Wednesday 29 November 2023

*** BLACK TEETH exclusive premiere ***

BLACK TEETH
'Black Teeth'
exclusive album premiere
For fans ofVersus The Mirror, Seasons Worn, We Were Skeletons, Constrain and The Fall Of Troy


     I got sent this a month or so ago and immediately asked if I could get the EP premiere for it. Voila! Today is the day!!! Tapes in December from Oliver Glenn Records! Instead of me giving the intro, you should hear it directly from the source:

"My name is Tyler Keir based out of Ann Arbor Michigan and BLACK TEETH is my solo project. I have played drums in Welman and Joyous and also mixed Morning Dew’s album pulp and their songs for their most recent split. However i have focused most of my attention towards this project for the past year and a half. My influences for this EP are mainly bands like We were skeletons, la dispute and a lot of early 2000’s post hardcore bands like Silverstein, Atreyu, Hawthorne Heights etc. All music was written, recorded, mixed and mastered by me at Dark farm studio in Michigan. There are no upcoming shows for BLACK TEETH but hopefully someday I will have a full band line up. Next release for BLACK TEETH is a split with Morning Dew."

(2023) BLACK TEETH 'Black Teeth' full EP stream


     So this thing houses five tracks which I'll fire through:
1) "Watching airplanes crash" - this sounds as in line with traditional screamo and metallic hardcore as it does with post-hardcore, giving me vibes from: Circle Takes The Square, Pianos Become The Teeth, The Jonbenet, Linger, Fall Of Troy, Seasons Worn, goddamn the list goes on, but at the same time this project really doesn't sound like a copy of any band
2) "DOG" - probably my favourite of the bunch, this one is the shortest and gives me mad metallic hardcore/Versus The Mirror vibes in the best ways possible
3) "Dying in the mouth of cancer" - this rides some punchy-ass riffs Fall Of Troy style with an excellent epic build that chills out after the one-minute mark before swinging back around again, making it just as good as the preceding track
4) "Stay out" - latches on to a catchy post-hardcore progression early, switching gears just before the halfway point to a much screamier and cathartic second half
5) "I found your limbs in the wreckage" - this closer is pretty playful and includes the most experimentation on the EP, and is probably where the most We Were Skeletons influence presents itself

Sunday 26 November 2023

*** PODCAST #136 Othiel ***

     Zegema Beach has been sitting on this OTHIEL 12"LP for a few months now and we're itchin' to let you fall in love. Those familiar with the stylings of Crowning, Old Soul, and Eyelet should eat this     very heavy yet very melodic screamo/post-hardcore from the Western US up. As I've been jamming this 24/7 and it releases this Friday, now seemed like a good time for a podcast with drummer Parker and guitarists Jacob/Isiah (and we were joined at the very end by bassist Josh). Some things discusssed: from Mai to Othiel & shoegaze to screamo, Foo Fighters = good & Led Zeppelin = bad, playing to thousands of people, the Deafheaven approach to screamo, girlsoverflowers and a crap ending, revisiting Coldplay, vinyl over tapes, "inspo" is a word, a buncha sick rock songs, bread burps, Josh's arrival (literally), Canadian sandwich definition, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Halfgrass, Kumo 99, Mansions, Mew, Old Soul, and Pinkshinyultrablast. Listen to podcast #136 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

OTHIEL
Bandcamp

LP opening track "Upright" official music video
https://youtu.be/wRO6V9PgdCg



1 The Few You Click With
HALFGRASS "Buried in Bed" (Parker)
MANSIONS "Honeymoon" (Dave)

2 Sci-Fi Choose Your Character
PINKSHINYULTRABLAST "Metamorphosis" (Isaiah)
KUMO 99 "Adjacent Casualty" (Dave)

3 Passing the Test of Goodness
MEW "Am I Wry? No." (Jacob)
OLD SOUL "Lens" (Dave)


~Dave

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Friday 24 November 2023

HORSEBOY

BandHORSEBOY
GenresPunk / Noise Rock / Post-Punk / Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Metal
Related artistsLeg Yield, Untold Want and Big Water.
CountryKansas City, Missouri U.S.A.
Years Active2023-present
For fans ofThe Jonbenét, Llewelyn, Leg Yield, The Blood Brothers, Akimbo, Terrifying Girls' High School, Lucertulus, Meth., Short Hair, Teenage Swoon, Blue Youth and Nikad.
Label(s): Self Released

