***RIVERSLEEM exclusive live set premiere***

RIVERSLEEM
"Live at Amigos Cantina"

exclusive live set premiere

For fans of: Fluoride, Weak Wrists and Dead Hour Noise

All Streaming Platforms
Facebook
cassette order

On September 25th, 2021 RIVERSLEEM played their first show. Leading up to it I asked, "For the love of god, is someone filming this?" to which they replied, "Don't worry about it," so I didn't. And here we are, and I get to premiere the full set played at Amigos Cantina in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Included in the set is the entire four-song EP 'A Debut EP By Riversleem', a cover, and brand new song. Please check it out below!

(2021) RIVERSLEEM "Full Set" 'Live at Amigos Cantina'

https://youtu.be/iCnFygq41-I

2:20 - Cavalier 

4:50 -  Eyebrow 

6:41 - Observatory

10:39 - Lenore

16:35 - Mother 

20:05 - Richard

23:39 - Outro

In addition to releasing two sets of tape runs of Tomb Tree Tapes, the band released "Cavalier" on the new Zampler #18 (linked here) on Zegema Beach Records in anticipation of the pressing of their debut on 7", releasing physically in late 2022.

ADDITIONAL LINKS & WHATNOT

OMSB review

***OPHELIAC exclusive song premiere***

OPHELIAC

"wake up!"
exclusive song premiere

For fans of: Grimes, Boards Of Canada, Nicole Dollanganger, Purity Ring, Black Marble and Grouper

OPHELIAC

Bandcamp
orders open via bandcamp upon album release

SOFTSEED MUSIC

Facebook

Bandcamp

Instagram

Another premiere! This one is for OPHELIAC's first single off of the incredible new album 'anthesis' releasing in about 24 hours from Softseed Music. I first met Ophelia (the brainchild of Opheliac) during our podcast centering more around her screamo band Burial Etiquette (podcast linked here), and it was here that I learned about Opheliac. Where am I now? Fucking smitten. Her new album is sensational, bringing together acoustic, synth, gothic, 80s inspired, electronic/folk music and will likely turn major heads if you dig Grouper, Grimes, Boards Of Canada, and Purity Ring. The album has some serious attention to mood and layering, and the flow is beautiful as it starts with synthy 80s pop and ends with acoustic folk.

The cassette version will feature different artwork by none other than Kyle Calvert Design and will go up for pre-order when the full album goes up tomorrow (December 30th, 2021) via the Softseed Music bandcamp as well as in both Zegema Beach Records stores. I will be ordering the cassettes today so I reckon they won't ship until late February/March as the supply chain disruption and covid are slowing things down at the duplication plant.

(2021) OPHELIAC "wake up!" (from 'Anthesis')

https://youtu.be/nvoe1K2pjuY

"when I first started recording music, I wouldn’t stray too far from doing soft loops paired with haunting vocal melodies. It felt warm, and it felt safe. I guess this track in particular is a more advanced version of who I used to be, and the sound I always wanted out there. It is pretty scratchy and mixed in an almost lo-fi fashion, but I think it stayed true to what I wanted out of it. I fight with putting too much reverb or not enough, so I think it was a good outcome. I ended the track with a recording of a local restaurant I frequented, it wasn’t too busy, but I was people watching while I was editing it and made me happy to capture a day I wasn’t feeling too low."

***FORMANTS exclusive premiere***

FORMANTS

"Liar"
exclusive song premiere

For fans of: Xiu Xiu, Aphex Twin, Rabit, Barry Truax, Einsturzende Neubauten, and Nine Inch Nails

Bandcamp
orders open January 10th, 2022

Well, I guess this an official announcement...I am starting a third record label. Yep, a third. Zegema Beach is for screamo. Tomb Tree is for heavy music in general. And now I have Softseed Music, the very obviously "softer" label, thus ensuring that I can release something that doesn't have screaming and maybe it'll still sell. I have released rock/post-rock/noise-rock on both Zegema Beach and Tomb Tree with very limited success. Thus, creating a small label with no limitations on genre (at least, outside of heavy music) will hopefully draw some people over time. Some bands that have projects in the works on Softseed Music are Portugal The Man, Social Caterpillar, Ramona Cordova, Opheliac, and Formants.

