Mt. Dagger - Nothing Personal. Just Misery.

Labels: Dingleberry Records/Pasidaryk Pats Records/Pike Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 08 Jan 2026

Tracklist: 

1. Inertia

2. Hellscape

3. Excision

4. Farce

5. Bloodsport

6. False Prophet

7. Terminal Velocity

8. Medic

9. Suburbia

10. Misanthrope

I have a framed print of the cover art from the album Gravity by Crowns&Thieves hanging on my wall. I asked the artist for it specially when I moved into my own place. I'm mentioning this because one of the band's ex-members plays in Berlin's Mt. Dagger, alongside musicians from countless other bands including Julith Krishun, Throwers and Pleite amongst others. 

Mt. Dagger released a demo back in 2023, containing three songs that would eventually help to make up their debut album, Nothing Personal. Just Misery. It was released on 300 copies of 180g ultra clear/black marble vinyl via Pike Records, Dingleberry Records and Pasidaryk Pats Records in January. 

Last week was hectic work-wise and this week’s shaping up to be just the same. You would think that I’d want to settle down with some easy-listening but you’d be wrong! The crusty, metallic hardcore of Mt. Dagger should be all I need and it’s thanks to Axel of Pike Records that I know of them. Opening Nothing Personal, Just Misery, ‘Inertia’ goes from almost Spaghetti Western-style guitar to graduating darkness before Mt. Dagger’s metallic hardcore takes hold properly. Its tempo is pretty frenetic, yet there are some elements that surprise too. The instrumentation brings to mind Totem Skin, while the vocal delivery leans toward a heavier version of Refused (at least to my ears).

I’m not trying to pigeonhole Mt. Dagger this early but sometimes it is worth laying down a boundary or two. ‘Hellscape’ rages harder with a crustier tone punching through the metallic guitars, as the percussion and bass really pile on the low-end heft. The vocals at times sound blackened. I like the fact that the first trio of songs get shorter and grow with intensity, as ‘Excision’ shows. There’s great chemistry between band members here, as this recording already sounds very complete.

The ringing feedback that kicks off ‘Farce’ tells you that you’re in for something lengthier, but there’s no sludge or doom present here; instead, Mt. Dagger move in a more off-kilter direction, which adds another layer to their already engrossing sound. Reading down the track listing and coming across a song called ‘Bloodsport’, I thought for a second that it could be a cover of the song by Sleep Token, until I realised that here it’s one word as opposed to two. What it actually is, is a song filled with scathing hardcore and classy melody.

The rumbling bass of ‘False Prophet’ takes no prisoners as it bleeds into utter driving heaviness. It’s one of those songs that goes by in a shot, leaving you wondering if you had even listened to it at all! The fact that Mt. Dagger have the sense of humour to call their longest song ‘Terminal Velocity’ isn’t lost on me. That being said though, it doesn’t hang around itself. There are plenty of tempo shifts and percussive transitions to keep you busy throughout.

Things get more urgent on ‘Medic’, as the band’s muscles are truly flexed with their most grooving, hardcore-punk laden song. Don’t let my description fool you though, as this sub two-minute song is still in keeping with the rest of the album. The focus that Mt. Dagger keep throughout this record is amazing to witness as ‘Suburbia’ takes over. The building ambience/atmosphere translates well as the full band hits the high gear. I’m a huge fan of their murkier, dank hardcore if I’m honest. It just hits differently, especially when those sweet cymbal chimes ring out. 

Closing with ‘Misanthrope’, Mt. Dagger go out on a high. One last deep-dive into chaos; exemplified by their precision tempo shifts. Nothing Personal. Just Misery. goes super hard right from the start. Mt. Dagger have laid down an early marker for metallic hardcore in 2026 and honestly, it’s gonna be hard to match. 

You can stream and purchase the album digitally from Mt. Dagger below:-

Mt. Dagger - https://www.instagram.com/mt.dagger/

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Pasidaryk Pats Records - https://pasidarykpatsrecords.lt/pasidaryk-pats-records-817/mt-dagger-nothing-personal-just-misery-lp

Pike Records - https://www.pikerecords.com/product/mt-dagger-nothing-personal-just-misery-lp/

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

Pasidaryk Pats Records - https://www.instagram.com/pasidaryk_pats_records/

Pike Records - https://www.facebook.com/pikercrds

Inosuke - Allomancer

Labels: Dancing Rabbit Records/Dingleberry Records/Friendly Otter/HellaDecentRecords/New Knee Records/Oliver Glenn Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 03 Nov 2025

Tracklist:

1. a thousand years of ash and mist

2. the well

3. god metal

4. braving the new world

5. catacendre

I first discovered US doom/screamo duo Inosuke back in late 2023 thanks to Zegema Beach Records and reviewed their debut LP rage/ruin in January of last year. They released their newest EP 'Allomancer' in November and kindly got in touch to let me know about it. They must know that I really appreciate bands who release music on a regular (annual) basis. Once again ZBR had a hand in this EP's release, alongside the other excellent DIY labels mentioned above.

