Keratin - Death & Rebirth 7"

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 03 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Left Early

2. S.N.K.

3. Kindred Blue

4. Before the Salt, Taste the Wound

My short-lived streak of reviewing 2025 records before their release date comes to an end tonight, though two out of three ain't too bad. I got in there first when it came to the Vertex album yesterday, so that's a win! Aussie screamo band Keratin released their new EP on January 3rd via Zegema Beach Records, having previously released an EP called Only Eye through ZBR’s sister label Tomb Tree in 2022 and a 4-way split that also featured Atameo, Letterbombs and Coma Regalia in 2023 via Middle-Man Records. Digitally, there are four tracks on this EP but I believe only three made it onto the physical vinyl copies. 

Australia is building a very decent reputation for itself when it comes to screamo/post-hardcore bands. Blind Girls are the name on everybody’s tongue right now, but let’s not forget Gil Cerrone and Raccoon City (and I’m sure I’m missing many others). Keratin’s name can be added to that list, having already released two stellar EPs prior to this one. 

Opener ‘Left Early’ is a mix of usually chaotic emo-violence and instrumentally engrossing post-hardcore, with vocals sitting deeper in the mix. If this is the first ever song you’ve heard by Keratin then you’re starting in a good place. It’s atmosphere and song-writing is top notch.

’S.N.K.’ continues where that opener left off but with more of a black/post-metal influence this time. In it’s own right it’s strong, impressively so. I know it’s very early in the year to be saying this but on the strength of what I’ve already reviewed (including this EP), 2025 is going to be an absolute banger of a year musically.

‘Kindred Blue’ has that repetitive noise element going on at the beginning that works so well in a live setting (I hope you know what I mean!) and as it’s an instrumental piece, I’m guessing that on the vinyl pressing it’s tagged onto the end of ’S.N.K.’ (please correct me if my guess isn’t correct here). Either way, it’s lovely.

Closing with ‘Before the Salt, Taste the Wound’, which I immediately thought was a nod to Salt The Wound (the US deathcore band), Keratin deliver their longest song of the EP and also their heaviest one to boot. It’s actually pretty fierce during it’s first half, which does make me wonder about my initial hunch but that aside, Keratin smash it once again with their masterful delivery.

I arrived home this evening to five LPs that I ordered recently. I set them aside so I could take in this EP and it didn’t disappoint. I’m also experimenting with newer social media platforms too, so maybe eventually I’ll get the confidence to record some shorts or vlogs. Who knows.

You can stream and purchase Death & Rebirth digitally from Keratin below:-

Keratin - https://www.facebook.com/keratinband

If you're in Australia you can also grab the 7" from them and save on shipping.

For everyone else, Zegema Beach Records have them up for purchase now (there are only fifty copies though!):-

ZBR CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/keratin-7

ZBR U.S.A. - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/keratin-7

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