One of the only non-screamy Zegema Beach releases to do well was the Lower Automation LP released in the summer of 2021. Straight up, it's fucking incredible and my favourite album of 2021. So when Derek Allen (guitar/vocals) of Lower Automation asked me if I knew anyone who might want to release his experimental/noise project FORMANTS I shot him a few friends that I knew of that released that kind of thing and, "come back to me if you can't find anyone." Well, a few weeks later Derek returned with 'You'd Think It Was A Mistake' and said he was unable to find help. As this new label was ramping up I asked if he wanted me to release it...and now here we are. The tapes are ready. Premieres are set. A music video has been created. Full release on Softseed Music January 10th, 2022.

(2021) FORMANTS "Liar" (from 'You'd Think It Was A Mistake')

https://youtu.be/kYjMjj2fe7s

Derek has this to say about the project and the song:

A few years ago, I started Formants to work on more electronic based music. Even in my punk band, I’ve always been really influenced by experimental and electronic artists like Rabit, Xiu Xiu, Barry Truax, and Einsturzende Neubauten.

"Liar" was written during a battle with a hospital and insurance company over some ridiculous bills, and how this coincided with the end of a relationship. 90% of the song was performed live on a synth with some processing applied after.

NEW GRASS

Band: NEW GRASS
Genres: Punk / Rock / Post-Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Mathcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Noise / Ambient / Experimental
Related artists: Guillemet.
Country: Illinois U.S.A.
Years Active: 2013-present
For fans of: Capsule, Itto, Kidcrash, Smile To The Wind, Edhochuli, and Crowning.
Label(s): Zegema Beach Records / The Ghost Is Clear Records

NEW GRASS is the (mostly) solo project of Lucio Oquendo. His first recording for the project came out in 2015 in the form of three phenomenal, mathy-screamo jams titled 'Fake Drums'. A few years later 'Pop Songs' was released and the six tracks have much more of a dreamy rock vibe. 'Four More' followed the year after (in 2020) showcasing more of the same, before throwing down two singles and a three-song EP  ('Three Nocturnes') in early 2021 with more electronics, noise, and ambiance. If you were to look at this trajectory you'd assume nothing more of the mathy-screamo variety would be forthcoming. Well, you'd be fucking wrong.

Because about a year ago Mr. USofDave himself (Dave Cullen of Crowning/Zegema Beach Records USA) contacted Lucio in order to release the 'Fake Drums' EP on 7" lathe. Good news, he found out that Lucio had an entirely new EP written in the vein of the first release and would record it so we could put both the old and the new EPs on a 12".  And thus 'Scordatura_Perforations' was born. With this housing all of my favourite skramz jamz, it only seems fitting for me to shed some light on a genre I actually know shit about, and will bypass the rock/electronic releases.

Starting off both the LP and the new set of songs, "dip loop/the light" blazes right outta the gate with the force of a rocket heading into space, which is where one of the guitars tends to end up when it's not making a steaming pot of noodles. At the 1:15 mark that absolutely essential bass riff makes its first appearance, and then loops around like the title suggests for about 30 seconds before taking a dip into swirling post-hardcore. "grayland pack" was the album's first single and is similar to the opener in its onslaught of layers, melodies and riffs. 2:20+ is probably the highlight for me but the entire track is one helluva journey.

The vocals haven't been mentioned yet and are very reminiscent of James from Itto/Crowning fame in the fact that they are yelled more than screamed, and are bursting with emotion. "k-14_1.13" is another brain overload, although this one is done through wonderfully constructed layers and less mindboggling noodles, which are more present leading up to the close. This jam also features Aeryn from Massa Nera screaming the shriller "lost forever" lines. "op/we're all so fucked" is probably the most mature and complete song on here, but for some reason the epicness is dwarfed by my near-constant hunger for noodles, although from 2:30 onward it's right up my alley.

