Qoya - Karma

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 04 Oct 2024

Tracklist:

1. Ascend

2. Ghost

3. Mantra

4. Karma

5. Anima

6. Timeless

7. Sheol

8. Mirrors

9. Temple

10. Altar

Way back in December 2022 (how has it been that long already?) I reviewed the 2nd Stellar Frequencies Session from French post-punk/post-rock/shoegaze band Qoya. On 4th October the trio are due to self-release their latest album Karma, which follows their 2021 full-length Yokai. I really enjoyed what I've heard from Qoya to date and coupled with a broadening musical palette courtesy of Pelagic Records (Thot, Sugar Horse etc), and a more recent deep-dive into French punk thanks to Crapoulet Records, I can't wait to get stuck into this release.

As I hit play on Karma’s opener ‘Ascend’, the extremely slow build has me worried. It takes a good fifteen seconds for any sound to come out of the speakers and I’m not gonna lie, I thought I’d been sent a faulty promo. Thankfully and obviously that isn’t the case, and as intro song’s go this one is beautifully delivered.‘Ascend’ was wholly instrumental, whereas ‘Ghost’ sees Qoya fully open up with both vocals and heavier musicianship. The vocals are clean and definitely lean towards the haunting sounds of high-profile goth/post-punk/pop vocalists gone by (Robert Smith, Tony Hadley) and even have some similarity to the clean tones of Vice Martyr (of Hateful Abandon). The instrumentation is made up of subtle percussion, synths, and melodic guitar work. 

Qoya’s sound is a melting pot of many different styles that are effortlessly woven into one. I recently watched (the newly reformed) Linkin Park live-stream and while that fact bears no real importance here, there is a subtle synergy between both bands musically as ‘Mantra’ flows. Maybe you’ll understand what I’m on about one day! With title-song ‘Karma’ it really feels like Qoya are looking to breakout of their small musical cosm and into the wider consciousness, and why shouldn’t they? After all, there are millions if not billions of music fans out there. Yes there needs to be an element luck thrown in as well but sometimes a band make’s their own.

Atmospheric, Cinematic music like this has become an ever growing love of mine and ‘Anima’ proves exactly why as it navigates through nearly four minutes of flowing guitar work, and glacial percussion. ‘Timeless’ is a very apt choice of song title as one day Qoya’s blend of slow and mournful post-rock could become just that. I for one hope it does! The most expansive side of Qoya shows through during in their five plus-minute songs, starting with ’Sheol’, which has a much doomier outlook while still sounding easy on the ear. At times, it reminds me of UK post-punk/indie band Franz Ferdinand, which is not a bad comparison in my opinion (tell me if you agree or not). 

Effervescence comes with ‘Mirrors’, which is amongst the most shoegazey of songs on Karma thanks in no small part to the effortless delivery of those now familiar, and epic guitar tones. This is starting to get a bit emotional and as if my general verbose gushing wasn’t enough, we still have two songs to go! ’Temple’ is the first of those two and Qoya straddles a (by now) familiar path, while also performing their most expansive song on Karma. Heavily instrumental for it’s majority, it’s grandiose beyond compare. When the vocals do appear, they’re soaring first and then buried deeper later on. A brooding dynamic that really works for the band.

Album closer ‘Altar’ is at the opposite end of the song-length spectrum while being up front when it comes to ambience. It rounds out the album in haunting brilliance, allowing you to truly take stock of what you’ve just witnessed. With a few more months of 2024 to go there’s no doubt going to be records that really hit hard. When Karma is released in early October, it will definitely be one of them.

You can stream 'Karma', 'Timeless' and 'Sheol' prior to full release below, where you can also pre-order the album directly from Qoya:-

Qoya - https://www.facebook.com/qoyamusic

Louse - Small Pleasures EP

Labels: Makeshift Swahili

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: TBA

Tracklist:

1. Small Pleasures

2. Little Jimmy

3. Christian Rat Attack

I nearly got clouted by a giant tree branch on Friday, courtesy of Storm Lilian. Would not recommend. At least I wasn't at Leeds Fest though! Instead, I've been slowly making my way through various new record purchases (from And So I Watch You From Afar, Blind Girls, Blind Monarch, I Haxa, Massa Nera & Quiet Fear, Norna, Piri Reis & Wharflurch) while also trying to keep on top of inbox arrivals, which I'm woefully behind on. One of those arrivals is the brand new EP from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne's Louse.

