were directed by filmmaker/animator Craig Murray, who utilizes both stop-motion and hand-drawn animation to tell the story of a man who seemingly loses everything. Note the reference to Jake’s fallen and beloved canine friend at the start of the clip. If you like what you see and hear you can buy at-shirt that utilizes a screen grab from the clip with proceeds appropriately going to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts.

Go Buy This: Hydra Head Records - Massive Sale of Test Pressings, Original Artwork, etc.

This past September, seminal underground hardcore and metal label Hydra Head announced they’d be shutting down their operations after 20 years as mainstays in the scene. Head honcho Aaron Turner, who also played with the now defunct ISIS, released a statement about that decision  in which he detailed the reasons behind it and laid out a plan for the label moving forward. Hydra Head is now organizing massive sale of gems ranging from the small and accessible (stickers, pins, etc), to the large and costly (lots of 150+ rare records and test pressings, musical instruments, original artwork, 7″ box sets, etc), and a whole lot in between (t-shirts, subscriptions to future vinyl represses, box lots of highly discounted CDs and even a trip to Disney Land! It’s gift giving season so you might be able to find something very unique and special for that friend of yours who’s into anyone of the many great bands that released material through the label over the years. Check it all out HERE.

Listen: Converge: “All We Love We Leave Behind” (Full Album Stream)

While most heavy bands from my youth have either disappeared or gone on to release embarrassing records that try and re-capture their glory days Converge have been relentlessly releasing quality albums every couple of years without losing any of their edge.   We already shared a handful of track from the Boston bands forthcoming LP and number eight overall, All That We Love We Leave Behind, and today we can share a full LP stream before its official October 9th due date on Epitaph and Deathwish Records. As previously reported frontman Jacob Bannon has stated its title stems from the death of his beloved dog and the concepts of time and self-awareness make up the backbone of the lyrics,  I can’t really speak to that but what I can say is that if you are a fan of the band you won’t be disappointed as the record is a tour de force. Check out the whole thing below via the youtube video and let us know what you think?

Listen: Converge – “Shame In The Way”

Converge's forthcoming LP and number eight overall, All That We Love We Leave Behind, is just around the corner (due out October 9th on Epitaph and Deathwish Records). As was hinted in the album's initial preview "Aimless Arrow," the veteran Boston band show no signs of softening things up at all. Frontman Jacob Bannon has stated its title stems from the death of his beloved dog and the concepts of time and self-awareness make up the backbone of the lyrics. Check out “Shame in the Way” below which act’s as our second proper taste of the highly anticipated LP.

Video: Converge – "Aimless Arrow"

Hardcore giants Converge have a new LP on the way. All We Love We Leave Behind, the follow up to 2009's excellent Axe to Fall, is out October 9 on Epitaph (with a vinyl edition on frontman Jacob Bannon's Deathwish Inc. imprint). The collection will also be available in a 17-song Deluxe Edition featuring a hardcover 48-page book that includes full-color art from Bannon. (All versions are available for pre-order now.)

Unlike the last few offerings, All We Love We Leave Behind doesn't feature outside guests or collaborators. It was recorded and mixed by guitarist Kurt Ballou; he and the core band handled all aspects of the production. It's an especially raw, live-sounding offering. But perhaps the biggest difference to your ears, if the first single and video below are any indication, are Jake’s vocals.  "Aimless Arrow", is the most” singy” I have ever heard the band be, check out the Max Moore-directed video for the song below….

Listen: Old Man Gloom – “NO” Full Lp Stream

Old Man Gloom just released their fifth album, their first in eight years, entitled NO this week. For the uninitiated OMG is a supergroup containing members from Converge, ISIS, Cave In, Zozobra, Doomriders, Mamiffer, etc… But unlike most supergroups this one releases some exceptional music and you can stream the whole thing below right now….

 "NO" was made using acoustic and electric instruments including but not limited to: 

sheet metal, toilets, human voices, guitars, drums, tambourines, shoes, hands, various 

other percussive tools, analog and digital electronic devices, and brains.”