The Hammer - No Escape 7"

Tracklist:-

1. All Will End

2. A New Low

3. Freezing To Death

4. Walk Away

5. No Escape

6. Already Dead

7. Obsolete

8. Better Things To Do

I could've sworn that I'd already reviewed this 7", but looking back through my archive it seems I never got round to it. Time to put that right. For anyone that doesn't know The Hammer, they're a kick-ass hardcore/punk band from Gothenburg, Sweden. I first featured them here in 2014 after Headless Guru Records released their early demo tape. Little over 6 months later they released their debut 7" via both Headless Guru and hometown label Moral Panic Records. It was pressed on black vinyl and 500 copies were available. 

The Hammer plays fast punk. The kind of fast punk that gets into the hallowed pages of Maximum Rock N Roll (I miss subscribing to that zine!). They’re even better live too. On No Escape they shoehorn eight tracks onto 7”s of wax. All Will End is just pure moshable hardcore with chunky riffs. They’re prone to sudden spurts of fast (almost grinding) punk, which makes an appearance throughout A New Low. They actually remind me a bit of Boak. I saw these guys at a matinee show in Harrogate last year after one too many cider’s and they were really good. Freezing To Death takes me back to that gig. Walk Away is an angry end to side A, with time-changes and riffs-a-plenty. The title-track that opens side B completely rips and the songs that follow are obviously faster too. They use more fast/slow dynamics during Already Dead, which ends pretty abruptly. Penultimate song Obsolete is catchy in a weird way while Better Things To Do ends it all with some stupidly crazy PV, that seems to just go on and on. I’ve always really enjoyed Swedish hardcore in it’s various forms. The Hammer is one of the better modern day bands. They aren’t trying to be something they’re not. No Escape is brilliant honest fun. Get it while you still can!

You can stream and download No Escape (name-your-price) here:-

7" copies are still available from both labels below:-

Headless Guru Records - http://headlessgururecords.bigcartel.com
Moral Panic Records - http://moralpanic.bigcartel.com/

The Hammer Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hammerhc
Moral Panic Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/moralpanicrec
Headless Guru Records Fcaebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeadlessGuruRecords

Coma Regalia/We Had A Deal - Split 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Coma Regalia - The Brothers

2. Coma Regalia - Liam The Silent

3. Coma Regalia - Rafe The Brave

4. We Had A Deal - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

5. We Had A Deal - Send In The Clowns, Frank

Today has been a draining day, but I still feel compelled to write. I feel I should have written more about Coma Regalia because they put together the nicest looking records of any band in my opinion. This split with German screamo band We Had A Deal is no exception, as it was presented inside a silk-screened zine-style hardcover booklet. I remember getting it in the post a while ago and thinking how original it was. I ordered my copy from Skin & Bones Records (who seem to have vanished recently, along with my pre-ordered copy of the new We Had A Deal single-sided LP that they were helping to release). Still, I'm not gonna get to hung up about that on here. This 7" was released in June 2014 by six labels - Pure Heart Records, Farblos Records, Middle Man Records, Walking Is Still Honest Records, Crapoulet Records and of course Skin & Bones Records.

Coma Regalia seems to be forever active. Their hardcore is a product of how they see the world each day. They play three songs here beginning with The Brothers. It acts as a pre-cursor with lowly guitar and distant screaming before seamlessly fusing into Liam The Silent. Coma Regalia’s sound is at times chaotic while they prefer a live recording, compared to the modern day polished sound. That suits the record well for me. Musically there’s plenty of texture and skill, which shows their experience off. Rafe The Brave’s lyrics are quite stark when read along with the music, in a way I can’t really describe. The songs here are laid out in story fashion with an ending that give brief moments for reflection. After the duo of Coma Regalia, We Had A Deal’s two extra members provide them with more immediate volume and power. It’s not all about that of course and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club compliments the songs it has followed and also channels the danceability of the band it shares it’s name with. Pretty dramatic European screamo. Send In The Clowns, Frank is a bit of a sleeper. It begins with radio friendly riffs but gets heavier while the dual-vocals are nice and contrasting. I like that even in the confines of hardcore/screamo music you can get two bands coming together, from different parts of the world and with different approaches, yet both can make something really worthwhile and enjoyable. From the packaging to the music itself, this is great.

You can stream the split here:-

You can download the record above via Middle Man Records, as well as from the bands and other participating labels.

