This is the next edition in the ongoing Hex Records split 12” series (as well as the last new record to be announced for 2022) pairing bands not necessarily directly part of the label, but that we find awesome nonetheless, and releasing it short-notice in exciting and creative packaging. First was the Great Falls/ Great Sabatini split that contained letterpressed cover artwork and a laser-etched B-side (designed and executed by the bands as well). And then came the wild split between Child Bite and Multicult containing some of the most intense screenprinting work we’ve ever seen care of the Child Bite fellas. And now we got two of the most exciting new bands to emerge- Brain Cave and Knub- laying down gigantic slabs of rock housed in a screenprinted jacket with an Obi strip to keep it all together and fancy looking.
Brain Cave- hailing from Cleveland- have been exceptionally prolific in their relatively brief time together, releasing several singles as well as a killer full length. This continues their fierce pace of releases and more post-hardcore heaviness that shifts between melody and fuzzy riffs played as loud as possible with shouted vocals keeping them rooted in basements packed with sweaty kids and questionable odors. The trio blur the line between all-out aggression and a dedication to songcraft, melody and riffs.
Knub are old heads in a new band currently sinking the city of Baltimore into the Chesapeake Bay as a result of the seismic riffs they’re creating. They dropped a demo last year and I’m still recovering from it. They completely nail those enormous Helmet riffs worthy of “Meantime” and then polish them with the seasoned production and catchy songwriting of “Aftertaste”. Yes, a perfect world can exist. Add to that a singer with a set of pipes potentially lifted from a church organ and you get the huge sounds of Knub that makes you full-body handbang to the riffs and then curse them for how stupid catchy it all is. How can this dichotomy exist? Search beneath the flooding streets of Baltimore and you’ll find out.
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