Thursday, 12 February 2026

*** PODCAST #193 Mercy Necromancy ***


    In early 2025 my wife introduced me to MERCY NECROMANCY. I don't think I've ever fallen for something so instantly and completely. So after collecting all of the released material and soaking for almost a year, I was eventually able to make contact with the artist and arrange a vinyl pressing of 'Fallen' on 12" via my label Softseed Music. After some convincing, I was able to get him to join me on the OMSB podcast and now we are here. Speaking of awesome surprises, we've got another one for you on Monday February 16th so keep an eye and ear out! Back to the podcast, a few things we touched on: Melanie Martinez the voice of inspiration, breaking into secular music, the writing process, the "Clown" conundrum and crazy video facts, the lost Demo, naming Mercy Necromancy, the shower EP, shitting on the PR machine, fuck AI, good horror movies, Mercy's mom's favorite song, working on the new album, vocals changes, Ethel Cain and Mary Mortem collabs, drawn to the opposite, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Chelsea Wolfe, Grimes, Melanie Martinez, Purity Ring, and Shedfromthebody. Listen to podcast #193 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.




1 Falling Off the Cool Map
CHELSEA WOLFE "They'll Clap When You're Gone" (Mercy)
SHEDFROMTHEBODY "Linger" (Dave)

2 Horror Movie Goals
GRIMES "Kill V. Maim" (Mercy) [official music video]
PURITY RING "iamanocean" (Dave) [official music video]

3 I Need to Release an Album
MELANIE MARTINEZ "Milk and Cookies" (Mercy) [official music video]


~Dave

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Tuesday, 10 February 2026

AMBRETTA

BandAMBRETTA
For fans ofSwan Of Tuonela, Nuvolascura, Sear, Blind Girls, Shesmadefromsuede, Fainting In Coils, Ostraca, June Paik, and Atalanta.
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Doom / Sludge
Related artists?.
Country: Lake Havasu City, Arizona U.S.A.
Years Active2025-present
Label(s): Self released

     I came for the album art, I stayed for the sick, doomy screamo. This incredible three-piece from Arizona released their debut 'Ephemeral' on December 10th of 2025, reminding those who don't understand calendars that their year end lists were hella flawed.

     The EP opens with "Humility", a heavy, dirty first jab that'll leave the listener bruised but ready for more. The darkness and gloom is apparent from the get-go, bringing a bit of Meth. and Orphan Donor vibes to the table where Nuvolascura and Swan Of Tuonela are already seated. "Fragments" and closer "Ephemeral" follow a different trajectory, opting for slow, brooding, lush intros that eventually lead to destruction, with the former happening relatively quickly and the latter being generally swelling and epic. Speaking of the final track, that shit is fucking ace. Brooding, dark, atmospheric, beautiful - goddamn that intro alone is worth your time, with gorgeous guitar and thunderous bass shifting perfectly into the meaty verse. At the two-minute mark the chorus kicks in and it's a fucking behemoth. It sounds like a slow-motion Nuvolascura or evil subterranean twin of Swan Of Tuonela. Gotta mention those vocals too, cuz holy smokes are they both 1) amazing and 2) provided by the bassist (additional props for double-duty). They range from spoken word to full-on shrieks as well as gutteral moments on "Soft Hands". Hot damn what a debut.

     I have no idea what they've got cookin' next but I'm fuckin' huuuuuuungry and salivating.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2025 - Demo (stream here)
2025 - Ephemeral (stream/donate/download here)

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(2025) AMBRETTA - "Ephemeral" (from 'Ephemeral')


(2025) AMBRETTA - "Fragments" (from 'Ephemeral')


(2025) AMBRETTA - "Humility" (from 'Ephemeral')


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Additional links

Live Living Room Set (7/25/25)
https://youtu.be/AHSL1XqrszU


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Wednesday, 4 February 2026

*** 50 DAYS AT ILIAM exclusive song premiere ***

50 DAYS AT ILIAM
"Until Oxidation"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofComeback KidEnter Shikari, It Dies Today and Killswitch Engage


     I am stoked to bring you the first song from 50 DAYS AT ILIAM, the relaunched New Jersey project that began in 2022 under the name Final Resting Pose but now has a new lineup. Following up on their 4-way split with Pyre, Stress Spells, and Who Put Bella In The Witch Elm, this demo marks a clear shift in the sound, expanding into grander territories toeing the lines between metalcore, melodic hardcore, and post rock. The band has shared the stage with the likes of Massa Nera, Respire, Hosewhip, etc. and also played 2024's Dilly Dally Festival. Today's premiere is for "Until Oxidation" and frontman Jordan Emanuel had this to say about it:

"Until Oxidation" is a song about trying to find stability in the face of overwhelming powerlessness. I'll be the 800th person today to describe the times as 'trying, ' but in shorthand, things suck, and it's getting hard to maintain hope. My main weapon against my anxiety has always been exercise and deep breathing, so in an effort to remind myself how to meaningfully show up every day, I wrote this song. 'Cold is the blood in my veins until oxidation,' everything feels impossible until you find that moment to breathe deep, and take it slow for a minute. As long as you're still here, the world and its issues are as well, so take the rest you need and return emboldened to meet the call.


(2026) 50 DAYS AT ILIAM "Until Oxidation" (from 'Demo')

     "Until Oxidation" begins with metallic hardcore instrumentals that descend into hell with dissonant riffing and breakdowns that fully develops around the one-minute mark when the vocalist also steps in, uttering violent barks at the listener before the song shifts into chuggy metal territory. At 1:40 there's a wicked chip-tune break that ushers in the clean vocals that are at the forefront but not over the top, with the song then shuffling all three styles into as the song reaches its climax for the last minute and change.