The next set of songs were initially released as 'Fake Drums' but make up the incredible b-side to this record. Beginning with the utter beast of a track titled "Moksha" (complete with distant synths) and transitioning to the astounding 'Vidya' with its chaotic tornado of notes and time signatures, the EP ends on "Kama", another epic track on par with "op/we're all so fucked" but slathers the heaviness over the entire thing. You've also got a previously unreleased track "Caskette (Guillemet)" which features Bryan from Guillemet contributing some additional vocals. It's a gorgeously constructed track that brings to mind Capsule, Kidcrash, and Edhochuli aka some excellent goddamned company. Closer "organ solo" is 3:19 of ambient/noise, providing an introspective breather before going back and starting this sensational album again. And again. And again.

I don't know what is planned for the band next, but I heard some shows might be in the works. In the meantime please do yourself a favor and listen to this in full with headphones...it's otherworldy.

________________________________________

DISCOGRAPHY

2021 - Scordatura_Perforations 12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

2021 - Three Nocturnes EP (stream/donate/download here)

2021 - 32 Bars single (stream/donate/download here)

2021 - Klimt's On His Deathbed single (stream/donate/download here)

2020 - Four More EP (stream/donate/download here)

2019 - Five Pop Songs EP (stream/donate/download here)

2015 - Fake Drums EP (stream/donate/download here)

________________________________________

(2021) NEW GRASS - "dip loop/the light" (from 'Scordatura Perforations')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek9jtnkoWNA

(2021) NEW GRASS - "Vidya" (from 'Scordatura Perforations')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxxSe2-Gnfc

(2021) NEW GRASS - "Caskette (Guillemet)" (from 'Scordatura Perforations')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-6yc6tCdbE

________________________________________

NEW GRASS additional links

Bandcamp

Facebook

________________________________________

PODCAST #77 Christian Segerstrom (Mathcore Index, Dark Trail Records, Antarctica)

Christian likes mathcore. A lot. Christian likes a lot of other things, too. Besides from heading up Mathcore Index (blog, fest, podcast) he also runs the very sick Dark Trail Records, played in the genre-defying band Antarctica, is engaged, and works a real job as well. I've been aching to have this most excellent human being on this podcast, so this was definitely a treat.

Besides Christian's sultry, mesmerizing voice, you can also jam a brand new song from DITCH ORGAN (members of Fawn Limbs, Fargue, Creinium, Mireplaner), hear more songs from Fromjoy, Future Trash, In Reverent Fear, Sine Nomine and Willzyks, and listen to us chat about: the origin of "mathcore", cool uncles, skipping out on post-hardcore, joining the Mathcore team, Eeli Helin, the creation of Dark Trail Records, bands climbing the musical ladder, pressing plants that don't suck, Antarctica...on vinyl?, discussing the new Every Time I Die/Frontierer/The Armed/Genghis Tron/Code Orange albums, screamo, jobby jobbersons, videogames and anime, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Ditch Organ (exclusive premiere!!!), Fromjoy, Future Trash, In Reverent Fear, Sine Nomine and Willzyks. Listen to podcast #77 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

MATHCORE INDEX

Website

Facebook

DARK TRAIL RECORDS

Bandcamp

Facebook

1
WILLZYKS "Flexible Lies" (Christian)

***DITCH ORGAN "Quiver" (Dave)*** exclusive premiere!!!

2

FROMJOY "So Young, Too Old" (Christian)

SINE NOMINE "Ice Station Zebra" (Dave)

3

FUTURE TRASH "Dream Lives" (Christian)

IN REVERENT FEAR "Santa Ana" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #77 linked here
____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #76 Ophelia Jocelyn (Burial Etiquette, Opheliac)

