Photo by Angela Boatwright

Black Tusk’s forthcoming album, Pillars of Ash, rings of triumph, even if its creation was surrounded by tragedy. The Savannah, Ga. sludge metal group has shared a new cut from the album, “Desolation of Endless Times”, which the trio says “sums up the kind of year the band’s had.”



On November 9th, 2014, Black Tusk bassist Jonathan Athon died after suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle accident. With the band’s future in question, guitarist Andrew Fidler and drummer James May decided to keep Black Tusk going, in memory of Athon — and just as he would’ve wished it. Due out on January 29th on Relapse Records, Pillars of Ash contains Athon’s final recordings with the band, and in typical Black Tusk fashion, it’s an exercise in heavy rock and roll. Like much of the album, the unrelenting “Desolation of Endless Times” is teeming with sick riffs and punkish tempos.

Pillars of Ash is currently available for pre-order, with a variety of vinyl variants available from Relapse. Black Tusk will also begin a lengthy tour later this month with new bassist Corey Barhorst, formerly of Kylesa and a longtime friend of Athon and the band.

Pillars of Ash Tracklist:

01. God’s On Vacation

02. Desolation of Endless Times

03. Bleed on Your Knees

04. Born of Strife

05. Damned in the Ground

06. Beyond the Divide

07. Black Tide

08. Still Not Well

09. Walk Among the Sky

10. Punk Out

11. Leveling

Black Tusk 2016 Tour Dates:

01/22 – Wilmington, NC @ Reggie’s *

01/23 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings *

01/24 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *

01/25 – Johnson City, TN @ The Hideaway *

01/26 – Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone *

01/27 – Little Rock, AR @ Vino’s *

01/28 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey *

01/29 – San Antonio, TX @ Korova *

01/30 – Austin, TX @ Empire *

01/31 – Houston, TX @ Rudyard’s *

02/01 – New Orleans, LA @ Siberia *

02/03 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub *

02/04 – Tampa, FL @ New World *

02/05 – Jacksonville, FL @ Burro Bar *

02/06 – Savannah, GA @ Jinx *

02/23 – Charlotte, NC @ Milestone #

02/24 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakas #

02/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie #

02/26 – Boston, MA @ Once Ballroom #

02/27 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus #

02/29 – Burlington, VT @ Nectars #

03/01 – Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle #

03/02 – Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques #

03/03 – Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck #

03/04 – Detroit, MI @ Berserker Fest #

03/05 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s #

03/06 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon #

03/07 – Minneaplis, MN @ Triple Rock #

03/08 – Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium #

03/09 – Winnipeg, MB @ The Windsor Hotel #

03/11 – Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos Cantina #

03/12 – Edmonton, AB @ Brixx #

03/13 – Calgary, AB @ The Palomino #

03/14 – Kamloops, BC @ The Office #

03/16 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore #

03/17 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon #

03/18 – Spokane, WA @ The Pin #

03/19 – Portland, OR @ Panic Room #

03/20 – Bend, OR @ Volcanic Theatre Pub #

03/22 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Catalyst #

03/23 – San Francisco, CA @ Thee Parkside #

03/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Viper Room #

03/25 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick #

03/26 – Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock #

03/27 – Las Vegas, NV @ Divebar

03/28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Bar #

03/29 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater #

03/30 – Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room #

03/31 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar #

04/01 – Indianapolis, IN @ 5TH Quarter #

04/02 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House #

* = w/ Royal Thunder, Bask

# = w/ Holy Grail