A
Hanging, Haarp, and Mountain Of Wizard CD Release Show
May
15th @ The Hi-Ho Lounge, New Orleans LA
Like a police siren ringing in the rat
infested streets of the lower 9th, the New Orleans underground music
scene is an ever expanding demographic. The music is an assault to the senses. It
is powerful, relentless, and it puts the swagger into a scene charged by the
products of its environment. This year has given some major opportunities to a
few of Nola’s finest. For instance, bands such as A Hanging got to play a show
with the legendary Saint Vitus. A Hanging had only started playing live in 2007,
and metal giants Saint Vitus only performed in the U.S. once in 2003
(coincidently in the Crescent City on April 11th @ One Eyed Jacks). Since then,
A Hanging has grabbed fans from all over the United States, and extended their
reach to other continents. Seeing this band play live, or hearing the album,
the reason why is clear. They incorporate the best of old school hardcore; the
fast but solid groove along side hammering guitars. Found in bands like
Exhorder and Slayer, their rivaling style is rounded off with terrorizing
vocals, punching like a jailed pit bull. A Hanging also got a nice review from
Decibel Magazine on there new album “Food For Rats”, which was recorded and
produced by the band.
Formed in the aftermath of Katrina in
late 2005, Haarp has been knocking holes in the city with their down tuned, doom
infused, crafted brand of metal. Since their formation, this band has been
working the scene, playing gigs almost weekly. Chances are, every time you got
a flyer in New Orleans for an upcoming show, Haarp was a part of it. When this
band plugged in and the guys rang into the first distorted crunch, it was
possible that the roof of the club might collapse from the force of sound. They
recently signed with Phil Anselmo’s Housecore Records, a fantastic record label
concentrating on the needs to put out original music, and focus on giving back
control to the artists. I spoke with their guitarist Grant recently, who said
the Housecore release is tentatively scheduled for July of 2009. Haarp, as well
as A Hanging, will be featured on the up and coming documentary entitled Slow
Southern Steel, which is a showcase of southern metal & sludge from across the
southern U.S. The film had a huge focus on New Orleans. Fans of The Melvins,
Morbid Angel, and Buzzoven, should check out this band.
Also on board for this event is Mountain
of Wizard, featuring Paul Webb ( Spickle, Hawg Jaw). Accompanied by Aaron, and
Bennett Bartley, this trio produces a unique and refreshing dose of pure Rock
n’ Roll. Not much is known of the origins of this mystic crew, but here is a
small cryptic message from the band’s website.
“ We will
only be on this earth for a short time. Soon, two colleagues shall embark on a
quest for further enlightenment. We may be seeking a speaker of spells whose
finger controls Ivory.”
Show
some love for the city's underground in heavy music. Just recently, the first
award ever handed down for heavy music was given to Zebra in this year’s New
Orleans Music awards. Congrats guys, and keep the scene sick! You can catch
Haarp, A Hanging, and Mountain Of Wizard at 8 p.m. at the Hi-Ho Lounge on May
15th. I’m Ryan McKern for neworleansmusicians.net
For
More information on these bands and other New Orleans related sites, Please
follow the links below:
www.thehousecorerecords.com
www.myspace.com/haarpnola
www.myspace.com/ahanging
www.myspace.com/moutainofwizard
www.nolaunderground.com
www.myspace.com/hiholounge
www.myspace.com/hawgjaw