Even before I hit play on this EP, I have to call out the amazing artwork by Martin McCoy (alongside the layout by Matt Quietsch) It’s so striking, especially with the autumnal colours. EP opener ‘a thousand years of ash and mist’ sounds way doomier than anything that was on rage/ruin to me, and a lot more off-kilter too. Inosuke as a duo work so hard to create a huge soundstage when they’re in full chat. When they quieten down, the atmosphere that takes hold is equally as big.

It’s often astounding how a band’s song-writing and creativity can be translated musically. From percussion to guitar and piano to vocals, Inosuke grow with every bar. ‘the well’ is less than half the length of Allomancer’s opener yet it’s instrumental twists and turns make it feel just as long, as the semi spoken-word/screamed vocals join in during it’s latter-half. They remind me of somebody else in their delivery, but I can’t remember who right now (it’ll probably come to me in the middle of the night!).

I genuinely hope that ‘god metal’ is a humorous swipe at religion in metal. All I know though, as the piano-led instrumentation gets louder and the vocals get harsher, is that it’s a subtle angst-laden song that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome.

Penultimate song ‘braving the new world’ sees Inosuke retreating to a doomier position stylistically and I’m all for it. The riffs of Jason Kallicragas are excellent, while the drumming of Erik Anderson is truly pummelling at its most manic. Equally, Jason’s vocals (as I’ve already said) are vicious but also audible, which is rare. Erik’s recording and Jack Shirley’s mix/mastering helps to bring it all to life too.

Ending with ‘catacendre’, Inosuke move in an orchestral direction once again. This time, it’s solely the piano that leads with ambient sounds underneath. It’s a lovely way to end this EP. Inosuke have managed to chart their own path through the ever-growing tundra that’s made up of every band that’s vying for your attention ever! If you’re a fan of heavy screamo music or you’re just screamo-curious (sorry!), this is the release you should listen to next.

You can stream and purchase Allomancer digitally from Inosuke below:-

Inosuke - https://www.facebook.com/inosukeband

You can still grab physical copies from the labels below:-

New Knee Records - https://inosuke-knr.bandcamp.com/album/allomancer

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

Dancing Rabbit Records - https://www.instagram.com/dancingrabbitrec/

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

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

New Knee Records - https://www.instagram.com/newkneerecords/

Oliver Glenn Records - https://www.instagram.com/oliverglennrecords/

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

Tröpical Ice Land - D

Labels: Dingleberry Records/Krimskramz/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 04 Mar 2019

Tracklist:

1. Calliphoriade

2. Amittat

3. Teresa

4. Kokoro no kaze

5. Reverencia a la nada

6. Pluie de feu

I'm delving back into the earlier release catalogue of Zegema Beach Records this evening, as part of my ongoing roster review series (which I really need to pick up the pace on). Spanish trio Tröpical Ice Land released their 2019 LP D via ZBR in early 2019, with help from Dingleberry Records and Krimskramz too!

It marked their fourth release as a band (though 'Amittat' was released as a standalone single and 'Teresa' appeared on ZBR's Zampler #12 before the full record saw the light of day). The band have links to Enze, Empty Heads and Strong Noises. I first properly discovered them thanks to their appearance on the 2020 five-way split Cinq that also featured Jeanne, Potence, Les Deux Minutes De La Haine and Yarostan.

I was going to open this review with something completely off topic, but it didn’t feel right. My brain works in odd ways sometimes! Allow me to guide you into D by Tröpical Ice Land instead with it’s opener ‘Calliphoriade’. Now it’s probably just me but does that first sixty-second intro remind anybody of ‘Aerials’ by System Of A Down? That’s not a comparison, it’s just an observation because Tröpical Ice Land are on a completely different plane musically, as their atmospheric post-hardcore takes over. 

Majestic and cinematic in the best possible way, without the explosive nature that the sub-genre can possess. Maybe it’s the time of year but I’m here for slower tempos and almost glacial atmosphere, which Tröpical Ice Land deliver beautifully. ‘Amittat’ follows directly on in the same vein, though a retreat into silence and introspection does give way to a more violent approach, which actually brings to mind Spanish compatriots Descubriendo Y Mr. Mime and Hurricade (whose split 7” was also released via Dingleberry Records and Krimskramz, alongside Dog Knights Productions back in 2016). 

