Othiel - World's Fastest Car

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 26 May 2025

Tracklist:

1. Never

2. Stones You Throw

3. Walk Through Walls

4. Narration Sickness

5. Luke

6. Canaries

7. World's Fastest Car

Californian screamo band Othiel returned earlier this year with their 2nd full-length release, World's Fastest Car. The story of their connection to Zegema Beach Records began in 2023 (though it was probably much earlier) when they released their first full-length LP We Will Be Our Home in 2023, swiftly followed by the 2024 split tape with Palefade, through sister label Tomb Tree. World's Fastest Car was released towards the end of May on 200 digipak CD's.

This last week has been the most frustrating of all weeks. I have been on annual leave and I had planned my time around the blog; however, whenever I make plans, they usually go to shit! I couldn’t let today slip away without getting something written. The newest release by Othiel was released on CD (remember those?) earlier this year and all copies have been sold. Maybe there will be a repress?!

Kicking off with ‘Never’, Othiel’s musical quality is noticeable. Grandiose melodies and atmosphere join harsh vocals, which themselves lean more towards hardcore. The spoken-word sample used mid-way through is a big nod towards American post-hardcore of the early 2000’s, as is the more expansive overall feel throughout the song. Things get a lot more urgent and angular on ‘Stones You Throw’, as Othiel add panic-chords and off-kilter time signatures into the mix. These ingredients don’t necessarily make the songs go faster but merely give off that impression. There’s still a lofty amount of mid-tempo feel here in places.

Chunkier riffs are a thing on ‘Walk Through Walls’, adding to what is a much more intense song. It has so many different musical elements; combining meatier hardcore riffs with their off-kilter post hardcore and changing tempos, Othiel show that they’re very adept at writing shorter songs without losing any of the feel. The ringing feedback that closes out ‘Walk Through Walls’ flows into ‘Narration Sickness’, which makes greater use of punk rhythms alongside dynamics that can’t be placed as easily. There’s definitely some production/mixing wizardry at play. 

‘Luke’ shows that there is a pattern to the album, as it opens once again with more ferocious post-hardcore, which gives way to more complex layers later on. It’s a pattern that creates a well-rounded song and indeed a well-rounded album. Honestly, it’s the perfect escape from what ails you thanks to Othiel’s love of emo and their exquisite musicianship. Penultimate song ‘Canaries’ sounds like it’s being controlled by a click-track early on but fear not as it’s just their precise drumming, which backs up even classier guitar/bass work and great vocals that add so much body to this release.

Closing out with the title-track ‘World’s Fastest Car’, Othiel give themselves space one again to allow their epic and expansive side to shine through, as if it wasn’t bright enough already! This album provides the perfect excuse to shut out the noise around you. Othiel are mature well beyond their years as a band, showing that they’re destined for the highest echelons of the current screamo rostrum.

As this release is sold out on CD format, the only way you can hear it right now is by streaming and/or purchasing it as a digital download via the ZBR bandcamp page below:-

Othiel Instagram - @othiel_ca

Zegema Beach Records - @zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Clay Birds - a separation from vanity

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 10 May 2025

Tracklist:

1. an intuition of morality

2. to my dearly departed

3. to sell our fire would be the ultimate defeat

4. infinite regress

5. everything, everything

California's coming in hot when it comes to screamo at the moment and trust Zegema Beach Records to have their fingers on the pulse. In May they released the newest EP a separation from vanity by Cali quartet Clay Birds on 100 tapes. Clay Birds have only been releasing music for a relatively short time, having released a demo, a split and a single in 2023, before following them in 2024 with their debut album Bled Out and Painted Blue. Also, if you're wondering why the EP title above reads differently to the title on ZBR's site; it was taken from the band's bandcamp/discogs pages and I can't confirm the correct title.

This EP sees Clay Birds making gorgeous emo/post-hardcore in the nostalgic way on opener ‘an intuition of morality’. There’s raw emotion, glorious clean singing, explosive heaviness and twinkling melodies flowing right the way through it. Opposite ends of the musical palette colliding in unison. The beautiful musicianship grows in majesty on ‘to my dearly departed’, where it’s joined again by clean singing that’s a cross between slow-core/indiemo, before bursts of both deep and higher-pitched screams add a sense of unease. 

