The Bellwether

“We’re doing what we’re having a good time doing. And if we don’t have a good time doing it, we’ll find something else to do.”

So bespoke Obituary drummer Donald Tardy in a 2023 interview with Invisible Oranges, echoing the sentiments of his brother and Obituary vocalist, John Tardy. The quote perfectly captures Obituary: At its core, being in Obituary is fun. John, Donald, alongside co-founding rhythm guitarist Trevor Peres and crucial late-career additions Terry Butler (bass) and Kenny Andrews (lead guitar), have forged a 40-year career doing what they love, which is playing death metal. It is as simple as that. The band doesn’t chase accolades or social media adulation. And Obituary truly doesn’t care about the latest trends. Instead, across 11 studio albums and countless live shows, Obituary has steadfastly stuck to its guns by playing some of the heaviest music known to man, accumulating a loyal fanbase across the world.

Obituary launched in 1984 as Executioner. After catching wind of another outfit named “Executioner,” a name change to “Xecutioner” was in order. It was followed by the band’s inclusion in the pivotal 1987 Raging Death compilation. Word quickly circulated through the metal underground of Xecutioner’s unrestrained heaviness, particularly John Tardy’s vocals. A deal with Dutch label Roadrunner Records was signed in late 1988 that coincided with a name change to Obituary. Slowly We Rot was unleashed upon unsuspecting ears in May 1989.

Obituary is built upon brotherhood, friendship and music—three unbreakable bonds. From the garages of Brandon, Florida, to the big festival stages of Europe and beyond, Obituary has never lost sight of what matters: a prime recipe for longevity.

“I love the idea of creating music for people that are not in my town or not even in my state or country, that is not just waiting for us but rooting us on,” Donald told me in 2023. “It’s bigger than us. Obituary is part of people’s lives.”

For the first time in over 8 years, the blistering assault on our nervous system that can only be described as the sound of NAILS, has reemerged. With Carlos Cruz on drums, Andrew Solis on Bass, Shelby Lermo on Guitars, and Todd Jones on guitar & vocals, the upcoming studio album, EVERY BRIDGE BURNING, will be revealed August 30th, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The album artwork, a creation by Jef Whitehead, serves as a visual prelude to the auditory chaos—a stark representation of the aural brutality that NAILS delivers.

“This band was modeled after some of my favorite bands; the type of bands where, when they put out an album, you know what it’s going to sound like,” describes Jones, “it’s the delivery of the expectation.” The sensory destroying musical onslaught that we’ve all been missing is back. NAILS is Todd Jones, Carlos Cruz, Andrew Solis, and Shelby Lermo.

LA based powerhouse Terror have always been a name synonymous with hardcore. From their inception in 2002, the band have displayed a level of steadfast dedication unlike any other in the scene.

It’s a helping hand for the disillusioned and a firm middle finger to the authorities that are tearing apart society as we know it. As the band’s seventh full length studio album it serves as yet another example of why Terror have not only endured but remained at the top of their game for over 15 years.

Terror are:
Scott Vogel – Vocals
Nick Jett – Drums
Martin Stewart – Guitar
Jordan Posner – Guitar
Chris Linkovich – Bass

“With, Helldorado, the third installment of SPIRITWORLD’s death- western trifecta, chief hombre Stu Folsom takes the listener deeper into a world where the hot desert sun beats down on his singular vision of the American West as a gateway to hell. “It’s a different album than the past two,” says Folsom, of the thematic and sonic journey that began with the Las Vegas band’s 2020’s Pagan Rhythms LP and continued with 2022’s Deathwestern. Now, the story rides on in a cloud of dust and a spray of blood with his latest offering. Helldorado blasts the Mojave-born bloodlust and stomping, tomahawk riffs SPIRITWORLD won their brutal, horrific vision of the old west with while riding straight into macabre Americana.

SPIRITWORLD live, is where the rubber meets the road for Stu Folsom and crew. Taking the stage in embroidered, rhinestone-ed jackets and Stetson hats, the energized fivesome is literally Elvis’ Wrecking Crew from Hell. From their inaugural stint on Decibel Magazine’s branded jaunt with Obituary and Municipal Waste in early 2022 to recent North American tours including a co-headline run with metal legends Kreator and Sepultura as well as hardcore heroes Stick To Your Guns and European festivals including the UK’s legendary Bloodstock and France’s Hellfest. “The mentality on some of these tours is literally ripping a page from The Ramones or Against Me!, don’t stop, no stage banter, just rip your songs.” Helldorado will also be a turning point for SPIRITWORLD when Stu Folsom and Co. take the stage.

CROSSOVER THRASH FROM LEEDS UK

LEAH – VOCALS
BEN – DRUMS
JACK – BASS
JOE K – GUITAR
JOE W – GUITAR