Yarostan - II

Labels: Araki Records/Bus Stop Press/Crapoulet Records/Hardcore Fore The Losers/Saka Cost/Seaside Suicide Records/Seitan's Hell Bike Punks/Self-Released/Yoyodyne Records/Dingleberry Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 04 Apr 2022

Tracklist:

1. Minéral 

2. Les Maines Vides

3. Jouer Dans Les Ruines

4. Aux Miroirs Brisés

5. L'attente A Fait Un Désert Des Jardins De Notre Jeunesse

They say tiredness can kill and they're right. Thankfully though, the only thing it's killing right now is my energy. I'll get it back though and music always helps. French post-hardcore quintet Yarostan's second album II was released last April by the band on CD and digitally, as well as on vinyl by all of the lovely labels mentioned above. I first learned about Yarostan on the CINQ 5-way split LP from ZBR. It backed up what I already new about the French heavy music community, who have been ever so supportive since the inception of this blog.

If you want dramatic post-hardcore then venture no further than Yarostan and II. Opener ‘Minéral’ has all kinds of musical elements flowing through it, from heavy hardcore instrumentation and harsh screams to emotive clean singing from multiple vocalists. Something a little different then, especially given the softer edges of their sound. Post-hardcore seems to shapeshift into post-metal on ‘Les Mains Vides’ and in doing so, it paints a picture of a band that is comfortable wherever they sit musically. Oddly there’s some viking/folk metal-esque riffing and melody that follows the dark, angry opening bars (you’ll get what I mean here if you listen closely). The mid-section is filled with extremely well-written instrumental music before Yarostan reels you back in with a final blast of post-metal. Like the album’s opener, it’s a proper journey.

‘Jouer Dans Les Ruines’ ebbs and flows between melody, harshness and introspection. The expansive nature of Yarostan’s music is clearer with every passing second here. I don’t know if this is something they aspire too but I can totally see them on the roster of a label like Pelagic Records sometime in the future. They’d be a great addition if so. The last two songs on II pass the ten-minute mark and ‘Aux Miroirs Brisés’ is an ambient number at first before growing in layers and intensity, becoming something more familiar but with a sinister twist. The sound of what could be an organ or ghostly synths can be heard within the mix, adding haunting warmth. The musical movements that Yarostan go through during all of their songs are something to behold but here, they really seem to flourish.

‘L’attente A Fait Un Désert Des Jardins De Notre Jeunesse’ closes out the album with a bang. That bang was pretty instant and it led to something much bigger. Progression is a term that’s thrown around a lot (by me included) but it feels like Yarostan have really embraced it here, where sludge-like riffs rub shoulders with their now familiar clean vocals, while off-kilter dissonance jolts you one last time. I honestly don’t know how to end this review. Yarostan’s unique approach to post-hardcore is filled with genuine affection and a clear sense of musical enjoyment. Merci Yarostan, tu es parfait. 

You can purchase II on all formats (including on tape, which I failed to mention above) via Yarostan's bandcamp page below:-

Copies can also be purchased from the labels below:-

Araki Records - https://arakirecords.bandcamp.com/

Crapoulet Records - https://crapouletrecords.limitedrun.com/

Hardcore Fore The Losers - https://hardcoreforthelosers.bandcamp.com/

Saka Cost - https://sakacost.bandcamp.com/

Seitan's Hell Bike Punks - https://seitanshellbikepunks.bandcamp.com/

Dingleberry Records - https://www.discogs.com/seller/dingleberryrecords/profile

Araki Records - https://www.facebook.com/profile

Bus Stop Press - http://busstoppress.weebly.com

Crapoulet Records - https://www.facebook.com/Crapouletrecords

Hardcore Fore The Losers - https://www.facebook.com/HardcoreForTheLosers/

Saka Cost - https://www.facebook.com/saka.cost

Seaside Suicide Records - https://www.facebook.com/profile

Seitan's Hell Bike Punks - https://www.facebook.com/seitanshellbikepunks

Yoyodyne Records - https://yoyodynerecords.com

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/profile

SeeYouSpaceCowboy/Secondgradeknifefight - Split 7"

