Dragged Into Sunlight, Primitive Man, Cult Leader, Churchburn

The elusive Dragged Into Sunlight possess an increasing number of members, known by their initials.

Having gained notoriety for their exclusive, vicious and ritualistic live performances, Dragged Into Sunlight has established a presence throughout Europe, Japan and the U.S. touring with heavy hitters such as Eyehategod, Weedeater, Black Cobra, Rwake, Today is the Day, Mayhem and Soilent Green.

In 2008, the band released a limited tape 'Terminal Aggressor' which was extensively traded, before selling out.

The band's debut full-length 'Hatred for Mankind' produced by Tom Dring (Corrupt Moral Altar), and released on Mordgrimm Records (Anaal Nathrakh), drew comparison to fellow lifers Incantation, Rudimentary Peni and Wolves In the Throne Room. The recording summoned an immediate cult following and set the benchmark for an ultimately unique and extreme sound.

Scribed as thriving "on chaos…. dirty smoke, coke mirrors and painful feedback" (Iron Fist) and assuring the worst is yet to come, Dragged Into Sunlight repressed Hatred for Mankind on Prosthetic Records in 2011.

The monolithic 'Widowmaker' surfaced in 2012 to widespread critical acclaim, a single 40 minute recording, praised as "a systematic rite of destruction whose domineering scorched earth tactics leave no synapse or nerve ending unscathed" (Metal Hammer).


Denver's PRIMITIVE MAN's music matches its name: a savage, sparse mix of death metal, blackened noise, and doom riffs. The threepiece was formed in February of 2012 by Ethan Lee McCarthy, Jonathan Campos, and Bennet Kennedy (all current and former members of Vermin Womb, Withered, Clinging To The Trees of A Forest Fire, Death of Self and Reproacher). In October of 2012 the band recorded their debut LP Scorn at Flatline Audio with Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Cobalt, Catheter, CTTTOAFF). Scorn was released a collaboration between Throatruiner and Mordgrimm Records. After the release of Scorn, the band parted ways with Kennedy and recruited Isidro "Spy" Soto to take over on drums. The band also self-released a three-song EP in February titled P/M.


The unique metal hybridization of Scorn caught the attention of Relapse, who liked the record enough to sign the band and reissue the full-length in summer 2013. Dubbed a "totally malignant sounding record and one that will consume you whole if you're not careful," by Cvlt Nation and called "the best worst thing that has ever happened to you," in an 8/10 review from Metal Hammer, Scorn found PRIMITIVE MAN celebrating a slow-roasted apocalypse through seven suffocating hymns of hatred, disease and sonic deviance. The record put the band on the map for many listeners, and enabled PRIMITIVE MAN to embark on a relentless touring schedule that would soon see the band playing live shows across the US and Europe (often for the vast majority of the year) in company with acts such as Hexis, Reproacher, Fister, Celeste, Opium Lord, and Mammoth Grinder. PRIMITIVE MAN also played Denver Black Sky in 2013 alongside Relapse brethren Dying Fetus, Exhumed, Skinless, Iron Reagan, Call of the Void, and Weekend Nachos.


All of Ethan McCarthy's projects have been prolific, and PRIMITIVE MAN is no exception – the band released four splits between 2013 and 2015, and dropped another bombshell of nihility in 2015 with its Relapse EP Home Is Where The Hatred Is. The EP was well-received by publications including Metal Injection, MetalSucks, Revolver, and Exclaim!, the latter of who stated, "unapologetically bleak and permeated by loathing and hostility, Home Is Where The Hatred Is will either leave you wanting more or contemplating teetering off a ledge." Despite their primeval, bludgeoning approach, PRIMITIVE MAN wouldn't exist without their savage awareness of modern humanity: simultaneously old and new, atavistic and groundbreaking, PRIMITIVE MAN stands to redefine current conceptions of hope, faith, and metal music.


Cult Leader are the next evolutionary leap forward for three-quarters of Gaza, arguably one of the best metallic bands of the last decade. After the early 2013 dissolution of the aforementioned band, remaining members Michael Mason, Casey Hansen, and Anthony Lucero were joined by bassist Sam Richards to form this brand new beast.


Churchburn is the musical collaboration between two of the undergrounds masters of misery. Dave Suzuki, best known for his mesmerizing guitar work and brutal drumming in Vital Remains and Ray McCaffrey, who carved out sonic drum patterns for Sin Of Angels and Grief. The two have set out to share with the world their love of the riff. Not only the heaviest but also the most haunting. Each song is crafted with the most sinister of intent. With the addition of Kevin Curley of Thrillhouse on Guitar and Mike Cardoso of Haxen/ I' Destroyer on Bass. Churchburn want the listener to feel a true sense of dread as each song progresses. This is only the beginning...