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

Niboowin - Breathing

Labels: Dingleberry Records/IFB Records/Mosh Potatoes/React With Protest/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 18 Feb 2018

Tracklist:

1. Resting Peacefully

2. Raided

3. Careless Conscious

4. New Dawn

5. Eager Burden

6. Silhouettes

7. Chasing Sanctuary

8. Ashes Ignite And Awaken

I was so sure that I'd already reviewed this album, but going right back through what I'd already written about told me otherwise, so I'm making up for it now. Breathing is to date the only release from the US quartet that makes up Niboowin (ex-Old Soul, Dakhma etc). Niboowin plays black metal-infused noisy screamo, I guess. Whatever happens from here on out, It's Niboo-for-the-win!.

If you enjoy the likes of Dawn Ray’d and bands from the Alerta Antifascista Records roster, you’ll enjoy the sounds created by Niboowin on Breathing. Album opener ‘Resting Peacefully’ has a slightly crusty edge to it, alongside really authoritative guitar work, adding to the percussive blasts and proper emotive screams. There’s also a subtle heap of technicality thrown in for good measure.

‘Raided’ plays on Niboowin’s post-metal/rock influences a little bit more, even though those textures don’t play a huge part in the song as it quickly ratchets up in tempo and intensity. This album is so good! ‘Careless Conscious’ instills the quality of the musicianship on show, into you as a listener and I promise that if you’ve got this far into the record you’ll be hooked.

The mood and atmosphere dealt by ‘New Dawn’ is one of fresh belief, and hope, as the title suggests. It’s glorious instrumental build-up is light and upbeat, and even when the full band kicks in with menacing heaviness, it still feels so. I dunno, maybe cathartic might be a better descriptor. Either way, it’s great. Note: bands who don’t publish their song lengths on bandcamp are really onto something. This subtlety works in Niboowin’s favour here as it encourages you to invest time and listen till the end. It’s far too easy in today’s society to let your attention span own you (I should know).

The album’s later half starts with ‘Eager Burden’, which is decisively fast and noisy. It provides a bit of a jolt that’s unexpected, even if you don’t need one. Talking of jolts, the off-kilter hardcore/noise rock of ’Silhouettes’ is amongst the heaviest thing you’ll hear on Breathing. When it’s balanced by the melodic/post mid-section though, it’s so satisfying. 

‘Chasing Sanctuary’ will make you think warm and comforting thoughts fleetingly before being wrenched back to the present. The quiet/loud, soft/hard dynamic employed by Niboowin is at it’s most potent here for sure. Ending with ‘Ashes Ignite And Awaken’, it all feels like Breathing is over too quickly. It’s much better to have one stellar album than ten mediocre ones. This is that stellar album. Grab it while you still can!

You can stream and purchase Breathing digitally from Niboowin here:-

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

Physical copies are available from the labels and links below:-

Dingleberry Records - https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/1088285561

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

Zegema Beach Records USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/niboowin-breathing-12

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

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

Mosh Potatoes - https://www.facebook.com/moshpotatoesxvx

React With Protest - https://www.facebook.com/reactwithprotestdiy

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

Mrtex/Kelut - Split

Labels: Dead Punx Records/Dead Tank Records/Dingleberry Records/IFB Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 23 July 2017

Tracklist:

1. Mrtex - Intro

2. Mrtex - Van Llewyn & Burke, Carter J. - Welcome to 2017 (you pieces of shit)

3. Mrtex - Interlude

4. Mrtex - The Dark Ages 2.0 (Copyright USA 2017)

5. Mrtex - Straight the Fuck Down

6. Kelut - Riflessioni Opposte Producono Risultati Diversi

7. Kelut - Determining Things Under The Sun When Your Sight Is Blocked Always Deters One From Coming To The Ultimate Conclusion

8. Kelut - Ti Ho Visto In Un Sogno E Ho Capito Che Eri Piu Realistico Rispetto A Quando Ero Sveglio

9. Kelut - Mettere I Piatti In Tavola E Far Finta Che Niente Era Li

10. Kelut - L'ultima Domanda Sara Richiesto Quando la Mancanza Muore E Si Sono Lasciati A Guardare Il Soffitto Di Una Stanza Vuota

Is it me or is the postal system getting worse? Or more accurately, the UK postal system. The wait for parcels to drop right now is almost soul destroying. That's a moan for another time though, as today I'm revisiting another release from US screamo/powerviolence band Mrtex. Said release is their 2017 split LP with countrymen Kelut (the band with probably the longest song titles ever) and an Italian connection too, maybe?. The LP was limited to 300 copies on black vinyl.