Labels: Dark Trail Records/Dingleberry Records/Longrail Records/Miss The Stars Records/Pattern Recognition Records/Rakkerpak Records/R.I.P In Peace Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 13 Feb 2018

Tracklist:

1. SeeYouSpaceCowboy - I Am A Trans-Continental Railroad, Please Run A Train On Me

2. SeeYouSpaceCowboy - Stop Calling Us Screamo

3. SeeYouSpaceCowboy - You Don't Understand The Liquor Is Calling The Shots Now Randy Bobandy

4. SeeYouSpaceCowboy - You Can't Get Goose Justice In A Fox Court, Just Spit On The Judge

5. Secondgradeknifefight - Who What When Were Why Did Take My Bug Collection (There's No Trust In This Household)

6. Secondgradeknifefight - Don't Tell Me You Like Monster Energy Drinks Cause I'll Break Your Kneecaps Motherfucker (Tonya Harding Shuffle)

7. Secondgradeknifefight - My Heart Is Broken But I Still Need To Get My Jetta Fixed Asap (No Time For Tom Foolery)

8. Secondgradeknifefight - Glass Vampires Roam These Darkened Woods Fellas (Protek Ya Nek)

9. Secondgradeknifefight - The Devil Is Real And He Tried To Eat My Ass (Goodbye Uncle Fuck)

If you think I'm typing those song titles in full in this review, you're kidding yourself. Anyway, this is my latest Zegema Beach Records roster review, which is a series I started so I could dig deeper into the label's previous releases. There was no other reason for it, apart from because I wanted to. This split was released in 2018 via ZBR and the other superb labels mentioned above. Notably, it features the final SeeYouSpaceCowboy song's before they signed to Pure Noise Records and forms the last Secondgradeknifefight recording to date (if Discogs is to be believed!). 

Featuring four math/sasscore songs from SeeYouSpaceCowboy and five Myspace-grind era songs from Secondgradeknifefight, this split doesn’t surpass ten minutes. SeeYouSpaceCowboy kick it off with ‘I Am A Trans-Continental Railroad…’ and if you’re familiar with their previous 7” Fashion Statements Of The Socially Aware, you’ll know what’s coming. Ridiculously heavy mathcore with grind, breakdowns and rock n roll vibes. ‘Stop Calling Us Screamo’ is an order not a song title! It also shows SYSC’s humour to be on point. Frenetic but also danceable. 

‘You Don’t Understand The Liquor Is Calling…’ is violence at it’s most controlled. I say that because it’s frightening how tight SYSC sound on this split. Over in a flash, it’s top-tier modern day mathcore. I was reminded earlier this week that they’re playing at Slam Dunk festival in the UK this year. They’re worth the price of the ticket alone! Their split closer ‘You Can’t Get Goose Justice…’ blasts through sixty seconds before one last bluesy/off-kilter passage leads to silence.

That silence is well and truly shattered a split-second later by Secondgradeknifefight’s opener ‘Who What When Where Why…’, with it’s siren-like guitar and super-fast grinding madness. ‘Don’t Tell Me You like The Police…’ features a sinister horror-inspired rap sample at the start before crunching, breakdown-filled craziness ensues. 

Urgency is felt even more on Secondgradeknifefight’s side of this split, though ‘My Heart Is Broken But I Still Need To Get My Jetta Fixed…’ is an outlier at first thanks to the honestly angry screams that give way to low-register growls and instrumentation. ‘Glass Vampires Roam These Darkened Woods…’ seems lengthy compared to the songs it’s followed and you might be forgiven for thinking that you’re listening to a blackgaze song initially, before being snapped out of any such trance by yet more violent extremity.

Secondgradeknifefight’s final number ‘The Devil Is Real And He Tried To Eat My Ass…’ rounds out the b-side with one final quick-fire reminder of why Myspace grind is still important and held in such high regard. As a solo project, this band is ultra creative.

As splits go, this was a glimpse in time for one band about to make their next step and one that was about to fall silent. Both SeeYouSpaceCowboy and Secondgradeknifefight helped to rebuild a sound and a community that’s flourishing now. They should be revered and enjoyed in equal measure.

