Today is the Day – Memphis Flyer

North Carolina stoner-metal band Weedeater return to Memphis this Sunday for a show at the Hi-Tone. Formed in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1998, Weedeater found underground success with their 2001 album …And Justice for Y’all, released on their then-record label Beserker Records. As far as stoner-metal band names go, Weedeater might get the top prize, with their only real competition being Madison, Wisconsin’s Bongzilla. Singer Dave Collins was the leader of the band Buzzoven prior to forming Weedeater, and his signature scary warlock-style vocals are the band’s main calling card. Joining Weedeater is Author & Punisher, the one-man industrial metal machine from San Diego, California. The main project of Tristan Shone, Author & Punisher makes industrial doom metal fit for any horror-movie soundtrack, and he’s been effectively creeping out audiences since 2004. Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down) produced Shone’s latest album.

Weedeater

Also set to play are Nashville noise rockers Today Is the Day. Formed in the early ’90s, Today Is the Day helped shape the sound that their early label, Amphetamine Reptile became known for. Lord Dying, the Portland, Oregon, metal band that released last year’s Poisoned Altars round out this impressive bill.

Today Is The Day, Lord Mantis, Crowlord will play the The Hi Tone on Sunday, October 26th.

Steve Austin (no, not THAT Steve Austin, or that one of the six million dollar variety) has burned through more than a dozen members in the band’s twenty-two year existence. Metal fans everywhere can thank him for discarding Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher, who went on to form the massively successful Mastadon. Love them or hate them, the heavy music scene today wouldn’t have the exposure it does without Mastodon, and Austin gave Dailor and Kelliher their first taste of success. (More after the jump.)

[jump]

Today Is The Day, Lord Mantis, Crowlord @ Hi Tone Sunday

Austin started Today Is the Day (TITD )in Nashville in 1992. They released their debut EP How To Win Friends and Influence People and garnered the attention of esteemed noise label Amphetamine Reptile. TITD released three full lengths with AmRep before jumping ship in 1997 for Relapse Records. Austin relocated to Clinton, MA and rebuilt his studio, Austin Enterprise. Over the years Austin released covers of songs by everyone from Black Sabbath (“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”) to Chris Isaak (“Wicked Game”). The band is out on tour in support of their tenth album, and first on new label Southern Lord, Animal Mother. The album is a pummeling throwback to the band’s late-90s output like Temple of the Morning Star and In the Eyes of God.

On the road with TITD are Chicago purveyors of blackened metal, Lord Mantis. Their newest LP, Death Mask, came out last spring on Profound Lore. The album was recorded and engineered by Sanford Parker at Steve Albini’s famed Electrical Audio facility. Death Mask is a literal term as the record’s first track “Body Choke” could be the soundtrack to a torture and dismemberment. The album is creepy, disturbing, and intense. The live show is supposed to be insane. Sounds perfect for a show right around Halloween.

Local openers Crowlord might have rights to the distinction of heaviest band in Memphis. Boasting two bassists and zero guitars, the band nearly shatters the windows of the Hi Tone every time they play and multiple car alarms go off in the parking lot during the set. This Sunday the band will be previewing its next album in its entirety. The follow-up to 2013’s excellent Naked Chicks, Goats & Wolves, the LP should garner the band even more attention from outside the River City.