Monday, 26 May 2025

ASHEN HANDS

BandASHEN HANDS
For fans ofBrahm, Lucidity, Crowning, Ravin, Joshua Fit For Battle, Craneo, and Danse Macabre.
GenresPunk / Hardcore / Metallic Hardcore / Screamo / Skramz / Emo-violence
Related artistsBowie, Butters, Final Struggle, and Stegosauro.
CountryBologna ITALY
Years Active2024-present
Label(s): Tomb Tree / Dingleberry Records / My Back Hurts

      In early 2025 I received an email by an Italian band that I'd never heard of, so I opened it up with almost no expectations and was subsequently blown right outta my seat, with my head landing firmly in the ceiling like some old-ass Looney Tunes clip. Silly mental image aside, these four songs blew my socks off and they flew right into the ceiling fan...wait I said mental images aside. This release fucking rules. There we go. Straight and to the point, just like the band. These fellas rock dark and heavy emo-violence with breakneck speed and snarling screams. The vocals in particular give me a Danse Macabre vibe, while the entire thing reeks of German emo-violence in the best possible way.



     Opener "Mira lo que sangras" lays the blistering groundwork with pummeling drums, non-stop axe intensity, and some seriously sinister screaming. The song ebbs and flows through treacherous territory before annihilating the listener at the 1:17 mark with a breakdown that would make Crowning proud as it's got wicked "Funeral Designs" vibes. Ultimate banger and lead single "Circuiti" is next and holy fuckin' hell does this thing sound like unrestrained panic. The lightning-fast song builds through octave chords and some insane drumming before, again, the band sets their sight on kill at 1:05 with a devastating breakdown. Penultimate track "Uno è tutto, tutto è uno" is the only one to take its time building tension instead of rabidly ripping flesh from bone, and the patience pays off after just a minute of beautifully atmospheric post-rock as the song bleeds back into emo-violence. Closer "If i am going to die, i want to die here in Manhattan" is lengthy but tight as all hell, as the precision is noteworthy unto itself, but holy shit the climax just before the three-minute mark really wraps this EP up nicely...as does the outro breakdown oooooo baby!

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DISCOGRAPHY

2025 - Ashen Hands cassette EP (stream/donate/download here)
                                                     [cassettes can be purchased here]

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(2025) ASHEN HANDS - "Circuiti" (from 'Ashen Hands')


(2025) ASHEN HANDS - "Mira lo que sangras" (from 'Ashen Hands')


(2025) ASHEN HANDS - "If i am going to die, i want to die here in Manhattan" (from 'Ashen Hands')


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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