Wednesday 30 October 2024

Besra - Equilibrium EP


Labels: Suicide Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 01 Nov 2024


Tracklist:


1. An Omen Of...

2. The Final Hour

3. Equilibrium

4. End Of The Horizon


I had nothing review-wise pencilled in for this evening. I usually put together a schedule of sorts based on regular reviews (my ZBR roster reviews for example) and fit more reviews in between. It's basically a vein attempt to convince myself that I'm organised when in reality I'm so far behind on e-mails it's not even fair anymore.


So instead of using the time to catch up, I'm excitedly writing about a new EP that's due for official release on Friday. Coming courtesy of Swedish/Finnish label Suicide Records, Equilibrium is the latest release from Finnish post/prog metal band Besra. It'll be available digitally and follows on from their 2023 full-length Transitions.


Finland’s rich musical heritage has contributed so many bands, whom have been written about multiple times since. Bands including Amorphis, Insomnium, Sentenced, Swallow The Sun (the list goes on) have woven a tapestry of progression, mournful gothic melody, post-metal beauty and deathly aggression all of their own. That is why bands like Besra exist today. On Equilibrium’s opener ‘An Omen Of…’ they encapsulate all of the above to produce a truly epic mix of melody and heaviness. The country’s folklore and personality flows through the song as Besra refuse to give in to outside influences.


Besra’s songs on Equilibrium have an undeniably dramatic feel and tone to them. Listen to ‘The Final Hour’ if you don’t believe me. Glorious post-rock/metal instrumentation is joined by spoken-word vocals, both of which beg it to go on and on, and it does as it flows into the title-track ‘Equilibrium’. A punchier, heavier number that plays to Besra’s progressive strengths as it lets yet more melody in. Reading that people have been comparing them to Cult Of Luna and the like is pretty accurate but I think they definitely have a personality all of their own. Their music is better because of it too.


EP closer ‘End Of The Horizon’ is delivered with excellent precision. Being a sextet with multi-instrumentalists allows for a lot of flexibility and it shows in the expressiveness that exists through all four songs. In the current musical climate, it’s too easy for a band to allow their sound to become too compressed and modern-sounding. I think Besra have got it right here though as they keep things a bit simpler, letting their own instruments and voices do the talking. 


A perfect accompaniment to the winter nights that are drawing in but without cliche. This EP is excellent from beginning to end, warming the heart and cleansing the soul. 


You can stream the title-track and pre-order the EP digitally via Suicide Records below:-



Besra - https://www.besra.band/ / https://www.facebook.com/besraband

Suicide Records - https://www.suiciderecords.se/store/ / https://www.facebook.com/suiciderds

Monday 28 October 2024

Салют! - Салют!


Labels: Self-ReleasedPolar Summer

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 12 Nov 2015


Tracklist:


1. Вперёд И Вверх

2. Остов

3. Шхуне И Бродягам

4. Осень

5. И Кончен Бал

6. Отражение

7. Туман


Салют! or Salute! was a very short lived screamo band from Kyiv, Ukraine. Their self-titled album was released digitally in November 2015 before being released on tape by Russian label Polar Summer just over a year later. Their name is an 'exclamation used to express friendly feelings towards one's companions before drinking'. That, as well as the bright colours used in the cover-art resonate so much right now.


Delving into Polar Summer’s back catalogue has been such an honour so far and hearing this release is no different as ‘Вперёд И Вверх’ provides such a lovely melodic emo/screamo opener. It’s very upbeat while also being cathartic. I stopped short of using the ‘emo-v’ tag here for obvious reasons. ‘Остов’ is an equally beautiful song with very thoughtful instrumentation, song-writing and vocal phrasing (even if I don’t understand Ukrainian!). Sometimes it sounds like it has a punk influence but that’s only fleeting, as it’s much more heartfelt overall.


Salute!’s emo-filled approach breaks new ground on ‘Шхуне И Бродягам’ as it’s joined by a heavier, more abrasive side. That heavier side doesn’t last too long before they retreat into a gentler mid-section that reminds me a lot of German band Duct Hearts. In typical fashion though (as I write this), the final bars do a 180 degree turn back towards that earlier mentioned heaviness. ’Осень’ makes me ponder what would have happened if Salute! had produced more than just this one recording. Back in 2015 they already exhibited how talented they were. If they had stuck it out for a bit longer I think they would have been very popular, even with listeners outside of their sub-genre. 


