Othiel - World's Fastest Car

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 26 May 2025

Tracklist:

1. Never

2. Stones You Throw

3. Walk Through Walls

4. Narration Sickness

5. Luke

6. Canaries

7. World's Fastest Car

Californian screamo band Othiel returned earlier this year with their 2nd full-length release, World's Fastest Car. The story of their connection to Zegema Beach Records began in 2023 (though it was probably much earlier) when they released their first full-length LP We Will Be Our Home in 2023, swiftly followed by the 2024 split tape with Palefade, through sister label Tomb Tree. World's Fastest Car was released towards the end of May on 200 digipak CD's.

This last week has been the most frustrating of all weeks. I have been on annual leave and I had planned my time around the blog; however, whenever I make plans, they usually go to shit! I couldn’t let today slip away without getting something written. The newest release by Othiel was released on CD (remember those?) earlier this year and all copies have been sold. Maybe there will be a repress?!

Kicking off with ‘Never’, Othiel’s musical quality is noticeable. Grandiose melodies and atmosphere join harsh vocals, which themselves lean more towards hardcore. The spoken-word sample used mid-way through is a big nod towards American post-hardcore of the early 2000’s, as is the more expansive overall feel throughout the song. Things get a lot more urgent and angular on ‘Stones You Throw’, as Othiel add panic-chords and off-kilter time signatures into the mix. These ingredients don’t necessarily make the songs go faster but merely give off that impression. There’s still a lofty amount of mid-tempo feel here in places.

Chunkier riffs are a thing on ‘Walk Through Walls’, adding to what is a much more intense song. It has so many different musical elements; combining meatier hardcore riffs with their off-kilter post hardcore and changing tempos, Othiel show that they’re very adept at writing shorter songs without losing any of the feel. The ringing feedback that closes out ‘Walk Through Walls’ flows into ‘Narration Sickness’, which makes greater use of punk rhythms alongside dynamics that can’t be placed as easily. There’s definitely some production/mixing wizardry at play. 

‘Luke’ shows that there is a pattern to the album, as it opens once again with more ferocious post-hardcore, which gives way to more complex layers later on. It’s a pattern that creates a well-rounded song and indeed a well-rounded album. Honestly, it’s the perfect escape from what ails you thanks to Othiel’s love of emo and their exquisite musicianship. Penultimate song ‘Canaries’ sounds like it’s being controlled by a click-track early on but fear not as it’s just their precise drumming, which backs up even classier guitar/bass work and great vocals that add so much body to this release.

Closing out with the title-track ‘World’s Fastest Car’, Othiel give themselves space one again to allow their epic and expansive side to shine through, as if it wasn’t bright enough already! This album provides the perfect excuse to shut out the noise around you. Othiel are mature well beyond their years as a band, showing that they’re destined for the highest echelons of the current screamo rostrum.

As this release is sold out on CD format, the only way you can hear it right now is by streaming and/or purchasing it as a digital download via the ZBR bandcamp page below:-

Othiel Instagram - @othiel_ca

Zegema Beach Records - @zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Crossed - Realismo Ausente

Labels: Fireflies Fall/Navalla Discos/Saltamarges/Through Love Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 21 Mar 2025

Tracklist:

1. Ojos Cerrados

2. Vaciar Un Corazón

3. Distrés

4. Monotonia De La Lluvia En La Ventana

5. Cerrojo

6. Carne Atravesada

7. Sentirse Solo

8. Cruz Vertical

9. Cuerpo Distorsionado

10. Realismo Dolor

11. Catedral

I've been in love with Spanish hardcore/metal band Crossed ever since I purchased a copy of their 2022 album Morir from Left Hand Label (which was a co-release with Clever Eagle Records, Pundonor Record and Zegema Beach Records). Following their 2022 split release with Vibora and the 2024 EP Vida Quieta, Crossed return with their newest album Realismo Ausente. For those still unfamiliar, Crossed is made up of members from Boneflower, Descubriendo a Mr Mime and Eros+Massacre.

