Cady/Majorel/Agak/Coma Regalia - Desolate Hands Move The Hour 4-Way Split 10"

Labels: Cyllene Records/Dance Happy Doom Crew/Kakusan Records/MeatCubeLabel/Middle-Man Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 21 Apr 2018

Tracklist:

1. Cady - Diamond Dust

2. Cady - Beyond Being Seen

3. Majorel - Negation

4. Majorel - Surrounded By Heartbeats

5. Majorel - Behind Glass

6. Agak - 焦燥

7. Agak - 衝動

8. Agak - 選択

9. Coma Regalia - Avalon

10. Coma Regalia - Edara

11. Coma Regalia - Pangea

The 10" vinyl format is a much misunderstood format in my opinion. It takes up less space than a 12" yet it's more engrossing than a 7". I've been expanding my 10" collection slowly and when I realised that this split was next on my ZBR Roster review list, I had to dig out my clear w/white haze copy  again.

The split features eleven songs from four bands who call the US, UK and Japan home. It's one of a few releases to feature a UK band (alongside Big Machine, Komarov and Wreck Of The Minotaur if my memory serves me correctly), alongside Japan's Agak and USA's Majorel and Come Regalia. An International line up of labels helped with it's release too.

This 10” split is chock full of utterly insane screamo/emo-violence, starting with the UK’s own Cady and ‘Diamond Dust’. It’s a song filled with dual high/low screams, blasts and a latter-half that builds in emo vibes right the way up to grooving punk and a crescendo of heady screamo at the end. What a way to kick things off. Cady’s second song ‘Beyond Being Seen’ is a much more introspective take on screamo, with a subtle blackened nod, showing just how varied the UK skramz community is. 

Next it’s the turn of the USA’s Majorel and their gloriously melodic ‘Negation’, which features so much raw emotion and genuinely inspired musicianship. It’s also artsy without being artsy. ‘Surrounded By Heartbeats’ takes a slightly more traditional screamo approach but only briefly, as it builds in intensity. Their final song ‘Behind Glass’ provides one last glimpse into their complex yet endearing sound. 

Japanese bands have always intrigued me with their unique approach to music in general, let alone extreme music. Agak’s sound is no less unique with their truly harsh vocals and atmospheric sound on opening track ‘焦燥’. There’s no time for rest as ‘衝動’ brings panic chords and metalcore influences to the party. It’s everything I expected and more. Agak’s closing song ‘選択’ is a reminder of just how dextrous and gentle they can be, while also being utterly intense at the same time.

This 4-way split concludes with the familiar tones of Coma Regalia (also from the USA), though ‘Avalon’ is way more melodic and clean than I remember their sound to be. Either way, it’s lovely. ‘Edara’ snaps back into emo-violence territory,  with a lashing of melodic riffs for good measure. Such a fulfilling piece of music. Their final song ‘Pangea’ is also their fastest and therefore their most intense. I love how they go through different musical patterns only to end up back at heavy again.

This split is exceptional in every way. From it’s packaging to the vinyl variants and of course, the music contained within it’s grooves. If you haven’t picked up a physical copy yet I implore you to do so. Help sell this thing out because it deserves it.

You can stream and purchase Desolate Hands Move The Hour digitally below:-

Physical copies can be purchased from the labels below:-

Dance Happy Doom Crew - https://dhdc.bandcamp.com/album/desolate-hands-move-the-hour-4-way-split

Kakusan Records - https://kakusanrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kar06-cady-majorel-coma-regalia-agak-split-10

Middle-Man Records - https://middlemanrecords.storenvy.com/desolate-hands-move-the-hour

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

Cyllene Records - https://www.facebook.com/cyllenerecords/

Dance Happy Doom Crew - https://www.facebook.com/DanceHappyDoomCrew

Kakusan Records - https://www.facebook.com/kakusanrecords

MeatCubeLabel - https://www.facebook.com/meatcubelabel

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

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

Paracrona - Sun God

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 24 May 2023

Tracklist:

1. New Impurity

2. Carry The Cross (feat. Baard Kolstad)

3. Thriller (feat. Baard Kolstad)

4. Sun God

5. Mendacious

6. River Of Pain

7. Therefore I Move The Time

8. Gates Of Immortality

9. Reasons

Staring at my laptop screen isn't going to help me write anything, especially when I've seen Norwegian band Paracrona described as Symphonic Black Metal, Progressive Death Metal and Blackened Progressive Metal by three separate PR agencies. I'm not criticising them but how am I supposed to write an accurate review if I can't adequately describe Paracrona's sound. I'll have to do it the only way I know how, which is to listen to the band themselves.