After two frankly palatial numbers, ‘Teresa’ comes at you with an unexpected level of rawness. Maybe it’s because of the hasher vocal delivery or the crustier-edge to the instrumentation. Whatever the reason though, it does nothing to dampen the enjoyment you’ll get from this release. As ‘Kokoro no kaze’ signals the record’s latter half, it does so in deceiving fashion as it starts off with the atmosphere that opened things before launching into heavier vibes. 

Penultimate song ‘Reverencia a la nada’ is the most dramatic song on D and as it builds to a likely crescendo, it reminds me of how fleeting my attention span can be at times. Thankfully, I’m dragged back into the moment around about two-and-a-half minutes in by more abrasive screamo/emoviolence (why hasn’t someone just come up with the sub-genre “screamoviolence” yet?).

Closing out with ‘Pluie de feu’, Tröpical Ice Land leave you spellbound thanks to a gut-wrenchingly beautiful instrumental that was slightly unexpected but not out of place. I have this thing where I’m scared to be late but also think that I never have enough time to do things, so I always leave plenty of time for everything. Maybe I just need to chill. I didn’t think I’d have enough time for this tonight but sitting down to write this review after ironing (yes, my life is that glamorous!) has made me relax and truly appreciate this musical moment.

Now, while I implore you to purchase D on vinyl or digitally from Tröpical Ice Land via their bandcamp page below; their songs are also available as free downloads on the same page:-

Tröpical Ice Land - https://www.facebook.com/Tropicaliceland

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

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

Krimskramz - https://krimskramz.com/produkt-kategorie/krimskramz-releases/

Zegema Beach Records - https://zbrusa.com/

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

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

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

People's Temple Project/Sleeper Wave - Split 12"

Labels: Akashita Corp/Dingleberry Records/IFB Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 01 Feb 2019

Tracklist:

1. People's Temple Project - Intro

2. People's Temple Project - Seminar 1

3. People's Temple Project - Seminar 2

4. People's Temple Project - Interlude

5. People's Temple Project - Seminar 3

6. People's Temple Project - Seminar 4

7. People's Temple Project - Outro

8. Sleeper Wave - Shelf Life

9. Sleeper Wave - Coward

10. Sleeper Wave - Atrophy Through The Aperture

I'm going through a strange time right now. Things seem to be going really well in my day job and while I'm making the most of it, the blog has been slipping a bit. Press on I must though and it's time to jump back into the Zegema Beach Records roster, where I take time to look at the myriad of releases from the label. This evening's all about the 2019 split LP featuring People's Temple Project and Sleeper Wave. Both are from the US and have featured here before. Fun fact: aside from the Eight Feet Under comp LP that Sleeper Wave were on, this is the only other LP appearance by either band (please correct me if I'm wrong though!).

Ten songs in total, seven from People’s Temple Project and three from Sleeper Wave. PTP’s side begins with ‘Intro’, which is hypnotically suggestive, especially if you’ve paid close attention to the album’s cover art. ‘Seminar 1” follows instantly with raw yet melodic screamo that straddles the invisible line to emoviolence line but doesn’t completely cross it. 

‘Seminar 2” is slightly more stripped back to begin with, before it builds into a chaotic beast that gives no clue as to it’s near five-minute song length. It’s much more introspective in so much as it is quieter for larger passages. The guitar work is striking too but not in an immediate way, if that makes sense. The ‘Interlude’ just like the ‘Intro’ features a sample that’s (this time) heavily religious in tone. PTP took their name from the religious movement created by Jim Jones (if my memory is correct) and as somebody who is both fascinated by/opposed to organised religion, I find the aesthetic really interesting. 

Obviously I use the term “aesthetic’ loosely, as PTP are merely just being themsevles on this release. ‘Seminar 3’ takes on an exhilarating form straight away, reminding me of Refused at times throughout the song’s heavier more punk-influenced opening sixty seconds. What follows is a much gentler mid-section that morphs into something more chaotic as it reaches it’s close, only to lead you straight into ‘Seminar 4’ as if there was no break in the music. This time, there’s more math-rock going on alongside greater volume.

PTP’s overall sound seems to have evolved on this release and as the post-metal vibes of ‘Seminar 4’ guide you to their ‘Outro’, the final menacing sample plays out. There’s no time to dwell on it though as Sleeper Wave crashes straight over your wall with their opener ‘Shelf Life’. Sleeper Wave’s approach here is much more bluesy and jazz-like, with bursts of post-hardcore nestling perfectly alongside. 

