Beastmaker teases its return; lands reissue deal with Swedish record label
Plus, a save the date for the annual FresYes Fest and new music from Cloudship, Elder Devil.
Trevor Church is nothing if not prolific.
Between his two main bands (Beastmaker and Haunt), the guitarist/songwriter/producer has released two dozen albums and EPs of retro-inspired metal music; some with the help of record labels (Beastmaker was signed to Rise Above Records), but mostly in limited runs of vinyl (and cassettes) through his own independent distribution channels.
It’s total fodder for the hardcore fans and collectors.
But at least part of the catalog will become more accessible, thanks to a series of reissues from Helter Skelter Productions.
The Swedish record label announced this week that it will re-issue the totality of Beastmaker’s EP releases as full albums in vinyl LP, cassette tape and CD formats (yes, some of us still mess with compact disks).
The “Body and Soul” EP will be joined with the bonus material on the “Who Is This?” EP for the first release, which is slated for release sometime in April. EP. 1 and EP. 2 will be joined for subsequent album; followed by EPs 3 and 4, 5 and 6 and so-forth.
The final release should drop in November.
The 10 EPs will also available on a special 5CD boxset.
Release dates and preorder information is pending, so it’s best for follow Beastmaker or Helter Skelter Productions (and/or Regain Records) to stay up to date.
In a statement from the label, Church said the collection shows the artistic vision he had writing songs in his home studio circa 2015-2018.
“I was watching so many old horror movies during these times to inspire the song craftsmanship. Mario Bava always a huge inspiration in my music. The imagery of poster lobby cards also played a part of the writing process during these times.”
Church also teased a return for the band, which has been on a sort of hiatus since 2019, and said he’s already booked a festival date in 2024.
“Beastmaker will rise from the coffin once again. Thanks to all the fans that have supported us during our hiatus. We are not gone! Rather, we have descended further underground waiting for the right time.”
Save the date: FresYes Fest 2023
FresYes Fest wasted zero time in announcing a date for 2023.
The annual downtown block-party music extravaganza happens Saturday, March 25. It’s safe bet to set your calendars now.
Whether intended or not, one could argue that FresYes Fest has become the city’s major music festival, since the demise of Grizzly Fest in 2020.
Its a suitable placeholder at the very least.
Organizers have yet to hint at lineup information, but we know it will be Fresno/Valley centric (so no touring act headliners). If tradition holds, the lineup will be a fairly good representation of the scene (past/present/future).
I’ve heard rumors, but this is where I’ll ask: Who did you think will be performing this year? We can assume The Box will be on the list.
New music: Cloudship, ElderDevil
On Friday, Cloudship finally released “The Lost Summer” EP.
I say finally, because the duo (Brandon Freeman and Jonathan Napoles) has been talking up these five songs and teasing the release since the middle of last year, at least.
The album is now available across platforms (and on limited-edition vinyl. Seriously, its a run of 100, so if you want it, click now).
You can see the band next Friday at Fulton 55, opening for Spray Allen (ex-Sublime/Sublime with Rome/Long Beach Dub Allstars).
Before that, Freeman and Napoles will be on the Homegrown show, talking with me about the EP. Tune in tonight 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1.
Elder Devil ended its 2022 by releasing, “Tormentor,” an EP of five songs written in 2019, pre-pandemic lockdown, and recorded/mixed and master this winter.
It is everything fans have come to expect/want from the band, smashed into just under 10 minutes. Meaning, it’ll will end up on repeat, because you wish there was more.
The EP closes “a thematic chapter of the band as we prepare for a big 2023.”
That includes a second studio album.
“Tormentor” received an 8/10 review on the German site Heavy Pop.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com