Facility & An Anecdote - 2015 - Split

Facility is a four piece screamo band from New Jersey. The split with An Anecdote is their sophomore EP. It picks up from where they left off with on their debut EP The First Four. Intent is their most chaotic song to date while Seven is tighter and more riff focused. If you liked The First Four you will like this as it is more of the same.

An Anecdote is a five piece screamo band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The split with Facility is their third EP. Another Schoolyard Confession comes barreling out of the gates firing on all cylinders while North American Takeover slows down slightly, putting alternating screaming vocalists to great use. Both these songs are noisy, chaotic explosions that barely let up for a moment only to slam down even harder in the next moment. These are both bands to watch as they put their stamp on what a modern screamo band should sound like.

Facility - 2015 - The First Four

Facility is a four piece screamo band from New Jersey. The First Four is their debut EP with cassettes available from Middle-Man Records. Facility play a ripping brand of screamo with a vocalist who sounds like she's screaming for her life with demons on her tail. This album comes out of the gate firing on all cylinders barely letting up as they blast through these four songs in under 6 minutes. Instrumentally this runs the gambit from chaos to groove, from structure to explosions and back again with some hints of melody scattered through out. With a debut this good, I wait with baited breath for more.

Pepi Rössler - 2015 - Demo

Pepi Rössler is a five piece screamo band from Budapest, Hungary. Demo is their debut recording. Pepi Rössler play a brand of emoviolence that bring to mind bands like iwontstopwonderinguntilyoustopbreathing. The singer has an excellent high pitched scream that hangs in the background only sometimes descending into a more melodic wail. Generally the guitars are thick and chaotic, hidden behind a wall of noisy distortion. On songs like Untitled and Interlude they slow momentarily for moments of beautiful desperation only to instantly spin back up into noisy chaos.  Shape/Distance and Vehicle Of Confession are the highlights, they really show what this band can do, laying the groundwork for where they can go from here. If you're looking for a promising new skramz band to become obsessed with, Pepi Rössler will serve well. Thanks to What Are Blood Wings? for pointing this out.

Fatigue - 2015 - Fatigue

Fatigue is a hardcore punk band from San Fransisco, California. Fatigue is their debut EP released by Warthog Speaks. Members have played in Sydney Ducks, Scalpled, Bricked Assassin & Young Offenders. It was recorded by Jack Shirley (deafheaven, Joyce Manor, Loma Prieta, Comadre and so many more) and mastered by Jack Control  (Severed Head Of State, World Burns To Death and so many others). Fatigue play a hard hitting, no punches pulled Oi inspired brand of hardcore punk. The guitars know when to hammer a riff home and when to just lay back and pound the groove into the dust.

There are no punk rock cliches here, just inspired, heavy ass hardcore punk that knows how to do everything right. From the opening churning of the bass in Batface to the closing howl of distortion on Hordes this record does not let up for an instant. Each and every song is a highlight in it's own way. I could go on about how hard the guitars are and how pissed off the vocalist is but the best thing to do is to turn your speakers up real loud and blast this incredible record. Highly recommended.

Rixe - 2015 - Coups & Blessures

Rixe is a street punk band from Paris, France. Coups & Blessures is their debut 7" EP. Members have also played in Lion's Law, Hard X Times, The Sultans and Youth Avoiders. This no bullshit Oi based street punk. The guitars aren't doing anything fancy except hammering the riffs into your head and the singer has an excellent gruff shout. There are gang vocals all over this EP and even if you don't speak french just try and resist singing along. This is straight to the point, no tough guy posturing Oi based hardcore punk like it should be done. There's not much else to say about this record except that it goes hard and many thanks to La Vida Es Un Mus for releasing it to the world. Highly recommended.

Tommy Boys- 2015 - Tommy Boys

Tommy Boys is a three piece emo band from San Francisco, California, America. Tommy Boys is their debut LP. Tommy Boys play an energetic, noodly, punk pop influenced brand of emo. The breaking part for a lot people will be the singer and potentially how generic this album feels at first. This is their first LP after a debut EP It's Glorious and lays the blueprint nicely for where they can go from here. I for one am in love with this quite of energetic, noodly music but I can understand the complaints from those who say they have heard this before. The guitars in part remind of of Algernon Cadwallader, there is as much melodic noodling as there is jump straight up and down punk pop.
Tommy Boys does an excellent job at carving out their own space between punk pop and emo, creating catchy, layered songs that will lodge themselves into your brain. I look forward to hearing how this band develops.

Defeater - 2015 - Abandoned

Defeater is a five piece hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusets. Abandoned is their fourth LP and their first since moving from Bridge 9 to Epitaph Records. Not only do Defeater make awesome, hard hitting and progressive hardcore records each one is a concept album dedicated to telling the story of one family in post WWII New Jersey. Abandoned is the first album to step outside of that structure, expanding on the story The Priest, introduced in Cowardice from Travels. Lyrically this album follows The Priest as he loses his faith through the chaos and destruction of World War II. Instrumentally it is more of the pounding, heavy hardcore punk rock Defeater has come to be known for but opens up some with elements of post-rock.



 Borrowed & Blue is the most obvious example of this, clean vocals and not quite so distorted guitars allow the song to stretch out beyond the confines of hardcore punk. Remorse is heading towards a Pianos Become The Teeth sound, the agony and pain of hardcore given more room to breathe and stretch and Atonement starts with a moment of instrumental beauty or at least calm contrasted with Derek's hoarse shout before devolving into waves of noise before kicking back into gear and hurtling  the band towards the outro. For the most part this LP musically is straight ahead hardcore punk and it would be easy to dismiss the glimpses and moments of calm almost beauty that exist within the hard hitting chaos but it is there. Defeater make great use of having two guitarists to create a beguiling web of complex and expanding sound. If you're looking for some compelling hardcore that is rooted in the traditional sound but unafraid of expanding, Defeater's Abandoned will serve well.