This album isn’t even a month old yet, so I don’t feel that far behind for once! Self-deprecation aside, Crossed are on an absolute roll. Opener ‘Ojos Cerrados’ fills the speakers (and room) with a screeching, heady mix of twinkly post-hardcore and blackened metal. It acts as an ice-breaker or an initiation if you will as it’s followed by ‘Vaciar Un Corazón’, which is filled with much more intensity and a whole lot of groove too. I for one wasn’t expecting that! The percussion sits a little deeper in the mix, while the bass and guitars ramp up the volume alongside the high-pitched vocals. 

‘Distrés’ opens up yet more sonic avenues on this release, as Crossed manically switch between upbeat punk rhythms and off-kilter signatures that truly blur genre lines. They purposefully ignore the need to write lengthy songs and allow momentum to do it’s thing. ‘Monotonia De La Lluvia En La Ventana’ is another case in point with it’s unnerving feedback and panic-inducing riffs. This song is somewhat different in approach as it relies on spoken-word vocals during the first-half before the band hits top gear once again.

In a time where bands are crossing genres as if they never existed, ‘Cerrojo’ offers no safe haven. Proper core riffs/bass delivered alongside eardrum-bursting screams and upfront drumming amplifies how far Crossed are willing to go for their art. ‘Carne Atravesada’ is filled with the most unnerving noise and screams, it’s easy to forget that this isn’t a noise/ambient black metal release. I mean, it sort of is but not in that sense as it’s got much more to it like the blasting insanity of ’Sentirse Solo’, which comes complete with mathcore-esque panic chords and added post-metal riffs.

The excellent continuation you get on Realismo Ausente doesn’t go unnoticed, The way Crossed uses feedback and natural sounds to bridge gaps between songs works perfectly. ‘Cruz Vertical’ is testament to that as it instantly hits after ’Sentirse Solo’ has seemingly ended, filling the speakers with heavy hardcore and repetition that actually sounds good!. They can do no wrong, as proven by the glorious yet metallic melody that opens ‘Cuerpo Distorsionado’. Those metallic tones make themselves heard throughout the song, while huge stomping riffs and high-pitched shrieks override the senses alongside cymbal-led percussive crashes. 

Penultimate song ‘Realismo Dolor’ both carries on the momentum left by it’s predecessor but also brings the earlier groove back to the forefront of Crossed’s sound, along with the spoken-word/shouted portion of the vocals. Ending with the album’s longest song ‘Catedral’, Crossed treat you to the heaviest piece overall. It contains pretty much everything that this record has to offer sonically, while creating the ultimate soundscape in which to conclude.

Crossed have always been heavy but that term is subjective. Some listeners will consider Morir to be a lot heavier while others will say the same about this album. I’m not looking to draw a proper comparison between the two (though it reads like I am) and I do like to approach records as I find them. Realismo Ausente is a great record filled with so much density. This year is passing by far too quickly, don’t let records like this do the same.

You can stream and purchase the album both digitally and physically from Crossed below:-

Crossed - https://www.facebook.com/crossedxband

You can also buy physical copies from the labels below:-

Fireflies Fall - https://firefliesfall.com/shop/

Navalla Discos - https://navalla.bandcamp.com/merch

Saltamarges - https://saltamarges.bandcamp.com/merch

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

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

Fireflies Fall - https://www.facebook.com/firefliesfall

Navalla Discos - https://www.facebook.com/navalladiscos

Saltamarges - https://www.facebook.com/saltamarges

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

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

Raging Speedhorn - Night Wolf

Labels: Spinefarm Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 06 March 2025

Tracklist:

1. Blood Red Sky

2. Buzz Killa

3. The Blood Code

4. Can't Stop

5. Every Night's Alright For Fighting

6. Night Wolf

7. DOA

8. Comin' In Hard

9. Dead Men Can't Dance

10. Dead Reckoning

UK high-octane sludge royalty Raging Speedhorn have just released their seventh full-length Night Wolf  via Spinefarm Records. The Corby sextet have kept going though line-up changes and hiatuses to reach twenty five years, having released their self-titled debut album at the turn of the Millennium. It's great to have Raging Speedhorn firing on all cylinders again and their return will be another much needed boost for UK heavy music.

