Thursday 28 December 2017

PERFECT BLUE

BandPERFECT BLUE
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence
Related artistsHealing Powers and Cavalcades.
CountryLeeds U.K.
Years Active2016-present
Song: "pillar of smoke"
Album: "you breed like stars"
Year: 2016
For fans ofOff Minor, Ostraca, Kilgore Trout, Coma Regalia, We Were Skeletons, Massa Nera, Eyes Of Verotika, Frail Body, Sleeper Wave, Moss Rose, Old Soul, Eyelet, Old Guard and Youth Novel aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Adorno Records / Callous Records / Dog Knights Productions
This post's artist is from the December 2017 Mix. This is track #4.
You can download: the December 2017 Mix#12 right here or get the new January 2018 Mix#1 here.

PERFECT BLUE are from Leeds in the U.K. and they've dropped three EPs and an LP in less than two years! That's some serious dedication and I fucking love it. The dark, technical and brooding screamo can easily lull you in to a sense of relaxation only to spin your hammock like a skipping rope. Most songs hover around one to two minutes but with their latest LP they've upped the times to two to four minutes, with a noticeable maturation in songwriting, as well as constructing an album instead of a collection of songs. I'm also a huge sucker for themed album art, which they've done with all four releases, accumulating beautiful paintings from the very talented Rebecca Robson.

So we've gotta start with 'a week of fires', which is one hell of a debut release. Opening with the cataclysmic "palisades", the listener becomes well aware of what to expect from PERFECT BLUE. "altered state" is slower and manipulates the listener into believing, "aww yeah, this is chill" until they are smashed over the head and pummeled with lightning drums during the second minute. "~" is a very short instrumental/ambient track that uses one of my favourite audio clips from Mulholland Drive, and in fact I used the exact same quote in a The World That Summer track (linked here). "solitude/absence" also combusts before the first minute is over, but closer "shattered skin" lingers for 2:21.

A mere five months later PERFECT BLUE dropped 'you breed like stars'. A truly exceptional EP, it opens with the insanely awesome "pillar of smoke", which boasts some very jazzy, Off Minor sounding instrumentals. "so shines a good deed on a weary world" has killer dual vocals that bring to mind old Kilgore Trout (aka Ostraca) and "neurasthenia" is groovy as all hell. It should also be noted there are no weak tracks here.

In April of 2017 the band was back at it again, releasing the 'unto souls whose wellsprings fail' EP. "anomalous refraction" is an unreal first song, getting everything across in just 34 seconds with no frills or empty space, just ass kickin', screamy hardcore. "wellsprings fail" is a dreamy interlude with a bit of spoken word, likely from an audio clip but I'm not sure. "crystal rain" is my fucking jam with intense screaming and very playful instrumentals. "...or run defiled" is another instrumental jam/interlude that leads into "celestial body fades", an intricate and less intense number that is one of the strongest songs that the band has recorded to date. Finale "your breath's as hard as kerosene" is the longest song PERFECT BLUE has recorded, clocking in at 3:52. The first 50 seconds are a dark and dreary trek though lush atmospheric soundscapes that are briefly erased during a 30-second screamo onslaught. It then recedes and is replaced by a new jammy section (led by an unreal bass transition at 1:23) that plays out beautifully until 3:04 when the song shifts into its final, isolated guitar movement. Goddamn PERFECT BLUE. Goddamn.

Released just a few days ago, 'crystalline in gorgeous imperfection' will be released on Dog Knights Productions, I do believe. Nearly gone are the noodley/jazzy bits as the band opts for about lush layers and evolved songwriting which in turn has led to most songs bearing past the two-minute mark. Opener "with wings of feather and bone" boasts this mature sound right from the get-go, securing footing somewhere between epic screamo and brooding hardcore, although post-1:30 it gets much mathier and heavier. Next up is my personal favourite "temple of heaven", as it bounds back and forth between driving post-hardcore and some thick-ass chugs with an awesome guitar transition right around the 50-second mark. "to draw blood from a machine" is the longest track on the LP, clocking in at 3:43 and venturing through almost every sound the band had in its repertoire and creating new tangents by experimenting with fuller, lengthier instrumental passages as well as some menacing dual vocal work. "auburn" is the chillest and most atmospheric of all of the songs, without meandering into boring instrumental territory as well as including decent vocals to help the song along, while "pharmakeia" is the shortest track at 54 seconds. "phoenix forgotten" is a dissonant slap in the face with more chugs, growls and beautifully lush instrumentation that leads to the closer "now you wear skin like iron", an unreal song that gives track two a run for its money. Seriously, this is one fantastic record.

