Iwakura - 2014 - Demos

Iwakura is a hardcore punk band from Denver Colorado.  Demo is their debut EP. And that is the sum total of my knowledge of this band. They play a very aggressive brand of screamo inflected hardcore heading in a powerviolence direction. These songs are chaotic and explode in every direction, there is enough post-hardcore in the mix to allow them to string the songs along while they continue to collapse. If you like your hardcore with screamo and powerviolence, Iwakura's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Dead Air At The Pulpit.

War Emblem - 2014 - Constant Defeat

War Emblem is a four piece hardcore punk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, America. Constant Defeat is their debut LP. Members of War Emblem have also played in Kill the Man Who Questions, Saetia, Yo Man Go, Off Minor and more. War Emblem plays a straight ahead, no punches pulled brand of hardcore punk, they are fast without sacrificing heaviness for speed or vice versa. There's just enough riffage to pull you in but not enough to take away from the slamming nature of these songs. Highlights include Spoils Of War, Frustration, Nuke It From Orbit, Paths, (Ready To) Bleed and Flames. If you like your hardcore battering and heavy, War Emblem's Constant Defeat will serve well.

Clixxtorix - 2014 - Clixxtorix

Clixxtorix is a hardcore punk band from Madrid Spain. Clixxtorix is their fourth LP. Clixxtorix play a speedy brand of hardcore punk, picking up lessons in speed and agility from street punk rather than being exceedingly heavy. None of these songs break three minutes, Clixxtorix are experts at laying out their attack, executing it at top speed and then moving right on. If you're looking for some fastcore Clixxtorix's Clixxtorix will serve well. Thanks to xxRuidoxx.

Zotz - 2014 - Demo

Zotz is a four piece post-punk band from Mexico City, Mexico. Demo is their debut EP. Zotz play a dark, sinister brand of post-punk. On tracks like Bombas No! Zotz can kick up quite a distorted fuzz, it's impossible to distinguish any instruments behind the walls of distortion but usually Zotz are content to hammer away at the night with mid speed, brooding post-punk like Sangre or Elizabeth. If you're looking for some blood obsessed post-punk, Zotz's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Ruido.

Disasteratti - 2014 - Cerebral Hack Artist

Disasteratti is a three piece rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cerebral Hack Artist is their second LP. Disasteratti throw punky blues rock, straight ahead rock and roll, punked up rock with a noisy edge and driving groovy post-hardcore into a blender and out comes magic. This album is wildly uneven and unsatisfying if you're looking for a band content with staying with where they are, because Disasteratti seem compelled to push at even self imposed boundaries, smashing quickly between genres that by all accounts have no right being next to each other. Highlights include Rolling Blackouts, Convict, Forced Exposure, and Hollow  If you're looking for a group of musicians that have developed their own unique, tight, groove filled style and aren't afraid of destroying genre conventions in order to do so, Disasteratti's Cerebral Hack Artist will serve well.

UGLYFRANK- 2014 - Bobby Hill

UGLYFRANK is a rapper from Tacoma, Washington, USA. Bobby Hill is his solo debut EP. Ugly Frank is one third of the rap group ILLFIGHTYOU. UGLYFRANK is an interesting rapper, he's got the intensity and anger of a gangsta rapper but he focuses his energy on other things instead of purely rapping about violence. 90 has a creeping G-Funk heaviness to it while Frank Truise and Left Ova bring the melodic synths. The production provided by the  KReam Team allows UGLYFRANK to spit his freewheeling style to maximum effect. Hip hop doesn't have to be pretty to be killer. If you're into rap or hip hop at all, UGLYFRANK's Bobby Hill will serve well.

Ajax - 2014 - Bleach For Breakast

Ajax is a hardcore punk supergroup from New York City. USA. Bleach For Breakfast is their debut EP. Ajax plays a straight ahead brand of hardcore, super fast, no interest in guitar solos only in playing as fast they can while their lead singer barks ferociously.



 Members also play in Warthog, CREEM and Nuclear Spring. If you need some fast, short and ferocious hardcore punk in your life, Ajax's Bleach For Breakfast will serve well. Thanks to both I Could Die Tomorrow and Cut & Paste.

A Lonely Ghost Burning - Various Artists - 2014 - Alt/Punk Vol 2

A Lonely Ghost is a project intended to bring good music to more people. This is their third compilation. It walks the distance between hardcore punk, melodic org core punk rock, pop punk, quirky indie rock influenced punk and back. My favourites are Bad Ideas - So Wrong, Dogbreth - Too Much Too Fast, Trampoline Team - I'm So Popular, Growing Up A Ghost - Know Better, Boys - Sundae Skool and Shakey Ground - American Haiku but this album is overgrown with excellent new music. If you like punk rock in any capacity, A Lonely Ghost Burning's Alt/Punk will serve well.

jinzo - 2014 - ACID BANK

jinzo is an experimental band from Glasgow. ACID BANK is their second LP with another seven EP's on their bandcamp. jinzo plays an experimental brand of largely ambient chiptune. On songs like Big Glass Ft. Bekn Dignum and In My Dream I Ran jinzo conjures a danceable, melodic sound bed but otherwise this album is heavy on the instrumental ambient melodies drifting by in fits and starts. This is perfect music for either background ambient noise or paying attention to the songs and interludes as they are constructed piece by looped piece. If you are in need of something ambient or simply some synth layered quirkiness, then jinzo's ACID BANK will serve well. Thanks to We Read The Blogs We Think We Deserve.

