NYC metal titans Pyrrhon and Artificial Brain joined Philly grindcore nuts Die Choking and Fantasy Panther for an evening shred-a-thon at Philly’s Kung Fu Necktie venue hosted by Flash Mob Productions. BTS’s Senior Photographer Dante Torrieri was on hand to deliver a stellar set of exclusive photos available below the fold.
Relapse Records recording artists Pyrrhon were coupled with Profound Lore‘s Artificial Brain as the pair wrapped up a month-long North American tour. The evening also marked the commencement of a Fantasy Panther and Die Choking tour in addition to Die Choking‘s EP release show for a latest 5-song, 7-inch record, II.
The delightfully unhinged but technically proficient Fantasy Panther, set off an explosive live performance. With a wall of cabs and the riffs to push them properly, Fantasy Panther are one of Philly’s finest grindcore talents. Fantasy Panther recently released a 3-song combo, Walpurgis Night, that can be streamed below. The trio is currently wrapping up recording sessions with its own multi-talented guitarist Daniel Kishbaugh at Brown Commune Studios in Philadelphia.
Die Choking intensely celebrated a new EP, II, that hit streets via The Compound label. II comes just 10 months behind Die Choking‘s debut EP, I, that saw first light digitally in January and subsequent 7-inch release also via The Compound. Both EPs enjoying Brutal Truth guitarist Dan O’Hare at the recording helm at his own Mark It Zero Studios, with the latter receiving mastering at AudioSiege via Brad Boatright (Nails, Torche Runner). II has received praise across the board by the likes of Noisey, Decibel, and more with About.com commenting, “Slicing and dicing with all the subtlety and efficiency of a box cutter, Die Choking gut the listener with powerviolent speed, utter brutality and a caustic disregard for anything less than all out sonic warfare.” Die Choking is slated to record a debut full-length starting April 1st of this year with renowned producer/engineer Will Yip (Paint It Black, Blacklisted, Circa Survive) at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, PA.
Long Islands’s Artificial Brain simply dominated 2014 with their Profound Lore debut full-length, Labyrinth Constellation. Featuring members of such metal pedigree as Revocation, the five-piece unit and album saw numerous listings on year-end top lists including top lists by Liam Wilson of Dillinger Escape Plan, Pitchfork, The Needle Drop, and many more. InvisibleOranges.com commented in an early review, “death metal..Even three decades into its existence, it is growing and evolving. Its canon of essential albums is still expanding. Labyrinth Constellation sees Artificial Brain on the cusp of earning a spot in that canon. Debut albums don’t get much more exciting than this.” We couldn’t agree more. Not a band to sleep on 2015.
NYC’s abstract metal practitioners Pyrrhon also had an absolutely monstrous 2014 with esteemed NYC magazine, Village Voice naming Pyrrhon, Best Metal Band of New York 2014. This honor bestowed in no small part due to the tremendous musical showing on 2014’s Relapse Records release and sophomore LP, The Mother of Virtues. Village Voice commenting, “Pyrrhon aren’t merely a great NYC metal band. Their sophomore LP, The Mother of Virtues, is one of the most innovative metal records of the year, from any city. The compositions are unpredictable and highly technical. Songs that first erupt with volcanic fury flow into creeping, molten passages with guitar solos overlaid like free jazz.” Truly one of the great metal listens of 2014 bridging innumerable genres into one ripping amalgamation of shredtastic fury. It should be noted, Artificial Brain drummer Keith Abrami pulled double-duty and tore through two blisteringly proficient sets for both Artificial Brain and then Pyrrhon back-to-back during this month-long tour. No small feat to be sure.
Without further ado, enjoy an exclusive batch of photos by BTS Senior Photographer Dante Torrieri (Useless Rebel Imaging)
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