You can buy the 7" version from the links below (Note: these are only links for the labels that are still active or who have copies in stock):-

Pure Heart Records - http://pureheart.czechcore.cz

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

Coma Regalia Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/comaregalia

We Had A Deal Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/We-Had-A-Deal

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

Farblos Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/farblosrecords

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

Skin & Bones Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SkinAndBonesRecords

Walking Is Still Honest Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/walkingisstillhonestrecords

Crapoulet Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Crapouletrecords

Ithaca - Trespassers 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Otherworldly

2. Lifelost

3. Wither & Wane

4. Trespassers

Ithaca has a link to Renounced, whom I reviewed yesterday. That link is that they're both heading out for a weekender (along with Venom Prison) in December. So prior to that mini-tour I thought I'd get better acquainted with them. After releasing previous EP Narrow The Way in 2014, Trespassers was committed to wax by CoF Records and Soaked In Torment Records in July. It was recorded and mixed by heavy music supremo Joe Clayton at No Studio (he also provided guest vox on Wither & Wane), was mastered by Mr Boatright at Audiosiege and the layout/art was done by Dia Artio. I think that tells you all you need to know about the quality of this EP! 

It seems we’re in the midst of another upturn in UK hardcore/screamo. Ithaca is part of the current wave that’s risen over the last couple of years and this 7” really signifies their arrival. Bringing to mind (the much missed) Esoteric Youth and Svalbard, Otherworldly is technically impressive while still being snarlingly belligerent. Lifelost is the soundtrack to a dire world. One where hope no longer exists and light is all but drowned out. There’s a Southern-drawl to the riffs, plenty of high-pitched harmonics and catharsis around every turn. Even the introspective mid-section breeds nervous expectation. Wither & Wane strips the pace back and replaces it with thick slabs of guitar. The sharp and technical turns throughout stop you from getting comfortable, while underlining Ithaca’s experimental approach. The closing title-track feels lonely and isolated. The vocals during the opening sixty-seconds have a great live-echoey sound, before it all crescendo’s. Doom and mournful instrumental textures replace the heaviness at the mid-point. They really flex their musical might here and it’s a pure-filthy joy too. It ends as abruptly as it begun. Trespassers has the ability to make you feel detached but at the same time stronger. It conjures up a set of emotions that enhances the listening experience. Any music that can do that is worth something.

Stream and download Trespassers here:-

You can pick up 7" copies from the labels below:-

CoF Records - http://hatecof.bigcartel.com
Soaked In Torment Records - http://soakedintorment.bigcartel.com

Ithaca Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IthacaUK
CoF Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hatecof
Soaked In Torment Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SoakedInTorment

Renounced - The Melancholy We Ache

Tracklist:-

1. When The Sky Comes Falling

2. The Lies We Burn

3. How Heavy The Downpour

4. When History Repeats As Tragedy

5. Perennial

6. Aching

7. An Unpainted Canvas

8. Mistakes That Dig Graves

9. Joshua Commanding The Sun To Stand Still

10. Outro

UKHC is in better health now than ever. Thanks to venues like The Temple Of Boom in Leeds and labels like Speedowax and Carry The Weight Records, the music and it's bands are something we can be proud of. Obviously, that was just a snapshot of people who make it what it is today. Renounced of course have links to the aforementioned labels, having released their debut EP Conditioned From Birth via Speedowax in 2014 and later their debut LP, The Melancholy We Ache via Carry The Weight Records not long after that. It's recently been issued on CD via Footloose Records and on tape via Life. Lair. Regret Records. With the band venturing far and wide now and in future (2016 US tour anyone?), now is a good time to check them out if you've missed em.

I once read that Renounced had been compared to Skycamefalling. Could that be what influenced the title of the LP Opener. When The Sky Comes Falling begins n strangely calm fashion before the mix of metallic-H8000 hardcore and punk reigns supreme. The hardcore they play is remarkably mature. The Lies We Burn contains one the best breakdowns in modern hardcore and the thrash that pokes it’s head up through the music reminds me of a lot of late-90’s/early-00’s stuff. The closing bars and the sample reminds me of early From Autumn To Ashes. They’re more aggressive on How Heavy The Downpour, with driving riffs and a furious tempo. It’s not enough just to listening to this record though, you’ve got invest your time in it completely. That reminds me that I’ve still not seen Renounced live yet! I’m not too sure what the back story is with these guys, such as what bands they were in previously but either way When History Repeats As Tragedy is spot on musically. It’s safe to say that I’m hooked already. They split the record up with the instrumental song Perennial, which is a nod to folk music full of pleasing acoustic guitar. Aching is achingly good (sorry!). It takes more from our European cousins in musical terms yet Renounced make the sound their own. Songs just seem to flow really well and the dual rough/clean vocals on An Unpainted Canvas are perfectly placed. Of course, when they want to be they can really turn on the heaviness. Mistakes That Dig Graves is another quality slab of atmospheric 90s hardcore, with more faultless instrumentation. For a band to get a musical formula so right in such a short space of time is pretty special. The quiet/loud dynamics  of Joshua Commanding The Sun To Stand Still are up there with Cult Of Luna and their menacing beauty really shows. Ending it all with an uplifting and powerful piano Outro, Renounced have truly planted themselves in my head. Incredible record. People speak every day about the impact that albums have on them both in the present and the future. For anyone who truly appreciates the power and the quality of heavy music, The Melancholy We Ache must rank alongside the best albums we might ever hear.