Sleeper Wave are less about the instant hit, preferring to go longer but on ‘Coward’ they break out the hardcore to greater effect. It’s the most straight-to-your-face song on this entire LP, even when they retreat into experimental art-rock mid-way through. Their final and most grandiose song ‘Atrophy Through The Aperture’ blends upbeat punk/hardcore percussion with harsh vocals and off-kilter riffs, meaning that the listening experience is a bit all over the place (but in a good way). 

This split messes with my OCD a bit because I’m used to bands having an equal amount of songs per side; however, my personal opinion on that subject pales in comparison to the music that both People’s Temple Project and Sleeper Wave commit to this release. Both bands are equal yet individual and that makes this whole thing a much greater experience. Good luck finding a copy of this in the wild!

You can stream and purchase the full split LP digitally from People's Temple Project below:-

People's Temple Project - https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesTempleProject

Sleeper Wave - https://www.facebook.com/sleeperwave

I know that I wished you luck with finding a copy of this split for sale but as luck would have it, there are a couple of copies still available from the links below:-

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

Zegema Beach Records - https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/peoples-temple-project-sleeper-wave-split

Zegema Beach Records USA Store - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/peoples-temple-project-sleeper-wave-split-12

Akashita Corp - https://www.facebook.com/AkashitaCorp

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

IFB Records - http://www.ifbrecords.com

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

Infant Island - Infant Island

Labels: Conditions Records/Dingleberry Records/Left Hand Label/Middle-Man Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 Aug 2018

Tracklist:

1. Small Differences

2. Replenish

3. Broken Pieces

4. Fall

5. Diminish

6. A Preoccupation

7. Further

8. Where There Is Ruin (Bonus Track)

Post-hardcore has become such a versatile sub-genre over the last few years. So much so in fact, that it almost doesn't exist due to so many blurred musical lines. For one, there's the blistering (grind-inspired) emoviolence sound. Then there's the minimalist emo sound. In between those you have bands that wrap post-hardcore up in dissonant/mathy mayhem and those who mix atmospheric black metal with shoegaze, like Virginia's Infant Island. 

Their self-titled album was released in 2018 and was their first full-length. Initially released on vinyl via Conditions Records, Dingleberry Records and Middle-Man Records, as well as a limited tape run via Zegema Beach Records, it was later picked up for a European tape release via Left Hand Label, featuring the bonus track 'Where There Is Ruin', which was previously unreleased.

Time may be immemorial but in the present it’s going way too fast. It’s the ‘Small Differences’ that make the biggest impact right now, so being able to find a moment to sit and enjoy some music is very much needed. I’ve admired and appreciated Infant Island’s music for a long time now, especially thanks to labels like ZBR and Left Hand Label, whom I was able to purchase a copy of the band’s self-tilted album from on tape. 

The aforementioned opening song is the best of both post-hardcore and post-metal, especially thanks to Infant Island’s atmospheric blackened tones. Atmosphere doesn’t really come in to it though on ‘Replenish’, which kicks straight off with loud harsh vocals and equally to-the-point instrumentation. The song’s latter half takes a different turn with introspective vocal melodies and gentler musicianship.

That gentler approach flows into ‘Broken Pieces’ and with it, a subtle nod towards We Came Out Like Tigers and their collective delivery. It’s a majestic song that marries all encompassing guitars and percussion with vocals that sit deeper in the mix at first, before taking centre stage midway through. The dynamics work so well and portray true emotive fragility.

The feeling you get from cathartic, cleansing music is indescribable as it’s very personal but I reckon you could come close to describing it after listening to ‘Fall’. Absolute shout from the rooftops, heart on your sleeve stuff. The brief yet no less intense sound of ‘Diminish’ shows how much black metal influence goes into Infant Island’s music, in perfectly succinct fashion.

The two grandest songs are left till the end, starting with ‘A Preoccupation’ and it’s beautiful instrumental build-up that lasts to nearly it’s half way point. It has a feeling of spaciness even when the harsh vocals are unleashed. ‘Further’ is the longest of the album’s tracks and was the final one on it’s initial release. Almost seven minutes of deliciously layered screamo. 

Within those layers there are a multitude of other instruments too (that may not be immediately noticeable), including violin, cello, celestette, grand piano, bowed glockenspiel and upright piano, as well as added field recordings. All were intricately performed/recorded by Drake Dragone, Grace Howie, Alexander Rudenshiold (also the band’s guitarist/vocalist), Austin O’Rourke and Mark Boulanger. Vocalist Daniel Kost, bassist Kyle Guerra and drummer James Rakestraw make up Infant Island alongside Alexander on this release.