After a slightly foreboding intro, ‘Blood Red Sky’ fills the speakers with groove-laden riffs, thunderous bass/percussion and RSH’s familiar dual-vocal onslaught. Musically, their impact over the years has been notable and doesn’t need re-telling. Here, their sound is both mature and revitalised at the same time. A honed take on hardcore and sludge, Night Wolf doesn’t need lengthy songs and ‘Buzz Killa’ shows why. It retains it’s heaviness while being catchy in the right way, which is something RSH have consistently delivered.

The bass that kicks off ‘The Blood Code’ is glorious and as it’s joined by the rest of the band, you’re in for them at their heaviest. There’s a simplicity to it that’s hard to ignore and that’s why it’s so enjoyable. Sounds great at full-volume too! ‘Can’t Stop’ takes the sound of NOLA sludge and RSH inject it with a heap of UK rock n roll flair. Being one of the shorter songs on Night Wolf, it’s gone by before you know it.

With a song-title that’s a play on the famous Elton John song, ‘Every Night’s Alright For Fighting’ is… perfect for just that. Riff-fulled mayhem in the catchiest of ways. At the mid-point of the album you may be thinking that Raging Speedhorn have lost some of their more dangerous/rougher edges over the years. You’d be right, but that doesn’t mean their sound can’t evolve at the same time. 

The album’s title-track drags you into it’s latter half with all the groove you’ll ever need on record. Once again, the dual-vocals provide a lot of colour (despite the harshness), while the instrumentation carries itself perfectly. I think the mixing/mastering captures a slightly more polished version of the band, which is definitely a snapshot in time.

The latter-half of Night Wolf is way more to-the-point and ‘DOA’ proves that in a succinct three-minute blast of sludgy hardcore that has all the tempos covered. Destined to be a live favourite for sure. The sound of feedback during the intro to ‘Comin’ In Hard’ is something that’s been missed so far. It subsides, giving way to yet more Southern drawl and dixie-esque influence. Everything’s definitely “comin’ in fast” here.

Penultimate rager ‘Dead Men Can’t Dance’ dials up both the heaviness and the upbeat nature of RSH’s song-writing just when you thought things might slow down. Absolutely brilliant! Ending with ‘Dead Reckoning, the reckless punk nature of early Speedhorn comes back to roost. The fact that they pack as much music into this final song as they do into all the rest is testament to their love for what they craft.

I needed this tonight but I didn’t appreciate how much until Night Wolf finished. While I’m more familiar with the Speedhorn of old, I can’t ignore what they have become now. Twenty five years into a career that’s helped shape the UK underground, they’re bound to reach new ears with this album. Long may they continue to cause chaos!

You can watch the hilarious video for 'Every Night's Alright For Fighting' via Youtube below:-

Physical copies of the album, as well as merch, can be purchased via Spinefarm Records here:-

https://spinefarm.tmstor.es/products/search

Raging Speedhorn - https://www.facebook.com/ragingspeedhorn

Spinefarm Records - https://www.facebook.com/spinefarm

Still - A Theft

Labels: Floodlit Recordings

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 15 Nov 2024

Tracklist:

1. Yearn

2. Only Time Will Tell

3. Light

4. Dark

5. Oscillate

6. Life Eclipses Living

7. Small Mercies Of Falling Apart

8. Unresolved

Last Tuesday I attended my first Bandcamp listening party in quite some time. When the online listening parties first stared, they were a great way for fans and bands on the platform to interact, and bond over a new release outside of a live setting. While Bandcamp as a platform might be changing in ways that aren't universally popular, these listening parties are still a great idea and this one gave me the opportunity to hear A Theft by Hull's post-black metal/hardcore band Still prior to it's release. as well as getting to soak up the feedback from fans and bands alike.

