Tuesday 31 October 2017

***CELEBRATION 'Shook' exclusive premiere***

'Shook' EP

For fans of: Portrayal Of Guilt, Ed Gein and Cassilis
Bandcamp
Facebook
cassette available through the band soon

CELEBRATION hail from Missouri in the U.S.A. and are premiering their 'Shook' EP in full tonight, Halloween 2017. The dark, screamy hardcore, six-song EP is definitely for fans of Ed Gein, Breather Resist, Rayleigh, Phoenix Bodies, Remote, Blacklisters, Vac, Malevich, Cassilis, Ostraca, Die Abete and late Examination Of The.... In 2014 and 2015 the band released a split with Under A Sky So Blue, an EP and contributed to a comp with a very Jeromes Dream-esque approach. In the subsequent three years the band has evolved from a screechy, emo-violence band doing one-minute songs to dense, dark, sludgy and claustrophobic hardcore with more screams than shrieks and songs that can eclipse the four-minute mark. The 'Shook' EP will be released on cassette by the band with possible vinyl plans afterward. I'll quickly give a few words about each song:

1) "Degloved": holy moly what an opener; last half is slow and eerie like late Examination Of The...

2) "I Don't Know How It Got In": super dark and sludgy with a ridiculous midsection; kinda late-era Phoenix Bodies and Vac

3) "In the Dream": most pummeling song; most closely resembles previous emo-violence sound; also has some spoken word vocals amidst the shrieks and growls

4) "Leech": a total 15 seconds of dual vocal destruction, perhaps taking a page from the book of Jenny Piccolo - just way heavier

5) "Follow the Heat": quite possibly the sound of a traumatizing murder scene; includes brief audio clip; sounds akin to the destruction created by Graf Orlock and Trainwreck

6) "Dead...All Dead": longest song on the album (4:14), slowest track (although not slow, exactly); extended audio clip; reminiscent of Kowloon Walled City and Portrayal Of Guilt

(2017) CELEBRATION - "Degloved" (from 'Shook')

(2017) CELEBRATION - "I Don't Know How It Got In" (from 'Shook')

(2017) CELEBRATION - "In the Dream" (from 'Shook')

(2017) CELEBRATION - "Leech" (from 'Shook')

(2017) CELEBRATION - "Follow the Heat" (from 'Shook')

(2017) CELEBRATION - "Dead...All Dead" (from 'Shook')

Sunday 29 October 2017

ST. ALBANS KIDS

BandST. ALBANS KIDS
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence / Avant-Garde
Related artistsLove Like...Electrocution, Brutal Snake, Burke & Willis, Thorax, Crux, Aphra Behn, Mindsnare, The Vivian Girls, George W. Bush, Bohemian Knights, Lakes, Omen CompassPæces, Wasted TruthTäx, My Disco and Tol.
CountryAdelaide AUSTRALIA
Years Active2001-2004
Song: "Dance On Road, Dance On Street, Dance On Face"
Album: "Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise]"
Year: 2002
For fans ofRené Descartes, Am I Dead Yet?, Killed By Malaise, Tristen Tzara, Lord Snow, Louise Cyphre, Acabah Rot, Arse Moreira, The Apoplexy Twist Orchestra, The Truth About Dreaming, Danse Macabre, Mr. Willis Of Ohio, Utarid, Matsuri, Caught In The Fall, A Fine Boat That Coffin, Enoch Arden, Hadaka Matsuri, Deers!, Eucalypt, My Disco, Love Like...Electrocution, Dispensing Of False Halos¡Silencio, Ahora, Silencio! and Det Är Därför Vi Bygger Städer aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Deplorable Recordings / Kickstart My Heart Records / Gash Records / Appliances & Cars
This post's artist is from the October 2017 Mix. This is track #7.
You can download: the October 2017 Mix#10 right here or get the new November 2017 Mix#11 here.

I first heard the Australian screamo/emo-violence band ST. ALBANS KIDS back in 2004 when I picked up their 7" split with Off Minor. To be honest I kind of bypassed it. About two years ago, for some reason unbeknownst to me, I downloaded their 2002 effort 'Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise]' and was quite impressed. I've managed to nab the 2001 demo as well, but not the split 7" with George W. Bush, so if you've got it please upload it.

