Tag Archives: Randy Norris

BLACK TUSK Bassist Jonathan Athon Passes Away

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BLACK TUSK Bassist Jonathan Athon Passes Away

“It is with deep regret and saddened hearts that we must tell you that Athon passed away this morning from injuries sustained from his motorcycle accident. Doctors told us that he suffered irreparable brain damage shortly after the accident. He has been in a coma and sustained by life support until now. As per his wishes, we removed Athon from his life support systems and his organs will be donated. His body will be cremated and a memorial is being planned for family and friends in Savannah. He was 32 years old and will be forever missed. Thank you all for your support during this devastating time for us, it would have made him proud.”
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     sad news indeed…
     -the Hellion

Introducing Virginia Sludge Rockers MAMMOTH BLACK: New Album “Death Is Not Ashamed” Out December 9, 2014 via Stonerkill Records‏

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Introducing Virginia Sludge Rockers MAMMOTH BLACK:

New Album “Death Is Not Ashamed” Out December 9, 2014 via Stonerkill Records

 

mammoth black

Introducing MAMMOTH BLACK – the newest and grittiest band to come out of Virginia. Self-described as heavy sludge rock, the band will release their debut album Death Is Not Ashamed on December 9, 2014 via Stonerkill Records. Production on Death Is Not Ashamed was completed earlier this fall with Dick Hodgin (COC, Velvet Revolver) at Osceola Studios in Raleigh, NC. The layout for the album was created by Joshua Fitzwater.

The album is available for pre-order soon via iTunes and CD Baby, as well as right now at MAMMOTH BLACK’s Bandcamp (Mammothblack@bandcamp.com).

 

If you pre-order via Bandcamp, you get ‘Open Death Letter’ as an instant download! Can’t wait? Check out a new music video for the track here:

Death Is Not Ashamed Track Listing:

1.      Open Death Letter

2.      Sheep Skin

3.      Self Pity & Self Deception

4.      Limb from Limb

5.      Death Mask

6.      Suffer

7.      Die Faster

 

MAMMOTH BLACK will perform at their official album release show, taking place at Shakas in Virginia Beach, VA on December 12th. The show will also feature performances from Gritter, Irata, and Saltine. For more information, visit www.shakaslive.com.

 

MAMMOTH BLACK plans to tour the U.S. east coast this January through March, stopping in select cities. Stay tuned for more information coming soon.

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In other news, MAMMOTH BLACK’s Brett Lloyd and Gritter’s Ryan Kent will also be releasing a book via Dead Books Publishing in January 2015 called Screaming On The Way Down. Stay tuned for more details on the book.

 

To learn more about the band, please visit www.facebook.com/mammothblackva.

 

MAMMOTH BLACK is:

Brett Lloyd – Vocals

Billy Strong – Guitar

Ross Becker – Guitar

Steve “Tombstone” Ross – Bass

Corbitt Carroll – Drums

 it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!

the Hellion

 

PRONG Announce New Covers Album and 2015 Tour Dates!‏

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PRONG Announce New Covers Album and 2015 Tour Dates!

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European Headline Tour kicks off on April 17, 2015

New Record “Songs From The Black Hole” out March 2015

 Fresh off their US Tour, American Power Trio PRONG finished an album of cover versions, putting their distinct spin on an array of tracks originally recorded by artists such as Black Flag, Bad Brains, Adolescents, The Sisters Of Mercy, Killing Joke, Hüsker Dü and Neil Young.

Tommy Victor: “PRONG is excited to announce 2015 European tour dates in conjunction with our upcoming release “Songs From The Black Hole”. Along with the standards and selected tracks from our newest albums, we will be performing our versions of classic influential masterpieces, as featured on the new record. The tour has us returning to England, remarkably, for four shows after our premier UK festival appearance at Bloodstock. It will also be great to head back to Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Austria and Holland with a new set and another new PRONG release, “Songs From The Black Hole”!

