Sunday, 11 May 2025

*** ORPHAN DONOR music video premiere ***

ORPHAN DONOR
"Vomit in the Cathedral of Nous"
exclusive music video premiere
For fans ofMeth.Tromblon, and Secret Cutter

     Allentown, Pennsylvania's ORPHAN DONOR released the digital single for "Vomit in the Cathedral of Nous" nearing the tail-end of March this year, nearly 6 weeks ago. But today we're premiering the absolutely sick-ass video for it. The band's experimental and pulverizing-yet-groovy take on hardcore/metal/screamo/sludge is exquisitely unique in its approach and delivery. Originally started as a solo project by Jared Stimpfl of Oktober Skyline, Motel Bible, and Secret Cutter fame, ORPHAN DONOR has morphed into a full band that plays shows (including 2023's ZBR Fest) that absolutely crush live. Alrighty, enough backstory, sit back and enjoy this massive trip.

(2025) ORPHAN DONOR "Vomit in the Cathedral of Nous" (official music video)


ADDITIONAL LINKS & WHATNOT

"Salvia is a Bitch" official music video

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

*** PODCAST #180 Dan Riehl (Satsuma, The Reptilian, etc.) ***


    10 years in the making, I finally sat down with my good friend Dan Riehl of Satsuma, Suck City, Seventeen Again, and The Reptilian. His new band Satsuma just released their debut EP in late March of 2025 to a lot of positivity. We discussed lots of stuff including: Weird Al and UHF discussion (again), marching band, Dreamtheater is awful, The Mars Volta/At The Drive In door, Olin props and the last Yusuke show, goddamn you Hamilton, how to get the "pop", Count Your Lucky Stars, the best The Reptilian song, Dave and Dan's origin story, 'End Paths' and blazin' in the basement, twinkly emo overkill, Seventeen Again love and the 2014 screamo downturn, transition to wrestler, Satsuma formation, facebook sucks, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Blue Youth, Cloud Mouth, Colossal, Innards, Osceola, and Prize The Doubt. Listen to podcast #180 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.


only 3 tapes left!!!


SATSUMA
Bandcamp


THE REPTILIAN
Bandcamp


SUCK CITY
Bandcamp


1 Talkin' Shit
CLOUD MOUTH "Quiet" (Dan)
OSCEOLA "Smile" (Dave)

2 The Reptilian
COLOSSAL "Table Setting" (Dan)
PRIZE THE DOUBT "People Magazine" (Dave)

3 Satsuma
INNARDS "S1mple Decisions" (Dan)
BLUE YOUTH "Patient Patient" (Dave)


~Dave

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Saturday, 26 April 2025

BOON

BandBOON
For fans ofBlue Noise, September 22nd, Old Soul, Heaven In Her Arms, Nidare, Respire, Orphaned, Hope Drone, Love/Less, Nionde Plagan, and Envy.
GenresPunk / Post-Rock / Hardcore / Post-Hardcore / Post-Metal / Metal / Metallic Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Black Metal
Related artistsNanette, Wolf Fang Fist, Slewfoot, and Guided Lily.
CountryToronto/Barrie, Ontario CANADA
Years Active2023-present
Label(s): Lion's Jawbone

     My friend Van sent me his new band's debut EP a few weeks back and after two listens I was flabbergasted. Definitely the most "up my alley" band that he's been in, this gorgeously dark hardcore/black metal band shows insane signs of maturity and songwriting chops that lead to one of the best EPs of 2025 thus far. With just five tracks in 16 minutes, things are both condensed and interesting, leading to an addictive flow of heavy but restrained catharsis.

     Opener "Stay in the Car" begins wonderfully with a quick stab at atmospheric black metal which seems to called blackened screamo nowadays. It's beautiful and evil simultaneously. "November Something" sounds like a condensed Respire without the additional instrumentation but instills all the feels and brightness nonetheless. The melodic undertones in "Rifle Company" are awesome, and paired with the speedy yet atmospheric blackened screamo it's just a recipe for fuck yes, more please. "Minor Arcana" relies on chunky riffs with more bright guitars layered overtop, as this song nearly takes a few strides into metalcore territory but ends up being more of a post-hardcore/black metal crossover, and is also my pick for the best track. Closer "Supermodel" nears five minutes (while the others hover around three) and allows for more breathing during an expansive intro that feels like I'm taking a trip through Saturn's rings and getting a closeup of the majestic but prodigious swirling ice cliffs before a biting guitar riff throws the song into a controlled frenzy.

