Cleveland metalpunks Midnight will be supporting Metal Blade recording artists The Black Dahlia Murder on tour this November and December across select dates in the United States. These latest tour dates are the next in support of Midnight’s massively acclaimed third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, released last October via longtime label home Hells Headbangers.
Says hooded mainman Athenar, “We were invited by our gracious hosts The Black Dahlia Murder to do some fuckin’ gigs. So hopefully, that will give us the opportunity to defile and degrade as many fresh earholes as inhumanly possible.” Full list of dates & venues that Midnight will be supporting Black Dahlia Murder are as follows:
November 14 – London, ON @ RumRunners [TICKET INFO]
November 15 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig [TICKET INFO]
November 16 – Saginaw, MI @ Counter Culture [TICKET INFO]
December 11 – Joliet, IL @ The Forge w/ Havok, Ghoul, Gost, Skeletal Remains
December 12 – Ft Wayne, IN @ Piere’s w/ Havok, Ghoul, Gost, Skeletal Remains
Hells Headbangers announces dates for the “Nocturnal Intrusion 2018” tour, to feature two of the label’s most celebrated bands: Cleveland metalpunks Midnight and Richmond speed metallers BAT.
Beginning May 18th, the tour will encompass eight dates along the American West Coast, and will include comrades Wormwitch as direct support. This will be the very first time that Midnight and BAT will be touring together. Confirmed dates and ticket links are as follows:
May 18 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
May 19 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room
May 20 – Los Angeles, CA @Union (Jewels Room)
May 21 – Camarillo, CA @ Rock City Studios
May 22 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge
May 24 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
May 25 – Portland, OR @ Tonic Lounge
May 26 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
(Midnight – photo by Eric Horval)
Says Midnight mainman Athenar, “Well, I guess it’s time for me to leave the dis-comforts of my basement and play some fuckin’ gigs! I hope Felix from our tourmates BAT is ready to be punished by me pestering him to tell me D.R.I. stories from days of yore. Lookin forward to getting back to the coast!” Midnight’s latest album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, can be heard HERE.
Says BAT vocalist/bassist Ryan Waste, “We are armed and ready to intrude the West Coast this May with our brothers in Midnight. It will be wild for sure, finishing what we started on our ‘Wings Over the West’ run last fall. This time, we’ve added more dates, including our first appearance in Vancouver, at the Modified Ghost Festival alongside Canadian legends Sacrifice. See all you maniacs at the gigs!” BAT’s latest album, Wings of Chains, can be heard at HERE.
Anyone who knows me, knows I am a HUGE Midnight fan and make every effort to catch them whenever they play anywhere near NYC. Today I got a chance to speak with Anthenar, who’s is the brains behind Midnight – here we go:
* So the new album has 2 super long songs on it – What was the game plan on these? Or they just wrote themselves that way?
Super long songs! they’re pretty short by in-a-gadda-da-vida standards. They kinda wrote themselves although those were the first 2 tunes written for this album and I initially was just gonna release a 2 song 12″ ep. but the 4 song shox of violence ep came out instead so I figured fuck it and just use the 2 super long songs as bookends for a full lp. for those tunes I was kinda in the headspace of Achilles last stand and blood of my enemies. I don’t think they turned out like either of those songs which is good!
* How do you lay down drum tracks when you are demoing – play it on a kit yourself or use one of those “toon track” type drum programs?
Just simple as possible. Sit down behind the drums and play while humming the tune in my head. it’s just like air drumming but actually hitting the drums while air drumming. makes sense?
Still waiting for that phone call from Neil Young.
* Have you ever been tempted to collab with other songwriters? Or is that something you have zero interest in?
Yeah me and Joel Grind have talked about doing stuff for years but nothing has surfaced yet. Maybe some day. Still waiting for that phone call from Neil Young.
I just liked the chuck berry idea of just showing up to a gig with a guitar and playing
* You started out just you playing along to a backing track – was that just from a lack of finding like minded musicians?
