Canary Bones - Demo

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 03 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. I Heard You Die at the End

2. Pearls Before Swine

3. Hard Year

4. Service Delivery Failure

Later this year I'll be able to celebrate fifteen years of writing and building this blog. Even after all that time I still love receiving messages/e-mails from bands who have discovered This Noise Is Ours through other reviews I've written. In January I wrote about the recent 7" release from Australian post-hardcore/screamo band Keratin, which led to David from fellow Australian noise rock/post-hardcore band Canary Bones reaching out about the band's debut demo.

The Naarm (Melbourne, Aus) sextet released their four-track debut demo early last month. Their sound is recommended for fans of everything from the grunge rock of Helmet and Sonic Youth, to the alt/noise of Jesu and Swans, right through to the early punk/post-hardcore of Fugazi and Hüsker Dü, as well as the likes of At The Drive-In, Botch, Coalesce, Deftones and Poison The Well. Those influences are both varied and music (sorry!) to my ears. Let's dive in...

I couldn’t wait to get home from work today. Aside from being able to order the debut tape from a new UK death metal band (featuring members of bands I’ve been a fan of for years), I wanted to also delve into some new music by a band that reminds me of why I started writing in the first place. Enter stage right Canary Bones. Starting with ‘I Heard You Die at the End’, the sextet provides a groovy/danceable take on noise rock. It’s predominantly mid-paced, which is a nice change of pace given what I’ve been listening to of late and is catchy too.

‘Pearls Before Swine’ is much more riff-laden, especially thanks to the melodic/metallic delivery while the overall feel of the song is heavier. That owes a lot to the organic and raw mix on the demo, which nails down the sextet’s sound even though it’s surprisingly brief. We all get to a point in life where every year is considered a ‘Hard Year’ but Canary Bones condense post-pandemic life into less than four minutes of punk-fuelled noise that describes the tiredness both they and we all feel now. Being careful how I word this next sentence; there’s a similarity between the snotty old-school punk of the UK and the sound crafted by Canary Bones here.

The demo ends with the excellent ‘Service Delivery Failure’, which is something we can all relate to here in the UK. The slightly harrowing sample at the beginning leads to lone guitar lead-work and ambient distortion, as things build slowly. This is where the band’s post-punk influence grows and takes center stage. It’s simplistic and almost primitive but at the same time it’s cleansing too, showing the many layers this band has.

Ultimately, any band worth their salt has worked their way up from the bottom. I don’t use the word “bottom” in a derogatory way, just as a term to differentiate those bands from others that were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Canary Bones are just starting their journey and their demo is a snapshot in time, a strong one at that. It’s always hard to tell where a band is headed after just one release, but the only way is up if this is anything to go by.

You can stream and grab a digital download of the Demo from Canary Bones via bandcamp below:-

Canary Bones - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565754681613

Girl Arm - Outside Language

Labels: Self-Released/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: 12" Lathe/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 21 June 2012

Tracklist:

1. Jetsons

2. Year Of The Walrus

3. Molto Erotico

4. Crimean Crimes

5. Disappears

6. Jacques Tits

7. Elephants

8. Health And Safety

It's taken me way too long to write about Girl Arm and their album Outside Language, which was initially brought to my attention because Dave Norman's label Tomb Tree, an offshoot of Zegema Beach Records, released a tape by a band called Works in 2022.. This review forms part of my ongoing ZBR roster review series, though Girl Arm's beginnings go back much further than the 2018 Tape/2022 Lathe releases from the label. Canada's Girl Arm originally self-released this album digitally back in 2012. They changed their name to Works in 2022 and thus we've come full circle.

I think math rock is severely underrated to be honest. I know It’s a broad spectrum but it rules. Girl Arm did it brilliantly on Outside Language, channelling their technical noise rock through a narrow canal crafted by the likes of At The Drive-In, The Fall Of Troy and many others on opener ‘Jetsons’. Girl Arm’s musicality and clear vocal approach dispels any notion of outright violent heaviness being a thing here.