Of course making a statement like I just did has it’s flaws and those flaws are exposed as the dissonance of ‘И Кончен Бал’ takes over the speakers. I do love dissonance (otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this blog) but I also love melody, which Salute! have in abundance here. Penultimate song ‘Отражение’ captivates and encapsulates everything that makes this album so good. The expressive and free nature of the music really comes alive during this, it’s longest song. Even as it descends into an amalgam of noise and spoken-word samples, it leaves you transfixed.


Rounding out their self-titled album with the glorious ‘Туман’, they bring to mind many US/UK emo bands yet they exude so much of their own personality that it’s criminal to compare. Salute! have left me truly stunned and I’m sure they’ll do the same to you too. So many bands fall under the radar nowadays, especially those who have merely one demo, EP or album. While physical tape copies are pretty much impossible to obtain now, at least this album is still available digitally (until somebody, hopefully represses it).


You can stream and purchase both the original and remastered versions of this album digitally below:-



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

Thursday 24 October 2024

Coma Regalia - Vau Faelgoh


Labels: Convulse Records/I.Corrupt Records/Listen To Aylin Records/Middle-Man Records/Pundonor Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 03 May 2019


Tracklist:


1. Deimaestus

2. Eaufell

3. Aestheroh

4. Tielasten

5. Hidenskyre

6. Kistleden

7. Indveil

8. Sondaiquai

9. Shulederhau

10. Eivau

11. Daemeron


I think this marks the thirteenth time I've featured a Coma Regalia release on the blog. It's not a big deal really though as CR has something like forty five releases to date. Vau Faelgoh was released back in 2019, having been written and recorded pretty much entirely by Edie. I have no idea how to pronounce the album name nor the song titles, though they could be anything from Latin to Gaelic or even Scandinavian (I don't know). This release was a collaboration between six labels, including Edie's own Middle-Man Records.


I’m just gonna dive straight into this because I don’t know if I’ll get it finished tonight otherwise. Vau Faelgoh starts with ‘Deimaestus’, which is an intensely raw and powerful emo-violence/screamo song. That’s a pretty succinct description but it’s a straight-to-the-point song after all. ‘Eaufell’ is no different from the album’s opener, though it’s interlaced with more straight-up emo instrumentation and atmosphere.


After those initial salvos, ‘Aestheroh’ seems more brooding and stripped-back initially. There’s a heap of off-kilter screamo later on, though it’s slower tempo hits a spot that you didn’t even know needing scratching. It’s glorious. ‘Tielasten’ is one of only two songs on the album that surpasses three minutes. It uses similar song-writing and structure to it’s predecessor but it’s violent beauty is more prevalent also. 


‘Hidenskyre’ takes you back to the breakneck intensity of those first two songs yet there’s a chorus-like feel to this one in parts. It doesn’t last too long but speak volumes anyway. A blisteringly enjoyable number, even if my neighbours don’t agree! ‘Kistleden’ follows with no time to compose any sort of feeling or emotion but in doing so it creates those feelings on it’s own, as it’s melodic vocals and proper emo tones radiate from the speakers.


Naturally the majority of this album is brief in delivery and that’s true of ‘Indveil’. It pulls you into the album’s latter half with an as yet unheard hardcore tone. It’s definitely heavier and comes complete with chunkier riffs. While ‘Indveil’ flew by in it’s own right, ‘Sondaiquai’ is Vau Faelgoh’s most explosive song in terms of length and intensity. Despite that though, Coma Regalia still manage to fill it with plenty of instrumentation and indeed vocal inspiration.


‘Shulederhau’ has a subtle punk vibe at the beginning before the pace grows once again and CR’s emotive screamo takes over. The thing about this recording is just how pure and real it sounds. Proper heart on your sleeve stuff. Penultimate song ‘Eivau’ has a great slow/fast dynamic going on, albeit with barely any space between the slow and fast parts, which makes it even more engrossing as a result.


Closing with ‘Daemeron’, Edie and Coma Regalia give the listener something more. Something that’s pretty damn inspiring. Joined by the additional percussion of Yurik and Bodhi Decker, it rounds out the album with a real sense of warmth. It goes without saying that Coma Regalia’s music has been ever-present and effervescent for many many years now. I know this album has been around for over five years but there’s a reason I’m writing about it (aside from it being part of my ZBR roster review series), which I’ll explain below. 


