Full of Hell - Weeping Choir

Labels: Relapse Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 17 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Burning Myrrh

2. Haunted Arches

3. Thundering Hammers

4. Rainbow Coil

5. Aria Of Jeweled Tears

6. Downward

7. Armory Of Obsidian Glass

8. Silmaril

9. Angels Gather Here

10. Ygramul The Many

11. Cellar Of Doors

I appreciate that this release has probably been dissected by enough people already, given it's release nearly a month ago but having picked up a vinyl copy over the weekend just gone I was yearning to throw my hat into the ring. There's probably not a lot I can say about Full of Hell in an introduction that hasn't already been said and if by any chance you're still living under a rock, you need to sort that out. "Weeping Choir" was released in mid-May via Relapse Records across all formats. They're currently playing various shows across Europe with The Body, so get to one if you can. 

I’m at the point right now where I just want my music to be fast, grinding and super angry. I need intensity to help me iron out some kinks and Full of Hell was the first band I wanted to turn to. You can’t get anymore grinding and intense than their new record and as opener Burning Myrrh kicks off, there’s no room for hiding. A mix of many elements of heavy music make this the epitome of everything I’ve mentioned above. Full of Hell has taken the music back into the territory that was held by “Rudiments Of Mutilation” albeit with a more focused and clear sound. It’s less powerviolence and more straight-up grind on Haunted Arches, with a more obvious metal influence playing a greater role. It’s still super fast and contains their now trademark noise and samples but the progression they’ve made so far really shows. 

The riffs are huge on Thundering Hammers, which is a great song title. They’re akin to death metal blows to the head that are brimming with technicality and match the dual high/low growls really well. The drums are stupidly quick while the bass tops it all off with an ominous rumble. FoH’s noise influences come to the fore during the frankly disturbing Rainbow Coil, which is a jarring piece filled with white noise and drumming that’s inhuman,. The guitars aren’t as prevalent here except for some ringing feedback and the vocals also take a bit of a back seat too. I guess breaking up the aural barrage isn’t a bad thing. This song will still appeal to your menacing side.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that a machine gun was going off during the opening bars of Aria Of Jeweled Tears, but alas it’s just the drums (or maybe samples) again. Without even breaching ninety seconds, FoH manages to prove that good songs don’t need to be long. The way they switch from powerviolence/grind to death metal in the space of seconds is impressive and Downward contains the groove of the latter while still reaching an insane tempo. From there you’re greeted with Armory Of Obsidian Glass, which is a sludge-laden beast (possibly influenced by recent touring buddies Primitive Man) but still made all their own. It’s tempo, as expected, is toned down a lot and the vocals take on a horror-themed persona. Maddening is used a lot when describing heavy music (and has indeed been used a lot by me in the past) but this truly is. It’s ending passage though is beautiful and life-affirming.

The feelings you experienced during Armory Of Obsidian Glass are soon flung to one side by the anguish and hyperactivity of Silmaril. I don’t think there’s any other way to describe it. Noise and stomping sludge make Angels Gather Here something of an anomaly. It’s not the calming piece you might think it is and instead it’s a mid-tempo beast filled with glitchy electronics and bass-heavy riffs. The final duo beginning with Ygramul The Many and ending with Cellar Of Doors will make you pray you were undergoing rendition, such is their crazed black jazz and possessed screams (during the former) and mix of death and black-grind (during the latter). 2019 is turning into a stellar year musically and you probably won’t find a better record than this one. Full of Hell’s musical maturity is shining through and long may it continue.