So, as previously mentioned, the sassy, political and shrieky without being overly high-pitched screamo is quite awesome, actually. They play European screamo with a bit of wailing/crying much like Killed By Malaise and Only For The Sake Of Aching. Their demo, also known as the 2001 'St. Albans Kids' cdrEP, has some pretty sweet songs, but the recording is pretty goddamn lo-fi. Regardless it's worth a listen, with "Dialogue With a Consumer Product" and "Bridging Feldman and Foucalt" being the standout tracks.

In 2002 they released a 3"cdEP called 'Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise]' which is my favourite of the three releases that I've been able to shove into my ears. One song appears from the demo, "The Children Of Marx And Coca-Cola", and rightfully so. That's my third pick from the first release. My personal jam is the hilariously titled "Dance On Road, Dance On Street, Dance On Face" which is sassy as hell and reminds me of René Descartes in almost every way. "Last Drinks at the Modernist Hotel" is the heaviest of all ST. ALBANS KIDS songs, but its 2:25 length is likely to be overlooked due to the opening 1:27 audio clip. "And With That.... Summer's Kids Turned Into Winter Adults" is a fast, screamy affair that brings to mind Tristen Tzara and Dispensing Of False Halos, while "Seducing An Outdated Model Of Youth Enragement" is a long, drawn out and epic affair, but both contain a killer bass foundation.

Their final release came in 2004 with the Off Minor split, housing two songs including one cover, with "When We Are Just Days Away From Illiteracy" being icing on the ST. ALBANS KIDS cake. Nearing the three-minute mark, the band blazes through the entire thing in intellectual, sassy and screamy hardcore, with the midsection taking a Drive Like Jehu, post-hardcore tangent and even includes a synth in the last half.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2001 - St. Albans Kids cdrEP (stream/donate/download here)
2001 - Demo tapeEP

2002 - Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise] 3"cdEP (stream/donate/download here)
2002 - George W. Bush split 7"EP

2004 - Off Minor split 7"EP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2004) ST. ALBANS KIDS - "When We Are Just Days Away From Illiteracy" (from 'Off Minor' split)

(2002) ST. ALBANS KIDS - "Dance On Road, Dance On Street, Dance On Face" (from 'Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise]')

(2002) ST. ALBANS KIDS - "Last Drinks at the Modernist Hotel" (from 'Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise]')

(2002) ST. ALBANS KIDS - "And With That.... Summer's Kids Turned Into Winter Adults" (from 'Tales Of Late Night Excursions Into Urban Wastelands [A Political Economy Of Noise]')

(2001) ST. ALBANS KIDS - "Bridging Feldman and Foucalt" (from 'St. Albans Kids')

(2001) ST. ALBANS KIDS - "Dialogue With a Consumer Product" (from 'St. Albans Kids')

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ST. ALBANS KIDS additional links

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Saturday 28 October 2017

OGNI GIORNO

BandOGNI GIORNO
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz
Related artistsDo Nascimiento.
CountryGenova ITALY
Years Active2010-2013
Song: "Domenica"
Album: "Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo"
Year: 2013
For fans ofRaein, La QuieteØjne, ByMySide, Endless Inertia, ShizuneVia Fondo, Yo Sbraito, The Third Memory, TrachimbrodKŸHL, UbiquityInnardsPastel and Amber Daybreak aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Self Released / Flying Kids Records
This post's artist is from the October 2017 Mix. This is track #5.
You can download: the October 2017 Mix#10 right here or get the new November 2017 Mix#11 here.

OGNI GIORNO were an interesting band from Genova, Italy and played, for lack of a better description, occasionally sloppy Euro screamo with obvious influence from fellow Italians La Quiete and Raein. The band name when translated to English means "Every Day". The first EP in 2010 was a self titled using three days of the week as song titles, "Mercoledi", "Lunedi" and "Martedi". In 2013 those songs were rerecorded and included with the remaining days of the week and titled 'Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo', which translates to "The Weekend, Two Years After Every Day". 'Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo' is a crazily packaged cdLP that was released on Flying Kids Records. I actually just bought a copy before posting this review, as they are limited to 199 copies and still have some left. Pick one up here.