The repetitive opening bars of ‘Year Of The Walrus’ give way to a song that’s brimming with off-kilter yet layered instrumentation. The vocals sit deeper in the mix and at times the whole togetherness of the band merges into some kind of warped funk. It makes me think about how Red Hot Chilli Peppers would sound if they weren’t shit (unpopular opinion warning). Obviously for the most part, Girl Arm sound nothing like RHCP and their personalities shine through brightly.

‘Molto Erotico’ is a short, ambient interlude relying on gentle guitar and feedback to build atmosphere before ‘Crimean Crimes’  follows after the briefest of pauses, building with an emphatic instrumental first-half, followed by a latter-half that threatens to cross over into SeeYouSpaceCowboy sass without the panic chords. 

At this point I really need to try to stop dropping comparisons and instead heap praise on what Girl Arm created. ‘Disappears’ is an uplifting mix of math and noise rock, delivered in a way that’s unique to Canadian bands. I guess that’s why so many of them standout amongst their US cousins, just like how bands from Finland are on a different plain to the rest of Scandinavia (I my opinion).

The curiously named ‘Jacques Tits’ conjures up many images but I’m guessing there’s a humorous story to go along with it, otherwise what’s the point of such obscurity. Either way, it’s another super enjoyable song that brims with virtuoso performances throughout. I think by now you know what’s expected from Girl Arm if you haven’t heard their music before. 

Penultimate song ‘Elephants’ is Girl Arm’s heaviest on the album due to the addition of more dissonant guitar work and multi-vocals that are both clean and harsh. Closer ‘Health And Safety’ starts out quite sedate but as it progresses, there’s a lot more extremity at play. So much so that it ends up being the most chaotic song on the album. 

Once again, discovering an album (in this case from twelve years ago) by a band that still exists today, albeit in a different form is kind of what this is all about. If I hadn’t heard about Works, I wouldn’t have known about Girl Arm. That’s the power of community on this here world-wide-web. What a time to be alive!

You can stream and purchase Outside Language digitally via Girl Arm's bandcamp page below:-

Girl Arm - https://girlarm.bandcamp.com/album/cell-death / Works - https://worksworksworks.bandcamp.com/album/is-there-a-head-in-there

All copies of this release from ZBR are sold out.

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

Abandoncy/Norse - Split 10"

Labels: Kono Dischi/Longrail Records/Vina Records/Shove Records/New Knee Records/Tenzenmen Label

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 06 Jan 2023

Tracklist:

1. Abandoncy - Machine Organism

2. Abandoncy - It'sallfunandgamesuntilimakemyselfcry

3. Norse - Colpevole

4. Norse - Complice

Back on the screamo wagon this evening (as promised in my In Wolves Clothing review) and it's gonna be that way for at least the next few posts. Once again I'm demonstrating just how far behind I am when it comes to my inbox by writing about the early 2023 split featuring Kansas City, USA's Abandoncy and Biella, Italy's Norse. It was released on 10" vinyl back in January via a wholes host of labels including Kono Dischi, Longrail Records, Vina Records, Shove Records (all from Italy), New Knee Records (USA) and Tenzenmen Label (Thailand). Today's fun fact: I first came across Tenzenmen Label via their 2012 release of Farewell To Joy by Australia's Idylls. Nostalgia aside, let's get stuck in.

I first came across Abandoncy when I picked up a copy of the 4-way Meditations In Affinity: Solicitude split (released via The Ghost Is Clear Records and Zegema Beach Records) that also included Bighand//Bigknife, Almanac Man and Emma Goldman. It was so nice to receive an e-mail from the band in promotion of their split with Norse earlier this year and I feel terrible for not getting to it sooner. It starts with Abandoncy’s ‘Machine Organism’, which is a short blast of noise-rock filled with guitar feedback and loud percussion that envelope the vocals. Calling this merely screamo was unfair. 

