SLIPKNOT AT #1
Congratulations to Slipknot for debuting at #1 on the ARIA album chart with their brutal new album .5: The Gray Chapter.
PROGRESSION OBSESSION! AT THE BENDIGO
The Aussie Alternative brings a stunning lineup of progressive and experimental rock acts to The Bendigo Hotel on Johnston Street in Collingwood on Saturday November 8 under the banner of Progression Obsession. Legendary instrumental act Mushroom Giant released their latest opus Painted Mantra to great acclaim this year, and they see out what was a massive year for them at this show. The formerly New Zealand now Melbourne-based experimental rockers Full Code bring their dark, powerful, electronically-influenced sounds to The Bendigo, so prepare to be mesmerised by these guys’ songwriting and instrumental prowess. Bear the Mammoth also fly the flag for all-instrumental music, and they join the mind bending, cerebral fun, playing tracks from their stunning new album Yamadori.
Quirky but extremely cool is the best way to describe Melbourne experimental band Glasfrosch, and they will be weaving a spell with their own peculiar brand of musical magic on this night. Tickets for this left-of-centre but compelling evening’s entertainment will be available on the door.
HALLOWEEN AT THE BENDIGO
The Bendigo Hotel continues its onward march to become the Castle Grayskull of Melbourne heavy music. This Friday October 31 (Halloween, ooooo), catch a bunch of gruesome brutality including New Zealand black/thrash band Bulletbelt, female-fronted Bombs over Brunswick, Lustration, Maniaxe, Deathripper and Grudge.
SINISTER FINALLY COME TO OZ
For the first time since forming all the way back in 1988, legendary Dutch death metal band Sinister are coming to Australia. One of the world’s most revered and respected exponents of extreme music, Sinister recently released their 11th full-length, entitled The Post-Apocalyptic Servant, and are doing a string of tours and dates in support of the release. Catch them at The Bendigo Hotel on Monday November 3 (Cup Eve) with an awesome support line up of Inverloch, Destruktor, Mephistopheles, Sewercide and Internal Nightmare. Tickets are on sale now via Oztix.
TRIVIUM/IN FLAMES TOUR NEARS
The Trivium/In Flames tour is rapidly approaching, with a second show added to 170 Russell on Monday November 24 after the first (on Sunday November 23) sold out. I guess this would’ve been a perfect show to pack out The Palace Theatre in one night, but since that venue is no more we get the very cool opportunity to see both of these killer bands in a smaller, more intimate setting. Tickets are on sale now.
SMITH STREET BAND UNDERAGE ALBUM LAUNCH
The already legendary Smith Street Band have announced an underage album launch at The Reverence Hotel, Footscray on Saturday December 6. For this show only they will be joined by long-time best buds and Aussie ska-punk legends The Bennies, Poison City folk-punk favourites Fear Like Us and garage/bubble punk-rockers Rockenspiele. Currently on tour throughout Europe, The Smith Street Band are looking forward to hitting home soil for the Australian Throw Me In The River tour with The Front Bottoms (US) and Apologies, I Have None (UK). Released through Poison City Records, the third LP from The Smith Street Band is out this Friday. The tour hits the Corner Hotel on Wednesday November 26, 27 and 28 (all 18+). Tickets are selling fucking fast.
THE VANNS HIT THE ROAD
Fresh from recording in Melbourne with legendary award-winning producer Mark Opitz (AC/DC, INXS, Bad//Dreems), The VANNS announce new single Operator from their forthcoming EP due early 2015. To celebrate the new release the band head off on an east coast tour through November. The VANNS have honed in on a truly unique sound, playing from their own instincts and creativity to produce Operator, a seriously fun track about living a reckless youth and doing what you love. It’s about breaking free and not living your life how other people think you should. Operator is released digitally on Friday October 24 via Inertia. Catch them at Shebeen on Thursday November 20 with Halcyon Drive and Tyne-James Organ.
DEVIN TOWNSEND GEAR BEING AUCTIONED
How fricken’ awesome was Devin Townsend’s clinic at St Kilda Town Hall last week, right? Promoters Thump Music are auctioning off some of the gear Devin used. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to bid on the Vox wah-wah pedal and Fender Telecaster guitar Devin used. I hear he was really taken by that Tele. The new Devin Townsend Project album Z2 is released in stores on Friday October 31 but you can find it on iTunes now.