Edie is currently going through an extremely tough time financially and any help would be very warmly received. If you don't already own this album or other CR/Middle-Man releases, please consider making a purchase below (or even better, by contacting Edie directly to avoid platforms taking a percentage):-



There is also a gofundme campaign that has been set up by Edie, so if you'd rather donate to the cause this way here's the link - https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-edie-in-overcoming-debt-crisis


Coma Regalia - https://www.facebook.com/comaregalia


Convulse Records - https://www.facebook.com/convulserecords

I.Corrupt Records - https://www.facebook.com/icorruptrecs

Listen To Aylin Records - https://www.facebook.com/listentoaylin

Middle-Man Records - https://www.facebook.com/middlemanrecords

Pundonor Records - https://www.facebook.com/pundonorecords

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

Tuesday 22 October 2024

Ghoul - Noxious Concoctions EP


Labels: Tankcrimes

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 02 Feb 2024


Tracklist:


1. The Eyes Of The Witch

2. Noxious Concoctions

3. Shotgun Gulch

4. Ratlicker

5. 1-900-DTH-LINE (Funerot Cover)


After just over two years of silence, California's splatterthrash heroes Ghoul returned with brand new EP Noxious Concoctions in February (yes I know we're approaching year end!). Released on vinyl, cd and digital formats via Tankcrimes, it features four new songs and a cover song that was originally written by fellow US death/thrash/crossover band Funerot. They're currently touring parts of the US with label mates Haggus as part of the Weapons Of Mosh Destruction V tour and there are only few dates left if you're planning on catching em!


After educating a colleague on what mosh pits are today, it feels only right to get stuck into something fast and loud. Enter stage right Ghoul and their latest EP, beginning with ‘The Eyes Of The Witch’. Being the ultimate troll band that they are, they kick off with an unexpectedly long song that’s both interstellar and haunting to start before excellently transitioning into a groovy, and catchy slab of melodic thrash. The harsh vocals remind you of what you’re dealing with as twin-guitar melodies and outstanding metal vibes make it impossible to ignore.


I’m not quite sure how Ghoul are going to surpass that opener to be honest but there’s no time to waste as the EP’s title track ’Noxious Concoctions’ takes over. It’s up-tempo nature seems at odds with ‘The Eyes Of The Witch’ but I guess that’s the point. If you want modern ripping thrash, this is for you. The brilliantly named ’Shotgun Gulch’ is up next and once again Ghoul are caught between catchy groove and intense speed/thrash. Whatever your preference, there’s only so long you can resist before their silky tones pull you in (yes, I really described them as silky! Might regret that later). 


Penultimate song ‘Ratlicker’ is also Ghoul’s final original number here and it hoovers up everything that’s great about old-school skate punk and throws it through a meat grinder of death metal, hardcore and thrash. There’s no way of knowing or guessing where it will take you so just give in. Wherever you end up, it’ll be better than the here and now. They close the EP with a cover of Funerot’s ‘1-900-DTH-LINE’ and it’s absolutely killer (as expected). Ghoul put their own stamp on this sub two-minute rager and by doing so, hopefully open new ears to another super prolific death/thrash/crossover band that existed for nearly a decade when they themselves were starting out.


Ghoul’s sound has always been heavy and has featured the unexpected. Here it feels as though they’ve taken another step up. Staying true to their thrash metal beginnings while growing musically. It looks like splatterthrash is here to stay!


You can stream and purchase Noxious Concoctions digitally from Ghoul below:-



Ghoul - https://www.facebook.com/GhoulunaticsAsylum


Vinyl and cd copies can be purchased from Tankcrimes here - https://tankcrimes.merchtable.com


Tankcrimes - https://www.facebook.com/tankcrimes

Wednesday 16 October 2024

Diskord/Atvm - Bipolarities Split


 Labels: Transcending Obscurity Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 12 Jul 2024


Tracklist:


1. Diskord - Onward! To Nowhere

2. Diskord - Pass The Baton

3. Diskord - Shivering, As We Shed Our Hides

4. Diskord - Cogged Pother

5. Atvm - Cancer

6. Atvm - Morphine


This mega split featuring Norwegian band Diskord and Atvm from the UK was released earlier this year by Transcending Obscurity Records. Gathering two of the most visual and technically endearing death metal bands in Europe right now for a joint release was a stroke of genius. 