‘It’sallfunandgamesuntilimakemyselfcry’ is at the other end of the spectrum in song-length and musical approach, given that it leans much more towards post-rock/doom. It’s still noisy though and it fully justifies the five+ minute playing time for sure. Think of bands like Big Business and Unsane jamming at their loudest, while Chat Pile and Nerver fill in the quieter moments and you might get close to what this song is. Obviously, those comparisons are open to interpretation. Abandoncy are a band all of their own and they close out their side of this split in veritable fashion, with intense screams adding to an emotive performance.

Norse begin the split’s second half with ‘Colpevole’, which is immediately atmospheric and beat-driven. As the song’s intro bars bleed into heavier noise, more intricate melodies make themselves heard. It’s dramatic to say the least. I don’t recall hearing Norse before (I know there are a couple of bands that share that name) but I’m sold here for sure. They prove once again that split releases really do work if you’re looking for new bands to obsess over.

Their closing song ‘Complice’ brings more urgency, which is unsurprising given both the format and structure of this release. It’s with unflinching heaviness that Norse end, with a great sense of catharsis. Musically, they’re very expressive (just like Abandoncy) but in a different way, if that makes sense. I feel like I haven’t written enough about Norse and their music here, but then again I don’t feel that anymore words will do them justice. It’s hard to compare Norse and their sound to any other band. 

I’ve been digging deeper into post-rock/metal in recent months thanks to my Pelagic Records subscription. I started out in my teenage years loving nu-metal, before progressing to hardcore/metalcore later on. I’m in my late-thirties now and while I still love those sub-genres, my musical palette has changed and grown so much. I am forever indebted to any band that treads a heavier path. This split, Abandoncy and Norse are no exception.

You can stream and purchase the split digitally from both bands below (where it's also still available to buy on 10" vinyl:-

Abandoncy - https://www.facebook.com/abandoncy

Norse - https://www.facebook.com/norsepunk

Physical copies can also be purchased while stocks last, from the labels below:-

Longrail Records - https://longrailrecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-5

Vina Records - https://store.vinarecords.com/

Shove Records - https://shoverec.bandcamp.com/album/split-norse-abandoncy

New Knee Records - https://norseabandoncyknr.bandcamp.com/album/split

Kono Dischi - https://www.facebook.com/konodischi/

Longrail Records - https://www.facebook.com/longrailrecords/

Vina Records - https://www.facebook.com/vinarecords/

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

New Knee Records - https://www.facebook.com/Newkneerecords

Tenzenmen Label - https://www.facebook.com/tenzenmen.label

LLEWELYN - Disposable Culture

Labels: Tomb Tree/The Ghost Is Clear Records

Formats: Tape/CD/Digital

Release Date: 10 Nov 2023

Tracklist:

1. Heliophobia

2. Sway

3. Disposable Culture

4. Dorian Gray

5. Ritual

I'm doing that thing again where I write about a band of which I know nothing about. I mean, a lot of people reading this may not know about LLEWELYN as they're a newly formed band. When I saw their music being compared to Transistor Transistor, Chat Pile etc, I took notice. Their debut EP Disposable Culture was released last month on tape through Tomb Tree and on cd through The Ghost Is Clear Records. LLEWELYN features members from US bands Forever Losing Sleep and Moaded to name a few (thanks OPENmind/SATURATEDbrain).

I really don’t want to set foot outside today as it’s -5 degrees, but I have to. Until then though, I’m going to devour something new and LLEWELYN makes for the perfect weekend wake-up call with their melodic yet furious brand of noise-rock. Opener ‘Heliophobia’ is that peculiar mix of sludge/AmRep noise and structured post-hardcore. Blasting drums coupled with raspy screams, while classy guitar work provides melody underneath.

