Thursday 28 February 2019

Toxik Attack - Assessinos Em Serie


Labels: Hellprod Records
Formats: CD/Digital
Release Date: 31 Jan 2019

Tracklist: 

1. Thrash Maldicao
2. Seita Do Punhal
3. Loucos Pelo Old School
4. Prazer De Matar
5. Assessinos Em Serie
6. O Sanguinario
7. Morte Toxica
8. Detidos Pelo Metal
9. Pentagrama De Sangue

I'm keeping it heavy tonight with Portuguese thrash metal band Toxik Attack and their debut album "Assessinos Em Serie". This speed metal loving quintet from Braga released their album with the help of Hellprod Records at the end of January, following their previous 2014 demo "Brutal Attack" and their 2016 EP "Thrash On Command". Much like death metallers Ravenous Death last night, Toxik Attack worships at the alter of the old school. So much so in fact, that they're due to support Agent Steel in Lisbon in May. 

That cover art tells you all you need to know about Toxik Attack’s thrash antics and they waste no time in showing off their musical chops. Opener Thrash Maldicao is pure madness with the kind of semi-clean/theatrical growls that Death Angel would be proud of. The instrumentation is solid as well with precise drumming and riffs inspired by the best in the business.

While their music is considered extreme, it’s not super heavy. Seita Do Punhal illustrates that with the help of a madcap vocal delivery that sometimes crosses over into glam territory. When they gallop though they gallop well and with plenty of groove. It’s really cool to hear metal like this presented in Portuguese, not that I can translate it. Loucos Pelo Old School just continues to up the quality stakes on “Assessinos Em Serie” as Toxik Attack rip through just over four-minutes of good old thrash that really does nod to the old school. 

From here they up the urgency levels on Prazer De Matar and with it the energy levels (as if they weren’t energetic enough already!), with the help of belting drums, gang vocals and increased tempos. It’s over all too quickly and it leads immediately into the title-track, which is equally as good. Toxik Attack have a bit more bite when they’re really going for it but this song is their calling card and it’s progressive touch is great.

The high-pitched screams at the start of O Sanguinario do bring to mind Tom Araya and his vocal delivery, but that’s where there similarities to Slayer end for me. Yes their riffs are inspired by the thrash legends in places but I think Toxik Attack do have their own take on the sub-genre and are confident enough to let it show through. Morte Toxica is one of their more melodic songs, especially in the vocal department while the theatrics aren’t forgotten about either. The further you get into “Assesinos Em Serie” the more entertaining it becomes. It’s definitely one for both true speed/thrash fans and for those who want an introduction to the sub-genre’s modern exponents.

Things get silly on penultimate song Detidos Pelo Metal, where piercing high-pitched screams rule the song as it flies by in the blink of an eye. Album closer Pentagrama De Sangue is Toxik Attack’s attempt at a thrash balled, complete with dramatic organ and male-voice choir, but it doesn’t stay that way for too long, as it’s their final chance to rip into some grooving and neck-snapping thrash goodness. This album is great. It’s not too lengthy and Toxik Attack manages to retain both momentum and your attention throughout. It looks like thrash metal is alive and well in Portugal! Obrigado!

You can stream the album and grab it on cd or digitally below via Hellprod Records -



Wednesday 27 February 2019

Ravenous Death - Chapters Of An Evil Transition


Labels: Memento Mori
Formats: CD
Release Date: 05 Feb 2019

Tracklist:

1. Prelude To Evilness
2. Doomed To Exist
3. Harvesting Hate
4. Evil Dementia (The Voices Of The Nobodies)
5. Awakening Of The Damned
6. Cursed Origin
7. Initiation Ritual
8. The Sinister Being
9. Massacre Cult
10. Soul Consumes By The Occult

A death metal band from Mexico, with a name taken from a Vomitory song! That's exactly what you get from Ravenous Death. They've been spewing out blasphemic death metal since 2016 and this is their debut full-length, which follows their 2017 EP "Ominous Deathcult". "Chapters Of An Evil Transition" was released digitally and on cd via Memento More earlier this month. Something tells me this is going to be rad!