They were brought to my attention by Fionn who used to run the excellent emo/screamo label Rubaiyat Records and now runs Makeshift Swahili, focusing on DIY punk/hardcore/noise-rock. Small Pleasures is a new release containing three songs, while vinyl copies also include Louse's tracks from their 2023 split with The Shits on the b-side.

This is some dirty, punk-fuelled noise at it’s belligerent best. The EP title-track ‘Small Pleasures’ almost has no order whatsoever, except for the groove-laden guitars. Imagine Bloc Party, Throat and Meth Drinker forming a band together. To my ears, this is what it would sound like. 

‘Little Jimmy’ flits between sleazy grunge and intense noise. Slow in tempo but exhilarating in volume. When you ask somebody if they like punk/heavy music and they say “yes I like Blink-182 and Foo Fighters”, this is what you should play them. 

EP closer ‘Christian Rat Attack’ is made up of the reverb and distortion that filled the hallowed pages of Maximum Rock n Roll (if you can imagine such a thing). It’s also the harshest song here vocally, including some epic guitar work and percussion too. 

Ultimately, this EP isn’t going to be for everyone. Louse performs music that’s both dirty and groovy at the same time. They exist on their own plain and that’s absolutely fine.

You can listen to the EP title-track digitally below:-

Louse - https://lousescum.bandcamp.com

Physical copies will soon be available from Makeshift Swahili here - https://makeshiftswahili.bigcartel.com/product/mss007-louse-small-pleasures

Makeshift Swahili - https://makeshiftswahili.bigcartel.com/category/makeshift-swahili

Modern Rifles - LP + B-Sides

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 18 Jan 2019

Tracklist:

1. Introplane

2. Terroplane

3. Lie To Me, Ian, Lie To Me

4. Feck Me If I'm Wrong, But Is That A Ham Sangie In Your Hands?

5. United Lead

6. Man The Ramparts! Bananalyze The Trade Winds

7. Illegal Dracula!!

8. Kip Winger

9. Say A Prayer To St. Happenin'

10. Manbird

11. Chuck Woolery Is Leviathan

12. Enter The Craptagon

13. Hot Stone Meat Party

14. Broken Wings Make Broken Things

I've had a surprisingly productive day so I thought I'd ride on the coattails of my momentum and try to at-least nail another Zegema Beach Records roster review. This write-up focuses on US band Modern Rifles and the (I guess) discography release that ZBR put to tape in early 2019. Modern Rifles existed between 2006 and 2009 and then 2011 to 2014 (source: OPENmind/SATURATEDbrain). This tape gathers together the songs from their 2008 album I Was Young, It Was Dark in addition to some extras for the completists. 

CanaDave wrote in his post linked above that Modern Rifles will appeal to those who listen to the likes of Jimmy Eat World, Recover, Hot Snakes and Russian Circles (amongst others). Any band that covers that range of sounds has gotta be good!

With fourteen songs, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth here (hint: at the time of writing there’s one copy still for sale on the ZBR bandcamp page!). ‘Introplane’ kicks things off with some excellent emo/alternative instrumentation that sounds way more cinematic than it should. Modern Rifles definitely had a penchant for expressive music. What an opening! ‘Terroplane’ switches gear and takes things in a more rocking direction, albeit with a heart on the sleeve. I’m getting the Jimmy Eat World/Recover comparisons for sure here, but I’m also hearing subtle nods to Boysetsfire and The Mars Volta too (but maybe that’s just me). I’m going to do my best to refrain from name-dropping now because this has already blown me away.

What’s clear when listening to ‘Lie To Me, Ian, Lie To Me’ is that I’ve been too focused on way too much heavy music lately. This song has such a nostalgic feel and structure to it, that it takes me back to when I was discovering more melodic bands back in the days of the Rock Sound Magazine sampler CDs. Sadly, that UK music mag went a bit downhill and then disappeared altogether. It helped to shape my love for alternative music, for which I’m forever grateful. ‘Feck Me If I’m Wrong, But Is That A Ham Sangie In Your Hands?’ takes on an indie form for a little bit, albeit with a proper upbeat tempo and strong vocal delivery. Even the introspective latter-section is anthemic as it flows into the driving, gang-vox filled ending.

The drums that open ‘United Lead’ sound so raw and you’d be forgiven for thinking that Modern Rifles are about to go full-on screamo but that’s not the case. Instead, you’re presented with a slightly melancholic ballad of sorts. It’s a change of pace from what’s come before but as it builds in volume, it also builds in intensity (as you’d expect). Another thing that’s evident on this release is their way with song titles. ‘Man The Ramparts! Bananalyze The Trade Winds! Is one such title that will probably leave you guessing (as it does me) but what won’t is the classy indie-rock instrumentation and clean vocals, which have been a mainstay of this record.

