Friday 9 September 2022

Hive Mind - Demo


Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 04 Feb 2016


Tracklist:


1. An Ambiguous Utopia

2. Meat Hook

3. The Duality Of (un)Man

4. Time Cube

5. Hyperdrive


When I sat down to write my Mrtex/Kelut review the other day, I noticed that I'd missed a release before it. That release was the demo by US pv/screamo band Hive Mind. It was self-released digitally by the band and released on tape via Zegema Beach Records back in February of 2016. According to both band and label, ZBR's first batch of tapes were mostly blank and didn't play, so a fresh batch was pressed in late 2020. I'm not sure CanaDave will appreciate me mentioning that! I'm sorry, I just like to add some detail here and there.


I’m kicking off two weeks of annual leave tonight and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve been writing about historic ZBR releases for some time now, but somehow I missed this one so I’m putting things right here and now. Five short tracks of pv/emoviolence/screamo make up this early demo from US band Hive Mind. Opener ‘An Ambiguous Utopia’ is certainly noisy and chaotic. Hive Mind’s own take on the style is harsh yet pleasingly riff-laden. 


‘Meat Hook’ follows on from a short screech of guitar feedback in similarly abrasive fashion. Kind of like The Body in terms of it’s vocal ferocity, it’s angular post-hardcore reigns supreme. The bass and percussion seem to add so much as well, which is very noticeable. After more of that lovely feedback the rawness of ‘The Duality Of (un)Man’ is still a shock. I really would’ve loved to have witnessed Hive Mind in a live setting back when this demo was released. It would have been something special for sure.


The demo’s final two songs don’t reach the minute mark, starting with ‘Time Cube’, which slays from start to finish. Hive Mind’s hardcore influence is genuinely captivating even though their songs contain so much in such a short space of time. Final song ‘Hyperdrive’ is the best song to end on! Utterly mad from beginning to end, the authoritative percussion takes over and leads you into a mesmerising second-half, which concludes as it all started.


I’m so glad I didn’t wait to re-visit this demo. Aside from the split 7” they released with What Of Us, this demo is the only material you can find from Hive Mind, which makes it all the more special. I’ve always maintained that it’s better for bands to burn out rather than to outstay their welcome and fade away. I’m sure that Hive Mind still have music is them (as they haven’t officially ceased as far as I can tell), but if we never get the chance to hear more, this release will provide auditory comfort for years to come, especially to those who managed to snag a tape copy!


You can stream and purchase the demo as a name-your-price download below:-



Physical copies can be purchased from Zegema Beach Records below:-


Zegema Beach Records - CAN/INTL Store http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/hivemind

USA Store - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/hive-mind-demo-cassette


Hive Mind - https://www.facebook.com/hivemindin/

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

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