CYFAWS

Yesterday, we were visited at rehearsal by a most eerie spectator.  Despite the cool, calming weather outside the rehearsal, the visitor instilled a chilling sensibility in all of us, albeit an oddly comforting one.  We rehearsed thoroughly for seven hours yesterday and are completely ready for our headlining performance in Austin on Thursday.  After almost two years, I will finally have the honor of sharing the stage with my companions in Hexlust.  We will also be performing with Feral Rex and Trench Wrench, so it will definitely be a good show. We have shows booked until the end of the summer, and future shows will also be booked for the fall, so those who consider themselves our fans will be in for an excellent couple of months.  We can only hope to deliver.

The Shadows of Faith

After finally completing my month-long struggle with academia, it was time to celebrate by playing a show.  Practice went stellar that day (minus the absence of Hravan due to work), and after a nourishing dinner at Torchy's Tacos, we ventured out the Trailer Space Records, where we met Severed Faith and Shadows of Creation.  We discussed the mighty Absu, which is always fun, and it makes me happy to hear other metalheads praising their glory, even those outside of Texas.  Before the show even started, I did some browsing around the record store and found some excellent purchases:

A bonus to playing a show in a record store.  There was also an encounter with a toothless old man who kept trying to sell us flowers, which was interesting to say the least.  There were also two LED displays from the infamous bomb scare caused by viral marketing for the "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" movie, an incident that amused me greatly at the time, so getting to perform with the LED lights in our presence was great fun.

We had soundchecked early, and by 7:30, it was time for the ritual to start.  We were playing without corpse paint for this show since the ambiance didn't entirely seem right to initiate that transformation.  In any case, it was a fine set and we had a good time.  The audience seemed to enjoy us, although we didn't get to play an old favorite that we were planning on bringing back.  There's always next time, especially in the busy world of Humut Tabal.  This was our friend E's cousin's first real metal show as well, and she apparently enjoyed our set, which is always good to hear.

Setlist:
Wielder ov the Demon Blade
Manifestation ov the Darkness Within
Nemesis Triumphant
Furious Winged Helldaemons Soar
Frozen Death

After hauling our gear off, we watched Shadow of Creation, who blew me away with their songwriting ability as well as technical prowess in terms of musicianship.  Their bassist was very good, and was quite nice to me when we met.  Severed Faith's performance was also very impressive, and I bought a shirt after their set that I shall wear with pride (curiously, I wore the same shirt to a club afterward and got some odd looks).  I was also given a sticker that I stuck on my bass case (next to my Birth A.D. sticker), which was a most hospitable gesture that was highly appreciated.  The show ended at ten - an unusually early hour - and we would have been able to roll out, but Grimzaar had unfortunately locked his keys in his car.  The situation was quickly dealt with, though, and I was able to head out in time to celebrate a friend's birthday party downtown.

Overall, this was not the typical type of Humut Tabal show, but one that was quite enjoyable nonetheless.  Many thanks to our new friends in Shadow of Creation and Severed Faith, for I hope to share the stage with them again someday (especially if we're ever in Georgia).  Thanks to all those who came out to the show!  Our next performance is on July 14th at Headhunter's, we hope to see our Austin friends there!

Legions of the Black Light

As you all should know, I am a full-time Philosophy student, which is a perfect fit for Humut Tabal and Morgengrau's lyrical subjects.  And when consumed by the forces of academia, I enjoy listening to music in order to make the work easier.  As such, I figured I would share my most recent mix:  It's proved most helpful.  I've been on an orthodox black metal kick lately, so the mix reflects that, but there are some surprises thrown in for good measure.  Enjoy!

Ofermod - Death Cantata
Funeral Mist - Across the Qliphoth
Taake - Motpol
Craft - Destroy All
Behexen - Black Metal Baptism
Katharsis - Lacerating the Angels
Antaeus - Seventh Ceremony
Dissection- Night's Blood
Nifelheim - Sacrifice to the Lord of Darkness
Watain - The Limb Crucifix
Watain - Death's Cold Dark
Watain - Legions of the Black Light
Nachtmystium - A Seed for Suffering
Nachtmystium - Eternal Ground
Disfigured - Blistering of the Mouth
Impaled - G.O.R.E.
Skeletonwitch - Submit to the Suffering

Hopefully some of you will be intrigued by at least some of these bands.  Horns up!

New Show Announcement: Humut Tabal with Quarter the Villain on July 30th

As previously mentioned, the Humut Tabal machine just keeps on rolling, as we will be doing two shows in two nights in late July. July 30th, we will be in Austin opening for Quarter the Villain.  All information is on the flier posted above.  We're really trying to stay busy this summer before academia initiates in the fall (the last semester for me, thankfully), whereupon we will probably have to slow down, so if you have to chance to see us this summer, don't miss out!

New Show Announcement: Humut Tabal with Xapharon on August 19th

The alliance between Humut Tabal and Xapharon seems to be growing, as we will be sharing the stage together for the second time on August 19th in Austin, Texas.  We will also be playing with Feral Rex, Eternal Crown, and Satanical Torment, so any Austinites should head on down to Headhunter's and see this show!  There are several other shows in the works, the details of which will be posted upon final confirmations.  Hope to see you all there!

A Seed for Suffering

Although I am somewhat late in listening to this band, they are quickly becoming a favorite.  Say what you will about how "black metal" their later albums are, "Instinct: Decay" is quite a gem, and I can appreciate the later efforts for what they are (for the most part).  The influence of that album is beginning to creep into certain aspects of the PKT as well.  What those initials mean, only time will tell...

Pathway to Shamash

This entry was somewhat lengthier, but a problem with this blog's HTML forced me to start over from scratch.  In essence, Morgengrau played its first show on July 2nd at the Korova basement in San Antonio, and I can safely say that it was one of the best nights of my life.  All of my bandmates brought their "A" game, and it was an honor to share the stage with them.  I feel obligated to mention that this was Nick's first show, and he absolutely surpassed everyone's expectations to deliver an amazing set.  Adding to the joy of the night was whenever two former members of Demolition Hammer showed up at the venue, and while they did not make it in time for our set, the mention of an Exhorder cover had them impressed.  Demolition Hammer has been one of my favorite bands for years now, and I am very glad to have met them.  Also, special thanks must go to Zvs of Plutonian Shore, who once again helped me out by loaning me his amp.  We are eternally grateful.

Setlist:

Extrinsic Pathway
Ordered Eastward (Hail of Bullets cover)
The Sickening Dwell (Asphyx cover)
Chronic Infection (Pestilence cover)
Shamash Enlighten
Out of the Body (Pestilence cover)
A.L. (Exhorder cover)

I dedicate this entry to the numerous fans who tore things up in the mosh pit at the end of our set.  You are truly the best we could ask for.  Special thanks go to E.A., who provided me with water when I was dehydrated three songs into our set (apropos given Pestilence's "Dehydrated").  To the numerous people who asked:  Don't worry, we will be back soon enough.  In case you missed out, I believe that these videos will tell much of the story: