Coltsblood - Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk

Labels: Translation Loss Records/Dry Cough Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 05 May 2025

Tracklist:

1. Until The Eidolon Falls

2. Waning Of The Wolf Moon

3, Transcending The Immortal Gateways

4. Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk

Seeing monolithic UK doom band Coltsblood find a home on the roster of US institution Translation Loss Records for their latest album was so wholesome,  but seeing that they also chose to release it via UK underground legends Dry Cough Records made it even more so. They have a long association with the Manchester-based label though, as Dry Cough helped to release their 2014 album Into The Unfathomable Abyss. Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk was released in May on vinyl (Translation Loss), on tape (Dry Cough) and digitally. 

It feels like an age since I have featured a proper UK doom record here. As the nights draw in and the Autumn equinox is behind us, now feels like the right time (though it wasn’t planned this way). Coltsblood deliver four songs in just over forty minutes, beginning with ‘Until The Eidolon Falls’, which exhibits why their epic and heavy take on doom is so highly regarded. The bone-shaking bass, smattering of cymbals, waling feedback and subtle guitar melody slowly leads to rhythmic instrumental atmosphere. All of these elements build slowly over the next five-or-so-minutes before the vocals finally show themselves in all their deep and menacing glory. The remaining time is spent wallowing in deep furrows before the realisation that actually they’re endorphin inducing highs,

I referred to highs as a way of describing how it makes me feel when listening to music this heavy; which is obviously very at odds with the music itself, especially on ‘Waning Of The Wolf Moon’. It’s way more instant in delivery early on but it too contains plenty of breathable passages where Coltsblood allow themselves space to be more expansive and musically expressive at the same time. Obviously, there are those moments where up-tempo blasts and spurts of death metal take hold as well; adding to the body of influence and nuance that grows through this release. 

While the previous song may have seemed short, being just under ten minutes in length (only joking of course), there’s nothing to worry about on ’Transcending The Immortal Gateways’. It’s another expansive, almost cinematic take of doom metal that builds with spellbinding attention to detail and musicianship. I got lost in this song for way too long, which is kind of the point right? Being forever shackled to social media and feeling the constant need to swipe or scroll on the next video is killing attention spans. Listen to albums, not songs!

Closing with title-song ‘Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk’, the ominous sound of church organs ring out, almost providing context to the album’s artwork, which features the ruins of one such place of worship. Nothing about this song offers peaceful solace though, unless you fully allow it to envelope you in it’s unholy warmth. That warmth comes from the everflowing melody for the lead guitar, while the bass/percussion that sits underneath provides the perfect backdrop for those deep vocals to flourish once more. 

I’m sure it’s been said already but this album has all the hallmarks of doom album of the year. That’s a bold and somewhat subjective statement I know, but Coltsblood are consistently growing into a doom band that lead by example. I hope this release heralds a greater resurgence in UK doom.

You can stream and purchased Obscured Into Nebulous Dusk digitally from Coltsblood below:-

Physical copies can be purchased via the links below:-

Translation Loss Records - https://translationloss.com/products/obscured-into-nebulous-dusk-lp

Dry Cough Records - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/coltsblood-obscured-into-nebulous-dusk-cassette

Coltsblood - https://www.facebook.com/Coltsblood

Translation Loss Records - https://www.facebook.com/TranslationLossRecords

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

Saat - Saat

Labels: Polar Summer

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 Jul 2017

Tracklist:

1. Raindrops

2. Falling

I had an unexpected encounter on the Interweb a week or so ago. I was prowling Discogs with the aim of filling in some gaps in my collection when I messaged a collector who turned out to be the person behind Polar Summer. In my reply, I mentioned that I was (slowly) reviewing the label's release catalogue but I haven't yet received a response to that. That doesn't matter though as it's still amazing to have been able to converse (even briefly) with them. 

That leads me to the reason I'm writing this evening, the self-titled 2017 EP from Russian emo/shoegaze band Saat, which I'm also lucky enough to own on tape. To date this is the only release from Saat and I don't have a lot of other information to share. 