Your Weekly Madness 205

Wednesday night/thursday morning means another episode of Your Weekly Madness. Episode 205 features music from Young Thug & Bloody jay , Creeper, Truman, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Waxahatchee, Iron Mind, You Blew It!, Slippertails, and self defense family and excerpts from Tina Fey's Bossypants, Emma Goldman's Anarchism & Other Essays as well as Alysia Harris and Aysha El Shamayleh performing hir

Ball De Bastons - Makil Dantza - 2014

Ball De Bastons - Makil Dantza is an anti-cop compilation put out by Filferro Records and Hysterical Records featuring 22 tracks from 22 different bands from Catalonia and Basque Country. Most of these bands are straight ahead hardcore punk with varying degrees of crustiness and heaviness but even an  industrial bands like Matxura pounds you senseless at high speed . If you're looking for a solid compilation of pissed the fuck off  political music, Ball De Bastons - Makil Dantza will serve well.

pocketmouse - 2014 - almost spring

pocketmouse is the acoustic side project of Julia of The Concrete Summer. almost spring is her debut LP. pocketmouse is a singer songwriter alone in her room recording onto a digital camera. Don't expect big flashy songs, these are tender and held close to the heart. The whole album reminds me a lot of Julie Doiron and the cover of Maps is a nice touch. Julie has a nice voice that can be quietly beautiful while her guitar playing either softly backs her up with pensive, melodic picking or more actively moves the songs along with energetic strumming. I would list faovurite tracks but I just realized that it's basically all of them. If you're looking to sit and listen with a singer songwriter practicing their craft, pocketmouse's almost spring will serve well.

The Black Keys - 2014 - Fever

The Black Keys are a rock and roll duo from Akron, Ohio, USA. Fever is the first song from Turn Blue, their eight LP. I hope it's not indicitave of what's to come on that album, this is generic, synth based pop music, as disposable as it gets.




So listen instead to some classic Black Keys and remember what was. 

Sosiego - 2014 - Ascensión

 Sosiego is a hardcore punk band from Antofagasta, Chile. Ascensión is their first proper EP. Sosiego play a crusty, chaotic brand of hardcore punk. They describe themselves as nihilistic neo-crust band citing Michel Foucault, Fall of Efrafa, Tragedy, Carl Sagan and Arse Moreir. If Loma Prieta stayed just as chaotic but  got all crusty and played d-beat instead of screamo it might come out something like this. Highlights include La Contraescuel,a Epifanía and Antonio Ramón Ramón If you like your d-beat crusty and chaotic, Sosiego's Ascensión will serve well. Thanks to Ruido.

Le1f - 2014 - Hey

Le1f is a rapper and producer from New York City, New York. Hey is his fifth EP. Le1f has a talent for picking out or making unique beats and then lays out his personality across them. Le1f is a challenge to norms and stereotypes just by existing let alone applying his idiosyncratic flow to unique beats. Le1f is one of the most vital and unique voices in hip-hop, I don't know any other rappers talking about the things he raps about. He knows exactly what he's going for and executes it damn near perfectly. If you have even a passing interest in hip hop or rap, or simply artists being their transgressive selves, Le1f's Hey is essential listening.

Snow Roller - 2014 - Another Step In Your Career Ladder

Snow Roller is a four piece emo band from Portland, Oregon, USA. Another Step In Your Career Ladder is their debut EP. Members also play in The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die. Snow Roller play a melodic, guitar focused brand of emo with a singer that might put some off. The highlight for sure is Mirror and the follow up Limits but the opening two tracks Slouch and Wasted Time are excellent fuzzy indie rock and more straight up ahead indie rock. Snow Roller are not averse to following a riff down it's melodic rabbit hole and I want to compare them to Television in that catchy but still mathy riff focused punk. If you're looking for some fuzzy indie rock influenced emo with riffs galore, Snow Roller's Another Step In Your Career Ladder will serve well. Thanks to i think i might hate everything.

Grammer - 2014 - Awesome Knives

Grammer is a five piece emo band from Springfield, Missouri, USA. Awesome Knives is their debut EP. Grammer play a melodic brand of midwestern emo drawing obvious comparisons to bands like American Football or Mineral but stopping there is over simplifying. Grammer also bring a touch of post-hardcore to weird up the songs and add a slight edge of chaos and danger. The guitars are clear and melodic, carrying the melody forward and twinkling while the singer has a reaching voice that glides forwards and can have a nice rasp to it. This is a rock solid foundation on which to construct their own, more unique sound. If you like your emo with a little rasp and some midwestern twinkle, Grammer's Awesome Knives will serve well.

Your Weekly Madness 204

 Check out episode 204 of Your Weekly Madness featuring music from Battle Ruins, Polar Bear Club, WVRM, You Blew It!, I Kill Giants, Absolut, from Digital Dynasty #28 Anubis 9:3, Lucas Skywalk, Illa Ghee, Up Front AKA Gihadi, as well as excerpts from Emma Goldman's Anarchism & Other Essays and Tina Fey's Bossypants and Sarah Jones performs her poem Your Revolution.

Arch Enemy - 2014 - War Eternal

Arch Enemy is a five piece melodic death metal band. War Eternal is the first song and title track from their 10th studio LP their first with new lead singer  Alissa White-Gluz. Arch Enemy was formed in Halmstad, Sweden by Johan Liiva , brothers Michael  & Christopher Amott and Daniel Erlandsson. Christopher Amott has come and gone, currently pursuing a solo career and Daneil Erlandsson only left once. Johan Liiva was replaced by Angela Gossow in 2000 who is now transitioning to business manager. Her replacement is former lead singer for The Agonist Alissa White-Gluz. I think I like her voice more than Angela's even.

Scare Tactic - 2014 - Demo

Scare Tactic is a four piece hardcore crust punk band from Bremen, Germany. Demo is their debut EP. Scare Tactic play a straight forward brand of crusty hardcore. The guitars are chunky, distorted and crunchy with crust while the singer has a nice deep voice capable of guttural rumblings. If you like your hardcore crusted over and focused on crushing your skull, Scare Tactic's Demo will serve well.

Via Fondo - 2014 - Fast

Via Fondo is a four piece screamo band from Uppsala, Sweden. Fast is their fourth EP. Via Fondo play a brand of screamo with chaotic songs, pummelling guitars, tortured screams, and some twinkly guitars in the moments of lesser chaos. If you like Suis La Lune or La Quiete you will almost certainly like this. If you like your screamo chaotic and punky, Via Fondo's Fast will serve well.