Stream and purchase the split as a digital download below:-

SeeYouSpaceCowboy - https://www.facebook.com/seeyouspacecowboyca

Secondgradeknifefight - https://www.facebook.com/Secondgradeknifefight

You can hear much more about the history of this release from CanaDave's Out Past The Rings video here:-

Physical copies of this split are almost sold out and it will not be pressed again. A small number of copies are still available from the R.I.P In Peace Records below:-

R.I.P In Peace Records - https://ripinpeacerecords.storenvy.com/seeyouspacecowboy-secondgradeknifefight-split

Dark Trail Records - https://www.facebook.com/darktrailrecords

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/DingleberryRecords

Longrail Records - https://www.facebook.com/longrailrecords

Miss The Stars Records - https://www.facebook.com/missthestarsrecords

Pattern Recognition Records - https://www.facebook.com/PatternRecognitionRecords

Rakkerpak Records - https://www.facebook.com/rakkerpakrecords

R.I.P In Peace Records - https://www.facebook.com/r.i.p.inpeacerecords

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

Coma Regalia/Drei Affen - Split 7"

Labels: Adorno Records/Dasein Records/Dingleberry Records/Discos Finu/Krimskramz/Middle-Man Records/Muerte Matar Records/Pifia Records/Producciones Tudancas/TimTam Records/(We Built The World And) Miss The Stars Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 13 Feb 2018

Tracklist:

1. Coma Regalia - The End Result

2. Coma Regalia - Ever More Over

3. Coma Regalia - Cease Seeking Closure

4. Drei Affen - Dejadme Sonar Despierto

5. Drei Affen - Lluvia

I can't promise a lot this week in writing terms (there's a lot going on and not much time) but it's much better to focus on the time I do have. I think this is my tenth review to feature US screamo band Coma Regalia, which is pretty mad and testament to their productivity. It's the second time I've featured Spain's Drei Affen, whose discography is somewhat smaller than their split-mates, but of the best quality. This 7" was released five years ago next week though a collaboration of twelve DIY labels.

Coma Regalia’s music is known for (more often than not) being on the faster, more violent side of screamo, while still being melodic and their opener ‘The End Result’ exhibits that description perfectly with all of the right elements. Piercingly energetic screams, riffs full of urgency and percussion that’s often on the ragged edge. ’Ever More Over’ begins with a more pensive approach of clean-ish singing and mid-paced instrumentation, before launching back into more familiar territory thanks to the harsher vocals. The instrumentation remains more restrained through to the end, where it pauses and draws you into their final song ‘Cease Seeking Closure’, which is very much a mix of the previous songs. The thing that strikes you here is the preciseness of the guitar melodies and the impact they bestow on Coma Regalia’s music.

Drei Affen contribute two songs to this split and their opener ‘Dejadme Sonar Despierto’ is a powerfully seething hardcore song filled with higher-pitched screams and all-encompassing instrumental work that doesn’t let up, even when they slow the pace down. Split closer ‘Lluvia’ goes even harder, pushing Drei Affen’s intensity deeper into your synapse. The short playing time afforded to this format is actually beneficial here, as the split’s impact is much greater due to the immediacy of both bands. 100% would recommend!

You can stream and purchase the split digitally below (as well as from Drei Affen via their bandcamp page):-

Coma Regalia - https://www.facebook.com/comaregalia

Drei Affen - https://www.facebook.com/dreiaffenband

Physical copies can still be purchased from the labels below:-

Adorno Records - https://adornorecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-2

Dingleberry Records - https://www.discogs.com/seller/dingleberryrecords

Discos Finu - https://discosfinu.bandcamp.com/album/drei-affen-i-coma-regalia-split

Krimskramz - https://krimskramz.com/produkt/025-drei-affen-coma-regalia-split-7/

Dasein Records - https://www.facebook.com/SadReactRecords

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/DingleberryRecords

Discos Finu - https://www.facebook.com/discosfinu

Krimskramz - https://www.facebook.com/krimskramzstuff

Middle-Man Records - https://www.facebook.com/middlemanrecords

Muerte Matar Records - https://www.facebook.com/MuerteMatarRecords

Pifia Records - https://www.facebook.com/pifiarecords

Producciones Tudancas - https://www.facebook.com/ProduccionesTudancas

(We Built The World And) Miss The Stars Records - https://www.facebook.com/missthestarsrecords