It gets more mathy on the cleverly named ‘Sway’, which is really hard to compare to anything else. It’s off-kilter and sassy but there’s also a menacing heaviness to it. Moments of psych and ringing feedback add to the aural chaos as well. The EP’s title-track ‘Disposable Culture’ comes at you from a punkier direction thanks to the addition of gang-vocals and a higher tempo. 

‘Dorian Gray’ is that kind of excitement-inducing song that usually comes before then end of a release, in that it’s calmer in style and tone to begin with, and while it does get louder/heavier later on, it remains more subdued. I like it’s poppier edge, which draws you into EP closer ‘Ritual’. At this point it’s best just to sit back and appreciate the music here. ‘Ritual’ isn’t a fast song, in fact the slower/noisier approach is better and it’ll keep you coming back to this release.

2023 is still producing some absolute bangers (even though I’m behind on a lot of stuff). The consistency of bands and labels has been insane and it’s not over yet. LLEWELYN have started strong with this EP. Let’s hope they reach more ears because this was great.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally from bandcamp below, where it's also available to grab on tape from Tomb Tree:-

CD copies can be purchased from The Ghost Is Clear Records below too:-

http://theghostisclearrecords.limitedrun.com/products/llewelyn-disposable-culture-cdep

Tomb Tree - https://www.facebook.com/tombtreetapes

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

Beige Palace/Cassels - Waterloo Sublet/About Not Writing Split 7"

 Labels: Human Worth/God Unknown Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 07 Apr 2023

Tracklist:

1. Beige Palace - Waterloo Sublet

2. Cassels - About Not Writing

Some years ago now I went to an all day gig at The Brudenell in Leeds. The two bands that I remember from that day were Hoof Glove (members of Famine/Khuda at the time if my memory serves me right) and Beige Palace. Despite the foggy memory, coming across this split that was released earlier this year via London label Human Worth and God Unknown Records, memories came flooding back. Beige Palace is an experimental/art-rock trio from Leeds and London duo Cassels play a combination of arty post-punk/noise rock.

It feels very late in the day to be writing about anything noisy (especially as I’ve only recently complained to a neighbour about their tenant playing loud pop music at 4am on a weekend). Adulting aside, let’s dive into some noisy rock starting with Beige Palace and their song ‘Waterloo Sublet’. I think I must have seen a very early iteration of Beige Palace back in the day because I can’t remember them sending like this. It’s a somewhat minimalist song instumentation-wise, while the vocals are a mix of clean shouts and harsher screams. I love the multi-vocal approach. It reminds me of the warmth and experimentation that encompasses the rock/punk/heavy community in Leeds.

Cassels are a new band to my ears but one that immediately strikes me with the stark sound of their song ‘About Not Writing’. It goes from cocky London indie/spoken-word to dissonant noise and back with ease. It reminds me of early Franz Ferdinand in places, which is where the post-punk similarities come about, except they’re much heavier towards the end. I really don’t know how else to describe this song. Cassels definitely deserve more research/listening if you haven’t heard them before.

This split release demonstrates just how diverse the DIY/grassroots music scene is in the UK. Both Beige Palace and Cassels approach their craft from different angles, yet they both compliment each other. Despite there only being two songs on this split, that’s still more than enough to get you started. Another great little 7”. We need more of these.

You can stream and purchase this split digitally below from both labels, where it's also available to buy on 7" vinyl:-

Beige Palace - https://www.facebook.com/beigepalaceband

Cassels - https://www.facebook.com/casselsband

Human Worth - https://www.facebook.com/HumanWorthMusic

God Unknown Records - https://www.facebook.com/godunknownrecords

Infinity Ritual - II EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 03 Nov 2023

Tracklist:

1. FCG (Intro)

2. Succession

3. Earthdriver

4. Deceivers

5. Stones

I decided to pick something at random this evening and it just so happens that it's due to be released tomorrow (or today if you're in New Zealand and other Southern Hemisphere nations), which Infinity Ritual are. They're from New Plymouth, NZ to be exact and II is their latest EP, which follows their 2022 debut EP. II will be/is available on vinyl, CD and digital formats. All self-released!