     There's no better way to follow up Horsewhip then with HORSEBOY. But Dave, are they related? Not really, just by name and the fact that both kick major ass. This debut EP was released in 2023 and is a frantic, chaotic, and blissful blast through a screamo/post-punk hybrid which might end up being my EP of the year. It's that fucking good. It is my 2023 goal to get this on a physical medium in some way, shape, or form.

      The four-piece features members of Leg Yield, Untold Want and Big Water knocking out 6 tracks in just 12 minutes. Opener "Tell Me I'm Sorry" is a decent introduction to the EP and on the heavier end of the spectrum, but I'd probably argue it's the weakest of the 6. Following is the one-minute "Painless" which is heavy as fuck and totally in your face. No noodles or pretty interludes, this is staggering screamo/metal in the vein of Akimbo on speed. "Vicious Mockery" goes just as as hard as its predecessor but gets there from the opposite direction, implementing super dancey grooves, interesting guitarwork, and next-level dynamics, reminding me of The Blood Brothers and Desperado. "Honk if You're Under Suspicious Circumstances" is perhaps the most out-there track but it's a righteous number that begins with more rock and yellin' than usual (reminding me a bit of Venus Twins), but eventually unravels into a rabid jaunt of unhinged rock and screamo. You want some fucking sass? Then look no further than "Sinner Supremist" which is drowned in cathartic confidence not unlike Terrifying Girls' High School and early Lucertulus material. Closer "Deep Hunger" continues with the latter half of the EP, focusing on rock first and the heavier stuff second, using a lot of shouted vocals and unnerving guitar progressions.

     Yep, EP of the year.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2023 - Horseboy EP (stream/buy here)

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(2023) HORSEBOY - "Vicious Mockery" (from 'Horseboy')

(2023) HORSEBOY - "Painless" (from 'Horseboy')

(2023) HORSEBOY - "Sinner Supremist" (from 'Horseboy')
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HORSEBOY additional links

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Tuesday 21 November 2023

HORSEWHIP

BandHORSEWHIP
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Crust / Post-Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Dark Hardcore
Related artistsReversal Of Man, Guiltmaker, Sutek Conspiracy, The Dream Is Dead, Brazil, Combatwoundedveteran, Fathers, Heaven's Gate, Shroud Of Turin, Order Of Importance, Crucible, and Early Grace.
CountrySaint Petersburg, Florida U.S.A.
Years Active2018-present
For fans ofGlassing, His Hero Is Gone, Rotting In Dirt, Anna Sage, Perth Express, Ghostlimb, Yurodivy, Telos, and Trainwreck.
Label(s): Zegema Beach Records / Iodine Recordings / Roman Numeral Records / Financial Ruin Records / Tor Johnson Records


     I first became aware of HORSEWHIP early on due to my online friend Alex Bond being the drummer (check out interview here). After falling pretty hard for their 2020 LP the band happened to inquire if they could play ZBR Fest 2022 to which we quickly obliged. They are awesome people and were one of my favourite sets from the fest. Soon afterward we were asked to release their 'Yashira split' 7", and then they were picked up by friends over at Iodine Records, releasing the incredible 'Consume and Burn' just a month or so back. Their related bands run deep and include Reversal Of Man, Sutek Conspiracy, The Dream Is Dead, Combadwoundedveteran, as well as one of my personal faves Guiltmaker.

     The bridge connecting the first two releases, 2018's 'Horsewhip' and 2020's 'Laid to Waste' full lengths, is an excellent example of the band's growth from debut to sophomore effort. The former is dark, driving, and relatively confined in terms of experimentation and driving home the differences between tracks, while the latter retains the band's initial sound but branches out into much more memorable territory with songs like "Inertia Waits", "Closure", and "Holy Lies". The noticeable increase in production quality makes the second LP much thicker, heavier, and engaging.