From what seems like a fairly lengthy song, Clay Birds deliver something more visceral and urgent on ‘to sell our fire would be the ultimate defeat’. Driving and down-beat elements of screamo/hardcore are interwoven with the quartet’s beguiling melodic layers. ’Infinite regress’ is another shorter number and it reminds of music by bands like American Football and The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die at first. Slightly off-kilter yet gentle emo leads you into a false-sense of security (kind of) before a raucous mid-section comes in, fades and leaves you with a crescendo-like ending.

It’s the perfect way to usher in EP closer ‘everything, everything’, with punky rhythms that pep up the mood and self-introspection aplenty. It’s by far the artiest song on a separation from vanity too. Though I’ve tried my best to describe this release in words, I don’t think mere words can do it justice. You can only really take it in by listening and appreciating.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally from Clay Birds here:-

ZBR tapes copies have sold out.

Clay Birds Instagram - @claybirdsband

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Sarmat - Upgrade

Labels: I, Voidhanger Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 28 Mar 2025

Tracklist:

1. Upgrade

2. Serum Visions

June ended up being a little quieter than I had planned but also somehow turned out to be a bit of a record breaker. I want to try and gain better writing momentum again but I'm not forcing it either. With all of that in mind, I've chosen to write about US jazz/progressive extreme metal band Sarmat and their latest release, Upgrade. The two-song EP was released on CD and digitally by I, Voidhanger Records in March.

Sarmat is more a musical collective than a band and for this release it comprises drummer James Jones, bassist/keytar player Steve Blanco, guitarists Zachary Blakeslee-Reid and Ryan Hale, upright bass player Niko Hasapopoulos, trumpeters Oskar Stenmark and Jerome Burns, as well as vocalist Ilya Belko. It was recorded live at Gojira's own Silverchord Studio and was mixed/mastered by Colin Marston.

It’s so frustrating seeing the highest profile music festival in the UK (if not the world) paying such little respect to heavy music and it’s bands. On the flip-side, the same thing also happens in some grassroots venues too, as experienced just last Sunday when I attended a gig where the venue made no effort to promote one they were putting on, which featured four up-and-coming bands trying to reach new audiences.

With that in mind, I’m trying to play my small part by sharing the newest release from Sarmat, which so far has left people both bewildered and enthralled in equal measure. Starting with title-track ‘Upgrade’, you’re thrown straight into some utterly insane, extreme metal, filled with improvisation and uncharacteristic instruments. The trumpet of Oskar Stenmark joins the drums, bass and guitar (of James Jones, Steve Blanco and Zachary Blakeslee-Reid respectively), providing an inspired dark-jazz/experimental layer.

Nothing about this piece of music is conventional and is exactly what I’d love to witness live at my local live music venue here. It combines everything I love about extreme metal and enough weirdness to leave me grinning from ear to ear. The addition of Ilya Belko’s harsh vocals in the song’s latter half push the extreme envelope further, while not detracting from Sarmat’s metallic progressiveness. 

Second piece ’Serum Visions’ is somewhat shorter than ‘Upgrade’ was, yet it feels even more of a headfuck because of it. This time Steve Blanco switches to keytar and is joined by Niko Hasapopoulos on upright bass, Ryan Hale on guitar and the trumpet of Jerome Burns. It retains Sarmat’s heavy sound but ratchets up the otherworldly experimentation to greater levels. You’ll understand what I mean when you hear it. 

I really don’t know how I reached this point of musical exploration but I’m thankful for it. Being curious enough to dig deeper Into the outer, creative edges of genres (or music in general) gives a feeling of wholesomeness, even if what you’re listening to is extreme. The ever changing collective that is Sarmat makes it even more worthwhile. Please lend them your ears.

