Sunday, 28 August 2022

HETTA

Band: HETTA
Genres: Punk / Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Sasscore / Screamo / Skramz / Math
Related artists: ?.
Country: Montijo PORTUGAL
Years Active: 2021-present
For fans of: A Flower Kollapsed, The Fall Of Troy, JR Ewing, Blood Brothers, Sigh And Explode, These Arms Are Snakes, Fear Before The March Of Flames, Since By Man, and Kill Sadie.
Label(s): Self Released / Tomb Tree


     I don't even remember what facebook group I was stumbling through when I just happened to say to myself, "Fuck it, I don't know what this sounds like, let's give it a whirl." One of the best timed decisions of 2022 for me. I fucking LOVE this EP. It's fantastic. Think about a mixture of Blood Brothers, Fall Of Troy, JR Ewing, and A Flower Kollapsed and you've pretty much gone done'n'nailed it. Super sassy, very screamy, noodley and riffy, these six songs go by in a very entertaining heartbeat.

     Their debut EP 'Headlights' was released digitally and on cassette by the band on May 14th, 2022 and again by Tomb Tree on swirl tapes July 14th of the same year. This top release of 2022 contender begins with "Sugar Glass" and after about four seconds you'll either be very impressed or you need new batteries for your ears. Seriously, how you could you not like this? It's similar in vibe to the kind of shit These Arms Are Snakes were doing on their 'Harkonen split', which is arguably their best material. The hooky/playful riffing, screaming, and general panicked-yet-groovy identity chosen for the opener permeates the entire EP, so if you've found yourself liking this jam be sure to continue your HETTA journey.

     "Most Men" seems to be themed around a few circular riffs that bleed into one another, with a "chorus" that Since By Man would be giving two mad thumbs up to. The noise-rock section following the one-minute mark (especially the repetitive/gnarled vocals) give me a slight Ken Mode vibe but ultimately this just sounds like the non-screaming variation of HETTA which shows up on a couple of tracks, most notably the ominous and  hyperactive "Mystery Meat" and closer "Prizefighter".

     "Angel Bait" is a sassy and most excellent track, falling somewhere between Fear Before The March Of Flames and The Fall Of Troy, as does "Violent Pope" which is another sassy, screamy, chaotic, and downright amazing song that has a sick start/stop chorus and one helluva playful guitar. Again the screaming on this is great and has a very confident, groovy delivery that accentuates the instrumentals perfectly.

     Best EP of 2022? Honestly, yes. Good god yes. So far this is my pick and it's not really even close. And they're recording again for a split that should release late 2022/early 2023.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2022 - Headlights cassetteEP (stream/donate/download here)
            ***buy tapes from ZBR U.S.A. here OR Canada/International here


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(2022) HETTA - "Violent Pope" (from 'Headlights')
https://youtu.be/Si2hLtFib9s

(2022) HETTA - "Angel Bait" (from 'Headlights')
https://youtu.be/X0XSMAHJA5g

(2022) HETTA - "Sugar Glass" (from 'Headlights')
https://youtu.be/CjxQos4aQu8

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HETTA additional links


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Thursday, 25 August 2022

*** NEW FRIENDS FEST 2022 Day 1 ***

Ahhhhh New Friends Fest. I could rant and rave about how awesome this thing is, but you've heard it from everyone else (including myself in my post for 2019's, linked here) so we'll just skip it and go right to the bands. One thing to note, I tested positive for covid the following morning, hence no more NFF videos from me this year. Gutted I missed Saturday and Sunday. I'll be there again in 2024 hopefully!

NEW FRIENDS FEST 2022 Day 1
July 29th, 2022
Lithuanian House
Toronto, ON

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BASQUE

https://youtu.be/MC8DzKRBUb8

I don't know what happened but I lost the video of their last song. But as I didn't highlight in the Hamilton post (linked here) it's the longer one that starts with Ali finger picking and is just a mesmerizing jam. All three times I saw them play this on tour it got everyone in the crowd involved and was always discussed post-set as being a fucking killer tune. Well done, my friends.

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FERN SULLY

https://youtu.be/OPbiVHiMSXY

 I had seen this name around local fliers and whatnot but hadn't actually heard them. Hearing them (and seeing them) was fucking awesome. The vocal harmonies, the prodigious amount of smiles, and they were all wearing Piper Maru shirts. They kind of remind me of a slightly heavier Scratchy Blanket with tons of talented vocalists. Check them out for sure.