Freddie Gibs & Madlib - 2014 - Pinata

Freddie Gibbs is a rapper from Gary, Indiana. Pinata is his second LP with another solo LP scheduled for later this year. Freddie Gibbs is your classic gangsta rapper with a voice constantly being composed to Tupac. Freddie Gibbs' street tales and drug dealing are laid out matter of factly with none of the gloss or shine modern rappers use. Self described as having "an icemaker for a heart," Gibbs uses Madlibs inventive beats to take detours and back roads into memories he might not otherwise visit. Throw in guest verses from luminaries like Raekwon and Scarface and newcomers like Ab-Soul, Danny Brown, Domo Genesis & Earl Sweatshirt and you've got a banger.



Madlib is a DJ and producer from Oxnard, California. Pinata is his 10th LP with an equal number of collaborations with other people as well as releases under the names of Jaylib, Madvillain, Quasimoto and Yesterdasy New Quintet. Madlib has worked with rappers like Talib Kweli, MF Doom and producers like J Dilla. He has developed a reputation as a crate digger with a taste for jazz, pyschedelic soul and blaxpolitation funk all of which he puts to great use on this album. Instead of a traditional boom bap Freddie Gibbs gets old school funk and soul to spit his street tales on. If you like hip hop or rap in any capacity, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib's Pinata is essential listening.

Execució - 2014 - Demo

Execució is a four piece thrash metal band from Barcelona, Spain. Demo is their debut EP. Execució play a straight forward brand of thrash metal, heavy riffs flying everywhere which way and the singer has a voice that could wake the dead. This is old school, riff focused thrash metal with a possessed drill sergeant on vocals. If you've been missing some aggressive thrash metal, Execució's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Ruido

.

Your Weekly Madness 203

Check out the third episode of the official podcast of Project: Burnt,

There is a voice mail you can and leave messages on 206-339-3919, your messages will probably be played on a future show.

This week features the music of Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, lovechild, Brain Corruption, No Crosses, Battle Ruins, beatriz carnicero, polar bear club, human ruins, as well as excerpts from Emma Goldman’s Anarchism & Other Essays, Tina Fey’s Bossypants and Gil Scott-Heron performing his poem The Revolution Will Not Be Televized.

Your Weekly Madness 201

My former radio show Who Programmed This?!? has been reborn exclusively as the official podcast of Project:Burnt.

There is a voice mail you can and leave messages on 206-339-3919, your messages will probably be played on a future show.

This week features music from  Posture & The Grizzly, Go Deep, Stras X Ser, Danger! Danger!, Trauma Harness, Dejection, Childish Gambino and excerpts from Anarchism & Other Essays by Emma Goldman and Bossypants by Tina Fey

Fade - 2014 - Familiar Ghost

Fade is a three piece emo band from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Familiar Ghost is their debut EP. Fade play a melodic brand of emo that wraps itself in layers of fuzz.These four meloncholy songs explore loneliness and despair by constructing melodic emo songs with a warm, enveloping layer of distortion. This EP makes me think of hearing Nobody, Ever and Healing Powers for the first time, this is the sound of a new band finding their footing and launching their own ship. If you like your emo wrapped in warm fuzz then Fade's Familiar Ghost will serve well.

Back Legs - 2014 - Demo

Back Legs are a hardcore punk band from Austin, Texas, USA. Demo is their debut EP. Back Legs play a chaotic brand of powerviolence infused hardcore where the songs feel like they might fall apart at any moment. The singer has an anguished shout barely able to escape the pursuing demons and the band hammer out a shaggy, aggressive strain of hardcore punk. If you like your hardcore punk to have a frenzied powerviolence attack Back Leg's Demo will serve well.

The Estranged - 2014 - The Estranged

The Estranged is a three piece post-punk band from Portland, Oregon. The Estranged is their third LP. The Estranged play a dark, brooding brand of post-punk with just a hint of noise thrown in for flavour. They cite bands like Echo & the Bunnymen, The Only Ones, These Immortal Souls, The Troggs and The Creation. Most of these songs have a solid driving rhythm behind them perfect for either driving away the darkness of night or inviting in those dancing demons who make the night their home. This album finds The Estranged expanding their sonic palette through the use of a bow on guitar, feedback loops, piano, farfisa, backwards guitar, female back-up vocals. If you like your post-punk dark and brooding but still driving, The Estranged's The Estranged will serve well. Thanks to Elementary Revolt.

Constrict - 2014 - Carved In Stone

Constrict are a five piece straight edge hardcore punk band from Barcelona, Spain. Carved In Stone is second EP. Constrict play a thrashy, mosh pit ready brand of hardcore punk. The dual guitars bring the heavy crunch and focus on destroying everything around while the vocalist has a harsh shout that is put to great use. If you like your hardcore speedy and thrashy Constrict's Carved In Stone will serve well. Thanks to Ruido

Conan - 2014 - Blood Eagle

Conan is a doom metal three piece from Liverpool, UK. Blood Eagle is their new LP courtesy of Napalm Records recorded in the singer's own Skyhammer Studio. Conan plays a towering, menacing, incredibly heavy and skull crushing brand of doom metal. Blood Eagle closes and opens with 9 minute orgies of doom metal riffs.



There is very little interest here in anything other than mid tempo lumbering stomp designed to slam you further and further into the ground. Foehammer has a ferocious opening but settles into a more reasonable, lumbering riff focused monster. They opened for Sleep in Norway and have a split with Bongripper so you know roughly what to expect. If you like your doom to only focus on being heavy and riding those riffs then Conan's Blood Eagle will serve well. Thanks to Elementary Revolt.

Enta - Anodes - 2014 - Split

Enta is a screamo band from Champaign, Illinois, USA. The Split with Anodes is their third EP. Enta plays an atmospheric brand of midwestern screamo, injecting both noise and space as well as lengthening the songs with melodic post-rock. In contrast to Anodes, Enta has a very clear, melodic sound. The contrast between the two, melodic and reaching versus heavy and dark make for a compelling split.



Anodes is a four piece screamo band from St. Louis, Missouri. The Split with Enta is their second release. Anodes is a blistering post-hardcore punk band that powers through these songs and takes no prisoners with their crusty attack. The singer has a desperate, dirty voice that bellows constantly and instrumentally, especially compared to Enta, Anodes are chaotic, dark and claustrophobic.