Saat have been described as a midwest emo/indie/shoegaze band. Those descriptors aren’t entirely wrong as ‘Raindrops’ rings out. Melodic vocals and guitars, coupled with grittier bass and percussion make it a joy to listen to. It reminds me a little of hearing Ensslin for the first time. Uplifting and honest at the same time.

‘Falling’ starts off with a marching-band style percussive approach before feedback and screams take over, showing a very different side to Saat. Melody isn’t far away though and when it takes hold, it’s glorious. Saat only delivered two songs here but they’re both excellent.

You can purchase this EP digitally from Polar Summer via bandcamp below:-

Mourn Recif - Mourn Recif EP

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 25 Jun 2025

Tracklist:

1. Dear Deers... This Is Getting Redundant

2. Harmonics Harm Onix's's's

3. Slow Reign

I'm moving ever closer to pulling the (financial) pin and getting my old trusty iPod Classic modded so I can use it again. I just want to fill it with music that I own on physical formats, as well as so much more of the great music I have been sent and indeed continue to be sent. Music like this, which appears on the debut EP from new Canadian screamo band Mourn Recif.

It's a little bit significant this one, as it features none other than Dave Norman on guitar (as well as vocals) for what might be the first time in a recorded form, but it's also been released via ZBR. There are many other reasons beside those though, so let's jump in shall we?

Life is coming at me fast but there’s still time to regain some of the (writing) ground I’ve lost in recent months. Mourn Recif are here to help me do that with their debut self-titled EP. Starting with a mix of emo guitar melody and more abrasive screamo vocals, joined later by energetic percussion and almost bluesy bass work, ‘Dear Deers… This Is Getting Redundant’ is over all too soon.

The very cleverly titled ‘Harmonics Harm Onix’s’s’s’ has a very (and noticeably so) modern sound to it’s intro before the full band kicks in. I’ll let you argue amongst yourselves about the sound and who I’m referring too. Any such comparisons are quickly banished though as Mourn Recif deliver an emotive and raw slab of classy post-hardcore. 

Ending with ‘Slow Reign’, which is the EP’s longest song but not it’s slowest by any means, the quartet becomes more expansive. Listening to this even through a laptop speaker makes you feel like you’re in the room with them, which is down to the excellent and organic recording, mixing and mastering. It’s a banger in every sense of the word!.

After having a Turnstile song stuck in my head almost all day (pretty sure you know the one), it’s refreshing to finally be able banish it with something a little heavier and more DIY. Can’t wait to here more from Mourn Recif. Great work from Jason, Branden, Dave and Ron.

You can stream and grab it as a name-your-price download below:-

As I write this, tape copies are very limited. Your best bet is to head straight to Zegema Beach Records via the links below to get a copy:-

CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/mournrecif

USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/mournrecif

Mourn Recif - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558260430705

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Relics Of Humanity - Absolute Dismal Domain

Labels: Willowtip Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 31 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Omen Apollyon

2. Summoning Of Those Who Absorbed

3. Taking The Shape Of Infinity

4. In The Name Of Ubiquitous Gloom

5. Paralyzing The Light II

6. Absolute Dismal Domain

7. Smoldering Of Seraphim

8. His Creation That No Longer Exists

9. Dominion

I'm using all of the restraint I possess to refrain from ranting (too much) about the state of our island nation right now. Politically and financially we are heading for the abyss, but those in charge are constantly telling us that things are stronger than ever. The political party system in the UK is not fit for purpose anymore and should be defunded, and disbanded. 

My idealogical views aside, it's time to dive back into the wonderful escapism that is extreme music again, while pretending that I have my finger on the pulse. I say that because tonight I am writing about the latest full-length from Belarussian death metal band Relics Of Humanity, which was released via Willowtip Records in January (and I'm well aware that it's now September).