     I do believe the band is trying to work on a full length which I would throw my hat in to release without a second thought. Unreal debut EP and one of the best of 2025 in my opinion.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2025 - Thief digital EP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2025) BOON - "Minor Arcana" (from 'Thief')

(2025) BOON - "Stay in the Car" (from 'Thief')

(2025) BOON - "Rifle Company" (from 'Thief')

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Sunday, 20 April 2025

*** PODCAST #179 Avery Friedman ***


    In late March I received an email from Audio Anti-hero, who had recently introduced to me to Magana through said PR company/label. It was about AVERY FRIEDMAN. Having never heard the artist but trusting the label, I checked out the advance copy of 'New Thing' and was flabbergasted at 1) how incredible it was and 2) how quickly and firmly it latched itself onto me. There hasn't been a day since that I haven't rocked at least one of the tracks - if not all 8. Her gentle yet dark songwriting style is right up my alley, and the ability to wind her vocals around each verse and chorus in such memorable and precise ways still leaves me staggering on every listen. The instrumentation is great to boot, with some songs using them aggressively to push the vocals further, some song use them as a solid foundation, while others recede into the corner and let the light shine fully on Avery's voice. Needless to say, I loved it so much I asked if I could do a small vinyl run /125 on my label Softseed Music, to which they agreed (and I couldn't be more honored). I also asked if Avery wanted to chat with me for this 179th podcast and as you've noticed, she said yes. So here we are discussing lots of stuff such as: 4th grade choir and Celine Dion, life-altering concerts on shrooms, being robbed at knifepoint, cheese factor fears, yoga classes with Eartheater, Ciao Malz and Audio Anti-Hero props, labels falling through, May 15th record release show, twangin' that shit up, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Beabadoobee, Biig Piig, Eartheater, Perfume Genius, Smush, and Squirrel Flower. Listen to podcast #179 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.


AVERY FRIEDMAN
Bandcamp

"Flowers Fell" music video

1 You're gonna unlock this shit
BIIG PIIG "American Beauty" (Avery)
BEABADOOBEE "Bobby" (Dave)

Nervous Playing Nervous
SQUIRREL FLOWER "Almost Pulled Away" (Avery)
EARTHEATER "How to Fight" (Dave)

New Thing Discussion
PERFUME GENIUS "It's a Mirror" (Avery) [official music video]
SMUSH "Sweetheart" (Dave)


~Dave


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Thursday, 17 April 2025

*** FOGGY MUNITIONS full EP exclusive premiere ***

FOGGY MUNITIONS
'Strategic Life Decision Making'
exclusive album premiere
For fans ofMamaleekShiverboard and GreenBlueGrey


     Well good goddamn are you ready to drop your brain in a blender? Take a listen to the new EP from FOGGY MUNITIONS titled 'Strategic Life Decision Making'. Zac Dehlbom (Rocco and his Bones, BOZ, and Act Normal) wields the guitar & bass while Hunter Johnson (Terror Cell, Charger Port, and Thin) lays down the percussion as well as additional noise, with both of them splitting vocal duties. The pair had assistance from local musical accomplices, Brayden Edwards (Mean Sweetie) and Brandon Jolly (Rocco and His Bones), allowing them a full collaborative roster to capture these barn jams via Voice Memo, ultimately resulting in these four new tracks. Cassettes release via Soft Grit Recordings, Ossein, and Fisher King Records tomorrow, April 18th. The tape has a reversable j-card. Side A is the new EP, side B houses two songs from 2021. J-card front is for the new EP, inside is for side B.

(2025) FOGGY MUNITIONS "Strategic Life Decision Making" (full stream)

     Whether it's the manic beginning of opener "Being The Best Friend At My Man's Wedding" with back and forth dual vocals or the panic inducing "The Floor Knife", you'll be both mesmerized and pulverized simultaneously. And that's just the first two songs! Things get a bit more digestable on the third track "No One Wants To Be Crashed Into A Wreck" but once all that screaming comes in you know it's all gonna unravel eventually, and so it does on closer "Mitamins And Vinerals" which is literally an aural nightmare and I fucking love it, as it dips between screamy grind and sassy noise rock.