‘Illegal Dracula!!’ Is one of those danceable tracks that will bury itself in your head thanks to the catchy rhythm and urgency. It’s one of the most furious songs here too, yet it gives way abruptly to ‘Kip Winger’, which itself contains an abundance of off-kilter tempos and lovely melodic guitar, that nods to the mathy end of emo to these ears. Talking of Catchy, ’Say A Prayer To St. Happenin’’ is the epitome. It’s abundantly clear just how good Modern Rifles were when listening to this. It’s criminal that they didn’t reach more people.

Their music was so anthemic and ‘Manbird’ goes the extra mile in that respect. There’s an undertone of genuine angst but also so much elation flowing through it. For me, it sums up everything about Modern Rifles as a band. The pure instrumental wanderlust that emanates from ‘Chuck Woolery Is Leviathan’ is out of this world. This song closed out the I Was Young, It Was Dark and what a way to do so!

I really hoped ‘Enter The Craptagon’ would be a musical commentary about the circus that is UFC, but it’s nothing of the sort. It’s actually another great alternative/indie song with enough curb appeal to reach beyond genre lines. That’s what is so good about this band. Penultimate song ‘Hot Stone Meat Party’ gives off extra experimental vibes without being too weird, because we all know that can frighten some people off. Brooding post-punk fills the speakers on collection closer ‘Broken Wings Make Broken Things’. It rounds things out in majestic fashion.

Over 16 years after the original album was released (and over five since this tape release), the music performed by Modern Rifles is still pure class. Thanks to the Internet, it hasn’t been lost to ages. If you’re unfamiliar, please remedy that now. Let’s cause a renaissance like never before! Awesome and genuinely uplifting. 

The full collection can be streamed and purchased digitally below (where a sole physical tape copy also exists, waiting to find it's forever home):-

You can also still grab tape copies from ZBR's US store here - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/modern-rifles-lp-b-sides-cassette

Modern Rifles - https://modernrifles.bandcamp.com/album/i-was-young-it-was-dark

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

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

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

Alex B Kurbis - Mondays And Tuesdays

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 12 Jun 2023

Tracklist:

1. While Not In Paris

2. In And Out Of Moment And Focus

3. Bargain Hunting

4. Topical Kinda

5. Lesson 3

6. Aurora Babsealis

7. While Not In Manchester

8. Crowbar Handy

9. Mondays And Tuesdays

10. Finders Keepers

11. Beehive

I've been trying in vain to find out who Alex B Kurbis is. I thought they might have been a historical figure that could have added a bit of weight to this opening paragraph. Lack of educational facts aside, Alex B Kurbis (the band) only recently came to my attention. The band is based in Switzerland and is about to embark on a UK run of shows later this week! Mondays And Tuesdays is the band's debut album and was released last month. An amalgamation of punk, indie, emo and more.

Opening with a song that has the most apt title (if you’re up on current events), ‘While Not In Paris’  is less chaos and more sweet melody, wrapped up in a slice of mid-paced indiemo/punk. A glorious sing-along if ever there was one. ’In And Out Of Moment And Focus’ brims with understated post-punk alongside it’s more upbeat moments. The production/mixing/mastering for what is essentially a DIY solo-recorded album is brilliant. It was mastered by Joe Caithness (who has also worked with Doe, Human Hands, Renounced amongst many others). If you’re a fan of UK emo/post-hardcore and computer game soundtracks, you’ll know how good his work is.

I’ve forgotten how much fun it is just to listen to a band like Alex B Kurbis to be honest, as I tend to have my ears buried deep in much heavier bands but ‘Bargain Hunting’ is the feel-good hit this summer needs even if it’s not blaring out from festival stages (which it should be!). Mondays And Tuesdays is an intricately written album when you delve deeper into it, as no song sounds the same. ‘Topical Kinda’ is darker than it first seems, taking subtle cues from The Cure and Franz Ferdinand. My sphere of reference when it comes to similar bands is limited but comparisons aside, I like it a lot.

The riffs jump out on ‘Lesson 3” with a whole heap of upbeat melody and joyous colour. Colour that’s magnified by the vocals and all-round song-writing. The percussion gives off so many pop-punk vibes without being cheesy (though maybe it’s only me that can hear Lit in this song!). More intricate musicianship fills the relatively short ‘Aurora Babsealis’. It’s hooks are subtle but they still make it memorable. For an album that features eleven songs it goes by way too quickly, especially when you cross over the midway point here.