Stream the record here:-

It's available to download for the bargain sum of £2 from Renounced above. Physical copies can be purchased from the below stores -

Carry The Weight Records (LP) - http://ctwrecords.myshopify.com

Footloose Records (CD) - http://www.footlooserecords.com/categories/all

Life. Lair. Regret Records (Tape) - http://www.waitingonrevolutiondistro.bigcartel.com

Renounced Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/renouncedhc

Carry The Weight Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ctwrecords

Footloose Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Footlooserecords

Life. Lair. Regret Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LifeLairRegretRecords

The Journey Of Vardan: Part 1

None are more hardworking than those in the extreme metal community. Whether they're writing, recording and releasing their own music, designing merch or artwork for themselves and others or playing in a myriad of projects all at the same time. They do it for the love of it and it shows in their productivity. There is however; a fine line between productivity and saturation. That last sentence brings me neatly onto Italian black metal band Vardan.

Vardan, depending on the way you look at it, has either been incredibly productive over the last two years or has saturated the underground black metal scene by releasing no less than 15 full-length releases (as well as a couple of splits). Now, I don't condone releasing music for the sake of it but you do have to applaud Vardan's passion. I mean, it took Iron Maiden 30 years to release that many albums!

The purpose of this feature though is not to criticise Vardan, in fact far from it. I want to shed both light and praise on Vardan for the vision and work ethic of it's sole member. This feature is split into two-parts and delves into some (not all) of those aforementioned full-lengths in some kind of chronological order.

...Dreaming ...Living My Funeral - Tracklist:-

1. Living My Funeral

2. Wandering Spirit

3. ...Dreaming (My End)

4. Cold Way To Exist

I begin my own journey into Vardan's discography with his second Moribund Records release, ...Dreaming ...Living My Funeral. This was my first glimpse into the dark, depressive world in which Vardan exists. It was released in the summer of 2013 (curiously) and was the follow-up to Lifeless Shadow, released just a month earlier. Opening with an instantly cold barrage on Living My Funeral, Vardan’s droning and hypnotic black metal bathes beneath a layer of feedback. It’s gloriously raw yet contains plenty of melody, that can even be heard above those terrifying screams. The songs contained on hear are more like droning hymns, but the ambience and melody that is woven into them remains untouched. Not content with brief soundbites, Vardan expands on the formula used in that opener and stretches it into the sprawling Wandering Spirit. It feels altogether more urgent, thanks to added guitar and percussion layers. There is respite mid-way through thanks to a quietly calming passage made up of lowly plucked guitar. Splitting a song of this length into sections makes sense, especially for those whose attention spans may be lacking! It certainly makes the impact better later on. The rawness takes over once again on …Dreaming (My End). It seems like a bit of a step back after the warmth of Wandering Spirit, but then this isn’t a pop album! I do have a lot of affection for releases like this, as I can hear and feel the emotion and passion that went into writing, recording and releasing it. That might sound too soppy for the stoney faced amongst you, but if you’re already into Vardan then you’ll know what I mean. In my opinion Vardan saves the best to last. Cold Way To Exist is musically one of the more creative songs on …Dreaming. Hearing black metal that stripped back to it’s bare bones like this is, it’s easy to think that it’s just made up of simple structures and rudimentary chords. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Vardan fills the song with mysticism and plenty of other-worldliness. It's easy to why Vardan is a solo-project after listening to this album. Solitude and soul-searching form part of a creative process that gives Vardan more meaning.