The downtuned opener ‘Omen Apollyon’ acts as a precursor, while being more than an intro, as Relics Of Humanity don’t just employ their instrumentation to help build atmosphere but also vocals too. All of those early elements lead straight into ‘Summoning Of Those Who Absorbed’, which immediately hits hard with up-tempo percussion. That immediacy is replaced shortly after by a mix of both slow OSDM that crosses into brutal/slam death territory later on. So far so brutal and I’m only two tracks in!

‘Taking The Shape Of Infinity’ is that sweet mix of downtuned death metal and brutal slam that really hits the spot. The percussion takes over somewhat later on but that’s kind of to be expected given the organic/raw production and mastering of the album. I’ve been digging further into the brutal death metal scene of late, as it has been a sub-genre that I kinda shied away from for a time. As my tastes have changed (much like the seasons) I’ve found the technicality filling a gap I never knew was missing.

So far the songs on Absolute Dismal Domain have grown in playing time and ‘In The Name Of Ubiquitous Gloom’ is no different as it drags you to the album’s midway point. Longer song lengths don’t necessarily mean slower tempos or noodling progression though, as Relics Of Humanity prove. After an oddly stuttering end where they bleed into ‘Paralyzing The Light II’, they recover quickly with the heaviest tones and atmosphere so far.

Atmosphere is obviously a big part of the sound that Relics Of Humanity craft and nowhere is it more prevalent than on the album’s title-track ‘Absolute Dismal Domain’. Once again it’s subtly downtempo in it’s delivery, as the instrumentation is given plenty of space and the vocals are used more sparingly. ’Smoldering Of Seraphim’ is all percussive blasts and deep vocals, with the guitars sitting deeper in the mix at times.

Penultimate song ‘His Creation That No Longer Exists’ provides one final look at the more expansive sound performed by Relics Of Humanity. I use the term “expansive” a bit loosely though as it’s still driven by extremity and brutality. Closing with ‘Dominion’, you’re presented with what initially sounds like an interlude before the vocals come in, adding depth to what is an ambient and moody ending. It’s honestly hard to sum up this album without retracing well-trodden ground. It’s epic yet down-to-earth as well. 

If you like death metal in any and all of it’s forms, then you’ll undoubtedly enjoy this album. Relics Of Humanity have laid down a new marker all of their own.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally below, where it's also available to buy on both physical formats:-

Relics Of Humanity - https://www.facebook.com/relicsofhumanity

Willowtip Records - https://www.facebook.com/willowtip

Trudger - Void Quest

Labels: Floodlit Recordings

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 29 Aug 2025

Tracklist:

1. Merciless Sabre

2. Occupied Frequency

3. Illusory Path

4. Tethered System

5. God Rest

6. Battle Hardened

7. Wind Cleaver

8. Sleep Purge

9. Bile Elixir

Reading the press release earlier this year confirming that Barnsley's Trudger were retuning with a new album wasn't something I ever expected. The early to mid-2010's saw a continuous wave of excellent heavy bands making their way out of the deepest underground and Trudger were one such band. They released their debut EP Motionless In Dirt (in 2012) and followed it up with their debut full-length Dormiveglia (in 2014), before disappearing. 

Eleven years have passed since that debut album and with the help of rising UK independent label Floodlit Recordings, they have recently released their second full-length Void Quest. Describing their sound as neo-crust sci-fi death-sludge, they conjure up all kinds of genre-splicing sounds. That reminds me; they're not the only heavy band from Yorkshire to return of late but more on that later!

I’ve been eager to listen to this album and while I missed it on release day (29th August), my intention was for it to be the next release I would write about and here we are. Opening with ‘Merciless Sabre’, Trudger’s sound is a more condensed, almost evolutionary step up from their more introspective/post-metal approach on Dormiveglia. Prominent and off-kilter percussion/guitars do the hard yards while the vocals are filled with genuine low-end growling rage. First impressions mean a lot in this overly-stimulated society. That first impression is overwhelmingly good.