SPV/Steamhammer will be releasing the album as a special CD and LP edition in Scandinavia on March 25th, in Germany on March 27th, inEurope on March 30th and in the USA on March 31st 2015.

More details will be revealed soon.

PRONG European Tour 2015

17.04. NL-Groningen – Vera

18.04. NL-Sittard – Volt

19.04. B-Kortrijk – De Kreun

21.04. UK-Birmingham – O2 Academy 2

22.04. UK-Liverpool – O2 Academy 2

23.04. UK-London – O2 Islington Academy

24.04. UK-Bristol – O2 Academy

25.04. F-Savigny le Temple – L’Emreinte

26.04. CH-Pratteln – Z7

27.04. A-Graz – PPC

28.04. A-Vienna – Szene

29.04. D-Munich – Feierwerk

30.04. D-Berlin – C-Club

01.05. D-Cologne – Underground

02.05. D-Essen – Turock

03.05. D-Hamburg – Knust

Agency: Seaside Touring

___________________________________________

For More Info Visit:

http://www.prongmusic.com

https://www.facebook.com/prongmusic

http://www.spv.de

       it’s loud, it’s it’s dirty, it’s PRONG!!!

     -the Hellion

RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR Brand New Digital Single Out Now, Stream Available!‏

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RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR Brand New Digital Single Out Now, Stream Available!

rise of the northstar

Manga metal moshers RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR have released their brand new digital single, ‘Dressed All In Black’. The song is now available via all known download & streaming platforms. Click to order @ iTunes, Amazon, Google!

Stream ‘Dressed All In Black’ at: http://youtu.be/XeNyEiRD_es

The song comes off the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Welcame, which will be released November 21 via Nuclear Blast Records. Welcame was mixed and mastered by renowned producer Zeuss (MADBALL, HATEBREED, EMMURE).

The album will be available as limited edition digipak including a so-called obi, a traditional Japanese paper strip, wrapped around the CD. Two special bundles including a different rare and limited T-Shirts can be pre-ordered as well. Welcame will also be available on black vinyl as well as on Japanese style white vinyl with a red label (Nuclear Blast Mailorder only.)

While waiting for the whole cluster bomb of an album to be released, a few selected legends of the hardcore and metal world have already gotten a sneak peak and are overwhelmed:

“ROTNS really know how to bring that old thrash sound current! Their NYHC influenced style mixed in with their original mojo is something that appeals to many extreme music enthusiast world wide! Killer band!”

Roger Miret | AGNOSTIC FRONT

“What a sick mixture of some of the greatest influences from the 90’s, I love what they are doing!”

Billy Graziadei | BIOHAZARD

“Hardcore will never die as long as bands like ROTNS are carrying the torch. A crushing album!”

Mille Petrozza | KREATOR

„This is some HEAVY stuff with a youthful, hip hop kind a flare/flavor, what can I say… they definitely demonstrate their saiya style!“
Freddy Cricien | MADBALL

rotns blogpic

Welcame will contain the following tracks:
01. What The Fuck
02. Welcame [Furyo State Of Mind]
03. The New Path
04. Samurai Spirit
05. Dressed All In Black
06. Again And Again
07. Tyson
08. Bosozoku
09. Simon Says*
10. Authentic
11. Blast ‘em All
*PHAROAHE MONCH cover

Check out what RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR are about with this playlist of all their official videos to date! Among these are brand new tracks ‘Welcame[Furyo State Of Mind]’ and the PHAROAHE MONCH cover ‘Simon Says’ – both taken from the upcoming debut album!