The Woods Is My Coffin - Tracklist:-

1. Night Of The Horned Rebirth

2. Luciferian Assault

3. Goatcraft

4. Dawn Of The Followers - Part 1

5. Dawn Of The Followers - Part 2

As is now customary with obscure black metal bands, you can find very little information about the origin of their releases. That is certainly true for The Woods Is My Coffin. Following on from …Dreaming …Living My Funeral, Vardan retains the raw sound and depressive atmosphere on Night Of The Horned Rebirth, but this time weaves in more ambient melody. The songs on The Woods Is My Coffin are also more focused. That new found focus is more obvious on Luciferian Assault, where the percussion rages mores than before during the opening passages. In an age where black metal is becoming more Post and introspective, Vardan provides something more akin to the old-school. The main riff in the song could even be considered catchy. As the pace and indeed the atmosphere changes at the midpoint, you can feel and hear the care and attention that Vardan places on his instrumentation. A song titled Goatcraft was always going to be nothing short of disgusting (in a good way). Seemingly taking his sound in a more menacing direction, Vardan once again changes the mood. His rasping shrieks sounding more and more possessed as the seconds tick by. Aside from the usual influences that are contained in The Woods Is My Coffin, Vardan lays down a concept of sorts with the two-part Dawn Of The Followers. After the barrage of Goatcraft, Dawn Of The Followers - Part 1 is weirdly soothing. It’s tempo is more solemn and it’s lyrical content and delivery is filled with more sorrow. The occasional acoustic passages show an often ignored sensitivity. After a brief pause,  Dawn Of The Followers - Part 2 shakes you into life with a more savage delivery. Subtly orchestral and symphonic in places, the ambient melody that's created by the guitars in the background comes across as very majestic, almost like they’re a call to arms. Switching between different tempos creates obvious movements within the song. It all fades out in a logical fashion to round out an album that proves as a definite progression of Vardan’s sound.

Enjoy Of Deep Sadness - Tracklist:-

1. A Broken Existence

2 Enjoy Of Deep Sadness

3. An Abstract Voice

There is one thing that you can rely on with Vardan, which is that he keeps you guessing. From the rawness of …Dreaming …Living My Funeral to the progression of The Woods Is My Coffin, there’s only been a faint blueprint for operation and the black metal contained within has been more than just ordinary. Vardan’s second Moribund full-length of 2014, Enjoy Of Deep Sadness feels immediately more depressive on album opener A Broken Existence. That depression here is spread over just three expansive tracks. Whereas The Woods Is My Coffin contains more melody (and even light), the music is darker and more stripped back here. A Broken Existence is filled with metallic bile and screams that are channelled from the netherworld. It’s harrowing but also cleansing. The title-track is subtly mellower. The guitar work is again the standout element in Vardan’s music for me. It just seems to drag you in and make you feel more attached to the song, which is quite an achievement. It’s that immersive-ness that makes the song’s near twelve-minute length flash by in what feels like a second. Vardan reaches yet another astral plain with An Abstract Voice, which aptly describes him. His gentler cries that are buried within mix sound like those of a tortured soul trying to escape and thanks to the great production, aren’t lost amongst the instrumentation. If you dip in and out of this record, you really won’t feel it’s warmth of it. Enjoy Of Deep Sadness is as swirling and as beautiful as black metal can get in my eyes. From it’s initial rawness it flourished into something more than just another album. Another surprise.

Verses From Ancient Times - Tracklist:-

1. I

2. II

3. III

4. IV

After a bit of downtime due to life, I was beginning to doubt that the albums I've been reviewing were in the correct chronological order, so apologies if things are a bit out of order. Verses From Ancient Times was Vardan's second full-length (first for Moribund Records) of 2015. Featuring four songs and an incredibly haunting album cover. The songs and their titles shrouded in mystery, presented only in Roman numerals. I’m beginning to really warm to Vardan’s take on black metal. It’s not for everyone granted, but it seems to really hit the spot after a frustrating working week. I is every bit the barrage I was hoping for. It seems to combine the ambient majesty of dare I say it…Deafheaven, while still remaining icy cold. Even with the catalogue featured in this piece you’d think that an artist would grow tired and lose creative momentum, but there’s no sing of that. Longer songs like I still benefit from distinct movements and lavish instrumental layers, that temper his screams. On hearing II, I’m reminded of what it was that made me take notice of black metal when I started this blog. The ability of the musician to make music that is so menacing and evil, yet play it so endearingly and genuine skill. I may not be worlds biggest expert on the sub-genre but I know how it makes me feel. II could almost be considered upbeat, especially during parts of the latter half of the song. Don’t take that to mean it’s suddenly become easy listening though! III follows Vardan’s formula for shorter and more urgent songs. It seems to really gain in momentum and the male-voice choral chants added to the song are perfect for the atmosphere Vardan is trying to create. It closes with IV, which sounds like it’s been crafted purposefully to follow on from III. It also proves why pauses between songs are pointless in certain situations, other that to help artists appeal to those with short attention spans. It ends like some sort of ghostly death march and with it any hope of a fulfilling and happy life. The mental pain continues.