I just had no interest in being in a band. I wanted to do something somewhat unique like not having a band, sounds stupid I know. I just liked the chuck berry idea of just showing up to a gig with a guitar and playing. He had a live back up band waiting for him. I had a tape machine, bit of a difference.
I did write satanic royalty in a week in the winter.
* So are you originally from Cleveland right? (I recall an interview some years back where you said you just moved back and sat in your basement and wrote the entire Satanic Royalty album in a weekend as it was too cold to go out)
I was born in Cleveland and never moved away from the northeast Ohio area. I did write satanic royalty in a week in the winter. it was just something to do cuz it was shitty cold outside which I don’t mind. I’m not a sun sucker, I’m a snow bunny.
* How much of an influence do you think the city has been on your songwriting – as in my mind Cleveland has always been a dirty rock n roll town
Yeah being from Cleveland is for sure an influence of what’s gonna come out from inside. I didn’t grow up in the slums of east Cleveland or anything but it’s a certain type of person from Cleveland, very genuine.
* Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t you live in Boulder CO for some time too? How do you compare the two cities music scene wise?
You stand to be corrected sir. I never lived in Colorado. I have visited the state though and recently it smells of mary jane.
* Originally the plan was for you to just release Eps and Splits and you are now on your 3rd LP? What made you change your game plan? (Not that I am complaining mind you!)
Yeah well we all know life never goes as planned. It just started with satanic royalty to see if I could make a full album of 10 songs and see what would happen. Some folks experiment with drugs, I experiment with fucking around in the basement with a 4 track tape recorder I guess.
Dang as a 12 year old now would be cool too
* How much of a difference do you think there is if you were growing up as a 12yo metal fan now versus say discovering the underground scene in the 80s?
Dang as a 12 year old now would be cool too. there’s so much music readily available to your though the computer. where as in the 80’s you really had to pick and choose wisely. you have 1 album to waste your money on a week if you’re lucky. you just couldn’t endlessly download obscure demos and imports. although that is the bad thing about now is it’s total overload so you don’t get to digest everything like you could in the 80s. back then you would buy hallows eve tales of terror, listen to it over and over while checking out the cover, reading every word on the back cover, insert and hopefully it came with a merch sheet that you could send in 8 bux money order to buy a shirt and hopefully get it in 2 months. or like in my case with hallows eve never receive the shirt at all, bastards!
I really enjoyed doing those gigs with Joel. We have a lot of shit in common
* You did a stint playing live for Joel Grind and Toxic Holocaust – what was your biggest “take away” from how Joel runs his band for you?
I really enjoyed doing those gigs with Joel. We have a lot of shit in common. I guess the takeaway would be was there is no compromise at all. You get to see your vision hopefully fully realized.
* So as of right now there is a lot of evil shit coming out of Hollywood , you know total EYES WIDE SHUT stuff, What’s your take on all of that? Surely Hollywood is the real Satanic Royalty, no?
Ha! I guess. Who knows what goes on with all that horseshit. who cares?
* What can we expect from you in 2018?
Well I’d like to say to expect some touring and gigs, boring answer. but probably not. I’m just finishing up recording vox for another full length lp but that won’t come out in 2018.
* Any final words?
I hope these aren’t my final words in life! but thanks a lot Alex for taking time to give a shit about the band, it means a lot.
Hells Headbangers sets December 15th as the international release date for Midnight’s highly anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy. The album will be released on 2CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
By now, Midnight need no introduction. Guided by the twisted muse of mainman Athenar since 2003, this Cleveland cult have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze, subsequently building up a sizable catalog and garnering a rabid fanbase. While there’s certainly fanatics for the band’s early EP work, it was Midnight’s debut album, Satanic Royalty – released to international fanfare in 2011 by Hells Headbangers – that entered the band’s name into the annals of “classic.” Never one to rush things (nor drop an EP along the way), Midnight continued their underground dominance with No Mercy for Mayhem in 2014, further perfecting their signature sound. Now, with their massively anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, Athenar and co. return with their darkest and most daring effort yet.