This playlist contains:
‘Welcame [Furyo State Of Mind]’ – the album’s title track (250.000+ clicks)
‘Simon Says’ (stream only, no video) – PHAROAHE MONCH cover (53.000+ clicks)
‘Demonstrating My Saiya Style’ (1.000.000+ clicks)
‘Sound Of Wolves’ (900.000+ clicks)
‘Phoenix’ (1.300.000+ clicks)

‘Protect Ya Chest’ (895.000+ clicks)

RISE OF THE NORTHSTAR is:
Vithia – vocals
Air-One – guitar
Eva-B – guitar
Fabulous Fab – bass
Hokuto No Kev – drums

www.riseofthenorthstar.com | www.facebook.com/rotnsofficial | www.nuclearblast.de/riseofthenorthstar

      it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!…and we LOVE it!

     -the Hellion

A conversation with Aaron Marshall of INTERVALS!

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intervals band pic

Without the support from each other in the music community we might miss the opportunity to find a new band now and then. Thanks (once again) to my good friend and brother Mike Araiza Intervals has graced my ears.

     When I heard they were coming to my town I reached out to their publicist and was able to get show access and set up and interview. I surprised Mike with the hosting duties and we managed to put together a nice conversation with Aaron Marshall. So enjoy:

     Be sure to check Intervals out online at:

http://www.facebook.com/intervalsmusic
http://www.twitter.com/intervalsmusic
http://www.intervalsmusic.bandcamp.com
http://www.youtube.com/intervalsmusic

    it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Rock N’ Roll!

     the Hellion

WVM Releases 2 Singles From Upcoming “Waves Of Nothing” Album

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WVM Releases 2 Singles From Upcoming “Waves Of Nothing” Album

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American analog electro artist WVM has released two tracks, ‘Empire’ and ‘Pale Horse’ off of his upcoming album “Waves Of Nothing”, the release of which has not yet been announced.

Check out WVM ‘Empire’:

Buy ‘Empire’ on iTunes & wvmmusic.com!

‘Empire’ and ‘Pale Horse’ were made using analog synths and drum machines, I was heavily inspired by the synth music of the 80s but the songs are not rooted in any era as they sound like they could come from the past, present or future.

– WVM

Check out WVM ‘Pale Horse’:

Buy ‘Pale Horse’ on iTunes & wvmmusic.com!

The tracks were produced, performed, arranged and composed by WVM and mixed by Sean Beavan (NIN, Manson, No Doubt, Slayer).

WVM1

About WVM:

WVM is an American analog electro artist located in Los Angeles, California. His debut album “The End is Only the Beginning – EP,” released on March 5, 2013 and was produced, composed, performed and arranged by WVM and features Chris Vrenna(Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson) and Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails, A Perfect Circle) on drums. The album was mixed bySean Beavan (Nine Inch Nails, Slayer, Marilyn Manson, No Doubt), who also invited WVM to record vocals at his private Blue Room Studio for all the tracks on the first EP.

Connect with WVM:

wvmmusic.com
Facebook | Twitter | | YouTube

DIABLO BLVD Sign to Nuclear Blast + Lyric Video Released & New Album Coming in January!‏

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DIABLO BLVD Sign to Nuclear Blast + Lyric Video Released & New Album Coming in January!

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Nuclear Blast is proud to announce the signing of Belgium’s finest – anthemic grooving rock/metal outfit DIABLO BLVD!

Formed in 2005 with all members hailing from the city of Antwerp, Belgium, the band is named after a CORROSION OF CONFORMITYsong and lead by notorious stand-up comedian and singer Alex Agnew. With current and ex-members of bands like A BRAND, BORN FROM PAIN and MEURIS, this eclectic five-piece quickly started to turn heads and playing shows to appreciative crowds all over Belgium and the Netherlands.

Building on groovy riffs, catchy choruses and a charismatic stage presence, DIABLO BLVD offers what made their heroes great within a wide range of influences from the heavy genre (like DANZIG, THE CULT, GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY and TYPE O NEGATIVE), classic rock and even blues.

After two successful full-length albums and numerous celebrated shows around Europe DIABLO BLVD went to the legendary ICP studios in Brussels with producer Ace Zec to record the brand new album Follow The Deadlights in collaboration with the American duo Jay Ruston(mix) and Paul Logus (mastering) who have previously been behind the sound of ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, MEATLOAF and STEEL PANTHER.