Diskord date back to 1999 and have three full-lengths to their name (as well as a few demos, EPs and splits, including this one). Atvm's life started in 2012 (with a demo, two EPs and an earlier split) and you may have already seen them appear on the blog when I reviewed their 2021 full-length Famine, Putrid And Fucking Endless. Now excuse me for a sec while I stare at that artwork!


Diskord have always been one of those bands with excellent artwork, that more than matches their dissonant/progressive take on death metal. Their side on Bipolarities is made up of four incredibly technical yet brief songs starting with ‘Onward! To Nowhere’, which definitely shows off their Atheist/Voivod influences. It’s so good and it’s only the beginning! 


‘Pass The Baton’ is much more dissonant and chuggy at first, before the off-kilter time signatures, jazz-infused bass/percussive elements and psych-infused guitar melodies truly kick in. I’m pretty sure that’s an overly futile effort at describing their sound but I’m not changing it now. I don’t have time anyway as ‘Shivering, As We Shed Our Hides’ quickly takes over the speakers. It’s filled with utterly belligerent drumming that adds to the already insane musicality Diskord possesses.


Diskord’s final song on this split is where they truly save the best (weirdest?) till last. ‘Cogged Pother’ goes in all different directions all the time, even when you think it’s about to settle into a groove. There’s absolutely no point in second guessing how it’s gonna go. Absolutely stunning. Atvm go long with their two songs, starting with ‘Cancer’. It’s on a par in every way with Diskord’s contributions, but with added grit and snarl. I guess you could say it’s dirtier in tone but it is UK death metal after all. Atvm’s progressive song-writing comes to the fore here and gets weirder the longer it goes on. 


Atvm’s second and final song ‘Morphine’ continues down the same path albeit a longer one, full of twists and turns. The slightly repetitive nature of the song up to it’s five-minute mark is somewhat comforting before Atvm once again dial up the proggy instrumentation. Things get no easier from here on out, though a brief moment of introspective guitar clears the mind before it gets musically battered again. 


The closing moments of ‘Morphine’ are filled with excellently played jazz/blues guitar/percussion that sandwiches disgustingly brutal death metal. As I’ve already said, the beauty that exists within the chords and bars of this split are astounding. You really need to hear it to believe it. Diskord and Atvm put on a great display, showing that death metal (and it’s many sub-genres) is in safe hands.


You can stream and purchase this split on all formats from Diskord (via Transcending Obscurity Records below:-



You can also get copies from Atvm here - https://atvm.bandcamp.com/music


Diskord - https://www.facebook.com/DiskordNorway

Atvm - https://www.facebook.com/AtvmOfficial

Transcending Obscurity Records - https://www.facebook.com/transcendingobscurityrecords

Tuesday 15 October 2024

Dim Into Dross - Specters Of Indifference


 Labels: Self-Released/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 19 Jan 2019


Tracklist:


1. Your Neighbour The Heritage-Ist

2. Episode

3. Passive Recruitment

4. We Will Break This

5. End Begin End

6. Osidian

7. Thats Crazy Glue

8. Where You Are

9. Learning Difference

10. Posthumous Book Club


It feels like it's been way more than a week since I last posted anything here. I'm back with the latest in my series of reviews looking at the (extensive) release catalogue from Zegema Beach Records. Specters Of Indifference was released back in January 2019, as the debut from New Jersey (USA) trio Dim Into Dross. To date it still stands as their only album, having been self-released by the band, as well as on tape at the same time by ZBR, of which 60 were made and are long sold out. It's worth noting at this point that Dim Into Dross featured (still features?) members of Massa Nera, Invalids and Bury Yourself.


This album looks furious from the get go with ten songs lasting about as many minutes. Opener ‘Your Neighbour The Heritage-ist’ is a technical, off-kilter hardcore song laced with screamo and metallic loveliness. Surprisingly raw sounding but all the better for it. ‘Episode’ sees the band flexing their rock n roll muscles slightly, while dual vocals come in later on as things get decidedly more intense. It’s pretty hard to categorise their music (even though I tried to above), especially if you read the tags at the bottom of their bandcamp page, which cover all bases.