Torn - 2014 - Demo

Torn is a metallic hardcore from the United States of America. Demo is their debut EP. Torn play a crushingly heavy brand of metallic hardcore that can easily pass for metalcore, members have also played in Advent, Venia, and Jawbone. There's not much to say about this except that this demo utterly rips and Torn is a band to watch. This is a band with a fully formed song and finely tuned engine that they already know how to handle perfectly. Highly recommended. If you like your hardcore crushingly heavy and just a little crusty, Torn's Demo will serve very well. Thanks to Toxicbreed's Funhouse.

Step Off - 2014 - Demo

Step Off is a four piece straight edge hardcore punk band from Roanoke, Virginia, America. Demo is their debut EP. Members also play in Calloused . Step Off play a fairly straight forward, old school brand of hardcore, garnering comparisons to the Boston hardcore sound. This EP wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for the dry, punchy sound Step Off conjure. If you enjoyed Volatile's Chin Check then you should enjoy this. If you like your hardcore with just a hint of noise, Step Off's Demo will serve well. Thanks to What Are Blood Wings?

Posture & The Grizzly - 2014 - Busch Hymns

Posture & The Grizzly is a three piece emo band from Willimantic, Connecticut. Busch Hymns is their debut LP courtesy of Broken World Media. Posture & The Grizzly are one of the new breed of bands who gleefully graft emo onto punk or even pop punk and enjoy the speedy results. I'm never sure how to describe this band other than to say give it a listen and you will probably be entranced. These three musicians know exactly what they're going for and they achieve come hell, high waters or broken strings. If you like punk or emo in any capacity, Posture & The Grizzly's Busch Hymns will serve well.

Worsen - 2014 - Blood

Worsen is a black metal band from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Blood is their debut EP. Worsen is a part of the AC//13 Collective and shares members with Young and in the Way, Ayr and Votnut. Worsen play a desolate, frozen brand of black metal as exemplified on Collect Their Skulls, Leave Their Bones, only occasionally allowing some melody to sneak in on Open Vein. Mortal Sin is a more typical straight forward black metal song, all shrieking and whirling spikes and closer and title track Blood wears you down underneath frigid, hypnotic riffs. If you like black metal, Worsen's Blood will serve well.

Your Weekly Madness S02E02

Your Weekly Madness is the new name of the former radio show Who Programmed This?!?. Now exclusively a podcast, Your Weekly Madness aims to present a mix of eclectic music, radical politics and comedy.You can download this week's episode here and subscribe to the RSS feed here. This week the show starts off with Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band performing Why Is It So Hard live from SXSW in 2011



Next up is a mashup, James Brown VS Led Zeppelin, Whole Lotta Sex Machine

]

Dirty Vegas - Days Go By



Yello - Oh Yeah, which some of you might know from Ferris Bueller's Day Off



Basement Jaxx - where's your head at



Red Dons - Walk Alone


Gross - It's Better This Way


Red Hot Chili Peppers (Jon Daly) - Abracadabralifornia



From Curb Biters Demo, Dayglow and Bitch In Heat




 The Cassus &  ¡Silencio, Ahora, Silencio! Split



 From Black Veins debut EP, The Cycle Will Cease To End and Stone Sun

Home - 2014 - Bound To Gravity

Home is a punk rock band from Innsbruck, Austria. Bound To Gravity is their debut LP. Home plays a heavy brand of music in an intersection where sludge metal, stoner metal, noise rock and post-hardcore meet. Home comes barreling out of the gate at top speed with the off kilter raging slab of anger that is Hole, while the followup track Next To Last starts off a sludgy lumbering beast and only sinks deeper into that noisy sludge. Home keeps it heavy and brings in the post-hardcore with No Way Out My Friend and things continue in that eclectic vein throughout the whole album. Home brings together a variety of sounds, throws them in the blender and rides that askew mix into the ground. If you like your music heavy with no regards to genre conventions, only songwriting and heaviness then Home's Bound To Gravity will serve well.

White Lung - 2014- Drown With The Monster

White Lung is a four piece punk rock band from Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. Drown With The Monster is their single, the first for London based Domino Recording Company. Drown With The Monster continues where Songs of The South left off, unrelentingly heavy and ferocious with a distinct aesthetic. Exclaim! suggests Domino will release their forthcoming third LP, but for now this song is being released as a 7" with Snake Jaw as the b-side

Vindensång - 2014 - Alpha

Vindensång is a three piece ambient band from Pennsylvania, USA. Alpha is their second LP. Vindensång play a darkly atmospheric brand of ambient music influenced by post-rock, a little doom and a little black metal.



This really is an album more suited for headphones in order for the atmosphere Vindensång summons to really engulf you. These songs take an enchanting atmospheric and ambient base and build towering, intense songs bringing together post rock and black metal.



 The singer has a voice that would serve well fronting the coldest of black metal and musically Vindensång stitch passages of experimental rock together, binding them with the darkened atmosphere. If you're ready to put your headphones one and travel through this world, Vindensång's Alpha will serve well.

Off! - 2014 - Hypnotized - Video

Off! is a  four piece hardcore punk band from Los Angelese, California, USA. Wasted Years is their new LP, Hypnotized is a new song from that LP. It's vaguely political with references to conspiracy theories and continues to wave the flag for modern hardcore punk. Off! consists of Keith Morris, Dimitri Coats, Steven McDonald, Mario Rubalcaba who have played in bands like Circle Jerk, Black Flag, Midget Handjob, Buglamp, Burning Brides, Redd Kross, Tourists, Tater Totz, Sparks, Beck, Earthless, RFTC, Hot Snakes, Clikitat Ikatowi.

Almenara - 2014 - Desestructurando lo Aprendido

Almenara is a five piece punk band from Valparaíso, Chile. Desestructurando lo Aprendido is their third EP. Almenara play a catchy, fast brand punk pop and do roughly the same thing on acoustic. The guitars are smooth and whip fast, the singer has a forceful short and there are no shortage of background Whoa oh oh's. Every song on this all too short EP introduces itself forcefully, makes itself known and then vacates the stage just as quickly. The last two songs are acoustic punk songs that seem constructed for everyone in the pit to sing along with at the top of their lungs. If you like fast punk or have a soft spot for some acoustic punk, Almanera's Desestructurando lo Aprendido will serve well.