Well there you have it. One of the most active recording bands around producing awesome releases and dropping them on a biannual basis. I expect another EP and LP in 2018, my friends 😏

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DISCOGRAPHY

2016 - a week of fires cassetteEP (stream/download here)
2016 - you breed like stars cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here)

2017 - unto souls whose wellsprings fail cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here)
2017 - crystalline in gorgeous imperfection 12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2017) PERFECT BLUE - "temple of heaven" (from 'crystalline in gorgeous imperfection')

(2017) PERFECT BLUE - "to draw blood from a machine" (from 'crystalline in gorgeous imperfection')

(2017) PERFECT BLUE - "now you wear your skin like iron" (from 'crystalline in gorgeous imperfection')

(2017) PERFECT BLUE - "crystal rain" (from 'unto souls whose wellsprings fail')

(2017) PERFECT BLUE - "your breath's as hard as kerosene" (from 'unto souls whose wellsprings fail')

(2016) PERFECT BLUE - "pillar of smoke" (from 'you breed like stars')

(2016) PERFECT BLUE - "so shines a good deed on a weary world" (from 'you breed like stars')

(2016) PERFECT BLUE - "altered state" (from 'a week of fires')

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PERFECT BLUE additional links

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Wednesday 27 December 2017

ATTACKROBOTATTACK

Band: ATTACKROBOTATTACK
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Noise
Related artistsBrito and Grinding Halt.
Country: Groningen NETHERLANDS
Years Active2012-present
Song: "The Wastelands"
Album: "Break Character split"
Year: 2016
For fans ofWolves, Secret Smoker, The Rabbit Theory, Wolverines, Drive Like Jehu, Coma Regalia, Adolina, Drummers and Daniel Striped Tiger aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Vanity Pill / Stereo Dasein / Barely Regal Records / Strictly No Capital Letters / Clue #2
This post's artist is from the December 2017 Mix. This is track #6.
You can download: the December 2017 Mix#12 right here or get the new January 2018 Mix#1 here.

This post is pretty much a continuation of the premiere I did for ATTACKROBOTATTACK (check'er here) after catching them live at Cry Me A River Fest 2017 (review and videos of that fest linked here). My new friends Ariën (guitar/vocals) and Eelco (drums) used to play in Brito and Grinding Halt (respectively) and ended up meeting on a UK tour in 2008 and even teamed up for a split 12" before calling it a day. Strangely enough, both of them played bass in their old bands but once they joined forces and opted to try new instruments in ATTACKROBOTATTACK, it turned out they didn't even need a bass player and stuck it out as a two-piece.

In 2016 they released their debut as a split 10" with fellow Netherlands band Break Character from Utrecht. Their side houses five songs of driving, screamy and discordant hardcore. Opener "The Wastelands" is a dark and dreary trek through these waters and perhaps my favourite song here. "People Like Frank" is a bit faster and a lot more disjointed (in a good way) while "Vindici's Last Song" is dreamy and ambient, playing out like more of a hazy nightmare than anything else. "A Crown On His Head" could probably be likened to Coma Regalia as well as Wolves, with finale "Franco Nero Lost His Coffin" using a whirling wall of guitars to close out the split.

October 13th, 2017 saw the release of the '7 Songs of the Apocalypse' cassette EP, released on Vanity Pill. It opens with, by far, my favourite ATTACKROBOTATTACK song, "Something is Obviously Amiss". Following a driving and screamy introduction of, "This town has nothing to give!", the guitar rings out and the song stops and then starts again on a dime just after the 30-second mark. That shit is awesome, and played live looks and sounds even better (video here). The song slows down to a crawl using a few guitar notes and screaming at 1:01, only to do the stop/start thing again with a simultaneous sprint from both the guitar and drums at 1:21. From here to the 2:25 the track gives heavy nods in the direction of mid-late 90s emo, and is without a doubt my anthem for ATTACKROBOTATTACK. "Burned, We Lose Control" uses some very cool and lenghty guitar progressions along with Eelco's frantic drumming, which reaches an awesome climax from 57 seconds onward. "Broken Dreams Always Sell Themselves" only gets to 1:25 and comes across as the angriest track on the EP while "Something Wicked This Way Comes" plays an interesting dichotomy between fast and chill, therefore reminding me of The Rabbit Theory, and even includes singing. The song "Vigilante" follows an unidentified audio clip before careening off into extra-screamy territory and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" is the only song to eclipse three minutes with a atmospheric concoction of rock, emo, hardcore and screamo. Closer "Where Are Your Children" is another standout track (and the shortest), as Ariën screams "Where are your children? Where are your they now?" as a lead-in to the jammy midsection right before the drums pound away at you and bring the lyrics around full circle, with the vocals ringing out solo at the 1:19 close.