From the slightly more progressive opener to the crustier ‘Occupied Frequency’, Trudger move from blasting up-tempo crust-laden passages to much more distilled periods of dissonance and progression. The undercurrent of death and sludge is present here but it’s slightly hidden behind Trudger’s experimentation. As I say that though, ‘Illusory Path’ provokes with it’s early down-tempo approach. Sludge fills the speakers before things take an acute turn, as metallic riffs rule the airwaves alongside crustier textures.

There are occasional ambient/introspective endings to songs that provide moments of calm before the storm. One such moment is the brief few seconds that close out ‘Illusory Path’ and open ‘Tethered System’, which instantly explodes into one of the heaviest songs on Void Quest. It’s Trudger at their most unapologetic, though there are some elements of post-hardcore present as well (to my ears at least), that come as a surprise. 

‘God Rest’ slots itself in as the album’s mid-point and while other bands might have used it as a bridge or interlude, Trudger continue on with their marauding, metallic quest (sorry!). Given the sci-fi/fantasy visuals that adorn the album’s cover art and it’s song-titles, the music is certainly not of that same ilk; especially if you were expecting some sort of folky/pagan/power metal. ‘Battle Hardened’ contains more beefy slabs of off-kilter instrumentation that are really engrossing. Coupled with the consistently strong vocals, this is a joy to listen to if you like your metal heavy and dark.

The fact that Trudger can pull off longer, more progressive songs alongside the urgent shorter numbers like ‘Wind Cleaver’ shows that their time away hasn’t been wasted at all. Often when bands resurface after such a length of time, new releases can feel forced or rushed. It’s not the case with Void Quest at all. The further in you get the more exciting it becomes and before you know you’re deep into penultimate song ‘Sleep Purge’, which grows into it’s heaviest song almost instantly. 

Closing out their triumphant return with ‘Bile Elixir’ (which is an equally triumphant song in it’s own right), Trudger raise the bar for the UK underground. Void Quest is excellent all the way through. Nothing more need be said.

Void Quest is available to stream and purchase digitally below, where you can also grab physical copies on vinyl and tape (CD copies are now sold out):-

Trudger - https://www.facebook.com/trudgeruk

Floodlit Recordings - https://www.facebook.com/floodlitrecordings

Poetry Of Torch/Gil Cerrone - Split

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 16 Jun 2025

Tracklist:

1. Poetry Of Torch - 業 (Karma)

2. Poetry Of Torch - 一本花 (Lone Flower)

3. Gil Cerrone - Boardroom

4. Gil Cerrone - Chuck Steak

Zegema Beach Records continues the campaign for cd releases shocker! If I was only interested in posting clickbait, that would be the headline; however, I'm not and cd sales are actually increasing again. They take up less space than vinyl (wish I had figured that out before I got in too deep!).

This split features two tracks from Japanese emoviolence band Poetry Of Torch and two from Australian genre mates Gil Cerrone. Poetry Of Torch previously released a split with Agak via ZBR, while Gil Cerrone have an affinity with Tomb Tree, which is where the union between two of the newest additions to this generation of emoviolence was (possibly) formed.

After writing two intro sentences and then deleting them, I’m just going to focus on what’s in front of me. Poetry Of Torch start with ‘業 (Karma)’, which is an explosively raw yet endearing version of emoviolence with added Japanese flair and enthusiasm. I have always been in awe of Japanese bands and their philosophy when it comes to writing, and performing music. Their second song ‘一本花 (Lone Flower)’ is one filled with much more immediate violence. The screams are filled with more rage even though the instrumentation still has groove and subtle melody. Emotion is genuinely what you feel as these two songs come to a close.

Gil Cerrone hit hard almost instantly with ‘Boardroom’ and their much more aggresive take on the genre. Save for the odd occasion where they elope into a more introspective passage, their sound is ultimately more aggressive and attention-grabbing. Their second song ‘Chuck Steak’ makes me think of American hicks for some reason but that thought is quickly (and thankfully) banished by Gil Cerrone’s almost-blackened post-hardcore approach. It’s impossible to overlook how much it moves you and I can attest to that, especially after the day (or week) I’ve had.

