It’s an album that coalesces the artists’ most alluring traits without sacrificing any of their visceral individuality.

Photo and video coverage of Red Pens’ CD release at Minneapolis’ Triple Rock Social Club.

Music video for “Bridles of Incitatus” by Graves of Valor as well as the band’s upcoming 2009 fall tour dates.

Photo coverage of Cocaine at Minneapolis’ Fine Line Music Cafe.

Photo and video coverage of Lucy Michelle & Chris Graham at Minneapolis’ Sauce Spirits & Soundbar.

Music video by Huddersfield’s Evile for “Infected Nation” frm the album of the same name.

To those who paid the $30+ bill to enter the door, the brevity of it all was the only gripe worth mentioning once all was said and done. Although it left more than a few audience members a bit unhappy, the condensed show likely helped Cedric, Omar and their bandmates to project a strong performance from the beginning until the end. For my part, there couldn’t have been a finer setting to watch the theatrics.

Music video for “Body Farm” by San Diego’s Cattle Decapitation from the album “The Harvest Floor.”

Music video for “Necropolis” by Waterford, Michigan’s the Black Dahlia Murder from the album “Deflorate.”

Music video fpr “Cell Mates” by Mariachi el Bronx (the Bronx’s mariachi-styled side-project) from the band’s self-titled debut.

Photo and video coverage of Iron Thrones, Battlefields and Overmars at Minneapolis’ Uptown Bar.

Ensiferum, Hypocrisy, Ex Deo & Blackguard will play The Rock in Maplewood as one of many dates on the bands’ forthcoming Norther American tour.