I do enjoy split releases where the bands get equal sides, like this one. Mrtex start their side with ‘Intro’, which is full of gentle guitar and is very calming. What follows it is anything but, as ‘Van Llewyn & Burke, Carter J - Welcome to 2017 (you pieces of shit)’ explodes into life with blasting emoviolence and movie samples. It’s a swirling mass of bass-heavy riffs, drums and probably the angriest vocals I’ve heard from Mrtex. The pace slows again on ‘Interlude’, with it’s midwest emo vibes (kind of?). I don’t know if that was what they were going for but it sort of reminds me of The Promise Ring musically and the We Came Out Like Tigers spoken-word approach vocally. 

‘The Dark Ages 2.0 (Copyright USA 2017) definitely has a much more straight-up screamo sound, even with the occasional bursts of violence woven into it. Mrtex’s closer ’Straight The Fuck Down’ takes you on journey for over five minutes. One that again uses strong movie sample influences/references, which have also been a big part of ZBR throughout it’s existence. It’s heavy at times but much more ambient, which certainly adds a dramatic aspect to the end of Mrtex’s side. 

Kelut being their side with ‘Riflessioni Opposte Producono Risultati Diversi’, which is made up of angular, off-kilter screamo with multiple vocalists. The song seems to go from mid-paced to fast and then back to mid-paced again, which I guess is nothing too radical, except when it gets fast it’s exhilarating and mathy.  ‘Determining Things Under The Sun When Your Sight Is Blocked Always Deters One From Coming To The Ultimate Conclusion’ isn’t just a song with a long title, it’s also the screamiest of screamy songs. It’s pretty jazz-like at times too, just without the noodling. So good!

‘Ti Ho Visto In Un Sogno E Ho Capito Che Eri Piu Realistico Rispetto A Quando Ero Sveglio’ follows on straight after with as much visceral anger and screaming. What’s more surprising about this song is just how chunky the riffs are and how awesome the vocals sound (they almost sound Japanese at times, but I’m pretty sure they’re either Italian or indecipherable English). I really like how Kelut’s songs flow into one another, even if they go off in different directions eventually. ‘Mettere I Piatti In Tavola E Far Finta Che Niente Era Li’ has all the atmosphere, before going on an off-kilter march ending in black metal territory (in the vocal department at least).

Kelut closes with ‘L'ultima Domanda Sara Richiesto Quando la Mancanza Muore E Si Sono Lasciati A Guardare Il Soffitto Di Una Stanza Vuota’, which grinds and riffs it’s way through the first sixty seconds, before turning into an introspective beast, filled with slower paced passages, disparate vocals and dramatic instrumentation. Post-metal seems to be at it’s core and it makes for an incredibly majestic end to the split. 

This was a review that I started and stopped because of writer’s block. I think coming back to it a few days later definitely helped me to appreciate it more and be able to talk about it in same way. Mrtex have always been excellent and Kelut have left a huge impression on me too, especially as this split features their only output (that I know of).

You can stream and buy the split as a name-your-price-download below:-

Mrtex - https://www.facebook.com/mrtexrebellion

Kelut - https://www.facebook.com/kelutband

Physical copies are still available from the labels below:-

Dead Tank Records - https://deadtankrecords.com/

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

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

Dead Tank Records - https://www.facebook.com/deadtankrecords

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

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

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

Subjects/Rulers - Subjects//Rulers

Labels: IFB Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 31 Dec 2016

Tracklist:

1. Of Milk And Wine

2. Surely You Must Be Joking

3. Godel, Escher, Bach

4. Nice Death Ray, Buddy

5. Don't Let The Cat Out Of The Box

6. The Uncertainty Principle (On The Nose)

7. Your Number Is Up

8. Famous Last Words

This self-titled EP was the only release (that I know of) to come from Nashville, Tennessee (USA) screamo band Subjects/Rulers. Originally released digitally by the band in October 2015, it later saw the light of day as a tape release via IFB Records and Zegema Beach Records in December 2016. Subjects/Rulers featured links to Cease Upon The Capitol and Dolcim (amongst others), so came with a pedigree already. 100 tape copies were pressed.

