Thursday 29 February 2024

*** MAN IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL exclusive song premiere ***

MAN IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL
"Cave Flowers"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofStuntmanTelos, Converge and Volp

Releases in full March 1st, 2024 on:
Noise Order + Riding Tiger

     I get to squeak this premiere in right before the album release for MAN IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL's 'Vol. 2: Bind/Torture/Kill' that releases March 1st. Heavy Converge and Telos vibes with some most excellent vocal work. There's also a music video for their first single "Star Young Child" embedded below. Awesome stuff!!!


(2024) MAN IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL "Cave Flowers" (from 'Vol. 2: Bind/Torture/Kill')

(2024) MAN IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL "Star Young Child" (from 'Vol. 2: Bind/Torture/Kill') official music video

Sunday 25 February 2024

*** PODCAST #146 Jason Kallicragas (Inosuke, Locktender) ***


     I've known Jason for a decade and have released things for both Locktender and Inosuke but it wasn't until this 146 OMSB podcast that I truly got to know him. Locktender will have a new EP releasing any day now, and Inosuke released their debut full length 12" 'rage/ruin' in December of 2023. Here are a few things discussed in this podcast: being Canadian in the American scene, the Seventeen Again connection, house shows rule the earth, Interpunk as a lifeline, brothers becoming best friends, the fluctuations of Men As Trees, recording after Avril Lavigne, Ingo as a 16-year old, being sad in the woods, Locktender's early years + pre-covid hiatus + May 2024 tour, Erik (the Cleveland) Anderson, the Demon Slayer reference and the real-life boar head, the next Inosuke piano record, etc. Bands played in this podcast: A Day In Black And White, Bymyside, Gray Ghost, Nouveau, Pyramids, and Spires. Listen to podcast #146 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

INOSUKE

LOCKTENDER


1 The Church of Level Plane
A DAY IN BLACK AND WHITE "There Are Objects and Objects" (Jason)
NOUVEAU "River House" (Dave)

Nine Bass Players aka Men As Trees
SPIRES "Shores" (Jason)
GRAY GHOST "Lascivious Shrines" (Dave)

3 New Locktender
PYRAMIDS "Stasis" (Jason)
BYMYSIDE "Utopia di ogni giorno" (Dave)

4 Inosuke, Born in a Kids' Park
~no music


~Dave

____________________________________________________________________

PODCAST #146 linked here
_____________________________________________________________________

Sunday 18 February 2024

HAUZU

BandHAUZU
For fans ofLiving Conditions, Crossed, Majority Rule, Basque, Binary, Infant Island, and Portrayal Of Guilt.
GenresPunk / Post-hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence / Post-rock
Related artistsBubble Scary and Dialog Talk.
CountryMassachusetts U.S.A.
Years Active2023-present
Label(s): Self Released

      This debut EP was released just yesterday (February 17th, 2024) and after a few seconds of the opening track I was sold. The three-piece hail from Massachusetts and play a mixture of many styles but there's definitely some Living Conditions and Portrayal Of Guilt, but with much more diversity as well as (somehow the opposite) attention to linear structure. That is to say, blackened screamo with hints of post-rock and other frills. Their four-song, self-titled debut is truly remarkable, especially considering this is the guitarist/vocalist's first band. Another remarkable thing is that this band seems to be birthed from the ashes of said member's deployment in Iraq, and subsequent awareness and distrust in a broken system run by broken people profiting from breaking the poorest of people.