     Voalist Mike Grantham left the band after 'Laid to Waste'. Instead of replacing him guitarist Shaun and bassist Jeff jointly took on the task (although Jeff was arguably all over the previous material too), and then added a second guitarist by name of Dave (tis a good name). I should point out at here that I think Shaun's vocals are amazingly thick and extremely powerful, plus with the additional guitar the band's output went from great to fucking incredible. Our first offering with the new lineup was my very own label's split 7" with Yashira. I immediately noticed the resemblance to their ZBR Fest 2022 performance with the same members, "Circadian Rhythm" is devastatingly full, even harsher in the vocal department, and in general just kinda fuckin' heavier. It also ended up being the closer for the band's new LP.

      This leads us very obviously to 2023's release and third full length 'Consume and Burn', without a doubt the band's crowning achievement to date and one helluva smack to the earholes. The presence on these 8 songs are unmistakable - like a imposing behemoth of a monster toying with you like you're nothing. The crushing emanations are counterbalanced with eerie, spacey guitar riffs that bring to mind some of the stuff that These Arms Are Snakes were riffin' hard during their earlier years. The heavier bits bring to mind Trainwreck, Anna Sage, and Glassing feel, but are blatantly HORSEWHIP's own concoction. I bet we'll find this on a bunch of best of 2023 lists, and rightly so!

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DISCOGRAPHY

2018 - Horsewhip 12"LP (listen/buy here)

2020 - Laid to Waste 12"LP (listen/buy here)

2022 - Yashira split 7" (listen/download/buy here)
2022 - Hundreds Of AU split 7" (contains "Buried")

2023 - Consume and Burn 12"LP (listen/buy here)
2023 - Buried flexi 7" (contains "Buried")

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(2023) HORSEWHIP - "Plague Machine" (from 'Consume and Burn') [official music video]

(2023) HORSEWHIP - "Dissolve" (from 'Consume and Burn')

(2022) HORSEWHIP - "Circadian Rhythm" (from 'Yashira' split)

(2022) HORSEWHIP - "Inertia Waits" (live @ZBR Fest)

(2020) HORSEWHIP - "Closure" (from 'Laid to Waste')

(2020) HORSEWHIP - "Holy Lies" (from 'Laid to Waste')

(2018) HORSEWHIP - "Funeral Circus" (from 'Horsewhip')

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HORSEWHIP additional links


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Sunday 12 November 2023

*** PODCAST #135 Chris Djuric (Obroa-skai, Kodama, Sun Up Sun Down) ***


     Going all the way back to the first or second show I ever reviewed on this blog...it was Mahria. Soon afterward I became obsessed with their new band Rayleigh. After they disbanded OBROA-SKAI was born and I've been following them since. Originally a three-piece, the band absorbed Chris Djuric during the pandemic. Chris was instrumental in helping craft the upcoming 12"LP 'Science Progresses One Funeral at a Time'. I caught up with him and discussed a myriad of things including but not limited to: defined by music (sick riffs), the height of practicing, dialing back the music ego, Peter Brötzmann in general, the second coming of Nirvana, the cover band, joining Kodama and Sun Up Sun Down, the Raein-esque band that never happened and how it led to Obroa-skai, terrible rhythms and sounds, the Don Caballero stutter, fantastically collaborative, "Next Door" deconstruction, the upcoming experimental EP, 'Science Progresses One Funeral at a Time' themes, late-night deployment blues, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Ahleuchatistas, Great Falls, Flooding, Last Exit, Nhomme, and Yowie. Listen to podcast #135 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