Subjects/Rulers were a trio (a power trio if you will). Their sound is certainly powerful with opener ‘Of Milk And Wine’ sounding noisy straight from the off. The screams are harsh in an emotive way, though they do spill over into almost emoviolence territory sometimes. The blasts from the percussion and tempos remind me a bit of black metal or at least blackened screamo. The instrumentation and tempo of ’Surely You Must Be Joking’ is more upbeat, with melody being more present atop of the raw heaviness of the music. As with the opener, Subjects/Rulers punctuate that heaviness with a more introspective mid-section, which leads to suitably loud ending. 

‘Godel, Escher, Bach’ builds with sixty seconds of instrumentation that increases in volume, before the band unleashes some kick-ass Cave In-style, spacey screamo. I use Cave In as a loose similarity because at times the guitar work really does remind me of them. ’Nice Death Ray, Buddy’ sees them return to their noisier roots. Besides the comparison I’ve already used, I’m finding it hard to compare their sound to anything else as I don’t like to draw on past projects/bands too much. I really love the higher-pitched screams as well.

The all out emotion/power that greets you on ‘Don’t Let The Cat Out Of The Box’ is hard to beat and that’s only in it’s first half. The second half of this careening masterpiece is made up of instrumental beauty and caustic sensibilities that stop on a dime, leading to ‘The Uncertainty Principle (On The Nose)’. Being able to actually stick some music on makes me feel so much better about the fact that I haven’t posted anything for about a week and I’m happy that it gets to be this record. ‘The Uncertainty Principle (On The Nose)’ is a mid-paced dream, albeit with some trademark intensity too.

This whole release is very soothing, in a way that only screamo can be. Penultimate song ‘Your Number Is Up’ starts in that exact way before building in volume and musical layers. Again, there’s that surf/noise-rock influence that meshes itself into the band’s abrasive dissonance. It all just works so well (though as always I’m writing about what I hear so don’t shoot me down). Things are brought to a close by ‘Famous Last Words’ and it’s huge! There’s not a lot else that needs to be said.

I know there are many bands that haven’t made it past one release; however, those bands definitely deserve attention all the same. Subjects/Rulers were able to combine their experiences as members of other screamo greats to make this album as enjoyable as it is. I’m not sure if there are any tape copies still available in the wild but if there are, I’ll fight you for one!

For Fans Of: Cease Upon The Capitol, Dolcim, Role, Trachimbrod & Gillian Carter

You can stream and purchase Subjects/Rulers digitally below:-

Rejoice, copies do still exist in the wild and can be purchased from the below link:-

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

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

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

Old Soul - Blue Heron

Labels: Dingleberry Records/IFB Records/Maniyax Records/Mosh Potatoes/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 01 Jun 2016

Tracklist:

1. Typha

2. To Have Loved And Lost

3. Herons' Dance

4. Transcendence And Happenstance

Over the last few years, I've been (not so) secretly trying to complete or at least build-up a collection of discographies of certain bands, with Old Soul being one. Their 2016 four-track LP Blue Heron has so far eluded me, but I've also taken my eye off the ball a bit. I was reminded of this fact because it was the next ZBR release on my list to write about, as part of my ongoing ZBR roster review series. 

It was released via a collaboration that included a bunch of incredibly active labels; Dingleberry Records, IFB Records, Maniyax Records, Mosh Potatoes and Zegema Bech Records. I don't know exactly how many copies of this LP were pressed but I know it came on black vinyl and to this day it is Old Soul's last recorded material to date.

Old Soul have always been a viciously engaging band, mixing black metal with screamo/post-hardcore and on Blue Heron that sound was taken to it’s most emotive peak. Opener ‘Typha’ very much spreads Old Soul’s music out towards post-metal territory, certainly more so than before. That being said though, introspective dreamo provides respite too. As openers go, this is so cinematic and sets you up for the rest of the LP.