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

Lora/The Ultimate Screamo Band - Split 7"

Labels: A Fond d'Cale/Desordre Ordonne/Dingleberry Records/Friendly Otter/GBS Records/KeepHope Productions/Polar Summer/Pure Heart Records/Ultimo Violence/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 21 Feb 2017

Tracklist:

1. Lora - Сны

2. Lora - Пески

3. Lora - Смута

4. The Ultimate Screamo Band - Élevé Au Porc

5. The Ultimate Screamo Band - Hypertonie

6. The Ultimate Screamo Band - Lettre Violente

7. The Ultimate Screamo Band - L'ingénierie Sociale Vs L'ingéniosité

8. The Ultimate Screamo Band - Singularité Instrumentale

9. The Ultimate Screamo Band - À Mon Père

I've got a free day today so trying be productive early doors (that's a British saying for those that don't understand it, which relates to getting somewhere earlier than normal and I think it refers more to our drinking culture!). Anyway, as I was saying, I wanted to be productive today so I'm starting with a review of this split from 2017, that featured Russian screamo/hardcore band Lora and also Canadian screamo/emoviolence solo project The Ultimate Screamo Band. There were 325 copies of the split pressed with three different covers. It was a collaborative release by ten labels.

This split was Lora’s last release, according to their bandcamp page. During their relatively short tenure, they also released an EP in May 2015. I’ve always found Russian bands to have a raw yet melodic approach and Lora are certainly no different here. ‘Сны’ is a fierce opener from them, featuring intense emoviolence. ‘Пески’ leaves no time to regain breath as it instantly takes over from the opener. It’s grinding, off-kilter approach is joined by chaotic guitar and swirling, anguished screams. It’s really good, despite the fairly short running time. Their final song ‘Смута’ is menacing at first, before Lora launches into their final tome of blistering screamo madness. These three songs really hit hard.

The Ultimate Screamo Band follow Lora with six songs, though two-thirds of those don’t pass the minute mark. ‘Élevé Au Porc’ opens TUSB’s side in slightly bizarre fashion, with an intro that kind of sounds like it belongs in a poorly dubbed Japanese martial arts movie. What follows is a barrage of everything that makes screamo so good. I guess that’s what the band set out to do in the end! ‘Hypertonie’ provides a truly dramatic soundscape during it’s brief playing time, with very short moments of introspection before ‘Lettre Violente’ comes into view. It starts off gently, before a stop/start layer flows into music that gets faster and faster, before silence.

During a brief pause in the music at this point, I thought it would be great idea to scratch my forehead (literally) but because I’m a Brit and because we’re not used to the sun being out ever, I remember that my face is sun burnt. What follows is a seemingly lingering burning sensation. That previous bit of verbal diarrhoea has absolutely nothing to do with ‘L’ingénierie Sociale Vs L'ingéniosité’ though, which is pretty much over before you know it. Bloody solid though. ‘Singularité Instrumentale’ sees a shift in TSUB’s sound, with an instrumental song that has more of a calm atmosphere, albeit for a short while as split closer ‘À Mon Père’ puts pay to any sort of relaxing finish as one final blast of screamo/emoviolence bursts through the speakers.

The split 7” format does is again! Bringing together two bands from different corners of the world, drawing in new listeners and offering an enthralling listen. Neither band is active now (as far I know) but this is still a very worthy body of work, if you can track one down!