The Deacons - 2015 - Beat Up The World

The Deacons are a garage punk band from Kansas City, Missouri. Beat Up The World is their debut EP. The Deacons play a noisy, riff heavy brand of punked up garage rock.  I like to imagine this band all wearing leather jackets, jamming in their garage in front of a wall of overblown amps. Three out of four of these songs take a solid riff and drill it into the ground while the singer wails his heart out. The vocals are low in the mix and the whole EP is covered in distorted noise that serves to up the overdriven garage quality of it all.



At their best The Deacons play an ass kicking garage rock with a snotty attitude, at its worse they get lost inside Black Clothing a little bit. The song isn't bad it's just not as focused as the other three songs. Overall the production style is more of a hindrance than a help unless the overdriven, noisy sound is what they're going for. If you're looking from some riff focused, punked up garage rock The Deacons' Beat Up The World will serve well. Thanks to Perception Through Dissonance.

Ajax - 2015 - Ajax

Ajax is a hardcore punk super group from New York City. Ajax is their second EP. Featuring members of Creem, Warthog and Nuclear Spring, Ajax play a no holds barred brand of hardcore punk. This record demands to be played loud, but be warned it may compel you to destroy everything and everyone around you in a fit of hardcore rage. The singer has a huge, gruff shout while the band behind him is locked into shit kicking heavy ass riffs. My main complain again is how short it is, they blast through these four songs in under 8 minutes leaving me wanting much more.  If you're looking for some intimidatingly heavy and angry hardcore punk to play on repeat for the rest of your day, Ajax's self titled EP will serve well.

Dot Dash - 2015 - Earthquakes & Tidal Waves

Doth Dash is a poppy punk band from Washington, DC. Earthquakes & Tidal Waves is their fourth LP, all released by The Beautiful Music. Dot Dash members have also played in Julie Ocean, The Saturday People, Tree Fort Angst, Minor Threat, Government Issue, Modest Proposal, Weatherhead, Swervedriver, Strange Boutique & Youth Brigade. Doth Dash play a melodic brand of punk bringing in new wave and power pop for energy and shine. There is no fat on any of these songs, they are precise and the hooks & riffs will drill into your brain and take up residence there.



 Instrumentally the band is forceful without losing sight of their melodic capabilities while the singer drifts along and through with his witty lyrics. All the musical touchstones of this band are rooted in the past, new wave and power pop are firmly the sounds of the past but this band is determined to carve their own space and sound decidedly modern.  Songs like Semaphore, Tatters & Transparent Disguise are big, bold, catchy songs that demand to be played again and again. while Thru The Dark and Transparent Disguise are the same but wrap them in a layer of distortion that only serves to amplify the melody. If you're looking for some driving, catchy power pop punk Dot Dash's Earthquakes & Tidal Waves will serve well.

Commonwealth - 2015 - Bold Print

Commonwealth is a five piece emo band from Long Island, New York, USA formed in 2003. Bold Print is their third EP. Commonwealth play a hard hitting brand of emo cutting their own path.  There are two sides to this band, the emo and the hardcore, exemplified by album closer Windchill. The guitars start out twinkly and noodling before accelerating into a head banging rage. The band makes great use of their two guitars to enhance the solos and add texture to the wall of noise they produce.

All through this ep, no matter what the guitars are doing, the singer uses his intense shouting to great effect. They cite Touché Amoré as an influence and they do a good job of walking that line between hardcore punk and emo. This EP is remarkably consistent aside from one overly noodly, ambient misstep in the middle. Highlights include Windchill, Carrying Weight and Head Cold. If you’re looking for some powerful, gut wrenching emo Commonwealth’s Bold Print will serve well.

Anti-Flag - 2015 - American Spring

Anti-Flag is a four piece punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. American Spring is their ninth LP, and their first to be released by Spinefarm Records. It has been three years since their last LP The General Strike was released by SideOneDummy and Anti-Flag has used that time evolve a little bit. While they don’t stray far from the formula Anti-Flag has been rocking for almost twenty years now this album is simultaneously more anthemic and poppier with some high profile guests.Tim Armstrong provides additional vocals on Brandenburg Gate and Tom Morello provides additional guitars on Without End.

Generally you know what you’re going to get with an Anti-Flag album. Lots of angry, fast punk rock with pointed political criticism and this album does not stray far from that tried and true formula. I am impressed with the physical aspects of this record. Not only is the art direction striking, alongside the standard lyric sheet there are essays from people such as Cornel West, Naomi Klein and various Adbusters writers. The liner notes closes out with an extensive list of radical organizations and a lengthy reading list.

 This album feels like a band in transition, all the usual targets are railed against but have become much more general in what feels like a pursuit of something larger. Lyrically at least Justin Sane seems to be transitioning to a more emotional, almost nihilistic perspective away from a more purely political stance. The fists are still in the air but now they are accompanied by catchier hooks and poppy production. Highlights include Break Something, Brandenburg Gate, Low Expectations and opener Fabled World.  Anti-Flag are not breaking any boundaries but who cares when American Spring delivers raging slabs of shiny, catchy punk rock. 