The record starts in very unconventional fashion with droning, drawn-out strings on opener ‘Yearn’, which soon after becomes overwhelmed by utterly heavy guitars, cavernous vocals and bass/drum work that reaches the outermost depths of what makes UK heavy music so great. The immediate blasting that kicks off ‘Only Time Will Tell’ sets the scene for an absolutely beastly take on black metal (with a metallic, avant-garde tinge). Still have been described as a blackened hardcore band in the past and there are definitely elements of that in their sound but here they do seem to transcend that label.

The production is incredible throughout the record as is it’s flow. ‘Light’ is a song title that resonates in an opposite way due to the darkness that it delivers (if that even makes sense!). It’s powerful yet sensitive enough to be cinematic at times as well. The transition to ‘Dark’ happens seamlessly, so much so in fact that I didn’t even notice! As I said earlier, Still absolutely nail the flowing nature of this record and keep the momentum high. Reading the chat as I’m writing is hard but I’m just about managing it and I’ve seen the likes of Plebeian Grandstand, Noise Trail Immersion and Fall Of Efrafa mentioned as comparisons. Who could argue with that!

‘Oscillate’ is a quick-fire song that signals the album’s latter half. It doesn’t deliver the ambient instrumental that some of you might be expecting though, as Still elects to continue with the intensity, leading into ‘Life Eclipses Living’. It mirrors real life in both name and atmosphere. It’s sonic elements are right up there too. So good! The angular beauty that’s captured in the metallic riffs of penultimate song ‘Small Mercies Of Falling Apart’ is a joy to behold (if you like your music off-kilter and angry). It highlights just how much Still care about their craft. The UK needs music like this and bands like Still, especially when you hear that ending!

Album closer ‘Unresolved’ is it’s longest and oddly it’s most melodic, if the guitar work is anything to go by. It’s also stark though and oddly simplistic at first. It goes from melodic and airy to sludge-like in a matter of moments. Tempo changes, engrossing vox, ground-shaking bass and insanely good percussion complete what is a truly breathtaking song. Jaw dropping from beginning to end. I don’t know how music this good is still so under-appreciated. I know I’m biased because I write about it over and above any other genre of music but it just hits differently.

You can stream and purchase A Theft on all formats from Still below:-

Still - https://www.facebook.com/wearestillaband

Floodlit Recordings - https://www.facebook.com/floodlitrecordings

Ghoul - Noxious Concoctions EP

Labels: Tankcrimes

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 02 Feb 2024

Tracklist:

1. The Eyes Of The Witch

2. Noxious Concoctions

3. Shotgun Gulch

4. Ratlicker

5. 1-900-DTH-LINE (Funerot Cover)

After just over two years of silence, California's splatterthrash heroes Ghoul returned with brand new EP Noxious Concoctions in February (yes I know we're approaching year end!). Released on vinyl, cd and digital formats via Tankcrimes, it features four new songs and a cover song that was originally written by fellow US death/thrash/crossover band Funerot. They're currently touring parts of the US with label mates Haggus as part of the Weapons Of Mosh Destruction V tour and there are only few dates left if you're planning on catching em!

After educating a colleague on what mosh pits are today, it feels only right to get stuck into something fast and loud. Enter stage right Ghoul and their latest EP, beginning with ‘The Eyes Of The Witch’. Being the ultimate troll band that they are, they kick off with an unexpectedly long song that’s both interstellar and haunting to start before excellently transitioning into a groovy, and catchy slab of melodic thrash. The harsh vocals remind you of what you’re dealing with as twin-guitar melodies and outstanding metal vibes make it impossible to ignore.