Ophelia plays in Burial Etiquette, which is how we came into contact. I was sent two songs for the upcoming 6-Way split 12" on Zegema Beach and was flabbergasted at the band's development and absolutely stellar set of jams. After which Ophelia showed me her solo project Opheliac, which is fucking amazing. Speaking of, To Be Gentle and Opheliac released a shoegaze collaboration song but a few mere hours ago and it, as expected, incredible (and linked here!!!). I spoke with Ophelia a week or two before this song dropped and had a helluva good time. Topics included: special effects makeup, where the hell is Thunder Bay?, New Friends Fest, playing with Karloff, dads like Pearl Jam, empathy for people who don't like screamo, the good MuchMusic shows, videogame music, Ping Pals...the game!!!, dad joke count, feeling the warmth of static, Life Aquatic, Anthony Green, living in South Korea, the upcoming Burial Etiquette 12"LP, supporting fellow female artists, showing your 80s colors followed by regrets, guest appearances from my kids, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Black Marble, Darkle, Guiltmaker, Makthaverskan, Nhomme, Quest Master, and The Advantage. Listen to podcast #76 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

OPHELIAC

Bandcamp

BURIAL ETIQUETTE

Bandcamp

Facebook

1
QUEST MASTER "The Five Holy Runes of White Magic" (Ophelia)

THE ADVANTAGE "Solar Jetman: Truckstop" (Dave)

BLACK MARBLE "Balancing" (Ophelia)

2

GUILTMAKER "Crystal Seas" (Dave)

MAKTHAVERSKAN "Comfort" (Ophelia)

3

NHOMME "Two" (Dave)

DARKLE "Chillantro" (Ophelia)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #76 linked here
____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #75 Tom McCone (Raining, Solopsisasleep, SaltMarsh)

My good friend Tom got...well stuck in Canada for two years. We recorded this at the tail-end of his "stay". You may know him from playing in Raining (whom the project I'm in Apostles Of Eris, did a split with), Solopsis, Asleep (aka Solopsisasleep), and SaltMarsh. We talk about lots of stuff but play more bands than usual. Topics include (but are not limited to): getting stranded in Canada during Covid, Raining updates, Best of 2021...in October!?!?!, Tom's top 3 albums, using vocals to their full potential, Raining's doomed recording day, how do you make ambient/drone music?, Inception meets Nine Inch Nails, geographical rivalries, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Basement, Celer, Campbell Trio, Duster, Formants (exclusive premiere!!!), Grouper, Qatsi, and Superstitions Of The Sky. Listen to podcast #75 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

RAINING

Bandcamp

Facebook

Listen/Order 'Apostles Of Eris + Raining' split on cassette via Zegema Beach Records

1
CAMPBELL TRIO "Brief Glimpse of Beauty" (Dave)

GROUPER "Heavy Water I'd Rather Be Sleeping" (Tom)

2

CELER "Capri" (Tom)

FORMANTS "The Apparatus" (Dave)

DUSTER "The Buildup Suite" (Tom)

3

QATSI "Кома" (Dave)

BASEMENT "Yolk (Nervous Energy session)" (Tom)

SUPERSTITIONS OF THE SKY "summary and solution" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #75 linked here
____________________________________________________________________

QATSI

Band: QATSI
Genres: Punk / Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence / Atmospheric Black Metal / Black Metal
Related artists: ?.
Country: Saint Petersburg RUSSIA
Years Active: 2021-present
For fans of: Cassus, Pale Hands, Rene Maheu, June Paik, Joliette, Jeanne, Nhomme, Pale, A Paramount A Love Supreme, and Minaret.
Label(s): Self Released

This Russian band released their debut, four-song EP earlier this year and it kicks so much fucking ass. Combining the raw fury of Minaret with the technical prowess of Cassus, these four individuals quietly dropped one of the best EPs of 2021.

I mean, shit, opener "Кома" might be one of the best songs of the year, too. Melodic and crushing with an introductory vocal misdirection, the midsection drumming swiftly carries the song into it's slight breather before the epic climax at 2:23. "Сирень" has a strong Cassus vibe with a hellish close, "Снег" reminds me of Joliette mixed June Paik (cripes what a combo!) as it hits the band's soft/hard extremes, and by the time the closer "Смерть" hits it has become obvious that the vocalist has some pretty serious control over those awesome screams and crooning sings.