Compilation Stay Home #1: MMXIV-MMXV

Stay Home is an Italian record label that named itself after an American Football song. Not only do they put out records in the emo/screamo/hardcore/post-whatever vein they also produce shows and a festival.  Formed as an internet based label 3SX in 2011 they changed their name at some point and started producing the festival of the same name. This compilation is a collection of the bands they have worked with in the past few years, all of whom fit somewhere on the emo/screamo/hardcore/post-something range of music.  The grand majority of this compilation is excellent but as always there a few songs that fall flat, thankfully they are confined to the end of the record. It runs the gamut from straight ahead screamo & emo from Bastian & Viola, to acoustic indie rock from Girless & The Orphan to post-rock from 124C41+ & In Depth With Whales. It doesn't matter whether they're singing in Italian, English or another language I don't recognize, these bands pour their heart and soul into their music and it shows.  If you're looking for a jumping off point for a group of over 15 bands excellent bands this sampler will serve very well

Occult Tofu Soup - 2015 - The Mysterious Mixture Of Occult Tofu Soup

Occult Tofu Soup is a four piece garage punk band from Alma, Quebec, Canada, The Mysterious Mixture Of Occult Tofu Soup is their second EP. Occult Tofu Soup play a catchy brand of garage rock based punk rock. More often than not the vocals are indistinct and in the middle of a massive, noisy mix of distorted guitars out of which melody occasionally rises. When the vocals aren't in the front the band succumbs to the temptation of noodly distortion like on Run but when the vocals are more up front like on Nazi Government & Rude everything clicks into place and this punked up garage rock really starts cooking. If you're looking for some off kilter, garagey punk rock The Mysterious Mixture Of Occult Tofu Soup will serve well.

Acousma - 2015 - Acousma

Acousma is hardcore punk band from the East Coast of Canada. Acousma is their fourth EP and second to be released on 7" vinyl by High Fashion Industries. As with their other recordings this was mixed and mastered by Will Killingsworth of Orchid, Laceration, Bucket Full of Teeth, Clean Plate records and Dead Air Studios. Acousma play a raw brand of pummelling hardcore punk. The band generates a thick, distorted blast of noise and the singer usually has a high pitched shriek that floats piercingly overtop. This continues where the previous EP's left off, blasting through these four songs in under six minutes. My favourite track is A Holy Tradition, it initially takes a step back from the usual breakneck speed, generating a dark & moodier feel before exploding back into the slamming hardcore they do so well. Stream the aformentioned single below and patiently wait for this excellent, screamo inflected hardcore punk album to be fully released.

Absolut & 偏執症者 (Paranoid) - 2015 - Jawbreaking Mangel Devastation

Absolut is a hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They play an intense brand of hardcore punk, vocals laden with reverb and echo, the band generating a filthy, chaotic, hailstorm of noise out of which solos emerge and disappear. Check their debut LP Punk Survival here.



偏執症者 (Paranoid) is a Swedish D-beat hardcore punk band with members from Totalt Jävla Mörker, Warvictims. This is raw hardcore punk, the vocals buried low in the mix with the thumping rhythms barely making out from behind the wall of distortion and noise. If you're looking for some uncompromising hardcore punk that pulls no punches and wallops you over the head with chaos & distorted noise, look no further than this split.

Pure Disgust - 2015 - Chained

Pure Disgust is a hardcore punk band from Washington, DC. Chained is their second EP, being released by Brooklyn's Katorga Works and the UK's Quality Control. Pure Disgust features members of Abuse., Thick Skin, Vile Faith & Protester and play a hard hitting brand of oi influenced hardcore punk. The singer has an excellent, gut wrenchingly desperate shout and the guitars behind him are surprisingly clean while still kicking up a raging storm. They blast through these 6 songs in under 10 minutes leaving nothing but devastation in their wake. After being oversaturated with overblown & distorted hardcore punk it is nice to hear some that holds back just a little. Keeping the needle just barely out of the red makes for an all over more impactful sound. Here's where I would normally list my favourite songs but each and every song on this EP is as good as the next. If you're looking for some oi inspired hardcore punk Pure Disgust's Chained is a refreshing sound. Thanks to Cut & Paste for pointing this out.

Adolescents & Svetlanas - 2015 - Hot War

Adolescents are a legendary punk rock band from Fullerton, California, U.S, active at various times with differing lineups since 1980. Svetlanas is a punk rock band formerly of Russia, now based in Milan signed with Altercation Records and set to tour with The Dwarves in summer 2015. Adolescents play a no holds barred, skatepunk infused brand of hardcore. They blast through their two songs while remembering to make them as catchy as they are fast.

Needless to say Svetlanas also play an speedy brand of hardcore punk. The lead singer has an excellent shout with a desperate, screamo tinged edge to her voice. Their heaviness is only offset by the speed at which they play, if they slowed down  they would become exponentially heavier. Even though Svetlanas and Adolescents hail from different parts of the world Hot War proves that punk rock knows no borders. This EP is short and to the point, it comes out of the gates at full speed and never lets up for a moment. Play this loud.

Shizune - 2015 - Le Voyageur Imprudent

Shizune is a five piece screamo band from Lonigo, Vicenza, Italy. La Voyageur Imprudent is their second LP. Shizune at this point has pretty much mastered the classic screamo sound. These songs are chaotic, the band summons the requisite explosive rage without neglecting moments of introspective calm while the desperate shouts propel the songs to even greater cathartic heights. There are no great barriers being broken here, no one here is reinventing the wheel but this is rock solid screamo and a very well sequenced LP. 