Paracrona is a sextet of musicians from multiple locations (I guess you could call it an international band). Formed by Ringo Christiaan van Droffelaar (Netherlands) and Oystein Hansen (Norway)  alongside a host of musicians that have contributed to bands such as ICS Vortex, Greve and Fortid amongst others. Sun God goes beyond simple black metal, so let's see what Paracrona has in store.

Sun God stretches out for almost an hour, which is bold for a debut album. Opener ‘New Impurity’ begins with a lengthy orchestral/symphonic passage that abruptly leads into a sound that’s rooted in black metal, unsurprisingly. It has some really progressive moments, thanks to the guitar work that adds a boat load of melody. I was worried about keys/synths taking over but it isn’t the case here. Paracrona actually describe their music as ‘quantum realism metal’, which is a new descriptor amongst many. ‘Carry The Cross’ features the guest drumming of ICS Vortex’s Baard Kolstad, which is kind of strange given that Paracrona already have a drummer in the form of Laszlo Juhos. Whatever their thought process is here, ‘Carry The Cross’ is a ferocious black metal number,

The second song to feature Baard Kolstad is ‘Thriller’. Don’t let the rock ’n’ roll intro fool you here as before long Paracrona launches straight back into their rip-roaring black metal. One thing’s for sure; you’ll get your money’s worth from this release thanks to it’s song lengths alone. The albums’s title track ’Sun God’ features a more mid-paced, post-black metal vibe in between the more up-tempo passages that make up the majority of the song. As with the album so far, it’s very accomplished and scratches the extreme metal itch, yet there’s something missing for me (and I’m struggling to put my finger on it, which means it’s probably inconsequential).

The progressive tag that’s been assigned to Paracrona is pretty spot on, especially when listening to ‘Mendacious’ and it’s epic lead guitar work. It gets the heart rate going, which is the feeling that’s been missing so far. The bass-heavy tones of ‘River Of Pain’ are slightly at odds with it’s symphonic blueprint, though thankfully that blueprint is subtle. I have to say that the more I listen to this album, the more it’s growing on me. ‘Therefore I Move The Time’ is on the more progressive end of the spectrum, with additional time-signature changes amongst it’s black metal arsenal of blasts and riffs. The choral and melodic mid-section changes the mood, bringing it back from the icy depths.

I’ve never been the biggest fan of power metal or true symphonic/operatic metal, but I hear elements of those sub-genres nestling in Paracrona’s music, especially on ‘Gates Of Immortality’. Obviously, theirs is a much stronger and more extreme sound overall but the use of different musical elements do help to elevate that sound to a higher place. Definitely leaving the best to last, ‘Reasons’ comes at you energetically right from the off. Twisting and turning through Paracrona’s various states of heaviness, to their most introspective and melodic. It’s the lengthiest song on Sun God and also it’s grandest.

Overall this is a very strong album. I didn’t know what to expect fully when I hit play and may have been slightly bias towards black metal bands with even greater progression recently, but I really enjoyed this one and it’s balance between cold Norwegian black metal and European melodic metal.

You can stream and purchase Sun God digitally below:-

CD copies and other merch can be purchased here - https://www.paracrona.com/store

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

AUX.AURA - Stepped On Smiles Song Premiere + EP Review

On June 13th Canadian label Tomb Tree will be releasing the self-titled EP from the band AUX.AURA. Prior to the release, it's my pleasure to be able to bring you a special premiere of 'Stepped On Smiles', which is the fourth and final song on the EP. There's very little info online about them (though they've been described as "Senza goes metalcore?") but that's fine because their music does all the talking as you'll find out below:-

Tomb Tree will be releasing the EP on tape, limited to 43 copies. Check out a sneaky peek at the goods below:-

At this point I was just going to talk about the song that's taken centre stage this evening, but where's the fun in that when the full EP is calling me.

Tracklist:

1. UpRightDownLeft With Grief

2. Am I Boring You?

3. Borderline Parasite

4. Stepped On Smiles

Aux-aura is a proper quick-fire EP. Opener ‘UpRightDownLeft With Grief’ is it’s longest song and is filled with panic-chords, glitchy riffs and screeching vocals that’ll give The Body a run for their money. The percussion is epic and quite upfront in the recording, while overall it sounds and feels truly invigorating. Mathy and violent are words that aptly describe this release. ‘Am I Boring You?’ Is anything but boring. The riffs take more of the stage and help elevate a sub two-minute song into something much bigger. The vocals pierce through the instrumentation perfectly and while some may call them grating, they’re exactly right for this release. Insane!