Bandcamp

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HAWAK

https://youtu.be/WtxSk1XUcjY

 The California fellas absolutely tore it up (as per usual, as I've seen them thrice in in almost as many months!). Thom swung that hair around, Jon sweat profusely, and I had a little Josh connection during the set whilst playing where we caught each others' eyes and I made a heart with my fingers. Dawwww. I love ma boys.

Bandcamp

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PIPER MARU

https://youtu.be/OxTn0EXEeBE

 At this point in the show it was very busy, and the upper (and smaller...and hotter) room was filling up with people so off to the side I went. Because of this I couldn't get the vocals recorded properly, but you can hear everything else. Damn they've got great stage presence and had the crowd screaming along. I love each one of these members. Just fantastic people. Snotty, sassy, punk rock from members of Terry Green and Huge Cosmic.

Bandcamp

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AWAKEBUTSTILLINBED

https://youtu.be/tzvv-9157v8

 I'd heard a lot about this band so I was excited to them and was not disappointed. I hadn't checked out much stuff online so I'm unsure if it took me a couple of songs to get it or if it took them a couple songs to get their footing, but either way by the end of the set I was very impressed. I do wish I had taken a video later on, as this was the first or second song (I think). Very vocal driven punk rock with hardcore elements? I'm kind of unsure on this band's comparisons so just check them out for yourselves <3

Bandcamp

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LOCKTENDER

 The half-Canadian-born LOCKTENDER from Michigan essentially reformed to play this fest and holy moly they did not disappoint. A massive and intimidating wall of noise and controlled volcanic eruptions amidst a few truly serene (and even sing-along!) moments, the three founding members and fill-in vocalist Brock put on one of the best sets of the night.

Bandcamp

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MASSA NERA

     My good friends were a last minute addition to this fest, and having previously whooped all asses at ZBR Fest 2022 Mid-West I knew what to except and I was not disappointed. These four played their hearts out and played material from their forthcoming full length releasing this December on cd, cassette, and 12". The new stuff is likely inspired by a mixture of Kidcrash and City Of Caterpillar with some Ostraca chaos injected for good measure, but in no way does their material sound like a copy of these bands, but more like an amalgamation of love as heard through the collective ears of MASSA NERA.

Bandcamp

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LIFE IN VACUUM

     What's that? Hot? You're goddamn right it was. That little room was packed full to the brim so I could only handle three songs before needing air. My old buds had a roomful of people singing along to their off-kilter brand of post-punk, noise-rock, sassy, post-hardcore or whatever the hell it's called. It's amazing and I've heard the new album and it's fucking incredible! Kudos, LIFE IN VACUUM.

Bandcamp

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Tuesday, 23 August 2022

*** SOMA exclusive song premiere ***

SOMA
"Homesick"
exclusive song premiere
For fans of: Letterbombs, Crows-An-Wra, We Had A Deal, Chime Hours, Shikari and Ravachol


     SOMA was kind enough to offer me up this exclusive premiere of the second track from their forthcoming LP 'If You See Me...(Let Me Be)'. It's releasing on September 1st, 2022 on 300 single-sided 12"s with screenprinted b-side (pictured below) via the following awesome labels:

This band features members of Crows-An-Wra, Ravachol, We Came Out Like Tigers, and No Omega playing melodic screamo and it's fucking fantastic. The LP houses 8 jams and was recorded remotely in Cornwall and Berlin, and mixed and mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air in the U.S.


(2022) SOMA "Homesick" (from 'If You See Me...(Let Me Be)')

     First thing noticeable right away is the absolutely gorgeous guitar tone during the opening. Fucking love that shit. Kinda MNWA. Kinda Piri Reis. Definitely awesome. The song then shifts quickly into a full instrumental onslaught emo-violence style and all of a sudden we're hit with some very fresh emo-violence screaming along the lines of Shikari and it's at this point the listener should be aware that this band has it all. That's uhhhhhh 25 seconds in lol. The remainder of the song slows a tad and even injects some gang singing near the 1:21 conclusion. It's a banger and great indicator of the other seven songs that will hit you in the earholes on September 1st.
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Saturday, 20 August 2022

*** ROTTING IN DIRT exclusive song premiere ***

"Memory Bias"
exclusive song premiere
For fans of: Under The Pier, Telos, Serling and Every Time I Die


     Not since early 2020 has North Carolina's ROTTING IN DIRT released a new collection of songs, and with their previous endeavour being their debut (and absolutely fantastic) Zegema Beach Records picked up their upcoming sophomore EP 'I Am Eating My Shame' and are putting it out on 12" September 7th, 2022.

    Featuring six new songs over 18 minutes this thing will absolutely pulverize you. There's the dark, destructive breakdowns, searing vocals (both high and low), stop/starts, epic jams, and even some singing, all with the glowing seal of approval by some mathematician...we'll call her Matheline. Mathline the Mathematician. Sure, why not.

