Mental Distress - 2014 - Demo 2014

Mental Distress is a four piece hardcore punk band from Strasbourg, France. Demo 2014 is their debut EP. Members have also played in More Dangerous Than A Thousand Rioters, Galère and Overreact. Mental Distress play a straight forward hard hitting brand of hardcore punk that can get a little chaotic but otherwise stays pretty focused on audio destruction. The female lead singer has an excellent shout and can shriek like demons are chasing at her while the band rages behind her. If you're looking for some hardcore and can stand a little lofi demo production, Mental Distress' Demo 2014 will serve well.

Doctor Livingstone - 2014- Contemptus Saeculi

Doctor Livingstone is a five piece chaotic metal band from Montpellier, France. Contemptus Saeculi is their new LP. Members have also played in Mütiilation, Arkhon Infaustus, Hell Militia and Zoldier Noiz. Doctor Livingston play a brand of blackened heavy metal that liberally steps into chaotic hardcore and even some screamo while filling out their sound. While Doctor Livingston steps through a couple of different genres they are never anything less than crushingly heavy and dark.




 Highlights include Onze, Eat You Devour Me, By Serpents (Illumination Mea), Le, and even more importantly this whole things fits together very well as an album. This is heavy metal that knows how to bring in the best from surrounding heavy and chaotic genres. If you're looking for some rock solid, occult focused metal. Doctor Livingston's Contemptus Saeculi will serve well. Thanks to the Elementary Revolt.

Godstopper - 2014 - Children Are Our Future

Godstopper is a four piece band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Children Are Our Future is their follow up to 2012`s What Matters LP. Godstopper play a sometimes crushingly heavy brand of doom influenced noisy rock. Andy Boy is a rather straight forward noisy hard rock song while Death's Clothes is strung out to basics before building to heavy heights and An Old Photo has a stop and start mathy riff before fully applying the gas and Young Queen stomps around with a doomy melody. If you're looking for some doom influenced noisy rock, Godstopper's Children Are Our Future will serve well.

Autarkeia- Me And Goliath - 2014- Split LP

Autarkeia is a four piece screamo band from Fort Meyers, Florida. This split with Me And Goliath is their third release. They have also released a split with Cloud Rat and feature members of Jiyuna and Merkit. Autarkeia play a dark, crushing brand of screamo. These songs build to a thrashy, moody peak and then shake and themselves apart. My favourites on this side are Spectacles and Concrete Walls.



Me And Goliath is a three piece screamo band from Kent, UK. The split with Autarkeia is their third release. They have also put out a split with Grave Shovel...Let's Go! Me And Goliath play a hardcore influenced brand of screamo bringing in some chaos to fuel things. These songs move along as pretty straight forward screamo until the chaos starts as the ground collapses beneath them. My favourites on this side are Y.A.M.E.A.E.W. and Captains Curse. If you're looking for some heavy, intense and chaotic screamo, Autarkeia and Me And Goliath's Split courtesy of React With Protest will serve well.

Blue Friend - 2014 - I Will Be Your Blue Friend

Blue Friend is a four piece screamo band from Tokyo, Japan. I Will Be Your Blue Friend is their debut LP. A physical release is planned with their own Life Is Perfect Records producing CD's and vinyl courtesy of Dog Knights Productions.

Cheap Girls - 2014 - Famous Graves

Cheap Girls is an indie rock trio from Lansing, Michigan. Famous Graves is their fourth LP and the first to be released by Xtra Mile Recordings. Cheap Girls play a powerpop and alt rock influenced brand of indie rock. They have a very warm, large sound for a trio, these songs are melodicaly expansive and will fill any room they're in. Think midwestern garage rock  with the unabashed energy and melodic focus of powerpop and you won't be far off. Cheap Girls has toured with bands like Against Me!, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Bomb the Music Industry!, Rick Johnson, Mikey Erg, Two Cow Garage, and The Hold Steady and released music with Rise Records, Paper & Plastick, Quote Unquote Records, No Idea Records, Art of the Underground, Suburban Home, Bermuda Mohawk and  Los Diaper. Highlights include Slow Nod, Amazing Grace, Pure Hate, Short Cut Days, Man In Question, Splintered, Thoughtless Senseless and 7-8 Years.  If you're looking for some guitar driven powerpop influenced indie rock Cheap Girls Famous Graves will serve well.

Veruca Salt - 2014 - The Museum of Broken Relationships / It's Holy

Veruca Salt is a four piece alt rock band Chicago, Illinois, USA. The Museum Of Broken Relationships / It's Holy is their first recording in eight years and the first with the original lineup since 1997. They released these two songs on 10" vinyl for Record Store Day and recently released a video for It's Holy.

