XIBALBA: Full Album Now Streaming At Brooklyn Vegan As U.S. Tour Continues

Ultra-aggressive Southern California hardcore/metal outfit XIBALBA are crushing the country state-by-state on their massive current tour, as the band storms into NYC tonight, on their way towards the Southeast states, with support from Foundation, Seraphim and Harm's Way along the way.

Today, Brooklyn Vegan is the streaming XIBALBA's entire upcoming Madre Mia Gracias Por Los Dias, set for release on CD this Tuesday, June 21 via Southern Lord Recordings. Stop everything, and GET IT HERE!

XIBALBA On Tour Now:6/16/2011 The Party Expo - Brooklyn, NY w/ Foundation
6/17/2011 BSM Upstairs - Philadelphia, PA w/ Foundation
6/18/2011 Charm City Art Space - Baltimore, MD w/ Foundation
6/19/2011 The Warehouse - Richmond, VA w/ Foundation
6/20/2011 Soapbox - Wilmington, NC w/ Foundation
6/21/2011 Luna Nueva - Atlanta, GA w/ Foundation
6/22/2011 Hoops Tavern - Orlando, FL w/ Seraphim
6/23/2011 The Talent Farm - Pembroke Pines, FL w/ Seraphim
6/24/2011 Unit 6 - Jacksonville, FL w/ Seraphim
6/25/2011 The Farside - Tallahassee, FL w/ Seraphim
6/26/2011 The Spot - Tupelo, MS w/ Seraphim
6/27/2011 Downtown Music Hall - Little Rock, AR w/ Seraphim
6/28/2011 1919 Hemphill - Fort Worth, TX w/ Seraphim
6/29/2011 The Naylair - El Paso, TX
6/30/2011 Yucca Practice Spot - Tempe, AZ w/ Harm's Way
7/01/2011 Che Cafe - San Diego, CA w/ Harm's Way
7/02/2011 Aladdin Jr. - Pomona, CA w/ Harm's Way
7/03/2011 924 Gilman - Berkeley, CA w/ Harm's Way
7/22-24/2011 Earl Warren Showgrounds - Santa Barbara, CA @ Sound And Fury Fest [info]

XIBALBA infuses their early American death metal influences born of Sepultura and Obituary with downtuned '90s hardcore acts like Disembodied and Bloodlet, resulting in an oppressive force to be reckoned with. The Madre Mia Por Los Dias CD contains the band's self-titled debut album as well as their material from the Earthquake compilation. The vinyl edition of Madre Mia Por Los Dias was released by A389 records (Ringworm, Integrity, Pulling Teeth), this new limited CD version seeing release June 21, 2011 on Southern Lord, as part of the label's ongoing underground series also including releases from Summon the Crows, Acephalix, Alpinist, Seven Sisters of Sleep, Planks and more.

HAMMERFALL: NEW ALBUM DEBUTS ON THREE BILLBOARD CHARTS

Swedish heavy metallers HAMMERFALL have reached another important milestone in their career! Clinching the highest first-week sales of their career in excess of 1,700 units, their new album, Infected, has debuted on the following three American Billboard charts: #16 Heatseekers chart; #33 Current Hard Music albums; #51 Top Hard Music albums.

HAMMERFALL guitarist and founding member Oscar Dronjak checks in from Sweden about the news:

"Awesome news, and perhaps the sign of a new dawn for HAMMERFALL in North America? Working with [producer] James Michael this time was a fantastic experience, and a huge reason the album did as well as it apparently has! We are looking to tour extensively in the U.S. this time around, so keep an eye out for a HAMMERFALL show near you!"

Infected was produced & mixed by James Michael (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SCORPIONS, MEAT LOAF) and debuted at #2 on the Swedish album chart in late May (second only to Lady Gaga).

View the video for the track “One More Time” on YouTube. Watch the “making of” video here.

Download the HAMMERFALL app for iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, now available here.

Visit HAMMERFALL online at www.HAMMERFALL.net, on Facebook, on MySpace, on Twitter and at www.HAMMERFALL.tv.

TEXTURES ANNOUNCE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Dutch progressive metal band TEXTURES proudly announce their first ever North American tour this coming Fall with PERIPHERY, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, and THE CONTORTIONIST. The tour will coincide with the release of TEXTURES’ fourth studio album and Nuclear Blast debut. U.S. and select Canadian show dates will be announced in the next few weeks.

TEXTURES guitar player Bart Hennephof had the following to say about the upcoming “Frak The Gods” tour:

"Yes, finally we are able to do a tour in the U.S.! We are all very excited! Past years we have gotten a lot of response and messages from the U.S. fans telling us to come over. Finally we can fulfill their (and our own) wishes… and what better band to go on tour with than with Periphery! This tour is going to be a blast! We can't wait to travel across the country and play shows throughout the States!"