From start to finish with only one minor exception every song on this LP is hits hard and begs to be repeated. My favourite songs come in the middle, the combination of Sputnik! Nostalgia; Vespers & Immortel et Impérissable are excellent while the album closes strong with highlight Difficile Da Capire, Impossibile Da Spiegare followed by the beautiful fading away of Instructions For Inertia   If you're looking for some desperate, straight forward screamo Shizune's Le Voyageur Imprudent will serve well. 

Ephemera - 2015 - Ephemera

Ephemera is an international screamo band. Ephemera is their debut EP. This is a collaborative project started by Gabriel from Heart On My Sleeve, he wrote the guitar parts for these songs and then recruited people from various bands to add their own parts without ever hearing what the other musicians where contributing. This is basically the Swedish mafia of screamo with drums from Shawn of Coma Regalia on two tracks and the talent and ability of these bands is on full display.



 These three songs are diverse yet of a complete, powerful whole. It's impossible for me to pick a favourite song as all of these are excellent examples of Swedish screamo. Each of these three songs has different people playing on each, in total these bands are: Heart On My Sleeve, Suffocate For Fucks Sake, Vi som älskade varandra så mycket, Totem Skin, Sore Eyelids, Shirokuma, Anemone, Via Fondo, Trembling Hands, Rainmaker & Coma Regalia. Thanks to Miss The Stars for pointing this out. This is a high water music in terms of modern screamo. Highly recomended not to mention essential listening.

Sleep Routine - 2015 - Sleep Routine

Sleep Routine is a five piece punk rock band from Germany. Sleep Routine is their debut EP. Sleep Routine play a hard hitting brand of emo, The dual guitar attack makes the sound much bigger and more impactful, conjures a fully realized sound that has feet in emo, punk & melodic hardcore. If Make Do And Mend were an emo band and not focused on melodic hardcore it might come out like this. The singer has an excellent shout, emotive and coarse as needed. Generally with an debut EP like this there is only one or two songs that I really like and keep coming back to, this is a record that I can just put on repeat and leave for a long while. Thanks to Miss The Stars for pointing this out. If you're looking for some music that throws hardcore, emo and punk into a melodic, driving debut that leaves you wanting more, Sleep Routine's Sleep Routine will serve well.

Recycled Earth - 2015 - Act Of Devotion

On their second EP Recycled Earth come blazing out of the gate with the title track A.O.D., a killer slab of pissed the fuck off metallic hardcore. The next two songs, Enemy Threshold and Failure To Thrive are more of the same. They aren't bad, they simply continue to drive home the same point. This EP is stuffed full to overflowing with thrashy guitars and an intense, desperate shout creating songs that fall apart as quickly as they come together. The EP closes as quickly as it started with New York Reload, the multi tracked clean vocals giving the ending a real punch in the neck. My main complaint with this EP is that it is far too short, as soon as it is done I am compelled to restart it for more devastation. Recycled Earth have honed their sound to a sharpened edge which they put to great use. Turn this up and prepare to for the spontaneous creation of a pit in your living room. Highly recommended. 

New Music Tuesday: Torche - 2015 - Restarter

Torche is a four piece metal band from Miami, Florida, USA. Restarter is their fourth LP.  Members of Torche have also played in Floor, Shitstorm, Tyranny of Shaw, Riddle of Steel and Tilts. Torche play a melodic brand of sludge influenced metal that also borrows from stoner and alt rock. My favourite Torche release before this was Songs For Singles, UFO was so damn catchy it didn't leave my head for months. This album, their first for Relapse is a return to both that and their heavier beginnings. This record seems to consist of two competing parts



Songs like Bishop In Arms, Loose Men, Undone, Blasted and Restarter have an up tempo, rolling feel to them that kicks things into overdrive while songs like Minnions, No Servants and Barrier Hammer just sit there noisily grinding half a riff into the dust. Songs like Annhiliation Affair and Believe It,  are solidly in the middle, I like em but but they lack the spark to really take off. Torche's Restarter is quite good but very uneven. The good parts are really good and I will continue coming back to them but the bad parts just drag and drive me away.

New Music Tuesday: JØTNARR - 2015 - Burn And Bury

JØTNARR is a three piece black metal band from Colchester, UK. Burn And Bury is their second EP, released on vinyl by Superfi, React With Protest and Vetala and on CD and cassette tape by Prismatic. This is exactly how I like my black metal, stripped down to its fundamentals but still heavy and angry. While the basis of these songs is black metal, there is also some post-rock, hardcore punk and sludge in the mix. There are lots of tremolo guitars and shrieked vocals but also moments that reach towards beauty before being buried under a layer of sludge. 

Rise By Sin starts the album off fast and slows down about halfway for some sludge before some post-rock creeps in while Sunless starts with some melodic, almost beautiful post-rock before the vocals kick and things get sludgy and heavy. Hernswolf comes barreling out of the gates and doesn't let up, and Waldeinsamkeit closes things out with more post-rock beauty that builds into a sludgy, towering beast of a song. All four of these tracks play with the tropes of black metal while bringing in other influences to make sure the music doesn't stagnate.  JØTNARR is a band to watch and Burn and Bury has wet my appetite for more.

New Music Tuesday: Outshined - 2015 - Demo

Outshined is a five piece crossover hardcore band from Richmond, Virgina. Demo is their debut EP. Members have also played in Meth Lab and Barge. This demo has a lot going for it, the guitars are crunchy while the riffs are heavy, fast and groovy. It doesn't hurt that the recordings where mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios. This demo works well by putting the best parts of the band on display. The guitars are crunchy, heavy and riff focused without sacrificing catchiness and the singer has a good shout. But some of these songs don't come together the way they feel like they should. Highlights include Intro, On Your Time and Caught In Fear. If you're looking for some promising crossover hardcore Outshined's Demo will serve well.

