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There have been enough guys leaving bands in the past month to form a whole new band. With their diverse musical backgrounds, the results would certainly be interesting, but I doubt that will happen, since most of them already have other plans. Aside from that, we have restarts, reformations and disbandings, as well as some recording and signing new, all here in the NorCal Metal Report.

Apiary quietly split with guitarist and founding member Mike McClatchey. The last link to the band’s original lineup, McClatchey will now focus his energies on his industrial/rock project, Lament Cityscape. He has been working on new music and tweaking old music recently, with plans to record his debut effort under that banner this month, and hopes to take the project on the road in late summer/early fall. Stay tuned for more in the latest chapter of the career of one of the Bay Area scene’s most prominent names.

Falling to Pieces announced the departure of vocalist Jason Lewis. Vinny Salinas, who already spends time with three-fifths of the band in Pop Murder, will fill the position while they fulfill all of their prior commitments. After that, the band will take a step back and seek a permanent replacement. Lewis, who has been with the band since they started out as Fellatia oh-so-many years ago, will be shifting his focus from music to other life endeavors. Both the band and this writer wish him the best of luck in whatever he does.

In Virtue has parted ways with long standing bassist Matt Solis, who will be focusing on his guitarist duties with Cormorant. This does not seem to have stopped them from proceeding with recording new material, though, and they are currently auditioning to fill the open slot. If you are interested, visit their Web site, www.myspace.com/invirtue, for more information on setting up an audition.

Insanity guitarist/vocalist Dave Gorsuch is ready to get the band going again, following the tragic passing of drummer Bud Mills late last year from esophageal cancer. Up first is the re-recording of their long-awaited second album, Visions of Apocalypse. Well, that and the completion of the current lineup. Gorsuch and bassist/vocalist Chris Tanti are currently auditioning drummers and looking for a second guitarist to round out Insanity and get them ready for future shows and tours. For more information, visit www.blacklungproductions.com/insanity or www.myspace.com/insanity.

On the other hand, Sarcoma will be disbanding in the wake of the departure of bassist Luke Friebertshauser. The band cites a number of factors, both internal and external, for the decision. Although they indicated that they will complete work on their Last Rites demo, it is unclear at this time whether or not that will actually happen. The split leaves the door for guitarists Julian Kidd and Patrick Daly and drummer Eric Ford to bring their previous band Pandemic back on a full-time basis, but that is strictly (wishful) speculation at this time.

Better Left Unsaid announced that they have signed to Stillborn Records, the label owned and operated by Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta. As previously reported, the band will release their debut album, The Fight Within, through the label on July 22. Before that, they will have the unique opportunity of opening for their new boss at Hatebreed’s June 2 show at The Exit in Fresno.

East Bay hardcore act Omissa recently reformed with members Kenny Moore (vocals), RonJon Cruz (bass), Rudy Ponce (guitar) and Melvin (drums). The lineup has already completed three new songs and is looking to enter the recording studio soon. They’ve even started scheduled shows, including an opening slot with Otep at 12 Galaxies on August 7. What does this mean for Sons of Oswald, the band that was formed when Omissa previously disbanded? Well, mostly just that Moore and Cruz will be really busy.

Letters to Ruin will be headlining at the Broadway Theater in San Francisco on Aug. 16. The band is quickly gaining momentum locally, having recently completed its line-up with vocalist Ben Ofstead (ex-Implant) and guitarist Mel Ruddy (ex-The Hated). You can check them out — and see what all the hype is about — at www.myspace.com/letterstoruin.

From the darkest depths of the San Jose underground comes Nihlotep, playing a harsh, stripped-down version of black metal that harkens back to the genre’s Norwegian roots. The meaning of the name is defined by the band as “the deified void,” among other things. The music is deceptively complex, and the lyrics read more like an essay than anything remotely melodic. I’m not the biggest fan of this style, but Nihlotep’s take on it quickly grabbed my attention and respect. Find them online www.myspace.com/nihlotep where you can experience the tracks from their 2008 demo.

Talk about life imitating art — just as the NorCal scene begins to heat up for summer, nature gives us a summer preview of it’s own, with temperatures that make you just want to stay inside with the lights off on the air conditioning on. Hey — cold, dark… what better conditions for listening to metal? Time for me to start digging through the latest submissions. Speaking of which, if you’ve got something you want me to know or something you want me to hear, let me know at norcalmetal@ksjs.org. We’ll make it happen.

QUICK BITS: Added to this year’s Tidal Wave Festival are the epic Ludicra and Saros, who recently completed work on their sophomore release, Acrid Plains . . . Nuclear Blast Records has announced the signing of Decrepit Birth, joining an impressive roster of bands that already includes NorCal luminaries Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, and All Shall Perish; their most recent album, Diminishing Between Worlds, was released this past January through Unique Leader Records . . . Dreams of the Fall are currently at work on their debut full-length, the follow up to their The Beauty of Breakdown EP . . . Severed Savior has parted ways with drummer Troy Fullerton and, as a result, has cancelled its appearance at the Central Illinois Metalfest; their new album, Servile Insurrection, is still scheduled for release later this year via Willowtip Records . . . Geryon has signed to Pitch Black Records . . . the metal-centric Shaxul Records storefront is now open at 1816 Haight Street in San Francisco, and is open Tuesday – Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

NORCAL UNLEASHED Top 10 Playlist for period 4/21 - 5/15
(NorCal Unleashed airs on 90.5 FM KSJS on Thursday nights from 11 p.m. to midnight. Contact madman@ksjs.org for submission information).

1. Testament — The Formation of Damnation
2. Zero Hour — Dark Deceiver
3. Repaid in Blood — Follow the Blood Trail
4. Hatchet — Awaiting Evil
5. Imagika — Feast for the Hated
6. Embrace the End — Ley Lines
7. Pandemic — Infecting the World
8. White Witch Canyon — Self-Titled
9. Fate — Vultures
10. Cormorant — The Last Tree