OBROA-SKAI

SUN UP SUN DOWN

1 Expression Over Technicality
LAST EXIT "Crackin" (Chris)
AHLEUCHATISTAS "Rpg2" (Dave)

2 The Bassist Who Didn't Have Any Gear
YOWIE "Tera" (Chris)
NHOMME "iii" (Dave)

3 The Reconciling of Academia and Punk
GREAT FALLS "The Starveling" (Chris)
FLOODING "Monolith Girl" (Dave)


~Dave

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Sunday 5 November 2023

FAINTING IN COILS

BandFAINTING IN COILS
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Metalcore / Metallic Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence
Related artists: ?.
CountryNew York, New York U.S.A.
Years Active2023-present
For fans ofOnewaymirror, Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Letters To Catalonia, Dispensing Of False Halos, .gif from god, A Paramount A Love Supreme, Binary, (early) SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Textbook Traitors, Long.Way.Down., Mouthing, Deers!, Me And Him Call It Us, and Ihuntmonsters.
Label(s): Self Released

     I recently caught wind of the first release by the New York two-piece FAINTING IN COILS, and straight up it's the demo of the year. Mixing chunky and nearly lo-fi screamo/metallic hardcore calls to mind Onewaymirror and Letters To Catalonia.


     This '2023 Demo' EP seriously rocked my world, and interestingly pulls together so many things that I love from a few genres. The demos are listed as one track but I broke them up for the sake of this review. Those five songs rely on chugs, panic chords, and dual screaming aka tons of Dave. Opener "Ambition" lulls you in with dreamy instrumentals, and even moves into more emo/screamo territory next, but by the 50-second mark the metallic roots really bare themselves as the chugs and nifty guitar squeals take over. Next up is the short and dark interlude "Reeling and Writhing", followed by the bangin' "Derision" that is probably about 75% breakdowns. "Uglification" takes no time going for the jugular with fury that will turn any Love Lost But Not Forgotten & Me And Him Call It Us fan into a FAINTING IN COILS believer. Closer "Distraction" is the shortest track (47 seconds) and the most progressive in terms of throwing together more melody, structure, and nods to metal.

     So yeah, demo of the year. I think there's a 4-way split coming with FAINTING IN COILS on it, but don't quote me.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2023 - 2023 Demo digital EP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2023) FAINTING IN COILS - "Derision" (from 'Demo 2023')

(2023) FAINTING IN COILS - "Ambition" (from 'Demo 2023')

(2023) FAINTING IN COILS - "Uglification" (from 'Demo 2023')

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FAINTING IN COILS additional links


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Sunday 29 October 2023

TIME TO BURN

BandTIME TO BURN
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Metal / Metallic Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Experimental
Related artistsBrighton, Jin Baker, Jean Jean, Sure, Ghoster, Dawnshape, Kid North, Painting By Numbers, Radius System, Every Reason To..., HKY, Huata, and Subterraen.
CountryParis FRANCE
Years Active2003-2008 / 2016
For fans ofShora, Sine NomineTempest, Knut, Cassilis, Llynch, (early) Botch, (early) Devil Sold His Soul, and Akimbo.
Label(s): Self Released / Basement Apes Industries / Radar Swarm / Slow Death


     Sometime late 2022 someone posted TIME TO BURN somewhere (I think a friend added it to my screamo music video playlist) and I finally stumbled, hella late I might add, onto this absolutely ferocious French four-piece with dueling guitars, poignant chaos, and fantastic screaming. How in the actual fuck did I miss this? We can't blame geography as I've been into Daitro (from France) for over two decades. The style isn't one I just happened upon recently either, as I've been all over this frantic, screamy metallic/hardcore for just as long. Y'know what? Who gives a shit. This band fucking slayed and their entire discography is worth your time, especially if you like the sheer intensity and lunacy of bands like Shora and Sine Nomine.

     In 2004, just a year after the band's inception, they released their debut EP 'Burn the Lie Down'. These four songs are really sick and show the band's identity immediately...before they blow up that brain of yours. All songs are very most representative of the band's sound, but five-minute bangers "Lyksyr" and "Trauma" are my choices for strongest cuts. The former layers atmospheric post-hardcore amidst the destruction and lengthy/sustained screams while the latter lays down some seriously epic shit bursting with vigor.

