Richmond doom metal band Windhand are playing a release show at Strange Matter this Saturday. However, instead of the release they’re celebrating being one of the usual things bands put out, such as a record, this show commemorates the release of the new Windhand IPA, an India Pale Ale brewed by South County Brewing.
Richmond doom metal band Windhand are playing a release show at Strange Matter this Saturday. However, instead of the release they’re celebrating being one of the usual things bands put out, such as a record, this show commemorates the release of the new Windhand IPA, an India Pale Ale brewed by South County Brewing. The show will be a homecoming for Windhand, who have been on the road for the last two weeks in support of their new album coming out this Fall on Relapse Records, who the band signed with back in March.
The band gathered the attention of many doom metal heads after releasing their self titled full length last year on Forcefield Records. They also put out a split EP through Relapse Records entitled Reflection of the Negative with fellow Richmond doom droogs Cough. The self-titled album and the split are both full of crushing, psychedelic doom, with female vocals akin to Sabbath-era Ozzy, sounding distant and full of despair. Fuzzy, downtempo, and eerie, Windhand is reminiscent of classic doom metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard.
South County Brewing decided to concoct a special brew for Windhand after seeing them play in Pennsylvania a few months ago. In a statement, South County Brewing explained that the Windhand beer is “a nearly sessionable IPA. The fruity citrus notes blend together in perfect harmony with this brew’s toasted malty sweetness, creating an experience any beer lover will appreciate.” The beer is a classic American IPA with a relatively low ABV of %5.1.
Metal bands making their own beer is not entirely new or foreign concept, with legendary bands such as Motorhead, AC/DC, and Kiss having their own respective brews, Bastards Lager, German Beer, and Destroyer. AC/DC and Kiss also have a collection of different wines bearing their name. It makes sense that metal bands are tapping into the alcoholic beverage market; after all, it’s no secret that most metalheads enjoy a good drink.
Windhand is also not the only Virginia metal band to have released a beer. Earlier this year, Municipal Waste and Pig Destroyer released their own beers through Three Floyds Brewing from Munster, Indiana. The artwork on Municipal Waste’s Toxic Revolution Stout Ale and Pig Destroyer’s Permanent Funeral Pale Ale is very reminiscent of the band’s respective artwork from their records. Just like Three Floyds, South County Brewing invited members of Windhand to see the brewing process and had them directly involved in making and marketing the beer. Windhand guitarist, Asechiah Bogdan did the artwork on the label of their IPA.
Inter Arma, Sinister Haze, and Lugweight will also be playing the IPA release party, which starts at 9 pm this Saturday at Strange Matter, located at 929 W. Grace St. Strange Matter will be serving Windhand IPA from a keg that will be tapped at the start of the show. Admission to the show is $5. For more information, click here.