Stream "Weeping Choir" and purchase it on all formats below:-

Full of Hell - https://www.facebook.com/fullofhell

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

Hexenbrett - Erste Beschwörung EP

Labels: Self-Released/Caligari Records

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 01 Jan 2019/31 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Hexen (Bis Aufs Blut Gequält)

2. Toter Schrei

3. Farben Der Nacht

4. Sie Fliegen!

Being ill sucks but thankfully I'm pretty much over it now and I have more energy, which I want to put to good use. It's being channelled this evening into writing about a brand new German black/heavy metal band, whose self-released 2018 EP has just been reissued via Caligari Records. "Erste Beschwörung" was originally released digitally on tape via Hexenbrett last December, before being picked up by Caligari and re-released on tape at the end of May. Little is known about the band beyond the above.

Into the rabbit hole I go again. Mysterious, lesser heard black metal seems to be everywhere at the moment but solely calling this a black metal release would be doing it a huge disservice. Hexenbrett’s sound is heavily rooted in classic heavy metal, with German language growls adding harshness. The melodic riffs and choral singing stop proceedings from turning too extreme on opening song Hexen (Bis Aufs Blut Gequält). So far this is great!

Hexenbrett may still be a little bit wet-behind-the-ears to some,  but their traditional sound is one to behold and instrumentally, they’re really impressive. Toter Schrei shows off their musical creativity again with horror film-like soundscapes and effects. The lead work is solid too! They’re not just pushing the same old musical envelope here. 

The tempo on “Erste Beschwörung” seems to increase as the EP continues and with Farben Der Nacht, you’re treated to a black/thrash frenzy with a quintessential German twist. Elements of twisted post-punk, goth and rock make themselves heard here. I told you this wasn’t just another black metal release!

Closing song Sie Fliegen! is off-kilter and very much avant-garde in it’s delivery (sorry for sounding pretentious!). Slow/fast tempos and added urgency help to create a proper rousing finish. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and while you could never describe Hexenbrett’s music as beautiful, you can’t ignore it either. Hopefully, this won’t be the only music we hear from the band. Their progression will be something to truly behold.

You can stream the full EP and purchase it as a name-your-price download from Hexenbrett below:-

It's available to buy on tape from Caligari Records here -
https://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/erste-beschw-rung

Caligari Records - https://www.facebook.com/CaligariRecords/

erai - Lights Out (Curtain Close) Video Share/Youtube Channel Update

For a long time now the blog has had a companion YouTube channel that's been underused. I've decided to change that by trying to increase the content that's shared on that platform. I put a post out on social media recently explaining more about what I wanted to do and I've had a lot of interest. I wasn't able to post a great deal last week due to illness, so I'm beginning today.

The plan is to start off with sharing/premiering videos, songs, EPs and albums to help increase promotion for bands and their music. Beyond that (and if I finally pluck up the courage/get drunk enough), I'm planning to record and upload my own videos talking about my personal record collection and then eventually do some reviews of releases, if that's what people want. Either way, if you're reading this and have comments and opinions on these ideas then let me know.

As you'll see from the title of this post, I've already uploaded a video with the kind permission of post-hardcore band erai from Berlin, Germany. They have a new record due for release at the beginning of July and they've created a video for album track Lights Out (Curtain Close). I'm lucky enough to be able to help the band share the video, which you can find embedded below:-

Pre-orders for the new album "Before We Were Wise And Unhappy" can be found via Bandcamp here - https://eraibln.bandcamp.com/album/before-we-were-wise-and-unhappy.

Keep up to date with release news and further possible song premieres here - https://www.facebook.com/eraibln/.

Stay tuned for a full review in advance of the record release as well.

TDOAFS/Albatros - Split

Labels: Larry Records/No Funeral Records (Tape)/ L'Oeil Du Tigre/Don't Live Like Me Records/Black Lake Records/Dingleberry Records/Le Mort Records (Vinyl)

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 21 Nov 2016 (Vinyl Digital)/01 Apr 2019 (Tape)

Tracklist:

1. TDOAFS - Blank Paper

2. TDOAFS - The Whole World In My Hand

3. TDOAFS - Peaceful

4. TDOAFS - Face The Sun

5. Albatros - Vucules

6. Albatros - La Happy

7. Albatros - Clotaire Rapaille

8. Albatros - Le Split Rancid-NOFX

I wanna start this review with some advice for people reading that want to start a blog or site (because let's face it, nobody reads by opening ramblings!). Apart from the fact that you totally should do it, just remember that if you get enough people visiting it and people start sending you stuff, it's gonna become ALL CONSUMING!. This isn't a negative ramble, far from it. When I started down this rabbit hole over eight years ago, I didn't ever foresee my blog becoming anything that people would pay attention too, let alone write to asking for review etc. I couldn't be without it now, which is why posts like this mean so much to me. The fact that Mr Jablon cared enough to ask me to write some words about some of his release (let alone send me some!) make me happy.

Anyway, pointless rambles aside, this is the 2019 tape release of the split 10" that was released back in 2016 via all of the above labels (minus Larry Records). Larry released an extremely limited run of tape copies, that are now sold out, alongside No Funeral Records who made their own small run too. It features Canadian trio The Discord Of A Forgotten Sketch (TDOAFS) and their countrymen Albatros. This is a mix of screamo/post-hardcore and punk. 

This split contains four songs from both bands, beginning with TDOAFS.This is incredibly tuneful post-hardcore with vocals that sit buried within the music. Opener Blank Paper is a mix of upbeat melodic instrumentation and heavier passages, that are mainly guitar driven. It’s really creative and provides a different take on a sub-genre that’s growing exponentially within the underground at the moment. The Whole World In My Hand is more punk-influenced in parts, but TDOAFS retain their subtle aggressiveness too. 

Their songs are focused and the volume this trio produces is greater than expected. It all sounds very organic (it sounds like it was recorded live in it’s entirety). Carrying on the upbeat nature of their songs, Peaceful is anything but. It’s more angular this time and also there’s extra experimentation thrown in to the mix. It ends abruptly but that’s alright, as it keeps the momentum high going into last song Face The Sun. It’s another big song with a cathartic and almost euphoric feel to it, even when things take an introspective turn mid-way through.

I favour the “live reviewing” approach when writing, which means I like to let the music play as I write (usually on first listen too), which sometimes can be difficult if songs go by to quickly. Albatros’s Vucules is one such song, which flies by with a mix of fast hardcore and brass. It’s a strange mix but one that works superbly well. I’ve not heard a band like this ever I don’t think. I’ve heard bands that use clean singing and brass, but not harsh vocals. It gives La Happy a strange contrasting emotion that switches between darkness and light. They are French Canadian though, so it makes sense. 

Clotaire Rapaille carries on in the same vein and in no less entertaining because of it. It’s such a listenable formula that its hard to turn it off. The final song is called Le Split Rancid-NOFX and I’m not really sure what to expect. Albatros could be doing a medley of songs by both bands here, but doubt it. Either way, it’s a great way to end their side and indeed this split. This is such a unique and truly enjoyable split. If you’re a fan of post-hardcore then you’ll likely already be aware of TDOAFS obvious quality, but when you add in the originality of Albatros, you’ll be doubly impressed. If this was the first release of this split, it would be my favourite so far this year hands down. As it is, it’s still up there.

You can stream the full split via the TDOAFS bandcamp page below:-

Albatros have their side streaming below too, where you can also buy it digitally and on vinyl directly from them:-

TDOAFS - https://www.facebook.com/Tdoafs

Albatros - https://www.facebook.com/albatrosqc/

Tape copies are sold out from Larry Records but you still find copies via No Funeral Records here - https://nofuneral.storenvy.com/

10" vinyl copies are still available via the below stores:-

Black Lake Records - http://blacklakerecords.bigcartel.com/product/bl029-albatros-tdoafs-split-10

Le Mort Records - http://lemortrecords.blogspot.com/p/distro.html

L'Oeil Du Tigre (now ODT Records) - https://www.facebook.com/loeildutigre/

Don't Live Like Me Records - https://www.facebook.com/dontlivelikeme/

Black Lake Records - https://www.facebook.com/blacklakerecords/

Dingleberry Records & Distribution - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records-and-distribution