     Just a year after they released their most chaotic album, titled 'Starting Point'. This thing fucking owns. The momentum this album is able to generate and subsequently prolong is astounding, and definitely gives me Sine Nomine vibes in the that department (as well as a few others). The harrowing, primal screams on this release are phenomenal and definitely bare resemblance to Shora and early Cassilis. Following a dark instrumental intro the album digs itself in with "Lost In Poetic Words", a dangerous three-and-a-half minute deluge through swirling/driving instrumentals and those aforementioned glorious screams. This is followed by the absolutely unhinged carnage that is "Jelly Roll" which clutches to prodigious and imposing riffs over speed and chaos, complete with a desperate, nightmarish unraveling of a conclusion. Title track "Starting Point" is next and follows a more streamlined approach than the preceding song, opting for big riffs and an avalanche of vocals interspersed with panic-inducing mayhem. Speaking of mayhem, no song is more of a punch in the face than "Waiting For The End" which clocks in at only 2:26 and is a literal steamroller stuck on fast-forward. Capping off the album are two more songs, "Burn The Lie Down" which I would assume was written around the time of their previous EP and is another fucking banger that would have me running around if I ever saw them live, and closer "Alma" which leans hard into creepy post-hardcore and reminds me a bit of Botch's "Afghamistam" during it's first half and an instrumental version of TIME TO BURN for it's remainder. Woot woot what a record!

     Next up is the equally awesome and more experimental 'Is.Land' full length. After another intro song "Is" we are met head-on with "Nayeli", a helluva headbanger with mad groove and even better shrieking...like, fuck me I wish I could scream like that. It sounds like his poisonous emanations reverberate in an echo chamber for a few years before finally escaping his mouth. The song itself owes a bit more to sludge and dynamics than speed, ferocity, and chaos, which can applied to the album in general. "Emma Peel" is a slower burn at 7:15 but definitely pays off, and this also includes the first clean singing from the band and in all honesty it fits so damn well. Not only that, but the vocals are actually quite good, and when coupled with the keys come 4:20 the atmosphere of it all has a tight gravitational pull. This clean singing unites again with posty perfection in the closing song "Land" which has early Devil Sold His Soul as well as obvious Deftones vibes. Following an eerie intro, "Tormenta" brings back the chaos from the previous album and gets straight up ridiculous at 1:30, holy fuuuuuuck this song is amazing. The ambient interlude "." is next and the rockin' instrumental "Isle Of Men" follows that. Then we're back in annihilation nation with the brooding "Tsering Lhamo" (good lord, those screams!), relatively short "Sang", and the almost Celeste/Hexis-esque "Gream".

   In 2008 the band also tossed up their two comp tracks as a "B-Sides" EP, with "Candle In Wind" coming out in 2008 on the 3xCD 'Falling Down' comp and "Elena Djinn" seeing the light of day two years later on the second 'Falling Down II' comp, this time on 2xCD. I don't know the info on when these were recorded but I would assume during the 'Is.Land' sessions. Both are decent tracks with the  former blazing through 2:26 and the latter having a slow start but ravenous conclusion.

     Wow, I haven't done a track-by-track review in some time, but goddamn this band was worth it.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2004 - Burn the Lie Down EP (stream/donate/download here)

2005 - Starting Point cdLP (stream/donate/download here)

2007 - Is.Land cd/12"LP (stream/donate/download here)

2008 - B-Sides digitalEP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2007) TIME TO BURN - "Nayeli" (from 'Is.Land') official music video

(2007) TIME TO BURN - "Tormenta" (from 'Is.Land')

(2007) TIME TO BURN - "Land" (from 'Is.Land')

(2005) TIME TO BURN - "Waiting For The End" (from 'Starting Point')

(2005) TIME TO BURN - "Lost In Poetic Words" (from 'Starting Point')

(2005) TIME TO BURN - "Burn The Lie Down" (from 'Starting Point')

(2004) TIME TO BURN - "Trauma" (from 'Burn the Lie Down')

(2004) TIME TO BURN - "Lyksyr" (from 'Burn the Lie Down')

