HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE pre-order for reissues now available!

A landing page that houses pre-orders and one song from each reissue is now live at the following location: http://www.metalblade.com/hammersofmisfortune/. The San Francisco based, groundbreaking progressive metal outfit HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE joined the Metal Blade Records roster in early 2010 and is currently at work writing their new studio album, which is expected to be released in 2011. The following reissues will also be made available on vinyl via Metal Blade Records in the fall 2010.

The Bastard (originally released: 2001)
"An unknown San Francisco-based band called Hammers of Misfortune releases a metal opera entitled THE BASTARD, one of the best metal albums ever. It wins recognition in Terrorizer Magazine as one of the 'Top 40 Albums of the Year.' But no one seems to notice. Tragic is only perhaps slightly too strong a term to describe this situation." Maelstrom.com

The band's first release, The Bastard, is an epic tale told in three acts with three distinct characters/voices. The release was met with critical acclaim and was voted among the top 40 releases of 2001 by the writers of Terrorizer Magazine.

The August Engine (originally released: 2003)
"THE AUGUST ENGINE is one of the finest pieces of epic metal that I have ever heard. Hammers of Misfortune have exceeded every expectation that I had coming into this album, and there is something on this disc for fans of all types of metal. Fans of The Lord Weird Slough Feg, US Power Metal, Folk, and NWOBHM especially will want to check this album out." Metal-Observer.com

The August Engine was voted as the best album of 2003 by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles writer Chris Bruni and received a 10/10 rating from a different writer in the same issue: "Entirely something new, and entirely something creatively masterful." Martin Popoff, BW&BK

The Locust Years (originally released: 2005)
"Notoriety and record sales be damned, I don't think there's a better band out there right now than Hammers of Misfortune. THE LOCUST YEARS is the kind of record that will be talked about fifty years from now…this is a metal opera that fucking rocks unashamedly, dexterous virtuoso metal that never forgets hooks and heart." BLABBERMOUTH.NET

Fields/Church of Broken Glass (originally released: 2008)
"What qualities define a truly great band? Proficiency, of course; technical acumen, originality, a vision - these are sufficient, while heart, soul and depth are absolutely necessary. But there's something else; some magic unknown that makes a band meaningful to its listeners. Whatever that thing is, Hammers of Misfortune has it - a nearly painful beauty, like first love, a radiant sunset, good fortune descending from nowhere.

…reminiscent of those glory days in the '70s when ambitious ventures from bands like Genesis rewarded the faithful with an overload of ideas and sensations, albums simply too rich and interesting and complex to play just once, or even 10 times. Hammers of Misfortune combine gorgeous vocal harmonies recalling folk-based classic rock - the Mammas And The Pappas, Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds - with sinuous, complex Opeth worthy arrangements and keyboard pomp Keith Emerson would the proud of. The Hammers are simply the finest unknown rock/metal/folk/Renaissance band working today, and like any lover, I'm jealous of sharing them. But I must." Metal Maniacs Magazine

Here is the press release:

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of San Francisco's progressive metal outfit HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE. Metal Blade will reissue four of the band's previous releases in late summer 2010, with a new studio album expected in 2011.

Commented guitarist and founding member John Cobbett: "Metal Blade contacted us in April of 2009. After some back-and-forth we came to an agreement that will allow HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE to continue making albums the way we always have: unsupervised and self-produced. Also, we grew up on Metal Blade releases — from DESTRUCTION and SLAYER to TROUBLE and FATES WARNING — so we feel pretty good about that."

Added Metal Blade founder and CEO Brian Slagel: "We are really happy and honored to have signed HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE. I have been a huge fan for awhile now and I personally am really excited to work with them."

Formed by the eclectic and versatile guitarist John Cobbett (GWAR, LUDICRA, SLOUGH FEG, AMBER ASYLUM, JARBOE) in the late '90s, HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE started as an exercise in songwriting and making coherent full-length albums. The band is made up of some of the most talented musicians John Cobbett and co. can find. Cobbett explains, "I set out to do it this way from the beginning. Having been in a dozen or so bands that broke up before realizing their potential, I decided that the songs and albums were the most important thing. So I formed a 'break-up-proof' project that depends more on good material and strong albums than a consistent lineup."

One thing that is consistent, though, is that HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE has always consisted of John Cobbett (guitars) and Chewy Marzolo (drums), with Sigrid Sheie (keys, voice, flute) being another a longterm member of the group. Bassist Max Barnett (ex-OLD GRANDAD) has been with the group for over a year now and HAMMERS OF MISFORTUNE recently added Leila Abdul-Rauf (ex-SAROS) on guitar and vocals.

Recently John C. was commissioned to do a version of Freebird by artist Guy Overfelt's Trans Am project. Covering this old chestnut without sounding totally cheesball was quite a challenge. This isn't exclusively a Hammers Of Misfortune track, others were involved.

The Personnel:

Aesop Dekker - drums
John Cobbett - guitar, bass
Sigrid Sheie - piano, organ, flute
Jesse Quattro - vocals
Jackie Gratz - cello
Catherine Gratz - oboe

This track was produced and arranged by John C., and recorded by Justin Weis at Trakworx, Jan. 2010.

listen

download

Apparently this is going to be made into a video involving the famous Trans Am, but no word on that yet. Enjoy!