‘Borderline Parasite’ is the brutally urgent and on-point song that this EP’s been promising, with tempo changes and a heightened sense of anxiety running through it. I know that people consider the golden age of mathcore/emoviolence to have long gone but on this showing, it’s very much re-igniting. Final track ‘Stepped On Smiles’ ends the EP in excellent fashion. with some of the fastest drumming you’ll ever hear alongside guitars and vocals that more than match in ferocity. Musically the EP’s technical as well as fast, which gives you more if you invest your time in it. It’s over before you know it and if you’re like me, you’ll want it to go on and on. I don’t know where Tomb Tree finds bands like AUX.AURA but I want to know the secret!

Keep an eye on Tomb Tree's store on June 13th to make sure you don't miss out on this one - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/tomb-tree-tapes

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

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

Rutka Laskier - Protiklady

Labels: Ffud Rec/Happy Mutant/Stoned To Death/Pure Heart Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 26 Apr 2018

Tracklist:

1. Klaun

2. Vycpávač Ptáků

3. Jupiter

4. Jestřáb

5. Na Cestách

6. Schodištěm

7. Padena

8. Vltava

It feels so refreshing to have had this week off. I spent the early part of it working out me review schedule for the next few weeks and I was positive that I could smash through some of it over the last seven days, but I ended up taking some downtime instead. What seems like an age ago now, I committed to writing a series of reviews focusing on the ever growing roster of CAN/USA label Zegema Beach Records and even though I’ve seemingly bitten off more than I can chew, I’m not giving up and this is the latest review in that series.

Rutka Laskier (from Czechia) is a name I’ve heard of and read about more recently, and even though Protiklady was released over five years ago now, there’s still plenty of reason to spin it. Rutka Laskier’s sound on opener ‘Klaun’ is very much rooted in post-hardcore and off-kilter screamo without being too harsh (at least until the closing thirty seconds anyway). ‘Vycpávač Ptáků’ is more pensive and introspective. Spoken word lyrics sit atop of the instrumentation, which is tempered back to begin with. Even when it increases in volume and tempo, it’s still controlled. I think that’s the right way to describe Rutka Laskier’s music as their post-metal/rock side really shows through on ‘Jupiter’, with it’s stirring guitar work and multi-vocal approach. 

From the gentler tones of ‘Jupiter’ comes the extra intensity of ‘Jestřáb’. It’s an intensity that isn’t realised until about a quarter of the way through the song and isn’t overused either, as Rutka Laskier doesn’t just go for the jugular. Their song-writing and musical performance on this record is more intelligent. ‘Na Cestách’ kicks off a trio of shorter song’s on Protiklady’s second half. You might be expecting something akin to emoviolence here and you’d be partly right if you thought that; however, it remains just on the right side of chaotic, with guitar melody playing an important role. 

I’ve got to be honest here, I’ve hit play and stop on this album multiple times this week, due to my inability to concentrate. I’ve got a lot going through my head and focusing has been a struggle, though duo of ‘Schodištěm’ and ‘Padena’ were able to hold my focus. They seemed to be very in tune with each other, almost as if they were meant to be one song. Album closer ‘Vltava’ takes Rutka Laskier’s sound back in a slightly heavier direction one last time. It forms Protiklady’s longest song with introspective musicianship adding to a sense of closure and inner peace. 

After going back and playing through Protiklady again in full after writing this review, it felt really fresh and inspiring. Hopefully some of that inspiration will stay with me for the next few days so I can actually write some more. Thanks Rutka Laskier!

You can stream and purchase Protiklady digitally below:-

Rutka Laskier - https://www.facebook.com/rutkalaskierband

Physical copies can still be purchased from the labels below:-

Stoned To Death - https://stoned-to-death.bandcamp.com/merch/rutka-laskier-protiklady

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/rutkalaskier / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/rutka-laskier-protiklady-12lp

Happy Mutant - https://www.facebook.com/happymutant/

Stoned To Death - https://www.facebook.com/StonedToDeathRecords

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

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

YCПЕХ! - Уят

Labels: Polar Summer

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 11 Mar 2016

Tracklist:

1. 29 Грамм

2. Le Coffret

3. Сары Челектеги Бир Кичинекей Окуя

Earlier this week I tried to explain to somebody why I like heavy music. During that chat, we got onto the subject of listening habits and playing the same songs over and over. I said that my listening habits were a bit like having ADHD in that I'm always looking for different bands, lesser known and weirder bands. Never being content with those I already know (to an extent). When I was having that conversation, I didn't think I'd be writing about a lo-fi and experimental emoviolence band from Kyrgyzstan but there you go.