     'Hauzu's opener "Ceaseless Wavering" goes for the jugular with a quick instrumental build and intense screaming, only to taper off and showcase a knack for finding space and filling it with minimal/sparse notes, helping elevate the heavier moments, to which we return again as the song plays out. Oh and that awesome guitar riff at 3:20 is just icing on the cake. "My Head Beneath the Waves" is the shortest song by far and obviously gets to the essentials more directly than the others, with a devastating bass riff (quick nod to Crossed) that permeates the entire song, forcing it to be a sludgy, noisy romp through its 1:41 runtime. "Forgettable Noise" takes a similar route to the first track in terms of it having a bunch of parts and navigating through them very efficiently, which further generates my engagement. Lotsa groove and restraint on this one. Picking up right where track three ends, closer and absolute behemoth "Little Shells" clocks in at 8:24 with a slow, jazzy, almost lounge-esque intro that creates a dark and somber mood. Once all the instrumentals meet up and kick in to a higher gear you just know the band is taking us on one helluva journey, one that I won't belittle with a lengthy description, but instead invite you to let it envelop you and make your own decision. Or I'm lazy. Either way!

     It should also be noted that Will K. from Dead Air Studios recorded, mixed, and mastered this beast, and also that the band has more material comin'! Very stoked on this new project.

________________________________________

DISCOGRAPHY

2024 - Hauzu digital EP (stream/buy here)

________________________________________

(2024) HAUZU - "Little Shells" (from 'Hauzu')

(2024) HAUZU - "Forgettable Noise" (from 'Hauzu')

________________________________________

Thursday 15 February 2024

*** PODCAST #145 Hanoi Traffic ***


     Since helping release 'Kids With No Style' I've been following Australia's HANOI TRAFFIC intently. Just last week the band released their brand new EP 'towards an end' and it ripped me a new one. Check that shit out, and then come back here and listen to this podcast that discusses the journey that took the three-piece there. Here are a few things discussed in this podcast: Circle Takes The Square forums...again!, band name origin, channeling Salt Money, release schedule lecture from Dave, the new album, Japanese screamo, dodgeball snare, albums of the year, the upcoming tour, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Freezer, Garry Brents, Isolate, Mouse Fitzgerald, Nitro Mega Prayer, and Tim Reaper & the Comfort Zone. Listen to podcast #145 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

OFFICIAL SITE


1 Australian Screamo Recycling Plant
FREEZER "wife" (Isaac)
MOUSE FITZGERALD "The Buildabear Group" (Dave)

The Change-Up
TIM REAPER & THE COMFORT ZONE "All the Time" (Matt)
GARRY BRENTS "Fortress Breaker" (Dave)

3 2024 Tour and Bok Suna Love
NITRO MEGA PRAYER "Shinjita Sekai" (Shawn)
ISOLATE "clamor against..." (Dave)

~Dave


____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Tuesday 13 February 2024

*** ONEWAYMIRROR + GXLLIUM! exclusive song premiere ***

ONEWAYMIRROR + GXLLIUM!
"Let's Make the Most of This"
+
"If Hector Was a Beaver"
exclusive song premieres

For fans of
Love Lost But Not Forgotten, In Loving Memory.gif from god and Hayworth

orders open February 26th

     If you're in the screamo-know, then you are probably already familiar with west coast bands GXLLIUM! and ONEWAYMIRROR whom each released a debut full length in late 2023, and both of which reached the Daves Best of 2023 list. A mere six weeks ago the bands reached out letting me know they had a new split in the works that would end up on cdr and if Zegema Beach Records wanted to be involved. Without hearing a single second of material I jumped all over it and agreed. A few days back I got the masters and just shit all over my bedroom. Split of year? So far...hell yes. This thing is fucking exceptional, and from two young bands it just makes me ecstatic about the future of screamo.


(2024) ONEWAYMIRROR "Let's Make the Most of This" (from 'Gxllium!' split)
Following up on their sensational debut self-titled 12"LP, Onewaymirror's two songs are an extension of the full length and hit so fucking hard. This is the first of their two and their In Loving Memory and Love Lost But Not Forgotten influences are still apparent, but the band creates a space for themselves with a unique spin on it all, and being as young as they are it's mindboggling to think what might be coming out next. P.S. those last 45 seconds are god-tier.