You can stream and purchase Upgrade both digitally, and on limited digipack CD from I, Voidhanger Records below:-

Sarmat - https://www.facebook.com/Sarmatproject

I, Voidhanger Records - https://www.facebook.com/i.voidhanger.records

Light/Moongazer/A Rose Dying In The Rain - Sundrowning 3-Way Split

Labels: Self-Released/Fiadh Productions

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 06 Dec 2024

Tracklist: 

1. Light - Everflowing Rivers

2. Moongazer - Lilac

3. A Rose Dying in the Rain - Starry Eyes Like Late Sunset

In December of 2024, three blackgaze/ambient black metal bands joined forces and released a split together. Italy's Light, Moongazer from the US and Mexico's A Rose Dying In The Rain put said release online digitally for both streaming and purchase. Prolific US label Fiadh Productions announced a tape release via press mail-out earlier this year and feature the split on their Soundcloud page too; however, after scouring their socials and bandcamp, it doesn't appear to have materialised yet (please correct if I'm wrong and have missed it, or if it's still due for release!). Whatever the situation, I feel it's only right to champion these bands and their split.

This is an epic split release. One that’s typical amongst underground metal bands, especially those who lean towards black metal. It begins with the song ‘Everflowing Rivers’ by Italy’s Light, which is also it’s longest song. Gentle, soothing guitar melodies open the split in glorious fashion, in some ways reminiscent of compatriots like Earth And Pillars, Falaise and others besides. As it builds with additional layers of percussion and ambience, you’re encouraged to relax before Light unleashes harsh yet uplifting black metal vocals upon you. Amongst the backdrop of the vast cinematic instrumentation, it’s hard to feel anything but adulation for what’s coming out of the speakers. 

The latter half of the song is filled with so many layers; from the aforementioned guitar/ambient melodies, to the throat-scraping vocals and beautifully executed choral singing too. As opening songs go, this is gonna be hard to beat. I feel so energised after that, especially as the sun in coming out around me after such a grey and miserable day here. It’s apt though that America’s Moongazer are up next, as we head ever closer to evening darkness. ‘Lilac’ is also truly beautiful, with even more swathes of melody and ambience. The dissonance from the guitars may shock at first, but it soon nestles comfortably within Moongazer’s enthralling sound.

The further you get into this release, the greater it becomes. There’s a huge feeling of positivity about it, which aligns with how I feel in general right now. I hope it makes you feel the same. To close out this split, Mexico’s A Rose Dying In The Rain provide the cosmic, synth-laden ’Starry Eyes Like Late Sunset’. It’s heavily instrumental and when the band’s vocals join the mix, they’re slightly deeper. Their position doesn’t do any harm at all though, as there’s an authentic and organic feel to the whole song. There isn’t really anything else I can say to describe this release at this point.

All three bands are breathtaking and deserved of any attention they receive. I know a lot of people will pour scorn on so-called “blackgaze” bands but in an environment where genres are constantly getting blurred, they definitely have their place. If you’re still unsure, give this a chance. Light, Moongazer and A Rose Dying In The Rain deserve greater attention after this.

You can stream and purchase the split below:-

Moongazer's bandcamp:-

A Rose Dying In The Rain's bandcamp:-

Moongazer - https://www.facebook.com/moongazerofficial / Instagram - @moongazerofficial

A Rose Dying In The Rain - https://www.facebook.com/aroserainofficial/ / Instagram - @aroserainofficial

Fiadh Productions - https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions

máu - Anthesis

Labels: Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 15 Nov 2024

Tracklist:

1. Sunder

2. Disheartening

3. Internalized

4. Restrain

New Californian screamo quartet máu released their debut EP Anthesis last November and it was released pressed on 10" vinyl through Zegema Beach Records. This physical release was so eagerly anticipated that it's already sold out! The band spent loads of time honing their sound live, playing with the likes of Loma Prieta, State Faults (and many others) before even releasing any music online. In July, they're supporting Beau Navire! Is it too hyperbolic to call this the new golden age of screamo?

máu don’t just play typical screamo, as their sound is an amalgamation of emoviolence, metallic hardcore and even subtle blackened tones on EP opener ‘Sunder’. The vocals are frenetic, as is the percussion. The guitars are where the majority of their melody comes from and they’re absolutely spot on, without being too melodic or clean sounding.