Let's go through a week in a minute or two. The songs "Sabato" and "Giovedi" both start well but include a few questionable moments. The former is unreal from 1:00-2:35 but then the unconventional guitar comes in, with the awkwardness settling closer to four minutes when a shorter, more simplistic riff is repeated instead of what sounds like random notes from a beginner guitarist. The latter has a sick opening, includes something that resembles a breakdown just before the one-minute mark and has a nice soothing slow bit with rolling drums from two minutes onward but this leads into some murky sections that are okay but don't do as much for me as the first half of the song. "Venerdi" is quite good with some excellent sections here and there, especially from about 2:00-3:20. "Domenica" rules, especially the end with dual screams and crazy La Quiete instrumentals. The song also includes some insane drumstick tapping and very competent guitar playing. "Mercoledi" is a strong song on both the self titled and LP, holding their ground until 3:14 when those pesky random notes are thrown in. "Lunedi" is quite short, at 2:30ish, and manages to abstain from random solos and instead focusing on excellent stop/start screamo much like early La Quiete and Trachimbrod. "Martedi" has a downright confusing opening with very disjointed chords and feedback from about 1:30 to 2:20. Once it hits, though, this song is killer. The listener is shredded apart and then resurrected for a grooving midsection with at least two vocalists screaming tackling different patterns.

So yeah, if you like La Quiete but are looking to have it done in a less stellar fashion (aka without those insanely catchy and mesmerizing instrumentals) then OGNI GIORNO is your best bet. If you miss La Quiete as much as I do you'll likely enjoy it at the least, it just won't blow you away.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2010 - Ogni Giorno cdrEP (stream/donate/download here)

2013 - Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo cdLP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2013) OGNI GIORNO - "Giovedi" (from 'Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo')

(2013) OGNI GIORNO - "Domenica" (from 'Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo')

(2013) OGNI GIORNO - "Sabato" (from 'Il Fine Settimana, Due Anni Dopo')

(2010) OGNI GIORNO - "Lunedi" (from 'Ogni Giorno')

(2010) OGNI GIORNO - "Mercoledi" (from 'Ogni Giorno')

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OGNI GIORNO additional links

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Wednesday 25 October 2017

AMBER DAYBREAK

BandAMBER DAYBREAK
GenresPunk / Post-Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz
Related artistsChalk Hands, I Feel Fine and Mutiny On The Bounty.
CountryBELGIUM
Years Active2006-2010
Song: "... où les mouvements se trainent"
Album: "Sentinels"
Year: 2009
For fans ofVia Fondo, Anemone, Snøras, Blind Girls, Careless, Döda Löv, Raein, La Quiete, Kidcrash, Suis La Lune, Kaospilot, Forget Me Not, The Bled, Beloved, Lyed, Captain, Your Ship Is Sinking, Pettersson, The Solexine Chapter, Les Deux Minutes De La Haines, Yarostan, Potence, Amanda Woodward, Nine ElevenDaïtro, State Faults, Shizune, Massa Nera and Shirokuma aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Quiet Still Records / Dancing On Sharks / Shitpiece Records / Tapewriter Rec. / 
This post's artist is from the October 2017 Mix. This is track #8.
You can download: the October 2017 Mix#10 right here or get the new November 2017 Mix#11 here.

I it was Guitalex, formerly of Nous Étions and Heresie that showed me AMBER DAYBREAK, and from the moment I heard them I was smitten. So I downloaded the 'Sentinels' EP over a year ago and only realized that the band has another 11 songs from a myriad of other releases. I also came across the realization that the singer Antoine is now in Chalk Hands, whom I've been jamming this week but never would have made the correlation! Let's get started with the AMBER DAYBREAK discography.

AMBER DAYBREAK began in 2006, but their first release was 2007's 'Serenity's Always Late' two-song EP begins with the title track sounding a lot like The Bled-light. It's like pretty metalcore, but maybe it's more of the vocals that are giving me that The Bled and Beloved feeling. "Shame" includes some decent clean singing from 1:02-1:20 and a chill second half which brings the Beloved comparison a step closer. Both tracks surpass the five-minute mark.

