Occasionally I think to myself that I'm a fairly predictable study in regards to my taste in music. But let me ask you this- where else are you going to find one person who gushes about a band's love of Life Of Agony, while also reviewing a group that worships the dirt Unwound trod upon? Wild card suckers! Don't try to pin me down.
AGE OF APOCALYPSE, “Grim Wisdom”
Ya know, I didn’t think I’d ever go for anything resembling Life Of Agony or Only Living Witness ever again primarily because 1) those bands are quite singular and they have very limited output that I personally enjoy (a great deal at that), and 2) pretty much every band that has ever tried to ape either of those bands has done so miserably and failed altogether. So how the fuck did Age Of Apocalypse manage to be so godamn heavy and, like, really good at pulling off the singing parts? They’re certainly an ultra rare breed and, if you know me, you’re probably just as surprised as I am about me vouching for this. I’m weirded out by it too. However, you will get absolutely buried under the chug here. This is the kind of band I hear in my head when the thought of going to a show in Troy, NY arises- some filthy club where, somehow, people are still allowed to smoke inside. A bunch of guys that look like extras from “Goodfellas” hang in the back while dudes up front with intentional dirt staches, wife beaters, and $50 Hatebreed tattoos (“done by a friend at their house”) clobber the ever-loving shit out of one another. The set ends, two people leave with broken noses. A busted up old Camero is seen driving off through slush-covered streets while you change your shirt to go to your night job at a frozen foods warehouse, the thought of “Grim Wisdom” echoing in your brain for the rest of the week. (Closed Casket Activities)
AUTHOR & PUNISHER, “Kruller”
Author & Punisher is a one-man band that’s been at this project for probably around 10 years at this point but this is actually my first time listening all the way through one of their records. If it’s not obvious by the title this is an album about some kind of pastry. Well, probably not, but it would be a fun surprise if it was! OK, so what’s the deal with Author & Punisher (for those not in the know)? Tristan Shone is the guy behind all this industrial noise and racket and the big deal is that he makes his own instruments and devices for creating the music. And by some of the pictures I’ve seen it looks as if he’s in some sort of robot exoskeleton, like as if helmet-less Darth Vader were trying to pilot the Power Loader from Aliens. And I’m not sure how the other records sound, but given the imagery I’ve seen I sort of expected this music to sound even more mechanized and noisy than it. Like there’s parts on here that have soul and textured vocals, some guitar accompaniment, actual structures to the songs with different movements, and so forth. So maybe this is the classic man vs. machine conflict, battling for the soul of a tortured human, imprisoned by his own robotic devices! Oh, the humanity! But seriously, this is stuff not intended for my enjoyment as I find the songs to be a bit too long, and a whole sludge/industrial mash-up isn’t really doing it for me. However, it is well composed and inventive, particularly for a single person running it all. (Relapse)
BACKSLIDER, “Psychic Rot”
This is actually my first time listening to Backslider, knowing them only as a reference check for a couple members other outfit- the far noisier and riffy Eye Flys. That’s not to say Backslider is without their fair share of floor-rattling riffs. Between opener “Asymetric Torment”, “Bone Thief” and closing track “The Floating Door” they’re able to lay down chunky dirge but still keep things moving at a pretty good pace. It’s on several other tracks like “Pseudomessiah” and “Collision Of Desire” where they’re blasting full speed, not quite sure if they’re aiming for straight up grindcore or powerviolence. But honestly, who gives a rat’s ass, it all sounds good. This is being hawked as a full length, but I’m a bit hesitant to go that far when the 10 tracks here clock in at just over 20 minutes, and two of those tracks are just weird sampled interludes. Maybe a long EP? I dunno, it’s a minor detail. I’m sort of glad they keep it relatively short and to the point because the eight ass-beaters on here will keep you wanting more. (To Live a Lie)
BIG WATER, “Park” EP
This Bummer-Canyons side project band offer up a quick EP after their debut full length last year. They didn’t take long to put this out there, but then again it’s 5 songs in less than 10 minutes, so it’s not like they’re writing progressive concept records. Or maybe they are, hell if I know what they’re yelling about. Though if “Tours Over, I’m Driving My Mustang Home” is any indication I’m guessing no seismic, world-altering musical dissertations are being laid out here. Nah. This is three Kansas City dudes expressing some crazy, math-y emo where they get all noodley on the guitar but never lose the plot so you can still follow the rock. Sure, it’s often kind of chaotic and wild, but it stays fun. For fans of groups like Comadre, Forstella Ford, and bands whose entire discography consists of only 7” splits and/or late 90’s compilation appearances. (The Ghost Is Clear)