At this point you’re nearly over the hump, so why not being your descent into the weekend with some ripping death. Ravenous Death promises a lot but if you’re anything like me, you never quite know what you’re going to get with death metal anymore. Thankfully, this is old-school worshipping in the best from as the menacing riffs and growls of Prelude To Evilness pull you in. There’s definitely a nod towards the usual suspects but there’s also some Mexican heat too! Doomed To Exist is the first full assault from the band and it’s fast raw drumming is immersed within sludgy, atmospheric bass/guitar work and low growls. It’s technical but not overpoweringly so, which means it’s a pleasing listen.

The sound here never quite crosses over into death-thrash or black-thrash territory, but it does threaten to on Harvesting Hate. It certainly has that underground nastiness to it. I suppose Incantation might be a good comparison (if I was to pick one) or maybe even Morbosidad possibly. A healthy slab of lead work leads you onto Evil Dementia (The Voices Of The Nobodies), which is equally as horrid, especially thanks to some Slayer-esque riffs and rasping screeches. It’s at this point that it feels like Ravenous Death are really starting to grow in confidence on the recording. 

Things get even gloomier on Awakening Of The Damned, as Ravenous Death settles into their stride and really goes for it instrumentally. This is the best song on the album yet and it shows a new side to them with twin-melodies and greater layers of sonic savagery. Their tempo seems to get faster again at this point too with Cursed Origin continuing that trend. It’s just straight-up raging. There’s a different approach to atmosphere during Initiation Ritual, which is both experimental and oddly festering at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still fast but there’s also a whiff of pungent doom/death in the air, though it is subtle. 

That doom/death aura takes more of a hold during The Sinister Being, with it’s opening mix of deep and trebly guitar. Again, the drumming seems to play at double time compered the guitars but that’s what gives it an edge and one that’s sits really well. The vocals are back to their deep glowing beat and there’s no escape. Penultimate song Massacre Cult underlines why this record is so enjoyable by being unpretentious and fun (if death metal could be considered so). It also shows off the variation levels that sit within RD’s music, which is more obvious if you sit and really take it in as a whole. In what seems like the blink of an eye, you’re head-banging to the bars of final song Soul Consumes By The Occult

This is a cracking death metal record by a band that’s really still finding their feet. Ravenous Death rules and are certainly going to be putting Mexican extreme metal on the map this year! Lend them your ears. 

If you're in Mexico you can buy "Chapters Of An Evil Transition" on cd and digitally below:-



If you're anywhere else in the world head to Memento Mori - http://www.memento-mori.es/store.php.

Tuesday 26 February 2019

La Parade - Voces Del Exilio


Labels: Zegema Beach Records/Maniyax Records/Gato Encerrado Records
Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital
Release Date: 20 Jan 2014

Tracklist:

1. Nuevos Idolos
2. Descarne
3. Noveno Romance
4. Diez Mil Rostros
5. Lo Que Fui, Lo Que Soy
6. Ruinas De Infancia
7. Bruma En Mi
8. Paris Ha Caido
9. Ascuas
10. Requiem

Instalment number 4 in my ongoing look back at the Zegema Beach Records roster and if you think this series is a big undertaking, you'd be correct but I'm gonna carry on with it because I'm bloody minded. This latest review focuses on the first full-length from Spanish post-hardcore band La Parade. It was release via ZBR, as well as Maniyax Records and Gato Encerrado Records in early 2014. on cd and vinyl. La Parade was founded in 2012 and released two full-lengths before calling it a day in late 2015.

La Parade is a name that I’ve come across a few times and as with a lot of bands, it seems that I only truly catch on when they’re gone. It’s certainly the case with some of bands I’ve featured in the series so far. At least their music is still available in various forms. The opener to “Voces Del Exilio” is Nuevos Idolos and it starts life as clean-sung Spanish language post-hardcore with great instrumental melody and percussive flair.