Two fantastic bands coming together like this, releasing a split this good must be lauded. Obviously, releasing it with Zegema Beach Records helps a little bit too (or maybe a lot!). The Far East and the Southern Hemisphere are both coming to the forefront of emoviolence/screamo right now. It’s not a new thing but it’s still great to see and hear. Grab this split while you can.

You can stream and purchase the split digitally from both bands, below:-

 

 

CD copies are also available from Gil Cerrone's bandcamp page above, while also being available directly from Zegema Beach Records here:-

ZBR CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/gilpot

ZBR USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/gilpot

Poetry Of Torch - https://www.facebook.com/poetryoftorch

Gil Cerrone - https://www.facebook.com/gilcerrone

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Pyre - Where Obscurity Sways

Labels: Kattran Records/Osmose Productions

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 31 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Where Obscurity Sways

2. From The Stygian Depths

3. Domains Of The Nameless Rites

4. Wandering...

5. Murderous Transcendence

6. Writhing Souls

7. Chanting Ancient Incantations

8. Pestilential Fumes

9. Descending...

10. Prognostic Of The Apocalypse

It wasn't my intention to feature two Russian bands back-to-back, but I guess them's the brakes right?!. Unlike Searching The Shores For My Jackie, Oh; Pyre have existed since 2011 and are more well known in underground circles for their take on death metal. Under the nurturing wing of Osmose Productions (and with help from Kattran Records), they released their third full-length Where Obscurity Sways in January. There's a couple of guest appearances on it too, with vocals from Antti Oinonen (Cadaveric Incubator) and I.K. Winterheart (Ulvdalir).

After a few weeks of listening to tech-death (away from the blog), it’s refreshing to be listening to hear something that’s more deeply rooted in the moody, doom-like depths of old school death metal again. Pyre have the sound nailed on Where Obscurity Sways and after the title-track’s extended intro, out jumps Slayer-esque black-thrash filled death metal. It’s a stellar way to start the record and without so much as a pause for breath, ‘From The Stygian Depths’ takes over with the mid-paced percussive/bass murkiness of Oleg Malleus and Dym Nox respectively, as well as the exquisite guitar work from both Roman Rotten and Fred Obsinner. The addition of guest vocals from Antti Oinonen (of Cadaveric Incubator) drag things to even deeper depths, complementing the already nasty vocals of Dym and Roman.

‘Domains Of The Nameless’ has such a classic sound to it that it’s hard to believe it was released this year. There are so many influences and elements at play, and given the passing of UK heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne recently, it’s hard to ignore how much today’s extreme metal community take inspiration from Black Sabbath. Leaving that thought behind, Pyre choose ‘Wandering…’ as a brooding guitar interlude, which clears the way for ‘Murderous Transcendence’, the album’s longest tome. 

As the night begins to draw in ever closer, the sound of screeching guitar and pummelling kick-drumming fills the speakers. Pyre’s use of feedback coupled with filthy reverb-laden vocals really show that they’re capable of much darker things. The guest vocals from I.K. Winterheart (of Ulvdalir) add an extra dimension too. ‘Writhing Souls’ slowly drags you into the album’s latter half with more enticing doom-like riffs and excellent musicianship all round! The old-school mix of death, black and thrash metal is performed so well that you’ll forget that Pyre’s a product of the 2010’s. 

Faster tempos, blasts and reverb greets you on ‘Chanting Ancient Incantations’, as Pyre lurch forward from ploughed furrows to bleak horizons, that earlier seemed very far away. The shorter songs on Where Obscurity Sways (like this one) have an impact for sure but there’s something about the album’s longer songs that make it feel much more engrossing. ‘Pestilential Fumes’ pulls itself up to that engrossing layer by incorporating both the fast and slow dynamics of Pyre to help produce a truly killer song. 

There are similarities between penultimate interlude ‘Descending…’ and earlier one ‘Wandering…’, which may not come as a surprise. It does slightly ruin the momentum of the album’s closing portion but as it immediately leads into final song ‘Prognostic Of The Apocalypse’, all is soon forgiven as one last black-thrash battering awaits. It’s a punishing way to end things but it also shows the quality that Pyre possess. 