(2022) ROTTING IN DIRT "Memory Bias" (from 'I Am Eating My Shame')

https://youtu.be/lgqQYejHpCM

Good lord this song is a fucking banger. Right outta the gate we're met with a rabid wall of screaming and chugs looking to consume everything in its path...and succeeding. Obliterating the listener in the first minute is always a good call, and by the 50-second mark we've moved into another section of simultaneous growling and upper-register shrieks over massive, ominous riffing. The midsection dumps a behemoth of a breakdown that rears its ugly head like a merry-go-round until the song breaks off and recedes with introspective noise and a lone guitar. Coming in at 3:35 in length, this song goes through a lot of changes although the transitions keep it feeling as one cohesive piece of music. And it fucks.
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Thursday, 18 August 2022

*** LETTERBOMBS + IN WOLVES' CLOTHING 12" split premiere ***

LETTERBOMBS
+
IN WOLVES' CLOTHING
"Split"
exclusive album premiere

For fans of: In Loving Memory, Pepi Rössler, Coma Regalia, Funeral Diner and You And I

LETTERBOMBS
Bandcamp
Facebook

IN WOLVES' CLOTHING

orders open from Zegema Beach Records and Dingleberry Records tomorrow (August 20th, 2022) @9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST




      Jesse Mowery (In Wolves' Clothing) is my brother, and enthusiastic/supportive Chris Livingstone (Letterbombs) has released a few things on Tomb Tree so when asked if I wanted to release this thing it was a no-fuck-brainer. With the split 12" set to release in full digitally and physically on Saturday August 20th, 2022 I figured I'd give ya'll a sneak peak at this glorious split /100. Finland's LETTERBOMBS bring their five fastest and finest tracks yet, with Richmond, Virginia's IN WOLVES' CLOTHING clocking in at a minute longer despite having two less tracks, but no less passion. Take a jam and check back in at Zegema Beach Records and Dingleberry Records at 9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST on Aug. 20th!!!

(2022) IN WOLVES' CLOTHING "Split" (from 'Letterbombs split' 12")

     These new songs are the last with Thom Carney who moved to a different city, so they are the last of that era and all rip. You've got two longer songs with a spicy but short third song sandwiched in between. Opener "Invisible Ink" creates a nice albeit eerie atmosphere that explodes with at least three vocalists screaming over one another, "Choiceless" has some gorgeous guitar riffs with desperate screams before it explodes and recedes by the 1:54 mark, and closer "Bleached" features some truly tortured screams delivered directly into a bowl of noodles that reaches a dangerous boil.

(2022) LETTERBOMBS "Split" (from 'In Wolves' Clothing split' 12")

      This collection of songs are the band's crowning achievement up to this point, and contain a flow, consistency, and intensity that leave me even more satisfied that when I first heard their debut. Since that time they released a ton of material, but this...it's like 33rpm Raein played at 45rpm (wait...is that just emo-violence?) thanks to the off-kilter rhythms, dynamic shifts, and multiple screamers. "Folie à Deux" is a bit of an anomaly though, as it is longer in length, much more restrained, groovy, and includes their best singing so far. They're all great jams but I think the closer "Burnt Toast" is my favourite, as those lone guitar notes at the climax really submerge the listener.
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Wednesday, 10 August 2022

PODCAST #96 Lana Arun (Cuck, Swallows Nest, Yung Nat$)


Lana and I go back to 2017 when I first moved to Dunedin (pronounced 'duh-NEE-din') New Zealand and was introduced through her partner Joerg and their band Yung Nat$. Joerg and I started Swallows Nest and right as I decided to move back to Canada Yung Nat$ called it a day. Naturally we asked Lana if she could take over on vocals for Swallows Nest. Bam. Then while on tour in Europe with Swallows Nest and Crowning she helped form Cuck, her newest and most abrasive endeavour to date. The band features Gabe and Joerg of Swallows Nest, Machina Rex, Sewage, and just released their 14-track self-titled debut. We talked a bit about this, as well as: Maori influence and upbringing, the racist anal sphincter of New Zealand, first song she learned on bass, hair metal crossover, adjusting to being in a band/touring, joining Swallows Nest, the end of Swallows Nest, the birth of Cuck, best tour moment, ruining Lana's tour posters, smelling your own underwear is totally normal, Aureole Of Ash influence, Lana's impressive tour voice, the Maori people getting fucked by the British and healing, liking avocados so much you don't buy a house, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Harris Hawk, Iron Maiden, Little Simz, and Soul Glo. Listen to podcast #96 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