By now, we’re used to either pensive/atmospheric or furious openers and to be honest ‘Sunder’ sits in between. ‘Disheartening’’; however, is a lot more violent in it’s delivery early on, before máu treats us to some more post-hardcore/almost metalcore layers, which slow the tempo down somewhat. 

We’re currently at the back end of a heatwave, which is still pretty rare for the UK, so it’s very humid. The intensity of Anthesis does nothing to clear the air as ‘Internalized’ leads into the EP’s latter half in superfluous fashion. The layered instrumentation really hits the spot, as the vocals are used sparingly but powerfully at the same time.

The feedback that closes out ‘Internalized’ leads straight into the final track ‘Restrain’. At the same time, the sky around me goes really dark (as if it’s in tune with what I’m listening too!). I said earlier on in this review that I think we’re in another golden age of screamo and I stand by that as máu take us from abject heaviness to gentle emo and slowly back again.

Four epic songs delivered in just over ten minutes from a band that’s full of talent. I’ll admit that sleeping on the physical 10” release hurts (but it was my own fault). máu leave an instant impression musically with this EP. Keep your eyes peeled for more, hopefully…

You can stream and purchase Anthesis digitally from máu below:-

máu Instagram - @mau_band

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

Sinema - After The Flatline

Labels: Ds//fp records/Ephyra Recordings/Home To Heart/Self Versed Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/CDr/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 29 Nov 2023

Tracklist:

1. Stutter

2. ...and You Already Forgot

3. Hard To Get By

4. Speak Your Mind

5. I Can't See Through The Mirror

So there's a whole wave of bands coming through, being championed by labels that include Silverback Gorilla Records, Wax Vessel, ds//fp, Zegema Beach Records and a whole bunch I'm forgetting. The latter two have both had a hand in releasing After The Flatline by Texan emocore band Sinema. Following it's initial digital release in late 2023 via Ephyra Recordings, a 2024 tape pressing followed via Self Versed Records (alongside a repress earlier this year), as well as a super limited CDr release via both Ds//fp records and Home To Heart. 

ZBR has now swooped in with a vinyl pressing of the band's debut EP, which is crazy considering Sinema's members are still in school but then again not that surprising given that they recently appeared at ZBR Fest in Chicago. If you're struggling to keep up with the amount of stellar releases in 2025 so far, look away now.

Self-control is both a wonderful thing but also a brutal mistress. As I alluded to above, there are so many incredible bodies of music being released this year that it’s hard to keep up with and hard to resist hitting that order button on. I know because last month I received twelve releases I had ordered and I’m still awaiting another twelve. Enough of the trumpet blowing though and on with the show. Hearing Sinema for the first time takes me right back to first hearing bands like Underoath, Funeral For A Friend and Silverstein on opener ‘Stutter’.

It’s so full of energy and emotion. Music filled with both introspection and belligerent heaviness, while nostalgic clean singing rubs shoulders with piercing post-hardcore/emo-violence screams. ‘… and You Already Forgot’ features beautifully played guitar, that’s sensitive to Sinema’s calm approach before they switch things up again. It really feels like we’re going full-circle and though I might be rocking up late to the party, it’s welcomed.

I was so mesmerised by what I was hearing that I didn’t even realise it had progressed into ‘Hard To Get By’. Sinema’s flair for art/math-rock additions alongside their already amazing post-hardcore is hard to ignore in truth. Sometimes, we all need to just take some time away from reality, to unload and even compartmentalise what’s going on around us. This song and this realise helps us do that.

‘Speak Your Mind’ is a reminder that freedom of expression is vital and needed. I’ve not always been the best at speaking mine when it counts, but I’m getting older and bolder now. That may or may not have anything to do with this actual song though, which is filled with a mix of genuine rage and heart-on-the-sleeve honesty. Closing with ‘I Can’t See Through The Mirror’, Sinema push forth their most urgent and honest performance on this EP. Everything before was just as heartfelt but the shorter song length gives it a bit more of an edge.

Before hitting play on this, I was thinking it was going more abrasive and instant. Don’t know why I thought that. Sinema has shown that the emocore era isn’t dead and is in fact growing new roots with new bands. This is nothing short of excellent. Please don’t assume, just listen. 

