Vile Creature – Cast of Static and Smoke (2018)

Vile CreatureCast of Static and Smoke (Halo of Flies (US) / Dry Cough (UK), 09 March 2018)

 

Today we’ve got another album review for you — and a worthy follow-up to yesterday’s, as this one also contains long, low-tempoed tracks filled with filthy noise and despair. Although it’s actually their second full-length, Cast of Static and Smoke is the first output I’ve heard from these self-described “two weird queer kids with lofty ambitions.” But from that very first listen, Vile Creature grabbed my attention and never let it go throughout four tracks spanning nearly three-quarters of an hour. Let’s dig right in, eh?

 

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VOS Videography 2013: A Mid-Year Retrospective (Part 18)

VOStube

 

The Smiling Moose (South Side / Pittsburgh, PA), 31 May 2013

 
Dethlehem – “Valley of the Blades” and “Oathbound” (New Song)

 
The week of this show marked the birthdays of two of the band’s members (drummer Overlord Brom and guitarist Hildor), so the audience joined in singing to them. Here’s a video of that, plus the song “Sky Palace of the Dragonriders” (with a guest appearance by former vocalist Lord Bonecrush, currently a member of Supervoid):

 
Save Us from the Archon – “3b. So you had a dream about this place.”

Invader – “A.C.R.R.”

 

Gooski’s (Polish Hill / Pittsburgh, PA), 01 June 2013

 
Iron Gavel – “Song Three”

 
Falcifer

 
Wrought Iron also played at this show, and I swear I got video of one, maybe two, of their songs. But apparently those haven’t been uploaded to YouTube. I’ll have to search for them and make sure they didn’t just disappear into the ether or something…

 

Valley of Steel private picnic event (South Park, PA), 08 June 2013

 
Reflections – “Forest of Whispers”

 

Gooski’s (Polish Hill / Pittsburgh, PA), 20 June 2013

 
Low Man – “Migraine”

 
Low Man – “Snake Farmer”

 
Cultivator – “I Can Relate”, “You Bring Me Down”, and “Where You Been”

Slow Mover

 
NAVIGATION
 
Part 1 (28 December – 18 January)
Part 2 (01 – 09 February)
Part 3 (16 February)
Part 4 (22 February)
Part 5 (23 February)
Part 6 (02 – 09 March)
Part 7 (10 March)
Part 8 (14 March)
Part 9 (16 March)
Part 10 (22 – 24 March)
Part 11 (28 – 29 March)
Part 12 (02 – 11 April)
Part 13 (12 – 19 April)
Part 14 (20 – 26 April)
Part 15 (04 – 05 May)
Part 16 (11 – 17 May)
Part 17 (18 – 27 May)
 
Part 19 (23 – 30 June)

VOS Interview: Travesty Reunion Edition

travesty-cover

 
The past year or so has been quite an exciting time for classic Pittsburgh bands… for example, Derkéta finally got around to releasing their debut album; Dream Death had such a big response to their reunion show that they decided to do it a few more times; and hardcore/thrash legends Castle Blood followed suit last fall with a couple reunion shows of their own.

Well, here’s another one to add to the pile: after 25 years of broken-uppedness, Travesty — the hardcore/thrash band which included some of the members of Castle Blood during a couple years in which that band had gone dormant — is reassembling all of its original members for some local gigs, in addition to finally putting some of their classic material on tape!

Their first show together since 1988 is happening this Saturday — tomorrow night!! — so I had a little chat with a few of the band’s members this week, to find out more about Travesty, what they’re doing now, and what the future might bring…

 
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Winter’s Wake Winterview: Drones for Queens

dfq-wa-cover

 
We’re drawing closer and closer to the Winter’s Wake 2013 Thursday Night Pre-fest Show! Here’s one more interview with a band that’s playing tonight!

I already wrote about this particular band a few months ago, but here’s the responses I got to some questions I asked Drones for Queens:

 
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Winter’s Wake Winterview: Nomad Queen

nomadqueen-coverphoto

 
Just a few more hours to go until Winter’s Wake 2013 officially kicks off with the Thursday night pre-fest show! So here’s an interview with one of tonight’s bands!!