The Night, The Loneliness - Tracklist:-

1. Pt 2

2. Pt 3

3. Pt 4

4. Pt 5

5. Pt 6

I'm rounding off  part 1 of this feature with an album that released on my birthday. Not sure why I thought you'd want to know that, but it's interesting to me. Anyway, the gloomy artwork Vardan's second Moribund Records release of 2015 tells you all you need to know. The songs are once again lurking under a veil of ambiguity and mystery. I’m not entirely sure which record Pt 1 was on, but Pt 2 opens up The Night, The Loneliness with a remarkably groovy percussion tempo. Vardan isn’t turning into a desert-rock band here though and his startling scream dispels any such notions. What is nice here though is the added melody from what sounds like an organ (maybe?) during the it’s opening half. The clean guitar later on adds more texture and it’s a great listen, though brief by Vardan’s standards. The metallic guitar during Pt 3 invokes subtle metal influences. Even though I’m only two songs into The Night, The Loneliness now, I can already see more progression and thought within Vardan’s music. A definite step forward. Pt 4 drones and lurches forward as if it’s going to be one long noise track, before small columns of light shine through the feedback-ridden guitar. Even when the volume does rise, that melody is still clear and welcoming. It floats straight into Pt 5, which builds on the cosmic feel of the album. I say cosmic because at times it sound very spacey and not as oppressive this time. It’s been quite normal of late to see bands that used to play black metal actually veering away from that narrow sub-genre and widening their musical palette (a perfect example is Twilight Fauna). Vardan seems to be doing that here. Final song Pt 6 gives you time for reflection. It’s mainly instrumental, but the sporadic screams and the choral singing that follows gives me the same chills that Caina’s Orphan did on Setter Of Unseen Snares earlier this year. It underlines what a great year 2015 has been for black metal. Vardan richly deserves the credit he is getting. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into writing part 2 of this feature in a couple of weeks.

You can purchase all of the above albums directly from Moribund Records here - http://www.moribundcult.com/SFNT

Vardan Official Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Vardan
Moribund Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MoribundRecordsOfficial

Hiraeth - The World Ends With You... EP

Tracklist:-

1. Words To Echo

2. Barely Breathing (Feat: William Alex Young of Clockwork)

3. Beside Me

4. Walkers

It's time for some UK melodic hardcore. London based five-piece Hiraeth released their debut EP in September. They've recently played alongside Hollow Earth and Renounced and have been playing staged wherever they can. In fact, they're a band who have cut their teeth live, honing their sound before committing themselves to the studio and due to that they've come to the attention of the heavyweights of UK printed music press. Not a bad effort at all.

That attention is well deserved after hearing The World Ends With You. Words To Echo starts with the serenest of guitar intros before mixing mighty screams with death-metal breakdowns. The music is off-kilter and rough around the edges at times but you expect that with any band starting out. One thing’s for sure though, they’re not constrained solely to the melodic hardcore blueprint. Barely Breathing drinks from same pond as Soilwork, with a European groove-metal slant. Their high octane delivery on Beside Me highlights their energy as a band. They’re cohesive sound is the biggest clue to their live-experience and while they’re still fine-tuning that sound fully, the clean vocals are a very nice touch. Closing song Walkers doesn’t allow the momentum to slip and the mix of extremity and modern hardcore makes it pretty exhilarating. Hiraeth may only be starting out but they have a lot of promise and definite appeal. They’re not just following the usual path and clearly have more far-reaching influences. Watching the grow should be really exciting.

Hiraeth don't have a Bandcamp but their EP is available for streaming and download via iTunes, Amazon and other major outlets. You can check out the lyric video for Words To Echo on Youtube below:-

Hiraeth Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HIRAETHUK

Unholy Grave/Nak'ay - Split 5"

Tracklist:-

Side A - 

1. Unholy Grave - Intolerance

Side B - 

2. Nak'ay - Strangle The Earth

3. Nak'ay - Self-Medicate

4. Nak'ay - No News

5. Nak'ay - Desensitized

6. Nak'ay - Feasts Of War (Assuck Cover)

The second 5" record I've pulled out of my collection is this fast-as-hell split between Japan's perennial grinders Unholy Grave and US trio Nak'ay. It was released back in 2012 as a joint effort between some heavyweight labels including Haunted Hotel Records, Crucificados Pelo Sistema, Drop Out Records, EverydayHate, Insurgency Records and To Live A Lie, whom I picked my copy up from a while back. It contains seven songs and lasts a little under four-minutes. I know I'm a bit late (understatement) writing about this but hey ho, I'm not being dictated to this afternoon!

 Unholy Grave kicks off the A-side with one gloriously tuneful but low-fi slab of grinding fury. Intolerance in madcap and raw as hell, but UG manages to fit a lot into it. Japanese grind is fun! All six of Nak’ay’s tracks on side-B just flail into one. It’s like they’re playing a live set without stopping in order to fit in as many songs a possible. I can’t even keep up with them! They’ve got plenty of low-end, especially during the cover Of Assuck’s Feasts Of War (all six-seconds of it). I really should work on picking up the discographies of both bands. 