TEXTURES recently finished recording their new album at Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam with producer Jochem Jacobs, who is also the band's guitarist. The as-yet-untitled album is the follow-up to 2008’s highly successful & critically lauded Silhouettes and will feature the debut of new vocalist Daniel de Jongh, formerly of fellow Dutch metallers CiLiCe, to replace the spot vacated by former vocalist Eric Kalsbeek.

Upcoming TEXTURES tour dates:

July 16, 2011 Day Of Decay 2011 AALBORG, DENMARK (with Scar Symmetry)

Oct. 22, 2011 EUROBLAST COLOGNE, GERMANY (German release show)

Oct. 23, 2011 MEZZ BREDA, THE NETHERLANDS (Dutch release show)

Visit TEXTURES online at www.TEXTURESBAND.com, on Facebook, www.myspace.com/TEXTURES, www.youtube.com/TEXTURESTV, and Twitter.com/TEXTURESBAND.

MUNICIPAL WASTE SIGNS WITH NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS!

Undisputed masters of the crossover genre, Richmond, Virginia’s MUNICIPAL WASTE are proud to announce their new worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records.

On their way to devastate the Mainstage 02 at Hellfest Open Air in France this Saturday, June 18th, WASTE members check in about their big announcement:

“It took a real long time to decide what we were going to do for our next record,” states WASTE frontman Tony Foresta. “We wanted to work with a label that were not only fans of the band and our music, but were willing to get behind any ridiculous idea that we could think of. Once we realized this, Nuclear Blast was the obvious choice. The Blast has been friends with the band long before doing a record was even a possibility. I feel like we’re starting off with a clean slate and decade of experience to start back up on the right track. Expect some great things in the near future from the WASTE. This is only the beginning!”

"Nuclear Blast has shown their love for the WASTE for years,” drummer Dave Witte continues. “And when it came time for a new deal, it was a no brainer in my eyes. NB all the way. We are thrilled to be included among a roster of great bands and hard working people that love them. I can't wait to get into that studio!"

Gerardo Martínez, long-time MUNICIPAL WASTE fan and Label Manager of Nuclear Blast USA, comments on the newest members of the Nuclear Blast Family:

“We’ve known the WASTE guys for some time and when the moment was right to bring them on board, we did not hesitate one second. They are the best and most relevant band at what they do, and a pleasure to be around… not to mention they are some of the funniest and down-to-earth people we’ve met. The excitement level for a new MUNICIPAL WASTE record is at its highest and we are ready to deliver this to the masses!”

The WASTE will be entering the studio this summer to record their fifth full-length album and Nuclear Blast debut in their hell-bent quests for infectious riffs and never-ending headbanging sessions. A 2012 release is expected.

Visit MUNICIPAL WASTE online at www.facebook.com/MUNICIPALWASTEOFFICIAL, www.myspace.com/MUNICIPALWASTE and on Twitter.

GWAR'S "GWAR-B-Q" RESCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 17TH, FIRST LINE-UP OF BANDS AND VENUE ANNOUNCED!!!

Slave Pit Inc. is proud to announce that we finally have figured out what the hell is up with this year's GWAR-B-Q. The 2^nd Annual GWAR-B-Q will ACTUALLY be on Sep. 17^th, 2011, not Aug. 27^th as previously advertised. It will be held at Hadad's Water Park in lovely Richmond, VA. The standard ticket price will be 20 bucks, with all kinds of cool extras and discounts. That includes all of the events and especially the bands! And that is this year's biggest news-because this year, for the very first time, GWAR is playing their own GWAR-B-Q! And the OFFICIAL spelling of the event is "GWAR-B-Q", even though the flyer up top says different!

O.K., let's review and embellish...

WHEN IS IT? SEPTEMBER 17^TH, 2011, THAT'S WHEN!

The 2011 GWAR-B-Q is ON for Sep. 17^th. I know a lot of you are going "huh? I already took off work at Taco-Bell!" After thinking we were going to do it Aug. 27^th, WE FUCKING CHANGED OUR MINDS!

WHERE IS IT? AT HADAD'S WATER PARK, THAT'S WHERE.

After an exhaustive search of every conceivable venue, we finally settled on the legendary Hadad's Water Park, which for years has hosted Richmond's world-famous BEST FRIENDS DAY.

"And we are sick of those kids making all the money", said Slave Pit regular Dave Brockie.

He continued. "Anybody familiar with the place already knows it's the perfect place for a GWAR-B-Q. GWAR fans can get drunk in the hot sun, and then drown in one of the many pools. It's gonna be the last blow-out of the summer and the biggest GWAR-B-Q yet."

WHAT BANDS ARE PLAYING?

