True to form, Red 7 is bringing in high caliber heavy hitters to ring your ears into the New Year. Instrumental trio Russian Circles balances bombastic, soaring riffs with metallic feedback lullabies and swirling atmospherics that seem to spin across the horizon into foggy clouds of dust, the likes of which those who witnessed their exceptional performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 will not soon forget. more ›

Red 7 will be blowing it out in a very heavy way on Saturday night. They’re bringing the legendary Saint Vitus back to town, staging Dixie Witch as anticipation builds for their forthcoming release, and hosting the very last show ever for The Roller. If you’re looking for a raucous metal party this weekend, Red 7’s got your ticket. more ›

With Chaos in Tejas heading our way like an out-of-control freight train, it’s nice to be reminded of our fair city’s homegrown heavy rockers. Especially considering the relative rarity of a hometown show from Dixie Witch - the hardworking buttrockers spend most of their time on the road. But whenever the trio hits a local stage, you’re assured an old-fashioned, balls-to-the-wall hard rock show, all big-ass riffs, sternum-rattling bass and the inspiring sight of Trinidad Leal singing with barrel-chested abandon while beating his drum kit like it kicked his dog. With three studio LPs in the past decade and a new one on the way from faithful label Small Stone Records, the Witch has plenty of asskickers in its holster to throw down in front of hip headbangers. A guaranteed good time. more ›

What’s the Deal: Fun Fun Fun Fest is always a yearly fix for punk lovers from Austin and beyond. And, bands like the L.A. noise/punk fivesome Miko Mika are responsible for bringing the stuff that makes the voices stop… or start. They have an energetic punk sound full of snappy drumming, power chord distorted guitars, catchy bass riffs and female vocals that make you miss groups like The Slits and The X-Ray Spex. They have a long list of 7 inches, self-released tapes and other recordings under their belts, but none do justice to their live show. more ›

Washington state’s Wolves in the Throne Room are somewhat of an anomaly. Typically boxed into the ambient black metal sub-style of the black metal sub-genre (stay with us here), the band is one of the luminaries on the U.S. black metal landscape that’s making a conscious effort to push the boundaries of a genre that has a tendency to remain stagnant. The band incorporates an ecologically conscious worldview, not only into their music but also their lifestyle (members live on a sustainable farming compound outside of Olympia that they call “Calliope”), and an emphasis on catharsis and spiritual well-being rather than black metal’s more traditional nihilism and misanthropy. more ›

One of our favorite post-rock acts here in town, My Education, have a new album called Bad Vibrations. Until our review, get a sampling over at NPR Music, where the band is featured on Second Stage. more ›

Snake Eyes Vinyl is not a record store front for a dirty gambling outfit. Snake Eyes, in fact, is just another of those death metal illusions, like Whore of Babylon, Self Induced Pain, or Suicidal Failure. In fact, Snake Eyes Vinyl does specialize in the metal genre, specifically zeroing in on the black metal, death metal, thrash metal, doom, stoner rock, southern rock, crust, grind, power violence, fast core, hardcore, punk, classic punk rock, progressive,... more ›

MONDAY [29] opera • Philip Glass' Waiting for the Barbarians at Bass Concert Hall music • Unwed Sailor, Bayta Darell, The Twilight Lieutenants at Emo's Lounge music • Hidden Hand, Kylesa, The Roller, Ironclad at Emo's music • The Fray, Mute Math at Frank Erwin Center music • Hill Country Outdoors' New Member Meeting at Opal Divine's Penn Field film • Darkon: The Movie at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film • Melody at Alamo Drafthouse... more ›

TUESDAY [19] film • Waiting for Guffman at Rounders Pizzeria (8pm, Free) ® film • AFS Essential: These are the Damned at Alamo Downtown (7pm) film • Butterfly at The Space (8pm, Free) film • Pieces at Spiderhouse (9pm, Free) film • Yacht Rock with Captain Smoothie live! at Alamo Downtown (9:45pm, $10) film • Ravenous at Spiderhouse (11pm, Free) music • Architecture in Helsinki, The Blow, Prom Nite (outside), Daughters, Russian Circles, The... more ›

THURSDAY [7] music • Shoot For the Stars and Kill Them VS. Cry Blood Apache, and Coma in Algiers at The Parlor food • Austin Farmers Market at Plaza Saltillo, 5th and Comal (4-7pm) film • TerrorStorm with Alex Jones Live at Alamo South (7pm) film • The Wire Season 4 Sneak Preview at Alamo Downtown (7:30pm, $10 food voucher to reserve) film • Raiders of the Lost Ark at Paramount Theatre (7:30pm) film... more ›