All dates with LUDICRA

08/04/09 Turf Club, St. Paul MN
08/05/09 Alehorn of Power Fest IV @ Cobra Lounge, Chicago IL w/Sough Feg, Bible of the Devil
08/07/09 Pirates Cove @ Peabody's, Cleveland OH
08/08/09 Casbah, Hamilton ON, Canada
08/09/09 Middle East, Boston MA
08/10/09 AS220, Providence RI
08/11/09 Santos, New York NY
08/12/09 Johnny Brendas, Philadelphia PA
08/13/09 DC9, Washington DC
08/14/09 Sonar, Baltimore MD
08/15/09 Ravari Room, Columbus OH w/ Deadsea

Savio​urs,​​​​​ Hamme​rs Of Misfo​rtune​,​​​​​ Cormo​rant

Frida​y,​​​​​ Febru​ary 6, 2009 8pm

at Brook​dale Lodge​
11570​ Highw​ay 9, Brook​dale,​​​​​ Calif​ornia​ 95007​

copy and paste​ the above​ addre​ss into googl​e maps for direc​tions​.​​​​.​​​​.​​​​

Hey Everyone, lots of news lately...

New double CD "Fields/Church of Broken Glass" is out now! Double vinyl is on the way. New "Fields" t-shirt is in print. Bastard Long Sleeves are back in print. "The Bastard" CD should be re-pressed one of these days. Stay tuned.

Our upcoming release is actually more like 2 albums joined at the spine. A split with ourselves, if you will. Both albums are between 30 and 40 minutes long, and have different feels, titles, cover art, logos, etc.

One album is called "Fields". The other is called "Church of Broken Glass". They will be released at the same time, as a double CD digipack through Profound Lore records, and as a double gatefold vinyl trough 20 Buck Spin. The release is scheduled for sometime in October 2008.

We should be playing some shows around that time.

Tracklists:

Fields:
1. The Fields Trilogy: a) Agriculture b) Fields c) Motorcade
2. Rats Assembly
3. Always Looking Down
4. Too Soon

Church Of Broken Glass:
1. Almost (Left Without You)
2. Butchertown
3. The Gulls
4. Church of Broken Glass
5. Train

We're at Trakworx recording two (2!) new albums right now.

Check this article out - click the pic to read:

We have new shirts featuring art from the cover of "The Locust Years". Available in all sizes, including American Apparel "classic girl" shirts. Go to the merch page to order one.

Cheers!

2/22/07 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

Hammers Of Misfortune
Asunder
Slough Feg

$12, 9pm

3/16/07 SXSW festival, Emo's

Hammers Of Misfortune
Kylesa
Weedeater
Stinking Lizaveta
Slough Feg
Bible Of The Devil

3/25/07 Bottom Of The Hill

Hammers Of Misfortune
Ghengis Tron
Kylesa

The message board and comments are temporarily disabled due to a shit-blizzard of spam we were getting. We'll open it all back up when we figure out how to protect it from spammers.

KUSF presents: a record release party for "The Locust Years", the new album by Hammers Of Misfortune.
Yes, we're performing the entire album live at Great American Music Hall, February 22. 2007.
Also playing: Asunder!! More details to follow...

Our third Album is finally here!

Lyrics from "The August Engine" and "The Locust Years" are now posted on our message board.

Two new interviews are up, including the dreaded 100 Questions from Lamentations Of The Flame Princess. You might find this entertaining... go here: http://www.lotfp.com/content.php?interviewid=53

For Immediate Release

Hammers Of Misfortune has a new line up! First of all, original drummer Chewy has returned to the fold. This is great news and we are thrilled to have him back!

As for Vocals, we have two new members, Patrick Goodwin (Dirty Power) is playing guitar and assuming duties as our male lead vocalist. Jesse Quattro (Secret Chiefs 3, Carniceria) is our new Female vocalist. We're very excited to have Chewy back, and some excellent new voices in the band. We expect this line-up to be our best yet. This line-up is confirmed to debut at the South By South West showcase in Austin TX, in March of '07. There will undoubtedly be shows prior to this, but they are a secret at the moment...

Hammers Of Misfortune official line-up:

Chewy - drums
Ron Nichols - bass
John Cobbett - guitar, etc.
Sigrid Sheie - piano, organ
Patrick Goodwin - voice, guitar
Jesse Quattro - voice, etc.

Heh heh, and then a bunch of fools get into a debate about Dimmu Borgir and shit. Funny.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=809

Our friend Craig McGillivary has photographed Hammers a lot. For his live documentation click here. This set includes some rehearsal shots and pictures of the funniest breakfast in Los Angeles ever.

Craig was also in the studio snapping pictures during basic tracking of The Locust Years. Check out his pix here

There's lots of excellent stuff on his site, mostly dealing with life here in our neck of the woods: http://www.truefaux.org/

Unholy Cadaver Demo #1 is now available in the iTunes music store! This link will take you directly to it (opens iTunes)

Hey look the guy from The Sword is wearing a Hammers shirt. We have indie cred now.

Our new CD is almost out. Pre-order it from us or buy it here

Listen to samples here

We might play a show in September.