For Fans Of: Loma Prieta, Systral, Tenure, Portrayal Of Guilt & Infant Island

You can stream both sides for the split via Lora's and TUSB's respective bandcamp pages below, where both sides are also available to grab as a name-your-price downloads:-

Most of the releasing labels have either sold out of 7"s or closed; however, a small amount of remaining copies can be purchased from Friendly Otter below:-

Friendly Otter - https://friendlyotter.bandcamp.com/album/fo-85-split-7

A Fond d'Cale - https://www.facebook.com/afonddcaleprod

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records-and-distribution

Friendly Otter - https://www.facebook.com/friendlyotterrex

GBS Records - https://www.facebook.com/GBS-Records

KeepHope Productions - https://www.facebook.com/KeepHopeProductions

Polar Summer - https://polarxsummer.bandcamp.com

Pure Heart Records - https://www.facebook.com/pureheartrecords

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

Nionde Plagan/The World That Summer - Split 10"

Labels: Dead Punx Records/Dingleberry Records/Laserlife Records/Longrail Records/Pundonor Records/Stack Your Roster/Suspended Soul Tapes And Records/Through Love Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 08 Feb 2017

Tracklist:

1. Nionde Plagan - Föreställningsvärldar

2. Nionde Plagan - Inget Att Förstå

3. The World That Summer - What Is Dead May Never Die

4. The World That Summer - Heat Death Parties Are The Bomb, Man

5. The World That Summer - Moth Volcano

By now both of these bands will (I'm sure) be familiar to you. If not, go and remedy that immediately! Sweden's Nionde Plagan joined forces with Canada's The World That Summer in February of 2017, to release a split on a very underused vinyl format (in my opinion anyway), the 10".  It was a joint release via a whole host of DIY, screamo loving labels. 

As this is the newest review from my ZBR roster review series, I need to acknowledge that my order of reviews goes in tandem with the order of ZBR's releases on bandcamp, from bottom to top and from right to left, going on the basis that the bottom right release is the earliest (obviously, that logic isn't always correct given that this split saw the light of day before the Eight Feet Under Comp, which was my previous review in the series). Either way. with my weird OCD aside, let's go.

Writing and publishing this review means that I’ve personally written more this May than I did last May. A small and personal mental boost, nothing more. Nionde Plagan has two tracks here compared to the three of The World That Summer, purely down to their song lengths. Their screamo/black metal fusion is joyous on opener ‘Föreställningsvärldar’. Spacious and cinematic guitars provide the bulk of the song’s atmosphere alongside the vocals, while the bass and percussion keep everything on an even keel, forever moving forwards. 

Their second and last song ‘Inget Att Förstå’ is more upbeat with punk-like tempos and groove-laden rhythms, if that’s an adequate way of describing it!. The vocals are still harsh, with the Swedish vocals providing something more authoritative. This 10” was their second to last release (at least if Discogs is to be believed) and it underlines how good they were/are. Next up it’s The World That Summer, whose side consists of the aforementioned three songs. ‘What Is Dead May Never Die’ is as atmospheric as Nionde Plagan’s opener at first before it morphs into an angrier, raw screamo song. That being said, it still brings out all the feels for sure.

‘Heat Death Parties Are The Bomb, Man’ is straight up sasscore/mathcore-inspired screamo, kind of in the vein of the obvious comparisons such as Seeyouspacecowboy and maybe even Euclid C Finder! sort of. It’s epic and it changes the mood of the split effortlessly. The World That Summer end on ‘Moth Volcano’, which aside from being a brilliant title, is also a great song that shows just how easy it is for a band to make three songs sound completely different, without being different (if you know what I mean?). 

Whatever my ramblings above represent, this split is ace. It contains the final songs committed to record by The World That Summer (again I’m relying on Discogs for this info, so it may not be accurate) and as mentioned above, was (caveat above) the penultimate release from Nionde Plagan. A very much underrated split on an underrated vinyl format. If you can still find a copy of this, buy buy buy!

For Fans Of: Old Man Gloom, Rinoa, Euclid C Finder!, Oak, Respire and Sadness

Stream and download it below:- 

Nionde Plagan - https://www.facebook.com/NiondePlagan

The World That Summer - https://www.facebook.com/theworldthatsummerband

Physical copies can still be purchased from the labels below:-

Laserlife Records - http://www.laserliferecords.org/product-category/records/10-records/

Through Love Records - https://shop.throughloverec.com/collections/releases/

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

Dead Punx Records - https://www.facebook.com/deadpunxrecords

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records-and-distribution

Laserlife Records - https://www.facebook.com/laserliferecords

Longrail Records - https://www.facebook.com/longrailrecords

Pundonor Records - https://www.facebook.com/pundonorecords

Stack Your Roster - https://www.facebook.com/StackYourRoster

Suspended Soul Tapes And Records - https://www.facebook.com/SuspendedSoulTapesRecords

