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

Redwood Hill/Hexis - Split 7" Picture Disc

Labels: Bookhouse Records/Boue Records/Enjoyment Records/Invektiv Records/KPHC/Maniyax Records/Mind Control Records/Shove Records

Formats: 7" Picture Disc/Digital

Release Date: 11 Nov 2013

Tracklist:

1. Redwood Hill - Applewhite

2. Hexis - Tenebris

Many moons ago I wrote a list of physical releases I owned, by labels I'd featured here with the idea of interspersing my regular reviews with write-ups about them. The list was mainly made up of 7" releases. I've decided to finally dust off that list out of nostalgia and I'm starting with the record that was the first picture disc in my personal collection. I purchased it from UK label Enjoyment Records (RIP) and it features a song each from post-metal band Redwood Hill and black metal/hardcore band Hexis, both from Denmark. 500 copies were pressed in total.

Redwood Hill’s post-metal is a heavy cross between Cult Of Luna and Enslaved (maybe). That comparison is possible a bit off now, but it sounds like that was what they were going for when they wrote and recorded ‘Applewhite’ for this split. It’s sludgy and slow, but with a black metal backbone all of it’s own. It may be nearly seven years since it was released but it still sounds as punishing as ever. Progressive in places but also just evil sounding.

Hexis on the other hand are (and were in this case) always straight to the point. Their black metal on ‘Tenebris’ is accompanied by grinding tempos more than it is hardcore. This split definitely captures a place in time and when I was discovering a lot of heavy bands for the first time, Hexis was one of my favourites and still are. I’ve always been enamoured by their intensity and musical craft.

This release will always have a special place in my collection. Both Redwood Hill and Hexis give me so much joy and energy, and while 2020 continues to serve up shit, at least there’s that to hold on to. If you can find a copy in the wild somewhere, you should grab one!

You can stream Redwood Hill's song 'Applewhite' via their bandcamp page below:-

You can stream the full split via the Enjoyment Records Bandcamp page here:-

Physical copies are completely sold out from the labels above (and most of them are no longer in existence). The releasing labels that are still alive are listed below.

Redwood Hill - https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodHill/

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

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

KPHC - https://www.facebook.com/KPHC666/

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

Shove Records - https://www.facebook.com/SHOVE-records

Old Soul/Lentic Waters - Split 12"

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

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 26 Aug 2014

Tracklist: 

1. Old Soul - Wick

2. Old Soul - Tome

3. Old Soul - Perfectly Fucked (Love Lost But Not Forgotten Cover)

4. Lentic Waters - Compliments

5. Lentic Waters - 160 Ibs Of Fury

6. Lentic Waters - Asking For It?

I've finally managed to drag myself away from watching a band hang themselves on Twitter. I'm talking about TRAPT of course. A band that has no relevance to this post or...well, any relevance at all in 2020. Anyway, on with the next in my ZBR roster review series, which is a review of the 2014 split LP between Old Soul and German band Lentic Waters. This was the third Old Soul release in a row that ZBR helped to release and the second split. I'm not sure how many copies of this were pressed. 

First up are three tracks from Old Soul, in their black metal/screamo style and opener ‘Wick’ is certainly cinematic. Atmospheric post-metal riffs blend with screamed vocals, where the mix of melody and harshness is seamless. Again, Old Soul’s expansive song-writing creates a belter. 

‘Tome’ is initially a more mournful song, with a much darker and emotional feel, but it follows on from ‘Wick’ very well. Their off-kilter song-writing takes centre stage and the chaotic screamo that’s often more restrained is allowed to let itself loose. After a tough day at work this song really tuned into my emotions and the release was incredible. Even the sludge-like latter half seems to cleanse with little effort.

Old Soul’s final song on this split Is their cover of ‘Perfectly Fucked’ (originally by Love Lost But Not Forgotten, which appeared on their 2002 album Upon The Right, I Saw A New Misery). It’s a much higher tempo compared to their originals on here. Their take on it includes way more emo-violence and hardcore too. It’s exhilarating to say the least.

Moving over to the second half of the split and the hardcore/punk of Lentic Waters. This split was released before their sound went in a more emo/indie direction, but you can hear elements of that here. ‘Compliments’ is a slow blend of hardcore and post-rock in this instance. Less blackened than the sound of Old Soul, but equally as enthralling for sure.

‘160 lbs Of Fury’ is huge in the riff department. Lentic Waters know how to blast and the venom in the vocals is more than palpable, even on this short song. A perfect lead into their closing song ‘Asking For It?’, which is also the most melodic. It makes heavy use of instrumentation as opposed to focusing on the vocals, which sit deeper within it when the band’s a full pelt. 

This whole LP is a lot darker than what ZBR released up to this point, including the other Old Soul releases. Both them and Lentic Waters are perfect split mates on this and there’s plenty to get immersed in, if you can find a copy in the wild!.

You can stream both sides of this split via the respective Bandcamp pages of both Old Soul and Lentic Waters below:-

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

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

Physical copies can still be purchased from the label links below:-

Maniyax Records - https://maniyaxrecords.bandcamp.com/merch

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

Dingleberry Record - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberry-records

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

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

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

Old Soul - Natures Arms Encircle All

Labels: Self-Released/Ancient Injury Records/Dingleberry Records/IFB Records/Maniyax Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: CD/Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 07-Aug-2011 (CD/Digital Self-release)/04 Nov 2014 (Vinyl release)

Tracklist:

1. Ocean

2. Triton

3. Orbit

4. Shallows

After what seems like an age, I'm back with another ZBR roster review. I'm persisting with it because I enjoy it and I enjoy music. I first became aware of US band Old Soul when they released Tidal Lock, thanks to UK label Dog Knights Productions, who were one of five labels involved in the vinyl pressing. I picked up a copy of Natures Arms Encircle All when I ordered a load of records directly from ZBR. Old Soul foamed in 2010 and since then the six-piece have released three albums, an EP and three split records. 

