Obstacles seem to find their way into everyone's lives. Some people falter the moment they come across them, others push through and overcome anything that stands in their way. Over the course of six years, we've been able to connect with a band that has faced difficulties that most bands could never fathom. While other bands dealt with creative differences and arguments, Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda faced death threats, bombings, and had to worry about the safety of their families and relatives. Now residing in the states, the band is proud to announce their first release, Only The Dead See The End Of The War, which will be available March 9, 2010.

The four-song debut EP explodes with intensified war metal that could only be fueled by the frustration of a band struggling to continue their passion for over a decade of rejection. Recorded at Spin Studios in Long Island City, NY under the watchful eye of Nik Chinboukas, Alex Skolnick of Testament joined the band in the production process while Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Hatebreed, System Of A Down) mixed the EP. Everyone here at Vice is proud to see how far this band has come and can't wait for the rest of the world to hear their monumental release. For now you can hear the first song, "Garden of Stones."

Click Here To Download "Garden Of Stones"

Also in stores now is the inspirational book, Heavy Metal in Baghdad: The Story of Acrassicauda (VICE/MTV Books). Expanding on the internationally acclaimed, award-winning VBS.TV/VICE Films documentary produced and directed by Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti, VICE editors Andy Capper and Gabi Sifre extensively cover the history of Acrassicauda, beginning at their youth in Iraq and culminating in their eventual relocation to the US in 2008. Featuring never-before-seen photographs, set lists, posters, and flyers, the book tells the real story of life during wartime in Baghdad.

Click The Link Below To Join The Acrassicauda Mailing List

HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD - THE STORY OF ACRASSICAUDA



The inspirational story of Acrassicauda, an Iraqi heavy metal band, whose members' struggle to stay alive as their country fell into bloody insurgency echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis. In this new book, the members of Acrassicauda, friends, and everyone who has been part of their story share the history of the band, from their beginnings in Iraq to their arrival in the US. In stores November 17th.

Born out of a basement rehearsal space in Baghdad and inspired by western bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Slipknot, Acrassicauda (“Black Scorpion”) played only three live shows in Iraq before the country began to disintegrate around them. Rebels and religious fundamentalists accused them of Satan worship. Eventually it became impossible to find any venue where they could safely perform. Still, they refused to let their dreams die.

In their internationally acclaimed, award-winning documentary, Suroosh Alvi and Eddy Moretti’s raw, uncensored portrayal of daily life in war-torn Iraq struck a chord with music fans around the world. Featuring never-before-seen photographs, Heavy Metal in Baghdad is the untold story behind the film, picking up with the band where the documentary left off and revealing how its extraordinary story—and the humanitarian efforts it inspired
—changed the lives of everyone who helped to tell it.

“The dangers these musicians experience every single day are bound to impact any audience. This is what it really looks like to bang your head against the wall.”
—New York Daily News

“An urgent movie about choices that are entitlements to some but unimaginable luxuries for others.”
—The New Yorker

“One of the most memorable documentaries in recent years.”
—Montreal Mirror

“What an awesome story. This inspires me a lot.”
—James Hetfield, Metallica

Tonight will be a night of mayhem. How are we so sure? Well, tonight is the very first Scion Garage Fest and The Spits from Brooklyn, NY are headlining to ensure some good times. Dan Melchior will be performing earlier in the night. We suggest you guys get there early so you don't end up whining about not getting in. But, you should also remember to RSVP here before you head out. Click Here To RSVP For The Scion Garage Show

Photo: Simone Muller

Portland-based Pierced Arrows is a three-piece band comprised of legendary members Fred and Toddy Cole of the seminal punk band Dead Moon. We are pleased to announce their signing to VICE Records for the release of their sophomore LP Descending Shadows on February 2nd, 2010.

Descending Shadows expands on their fervently rough signature sound, recorded at Portland's Buzz or Howl Studios and mastered to vinyl lacquer per tradition at Fred and Toody's home. Promising to herald a new generation of fans steeped in the progeny which Dead Moon influenced, Descending Shadows will provide longtime followers of the Cole's work with a new vital installment of what Fred once described as "rock'n'roll that's rough, ragged, and honest", a sincere answer to the void of emotion lacking in today's era.

During their defiant career, Dead Moon released a staggering 16 albums. Many of which were engineered and mastered direct to vinyl lacquers by Fred Cole on his 40-year old home lathe, the likes of which being infamous for cutting the original version of The Kingsmen's "Louie Louie". Since the late 1960s Fred and Toody also ran seminal music equipment stores and their own general store in their hometown of Clackamas, OR (Freedom Guitar, Captain Whizeagles, Tombstone Music), well known for outfitting generations of Portland musicians. Influencing many garage punk bands, Dead Moon are cited as a vital inspiration for the DIY movement, Dead Moon in part spawned an international phenomenon of focus on the Pacific Northwest music scene throughout the 90's.

Following the disbandment of Dead Moon in 2006, Fred and Toody continued their endeavors, eventually tapping veteran Portland-based Kelly Halliburton (Severed Head of State, Defiance) to play drums for their next incarnation as Pierced Arrows. Coincidentally, Kelly's father happened to play with Fred in his first band Albatross in 1972. In line with Fred and Toody's ethical and cultural ideals, Kelly's role in the band was set. Their debut LP Straight To The Heart in was released in 2008 on Tombstone Records, echoing the raw murky blues and country influence of Dead Moon as well as their first punk incarnation in the early 1980s as The Rats, the veterans (now in their 50's) continued their tradition of powerful raucous live performances, touring heavily through the US and Europe for legions of Dead Moon fans eager to revisit the band's new direction.