You can stream and download the EP via ZBR below:-

At this point I need to mention that Sinema recently changed their name to I Promised The World, for reasons outside of their control. You can find them on Instagram at - @ipromisedtheworld.

digital and physical copies are available from the links below:-

Ephyra Recordings - https://4ephyra.bandcamp.com/album/4e022-after-the-flatline

Home To Heart - https://www.hometoheartrecords.com/product/sinema-after-the-flatline-cd

Ds//fp records - https://www.facebook.com/dsfprecords

Ephyra Recordings Instagram - @4ephyra

Home To Heart Instagram - @hometoheartrecords

Self Versed Records Instagram - @self_versed_records

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social

ANDTHECANARYFELL - Alluvium (feat. Gabe Reasoner) Premiere

May 26th (next Monday) will see the release of the new EP As The Ice Melts by Minnesota, US emotional hardcore band ANDTHECANARYFELL. It's being released as a run of 81 tapes via Tomb Tree and this evening It's my pleasure to be able to premiere the song 'Alluvium', which features Gabe Reasoner (of fellow Minnesota band Careful Gaze, if my intense last-minute Googling is correct!). 

You can stream the song on YouTube below:-

ANDTHECANARYFELL were kind enough to provide some insight into the song and the EP as well:-

“ 'Alluvium' is the fourth track off our upcoming EP 'As The Ice Melts'. Each song on the EP can be interpreted as a different perspective of an apocalyptic scenario. One interpretation of 'Alluvium' can be the way flora and fauna succumb to a disaster, but there are many human layers to the lyrics, as well. This is also the first atcf song that musically starts with fierce intensity rather than a crescendoing intro."

I’m not going to give too much away about the full EP, but what I can say is that it’s going to surprise you a lot with it’s atmosphere and downtempo heaviness, while at times sounding resolutely upbeat. ‘Alluvium’ itself as a song has a more blackened-hardcore/emoviolence sound going on, though ANDTHECANARYFELL close it out with more grandiose heaviness.

Keep your eyes peeled for incoming pictures of the tapes from Tomb Tree on Instagram at @_tomb_tree_. 

Also, keep up to date with ANDTHECANARYFELL here - https://linktr.ee/andthecanaryfell.

Physical tape copies will be available on May 26th via ZBR/Tomb Tree's web stores below:-

CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/tomb-tree-tapes

USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/tapes

Replicant - Hypochondria of the Machine 7"

Labels: Self-Released/Transcending Obscurity Records

Formats: Digital/Vinyl

Release Date: 20 Dec 2019/21 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Hymns of Distress

2. Limbic Thrust

I decided to reach for something a little shorter this evening. I initially thought this two-song EP from US tech-death band Replicant was a fully fledged 2025 release until I dug deeper. It was originally self-released digitally by the band back in late 2019 and Transcending Obscurity Records elected to give it it's first physical release in January. The time and care that's going into re-issuing older material now is great to see. Bands and labels are really upping their game in that regard, with this 7" being no exception.

I fear this release will send me down yet another musical rabbit hole and honestly, I’m here for it! ‘Hymns of Distress’ is brimming with avant-garde yet ferocious modern death metal. It’s blasting percussion and thunderous bass are matched by the guitar, with it’s sometimes metallic/sometimes downtempo riffing. The vocals have an old-school guttural sound (from a time before pig squeals). 

‘Limbic Thrust’ is a couple of minutes shorter than the EP’s opener but that’s fine because Replicant choose to slow down the tempo (albeit subtly), providing a song that’s surprisingly catchy and memorable as a result. I can completely see why Transcending Obscurity chose to give this a vinyl release. It’s a great introduction to Replicant for those unfamiliar.

I’ve read comments by people saying that this EP is too short. I would agree if it wasn’t for that fact that it’s songs are of the highest quality. This is your cue to go and seek out their releases new (and old).