Not only have ATTACKROBOTATTACK released two excellent EPs in the last two years, the two-piece are two of the nicest people I met while on non-tour in Europe. Can't wait to hear what's next, my friends. 💓

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DISCOGRAPHY

2016 - Break Character split 10"EP (stream/donate/download here)

2017 - 7 Songs for the Apocalypse cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2016) ATTACKROBOTATTACK - "The Wastelands" (from 'Break Character' split)

(2016) ATTACKROBOTATTACK - "Vindici's Last Song" (from 'Break Character' split)

(2017) ATTACKROBOTATTACK - "Something is Obviously Amiss + Burned, We Lose Control" live at Cry Me A River Fest 2017

(2017) ATTACKROBOTATTACK - "Where Are Your Children" live at Cry Me A River Fest 2017

(2017) ATTACKROBOTATTACK - "Something is Obviously Amiss" (from '7 Songs for the Apocalypse')

(2017) ATTACKROBOTATTACK - "Where Are Your Children" (from '7 Songs for the Apocalypse')

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ATTACKROBOTATTACK additional links

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Tuesday 26 December 2017

LEVELESS

BandLEVELESS
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Metalcore / Screamo / Skramz
Related artistsWhenskiesaregrey.
CountryBaltimore, Maryland U.S.A.
Years Active2016-2017
Song: "No Path"
Album: "Remind - Replace - Expire - Erase"
Year: 2017
For fans ofCrowning, The Chariot, This Ship Will Sink, In First Person, Dowager, Youth Funeral, Carrion SpringУлыбайся Ветру, Takaru, Minerva Superduty, Lentic Waters, Colored Moth, Knut, Carved Up, Norma Jean, Weak Teeth, Pianos Become The Teeth, Voyage In Coma, Breather Resist, Poison The Well, Hopesfall, Capacities and Loma Prieta aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Self Released
This post's artist is from the December 2017 Mix. This is track #5.
You can download: the December 2017 Mix#12 right here or get the new January 2018 Mix#1 here.

Baltimore's LEVELESS rose from the ashes of Whenskiesaregrey. Existing ever so briefly from 2016 until their final show on June 30th, 2017, they released but a single LP titled 'Remind - Replace - Expire - Erase' and it was sensational. The pulverizing, dark-as-fuck, metallic hardcore would make Tom Schlatter of This Ship Will Sink, In First Person, Capacities and What Of Us give two vocal thumbs up, methinks, as the insanely intense vocals and vicious instrumentals conjure up many of the sounds embedded within his aforementioned projects. But there is more to the band and full length than that.

First off, apparently LEVELESS had support from Broken World Media, which then pulled the rug from under their feet right before going to press. They also shot a music video for track 10's "Discontent" that got shared around the internet in a frenzy. With an upcoming tour on the horizon and no new record, LEVELESS disbanded.

Let's quickly go over the album, though. Opener "No Path" definitely has a Loma Prieta feel, but it hits much harder and in a metalcore kind of way, without sounding overtly metalcore. As it continues to rip into the listener, the transition to deep screams and punishing drums at 45 seconds and its subsequent rise and climax is nothing short of jaw-dropping. "Youth Ruin" explodes with heavily distorted bass riffs and dual vocals, "Doorway Silhouette" boasts some sweet guitarin', with a sound much akin to Chicago's Crowning or Skeletal Lightning's Youth Funeral. There are a few tracks with clean vocals that I didn't expect after hearing nothing of the sort during the first four songs, but with "Endless Exit" they open alongside the somber, eerie and ambient instrumentals before reverting to screams and heaviness from three minutes onward. "Wholly Gone" is a much slower number but with distant screaming over the soft, lush melodies, and "Discontent" explodes at first, but offers up well-executed, melodic singing in its second half, while "Last Light", "Prey to Flames" and "Lost Ghost" are probably the darkest and heaviest songs here.