I’m not quite sure how Ghoul are going to surpass that opener to be honest but there’s no time to waste as the EP’s title track ’Noxious Concoctions’ takes over. It’s up-tempo nature seems at odds with ‘The Eyes Of The Witch’ but I guess that’s the point. If you want modern ripping thrash, this is for you. The brilliantly named ’Shotgun Gulch’ is up next and once again Ghoul are caught between catchy groove and intense speed/thrash. Whatever your preference, there’s only so long you can resist before their silky tones pull you in (yes, I really described them as silky! Might regret that later). 

Penultimate song ‘Ratlicker’ is also Ghoul’s final original number here and it hoovers up everything that’s great about old-school skate punk and throws it through a meat grinder of death metal, hardcore and thrash. There’s no way of knowing or guessing where it will take you so just give in. Wherever you end up, it’ll be better than the here and now. They close the EP with a cover of Funerot’s ‘1-900-DTH-LINE’ and it’s absolutely killer (as expected). Ghoul put their own stamp on this sub two-minute rager and by doing so, hopefully open new ears to another super prolific death/thrash/crossover band that existed for nearly a decade when they themselves were starting out.

Ghoul’s sound has always been heavy and has featured the unexpected. Here it feels as though they’ve taken another step up. Staying true to their thrash metal beginnings while growing musically. It looks like splatterthrash is here to stay!

You can stream and purchase Noxious Concoctions digitally from Ghoul below:-

Ghoul - https://www.facebook.com/GhoulunaticsAsylum

Vinyl and cd copies can be purchased from Tankcrimes here - https://tankcrimes.merchtable.com

Tankcrimes - https://www.facebook.com/tankcrimes

Dim Into Dross - Specters Of Indifference

 Labels: Self-Released/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 19 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Your Neighbour The Heritage-Ist

2. Episode

3. Passive Recruitment

4. We Will Break This

5. End Begin End

6. Osidian

7. Thats Crazy Glue

8. Where You Are

9. Learning Difference

10. Posthumous Book Club

It feels like it's been way more than a week since I last posted anything here. I'm back with the latest in my series of reviews looking at the (extensive) release catalogue from Zegema Beach Records. Specters Of Indifference was released back in January 2019, as the debut from New Jersey (USA) trio Dim Into Dross. To date it still stands as their only album, having been self-released by the band, as well as on tape at the same time by ZBR, of which 60 were made and are long sold out. It's worth noting at this point that Dim Into Dross featured (still features?) members of Massa Nera, Invalids and Bury Yourself.

This album looks furious from the get go with ten songs lasting about as many minutes. Opener ‘Your Neighbour The Heritage-ist’ is a technical, off-kilter hardcore song laced with screamo and metallic loveliness. Surprisingly raw sounding but all the better for it. ‘Episode’ sees the band flexing their rock n roll muscles slightly, while dual vocals come in later on as things get decidedly more intense. It’s pretty hard to categorise their music (even though I tried to above), especially if you read the tags at the bottom of their bandcamp page, which cover all bases.

Most of the songs here go by in under two minutes and on the grinding ‘Passive Recruitment’, Dim Into Dross deliver their most pummelling song so far. I really enjoyed the blasting percussion as it seemed to drag everything up another notch with it. I can’t believe that this was recorded by a three-piece. ‘We Will Break This’ has a more chunky/metal vibe going on, especially in the guitar and vocal department, reminding me a bit of From Autumn To Ashes in their heavier moments on Too Bad You’re Beautiful. 

It all flows into mathcore madness once again on ‘End Begin End’, which seems ahead of it’s time given how popular that sub-genre has become over the last few years. I know mathcore isn’t a new thing but as new listeners have cropped up and represses of older albums have become more frequent, it’s only natural and welcomed. ‘Osidian’ is the album’s longest song and at this point there’s a refreshing introspection to Dim Into Dross and also a realisation that emoviolence wasn’t really part of the trio’s sound here, at least to these ears anyway.