Friday, 4 April 2025

DELEOMETER

BandDELEOMETER
For fans ofFrancis Brady, In Loving MemoryKill Sadie, Drei Affen, She Notes The Chariots, Tristan Tzara, Nuvolascura, Eaves and Ashen Hands.
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence
Related artistsFrancis Brady, Eaves, Katyn, Seven Bowls Of Wrath, Schrein, Sun Worship, and I.G..
CountryBerlin GERMANY
Years Active2004-2010
Label(s): Self Released / Asymmetrie

     I must have seen somewhere online that the vocalist of Francis Brady (or one of them, at least) ended up in a band called DELEOMETER. Eventually stumbling onto their 2007 album 'Rotation Um Die Ich Achse'...I couldn't fucking believe my luck when I found out they are even better than their predecessor. I've actually been putting this review off for years because the online songs are ripped from a turntable and it's a kinda noisy turntable, and knew I was getting the 12" from a friend in Europe I was simply going to make a new version to put online. But by the time it arrived my record player began playing records slightly fast so said new version wouldn't be a better quality version, it'd just be slightly faster than it should be. So I've abandoned the idea of doing that, but come to the conclusion I need to write this review. Time is short. Let's go.

     Luckily for us there is a Youtube channel that just uploaded the band's two demo cds, the first of which has a different vocalist and the second is two demos from the band's final output aka said 12"LP. I won't waste time discussing them here because it's the LP that's worth your time more than anything else, but I've embedded them below and made mp3s so you can download the entire discography.

     Opener "Fachgerecht Planebnen" is off-kilter and driven by chaos on jagged edges, pretty Kill Sadie meets the intensity of Drei Affen. Title track "Rotation Um Die Ich-Achse" is very chaotic and shrieky, almost like Orchid and The Death Of Anna Karina...and Francis Brady...obviously. "DIN 100101" is fast, menacing, and chaotic with a slight peppering of obvious melodies and hooks. Despite the short length (1:23) of "When it Comes Down To It", this little ditty still packs a punch but definitely crosses a few genre lines and the result is the band's most accessible tune. "Ideal Individual" begins with a jazzy intro that could have wounded up on a Mustaphammond release, but the subsequent waves of electrified screamo are fucking incredible, making this the standout track on the record. I would liken it to a mixture of Tristan Tzara and Yage. So fucking good! "Die Augen Können Sie Schliessen, Die Ohren Nicht" brings the Orchid and early Death Of Anna Karina vibes back, but there's a crazy breakdown palpitation at the one-minute mark that floors me every time. Closer "In Line" is a weird one with some peculiar guitar riffs, but with most of the song retaining the standard DELEOMETER sound it still works, it's just not my favorite, just a bit quirky and sometimes "metal" likes it's a Black Sabbath cover.

    And there ya go, one of history's best and rarely discussed screamo albums. I've done the extra work for you and separated the single album mp3 (which is available online) by breaking it down into the seven track mp3s. You can find all those links below.

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DISCOGRAPHY

2004 - Demo '04 cdr (download it here)

2006 - Demo 2006 cdr (download it here)


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(2007) DELEOMETER - "Ideal Individual" (from 'Rotation Um Die Ich Achse')

(2007) DELEOMETER - "When It Comes Down To It" (from 'Rotation Um Die Ich Achse')

(2007) DELEOMETER - "Fachgerecht Planebnen" (from 'Rotation Um Die Ich Achse')

(2006) DELEOMETER - 'Demo '06' (full demo)

(2004) DELEOMETER - 'Demo '04' (full demo)
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Monday, 24 March 2025

*** PODCAST #178 Athousandangelsandseven ***


    In late 2024 I got a message from Elle, the vocalist/lyricist of ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN, asking if ZBR was interested in releasing their debut EP. After jamming it I fucking flipped out. It was that good. Now it's out...and speaking of out, the cassettes are long sold out but we'll have some 7" vinyl summer 2025. Besides coming to play ZBR Fest and dropping a ridiculously sick music video, the entire band managed to hop on a call with me to discuss many-a-thing, including: music that makes you feel bad, everything falling apart at the right time to come back together, Aaron Carter is dead, Shrek parties, backflips for God, percolating hard, jet-puking on mailboxes, Massa Nera blowing minds, ZBR Fest, new material, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Crestfallen, Discordance Axis, Purple Mountain, Refuse To Thrive, Void, and Wot Gorilla?. Listen to podcast #178 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.


ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN
Bandcamp

"Clipped Wings" official music video


1 Misery Music
VOID "Who Are You?" (Alex)
WOT GORILLA? "11:11" (Elle)

Going Way Too Hard
REFUSE TO THRIVE "Chasm" (Matt)
PURPLE MOUNTAIN "All My Happiness Is Gone" (Ryan) [official music video]

Vibe Flip
DISCORDANCE AXIS "Jigsaw" (Kendrick)
CRESTFALLEN "Rogue Rodeo" (Dave)


~Dave



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Wednesday, 19 March 2025

*** CALATHEA exclusive music video premiere ***

CALATHEA
"Halo of Thorns"
exclusive music video premiere
For fans ofAltair, ViboraBoneflower and Young Mountain


     Today I'm premiering the new music video for CALATHEA from their upcoming seven-song EP 'Flowers and Knives'. The post-hardcore/screamo band from Basque Country have concocted quite the release here, complete with sick vocals, dreamy-yet-heavy post-hardcore instrumentals that border on black metal, as well as features from Boneflower and Vibora. Recorded and mastered at Koba Estudio by Xanpe, it sounds fantastic. The band cites influences being Touché Amoré, Deafheaven, Viva Belgrado, and Boneflower. The 'Flowers and Knives' EP releases in full on all platforms March 21st, 2025.


(2025) CALATHEA "Halo of Thorns" (from 'Flowers and Knives')

     The track is actually quite short, clocking in at 2:40, but the dreamy atmosphere is both uplifting and intense, creating a well-balanced composition that sounds beautiful but also hits like a truck. Young Mountain is probably the best/closest comparison I can think of in terms of sound, with ethereal and vibrant guitars crashing onto massive bass and drums, with the vocals switching between harsh screams and lovely cleans.

Sunday, 16 March 2025

*** PODRÉ TOCAR LOS DIENTES DE LA NOCHE exclusive song premiere ***

PODRÉ TOCAR LOS DIENTES DE LA NOCHE
"Zigurat"
exclusive song premiere
For fans ofInfant IslandPortrayal Of Guilt and Crossed

     Today's premiere comes from Madrid, Spain's PODRÉ TOCAR LOS DIENTES DE LA NOCHE. "Zigurat" will be included on the upcoming full album releasing later this year but you can get face-smacked by the first single now! This thing is a fucking beast, equally utilizing ear-piercing shrieks and gutteral growls, the track blasts through three minutes of grindy, mathy, metallic hardcore in no time. The final minute or so is soaked in feedback and eerie layers of vocals, making it sound like the descent into hell. P.S. these drums are insane.


(2025) PODRÉ TOCAR LOS DIENTES DE LA NOCHE "Zigurat" (from upcoming album)

Monday, 10 March 2025

*** YELLFIRE + TEETHING + A RECORDED DAWN + MOURN RECIF - live show review ***

YELLFIRE / TEETHING /

A RECORDED DAWNMOURN RECIF

@West Community Centre in Victoria
February 15th, 2025

Live Show Review


     The band I play in (Mourn Recif) was asked to play this show a week or two before it went down as another local band couldn't continue their commitment. We hopped on and I got to see one of the best live sets of my year, as YELLFIRE fucking tore the place down. Videos and links below.

     Heads up next Mourn Recif show is April 5th, 2025 in Victoria w/Emma Goldman, Coup D'etat, and A Recorded Dawn. Very stoked on that. More info soon.


YELLFIRE
Woooo baby the headliner did the exact opposite of disappoint and absolutely ripped my face off. The dark, mathy, Botch-esque hardcore was exactly what the doctor ordered. The craziest thing about this band was finding out after the performance that they have a second guitarist who got sick and didn't make the trip! Oh my god I can't even imagine a bigger, more commanding set, but the next time they make the trek you bet your ass I'm going. They were so good I snagged a second video linked below.
(2025) YELLFIRE (live)

For fans ofHorsewhip and Kollapse

extra video

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

TEETHING
This band came up from SEATTLE????? and mentioned they had recordings coming out at midnight, and played a mix of genres that would make my brain melt if I tried. Very cool guitars, solid drums, groovy bass and clean vocals came together very well, and at times fucking amazing. There were two other songs in particular that I was all over but unfortunately didn't film.
(2025) TEETHING (live)

For fans ofBlack Treacle and La Lune


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

A RECORDED DAWN
Oh my god this band wrote some new songs and they are so much darker and heavier...I am in love. I've embedded my fave below which has an absolutely sinister close omg. At this show Josh (guitar/vocals) from this band officially joined Mourn Recif so expect to see him in future videos.
(2025) A RECORDED DAWN "new song 1" (live)

For fans ofA Day In Black And White and Locktender


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

MOURN RECIF
So I found out that if I can't see my guitar very well then I fuck up A LOT. With that out of the way, people seemed receptive, but this was def our worst show. Here's a new jam that'll sound different once we get the second guitar in there.
(2025) MOURN RECIF "North of Horsehit" (live)