Most of the songs here go by in under two minutes and on the grinding ‘Passive Recruitment’, Dim Into Dross deliver their most pummelling song so far. I really enjoyed the blasting percussion as it seemed to drag everything up another notch with it. I can’t believe that this was recorded by a three-piece. ‘We Will Break This’ has a more chunky/metal vibe going on, especially in the guitar and vocal department, reminding me a bit of From Autumn To Ashes in their heavier moments on Too Bad You’re Beautiful


It all flows into mathcore madness once again on ‘End Begin End’, which seems ahead of it’s time given how popular that sub-genre has become over the last few years. I know mathcore isn’t a new thing but as new listeners have cropped up and represses of older albums have become more frequent, it’s only natural and welcomed. ‘Osidian’ is the album’s longest song and at this point there’s a refreshing introspection to Dim Into Dross and also a realisation that emoviolence wasn’t really part of the trio’s sound here, at least to these ears anyway.


The pace ratchets up once again on ’Thats Crazy Glue’, which kicks off a trio of short and sweet songs rooted in dissonance and feedback. The follow-on from ‘Thats Crazy Glue’ to ‘Where You Are’ is a case in point as ringing feedback gives way to trembling bass and yet more crazed, and sumptuously sludgy mathcore. Absolutely the best duo of songs for me!


Penultimate number ‘Learning Difference’ is just as technical but also fits the metalcore mould ever so slightly. Closing with ‘Posthumous Book Club’, Dim Into Dross put on something of an instrumental masterclass while not forgetting about their emotive side, as the vocals provide eloquent colour that paints such vivid pictures in the mind.


It’s criminal that this is the only recording to date from Dim Into Dross. Their hardcore/metal-tinged approach is perfect in my opinion. Maybe I’m going through another shift in music taste and I know that I’ll encounter similar sounding bands as I work my way through the ZBR roster, but right now this sound really hits the spot.


You can stream and purchase Specters Of Indifference as a name-your-price download from Dim Into Dross here:-



Dim Into Dross - Instagram @dimintodross

Tuesday 8 October 2024

Djiwo - Darbha Pūrwadakṣiṇa Paścimottara EP


Labels: Self-Released/Ancient Horror Records/Death Prayer Records

Formats: Self-Release/Tape/CD

Release Date: 03 Dec 2023


Tracklist:


1. Amuk Lor

2. Amuk Waitan

3. Amuk Kuluan

4. Amuk Kidul


Cult UK black/death metal label Death Prayer Records are about to embark on their next chapter and in anticipation, I wanted to write about one of their most recent releases that expands upon their lust and love for extreme music from ever widening corners of the world. Enter stage left Indonesian raw black metal entity Djiwo. A force amongst the Indonesian extreme metal community for over a decade now, Djiwo has released two full-lengths (including 2023's Svvanantaka, which was released on tape via Death Prayer) and a demo, they have recently officially released their latest EP Darbha Pūrwadakṣiṇa Paścimottara.


Initially released last December on limited tape from Ancient Horror Records, which was available at their Anno Mortis Live #1 showcase in Bali (if my sources are correct), the EP was then self-released digitally by Djiwo and immediately followed by a CD release through Death Prayer Records just last month.


The Autumn nights are truly setting in now and soon it will be Winter. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling the grim, cold pull of black metal all of a sudden. While the UK and Scandinavia might be the first port of call for most BM fans, I’m visiting warmer climes tonight in the form of Indonesia and it’s mysterious entity Djiwo. Raw, lo-fi black is what’s presented here and I for one don’t disagree with that billing as EP opener ‘Amuk Lor’ begins. I thought that both Black Cilice and Pa Vesh En presented a similar approach, but Djiwo’s is on a different plain. That’s not me being derogatory though, as the band nails the sound perfectly.


As is usually the case, I’m battling with the noise generated by my neighbours (generally loud slamming of doors, stomping footsteps and irrationally loud coughing), but I’m pressing on regardless. ‘Amuk Waitan’ is the perfect way to do that with it’s murky, percussion-led atmospherics and tortured screams. While it’s song-structure might seem maddening and chaotic to a layman (like said neighbour), it is in fact very entrancing and immersive despite it’s obvious intensity.


Djiwo present an ever growing and unnerving musical evolution in third song ‘Amuk Kuluan’, which opens with a truly haunting melodic intro before transitioning into the safety of their rhythmic yet disparate black metal. Considering it’s the EP’s longest song, it speeds along and it’s over before you really have time to take it in.


