Cynic’s Paul Masvidal. Photo by Rich Mathias.

Before coming to this show, I knew it was going to be a pretty interesting night. It wasn’t just because the awfully underrated and super-legendary Floridian progressive metal masters Cynic would once again be supporting a band that they helped create, but it’s because I heard that they would be premiering out a new tune. Considering the fact that their latest masterpiece, Traced in Air (Season of Mist), came out 15 years after their landmark debut Focus (Roadrunner), I was more than happy to get a fix of brand-new Cynic songs.

I didn’t make it in time to check out most of Scale the Summit’s set. From what I caught, these guys played instrumental guitar music. I wouldn’t call this metal in any way. In fact, I wasn’t even into it. Sorry, but guitar-heavy instrumental music isn’t for me. I will give props to these kids, though. They can definitely rip on their instruments.

Up next was another legendary figure: Canada’s Devin Townsend. The former Steve Vai singer and Strapping Young Lad frontman is back after retiring from the music industry for some time—and he’s more whacked out then ever. I never understood his music or his sense of humor, so I guess that’s why I didn’t really enjoy his set. While I was walking around the venue, I heard a lot of people who came specifically for him and were super stoked to see him. His onstage banter reminded me of Mike Patton and Frank Zappa, but even more intense. Tonight’s crowd definitely worshipped “Heavy Devy.”

Cynic was up next, and I don’t think my love for this band needs too much of an introduction. They were a band so far ahead of their time that it was ridiculous. Even today, I feel that they are criminally overlooked. With that said, I must admit I was pretty disappointed with the band tonight.

Why? First, they only played only one song from Focus. I know singer/guitarist Paul Masvidal is a very spiritual person, but that doesn’t mean the fans—the people who truly find solace in his music—don’t want to hear his classic songs (even if they were written 16 years ago when he was in a different mindset). Cynic only has two albums, each of them clock-in at about 35 minutes. I’m sure if they cut the live segue samples a little bit, they could’ve added two or three more songs from Focus. I was extremely shocked that they didn’t even play “How Could I?” That’s like Slayer not playing “Raining Blood.”

The new song, whose title I did not catch, really got me thinking. The direction was more straightforward and more in the lines of Paul and drummer Sean Reinsert’s other project, Aeon Spoke. It was definitely a song that I need to listen to at home in order for me to get the most out of it. Right off the bat, I got a latter-day Katatonia vibe, which was awesome, though not exactly “Cynic”-like. Perfomance-wise, the band was on fire, as usual. Bassist Robin Zielhorst held it down and second guitarist Tymon Kruidenier played his leads as fluid as ever.

After a disappointing set, I decided to catch some of Between the Buried and Me. I couldn’t help but notice the band’s eclectic crowd, with fans ranging from hardcore tough guys, teeny-bopper MySpace girls, Berklee College of Music rejects and the occasional old-timer who probably heard about the band in the New York Times or the Village Voice. I’ve read a lot about this band and even checked out some of their latest material, but I never got into it. I was hoping I would at least enjoy them live. Not surprisingly, I was wrong.

Usually, when I don’t enjoy a band, it’s almost always going to be that the music is not for me. However, there are cases where I will see a band live and get so blown away by their energy that I will go back to their records and actually enjoy them, which happened with Sweden’s Nifelheim.

Between the Buried and Me do not fall under this category—and it’s nothing against the band. These guys are so unbelievably talented it’s ridiculous. In particular, I must call out drummer Blake Richardson. This guy is an incredibly fluid and dynamic drummer. I’d like to say he’s the Dennis Chambers of progressive metalcore.

Overall, it was the night for Between the Buried and Me and the sold-out crowd showed it. The fans might have gotten their money’s worth but I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth. This just shows that Cynic need to finally do a proper headline tour so that will give their music justice. In a perfect world, I would love for them to co-headline with Atheist—the band who sparked the reformation of Cynic. Maybe that will give Paul the type of energy to whip out “Uroboric Forms.” —Henry Yuan

Jacob Bannon about to ignite another packed crowd. Photo by Matt Miller.

When hardcore stalwarts CONVERGE rolled through New York last spring to play Brooklyn’s Club Europa, MetalKult grabbed our cameras and posted up to capture all the twisted riffs, guttural barks and flying bodies that a Converge show brings.

During that show the Massachusetts four-piece—made up of singer Jacob Bannon, guitarist Kurt Ballou, bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller—debuted a couple of brand-new tracks, “Wishing Well” and” “Axe to Fall,” which would eventually make their way to the band’s current release, Axe to Fall (Epitaph).

To celebrate the release of Axe to Fall, which hits stores today, we’re pleased to present that March 27, 2009, show in it’s entirety.

And when you’re done with that, check out our Q&A with Bannon and Ballou.

For the final installment in our coverage of the October 8, 2008, Watain, Withered, Krallice show at the Knitting Factory, we’re pleased to present to you four brutal songs from Seattle black metal group Book of Black Earth.

