Tag Archives: lit lounge

Events, Reviews

Amon Amarth “Twilight Of The Thunder God” CD Listening Media Event (7/31/2008)

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Logo - Amon Amarth

Artist: Amon Amarth
Venue: Lit Lounge (New York, NY)
Event: “Twilight Of The Thunder God” CD Listening Event (Media Only)
Date: 7/31/2008
Label: Metal Blade Records

The event came as quite the surprise to me thanks to some email snafu but in the end the message reached me and the warning about the invading Viking hordes of Amon Amarth paying a visit to New York City was able to be prepared for. The Metal Faithful in NYC always love when the group comes to play shows here but tonight this would not be the case and instead I was able to be a part of a secret media cabal that was to convene together for the chance to join the band as they played their upcoming album “Twilight Of The Thunder God”. With haste I made my way to The Lit Lounge which is not too far from the original location of the long closed Fillmore East. The club or bar is set at two levels with the main floor space as a decent sized bar and the basement as a rather congested concert area space. I had only been there once before in 2007 to see both Unexpect and Virgin Black perform and while I loved the bands who were gigging I didn’t like the setting of the venue that particular night. Tonight the gathering would be in the main space and while the party had already started upon my arrival the music had not yet begun to spin. Towards the back I wandered where I saw the esteemed Metal Blade Publicity peeps and the hulking presence of Mr. Johan Hegg, lead singer of the band. If you don’t know what I mean, well, he is a super tall dude to the conventional New Yorker and his appetite for Metal is just as large as he is so it’s always best to approach with candor or at least a full pint of ale for him. He already had a full pint so I smiled and addressed him with a hearty “Hails Johan”, and since the background music was some odd Country and Western tune I decided to break the ice by complimenting the band on the bold new step and direction that they were taking with the album as it was clear to win over all those Redneck Southern Vikings who have been dying to have a Bluegrass twist to their Death Metal.
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Events, Reviews

Virgin Black & Unexpect @ Lit Lounge (6/11/2007)

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Virgin Black is one of the more difficult to catch onto groups in the Metal world. There is a little bit of Opera, a little bit of Classical Symphony and a whole lot of Gothic Metal all twisted around into one unique project. I liked their album enough to come to see them, and appreciated that Unexpect was going to be the opener so if you want to read some more about this gig just scroll past the logo below to be brought to our thoughts.

Logo - Virgin BlackArtist: Virgin Black
Venue: Lit Lounge (New York, NY)
Opener: Unexpect
Date: 6/11/2007
Label: The End Records

When I say that this gig came faster than the taxman then you must believe me. I had only just finished enjoying the newest release by Virgin Black on The End Records (an interesting CD entitled “Requiem: Mezzo Forte”) and suddenly, like a bolt of lightning there was a New York gig scheduled. The performance would be held at The Lit Lounge, a club I had yet to visit, and would also be on a Monday night. This fact alone presented a problem based on work demands so it would definitely be one of those last minute decisions for me. I have to admit that my mind was made up when I learned that opening for the band tonight would be the one and only uneXpect from Montreal. The uneXpect had tried to return to the States a little over a year ago but were stopped at the gates for some odd reason. As I walked into the Lit Lounge, I found the upstairs to be a rather sizable bar but the bands were going to be playing in the clubs basement area – so down I went into the abyss. The downstairs area is quite small and confined but there is a spot to set up equipment and places to congregate should you have a very minimal crowd attending. There is a bar in the back and a spot for merchandise to be sold as well as an area where the bands can prep and ready themselves to perform. The stage size is small by regular standards but with a trio this would work.
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