Drei Affen - Drei Affen

Labels: Adorno Records/Arkan Records/Blessed Hands Records/Cactus Tapes/Dingleberry Records/Discos Finu/Don't Care Records/Hydrogen Man Records/Krimskramz/Lifeisafunnything/Middle-Man Records/Monte Calvario/Pifia Records/Pure Heart Records/Rakkerpak Records/Rubaiyat Records/Screamore/Unlock Yourself Records/Voice Of The Unheard/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 15 Jun 2016

Tracklist:

1. El Sonido De Tu Llanto

2. El Yugo

3. Miedo

4. Caen Los Suenos

5. Fuego Y Llanto

6. El Comianzo Del Cambio

I hit a major milestone with the blog last week by reaching 900,000 readers. It's a massive achievement and I'm going to push to hit 1,000,000 by the end of 2022, which would be epic! Thank you to everyone for the interest and support so far.

Today I'm on the ZBR trail again and focusing the 2016 self-titled EP by from Spanish post-hardcore/emoviolence band Drei Affen. It was released on vinyl and tape via many labels (see above) and digitally too. In fact, it was Drei Affen's debut. According to social media, Drei Affen are back after a break too, having played live in November just gone.

Drei Affen’s sound has always been explosive and their self-titled EP is where it all started. Melodic post-hardcore, frenzied emo-violence and abrasive neocrust converge on opener ‘El Sonido De Tu Llanto’ to create a massively enjoyably first impression. It’s what could be described as carefully orchestrated chaos.’ El Yugo’ follows on with a symphony of guitar riffs, backed up very tight percussion and vocals that sound like they’re coming from totally shredded vocal chords. There are plenty of off-kilter moments and even time for an atmospheric mid-section.

The slightly slower tempo of ‘Miedo’ is a bit of an illusion, as the guitars make it seem less intense while everything else goes off just as hard. Drei Affen’s music is immediate, leaving no room for any fluffiness and it’s all the better for it. They remind me a lot of Ojne, who also fly the flag for European screamo. This EP ascends to a gloriously crazed peak on ‘Caen Los Suenos’. It’s really hard to adequately describe how much it comes alive in words but there’s just something about the beauty portrayed amongst it’s sub-three minute form. I guess you’re just going to have to listen to it (if you’re not already familiar).

Penultimate song ‘Fuego Y Llanto’ feels like it stretches way beyond it’s playing time thanks to the sheer amount of instrumental layers it has. Harnessing energy that Drei Affen barely keep a lid on, there are both breathless and breathable moments within. The intro bars to EP closer ‘El Comienzo Del Cambio’ feature a spoken-word sample alongside an ace drum-fill, which signals what’s to come as things conclude. With the majority of lyrics in Spanish, the song and indeed the entire record seem to convey such a rawness that leaps out at you. Slow post-metal vibes pull you towards the final passages of emoviolence and then all goes quiet.

At this point I’m a little stuck for words. This record comes and goes pretty quickly, but that’s what makes it so memorable too. I’m not sure how many copies of this still exist for sale, but if you can find one in the wild don’t hesitate to pick it up.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

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

You can still buy vinyl and tape copies from the below labels:-

Hydrogen Man Records - https://hydrogenman.storenvy.com/

Middle-Man Records - https://middlemanrecords.storenvy.com/  

The labels that were involved in the release are linked below:-

Arkan Records - https://www.facebook.com/arkanrecords/

Blessed Hands Records - https://www.facebook.com/BlessedhandsRecords

Cactus Tapes - https://www.facebook.com/cactustapes

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

Discos Finu - https://www.facebook.com/discosfinu

Don't Care Records - https://www.facebook.com/DontCareRecords

Hydrogen Man Records - https://www.facebook.com/hydrogenmanrecords

Krimskramz - https://www.facebook.com/krimskramzstuff

Lifeisafunnything - https://www.facebook.com/lifeisafunnything123

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

Monte Calvario - https://www.facebook.com/montecalvariorecords

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

Pure Heart Records - https://www.facebook.com/pureheartrecords

Rakkerpak Records - https://www.facebook.com/rakkerpakrecords

Rubaiyat Records - https://www.facebook.com/rubaiyatrecords

Screamore - https://www.facebook.com/takecareofyourself1

Unlock Yourself Records - https://www.facebook.com/unlockyourselfrecords

Voice Of The Unheard - https://www.facebook.com/voturecords

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