Commented the band: “Everybody! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’re going to join the Nuclear Blast family for our first world-wide release. Signing to Nuclear Blast is like getting the hot chick everybody wants. They were our first choice when we started looking for a deal and to see it actually coming through still feels unreal. So a big thank you to everyone involved for making it happen and we hope to see you all in 2015.” – DIABLO BLVD

Follow The Deadlights is planned for release January, 2015 via Nuclear Blast.

The official lyric video for the first single off the album, ‘Rise Like Lions’, can now be streamed at this location:

download

01. Beyond The Veil
02. Rise Like Lions
03. Get Up 9
04. Follow The Deadlights
05. Son Of Cain
06. Come With Me (Battle Call)
07. Fear Is For The Enemy
08. Peace Won By War
09. End Of Time
10. Inhuman
11. Saint Of Killers

DIABLO BLVD is:
Alex Agnew – vocals
Andries Beckers -guitar
Dave Hubrechts – guitar
Kris Martens – drums
Tim Bekaert – bass

www.diabloboulevard.com | www.facebook.com/diabloboulevard | www.nuclearblast.de/diabloboulevard

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Diablo BLVD!!!

-the Hellion

INCITE Announces Fall Tour with 36 CRAZYFISTS, SKINLAB and ALL HAIL THE YETI‏

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INCITE Announces Fall Tour with 36 CRAZYFISTS, SKINLAB and ALL HAIL THE YETI

 

Headlining Metal Insider’s CMJ 2014 Showcase @ The Wick in Brooklyn, NY on October 22, 2014

 

Order Your Copy of INCITE’s Up In Hell Now via iTunes or Amazon –

12” LP Version Coming October 14th!

yeti tour

Richie Cavalera’s musical middle finger to society, INCITE, are set to take the states by storm this fall on their newly announced tour with 36 Crazyfists, Skinlab, and All Hail the Yeti, kicking off on October 31st  in South Lake Tahoe, CA. The tour hits 20 western and central U.S. cities before wrapping up in Chico, CA on November 23rd. See below for a full listing of dates.

“So fired up to be doing a US tour with such killer bands,” states Richie Cavalera. “It’s going to be a rager every night. We want to see all of you in the pit! The tour kicks-off Halloween night and hits all the killer spots throughout the west coast and midwest. We’re ready to make some new fans and friends.”

INCITE on tour w/ 36 Crazyfists, Skinlab, and All Hail the Yeti:

10/31 – South Lake Tahoe, CA @ Whiskey Dicks

11/1 – Portland, OR @ Ash St. Saloon

11/2 – Spokane, WA @ The Hop

11/3 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

11/5 – Redding, CA @ Bombay’s

11/6 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones

11/7 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

11/8 – Los Angeles, CA @ Los Globos

11/9 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock

11/10 – Santa Fe, NM @ The Skylight

11/12 – Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog

11/13 – Dallas, TX @ The Gas Monkey

11/14 – Tulsa, OK @ Downtown Lounge

11/15 – Norman, OK @ Labryinth

11/16 – Wichita, KS @ Lizard Lounge

11/17 – Denver, CO @ Roxy Theatre

11/18 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater & Club

11/19 – Idaho Falls, ID @ DB’S

11/20 Salt Lake City, UT @ Bar Deluxe

11/21 – Las Vegas, NV @ Cheyenne Saloon

11/22 – Oakland, CA @ Uptown

11/23 – Chico, CA @ Lost on Main

 

 

INCITE recently announced that they’ll be headlining the third annual Metal Insider’s CMJ 2014 Showcase, taking place at The Wick in Brooklyn, NY on October 22. Sponsored by Spinefarm Records, the show will also feature sets from’68, Black Crown Initiate and Toothgrinder. Metal Insider’s CMJ 2014 Showcase is taking place as part of New York City’s annual CMJ Music Marathon.

