6/25/2019

David Ellefson to tour with new solo album and memoir

Want to hear how the new David Ellefson solo record "Sleeping Giants" sounds like in advance? Do you have questions regarding his bassplaying techniques?

You are in luck. You can have both. A new leg of the "Basstory" tour has been announced for the US in July 2019 .

The shows will feature a Q&A/discussion, with co-author and partner Thom Hazaert, about Ellefson’s upcoming memoir MORE LIFE WITH DETH, in stores 7/16 via Jawbone Press, and a full live-band set including songs from the companion album SLEEPING GIANTS, in stores 7/19 via COMBAT RECORDS. Have a very short 30 second preview on three album tracks:
Plus you can check out some bands from the label roster of the EMP Label Group in live format. Please check local show listings for info which band will perform at your town. So far WRATH, Archer Nation, Last Crack, Bleed/Crawl, Voodoo Terror Tribe have been confirmed.

The show that FatBoy Authentics presents on July 27 in Indianapolis promises to be something special. On that evening they will be unveiling the “Masters of the Bass” Series which David Ellefson will be the first to be featured! These cards will be available at FatBoy Authentics table while supply’s last.

Get  your tix here for the Indianapolis show.

2019 BASSTORY: More Life After Deth Tour


 Satuday 7/6 - Providence, RI - Fete Music Hall
Sunday 7/7 - Long Branch, NJ - Brighton Bar
Monday 7/8 - N. Branford, CT - Strangeland (Book Signing)
Wednesday 7/10 - New Bedford, MA - Vault Music Hall
Thursday 7/11 - Waterbury, CT - Shamrock Pub and Grill
Friday 7/12 - Halethorpe, MD - Fish Head Cantina
Sunday 7/14 - Long Island, NY – Revolution
Weds 7/17 - Lakewood, OH - The Winchester
Thursday 7/18 - Pekin, IL - Twisted Spoke Saloon
Friday 7/19 - Lombard, IL – Brauerhouse
Sunday 7/21 - Green Bay, WI - SV2
Monday 7/22 - Rockford, IL - Whiskey's Roadhouse
Wednesday 7/24 - Tama, IA - Tama Ballroom
Saturday 7/27 - Indianapolis, IN - Citadel Music Hall
Monday 7/29 - Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
Tuesday 7/30 - Mankato, MN - What's Up Lounge
Saturday 9/7 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto (w/Fatal Malady)

More dates TBA. See the Facebook page of Basstory for all the updates and links to purchase tickets.

6/20/2019

CD Review: June 1974 - Nemesi (Instrumental, 2018)

This record is one of the unusual kind. All the songs, the sound and the long list of guests make it stand out.

The cover of June 1974's "Nemesi" record was done by Natalie Shau (Cradle Of Filth/Sopor Aeternus).
Such packages of music seldomely ever arrive at my inbox. Certainly "Nemesi" comes out of the hand of composer Federico Romano. He had something special in mind with this one. It starts out with the cover - it all comes around like art, like a picture. But one you hardly come around. The sound is clear and direct but you need to unravel the message every track shares for yourselves.

There's no given muster - each one is a unique crafted piece of sound yet all in all the tracks fit together for a album. It feels more like traveling having a listen to "Nemesi". The sounds are often styled with soft tonality but the there's a pushing rawness the drums in the background provide.

It may also work as a soundtrack for a motion picture offering a story with many turns and twists. Just let the sounds form your own journey to this outstanding longplayer.

The guests performing on this first longplayer of June 1974 are mostly known for their work in much heavier acts. Here is a complete list:

“Sognando Klimt” featuring Gionata Mirai (Il Teatro Degli Orrori)
“Inoubliable” featuring Tommy Talamanca (Sadist)
“Narciso” featuring John Cordoni (Necromass)
“Home” featuring Francesco Conte (klimt 1918)
“Panorama” featuring AndyLaRocque (King Diamond) and Tommy Talamanca (Sadist)
“Nothing Man” featuring Jørgen Munkeby (Shining/Ihsahn)
“Death Note”featuring Patrick Mameli (Pestilence)
“Arcadia” featuring Paul Masvidal (Cynic/Death)
“Creed” featuring James Murphy (Obituary/Death/Testament/Cancer/Gorguts/Disincarnate) “Beloved” featuring Francesco Sosto (The Foreshadowing)

In this space they show that their skill can be used a different way. My personal favorite is "Creed" with James Murphy on guitars. Sure there is this special extra that only such a dedicated person can add with his playing technique in the introduction. But it's also showing his solid playing skills in a more common environment. As the atmosphere of the music evolves further he fully gives in to it. Everyone should have heard this one at least once.

The other tracks offer for instance unusual drum pattern like "Home" does. It's such a "playing-with- the-beat" around way to do that you won't get it out of your mind. "Narciso" has the most agressive drumming giving massive double-bass power and filling the track with thick volume. It's a album to sink in deep and to relax to. A highlight that hopefully will not be overseen.

You can download a copy of the album of "Nemesi" from Bandcamp in a format you like.

6/13/2019

Reason Define sort sound with deviding sections

Some bands have this something in their sound. It feels to me as if a song is sorted into sections through a devider that works as a bridge. That's something fine in my ears. It's like you can clearly spot that one part already finished and which part is going to be played as next  Looks like this all-female Charlotte/North Carolina based 5 piece had something similar in mind when they put together a new video single.

Reason Define have a package of great riffs for you. The band photo was taken by Obscvre Photography.

Reason Define did this in a special way for me. The track "Pointing Fingers" has many sections in that are build up the way I described in the column before. Besides that the music is power filled and breathes the fire of blazing riffs in them. The drums are straight and pushing but always clear to follow. In addition a nice story has been build into the music video but just see for yourselves...

Make sure to check the website and socials since this is only one song of the new package "In Memory" that has been released in March 2019 already.
https://www.reasondefine.com/

https://www.facebook.com/reasondefine/

https://twitter.com/reasondefine