Siega - 2014 - Demo Tape

Siega is a four piece hardcore punk band from Barcelona, Spain. Demo Tape is their second EP. Siega play a speedy brand of hardcore punk. The singer has a forceful if somewhat strained at times shout and the band behind him is playing somewhat noisy, groove filled hardcore. The only track on here I don't like is the shortest track which just thrashes around aimlessly, otherwise this EP is straight ahead heavy hardcore. If you like your hardcore heavy and unafraid of a fucking up a groove, Siega's Demo Tape will serve well. Thanks to Ruido.

Big Ups - 2014 - Eighteen Hours Of Static

Big Ups is a four piece punk rock band from New York City, New York, America. Eighteen Hours Of Static is their debut LP. Big Ups play a frenetic brand of emo incorporating elements of noise rock, hardcore and post-rock, they are a band wound very tightly, exploding as carefully as they can.



This is the sound of a band in a dank, dark basement somewhere hammering out their tunes. Big Ups goes from wirey emo to muscly punk pop to slacker style indie rock and back without missing a beat while the singer is able to conjure hooks seemingly out of nowhere, shouts like his life depends on it and brings some energy to the talk singing parts. Highlights include TMI, Disposer , Justice, Goes Black, and Fine Line.



 If you like your punk rock to gleefully skip between genres while staring at and directly confronting the darkness and evils in life or just like some songs to jump and down to, Big Up's Eighteen Hours Of Static will serve well.

El Hambre - 2014 - El Hambre

El Hambre is a powerviolence band from Valencia, Spain. El Hambre is their debut EP. EL Hambre plays kinetic brand of. powerviolence that specializes in spinning like a jagged jackhammer, spewing crusty hardcore fragments everywhere at lightning speed. At times they incorporate a groove or throw in some hardcore for flavouring but mostly El Hambre seem focused on obliterating any life that might be in their proximity. If you like your powerviolence short and jagged, El Hambre's El Hambre will serve well.

New Lows - 2014 - Abhorrent Endings

New Lows are a five piece hardcore punk band. Abhorrent Endings is their EP courtesy of Deathwish Inc. New Lows play an extremely heavy brand of hardcore punk that is never content with what you might consider to be heavy. Members have played in Think I Care, So Be It, The Prowl, Riff Raff, and more. If you like your hardcore to be unrelentingly heavy and dark, New Low's Abhorrent Endings will serve well.  Thanks to Elementary Revolt

Brain F≠ - 2014 - Empty Set

Brain F≠ is a garage punk band from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Empty Set is their second LP. Brain F≠ (pronounced Flannel) play a catchy, raggedly melodic brand of garage punk where it feels like everything might fall apart at any second but the energy and momentum keep the shaggy dog rocking forward Members have also played in bands like Yardwork. Grids,  Double Negative, Joint Damage and Logic Problem.  I quite enjoy the combination male and female vocals over top the noisy garage rock, they "sing together as if they’d rehearsed separately, creating a captivating chaos." If you like your punk with a little indie rock and a whole swirl of noise, Brain F≠'s Empty Set will serve well.

Off! - 2014 - Hypnotized

Off! is a  four piece hardcore punk band from Los Angelese, California, USA. Wasted Years is their new LP, Hypnotized is a new song from that LP. It's vaguely political with references to conspiracy theories and continues to wave the flag for modern hardcore punk. Off! consists of Keith Morris, Dimitri Coats, Steven McDonald, Mario Rubalcaba who have played in bands like Circle Jerk, Black Flag, Midget Handjob, Buglamp, Burning Brides, Redd Kross, Tourists, Tater Totz, Sparks, Beck, Earthless, RFTC, Hot Snakes, Clikitat Ikatowi. Thanks to Stereogum

You Blew It - 2014 - You & Me & Me

You Blew It! is a three piece emo band from Orlando, Florida, America. Keep Doing What You're Doing is their new LP courtesy of Topshelf Records. You Blew It! play a brand of midwest emo garnering comparisons to bands like American Football and Braid. Below is the official video for You & Me

Losing Traces - 2014 - EP

Losing Traces are a five piece punk rock band from Brianza, Italy. EP is their debut recording. Losing Traces play an emotional brand of post-hardcore that strongly reminds of bands like Touché Amoré. If Losing Traces are capable of growing and expanding on this excellent foundation I will be listening, otherwise there are other bands doing this same thing. When Love Burns is a real highlight as well are Asphodelus and Farewell. If you like your hardcore with a hint of melody and a heaping of emotional desperation, Losing Trace's EP will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Sagrada Familia - 2014 - Demo

Sagrada Familia is a four piece punk rock band from Madrid, Spain. Demo is their debut EP. Sagrada Familia play a catchy brand of punk that can smash you over the head as quickly as the songs get stuck in your head. They put backing vocals to great use on Dejad De Hablar, Ya Es Mi Dia and Enterrado closes the album on a bass heavy, head banging note. If you like your punk a little shaggy but still rocking, Sagrada Familia's Demo will serve well.

Bitchmouth - 2014 - Cassette Demo

Bitchmouth is a four piece hardcore punk band from Richmond, Virginia, America. Cassette Demo is their debut EP. Bitchmouth plays a rocking chaotic hardcore that manages to find a groove and ride it out before self destructing into noise. Kelsey Hulvey has a piercing shreak on Red Fingers, Bed Of Filth rocks the stop and start rhythm while Black Candles is nothing less than a kinetic freakout. If you like your hardcore a little shaggy but never less than going full speed ahead, Bitchmouth's Cassette Demo will serve well.

Major Kong - 2014 - Doom Machine

Major Kong is a three piece doom metal band from Lublin, Poland. Doom Machine is their third EP. Major Kong play a riff focused brand of doom metal that comes out adjacent to stoner metal, the guitar has a snarling fuzz that lures you in. Major Kong would go perfectly with bands like Sleep, Fu Manchu, Kyuss, Dozer, Unida, or a lot more bands on Man's Ruin in the 90's. There are no frills or niceties here, just hypnotic riffs that refuse to let up. These are 5-9 minute metal riff orgies and if that doesn't sound appealing to you then move on. But if you need a soundtrack to your next session or just like heavy riffs, Major Kong's Doom Machine will serve well.