‘While Not In Manchester’ isn’t an ode to Britpop. Instead, it weaves a vitriolic and celebratory collage of sound that’s way more engrossing than it first appears. Noise (in the scuzzy rock sense) isn’t really a thing on Mondays And Tuesdays, but if it was then the intro to ‘Crowbar Handy’ would be as close as it gets. It gives way very quickly to reveal more warming punk. The album’s title-track ‘Mondays And Tuesdays’ acts like an interlude but It’s perfectly placed to lead you into penultimate song ‘Finders Keepers’. By now, you’ll know what to expect from Alex B Kurbis and if you’re not on board with it then you’ve got no soul.

Final song ‘Beehive’ closes things out with a bleary eyed nostalgia that’s rooted in the UK music scene of old, with it’s anthemic melodies and sensitive instrumentation. It’s been a breath of fresh air listening to this record this evening and I’m feeling way more positive because of it. Props to Alex B Kurbis for writing such an enjoyable album.

You can stream and purchase Mondays And Tuesdays as a name-your-price download below:-

The flyer for the band's imminent UK tour is below, where CD and Tape copies will be available:-

Alex B Kurbis - https://www.facebook.com/alexbkurbis

CERE - Endless Days

Labels: Black Basset Records

Formats: Digital

Release Date: 03 Sep 2021

Tracklist:

1. Uncanny Valley

2. Exit Road

3. Annihilation

4. Assault

5. Umbrellas

6. Roses

Writing this review is both heart-warming and slightly humiliating (on my part). Heart-warming because Belgian band CERE has links to countrymen Mont-Dore, a band whom I reviewed back in August 2016 and whose guitarist Pierre Toussaint took the time to write to tell me about his new band. The humiliating part is that I only noticed his e-mail in my inbox last week. CERE has more in common with Mont-Dore too, as their debut release Endless Days has been made available digitally by Black Basset Records (alongside the band themselves). They play noise-rock/punk and have been lucky enough to support the likes of Nothing, Rolo Tomassi and Birds In Row in recent times.

This evening brings a lovely period of leave to an end. I march onward though and I want to finish May with a flourish of sorts. Belgian band CERE are new to me, though one third of it’s trio is not. It feels truly humbling that Pierre took the time to write to me after nearly seven years (following my Mont-Dore review in 2016). CERE’s own description of noise-punk is very accurate on opener ‘Uncanny Valley’, as high-octane punk clashes with noise-rock and caustic vox. It’s very upbeat and at times reminds me of early Orchestra Of Wolves-era Gallows if they jammed alongside Unsane and Chat Pile.

CERE count post-punk amongst their influences sound-wise and it’s clearer on ‘Exit Road’ where that influence comes from, yet there’s also a further snotty British-punk vibe going on as well. Another thing that’s really notable on this recording is it’s sheer volume with the vocals sitting right at the top in piercingly good form. As trio’s go, this one is absolutely blown out and incredible. ’’Annihilation’ is the most accurately named song-title on this record, as it also aptly describes the sheer sonic madness that’s being pursued by CERE. Admittedly, it’s not the most intense song on here but it’s no less enjoyably, with more post-punk and some great guitar effects too.

The second half of Endless Days begins in earnest with ‘Assault’ and it’s total assault on the senses. The slightly pensive intro gives way to something altogether more furious and intense, and it’s the intensity that spills over into penultimate number ‘Umbrellas’. Belgium has always been a stronghold of hardcore (Arkangel) , death metal (Aborted) and grind (Agathocles), apologies for the A’s, but CERE proves that there’s much more to the nation than that. 

Closing Endless Days with ‘Roses’, CERE weave’s in so many different elements, including cinematic post-rock, black metal and post-hardcore. It’s a fantastic song to end on, although that end comes way too quickly. There’s a truly invigorating rawness to CERE’s sound. I yearn to hear this in an intimate live setting, with bass tones bouncing off walls into my ears and sweat dripping onto my head. In fact there’s a venue here in Harrogate (Yorkshire) where they would fit perfectly if ever a UK tour were to happen. Please make it happen!.

