Monday, August 4, 2014

LAS CRUCES: Texan doom crew ink new contract with RIPPLE MUSIC


 
 
Burly, Texan doom rockers Las Cruces have signed to California’s Ripple Music for a world-wide onslaught of heavy rock. The group, who just completed a standout performance at the infamous Doom in June Festival, have already started writing and making demos and will enter an undisclosed studio this summer to record their Ripple Music debut and follow up to 2010's Dusk, which The Obelisk hailed as “something not to be missed by loyal doomers."

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Las Cruces has spent the past several years bludgeoning audiences with their doom-driven, precision sound. Originated in 1994 by George Trevino, their influences range from Venom, Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Fates Warning to vintage Sabbath. Las Cruces has risen to the top of the South Texas metal heap and left its mark across the Lone Star State, with a resume that includes opening slots with such acts as Overkill, Nebula, Kyuss, Trouble, Spirit Caravan, Solitude Aeturnus, Cathedral, Monster Magnet, Rob Zombie, Bio-Hazard, Pissing Razors, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Eyehategod, Crowbar, Sixty Watt Shaman, Vader, Kreator., Atomic Bitchwax, Gates of Slumber, Lo Pan, Earthride, Pale Devine, Kamelot, Sour Vein, Weedeater and many others.

Shortly after forming, Las Cruces began touring the Texas scene, gaining widespread recognition and the interest of John Perez, guitarist of Solitude Aeturnus & owner of Brainticket Records, thus forging the Debut release, S.O.L. After a year of touring Texas and the Southern States, Las Cruces decided to re-enter the studio. Driven by the hunger and sharpness of old school metal along with the power melodies of 70s rock, Las Cruces released their skull-crushing follow-up, 1998's Ringmaster. Las Cruces was invited to perform at the first-annual Stoner Hands of Doom Fest in August of 1999 and have been asked to perform regularly at many heavy rock festivals in North America ever since.

Over the years Las Cruces has gone through line-up changes and rumors of break-up. However, these things have not foiled the bands ideology.  The band was honored to be featured in The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal by author Daniel Bukszpan in 2003 as well as in the publication Rockdetector Music Presents: Stoner, Doom and Gothic Metal series published in 2003.

Described as "a journey into a parallel sonic universe of all that is heavy," their songs are sprinkled mighty, bludgeoning riffs; barn-burning guitar work, and apocalyptic vocals that melt listener's brains. Las Cruces is poised to begin the metal onslaught for the masses as they prepare to record their fourth full-length album.

"We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Ripple Music to unleash the fourth Las Cruces record upon the underground," comments Trevino.  "Many of our friends and contemporaries have passed through the ranks and we're thrilled to march onward into the streets with them at our side."

In addition to George Trevino on guitar, Las Cruces features Mando Tovar - Lead Guitar, Paul De Leon - Drums and vocals, and Jimmy Bell - Bass Guitar
   
Las Cruces is available to speak with interested media now. To chat with the band, contact southernxpr@gmail.com.

Dusk is rudely riffer’s doom. I hesitate, though, to call Las Cruces traditional doom. Guitarists George Trevino and Mando Tovar know their Sabbath, but there’s a grittier, more uniquely American thrust to their tones that feels more in line with modern biker metal. There are souls being burned, Christians being slaughtered and no shortage of blood being spilled otherwise.”  -- The Obelisk

Dusk is a welcome return from Las Cruces. This is another album that will be high up on peoples list for best albums for 2010 so you will want to check it out as soon as possible. 9/10” -- Doommantia
 
More Ripple Links:

Ripple Music:
Website
Facebook
Bandcamp
Twitter

Heavy Ripples Distribution:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
 

Saturday, August 2, 2014

RIPPLE MUSIC and STB RECORDS forge new partnership

 
 
Over the last few years, Ripple Music and STB Records had established hefty reputations as leaders in the heavy rock scene; blasting out killer albums of stoner, doom, heavy psych and sludge.  Both Labels have run up an impressive list of sold-out and highly sought after releases, such as Mothership, Mos Generator, Ape Machine, Poobah, Brimstone Coven, Doctor Doom, Dopethrone and Druglord.  Yet, deep down, both labels always hoped they could do more to help the underground scene reach a great audience.

Now that hope is a reality.

As of June 2014, Ripple Music and STB Records have forged a relationship that will expand upon the top-notch, limited releases by STB Records with a full complement of Digipack CD’s and Digital distribution via Ripple Music.  Both companies remain separate entities, each with their own roster of heavy-rocking bands, release schedules, and A&R, but the partnership allows the DIY Labels to work more closely together to get the music out to a world-wide fanbase that is clamoring for more.

In a very short period of time, STB Records had carved a place for itself with its boutique style deluxe, limited-edition vinyl releases. Die-hard editions, OBI editions, and multi-colored vinyl had heavy music fans salivating. Most STB releases sell out in a manner of hours and already command top dollar on the resale collectors market like Dopethrone, Spelljammer, Ancient Warlocks and Brimstone Coven.   Ripple Music established its reputation as a leading force in the resurrection of heavy rock with its keen ear for talent and partnership approach with its bands that led to a string of best-selling releases by Mothership, Mos Generator, Stone Axe, Ape Machine, Devil to Pay and Grifter as well as some highly regarded reissues of classic '70s albums and new releases by protometal giants like Leaf Hound, Poobah, JPT Scare Band and Iron Claw.  Ripple Music established a world-wide network of physical and digital distribution that it will employ to spread the CD and digital versions of STB artists around the globe.

“I’m a firm believer of cooperation amongst labels, not competition,” comments Ripple Music CEO Todd Severin.The goal is to get the music heard. Get it out there.  Help the bands. By working together in this capacity, Ripple Music and STB Records can make a huge impact.”

STB Records President, Steve Macioci agrees. “I think it’s only right that people with the same values and ethos work together for the common good. There is a DIY renaissance happening in the underground stoner rock/doom scene right now, STB and Ripple are right there at the forefront setting the plate for these amazing artists to be heard and discovered. We are carving a path for this new resurgence and its 100% DIY for music lovers by music lovers, untainted by greed or ego. It’s so exciting."

The first joint Ripple Music/STB release will be the CD and digital versions of STB’s immediate sold-out release by Ancient Warlocks, with more joint ventures to follow with the new Geezer album.

Ripple Music and STB Records. A new cooperation. A new force to reckon with in the underground heavy music scene.

Ripple Music: ripple-music.com
STB Records: stbrecords.bigcartel.com

 
More Ripple Links:

Ripple Music:
Website
Facebook
Bandcamp
Twitter

Heavy Ripples Distribution:
Website
Facebook
Twitter