Gossip - Coals Of Juniper 10"

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 29 Apr 2024

Tracklist:

1. Rid

2. Casting Crowns

3. Head Of Sisera

4. Earthly Daughters

I've decided to jump into another new 2024 release, because my music listening ADHD (I know that's not a real thing) is a bit all over the place right now. One day I'll actually have a goddamn plan! Portland, Oregon (US) screamo/mathcore band Gossip very recently released their latest EP Coals Of Juniper, which follows their 2022 split with Apostles Of Eris. Don't get confused between them and the other Portland, Oregon band named Gossip (I don't know if there's a connection between the two. I'm not even sure if the latter is active anymore). I did dig the song 'Standing In The Way Of Control' though.

I tried to watch the Eurovision grand final last Saturday evening but fairly early on I remembered why I don’t usually bother. The only act I really regret not watching was Finland’s Windows95man, purely because of the name. What does that have to do with this review I hear you ask; absolutely nothing. Gossip don’t have to worry about that yearly ear torturing marathon though and instead channel their song-writing skills into creating heartfelt, and powerfully heavy music. EP opener ‘Rid’ is a great mix of atmosphere-led post-hardcore and mathy screamo filled with just the right amount of violence. ’Rid’ goes in all kinds of directions given Gossip’s alignment to emoviolence and screamo, but my god is it worth it.

‘Casting Crowns’ follows on instantly with thick post-rock riffs, classy bass, cymbal-driven percussion and utterly furious vocals that switch between higher-pitched screams and startlingly low growls. There’s an impressive musical approach here too that reveals itself further as the song goes on. The clean vocals towards the end are an excellent addition as well. If you’re a fan of intense, twisting, angular hardcore then ‘Head Of Sisera’ will suit you down to the ground. It’s full of fast passages that bleed into glimpses of slower atmospherics. The clean vocals give off a Rolo Tomassi vibe later on, which is perfectly fine by me.

Closing with ‘Earthly Daughters’, Gossip provides one last cinematic, dramatic post-metal song that’s filled with quiet/loud, harsh/clean dynamics to begin with before mathcore takes hold again for pretty much the remainder. All four of the tracks that make up Coals Of Juniper are ferocious yet beautiful. To be honest, it’s taken me way too long to write this review due to writer’s block and my general malaise recently (not related to music but to life in general), but this EP is too good to ignore. 

You can stream and purchase Coals Of Juniper on 10" vinyl or digital formats from Zegema Beach Records below:-

Physical copies are also available via the below ZBR stores:-

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/gossip / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/gossip

Gossip - https://www.facebook.com/gossippdx

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