I don't know what they're doing next but consider me drowning in a pool of my own saliva.

________________________________________

DISCOGRAPHY

2021 - Засыпай digital EP (stream/donate/download here)

________________________________________

(2021) QATSI - "Кома" (from 'Засыпай')

https://youtu.be/mjttq0m2RT8

(2021) QATSI - "Снег" (from 'Засыпай')

https://youtu.be/-UZwcSjKr8o

________________________________________

QATSI additional links

Bandcamp

Instagram

________________________________________

PODCAST #74 Dustin Coffman (Glassing)

I was shown GLASSING back in like...2016 when they first got together. I was interested but didn't know what to expect. After they releasing 'Spotted Horse' a few years back I became obsessed with the band. The mixture of atmospheric, screamy, post-hardcore/metal not too far removed from These Arms Are Snakes with heavier vocals, and their newest endeavor 'Twin Dream' is beyond spectacular. We spoke at length about many-a-thing, including: Brutal Panda Records and their introduction, his musical awakening, parental cover bands, Limp Bizkit, finding The Mars Volta, shotgunning beers with Portugal The Man, human extinction, Dunning Kruger effect, 'Twin Dream' writing process, self-checks, Kidcrash and amps, the origin of "Godless Night", etc. Bands played in this podcast: Armywives (exclusive premiere!!!), Nicole Dollenganger, Laura Stevenson and the Cans, Mates Of State, Softcult and Speak Memory. Listen to podcast #74 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

GLASSING

Bandcamp

Facebook

Order 'Spotted Horse' on cassette via Zegema Beach Records

1
NICOLE DOLLENGANGER "You're So Cool" (Dustin)

LAURA STEVENSON AND THE CANS "The Wheel" (Dave)

2

SOFTCULT "Gloomy Girl" (Dustin)

MATES OF STATE "Proofs" (Dave)

3
SPEAK MEMORY "Cabin" (Dustin)

ARMYWIVES "Pulling Weeds" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #74 linked here
____________________________________________________________________

***CHIME HOURS exclusive premiere***

CHIME HOURS

"Clarity"
exclusive song premiere

For fans of: Dim, Massa Nera and La Quiete

Facebook

My friend Elliot who plays in Komarov is involved in a new band named CHIME HOURS. He reached out to me a few months ago in hoping of releasing their debut EP and after a few jams I was hella down. He described it as Italian-inspired screamo (Raein, La Quiete) so my ear immediately piqued, as should yours! The four-track cassette 'Black Dog In The Sky' will be released on Tomb Tree Tapes in North American and Witch Elm Records in Europe this Wednesday November 10th.

(2021) CHIME HOURS "Clarity" (from 'Black Dog In The Sky')

https://youtu.be/lNh29FCrsyY

I love when I song starts and I immediately have a hard time relating it to other bands. That's CHIME HORUS. It's an awesome mixture of melodic cleans/chunky heavies on the guitars, yelled/screamed vocals, tempo changes, rolling drums, and just a general sense of well-done screamo. I think the closest band comparisons I get are Shizune meets Massa Nera aka killer combo.

ADDITIONAL LINKS & WHATNOT

Live Music Video for "Lemniscate"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmPUQSCk_Bo

PODCAST #73 Chris Dearing (The Sound That Ends Creation)

Who is the new face covering and promoting mathcore/intense-ass music? Why, it's Chris Dearing, of course. After a few solo projects and a band, Chris started The Sound That Ends Creation in 2016 and hasn't looked back. In fact, said band has their new record releasing tomorrow and I've got an exclusive premiere for you at the beginning of this podcast! With all of this stuff going on, he somehow found time to start a podcast titled The Cast That Ends Creation in 2020 and has already completed over 100 episodes that have included guests like Cara Neir, Frontierer, Youth Novel, Pupil Slicer, Lower Automation, Past Forms, etc. So I spoke at length to Chris about how all of his endeavors came about, including: The Sound That Ends Creation song premiere/history/progression/new album/tour, Chris and hot dogs, from Elvis to hardcore, why solo?, being a preacher, writing a song as a solo project, organic programming, guest appearances, screamo noodles vs. twinkle, how to play a show by yourself, first show reception, song title origins, The Cast That Ends Creation podcast inspiration/favourite guests/bands he'd love to interview, favourite releases of 2021, etc. Bands played in this podcast: As The Sun Sets, Circle Of Dead Children, Enkephalin, LeftyFish, Loftus and Off Minor. Listen to podcast #73 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