Bonus track ‘Where There Is Ruin’ appeared on the tape reissue by Left Hand Label in early 2019, having been previously unreleased. At the time, Infant Island described it as a precursor to what was to come and there’s a discernible difference in sound for sure. Some of the rawness of the band’s sound has vanished in favour of cleaner melodies and when it does get heavier, it really draws you in.

Infant Island may be on the back burner but their body of music continues to inspire. You may struggle but if you can find a copy of this album in the wild on a physical format, snap it up. It’s still available digitally too though, so why not do both!

You can stream and purchase both the original release as well as Left Hand Label's expanded release digitally below:-

Infant Island - https://www.facebook.com/infantisland

Physical copies are very scarce now but you can find a remaining copy below:-

Dingleberry Records Discogs - https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/

Conditions Records - https://conditionsrecords.bandcamp.com

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

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

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

Left Hand Label - https://www.facebook.com/lefthandlabel

Coma Regalia - The Mirror

Labels: Adorno Records/Dingleberry Records/Hardcore For The Losers/Middle-Man Records/Pundonor Records/Time As A Color/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 Mar 2018

Tracklist:

1. Return To The Hall Of Souls

2. Slohaugh En Sperata

3. Peel Back The Layers

4. Fragmental

5. The Face Underwater

6. Foreign Reflection

7. Shatter

8. Un Recognition

9. The Lie In The Dark

10. Horrid Reflection

I'm not sure what's been going on lately but the blog's been getting some proper love, for which I'm very grateful. It does feel like a lifetime though since I revisited the ZBR roster. As you'll know from previous posts in this little review series and from before; Coma Regalia has been a mainstay here in recent years. The Mirror was released back in early 2018 on tape and digital formats, as well as on the rarely seen 11" vinyl format (does anybody know of any other records released on 11" vinyl?). At the time of writing this intro, copies of said vinyl record still exist for sale. Will they still be on sale after this review? Who knows...

Havoc-inducing emoviolence with a sensitive side. Probably the most apt way I could describe Coma’s sound without repeating what I’ve said before. The Mirror’s opener ‘Return To The Hall Of Souls’ contains truly biting post-hardcore that lets very little light in, which is at odds with my opening sentence. It bleeds straight into ‘Slohaugh En Sperata’, which kicks off in quick-fire fashion before seemingly slowing down as if time was standing still, only to conclude with wailing feedback.

They say silence is golden but you don’t actually get very much of it here as ‘Peel Back The Layers’ takes all of Coma’s punk sensibilities and applies them to a sub one-minute blast. It’s a rager that drags you into the broodier and more uncomfortable ‘Fragmental’, where once again feedback rules over various parts of the music, except this time in greater amounts.

‘The Face Underwater’ is rhythmic and almost hypnotic initially, before that recognisably melodic guitar tone whisks you off to a better place. Talking of being whisked off to a better place, ‘Foreign Reflection’ keeps up that notion with some beautiful guitar work once again. Having watched some of the performances from this weekend’s Glastonbury Festival, I’d quite happily say that Coma Regalia would wipe the floor with them live if they ever got the chance to perform there (remember the time Napalm Death and Wormrot played inside a graffiti-laden tube train?). 

As the temperature here gets hotter and the atmosphere gets stickier, being greeted by The Mirror’s heaviest song ’Shatter’ is both unfathomable and cleansing. That same atmosphere flows into ‘Un Recognition’, which does contain more treble to brighten things up slightly. This is a body of work that genuinely represents the minds, bodies and souls of it’s creators. You can’t get more life affirming than that. 

Penultimate song ‘The Lie In The Dark’ is upbeat and really skilfully played. Artsy in places without being pretentious, it uses the collective musicianship of Coma Regalia to weave something that’s danceable and forgiving before the album’s final song ‘Horrid Reflection’ takes hold. I’ve always enjoyed releases like this where bands end on longer songs, and this is no different. It’s first half is instrumental and even when the full band kicks in, it still retains that musical heft. At times it sounds like a folk/sea shanty too.

Another tremendous release from a band filled with great souls. Society may be more polarised than ever but music like this will always bring us together.

You can stream and purchase The Mirror directly from Edie's label Middle-Man Records below, where vinyl copies are still available (including one solitary test-press!):-

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

You can also buy copies from the below labels:-

Adorno Records - https://adornorecords.bandcamp.com/merch

Hardcore For The Losers - https://hardcoreforthelosers.bandcamp.com/merch

Pundonor Records - https://pundonorrecords.limitedrun.com/categories/pundonor-releases

Time As A Color - https://timeasacolor.com/product-category/music/time-as-a-color-releases

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

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

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

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

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

Time As A Color - https://www.facebook.com/timeasacolor

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