Tombs – “Course of Empire” MP3 (PopMatters Premiere)

New York may be well known for its plentiful hardcore scene, but with so many musicians clinging to the minimalist nature of hardcore in one area, other bands will undoubtedly attempt to adapt that simplistic style into something more complex and forward-thinking over time. Tombs, the new project from ex-Anodyne frontman Mike Hill, is one such band, drawing on their roots and multiple outside influences to create a unique, appealing sound. The “minimalist” aspect of their sound comes from their raw, uncut production, similar to seminal hardcore bands like Black Flag and Minor Threat, and even approaching the levels of black metal artists such as Darkthrone at times. However, there is nothing simple about their compositions, with sound like the darkest nightmares of Gojira or Mastodon. To put it another way, Tombs is the bastard child of noise-rockers Unsane and post-metal visionaries Neurosis — raw, heavy, progressive, and unrelenting across the board.

Check out the track “Course of Empire” after the jump, taken from their upcoming collection of early and unreleased material, entitled Fear Is the Weapon (November 9th, Relapse). The band is getting ready to release a new album next summer, but until then, you can catch them on tour on one of the dates listed below the stream.

TOUR DATES

11/26/10 – Otto Bar, Baltimore, MD (w/ Toxic Holocaust)

11/27/10 – Kung Fu Necktie, Philadelphia, PA (w/ Toxic Holocaust)

11/28/10 – Great Scotts, Allston, MA (w/ Toxic Holocaust)

12/2/10 – Now That’s Class, Cleveland, OH

12/3/10 – Fubar, St. Louis, MO

12/4/10 – The Conservatory, Oklahoma City, OK

12/5/10 – Reno’s Chop Shop, Dallas, TX