Debashish Bhattacharya

With his second album in 14 months, Indian slide-guitar master Debashish Bhattacharya issues his take on musical adaptations of the mythological Hindu figure Shakuntala.  Using one of his twangy, self-made creations, Bhattacharya mixes Hindustani and Karnatic music in a style that, at times, distantly resembles Western slide music.

Debashish Bhattacharya: "Chahat"

Debashish Bhattacharya: \"Chahat\"

Sleep: Hesitation Wounds (Strange Famous)

A co-founder of hip-hop collective Oldominion, emcee Sleep has made a name for himself in the Pacific Northwest with high-energy, quick-tongued rhymes, diverse samples, and an often-downbeat sound.  This follow-up to his 2005 LP Christopher is his debut on Sage Francis' Strange Famous label, and it features guest spots by Del tha Funky Homosapien and Grayskul.

Obvious disclaimer: this Sleep is unrelated to the über-heavy stoner-metal group of the same name.

Amber Asylum: Bitter River (Profound Lore)

This vocally driven neoclassical project is led by multi-instrumentalist Kris Force, a Gothically inspired songstress with no relation to ALARM head honcho Chris Force.

A pairing of cello and violin roots Bitter River in a brooding, eerie minimalism, which is completed with Force's powerful range.  Previous Amber Asylum contributors have included Steve Von Till (Neurosis) and Tim Green (The Fucking Champs); the group's current collaborators include Eric Wood (Bastard Noise / Man is the Bastard), Jackie Perez-Gratz (Giant Squid), Leila Abdul-Rauf (Saros), and more.

Amber Asylum: "Bitter River"

Amber Asylum: \"Bitter River\"

Faith No More has an official new website, replacing one that was mired in the mid-1990s.

Following next month's release of Wavering Radiant on May 5, Isis will be on the road for a six-week US tour.  Head to the band's MySpace page or the newly redesigned Ipecac website for tour dates.

For writing/recording purposes and short tours, extreme metal outfit Arsis has been rejoined by original drummer and founding member Michael Van Dyne.

A second video teaser has been posted for Cryptomnesia, the upcoming album from El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez.

Yesterday, percussive groove outfit The Dead Kenny Gs — multi-instrumentalist Mike Dillon, saxophonist Skerik, and bassist Brad Houser — began a short tour through the southern Midwest.  The group's members represent 3/4 of Critters Buggin.

Quirky math-rock trio Tera Melos will begin a three-week US tour (with a stop in Montreal) in late April.

By-, the debut album from Bygones, will be released June 23 on Sargent House.  Specializing in a spastic/melodic guitar/drums dichotomy, the duo consists of drummer Zach Hill and guitarist Nick Reinhart (of the aforementioned Tera Melos).

Bastard Noise has released a five-disc CD set called Our Earth's Blood Pt. IV, which is now available through the band.

On April 28, Ben Folds will release an album that consists of collegiate a cappella groups around the US recording his material.  Appropriately titled University A Cappella and to be released by Sony, the album will also feature Folds doing solo a cappella overdubs on two songs.