The metal that Gritter produces should make Richmond proud to have cultivated them. Their heavy and quick paced sound will compel listeners to bang their head and thrash their bodies about. This Sunday, July 14, Gritter will be playing a free show at Bandito’s Burrito Lounge to celebrate the release of their latest record, Welcome to the Sinkhole, a six-song release that will be available on LP and CD.
Gritter debuted in 2008 as Rube, but they have changed immensely since then. Under the name Rube, they released their debut album, Angry at the Missus, in 2009. By 2010, the band had officially changed their name to Gritter, and soon released their second album Sourmash and Spanish Moss. In spite of several lineup changes over the years, the band has maintained its harsh metal sound, which is obvious from the sound of Welcome To The Sinkhole. Its hard-hitting midtempo metal grooves will appeal to fans of Lamb Of God, Pantera, and Eyehategod, among others. The record release show marks yet another lineup change for the band, as new bassist Justin "Turtle" Wolz joins vocalist Ryan Kent, guitarist Adam Kravitz, and drummer Kevin White for the first time in a live environment.
This past spring, Gritter held a Kickstarter campaign, asking fans for help raising the needed funds to press their latest release. They set a goal of $3,000, and were able to achieve and surpass it before the deadline. Kickstarter and their loyal fans assisted Gritter in pressing Welcome To The Sinkhole on vinyl and CD. They will be selling the limited edition, signed and numbered colored vinyl/CD combo packages at the release show on Sunday. For those who aren't able to make the show, copies of the limited vinyl are available while supplies last at their bandcamp page, along with cheaper CD and digital editions. Order can be placed by clicking HERE.
Also on the bill Sunday night will be S.O.L. and Sinister Haze. S.O.L are a thrashcore band from North Carolina featuring former members of Sourvein and Faceloss. They play fast, raw, metallic punk that mixes in some driving midtempo grooves to keep you moshing. Check out their latest EP at their Bandcamp page. Sinister Haze is a local Richmond metal band that played their first show early this year, and are excited to get their name integrated into the Richmond metal scene. Sinister Haze, who feature current and former members of Cough, Windhand, and Balaclava, among others, are too new to have any studio recordings online, but you can watch video from their first show at the Nile on youtube.
The whole thing takes place this Sunday at Bandito's, located at 2905 Patterson Ave in the Museum District. Doors open at 8 PM, and admission is free! So come out, chill with your friends, drink some beers, and support some great local music by picking up the brand new album from Gritter. For more info on this event, click here.