Drei Affen - Drei Affen

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

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 15 Jun 2016

Tracklist:

1. El Sonido De Tu Llanto

2. El Yugo

3. Miedo

4. Caen Los Suenos

5. Fuego Y Llanto

6. El Comianzo Del Cambio

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yotsuya Kaidan - Tired Of Tomorrow's You 7"

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

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date - 10 Apr 2016

Tracklist:

1. High School Fights For The Ziggurat Falls

2. Feels Like Lucio Fontana's Canvas

3. Tasmanian Tigers

4. Stormo & Goliad

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally below:-

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Erai - Only Future EP

Labels: lifeisafunnything/strictly no capital letters

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 30 Oct 2020

Tracklist:

1. You Must Be A Ghost

2. Life Among The Savages

3. Sixteen (Only Future)

4. Version

Another one of my favourite German post-hardcore bands Erai just dropped a new four-song EP. It's only just been a year since the release of their second full-length Before We Were Wise And Unhappy, but here they are, spreading more musical cheer during these tough times. Only Future will be available on vinyl (from German label lifeisafunnything) and on tape (via UK label strictly no capital letters) with pre-orders currently live for the vinyl pressing. It's also available digitally via Erai's bandcamp page.

For an EP, Only Future’s running time is really generous. Opener ‘You Must Be A Ghost’ is a dark mix of post-hardcore and post-punk to begin with. The clean vocals are slightly haunting and together with the repeating riffs, it sort of reminds me of The Cure in places before Erai steps into more familiar territory. The bass is more prevalent on the recording and the percussion seems to sit quite high in the mix, adding a sense of chaos to the music. It’s controlled though and the quintet knows how to weave introspection and thoughtfulness into every passage.

As with some of the other screamo/post-hardcore releases I’ve reviewed over the last few weeks (especially Black Love more recently), Erai is venturing further into earlier territory in terms of the sub-genre and ‘Life Among The Savages’ has that light/heavy mix going on where the band moulds melodic instrumentation with fluctuating harsh/clean vocals and the occasional increase in dissonance. It also goes by too quickly.

Garage/Indie are not the first genres you think about when listening to Erai, but there is a nod to both on ’Sixteen (Only Future)’ in places. This is a more thoughtful song all round with energetic bursts of hardcore alongside quieter passages that are joined by spoken-word samples and extended instrumental sections. It’s a glorious song filled with atmosphere and genuine feeling. As the sun radiates my living room, the positive disposition of the music gives me the same energy.

EP closer ‘Version’ begins immediately afterwards with gentle acoustic guitar and ambience before exploding into a really cinematic and expansive instrumental, with subtle black metal atmosphere being injected into Erai’s post-hardcore. It’s got an electronica vibe and the spoken-word passage is heart-wrenching, showing the sentiment and humanity that exists within Erai’s song-writing and performance on Only Future. The vocals sit deep in the mix here, letting the music envelope them and in doing so, make this the perfect song to end on. 

I think perspective and self-reflection are very important things at the moment and this EP allows you to do both, whether it was intended or not. Music is such a big part of our lives and often what we hear/listen to is dictated by our moods. In this case, Only Future dictates your mood and provides the basis for calming meditative thoughts and feelings. It’s more than just another post-hardcore release.

You can stream and download Only Future via Erai's bandcamp page below, where you can also pre-order it directly from them:-

Erai - https://www.facebook.com/eraibln/

Physical copies can also be pre-ordered from lifeisafunnything and strictly no capital letters below:-

lifeisafunnything (vinyl) - http://lifeisafunnything.limitedrun.com/

strictlynocapitalletters (tape) - https://sncl.collective-zine.co.uk/ (Note: pre-orders for the tape pressing are not available yet, but keep checking)

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

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

Erai - Before We Were Wise And Unhappy

Labels: Lifeisafunnything/Flamingo Noise

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 Aug 2019

Tracklist:

1. A Letter

2. On A Wing

3. Sky Never Learned To Drive

4. The Red Door

5. Lights Out (Curtain Close)

6. Before We Were Wise And Unhappy

So pre-orders for the new record from Berlin's nicest emo band Erai are now live. It's been a long wait by the band's own admission but that should only help to stoke the anticipation. I was lucky enough to help them with a bit of promotion for the record in June, by streaming Lights Out (Curtain Close) via my YouTube channel. I now get to review it too, which is exciting. "Before We Were Wise And Unhappy" will be released on vinyl and tape (as well as digitally) with help from Lifeisafunnything and Flamingo Noise.

Constant shifts in the emo/post-hardcore movement in recent years have dragged the sound quite a distance away from where it once was. Away from that of the bands that forged it and nurtured it in the late-90s/early-00s. Erai seemingly wants to take it back to that time and “Before We Were Wise And Unhappy” is a statement to that effect. Not wanting to build it up too much, opening song A Letter is the perfect mix of melodic guitars, cinematic rhythm sections and screaming vocals that fill the room with true emotion. From there, On A Wing sits in a place somewhere between the grunge-like, dreamy emo of bands like Playlounge and Headroom, and the post-hardcore brilliance of bands like Time In Malta and Recover. It’s that mix of calming clean singing and occasional explosions of dissonance and screams.

