photos by Molly Crowe
Decibel Magazine is hosting the premiere of a new video for “Wendigo,” from Canton, Ohio-based NIGHT GOAT. The song is found on the band’s second album, Totem, nearing release this month through Black Donut Records.
Not for the weak of heart, NIGHT GOAT delivers abrasive, slashing, dark noise rock/death rock, with elements of goth, post-punk, and doom, their barrage of sounds owing to an almost supernatural regard of classic bands of the genre like Samhain, Unsane, 45 Grave, Eyehategod, and even Sonic Youth. Their new album, Totem, is based on Native American lore, with ten new tracks that showcase the band at its deadliest yet. Totem was engineered by Jeremy James at Wreckroom Recording Studio, mastered by Sterling “Spidermonkey” Hankins, and completed with artwork by Chris Bentley and Gordiart. Totem also features guest saxophone from Matt Corey on “Death Crow Dance,” additional percussion from Tommy Dalo on “Child Of Owls” and “Death Crow Dance,” and guitar by Clinton Jacob (Mr. Phylzzz) on “Wendigo.”
The psychedelic “Wendigo” video was created by Rawketsock Design, merging footage from videographer Chrystal Shofroth with live footage shot by Mason Boano. NIGHT GOAT bassist/vocalist Dalin Jones writes, “For me, our song ‘Wendigo’ is about the fear of becoming the one thing you hate, only to gorge yourself on the very thing you despise. And even though you try and kill it, it ends up consuming you inside. As it takes over, you don’t even care. You don’t try to stop it. You welcome the becoming, in fact … It’s a delicious ravenous poison.”
With the video’s premiere, Decibel writes, “…NIGHT GOAT don’t disappoint in the noisy, fucked-up soundstakes on new track ‘Wendigo’ and its accompanying, and equally disquieting, video,” noting how the band, “approaches its metallic sludge with a sort of manic, unhinged fury.”
Watch NIGHT GOAT’s “Wendigo” video first at Decibel Magazine RIGHT HERE.
Black Donut Records will release Totem on LP – 300 copies on Ghostly Grape transparent purple vinyl – and digital platforms on March 17th. Find preorders where “Child Of Owls” and “Ghost Sickness” are streaming HERE.
NIGHT GOAT is currently booking regional live performances in support of the record, kicking things off with two new Ohio shows in April, a newly booked show with Wailin’ Storms confirmed for May, and a more widespread US tour coming together for July. See confirmed gigs below and watch for additional announcements to follow shortly.
NIGHT GOAT Live:
4/12/2023 Buzzbin – Akron, OH w/ Vazum [info]
4/22/2023 Strum Around – Sandusky, OH w/ Ghost:Hello [info]
5/22/2023 Buzzbin – Akron, OH w/ Wailin’ Storms, Hiram-Maxim [info]
NIGHT GOAT’s debut album, Milk, was released in late 2019 and received rave reviews throughout the underground. In 2020, the band followed up with a split release with good friends Ghost:Hello on European label Interstellar Smoke Records. 2021 found the band added to a Samhain tribute album, World Without End, where they delivered an explosive cover of the Samhain classic “Moribund.” The tribute album was released by Black Donut Records, who invited NIGHT GOAT back in 2022 for the Melvins tribute LP, A Future Of Bad Men, where the band covered “Antitoxidote” which Decibel Magazine lauded as, “a sludgy mess that Buzzo would likely approve of.” These two collaborations led the label to sign the band for their second LP, Totem. Along the way, the band has shared the stage with Christian Death, The Obsessed, Cherubs, Whores, Low Dose, False Gods, Mr. Phylzzz, and many more.
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