I feel like I’ve slept on this band for too long. They are deserved of praise for their passion for creating music that sounds not only more mature than it should, but also fresh amongst the barrage of brutal/tech-death that assaults us in 2025 (I enjoy both those forms of death metal more than ever but variation is the key).

You can stream and purchase Where Obscurity Sways on all formats from Pyre below:-

 

You can also purchase physical copies from Osmose Productions and Kattran Records below:- 

Osmose Productions -  https://www.osmoseproductions.com/

Kattran Records - https://kattran.ru/

Pyre - https://www.facebook.com/pyredeathmetal

Osmose Productions - https://www.facebook.com/osmoseproductions

Searching The Shores For My Jackie, Oh - You'll Despise Yourself

Labels: Polar Summer

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 30 May 2017

Tracklist:

1. Untitled

2. I Hate Your Lifestyle

3. More Than One Hour

4. Possession

5. Two-Tone Snakeskin Boots With Rolled Sleeves

6. Crush On You

7. I'll Ask Her

8. I Listen To A Park Jefferson Song And Go To Bed

9. Even Then You're Weak

Back again with another (and long-awaited, by me at least!) Polar Summer roster review. I sometimes  obsess over specific labels and having collected some of Polar Summer's releases already, I chose to delve into their catalogue. I'm still looking to build up and maybe complete the collection one day but for now digital streams will do.

Searching The Shores For My Jackie, Oh are (or were) an interesting band. From Kazan in Russia, they played emoviolence and had two releases in 2017 that were three months apart, if that!. The first was their self-titled album in January, which was released via Canadian label Le Blast Records and the second was this album in March, which featured some of the tracks from that S/T album and was released on tape by Polar Summer from Russia. That's all the info I have on them!

It’s very warm here this evening. We’re not used to it in the UK, as I’m sure I’ve said before. As I write this review, I’m melting and I like the heat! The emoviolence of Russian band Searching The Shores For My Jackie, Oh isn’t going to help me cool down so I might as well dive right in. ‘Untitled’ opens the album in a gentle fashion. It’s instrumentation is calming, though there’s a subtle rawness to it as well. It’s a hint at what’s to come maybe. ‘I Hate Your Lifestyle’ is where the band explodes. My first reaction was that the song-titled was a jab at Swedish emo band I Love Your Lifestyle, but I can’t conceive a reason why that would be.

What I can conceive though is just how raw and emotive things get on ‘I Hate Your Lifestyle’. It barely lasts over fifty seconds yet it’s authentic rawness and it’s caustic vocals show exactly what Searching The Shores For My Jackie, Oh are/were about. From here on in I’m going to refer to them as Jackie, Oh for ease. I think people who love acts like The Body will really like this album, especially thanks to the high-pitched vocals. ‘More Than One Hour’ proves exactly why, while also delivering percussion and guitar work that sounds engrossing and uplifting even.

Just like ‘I Hate Your Lifestyle’, ‘Possession’ is another sub one-minute blast of intensity. The vocals are buried further in the mix here as the instrumentation towers over them somewhat, but in doing so it takes away some of the caustic feel. ’Two-Tone Snakeskin Boots With Rolled Sleeves’ explodes after a brief period of slow guitar, only to fall away again thirty-seconds later as Jackie, Oh drop into more of an emo stance with gentler instrumentation and grungier shouts towards the end. Proving that feedback is a key staple of every emoviolence song, Jacki, Oh go a bit more artsy during’ Crush On You’. There’s something about it that comes across differently. I think it’s the tempos they use 

Rolling instantly into ‘I’ll Ask Her’, that artsy flair comes out even more in the riffs along with the switch in pace and mood mid-way through. The way the cleaner guitars and drumming sit alongside the piercing vocals shouldn’t work but does. ‘I Listen To A Park Jefferson Song And Go Back To Bed’ leans more towards hardcore and is very much darker in tone. It’s probably my favourite song on You’ll Despise Yourself. Jackie, Oh close out with ‘Even Then You’re Weak’ and they channel the inner emo band once again, punctuating the violence and creating the best of both worlds.