Le Mort Records - https://www.facebook.com/lemortisdead/

Written In Torment - Maledictus Dies Illa

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 28 Jun 2019

Tracklist:

1. Old Gods Of The North

2. Benevolence Defied

3. Magna Mortalitas

4. Unchain Your Mind

5. Maledictus Dies Illa

6. Descent

7. Despair

I've been planning this review all day but then I got writer's block, so did a whole load of other things to help take my mind of it so when I eventually returned to it, my mind would be clear. Who knows whether it's worked but we'll find out. Two years after last full-length "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum" was released, UK black metal band Written In Torment is due to return with new record "Maledictus Dies Illa" at the end of June. Once the preserve of sole member Leviathan, the recording line-up has grown to incorporate Prometheus on lead guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, with Storm also providing backing vocals and drums. In fact this is the first Written In Torment record to use real drums. It's also the first record to see a vinyl release, which is being funded in it's entirety by Leviathan himself. Talk about suffering for your art!

It’s always been amazing to hear what Written in Torment has been able to write and produce over the years, especially given the band remaining as a solo project for a lot of it. “Maledictus Dies Illa” shows a new side to the band and opener Old Gods Of The North instantly hits a blasting stride. Vocals and instrumentation come together amidst subtle ambience and seem ready to pick up where long-time influencers Bal-Sagoth left off. Benevolence Defied shows off the greater technicality that is present on “Maledictus…”. The addition of both Prometheus and Storm to the line-up has definitely made a positive impact and the production allows all of the instrumentation to be heard clearly, giving it a great soundstage. Written In Torment was never a lo-fi band by any means but there’s a new life that’s been captured here.

The keyboards sound great on Magna Mortalitas, giving it a sinister feel while not overpowering the rest of the music. The lengthier composition is more of a journey and it’s mid-paced tempo affords you a small break from the extremity of those quicker songs. What was unexpected was the almost tech-death intro passage to Unchain Your Mind, which seems to carry on throughout the song. It’s utterly mad and proves just how much music can be shoehorned into a song of less that five-minutes. The clean chants/singing are also a first for a Written In Torment album (I think?).

You’re escorted back into more familiar territory with the title-track, although it’s still not what you might be expecting. Occult themes and choral chants flow through it effortlessly and when it’s the turn of the lead guitar to take over, it does so with a lengthy solo that goes even further to outline the quality of this release. Following that title-track was always going to be hard and penultimate song Descent does sound raw in comparison. It’s the longest song on “Maledictus…” and while that rawness does stick around it is appeased by more stellar guitar playing later on. There’s little or no time for breath before closing song Despair takes over and its a return to the band’s more engaging sound with melodic riffs amongst the elements used to make it an impressive listen indeed.

With this release, Written In Torment is progressing as a band in a really positive way. It takes balls to self-release your own vinyl run but this record should translate well onto wax, so there’s no need for you to hang about once it’s officially released. 

You can stream both Descent and Despair trio to the official release below:-

The album is also up for pre-order via Bandcamp above.

Written In Torment - https://www.facebook.com/writtenintormentofficial/

Spiral Skies - Cult 7"

Labels: Art Of Propaganda Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 15 Mar 2019

Tracklist:

1. Cult

2. The Final Set

I'm stepping out of the punk sphere as I needed something with groove. I was drawn to this new 7" EP from Sweden's Spiral Skies and after gazing at the cover art, I thought it'd be a good fit for my sleepy, lethargic mood. Flu-like symptoms and lack of sleep coupled with the day job kind of does that to you. Anyway, this is the second EP to come from this psych/doom/rock band and it was released by Art Of Propaganda Records back in March, It follows on from their 2018 debut album "Blues For A Dying Planet", which was again release via AOP.