In 2008 AMBER DAYBREAK released two, two-song EPs, both of which have a much more familiar and noodley, European screamo thing going on. The song "Boat Trip" comes from the EP of the same title and doesn't even reach 1:30 before dissolving and can also be found on the 2009 LP. "Un Grand Rien" is 4:33 of Amanda Woodward and Via Fondo sounding post-hardcore/screamo, with a killer section from 1:57-3:00 that boasts massive bass breakdowns followed by some awesome spacey twinkling. The finale is a dark, Potence-esque romp through incredible atmospheric screamo. Holy fuck that song is mean. Also released in 2008 was the 'Empty Shells' EP, that opens with the heaviest screamo song the band recorded, titled "A Travers L'ombre" which The Solexine Chapter likely heard and loved. The dreamy bit from 1:52 leads to an epic conclusion that encapsulates how stunning this band was. Second track "Empty Shells" has a very cool latter half with fantastic dynamics and intricate, Kidcrash-like precision.

In 2009 AMBER DAYBREAK released their (as far as I know) only physical release, a cdLP titled 'Sentinels'. Opening with "Winter Seems Longer", it is the quintessential song on this LP, firing on all cylinders with chord progressions that are fan-fucking-tastic, with the penultimate taking place at the beginning. "Burning Seas" is next, opting for an audio clip from, what is that, Halo? Oh no it says zombies. Ah I don't know. What I do know is that at 20 seconds the song gets going and at 47 seconds ties together the drums, guitars and bass beautifully. The Via Fondo and Adolina-esque shouted vocals work very well and by 1:25 the song blazes a trail much like many of those Swedish bands that have learned to do the same thing so well. "But Who Cares" has an unreal finale accompanied by some okay singing while "... où les mouvements se trainent" is an excellent, short and poignant track that wastes no time on jammy intros and instead goes full-tilt AMBER DAYBREAK style, complete with a booming bass slowdown that gives the final two-thirds of the song a very epic feel to it. Title track "Sentinels", the previously released "Boat Trip", "Paper Wall" and closer "No One On Arrival" are all very good songs that help prop up this release as an excellent display of passionate, technical screamo.

In 2010 the AMBER DAYBREAK disbanded and left behind five final songs over two digital releases. The single "Seeds" can be found on the single-track EP 'Seeds' and is very playful, incorporating more Kidcrash as well as Daïtro. Four songs were also collected on the 'Bonus' EP, stretching from 2007 to 2010 in terms of their recording dates. All of the tracks are untitled but are distinguishable by year they were done, with the "Untitled - 2009" being my personal favourite of the lo-fi songs, although the 2007 song is pretty killer. Oh, the opener is actually not untitled, it's "Unfinished song - 2010" and it's one of two playful instrumental jams.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2007 - Serenity's Always Late digitalEP (stream/donate/download here)

2008 - Boat Trip digitalEP (stream/donate/download here)
2008 - Empty Shells digitalEP (stream/donate/download here)

2009 - Sentinels cdLP (stream/donate/download here)

2010 - Seeds digital single (stream/donate/download here)
2010 - Bonus digitalEP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2009) AMBER DAYBREAK - "Winter Seems Longer" (from 'Sentinels')

(2009) AMBER DAYBREAK - "Burning Seas" (from 'Sentinels')

(2008) AMBER DAYBREAK - "Un grand rien" (from 'Boat Trip')

(2008) AMBER DAYBREAK - "A Travers L'ombre" (from 'Empty Shells')

(2010) AMBER DAYBREAK - "Untitled - 2009" (from 'Bonus')

(2010) AMBER DAYBREAK - "Seeds" (from 'Seeds')

(2007) AMBER DAYBREAK - "Shame" (from 'Serenity's Always Late')

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AMBER DAYBREAK additional links

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Tuesday 24 October 2017

***WOLF TEETH two-song exclusive premiere***

WOLF TEETH's
"Thread Count" + "Fractures"
cassingle

Bandcamp
Facebook
pre-orders available via Flower Pot Records soon

WOLF TEETH are from Ohio in the U.S.A. and will be releasing a cassingle from Flower Pot Records that will only be available at shows. The songs were recorded during the band's upcoming LP session by James Sayers that was mixed and mastered by Ryan Crawford at Bent Wookie Studios.