After a day that started with me thinking it was Wednesday (thanks alarm clock!), it feels nice to be sat here digging into some good old groove-laden stoner rock. EP opener ‘FCG (Intro)’ is described as an extended introduction to second track ‘Succession’ and is only available on the vinyl version. It’s a nice psych/cosmic intro that sets the scene. I still don’t get the reasoning behind putting extra songs or music on some formats but not others. Maybe I never will.

Onto first song proper ‘Succession’ though, which is filled with top-drawer doom/stoner riffs, classy percussion and dual clean/harsh vocals that all add significant volume to this trio. Infinity Ritual’s sound so far has a nostalgic element to it, at times taking cues from early UK doom pioneers and gothic influences as well. There are similarities to the likes of Electric Wizard and Orange Goblin, but also Anathema and Paradise Lost too. 

‘Earthdriver’ dials up the stoner rock vibes with semi-clean vocals, all-encompassing drum work and a downright dirty guitar solo that seems to last for almost half the song, leading you into hallucinatory territory. New Zealand had always been great at producing bands in a similar vein to Infinity Ritual, with 8 Foot Sativa and Beastwars springing to mind immediately. The thing that catches me off guard here though is the nu-metal/grunge undertones that are present during ‘Deceivers’ (think Mad At Gravity, Spineshank, early-Hoobastank). 

I’ve mentioned way too many other bands in this review already so I’m gonna stop, because I’m not trying to pigeonhole Infinity Ritual, instead I’m trying (badly) to paint a picture of how varied and strong their music is. Talking of strong music, ending with a near twenty minute song that takes up an entire side of vinyl is a perfect example of that. ‘Stones’ is that song and it’s the slowest, darkest number on II, which is unsurprising. It’s largely instrumental and shows even more of Infinity Ritual’s musical, song-writing skill. Things get a bit weird for a short time before one final short blast of the band’s full-throttle stoner.

Listening to this EP has awakened something inside me (without sounding twee). It reminded me why I truly connected with heavy music in my mid-late teens even before I started writing about it online. There aren’t many bands that can genuinely do that! Infinity Ritual haven’t just released another record destined for the ether, they’ve released something special.

You can currently (at the time of writing) stream 'Earthdriver' on bandcamp below, as well as on other streaming services:-

Keep an eye out for vinyl/cd/merch drops here - https://www.infinityritual.com

Infinity Ritual - https://www.facebook.com/InfinityRitual

Burial Waves - Holy Ground

Labels: Dark Operative Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 12 Nov 2021

Tracklist:

1. Light Heads

2. At Sea

3. The Romantic

4. Cinema Shame

5. The Guest

The cross-pollination of bands and indeed band members creates an ever expanding web of influences, and more importantly sounds. Washington D.C., US band Burial Waves are one that's been formed through the intertwining network of artists, notably through friendship here. Made up of members and ex-members of Black Clouds, Pianos Become The Teeth, Caverns and the EFFECTS, Burial Waves released their debut EP Holy Ground via Dark Operative Records late last year. In a live setting they've shared stages with Kowloon Walled City, Quicksand and Cave In (amongst many others). 

Burial Waves play the kind of post-hardcore/rock that is so underrated. Holy Ground opener ‘Light Heads’ contains a mixture of the aforementioned sub-genres, as well catchy melodies and cinematic appeal. The vocals are clean but with a volume to match the instrumentation, which is powerful to say the least. The music so far would easily sit next to the likes of Time In Malta (I’ve dropped that name so many times here), tour mates Cave In and even, dare I say it, self-titled album era 30 Seconds To Mars (loosely).