In a music community where short-lived bands are the norm, I can’t think of many whose life was as brief as Searching The Shores For My Jackie, Oh’s was. Two releases in three months was impressive output though and with them still being available to listen too, what is there to loose. Now, what do I have to do to get my hands on tape copies!

As I mentioned above, their S/T release and this one are still available to stream and purchase as name-your-price downloads via their bandcamp page below:-

Polar Summer - https://polarxsummer.bandcamp.com

Othiel - World's Fastest Car

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 26 May 2025

Tracklist:

1. Never

2. Stones You Throw

3. Walk Through Walls

4. Narration Sickness

5. Luke

6. Canaries

7. World's Fastest Car

Californian screamo band Othiel returned earlier this year with their 2nd full-length release, World's Fastest Car. The story of their connection to Zegema Beach Records began in 2023 (though it was probably much earlier) when they released their first full-length LP We Will Be Our Home in 2023, swiftly followed by the 2024 split tape with Palefade, through sister label Tomb Tree. World's Fastest Car was released towards the end of May on 200 digipak CD's.

This last week has been the most frustrating of all weeks. I have been on annual leave and I had planned my time around the blog; however, whenever I make plans, they usually go to shit! I couldn’t let today slip away without getting something written. The newest release by Othiel was released on CD (remember those?) earlier this year and all copies have been sold. Maybe there will be a repress?!

Kicking off with ‘Never’, Othiel’s musical quality is noticeable. Grandiose melodies and atmosphere join harsh vocals, which themselves lean more towards hardcore. The spoken-word sample used mid-way through is a big nod towards American post-hardcore of the early 2000’s, as is the more expansive overall feel throughout the song. Things get a lot more urgent and angular on ‘Stones You Throw’, as Othiel add panic-chords and off-kilter time signatures into the mix. These ingredients don’t necessarily make the songs go faster but merely give off that impression. There’s still a lofty amount of mid-tempo feel here in places.

Chunkier riffs are a thing on ‘Walk Through Walls’, adding to what is a much more intense song. It has so many different musical elements; combining meatier hardcore riffs with their off-kilter post hardcore and changing tempos, Othiel show that they’re very adept at writing shorter songs without losing any of the feel. The ringing feedback that closes out ‘Walk Through Walls’ flows into ‘Narration Sickness’, which makes greater use of punk rhythms alongside dynamics that can’t be placed as easily. There’s definitely some production/mixing wizardry at play. 

‘Luke’ shows that there is a pattern to the album, as it opens once again with more ferocious post-hardcore, which gives way to more complex layers later on. It’s a pattern that creates a well-rounded song and indeed a well-rounded album. Honestly, it’s the perfect escape from what ails you thanks to Othiel’s love of emo and their exquisite musicianship. Penultimate song ‘Canaries’ sounds like it’s being controlled by a click-track early on but fear not as it’s just their precise drumming, which backs up even classier guitar/bass work and great vocals that add so much body to this release.

Closing out with the title-track ‘World’s Fastest Car’, Othiel give themselves space one again to allow their epic and expansive side to shine through, as if it wasn’t bright enough already! This album provides the perfect excuse to shut out the noise around you. Othiel are mature well beyond their years as a band, showing that they’re destined for the highest echelons of the current screamo rostrum.

As this release is sold out on CD format, the only way you can hear it right now is by streaming and/or purchasing it as a digital download via the ZBR bandcamp page below:-

Othiel Instagram - @othiel_ca

Zegema Beach Records - @zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Amenra - De Toorn

Labels: Relapse Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 28 Mar 2025

Tracklist:

1. Heden

2. De Toorn (Talisman)

Earlier this year Belgian post-metal/extreme metal band Amenra released two EPs via Relapse Records, called De Toorn and With Fang And Claw. Both EPs look back at their career to date while also looking forwards to their future as a band. Over recent years they have become one of the most admired/revered acts in extreme music and this November, they'll be touring the UK and Europe around their much anticipated performance at Damnation Festival in Manchester.