New Music Tuesday: Knola - 2015 - The Black Beach

Knola is a four piece band from the Mid Western United States. The Black Beach is their debut EP released on a single sided 12” with an etching on the b-side by Skeletal Lightning. The Knola Collective features members of William Bonney, Midwest Pen Pals, The Exploration and Xerxes. Knola play a melancholy blend of indie rock and midwestern emo and the EP was recorded and mixed by Will Allard of Xerxes. It took me a moment to get used to Jack’s voice, initially it was a little high but after listening to the EP 10+ times now I wouldnt change a thing about this album in terms of the instrumentation or performance. 

Lyrically speaking this album seems focused on repetition, ending back where one started. Dust uses one of my favourite poetic device: it starts in what seems like the middle of a sentence “Speaking of the things I lost somewhere, I haven't wrote a song in years” and goes on to examine memories and wasted time before closing out with the same line it started with. The whole album starts and ends with a similar phrase, “Follow a trail of kicked up sand, that ends at the water and starts at the van”.  Here’s where I would normally list my favourite songs but this whole EP is really good. They are currently writing their LP and I look forward to more of this excellent music.

New Music Tuesday: Mass Decay - 2015 - Demo

Mass Decay is a five piece powerviolence band from Massachusets, USA. Demo is their debut recording. They blast through five songs in less than two and a half minutes leaving everything around them in complete and utter ruins. This is designed to be played at the maximum volume your system will allow to encourage maxiumum destruction. It is a tad hard to tell these songs apart as they bleed into each other nicely but when Mike starts screaming "What the fuck will you do" on Lemmings you know it's almost time to hit play again. Thanks to Miss The Stars for pointing this out. This obviously won't be for everyone but if you're looking for some pissed off powerviolence Mass Decay's Demo will scratch that itch.

New Music Tuesday: Nurture- 2015 - Posthumously b​/​w Pick Your Pocket

Nurture is a three piece screamo band from Athens, Georgia. Posthumously b​/​w Pick Your Pocket is their 3rd EP. I'm not that into Pick Your Pocket but Posthumously is one of the best songs I've heard in awhile. The guitars are all over the place, chaotic and raging but also know how to drop out to allow for moments of clarity and beauty. The singers shout is in the middle of the mix, giving the shouts an even more desperate, chaotic feel.



Posthumously works layers of guitars, one carrying the melody the other pure chaos before ending in twinkles while Pick Your Pocket starts off more aggressive before spiraling off with buried in the mix shouts and chaotic guitars.  Both these songs are good and this single is highly recommended. If you're looking for something new to scratch your screamo itch look no further than Nurture's Posthumously b​/​w Pick Your Pocket

New Music Tuesday: The Coneheads - 2015 - L​.​P​.​1. aka "14 Year Old High School PC​-​Fascist Hype Lords Rip Off Devo for the Sake of Extorting $​$​$ from Helpless Impressionable Midwestern Internet Peoplepunks L​.​P​.​"

The Coneheads are a punk rock band from Northwest Indiana. L​.​P​.​1. aka "14 Year Old High School PC​-​Fascist Hype Lords Rip Off Devo for the Sake of Extorting $​$​$ from Helpless Impressionable Midwestern Internet Peoplepunks L​.​P​.​ is their new LP courtesy of Erste Theke Tontraeger and that is the sum total of my knowledge about this band. The Coneheads play super fast brand of comically absurd punk rock. The vocals are either robotic monotone (the excellent cover of Talking Heads' Psycho Killer) or a high pitched, snotty shout (Notha Thang) while the subject matter of these hyper songs never strays from the absurd, the funny or science fiction.




They sound like Devo played at double if not triple speed or an even more manic Down Jones & The Industrials. These songs whip by incredibly fast implanting these hooks deep in your brain and compelling you to hit repeat. Highlights include Hack Hack Hack Variation 1, 1982, Violence, Way Things Am, I Used To Be A Cheesepuff and the aforementioned Notha Thang and cover of Talking Heads` Psycho Killer. If you're looking for some catchy, wacky, energetic punk rock The Coneheads' L​.​P​.​1. aka "14 Year Old High School PC​-​Fascist Hype Lords Rip Off Devo for the Sake of Extorting $​$​$ from Helpless Impressionable Midwestern Internet Peoplepunks L​.​P​.​ will serve well.

New Music Tuesday: Careless - 2015 - I Wish You Away

Careless is a five piece screamo band from Stockholm, Sweden. I Wish You Away is their debut LP. Careless formed in 2012 and play an intense, yet catchy brand of post-rock inflected screamo. The singer has a desperate shout that can be either intense or about to fall apart while the guitars move fluidly between raging chaos, a little twinkling picking and straight ahead screamo. There is a comparison to be made here to bands like Todos Caeran and Book Of Caverns. Those Calgary based bands add post-rock into their modern screamo sound which only makes things more epic, it allows the songs to truly spiral out of control. These songs know how to put desperation and rage to great use, climbing to even greater heights of catharsis. Highlights include: Mirror Kintsukuroi, Jag kan inte drömma som dig, Pale As China and Faslsy Yours. Careless has crafted an excellent debut LP with I Wish You Away, they have their sound and know how to do it well. Highly recommended,

New Music Tuesday: CDC - 2015 - End

CDC is a four piece hardcore punk band from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, America. End is their second EP, their fifth recording and the first since 2009. CDC play a no frills, straight ahead brand of hardcore. The guitars are thrashy and heavy but also have a rare rhythmic focus. I find myself bouncing my head a lot more than I thought I would. The singer has a lot to do this with, he doesn't have the typical hardcore bark, he has a more fluid shout most of the time. There is still plenty, almost too much chug, but these songs go a long way to carving out their own, almost groovy, space. If you're looking for some well excecuted hardcore punk that will both get your head bobbing and the pit moving, CDC's End will serve well. Stream here.