The pace ratchets up once again on ’Thats Crazy Glue’, which kicks off a trio of short and sweet songs rooted in dissonance and feedback. The follow-on from ‘Thats Crazy Glue’ to ‘Where You Are’ is a case in point as ringing feedback gives way to trembling bass and yet more crazed, and sumptuously sludgy mathcore. Absolutely the best duo of songs for me!

Penultimate number ‘Learning Difference’ is just as technical but also fits the metalcore mould ever so slightly. Closing with ‘Posthumous Book Club’, Dim Into Dross put on something of an instrumental masterclass while not forgetting about their emotive side, as the vocals provide eloquent colour that paints such vivid pictures in the mind.

It’s criminal that this is the only recording to date from Dim Into Dross. Their hardcore/metal-tinged approach is perfect in my opinion. Maybe I’m going through another shift in music taste and I know that I’ll encounter similar sounding bands as I work my way through the ZBR roster, but right now this sound really hits the spot.

You can stream and purchase Specters Of Indifference as a name-your-price download from Dim Into Dross here:-

Dim Into Dross - Instagram @dimintodross

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

Big Water - Drink More Water

Labels: Lydia House/Self-Released/The Ghost Is Clear Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: CDr/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 14 Dec 2018

Tracklist:

1. B.M.

2. My Name Is Chappie Johnson And I Can't Open This Damn Pickle Jar

3. Typical Porn

4. Highest Number Is 24

5. Half-Eatin' Sandwich

6. Drunk Punch Love

Back in 2018 I was lucky enough to be able to premiere the song 'Typical Porn' from the debut EP by Kansas City, US screamo/hardcore band Big Water. My biggest failing at the time though was not reviewing the full EP. I'm (sort of) righting that wrong this evening as I pick my ZBR roster review series back up again. Drink More Water was self-released by Big Water on tape and digitally in November 2018 (according to Discogs), before both The Ghost Is Clear Records and Zegema Beach Records released their own limited tape run a month later. There was also a CDr run made by Lydia House (again according to Discogs) but quantity and release date are unknown.

It’s weird how the less-is-more approach (to writing and posting) seems to be working. I always used to have the energy to write about a new release every evening, but things change and I’m still trying to re-find that same energy. Short sharp releases help and Drink More Water is definitely one of those. Opener ‘B.M.’ greets you with a sample from the TV comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm (I think? Please correct me if I’m wrong). It’s a short intro that leads into Big Water’s take on heavy yet groovy screamo/emo-violence with some added hardcore thrown in. ‘My Name Is Chappie Johnson And I Can’t Open This Damn Pickle Jar’ gives off total mathcore vibes initially. Maybe that’s due to quick shift from sound bite to harsh screamo, with plenty of off-kilter tempos and unexpected rhythmic fluency thrown in to the mix.

By the time you reach ‘Typical Porn’ you realise that while it seems like Big Water don’t take things too seriously, their music and it’s delivery is very much serious business. It’s shorter than the average song (apparently the average length of a “pop” song in three minutes and thirty seconds). Thankfully though, this isn’t an average pop song and I’m now going to wash my mouth out for suggesting it was even close. I get the impression that perhaps my neighbour above might be annoyed with the volume I’m playing this EP at or maybe even the volume of my typing, which I also get abuse for in my day job. ‘The Highest Number Is 24” is as furious as Big Water get. The enjoyment factor is massive here!.

‘Half-Eatin’ Sandwich’ has some bizarre nu-metal influences going on amongst the guitars (at least my ears anyway). It’s over before it’s really begun, in part due to the gung-ho fashion is which Big Water do things. There’s no point in dawdling anyway right?. EP closer ‘Drunk Punch Love’ is the longest song here and it exhibits a leaning towards exciting noise-rock for sure. Filled with angular instrumentation, the vocals are either used sparingly or huddled deep in the mix. It’s hard to pinpoint musical influences but it nods towards AmRep more than it does to Ape Must Not Kill Ape, if you get what I mean.