(2024) GXLLIUM! "If Hector Was a Beaver" (from 'Onewaymirror' split)

Yo what the fuck. This split opener is absolutely bonkers! Jumping from their always fantastic chaotic destruction to their first real melody injection - and it comes in the form of the mad tapper before jumping back into the black hole that is Gxllium!!!! According to the band, this song is about the band's friend Hector losing their house.

Sunday 11 February 2024

*** EMMA GOLDMAN + TREACHERY + ANDROGYNE live show review ***

/ EMMA GOLDMAN \

TREACHERY \ 

ANDROGYNE \

Live Show Review

Last night I made the trek from Ladysmith to Victoria with my friend and bandmate Branden and had a blast. I went to see EMMA GOLDMAN primarily, as they had sent me studio videos of their upcoming album and I got pretty damn excited at the sound of the new material. They did not disappoint.

EMMA GOLDMAN
Closing out the night and absolutely fucking killing it was my friends in EMMA GOLDMAN. My first BC show was their Demo release show back in 2018 or something. They have grown leaps and bounds, and with Vee moving to vocals and Hayley joining on bass this band is heavier and better than ever. Falling somewhere between Blind Girls and Nuvolascura, this four-piece hits four primary pillars of heavy/techy screamo, danceable portions, glitched-out interludes, and lulling emo/posty sections. Just fucking floored over here.
(2024) EMMA GOLDMAN full set
^\/`~~~~---------------00oOo00---------------~~~~'\/^

TREACHERY
This band hadn't played a live show in a year and tore that place up. Very violent pit. Thunderous breakdowns. Vicious vocals. They played a new jam but I didn't capture that on film. I did see that guy get slammed into the speaker pole which gave him a pretty bad concussion. Hope that dude went to the hospital and is okay.
(2024) TREACHERY
^\/`~~~~---------------00oOo00---------------~~~~'\/^

ANDROGYNE
Oh shit this what became of GUSH! I spoke with Alexis outside (guitar, also in Jesei) and found that missing link that I was totally unaware of. People dug the shit out of this band and they put on a great set. They land somewhere on the deathy/grind spectrum.
^\/`~~~~---------------00oOo00---------------~~~~'\/^
 

Wednesday 7 February 2024

*** PODCAST #144 Elias Amini (Not Just A Phase) ***


     Elias is a true gem of the screamo scene. Much like Sascha Kie from Twin Cities Screamo, this dude has lived and breathed screamo for the last 20 years although not necessarily participating directly in the music's creation. Working alongside Rob and others at Not Just A Phase as well as doing additional work on the Skrammies, interviews, and articles for other publications. I've been wanting to talk to this encyclopedia for a while so this was very refreshing. Some things discussed: the birth of a piano-driven screamo band with Elias in a sequined dress...The Piano Grapes, the boy-band phase & songs about fuckin', Eyeball Records sampler, Interpunk orders, Circle Takes The Square forever (and their forum), elitist screamo brain, a Pokemon/Magic tangent, joining Not Just A Phase, dream interviews, ditching high school friends that don't listen to screamo, the Captain Planet era, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Brava Spectre, Caught In The Fall, Die Princess Die, Endamori, Mans, and War Crimes. Listen to podcast #144 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.


OFFICIAL SITE


1 Screamo as a Dream
MANS "Look At What You Did, You Little Jerk" (Elias)
CAUGHT IN THE FALL "Good Luck at the D & D Tournament" (Dave)

Chug Life as a Personality
WAR CRIMES "Salt of Sodom" (Elias)
ENDAMORI "Shredder" (Dave)

3 Hand Grenades as an Interview Style
BRAVA SPECTRE "Cuss Tongue" (Elias)
DIE PRINCESS DIE "Cinatic" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Sunday 4 February 2024