New Music Tuesday: Sordid States Six Way Split

Sordid States is a six way split compilation presented by Middle Man Records.  There are six bands presented on this record five of which play something in the screamo/emo neighborhood, the other one plays punk pop.

Anodes are a four piece screamo band from St Louis. I quite enjoy their track, The Last Time,  it book ends what passes for quiet contemplation with raging chaos.




The Story Changes is a two piece from Dayton who play catchy indie influenced punk. I Remember is excellent jump straight up and down driving punk pop.



Gas Up Yr Hearse! is a screamo band from Dayton who play an intense, chaotic brand of screamo that revels in distortion and lofi chaos.



Acidic Tree is a four piece from Chicago who play a raw yet still slightly melodic brand of emo. The singer has an exellent rasp and I quite enjoy the opening riff.



Dessa Sons is an emo band from Cincinnati. (Preview To) The Remix features plaintive vocals buried in the mix while the guitars do their melodic emo thing before stop/starting into more shouting.\



Coma Regalia is a screamo band from Indiana. Beings In Transition isn't my favourite thing Coma Regalia has done, I really enjoyed their side of the split with Eros + Massacre.



All told this record is really uneven, not only in terms of recording quality and production style but also in the songwriting department. There are some gems on this compilation but there are also some really rough spots. If you're looking for something new and don't mind some noisy duds mixed in with your diamonds the Sordid States Six Way Split is well worth checking out.

Political Origins: Pablo Sand

I this short chat with my friend, Pablo, also known to their nearly thousand twitter followers as Weird Bird Pal.

How would you describe your politics?
 I'm a communist.

When you began getting into politics, were you sort of immedietly there or were there other phases and ideas?
 Well, it was a process from being a liberal into going more left wing.

Was there anything particullary radicalizing for you? A certain book or person?
Reading Howard Zinn essays really got me to question a lot of the beliefs I had at the time.

What are some issues that are especially important to you? 
Ending US colonialism and imperialism.

What do you think would be ideal for abolishing said colonialism and imperialism?
Abolishing America in socialist revolution.

Great answer! I think that's probably enough questions for now. Thanks for doing this, comrade.
No problem. :)



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New Music Tuesday: Raid - 2015 - Demo

Raid are a four piece hardcore punk from New York, New York, USA. Demo is their debut recording. This is blistering, angry hardcore the way it should be. The guitars are fast and distorted and the singer is raging through the distortion. At their best Raid just blaze through these songs with a single minded fury. Thanks to Mind Disease for pointing this out. Highlights include PhD (Power Hungry Dicks) and Vice.  If  you're looking for some raw, aggressive hardcore punk Raid's Demo will serve well.

New Music Tuesday: Blood Visions - Reatard Records

Reatard Records is a record label run by Alex Cyprine & Grototo Retard from Rennes, France. Blood Visions is a tribute to Jay Reatard's album of the same name. They have gathered together at least sixteen artists to cover the aforementioned album in it's entirety. As with any such project, Epilogue Of A Car Crash...A Tribute To Orchid comes to mind, the variety of bands, styles and production quality represented here is both a strength and a weakness. There are some really excellent songs on here though some collapse under the weight of distortion and inconsistent production. Some bands make these songs their own while others do their best to faithfully cover the song. My favourites tracks are courtesy of Bazooka, Quetzal Snakes, Kaviar City, Sick Hyenas, Sapin & Go!Zilla, and even the songs I don't like are excellent intros to a bunch of new bands. If you're looking for some dirty, catchy, fun punk rock Reatard Records tribute to Jay Reatard's Blood Visions will serve well.

Political Origins: An Introduction

"We have to talk about liberating minds as well as society" - Angela Davis

Hello :)

This column will primarily be talking to various wonderful folks about their political views, how they developed, and many issues that said people are passionate about. To start out, I'd like to introduce myself.

My name is Rachael, and I don't particularly have any one ideology that I adhere to - but I am a Marxist. I'm passionate about feminism, music, and my two cats, Clarie and Pepper. I strive for my politics to mean something - to fight for everyone. 

I'd say as a whole that my politics and my work, they are entirely based out of love. I think one of the contributing factors to my becoming a radical is perhaps my constantly being in a negative environment.  When you truly see capitalist values for what they are - actual pain.

I hope that this develops into an interesting and insightful look at others' political findings, and perhaps shines some light into topics or points you may not have considered or have knowledge of.

-Rachael

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New Music Tuesday: Tapestry - 2015 - An Invisible Boundary, A Set Distance

Tapestry is a three piece screamo band from Singapore. An Invisible Boundary, A Set Distance is their third EP. These two songs are straight ahead screamo with just enough post-rock in the mix so these songs can stretch out and move through multiple parts. These songs build and collapse in on themselves, perhaps searching for some kind of peace in the ensuing chaos. Both Pasel and Sputnik Sweetheart are rather compelling in their desperate drive. If you're looking for some skramz that will satisfy, Tapestry's An Invisible Boundary, A Set Distance will serve well.