***Note: Te Kooti was NOT head of the Parihaka movement and the attempted assassination of the queen happened in 1981.


order tapes from Tomb Tree




CUCK

Bandcamp

"Worship the Uniform" (official music video)
https://youtu.be/92wf8lJ7vFE


SWALLOWS NEST

Facebook

Crowning + Swallows Nest European Tour Documentary
https://youtu.be/fb05BtrTjTc



1 I do not play "chill/stoner" music.
IRON MAIDEN "Fear of the Dark" (Lana)
HARRIS HAWK "Make the Fonz Bleed" (Dave)

2 I guess we're just gonna wing it.
LITTLE SIMZ "King of Hearts (feat Chip & Ghetts)" (Lana)
SOUL GLO "Godblessyallrealgood" (Dave)

3 I strive for perfection but expect it from no one else.

~Dave

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PODCAST #96 linked here

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Saturday, 6 August 2022

*** BLIND GIRLS w/Yearning, Sonagi, Botfly, Basque ***


BLIND GIRLS Canada tour day 3
July 28th, 2022
The Button Factory
Kitchener, ON

First up, these videos are pretty freaking sweet. The amount of light in such a large space with great sound and a legendary line-up is a recipe for screamo scrumptiousness. Lots of notes below with the band reviews and videos. A few quick notes.

1) $25 isn't expensive to see a band from Australia, a band from Philly, a band from the east coast, a band from Quebec, and one local band.

2) Jesse Alarcon makes bands sound extra awesome.

3) Odd Burger is the best vegan fast-food joint around.


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BASQUE

https://youtu.be/5-PZKH7_e28

     Video got a different feel? Well that's cuz I noticed that I had forgotten my trusty video camera in another bag. So I went out to the car to get it. After I got it...I uhhhhh...put it back in the bag in the car. So once back inside Basque had just started their last song and all I had was my cellphone. Too much backstory? Ah well. So the band was even better than the night before, I could see them all, and Ali's mic was audible this time. Wait...there's more backstory.

     After the Hamilton show one of the Basque members tested positive for covid and the remaining three house members had a conversation that pretty much ended in them doing an improv noise set and dropping off New Friends Fest. After Sammy from YEARNING heard this, the hero of the tour stepped up told the band to teach him the songs, despite their best efforts to explain that the weird flow and mathy bits would be too awkward to learn in such a short amount of time, he persisted. I walked past the practice room 20 minutes after Ali and him had started and I had a huge smile, so I went outside and told Nate and Jake that the set would be fine and they should probably okay New Friends Fest. They waited until after this show to confirm, but it was a no brainer, with the one exception that everyone was definitely bummed that Niko couldn't play the fest.

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SONAGI
FFO: To Be Gentle, Closer

     This Philly band showed up and the first person I met in the band was my old bud Eric Mauro. He told me that he had recently joined on second guitar and became even more stoked about the set. And when they started? Good lord what a sweet sound. Super lush, heavy when it needed to be, and just all-around I got made Level Plane Records vibes which is still something sorely lacking in today's screamo, in my opinion. I told bassist Mike this at New Friends Fest and we bonded instantly. The other members were super kind and their shirts were awesome. Def see this band, they are incredible.

Bandcamp

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YEARNING
FFO: Orchid, Piri Reis, Tristan Tzara

Full Set

https://youtu.be/nIYs_qLIepg

         This Quebec band blew the top off of the emo-violence community (assuming their is one) earlier this year with their debut EP and showed us immediately that they can pull it all off live like it was nothing. Despite having vocalist issues (aka their vocalist didn't make the tour) they picked up Nate from Basque to let out some throat-shredding screams and by golly did he deliver. I filmed the entire set and it was absolute bliss...and destruction.

Bandcamp

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BLIND GIRLS
FFO: Nuvolascura, Mahria

Full Set


https://youtu.be/NiEvMBaaFUA

     I thought this set was the bee's knees, folks. Great sound, awesome lighting, and five individuals just tearin' shit up. You can hear the crowd get noticeably more excited as the set progresses. Although after the first or second song you can hear some minds being blown with repeated phrases such as "What the fuck!?!?! What the fuck!?!?!". I also asked the band the night before if I could get in close and circle around them, to which they agreed, and I'm hella happy we did it cuz we captured some great shots!!!

