Metalheads take note! In two short days, Richmond will be fortunate to host a truly great showcase of heavy, powerful music delivered by a group of bands carrying on the legacy of dark, swampy Southern sludge. Corrosion Of Conformity are the clear headliners on this bill; in existence for most of the past three decades, this legendary Raleigh, NC group has made many changes to their sound over the course of their career. Having recently returned to the three-piece lineup responsible for their classic 1985 hardcore/metal crossover LP, Animosity (as well as unforgettable 1989 EP Six Songs With Mike Singing), COC are touring behind their self-titled eighth album, released earlier this year on Candlelight Records. This album mixes the thrashy, Black Flag-esque hardcore sound that was COC's original claim to fame with significant tinges of their later, 90s-era stoner groove style, for a powerful hybrid sound that should please COC fans of all eras. And of course we can't imagine that at least a few tracks from Animosity won't make the setlist as well. COC totally killed it when they performed during Best Friends Day 2011 at the Bike Lot last summer, and if you were one of the many who missed their set, this is your chance to rectify that error.
Meanwhile, Atlanta's Royal Thunder are of much more recent vintage, but have an equally notable presence on this lineup. Singer/bassist Mlny Parsonz has an incredible vocal sound, which brings to mind both legendary 70s and 80s metal wailers from such bands as Trouble and Sir Lord Baltimore, and the legendarily booze-soaked cries of Janis Joplin. The band backs her up with slow, heavy grooves that mix in a variety of retro metal influences--everything from Led Zeppelin's prog epics to the mournful despair of Saint Vitus and the high-octane bong rock of Cactus or Grand Funk Railroad. If you like your sludgy grooves overflowing with soul, Royal Thunder is the band for you. Touring behind their debut full-length, CVI (106 in Roman numerals), Royal Thunder are returning to Richmond for the second time in the past six months, after previously hitting the stage at Strange Matter back in June. If you didn't catch them on that trip through town, then make sure you see them this time--you don't want to make that same mistake twice.
Also on the bill at Kingdom will be Wilmington, NC's ASG, who have recently completed their first album for Relapse Records. Signed to Relapse earlier this year, the new full-length will be ASG's fourth full-length and first new release since 2008's Win Us Over. ASG's more upbeat sound and melodic vocals place them near the end of the stoner rock spectrum occupied by bands like Torche and Fu Manchu, but anyone who likes heavy, grooving riffs will find a lot to enjoy in their sound. Rounding out the bill will be Richmond metal stalwarts Gritter, who have recently been spending time preparing their third record, Welcome To The Sinkhole, for release. Recent lineup changes have led the band to tighten up and strengthen their already-heavy sound, and fans of Pantera and pre-Queens Of the Stone Age desert rockers Kyuss will find a lot to enjoy in Gritter's pounding swamp boogie. This show promises to be full-on headbanger's paradise from beginning to end, so make sure you're in attendance!
WHAT:Corrosion Of Conformity & Royal Thunder At Kingdom!
WHO:Corrosion Of Conformity, Royal Thunder, ASG, Gritter
WHERE:Kingdom, 10 Walnut Alley (between 17th and 18th Streets in Shockoe Bottom)
WHEN: Wednesday, November 7, Doors open at 7 PM
ADMISSION: $15--advance tickets available HERE