 

Tickets are on sale now through The Wick’s website for only $12 [enter SPINEFARMCMJ as the promo code at checkout to get the early bird rate of $10]. Limited CMJ badges will be admitted at the door. More information about Metal Insider’s CMJ 2014 Showcase can be found here: http://bit.ly/1qSgC6u Purchase tickets here: www.thewicknyc.com/event/695985

yeti tour 2

 

You can download your copy of INCITE’s brand new album, Up In Hell, now via iTunes or Amazon. And this just in – keep an eye out for the 12” LP coming October 14th! Pre-order here.

 

Over the years, INCITE has toured alongside the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan, Soulfly, Throwdown, Cavalera Conspiracy, and more. Moreover, they’ve been praised by everybody from Kerrang! and Revolver to ARTISTdirect. In addition, INCITE has reached Top-40-status on Sirius Metal Charts with tracks like ‘Army of Darkness’ and the Devil’s Dozen on Liquid Metal with ‘The Aftermath’. Revolver also named 2012’s All Out War its “Album of the Week” upon release.

 

For more information INCITE, please visit these websites:

www.facebook.com/INCITEband 

www.twitter.com/INCITEband

www.INCITEaod.com

 

INCITE is:

Richie Cavalera – Vocals

Lennon Lopez – Drums

Christopher “EL” – Bass

“Dru Tang” Rome – Lead Guitar

Kevin “Dis” – Guitar

TOMBS Premiere Video For Cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” on Stereogum

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TOMBS Premiere Video For Cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” on Stereogum

tombs

TOMBS released their new album Savage Gold on June 10th to massive critical acclaim with Guitar World, Alt Press, Pitchfork, Terrorizer and many more calling it one of the best albums of 2014 so far.  Savage Gold is available to order via Relapse HERE and iTunes HERE.  The album is available in the following formats: Standard Black Vinyl 2xLP, CD and digital download.

Today TOMBS presents a video for their haunting cover version of David Bowie’s “Heroes”.  The video was directed by Jaclyn Sheer & Samantha Astolfi.  The song was originally recorded by David Bowie with Brian Eno in 1977.  TOMBS covered the song in 2012 with the German vocals provided by Ralph Schmidt (Hëllström, Planks).  Check out the exclusive premiere of the video courtesy of Steregoum HERE.  The video can also be viewed on YouTube HERE.

“We recorded an mixed the song on our own with the help of Tim Schmoyer in Boston.  We chose this version of the song because it was featured in the soundtrack of Christiane F, a 1981 German film by Ulrich Edel. It’s a dark drama about a young girl’s descent into drug abuse and prostitution.  I’ve been listening to the soundtrack during the band’s many trips to Germany and have always wanted to cover the song, says vocalist Mike Hill of the video.

Mike Hill has launched a specialty coffee company, Savage Gold Coffee, inspired by his love for high quality, organic coffee.  The first roast, Savage Gold Prime, is an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee bean grown between 6,000 and 6,500 feet above sea level. It is an aromatic and dynamic coffee roasted to perfection with a large flavor profile. It is sourced from a co-op of Ethiopian farmers and is 100% Fair Trade, certified organic and wet (mechanically) processed.  More info on the coffee is available via the official Savage Gold website HERE.   Decibel Magazine’s “Deciblog” spoke with Mike Hill earlier this week about the new coffee company, read the interview HERE.

In support of Savage Gold, TOMBS will hit the road this fall for a three-week tour with Pallbearer and Vattnet Viskar.  The shows kick off on October 16th in Louisville, KY and run through November 9th in Dallas, TX.   A complete list of dates can be found below.  The band will also take part in next year’s Maryland Deathfest on May 24th of 2014.