First and foremost, GWAR is playing! But almost as cool as that (and for some people a lot more so) is the big reunion of Richmond's own KEPONE for one very special show. Kepone features Mike Bishop on bass and vocals, and any GWAR fan worth his/her ass gas will recognize that name as the guy behind the original Beefcake the Mighty. In fact every member of Kepone (Ed Trask on drums, Tim Harriss on guitar) played in GWAR at one time or another. Kepone made some great albums for Touch and Go and toured internationally before breaking into a slew of other projects in 2003. We are totally stoked that they are bringing it back for the GWAR-B-Q.

Also on the bill after a conspicuous absence from last year's GWAR-B-Q is D.B.X. The band, made up of GWAR members Dave Brockie (bass/vocals), Mike Derks (guitar), and Brad Roberts (drums). Always bringing forth a bit of peculiar mayhem, as their repertoire draws upon the vast song stockpile of every Slave Pit band ever, you can never be sure what you might hear next, be it a classic GWAR tune like "Fishfuck" or simply the sound of Brockie vomiting on his shoes.

But DBX isn't the only band that sports current GWAR members, as this year also sees the return of GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot's MENSREA to the GWAR-B-Q stage. What is even more awesome is the fact that for the first time since the ancient beginnings of the GWAR-B-Q, they actually have a stage to return to!

Richmond Hardcore legends White Cross lead a group of other bands whose ranks are still being filled and tailored to ensure that YOU, the loyal Slave Pit enthusiast, have the optimum rock experience! Stay tuned for continuing developments!

WHAT'S UP WITH THE FOOD?

Any self-respecting GWAR-B-Q is about two things-MEAT and MUSIC. And this year is gonna be the greatest yet for both! Because some of Richmond's SICKEST meat-merchants are going to be on hand to wage a war of weight-gain that is sure to leave the most robust digestive system in tatters, and the King of the 2011 GWAR-B-Q "Meat-Off" will be proclaimed. And remember, long after the GWAR-B-Q is over, the meaty music will remain-as you fart your way home!

WHAT KIND OF SPECIAL EVENTS CAN WE EXPECT?

American A-hole - Karaoke contest, hosted by Sleazy P. Martini, and judged by actual celebrities! See drunken idiots compete for valuably worthless prizes!

Spew-O-Lympics/ Bloody T-Shirt Contest - Featuring models from GwarGurlz.com and other chicks with tits. Contestants compete in athletic events while being hosed down by GWAR's biledrivers and pelted with garbage from a jeering crowd. Fun!

Oderus Kissing Booth - Get savagely violated by your favorite undead bestial overlord, Oderus Urungus, all in the privacy of a baking-hot plywood box-and pay money to do so!

LOTS OF OTHER SHIT TOO!

CAN I GET A COOL TATTOO LIKE LAST YEAR?

Slave Pit and GWAR are happy as hell to welcome back the talents of Germ and his staff of happy tattoo campers who will be more than happy to put the official GWAR-B-Q tramp stamp just about anywhere on your body!

WHY DIDN'T THEY MAKE A COMMERCIAL LIKE THEY DID LAST YEAR?

They did and you can find it at http://www.youtube.com/user/bohabb?blend=4&ob=5

O.K., I'M CONVINCED. HOW MUCH IS IT AND HOW DO I GET MY TICKET?

Awesome! Now hold that thought, because tickets will be available SOON on our official website, GWAR.net, for $20.00 in advance.

Tickets will be $25 at the door on the day of the event.

There are also TWO other premium ticket deals

Deluxe - $30.00 -1 day entry to all music performances and events and an official GWAR-B-Q t-shirt

Premium - $75.00 - 1 day entry to all music performances, official GWAR-B-Q t-shirt, GWAR live concert DVD, VIP pass for "Meat and Beat" signing with GWAR, and a chance to appear on stage with GWAR and be devoured by their pet World Maggot! FUCK!!!

Finally, there will be $3.00 OFF w/ valid student I.D.

IN CLOSING -Well, there you have the skinny on what is going to go down in history as the greatest GWAR-B-Q since the last one! C'mon and join your mutant masters for a day of fun, sun, meat, music, and much, much more!

PESTILENCE: Legendary Progressive Tech Metallers To Release New Full-Length

Legendary progressive tech metallers, PESTILENCE, will release their sixth full-length to North American masses on July 19, 2011 via Mascot Records. Titled Doctrine, the 11-track long player was recorded and mixed at Woodshed Studio in southern Germany with vocalist/guitarist by Patrick Mameli, Yuma van Eekelen and Victor Bullok (Triptykon, Dark Fortress) and offers up a torrent of thought-provoking lyrics, dissonant chords, complex rhythm patterns and low-tuned riffs. While not a "concept album" in the traditional sense, the record is largely based around the various ways humanity often suffers under the burden of religion and politics. “I always put a lot of effort in the lyrics,” comments vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mameli. “I never felt the need to write ‘gore’ lyrics, like so many other bands do. I am aware of what is going on in the world and I have the feeling that I have something to say about it.”