EP closer ‘Amuk Kidul’ is somewhat pleasing on the ear (If that’s even the right way to describe it) as Djiwo once again settle into a groovy, almost hypnotic black metal hymn. Obviously, all music is subjective and the more extreme it gets the more it becomes so. If you’re already a fan of black metal then you’ll no doubt lap this up. If not, then that’s fine but taking a chance once in a while is a good thing too. Djiwo has made a great case for both Indonesian extreme music but also for their own inclusion on many end-of-year lists come the end of the year. Great stuff.


The EP is available to purchase as a name-your-price download via bandcamp below:-



Djiwo - https://www.facebook.com/djiwoofficial


Both tape copies from Ancient Horror Records and CD copies from Death Prayer Records are sold out.


If there are any inaccuracies above regarding release information, please don't hesitate to contact me via tnio@outlook.com.


Ancient Horror Records - https://www.facebook.com/ancienthorrorrecords

Death Prayer Records - https://www.facebook.com/@deathprayerrecords

Sunday 6 October 2024

Gorgon Vomit - Babylon Detonator EP


Labels: Self-Released/Dry Cough Records

Formats: Digital/CD/Tape

Release Date: 30 Aug 2022


Tracklist:


1. Spawned With The Soul Of Enlightening Lucifer

2. Jah Retch

3. Evangelise Satan

4. Babylon Detonator


2022 saw the formation of new UK bestial death metal band Gorgon Vomit. They wasted no time in releasing their first EP Babylon Detonator digitally and on CD soon after. In mid-2023, renowned underground UK death/doom label Dry Cough Records released a limited tape run too. It features four scathing black/death metal songs, which will come as no surprise given the band's links to fellow UK extreme acts including Atvm, Scythian, Vacuous and more.



(Artwork from the Dry Cough tape variant)


Heaviness comes in many forms and if you’re into death metal (you probably are if you’re reading this), you’ll no doubt be aware of the cosmic/psych-fuelled sounds of Blood Incantation and Wharflurch. You can add Gorgon Vomit to that list thanks to Babylon Detonator. While their sound includes blasts and bestial black/death metal at it’s core, opener ‘Spawned With The Soul Of Enlightening Lucifer’ is brimming with it’s own unique take on the genre. Chaotic yet trippy.


’Jah Retch’ goes in an industrial/death/doom sort of direction to start with, before Gorgon Vomit leap forward in technicality and ferocity. The fact that the UK continues to spew out bands like this is insane. While their visuals and lyrical themes may take cues from the usual subjects, Gorgon Vomit stand for empowerment, individualism, freedom and pride (in their very own words) and it’s hard to argue with that.


‘Evangelise Satan’ sees them being emboldened to hit the highest gear in both tempo and intensity. It goes by very quickly as you’d expect, but there’s something almost catchy about it, which is another theme that seems to flow through this EP. Closing with title-song ‘Babylon Detonator’, you get off-kilter instrumentation, low growls and well-placed melodic guitar work. You have to take this EP seriously given the quality of the music. 


It’s over pretty quickly then but with enough quality to really draw you in. Having already released two new records earlier this year, there’s plenty more to get stuck into. What are you waiting for?


You can stream and buy Babylon Detonator digitally below:-



Both CD copies from Gorgon Vomit and tape copies from Dry Cough are sold out.


Gorgon Vomit - https://www.instagram.com/gorgonvomit/

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

Thursday 3 October 2024

Drei Affen - Seguimos Ciegxs


Labels: Left Hand Label/Moment Of Collapse Records/Pifia Records/Through Love Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 13 Jun 2019


Tracklist:


1. Seguimos Ciegxs

2. Llama Viva

3. Como Un Mar Violento

4. Gritos Sordos

5. El Último Aliento

6. Heridas


I'm currently trying to work out the number of releases I have reviewed that I actually physically own. Maybe it's in vain but there is a compulsiveness inside me that says "I need to have them". I'm getting there slowly but surely. That leads me into this, the latest in my ZBR roster review series (another thing that I'm slowly but surely progressing with) and it just so happens that I do have a copy of this glorious LP from Spanish screamo band Drei Affen.