I'm on a bit of a deep dive at the moment, which includes Russian label Polar Summer and bands from Eastern Europe/Asia. Having written about Russia's More Future Suffering a few weeks ago, it's time to delve deeper again and discover what YCПЕХ! (or yspeh) are all about to this newcomer.

Apparently this entire EP was recorded using the dictaphone on an iPhone 5, which is probably a first for me. It does; however, make sense with the off-kilter, lo-fi screamo of EP opener ’29 Грамм’. It’s thirty-seconds of harsh vocals and erratic yet melodic guitar, backed up by rustic percussion (no doubt thanks to the phone’s recording capabilities at the time). 

‘Le Coffret’ sounds somewhat fuller initially thanks to the plucked guitar. I don’t know if it was professionally recorded but that’s how it comes across, before the rest of the band comes in with more rawness. I love the opposing atmospheres between the more relaxed guitar passages and the explosive bursts in between. There’s a real structure to the song, which is something I didn’t think I’d be saying.

‘Сары Челектеги Бир Кичинекей Окуя’ closes this single-sided EP in quite dramatic style with it’s lengthy instrumental build-up before exploding with freakishly high-pitched screams that sit deeper in the recording but still manage to extrude as well. Musically and in general, YCПЕХ! are excellent on this release. 

They have released plenty of music since this EP surfaced in 2016 and I’m still to discover it all properly. The tantalising prospect of releases with greater volume and production values build anticipation for sure, but this EP is a great listen as it is. 

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

Tape copies from Polar Summer are long sold out.

YCПЕХ! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yspeh.band

Polar Summer Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/polarxsummer/

Kaal Nagini - Refracted Lights Of A Blind God

Labels: Iron Bonehead Productions

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 14 Apr 2023

Tracklist:

1. Nameless Archetype Of Pantheonless Antiquity

2. Refracted Lights Of A Blind God

3. Lord Of The Two Doors And The Seven Portals

4. Double Tongued Serpent Of Kú

Kaal Nagini is the latest band to rise from the infamous and mysterious Kolkata Inner Order. The circle of bands that make up the Order, including Aparthiva Raktadhara and Tetragrammacide amongst others have been championed by Iron Bonehead Productions ever since their inception. This four song EP was released just over a month ago via the German label. The trio that make up Kaal Nagini give nothing away regarding their identity nor their musical history. With that in mind, now is the perfect time to embrace their debut.

Sometimes I get drawn to certain bands or geographical collectives and the Kolkata Inner Order is one such collective that I’ve been following from afar over the last few years. From my failed attempts to obtain interviews with some of the Order’s members in recent years to the mystery that surrounds them, it’s time once again to dive into the noise that shapes Kalikshetra.

Kaal Nagini have been described as a maximalist band. EP opener ‘Nameless Archetype Of Pantheonless Antiquity’ initially counters that description with quietness before an abrupt change of pace and volume occurs. Fast, percussion-led death metal is the reason for that tempo change, with it’s equally heavy guitar work and deep deathly growls. Rawness exists within the mix here but it only goes to add authenticity to Kaal Nagini’s sound.

The EP’s titles track ‘Refracted Lights Of A Blind God’ reminds me of the intensity delivered by fellow Iron Bonehead bands White Nights and Pa Vesh En. Disturbingly extreme yet satisfyingly cleansing at the same time. Maybe I just find solace in noise sometimes. 

Martial noise takes it’s place amongst ‘Lord Of The Two Doors And The Seven Portals’ and it disarms you straight away, thanks to the sheer abandon of Kaal Nagini. Granted, this release will only appeal to an ardent group of extreme metal listeners but that’s kind of the point. Music like this isn’t recorded for the masses. It’s for those who truly understand it and in most cases, for the band themselves.

EP closer ‘Double Tongued Serpent Of Kú’ provides one last heady blast of disgustingly extreme death metal, which lasts even longer than the songs before it. It’s that extremity that stands out for me with this release. Death metal as a sub-genre has been growing exponentially over the last couple of years and it’s been branching off in many directions. Kaal Nagini may have ushered in another such branch. The emerging Indian extreme metal community is a fertile one, with Kolkata’s leading the way. If you give it’s constituents time you’ll be repaid.