As I’ve been doing all along, since there have been so many different bands to talk to, I’m keeping these relatively short and sweet. There should be just enough here for you (the reader) to get a bit of background info about each band’s history, and enough so that you can get excited about seeing every single one of them this weekend!

For this “Winterview” I talked to Justin Gizzi, who plays bass in Nomad Queen

  
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Winter’s Wake 2013 Presented By Allure of the Earth

AOTE

 
So all the final details for this year’s Winter’s Wake festival are finally here! The venues, scheduled bands, and ticketing information all have been announced, and I’ve collected all of it right here for you!

 

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What To Do In Pittsburgh Tonight (02 November 2012)

Hello out there! It’s been quite a wet and wild week, but the end is finally in sight!

It’s Friday, and the weekend is nearly here — which of course brings with it plenty of opportunities to get out there and check out some shows, right? Of course it does.

And I’ve got some pretty good shit to share with you, happening tonight, right here in Pittsburgh! You might want to hold onto your hat…

 
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What To Do In Pittsburgh Tonight (19 October 2012)

Looking for some live entertainment to entertain yourself with in Pittsburgh on this Friday evening? Here are some great options you might wish to consider…..

 
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What To Do In The Pittsburgh Area This Weekend (07-08 September 2012)

 

Punk/Hardcore Show in Charleroi… featuring:

Consumed with Hatred, Scattergun, Meaning in the Static, The Lady and the Monsters, and Flesh Addict

 

at the Charleroi VFW

609 McKean Ave, Charleroi PA

 

Friday 07 September 2012 | 6:00pm | $5 | all ages (21+ with valid ID to drink)

 
Hardcore band Consumed with Hatred from Baltimore is coming to visit the Mon Valley, appearing tonight with Pittsburgh punks Scattergun, horror punk band MITS from Mon City,
California (PA) punk band The Lady and the Monsters, and finally, crust/grinders Flesh Addict from Belle Vernon!

It’s a lot of bands for one billing, but things get underway pretty early — 6pm — so come on down! Once again, the name of the game is no drugs, no violence, no drama; respect the venue, respect each other, have fun!!

RSVP here. Or even if you aren’t able to make it to the show tonight, check out the page anyway — it’s my first-ever attempt at creating a Facebook event! (Note: Valley of Steel is not affiliated with the booking or organizing of this show, just trying to do my part to help spread the word!)
 

 
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Castle Blood Reunion Show!

with Rabid Reason and Lythem

 

at the 31st Street Pub

3101 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh (end of the Strip @ 31st St. Bridge)

 

Friday 07 September 2012 | 10:00pm | 21+ only

 
Here’s a show that should need very little in the way of introduction: Pittsburgh’s legendary hardcore/crossover metal band from the late 80’s, Castle Blood, is reuniting, and hitting the Pub tonight! Joining them will be Rabid Reason from Kent, Ohio, as well as Pittsburgh’s own Lythem.

RSVP for this historic event here and here.
 

 
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Liquified Guts Sour Cream and Phibes Album Release Show!

with special guests Castle Blood, MorgueMart, and Lady Beast!

 

at Gooski’s Bar

3117 Brereton Street, Pittsburgh (Polish Hill)

 

Saturday 08 September 2012 | 9:00pm | $5

 
Come celebrate the release of Liquified Guts‘ brand-new full-length album — feast your eyes on the 70’s AM radio inspired cover (pictured below), then feast your ears on the putrid hideousness lurking within! Plus, get another chance to see the newly reunited Castle Blood (if, for example, you find yourself attending a different show Friday night), along with the incredible talents of MorgueMart and Lady Beast! Just $5 to get in the door!

 

What To Do In Pittsburgh Tonight (17 August 2012)

 

Cobra Cabana Records Presents:

Lady Beast Official Record Release!

with Zeitgeist, Molasses Barge, Murderess

 

at Gooski’s Bar

3117 Brereton Street, Pittsburgh (Polish Hill)

 

Friday 17 August 2012 | 9:00 pm

 
This will be an amazing show — the Lady Beast debut full-length is finally here! Check out the Facebook event page here for more details…