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Additional links

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Thursday 26 October 2023

*** PODCAST #134 Alex Crist (Closet Witch) ***


     I've been a massive CLOSET WITCH fan since getting the Euth split 7" and their self-titled first LP around the same time the better part of a decade ago. Their pulverizing, non-stop assault on the senses was something that really resonated with me as despite the speed and chaos, the four-piece employ just enough hooks and repetition to cross the threshold from unlistenable to fucking amazing. After meeting them at ZBR Fest 2023 we began talking a lot more, and luckily Zegema Beach is also helping release their new 'Chiaroscuro' 12"LP releasing November 3rd, 2023. Quickly, we didn't get to talk about it during the podcast, but Alex wanted to know my top three horror movies...so here they are in no particular order: Candyman, The Babadook, and the original The Exorcist (director's cut). Things we did discuss in this podcast: ditching the corporate world and brain-destroying jobs, Unreal Tournament, disguising cds that mom won't like, taking inspiration from everything, Alex's pre-Closet Witch years, 49ers are the only team, the the abandoned Whitby Psych Ward and Billy Talent ties, a Deftones tangent, stealing nu-metal riffs, memory routines during chemotherapy, 'Chiaroscuro' info, the album after 'Chiaroscuro' info!, the handshake deal, Lowell influences, the underdog, stepping outside the glam-box, avoiding wanktown, narrowly avoiding felony charges, thank god for Jersey Shores, good vs. bad lawyers,  etc. Bands played in this podcast: Billy Talent, Def Leppard, Hillsboro, Rebuilder, Time To Burn, and TV Cop. Listen to podcast #134 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

CLOSET WITCH
1 It's Like Luck of the Draw While Playing With a Rabid Dog
TV COP "Am I Dumb?" (Alex) [official music video linked here]
HILLSBORO "Exit Plan" (Dave) [official music video linked here]

2 We Created Closet Witch To Get People the Fuck Out
REBUILDER "Le Grande Fromage" (Alex) [official music video linked here]
BILLY TALENT "Try Honesty" (Dave) [official music video linked here]

3 'Chiaro', Chemo, and the Underdog
DEF LEPPARD "Rocket" (Alex)

4 Closet Witch Goes to Jail
TIME TO BURN "Waiting For The End" (Dave)

~Dave

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Sunday 22 October 2023

*** HEXIS + TRAUMA MODEL + JISEI show review ***

HEXIS / TRAUMA MODEL / JISEI


Victoria Event Centre in Victoria on September 23rd, 2023

Live Show Review

     Full disclosure, this was the most stressful event I've ever put on. Booking a venue in Victoria can be super hard and expensive, and if it's something you're looking for, please note that I will decline. With that out of the way, I enjoyed myself, saw some sick bands, met some cool people I had wanted to meet for some time now, and watched Luca eat his first all-dressed potato chip.

JISEI
     Literally the only place I could find to host the event (after the first venue double-booked and then cancelled my reservation) allowed a two-band bill max. Luckily after some back and forth I was able to get local talent JISEI on the bill as an opener. Their two-piece chaos outfit was a lotta fun to watch, and hearing the vocal abilities of Leda is kind of absurd in the best possible way.
(2023) JISEI "41% Burnt (live)" (from 'Big Money Cybergrind' comp)
For fans of: grindy/deathy myspace stuff


^\/`~~~~---------------00oOo00---------------~~~~'\/^

TRAUMA MODEL
I chatted it up hard with these three super nice dudes from Kingston, Ontario. When they got on stage though, holy fuck that's just carnage. Playing down-tuned and with the gutteralest of vocals, they flew through some sludgy deathcore mixed with riffs that reminded me of Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza with Advent vocals.
(2023) TRAUMA MODEL "I.C.E (live)" (from 'Suffering Soul')
For fans of: mathy, sludgy, deathcore



^\/`~~~~---------------00oOo00---------------~~~~'\/^

HEXIS
Destruction from Denmark, Hexis has been killin' it for a decade now. I've seen them in Croatia and Nanaimo, being blown away both time by the sheer ferocity of their live show. Drawing on chaotic hardcore and black metal, it sounds like a bit of a cross between Celeste and AmenRa, and is and endless assault on the senses. This band tours more than any other band I know so please check out a gig next time they roll through anywhere near you.
(2023) HEXIS "Letum" (from 'AETERNUM')