The two songs being premiered today are quite different and showcase WOLF TEETH's various influences without being able to peg any single one down. "Thread Count" is super intense and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a WOLF TEETH fan who doesn't think this is their best song. It begins with a brief, lulling intro that abruptly stops, only to come back full-force, complete with awesome screaming from vocalist Eddy. And oh my, that bass is fucking stupid good. The song slips into a few different transitions reaching into different territory but always comes back to that great opening riff which brings Youth Novel to mind, save the ending which is screamy metalcore complete with a dual-screaming breakdown not unlike early From A Second Story Window. "Fractures" is very subdued and could be labeled hardcore/post-hardcore before anything screamy. I'm reminded of a bit of Helmet and Snapcase as the song has a very different feel to it, accentuated most obviously by the slower pace and doubled song length.

This is the first original release with their drummer Jason Mele and guitarist Robert McBride, and plan on doing many a weekend tour in 2018 to support the recordings. I am stoked for the LP, especially considering my affinity for "Thread Count". The band most recently contributed to the Jeromes Dream tribute cassette 'It's More Like An Homage To You' and is linked on youtube here. OMSB reviewed WOLF TEETH's discography as of June 2015 in this post linked here. Alrighty, premiere time!!!

(2017) WOLF TEETH - "Thread Count" (from 'Cassingle')
"There it is! Can't you see it? There's a beast beside my bed. It spits and it gnashes and it fills my heart with dread. I am bound to this cot shell coffin, my shroud - made of high thread cotton, and though the sun shines through my window, I only notice the cold beneath my pillow. Outstretched and unable to express, out of reach, prepared to greet death. You can not see the fear in me, you can not see that I am empty. "Get dressed! My lover's lazy!" I beg reprieve. Tomorrow I shall kill the  beast, but today I'll hide under these sheets."

(2017) WOLF TEETH - "Fractures" (from 'Cassingle')
"Fractures in the pavement / Imperfections in the painting / I never noticed / I never cared / I saw the colors not the cracks / I saw the people waving back / We walk towards the dollar. We sleep between the dreams of bankers and kings. We waste away watching mannequins make amends to their morals we waste away you and me. Mirrors in our palms keep us from losing contact we don't touch much we just smile when we see our own reflection. Who needs a hand to hold when we're counting down the red dots trying to make a digital brand to bulge our billfolds? I'm just as guilty as you / Hey man I'm no slave / I have my own devices / Yeah vices / I want a world that says it's sorry / I want a world that wishes me well / I want a world that keeps its promises / I want a world that looks me in the eyes. Put It Down!"

Monday 23 October 2017

***PODCAST #21 w/Tom McCone (EMÖ LENDVAI/RAINING)***

THE SHOW is linked via facebook right here!

After being in New Zealand for just a few weeks, I knew I loved me some Tom. Tom McCone, that is. Tom is my bandmate in EMÖ LENDVAI (bass) and also plays in another band called RAINING. He's a well spoken and very gentle fella that also loves screaming music, as well as electronic, slowcore, emo, etc., many of which we discuss in this hour-long podcast, accompanied by my wife Lisa. Podcast #21 is broken into four parts, each approximately 15 minutes in length. You can stream and/or download each part or the entire thing for free on the OMSB Podcast bandcamp page linked right heeya.

1
RUHAEDA - "Onomatopiea" (Lisa)
PG.99 - "The Lonely Waltz of Leonard Cohen" (Tom)
60659-C - "Convenient" (Dave)

2
MIDWEST PEN PALS - "Movies Like Juno" (Tom)
JOLIETTE - "No Es In A Gadda Da Vida" (Lisa)

3
YOUTH FUNERAL - "Thought Archive" (Tom)
RUPTURES - "Arm Grafting" (Dave)
DUSTER - "Auto-Mobile" (Tom)

4
WELCOME THE PLAGUE YEAR - "Behold a Pale Horse" (Lisa)
THE ADVANTAGE - "Contra - Alien's Lair & Boss Music" (Dave)

~Dave

PODCAST #21 linked here


EMÖ LENDVAI has our first show this Friday October 27th, 2017 @The Crown Hotel if you live in or around Dunedin, New Zealand. We sound something like this:

Sunday 22 October 2017

INKLING

BandINKLING
GenresPunk / Rock / Hardcore / Nu-Metal / Alternative
Related artistsThe Minor Times. Ladder Devils, Ghost Away, The End Of Me Party, Person L, Blue Collar Underworld, Xiii pfp, Relapse, Olympic Day and Five Stars For Failure.
CountryPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
Years Active1998-2001
Song: "Drawing Conclusions"
Album: "Miscommunication"
Year: 2001
For fans ofThe Minor Times, Glassjaw, Llynch, Finch, Codeseven, Deftones, Training For Utopia, Rinoa, The Uriah Omen, Spires and Endor.
Label(s): Double Down Records / Hex Records / Spoiled Records
This post's artist is from the October 2017 Mix. This is track #2.
You can download: the October 2017 Mix#10 right here or get the new November 2017 Mix#11 here.

I couldn't for the life of me figure out where and why I purchased INKLING's 'Miscommunication' cdEP. I've come across it on my computer so many times and it wasn't until I sat down to write this review and did a bit of research that I made a startling discovery. The reason why I must have bought that cd is because all of the members (with the exception of the vocalist) went on to be in the The Minor Times! That is where our sound comparisons look and sound the best, with the heavy stuff sound like both bands from the Llynch/The Minor Times split 12"LP that is an overlooked gem. In the middle there is a Deftones and mid-era Codeseven going on with vocals. At worst they are cheesy, high school emo and nu-metal and take a page from the book of Incubus.

I'm not smitten over this band and I'm not interested in delving any further into finding their back catalogue. I did find the 'Minute' LP in full on youtube, which is embedded below, so I gave it a listen. Eh, it's okay. It's essentially Incubus and the Deftones chopped up and rolled together in a big, fat, screamy, hardcore and nu-metal stogie. It's okay, but is well past its prime and the constant fluctuations from enjoyable parts to cringe worthy sections gets a tad tedious. The 'Demo' tape isn't too different but has more of a Glassjaw feel to it, so the only thing holding me on to this review is The Minor Times correlation.

I'll quickly go through the 'Miscommunication' EP as that is the one I'm actually familiar with. Released in 2001 on Hex Records, opener "Drawing Conclusions" is very The Minor Times meet Codeseven and Endor, combining chaotic hardcore with only the slightest of weak tangents, with the section that starts around 45 seconds sounding just like the band's subsequent outfit. Next up is "Jenny", a cheesy, piano driven, all clean singing emo song with no payoff. "My Advice" gets things back on track and goes back to Deftones worship, keeping up with The Minor Times and Llynch sound but not climbing to the heights of the first track. "The Bad Apple Theory" is straight up Codeseven and Incubus worship and has some pretty decent singing amidst the heavier moments, while closer "The Happiest Place I Can Think Of" is another, whiny, slow jam that doesn't do anything positive for me.

I think the band reformed, if not for just a show, in 2012 as I found some live videos here and here. There's a better discography review than I did linked right here. Sorry about the "meh" review.

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DISCOGRAPHY

1998 - Demo cassetteEP

1999 - Minute cdLP

2000 - Charlie Brown Gets A Valentine split 7"EP

2001 - Miscommunication cdEP (download here)
2001 - The Bad Apple Theory/My Advice 7"EP

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(2001) INKLING - "Drawing Conclusions" (from 'Miscommunication')

(2001) INKLING - "My Advice" (from 'Miscommunication')

(1999) INKLING - 'Minute' full album stream

(1998/2000) INKLING - 'Demo + Split' full albums stream

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INKLING additional links

Miscommunication cdEP (download here)

Fansite

LastFM
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Thursday 19 October 2017

***CRY ME A RIVER / REPUBLIC OF DREAMS video interview + live review***


June 22nd/23rd/24th, 2017
Lars and Sabine. Two incredibly awesome people putting on one of the best festivals anywhere. The 18th installment in 2017 was one of which I was able to attend, initially because the project I "do" vocals for was supposed to play, but in the end I was there as a spectator whose jaw was filthy from being dropped on the floor so many times. Below is an exclusive video interview premiere with REPUBLIC OF DREAMS (members of Louise Cyphre, Tristan Tzara and Saligia) followed by every band that played Cry Me A River 2017. Enjoy.