THE SOUND THAT ENDS CREATION

Bandcamp

Facebook

THE CAST THAT ENDS CREATION

Youtube

Facebook

1
CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN "Destiny of the Slug" (Chris)

LOFTUS "Next Step, New Boundary" (Dave)

2

LEFTYFISH "Meat Vs. Ginger" (Chris)

OFF MINOR "The Heat Death of the Universe" (Dave)

3
AS THE SUN SETS "Hay Is For Horses" (Chris)

ENKEPHALIN "Calling to Confirm" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #73 linked here
____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #72 Nate (Karloff, No Funeral Records)

Nate and I have known each other well for around five years now. After being introduced via mutual friends Berto and Megan (No Funeral Records) we hit it off, he ran Zegema Beach while I was in New Zealand, started No Funeral Records and now screams in Karloff. Our second podcast but first as a duo, we discuss many-a-thing including: the origin of No Funeral, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, the importance of cd shops, Hamilton, not using a mic, gravitating toward the screamo scene, Congratulations love, mathcore and recording quality, Dianacrawls, rejected test presses and plant fuckery, No Funeral moving forward, Karloff's self-titled, Canadian screamo, the future, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Frontierer, Gridlink, Mansions, Riversleem, Sadie And The Wives, Toni Iordache and Lil Ugly Mane. Listen to podcast #72 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

NO FUNERAL RECORDS

Bandcamp

Facebook

swirl 'Karloff' cassette release via Zegema Beach Records!

KARLOFF

Bandcamp

Facebook

1
SADIE AND THE WIVES "Unique" (Nate)

RIVERSLEEM "Richard" (Dave)

2

TONI IORDACHE "Ca la Breaza" (Nate)

FRONTIERER "Southern Hemorrhage" (Dave)

3

LIL UGLY MANE "Discard" (Nate)

MANSIONS "Do It Again" (Dave)

4

GRIDLINK "Red Eye" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #72 linked here
____________________________________________________________________

***MIRIN BIDE exclusive song premiere***

 MIRIN BIDE

"Remolcar La Vida"

exclusive song premiere

For fans of: Senza, Moss Rose and Кальк

Bandcamp
Facebook

Digital/12" vinyl release November 15th, 2021

via Zegema Beach Records and Larry Records

This is the official reveal of the 2021 4-Way split 12" featuring two new songs from Armywives, To Be Gentle, Alas, and Mirin Bide. One of the To Be Gentle songs ("Attachment") can be found on the Zampler #17 compilation, but otherwise zero info has been posted. The 12" will be released on Zegema Beach Records (150 copies) and Larry Records (60 copies) on a total of 250 across three variants. 100 yellow w/black splatter, 100 smoke merge, and introducing Zegema Beach's first Stupid Fancy out of 50. You'll have to wait for more pics, but for now I can reveal a few random selections from the smoke merge variant...and holy moly are they gorgeous!!!

The split releases in full on November 15th, 2021 with 12"s shipping immediately. Until then, here's a kickass song premiere!!!

(2021) MIRIN BIDE "Remolcar La Vida" (from '2021 4-Way')

https://youtu.be/WXvWe1feGes

Starting out blazing, this back-and-forth screaming intro leads to an eventual collapse at the 40-second mark. From the rubble emerges a positive, noodley, build that explodes into a new form of something closer to emo/hardcore than emo-violence. Very cool.