La Parade’s harsher side comes out on Descarne. It’s a wonderful mix of speaker friendly singing and jarring screams, where the music becomes heavier and more dissonant, albeit briefly. They have a penchant for writing impressive ballads, as exhibited by the dramatic delivery of Noveno Romance. La Parade threatens to explode here but never do, instead reigning in their emotions and channelling them into creating a spectacle of different proportions. The same can definitely be said for Diez Mil Rostros, which incidentally was amongst the first songs they ever released, on the 2013 EP of the same name. 

The introspective mid-section during Lo Que Fui, Lo Que Soy is filled with spoken word and calming riffs, which are slightly at odds with the rest of the song, which is more off-kilter’ however, being at odds is no bad thing at all and La Parade pull off the transitions between styles really well indeed.  Despite the album’s mid-pace tempos it goes by fairly quickly and before you know, Ruinas De Infancia is pulling you deeper into it’s second half with more of the same. It’s a longer and more progressive song that tells a story as it goes (one which I can’t translate). 

The deeper you get into ‘Voces Del Exilio” it becomes apparent that there’s a lot more to La Parade than just post-hardcore. Yes they’re very good musicians but they also have an ear for engaging soundscapes and the song-writing to back it up. Bruma En Mi is a brooding song that features plenty of ambience during it’s quieter verses and more obvious experimentation as well. After Bruma En Mil ends abruptly there’s a pause before Paris Ha Caido follows on, seemingly as if the the two were meant as one. It’s a shorter song but it follows on with no change in dynamic or momentum and musically it’s as breathtaking and the songs before it. There was clearly no loss of imagination when these final few songs were penned.

Ascuas goes by in a blur of yet more dissonant instrumentation and screaming, leading to the aptly named Requiem, which closes things out. It’s here that La Parade’s true quality really hits you and just having the opportunity too appreciate them and their music is obvious. It condenses the essence of their sound into 6+ minutes, which only goes to highlight how good this entire record is. Sometimes after countless searching, you find that one band or album that really feels special. “Voces Del Exilio” is one of those albums.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally via La Parade's Bandcamp page below:-




You can still buy physical copies from the labels below:-

Zegema Beach Records - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/
Maniyax Records - http://maniyax.com/

Sunday 24 February 2019

Upper Downer - S/T EP


Labels: Self-Released
Formats: Digital
Release Date: 05 Nov 2018

Tracklist:

1. Disarm The Police
2. Somebody Died
3. Alone
4. Dog Food
5. Piss Jug
6. Glue

I went to a local gig on Friday night (first gig in Harrogate for a while and first one I've been to for months) and apart from the hangover yesterday, it was really refreshing to enjoy some local punk again. Upper Downer aren't local, they're from Los Angeles (Cal, USA) but like the bands and mates that I met up with, they're doing it themselves. They reached out to me earlier this month to let me know about their debut EP, which was released digitally in November of last year. In their own words; "alas, we are not a mince core band". They play punk-rock with an anarchic edge and some ska as well.

Upper Downer’s punk is melodic and gritty. Disarm The Police reminds me of Rancid and Strike Anywhere, which is a good sign. It’s upbeat and to-the-point, while the vocals are gruff. This is what US punk (and I suppose pop-punk) was like when it was more political and certainly less polished than the bands that claim it as their genre today. The trio’s ska-influence is obvious on Somebody Died and it’s great. There are comparisons to be found here but there’s also plenty of good reasons to ignore them and to focus on the music that Upper Downer delivers. 

Old-school hardcore punk is the order of the day on Alone and it’s fast pace and short playing time is exactly what’s needed. It’s definitely better when it’s sped up like this. There’s no time for slow ponderous songs here! They head into the second half of the EP with Dog Food, which is a great title by the way! The mix of pop-punk riffs and ska chords during the verses are great, though there’s still some feedback and harshness to remind you that the band are from the streets and and real issues. 

Another amusingly titled song, Piss Jug is just good solid punk with a feel good vibe. Like the rest of the EP, it’s brief but catchy and a song that you’ll remember. EP closer Glue rages to the sound of Upper Downer’s furious drumming, riffs and vocal melodies. They say that they’re influence by NOFX and it’s obvious is those melodies at times. Again it’s no bad thing and it finishes things off in style. Overall this is a really good EP and while it doesn’t break any new ground, it’s got substance and the song-writing chops to back it up. Good stuff!