You can Intolerance by Unholy Grave here:-

Nak'ay has their side up on bandcamp too:-

Grab a copy from the links below (if copies are still available):-

Crucificados Pelo Sistema - http://www.crucificados.de
Drop Out Records - http://dropoutrecords.org/eng/p/label
EverydayHate - http://everydayhate.ovh.org
Haunted Hotel Records - http://www.hauntedhotelrecs.com/zencart
Insurgency Records - http://insurgencyrecords.blogspot.co.uk
To Live A Lie Records - http://www.tolivealie.com/store/

Unholy Grave Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Unholy-Grave-official
Drop Out Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dropoutrec
EverydayHate Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/everydayhate
Haunted Hotel Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HAUNTED-HOTEL-RECORDS
Insurgency Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Insurgency-Records
To Live A Lie Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tolivealie

Astarium - Chthonian Miasma 5"

Tracklist:-

1. Miasma I

2. Miasma II

I've been neglecting my physical review pile recently, so I'm going to put more effort into writing about releases that I've bought or been sent that I've got listed. As my vinyl is in size order, I've decided to start at the front with this fairly recent (it was released earlier this year) 5" from Russian solo-black metal band Astarium. Astarium has a penchant for small vinyl, as the last release I reviewed came in the form of a 3" vinyl, which wouldn't even play on my record player. This particular two-track record was released by long-time collaborators Narcoleptica Productions and NitroAtmosfericum Records, on clear vinyl making it a bit of a collectors piece. 

Astarium’s symphonic black metal has always been an interesting listen. Partially programmed, the orchestral overtones on Miasma I give it a rousing feel, especially with SiN’s rasping growls underneath. This would be at home on the soundtrack to the Castlevania video games. Miasma II follows very much in the same suit and is over in a flash. Both songs are vividly haunting but endearingly creative at the same time. I do sometimes wonder what Astarium’s music would be like were it to benefit from a full band production, but that’s me merely being selfish. This is definitely one for the diehards but it doesn’t mean that others can’t enjoy it too.

You can hear a snippet of Miasma I here - http://www.astarium.ru/eng/

I've been unable to find out if copies are still available from either Astarium or the respective labels, but you can contact them via the links below:-

Astarium Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Astarium

Narcoleptica Productions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Narcoleptica-Prod

NitroAtmosfericum Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nitroatmosfericum

Sangus - Pedicabo Mundi

Tracklist:-

1. Blood Legions

2. Leeching Pigs

3. Genocido

4. Ave Il Luce

Managed to find a small window on this Halloween night to write a review. Things have been a bit patchy recently and will probably remain so for the next month or so, but things are busy behind the scenes. Anyway, Providence, Rhode Island black/thrash band Sangus got in touch with me recently about their latest EP, Pedicabo Mundi and tonight seems like the perfect opportunity to spin it. Sangus have been ripping shit up since 2013 and have two demos and two EPs to their name. The members that make up the band have plenty of experience (including time spent in Hexen, whom I've featured here before). This four-track EP was released in September via a collective called ForzaMorte that operates out of Providence, putting on shows and releasing music by like minded bands.

This is as dirty as can be. Opener Blood Legions doesn’t build up like a post-whatever song and isn’t constrained by volume. Sangus shred with all manner of blackened mayhem and screaming guitar. I’ve become accustomed to the chaos of bands like Occult 45 recently and Sangus are now added to that list! Leeching Pigs is a feedback-ridden beast but one with plenty of atmosphere during it’s menacing build-up. The metallic backdrop is exceptional while the high-pitched shrieks that make up Vovk’s vocal attack are frightening. Genocido is swimming with Latin occultism and there’s no let-up in the pace. Exhilarating is too tame a word for this. With but a brief moment for breath, the EP ends with Ave Il Luce and with it Sangus brings the house down. Ep’s tend to be just the right length but in this case it’s too damn short. I could listen to this all night and never get bored. Extreme music is meant to jump out and grab you, shake you about and make you feel filthy. Sangus does that and then some. Absolutely crucial!

Stream it and the rest of their material here:-

You can purchase a digital download of Pedicabo Mundi directly from Sangus above. There's also a limited CD available that include both this and their previous EP, as well as bonus tracks.