RIVERSLEEM

Band: RIVERSLEEM
Genres: Punk / Hardcore / Metalcore / Metallic Hardcore / Thrash / Crust
Related artists: ?.
Country: Saskatoon CANADA
Years Active: 2020-present
For fans of: Mattachine, Furnace, Weak Wrists, Fluoride, Mouthing, and Fall Silent.
Label(s): Tomb Tree Tapes

2021 is the year of The Sleem for me. Ever had a shower band? No? Y'know, a release that you rock out in the shower to, blasting from your phone to be heard over the water? Last year it was Brahm's first outing and this year it's RIVERSLEEM's 'A Debut Release' cassette EP. Mixing shrieky vocals with pulverizing, metallic hardcore, it's not overly original but something about it makes it highly likely to be my favourite EP of 2021. I should also mention that the reason Tomb Tree Tapes picked up the EP was because the band submitted to this very blog, and I was like...yo...this fucking rules. I need to make you tapes, please. And now we're here.

The EP kicks off with "Cavalier", and there's no doubt about what you're gonna get from these four songs by the 30-second mark. Punishing, unrelenting, metallic hardcore. Those guitar squeals amidst the breakdown a minute in is fucking awesome, as are the peculiarly but confidently delivered ramblings of vocalist Kyle to close out the track. The vocals really shine on each song, but honestly everything does as the instrumentals are tight, punchy, chuggy and all-around very interesting to listen to, and a top-notch recording job doesn't hurt either.

Second up is "Observatory", a winding, chaotic, maze of a song that makes me think I'm being punched in succession. It's written in a way that the listener in funneled down a predetermined, shifting corridor that bounces you back and forth like a pinball. "Eyebrow" follows, and don't be fooled by the playful palm-muting, as the shortest track on the EP (about 1:30) is also one of the most vicious...ooof that ending.

Closer "Richard" is a helluva good time, opening with those sick, thick, RIVERSLEEM chugs. As it screeches around the half-minute mark it makes a plummeting dive for a slow-motion breakdown and the subsequent, danceable section features some very memorable repetition with the vocals, screaming...I think, "I am a chemical!". The tail-end of the song can be spotted by those ridiculously prolonged and sinister shrieks amidst evil, subterranean breakdowns.

Straight up, this debut EP is fucking incredible. There's absolutely no filler. The songs are mad intense. The running time is perfection, just shy of 9 minutes. The band is also community driven as they donated all digital proceeds to Prairie Harm Reduction. And to top it all off they're hilarious, just watch this video they released yesterday titled "Behind the Sleems".

A final note (besides how well those fucking tapes turned out) is the band's first show/release party tonight in Sasketchewan. If you're in/around Saskatoon and are double vaxed please go so I can live vicariously through you. All details in this facebook event page.

The Sleem for Prime Minister <3 <3 <3

________________________________________

DISCOGRAPHY

2021 - A Debut Release cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here)

________________________________________

(2021) RIVERSLEEM - 'A Debut Release'

https://youtu.be/-X3zPC5JmZk

(2021) RIVERSLEEM - "Behind the Sleems"

https://youtu.be/xkoiQkDue9U

________________________________________

RIVERSLEEM additional links

Buy tapes

Bandcamp

Facebook

________________________________________

ALTAIR

Band: ALTAIR
Genres: Punk / Post-Rock / Post-Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz

Related artists: ?.
Country: Madrid SPAIN
Years Active: 2016-present
For fans of: Viva Belgrado, Standstill, La Parade, Chavire, Yarostan, Aleska, Vi Som Alskade Varandra Sa Mycket, Moving Mountains, Daitro, Envy, Sed Non Satiata, and Descubriendo A Mr. Mime.

Label(s): Self Released / Zilpzalp Records / Dingleberry Records / Pundonor Records / Tirano Intergaltico / Inhumano

Not that much need be said about this band, as it's pretty straight-forward.

1) If you like Spanish/European post-hardcore/screamo like Descubriendo A Mr. Mime, Viva Belgrado, La Parade and Standstill then methinks you'll fuckin' love this.

2) First album 'I' was released in 2017, it's kinda meh. Not my thing. Both the instrumentals and vocals have no real bite. They're decent, and a very good first go, but I never revisit these 7 tracks. Moving Mountains lite.

