Sunday, 11 May 2025

*** ORPHAN DONOR music video premiere ***

ORPHAN DONOR
"Vomit in the Cathedral of Nous"
exclusive music video premiere
For fans ofMeth.Tromblon, and Secret Cutter

     Allentown, Pennsylvania's ORPHAN DONOR released the digital single for "Vomit in the Cathedral of Nous" nearing the tail-end of March this year, nearly 6 weeks ago. But today we're premiering the absolutely sick-ass video for it. The band's experimental and pulverizing-yet-groovy take on hardcore/metal/screamo/sludge is exquisitely unique in its approach and delivery. Originally started as a solo project by Jared Stimpfl of Oktober Skyline, Motel Bible, and Secret Cutter fame, ORPHAN DONOR has morphed into a full band that plays shows (including 2023's ZBR Fest) that absolutely crush live. Alrighty, enough backstory, sit back and enjoy this massive trip.

(2025) ORPHAN DONOR "Vomit in the Cathedral of Nous" (official music video)


ADDITIONAL LINKS & WHATNOT

"Salvia is a Bitch" official music video

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

*** PODCAST #180 Dan Riehl (Satsuma, The Reptilian, etc.) ***


    10 years in the making, I finally sat down with my good friend Dan Riehl of Satsuma, Suck City, Seventeen Again, and The Reptilian. His new band Satsuma just released their debut EP in late March of 2025 to a lot of positivity. We discussed lots of stuff including: Weird Al and UHF discussion (again), marching band, Dreamtheater is awful, The Mars Volta/At The Drive In door, Olin props and the last Yusuke show, goddamn you Hamilton, how to get the "pop", Count Your Lucky Stars, the best The Reptilian song, Dave and Dan's origin story, 'End Paths' and blazin' in the basement, twinkly emo overkill, Seventeen Again love and the 2014 screamo downturn, transition to wrestler, Satsuma formation, facebook sucks, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Blue Youth, Cloud Mouth, Colossal, Innards, Osceola, and Prize The Doubt. Listen to podcast #180 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.


only 3 tapes left!!!


SATSUMA
Bandcamp


THE REPTILIAN
Bandcamp


SUCK CITY
Bandcamp


1 Talkin' Shit
CLOUD MOUTH "Quiet" (Dan)
OSCEOLA "Smile" (Dave)

2 The Reptilian
COLOSSAL "Table Setting" (Dan)
PRIZE THE DOUBT "People Magazine" (Dave)

3 Satsuma
INNARDS "S1mple Decisions" (Dan)
BLUE YOUTH "Patient Patient" (Dave)


~Dave

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Saturday, 26 April 2025

BOON

BandBOON
For fans ofBlue Noise, September 22nd, Old Soul, Heaven In Her Arms, Nidare, Respire, Orphaned, Hope Drone, Love/Less, Nionde Plagan, and Envy.
GenresPunk / Post-Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Post-Metal / Metal / Metallic Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Black Metal
Related artistsNanette, Wolf Fang Fist, Slewfoot, and Guided Lily.
CountryToronto/Barrie, Ontario CANADA
Years Active2023-present
Label(s): Lion's Jawbone

     My friend Van sent me his new band's debut EP a few weeks back and after two listens I was flabbergasted. Definitely the most "up my alley" band that he's been in, this gorgeously dark hardcore/black metal band shows insane signs of maturity and songwriting chops that lead to one of the best EPs of 2025 thus far. With just five tracks in 16 minutes, things are both condensed and interesting, leading to an addictive flow of heavy but restrained catharsis.

     Opener "Stay in the Car" begins wonderfully with a quick stab at atmospheric black metal which seems to called blackened screamo nowadays. It's beautiful and evil simultaneously. "November Something" sounds like a condensed Respire without the additional instrumentation but instills all the feels and brightness nonetheless. The melodic undertones in "Rifle Company" are awesome, and paired with the speedy yet atmospheric blackened screamo it's just a recipe for fuck yes, more please. "Minor Arcana" relies on chunky riffs with more bright guitars layered overtop, as this song nearly takes a few strides into metalcore territory but ends up being more of a post-hardcore/black metal crossover, and is also my pick for the best track. Closer "Supermodel" nears five minutes (while the others hover around three) and allows for more breathing during an expansive intro that feels like I'm taking a trip through Saturn's rings and getting a closeup of the majestic but prodigious swirling ice cliffs before a biting guitar riff throws the song into a controlled frenzy.

     I do believe the band is trying to work on a full length which I would throw my hat in to release without a second thought. Unreal debut EP and one of the best of 2025 in my opinion.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2025 - Thief digital EP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2025) BOON - "Minor Arcana" (from 'Thief')

(2025) BOON - "Stay in the Car" (from 'Thief')

(2025) BOON - "Rifle Company" (from 'Thief')

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