The Swedes have their sound nailed when it comes to psychedelic doom and rock and Spiral Skies takes you back to the heady days of the 70s on Cult. The title-track is filled with siren-like vocals, gloriously warm guitar tones and percussion that doesn’t overpower the music. It’s recording is clear and it helps the lyrics paint an occult but also soothing picture. There’s a folkish charm to it that’s inescapable too.

From the doom sound of the title-track to the more up-tempo rock vibes of The Final Set, Spiral Skies prove that they are equally adept at both. It’s great to sit and listen to it without lifting a finger, as it’s delivered so well and there’s nothing that’s challenging about it. That’s not to do it a disservice though, as “Cult” is a fantastic rock release that will act the perfect introduction to Spiral Skies for new listeners, especially when they let loose towards then end of The Final Set with those guitar riffs that build and explode.

A short but oh so sweet EP This works because it’s true to the musical roots of those who perform it. Comparisons are worthless when art is this good on it’s own.

You can stream "Cult" and purchase it digitally below:-

Spiral Skies - https://www.facebook.com/spiralskies/

You can buy 7" copies from Art Of Propaganda Records here - https://shop.aoprecords.de/gb/.

Art Of Propaganda Records - https://www.facebook.com/aoprecs/

The Homecoming - Chasing Ghosts

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 31 Aug 2018

Tracklist:

1. The Waiting Game

2. Darling, Dearest, Dead.

3. Coming Down

4. Neverafter

5. Autopsy

Here's another band that I stumbled across on Bandcamp. The Homecoming is a punk quartet from Chicago (Illinois, US) and "Chasing Ghosts" is their latest release. Taking inspiration from many of the current crop of well established alt-rock/pop-punk bands, they've been plying their trade since forming in 2016. I've been unable to find their full discography anywhere, so apologies for not being able to provide further info. 

This is typically American sound punk (unsurprisingly) that would be at home on any major radio/tv station or at similarly big music festival. EP opener The Waiting Game is a mid-paced number with all of the clean trappings you’d expect. The Homecoming sound mature and assured though, not just like some kids aping their idols. For anybody reading this who ventured to Slam Dunk Festival in the UK over the weekend just gone, this might just rekindle fond memories. Darling, Dearest, Dead. is really well-written and the guitar work is spot on. Yes it’s inoffensive but that’s the whole point. They’re not being too clever and clearly know their sound.

The vocal melodies on Coming Down are super clean thanks to the mixing/mastering and they match the big instrumentation too. It’s a bit cheesy at times but that’s no reason to side-step it. There are times when heavy music gets a bit too much and we’re all suckers for melody really. The pop hooks continue on Neverafter, which is a jam made specially for the summer sun and carefree days. There is a slightly harder edge to it on a couple of occasions but this is erased by the gang singing and misty-eyed lyrics that make it poignant. 

As one of their influences, I’m yet to here any AFI in their music though final song Autopsy does have more than a nod to Alkaline Trio, which is fine. At risk of pigeonholing The Homecoming, they’ve settled on a sound that’s familiar and that works well for them, They play their music with genuine passion and expression, which is all you can ask. The current US Pop-punk scene is a big old rabbit hole to explore, but “Chasing Ghosts” is a great place to start.

You can stream and purchase "Chasing Ghosts" from all the major digital outlets. If you pay for it via Bandcamp below, all of the money received will be donated to Planned Parenthood and ACLU in the US, following the recent abhorrent laws that were passed making abortion illegal in Alabama and Georgia:-

The Homecoming - https://www.facebook.com/thehomecomingUS/

Heterofobia - Queremos Ver El Mundo Arder

Labels: Drunken Sailor Records/Voice From Inside Tapes

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 24 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Huele A Muerte

2. Me Das Asco

3. El Infierno

4. Vida De Mentiras

5. Rincones Polvorientos

6. Falsos Aliados

7. No Podemos Ser

8. Silencio Absoluto

9. Ya Esta Bien (La Uvi Cover)

10. Queremos Ver El Mundo Arder

Raw and angry punk from Mexico makes for a perfect accompaniment to this slightly hungover bank holiday Monday. This is the latest album from Monterrey's newest queer, pink punks Heterofobia and was released on vinyl and digitally by UK label Drunken Sailor Records only last week, while there has also been a tape pressing via Voice From Inside Tapes from the Ukraine. Spanish language punk with more than a nod towards the garage punk and death rock sounds of the 80s, with a La Uvi cover to boot.

