Conan are as heavy as interplanetary thunder amplified through the roaring black hole anus of Azathoth. A three piece, in the grand tradition of many amazing fabulous three pieces that hold a tight line and an iron-grip command over the uber-synchronised chord changes and tempo-shifts of the holy trio of bass, drums and guitar. Two men have the task of vocalising wretched thoughts over the turgid weight of Conan. They bear it well, for the task is immense.
Way back, in 2006, Conan formed as a two piece. The years dragged by, fellow warriors came and went, and now they are three – Jon Davis on guitar and vocals, Chris Fielding on bass and vocals and Rich Lewis on drums. Collectively their plans are clear: they seek nothing less than the crushing of a million skulls.
They have committed their filthy, ocean-sized sound to wax (and the slightly less cvlt compact disc) twice thus far- with more fetid output always on the horizon. First came the hulking mass of debut album Horseback Battle Hammer (Throne, Aurora Borealis), followed by a split with like-minded sludge-lords, Slomatics (Head of Crom, Burning World). In December 2011 Conan returned to the remote wilderness of Foel Studio, Wales and into the capable hands of producer Chris Fielding for their next album which is to be released on Burning World Records in Spring 2012.
Fresh from battle, dripping from the gore exposed by Blood Eagle CONAN return with their newest release REVENGEANCE. With inspiration taken from video games, retro sword and sorcery movies, ancient battle scenes and the hum and aroma of warm output valves they have laid down 6 songs of total heaviness, unsurpassed in their blend of brutality and tone, groove and flow. Prepare to be blown away by the heaviest Conan album yet as they hack, slash and charge their way into your subconscious.
www.facebook.com/conancavemanbattledoom
Downfall of Gaia is a dark wall, moving forward relentlessly, enveloping the listener, absorbing one’s spirit to take one into the realm of the band’s potent sound.
Founded in 2008 and having undergone several line up changes, the quartet is now comprised of the two founding members Dominik Goncalves dos Reis (guitar and vocals) and Anton Lisovoj (bass and vocals), Marco Mazzola (Guitar) and Michael Kadnar (drums), who are respectively located in Berlin, Hamburg, and New York City.
Although the group’s roots lie within the DIY / Crust scene, they have become more closely associated with a sound that rather corresponds to the impact of an avalanche made from black earth, rock, and dirty sludge, while their lyrics poetically describe the dark side of living. In their early days, they released one demo, which was heavily influenced by d-beat, in addition to a split tape with French band Kazan in advance to a tour EP in 2009. Their debut album “Epos” followed in 2010, which was realized with the help of several DIY-labels.
In 2012, a new, slow paced, heavier sound was heard on their second album, their first for legendary label Metal Blade Records, titled “Suffocating In The Swarm Of Cranes,” which more than satisfied what fans of infinite heaviness longed for, and made its appearance in annual end-of-the-year and best-of lists among critics and editors.
Downfall of Gaia refrain from any calm moments, let alone pauses, and go full throttle immediately on “Aeon Unveils The Thrones Of Decay,” released via Metal Blade Records in November of 2014 followed by extended touring worldwide all over Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. “Aeon Unveils The Thrones Of Decay” is being reviewed and well-discussed in major print- and webzines all over the world and one more time made its appearance in annual end-of-the-year and best-of lists.
2016 saw the release of “Atrophy” (Metal Blade Records).
www.metalblade.com/downfallofgaia
With their second full-length ‘Machinations’, HARK deliver a perfectly crafted vision of sludge-infused hard rock, while further expanding on their simultaneously progressive and muscular sonic palette. ‘Machinations’ is an intelligent, forward-thinking rock record, in an age where cult nostalgia trips and retrogressive throwbacks are all too common. Taking cues from Jimbob Isaac’s sludge metal legacy in Welsh underground heroes TAINT.
In addition to Simon Bonwick’s bombastic drumming, the hard-hitting rockers have meanwhile expanded their line-up to include the virtuoso chops of lead guitarist Joe Harvatt, while bassist Tom Shortt holds the low end down with weighty grind and dexterity. HARK v2.0 is now officially in widescreen. They offer a holistic, collective approach to inventive song craft and beautifully precise pummelling.
High Fighter formed in the Summer of 2014 and have released their debut album “Scars & Crosses” on June 10th 2016 via Svart Records as a 6-page CD Digi Pack, Digital Download & LP Gatefold. The riffs will simply crush your skull and Mona’s vocals are perhaps the heaviest they have ever been. So watch out….
The album has been recorded live at RAMA Studio in Mannheim, Germany (Ahab, The Hirsch Effekt, Fjørt & many more) by Jens Siefert, and was mixed & mastered by Toshi Kasai (Melvins, Big Business).
Arena Vienna / small hall / adv 18 € / doors 18.00
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