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-



Tuesday 19 February 2019

Snake Tongue - No Escape No Excuse EP


Labels: The Sign Records
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 15 Feb 2019

Tracklist:

1. Corrupted Beat
2. Dystopian Slumber
3. Derailed
4. The Hammer & The Nail

This is more than likely going to be the only review I can write before this coming Saturday, which sucks I know. This is the latest EP from Swedish hardcore band Snake Tongue. "No Escape No Excuse" was officially released last Friday via The Sign Records. I think it's the first hardcore release to come form the label (but please correct me if I'm wrong on that). It's now available digitally and on 7" vinyl.

This is proper driving hardcore and Snake Tongue doesn’t mess about. Corrupted Beat is furious, from the riffs and the drumming through to the hoarse screams. There’s technicality and a lot of metal influence in there as well, with melody showing through during the latter half of the EP opener. They layer their music with atmosphere and at times there’s a definite nod towards metalcore (when it was good) on Dystopian Slumber. The sense of urgency remains and so does the anger. It’s a sound that I’ve not heard from Sweden in a while. 

To clarify that last sentence above, this EP sounds very much European as opposed to just being an American copy-cat job. Derailed is its fastest song and its raging. Nothing else need be said about it. EP closer The Hammer & The Nail is the kind of crossover song that bridges the gap between hardcore and metal without trying. During the opener verse it sounds orchestral/melodic before the band launches into something a lot heavier. It’s 2019 and while the musical landscape is constantly shifting and mutating, Snake Tongue sound oddly fresh, to these ears at least. This EP may be short but it’s damn sweet!

You can stream and purchase "No Escape No Excuse" digitally below:-



7" vinyl copies can be purchased here - https://freighttrain.se/en/the-sign-record/snake-tongue/

Sunday 17 February 2019

Via Fondo - Fast EP


Labels: Zegema Beach Records/Truelove Entertainment (now known as Through Love Records)
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 15 Jan 2014

Tracklist:

1. Not Yet
2. Rovaniemi
3. Secrets

I want to fit one review in before I head out so here's the third instalment in my Zegema Beach Records series, which I started a few weeks back. This time, I'm featuring the 2014 single-sided 12" EP (with a silk-screened B-side) from Swedish screamo band Via Fondo, that was release in collaboration with Through Love Records. Via Fondo has been releasing music now for eight years (though they've been quite more recently). This is the first time I've featured them on here, which I'm a little surprised about. They're part of Sweden's ever impressive post-hardcore/screamo scene, so if you're not familiar with them now's your chance.

There are so many bands in the post-hardcore/screamo sub-genre that major on quality instrumentation and Via Fondo’s is melodic and on the right side of chaotic on EP opener Not Yet. It’s the vocals that are chaotic though, as they’re delivered in the form of harsh noisy screams, dripping with genuine emotion. While the opener nears the seven-minute mark, Rovaniemi is brief by comparison and as a result is filled with an angst-laden level of urgency and it flits between beautifully controlled layers of sound and noise that increases in tempo before reaching it’s peak. Contrasting yet intelligent.

Via Fondo ends this short EP with Secrets, which once again shows their ability to write scream that’s encompassing and cinematic. It’s the instrumentation that.again creates a dramatic atmosphere as it builds in intensity and volume. Midway through, the song changes and becomes slightly more violent. It’s a journey that take you through various highs and lows, as well as the elation that you feel once you’ve made it out the other side. This is another example of why there is more substance in post-hardcore than people realise. The screamo tag is still overused by people who don’t truly understand the sub-genre, but if bands like Via Fondo are taking on their own merits, then they will surprise and excite in equal measure.

You can stream "Fast" over at Via Fondo's Bandcamp page below:-



You can purchase the EP digitally from ZBR here - https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fast-12ep 

Through Love Records has long since sold out of their copies of the LP but you can still buy them from ZBR here - https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fast-12ep


Next up will be La Parade...