There’s an ominous atmosphere that greets you on album opener Huele A Muerte, with it’s authoritative percussion, riffs that sound slightly anti-melodic and the shouted vocals. It’s not blasting like crust punk but it has as caustic edge to it that’s really infectious. It’s also fairly mid-paced but it leads into the more urgent Me Das Asco, which makes use of dual vocals and a larger garage punk influence.

El Infierno has a real danceable goth-like vibe to it, despite the destructive vocals. It’s over too quickly. Talking of being over too quickly, Vida De Mentiras is the shortest song on “Queremos…” and as a result, it’s stark urgency is all too obvious. Heterofobia’s sound is perfect on here. There’s nothing too technical about it but then punk doesn’t need to be. Before you know it, you’re racing to the album’s mid-point with Rincones Polvorientos. It’s tempo seems to get faster and faster as it goes, but I may be imagining that.

Falsos Aliados is death-rock personified. It’s cruel and dystopian march is oddly hypnotic. Heterofobia really let themselves go on No Podemos Ser, which has to be the loudest and most aggressive song on “Queremos…”. The bass tones on Silencio Absoluto are strangely soothing at first, even if the song itself isn’t so. They cover of Ya Esta Bien by Spanish 80s punks La Uvi and they manage to retain the caustic sound of the original while also pumping their own melody into it.

The album finishes with the title-track and the distilled anger set against the backdrop of garage-punk instrumentation is a contrast that definitely works in Heterofobia’s favour. It may not be an easy listen for some but it’s well worth dedicating the time to if you are a fan of punk in its many forms. 

You can stream and purchase "Queremos Ver El Mundo Arder" directly from Heterofobia below:-

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

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Drunken Sailor Records - http://www.drunkensailorrecords.co.uk/

Voice From Inside Tapes - https://voice-tapes.blogspot.com/p/releases

Drunken Sailor Records - https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords/

Voice From Inside Tapes - https://www.facebook.com/voicefrominside666/

Harker - Dead Ends

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 17 May 2019

Tracklist:

1. Dead Ends

2. Flex Yr Head

3. Sticky (The Wedding Present)

As I've decided to cover punk stuff for the next few reviews, I wanted to highlight some bands that I've discovered on Bandcamp, starting with Brighton's Harker. They've been a band since 2012 (I think, though the Internet could be lying to me on that one) and have so far released a few EPs, a split and one full-length. They've worked alongside Shield Recordings, Wiretap Records, Disconnect Disconnect Records and Fond Of Life Records for the release of their full-length "No Discordance"; however, this three-track EP has been self-released as far as I can tell. Brighton can do no wrong musically in my opinion, so this shouldn't be an exception.

The title-track is a great slab of Americana/punk with plenty of British gruff grit. The guitars and vocals are melodic, with harmonies/shouting backing them up while the percussion and bass are simple and very effective. This is some catchy punk. It’s clear that Harker listens to a lot of US punk but that doesn’t do any harm to their music at all. Flex Yr Head is mid-paced with a grungy outlook on life. It shows a more heartfelt side to our own punk scene that’s there if you dig a bit deeper.

For their last song on “Dead Ends”, Harker covers Sticky by Yorkshire indie band The Wedding Present. Their take on it is true to the original but they also leave their own mark on it. It’s grittier than the other two songs on here, but that may be due to the delivery present on the original. This EP is a great introduction to Harker if you’ve never heard their music before. It’s approachable, melodic and really well played. 