Bandcamp

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BOTFLY
FFO: Bleeding Kansas, My America Is Watching Tigers Die

"Life As A 9-5"

https://youtu.be/wWRpGJWs8Yk

     I'd had Keegan on the podcast (linked here) and I've spun my nebula 12" a good six times, but I still wasn't prepared for the ear-bashing I'd receive, and thank them kindly for it. A heavy dose of noise rock and southern metal with the occasional (and excellent) clean singing and general Breather Resist and Botch-ed ness.

Bandcamp

*"Reflect//Reject"*

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Thursday, 4 August 2022

*** ONE DYING WISH exclusive premiere ***

ONE DYING WISH
"Parole Amore"
exclusive song premiere


What the hell is this? Well it's the official announcement of the upcoming August 8th release of this smashing 7" collaboration compilation titled 'Fusion, Ha!' between Larry Records (a-side bands) and Illuminate My Heart Records (b-side bands). All tracks are new to vinyl and most are exclusive, with a limited pressing of 250 copies. with art by Curly Swope. $9USD on August 8th at 9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST. Please note the misprint, as Alas is not on this, it's One Dying Wish (y'know, the song we're premiering?)


Larry bands:
Raptureisdead
One Dying Wish
To be Gentle 
Chiming 
Apostles of Eris

Illuminate Bands:
Heavy Heavy Low Low
Fear Before the March of Flames
Amitie
Coma Regalia

(2022) ONE DYING WISH "Parole Amore" (from 'Fusion, Ha!')
https://youtu.be/fdTB6gQr3bE
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Monday, 1 August 2022

*** BLIND GIRLS w/Basque, Stay Down, Menial Rips ***

 
 
BLIND GIRLS Canada tour day 2
July 27th, 2022
Doors Pub & Taco Joint
Hamilton, ON
 

Holy crap-o-la, it's finally show review time! The next three days will have posts from the three shows I was able to attend before testing positive for covid on Saturday morning (boooooo) but since I really haven't felt too bad, just sad and isolated with a full garbage bin of mucus-filled tissues (mmmmmmm).

Enough about me. This show was absolute ace. A few key points to note before heading into the band-by-band review w/videos.

1) This Doors Pub set was the second-hottest show in the band's 9-year existence...and they're from fucking Australia!!!

2) I walked Julian, Ben, and Luke around Hamilton and showed them a few places and uhhhhhh Hamilton-esque things.

3) I took Ben to the Peach Rings where he had a two-hour nap on the picnic table, followed by arm-wrestling and planking.


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MENIAL RIPS
FFO: ambient/noise

     This ambient/noise duo used a plethora of instruments and pedals to create one of the most unique experiences I've had so far. I loved the guitar/bow/pedal combo and how they used a cassette player on top of said guitar. Super eerie. Super fucking cool.

Bandcamp

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BASQUE
FFO: Honeywell, Innards, Karloff

https://youtu.be/F7SqsXRc0q8

     Led by the No Funeral Records house of Nate, Ali, and Jake (and Jackson rules <3) with local friend Niko on bass, this new, ex-Karloff band did an incredible job of jumping back and forth between calm, serene, noise moments and absolute shrieky chaos. There's a second video of their best track below, but you can also catch that jam from the upcoming New Friends Fest 2022 Day 1 post that is upcoming.

*video the 2nd*

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BLIND GIRLS
FFO: Nuvolascura, Mahria

"Disassociating While Driving + Memorial"


     How long have I been waiting to see Australia's BLIND GIRLS? Let's take a look, shall we? Oh, here we go. Linked here is my first discography review almost 7.5 years ago when they only had two releases (a full three years before 'Residue' dropped). I was lucky enough to travel to the Gold Coast in 2017 when I met and hung out with a few members of the band, so seeing half the band again and meeting the other half was a bucket list box for me. And then...the set. Good fucking lord. This band fucking owns live. Lotta movement, vocalists, chaos, noise - but it's all held together super tight. The PA wasn't the best, but I did my best to boost Sharni's vocals during the set as it progressed.

Bandcamp
*"What Happens In Your Sleep"*
*"Bright Sadness"*
*"My Pain Is Not Your Convenience"*

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STAY DOWN
FFO: Pretty Mouth, Wolves

https://youtu.be/BDVXzAm_ha0

     Closing at STAY DOWN was another local Hamilton band that I was not aware of, and my good friend Luther was the vocalist! You might remember them from sick bands reviewed in the past Sketchbooks and Wimp City, and they were the subject of OMSB Podcast #18 which I've linked here. This band is much more noise rock driven with heaving hardcore and post-punk vibes. The instrumentals swing through a myriad of genres including blues, punk, metal, and metallic hardcore while the vocals are generally drowning in echo/reverb.

Bandcamp
*video the 2nd*
*video the 3rd*

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