TOMBS Tour Dates: 

 

***All dates w/ Pallbearer and Vattnet Viskar***

 

Oct 16                 Louisville, KY       The New Vintage w/ Vattnet Viskar

Oct 17                 Nashville, TN        Exit/In

Oct 18                 Lexington, KY       Cosmic Charlie’s

Oct 19                 Champaign, IL      High Dive

Oct 20                 Madison, WI         The Frequency

Oct 21                 Detroit, MI           The Magic Stick Lounge

Oct 22                 Chicago, IL          The Township w/ Vattnet Viskar

Oct 23                 Cleveland, OH       Grog Shop

Oct 24                 Toronto, ON         Lee’s Palace

Oct 25                 Montreal, QC        Il Motore

Oct 26                 Boston, MA          Great Scott

Oct 27                 Brooklyn, NY        Saint Vitus

Oct 28                 Brooklyn, NY        Saint Vitus

Oct 29                 Philadelphia, PA    Black Box at Underground Arts

Oct 30                 Baltimore, MD      Metro Gallery

Oct 31                 Chapel Hill, NC     Local 506

Nov 01                 Atlanta, GA           The Earl

Nov 02                 Tampa, FL           The Orpheum

Nov 04                 New Orleans, LA  Siberia

Nov 05                 Houston, TX         Fitzgerald’s Downstairs

Nov 08                 Austin, TX           Fun Fun Fun Festival Nites

Nov 09                 Dallas, TX            Three Links

 

May 24                Baltimore, MD      Maryland Deathfest XIII (2015) @ Edison Lot

 

About TOMBS: 

 

Formed in 2007 by singer / guitarist Mike Hill (Anodyne, Versoma) in Brooklyn, NY, TOMBS blends a wide array of influences including Black Metal and dark industrial music. The band went through a number of line-up changes with Hill the only remaining original member. Former members included Domenic Seita (Storm of Light) and Carson Daniel James. The band’s prior Relapse output included a self-titled EP and a split 12-inch with like-minded, Germanic darkness weavers Planks. Both records were release on Hill’s now-defunct label Black Box Recordings. The band’s first two Relapse releases, 2009’s Winter Hours and 2011’s Path of Totality both received massive reception from the press with the latter being featured prominently on many critic’s year end metal lists including Pitchfork, Brooklyn Vegan, NPR and MetalSucks. The crowning achievement was securing the 2011 album of the year for Decibel Magazine. In addition to their critically acclaimed releases, TOMBS has become known for their captivating live performances and have toured extensively throughout North America and Europe with bands ranging from Isis, Pelican, Wolves in the Throne Room, The Secret and Kylesa.

Slipknot….hmmmm?????

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Ahhh Slipknot…they have been all over social media with the impending release of their new record .5: The Gray Chapter. While Slipknot is not one of my favorite bands they do have my respect. I say this because of their tenacity to persevere after the death of Paul Gray, and the departure of Joey Jordison, and to their use of promotion.

I happen to dig bands that represent themselves visually as well as through their music. Kiss and  Alice Cooper exposed me to theatrical rock in my misspent youth and I am glad to see bands like Slipknot carrying the torch for visual rock.

One of the things I find lacking in bands today is their lack of promotion. The internet and social media is a great tool if used to its potential. Slipknot used its loyal fan base to help generate buzz around their future release. At one point blacking out their website and Facebook pages. This caused a lot of online discussion about what was happening with the band. Then on July 15, they began releasing July 15, the band began releasing short teasers for the new album for over a two-week period that turned out to be clips from the official video along with samples from a song entitled “The Negative One”.

More recently there has again been much buzz about the new drummer and bassist and the fact they are not getting their own unique masks and identities within the band. Again, the fans were eating this up online. Combined with the release of their new video for “The Devil In I”which introduced their newly redesigned masks, Slipknot is ensuring they remain in the eyes, ears, and minds of the world.

Slipknot has some decent tracks that are listenable and some that are not but I’ll take them. Oh yeah, I still hate clowns.

 

“And the rain will kill us all”

-the Hellion