You can stream and purchase Endless Days digitally from CERE below:-

It's also available from Black Basset Records here - https://blackbassetrecords.bandcamp.com/album/endless-days

CERE - https://www.facebook.com/cereband

Black Basset Records - https://www.facebook.com/BlackBassetRecords

Qoya - Stellar Frequencies Sessions #2

Labels: Stellar Frequencies

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 10 Feb 2022

Tracklist:

1. Whispers (Live Session)

2. Banshee (Live Session)

After what seems like an age, here's my second Stellar Frequencies Sessions review that features French doom/post-punk trio Qoya. Their two-song session was recorded in December 2021 before being released by Stellar Frequencies on lathe cut vinyl snd digital formats in February. Physical lathe copies are sold out.

I guess live sessions aren’t meant to be long and I’m sure there’s a reason for that. Qoya’s two-song session begins with ‘Whispers’ and it’s post-rock/post-punk atmosphere. In truth, it’s only the vocals that hint at the band’s post-punk influence, as the instrumentation that’s led by lovely melodic guitar work is a lot more majestic and immersive.

Qoya’s second song ‘Banshee’ features a lengthy intro passage that is very easy to get lost in. As the verse kicks in, it’s easy to hear that the trio are still finding their feet musically, having only released their debut album Yokai in October 2021 (where both of these songs are taken from) but nonetheless, their potential is obvious. The rest of the song follows the same pattern as it’s opening few minutes and it’s great to just sit back, taking it all in.

If I had to give advice to my younger self about heavy music, it would be that you can’t just pigeonhole it. There are so many nuances and different takes on it that it’s impossible to generalise. Qoya is another band that shows just how far this form of music can be stretched. A great job from a band that will hopefully grow and grow.

You can stream and purchase the session digitally below:-

Qoya - https://www.facebook.com/qoyamusic

Stellar Frequencies - https://www.facebook.com/stellarfrequenciesfr

Works - Laura Palmer Song Premiere

First came Hey Predator!, then Girl Arm and now say hello to Works. The story of Canadian Math-rock/Indie/Post-punk band Works has a couple of constants, starting with their association with Zegema Beach Records and more importantly Tomb Tree, who will be releasing their debut album tomorrow. 

Hey Predator! released a discography tape via Tomb Tree last year posthumously, as they broke up in 2010, at which point four out of the band's five members formed Girl Arm, who released an LP/Tape via ZBR back in 2018. The band was well into the recording of their newest LP when they decided to change their name to Works. 

Is There A Head In There? will be officially released tomorrow on 100 LPs and in anticipation of it, I'm really excited to be able to bring you a premiere featuring the song 'Laura Palmer':-

Works had this to say about the song:-

"For Laura Palmer all I got is:

I can’t find a gif of it but I’d also like to submit the dance Tim Roth does when he gets shot a million times in this scene in the new season."

This song is full of cracking instrumentation, mixing subtle math-rock with a large twist of Franz Ferdinand/Interpol style indie. 

Tomb Tree will have the album available for streaming/download and physical purchase from the below locations:-

Tomb Tree Bandcamp - https://tombtreetapes.bandcamp.com

Tomb Tree CAN/INTL Store - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/tomb-tree-tapes / USA Store - https://zbrusa.com/

Works - https://www.facebook.com/workstheband

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

Soul Crusher - 30 AM Song Premiere

Some things in life are completely unexpected, just like being asked to do this premiere a couple of days ago (not that I'm complaining, because I love it!). Soul Crusher is the solo-project featuring Sasha of Life In Vacuum/Kiken/Congratulations fame, so it seems completely right for his new EP to be released by an imprint of Zegema Beach Records.

Softseed Music will be releasing Soul Crusher's self-titled EP on October 19th and tonight I get the privilege of premiering it's second single 30 AM. Here's what Sasha had to say about the song:-

“So 6 30 am, I mean it’s a sixth song so I thought it just looked cool that way like it’s a sixth song and at the same time it says 6 30 am. So really the song is called 30 AM(I guess). The song itself is about the pressure of having to behave the certain way and having to just be all your best self like if you are on a tv show or at a family Christmas dinner all the time”

You can stream the song via Youtube below:-

The tape run coming from Softseed Music will consist of 40 tapes, with 15 coming on opaque red swirl (pictured below), 10 on clear swirl, 10 on red and 5 test dips.

The EP (as you can see from the picture above), features six songs. I'd describe 30 AM as a kind of melancholic and slightly dystopian post-punk/goth song with synths. I don't know how accurate that brief description is, but you can decide for yourselves once you've listened to it!

Keep up to date with news of this release and more via the social media pages below:-

Soul Crusher - https://www.facebook.com/soulcrusherrr

Softseed Music - https://www.facebook.com/softseedmusic

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