Granted, upon the first detonating chords of opener “Crushed by Demons,” it would be fair to assume that Sweet Death and Ecstasy is simply classic Midnight…until the tracktime nearly doubles what a characteristic track of theirs would be. This is no mere bloat, though: bookended by two of the band’s longest songs to date, Sweet Death and Ecstasy lays bare a more anguished ‘n’ aggravated Midnight, forever in thrall to the usual subjects (LUST, FILTH, SLEAZE) but speaking a slightly different, altogether-more-poisonous tongue. It both charges harder than ever – even harder than the band’s early EP work, arguably – and also puts on the brakes to bang ‘n’ clang in a manner most foul. Indeed, Midnight truly deliver Sweet Death and Ecstasy in a swift 32 minutes, and it’s absolutely addicting. What’s more, the CD version will feature a bonus disc that’s a 12-song live rehearsal recorded in 2015 by Commandor Vanik. There’s no dawn for Midnight…ever!
In the meantime, hear the new track “Penetratal Ecstasy”
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Midnight’s Sweet Death and Ecstasy
1. Crushed by Demons
2. Penetratal Ecstasy
3. Here Comes Sweet Death
4. Melting Brain
5. Rabid!
6. Bitch Mongrel
7. Poison Trash
8. Before My Time in Hell
Additionally, Midnight will be playing a FREE pre-release show in Cleveland, Ohio at the Agora. Joining them will be labelmates Shitfucker and Embalmer. Event info can be found HERE, and poster for the event is thus:
Midnight contributes an exclusive cover of D.R.I.’s “I Don’t Need Society” for a hurricane relief benefit. Available as an exclusive Bandcamp download-only track, all profits from Midnight’s “I Don’t Need Society” cover will be donated to the Red Cross in their efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
A statement from Midnight mainman Athenar reads: “Being wild nutty metalist/punkoid/scumball/rockheads blah blah blah, we all feel we don’t need society. But like it or not, we are a part of society…I think? Maybe not, but anyway, here’s an interpretation of ‘I Don’t Need Society’ by one of my all-time favorite Texas bands, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles! So, instead of buying a pair of those used soiled panties off of Ebay or that 13-inch-long unsanded dildo that you’ve had your eye on for quite some time now, use that cash to help out some folks in the Lone Star State who may need a pair of soiled panties or a dildo of some sort.”
In other Midnight news, the band recently revealed the first track from their highly anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, which will be released later this year on 2CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats via Hells Headbangers. Titled “Penetratal Ecstasy,” hear the first taste of Sweet Death and Ecstasy HERE
By now, Midnight need no introduction. Guided by the twisted muse of Athenar since 2003, this Cleveland cult have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze, subsequently building up a sizable catalog and garnering a rabid fanbase. While there’s certainly fanatics for the band’s early EP work, it was Midnight’s debut album, Satanic Royalty – released to international fanfare in 2011 by Hells Headbangers – that entered the band’s name into the annals of “classic.” Never one to rush things (nor drop an EP along the way), Midnight continued their underground dominance with No Mercy for Mayhem in 2014, further perfecting their signature sound. Now, with their massively anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, Athenar and co. return with their darkest and most daring effort yet.
Granted, upon the first detonating chords of opener “Crushed by Demons,” it would be fair to assume that Sweet Death and Ecstasy is simply classic Midnight…until the tracktime nearly doubles what a characteristic track of theirs would be. This is no mere bloat, though: bookended by two of the band’s longest songs to date, Sweet Death and Ecstasy lays bare a more anguished ‘n’ aggravated Midnight, forever in thrall to the usual subjects (LUST, FILTH, SLEAZE) but speaking a slightly different, altogether-more-poisonous tongue. It both charges harder than ever – even harder than the band’s early EP work, arguably – and also puts on the brakes to bang ‘n’ clang in a manner most foul. Indeed, Midnight truly deliver Sweet Death and Ecstasy in a swift 32 minutes, and it’s absolutely addicting. What’s more, the CD version will feature a bonus disc that’s a 12-song live rehearsal recorded in 2015 by Commandor Vanik. There’s no dawn for Midnight…ever!
