Massa Nera - The Emptiness of All Things

Labels: Persistent Vision Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 31 Oct 2025

Tracklist:

1. A Body

2. Pèlerin

3. Avalon Cove

4. The Best is Over

5. Mechanical Sunrise

6. City of Mines

7. Lavender (feat. Tony Castrati from Crippling Alcoholism)

8. Death Shall Flee from Them

9. The Emptiness of All Things

10.  New Animism

At the end of October, New Jersey's Massa Nera released their newest album The Emptiness of All Things via Persistent Vision Records. The quartet have become one of the most productive bands in the post-hardcore sphere over the last couple of years and while it's not worth tying them down to any genre/sub-genre now, it's well worth diving into the music they create. Especially now, when the world is more fracture than ever, they're fighting the good fight for humanity irrespective of what power tells us to do what next.

We’re at a point in time where people are more polarised than ever. The environment that we live in is dying and politics, as well as the society that it built, is slowly crumbling. Massa Nera are doing their bit to turn things around with their new album. Opening with ‘A Body’, there’s an unnerving sense that what started gently will soon explode and so it does. Massa Nera switch from quiet guitar to anxiety-filled hardcore midway through, as heavy guitars, vocals and frenetic percussion take over.

‘Pèlerin’ picks up where the opener left off, with a greater sense of off-kilter noise, math-like phases and just downright abandon. It’s the angriest I think I’ve ever heard from this band and I’m here for it. The atmosphere that flows through ‘Avalon Cove’ throws you off guard a bit, as Massa Nera’s musical approach is more haunting before another switch is flicked. It’s a really good way to build the song though and its haunting backbone is heard throughout, even when things get properly heavy.

There’s a definite crust/black metal layer rolling through ‘Avalon Cove’ but that is soon banished as ‘The Best Is Over’ funnels things in a different direction. A direction that’s more screamo orientated and upbeat. The minimalist intro to ‘Mechanical Sunrise’ gives way to a danceable rhythm, subtly-melodic guitar work and sassy vocals. It shows a very different side to Massa Nera, but heaviness isn’t too far away, even if It’s buried in an art-rock vibe. 

There’s always a sense of trepidation when a band changes sound (even only slightly), but honestly there’s nothing to worry about here. ‘City of Mines’ contains so much; from its instrumental first half to its utterly insane latter which contains everything from grinding off-kilter hardcore to rhythmic punk. ‘Lavender’ sounds like a hellish country song before almost instantly turning on a dime and becoming the heaviest one you’ll probably ever hear from Massa Nera. Coupled with the guest vocals of Tony Castrati (from Crippling Alcoholism) and the almost Korn-esque melody later on, it’s something else.

Being eight songs deep into The Emptiness of All Things feels like one hell of journey already and it’s not over as ‘Death Shall Flee from Them’ delivers a brooding take on post-hardcore. Kind of in the vein of Chat Pile maybe, but also cleaner like From Autumn To Ashes. The album’s title-track ‘The Emptiness of All Things’ goes hard! Everything about Massa Nera is meant to keep you hooked right to the end.

Final track ’New Animism’ is the reason they’ve kept you hooked. It’s the album’s longest song while also being the most soulful. Acoustic guitars and clean vocals are joined by gentle keyboard/synths, and clever percussion to provide a more introspective glance into the soul. That glance turns into a loving gaze as it ends.

I started this review in a place of anger, which was aimed at society/politicians I guess. I’ve ended it in a place of calm acceptance, knowing that I can only control so much. Massa Nera have once again shown the way with their music. Its thoughtful, engrossing, angsty nature makes it so pleasurable to listen to.