In the throwaway culture we live in now, debut demos and EPs tend to be overlooked by people who don’t dare to dig below the surface. If you’ve read this review and/or are familiar with Big Water, you’re not one of those people. Thank you, for you have chosen wisely as this EP is fantastic.

You can stream and purchase Drink More Water digitally from Big Water below, where it's also available on tape too:-

Zegema Beach Records still have copies of the tape available in their US store here too - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/big-water-drink-more-water-cassette

Big Water - @bigwaterkc Instagram

The Ghost Is Clear Records - https://www.facebook.com/TGICRECS

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

Hexis - Relictus/Umbrae

Labels: 7Degrees Records/Ancient Temple Recordings/Starved Light

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 22 Apr 2024

Tracklist:

1. Relictus

2. Umbrae

When I sat down to write the review of the Tethered demo, I opened up by saying how lovely it is to be able to write about and listen to familiar bands. They may be bands that have featured here in the past or bands that I've witnessed live, as well as those I have more of a personal connection with. Hexis is definitely one such name that can be counted as any and all of those things. From my first time seeing them live in the basement of The Royal Park Cellars in Leeds alongside This Gift Is A Curse in 2012 (I think), I was hooked.

Earlier this week, they released their latest two-track EP Relictus/Umbrae, on 8" vinyl and digital formats via 7Degrees Records (Germany), Ancient Temple Recordings (Canada) and Starved Light (Australia). Hexis are extremely active on the live circuit and also on the release front, notching up 19 physical releases not counting this one (according to Discogs).

The instant I hit play on ‘Relictus’ I’m transported back into the smoke and strobe-light filled pitch-black rooms that I remember witnessing Hexis in. Also, it dawns on me that the first time I saw them live was twelve years ago now!. Anyway, enough reminiscing as this is serious business and the black metal/hardcore fusion created by the band is brutally infectious, just as it has always been. There seems to be a preciseness to it here though, which makes the music sound even heavier.

Second song ‘Umbrae’ takes on a very different form to it’s predecessor. More feedback-laden, thicker in atmosphere and slower. At times it takes inspiration from drone but there’s also that sense that it’s going to explode into chaos. That chaos doesn’t come as expected though as Hexis choose instead to continue at a sludgy, slow pace (at least for them anyway). In doing so, it’s difficult not to be enthralled by the whole experience of this release.

It has always been hard to compare them to other bands but given who they have joined for split releases to date (As We Draw, Euglena, Redwood Hill, Primitive Man, This Gift Is A Curse, Telos), there’s a sense of kinship and snapshots in time that went on to shape this EP. Consistency can sometimes be a substitute for boring, but it’s not the case with Hexis. This EP will leave you aching for more and if you aren’t already familiar with their extensive back catalogue, then what are you waiting for?

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally, and physically from Hexis below:-

Hexis - https://www.facebook.com/Hexisband

7Degrees Records - https://www.7degrees-records.de/shop/8-vinyl/h-8-vinyl/

Ancient Temple Recordings - https://ancienttemplerecordings.bigcartel.com/product/hexis-8-record-pre-order

Starved Light - https://hexisband.bandcamp.com/album/relictus-umbrae

7Degrees Records - https://www.facebook.com/7DegreesRecords

Ancient Temple Recordings - https://www.facebook.com/AncientTempleRecordings

Starved Light -  https://www.facebook.com/starvedlight

Tethered - Demo

Labels: Self-Released/strictly no capital letters

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 19 Aug 2023

Tracklist:

1. torches

2. dust

3. motorhinder

4. shred

5. nostalgia

In spite of all the music from new bands dropping of late, I'm picking up on music by bands (and people) whom I've long admired and featured here many times before. This write-up is a mix of new band/familiar faces, as the UK's Tethered features Andy (previously of Arkless, What Price, Wonderland? etc). Andy very kindly wrote to me recently to let me about Tethered and their debut demo, which was self-released in August last year before strictly no capital letters gave it a tape release in March. 