REPUBLIC OF DREAMS
exclusive video interview


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Pre-Show + Day 1
AUREOLE OF ASH
AUREOLE OF ASH is the new band from Lars and Sabine of React With Protest Records, Cry Me A River Fest and Resurrectionists. Super screamy grind/emo-violence that goes full-speed, with no soft/post-hardcore bullshit and plenty of things to say. Bass not needed.
ffo: Tentacles, Cloud Rat and Resurrectionists
links to songs: *1* / *2* / *3* / pre-show videos → *4* / *5* / *6*
Bandcamp

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Day 1
ATTACKROBOTATTACK
This performance had my interest peaked, with most songs played at this fest recently released on the '7 Songs For the Apocalypse' tape. Check this out if you like driving, temperate screamo with a strong resemblance to both Wolves and Drive Like Jehu, with a bit of Queens Of The Stone Age robot rhythms thrown in for good measure.
ffo: Daniel Striped Tiger, The Rabbit Theory and Wolves
link to song: *2*
Recent EP premiere

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Day 1
SALIGIA
It was unreal to see SALIGIA in the flesh. They played pretty much all of the material I'm aware of, including that sick EP 'The New Innocence' released last year. The constant onslaught of crunchy and deep emo-violence employs two vocalists layering throat-wrenching screams. This band is pretty much the reincarnation of Resurrectionists, just without Sabine. One of my favourite sets of the fest, for sure. Sit and enjoy the entire 21 minutes by clicking on the youtube embed below.
ffo: Resurrectionists, Komarov and June Paik

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Day 1
FINISTERRE
Playing dark and crusty hardcore punk was FINISTERRE, who finished off the first night with a bang. The sound of the videos is great but the lights were mostly out and it is kind of hard see any specifics, but they are definitely worth a watch. 
ffo: Ruined Families, Protestant and Remains Of The Day
link to song: *2*
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Day 2
KOMAROV
Opening day two were my friends in KOMAROV who were touring with Ostraca that I had previously met and seen in Zagreb, Croatia (videos/review linked here). They were good in Croatia, but they were fucking lit at CMAR. They spilled the beans and referenced Battle Of Wolf 359 as their primary inspiration and so much fell into place. If you like your screamo blackened, heavy as fuck and with three different vocalists...uhhhh, this.
ffo: Battle Of Wolf 359, Saligia and Ostraca
link to song: *1*

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Day 2
SAVAGE REALM
Featuring the vocalist from Battle Of Wolf 359, SAVAGE REALM seemingly blew everyone away at the fest. This shit was heavy. Like, really fucking heavy. Unfortunately the only place I could get a decent view was next to the band and therefore behind the speakers, ultimately losing all of the vocals. I can't wait to hear more recordings cuz this was awesome.
ffo: Battle Of Wolf 359, Rorcal and Perth Express

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Day 2
REPUBLIC OF DREAMS
Probably the band I was most stoked to see was THE ROMANTIC WARRIORS. Wait, not probably - definitely. Their 10-minute set consisted of a few of my favourites as well as four new jams. Despite a patch chord issue the band blasted through their songs and had everyone jaw agape. Goddamn, those beautiful people can shred. An extra cool thing about the full set video posted below is the human wall that we made and which I was a part of at the bottom, all the while filming the set and our wall. In the off chance you didn't see the REPUBLIC OF DREAMS interview above it's linked below as well.
ffo: Louise Cyphre, The Apoplexy Twist Orchestra and Jeromes Dream

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Day 2
OSTRACA
I've seen OSTRACA a few times now, and this was my favourite performance. Maybe it was the atmosphere. Maybe it was the intensity. Maybe it was that my wife showed up halfway thru the set. But probably it was because Brian (guitar) was passed around like a human canoe during a huge breakdown. We all know and love OSTRACA so I'll skip the introduction, although I will point out that they are releasing a 4-way split 10" called 'Yarrow' later this year and recently did a video interview with OMSB which is linked below their entire set at CMAR. Oooooo baby.
ffo: City Of Caterpillar, Angel Eyes and Gillian Carter