The use of sampled spoken-word on ‘To Have Loved And Lost’ is perfect, as it accompanies the long instrumental passage that opens the song. At nearly nine minutes, it’s definitely one to get lost in. When the full band opens up about three minutes in, their percussive black metal blasts sit comfortably alongside the melodic riffs and the harsh screams, before feedback-laden noise takes things down a notch or two later on. There’s still a cinematic quality to it but it’s also more menacing.

It’s easy to overlook just how progressive Old Soul were at times and ‘Herons’ Dance’ shows why, as it’s a deceptively off-kilter song with maybe even some psych-elements in the riffs (a la Japanese screamo/post  metal maybe?), albeit subtly. 2016 was a golden year for screamo and screamo-adjacent music I feel. Old Soul helped make it so with this release for sure.

LP closer ’Transcendence And Happenstance’ washes over you in such a gentle fashion at first, while slowly building with percussive layers and increasing volume. Even when it get’s heavier, it’s tempered back in such a way that it stays gentle, which is very clever musically. It ends with a calming orchestral outro. A very fitting way to end a record that still stands as the last release by Old Soul. 

As bands in the screamopshere go, Old Soul were one of the more prolific. They were around for about 7 years and members now play in other bands, including Niboowin. 

You can stream and purchase Blue Heron digitally from Old Soul below:-

Old Soul - https://www.facebook.com/OldSoulband

Physical copies can still be purchased via the links below:-

Mosh Potatoes - https://moshpotatoes.bandcamp.com/

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

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

Maniyax Records - https://www.facebook.com/ManiyaxRecords

Mosh Potatoes - https://www.facebook.com/moshpotatoesxvx

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

Also, head back here on the evening of Thursday 24th Feb, as I'll have a special post up featuring a brand new ZBR release!

Lentic Waters - The Path

Labels: Deadwood Records/IFB Records/Maniyax Records/React With Protest/Suspended Soul Tapes And Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 18 Jul 2015

Tracklist:

1. Absent

2. A Temporary Quest

3. Another Sleepless Night Of Despair

4. Exile

5. Glasshouse

6. The Hour

7. Between The Spheres

8. The Grid

9. Abyss

Those early dark November nights are beginning to kick in already. I've never suffered from S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder) before but at times like these, I can understand and sympathise with those who do. My escapism, if you can call it that, is the cathartic release brought on by heavy music and this evening I'm focusing on the second full-length by Lentic Waters. The Path was released in 2015 by all of the labels mentioned above.

Intense German hardcore/screamo is the exact remedy after an underwhelming day and Lentic Waters provide a cacophony of sound on album opener ‘Absent’, with it’s sludgy, dark hardcore mixing with earthy post-rock and even song black metal elements. The riffs, like with a lot of screamo-leaning bands lead the way but the whole band pulls together seamlessly to create an atmosphere and a sound that isn’t necessarily what you think of when you think of Bands from Germany. By that I mean they’re not cold or industrial (at this point I want to apologise for generalising).

They get heavier on ‘A Temporary Quest’, which plays more to their screamo influences, while also giving a nod to crust punk too. I’m sure I’ve said that about Lentic Waters before, but If I haven’t then let it stand. It’s all in the blasts I think, though it’s also so much more than that. There’s real heart here. There’s no pause for breath before ‘Another Sleepless Night Of Despair’ drags you through nearly three minutes of emotional anguish and furious instrumentation that leaves no time for peace or solace. It’s a musical tapestry woven in the best way possible.

‘Exile’ is the shortest song that Lentic Waters deliver on The Path and it’s off-kilter rhythms make this instrumental a joy to listen to. It threatens time and time again to explode into a melee of emoviolence-esque proportions, but alas it does not. What it does do, after a brief pause, is guide you on to the corresponding song ‘Glasshouse’, which takes the raw energy of Lentic Waters and stretches it out a little further. In doing so it reminds me of bands like Anopheli, Light Bearer and Alpinist. All bands that, to these ears anyway, straddle a similar path musically. 