It's a shame the band lasted for such a short period, especially after such a promising beginning. But as can be the case, perhaps the next reincarnation will be even better.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2017 - Remind - Replace - Expire - Erase LP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2017) LEVELESS - "Discontent" (from 'Remind - Replace - Expire - Erase') official music video

(2017) LEVELESS - "No Path" (from 'Remind - Replace - Expire - Erase')

(2017) LEVELESS - "No Ghost" (from 'Remind - Replace - Expire - Erase')

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LEVELESS additional links

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Thursday 21 December 2017

***FRAIL BODY exclusive premiere***

FRAIL BODY
"Cold New Home"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofSnagDowager and Youth Novel
Recently I was asked to check out FRAIL BODY. I had never heard of FRAIL BODY. Apparently 2,100 other people on facebook have. And here I was thinking I'm on the screamo game. Maybe not so much, Monsieur Davide. Super lucky for me, and for all of the OMSB readers, I've been asked to share the opening track off of the upcoming 'At Peace' EP by the Rockford, Illinois three-piece. And hoooooly fuck it's a banger. Clocking in at 3:44, this thing hits pretty much everything I love about the genre. It's got a nice, swaying intro for almost 30 seconds before all of the instruments crash in together and build the opening even higher. Just before the one-minute mark they transition to the next phase, which I like to call DEAR LORD THAT BASS IS INCREDIBLE.  The screaming vocals drop in shortly thereafter, sporadic and intense. Around 1:30 things slow down a tad and from 2:00-2:30 the band opts for some ambient, post-hardcore jams before rebuilding the song and letting loose at 3:10 with utter destruction, breakdowns and kickass drumming. Woah nelly I need to jam that sucker again. The EP will be released on December 22nd, 2017 in its entirety (three songs) digitally with a physical release likely to follow in early 2018.

I didn't know about FRAIL BODY before, but goddamn I'll be scopin' them hard in the coming years.  For reference's sake, guitarist/vocalist Paul played in Anzio, bassist Nic played in Roanoke and Sleeping Habits while drummer Nicholas spent time in Kingmaker and currently plays in PAINS. Hope y'all enjoy this as much as I did!

(2017) FRAIL BODY - "Cold New Home" (from 'At Peace')

Wednesday 20 December 2017

***B.R. aka BUSTER ROSS exclusive premiere***

B.R.
'The Deep Dark Night' Deluxe LP
exclusive premiere
For fans of: Radiohead, Elliot Smith and The Dears
BUSTER ROSS Official Website
'The Deep Dark Nighton Spotify
'The Deep Dark Nighton itunes
Contact Buster through Instagram @abracadanrayrn

A few weeks back I was sent the new B.R. record from Buster Ross of Kidcrash fame. Let's be honest here, I wouldn't have listened to this stuff, let alone posted about it, but friends making new music is the best way to get me into a genre that I haven't traversed in the past. I listened and was much more into it than I would have expected. These whispered, soft, ambient, lo-fi recordings will wash over you, as the tranquil soundscapes are intoxicating. Also of note is that this is the premiere of the deluxe edition and the final three tracks are not yet up on the major music sites, but soon will be. My personal favourites are "The Worst Part is Over", "Take Your Time" and "Struck Dead By a Train". There's also some words by Buster regarding his support and influences for this record that are exclusive to this post. Enjoy!!!

"My influences were Elliot Smith’s ‘Either/Or’ on late nights alone driving around Portland, OR. Listening to The Microphones 10 years ago. That Grandaddy song "Standby". Not being able to find new emo. But mostly working with rappers and rap producers all over the globe left me wanting more of my musical roots back. Also Three Mile Pilot’s ‘Way of The Ocean’. I spent some time with Cee Lo’s engineer of like twenty years, which have been in these insane studios all night most days of the week, and have been able to just be immersed in music and touring with Migos. A real blessing."
~Buster Ross



(2017) B.R. - "Trust in Awful Things" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
Opener "Trust in Awful Things" is the longest song here, clocking in at 5:44 of very whispered, sombre synth-pop. It's a good introduction to the album and should immediately help the listener disassociate B.R. from Kidcrash, as this sure as hell does not sound like those mathy, jazzy screamo all-stars.

(2017) B.R. - "Durable Identities of Fragility" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"Durable Identities of Fragility" reminds me so much of The Dears from Quebec, especially that piano and the singing. I would be amiss to leave out that this song, as well as most of them, actually, are mixed with the experimental sounds of 'Kid A'-era Radiohead.

(2017) B.R. - "People You Love Will Die Tragically at Times" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"People You Love Will Die Tragically at Times" much shorter at 2:25 yet the notes are much more drawn out and vocals garbled, which ends up reminding me of Nnamdi Ogbonnaya.