Kikagaku Moyo - 2014 - Forest Of Lost Children

Kikagaku Moyo is a five piece psychedelic rock band from Tokyo, Japan. Forest Of Lost Children is their second LP and third release overall, with a physical release courtesy of Beyond Beyond Is Beyond. Kikagaku Moyo, or Geometric Shapes in English, play a riff heavy, melodic brand of psychedelic rock that stays rooted in rock but isn't afraid of stretching out into some jams. This is the sound of a very confident band that knows the sound they want and having no trouble settling into it. They are garnering comparisons to bands like Acid Mothers Temple and The Incredible String Band. Highlights include Semicircle, Kodama, Smoke And Mirrors, Hem and Streets Of Calcutta. If you're looking for some progressive, psychedelic rock and roll, Kikagaku Moyo's Forest Of Lost Children will serve well.

Your Weekly Madness S02E08

The latest episode of the official A Place To Burn podcast is finally live, Your Weekly Madness S02E08. This week features music from Bleak Bulge, Canyons, Creeper, Waxahatchee, Polar Bear Club, Vinny Vegas, Slippertails and Truman. The political corner continues with another excerpt from Emma Goldman's Anarchism & Other Essays, as does the comedy corner continue with another excerpt from Tina Fey's Bossypants and the poetry corner this week is Gabe Moses performing How To Make Love To A Trans Person. Enjoy!

Respire - 2014 - Demonstration

Respire is a six piece post-rock band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Demonstration is their debut EP. Members have also played in bands like Foxmoulder, Delo Truda, Tell-Tale Hearts, Quone and Araby. Respire play an experimental blackened brand of screamo influenced post-rock. Some songs stretch out forever with a spoken word low in the mix while others are crushingly heavy and explode with cathartic rage while still others conjure a haunting, almost shrieking melody overtop of a self destructing heavy riff. These songs twist and explore new avenues just as quickly as the trumpet player can start to blow. If you're looking for some experimental post-rock, Respire's Demonstration will serve well.

Flowers Taped To Pens - 2014 - Flowers Taped To Pens

Flowers Taped To Pens is a four piece screamo band from San Diego, California. Flowers Taped To Pens is their 3rd EP and their fourth release overall. It was pressed on vinyl by Driftwood Records, Ozona Records, and Ronald Records. Members have also played in Avari and Meryl Streaker. Flowers Taped To Pens play a straight forward, lofi brand of screamo that shakes and shudders it's way out of the garage it was recorded in. There are gut wrenching shouts that develop into high piercing shrieks, vaguely melodic gang backing vocals, and even some spoken word while the guitars rage and occasionally twinkle a little. Here's where I would list my favourite songs but there's no point when it's literally all of them. This is an album you can leave on repeat and rise and fall with the chaotic waves of sound. If you're looking for some excellent screamo, Flowers Taped To Pens Flowers Taped To Pens will serve well. (Label Submission)

Cakes Da Killa - 2014 - Hunger Pangs

Cakes Da Killa is an underground rapper from New York City, New York, USA. Hunger Pangs is his third mixtape. The mixtape features production from Wildkatz, SXYLK, Joe Lalich, LSDXOXO, Poisonous Relationship and Hanz Kurkyl with guest vocals from Terry Lovette. It is easy to lump Cakes in with the wave of queer rappers like Le1f or Mykki Blanco but first and foremost Cakes is a lyrical monster. He brings it hard and fast on every single track. Last year's mixtape The Eulogy raised both the stakes and the expectations and Cakes Da Killah does nothing but bring the fire for almost a half hour straight. If you're into hip hop or rap in any capacity, Cakes Da Killa's Hunger Pangs is essential listening.

Congratulations - 2014 - Demo

Congratulations is a three piece emo band from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Demo is their debut EP recorded and mixed by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios. Congratulations play a brand of emo that's been rammed straight into indie rock and being played at full volume out of speakers that are about to fail. the lofi, blown out style works very well, coating everything in a gentle layer of fuzz. I would list my favourite songs but there's no point when it's basically all of them. If you're looking for some blown out but still catchy emo and indie rock Congratulations Demo will serve well. Thanks to One Path For Me

Riff Raff Ft. Childish Gambino - Lava Glaciers

Riff Raff is a rapper from Houston, Texas, USA. His new album Neon Icon, his major label debut will be released by Diplo's Mad Decent. Childish Gambino is the rap name of actor and stand up comedian Donald Glover, he starred in Community and released his second LP Because The Internet in 2013 which he continues to promote on his Deep Web Tour.

Josh Homme - Villains Of Circumstance

Queens Of The Stone Age is a five piece rock band from Palm Desert, California, USA. Their last LP was ...Like Clockwork in 2013. The lead singer, guitar player and songwriter Josh Homme played an acoustic set recently, debuting a new song and hinting at a new LP.