Through Love Records - https://www.facebook.com/ThroughLoveRec

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

Drei Affen - Drei Affen

Labels: Adorno Records/Arkan Records/Blessed Hands Records/Cactus Tapes/Dingleberry Records/Discos Finu/Don't Care Records/Hydrogen Man Records/Krimskramz/Lifeisafunnything/Middle-Man Records/Monte Calvario/Pifia Records/Pure Heart Records/Rakkerpak Records/Rubaiyat Records/Screamore/Unlock Yourself Records/Voice Of The Unheard/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 15 Jun 2016

Tracklist:

1. El Sonido De Tu Llanto

2. El Yugo

3. Miedo

4. Caen Los Suenos

5. Fuego Y Llanto

6. El Comianzo Del Cambio

I hit a major milestone with the blog last week by reaching 900,000 readers. It's a massive achievement and I'm going to push to hit 1,000,000 by the end of 2022, which would be epic! Thank you to everyone for the interest and support so far.

Today I'm on the ZBR trail again and focusing the 2016 self-titled EP by from Spanish post-hardcore/emoviolence band Drei Affen. It was released on vinyl and tape via many labels (see above) and digitally too. In fact, it was Drei Affen's debut. According to social media, Drei Affen are back after a break too, having played live in November just gone.

Drei Affen’s sound has always been explosive and their self-titled EP is where it all started. Melodic post-hardcore, frenzied emo-violence and abrasive neocrust converge on opener ‘El Sonido De Tu Llanto’ to create a massively enjoyably first impression. It’s what could be described as carefully orchestrated chaos.’ El Yugo’ follows on with a symphony of guitar riffs, backed up very tight percussion and vocals that sound like they’re coming from totally shredded vocal chords. There are plenty of off-kilter moments and even time for an atmospheric mid-section.

The slightly slower tempo of ‘Miedo’ is a bit of an illusion, as the guitars make it seem less intense while everything else goes off just as hard. Drei Affen’s music is immediate, leaving no room for any fluffiness and it’s all the better for it. They remind me a lot of Ojne, who also fly the flag for European screamo. This EP ascends to a gloriously crazed peak on ‘Caen Los Suenos’. It’s really hard to adequately describe how much it comes alive in words but there’s just something about the beauty portrayed amongst it’s sub-three minute form. I guess you’re just going to have to listen to it (if you’re not already familiar).

Penultimate song ‘Fuego Y Llanto’ feels like it stretches way beyond it’s playing time thanks to the sheer amount of instrumental layers it has. Harnessing energy that Drei Affen barely keep a lid on, there are both breathless and breathable moments within. The intro bars to EP closer ‘El Comienzo Del Cambio’ feature a spoken-word sample alongside an ace drum-fill, which signals what’s to come as things conclude. With the majority of lyrics in Spanish, the song and indeed the entire record seem to convey such a rawness that leaps out at you. Slow post-metal vibes pull you towards the final passages of emoviolence and then all goes quiet.

At this point I’m a little stuck for words. This record comes and goes pretty quickly, but that’s what makes it so memorable too. I’m not sure how many copies of this still exist for sale, but if you can find one in the wild don’t hesitate to pick it up.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