The opener flows nicely into ‘At Sea’ and it’s here that you can tell the heavier past of Burial Waves. More dissonant riffs and harder percussive elements hold up against the brighter lead-work and an indie/post-punk vocal approach. It’s delivery is more of a mid-paced drift but that tempo suits it so well. ‘The Romantic’ is a hypnotic, repetition-laden rock song that seems to take the best of what’s come before. Off-kilter rhythms remind you of the skill and song-writing prowess of Burial Waves, as they craft something that’s filled with heady and breathless audible highs. The subtle electronic ambience lends itself well to the scene that’s set here too. 

One thing that doesn’t always strike you when listening is that there is sometimes an odd danceability to it, as demonstrated on ‘Cinema Shame’. It’s cleverly brought to the fore in a strangely dystopian way but it never fails to lift the mood at the same time. Burial Waves are truly engrossing throughout Holy Ground and this song proves why. They round things out with ‘The Guest’, all six-plus minutes of it. Flowing with an ever growing sense of progressive/art-rock design, it provides another really emotive glimpse into the form and function of the band. So enjoyable, it’s both easy to listen too and gritty in the right ways.

Days spent listening to harsher, heavier music are erased by cleansing, familiar tones. The music that Burial Waves play takes me back to the music that shaped listening habits during my late-teens. Music that I’ve grown to love so much and always go back to. Call it post-hardcore, rock or whatever you want. This release is inspiring. 

You can stream and purchase Holy Ground digitally below:-

As of writing, I'm unaware of there being a physical version available. Please feel free to correct me if there is.

Burial Waves - https://www.facebook.com/profile

Dark Operative Records - https://www.facebook.com/darkoperativemusic

Coilguns - Shunners/Burrows 12"

Labels: Hummus Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 26 Nov 2021

Tracklist:

1. Shunners

2. Burrows

It's been a crazy long time since I last featured Swiss noise-rock/mathcore band Coilguns here (I think the last time was around the release of their 2013 album Commuters). I've got a lot of catching up to do with their material, so I'm fast-forwarding to their latest two-song LP, which was specially released by Hummus Records last November. A single-sided picture disc limited to 80 copies, which forms part of the new 'Hummus 12" Maxi Collection". Coilguns are also working on a new album this year.

I haven’t written a great deal over the last week so feel a bit out of my rhythm. Coilguns have pretty much nailed the current mood (including my own, as I face going back to the day job) lyrically with ‘Shunners’, whether intentionally or not. The instrumentation is as crushing as I remember it to be too. That mix of heavy, noisy hardcore and sludge-like riffs, intricate percussion and vocals that cross the line between audible spoke-word, and passionate growls. It feels very emotional and cleansing.

‘Burrows’ is much more instant, with both rhythmic grooves and off-kilter signatures clashing together in a way that works perfectly. The vocals are harsher for a greater amount of the song and the feedback that screeches during the mid-section adds to the noisy aesthetic of this release. It all stops on a dime, leaving nothing to linger.

If this release is a sign of what’s come from their new album, Coilguns are onto a winner. We all need some noise once in a while to drown out the “noise” and this is it. Great stuff!

For Fans Of: The Ocean, Cult Of Luna, Whores, Neurosis and Knut

You can stream and purchase this release digitally below:-

Physical copies are still available from Hummus Records here - https://hummus-records.com/product/coilguns-shunners-burrows-diy-picture-disc/

Coilguns - https://www.facebook.com/coilguns

Hummus Records - https://www.facebook.com/hummusrecordsofficial

Heavy Baby Sea Slugs - Head Ooze // Possession EP + The Minotaur // Trout Fishin' Man EP

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 13 Dec 2019

Tracklist:

1. Head Ooze

2. Possession

Without even knowing it, today has been a very good day. The blog's received over 1200 hits today so far and it's the weekend. I have a couple of things in the planning stages but this evening I thought I'd re-visit a band that I featured back in March 2017, when I reviewed their EP "Teenage Graveyard Party". Experimental band Heavy Baby Sea Slugs from Texas (USA) has just today released a new two-song EP via bandcamp (what are the chances of stumbling across that!). I thought it'd be cool to write about it, as well as the band's 2016 two-song 7" in a double review.