The Harponist & The Axe Murderer - 2014 - A Real Fine Mess

The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer are a two piece blues band consisting of Shawn 'the Harpoonist' Hall on vocals and harp and Matthew 'the Axe Murderer' Rogers on guitar and drums though this album features a plethora of female backing vocals and keyboards courtesy of Tom Heuckendorff. A Real Fine Mess is their third LP. I had the extreme pleasure of seeing them play the Kitchener Blues Festival in 2013 when they were touring Checkered Past and was completely and utterly blown away. This is classic, old school Muddy Waters & Willie Dixon style blues but run through a modern filter adding plenty of soul on the way. Easily one of the best albums of the year regardless of genre. Here is where I would list my favourite song but literally every single song on this LP is awesome in it's own way. If you like blues or rock and roll in any capacity The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer's A Real Fine Mess will serve well, highly recommended.

Joyce Manor - Schley

Joyce Manor is a five piece punk rock band from Torrance, California. Their new LP Never Hungover Again is available for pre-order courtesy of Epitaph Records.

Stranger - 2014 - Demo

Stranger is a four piece punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Demo is their debut release. Stranger play a an aggressive brand of punk bringing together the post-rock and death rock. The guitars are propulsive and distorted but never overwhelm and the female singer has an excellent pissed off shout which would be just as at home in a straight ahead hardcore punk band. They blast through these five songs in less than 1 3 minutes, garnering comparisons to bands like Sex Cross, Criminal Code, and Nervous.One of the best demo's of the year. If you're looking for some forceful, gothy punk rock Stranger's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Weird Al Yankovic - Teaser

Fixed Casanovas In Heat - 2014 - Belvidere/Destiny St

Casanovas In Heat is a four piece punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Belvidere/Destiny St is their second release, courtesy of Katorga Works. Casanovas In Heat play a brand of old school melodic punk. Belvidere is beyond catchy, good luck ever getting it out of your head again and Destiny St brings the backing vocals and some melodic lead riffs. If you're looking for catchy, high energy punk rock look no further than Casanovas In Heat's Belvidere/Destiny St

Olive Drab - 2014 - The Big Sleep

Olive Drab is a four piece noise rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, America. The Big Sleep is their debut LP courtesy of Birdtapes. Olive Drab play a noisy brand of indie rock that liberally dips into emo and garage rock. The opening tracks Go Home and Falling (For You) are excellent examples of noisy, emotional garage rock that remembers how to be danceable somehow. King Of Cancer is a brooding monster of a slowburning darkly melodic emo song and Caterpillar builds up it's melody before tearing everything down again. If you're looking for some lofi emo and garage inflected indie rock Olive Drab's The Big Sleep will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression

Shin To Shin - 2014 - Shin To Shin

Shin To Shin is the solo project of Aaron "A2" Melnick. Shin To Shin is the debut EP under this name. Aaron Melnick has also played in bands like Integrity, In Cold Blood and Inmates. This EP released by A389 Recordings is 8 tracks and 22 and a half minutes of crushing 90's metallic hardcore. The basis for most of these songs is that straightforward but then the guitar leads start flying and we're off to the races. My favourite songs are the title track, Extinction and Intro and Costumes And Masks,  these songs are either crushingly heavy but never neglecting  a lead riff or riding a solid groove into the dirt. If you're looking for some heavy metallic hardcore, look no further than Shin To Shin's Shin To Shin.

Flehs Born - Cara Neir - 2014 - Split EP

Flesh Born is an four piece black metal band from Denton, Texas, USA. This split with Cara Neir is their second release. Flesh Born play a a raw brand of of black metal that spins itself into tight little corners and then explodes out wildly from there. The singer has a high pitched shriek that fits in nicely with the lofi chaos the instruments are making. If you're looking for some chaotic black metal with some grind and a coating of crust, Flesh Born's side of their split with Cara Neir will serve well.



Cara Neir is a black metal two piece from Dallas, Texas, USA. This split with Flesh Born is their third EP, their eight record overall. Cara Neir play an experimental brand of black metal bringing in elements of screamo, d-beat, hardcore and neocrust. These songs are unrelenting, bringing the blast beats but still allowing some melody to slip through. If you're looking for some intense black metal that isn't afraid of branching out, Cara Neir's side of their split with Flesh Born will serve well.

Sage Francis - 2014 - Grace

Sage Francis is a rapper from Providence Rhode Island. His new LP, Copper Gone is his 18th release. He is the founder of Strange Famouse Records. Grace is the single from his new LP.

Old Gray - Clip Your Wings

Old Gray is a four piece screamo band from the USA. Their latest release is a 7" Split EP with Tiny Moving Parts courtesy of Broken World Media, Kind Of Like Records and Dog Knights Productions. Rat Cave Productions produced a music video for Clip Your Wings from the aforementioned split.