Stream "Paranoia" From Descending Shadows at Viceland.com
http://www.viceland.com/blogs/en/2009/11/04/hello-pierced-arrows-vice-records-newest-band/

When dashing Danish duo The Raveonettes released In And Out Of Control last month, lucky fans that purchased the record from select indie retailers were rewarded with two exclusive bonus tracks, "Planes Do Crash" and "The Chosen One." The promotion was powered by RecordStoreDay.com, guiding exclusive-hunters to retailers that had the bonus disc available. Just before the "while supplies last" stock began to dwindle, RSD.com is now offering "The Chosen One" for free. Fans who missed out on the actual disc can now grab the bonus tracks along with the full album purchase at ThinkIndie.com.

Download and Share "The Chosen One" Bonus Track From The Raveonettes' In And Out Of Control
http://broadtime.com/mp3/thechosenone.mp3

The band has just finished the first leg of their tour in support of In And Out Of Control alongside The Black Angels. After a brief respite from the road, they begin the rest of the tour in Vancouver on Thursday and will be accompanied by Crocodiles on their west coast dates. The Raveonettes are still giving away tickets to fans via Twitter. Be sure to check out their tour dates here to catch them!

The CMJ Festival is now upon us and you know your buddies at VICE always have an ace up our sleeve when it comes to music festivals. So, we'd like to introduce our VICE Late Nights at Public Assembly in Brooklyn, NY. We have these nights set up with great music from Wednesday to Friday. Most people would give you a weird look if you said you weren't going to the VICE CMJ Parties. Don't be that guy (or girl). Get all the info you need to prevent that in the flier below. Also, this Saturday, The Almighty Defenders will be blessing New Yorkers with their first East Coast show ever! The Defenders are headlining the Topman party that will be held at Root Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Even if you're the devil, you're going to enjoy the harmonious gospel tracks they'll deliver that night. Before you become overjoyed with excitement, keep your composure for a couple of seconds and remember to RSVP to the email in the flier below.

Dear Ravers,
 
“In And Out Of Control” will be out on October 5th or 6th (depending upon where you live) and the US tour starts October 14th in New York City!!! Tickets are on sale now and going fast. This is gonna be quite a different experience and you don’t wanna miss it!
 
Be there…X Sune
 
October
 
14 New York, NY @ Webster Hall*
15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar*
16 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club*
17 Philadelphia, PA @ TLA*
18 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg*
20 Boston, MA @ Paradise*
21 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda*
22 Toronto, ONT @ Phoenix*
23 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick*
24 Newport, KY @ The Southgate House*
25 Chicago, IL @ Metro
26 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue*
*w/ The Black Angels
 
November
 
05 Vancouver, BC @ Venue
06 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's*
07 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir*
09 San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's*
10 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar*
12 Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up*
13 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater*
14 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse*
*w/ Crocodiles

.. .. .. .. .. .. ....

THE ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS RELEASE DEBUT LP TODAY....

SELF-TITLED ALBUM FROM BLACK LIPS + KING KHAN & BBQ AVAILABLE NOW!

ALSO, STREAM THE FULL ALBUM NOW ON AOL.COM

Following the dramatic expulsion of Black Lips from India during their six-city tour of the subcontinent (a testament to the country’s disapproval for on-stage boisterousness and general showmanship), the band found asylum in Berlin with Montreal’s legendary King Khan and BBQ.  The result was The Almighty Defenders, a collaborative project hailed as a true garage rock ‘supergroup’.  Today they release their debut album on VICE Records, a raucous, soul-infused frenzy compounded by the renegade fury present in both bands.

The 11 songs, including a Mighty Hannibal cover, are now streaming for free at AOL.com.  Listen to the full Almighty Defenders album now and go to your favorite independent record store to buy the LP or buy the album online now. 

“An infectious vibe of wasted camaraderie that makes you want to down a bunch of tequila shots and praise the gods of garage in the best way possible.” – EYE WEEKLY

Stream The Almighty Defenders at AOL.com:

http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/12

Purchase The Almighty Defenders:

iTunes

Rhapsody

Amazon

In a world of Segways and wraparounds, some would say that all hope is lost. When iPod DJs get 3x the money of most rock'n'roll bands, you could say if there is hell below - we're all gonna go. Alas! SALVATION IS FINALLY HERE!!! The Black Lips have teamed up with their long-time brothers King Khan & BBQ to offer 11 spirituals that are sure to shave the hairs right off your tongue.

PRE ORDER THE ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS - SELF TITLED


The Almighty Defenders self-titled debut will be widely available on September 22nd at your favorite independent record store and digital service provider. But for all you awesome people/Black Lips/King Khan & BBQ fans you can pre-order it now off the Vice Records store. As reward for your undying loyalty to Vice we are throwing in a bonus track, "Ghost With The Most" (recorded live at the Practice Space) when you pre-order the album off us.

Like winning? New Practice Space, new album, and bonus track? Whose Tuesday just stopped sucking? Oh, we will send you "Ghost With The Most" as soon as your order goes through!

WATCH THE ALMIGHTY DEFENDERS PRACTICE SPACE ON VBS.TV