BLAKE

Band: BLAKE

Genres: Punk / Math Rock / Post-Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Jazz
Related artists: Rockets Red Glare, Holding Pattern, Mr. Penny, Picastro, Horse Hands, Sympathy Girls, Die!venom, Burn Rome In A Dream, Jim Guthrie and Sea Snakes.
Country: Toronto, Ontario CANADA
Years Active: 1996-1999
Song: "Götterdämerung"
Album: "Blake"
Year: 1997
For fans of: Off Minor, Shotmaker, The Exploder, Indian Summer, Maximillian Colby, Ahleuchatistas, Ten Grand, Serotonin, Campbell Trio, Clikitat Ikatowi, Okara, Amber Inn, Four Hundred Years, Anasarca, Slint, Frodus, Twelve Hour Turn, Colored Moth, Faraquet, 1.6 Band and Sleepytime Trio.

Label(s): Blue Skies Turn Black / Spectra Sonic Sound / The Mintaka Conspiracy / Organic Records

This post's artist is from the June 2019 Mix. This is track #2.

You can download: the June 2019 Mix#5 right here or get the new July/August 2019 Mix#6 here

BLAKE were an Toronto-based trio that existed from 1996-1999 in Canada, releasing only two 7"s and an LP of emotive hardcore/math-rock that sound influenced equally by Slint and Sleepytime Trio. Members also spent time in Rockets Red Glare, Holding Pattern, Mr. Penny, Picastro, Sea Snakes and a bunch more, but I only recognize the the first in the list.

Their first 7" was a self-titled released in 1997 and features some excellent debut songs. "Lamplight" is pretty jazzy and abrasive, falling somewhere between Ahleuchatistas and Shotmaker. "Fortune" and "Divination Sequence" are decent songs, but "Götterdämerung" is my fucking jam. After a very playful and light first minute that is definitely reminiscent of Faraquet the song breaks into a ridiculously catchy 4-note-repeat dance-fest from 1:36. The groove on this is stellar, as is the hi-hat work, the soft/hard dynamics and that drum switch-up at 1:58 and again at 2:20 generally make me salivate out of the left corner of my mouth.

The following year they released two songs on a 'Spirit split' 7". "Supply and Demand" is essentially Indian Summer spliced with Twelve Hour Turn (which is a helluva good thing), but it's "Three Quarter" (which also appears on the 12"LP) with it's commanding bass and Four Hundred Years-esque vocals that really get me.

Their final output, 1999's 'Blake' 12"LP. It's kind of a weird mix of stuff, as side A houses "Three Quarter" from the split 7" before jumping into five more tunes recorded back in 1996. "Bottles for the Contents" and "Layman's Terms" both remind me a lot of Shotmaker and The Exploder, while "No Vote" is a killer tune that sounds like Sleepytime Trio...except for that obtuse Snack Truck part at 2:17. "Bishop" is instrumental and reminds me of Ahleuchatistas, while "Idleness" is more like instrumental Off Minor, as it is faster and more reckless than the previous tune. Side B contains new tracks recorded in 1999, which have a very different feel as they are much slower and rely on dark, groovy instrumental stretches with crooned vocals over top. Kinda Cursive. Kinda Medications. Very Slint. I like it, but not as much as the earlier material. My favourite, "RS", is 4:17 of chill, well-orchestrated Slint-worship with a hint of Frodus that packs a wallop come 3:30.

I am surprised how often this band is overlooked when talking about 90s emo and Canadian hardcore in general. Full discography link below!

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DISCOGRAPHY
Click )==>here<==( to download the band's complete discography in mp3 form.

1997 - Blake 7"EP

1998 - Spirit split 7"

1999 - Blake 12"LP

2005 - Collected Works 1996-1999 cdLP

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(1997) BLAKE - "Götterdämerung" (from 'Blake' 7")

(1998) BLAKE - "Three Quarter" (from 'Spirit' split)

(1999) BLAKE - "No Vote" (from 'Blake' 12")

(1999) BLAKE - "Layman's Terms" (from 'Blake' 12")

(1999) BLAKE - "RS" (from 'Blake' 12")

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BLAKE out of print mp3 discography download

(download here)

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***PIET ONTHEL exclusive premiere***

PIET ONTHEL

"Evil Me"
exclusive song premiere

For fans of: Blue Noise, The Ultimate Screamo Band and Orchid

Bandcamp
Facebook

If you've read the PIET ONTHEL review you'll know I'm fucking smitten with this Malaysian solo screamo project (review linked here), so I'm shitting my pants over here waiting to show you the new song from their upcoming 4-song 's(EP)kitojange(pecoh)' releasing on cassette and 7" via Missed Out Records and Dingleberry Records in the fall of 2019. I need say nothing else, as this shit rips!

(2019) PIET ONTHEL "Evil Me" (from 's(EP)kitojange(pecoh)')

This track is just 1:27, so it wastes no time with a thick, noisy and intrusive opening that dips into a swirling black-metal/post-hardcore section that is new territory for Mashi but it sounds awesome. After repeating the intro with lyrics over top, the song takes a dancey turn that resembles the demo EP, and even throws an additional melodic guitar over it all, bringing Vi Som Älskade Varandra Så Mycket to mind. The final few seconds is a wash of white noise which serves as a final, loving slap in the face. Keep it up Mashi, this shit is ace. 💘

ADDITIONAL LINKS & WHATNOT

gushing OMSB review of debut EP

***NEW FRIENDS FEST 2019 Days 1+2 review***

Live Show Review

Whilst visiting family in Ontario I made sure to include trips to New Friends Fest in order to see my other family. The love and community I witnessed in the first two days of NFF (I had to fly back the morning of the third) were staggering. I literally wasn't even able to say hello to everyone I wanted to, let alone have conversations. That's a truly amazing thing. The people and bands were all stellar, and the most heartfelt props to Vanessa, Egin and Rohan for pulling off such a wonderful festival. I was able to take videos of most bands during those first two days, so without further adieu here are one to two videos by each band!

