You ever find yourself wondering what a band is up to and then find they’ve just done something that kicks total ass? Hence this video of Beaten Back to Pure playing in what looks like a parking lot on July 25. To anyone in the anti-sandal congregation, I humbly submit vocalist Ben Hogg‘s performance in the above clip. Nothing quite like an open-toed ass kicking.

Today is my last day here in Vermont, which has been kind to The Patient Mrs. and I over the past month. I’m ready to be back in Jersey, though, and I know I’ve got my work cut out for me once I am, but it’ll be good to be home. I know I’ve mentioned it a couple times, but I’ll be at Ace of Clubs tomorrow night rocking out to Earthride and Valkyrie. If you’re going, make sure you get there early for Alkahest, Admiral Browning and The Resurrection Sorrow. Killer lineup. Hope to see you there.

Going to spend the rest of today packing the car to get a relatively early start in the morning, so I’ll sign off and say I hope as ever that you have an enjoyable and safe weekend. See you back here Monday.

A couple days ago, I sent Birds of Prey vocalist Ben Hogg (also of Beaten Back to Pure and the even more extreme Plague the Suffering) an email, asking him if he would kindly write up a feature on his experience making The Hellpreacher, the third BOP album, due out in April via Relapse. His response was a reassuring, “I’m down. Gimme a few days,” and I knew then the right choice had been made.

True to his word, a couple days later, Ben sent the following report on the origins of the band and the coming together of The Hellpreacher. After the jump, bear witness to the one and only Ben Hogg.

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