You can stream Refracted Lights Of A Blind God and purchase it digitally below:-

 

Physical vinyl/cd copies can be purchased from Iron Bonehead Productions here:-

https://shop.ironbonehead.de/

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

Respire - Denouement

Labels: Belle Époque Publishing/Dingleberry Records/Left Hand Label/Middle-Man Records/Narshardaa Records/Self-Released/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/CDr/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 01 May 2018

Tracklist:

1. Bound

2. Haunt

3. Shiver

4. Bloom

5. Catacombs

6. Virtue

7. A Heart Still Pines

8. Denouement

It's been a while since my last ZBR roster review (aside from the odd recent release), so I'm jumping back down the rabbit hole with Canadian band Respire and their 2018 full-length Denouement. Originally self-released by Respire on digital and CDr formats to coincide with the vinyl release from Dingleberry, Middle-Man, Narshardaa and ZBR; it also saw later tape pressings from Belle Époque Publishing and Left Hand Label that same year (with LHL also releasing an instrumental accompaniment tape called Memorial at the same time). In terms of album timelines, it sits between Gravity And Grace and Black Line for those unfamiliar. Respire blends post-hardcore, post-metal, shoegaze, black metal and more together with help from countless talented friends/musicians.

Today has felt like a real breath of fresh air as the preceding days and previous week have been hard work-wise. Having the mental energy to write again is freeing and Respire are my inspiration. ‘Bound’ is the expansive, cathartic opener I was hoping for. A genuine mix of melody from multiple instruments, heaviness from blasting percussion and equally dissonant guitars, and raw emotion from on-point vocals. These seven+ minutes are instrumentally superb and you really get a sense of the whole Respire family when the clean singing fills the speakers. The welcoming Celtic influence added by the violin/viola playing will remind you of bands like Dawn Ray’d and Morrow, which is cool as well.

‘Haunt’ creeps up on you with a less urgent sound initially before the majesty of Respire’s black metal and orchestral might come together to raise the heartbeat a few notches. It’s ending is abrupt end leads straight into ‘Shiver’, which is the most obvious ode to black metal on Denouement so far. Obviously, that’s not the only facet to Respire’s sound but it is more prevalent here in parts. When it settles, classical symphony-like instrumentation takes hold and creates a totally different atmosphere altogether. 

As ‘Bloom’ plays, the pattern of songs getting shorter in length continues. Song lengths ultimately mean very little when you’re truly immersed in an album and the sheer beauty of this song proves that point. Again melody is king and it leads you serenely into the second-half of the album. Screamo/emo makes ‘Catacombs’ a totally different proposition but one that’s absolutely fine. It shows Respire’s ability to be sensitive and write with even more variation than they already have on this album so far. The way they up the tempo before a crescendo of black metal and post-metal guitars close it out works brilliantly too.

The sample that opens ‘Virtue’ is somewhat unnerving and while that feeling doesn’t translate in the music that follows, it resonates in your head. From that initial place of darkness light grows, becoming more visible and sensory as the all encompassing instrumental layers build. From the sublime to the dramatic, ‘A Heart That Pines’ is a short blast of energy that’s given no room to explode. You’ll understand why when you hear it. Ending with the title track ‘Denouement’. the soothingly delivered Saxophone takes centre stage amidst an instrumental song that closes out an album that should be heralded as the GOAT. 

I don’t know what else to say about this. I’m sure that many people who read this will already be familiar with Denouement but if not, you’re missing out. It’s so hard to keep up with the myriad of releases being thrust into your ears every day now, but there’s nothing wrong with taking some time out to appreciate what’s come before. This is a banger and it will forever be one.

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

Respire - https://www.facebook.com/respirefamily

Physical copies can still be purchased from the labels below:-

Left Hand Label - https://dogknightsproductions.com/collections/left-hand-label

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

Narshardaa Records - https://narshardaa.bigcartel.com

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/Dingleberryrecordsanddistribution

Left Hand Label - https://www.facebook.com/lefthandlabel

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

Narshardaa Records - https://www.facebook.com/Narshardaarecords

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

More Future Suffering - Stars On The Pillow EP

Labels: Polar Summer

Formats: Tape/Digital

Release Date: 11 Sep 2015

Tracklist:

1. Mn-t. 15.

2. Stars On The Pillow

3. Noyabr'

A few reviews back I said I was gonna go on a Polar Summer deep-dive. Even though I have a schedule written up and a list as long as my arm of submissions, it just feels right to stray from that path and go a voyage of obscure musical discovery before I have to succumb to mundanity again tomorrow (9-5 at least). I'm starting with the very first Polar Summer release by a Russian band called More Future Suffering. Stars On The Pillow was the band's second release back in 2016. Polar Summer put this EP out as a 22 tape run.