Saturday 16 February 2019

V/A: Trapped Under Ice Vol. 1 - The New Face Of Canadian Heavy Metal


Labels: Temple Of Mystery Records
Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital
Release Date: 25 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Traveler - Betrayer
2. Metalian - Streets Of Fire
3. Cauchemar - Comme Un Poignard
4. Occult Burial - Fight For Survival
5. Starlight Ritual - Demons
6. Freeways - Heavy Rescue
7. Barrow Wight - Morgul Blade
8. Spell - Silent Towers
9. Blackrat - From The Tideless Sea
10. Emblem - Fast Rocker

Heavy metal (the genre, not the term) has come full circle in the face of.all of its evolving sub-genres and is healthier than ever. Canadian label Temple Of Mystery feels the same and has recently released a compilation featuring some of Canada's best heavy/speed metal bands. To celebrate both the release and the bands that have contributed to this comp, there even going to a short "Trapped Under Ice" tour in April, taking in four dates across Canada, featuring Metalian, Barrow Wight, Occult Burial, Freeways and Cauchemar, as well as special guests Chainbreaker (Toronto only). I'll post links to the shows and flyers etc below this review.

I love comps, though I don’t feature a lot on here. Trapped Under Ice Vol. 1 caught my eye though thanks to the artwork of Rob Vomitor and also the OBI-style strip on the side of the cover, featuring the band logos. I thought that was a really nice touch! It’s also a cool opportunity to check out ten bands that I’m not familiar with. Opening up the record is Traveler with Betrayer. Melodic guitars, clean falsetto vocals and a twisted take on Iron Maiden is all you need to kick this off. Obviously, there’s much to it than the aforementioned genre forefathers, as you’ll find out. Metalian brings the speed with Streets Of Fire, which is full of neck-snapping thrash and gloriously fantastical vocals. It’s very catchy, sometimes threatening to cross over into cheesy territory but always being saved from that by awesome lead guitar.

With the label’s home of Quebec being French Canadian, it would have been strange for them not to feature any bands that sing in French. Enter Cauchemar and Comme Un Poignard. They’ve nailed the true old-school sound on here and the French language vocals make it all the more authentic and it’s tempo is perfectly restrained. Mixing up the tempos again is Occult Burial who also fly the flag for speed metal on Fight For Survival. Unlike those before it, it starts of in an oddly menacing way with more of a bass-heavy sound and continues with harsh vocals, that sit somewhere between Venom and Immortal, without being true black. It’s a change that reminds you of how diverse the traditional heavy metal scene is. 

The movie sample that kicks off Starlight Ritual’s Demons only hints at the theatrical nature of the band and their music more than does the rest. The vocals sit a bit deeper in the mix on this one, allowing the galloping instrumentation to take hold. It still have bucket loads of attitude though. As the mid-point passes by, you’re greeted with the twin-guitar harmonies of Freeways and their classic hard-rock/heavy metal. Heavy Rescue is mid-paced and slightly less gung-ho than it’s predecessors here, but it’s still great for a singalong and will get buried in you head. Actually, it reminds me a lot of Queen.

From there you’re transported into the seedy underground thanks to Barrow Wight and Morgul Blade. Again, it’s on the heavier side but instead of leaning towards black metal this time, it’s got a goth/horror punk edge hiding amongst it’s dark thrash. The instrumental opening to Silent Towers by Spell, suggests there might be progression in their chops and things certainly get a bit weird at times. The vocal effects and off-kilter time signatures are at odds with some of the more straightforward metal on show here, but then again so were Voivod back in the day and they’re cult legends now, so Spell need not worry. 

As well as Spell before them, Blackrat also takes some cues from the more progressive ends of the genre, though there’s also plenty of black thrash on From The Tideless Sea. The reverb and buzzsaw guitars keep pace with the pounding drums. It’s super exhilarating. It’s left to Emblem to close things out with the aptly titled Fast Rocker, which once again is a more than solid slab of occult hard rock. It rounds out a comp that’s been full of variation and great bands. There’s more than enough here to suck you in and make you crave your fix of heavy metal madness!