Check out Doctrine's Marko Saarelainen cover art HERE.

Doctrine Track Listing:

01. The Predication
02. Amgod
03. Doctrine
04. Salvation
05. Dissolve
06. Absolution
07. Sinister
08. Divinity
09. Deception
10. Malignant
11. Confusion

PESTILENCE started in 1986 and were initially influenced by American and German thrash. By the time of their second album however, 1989’s Consuming Impulse, the band had developed its own brand of brutal death metal. In the years that followed, PESTILENCE became one of the prime bands in the international death metal scene. The group toured relentlessly, further honing their skills and absorbing outside influences. This inevitably lead to 1993’s timeless Spheres full-length, on which founding member Mameli combined his well-loved death metal sound with a new musical passion: fusion. The album was an artistic triumph, but was also many years ahead of its time. In 1994 PESTILENCE disbanded and Mameli withdrew from the music scene.

The band announced its comeback in 2008. Any possible skepticism was blown away when, in 2009, new album, Resurrection Macabre, hit streets. PESTILENCE's still-loyal fan-base was treated to a production that had all the classic ingredients, but showcased even more musicianship than before. The international lineup consisted of singer/guitarist Mameli, bassist Tony Choy, drummer Peter Wildoer and guitarist Patrick Uterwijk. Following its release, the band toured Europe, the US and South America, playing for old and new fans alike. “The magic was there again,” says Mameli, looking back.

Never a band to rest on its proverbial laurels, PESTILENCE returns with Doctrine. Dominated by the eight-string guitar work of Mameli and Uterwijk, songs burn with brutal, low-edged sound that sets a new standard in extreme metal. “The eight-string guitar opened a lot of new doors for us,” says Mameli. “It gives us lots of new musical options and allows us to make the music sound more brutal than ever before. At the same time, it forced me to sing in a higher pitch, because I didn’t want to get my vocals in the way of the low-tuned guitar parts. It was a blessing in disguise. My vocals sound more intense and manic than before.”

Doctrine features a partly new lineup that is entirely Dutch again. Obscura bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling, who was already around during the Spheres days, rejoins the fold in addition to new recruit, 23-year-old drummer Yuma van Eekelen, who is also making his name as a member of The New Dominion. “It was partly out of idealism that I returned in 2008 with an international lineup,” Mameli recalls. “It was a great experience, but it was very hard to really work together due to the distance and time. For instance, we never had the possibility to practice on a regular basis. We do now. We exchange ideas, go out together and tell each other which cool albums to check out. Just like in the old tape-trader days. It’s great. PESTILENCE finally feels like a real band again."

To check out the songs "Sinister" and "Salvation" off Doctrine, visit THIS LOCATION.

To check out a video interview with Thesseling, who talks with De Bassist at length about his expert use of his seven-string, fretless bass, point your browser HERE.

PELICAN Announce West Coast Tour Dates

Chicago Quartet Joins The Power Of The Riff & Boomslang Festival Lineups

Chicago instrumental quartet PELICAN have announced a string of west coast engagements this summer, ending a period of dormancy that has seen the band receding from stages to work on new material and a growing number of side-projects. Joining forward-thinking metal label Southern Lord’s multi-city The Power of The Riff Festival, which sports a lineup including luminaries Pentagram, Winter, Noothgrush, among several others, PELICAN will play installments in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle in addition to their own headlining dates in San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, and Portland. The following month PELICAN will make a select appearance at Kentucky’s Boomslang Festival alongside Swans, Secret Chiefs 3, Horseback, and many more.

Since 2001 PELICAN has presented a distinct brand of rock that draws on varied, occasionally contradictory, traditions of post-rock, stoner metal, and innumerable other styles, synthesizing a heady amalgam of soaring melody and dizzying distortion. As best experienced on their 2009 full length What We All Come to Need, the seemingly operatic compositions take on a life of their own, unfolding melodically and conceptually, as the four men are lost in performance, heads banging and feet stomping.

PELICAN West Coast Tour w/ ÆGES:

8/12/2011 The Casbah - San Diego, CA

8/13/2011 Echo/Echoplex - Los Angeles, CA @ The Power of The Riff Festival [info]

8/14/2011 SLO Brewing Company - San Luis Obispo, CA

8/15/2011 Audie’s Olympic - Fresno, CA

8/16/2011 The Mezzanine - San Francisco, CA @ The Power of The Riff Festival [info]

8/17/2011 Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR

8/18/2011 Neumo’s - Seattle, WA @ The Power of The Riff Festival [info]

9/24/2011 Buster's - Lexington, KY @ Boomslang Festival [info]