Coloured In - 2015 - 2015

Coloured In is a three piece emo band from The United Kingdom. 2015 is their debut EP. These three tracks blend together emo and alt rock. At their best they make me think of what Nobody, Ever would sound like without a focus on emo. The focus here is on big melodic riffs, anthemic singing and some inescapable earworms. Good luck getting the hook of November out of your head anytime and there's no way to escape once 45 really kicks into gear. Obviously there is room to grow but this is a good starting point which wets my appetite for more. If you're looking for a some catchy, kinda groovy emo Coloured In's 2015 will serve well.

Spit-Take - 2014 - Garbage In My Heart

Spit-Take is a three piece punk rock band from Windham, Connecticut, America. Garbage In My Heart is their debut LP, recorded and mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios and a physical release courtesy of Shitty Presents Records. Spit-Take play an energetic brand of melodic punk rock, smashing together pop punk and emo with a little indie rock for flavour. When Spit-Take are firing on all cylinders like on Fucking Lose or On Yr Birthday or The Way You Want Me To these are slightly noodly high energy punk rock songs that you can jump straight up and down to. Other highlights include Nod Off, I'm YR Napkin and Oatmeal. If you're looking for some high energy emo influenced pop punk Spit-Take's Garbage In My Heart will serve well.

The Scam - 2014 - Fuck Off

The Scam is a punk rock band from St. Louis, Missouri, America. Fuck Off is their third release and first EP. They run the gamut from high energy punk pop into speedy street spunk into ska punk with a vicious cover of Little Richard's Tutti Frutti If you have no sense of humour or are looking for punk rock that fits nicely into genres you won't find that here. The middle fingers are firmly raised and nothing is going to stop the punk. Highlights include Peanuts, North Grand and the aforementioned Tutti Frutti. If you're looking for some high energy punk rock that takes no prisoners, The Scam's Fuck Off will serve well.

Toner - 2014 - EP

Toner is an emo band from California, USA. EP is their debut recording. Members have also played in Casket, Happy Diving and Indian Taker. Toner play a gloomy, brooding brand of emo with the vocals way down in the mix. There is a lot of post-rock and with the vocals so low in the mix it's heading in a shoegaze direction. It's both a positive and negative that these songs flow so easily into each other, if you're not paying close attention it can be hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. Bedroom Floor and Bed Drowner are my favourite songs, but this whole EP conjures an excellentl dark vibe. If you're looking for some gloomy post-rock influenced bummer punk Toner's EP will serve well.

Eu, Sozinho - 2014 - Demo

Eu, Sozinho is a three piece screamo band from Uberlândia, Brazil. Demo is their debut recording. Eu, Sozinho, which translates to I, Alone, play a straight forward brand of screamo. The guitars are slightly melodic and drive everything forward while the singer has nice desperate shout that he puts to great use. They smash together screamo and post-hardcore with just enough melody to make things catchy. This kind of demo makes me interested in what else they can produce. Eu, Sozinho's Demo will scratch your screamo itch and leave you wanting more.

Quitters - 2014 - Dabootydatbe

Quitters is a four piece screamo band from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Dabootydatbe is their debut EP. Quitters play a stripped down, straight ahead brand of screamo. The singer has a piercing high pitched scream and the band behind him churns out some twinkly, noodly emo that sounds like it's about to fall apart at any time. If you can stand some lofi production quality, Quitter's Dabootydatbe will scratch your screamo itch.

Wet Petals - 2014 - Wet Petals

Wet Petals is a three piece screamo band from New Patlz, New York, USA. Wet Petals is their debut EP. Wet Petals play a chaotic, post-hardcore infused brand of screamo. The singer has a demonic voice that would be just as at home in a black metal band while the band behind him churns out explosive, chaotic screamo that manages to twinkle a little. There is a unpredictable, post-rock style to the songwriting that gives these songs real personality, it took a couple of listens for the album to really sink in. Highlights include Reptilian Love, Metamorphic Moon and A Soft Prenatal Landscape. If you're looking for some chaotic, explosive skramz, Wet Petals' Wet Petals will serve well.

Stoop Kids - 2014 - Booster Pack

Stoop Kids is a three piece emo band from Fairfield, Connecticut, USA. Booster Pack is their new EP. Stoop Kids play a punked up brand of emo. These two songs are spry and wiry, the singer has an excellent desperate shout while the band churns out catchy garage rock influenced emo. These are two excellent songs and they leave me wanting more. Stoop Kid's Booster Pack will temporarily satiate your need for punked up emo but rightly leave you wanting more.

Water Canvas - 2014 - At Least

Water Canvas is a four piece emo band from Brighton, UK. At Least is their debut EP. Water Canvas plays a melodic, reaching brand of emo that manages to be both majestic and grounded in punk rock. There is enough post-rock here to give the songs an excellent anthemic quality but Water Canvas never strays far from catchy melodic emo. This is the kind of debut EP that makes me want to hear more, these are great songs and there is much potential here. My two favourite songs are Memorial Drive and The Opposite Of Black And White. If you're looking for some post-rock inflected emo, Water Canvas's At Least will serve well. Thanks to i think i might have everything.

Don't Stop Or We'll Die - 2014 - Gorgeous

Don't Stop Or We'll Die is a three piece comedy indie pop band from Los Angelese, California, America. Gorgeous is their debut LP. Don't Stop Or We'll Die consists of Michael Cassady, actor and comedian on piano and vocals, Harris Wittels, writer and stand up comic, on drums and backing vocals and Paul Rust, comedian and writer, on bass and vocals. Don't Stop or We'll Die have made multiple appearances as both a band and individual comedic performers on the podcast Comedy Bang Bang. Don't Stop Or We'll Die are all funny and there are definitely some funny songs on here but first and foremost this is catchy, piano driven pop music. Songs like Good Old Boys kick up a big noise for a three piece while The President's Beer and Charleston Chew are up tempo and ridiculously catchy. Other highlights include basically the whole album, all of these songs will get stuck in your head. If you're looking for some high energy indie pop that just happens to be funny a lot of the time, Don't Stop Or We'll Die's Gorgeous will serve well.