Book of Black Earth were touring behind their 2008 release, Horoskopus (Prosthetic Records).

Below, check out the crew as they play “2160” into “May Your God Deny You” and “Death of the Sun,” “Total Control” and “Clamor Beneath.” (more…)

On October 8, 2008, we went down to NY’s Knitting Factory to catch up with Sweden’s Watain. Before the black metallers hit the stage, we were treated to a good crop of opening bands, including extreme virtuosos, Krallice, Seattle heavies Book of Black Earth and Atlanta, GA, black metal crew Withered.

Below, check out Withered as they play “Drawn Black Drapes” into “Reveal the Essence of Suffering” and “Clamor Beneath” from their 2008 release Folie Circulaire (Prosthetic Records). (more…)

MetalKult is pleased to bring you some more coverage from the Relapse Records tenth consecutive South By Southwest showcase at Emo’s Annex, March 13, 2008.

As one of the main sponsors of the showcase, MetalKult was there to capture all the chaos brought about by the crushing bill, which featured High On Fire (Oakland, CA), Genghis Tron (Philadelphia, PA), Coliseum (Louisville, KY), Vverevvolf Grehv (Omaha, NE) and special guests Municipal Waste (Richmond, VA).

Below, check out the brutal set by Coliseum, where they tear through some tracks from their 2007 release, No Salvation.

(more…)

On October 8, 2008, MetalKult trekked down to the Knitting Factory to catch the live actions of the mighty Watain. Before the Swedes’ scorched-earth attack began, we were treated to a good, grim group of opening bands, including NY’s own black metal virtuosos, Krallice.

The brainchild of guitar wizards Mick Barr (Ocrilim, Orthrelm) and Colin Marston (Behold…The Arctopus, Dysrhythmia), Krallice blends blazing guitar histrionics with seasick atmospherics and seriously vicious vocals. The result, as heard on their self-titled debut (released on Profound Lore earlier this year), is truly intoxicating. And as we found out that night, Krallice’s live show is not to be missed.

Below, check out Krallice as they play “Wretched Wisdom” and “Timehusk” from their debut: (more…)

On March 13, 2008, in Austin, TX, Relapse Records held their tenth consecutive South By Southwest showcase at Emo’s Annex.

As one of the main sponsors of the showcase, MetalKult was there to capture all the chaos brought about by the crushing bill, which featured High On Fire (Oakland, CA), Genghis Tron (Philadelphia, PA), Coliseum (Louisville, KY), Vverevvolf Grehv (Omaha, NE) and special guests Municipal Waste (Richmond, VA).

Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting the full sets from each of these artists. First we gave you Municipal Waste, then came Genghis Tron and now prepare yourself for the mighty High On Fire. Enjoy all the brutality below! (more…)

On March 13, 2008, in Austin, TX, Relapse Records held their tenth consecutive South By Southwest showcase at Emo’s Annex.

As one of the main sponsors of the showcase, MetalKult was there to capture all the chaos brought about by the crushing bill, which featured High On Fire (Oakland, CA), Genghis Tron (Philadelphia, PA), Coliseum (Louisville, KY), Vverevvolf Grehv (Omaha, NE) and special guests Municipal Waste (Richmond, VA).

Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting the full sets from each of these artists. First we gave you Municipal Waste, and now check out extreme-noise shredders Genghis Tron!

(more…)

On March 13, 2008, in Austin, TX, Relapse Records held their tenth consecutive South By Southwest showcase at Emo’s Annex. As one of the main sponsors of the showcase, MetalKult was there to capture all the hot, metallic action.

The 2008 showcase boasted a crushing bill that featured High On Fire (Oakland, CA), Genghis Tron (Philadelphia, PA), Coliseum (Louisville, KY), Vverevvolf Grehv (Omaha, NE) and special guests Municipal Waste (Richmond, VA).

Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting the full sets from each of these artists. First in line: neo-thrash hooligans Municipal Waste!

(more…)

Back on April 28, 2008, MetalKult grabbed our cameras and headed uptown to Times Square’s BB King Blues Club & Grille to catch the brutality being administered by Hate Eternal, Soilent Green and Skeletonwitch. Not surprisingly, all three bands delivered ass-kicking sets.

Starting the carnage were none other than Athens, OH’s favorite sons, Skeletonwitch. By the time the five-piece—led by the dual-guitar assault of Nate Garnette and Scott Hedrick and the growls of singer Chance Garnette—left the stage, the crowd was sufficiently frenzied and more than a few new fans were gained.

Below, we’ve got footage of Skeletonwitch performing six tunes from their new CD, Beyond the Permafrost, including “Sacrifice for the Slaughtergod,” “Fire From the Sky,” “Limb From Limb,” “Cast Into the Open Sea,” “Vengeance Will Be Mine,” and “Within My Blood.” We’ve also got a Q&A session with the guys available here.

But, before you watch that live footage, check out some more of our friend and crack photographer Angela Boatwright’s amazing photos of the band:

Now on to the footage! (more…)