I know I’ve named a few bands in comparison already but another one springs to mind when listening to Sky Never Learned To Drive and that band is fellow Germans Duct Hearts. Erai very much fills the void that exists while we await new music from DH. Needless to say, this lengthier song twists and turns between different tempos, moods and volumes to create something that washes over you and envelopes you in the same way that a loved-one does, keeping you warm and safe. It’s glorious. Erai’s urgent side is on show during The Red Door and much like album opener A Letter, there’s nostalgia and genuine musical craft flowing through it. There are so many so-called “modern melodic hardcore” bands that try to sound like this but don’t even come close.

Lights Out (Curtain Close) follows in the same grand vein. The layers woven by each instrument and by the multiple vocal melodies that back up the lead vocals transfix and grow with every bar and passage. Six songs isn’t enough in my humble opinion but then again it’s better to keep your audience wanting more and “Before We Were Wise And Unhappy” will certainly do that. The closing title-track starts off as a gentle, melodic piece before Erai launches into something altogether heavier. The vocals sit deep within the mix and the atmosphere is more like that of a black metal song. It’s fascinating in its own right. It may not be what you were expecting from the band at this point but it just goes to show the breadth of influences and song-writing that they call their own. 

There’s an obvious progression from their first self-titled album and Erai is one band whose sound, while not truly easily categorised, is more than just an example of the style of emo/post-hardcore. “Before We Were Wise And Unhappy” is excellent and more people should know about Erai.

You can purchase "Before We Were Wise And Unhappy" digitally and pre-order it on both vinyl and tapes (courtesy of Flamingo Noise Records below:-

Erai - https://www.facebook.com/eraibln/

Pre-orders for the LP are also available from the labels below:-

Lifeisafunnything - http://lifeisafunnything.bigcartel.com/

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

Flamingo Noise Records - https://www.facebook.com/pg/FlamingoNoise/

Erai - S/T LP

Labels: Lifeisafunnything

Formats: LP/Digital

Release Date: 23rd Nov 2017

Tracklist:

1. Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants

2. And I Took My Time

3. Mirror

4. Karen

5. Memorial

6. Sanguine, Sinking In

This is another late release from last year that I'm catching up on. Erai is an emo/post-hardcore band from Berlin, Germany. I think this self-titled LP is their debut. I was released by fellow German label Lifeisafunnything in November just gone. They're lucky enough to be playing the 5th edition of We Built The World And Miss The Stars Fest in May alongside a load of great bands, including Birds In Row, Shizune and Cavalcades amongst (many) others. Erai was founded in May 2016.

Despite sharing it’s name with an Oasis album, Erai’s opener Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants is far more interesting than the Manchester Britpop band’s music (bold statement I know!). There are cleanly shouted vocals (that remind me a little of “Bright Flashes” era Snapcase), loud drums and riffs that match with both volume and melody. At times Erai venture into emoviolence-like territory but they never quite explode enough, which is fine. And I Took My Time begins in gentler fashion. Feedback punctuates the lone guitar melody before the full band kicks in with a mix of punk-like time-signatures and driving post-hardcore. The song is really straightforward in its make-up and even after the introspective spoken-word mid-section, there’s a simplicity that flows through it. Musically it’s really really good. What Erai moves onto next is very different. The seven+ minute Mirror is filled with unnerving feedback for the first ninety-seconds. It dies down as the drums and bass provide a minimal and repeated backdrop for what’s to come. The soaring clean vocals that sit atop of the instrumentation are both powerful and uplifting. In fact the whole song is like that. Cinematic but not pretentious with huge swathes of sound from all directions. 

The further you get into this LP, the more you realise that Erai are a golden band. One that pay homage to the sub-genres trailblazers and manages to recreate the feeling that those bands gave you. Karen is a perfect example of what can be done when you don’t try to reinvent the wheel, while also not aping your influences. I’ve not heard post-hardcore played this well for a very long time. They allow their urgency to spill out on Memorial, which has more of a garage-punk feel to it with plenty of raw emotion. The closing song on Erai’s self-titled record is another long player. Sanguine, Sinking In begins slowly and with a feeling of beautiful loneliness. One thing’s for sure, they know how to build and maintain suspense. They weave and layer textures like cymbals, subtle bass, jangly guitars and audible shouts before the song reaches a crescendo at seven-and-a-half minutes and gather momentum with more cinematic post-hardcore. It’s brilliant and it underlines just how strong this record is. Erai is another excellent German band, alongside Duct Hearts. You’ll feel so energised after listening to this.

You can "Erai" and buy it digitally and on vinyl below:-

Erai - https://www.facebook.com/eraibln/

You can also buy it from Lifeisafunnything here - http://lifeisafunnything.bigcartel.com

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