††† - 2014 - †††

††† (Pronounced Crosses) is a three piece electronic rock band from Los Angelese, California, USA. ††† is their "new" LP. †††  consists of Deftones singer Chino Moreno, Far guitarist Shaun Lopez and Chuck Doom.



They have released two EP's prior, both of which are included in this LP. ††† play an brand of synthesizer rock that feels built for a stadium garnering comparisons to bands like Nine Inch Nails and through iconography only is very reminiscent of witch house. I find this  LP frustrating because it immediately contrasts hard hitting, wall of noise Rob Zombie style electro rock but then follows it up with layers of synthesizers that never go anywhere. In their softer moments †††  reminds me of bands like Air or The Neverending White Lights.




This outfit clearly has the ability to make turn-it-up-to-11 style anthemic arena rock but they get mired in layering slow synth over slow synth and the droomy atmosphere drains all energy from the proceedings.This album being an LP seems off to me because of the only five new songs, old fans will know most of these songs already and it becomes unwieldy and uneven when stitched together into this "new" LP.

My favourite songs are spread pretty evenly across all three releases, †his Is A †rick, Bitches Brew, †hholyghs†, The Epilogue, Fron†iers, Op†tion, Blk Stallion and Prurien†. If you like your rock electronic and not averse to wandering through layers of synths, †††'s ††† will serve well.

Against Me! - 2014 - Transgender Dysphoria Blues

Against Me! is a four piece rock band from Gainesville, Florida, America. Transgender Dysphoria Blues is their sixth LP which I have been sleeping on for far too long. It is also the band's first album after their lead singer transitioned to Laura Jane Grace, which hasn't frankly changed Against Me!'s sound at all. Lyrically Transgender Dysphoria Blues is intensely personal as Laura sings and screams about the homo and transphobia she experiences but musically it simply continues the transition from punk to mainstream that Against Me! have been working on.

 If Laura can completely abandon both radical politics and radical openness then Against Me! can take their punked up, catchy energy and use the dying mainstream music industry to get those songs out there. Green Day would be a pertinent example except that Against Me! actually had political opinions and wrote songs about them at one point. Regardless of how punk these songs are, they are catchy and while some fail to ignite there is a lot of gold here. I would list my favourite songs but there's no point when that's virtually all of them. If you enjoy intensely personal music blasted at high speed and volume, Against Me!'s Trangender Dysphoria Blues will serve well.

The 24th Street Wailers - 2014 - Aim To Please

The 24th Street Wailers are a four piece blues band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Aim To Please is the first single from their upcoming LP Wicked. Awesome as always, this song gets me excited for the new album.

Juanito Piquete - 2014 - Bajo El Foco

Juanito Piquete is a punk rock band from Barcelona, Spain. Bajo El Foco is their new EP. Juanito Piquete play a muscly brand of punk rock and handily walk the line between catchy and driving. If The Demonics weren't such a surf punk band it might come out something like this. The female backing vocals on Del Tedio a la Traición are a nice melodic touch, Castigo has a rock solid foundational riff and Dolor en Tierra flows and grows . If you like your punk melodic but never forgetting the social consciousness or how to rock,  Juanito Piquete's Bajo El Foco will serve well.

Acousma - 2014 - Acousma

Acousma is a hardcore punk band from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Acousma is their second EP. This is another unreleting slab of screamo influenced dark hardcore with a little more powerviolence in the mix. These songs feel more chaotic, about to fly apart at any moment than Acousma has in the past. The singer still has a great high pitches screach and the band can kick up an absurd amount of noise and crusty hardcore. Buy it here and support awesome independant hardcore.

Zanders - 2014 - Been Better

Zanders is a three piece indie pop band from Connecticut, USA. Been Better is their debut EP. Zanders play a catchy, high energy brand of keyboard driven indie rock. The singer reminds me of Kate Miccuci of Hall & Oates and on the whole the band reminds me of a less dancey, more indie rock Matt & Kim. If you like your singer songwriters to play keyboards and backed by a tight, bouncy rhythm section, Zander's Been Better will serve well.

De La Soul Release Discography For Free

Go to De La Soul's official website http://www.wearedelasoul.com/ to download their complete discography

Death Grips - 2014 - No Love

Death Grips is an experimental hip-hop group from Sacramento, California, USA. With the usual lack of fanfare they released a new song/video on youtube. Voila.

Brody Dalle - 2014 - Meet The Feotus/Oh The Joy

Brody Dalle is an Australian born singer, songwriter and guitar player. She has played guitar and sung in the bands The Distillers and Spinnerette. She has a new,as yet untitled, solo album coming out produced by Alain Johannes with guest appearances by Shirley Manson of Garbage, Nick Valensi of The Strokes, and Warpaint’s Emily Kokal. She just released the first track from the album on soundcloud.

Off! - 2014 - Void You Out

Off! is a  four piece hardcore punk band from Los Angelese, California, USA. Wasted Years is their new LP, Void You Out is the debut single. It's vaguely political with references to conspiracy theories and continues to wave the flag for modern hardcore punk. Off! consists of Keith Morris, Dimitri Coats, Steven McDonald, Mario Rubalcaba who have played in bands like Circle Jerk, Black Flag, Midget Handjob, Buglamp, Burning Brides, Redd Kross, Tourists, Tater Totz, Sparks, Beck, Earthless, RFTC, Hot Snakes, Clikitat Ikatowi. Highly recommended. Song actually starts at 2:51

Digital Dynasty #28 Hosted By Pharoahe Monche

Digital Dynasty is a digital mixtape compilation initially compiled and hosted by Tha Advocate and available from ballerstatus.com and datpiff.com. This edition is hosted by Pharoahe Monche and features tracks from rappers around the world, from luminaries like Fabolous, Action Bronson, Papoose, Killah Priest and Lords Of The Underground as well as newer, not as well known rappers like GDZ, Bosch, Snap. At almost three hours and over 50 songs there's a lot of music here and it's a tad overwhelming but that also means if you have a soft spot for hip hop or rap of any kind I guarantee there's something you will latch onto here. Highlights include GDZ's Forever True, Snap Ft. Joey Loax and Tha Advocate - Game Of Chess, Bosch Ft. Young Noble Outlaw - Retribution, Fist Of The North Star's Beautiful Hater, SlaughterHouse's Party.