The album becomes denser as it progresses to the second half, but before that, Lentic Waters propel themselves headfirst into the grindiest (if thats even a word) song on it in the form of ‘The Hour’. It’s tempo is the fastest you’ll hear on The Path and it introduces you to the band’s more unrelenting, unforgiving side. Brilliant from start to end. From that exhilaration you’re brought back down to earth with the more toned-down post-rock of ‘Between The Spheres’. It’s where the melodies woven by the band truly stand out and it’s the point where I forget where I am, letting the music take me, my head aggressively moving back and forth in abandon. It’s so bloody euphoric. I prefer being in my own world as opposed to the outside world at times like this!

The ringing feedback is both welcomed and revered as it bleeds into penultimate song ‘The Grid’, where the post-rock just gets better and better. The vocals are even more emotive, the riffs flit between downbeat and upbeat melodies, while the bass rumbles and the percussion brays. Yet I fear the best is still yet to come from this album. Never has there been a better closing song-title than ‘Abyss’ and, maybe unknowingly, that’s exactly where this album drags you back from (figuratively speaking). It’s near six-minute playing time wrenches whatever darkness there is left inside of you and replaces it with light. Sometime, music like this does that to you and when it catches you at the right time, it’s utterly amazing.

Saying much more now would be a waste of energy. The Path is truly special and Lentic Waters, while currently silent, are just perfect on their recordings. 

You can stream and purchase the album digitally from the band below:-

Lentic Waters - https://www.facebook.com/LenticWaters

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Deadwood Records - https://www.deadwoodrecords.de/

React With Protest - http://www.reactwithprotest.org/

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

Deadwood Records - https://www.facebook.com/deadwoodrecords

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

Maniyax Records - https://www.facebook.com/ManiyaxRecords

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

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

Tentacles - Ambivalence

Labels: Deadwood Records/Dead Tank Records/IFB Records/React With Protest/Scaglie Di Rumore/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 21 May 2015

Tracklist:

1. A Warm Body

2. My Mortal Cord

3. Pillars Of Salt

4. No Commiseration

5. Enantiodromia

6. Ambivalence

7. Uproot

Apologies, I had to hit reset again over the last week. Now I'm back with another Zegema Beach Records Roster review, this time featuring the 2015 album (also their last) from Texan screamo/grindcore band Tentacles, which alongside ZBR was released on vinyl and tape by the many labels above. It was the fourth release following their formation in 2006. From what I've heard/read about Tentacles, their music was always heavy, fast and super energetic. I need all of those things right now because I'm lamenting stuff. Here's Tentacles Ambivalence.

This album is made up of seven songs, of which the first and the last bookend the rest with more grandiose noise. Album opener ‘A Warm Body’ hugs you with it’s slow sludgy/powerviolence-esque riffs, coupled with crashing cymbals and drums. The bass is subtle and melodic, while the screams that greet you ninety seconds in are anything but. All encompassing crazy noise that’s rooted in many heavy camps. Mind-blowing already!

That opener is a bit of a misnomer though as ‘My Mortal Cord’ is a raging, blackened screamo masterpiece that goes as quickly as it barged in and stole your wife! It’s very much the same story with the grinding intensity of ‘Pillars Of Salt’. Despite how fast both songs are though, there’s still a loverly element of down-tempo sludge and technicality flowing through the music performed by Tentacles.

It seems as though they use multiple vocalists on ‘No Commiseration’ (correct me if I’m wrong here). Either way, it’s a proper ripper where the band ploughs an even deeper furrow with utterly heavy riffs and atmospherics. Kinda like if Cursed/Trap Them were even darker, if that makes any sense. Metalcore/hardcore makes a play during ‘Enantiodromia’, which in an instrumental song that grows and grows as if it’s going to explode, before holding you at the point of climax and in the end teasing you with the thought.

Penultimate title track ‘Ambivalence’ is another angular, shredding song that sounds evil but isn’t. Maybe it’s just me that’s hearing the black metal influence here but whatever, Tentacles play some of the best harshest screamo of recent times. I absolutely can’t get enough of that bass tone! To end it all, there’s nothing other than an eight-plus minute slug-a-thon called ‘Uproot’ that promises to be barbaric and it’s just that! If ever there was an epitaph to end all epitaphs, this would be it. Heck, I might even request for this song to be played at my funeral! Not that I’m dumbing this release down at all.