Drei Affen - https://www.facebook.com/dreiaffenband

You can still buy vinyl and tape copies from the below labels:-

Hydrogen Man Records - https://hydrogenman.storenvy.com/

Middle-Man Records - https://middlemanrecords.storenvy.com/  

The labels that were involved in the release are linked below:-

Arkan Records - https://www.facebook.com/arkanrecords/

Blessed Hands Records - https://www.facebook.com/BlessedhandsRecords

Cactus Tapes - https://www.facebook.com/cactustapes

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records-and-distribution

Discos Finu - https://www.facebook.com/discosfinu

Don't Care Records - https://www.facebook.com/DontCareRecords

Hydrogen Man Records - https://www.facebook.com/hydrogenmanrecords

Krimskramz - https://www.facebook.com/krimskramzstuff

Lifeisafunnything - https://www.facebook.com/lifeisafunnything123

Middle-Man Records - https://www.facebook.com/middlemanrecords

Monte Calvario - https://www.facebook.com/montecalvariorecords

Pifia Records - https://www.facebook.com/pifiarecords

Pure Heart Records - https://www.facebook.com/pureheartrecords

Rakkerpak Records - https://www.facebook.com/rakkerpakrecords

Rubaiyat Records - https://www.facebook.com/rubaiyatrecords

Screamore - https://www.facebook.com/takecareofyourself1

Unlock Yourself Records - https://www.facebook.com/unlockyourselfrecords

Voice Of The Unheard - https://www.facebook.com/voturecords

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

Yotsuya Kaidan - Tired Of Tomorrow's You 7"

Labels: Dingleberry Records/Lifeisafunnything/Parking Lot Records/Rubaiyat Records/Samegrey Records/TRVS Records/Unlock Yourself Records/Upwind Records/Winter Sea Label/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date - 10 Apr 2016

Tracklist:

1. High School Fights For The Ziggurat Falls

2. Feels Like Lucio Fontana's Canvas

3. Tasmanian Tigers

4. Stormo & Goliad

This is likely to be my last review of 2021. I apologise for the lack of activity over the last week. I received an early Christmas present in the form of Vertigo late last week and spent the last few days getting over it/spending the holiday with my parents and brother. There may be one more post between now and the New Year, as I have a couple of reviews from Mikey to post up, as long as the 'V' doesn't strike again.

This is a review I've been looking forward to writing for a little while, as not only is it another of my Zegema Beach Roster reviews, but it's also about a 7" that's part of my personal collection. I first cast ears on Ukraine's Yotsuya Kaidan back in 2017, thanks to the Too Sad To Tell You 7" that was released via Dong Knights Productions and A Fond d'Cale. I picked up a physical copy of this EP from ZBR earlier in the year on yellow vinyl.

According to Discogs and Yotsuya Kaidan’s own bandcamp page, this 7” was their first physical release. It stands up as the first body of work that existed during the band’s extremely productive early period between  2016 and 2017. What’s presented here are four short post-hardcore/screamo songs and EP opener ‘High School Fights For The Ziggurat Falls’ kicks things off with melodic blackened riffs, intense percussion/bass and harsh vocals delivered in the band’s native tongue. Dramatic is the best word I can use to describe this so far.

‘Feels Like Lucio Fontana’s Canvas’ springs into life immediately after a very brief pause, with a multi-vocal attack and a controlled explosion of violent screamo. It’s so hard to describe this, even after the many listens I’ve given it after my copy arrived. It’s one of those EP’s that will certainly have you coming back for more though.

Urgency is definitely a huge part of the sound invoked by Yotsuya Kaidan and penultimate song ‘Tasmanian Tigers’ is the perfect embodiment of that nuance. It’s a song that’s over before you know it, though there are still so many musical layers to take in as well. 

With last song ‘Stormo & Goliad’, Yotsuya Kaidan break out their longest piece and also their most anthemic (if that’s even possible!). The emotional, caustic and enthralling approach to their music is laid out for all to hear this last time, and there’s no escaping how heart-wrenchingly good it is. The band is still very much alive (they released an EP earlier this year), so if you’re still not familiar with them, there’s no time like the present. 

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

Yotsuya Kaidan - https://www.facebook.com/yotsuyakaidanband

 

As far as I can tell, the only label that still officially has copies of this EP is ZBR. See the link below:-

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

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records-and-distribution

Lifeisafunnything - https://www.facebook.com/lifeisafunnything123

Parking Lot Records - https://www.facebook.com/parkinglotrecords

Rubaiyat Records - https://www.facebook.com/rubaiyatrecords

Samegrey Records - https://www.facebook.com/samegrey/

TRVS Records - https://www.facebook.com/trvsrecords

Unlock Yourself Records - https://www.facebook.com/unlockyourselfrecords

Upwind Records - https://www.facebook.com/upwindisdead

Winter Sea Label - https://www.facebook.com/WinterSealabel

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