The weight of life that sits heavy on our shoulders can sometimes become too much. With economic, personal and technological pressures (AI and social media being two prominent examples); it’s hard to switch off and appreciate the beauty, and humanity that surrounds us. This week is about doing just that for me and after a day filled with lazy solitude, being surrounded by heaviness is perfect.

Opening De Toorn with ‘Heden’, which builds very slowly from a quiet percussive beginning, the stirring musicianship of Amenra comes to life. The spoken-word lyrics are sparse yet striking, the instrumentation clear and spacial. It allows for self-inward reflection without it being sign-posted, and it shows what a band can do without dissonance or feedback ruling the recording, Obviously, this wouldn’t be an Amenra release without that heaviness and they wait until the song’s final quarter to unleash it. It’s a shock to the system in a way but also extremely cathartic and cleansing too.

Second track ‘De Toorn (Talisman)’ follows in very much the same form. Not as slow building but not immediate either. Subtle percussion and bass grow alongside melodic guitar, and more spoken-word vocals/choral ambience; though the music itself doesn’t build as expected. I think that’s kind of the point here, as nothing should be expected or be predictable in life. Amenra take that thought process by the hand and deliver another crescendo-like ending. 

Ultimately, this EP will fill you with all kinds of emotions. Amenra have crafted something truly beautiful here and a live setting is the best place to experience it, if you’re lucky enough to be able to catch one of their up-coming shows.

You can stream the EP digitally and buy it on all physical formats below:-

You can also buy physical copies directly from Relapse Records here - https://www.relapse.com/collections/new-releases

Amenra - https://www.facebook.com/churchofra

Relapse Records - https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords

Down The Rabbit Hole #1: Floscule (Ukrainian Black Metal)

Earlier this year I reflected on where to take this blog. Reviewing music has been my bread and butter for a long time now but I feel it has taken away from why I started this blog in the first place. It was a tool to discover new bands and explore far-flung music scenes, thanks in large to the Internet. I'm constantly discovering new bands and releases but I feel that (through time and the burden of pressure I've put on myself), I haven't been able to appreciate and immerse myself in the way I should have.

I have decided that now is the time to change that, subtly. Picking a starting point has been hard but I have finally found one. On this sticky summer evening in the UK, I bring you an introduction to Ukrainian black metal band Floscule. Members play or have previously played in bands including White Ward, Silvern and Waidelotte amongst many others.

Floscule formed in the Mykolaiv Oblast region of Ukraine in 2022 (according to Metal Archives). They consist of guitarist Serhii Kovalenko, bassist Anton Pelyanskii, Drummer Petro Buday, as well as vocalists Andrii Pechatkin and Vitalii Chelovenko. This line-up was responsible for creating and releasing their debut album Ї in 2024 via the very well-respected German label Vendetta Records.

Forming a band at a time of such turmoil for a country must have been tough but there’s a steadfast resilience that Ukranian bands embody. The cover-art of their debut album highlights only too well the plight that they have been through and continue to face at the hands of a deranged foreign dictator. 

If you’re wondering what they sound like, I’ll try and summarise as best I can. They’re a mix of more traditional crust/black metal and modern melodic/groovy black metal, without venturing into the realms of blackgaze. If you’re not one for the raw, icy black metal championed by Scandinavia, this will be a good half-way house for you.

Alongside wanting to share Floscule with you, I also wanted to use this post to help share emerging online music platform Ampwall. With Spotify becoming somewhat of a cesspit when it comes to supporting emerging bands/artists and Bandcamp upsetting it’s artist base by changing it’s payment methods, Ampwall offers bands/artists a way to grow organically while offering fans a genuine mechanism in which to support them.

You can stream and purchase Ї digitally via Floscule's Ampwall profile here - 

Floscule Linktree - https://linktr.ee/floscule_band