Two depressive black metal projects, originating from both Sweden (Hypothermia) and Georgia (Psychonaut 4) are in search for promoters and booking agents throughout southern/eastern/northern Europe who are willing to organize a fall tour for October through early November this year.

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On the triple real, it’s fucking hard to describe how gnarly the Bay Area’s Negative Standards are. From the very first time I heard them, I was like, these humans must drink we-are-out-to-destroy-all juice for breakfast! The killer news is that they have just released a full-length on Vendetta Records entitled VI-XI, and it’s all that and a bag of crusty chips. Negative Standards are champions when it comes to creating tunes that are thick and extra heavy with power. When I listen to this band, I feel like Popeye after he eats his spinach – my muscles are growing as the baselines move through my bloodstream. Negative Standards’ vocalist has a style that is all of his own, and that’s another reason why they must be recognized as one of the sickest bands in America. The tunes that this band comes up with are fucking unreal, but it’s the hidden black magic under the riffs that is the caustic glue. I can’t forget that these humans are wizards at beating the song down until it becomes a breakdown that you never want to end. Negative Standards will poke you in the eyes with swords of emotion dipped in mayhem. This album is straight classic, and it’s my job to let the world know about this band! Check this out – the band have just started a 2012 U.S./Quebec Tour, peep the tour dates after the jump. Also, stay tuned for a Negative Standards Sonic Cathedrals dropping any day now. VI-XI is streaming below, press play, and crush kill destroy stress!!!

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What’s really interesting about the CVLT Nation Artist to Artist Interview series is how each one is so different, plus the artists open about things that they might not if they were being interviewed by a journalist. Today, we have Leila of Vastum vs. Kelly of Embers – I’m not going to give anything away, but I will say it’s an awesome interview. Stay tuned for Part Two next week, Kelly of Embers vs. Leila of Vastum. For all those reading this in Europe, make sure to go see the Embers tour, which kicks off on May 25th in Bologna, Italy – peep the tour poster after the jump!

What was it like growing up in Florida, being in the music scene there vs the Bay Area?

Well, Steve (the guitar player for Embers) and I are from a small town in Florida called Fort Walton Beach. We were both born and raised there. The whole state is pretty conservative. If you’re from the Northwest Panhandle like us, then there’s really not a lot of culture or an underground music scene. There weren’t many bands of our genre there at that time. Our old band, Lesser of Two, started in that town, and our whole band made the move to California together back in 1996. Steve and I have been living in Oakland ever since. The Bay Area has so much more to offer. Our lives have been greatly enriched with the tremendous diversity of music, art and radical thinking out here. Embers, of course, has been greatly influenced by the local scene as well. We have a very supportive underground community here in the Bay Area that a lot of other cities and towns lack.

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One record that I know will be worth the wait is Mass V by AMENRA, which will be their first album on Neurot Recordings. This week, they entered the studio with wizard of heavy Billy Anderson. AMENRA have chosen to record at La Chapelle, an old chapel now turned professional studio, in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes. I have this feeling that once I hear Mass V, a new part of sonic bliss will be opened up for me. Check out this promo video for their upcoming Russian tour, plus some awesome live footage after the jump!

Tour Dates plus More Videos after the jump!
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Idylls and Night Hag have a short, but close history. First meeting in Brisbane with a former band about a year ago at a hole in the wall industrial district venue-come-jam space-come-home, the now defunct Sun Distortion Studios, we came to develop a tigh bond on the other side of the country with a similar approach to running DIY venues and recording. Brisbane and Adelaide are similar cities in terms of size and geography relevant to Australia’s major hubs and ‘scenes’, with both bands are involved in running DIY/home venues/jam spaces that have developed into the major AA venues in their cities. The relationship between Night Hag and Idylls has now developed into that of label-mates on Brisbane-based label Monolith.

Hey mate, how’s the LP coming along? Why the decision to track drums rather than record live like on the 7”?

The 7” wasn’t tracked live, it was just all tracked (whilst still writing) in one day and mixed that night so it kinda felt live. The rush was due to pushing a vinyl release in time for the Comadre Australian tour, in which we were under the tyranny of Zenith. In terms of tracking drums down at Capital in your town, we felt like doing something different. Tracking on an epic console in a pro studio isn’t really our thing, but it worked well. We actually booked 4 days but Tristan pretty much did the record in one day. Jimmy is a lord with drum tracking too. I found an aluminium guitar at Capital and ended up tracking mostly all the guitar there aswell. The process of this LP has been facile, we needed it to be!
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Now this is fucking awesome…CVLT Nation got a chance to interview one of the bands that inspired us to start this webzine: The Almighty Weedeater. It was fun coming up with these questions, which took me back to my days growing up in Georgia. Not only is Weedeater a rocking band, but a cool bunch of country humans. For all those on the East Coast reading this: make sure you head out to the tour, peep the poster after the jump! Who let the weedmonkey out?

If each member of Weedeater could shapeshift into other beings, human or animal, who would it be, and how would this change the Weedeater sound?

Keko would be a Polar Bear, Shep would be an Anteater and Dixie would be a monkey. Turns out these are already our spirit animals, so our sound would remain unaffected.

What comes first when you guys are writing tunes – the riff or the bong hit?

The bong hit, of course. Then the riff, then another bong hit, etc etc.

With an upcoming invasion of both American and international tours happening this summer on U.S. soil, it is no surprise that some of them might go unnoticed for those who do not frequent on social networking platforms (as the majority of gig/touring announcements seem to hit first) or lurking on the internet to go look for them. It is quite overwhelming in retrospect how many acts from overseas have come to America within the last few years, literally from all around the world with the sacrifice on bands’ behalves put forth with the chance of knowing it will always be hit-and-miss with every gig in every different city. For those who have redeemed positive feedback and success upon their first impression have always come back or conjure up plans in the works for a future return. READ MORE…

Noothgrush is a Crushing Machine. They are one of the most killer bands around and they’ve been playing some of the most pissed off sounds imaginable over the course of the past few decades. It’s an extreme honor to be able to interview such an incredibly Heavy band. Here’s how it all unfolded.

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This is probably the most asked question…What is a Noothgrush? There’s a lot of rumors floating around, but I figured i’d go right for the source and just ask you folks.

A Noothgrush is this little prismatic stoner imp who takes over your toothbrush. That’s according to Dr. Seuss. I’ve never actually seen one, and Seuss is too deceased to elaborate on his encounter.

(Picture of an elusive Noothgrush!!!)

The time is nigh…in a few days time, Weedeater, Cough and ASG will embark on their tour of the eastern states, and to celebrate the countdown, ASG has compiled an inspiring mix of songs for your listening pleasure. They have broken it down song by song, explaining the memories behind each track, and it really gives you an insight on the band. Stream the mix below and check after the jump for the download link and tracklist…and for those of you lucky enough to be in the east this month, tell ASG how rad their mix is in person!

Stream April 2012 Tour ASG Mixtape for CVLT Nation

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Right now, I’m worshipping at the altar of SLEEP, and I’m gazing at the new art created by Arik Roper for the Southern Lord reissue of Dopesmoker. Just looking at this new cover makes me want to spark one up! SLEEP will be blowing clouds all over Europe this spring, starting at this year’s Roadburn. You know how we do it at CVLT Nation – check out some sick live footage, plus all of the tour dates, after the jump!

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