You can stream and purchase "Trapped Under Ice Vol. 1" via Bandcamp below:-



Physical copies are available here - https://www.templeofmystery.ca/product-category/tom/

The flyer for the up-coming "Trapped Under Ice" tour is below too:-


Wednesday 13 February 2019

Sense Offender/Pupil Slicer - Split


Labels: Self-Released
Formats: Digital
Release Date: 28 Feb 2019 (Physical release TBC)

Tracklist:

1. Sense Offender - God Complex
2. Sense Offender - Godless Complex
3. Pupil Slicer - Crusher
4. Pupil Slicer - Spectral

I've been a little bit quiet over the last few days but here's scoop for you. An early listen to the new split from North-East England's mathy hardcore band Sense Offender and London's similarly noise Pupil Slicer. This four-tracker comes out around the end of the month and will be self-released digitally, prior to a physical release later in the year. This marks the first of two splits to come from Sense Offender this year and is their first recorded output in almost a year. Pupil Slicer are new name for me and this is the trio's first release in over eighteen months. Both bands are kindred spirits, as they shared stages with Hexis during their UK tour last July/August.

This promises to be a violent blast and first up is Sense Offender. Their opener God Complex is a tech-laden sub three-minute smash to the head, with blasting drums, metallic riffs and deep bellow ranging from hardcore to death metal. Amongst all of the chaos, Sense Offender slots in a short and quiet passage that lulls you into thinking that’s it, before the grinding their way to the end. It’s a sharp jolt and one that reasserts your attention in time for Godless Complex. There’s even more ferocity in their second song and the grind is mixed with breakdown-inducing guitar work and scream a-la Trap Them. If you’re in need of a true eye-opener then look (or listen) no further, 

Pupil Slicer waste no time on the appropriately named Crusher. Their mix of grind and death is raw in a good way and also groovy too. The metallic flourishes and higher-pitched screams remind me of Sikth, which is more than solid while their glichy/pinched riffs later on are perfectly placed. Their second song Spectral is very much more of the same and get gradually more madcap as it progresses. As with Sense Offender before them, it’s pretty staggering how much music Pupil Slicer fits into these two songs but as they descend into a sludgy slow/fast mire, you’ll be left smiling.

Sense Offender’s caustic aggression has not wilted one bit since the release of their debut I last year, while Pupil Slicer is definitely another new band to watch in 2019. Our little island continues to produce the goods, so make sure this is at the top of you list of release to check out when it’s set free to feast at the end of the month.

You can listen the previous output from both Sense Offender and Pupil Slicer below:-






Keep an eye on their social media pages below for more news on the release:-

Saturday 9 February 2019

Descubriendo A Mr. Mime - ...Y Ya No Me Quedan Dientes Por Arrancarme


Labels: Dog Knights Productions/Walking Is Still Honest Records/Zegema Beach Records
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 10 Jan 2013

Tracklist: 

1. Constanza
2. Annapurna
3. Guindilla
4. 3yre
5. Astillas
6. La Forma Es El Vacio
7. El Vacio Es La Forma
8. Le Temps Détruit Tout

Today's been great, as I've been relaxing and enjoying plenty of music. This review will be the final one for today and it's one that I've been really excited about doing. It's the second in my retrospective series focusing on the catalogue of Canadian label Zegema Beach Records and it's about a record that I've had in my collection for sometime now, thanks to Dog Knights Productions here in the UK. I first discovered Spanish screamo band Descubriendo A Mr. Mime thanks to a split 7" (also featuring Silencio, Ahora, Silencio, that was released by DK Productions in 2011). I snapped this single-sided LP up when it came out in 2013 and still spin it regularly. It was ZBR's second release as a label and was limited to 249 copies (if Discogs is to be believed). As with my previous review in this series featuring Amber, Descubriendo A Mr. Mime is no longer an active band. Let this be a celebration!

