The Metal Column - April 2010
In April of 1999, a handful of bands gathered for a showcase gig that grew from an online music zine. Known simply as Roadburn, this annual event takes place in the Dutch college town of Tilburg and now boasts an outstanding line-up that continually reads like a who’s who of doom, heavy psych, stoner, black and experimental metal. This year’s event apparently sold out in less than 30 minutes, but there are still benefits to be reaped, even if we won’t be travelling to the Netherlands this month. Luckily, several of the bands from overseas take the opportunity to tour the UK on their way to or from the festival, which essentially means April is packed with an abundance of awesome.
Ruptured heart theorists Eyehategod are gutter royalty, NOLA sludge-outlaws of the lowest order. With several narcotics felonies under their collective belt, they will somehow manage to sneak themselves up to Glasgow for a memorable night at Ivory Blacks (5 Apr). Japanese serial killer experts Church Of Misery and riff decelerators The Gates Of Slumber open for the legendary Cathedral at King Tut’s (30 Apr) on what could go down as one of the heaviest bills in the history of doom. Both gigs are compulsory, by the way. Not to be outdone, instrumental stoner trio Karma To Burn blow the doors off the Cathouse (20 Apr) and, in the process, prove that vocals are sometimes unnecessary.
On the regional front, bong-burners Low Sonic Drift are joined by Electric Mud Generator and Year Of The Man at Captain’s Rest (9 Apr), followed by an evening of deathgasmic mutilation courtesy of Welsh organ grinders Desecration at the GRV (10 Apr) with slaughterous support from Neuroma and Cancerous Womb. On the same night, Russian Circles – those post-whatever soundsculptors of substantial power – and fully righteous dudes Earthless commandeer Captain’s Rest (10 Apr) for what’s sure to contend as one of the month’s highlights.
Returning to Auld Reekie, black metal is profusely defiled by folk ritual and ambient strangeness when Wondensthrone, A Forest Of Stars and Winterfylleth invoke the pagan godhead at Bannerman’s (25 Apr). Back in Glasgow, our beloved Take A Worm For A Walk Week divulge some newly-scorched anti-anthems at Stereo (23 Apr).
Just to set the record straight: Slayer has been postponed (again) until late next month. Repeat: their April appearance at the Barrowlands is now re-rescheduled, so keep your tickets on standby. Get well soon, Tom Araya. Still, the heroic return of melodic Swedish death metal monarchs Arch Enemy offers a consolation of sorts when they obliterate the O2 Academy (28 Apr) with reinforcement provided by progressive shapeshifters Opeth and old skool thrashgoats Sabbat.
It’s doubtful anyone can save Ivory Blacks from inevitable desecration at the hands of demonologists Ragnarok and Transylvanian impalers Negura Bunget (26 Apr), while German exports Common Grave and Belfast fugitives Existing Threat look to run riot throughout the land as they hit up Dexters Bar in Dundee (28 Apr), Ivory Blacks in Glasgow (29 Apr) and The Corina in Perth (30 Apr).
For those of us proud to own overwhelmingly 70s-centric record collections, rock warhorses UFO beam their bones into HMV Picture House (24 Apr) and the Ironworks in Inverness (25 Apr), succeeded by double lead guitar innovators Wishbone Ash who promise to flatten the dinner crowd at The Ferry in Glasgow (29 Apr). Remember: multiple shots of bourbon always count as a full meal.