^\/`~~~~---------------00oOo00---------------~~~~'\/^

Thursday 19 October 2023

*** OTHIEL exclusive song premiere ***

OTHIEL
"Erasing"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofCaution Children, Crowning, Eyelet and Gillian Carter


     Today I've got a brand new jam from the Pomona, California screamo band OTHIEL. The band sent Zegema Beach their new LP 'We Will Be Our Home' a months back and they are already done at the plant! The 9 tracks release December 1st, 2023 via Zegema Beach Records over 200 black 12"s. The songs are both beautiful and pummeling, and I think a cross between Crowning and Caution Children is a pretty decent comparison to those unfamiliar with OTHIEL. This album and all songs contained therein are fantastic. Be on the lookout for the full release December 1st!!!


(2023) OTHIEL "Erasing" (from 'We Will Be Our Home')

Thursday 12 October 2023

*** LLEWELYN exclusive song premiere ***

LLEWELYN
"Disposable Culture"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofTransistor Transistor, King Slender, These Arms Are Snakes, Ribbonhead, Abandoncy and Life In Vacuum


     LLEWELYN is a new band featuring members of Forever Losing Sleep, The Home Team, Moaded, St. Yuma, etc. and today I'm premiering their first single and title track from the upcoming 'Disposable Culture' cassette EP releasing November 10th, 2023 on Tomb Tree. CDs will be handled by The Ghost Is Clear Records. The five songs are frantic, fun, visceral, and very screamy. Making a home for themselves somewhere between Transistor Transistor and Abandoncy - rockin' and sassy whilst keeping it heavy and interesting. Don't take my word for it, jam that shit below!

(2023) LLEWELYN "Disposable Culture" (from 'Disposable Culture')

Monday 9 October 2023

*** PODCAST #133 Onewaymirror ***


     Having recently heard the four-piece Californian band ONEWAYMIRROR and falling in love, learning that 1) they were only 14-16 years old and 2) that they had an LP in the works made this podcast a must. Their debut self-titled album releases digitally and on cassette (Jean Scene Creamers) tomorrow October 11th, followed by 12" vinyl (Tomb Tree, Oliver Glenn Records, BSDJ Records) late 2023. Find out a ton more about the band via this podcast. Some things discussed: cool dads, kindergarten trumpet lung capacity, Tate influences everyone, Onewaymirror inception/band name/covers/influences/upcoming releases, fighting about The Great Redneck Hope, growth during tours, 10-minute sets, everything sucks except the new stuff, Burial Etiquette are the best, clear goals, the teenage screamo injection, completely self-recorded, gettin' sweaty and no shoes, sneaking people into shows, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Bleeding Kansas, Breakdance Kickboxer, Comadre, The Great Redneck Hope, Fainting In Coils, Lifetime, and New Forms. Listen to podcast #133 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

ONEWAYMIRROR


1 Serving a Plate of Screamo
COMADRE "Remind Me Never to Stick My Hand Out the Window Again!" (Tate)
FAINTING IN COILS "1" (Dave)

2 The Best to Ever Do It
THE GREAT REDNECK HOPE "Nevermind the Amputees, Let's Have Sex" (Milo)
BLEEDING KANSAS "Retract the Altitude" (Dave)

3 Bypassing Being In Shitty Bands
LIFETIME "Northbound Breakdown" (Harris)

4 Yellow Shirt Kid
BREAKDANCE KICKBOXER "Wrong Number" (Henry)
NEW FORMS "Pull Me Out" (Dave) [Official Music Video]

~Dave

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Saturday 7 October 2023

*** INOSUKE exclusive song premiere ***

INOSUKE
"deadfall"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofTrainwreck, Lentic Waters, CrowningMen As Trees, and Stormlight

     If you haven't heard of INOSUKE yet, they are a Cleveland two-piece featuring Jason of Locktender/Men As Trees and Erik of Lord Snow/Stormlight. Yeah...I know, right!?!? They've got a 12"LP releasing this December on Zegema Beach Records. I'm stoked to be premiering the 4th of 6 brooding, crushing, and flat-out amazing tracks today, "deadfall". Check that shit out below!!!