*************DAY 1*************

KARLOFF

I've been waiting two years to finally see my friends' band, and holy fuck they did not disappoint. Simply put, they were maniacal and most people seemed to eat it right up. Truly an exhausting and cathartic live show. Members run No Funeral.

(2019) KARLOFF @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Daughters and Orchid

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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AMITIÉ

Formerly Tall Ship Set Sail, this four-piece plays an excellent blend of emo and screamo, and I dare say they fall into the former sphere first. Featuring Matt of Worst Days, they've already played Miss The Stars and now this, and have an incredible 4-way split 12" coming out soon on Zegema Beach!

(2019) AMITIÉ @New Friends Fest

For fans of: The Saddest Landscape and Reveries

Bandcamp
Facebook

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DIGEST

Featuring many ex-members of La Luna but sounding almost nothing alike was DIGEST. Vanessa from New Friends does vocals and holy bujesus that's some seriously heavy shit.

(2019) DIGEST @New Friends Fest

For fans of: La Luna and Frail Vessel

Bandcamp
Link to additional video

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FLUORIDE

The Philly band was easily one of the bands I was most stoked on and they did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact, they were perhaps my favourite set of the first night. I was kinda nervous around them and just kept saying stupid things like, "Hey, who's that? It's the best set of the night!" and "I'd love to release your tapes in Canada!", etc. I nabbed two 12"s for the ZBR distros and have tossed one up in the Canada store here and one in the U.S. store here.

(2019) FLUORIDE "Neglect + Hoax" (from 'Disentaglement') @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Tentacles and Closet Witch

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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MASSA NERA

This band continues to impress more and more every time I see them. Playing two new jams, I was flabbergasted at the new material. It is heeeeeaaaavvvvvy. You are not ready...and neither am I!

(2019) MASSA NERA "new song pt. 1+2" @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Gillian Carter and Off Minor

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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FRAIL HANDS

Coming in from the East side of Canada was FRAIL HANDS who somehow found a drummer a month prior to fill-in and play all the songs...which was a feat and a half considering the complexity of these jams. Amazing set. Amazing band.

(2019) FRAIL HANDS @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Rayleigh and Blinds Girls

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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GILLIAN CARTER

I think I can officially say that Logan from GC knows what the audience members want more than anyone in the screamo game, as he is truly an entertainer on top of being an excellent guitarist/vocalist. Their set had songs from numerous releases but those new jams sounded fucking amazing live, and that new drummer was awesome.

(2019) GILLIAN CARTER @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Masada and Lost Boys

Bandcamp
Facebook

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*************DAY 2*************

PIQUE

This was the band's final show with Keon (drums) and the opening act did a great job of keeping it light and still kicking ass. Their banter was generally humorous and the triple vox is always warranted in my book. "Eric" (if that is your real name) runs Larry Records.

(2019) PIQUE @New Friends Fest

For fans of: People's Temple Project and Lessener

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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THISISHOWITENDEDINTOKYO

This five-piece was an all-out scream-fest that reminded me of a twinkly, loose, upbeat Kodan Armada.

(2019) THISISHOWITENDEDINTOKYO @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Flowers Taped To Pens and Deers!

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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DIANACRAWLS

I'd been waiting for quite some time to finally see this band and good god they did not disappoint. Actually, they put on one of the most riveting and interactive performances of the first two days. Sassy, jammy, Primus-influenced, glam screamo from Montreal/ex-member of Commuovere.

(2019) DIANACRAWLS @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Panthers and Cady

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video

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SUPINE

I only caught the last song by this band, as I was outside chatting with friends around the corner and didn't notice that they started. I'm fucking bummed because I really liked their most recent EP and the last song I saw live was unreal.

(2019) SUPINE @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Ostraca and City Of Caterpillar

Bandcamp
Facebook

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FOXTAILS

I'd heard great things about this band and it's no wonder after witnessing their live performance. Quirky, sassy, screamy and very melodic.

(2019) FOXTAILS @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Suffix and Thisishowitendedintokyo

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video
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OSTRACA

Playing one of the best sets I've seen from them was Richmond's OSTRACA, and the three-piece played songs from every release including a new song. Their presence was commanding as usual and the vocals were mixed perfectly, allowing us to be cognizant of whether we were being torn apart by Gus' shrieks or sentenced to hell by the growls.

(2019) OSTRACA "Waiting for the Crash" (from 'Last') @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Swan Of Tuonela and Blue Noise

Bandcamp
Facebook
Link to additional video
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RESPIRE

After seeing the Toronto band fly under the radar for a few years (playing killer basement shows, coming to play stupid Hamilton, etc.) it was electric to see them after they've started getting the recognition that they deserve. I had never seen any of the new songs live and holy smokes do they sound incredible live!

(2019) RESPIRE "Catacombs" (from 'Dénouement') @New Friends Fest

For fans of: Albatros and 70 cm3 From Your Chest

Bandcamp
Facebook
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CITY OF CATERPILLAR

I only caught the first half of the set before booking it home (I needed to wake up a few hours later to drive my family to the airport and fly back to Nanaimo) but what I saw was mesmerizing. Sounding very much like their recordings of nearly 20 years ago, CITY OF CATERPILLAR played their songs with excellent precision and the bassist's screams always tug at my heart strings.

(2019) CITY OF CATERPILLAR "A Heart Filled Reaction To Dissatisfaction" (from 'City of Caterpillar') @New Friends Fest

For fans of: ...Who Calls So Loud and Massa Nera

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