CAPTIVE demo
One of the dudes from post-hardcore heavy-ass rockers Brain Cave up and decided to also get themselves on some Trap Them/HM-2 style grimey fastness trying to keep from unleashing their inner Terror love. It’s all about finding some balance and side quests in life, right? Well, here you get blast beats fighting with beatdown smash-your-enemies parts and not a single song on this 4-song demo hitting the two minute mark. Honestly, it’s impossible to be turned off by this (if you have any love whatsoever for heavy music) since it all goes by so quickly. Just enjoy it, and barrel roll into your friends in some filthy basement. (self-released)
IRON LININGS, “Pressure Valve” EP
I kind of happened upon this randomly and it’s one of those chances you take that pays off. I really enjoy what’s happening here as Iron Linings may tread a familiar path of post-hardcore/noise rock with lots of heavy rocking parts, grooving heavy dirges, and the occasional chaotic tempter tantrum. But there’s a feel to the guitars where they’re not constantly piling on as much distortion as possible and at times have a less aggressive, maybe melodic feel that I can only describe as sounding ‘Midwestern’. Yeah, I know, I don’t write reviews for a living ok? Anyway, much of the heavier sound comes from the plodding bass and the best example of all this is “On Pluto”, which has a great kind of bendy, twang drive with lumbering bass dirge for much of the song. They’re not terribly far off from contemporaries such as Faking, or even Bummer (the last track begins with a total Bummer part), but this also wouldn’t be out of place coming out of somewhere like Louisville in 2005. It’s a really fun listen and I’m sure you have 11 minutes to spare. (self-released)
PRAYER GROUP, “Michael Dose”
I feel a little odd writing a review of this because I actually authored the press release for this record. So instead of repeating myself, so I’ll try to vary the script. Virginia is not just for lovers, it would seem. It’s also for misanthropic noiseniks bent on making your day exceptionally uncomfortable, which is kind of how Prayer Group have been rolling for several years now. On their newest release they run the gamut of influence from noisy boy pack leaders like twisted and howling Jesus Lizard-ish worship (“Continuity”), sinewy and creepy thumpings reminiscent of Young Widows (“Spent”), not to mention a more chaotic ripping punk akin to Pissed Jeans (“World Of Mirror/World Of Mind”). It’s nothing altogether new, but it’s good and it’s enjoyable. And isn’t that what most of us want from a record? No need to re-invent the wheel, so long as the tire is reliable and doesn’t blow out on you during the drive. (Reptilian Records)
TORPORS, “TV Genius”
When you begin listening to the first full length from Torpors something immediately sounds familiar but, ya know, maybe it’s a just a coincidence. Yet by the time you hit third track “Sense Of Self” with it’s nimble and clever bass runs and squalling guitar and then continues into the melodic/dirgey off-kilter thud on the title track it all becomes abundantly clear- these dudes fucking LOVE Unwound. Holy shit. It’s as if Unwound at their peak (which, for me, is around “Repetition” and “Challenge…”) just felt the urge to toss in some more of their punk/post-hardcore leanings and maybe gave a little love to Hoover while they were at it. I mean it’s not just the focus on the creative bass parts and guitar leads, the vocals are right there as well. The whole thing is a total love letter to the Olympia heroes of yore. And if they weren’t such a unique band to pay homage to I’d think less of this group. However, it’s done flawlessly, with adoration, and inserting a bit more aggression into the familiar sound. There is literally no other information out there about this band aside from their bandcamp. (self-released)
WAR HONEY, “Shard To Shatter” 12”
I’ll give it to Handstand Records- they always surprise with something completely unexpected. The label has released everything from thrashing toxic punk, to pop-dirge indie, and now to the dreamy, breezy melancholy of War Honey. This is the kind of band you’d expect to find holed up in a dark corner of some smoky basement bar three nights a week crooning away to an ethereal, almost jazzy backbeat. This relatively short EP (three songs and a brief instrumental interlude) give a hint at what they offer. It’s honestly very outside my wheelhouse, but my only reference point here is that it strongly reminds me of that early 2000’s Jade Tree Records band Denali. And while the vocals here soar in that same, highly trained sort of way it’s a little bit lower of a register pouring out of Gabrielle Dana with every fiber of her being. This is a slick looking record too for being so short- pressed on a semi-translucent black vinyl with a screened b-side that shows through the darkened A-side. Pretty cool. (Handstand Records)
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