Sangus will be hitting the road with Mortuary Drape and Mgla in early November for some US dates. Check out the poster below:-

Sangus Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Sangus
ForzaMorte Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/forzamorte

News feat: Herod, Raging Speedhorn, Reverted and Room Full Of Strangers

Herod

Swiss tech metal band Herod have just released the video for Northern Lights and you can watch it via Noisey here - http://noisey.vice.com/alps/music-video-premieres/exklusive-videopremiere-herod-northern-lights-224

Herod are currently the opening band on the Deathcrusher tour, also featuring Carcass, Napalm Death. Obituary and Voivod. Check the poster for the remaining tour dates below -

Wednesday, 28 October - Northumbrian University - Newcastle, UK

Thursday, 29 October - The Forum - London, UK

Friday, 30 October - The Ritz - Manchester, UK

Saturday, 31 October - Trixzaal - Antwerpen, Belgium

Monday, 2 November - Live Music Hall - Köln, Germany

Tuesday, 3 November - L'Usine - Geneva, Switzerland

Wednesday, 4 November - Longhorn - Stuttgart, Germany

Thursday, 5 November - Folimanka Hall - Prague, Czech Republic

Friday, 6 November - The Factory - Magdeburg, Germany

Saturday, 7 November - Aalborg Metal Festival - Aalborg, Denmark

Sunday, 8 November - Tradgar'n - Gothenburg, Sweden

Monday, 9 November - Arenan - Stockholm, Sweden

Wednesday, 11 November - B90 - Gdansk, Poland

Thursday, 12 November - Rprogresija - Warsaw, Poland

Friday, 13 November - Täubchenthal - Leipzig, Germany

Saturday, 14 November - Music Hall - Gieselwind, Germany

Sunday, 15 November - Simm City - Vienna, Austria

Monday, 16 November - Backstage - Munich, Germany

Tuesday, 17 November - Estragon Club - Bologna, Italy

Thursday, 19 November - Schlachthof - Wiesbaden, Germany

Friday, 20 November - Astra Kulturhaus - Berlin, Germany

Saturday, 21 November - Speedfest - Eindhoven, Holland

Sunday, 22 November - Garage - Saarbrucken, Germany

Monday, 23 November - La Cigale - Paris, France

Tuesday, 24 November - Le Transbordeur - Lyon, France

Thursday, 26 November - Sala Riviera - Madrid, Spain

Friday, 27 November - Cine Teatro - Lisboa, Portugal

Saturday, 28 November - Sala Santana 27 - Bilbao, Spain

Sunday, 29 November - Sala Razzmatazz - Barcelona, Spain

Check out more via Herod's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/HerodNoise

Raging Speedhorn

Raging Speedhorn have just announced that Ten Foot Wizard and Telepathy (London only) will be joining them on their UK winter tour in November. The dates are below:-

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 - The Globe, Cardiff

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 – The Underworld, London (Support acts – Gurt, Ten Foot Wizard & Telepathy)

Sat, 28 Nov 2015 - Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Sun, 29 Nov 2015 – The Corporation, Sheffield

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 - Star & Garter, Manchester

Tue, 1 Dec 2015 – The Exchange, Bristol

Raging Speedhorn Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ragingspeedhorn
Ten Foot Wizard Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tenfootwizard
Telepathy Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/telepathyband

Reverted

London based rock/metal band Reverted will be playing a launch show for their acoustic album "Stripping The Worms" at Shaka Zulu in Camden on November 3rd. During the evening they will be performing songs from the new album as well as premiering the video for "Time".

Find out more via their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/revertedband

Room Full Of Stranglers

US punks Room Full Of Strangers are currently touring Germany in support of the new album "Bad Vacation", which is to be released on October 3oth via True Trash Records & Godless America Records. The remaining tour dates are below:-

Oct/28/15 DE – Berlin, Cortina Bob

Oct/29/15 DE – Hamburg, Monkeys Music Club

Oct/30/15 DE – Essen, Freakshow Bar

Oct/31/15 DE – Bonn, Kult 41

Nov/04/15 DE – Kaiserslautern, The Clearing Barrel

Nov/05/15 DE – Würzburg, Immerhin

Nov/06/15 DE – Leipzig, Zoro

Nov/07/15 DE – Crailsheim, Juze

Room Full Of Strangers Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/roomfullofstrangers

THIS NOISE IS OURS: REVERBERATIONS VOL 2 COMP!

As This Noise Is Ours will be approaching 5 years old shortly, I feel it's about time I did a second digital compilation. My aim is to have it available by the end of the year, so will be accepting song submissions from any interested bands up until December 15th.

Bands from all countries will be accepted and songs must be submitted in either WAV or MP3 format to - tnio@outlook.com. Please share this post. Thanks.