You can stream and download "Dead Ends" here:-

They'll have hand-numbered CD copies available at their upcoming shows. Find the dates via their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HRKRUK/

Pandemix - In Condemnation

Labels: Boss Tuneage Records/Dirt Cult Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 22 Feb 2019

Tracklist:

1. No Monuments

2. Can't Assimilate

3. A Pox

4. Synthetix

5. Patterns Repeat

6. Downward Trend

7. Oblivion Lullabies

8. Through The Night

9. Past Selves

10. Column Of Light

I have a copy of the "Pathological Culture" 7" Flexi that Boss Tuneage Records released as part of their Flexipunk series and it's good, very good! I also reviewed the "Rank & File b/w Second Opinion" EP that Pandemix released last year so it's safe to say that I like this Boston (USA) punk band a lot. "In Condemnation" is the band's second full-length, following the release of their debut long player "Scale Models Of Atrocities" back in 2017. This record was released in February via Boss Tuneage Records (UK) and Dirt Cult Records (US).

Pandemix has one of those sounds that reminds you that all is not well. Proper punk that’s fast and raw, with semi-spoken word/cleanly sung vocals that occasionally morph into hardcore screams. No Monuments is a great mix of those aforementioned vocals and melodic guitars/fast drums that might bring to mind The Ramones. The whole band shows a new level of maturity on Can’t Assimilate. I mean, they weren’t exactly immature to start with but it seems that writing and playing together as much as they have over the last year+ has really had a positive impact on their music. A Pox is catchy and a perfect opportunity for a sing/shout-a-long, although it does have a sinister edge to it as well (not one to do karaoke to with the kids around!). 

It all gets faster and more sassy on Synthetix. Call the music hardcore, queer-punk, punk or whatever but they’re really just names. All you should really do is listen to this for what it is, which is excellent! There’s something more expansive about the longer songs on here, like Patterns Repeat. I think it has something to do with the riffs that create a different atmosphere that’s more post-punk in delivery maybe. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know. Either way, the song is super enjoyable with it’s mid-paced passages. From there you’re greeted with the breakneck Downward Trend, which is another daft as hell punk song that doesn’t hang about. It’s over too quickly but it’ll leave your neck in shreds. The bass melody on Oblivion Lullabies sounds familiar but I can’t think of why. Obviously it’s not a copy of anything and it leads to a song that AFI would be proud of. It’s also where the hardcore influences of Pandemix begin to show. Occasional caustic screams can be heard amongst the music. 

Catchiness is a big part of this band and the simple song-structure that accompanies Through The Night is a reflection of this. It’s a throwback to 80s punk. Penultimate song Past Selves is by far the longest on “In Condemnation” and it’s probably the moodiest, and it bares more of a resemblance to acts like Adam Ant and even Soft Cell than to modern day punk, at least for the most part anyway.  Last song Column Of Light is equally as moody thanks to its simple guitar/bass tones and vocals, with drums that only come in towards the end. The final words are that of the album title, which brings it all full circle. “In Condemnation” is a really well written and delivered body of work from a band that have a lot to give. 

Pandemix are forging a path of their own and in doing so are clearing the way for countless others. Swallow your selfish pride and get acquainted. 

Stream and purchase "In Condemnation" on vinyl or digitally below:-

Pandemix has an online store here - http://pandemix.storenvy.com.

You can buy physical copies from label links below as well:-

Boss Tuneage Records - http://bosstuneage.bigcartel.com/product/pandemix-in-condemnation-lp

Dirt Cult Records - https://dirt-cult-records.myshopify.com/products/pandemix-in-condemnation-lp

Boss Tuneage Records - https://www.facebook.com/Boss-Tuneage-Records

Dirt Cult Records - https://www.facebook.com/dirtcultrecords/