(2023) INOSUKE "deadfall" (from 'rage/ruin')
     Opening with rolling drums and clean single notes, the song quickly shifts into the behemoth that is INOSUKE. By 1:05 we're knee deep in the thick of it, utterly pummeling and precise-as-fuck, the song shifts between emo/post-hardcore and some kind of condensed hardcore/doom sound, keeping the 2:49 interesting and unpredictable.

Thursday 5 October 2023

*** NEW FORMS exclusive music video premiere ***

NEW FORMS
"Pull Me Out"
exclusive music video premiere

For fans of
Nuvolascura, Youth Funeral, Roman Candle, Blind Girls and Rainmaking


NEW FORMS were kicking ass back in 2019 right before the covid shutdown. After this they snagged some new members to hash out their unit, giving them more depth and an even more lethal explosions. They kicked everyone's ass at Zegema Beach Records Fest 2023 during the pre-show, and we are now just a few weeks away from the release of their debut 12"LP 'As Dust Collects'. I've heard the entire thing, and I can't recommend this technical, angular, emo-violence perfection enough. Easily one of the best albums of 2023. NEW FORMS features members of Alessa, She Died Real Pretty, Youth FuneralDistricts, Lessener, Reveriesand Casper Elgin. Their record release show will be held on November 18th, 2023 at Deep Cuts w/Gospel, Foxtails, Pyreand Kirkby KissThis video was filmed & directed by New Forms & Mikko K.

The band's new/first-time vocalist Mary had this to say about the song:
Pull Me Out is about the art of self sabotage. Whether it’s through unhealthy habits, self medicating, avoidance, or just undermining our self worth, it’s easy to create a cycle of self-destructive patterns in life. When personal power is lost, it can become difficult to recognize ourselves.


(2023) NEW FORMS "Pull Me Out" (from 'As Dust Collects')

Lyrics:
Parts of me vanished
Fading to black
Numbing existence 
Try to forget
Withering til there’s nothing left
Flowers will be nothing more
Than a distant memory
Call of the death bird
Parts of me vanished 
Call of the death bird
Drowning in crowded waters
Burning myself at the stake


ADDITIONAL LINKS & WHATNOT

"Pull Me Out" live at ZBR 2023:
https://youtu.be/2AQ9WmJD1JE


Additional ZBR Fest 2023 video:
https://youtu.be/6wN2tgeBb84

Wednesday 4 October 2023

*** ONEWAYMIRROR exclusive song premiere ***

ONEWAYMIRROR
"Biting The Hand That Feeds Me"
exclusive song premiere
For fans of.gif from god, Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Saetia, In Loving Memory and мища

     In case you didn't know, there is a massive surge in teenage screamo bands right, and I feel like it's culminating with the Widowdusk and ONEWAYMIRROR 12"LPs. Today's premiere comes hot off the hands of Will Killingsworth who literally just finished mastering them. The four-piece from Los Angeles range from 14 to 16 years old, which makes this track and album even more mind-blowing. The 12"LP releases this winter on Tomb Tree, Oliver, and BSDJ with tapes dropping on the digital release day of October 11th, 2023 via Jean Scene Creamers. I've heard this entire LP and it's gonna smack yer brain.

(2023) ONEWAYMIRROR "Biting The Hand That Feeds Me" (from 'onewaymirror')

     Opening with layered screaming, the song goes all-out just over 10 seconds in erupting like Piri Reis mixed with early .gif from god. Honestly it's staggering and extremely effective. The bass it turned up nice and high, giving it the audio equivalent of a pummeling wave. The urgency and chaos on the vocal front should also be mentioned, as tis impeccable, with the flurry of screams reminding me of Welcome The Plague Year. There's also the incredible ending that kicks off at the one-minute mark and provides an In Loving Memory-esque breakdown, being the highlight of the track.