Punch - 2014 -Worth More Than Your Opinion

Punch is a five piece hardcore punk band from San Francisco, California, USA. They Don't Have To Believe is their 3rd LP, a corelease between 625 Thrash, Discos Huelga, and Deathwish Inc. Punch play an immediately recognizable brand of hard hitting, power violence influenced brand of socially concious hardcore punk. Really looking forward to this LP.

Sorority Noise - 2014 - Unforgettable

Sorority Noise is a four piece emo band from East Hartford, Connecticut. Unforgettable is their debut LP with a physical release courtesy of Broken World Media, StormChasers Records and Dog Knights Productions (Europe). Members of Sorority Noise have also played in Old Gray and Two Humans. Sorority Noise play a punked up brand of emo with a solid helping of indie rock. They blast through 9 songs in just over 20 minutes leaving me breathless. This is a band that already has developed their own sound, as evidenced by Nick Kwas Christmas Party; Still Shrill and Blonde Hair, Black Lungs. There is a darkly melodic undercurrent to the punk and indie rock influenced emo Sorority Noise play, these songs have a tendency towards anthemic epics that lend themselves to crowd singalongs. If you`re looking for some straight forward emo, Sorority Noise's Unforgettable will serve well.

Nancy - 2014 - (Get The) Revvup

Nancy is a punk rock two piece from Brooklyn, NYC, USA. (Get The) Revvup is their second recording. These two songs are high energy, melodic punk rock with all the stops pulled out. Reminds me of The Demonics or The Ramones, super catchy power pop played at top punk rock speed. These two songs are fast, melodic and ridiculously catchy. If you're looking for some catchy, old school power punk, Nancy's (Get The) Revvup will serve well.

Death From Above 1979 - 2014 - Trainwreck 1979

Death From Above 1979 is a two piece dance punk band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Physical World is their second LP and first after reuniting in 2011. They released their only LP You're A Woman, I'm A Machine in 2004 on Last Gang Records and broke up in 2006. They have a new LP coming called The Physical World. Get excited cause this is awesome.

Ërnia - 2014 - Demo

Ërnia is a four piece hardcore punk band from Zarautz, Basque Country. Demo is their debut recording. Members have also played in  Anestesia, Kamikaze, Dirtaa or Metralleta. Ërnia play a blistering fast brand of hardcore tightly wrapped up in a layer of crust. There is a little bit of screamo but the emphasis is on fast moving, crusty hardcore. They blast through these 7 songs in just over 15 minutes and there's not a wasted moment to be found. Here's where I would list my favourite songs but there's no point when it's virtually all of them, this is an excellent demo. If you're looking for some fast, crusty hardcore, Ërnia's Demo will serve well.

Gary - 2014 - Here Are Your Pills

Gary is a four piece emo band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, America. Here Are Your Pills is their debut ep with a physical release courtesy of Driftwood Records. Gary play an indie rock influenced slightly punky brand of emo. If Joyce Manor were less of a pop punk and more of an emo band it might sound like this. Here's where I would list my favourite songs but this whole ep is remarkably solid. The band can churn out grooving indie rock that blossoms into moments of melody while still having big riffs and songs that demand re-listening. If you're looking for some indie rock and melodic punk inflected emo, Gary's Here Are Your Pills will serve well.

Shizune - 2014 - Retro Engineering Artifacts

Shizune is a five piece screamo band from Longino, Italy. Retro Engineering Artifacts is their discography to date plus some previously unreleased songs and is being given a physical release on cassette courtesy of Driftwood Records. They write lyrics in English, Spanish and Japanese and combine a diverse set of influences into a coherent, focused somewhat chaotic screamo sound. No matter the language the singers are screaming in these are raging, explosive songs that will rip off strips of skin given half a chance. They blast through these 17 songs in just over a half hour leaving me breathless and a little overwhelmed. Highlights include Days Of Væstena; Kamchakta; Redshift; Petit Déjeuner; Weekend At Lake Vostok; Dyatlov Pass Incident, Холат-Сяхыл; MONØLITH: Fall of Nibiru and so much more. There is a lot of excellent screamo to digest here, so give Shizune's Retro Engineering Artifacts the time it needs to really sink in.

The Great Sabatini - 2014 - Dog Years

The Great Sabatini is a four piece metal band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dog Years is their third LP and seventh release overall. The Great Sabatini play a sometimes sludgy, sometimes doomy brand of metal on top of which they sprinkle some grindcore for energy and flavour. The singer has a rabid bark of a shout and the band churns out catchy, sharp riffs while still remaining heavy as hell not to mention a few surprisingly melodic moments.



Reach is a slow burning crawl of a metal song reaching for yet unknown heights while Periwinkle War Hammer begins with a stop and start riff before evolving into a raging monster and as demonstrated above Munera is a straight ahead heavy metal beast. Life During Wartime closes things out by bringing in a keyboard and burying the vocals in the mix making for an even more expansive sound. If you're looking for some sludgy or doomy metal that isn't afraid of stepping beyond those boundaries, The Great Sabatini's Dog Years will serve well.

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.