This is the second time I’ve posted about a local punk and hardcore show that was captured by Degross Punk Photography, and there’s something about the vividness of Degross’s photographs that I don’t think I’ll ever get over.
Head over to his blog to view his entire set from the recent Earth Crisis headlined gig with Walls of Jericho, Reign Supreme, Unholy, and Blood Stands Still at Station 4 in St. Paul.
After the Burial is yet another example of the prime progressive death metal that the Twin Cities is home to these days, and even though 99% of Minneapolitans probably don’t know who they are, there are legions of fans that wait for them to play shows around the globe. With the support of Sumerian Records and a fervent underground of young “deathcore” fans (and, yes, Myspace), After The Burial is one of the few Twin Cities metal bands that have garnered enough acclaim to transition into full-blown 24/7 touring status in the last 10 years. Though they still are kind enough to grace us with a local show every now and again, these days they are proud to be rubbing elbows with names such as Machine Head, Necrophagist, Suffocation, and Dying Fetus and count rising acts such as Suicide Silence and Emmure as good friends. Whatever way you look at it, it seems like After the Burial is poised to be landing some very big tours over the next few years; in unofficial terms, I think you could unofficially christen them as this generation’s ambassadors of MN metal. Better yet, Minnesota’s ambassadors of the breakdown!
If you’ve yet to hear After the Burial and their technical-yet-catchy death metal/hardcore punk hybrid, watch this video of “Cursing Akenaten” they recorded last month at Station 4 in St. Paul to get acquainted.The dualing guitars on foreign-sounding 8-string lead are undeniably cool, and the young band has an arsenal of twisted breakdowns that were guaranteed to make the hometown crowd move. It’s nearly impossible to get good footage out of Station 4, so I’ll give them big kudos for shooting a high quality (seemingly pro) live video there either way! It gives you an accurate picture of what it’s like to see a show at this venue, and it’s a great representation of their powerful live set. Cheers to the future, guys..
mewithoutYou, the Dear Hunter, and Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground have just released all their upcoming U.S. tour dates, and they plan to stop at Station 4 in St. Paul on July 2nd. With a new album called it’s all crazy! it’s all false! it’s all a dream! it’s alright due out on 5/19, it’s about due time for you to catch yourself up with this band of experimental indie rock misfits. I personally can’t remember seeing this band since they were supporting [A -> B] Life at the Warehouse in La Crosse years ago (..I know Hiz won’t forget that show, either, but I can’t recall who else played for the life of me), and the evolution they’ve gone through since I touched base with them last are pretty amazing. Although it’s still the same band I recall from the debut, the last album Brother, Sister was a matured, refined, improved, and focused mewithoutYou. Admittedly, hearing it the first time made me embarrassed I ever stopped paying attention to them. The Dear Hunter and Kay Kay ain’t bad either, so I’m glad I’ve finally got a chance to reinitiate myself into their following.
All of the tour dates are listed after the jump… Continue reading
Anyone who’s anything more than a fringe listener of metal knows that thrash is back in a big way over the last few years, and it’s not just the classic bands who have propelled the rejuvenation of the thrash. In fact, it’s more likely that the formation of countless “revival” thrash acts such as Toxic Holocaust, Bonded By Blood, and Early Man reminded Metallica how to rock than the other way around (…one man’s POV…). While Exodus, Kreator, and Metallica all have tours coming through the area soon, it’s important not to overlook some of the excellent smaller thrash gigs that will be touring through the area. For instance, Warbringer will be playing a free show at Station 4 on Saturday, and now the boys in Early Man have booked a tour to come through the Triple Rock Social Club on the 20th of April!
For those still out of the loop, Early Man is a band known for their style of old school thrash and punk that’s both kick ass and super fun. These days, they’ve evolved past their two-man origins into a full-on, no-bullshit metal band, and thankfully the scale of their attack has only multiplied. Additionally, the guys in Valient Thorr will be there to open with a their own set of thrash, completing the package for one awesome night of low-cost rocking out and partying. If you’re still making plans for your 4/20 and don’t want to end up at the Cabooze with a bunch of stinky hippies, I strongly suggest you bring your herb buzz to this show to party with some dirty thrash punks instead!
All the tour dates are listed after the jump! See you there. Continue reading
Several months ago, Mind Inversion made the announcement that The Haunted would be coming to St. Paul for what promised to be an amazing show with Nachtmystium, Kylesa, and Intronaut in mid-April – which is why I was pretty caught off guard when I read the announcement yesterday for a April 12th Mastodon headlined gig at the Fine Line with Intronaut and Kylesa in tow. I’m really not complaining; if these bands were going to unexpectedly drop off an awesome tour, it might as well have been to go on an equally awesome tour.
Mastodon recently crafted the most psychedelic and unrestrained album of their career, Crack the Skye, and they decided to present it live to Minneapolis at one of the most intimate and unrestrained venues in the city. This is a very lucky occurence! Despite their growing success, it’s great that I’m still able to see Mastodon headlining club venues (like they did last time at First Avenue with Converge) rather than opening for some lesser bands. And while it’s only been 4 years, it seems like it’s been an extremely LONG time since their blistering, under-attended performance at the Triple Rock with Burning Brings. To me, it’s commendable that they’re still keeping it as small as they can. Additionally, they’ll be playing Crack the Skye in its entirety, and you don’t even have to go to Maplewood or sit through any shitty bands! Clearly, these guys still know how to book tours that their fans will love; this is a show no one should feel okay missing.
However, I really hope that this doesn’t mean that the Haunted/Nachtmystium performance is going to be canceled. Nachtmystium put out my favorite album of last year, and I was pretty bummed when they dropped off the Opeth tour that came through Maplewood in the middle of last year. I could really care less which show I see Intronaut and Kylesa play at – as long as I get to see them play – but if dropping off the Haunted tour causes this show’s cancellation, I’ll very fucking disappointed.
Continue on to see all the relevant dates these bands have scheduled… Continue reading
Wow! I don’t think I should be allowed to review this one beyond that one word, seeing as how all these bands place among my favorite active music groups (uh yeah, if you didn’t realize yet, I’ve got a very soft spot in my heart for progressive metal). Years of anticipation for both Meshuggah and Cynic to play again in Minnesota were met with great rewards on Friday, February 13th at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN, with both bands dishing out equal servings of old and new mind-boggling progressive metal. Though nearly half the age of the members of the other bands, The Faceless were right at home on the bill and seemed to turn quite a few heads.
It’s always very difficult getting any good photos at Station 4 when you don’t line up a photo pass. When Station 4 is packed with a metal hungry sold out crowd that is switched on into tornado-mode, thrashing to Meshuggah, it becomes nearly impossible. I did my best, and surprisingly got quite a few keepers. Here are the photos from the Meshuggah, Cynic, and The Faceless show at Station 4:
(Meshuggah)
(Meshuggah)
(Cynic)
(Cynic)
(The Faceless)
Keep viewing the gallery! There’s still many photos of Meshuggah, Cynic, and The Faceless left, so just hit read more to continue… Continue reading
MIND INVERSION 