it feels strange in 2019 to be writing about a band that doesn’t have a social media presence. Yes they’re on Spotify, but there’s no way to interact with them other than through the Heavy Baby Records page on Facebook, which appears to be a little dormant at the moment. Either way, let’s not stop that from spoiling the music of HBSS and this two-track release is literally hot off the press (although not physically). Head Ooze kicks things off with heavy sludge riffs and pounding drums, before giving way to a faster tempo and weird garage-punk/Dave Mustaine inspired vocals. There’s a horror-punk thing going on during the verses but it doesn’t stray too far from the doom/sludge atmosphere that was offered up early on.

Second song Possession is no different, with hypnotising grooves and audible yet projected vocals. Some staunch purists may consider this to be slightly contrived, but I’m not getting that at all. It’s noise-rock at it’s noisiest but also catchiest. As referred to earlier, there’s plenty of experimentation throughout and plenty of different sub-genres at play. After nearly three years without a release, HBSS have come back and are well worth getting behind. Let’s hope these two songs allow them plenty of momentum as they head into 2020.

Stream and download "Head Ooze // Possession" below:-

Labels: Heavy Baby Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 15 May 2016

Tracklist:

1. The Minotaur

2. Trout Fishin' Man

HBSS's musical output dates back to 2013 but I'm not going to that far back just now. Instead, I'm going back to what is their only vinyl release to date. "The Minotaur // Trout Fishin' Man" was released on 7" via Heavy Baby Records in May 2016, as far as I can tell. 

This release pitches HBSS in slightly rawer territory, musically. The Minotaur contains harsher vox but still the same level of groovy guitar work that graces their newest EP. It lurches at a slower pace and sounds a lot more sinister. The experimentation that HBSS is so proud of is obvious within it’s bars too, even though the backbone is more mesmeric and atonal.

You’d expect a song called Trout Fishin’ Man to be a happy and carefree song, but instead it’s a ravaging guitar-led noise fest that seems to get faster and faster in tempo. It’s chaotic for sure and the use of what sounds like a whammy bar throughout is both brilliant and annoying in equal measure. That’s not a criticism though as this sort of music isn’t supposed to be considered easy listening and HBSS don’t do things in a conventional way. 

EP's like this capture a point in time, where only music can. Heavy Baby Sea Slugs may only be slithering forward but that’s better than withering away.

You can also stream "The Minotaur // Trout Fishin' Man" below, where it's also available to buy on vinyl as well as digitally:-

Heavy Baby Records - https://www.facebook.com/heavybabyrecords/

The Glorious Rebellion - Scholars Of War

Labels: Sludgelord Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 29 Mar 2019

Tracklist:

1. Turn Around, Bright Eyes

2. This Is Fine

3. Burn It Down, Lemon (Burn it Down)

On March 29, Floridian noise rock band The Glorious Rebellion will release their latest EP "Scholars Of War" digitally via Sludgelord Records and their own Bandcamp page. Since their formation in 2014, the trio has been garnering plenty of attention both in the press and on the stage, as they played alongside the likes of Jucifer, Black Tusk and KEN Mode (amongst others). It's been nearly three years since their last release "Euphoric" and TGR are ready to ensure that they've not be forgotten.

TGR’s rock is most definitely noisy and sludgy too. Turn Around, Bright Eyes is like stepping into a bar brawl with no chance of winning. It’s loud and there’s a fair bit of metal attitude coursing through it. It’s off-kilter and brutal thanks to the cacophony of authoritative instrumentation and powerful growls. It doesn’t get any calmer as TGR rips into This Is Fine. Again, it’s filled with off-kilter riffs and the kind of mentality that will make you slightly afraid of them. The atmosphere created by the feedback and those angry vocals won’t comfort you either.