Today, Midnight reveals the first track from their highly anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy. The album will be released later this year on 2CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats via Hells Headbangers. The track is titled “Penetratal Ecstasy,”
By now, Midnight need no introduction. Guided by the twisted muse of mainman Athenar since 2003, this Cleveland cult have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze, subsequently building up a sizable catalog and garnering a rabid fanbase. While there’s certainly fanatics for the band’s early EP work, it was Midnight’s debut album, Satanic Royalty – released to international fanfare in 2011 by Hells Headbangers – that entered the band’s name into the annals of “classic.” Never one to rush things (nor drop an EP along the way), Midnight continued their underground dominance with No Mercy for Mayhem in 2014, further perfecting their signature sound. Now, with their massively anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, Athenar and co. return with their darkest and most daring effort yet.
Granted, upon the first detonating chords of opener “Crushed by Demons,” it would be fair to assume that Sweet Death and Ecstasy is simply classic Midnight…until the tracktime nearly doubles what a characteristic track of theirs would be. This is no mere bloat, though: bookended by two of the band’s longest songs to date, Sweet Death and Ecstasy lays bare a more anguished ‘n’ aggravated Midnight, forever in thrall to the usual subjects (LUST, FILTH, SLEAZE) but speaking a slightly different, altogether-more-poisonous tongue. It both charges harder than ever – even harder than the band’s early EP work, arguably – and also puts on the brakes to bang ‘n’ clang in a manner most foul. Indeed, Midnight truly deliver Sweet Death and Ecstasy in a swift 32 minutes, and it’s absolutely addicting. What’s more, the CD version will feature a bonus disc that’s a 12-song live rehearsal recorded in 2015 by Commandor Vanik. There’s no dawn for Midnight…ever!
Release date and preorder info to be revealed shortly.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
1. Crushed by Demons
2. Penetratal Ecstasy
3. Here Comes Sweet Death
4. Melting Brain
5. Rabid!
6. Bitch Mongrel
7. Poison Trash
8. Before My Time in Hell
Today, Hells Headbangers reveals the cover art and tracklisting for Midnight’s highly anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy. The album will be released later this year on 2CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
By now, Midnight need no introduction. Guided by the twisted muse of mainman Athenar since 2003, this Cleveland cult have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze, subsequently building up a sizable catalog and garnering a rabid fanbase. While there’s certainly fanatics for the band’s early EP work, it was Midnight’s debut album, Satanic Royalty – released to international fanfare in 2011 by Hells Headbangers – that entered the band’s name into the annals of “classic.” Never one to rush things (nor drop an EP along the way), Midnight continued their underground dominance with No Mercy for Mayhem in 2014, further perfecting their signature sound. Now, with their massively anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, Athenar and co. return with their darkest and most daring effort yet.
Granted, upon the first detonating chords of opener “Crushed by Demons,” it would be fair to assume that Sweet Death and Ecstasy is simply classic Midnight…until the tracktime nearly doubles what a characteristic track of theirs would be. This is no mere bloat, though: bookended by two of the band’s longest songs to date, Sweet Death and Ecstasy lays bare a more anguished ‘n’ aggravated Midnight, forever in thrall to the usual subjects (LUST, FILTH, SLEAZE) but speaking a slightly different, altogether-more-poisonous tongue. It both charges harder than ever – even harder than the band’s early EP work, arguably – and also puts on the brakes to bang ‘n’ clang in a manner most foul. Indeed, Midnight truly deliver Sweet Death and Ecstasy in a swift 32 minutes, and it’s absolutely addicting. What’s more, the CD version will feature a bonus disc that’s a 12-song live rehearsal recorded in 2015 by Commandor Vanik. There’s no dawn for Midnight…ever!
Release date, preorder info, and first track to be revealed shortly. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Midnight’s Sweet Death and Ecstasy
1. Crushed by Demons
2. Penetratal Ecstasy
3. Here Comes Sweet Death
4. Melting Brain
5. Rabid!
6. Bitch Mongrel
7. Poison Trash
8. Before My Time in Hell
