Music
All Systems Fail
If the old axiom, “slow and steady wins the race,” rings true, then All Systems Fail have certainly earned the blue ribbon 10 times over, and have given each one to the kids bouncing around house show living rooms and art shop basements. If you’re one of this odd lot who has never experienced All Systems Fail, now is a good time to do so. The band is a time capsule of sorts that belts out their original sound and embodies the ethos of punk times past, but they are also gradually sidling into a slightly updated articulation of All Systems Fail. … read more
Gaza: Bigger Fish to Fry
It’s been an intense six years for Gaza since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, I Don’t Care Where I Go When I Die. Their brutal music has lit fires under fans all over the world. They’ve lost a guitarist, but gained a fresh rebirth in their creativity, and their refusal to censor their message has earned them a finger-wagging from some of the industry’s biggest names. Just like their sound, however, Gaza are relentless, fierce, and unafraid to plow through the challenges presented. … read more
Eagle Twin: The Serpent and The Crow
Eagle Twin is two beasts, operating in a spectrum of duality. Eagle Twin is finesse and power. Eagle Twin combines the power of the riff with the freeness of jazz. Eagle Twin is the serpent and the crow. Eagle Twin is Gentry Densley and Tyler Smith. In 2009, the band released their first album, The Unkindness of Crows, on the legendary Southern Lord Records. Now, the band is preparing to release their second album, The Feather Tipped the Serpent’s Scale. … read more
That Mighty Sculptor, Time: The Return of INVDRS
After a six-month hiatus, INVDRS, one of the region’s most remorseless rock acts, is back, and in fighting fettle. For almost five years, INVDRS labored to establish itself as the musical embodiment of primordial violence, a stated goal for which they offer no apologies. “We don’t hold back,” says drummer Gavin Hoffman. Their album, Electric Church, and their live shows stand as the twin testaments of their gospel of redemption through destruction. … read more
Fiddling While Rome Burns: Pleasure Thieves
Unbeknownst to many, a small faction has been assembling for the past few weeks to revive an entity that has long been considered dead. Their inconspicuous plan to unleash their diabolical, reanimated creature on humanity is almost complete. That is, if you consider post-hardcore-influenced metal-punk diabolical. I’m not talking about some cult from a splatter film, but, rather, Salt Lake’s Pleasure Thieves: a punk-based four-piece coming off an extended hiatus. … read more
Localized – Jesus or Genome, Color Animal and Nathan Spenser...
If you’ve been hanging around the local scene for a while, chances are you’re already familiar with Jesus or Genome, while Color Animal and openers Nathan Spenser and Dylan Roe may be exciting, new flavors. Whether it’s scene veterans or the new kids on the block, one thing is for sure—there will be a great variety of folk, indie and garage rock sounds bellowing out of the Urban Lounge at this month’s Localized on July 13 for just $5 (21+). … read more
Napalm Flesh: Ihsahn Interview
Welcome to Napalm Flesh! This week, we have an interview with the prolific Norwegian musician Ihsahn. Formerly of black metal heavyweights Emperor, Ihsahn has been cultivating a solo career since 2006 and released his fourth solo album, Eremita, last week. We also have a rundown of this week’s metal events throughout Salt Lake. … read more
Girl Talk 06.21 @ In the Venue
Although I’d never attended a Girl Talk show and am hardly partial towards mashups to begin with, I felt hard pressed to see what Gregg Gillis was all about considering he’s been getting repeat plays in my car. From what I’d heard, Gillis’ modus operandi for his live music’s production relied solely on a single laptop—nothing else. … read more
Napalm Flesh: Crucial Fest Preview
This week, we have a quick preview of Crucial Fest, the local music festival that kicked off last night and runs through this weekend and next. With dozens of local and national bands of multiple genres playing at various venues throughout Salt Lake, it is truly an exciting event for our city. Also included are reviews of Homewrecker, Lord Mantis and Pleasant Living, and this week’s metal happenings. … read more
This Will Destroy You @ Urban 06.14
The band sets up quickly, and we all congregate to the front of the stage. Without a word, Jeremy Galindo (guitar, effects), Chris King (guitar), Alex Bhore (drums) and Donovan Jones (bass) begin to play their heavy, otherworldly brand of ambient noise-rock. … read more
John Ross Boyce and His Troubles @ Kilby Court 06.12
As a former resident of the area, I empathize with the folks that live down in Utah County. The community has an overbearing influence from BYU and can, at times, become pretty annoying. Luckily that town has a thriving music scene for folks to find an outlet to release frustrations, and bands like John-Ross Boyce and His Troubles express the woes of life in a counter-religious way, providing tunes for all the troubled kids that may find themselves in deadbeat Provo. … read more
Napalm Flesh: Municipal Waste Interview
Welcome to Napalm Flesh! This week we have an interview with drummer David Witte of Richmond, VA thrash revivalists Municipal Waste. They’ll be in town on June 18 with 3 Inches of Blood and Black Tusk at In the Venue. We also have a lengthy rundown of this week’s metal happenings throughout the state. … read more