After being self-released digitally by the band in mid-June 2019, Seguimos Ciegxs was released on both CD and single-sided vinyl later on in that same month. The vinyl pressing came on three different colours (gold, red and natural white) with a screen-printed b-side. My copy is the gold pressing that came from Left Hand Label.


I took some time earlier this week to get out of my four walls (I’m currently on annual leave, re-decorating) and by doing so, I re-connected with somebody I haven’t seen for over ten years. It was pretty wholesome to be honest, even though it was brief. It got me thinking about my relationship with music too and more importably, the physical music that I’m lucky enough to have in my collection. While our relationships with music and people may be detached, they’re not so far apart in reality.


Drei Affen’s 2019 release Seguimos Ciegxs is an embodiment of art and catharsis. The title-track is a case in point. After an ambient intro featuring both a sample and calm guitar tones, things get somewhat heavier. Instrumentation hits with almost Neo-crust/emoviolence intensity while the dual-vocals leave no room for peace.


‘Llama Viva’ continues where that opener left off, albeit with a more melodic approach. That’s not to say that it’s any easier on the ear though, as it isn’t. It shows prominently how beautiful and stark Drei Affen’s sound can be. ‘Como Un Mar Violento’ instantly blasts into life next. There’s no time for breath at all, as Drei Affen tear through space and time in belligerent fashion.


‘Gritos Sordos’ follows the same structure and delivery that has been present so far on Seguimos Ciegxs. That’s no bad thing, especially when the song is as expansive as it is here. I haven’t spun this release as often as I should have in recent times and doing so again has made me realise what I’ve missed.


It’s now the EP’s latter half and 'El Último Aliento’ is brimming with dark atmosphere created in part by Drei Affen’s great guitar work and just the quality of their musicianship as a whole. The Spanish lyrical delivery makes the harsh vocals sound even more emotive too. Ending with ‘Heridas’, you’re treated to one final superb blast of controlled intensity. 


The crustier end of screamo/post-hardcore doesn’t always grab me but when it hits. it hits hard. Seguimos Ciegxs is perfectly formed. It’s long enough to get lost in but also short enough that it doesn’t burn out.


You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-



Drei Affen - https://www.facebook.com/dreiaffenband


You can still pick up physical copies (the remaining CD copies) from the link below:-


Moment Of Collapse Records - https://shop.momentofcollapse.com/products/drei-affen-seguimos-ciegxs-cd


Left Hand Label - https://www.facebook.com/lefthandlabel

Moment Of Collapse Records - https://www.facebook.com/momentofcollapse

Pifia Records - https://www.facebook.com/pifiarecords

Through Love Records - https://www.facebook.com/@ThroughLoveRec

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

Sunday 22 September 2024

Hillsboro - White Trash


Labels: Self-Released/Softseed Music

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 23 Aug 2024


Tracklist:


1. POV

2. Sleep Dealrr

3. White Trash

4. Fell

5. White Trash (Demo)

6. Fell (Acoustic)


Canadian five-piece alternative/shoegaze band Hillsboro released their latest EP White Trash last month. They self-released it on CD, tape and digitally (containing six tracks), while Softseed Music also handled a limited tape pressing as well (containing four tracks). This EP is described as being Hillsboro's transition from an indie-rock sound to a more alternative, shoegaze approach that might appeal to fans to Title Fight and Superheaven (amongst others). I'm going to be reviewing all six tracks here.


White Trash opens with ‘POV’, which is a noisy, sample-filled intro. First song proper ‘Sleep Dealrr’ is a blossoming modern rock song brimming with melancholic vocals that straddle the line between grunge and indiemo. They were name-checked alongside Deftones in the promo e-mail I received and the similarities are there during the heavier moments.


The title-track ‘White Trash’ has more of a garage-rock approach early on before morphing into a more distorted cross between alternative rock and shoegaze soon after. It switches between the two throughout it’s short-ish playing time, keeping the momentum high. ’Fell’ reminds me of the pondering yet beautiful early sounds of Time In Malta and even Antenna-era Cave In. I love how catchy and accomplished it sounds. An absolute joy.


Onto the additional tracks starting with the demo version of ‘White Trash’, which as expected sounds a lot rawer than the final version above. That being said, it’s not too different from the final version. Ending the EP with a dreamy acoustic version of ‘Fell’ is classy, especially as soothing violin comes to the fore. It’s an easy-going way to close the release.