3) EP 'La herida renace en tus manos' came out the following year and is noticeably better than its predecessor. Very much in line with their subsequent output, heavier vocals, thicker instrumentals, less singing/more spoken word, all of which is encapsulated in closer "Águila".

4) It was 2019's 'Nuestro enemigo' 12"LP that initially caught my attention (due to a free tape) and had me picking up the vinyl immediately. The swirling, atmospheric tones mix beautifully with the post-hardcore twinkles and chugs, bringing to mind bands such as Vi Som Alskade Varandra Sa Myket, Descubriendo A Mr. Mime and Daitro. After a short, initial opener the album gets kick-started with the fantastic "Calma y olvido", anchored by a wailing guitar and excellent progressions, with the two-minute mark swing being my fave. "Penitencia" continues the beautiful balancing act but goes of at 2:10, "Cólera" is a beautiful acoustic/sung track that is worth a mention (kinda Standstill/Viva Belgrado), title track "Nuestro enemigo" has a music video (linked below) and is a banger that hits its stride at 1:50, and closer "Afasia" is damn-hell-ass epic.

5) Now I await the next material, as that last LP was fuckin' great.

________________________________________

DISCOGRAPHY

2017 - I digital demo EP (stream/donate/download here)

2018 - La herida renace en tus manos digital EP (stream/donate/download here)

2019 - Nuestro enemigo cassette/12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

________________________________________

(2021) ALTAIR - Hand 2 Paw Fest full set

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOxRY92umM0

(2019) ALTAIR - "Nuestro enemigo" (from 'Nuestro enemigo') official music video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtSKInD5XNs

(2019) ALTAIR - "Calma y olvido" (from 'Nuestro enemigo')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60tltZnzWPA

(2019) ALTAIR - "Penitencia" (from 'Nuestro enemigo')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx0rV-KGFAo

(2018) ALTAIR - "Águila" (from 'La herida renace en tus manos')

https://youtu.be/eLYmQmXbz1g

(2017) ALTAIR - "Alias" (from 'I')

https://youtu.be/WbUkhQqCbWY

________________________________________

ALTAIR additional links

Bandcamp

Facebook

________________________________________

***HUNDREDS OF AU exclusive album premiere***

HUNDREDS OF AU

'A Briefing on the Human Condition'
exclusive album premiere

For fans of: Demersal, Capacities and Crowning

Bandcamp
Facebook

What's this? An nice little premiere right before the new HUNDREDS OF AU drops. Digitals release at 9am EST on September 17th, with physicals following in mid-late 2022 as a split 12". What's that? No, I can't. It's a secret.

Below you can find a review of the album as well as an exclusive premiere stream that goes live at 8:30am EST (that's 30 minutes before the official release!). It was recorded by Sean Glonek at SRG Studios and mixed/mastered by Kevin Carafa at Carafa Audio. Be sure to check back...I gotta go to bed.

(2021) HUNDREDS OF AU 'A Briefing on the Human Condition' full stream

https://youtu.be/XuXJp7jb8Ew

Following a soothing but eerie introduction, HUNDREDS OF AU take off like a rocket on opener "100 Year Test", mixing the heavy/destructive side of the band with melody and periods of instrumental reflection. Next is up is "Objective Party", one of the bands' slowest and methodically paced songs released...and it might just be my favourite. The transitions ebb and flow wonderfully, creating an epic, post-hardcore, screamy that really pops at the 8-minute mark of the EP. "Afloat" features more mesmerizing guitar work, not in that it's ridiculously mathematical...it's more commanding than anything else. That's certainly not diminish what anyone else is doing, as each musician shines constantly - it just depends on what you happen to be focusing on. "Ancestor Reality" is a thick shot to the head with an extra one to the heart (for me), with lyrics about colonization and the guilt in our blood. Finale and slow burn "Return" is led with a driving, chorded, bass intro that eventually pulls the rest of the band in. It's pretty short in length but the closer is another example of the band utilizing everyone to their fullest, creating space where it's needed, and fucking crushing it when the time comes.