Never have I heard a record with such a beautifully placed emo/screamo beginning. I mean that in the nicest way possible, as the child’s spoken-word that adorns opener ‘Ocean’ is perfect. So to is the clean guitar that lends it’s atmosphere to the space in between that spoken-word and the dissonant sludge-like verse that follows. Old Soul are not a chaotic band by any means. They prefer to paint pictures with clear musicality and even when they launch into what they call ‘black trip dreamo’, they’re still on the right page. ’Triton’ continues where ‘Ocean’ left off. At first it’s more of an archetypal screamo song but nothing is truly that way on this record and before long the blackened instrumentation and atmosphere is heightening your senses, while wrapping it’s arms gently around you. 

I love the way that all of the songs on here flow, continuing where the previous one had left off. ‘Orbit’ is more angular in places and the full band has more room to play here. They unleash something that’s both fast in tempo and engaging in design. It’s added running time means they can be more expressive and it works. If you’re a sucker for longer closing songs on records, ’Shallows’ is the one you’ll lose yourself in. It’s a mix of all kinds of emotions and genres, albeit heavy ones. Old Soul do come from a darker direction but it doesn’t overpower their post-hardcore/metal sound and in fact it makes it better. The quality of the recording is amazing as well, considering Natures Arms Encircle All was Old Soul’s first release. 

The LP came in a wraparound card sleeve containing a printed inner sleeve, poster/lyric insert and the record itself was pressed on brown/grey merge coloured vinyl (though I think colours do vary). It was also self-released by the band on CD. Both the physical release and the music contained on it are a thing of beauty. Grab a copy if you still can.

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

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

As for physical copies, Zegema Beach Records is the only releasing label that still has copies (as far as I can tell from my research):-

ZBR CAD/INTL Store - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/

Ancient Injury Records - https://www.facebook.com/AncientInjuryRecords/

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

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

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

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

La Parade - Voces Del Exilio

Labels: Zegema Beach Records/Maniyax Records/Gato Encerrado Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 20 Jan 2014

Tracklist:

1. Nuevos Idolos

2. Descarne

3. Noveno Romance

4. Diez Mil Rostros

5. Lo Que Fui, Lo Que Soy

6. Ruinas De Infancia

7. Bruma En Mi

8. Paris Ha Caido

9. Ascuas

10. Requiem

Instalment number 4 in my ongoing look back at the Zegema Beach Records roster and if you think this series is a big undertaking, you'd be correct but I'm gonna carry on with it because I'm bloody minded. This latest review focuses on the first full-length from Spanish post-hardcore band La Parade. It was release via ZBR, as well as Maniyax Records and Gato Encerrado Records in early 2014. on cd and vinyl. La Parade was founded in 2012 and released two full-lengths before calling it a day in late 2015.

La Parade is a name that I’ve come across a few times and as with a lot of bands, it seems that I only truly catch on when they’re gone. It’s certainly the case with some of bands I’ve featured in the series so far. At least their music is still available in various forms. The opener to “Voces Del Exilio” is Nuevos Idolos and it starts life as clean-sung Spanish language post-hardcore with great instrumental melody and percussive flair.

La Parade’s harsher side comes out on Descarne. It’s a wonderful mix of speaker friendly singing and jarring screams, where the music becomes heavier and more dissonant, albeit briefly. They have a penchant for writing impressive ballads, as exhibited by the dramatic delivery of Noveno Romance. La Parade threatens to explode here but never do, instead reigning in their emotions and channelling them into creating a spectacle of different proportions. The same can definitely be said for Diez Mil Rostros, which incidentally was amongst the first songs they ever released, on the 2013 EP of the same name. 

The introspective mid-section during Lo Que Fui, Lo Que Soy is filled with spoken word and calming riffs, which are slightly at odds with the rest of the song, which is more off-kilter’ however, being at odds is no bad thing at all and La Parade pull off the transitions between styles really well indeed.  Despite the album’s mid-pace tempos it goes by fairly quickly and before you know, Ruinas De Infancia is pulling you deeper into it’s second half with more of the same. It’s a longer and more progressive song that tells a story as it goes (one which I can’t translate). 

The deeper you get into ‘Voces Del Exilio” it becomes apparent that there’s a lot more to La Parade than just post-hardcore. Yes they’re very good musicians but they also have an ear for engaging soundscapes and the song-writing to back it up. Bruma En Mi is a brooding song that features plenty of ambience during it’s quieter verses and more obvious experimentation as well. After Bruma En Mil ends abruptly there’s a pause before Paris Ha Caido follows on, seemingly as if the the two were meant as one. It’s a shorter song but it follows on with no change in dynamic or momentum and musically it’s as breathtaking and the songs before it. There was clearly no loss of imagination when these final few songs were penned.

Ascuas goes by in a blur of yet more dissonant instrumentation and screaming, leading to the aptly named Requiem, which closes things out. It’s here that La Parade’s true quality really hits you and just having the opportunity too appreciate them and their music is obvious. It condenses the essence of their sound into 6+ minutes, which only goes to highlight how good this entire record is. Sometimes after countless searching, you find that one band or album that really feels special. “Voces Del Exilio” is one of those albums.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally via La Parade's Bandcamp page below:-

La Parade - https://www.facebook.com/laparadeband/

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

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

Maniyax Records - http://maniyax.com/

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

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

Gato Encerrado Records - https://www.facebook.com/gatoencerradorecords/