L-R - Curtis Blair - Drums, Chris Chapman - Bass, Shane Hawco - Vocals, Ben Harbak - Guitar
Photo Credit by Dana Zuk
Culled, the politically-charged, sludge-encrusted grind band hailing from Edmonton, Canada, is proud to announce the release of their newest single “Halo of Flies”, which is the first look at their upcoming EP “Psycles” coming out on July 26th on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. The record has been long-awaited since the release of their debut, 2018’s “Thin the Herd, Fail to Learn”. The band comments on the single:
“We wanted to bring a direct intensity and ferocity for our lead single to show just how different this release will be from our debut. Directly addressing the harms and trauma caused by the patriarchy and our collective roles in it. It goes beyond the history of harm, and oppression of 50% of our society but also addresses the manipulation to propagate the myth that a majority of our society needs to be subservient to our masters who have been gifted privilege by simply being born in the right color, shape and righteous area of the world.”
The lead track is another quick and intense battering. It showcases how formidable Culled is, in their present state with a lineup change including Chris Chapman on bass and Curtis Blair on drums. With a blend of slow crushing sludge and blistering speed and chaos of grindcore “Halo of Flies” delivers a powerful message urging empathy over apathy in today's unpredictable political and ethical climate. It is recommended for fans of Napalm Death, Nasum, and Pig Destroyer.
Kicking off their 2024 Summer tour dates on May 31st that are in honor of guitarist Dallas Toler Wade's 50th birthday and the 10th anniversary of Narcotic Wasteland's self-titled debut album, the trio is unshackling their latest single "Barbarian" for the masses. The song will be featured on the band's forthcoming third full-length "Digital Cordyceps" out on Megaforce Records in 2024 (release date TBD).
Dallas Toler-Wade comments on the new track:
"Barbarian is one of my favorite songs I have written so far. The guitar work is thrashy but also has a neo-classical element to it. I love the mid-tempo churning bass drums that is no secret at this point. Lyrically the song is about my personal feelings on how I want to live my life, but also an observation of what is going on in the world right now. I am sure I am not the only one who sees we are living in an oligarchic society. Meaning we are in a society where only a chosen few have most of the political power. This has always disgusted me. I never needed a political leader or organized religion to tell me how to act, what to read or listen to, and who to vote for. I think it is all complete self-serving bullshit and I refuse to have any part in it. I am barbaric. I follow no rules but my own. I refuse to participate in a society that is untrustworthy, narcissistic, and completely selfish. So I choose a more nomadic life as far away as possible from all of the madness. I am here to entertain. It is my calling. I hope you enjoy the song!!!!! Thanks to all of the fans for your continued support and inspiration!!! Let's rise above and take our freedom back!!!!!"
And don't forget to brace yourself for a face-melting experience as Narcotic Wasteland announces a metal extravaganza like no other this summer! Their unholy crusade of show dates commences on May 31, 2024, in Crockett, CA, and continues its apocalyptic conquest through cities like Portland, Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Tampa, and more, culminating in a final siege on July 7, 2024, in Saginaw, MI.
They are joined by special guests Whore of Bethlehem, Ignominious, Filth, and Malignancy (Headlining), who will conjure up nightmares with their savage performances.
From blistering guitar wails to heart-pounding drum onslaughts, every show promises to be an infernal ritual that will leave metalheads possessed by the spirit of pure chaos.
Prepare for a night of headbanging, mosh pits, and the unleashing of sonic hellfire.
Tour Dates: 5/31/2024: Crockett, CA - Toot's Tavern 6/1/2024: Lakeport, CA - Drinx Bar 6/2/2024: Yreka, CA - The Empire 6/3/2024: Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom 6/4/2024: Seattle, WA - El Corazon 6/6/2024: Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt 6/8/2024: Millet, Alberta, Canada - Decimate Metal Fest / Millet Agriplex 6/9/2024: Great Falls, MT - The Newberry 6/11/2024: Denver, CO - Herman's Hideaway 6/12/2024: Lubbock, TX - Jake’s Backroom 6/13/2024: Dallas, TX - Haltom Theater - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/14/2024: Austin, TX - Come & Take It Live - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/15/2024: Laredo, TX - The Cold Brew Rock Bar - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/16/2024: Corpus Christi, TX - Boozerz Rock Bar - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/17/2024: Houston, TX - Black Magic - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/18/2024: New Orleans, LA - The Goat - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/19/2024: Long Beach, MS - Trax Bar - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/20/2024: Pensacola, FL - Subculture 6/21/2024: Tampa, FL - Brass Mug 6/22/2024: Daytona Beach, FL - Tir na nOg Irish Pub 6/23/2024: Pompano, FL - Pipers 6/24/2024: Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits 6/25/2024: Ridgeville, SC - The Ridgeville Roadhouse 6/26/2024: Raleigh, NC - Chapel of Bones - With Special Guest Ignominious 6/27/2024: York, PA - Skid Row Garage - With Special Guest Ignominious 6/28/2024: Wallingford, CT - Cherry St. Station - With Special Guest Ignominious 6/29/2024: Charleez Hill - Lebanon, ME - The New England Death Metal Fun Time Bonanza - With Malignancy (Headlining) and Ignominious (Special Guest) 6/30/2024: Oakdale, NY - Shakers Pub with Malignancy - With Malignancy (Headlining) 7/2/2024: Albany, NY - Empire Underground - With Filth (Headlining) 7/3/2024: White Hall, PA - Planet Trog - With Filth (Headlining) 7/4/2024: Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall - With Filth (Headlining) 7/5/2024: Lakewood, OH - Foundry Concert Club - With Filth (Headlining) 7/6/2024: Chicago, IL - WC Social Club - With Filth (Headlining) 7/7/2024: Saginaw, MI - The Vault - With Filth (Headlining) Note: All dates and venues are subject to change. Please visit https://narcoticwasteland.com/tour for the latest updates.
Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, the four-piece Thirteen Goats has, with their upcoming album “Capricorn Rising”, crafted a death metal rock opera that follows the journey of their mascot, Shepherd: a goat-skull wearing Antichrist leading an army of 12 demon goats to liberate the earth from humanity’s wars and greed. They introduce this album to the world with the first single, "A Wolf in Shepherd's Clothing", out now in music video format. The band comments:
“A Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing wasn’t originally going to be a single, but as we were finishing it in the studio, we changed our minds. It felt like we were able to take a lot of the more aggressive elements of our sound and put them together in a surprisingly accessible way—it has these angry riffs and big, heavy grooves, but they’re anchored by a catchy chorus with a dynamic vocal hook.”
In the story that is being told on the record, this song is Shepherd’s recruitment anthem—he’s trying to convince the animals of Earth to join his army and finally stand up to humanity so he can get his revenge. But taken in a broader context, it’s also a song about how making someone feel like an outcast is the easiest way to strip away their humanity and radicalize them.
“Capricorn Rising” is not just an album—it's a journey through madness, destruction, and the perils of letting anger consume you. Is it thrash? Death? Groove? Thirteen Goats don’t care, and neither should you. This Vancouver four-piece tramples all over subgenre conventions to create an alchemical style of infernal riffs, huge hooks, and uniquely theatrical songwriting. They are recommended for fans of System of a Down, Megadeth and Cannibal Corpse.
Track Listing: 1. Sign of the Goat (4:53) 2. Murder Lives in the Heart (5:30) 3. A Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing (4:10) 4. Global Fuckup (3:57) 5. Beheading Zoo (3:44) 6. Permission to Die (3:48) 7. Beating the Disease (4:24) 8. Goats of War (5:25) 9. Animal Kingdom (6:19)
