Approaching Oblivion

Approaching Oblivion Blog: Grails has a new record coming out soon titled Black Tar Prophecies Vol. 4 . I’ve managed to see some footage of a new song and it has a great groove. Very similar to the sounds one would hear on Doomsdayer’s Holiday or Take Refuge In Clean Living What should listeners expect out of the new Grails album? Emil Amos: The song you're talking about is going to be on the next full-length... you’re right, it does have a sort of 'Take Refuge' vibe. The Black Tar series is more claustrophobic and ill-sounding in general, so it's a good place to put manic mental energies without being too conscious of the mission to entertain or be quite as cohesive, whereas the next full-length is much more stylized and designed in comparison. AO: Were you or any other members of Grails playing in bands before you formed? EA: Yeah, all of us had your 'typical early band experiences'... then we started Grails when we were about 23 o...

After drumming for Ween for over 12 years, Claude Coleman has decided to take some time off. He states the following, Friends & Associates, I’m going to be taking a leave of absence, as it were, from the Ween thing for while. My reasons are plentiful but it all comes down to simple re-prioritizing of life-stuff. I’m going to be focusing more on Amandla – a new record and touring, as well as open myself up to the chance to work with/for other folks that may come about; an experience I’ve only had a few times outside of Ween. So this email is to let anyone know as a drummer-for-hire I’m open, and would be quite willing and available for just about anything – session or otherwise. I’m trying to get a word out – so tell two friends or something. cheers and best claude

I think I’m floating. Pelican’s The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw, released on Hydra Head Records in 2005. I’ll begin by saying my pre-conceived mind was exhausted and easily distracted from a tiresome day at work; post-listening I feel more centered, energized and aware. This to me, is a sign of great post-rock. The beginning track titled Last Day Of Winter opens with a light-hearted progression that doesn’t move far it’s original form. It slides along at a medium pace, with the standard post-rock sound we are used to hearing. Bands I immediately began comparing were Irepress , Mogwai and This Will Destroy You . This is probably the brightest section of the whole album, which I believe is a good method to begin a record. It symbolizes something; maybe innocence, or a fresh new morning. The drumming remains rather orthodox (I mean this in the humblest possible), with a primary focus on symbol and snare. Rarely do the toms become focused on and scarcely does the...

"Dead Meadow met in the DC punk/indie scene, though their music draws from more faraway sources. The band formed in the fall of 1998 from the ashes of local bands The Impossible Five and Colour, when singer-guitarist Jason Simon, bassist Steve Kille, and drummer Mark Laughlin set out to fuse their love of early 70’s hard rock and 60’s psychedelia with their love of writers J.R.R. Tolkien and H.P. Lovecraft. Dead Meadow released their six-song debut in 2000 on Fugazi bassist Joe Lally’s Tolotta Records, and a joint vinyl release on D.C. indie label Planaria Records. In 2001 the band released its second album, Howls From The Hills, on Tolotta. Whereas the first self-titled album was recorded in their practice space for a couple hundred dollars and plenty of learning curves, Howls From The Hills was born in a barn in Liberty, Indiana. Their sound fuller without losing its live essence, the band grew to encompass everything from ambient guitar drones to surging psych-funk sludge, blue...

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH is a free online compilation to be released in March 2010 in support of gay rights. Forty punk, hardcore, and indie bands are contributing to this cause, including Shook Ones, This Is Hell, The Effort, Transit, Make Do And Mend, Hostage Calm, Balance, Jake Newcomb, Composure and many, many more. All donat...ions will be directed towards freedomtomarry.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting the policy that denies the rights for gays to marry. Right now, we have two songs up that will be featured on the comp; "Order Form" by Shook Ones, originally on their 2007 split with Easel as well as an anthem for the Prop 8 debates last November, and we have "Pride" by Tampa Bay hardcore band Reveal The Truth. More will be added as the date gets closer, so keep checking back for updates!" -Paul of Enough Is Enough Comp www.myspace.com/enoughisenoughcomp

It's been a while. I finally got the new Isis and the newest Baroness. ISIS - WAVERING RADIANT I've only had the chance to listen to it once through, but really enjoyed it. Same structure in writing, growling vocals matched with heavy guitars to clean and ambient, trancey sections. I saw them play this last summer with Pelican, they were flawless. I mean flawless. The production is amazing, the dynamics are outstanding and the progression of this band is something to admire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BARONESS - BLUE ALBUM What an awesome follow-up to the Red Album. I'm still not sure which one I prefer. Very interesting sounds on this one. The guitar tones are super fuzzed out and spacey. Something progressive on this album I've noticed is the use of acoustic guitars mixed in with distortion. Very similar style to Mastodon's "Crack The Skye" record that came out earlier this year. Who's he...

GRAILS - DOOMSDAYER'S HOLIDAY This album is in the running for best of the year. Very dark and richly layered. A great mix of styles from modern post-rock, fusion styles and middle eastern music. With this release Grails continues to carve out their own individual sound, showing us all that they are a serious force to be reckoned with. This also gives fans a breath of fresh air when it comes to the usual post-rock we have become so used to listening to. Although the music has a dark and minor tone to it throughout, Grails always has a way of filling the listener with constructive and encouraging mentalities.