I’m definitely moving in a more screamo/emo-adjacent circle right now, listening-wise anyway. Having Spotify on my phone and listening to the latest curated melodic/metallic hardcore playlists has pushed me in that direction simply because I want to enjoy something less polished (if you know what I mean?). To be honest though, I’m not sure what to expect from More Future Suffering, as I think the music is going to be more ambient than I’m used too, but who dares wins and all that. EP opener ‘Mn-t.15.’ is indeed an ambient piece and one that seems to audibly frame the vast unpopulated expanse of the band’s motherland. Slowly building with subtle guitar and crackling noise/effects, It’s utterly beautiful, without a hint of the screamo/emo I mentioned at the top of this review, though when the tempo picks up towards it’s conclusion the heart rate does a bit too.

I mentioned the crackling above but on the title track ’Stars On The Pillow’ it sounds way more like a campfire burning away in the moonlight, alongside the gentle acoustic guitar. It’s both calming and also quite emotional to listen too (especially when re-watching videos of a relative’s puppy). I mean, who doesn’t like puppies right?!. After two very lengthy compositions, it’s left to the very closer ‘Noyabr’’ to provide a slight glimpse into the future (sorry) sound of More Future Suffering.

I guess as we age our taste in music evolves. We still reach for what grabbed us when we were younger but we also seek something different, something more mature. More Future Suffering passed me by, as have so many other artists/bands but thanks to the digital age that we live in, it’s never too late to right those wrongs and enjoy what’s been committed to tape (or other mediums). I’m excited about what’s to come now. Please put aside some time to appreciate More Future Suffering. You won’t regret it.

You can stream Stars On The Pillow and purchase it as a name-your-price download from More Future Suffering below:-

Polar Summer - https://polarxsummer.bandcamp.com/album/stars-on-the-pillow

Tombstalker - Age Of Darkness EP

Labels: Boris Records/Morbid Aggressor Productions

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 29 May 2023

Tracklist:

1. Astral Combat

2. Titan Warlord

3. Age Of Darkness

4. The Final Night

Things have been a little quiet over the last week, mainly due to work life getting busy. Thankfully the long weekend allows for some breathing space (but not much), so I can finally get back to it. At the end of this month US thrash/death band Tombstalker will release their latest EP Age Of Darkness, via both Boris Records and Morbid Aggressor Productions. It's their first release in about six years and will help to mark their fifteenth anniversary as a band.

Age Of Darkness is filled with boundless energy straight from the off. ‘Astral Combat’ opens things up with the right mix of rawness from the intense vocals and catchy, assured instrumentation. Tombstalker’s experience really shows here with the quality of their performance, especially during the extended instrumental passages later on in the song.

‘Titan Warlord’ appears to be more straightforward thrash/death on early listening; however, it isn’t long before Tombstalker’s more progressive tendencies take over again. I use that term loosely here, as they don’t go full-on Cynic/Atheist or anything, but there definitely is a melodic and creative side to their music. The solo that helps to close ‘Titan Warlord’ is amongst the best you’ll hear all year too.

The EP’s title track ‘Age Of Darkness’ is a delightful acoustic instrumental that harks back to similar ones that were performed by some of thrash metal’s true titans of old (Death Angel is the first name that springs to mind here for me and obviously S&M era-Metallica).

EP closer ‘Final Night’ sees Tombstalker rejoicing in their destructive heaviness one last time. There’s a real authenticity to the music on here and with the current explosion of death metal in all it’s variations right now, Tombstalker should be right up there with the best.

You can stream 'Astral Combat' in advance of the full EP release via Boris Records below:-

You can also pre-order Age Of Darkness on vinyl, tape and digital formats via Boris's bandcamp page above.

I can't locate any links to Morbid Aggressor Productions. If anybody knows of any, please send them my way and I'll update the review.

Tombstalker - https://www.facebook.com/tombstalkerband

Boris Records - https://www.facebook.com/borisrecordsatl