(2017) B.R. - "Oh This Is the You They Warned Me About" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')


"Oh This Is the You They Warned Me About" isn't even two minutes in length and relies heavily on soothing, low-end synths/moog to create a a womb/cocoon like, additional keys at after 1 minute.

(2017) B.R. - "Carve Waves out of the Ocean's Dreams" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"Carve Waves out of the Ocean’s Dreams" slow and plodding, super relaxing while still having enough behind it to roll along like a slow but unstoppable train. I love the opposing synth notes that jump low to high to low on repeat.

(2017) B.R. - "Struck Dead by a Train" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"Struck Dead by a Train" is an awesome instrumental track that mixes OST (soundtrack style music) with crashing cymbals.

(2017) B.R. - "When You Left You Didn't Say Goodbye" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"When You Left You Didn't Say Goodbye" is the least tangible song on the record, opting for textured keys and layered vocals for an ambiance very reminiscent of what you'd likely hear in a cathedral.

(2017) B.R. - "Do it in My Sleep" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"Do it in My Sleep" brings the lo-fi pop back in, and that instrumental turn after the abrupt halt is killer.

(2017) B.R. - "Take Your Time" (from 'The Deep Dark Knight')
"Take Your Time" is heavy on the chorded bass (I think that's what it is) and picks up some steam at 2:07 after a brief stop with full instrumental backing, making it one of the best tracks here, and only available via the deluxe release.

(2017) B.R. - "The Worst Part is Over" (from 'The Deep Dark Night')
"The Worst Part is Over" begins as the most dancey track on the album, thereby giving it a slight Julian Casablancas (from The Strokes) vibe, especially the very playful synths which are my favourite instrumental part of the entire record.

Tuesday 19 December 2017

COUNCIL OF RATS

BandCOUNCIL OF RATS
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Powerviolence / Thrash / Crust
Related artistsSeesaw, Long Gone, SledgeHC, Redbloodhands, Angelica Mariner and La Crisi.
CountryMilan ITALY
Years Active2012-present
Song: "Vexed"
Album: "Coarse"
Year: 2017
For fans ofDangers!, The Armed, Warsaw Was RawUnsanitary NapkinYurodivy, Ghostlimb, (Lone) Wolf And Cub, Aureole Of Ash, Parents, Machina Genova, The Love And Terror Cult, The Power And The Glory, Joliette, Left Astray, Remains Of The DayAmerican Nightmare, Converge, Jungbluth, Glasses, No Statik, Punch and Worst Days.
Label(s): Self Released / Shove Records / Adagio830 / Per Koro / Sonatine Produzioni
This post's artist is from the December 2017 Mix. This is track #1.
You can download: the December 2017 Mix#12 right here or get the new January 2018 Mix#1 here.

I'm doing the second consecutive Shove Records review as, plain and simple, that label from Italy is unreal. Every time I trade with Manuel I get to discover a ton of amazing Italian bands that I would otherwise likely have passed over and never heard. Amidst the pile of awesomeness that I received included a band called COUNCIL OF RATS, of which I picked up a few copies of their 2017 endeavour 'Coarse'. I literally heard the chorus of opening track "Vexed" and shit my pants. Jesus fuck this record (and band) are insane. If you were to attempt to conjure up and describe COUNCIL OF RATS, describing them as punk meets hardcore with strong ties to Dangers! material would be a pretty good bet. That punk/hardcore focus is paired ferocious vocals that are screamy enough to break into further sub-genres, if you were to so choose.

Releasing first in 2013 with their self titled EP 'Council of Rats', the six tracks aren't too far off from what they have evolved into now, almost five years later. It's violent, venomous and punk as fuck, with the songs being more direct and perhaps a tad less engaging. Nonetheless it's a very good debut, with my favourite tracks being "Divinations", "The Lighthouse" and "Tomie".

Only a year later, in 2014, the Italian band released a full length titled 'Ill Weaters' on 12" via the German powerhouse Adagio830. This thing contains 10 songs, is more developed and focused than the debut and therefore bears more resemblance to their new material, albeit being even heavier. Maybe it's the increased amount of concentrated poison that the vocals are laced with or perhaps it's the fuller, thicker and heavier sound that the instrumentals have taken. Let's be honest, David, it's both, and it's glorious. "Strategies of Tension" and "Old Crow" are truly venomous, "Burning Love" sounds pretty goddamn evil, "Fraudulent Crafts" blazes through in 1:37 while "Jawbones" is a second away from four minutes of crushing, crusty post-hardcore. "Towards Disaster" is nearly danceable and "Scales" is just fucking epic, as well as not too far removed from screamo, I might add.