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Pre-show + Day 2
CASSUS
The final band of the night was CASSUS. After catching only their final song at the pre-show, I was stoked to see the set in its entirety. Hoooooooolllllly shit I wasn't even ready for it. That wasn't intense, it was hair-raising. It was a spectacle. It was incredibly moving, both physically and mentally. I can't fucking wait for new CASSUS, holy shit. They released 'This Is Dead Art; This Is Dead Time; But We May Still Live Yet' to much acclaim back in 2015. Watch their entire set below, including when the drummer and all of his set gets hoisted up in the air mid-song. It's a sight to see, goddamn.
ffo: Youth Funeral, Daighila and Kaospilot
pre-show video → *1*
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Tuesday 17 October 2017

***TERRIBLE AS THE DAWN exclusive premiere***

TERRIBLE AS THE DAWN's
"Dull and Grey"
from the cassette EP:
'A Shadow Circuit'


pre-orders available via Zegema Beach Records
Streaming in full early November 2017 at IDIOTEQ.com

Hailing from Ann Arbor, Michigan in the U.S.A., TERRIBLE AS THE DAWN is a two-piece hardcore/metal band featuring Caroline on guitar/vocals and Stephen doing drums/vocals. Caroline sent me their first EP 'Weak' to be reviewed on this blog back in 2016, which was so (linked here). The song "Stains", in particular, got me really excited. I invited the band out to play the Zegema Beach Records Fest pre-show on June 1st, 2017 in Toronto and they killed it, video of the pre-show linked here and the entire pre-show review and corresponding videos are linked here. About two months ago I was sent some initial masters from Caroline with their four new songs that are 'A Shadow Circuit'. I loved it and agreed to release 60 copies on cream tapes. Their release will coincide with the next full moon (aka the Frosty Moon) on November 4th, 2017. A few days prior to that the entire album will be streamed in full at IDIOTEQ.com. Until then, you can pre-order the tapes here and jam track two's "Dull and Grey" below.

(2017) TERRIBLE AS THE DAWN - "Dull and Grey" (from 'A Shadow Circuit')
For fans of: Ostraca, Drei Affen and Hedge Fund Trader
"Dull and Grey" is fucking phenomenal. This 6:10 riot begins with an unreal riff coupled with Caroline's shrieks, is the highlight of the song, and holds strong for the first 50 seconds. I love the palm-muted guitars and slow, brooding section from 50-1:30, at which point Stephen's haunting screams are layered over some seriously dark breakdowns. The song goes into ludicrous speed at three minutes with both members going all out and sounding akin to new Ostraca material. After a brief atmospheric interlude the song oozes back into slow, sludgy, breakdown territory until the climax from 5:50 onward. Weow, what a ride!

Monday 16 October 2017

***IBURIEDYOURFLOWERS exclusive premiere***

'Love Is When You Leave' EP
For fans of: Touche Amore, Pianos Become The Teeth, Fraera and Aviator

A few weeks ago Daniel G. Wilson posted a track from St. Catherines, Ontario's IBURIEDYOURFLOWERS in an online group. I liked what I heard and told him so. He then regurgitated my compliments to the band and told them to get in touch with me. And now here we are. On this debut, 6-song release titled 'Love Is When You Leave' IBURIEDYOURFLOWERS explore post-hardcore with a fair amount of clear, screamo influences. There are yelled, not really screamed vocals, sometimes with more than one member sharing the duties. The post-hardcore instrumentals range from fast and punishing, tracks "Standard Callback (No One Online)", "A Bird in the Bush Usually Has a Friend in There With Him" (previously released on the IBURIEDYOURFLOWERS bandcamp page, linked here) and the slightly slower and more melodic "Fix Your Heart Because Mine's Already <3" to "Iburiedyourflowers", a completely instrumental, ambient jam. "A Bittersweet Narrative" builds on some tranquil guitar progressions before letting loose at 50 seconds in a style not unlike Pianos Become The Teeth. Closer "Love Is When You Leave" is a builder that is probably the most well-rounded of the six songs. Give them all a listen below!

"Standard Callback (No One Online)"

"A Bird in the Bush Usually Has a Friend in There With Him"

"Fix Your Heart Because Mine's Already <3"

"Iburiedyourflowers"

"A Bittersweet Narrative"

"Love Is When You Leave"