Rats Of Reality - The Art Of Debilitation EP

Tracklist:-

1. Shallow Bastards

2. Faceless Ones

3. Liferuiner

4. The Art Of Debilitation

Mondays suck and I’m too tired to focus now. Hopefully some good old crust punk will help regain some energy. This three-piece from Aberdeen got in touch with me not so long ago to tell me about their second EP, which was released in May. They Not being one to turn my nose up at a new band, I thought there was no time like the present. They released their debut EP last year and have a realistic (read: amusingly good natured) take on life as band, so what could go wrong!

These guys site a few decent influences in the e-mail they sent me, including Children Of Technology and Oathbreaker! I’m not hearing too much of the latter in opener Shallow Bastards, but their black/crust/thrash-schtick is strong and musically they’re pretty tight (you might be surprised to hear). There’s even melody poking it’s head through the grimness at the start of Faceless Ones, before they go all Motorhead. The screaming solo towards the end rounds out an excellent song. Thick riffs lead into one of coolest metallic-crust songs I’ve heard for sometime on Liferuiner. I’ve never been the biggest fan of crust in the past, finding some of the more established bands a bit boring. It’s not the case here at all. The title-track is a slow and lurching beast. Moving and menacing, with a faint whiff of Metallica hiding in the intro section. Thankfully there’s no histrionics and they go on to channel their inner heathen with one long black-metal blast. I can’t stress enough how good Rats Of Reality are and I think they’re destined for better things. That might sound a bit much, but sorry not sorry. Now grab some stubbies, a boombox and go hassle the squares in the local park!

You can stream and download The Art Of Debilitation (for free or name-your-price) here:-

There will be a tape version on it's way via Hellforced Records in Malaysia! Keep an eye out for that here - https://www.facebook.com/hellforcedrecords

Rats Of Reality Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RatsofRealityBand

Song Premiere! KRAK KRAK - Machina

UK noise-punks KRAK KRAK are due to release their debut album "All The Punks In The World Can't Save You Now" via Rawshark Records on November 30th.

Born out of the already bustling Brighton scene and featuring The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster alumni, KRAK KRAK have been playing all over the UK and have been getting plenty of attention, as they set out to release a track each week in the lead up to their debut.

You can stream a live version of new song Machina via the Soundcloud stream below -



KRAK KRAK combines metal, punk and some good ol' British noise to create something pretty confrontational.

You can keep up to date with news on the release and gigs via their Facebook page -
https://www.facebook.com/KRAKKRAKUK

Big Machine - S/T 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Slow

2. Superfastawesome

3. Black Elk

4. Tom Tom

5. Screamo

6. Refused

7. Mastodon

I'm taking a break from writing my 2-part homage to Vardan by listening to this! Big Machine appeared after the dust caused by the much missed Hammers, settled. There was people (myself included) who thought that part of the UK's noisy hardcore scene had died when they parted ways, but thankfully things didn't stay quiet for long and new bands started to spring up. Duo Big Machine released their self-titled debut EP in April. It was a collaborative effort between the band and four outstanding labels. The physical record was pressed on half-black/half-red vinyl.

Big Machine clearly has a sense of humour. You’d be forgiven for thinking that Slow was actually slow, but much like the duo’s no-nonsense approach, it’s full of heavy hardcore that doesn’t hang around. From the sublime to the ridiculous, Superfastawesome is brilliantly entertaining and over pretty much before you can say it’s name! Wailing feedback, a guitar that sounds like a layer beam and plenty of shouting. Big Machine is also off-kilter and in spite of the metal tempos on Black Elk, there’s plenty of experimentation going on. They’re clearly comfortable in leading you in different directions and this 7” is no worse off because of that. If the Sat-Nav of the same name screamed out directions like this, it’d be brilliant. As it is, Tom Tom highlights more to Big Machine’s sound. There’s even a touch of clean singing! From here on in they take aim at sub-genres and bands alike. Screamo is angular and the dual-vocals push the intensity several notches higher. Refused may be modelled on The-Shape-Of-Punk-To-Come, but it’s firmly rooted in Northern grimness, while EP closer Mastodon makes you wonder what would have happened if Ahab had fought with Moby Dick in modern times. There’s even a Blood & Thunder-riff cameo in the song. It’s an enthralling end to the EP that takes you through many different mental-states while staying consistently heavy. I think they've just released a split tape or are about to, so keep an eye out for that.

Stream the EP in full here:-

You can pick up copies from Big Machine live or by messaging them. It's also available from these labels:-

Black Lake Records - http://blacklakerecords.bigcartel.com
Boslevan Records - http://boslevanrecords.bigcartel.com
Barely Regal Records - http://barelyregalrecords.bigcartel.com
Dry Cough Records - http://www.drycoughrecords.com/products

Big Machine Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bigmacband
Black Lake Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/blacklakerecords
Boslevan Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BoslevanRecords
Barely Regal Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/barelyregalrecords
Dry Cough Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

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