Burn It Down, Lemon (Burn It Down) starts with a scathing blast of feedback before TGR fully launches into what is a nine-minute plus beast. Despite it’s length, the song flies by with choral backing-vocals, constantly driving aggressiveness and towards the end, they dial things back for a brief moment in order to at least take a breathe. This is a heavy release and one that’s bound to make an impact on anyone that hears it. The Glorious Rebellion is the soundtrack to all of 2019’s ills, of which there are plenty. You may as well bang your head and let it all out now.

You can stream This Is Fine via TGR's Bandcamp page below, where you can also pre-order the EP digitally if you're on North America:-

For us Brits and others, you can head to Sludgelord Records here - https://thesludgelord.bandcamp.com/album/scholars-of-war

The Glorious Rebellion - https://www.facebook.com/thegloriousrebellion/

Sludgelord Records - https://www.facebook.com/SludgelordRecords/

Necroslurg - Kuolonkierre

Labels: Ramekuukkeli-Levyt

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 Jun 2018

Tracklist:

1. Vakaa Tila

2. Vieraat Aanet

3. Kuolonkierre

4. Musta

5, Tuho, Ei Tuomio

6. Ajojahti

7. Kauhun Pyorteissa

8. Ekranoplan

9. Metsanpeittoon

10. Hyvaksy Kohtalosi

I felt it was time to re-visit the wonderful tones of Finnish heavy music again and found this nestling in my review pile. It's been a little while since Tuukka (Ramekuukkeli-Levyt) sent me this tape, so apologies to go out to him for the delay in posting this write-up. Necroslurg is a "heavy punk metal" trio from Helsinki and "Kuolonkierre" is their second album.They've been plying their trade for about two years now and releases their first album "Haudantaka" just over twelve months before this one. They recently played Svart Festival in the Finnish capital alongside the might Foreseen.

Necroslurg’s music is delivered with true Scandinavian ferocity and the vocals are entirely in their mother-tongue. Vakaa Tila is an angry opener that flows between up-tempo punk and groove-laden rock.It’s all about the riffs on Kuolonkierre, as Vieraat Aanet proves. They are at home alongside the frenzied screams that’s for sure, while the drums keep a restrained yer accurate beat behind. The other cool thing about Necroslurg’s sound and approach is that they play fast and leave no room for pondering. Kuolonkierre is filled to the brim with punk attitude, though it also does a good line is stoner doom fury too. So far this trio is living up to Finland’s reputation for producing great experimental bands.

They’re band to their raucous best on Musta, which shoots from the hip with it’s noise rock blueprint and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it running time. Thankfully, they slow things down on the sludgy Tuho, Ei Tuomio, which proves again that they can switch the mood effortlessly. Channelling the cold darkness that envelopes the country during Winter, they produce probably the heaviest song on the album. The shoutiness continues unabated on Ajojahti, which feature plenty of awesome musicianship as well. The volume levels that this trio reach are pretty incredible. The latter half of the album retains the same level of variation as the first and Kauhun Pyorteissa is a stomping noise rock song with more crisp lead work.

Not sticking to one formula or blueprint gives them an edge and Ekranoplan is subtly stripped down and minimalist to begin with, though it’s still layered with the kind of riffs and percussive atmosphere that makes you think of Black Sabbath and the like. The loud pedal is pressed to the floor again during penultimate song Metsanpeittoon, as Necroslurg force you to pump your fist and bang you head in joyous unison. Album closer Hyvaksy Kohtalosi is gives you one last opportunity to raise glass to this Finnish powerhouse in the making. Necroslurg are great and this album is well worth checking out and getting on tape.

If you can stomach the ads n between songs, you can stream "Kuolonkierre" in full via Necroslurg's Soundcloud page below:-

Tapes can be purchased here - http://ramekuukkeli.nettisivu.org

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

Ramekuukkeli-Levyt - https://www.facebook.com/Rämekuukkeli-levyt