CERE - Endless Days

Labels: Black Basset Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 03 Sep 2021

Tracklist:

1. Uncanny Valley

2. Exit Road

3. Annihilation

4. Assault

5. Umbrellas

6. Roses

Writing this review is both heart-warming and slightly humiliating (on my part). Heart-warming because Belgian band CERE has links to countrymen Mont-Dore, a band whom I reviewed back in August 2016 and whose guitarist Pierre Toussaint took the time to write to tell me about his new band. The humiliating part is that I only noticed his e-mail in my inbox last week. CERE has more in common with Mont-Dore too, as their debut release Endless Days has been made available digitally by Black Basset Records (alongside the band themselves). They play noise-rock/punk and have been lucky enough to support the likes of Nothing, Rolo Tomassi and Birds In Row in recent times.

This evening brings a lovely period of leave to an end. I march onward though and I want to finish May with a flourish of sorts. Belgian band CERE are new to me, though one third of it’s trio is not. It feels truly humbling that Pierre took the time to write to me after nearly seven years (following my Mont-Dore review in 2016). CERE’s own description of noise-punk is very accurate on opener ‘Uncanny Valley’, as high-octane punk clashes with noise-rock and caustic vox. It’s very upbeat and at times reminds me of early Orchestra Of Wolves-era Gallows if they jammed alongside Unsane and Chat Pile.

CERE count post-punk amongst their influences sound-wise and it’s clearer on ‘Exit Road’ where that influence comes from, yet there’s also a further snotty British-punk vibe going on as well. Another thing that’s really notable on this recording is it’s sheer volume with the vocals sitting right at the top in piercingly good form. As trio’s go, this one is absolutely blown out and incredible. ’’Annihilation’ is the most accurately named song-title on this record, as it also aptly describes the sheer sonic madness that’s being pursued by CERE. Admittedly, it’s not the most intense song on here but it’s no less enjoyably, with more post-punk and some great guitar effects too.

The second half of Endless Days begins in earnest with ‘Assault’ and it’s total assault on the senses. The slightly pensive intro gives way to something altogether more furious and intense, and it’s the intensity that spills over into penultimate number ‘Umbrellas’. Belgium has always been a stronghold of hardcore (Arkangel) , death metal (Aborted) and grind (Agathocles), apologies for the A’s, but CERE proves that there’s much more to the nation than that. 

Closing Endless Days with ‘Roses’, CERE weave’s in so many different elements, including cinematic post-rock, black metal and post-hardcore. It’s a fantastic song to end on, although that end comes way too quickly. There’s a truly invigorating rawness to CERE’s sound. I yearn to hear this in an intimate live setting, with bass tones bouncing off walls into my ears and sweat dripping onto my head. In fact there’s a venue here in Harrogate (Yorkshire) where they would fit perfectly if ever a UK tour were to happen. Please make it happen!.

You can stream and purchase Endless Days digitally from CERE below:-

It's also available from Black Basset Records here - https://blackbassetrecords.bandcamp.com/album/endless-days

CERE - https://www.facebook.com/cereband

Black Basset Records - https://www.facebook.com/BlackBassetRecords

Recollection - Didier (Black Basset Records)

This post marks the second milestone I've hid already this year (after hitting the 300,000 reader mark over the weekend). This is the fifth instalment of "Recollection" and this one was kindly sent over by Didier Gosset from Belgian label Black Basset Records. I reviewed the "Fractures" album by Mont-Dore a little while ago, which was released by Didier. Read on...

Fugazi – "In On The Kill Taker"

Now, that was a strange one. A CD I purchased straight after its release based only on the advice of one of my school’s cool kids. And an entirely new world opened to me. It probably took me two weeks by then to decide if I loved it or loathed it. Nowadays, I still consider the whole Fugazi discography a must-have for any clued-up records collector.

Facedown – "Friendship Is Everything"

Probably my first love story with a Belgian (straightedge) hardcore band. From Antwerp. At a time when H8000 (i.e. another area of Belgium) hardcore was all the rage! Although my Facedown favourite track (“Wartime”) is included on their first album proper (which also included two dodgy electro tracks of very bad taste for some reason), this is by favourite one. The CD version had live tracks and bonus tracks on it!

Culture – "Heteronome"

For no other reason than the sheer amount of times I listened to this album back in the days: I nearly destroyed the record! To be honest, it has not aged well.

Arkangel – "Prayers Upon Deaf Ears"

The Belgian UFO of 1998. So unexpected, so violent and, to top it all, straight from my hometown of Brussels. So much has been written about the band, yet there is no contest: this EP is their one true masterpiece.

Catharsis – 'Passion"

An aptly-named album indeed. And probably the best introduction possible to chaotic hardcore, in my opinion.

Ignite – "A Place Called Home"

By far the best Ignite album, the one for which they managed the best mix of both their hardcore and punk rock influences. I think we managed to see them 6 times on that tour, it was that enjoyable.

Converge – "Jane Doe"

It had to be there, right, if only for its sheer musical impact? To be honest, I am not even sure it’s the Converge album I listened to the most.

Fall of Efrafa – "Owsla"

I remember, as a small child, that my father brought me to the movies to watch the Watership Down "cartoon". It was a frightening experience but it led me, later on, to read and fully appreciate the book. The fact that Fall of Efrafa has managed to bring fantastic and majestic music together with proper story-telling and quality artworks make this record (and the entire trilogy around the book) simply extraordinary. 

Listener – "Wooden Heart"

This LP, and Listener's very own blend of "talk rock" is more than just a simple "favourite album”, it's a proper love story. There is nothing wrong in the band's whole discography. And, having had the chance to be involved in the promotion of a handful of their Belgian shows over the year, they are among the nicest people I have ever met. Must see band and a must have album. 

We Came Out Like Tigers – "Agelessness and Lack"

Remember Why You Are. Surely one of the best tracks of the naughties? This album is so addictive, it's unreal. An unexpected mix of black metal, screamo, folk music and violin.

Thanks very much to Didier for taking the time to write this (I know it's not easy). You can visit Black Basset Records via the links below:-

Black Basset Records Website/Store - http://blackbassetrecords.com

Black Basset Records Bandcamp - https://blackbassetrecords.bandcamp.com

Black Basset Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BlackBassetRecords/

Note: I am looking for more people who wold like to send in a list like Didier's. If you're interested and play in a band/run a label etc, then just drop me an e-mail at tnio@outlook.com. Thanks