Releasing yet again the following year, COUNCIL OF RATS dropped the short, two-track EP titled 'Binded'. Opener "Impressions" is 1:23 of furious hardcore and contains screams from another band member, while "Shadowplay" is 2:03 and boasts a lot bass. It seems the vocals on the recording are less intense, whether it be due to the recording/mixing or the vocalist I am unsure, but they still pack a punch.

This brings us to the exceptional 2017 full length 'Coarse', which was the catalyst for this review. So, it begins with "Vexed". This is without a doubt the most influential song (for me) that I heard in all of 2017. Those fucking vocals are so good it's ridiculous. A quick side note, the band I just recorded vocals for (Swallow's Nest) is contributing a song to a split 7" with Chicago's Crowning and my screaming is 100% influenced by this song, and those long, held, deep screams in particular. The opener beings with subdued guitars and snarling screams, but intensity in the vocals from 20-30 seconds floor me. The song then shifts to some shouted/spoken word and what may or may not be considered a breakdown interlude before reverting back to the opening at 45 seconds and that absolutely devastating chorus that is saturated with the best fucking screams, godfuckingdammit. Next up is "Flaws" which uses a movie clip as an intro from Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and then rips into the listener Dangers! style. The stop/start at 1:06 as the song resets itself and erupts again is unreal, and the yelled/spoken word section is sick. "Against All Odds" seems relatively typical until 2:14 when the instrumentals get more epic than they've ever been, and those vocals, well, you know, soooooo gooooood. "Ten of Swords" is another sensational track and my second fave, as the vocalist shrieks "What have you done?" with a call and response from the backup vocalist repeating, "What have you done?". Songs "The Static", "Carcrasher", "Degrader" and "Carcrasher" are your typical, awesome COUNCIL OF RATS styled hardcore, although "Latelovers/Deadlovers" delves into some new territory (especially the playful guitar solo). "The Burden" and "Lower Nature" are quite heavy but closer "The Bowery Chamber" is a behemoth, weighing in at five-plus minutes of slow, dark and eerie post-hardcore/post-metal.

I don't know what 2018 to 2020 will bring for COUNCIL OF RATS, but anything coming my way automatically gets put in the "likely to be in my year end list" cuz this band fucking rules.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2013 - Council of Rats cdEP (stream/donate/download here)

2014 - Ill Weathers 12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

2015 - Binded digitalEP (stream/donate/download here)

2017 - Coarse 12"LP (stream/buy here)

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(2017) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Vexed" (from 'Coarse')

(2017) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Ten of Swords" (from 'Coarse')

(2017) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Flaws" (from 'Coarse')

(2015) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Shadowplay" (from 'Binded')

(2014) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Scales" (from 'Weathered Ill')

(2014) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Towards Disaster" (from 'Weathered Ill')

(2014) COUNCIL OF RATS - "Burning Love" (from 'Weathered Ill')

(2013) COUNCIL OF RATS - "The Lighthouse" (from 'Council of Rats')

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COUNCIL OF RATS additional links

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Monday 18 December 2017

DIE ABETE

BandDIE ABETE
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Metal / Screamo
Related artistsnODo, AFA, Vodu Wango, Tyrone and GOH.
CountryTerni ITALY
Years Active2013-present
Song: "L'antropologa Il trend del declino"
Album: "Senza Denti"
Year: 2017
For fans ofBelladone, MoxiebeatRemote, I Am A CurseStorm{o}SpiresYo Sbraito, Versoma, Cassilis, Lamantide, Time In Malta, Jough Dawn Baker, Ruined Families, Tigershark, Thank God, Lentic Waters, Minerva Superduty, Knut, Aporia, Norma JeanThe Chariot, Barque and The Catalyst.
Label(s): Shove Records / To Lose La Track / Sonatine Produzioni / Tanato Records / Longrail Records / All Ways Wrong
This post's artist is from the December 2017 Mix. This is track #2.
You can download: the December 2017 Mix#12 right here or get the new January 2018 Mix#1 here.