Writing an opening review sentence and then deleting it again is currently my favourite hobby apparently! Tethered make a noise that’s filled with hardcore-punk energy on opener ‘torches’. I get vibes similar to Amyl And The Sniffers, Sheer Mag and the early hardcore attitude of Black Flag. Rose does such a great job with the vocals on this release, especially as Tethered is the first band she’s fronted.

Listening to ‘dust’ is a joy too, as it’s off-kilter and almost retro sound envelopes you with such warmth. I’m properly nostalgic for the days when MRR was a paper zine, in fact I still have all of the copies from when I used to subscribe. I can picture Tethered being reviewed and featured amongst those hallowed pages now.

‘motorhinder’ has a really old-school emo/post-hardcore sound to it and reminds me of the raw energy of Boysetsfire’s This Crying, This Screaming, My Voice Is Being Born. It grabs you with it’s immediacy but also it’s heartfelt musicianship, which as I’ve already alluded to, almost comes from a different era.

’shred’ has the immediacy of a powerviolence song to begin with before Tethered fall back to the more familiar hardcore-punk that’s filled this EP so far. Rose’s angry yet clean vocals, alongside the instrumentation of Andy, James and Pablo shows that the passion still rises to the top in the UK scene. The recording and mixing job done by Matthew Green at Head Cold Recording manages to harness that passion brilliantly too.

EP closer ‘nostalgia’ is a great one to end on, channelling every last ounce of emotion and bitterness that remains. This is one of those EPs that goes by in an instant, but is also one that leaves quite a mark because of it. I’ve witnessed bands with so much potential fade after one EP. Here’s hoping Tethered won’t be one of those because they have so much more to offer.

You can stream and grab the demo as a name-your-price download below:-

Physical tape copies are available to buy form strictly no capital letters here - https://sncl.collective-zine.co.uk/product/tethered-demo-tape/

strictly no capital letters - https://www.facebook.com/strictlynocapitalletters

No Heirloom - No Heirloom 7" Lathe

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 05 May 2023

Tracklist:

1. Dross

2. Fleeting Frame

3. Nepenthe

My rhythm's nowhere near where it should be writing-wise now. Stuff just get's in the way I guess. Thankfully, I have an element of organisation going on, hence this evening's review featuring US screamo/emoviolence trio No Heirloom and their debut EP. Originally self-released by the band in May of 2023, it took little or no time for Zegema Beach Records to pick up on said release, pressing it in December 2023 as a limited stereo lathe 7". 

Sitting here listening to digital releases knowing that I’ve got so many physical releases to catch up on feels oh so dirty, but here I am all the same. No Heirloom’s opener ‘Dross’ gathers together every element that makes hardcore, post-hardcore and screamo great (though those sub-genres are somewhat interchangeable). 

After that brief intro song, ‘Fleeting Frame’ definitely takes on more of an emo-violence form, albeit in passages as opposed to the whole song. Bandcamp suggests the likes of Frail Body, Frail Hands and Shizune (amongst others) as similar influences, yet No Heirloom seem to be able to project their own sound in a way that’s a lot more open and obvious.

EP closer ‘Nepenthe’ builds on what’s come before it with off-kilter musicianship and that now familiar triple-vocal approach that adds so much emotion to the recording. I’ve said this a few times over recent years but I genuinely think that we’re deep into a golden age of heavy music, let alone physical releases.

No Heirloom are a fantastic example of raw emotion and precise musicianship. Until I learned about ZBR’s involvement in this release, I knew nothing about the band. Maybe I’m not as on-the-ball as I used to be when it comes to new bands; but whatever the reason, at least there’s a means to catch up. This EP is short but absolutely banging all the same. More please. 

You can stream and purchase the EP directly from No Heirloom below:-

Physical copies are still available (just) from ZBR below:-

Zegema Beach Record CAN/INTL Store - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/no-heirloom / U.S.A Store - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/no-heirloom

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