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Canyons - Creepers - 2013 Split

Canyons is four piece hardcore punk band from Kansas City, Missouri, USA. The Split with Creepers is their sixth release. Canyons play a heavy, riotous brand of hardcore that manages to conjure catchy riffs but never forget the energy of hardcore garnering comparisons to bands like Bleeding Kansas, Engineer, and Kiss It Goodbye. Canyons are capable of creating an off kilter, dark atmosphere and a vocalist with some excellent shouted vocals but still remaining crushingly heavy and surprisingly limber. Highlights include Double Enchandra, Because I Make It My Duty, and Heatin' Up. Thanks to Manic Compression.



Creeper is a five piece hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Split With Canyons is their fourth release. Creepers play a noisy brand of hardcore, bringing elements of noise punk and some post-hardcore to flesh out their attack. Their brand of hardcore is similiar to Canyons but Creeper go in a crustier, noiser direction. The vocals are filtered and harsh and there's nary a guitar tone that isn't distorted to hell and back. Highlights include Privileged, Drag and Trunk Buffet. The similarities between Creeper and Canyon are easily overstated and can make it hard to distinguish between the two bands but it also makes for a much more cohesive split, each band clearly expressing their take on hardcore punk. If you like your hardcore punk a little crusty or just straight heavy, Canyons' & Creeper's 2013 Split will serve well.

Waxahatchee - 2013 - Cerulean Salt

Waxahatchee are a three piece indie rock band from Brooklyn, New York City, USA. Cerulean Salt is their second LP. Waxahatchee is the solo project of Katie Crutchfield who has also played in P.S. Eliot and Bad Banana. Cerulean Salt is indie rock in it's most singer songwriter, acoustic, confessional best, even when they spin into some harder rocking sounds like on Coast To Coast it comes out like 90's fuzzy indie rock. When these songs are humming along at their best Waxahatchee remind me of a more singer songwriter, less punk rock focused old school Tegan & Sara and even when the songs don't grab me they remind me of a less folk influenced Po' Girls. Highlights include Hollow Bedroom, Blue Pt. II, Coast To Coast, Lively, Waiting, Swan Dive and Peace And Quiet. If you enjoy acoustic singer-songwriters or fuzzy indie rock Waxahatchee's Cerulean Salt will serve well. Thanks to the Elementary Revolt.

Willing Victim - 2014 - Demo

Willing Victim is a hardcore punk band from Niagra Falls, Ontario, Canada. Demo is their debut ep. Willing Victim play a noisy, chaotic brand of hardcore heading in a powerviolence direction. They are garnering comparisons to other classic Canadian hardcore punk bands like Left For Dead, Cursed & The Swarm. If you like your hardcore to feel like it's about to fall apart but always remain pummelling and heavy, Willing Victim's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Dead Air At The Pulpit.

Deadends - 2014 - Demo

Deadends is a hardcore punk band from Kingston, New York, USA. Demo is their debut EP. These are three slabs of heavy, hardcore punk bringing elements of powerviolence and an surplus of blast beats. These three songs make me interested in where they will take this sound they are developing. Reminds me a little of The Day Man Lost with that really heavy powerviolence sound. If you like your hardcore punk to beat you over the head brutally only for short, intense bursts, Deadends' Demo will serve well.

Mariner - 2014 - Demo

Mariner are a five piece punk pop band from San Fransico, Californa, America. Demo is their debut EP. Mariner play a catchy brand of punk pop, the singer can have a surprisingly gritty shout and the band can peel off catchy riffs one after the other. Reminds of Polar Bear Club, Make Do And Mend and Iron Chic as they are moving towards that orgcore sound. If you like pop punk, Mariner's Demo will definitely scratch that itch.

Nobody, Ever - 22

Nobody, Ever is a four piece emo band from Leicester, England. They have released to date two excellent, highly recommended EP's, Everyone Stood By The Side Of The Road and This Wall Is Dedicated To Liam And His Mates. 22 is an unreleased song recorded a little bit but only unveiled recently. It's a big, reaching anthemic song that picks up where they left off while still moving forward on it's own terms. Highly recommended as always.

The Stasi - 2014 - Demo

The Stasi are a hardcore punk band from Philadelphia. Demo is their new EP. The Stasi play a thrashy, straight forward brand of hardcore punk. No frills, no solos and no lofi production are the rules here and The Stasi make a compelling hardcore noise. If you like your hardcore a little noisy but always driving, The Stasi's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Mind Disease.

Mold - 2014 - Demo

Mold is a three piece power violence band from Georgia, USA. Demo is their debut EP. Mold take a chaotic, noisy brand of power violence, added a little bit of grindcore and then recorded the resulting insanity on a dying boom box three houses down from where they were playing. If you like your grindcore as low fi and chaotic as possible, Mold's Demo will serve well.

Hexis - 2014 - Abalam

Hexis is a five piece band from Copenhagen, Denmark. Abalam is their new EP. Hexis plays a crushing brand of black metal that has learned lessons in heaviness and straight forward attacks from hardcore punk. For a little bit of context Abalam is another name for the demon king Paimon from the Goetia: The Lesser Key of Solomon the King and all the song titles are in latin, only adding to the dark, occult vibe Hexis are masters at conjuring. The structure and form of this music is black metal, either at blast beat speed or a mid tempo sludgy crawl. informed by hardcore punk in the even more balls to the wall attitude.

 The second half of the album after the instrumental title track is when things really kick into high gear, the first half is good but the second half is where everything comes together and really bashes your brain in. Hexis is garnering comparisons to Celeste and Pop Matters described them as "Ampere or Angel Hair scraping their way through Portal’s demented discography."  Each song is just a wall of raw blackened metal coming straight at you with no opportunity to run or hide. Highlights include Sequax, Tenebris, Abalam, Immolobant, Exhausit, .  If you like your black metal turned up to 11 then Hexis' Abalam will serve well.