DIE ABETE was yet another band I found out about through my label Zegema Beach Records trading with Italian screamo/hardcore Shove Records. The description piqued my interest as they were listed as having two drummers and two guitarists, with one of the drummers being the primary vocalist and both guitarists supplying additional vocals. Well guess what? It's fucking amazing. The crazy double drumming mixed with chaotic hardcore as well as some screamo and metal is absolutely sensational. I traded for a few 12"s and a cd, although I ended up keeping a 12" and the cd for myself.

In 2014 DIE ABETE released their debut LP on cd titled 'Tutto o Niente', housing 8 tracks. After the 1:06 opener "Where are My Keys" finishes, you'll likely be scratching your head and thinking, what the fuck just happened? I'll tell you what, you just got aurally punched in the brain. The second track, for which they have a music video (embedded below), is titled "Per Un Pugno Di Pugni" and from 42 seconds to the 1:35 close you'll be getting heaps of dark, massive, swelling breakdowns, making it my favourite track on here. "Al Giorno La Resa" has some sweet guitar riffs followed by jarring stop/starts, "Tommy Was a Superman" is pretty fucking sassy, "Scrittore Verace" is short and violent, "Mosquitoes Threat" houses the most devastating vocals the band has recorded to date and closer "UT" is downright pummeling.

2017's 'Senza Denti' takes a lot of what made their debut great and expands on that, creating a ridiculous concoction of chaotic hardcore that borders on Belladone, The Catalyst and The Chariot. Opener "Se siete d'accordo, azzeriamo tutto e ripartiamo da capo" is a disjointed romp through chaotic hardcore and shows the huge leaps that DIE ABETE have made since their 2014 effort. The second track titled "La Tigre" was graced with another music video, and rightfully so. This song is 1:17 of destruction, with the best part coming in at 33 seconds and rolling through for just 15 seconds as a seemingly unstoppable force. "Icaro" is probably my favourite song here as it hits so many pressure points you should probably lie down lest you drop to the floor in a combination of pain and sheer ecstasy. The opening of it is very The Chariot (even the vocals), from 32 seconds until 42 there is a short but danceable breakdown, followed by a short midsection interlude that transitions the song to climax and fake ending after 1:03, only to go full tilt from 1:22 until its 1:46 close. Hot damn that's a tasty track. "Il giorno dei fuochi (feat. Mai Mai Mai)" is very long for DIE ABETE, clocking in at 5:30. The first half is pretty typical for the band (with a sick solo at 1:17) while the second half shows us a much more subdued and atmospheric side. "L'antropologa Il trend del declino" contains lots of sweet open/close hammering on the guitars and "Hai scelto bene, adesso crepa" is a non-stop, driving number, with both tracks hovering around the two-minute mark. "Umeå" begins super chill and gives off a hint of instru-metal and a sprinkle of screamo, making it sound akin to Grand Détour for the first minute and a half before we're brought back in to sludgy, mammoth hardcore for the second half. "Cheers, cholera! (feat Terence)" is another massive track boasting the dual drums, deep breakdowns and an incredible midsection from 42 seconds to 1:06 with precisely placed stops, raging chords and killer vocals. Seriously that's one killer album!

Lukas from DIE ABETE had this to say about the formation of the band:
"So, before playing with DIE ABETE we all played in various local bands. We played together in some bands, as we've known each other since high school. The idea of DIE ABETE came when I (Lukas - drums) and Eugenio (2nd drums and main vocals) wanted to play in a band together, as this had never happened before because we both play drums. We had already played with Marco and Michele (the two guitarists) for a long time in two different bands, so we just put everything together without bass (actually, on 'Senza Denti' there is bass on the recording, but live there is none, which is the same as our first record)."

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DISCOGRAPHY

2014 - Tutto o Niente cdLP (stream/buy here)

2017 -  Senza Denti cd12"LP (stream/buy here)

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(2017) DIE ABETE - "La Tigre" (from 'Senza Denti') official music video

(2017) DIE ABETE - "Icaro" (from 'Senza Denti')

(2017) DIE ABETE - "Cheers, colera! (feat. Terence)" (from 'Senza Denti')

(2014) DIE ABETE - "Per un pugno di pugni" (from 'Tutto o Niente') official music video


(2014) DIE ABETE - "UT" (from 'Tutto o Niente')

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DIE ABETE additional links

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Wednesday 13 December 2017

HEDGE FUND TRADER

BandHEDGE FUND TRADER
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Powerviolence / Black Metal / Thrash / Crust
Related artists?.
CountryHamilton NEW ZEALAND
Years Active2017-present
Song: "One For One"
Album: "No Birds"
Year: 2017
For fans ofCloud Rat, Plague Walker, Tetola93, Fucking Invincible, Mahria, Lord Snow, Commuovere, This Land Is Now Dead, Yung Nat$, Punch, Kodos, Melt Banana and Pinocchio 964 aka PROPER SCREAMO.
Label(s): Self Released / Zegema Beach Records
This post's artist is from the December 2017 Mix. This is track #3.
You can download: the December 2017 Mix#12 right here or get the new January 2018 Mix#1 here.