You can stream and download the album below:-

Instead of charging for downloads, Massa Nera are asking for donations to the following organisations:-

Palestinian Youth Movement: goodbricks.org/cause/palestinianyouthmovement.com/donate-pym 

Middle East Children's Alliance: www.mecaforpeace.org/donate/ 

Paliroots Meal Program: www.paliroots.com/pages/philanthropy#donate 

Dahnoun Mutual Aid: chuffed.org/project/115245-dahnoun-mutual-aid 

Movimiento Cosecha: secure.actblue.com/donate/cosecha2024?refcode=ig_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeCkVTf2WoBTPjlJwsVAu8UG09PuCFjyVLAMjVCZzxTBDXqUoZxXy1q7AKa0A_aem_1_XejpPQttOGP-eNg2YwnQ 

Union del Barrio: www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/QH3E47P2CBKRW 

Immigration Legal Resource Center: www.ilrc.org/donate-now

Massa Nera - https://www.facebook.com/MASSANERANJ

Persistent Vision Records Instagram - @persistentvisionrecords

Ilon Lapset - Mykkä pimeys

Label: Rämekuukkeli Levyt/Visceral Circuitry

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date - 10 Aug 2025

 Tracklist:

1. Hukkaan

2. Sotaa

3. Rangaistus

4. Juon Yksin

5. Ei Vastausta

6. Pimeyden Sydän

A few weeks ago I received the newest release from my friend Tuukka (who runs the Finnish label Rämekuukkeli Levyt), a digipack CD of the new album from Tampere sludge quartet Ilon Lapset. Mykkä pimeys was released in August in cooperation with French label Visceral Circuitry Records and is the band's second full-length. Ilon lapset previously released two demos in 2020 and 2022 respectively, before their first full-length Kurjuuden tuijotus in 2023.

It feels like an age since I last featured a Finnish band here (sorry for the endless delays in that department!) and thanks to Tuukka for the patience. The intro to opener ‘Hukkaan’ is deceptively upbeat and Moriondor, its creator, does a great job of throwing you off the scent musically. When the intro fades, you’re greeted with grimy sludge that’s just perfect for this time of year (or any other time!). I think Finnish bands produce sludge that’s similar to those in the UK, albeit with their own personality thrown in for good measure. 

I’ve been turned onto so many bands through Rämekuukkeli Levyt, including Cicutoxin, Slave Hands, Frogskin, Taser and countless others so it’s no surprise that Ilon Lapset clicked with me straight away. ‘Sotaa’ sounds so full and enjoyable with it’s lumbering percussion, thunderously low bass, properly heavy guitar work and vocals that are scarier than a scary film. I’ve run out of ways to describe how each instrument/voice sounds, as you can probably tell!

The one thing that does stand out here is the very brief use of guitar feedback, as is evident at the start of ‘Rangaistus’. Feedback is synonymous with sludge, but Ilon Lapset prefer a more straightforward approach, which is absolutely fine because it doesn’t really suit the tone of the song anyway. It’s more stripped back and  simplistic, in a good way.

Given the sub-genre that Ilon Lapset align to (in loose terms), they make a point of filling their songs with plenty of atmosphere. The spoken-word/ambient sample approach on ‘Juon Yksin’ works a treat and propels their sound to another realm. The return of the vocals after the midway point come as a shock because the earlier instrumental element was so transfixing. 

There’s a marauding/driving feel to penultimate song ‘Ei Vastausta’ to start with, but that’s just a ruse as things take a more sinister, slower turn later on. It’s easy to get lost in tempos and the change here is subtle but very effective. Closing song ‘Pimeyden Sydän’ gives off that dopamine-induced feeling thanks to its drawn out riffs and overall dankness.

It’s not the album’s longest song but it doesn’t need to be. Ilon Lapset are able to fill it with the pure nastiness that comes from a land that in places, falls into a dark winter (known as kaamos) for two months of the year. Ultimately, this album is one that’s drenched in darkness but also one that’s oddly filled with a sense of hope. No matter how dark things get, there’s always light at the end.