You can stream and purchase this EP digitally from Replicant below:-

Physical 7" copies and various other merch items/bundles can be purchased from Replicant/Transcending Obscurity Records here - https://replicantband.bandcamp.com/album/hypochondria-of-the-machine

Replicant - https://www.facebook.com/replicantnj

Transcending Obscurity Records - https://www.facebook.com/transcendingobscurityrecords

Balefire - Balefire

Labels: Iron Bonehead Productions

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 31 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Black Sun

2. Sands of Gemini

3. Star-born Revolt

4. Barbaric Rebirth

5. Lord of the Red Lands

6. Black Moon

While the finger tries to stay on the pulse, the hand of time does it no favours. That's no ancient proverb, but a way of eluding to the fact that we're already well into April and I'm still trying hopelessly to hang on given the pace of new releases. This debut EP from US death metal band Balefire was released at the end of January via Iron Bonehead Productions, both on vinyl and digital formats. 

Balefire is a duo consisting of bassist Chuck Sherwood (of Incantation, Occumancy, etc) and drummer Xander Bridge (of Eternal, Nuclear Remains and many others). With the EP lasting no longer than fifteen minutes, expect a barrage of intense death, black and thrash metal with plenty of old-school passion.

I’m going on a much needed week away on Friday so this review will be my last for the month (definitely putting quality over quantity!). Brand new barbaric death metal from an equally new US duo as Balefire kick off with ‘Black Sun’, a brooding and artistic intro free from the usual electronic embellishments. It’s incredibly freeing to be able to listen to a band who approach their music with such simplicity. Just drums, vocals and bass (though there may be an additional guitar in there, but I can’t tell for certain). Either way ‘Sands of Gemini’ sounds absolutely fantastic in all it’s satanic death metal glory. 

One thing that’s really refreshing about this release is how precise and short the songs are. ‘Star-born Revolt’ proves exactly that point with a mix of brutal low-end vocals, warp-speed percussive blasts and metallic undertones. Listening to ‘Barbaric Rebirth’ following the Easter Monday passing of the world’s leading (living) religious figure makes complete sense. I’m not religious in the slightest, so knowing that there won’t be a true rebirth is comforting. ‘Barbaric Rebirth’ itself throws you straight into the EP’s latter half with no time for sentiment, as Balefire infuse their death metal with a welcome doom hit.

Talking of doom, the EP’s longest song ‘Lord of the Red Lands’ is filled with it amongst the sewer-laden death metal. Despite the promise of a properly arduous march though, Balefire don’t abandon what they do best and allow their frenetic pace to dominate one final time, as EP closer ‘Black Moon’ leaves you with gut-wrenching vocal effects and unnerving ambience. 

As debut releases go, this is spot on. It contains enough material to get you hooked without being overblown. Just really good death metal filled with black metal intensity and a decent amount of downtempo atmosphere.

You can stream and purchase the EP digitally via Iron Bonehead Productions below:-

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Iron Bonehead Productions, so what better way to celebrate than to pick a physical copy of this EP and/or any of the other exceptional releases from the label via this link - https://shop.ironbonehead.de/

Iron Bonehead Productions - https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

Dead Hour Noise - Slow Burn

Labels: The Ghost Is Clear Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 07 March 2025

Tracklist:

1. Mourning Doves

2. Pinioned

3. Slow Burn

4. Voices

5. Arson

6. Solstice

7. Closed Sicilian

8. Barren

9. Fools Gold

10. Supersonic

11. The Things We Say

It would be wrong of me to ignore that March was a barren month (post-wise anyway). I felt a shift in my motivation to write, which might sound odd given that last month was actually the strongest month  the blog's had for a long time (viewer-wise). I am slightly dubious about those numbers though, as engagement has been way down but I have a plan of sorts. That plan starts tonight with one of the newest releases to come from US label The Ghost Is Clear Records and US/CAN label Zegema Beach Records. 

Dead House Noise reside in Michigan, USA and Slow Burn is their fourth full-length. They're now into their 12th year as a band and their ZBR connection goes back to the 2020 Tomb Tree tape release of their album Sleeping Dogs, which was followed just over a year later by the tape release of their split with Deeper Graves, also via Tomb Tree.