When I first moved to Dunedin, New Zealand my good friend Jörg introduced to me one of his favourite Kiwi bands. They are a three-piece by the name of HEDGE FUND TRADER, as his band Yung Nat$ were set to play shows with them in both Christchurch and Dunedin, which I got hella stoked on after jamming 'Discography'. Fast forward to two weeks before the Christchurch show, and Yung Nat$ had to pull out from making the four hour trek from Dunedin. To my utmost delight, the band I'm in/was in Swallow's Nest was asked to take their place. We met and played with them in Lyttelton on October 13th, 2017 and it was great (show linked here, a bit past halfway down the post). We then played the next night alongside both HEDGE FUND TRADER and Yung Nat$ and it was one of my favourite shows here. Actually, in terms of lineup it was my favourite. On this night in particular I was fucking blown away (show linked here, three quarters of the way down the post). We asked if the band wanted to do a split tape with us, to which they graciously accepted, so look for that in early 2018 on Zegema Beach Records as both bands have their songs recorded already.

HEDGE FUND TRADER don't just have a great band name, but their debut EP was hilariously titled 'Discography'. It opens with the raw, caustic and violent "They Live", which reminds me a bit of the final Tetola93 record but with more of a black metal vibe, especially those haunting screams. "I Am Two" lasts just 42 seconds, while "Fire Walk With Me" barely eclipses the 30-second mark, as both songs tear through with astounding force and a lot of noise. "Nothing to Show" is a good track but the epic closer "and i made up lies so that they all fit nice" takes the cake. After 50 seconds of explosive instrumentals the song seemingly kicks back, only to be pulled into the swells of devastating waves of metallic hardcore. The palm-muted guitar times itself with crashing drums and throat wrenching screams for another minute and a half before being led out with dual screams, feedback and the occasional eruption of four, deathly notes. Good god this song is unreal.

A few days prior to our shows together, HEDGE FUND TRADER dropped their phenomenal second EP titled 'No Birds'. Regardless of being much better recorded and produced, the songs are much more complex, diverse and engaging. Opener "Introduction to No Birds" is two minutes of subdued, clean and relatively distant sounding chords with vocalist Kelly and guitarist Michael screaming layered lightly on top, and is one of my favourites from the new tape. The opener's abrupt ending catapults the listener headfirst into the shortest and perhaps the most screamo sounding of HEDGE FUND TRADER's current recordings with "An Emptiness". I am aware that vocalist Kelly is studying Mandarin and going to China to study very soon, so it isn't surprising that the third track is not titled in English, but instead "妇女能顶半边天". For the third straight song Michael's sick backup vocals make an appearance, and Kelly's ability to jump back and forth from harsh screams (think Cloud Rat) to yellin' (nods to Cerce and Yung Nat$) is remarkable. "Stay" is ballistic, with Kelly dipping in and out of shrieking and yelling while drummer Adam goes fucking bananas. Closer "One For One" is my pick for this stellar new EP, as it combines everything that makes the band great. Plus, it has more prodigious, imposing and towering riffs that could topple cities, as well as that apocalyptic and screamy second-half.

I'm writing and posting this on my first day after living in New Zealand. I'm quite sad upon leaving such an amazing place. But, good goddamn, I fucking love HEDGE FUND TRADER. And by this point, chances are you do to.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2017 - Discography cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here) [buy ZBR's last copy here]
2017 - No Birds cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here)

2018 - Swallow's Nest split (possibly 4-way) cassetteEP

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(2017) HEDGE FUND TRADER - "One For One" (from 'No Birds')

(2017) HEDGE FUND TRADER - "Introduction to No Birds" (from 'No Birds')

(2017) HEDGE FUND TRADER - "An Emptiness" (from 'No Birds')

(2017) HEDGE FUND TRADER - "and i made up lies so that they all fit nice" (from 'Discography')

(2017) HEDGE FUND TRADER - full set (from Oct. 14th, 2017 Dunedin show)

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HEDGE FUND TRADER additional links

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