You can stream and purchase the album on physical and digital formats from the band below:-

Ilon Lapset don't really use social media but you can follow them on Youtube here - https://www.youtube.com/@ILONLAPSETofficial

Physical CD copies are also available from the labels below:-

Visceral Circuitry Records - https://visceralcircuitryrecs.bandcamp.com/album/mykk-pimeys

Rämekuukkeli Levyt - https://www.discogs.com/label/426384-Rämekuukkeli

Visceral Circuitry Records - https://www.facebook.com/visceralcircuitryrecs

Rämekuukkeli Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/ramekuukkeli/

Shoganai - Shoganai

Labels: Solipsistic/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 04 Dec 2024

Tracklist:

1. Lighthouses

2. Names and Dates in Concrete

3. Carving

4. Paradise

5. How I Know You're Gone

Today has been a wild ride for me (in a good way). Nothing has really changed except for hitting a major adulting milestone and the feeling of freedom that comes with it. Hopefully, that freedom will allow me more time to write but I'm not overpromising. I am though going to write about the debut EP from Texan screamo band Shoganai. 

Having first been released digitally by Shoganai themselves in December 2024, it was soon released on tape in January 2025 via US DIY label Solipsistic. Zegema Beach Records then picked it up for their own tape pressing in late July, which is where I heard about the band. It's always cool to hear a new band for the first time but it's also cool to see that they're planning for the future, as their Instagram handle is @shogan.ai, so you know some AI Stan's gonna come along at some point and offer them a fortune for the account (and I don't blame them if they accept it too!).

I’ll be honest; I think I overdid it by trying to force myself to write over the last few months, which led to me writing less. Maybe less is more, but I’m going to carry on regardless. I’m drawn to Shoganai’s debut EP straight away as opener ‘Lighthouses’ begins with atmospheric and majestic instrumentation before stop/start mathy post-hardcore takes hold. It is violent at times but it’s nowhere near being labelled emoviolence.

’Names and Dates in Concrete’ goes further into math territory and honestly, it couldn’t be delivered in a more perfect way. I think it’s that extra experimental approach that sets Shoganai apart from other screamo bands I’ve listened to recently, especially when they quickly move into chunky metalcore sounds later on.

There’s a more immediate feel to ‘Carving’, where Shoganai break out the metalcore influences to greater effect, all while remaining true to the mixture of elements that they’re carving out. So far this EP is excellent and I’m not just saying that for effect. Even with it’s immediacy at times, it doesn’t seem rushed.

The chugging, panic-laden riffs of ‘Paradise’ match both the percussion and vocals perfectly during what is the shortest song on the EP. Even when they break into a full-on mathcore stomp, there’s no faulting how good Shoganai are musically. EP closer ‘How I Know You’re Gone’ hangs around long enough to glisten in the autumn air while being warm enough in tone to cut through it.

It’s Guy Fawkes night here in the UK and with fireworks going off as I write, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than sitting here in cosy surroundings as this EP wraps itself around me like a warm embrace. Excellent and essential.

You can stream and purchase this EP digitally from Shoganai below:-

Shoganai Instagram - @shogan.ai

Tape copies are still available to purchase from Zegema Beach Records below:-

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

ZBR USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/shoganai

Solipsistic Instagram - @xsolipsisticx

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Irk - The Seeing House

Labels: Nefarious Industries

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 26 Sep 2025

Tracklist:

1. Idiot Plot

2. Toothache in Prison

3. Eating All of the Apple

4. The Finer Things in Life

5. Lifetime Achievement Award

6. The Great Wasp of Reluctance

7. Abraxas Casino

8. My Life in Bins

9. Love is a Windsock

10. Wedding, Berlin

A couple of months ago I wrote about the return of Yorkshire's Trudger after nine years. In that write-up I also hinted at the return of another band that have been silent for too long. It just so happens that said band is also from Yorkshire. Math/noise-rock band Irk are from Leeds and almost seven years after their last full-length Recipes From The Bible, they returned in September with their newest album The Seeing House, released via Nefarious Industries.