For fans ofAnimal Faces and The World That Summer

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

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

*** DEAD HOUR NOISE exclusive music video premiere ***

DEAD HOUR NOISE
"Voices"
exclusive music video premiere
For fans ofCurl Up And Die, BotchDetach The Islands, Lavotchkin and Olam

pre-orders open Friday March 7th, 2025 at 9pm PST / 11pm CST / 12am EST
via Zegema Beach Records, The Ghost Is Clear Records, and the band


     Lansing, Michigan's DEAD HOUR NOISE has been bring dark, metallic, mathy, sludgy noise for over a decade now, and are poised to strike with their new 12"LP 'Slow Burn' releasing at midnight  EST tonight, Friday February 7th, 2025 via Zegema Beach Records and The Ghost Is Clear. The pressing will be in hand and shipping in April on 250 burgundy w/orange splatter 12"s. Today I'm stoked to be premierin' this brand spankin' new music video for track four's "Voices". Check that shit out below!

(2025) DEAD HOUR NOISE "Voices" (from 'Slow Burn')

      Nosferatu meets Escape From New York. That's how I'd describe this sick new music video. The song itself is pretty slow and sludgy compared to most of their material, but therein lies the draw as the drums and vocals act as a single unit to build the song to it's eventual climax that is dripping in panic chords and restrained chaos.


Sunday, 2 March 2025

*** PODCAST #177 Sophie Woodhouse ***


    I few years back I was de-screamo'd by none other than Dustin from Glassing. In that side-journey  I recently stumbled across SOPHIE WOODHOUSE and was immediately transported to my happy place. I reached out in early February about doing a podcast and got a quick response, which honestly I wasn't expecting but am super grateful for. If you like your singer/songwriter stuff reverbed-up, precious, doll-like, and with hints of Nirvana, then you've come to the right place, as fans of Nicole Dollanganger and Mercy Necromancy will love it. Some things we touched upon: thrift store guitars, acoustic by necessity, music by feel - not knowledge, mine shaft or bedroom?, 2025 show guarantee!!!, hating 80s music, Kurt Vonnegut faves, Sophie Woodhouse comparisons, what's coming up in 2025, etc. Bands played in this podcast: The Cure, Mazzi Star, Mercy Necromancy, Nada Surf, Otis Redding, and Smush. Listen to podcast #177 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.


SOPHIE WOODHOUSE
Bandcamp



1 Deteriorating Larynx's
OTIS REDDING "[Sittin' On] the Dock of the Bay" (Sophie)
NADA SURF "Beautiful Beat" (Dave)

Dripping in Reverb
THE CURE "In Your House" (Sophie)
SMUSH "Sexy to Someone (Clairo cover)" (Dave) [official video]

Double Dork
MAZZI STAR "Be My Angel" (Sophie)
MERCY NECROMANCY "Cruel" (Dave)


~Dave

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Tuesday, 25 February 2025

*** PODCAST #176 Chris Gregory (Belted Sweater, Gayt, etc.) ***


    When Christopher Patrick Gregory emailed me about releasing the self-titled BELTED SWEATER album I was skeptical. Then I heard the songs and I was beyond sold. The quirky, dancey, groovy, screamy, queer-positive glam skramz was something new I hadn't heard and didn't know I needed so desperately. I can't recommend that album enough (linked here). It was a no brainer to bring him on the podcast...and now here we are! A few things discussed: Playing in Belted Sweater/Littlest Viking/Gayt/Wizzrobe, changing screamo life patterns, skate punk revisitations, being a drum whore, playing Star Wars the card game incorrectly, denied getting into Canada, Belted Sweater writing process, an angry gay protest album, covered in fecal matter, fuck Trump, "glam skramz" is hard to say, thoughts on Billy Corgan, a warrior queer person fighting against the forces that be, etc. Bands played in this podcast: Heaven Through Violence, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Neggy Gemmy, Sleeping People, Spare Change, and Venus Twins. Listen to podcast #176 which is available to stream and/or download for free via this link.