The use of melody to counteract the dissonant driving heaviness on show here is perfect. There’s something sensitive and soothing about Ambivalence that’s really hard to describe. It’s what I needed this evening and even if Tentacles have been silent for a long while now, it doesn’t matter because they left behind music like this. Last night I was ironing to the sounds of Papa Roach, tonight I’m sitting and head-banging in awe of this. It’s funny how music grabs us!

Stream and purchase Ambivalence as a name-your-price download below:-

You can buy physical copies from the below labels:-

Deadwood Records - https://www.deadwoodrecords.de/

Dead Tank Records - https://deadtankrecords.com/

React With Protest - http://www.reactwithprotest.org/

Zegema Beach Records - CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/ / USA - https://zbrusa.com/

Deadwood Records - https://www.facebook.com/deadwoodrecords

Dead Tank Records - https://www.facebook.com/deadtankrecords

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

React With Protest - https://www.facebook.com/reactwithprotestdiy

Scaglie Di Rumore - https://www.facebook.com/scagliedirumorepage

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

Republic Of Dreams/Autarkeia - Split 7"

Labels: IFB Records/Moment Of Collapse/React With Protest/Suspended Soul Tapes And Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 09 Jun 2015

Tracklist:

1. Republic Of Dreams - Dooh Nibor

2. Republic Of Dreams - Would You Like Some Sauce...

3. Republic Of Dreams - No Pretense

4. Republic Of Dreams - Don't Live By Any Letter

5. Autarkeia - A Constant

I feel like I need to make more of this month, as I've been seriously off my writing rhythm over the last two or three. I have loads planned but it's just a case of finding the time and having the mental energy to see it through. That being said, I stated a few posts back that I wanted to fire out some quick ZBR roster reviews so I'm making good on that intention with a write-up about the 2015 split 7" featuring German hardcore band Republic Of Dreams and US heavy emo/post-hardcore band Autarkeia. This EP brings you four extremely fast songs form Republic Of Dreams and one lengthier track from Autarkeia. The pressing for this release consisted of 500 copies on black vinyl, with a really nice (possibly screen-printed?) sleeve, via the labels listed above.

Tackling Republic Of Dreams and their four songs first, opener ‘Dooh Nibor’ is a fast, off-kilter emo-violence song with loads of chaotic melody, similarly erratic drumming and those characteristic harsh vocals that make ROD such an intense listen. Screeching feedback is always a feature with emotive hardcore and it provides the lead-in to ‘Would You Like Some Sauce…’. It’s another fast one, though there are also subtle riffs that straddle the mid-paced line (they are very subtle!). I feel that there’s a Scandi influence to ROD’s sound as well.

‘No Pretense’ is more mathy than anything else on the ROD side of this split. I thought it was nigh on impossible for a band to make their music swirl and grow in such a short time, but it does so here. The band’s closing tome, ‘Don’t Live By Any Letter’ is equal parts Dillinger and Cursed, while still retaining everything that Republic Of Dreams do so well. 

As mentioned above, Autarkeia’s sole contribution is their track ‘A Constant’ and it’s very far removed from that of their split mates. Slower in tempo, the vocals are delivered with a snarling abandon and are full of emotion. The instrumentation is more jangly, especially the guitars and there are elements of crust within the sound here. Autarkeia’s song-writing gives them a more restrained edge, and a cohesion that’s very obvious.

I have nothing bad to say about this split (not that I’d voice any such opinions without being at least constructive while doing so!). It’s a great listen and both Republic Of Dreams, and Autarkeia are still active as far I can tell (though feel free to correct me if I’m wrong), so if you haven’t check this split out yet for whatever reason, there’s never a bad time to do it.

Stream/buy it digitally below:-

Republic Of Dreams - https://www.facebook.com/republicofdreamsdiy

Autarkeia - https://autarkeia.bandcamp.com

Physical copies are available from the labels below:-

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

React With Protest - http://www.reactwithprotest.org/store

Suspended Soul Tapes And Records - https://suspendedsoultapesrecords.bigcartel.com/

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

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

Moment Of Collapse - https://www.facebook.com/momentofcollapse

React With Protest - https://www.facebook.com/reactwithprotestdiy

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

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