Irk's trio J.S. Gordon (vocalist), Ed Snell (bassist) and Matthew Deamer (drummer) are joined on this album by guests Jamie Chambers (strings arrangement),  Jenn Chubb (cello/gang vocals), Jack Evans (guitar), Stewart Ramsay and Kerry Ramsay (gang vocals).

There’s a glut of great new mathcore/math-rock bursting through at the moment, most of which is coming from the US; however, the UK has a proud tradition of musical weirdness too and having Irk back on the scene is nothing short of amazing, honestly! Kicking off with ‘Idiot Plot’, Irk’s noisy/sassy math-rock approach gives much more than it’s tempo suggests. The percussion/bass provides a solid base for the vocals that are delivered in a truly British rock/punk style (a cross between belligerence and showbiz). From the slightly laidback tempo of the album opener to the more frenetic and experimental ‘Toothache in Prison’, which allows the instrumentation more room to show through. It’s urgency obvious but tempered by a mid-section where bass is king.

The Seeing House is a mixed bag when it comes to songs and indeed song lengths, as is demonstrated by ‘Eating All of the Apple’. It’s a slow-build with authoritative bass and sinister, almost spoken-word vocals. I’m trying to recall “similar” sounding bands and all I can come with as a comparison (for what it’s worth) are Part Chimp, Idylls and Beecher maybe! Basically, I’m trying to say that I really have no clue. ‘The Finer Things in Life’ is that sweet spot between order and chaos without going over the edge. There’s an element of melody from the vocals here that gives a semblance of order before things get properly heavy, sludgy and weird.

From a song that doesn’t pass three minutes to one that smashes the seven minute mark, ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ is a stark mix of Irk’s math-rock, excellent cello playing from Jenn Chubb and string arrangement by Jamie Chambers. The addition of the strings provide an extra element of unease that’s been missing so far. After such an enjoyably mammoth song, you’re pulled into the album’s second half by ‘The Great Wasp of Reluctance’. As somebody who hates wasps, their reluctance to die plays on my mind constantly and the noise that Irk create here does nothing to ease it despite the addition of gang vocals from Stewart Ramsay, Kerry Ramsay and Jenn Chubb.

Given that the mathcore tag is assigned to Irk, it’s only correct that one or two of their songs don’t surpass two minutes. ‘Abraxas Casino’ is the shortest song on the album and honestly; it’s the closest to the sub-genre they’ll probably ever get. ‘My Life in Bins’ shows how comfortable and loose Irk have become on this album. It’s familiar in sound yet the added guitar from Jack Evans provides a layer that’s conspicuous by it’s absence on the rest of the record.

Penultimate song ‘Love is a Windsock’ is another glorious slab of noise-rock that goes way beyond that sub-genre. It’s a song that’s filled with a driving tempo and instrumental approach. Closing out the album with ‘Wedding, Berlin’, Irk go all out with the math-rock time-signatures and general oddness. It’s a lot more stripped back initially and is filled with unnerving atmosphere before it grows in intensity later on. Alongside the trio’s delivery, the gang vocals of Stewart Ramsey, Kerry Ramsey and Jenn Chubb are employed one final time to help round things out in terrifying style.

If this is Irk’s way of re-announcing themselves as a math/noise-rock force to be reckoned with, then they’ve totally achieved it! Again, it’s a great time to be a fan of the UK’s heavy music community, irrelevant of whether your’’re on the metal or punk side. Here’s hoping though that Irk waits less than seven years before releasing more music.

You can stream and purchase The Seeing House on all formats from Irk below:-

For those in the US, etc; you can order the album from Nefarious Industries here:-

https://www.nefariousindustries.com/collections/irk-the-seeing-house

Irk - https://www.facebook.com/irkband

Nefarious Industries - https://www.facebook.com/NefariousIndustries