BELTED SWEATER
Bandcamp


LITTLEST VIKING
Bandcamp


1 Nurturing the Nerd In Us
SLEEPING PEOPLE "Blue Fly Green Fly" (Christopher)
VENUS TWINS "Stitching" (Dave)

Incubation
SPARE CHANGE "Change" (Christopher)
HEAVEN THROUGH VIOLENCE "A World For Us to Love You In" (Dave)

If I Could Sing Like Bjork, I Would
LO-FI-FNK "City" (Christopher)
NEGGY GEMMY "California" (Dave)


~Dave

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Saturday, 22 February 2025

ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN

BandATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN
For fans ofMalevich, Crestfallen, Cult Leader, Rotting In Dirt, Gaza, Casket Dealer, and Closet Witch.
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Metal / Metalcore / Metallic Hardcore / Mathcore / Screamo / Skramz / Grindcore / Doom / Sludge
Related artistsEndless, Nameless, Birdhouse View, maintainer., Fainting Dreams, .sugar., Fatalist, Bodybox, Homesick, Shield Maiden, Graveview, and Noctambulist
CountryDenver, Colorado U.S.A.
Years Active2023-present
Label(s): Zegema Beach Records


     In late 2024 I got a message from Elle. I knew her from Endless, Nameless and was stoked to hear the new project was more raw and screamy - but nothing could have prepared me for the four songs I was about to disintegrated by. And just as I suspected when I agreed to release their debut, self-titled EP, ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN is making some fucking waves and have immediately carved out a niche for themselves in...uhhhhhh, less than a month. Okay so this is gonna be a pretty long review for just a four-track EP...but I'd argue this isn't long enough. Commence paragraphs.

     "77 Years of Immeasurable Pain" lurches rabidly toward the jugular in a violent and chaotic assault only to lead quickly into a behemoth of a breakdown just 20 seconds in. The song then blows around like wild tornado, destroying houses and generally fucking shit up. This jam includes one breath of clarity and beauty via the eerie clean singing that sprinkles itself over the latter half of the song. I also must mention the absolute mastery that is the attack of the bees section at 1:39 which transitions beautifully into another prodigious beating complete with snarling, venomous vocals.

     Things are a bit more scary and less chaotic when "I can't understand how you never thought it would get to this point" gets started, with an almost doomy/sludgy build ala Malevich before the shrieking vocals careen the train off the tracks. Things get hella interesting around 1:10 with a very uncomfortable and discordant riff that leads to a crushing mid-section. The song flies off course again afterward and goes full head-fuckery mode with echoing vocals and instrumental nuances that are as unsettling as they are awesome.

     My personal favourite track was released almost a month before the full EP on Zegema Beach's Zampler #24 and those two things are definitely connected. "We Suffer (the Same Fate)" goes SO FUCKING HARD. It opens with an audio clip discussing the fragile nature of our hearts and love before absolutely eviscerating the listener with a section that sounds like a 20-ton pendulum swinging back and forth uncontrollably...and it's decked-out in razor-sharp blades. The death pendulum finally lands at 1:20, completely severing the part of the brain that stops one from entering the pit and throws you in frothing at the mouth. The simple palm mutes, rolling drums, and cacophonic screams of "just one more shove!" combine to make a truly deadly...dare I say...chorus? as the song quickly circles back around to shove you back into the pit right after you nearly collapsed from exhaustion. Then my friends, then comes the ultimate riff. This ridiculousness starts revving up at 2:10 with some quick back-and-forths between the guitars before everything collides at 2:19, detonating in a cataclysmic explosion that ruins me to this day. Fucking hell, what a track.

     Closer and obviously the fourth straight banger is "Clipped Wings", which while having the shortest runtime is also the jam that harnessed the absolute badass music video created by members of the band. The video is very "Sober"-esque (by Tool) with nightmarish and crude animation that could be put in any horror flick, while the song mirrors those gloomy and oppressive themes using an onslaught of maniacal shrieking, incredibly precise drumming, booming bass, and dark guitar wizardry. I love the ending of the song which is just an automated robot reciting the letters in the band's name over and over again.

     So yeah, that's probably my EP of the year, and top 3 at the very least. 7"s coming in the summer, and a podcast with the entire band coming the first week of March. New material? You betcha. Oh and they're playing ZBR Fest 2025 muhahahahaha. The year of ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN!!!

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DISCOGRAPHY

2025 - athousandangelsandseven cassette/7"EP (stream/donate/download here)

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(2025) ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN - "Clipped Wings" (from 'athousandangelsandseven') official music video

(2025) ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN - "We Suffer (the Same Fate)" (from 'athousandangelsandseven')

(2025) ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN - "77 Years of Immeasurable Pain" (from 'athousandangelsandseven')

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ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN additional links

Video review of "Clipped Wings" from HMHD (start at 1:30:47)

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