I’m waiting on several record orders and I’m secretly hoping they all drop at once (that’d be so exciting!). One record has arrived that I’ll be writing about next and which, I’ll be keeping a secret for now. I want to try to kick off April with a bit of a flourish so I’m turning to the newest album from US band Dead Hour Noise. Released via two of the sickest and most prolific North American/Canadian labels in existence today, I don’t want to wait any longer.

DHN mixes everything from emo/powerviolence with hardcore, sludge and everything in between to create a collage of sound that’s quite frankly the auditory equivalent of every vice you can think of. Opening with ‘Mourning Doves’ proves exactly that, as the crushingly fast early bars give way to mathcore laden screamo and groovy sludge n roll (at least that’s what I’m calling it). Imagine Every Time I Die, Refused, Crowbar and Frontierer joining forces and you wouldn’t be too far off.

Comparisons aside, it’s hard to explain how energised I feel listening to this. I’m guilty of sleeping on bands and I always regret it. The insane intensity of ‘Pinioned’ once again conjures that feeling of guilt (or FOMO) as DHN launch into a frantic blast of grinding yet groovy hardcore/metal. I don’t want to label them as one thing or the other and as the heart rate drops with the help of guitar-led ambience, resting is no option.

The album’s title-track ‘Slow Burn’ is anything but. Panic chords and crazed percussion combine with passionate harsh vocals (and floor-splitting breakdowns) to throw you right off the scent. I’d hate to be my neighbours right now as the throat-ruining screams of ‘Voices’ kick in. While there are elements of the sassiness of SeeYouSpaceCowboy in places, DHN really just do their own thing and do it well. It’s crazy when you realise that there’s just the three of them.

‘Arson’ starts with more ominous guitar ambiance that leads to off-kilter, slamming heaviness but with more obvious melody too. DHN know how to write a heavy song that ultimately sounds way more than that. ‘Arson’ is filled with constantly shifting patterns that change your perception of their music, in a good way.  Talking of shifting things, the riffs that open ‘Solstice’ are amongst the wildest on Slow Burn so far. The vocals take on a slight black metal form, while the drums blast like there’s no tomorrow early on. After about ninety-seconds, the pace drops to reveal a slower tempo, dialled-back guitar and prominent bass jabs. 

It may be a ruse but it works as things start to pivot back in a more chaotic direction a few bars later. This is the album’s longest song so DHN are forgiven for changing things up a bit. The latter half of ‘Solstice’’ is mostly calmer and more introspective with swathes of keys swirling around at times. From a sense of near tranquility, ‘Closed Sicilian’ rips through the serenity in belligerent fashion. The instrumental sections are filled with mind-bending time signatures and when the vocals are present, there’s a heavy noise-rock vibe going on. 

Sloth-like, sludgy tones greet you on ‘Barren’, which is most definitely a song of two halves. The former is slower in tempo while the latter is a proper mixed bag, though it does finish as it started. The feedback that closes ‘Barren’ flows straight into ‘Fools Gold’ and it’s stupidly intense percussion, where said intensity is pretty much maintained throughout, even when the pace does slow. It’s a lesson in how a band can sound heavy in all forms.

Being at penultimate song ’Supersonic’ already seems insane. What does not though is the danceable nature of the song and it’s many elements (especially those riffs). There’s mathcore mixed with noise-rock mixed with powerviolence and sludge. A proper mix made in heaven. Closing with ‘The Things We Say’, Dead Hour Noise provide you with one last gasp of air before they cut off what’s left. 

Slow Burn is frenetic and fantastic, from beginning to end. I’m planning on getting a customised iPod with expanded memory in the near future (because I can no longer stand the anti-music stance that Spotify is taking and I miss my old iPod Classic as well). When I do, this album will be the first one I put on it. I’ve slept on Dead Hour Noise for too long. They’re excellent!

