East of the Wall IS coming to Minneapolis on July 24th!

For East of the Wall the progressive post/sludge (post-Tool) instrumental-now-having-vocals band/project related-to both The Postman Syndrome (they basically are them now) and Day Without Down,

it didn't seem too likely a concert date in Minneapolis could happen on their Summer tour this late in the booking game. Even though they had a date bookmarked for either Minneapolis/St.Paul or somewhere in Wisconsin (Madison) for July 24th. But when I tried contacting East of the Wall about it, I noticed most of the logical venues that would book them already had events scheduled (Triplerock, Station 4, The Entry even The Turf Club I think).

Well, by some good fortune, East of the Wall have now been confirmed to play at this very unknown (at least by me) Art Gallery in North East Minneapolis called Tarnish & Gold. With at least 2 other bands. 1 being called name and another local band called Iron Thrones.

And they are looking to set up at least 1 other local band on the bill if possible. I emailed Kevin from EotW back and also the band I would hope for I guess 1st and foremost to be added to the bill, Between Two Skies. But any number of others such as Empires or Nomia, or even my friend's band Shattered (who by the way, have a debut album expected now in October. Their new singer has improved a lot actually).

The other bands on the bill: name and Iron Thrones, I guess are on tour with East of the Wall. The myspace samples, save for my big beef with highly compressed cymbals, actually kind of impressed me. Both are kind of post-progressive and a bit sludgey at times. But I could see enjoying both. And of course East of the Wall who are a bit different now, as opposed to the all-instrumental A Farmers Almanac sound. But no matter, I am looking forward to seeing them 1-week from Saturday.

Also rather cool as the new album Ressentiment should be available to buy at that show (and it drops 1-week from today!)

Shattered - Shipwrecked EP/Demo (2010)

Trailer:
3/2/10 1:45AM


2/28/10 1:27PM


new last.fm page "Shattered (WI, USA)"

Facebook page
myspace page
youtube page

Artwork as far as I know, still hasn't been made available. It's expected to be released in some form in March 2010.

But the recording/mixing/mastereing of this new collection of tracks finally is. And they have a pretty impressive new singer named Matt Davis. Who of course is not to be confused with the What About Brian star of the same name


hehe.



Shipwrecked EP/Demo
1. The Fury (5:00)
2. Shipwrecked (4:37)
3. The Walk of Death (6:47)
4. Eternal Burn (5:04)

I have only been able to hear the original drafts of 2 tracks with headphones, and just this weekend the finished 4-track EP/Demo via small pc speakers, and not through headphones as I like to. But early impressions are pretty favorable for these guys.

I guess, thus far, the best part(s) or my favorite moments from these 4 songs are the guitar work, namely the solos on "Eternal Burn" and "Shipwrecked" I beleieve it was.

Are they re-inventing the wheel? no, not really. Although if you heard the original Majesty Demo that Dream Theater made, or even the "Hereafter" demo Reality aka Pain of Salvation made, you might not say they were either (if they were).

But certainly, these songs show promise. And as Josh, their drummer, has told me, they have a plan for a full-length concept album soon, so this very well may be them just getting their feet wet.

Of course seeing this and some others of late (Graham Butler), makes me interested to start to get-going with my own music. And the software issue, at least initially, I'm not sure is/would-be an actual problem I face. However, something that may pose a problem (besides time and procrastination) quite possibly is my living situation. I.e. where I would do any recording in order to avoid disturbing some neighbors who live below me. But, shit should hit the fan one way or another and I will either figure out a system and/or be moving units in my current place. When that is finally a reality, I hope to finally actually try doing something. As that was a goal/resolution of mine for 2010.

Shattered: New Local Wisconsin (near MN) Metal band

Youtube Channel
Facebook
myspace (videos, but no audio samples yet)

This band Shattered is a Western-Wisconsin based progressive groove-thrash Metal band that I won't leave out the fact a friend of mine via mp.com and many local rock concerts in Mpls/St.Paul plays in.

They are starting to gig more of late and working on I guess a 3-song ep that the below live videos of songs will likely all be on.


Shipwrecked *Live: 21-11-2009*

Shattered | MySpace Video


The Walk Of Death *Live: 12-11-2009*

Shattered | MySpace Video


Eternal Burn *Live: 12-11-2009*

Shattered | MySpace Video


Seek And Destory (Metallica Cover) *Live: 12-11-2009*

Shattered | MySpace Video


The Fury *Live: 12-11-2009*

Shattered | MySpace Video


And my friend Josh whose their drummer informed me they have some more material in the works which may work out to being a debut record, and a concept album of sorts. Perhaps both of those will be released in 2010. It partially may be contingent on when they find a reliable bass player.

Those songs seem to incorporate what I like in progressive metal. But also the groove, old school and technical sides of metal. The melodic sense you can hear as well. And maybe my favorite parts (live at least) are where they have a mode they can extend and repeat over and over that seems to just flow. As I told Josh, a bit like Jeff Buckley's "Kanga-Roo." It may go on for awhile, but it avoids getting boring due to the flow and energy.

So like myself, us music fans are also musicians. And Josh listens to a lot of the same music I do, and has a very good ear and open-ness to any number of influences. Given that, their music now and in the future really could be something to keep in mind.

I actually think they should do a gig with another local progressive tech (and death) metal band in Deretla but that may not be possible for awhile as the last I read and posted in here is Deretla was going to focus on recording in 2010 more than gigging. But maybe the scheduling could still work out if not in 2010, sometime down the road for the 2 bands to be on the same bill. Gracepoint, Epicurean, Zebulon Pike and Sirens of Titan might be some other bands Shattered might attract local fanbases of in the progressive metal fan-appeal.

And of course Between Two Skies who Josh actually has met the members of before.

Certainly, more to add, elaborate, update about Shattered in 2010 as things happen.