ABRAMS - 2014 - February

ABRAMS is a three piece hard rock band from Denver, Colorado. February is their debut EP. Members have played in Black Acid Devil, Black Sheep Of Kali, and Luna Sol. ABRAMS play a heavy brand of rock bringing hardcore punk and stoner metal to tie everything together. They cite Metz, Torche, Death from Above 1979, Baroness, Mastodon and  Sleep as influences which is a pretty solid representation of where these songs are headed. My favourites are The Fucking Cops Are Here and Mr. Pink Always Wins but Limped Off and Sea Salt Lines are riotous and noisy in their own rights. If you're looking for some heavy grooves, ABRAMS' February will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Teen Creeps - 2014 - Teen Creeps

Teen Creeps is a three piece indie rock band from Ghent, Belgium. Teen Creeps is their debut EP. Teen Creeps play a an emo inflected fuzzed out brand of indie rock bringing in some garage rock for seasoning. Songs like Letting Go have an early 90's lazy indie rock feel to them while songs like Alp kick out the garage rock jams and Shed Some Light has a tense driving energy to it. If you're looking for some tight, well played eclectic indie rock Teen Creep's Teen Creeps will do well. Thanks to Manic Compression

Rend - 2014 - First Contact

Rend is an emo band from Marlborough, Massachusetts. First Contact is their debut LP. Rend play a noisy brand of emo with some melody occasionaly peeking through. First Contact gets off to an explosive start with Haunted which is followed by more of the same with When you know the answer (but don't raise your hand) before Parlor Trick breaks everything down and builds it back up in a slow burn.



Forever Discontent starts the second half off in an almost hardcore direction before Safe In Orbit returns to the emo Rend can pull off well before closing out with more of the same plus more of the aforementioned slowburn on Moulder. If you're looking for some desperate emo wrapped in fuzz, Rend's First Contact will serve well.

Things Fall Apart​ - ​Tall Ships Set Sail -​ ​Infro​ - Shizune - Four Way Split

Things Fall Apart is an screamo band from Columbus, Ohio, USA. This four way split is their ninth EP. These two songs are a little noodly but also bring in some post-hardcore in their use of dynamics.
Tall Ships Set Sail is a four piece  screamo band from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. This four way split is their 3rd EP. Tall Ships Set Sail play a lofi brand of screamo that feels like it might fall apart at any moment. They shake and desperately scream their way through these two songs without coming apart completely.



Infro is a screamo band from Japan. This four way split is their fourth EP and their fifth release overall. Infro play a straight forward brand of screamo, the guitars are distorted but never forgetting some melody while still come straight at you and the singer has a forceful, versatile shout.
Shizune is a five piece screamo band from Lonigo, Vicenza, Italy. This four way split is their fourth EP. An Appointment With Richard Harrison divides it's time between exploding  and screaming and the other half softly whispering and disintegrating while March Blizzard In Rostov n Donu starts twinkly with some buried shouts before building up and destroying itself.

Settler - 2014 - dissociation songs (in the key of F)

Settler is a three piece emo band from Marlborough, Massacusets, USA. dissociation songs (in the key of F) is their 3rd EP and their fifth release overall. Settler play a slightly dissonant brand of emo run through a lofi filter. These songs are equal parts energetic punk and distorted emo with some shoegazing post rock thrown in for good measure. It is being pressed on vinyl as a 7" by Sorry Girls Records and Driftwood Records. If you're looking for some energetic indie punk with that emo bent to it, Settler's dissociation songs (in the key of F) will serve well.

Upper Chief - 2014 - delete it all

Upper Chief is the solo project of Jack Tomascak from Purchase, New York, USA. delete it all is his fourth release under the Upper Chief name. Upper Chief plays a noisy brand of emo that borrows heavily from post-rock. The songs consist of one distorted guitar and some shouts, they start with a solid emo base and then proceed to kick out the songwriting conventions with waves of distortion. The guitar tone reminds of iwontstopwonderinguntilyoustopbreathing but drawn out and coming you at you in swells. The highlight of the album for me is Pavilion, the vocals are buried deep in the mix and the waves of guitar distortion rise and recede like the tide. On songs like Trust Break or Stay To Your Business and Rockwell there is more focus that comes from emo songwriting structure but there is always enough post-rock to stretch things out and vibrate. If you need some noisy post-rock heavy emo, Upper Chief's delete it all will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Enoch Ardon - 2014 - Dedos Rotos

Enoch Ardon is a five piece screamo band from Oviedo, Spain. Dedos Rotos is their third release and their first in 7 years. Enoch Ardon play a chaotic brand of screamo garnering comparisons to heavy weights like Orchid and going on tour with Loma Prieta. They had a song on the Emo Apocalypse compilation from React With Protest. These songs are short, chaotic and heavy on the distortion. There are no punches pulled here. If you're looking for some chaotic screamo, look no further than Enoch Ardon's long over due Dedos Rotos. Thanks to Cut & Paste.