You can stream and purchase Slow Burn digitally from Dead Hour Noise below:-

Dead Hour Noise - https://www.facebook.com/deadhournoise/

Physical vinyl copies are available to buy from the labels below:-

The Ghost Is Clear Records - https://theghostisclearrecords.limitedrun.com/products/865169-dead-hour-noise-slow-burn-12

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/dhn / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/dhn

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

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

Coma of Eris - Coma of Eris

Labels: Middle-Man Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 14 Feb 2025

Tracklist:

1. You're Trying To Save A Skeleton

2. Expectance

3. Cloud City Demolition Company

4. A Dip In Lake Drowning

5. Archers Take Aim

6. Someone Half-Assed It or An Idiot Tried Too Hard

7. Uneven Exchange

8. I Will Become Turbo Man

9. Graphs of Trez

10. More Than Just Lost

11. Dozing Past Decency

It's been eleven days since my last post here but it feels like eleven weeks (or even years!). So much has happened globally recently that this kind of falls into insignificance. Obviously, I'm talking about what's been going on in the United States and what's been coming out of the elected "President's" mouth. I think that's also why Coma of Eris came into being.

A coming together of Coma Regalia and Apostles of Eris, alongside members of Saetia, Our Future Is An Absolute Shadow and Deracine (amongst others). Their self-titled record was released (digitally) merely a couple of weeks ago via Middle-Man Records and Zegema Beach Records. with tape copies due in late March/early April. 

‘You’re Trying To Save A Skeleton’ opens up the album from this brand new skramz supergroup (if I’m allowed to call it that!) and it’s exactly what you’d want to come from Coma Regalia, Apostles of Eris, et al. Emoviolence-like explosions greet you through the vocals of both Dave Norman and Edie Quinn, while the instumentation from Edie, Jesse Mowery, Tom Schlatter and Jason Wolpert provide an equally heavy backdrop of guitars and percussion. ’Expectance’ follows with a lot more guitar melody that mainly comes to the fore during the song’s quieter moments, in between layers of feedback and screamed/sung dual-vocals that add heaps of humanity. The mixing and mastering from Edie helps to bring that same feeling out of the recordings as well. 

Almost half of the songs here barely surpass ninety seconds but in the case of ‘Cloud City Demolition Company’, things hit a bit differently. The guitar work is a lot more mathy and technical here, though that leads to a more engrossing song in the end. The panic-chord harmonics and skittish time-signatures will appeal if you’re craving that right now. ’A Dip In Lake Drowning’ is not only a cleverly worded song title but also a brilliantly delivered song, as Coma of Eris show their more downtempo emo side (if there’s such a thing!). It sounds a lot more old-school to my ears anyway. That old-school nostalgia lasts mere seconds as they launch into ‘Archers Take Aim’ with yet more screamo abandon. With that being said, the clean vocals that hover over the harsh screams don’t banish that feeling altogether.

Given what I wrote in my opening paragraph above, ‘Someone Half-Assed It or An Idiot Tried Too Hard’ pretty much describes the current political climate better than I ever could. It’s also a damn good song that embodies the rage that the collective members feel right now.m ’Uneven Exchange’ is a much more brooding song, as it’s intense opening gives way to a sound that’s a lot more atmospheric. I’d go as far as to say that it’s probably my favourite song on the album. Going from brooding atmosphere back to more familiar screamo territory on ‘I Will Become Turbo Man’, Coma of Eris once again show their class with a whole heap of everything that makes the sub-genre so great. When you listen to it you’ll know what I mean.

There’s an unexpected groove/funk layer to ‘Graphs of Trez’ that’s completely welcome. I often feel that bands seem to forget about the latter few songs of an album and in doing so, they come across as a bit formulaic. That’s not the case here. It reminds me of when members of Glassjaw formed Head Automatica. Moving into penultimate song ‘More Than Just Lost’, Coma of Eris strip things back to a simpler approach before another explosive ending. The record’s final song ‘Dozing Past Decency’ is an amalgamation of everything that’s made this album so good. From uptempo highs to atmospheric lows and downtempo realism. 

This record is made up of great musicians and even greater people. It’s hard to put into words how strange things are politically right now but at least we have music to get us through. Coma of Eris are here to remind us that there’s another way. Make America Less Reliant On MAGAlomaniacs Again.

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

News on physical tape copies will be available from both Middle-Man Records and Zegema Beach Records below:-

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

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