As if this wasn’t enough, they’ve recently released their self-titled album on vinyl via Softseed Music too. We all know that “exposure” doesn’t pay the bills, but getting your music out there for sale on various formats goes some way to help. It’s been a whirlwind couple of months in that regard for Hillsboro and long may it continue.


You can stream White Trash below where you can also purchase directly from Hillsboro on all available formats:-



Hillsboro - https://www.facebook.com/hillsboroinc


A limited amount of Swirl and Clear tape copies are available from Softseed Music here:-

https://softseedmusic.bandcamp.com/album/white-trash


Softseed Music - https://www.facebook.com/softseedmusic

Thursday 19 September 2024

Qoya - Karma


Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 04 Oct 2024


Tracklist:


1. Ascend

2. Ghost

3. Mantra

4. Karma

5. Anima

6. Timeless

7. Sheol

8. Mirrors

9. Temple

10. Altar


Way back in December 2022 (how has it been that long already?) I reviewed the 2nd Stellar Frequencies Session from French post-punk/post-rock/shoegaze band Qoya. On 4th October the trio are due to self-release their latest album Karma, which follows their 2021 full-length Yokai. I really enjoyed what I've heard from Qoya to date and coupled with a broadening musical palette courtesy of Pelagic Records (Thot, Sugar Horse etc), and a more recent deep-dive into French punk thanks to Crapoulet Records, I can't wait to get stuck into this release.


As I hit play on Karma’s opener ‘Ascend’, the extremely slow build has me worried. It takes a good fifteen seconds for any sound to come out of the speakers and I’m not gonna lie, I thought I’d been sent a faulty promo. Thankfully and obviously that isn’t the case, and as intro song’s go this one is beautifully delivered.‘Ascend’ was wholly instrumental, whereas ‘Ghost’ sees Qoya fully open up with both vocals and heavier musicianship. The vocals are clean and definitely lean towards the haunting sounds of high-profile goth/post-punk/pop vocalists gone by (Robert Smith, Tony Hadley) and even have some similarity to the clean tones of Vice Martyr (of Hateful Abandon). The instrumentation is made up of subtle percussion, synths, and melodic guitar work. 


Qoya’s sound is a melting pot of many different styles that are effortlessly woven into one. I recently watched (the newly reformed) Linkin Park live-stream and while that fact bears no real importance here, there is a subtle synergy between both bands musically as ‘Mantra’ flows. Maybe you’ll understand what I’m on about one day! With title-song ‘Karma’ it really feels like Qoya are looking to breakout of their small musical cosm and into the wider consciousness, and why shouldn’t they? After all, there are millions if not billions of music fans out there. Yes there needs to be an element luck thrown in as well but sometimes a band make’s their own.


Atmospheric, Cinematic music like this has become an ever growing love of mine and ‘Anima’ proves exactly why as it navigates through nearly four minutes of flowing guitar work, and glacial percussion. ‘Timeless’ is a very apt choice of song title as one day Qoya’s blend of slow and mournful post-rock could become just that. I for one hope it does! The most expansive side of Qoya shows through during in their five plus-minute songs, starting with ’Sheol’, which has a much doomier outlook while still sounding easy on the ear. At times, it reminds me of UK post-punk/indie band Franz Ferdinand, which is not a bad comparison in my opinion (tell me if you agree or not). 


Effervescence comes with ‘Mirrors’, which is amongst the most shoegazey of songs on Karma thanks in no small part to the effortless delivery of those now familiar, and epic guitar tones. This is starting to get a bit emotional and as if my general verbose gushing wasn’t enough, we still have two songs to go! ’Temple’ is the first of those two and Qoya straddles a (by now) familiar path, while also performing their most expansive song on Karma. Heavily instrumental for it’s majority, it’s grandiose beyond compare. When the vocals do appear, they’re soaring first and then buried deeper later on. A brooding dynamic that really works for the band.


Album closer ‘Altar’ is at the opposite end of the song-length spectrum while being up front when it comes to ambience. It rounds out the album in haunting brilliance, allowing you to truly take stock of what you’ve just witnessed. With a few more months of 2024 to go there’s no doubt going to be records that really hit hard. When Karma is released in early October, it will definitely be one of them.


You can stream 'Karma', 'Timeless' and 'Sheol' prior to full release below, where you can also pre-order the album directly from Qoya:-



Qoya - https://www.facebook.com/qoyamusic