This single-sided LP is a thing of beauty. From the cover art to the ultra-clear vinyl, which features a screen-printed bird along with other motifs (my copy /83), it was my introduction to the artistry that was put into many of the screamo releases that I went onto buy and cherish in the years following. Descubriendo A Mr. Mime managed to fit eight quick-fire songs onto one side of wax and in turn provided something truly brilliant. LP opener Constanza is filled with atmosphere straight from the get go. The opening melody and feedback give way technical screamo that is truly engaging. The song is mid-paced for its majority and doesn’t descend into chaotic territory, with the band preferring a measured approach. Annapurna is where they turn up the urgency and tempo. It’s still off-kilter and technical in places yet at times, musically at least, it reminds me of early era AFI (please feel free to tell my how wrong I am here). 

The sound is so clear on the record and Guindilla stands out thanks to it’s simplicity and slightly more stripped back approach. It’s over all too quickly but what follows banishes any such thoughts. 3yre is fast and very much bass-heavy, with the inclusion of cinematic melody that’s become synonymous with European hardcore/screamo bands in recent years. Guiding you passed the record’s midway point, Astillas features the guest vocals of Polee from the band Rio Bravo (RIP). Immediately, there’s a subtly more caustic approach to the vocals, while the music retains a level of melody and restraint that fits so well. As I mentioned above, this gets a lot of spins from me but actually sitting down and writing about it brings a new perspective (without sounding pretentious).

The two-parter that begins with La Forma Es El Vacio contains a whispered intro, which may be  a sample but I’m unsure, and sees a shift in sound with regimental percussion and a threat of implosion. That implosion occurs as the layers of instrumentation and harsh screams build. It’s one of those songs that exaggerates the feeling of anticipation and elation (in the best possible way). El Vacio Es La Forma follows it with a stop/start structure that’s at odds with it’s predecessor. It is, however; a well structured and delivered song that relies on different passages to both diffuse and build excitement as the record nears it’s close. Final song La Temps Detruit Tout uses up the final three-or-so-minutes of the format to great effect, sealing in the quality of Descubriendo A Mr. Mime and their music. Dramatic and enticing in every way, it’s a record that undoubtedly leaves you craving more…

You can stream and purchase a digital copy of the record directly from Descubriendo A Mr. Mime below:-



Vinyl copies are long since sold out from all three labels. There is a copy available on Discogs (should you be unable to find one elsewhere). 


Dog Knights Productions - https://www.facebook.com/dogknights/
Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords/

Next in the series will be Via Fondo.

Vintage Crop - Company Man 7"


Labels: Drunken Sailor Records/Anti Fade Records
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 18 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Company Man
2. Guarantees
3. Right To Censor
4. Stock Options

I think this is a 7" that many of us can relate too. Aussie punks Vintage Crop have just released a new EP that focuses on the unconventional subject of working for the man! It's been released by UK label Drunken Sailor Records and Anti Fade Records, who share their hometown with Vintage Crop. It's also canny timing because the quartet will be touring Europe and more pressingly, the UK in April. They'll be playing shows in Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton and London (in that order). The flyer is underneath this review.

Vintage Crop’s sound is so much fun. The short and sharp title-track is filled with spoken/shouted vocals and riffs that sit at the rock n roll end of the punk spectrum. It reminds me a little of the music that graced the Grange Hill or Only Fools And Horses theme songs (strenuous links there to classic UK TV shows of the past). Guarantees is no different, as it talks about the frustrations of being low down in the office pecking order. It’s actually really clever and musically Vintage Crop nails it in a simple but very effective way.

There’s a hint of bands like The Stroked and The Vines woven into Right To Censor, mainly in the guitar work and the drumming. It also feature the lyrics that appear on the EPs cover. Closing song Stock Options is more laid back and takes cues from surf punk/rock, which is cool. The song is super positive and will definitely leave you in a good mood. Overall, this is a super happy and (slightly tongue-in-cheek) EP. Go get it and check out Vintage Corp when they’re in the UK in April if you happen to be in any of the cities they’re playing in.

Stream and grab "Company Man" digitally/physically from the band here:-




Physical copies can also be purchased from the labels below:-



The flyer for the up-coming Europe/UK tour is below:-