ABUSE REPRESSION

BandABUSE REPRESSION
For fans ofGxlliam!, Meth., Live Longer Burn Everything, Mercy Ties, My Condolences, Loftus, Fallingwithscissors, Me And Him Call It Us, .gif from god, Infant Island, Dreamwell, and Onewaymirror.
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Emo / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence / Grindcore / Noise / Black Metal / Experimental
Related artists?.
CountryPort Huron, Michigan U.S.A.
Years Active2023-present
Label(s): Self released

     This EP was just released and I think fans of this blog will dig it. Heavy screamo, bit o' hardcore, some black metal, and noise. After a jarring introduction the opening track opens up to a chaotic battlefield at around the two-minute mark featuring some insane drumming and a most excellent transition at 2:20, all of which gives me some Gxlliam! and Infant Island 'Sepulcher'-era material. "I Feel Like a Jesse Pinkman Shirt" is next and after a lulling intro goes straight into pummeling mode, reminding me a bit of Dreamwell and Amitie with lightning drums. You can find the slowest stuff and some clean vox on the third jam, which dips more into emo than the heavier songs. "Floccinaucinihicrucification" is full of speed and decimating panic chords that actually brings to mind the almighty Loftus and newer bands like Fallingwithscissors. Closer "Abuse Repression" clocks in at a whopping 6:26 and is arguably the bands' most experimental and all-encompassing track, and with the dark vibe and nightmare sounds it reminds of Meth.. You've also got hilarious song titles such as "The Number Thirteen Looks Like Bob" (after the band The Number Twelve Looks Like You), "I Feel Like a Jesse Pinkman Shirt" (a Breaking Bad reference), and "This Actually Is My First Rodeo" (that's just funny).

________________________________________

DISCOGRAPHY

2024 - Abuse Regression digital EP (stream/donate/download here)

________________________________________

(2024) ABUSE REPRESSION - "Floccinaucinihicrucification" (from 'Abuse Regression')

(2024) ABUSE REPRESSION - "Abuse Repression" (from 'Abuse Regression')

(2024) ABUSE REPRESSION - "I Feel Like a Jesse Pinkman Shirt" (from 'Abuse Regression')

________________________________________

Thursday 1 February 2024

*** PODCAST #143 Matt Perrin (Horseboy, Big Water, Joust) ***


     I've been following the Kansas City scene quite closely since becoming friends with Bobby Johnson back in oooooooo 2013 or so. Therefore I caught wind of Big Water before their debut EP even came out, snagged a copy of Leg Yield, and have been utterly smitten lately with Horseboy. Matt Perrin plays in all of said bands plus a bunch more, so with the imminent release of the Horseboy EP on cassette I figured it was high time to give that hilarious and awesome dude a call! A coupla things discussed in this podcast: video game soundtrack influences, playing in Vestibule/Bummer/Blue Healer/Big Water/Horseboy/Joust/Leg Yield, navigating the proto internet, computer as a pacifier, the Kansas City Screamo Three Houses era, exclamation points as sassy indicators, "snare go pang" aka team basketball snare, the balance between proficiency and visual entertainment, doll/bad/worst house, bein' weird in Missouri, Big Water was conceived for three reasons and one of them is to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, the secret behind Leg Yield, annoying Capsule, Horseboy as a foal + Kat saving the band + their upcoming cassette on Tomb Tree + upcoming new material, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Capsule, For The Mathematics, Gxllium!, Heavy Vegetable, Jota, and Robotosaurus. Listen to podcast #143 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.

BANDCAMPS


1 The Christian Metalcore Door
ROBOTOSAURUS "Party Sick" (Matt)
GXLLIUM! "Taking Mary's Virginity" (Dave)

Robert Johnson & KC's Perpetual Rebirth
HEAVY VEGETABLE "Thingy" (Matt)
FOR THE MATHEMATICS "redlightexitsignpastiche" (Dave)

3 Horseboy For President
CAPSULE "Ferox" (Matt)
JOTA "Dyspnea" (Dave)

~Dave

____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________