Bluntshit - 2014 - Demo

Bluntshit is a hardcore punk band from Berlin, Germany. Demo is their debut ep. Bluntshit play a very straight forward brand of hardcore punk with a thick layer of crust over top. Don't know much about this band or this EP other than it it rips hard aside from a couple of questionable vocals. Highlights include 60€, GMRE, DBSB and Revenge Of Stench,   If you like your hardcore punk with a nice layer of crust with some razor sharp production, Bluntshit's Demo will serve well. Thanks to Dead Air At The Pulpit

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Barren Hope - 2014 - Anaffa

Barren Hope is a hardcore punk band from Haifa, Israel. Anaffa is their debut ep. Barren Hope play a crusty brand of hardcore garnering comparisons to bands like Protestant, The Holy Mountain, Centuries, and Masakari.



Barren Hope blast through these 8 songs in just over 20 minutes going back and forth between full speed hardcore and a more mid tempo sludgy stomp all the while covered in a layer of distortion and crust. If you like hardcore punk to be crusty and heavy, Barren Hope's Anaffa will serve well.

Nausea - 2014 - Condemmed To The System

Nausea is a four piece grindcore band from Los Angelese, California, USA. Condemmed To The System is their new LP. Members have also played in Terrorizer, Phobia, Majesty, Exhumed, Chemical Bitches,  Murder Construct and Intronaut so you know roughly what to expect. This slab of pure, uncut grindcore has both new songs like   …And We Suffer and Hate and Deception as well as previously unreleased songs like Falsely Accused and Does God Need Help?



 Nausea isn't reinveinting the wheel by any means but if there is one thing they know how to do well, is play unrelentingly heavy political grindcore. The political messages embodied in song titles like Condemn Big Business and Corporation Pull-In are about as subtle as Oscar Garcia's vocals are cryptically growled. If you like grindcore, Nausea's Condemmed To The System will serve well.

Young Thug & Bloody Jay - 2014 - Black Portland

Young Thug and Bloody Jay are rappers from Atlanta, Georgia. Black Portland is their new collaborative mixtape. Young Thug has been attracting some attention for his unique, idiosyncratic style of rap and Bloody Jay just released Blatlanta II:Brazy. The beats on Black Portland for the most part are mainstream beats that you would hear on the radio or in the club, once Young Thug lays down his vocals they become part of his weirdo, twisted world.



 Rarely do I hear rappers doing so many other things vocally than just rap, Young Thug's vocals include shouts, lazy mumble mouth, accenting punctuation, and sometimes just vocalizations. Highlights include Signs, No Fucks, 4 Eva Bloody, Movin, Paranoia, No Love, Danny Glover & Lets Go Play. If you like your rap to sound like the mainstream but bending that to suit their own personalities and style, then Young Thug & Bloody Jay's Black Portland will serve well.

Accidente - 2014 - Amistad Y Rebelión

Accidente is a punk rock band from Madrid, Spain. Amistad Y Rebelión is their second LP. Accidente play a melodic brand of punk fronted by a woman with an excellent voice. They cite bands like The Vicious, Massysteri, Leftover Crack, Lost World, The Assassinators, Decisión, Kartón de Zumo, Minor Threat, The Clash and are garnering comparisons to bands like The Libyans, Strike Anywhere, Terrible Feelings, and Against Me! I would list my favourite songs but there's no point in listing every single song. If you like your punk rock with a clear melodic sense but never forgetting how to rock, Accidente's Amistad Y Rebelión will serve well. Thanks to Manic Compression for the link.

The Redefiners - 2014 - Chapter 2: Creating Luck

The Redefiners are a hip hop duo from Chicago consisting of ATM and Mentality. Chapter 2: Creating Luck is their new mixtape. Both ATM and Mentality have fast flows and they can trade verses back and forth with no problems, each has their own unique style but their voices are also similar enough for the album to feel cohesive. Production by Relta, Derrick Thomas, Arturizzy, Gin Jacket, NB, 6ix, CmR, Da Vinci, Omito, All Stars, Da and Soul and guest verses from SwizZz, Cam Meeskins, Taylor Bennet and KiDD The Chicagoan.





They cite artists like De La Soul. Tribe Called Quest, Big Pun & Kendrick Lamar. Stylisticily and production wise this album doesn't stray very far from a flow focused, almost gangster hard type beat but The Redefiners tend to stay away from the gun play seeming to prefer a more conscious, positive vibe. Highlights include Blue Dream, Absurd, Mind In The Clouds, The Heavenly Three Ft. Cam Meekins, Candy Shoppa, Lingo Ft. KiDD The Chicagoan, October's Diary, Take Flight and Spit Flow. If you like hip hop or rap, The Redefiners' Chapter 2: Creating Luck will serve well.

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Bleak Bulge - 2013 - Bleak Bulge

Bleak Bulge is an extreme band from Amsterdamn. Bleak Bulge is their debut EP. Bleak Bulge play a hard to pin down brand of extreme music that melds together hardcore punk, black metal, powerviolence and noise punk into one loud, lofi, overwhelming beast of terror. Sometimes Bleak Bulge play take no prisoners, powerviolence speed hardcore punk wrapped in multiple layers of noise and distortion with a singer who could just as easily front a depressive black metal band and then sometimes Bleak Bulge slow things down a little bit to a sludgy stomp layered under distortion and just a hint of a melodic guitar line breaking through the layers of noise. The faster bits remind me of a more distorted, black metal influenced Superjoint Ritual. Highlights include Destroy Your Body, Bleak Bulge, Bulge Rising, Media Culture Decline and Untitled (Bonus Track). If you like extreme music you will probably find something great in Bleak Bulge's Bleak Bulge. Thanks to Manic Compression.

Vinny Vegas - 2013 - The Big White Whale

Vinny Vegas is a five piece progressive rock band from Baltimore, Maryland, America. The Big White Wale is their debut LP. Vinny Vegas play an expansive brand of rock that incorporates post-rock, soul jazz and a heavy dosing of keys make for a melodic groove that various members can solo or create atmosphere in. I like this more than I like of progressive music because this is firmly based in rock and roll and never strays
far from that.



The Big White Whale opens with the longest track Highs & Lows and continues in that vein for the rest of the album. Highlights include Rubber Sternum, Patterns Weave, Claws, If you like your progressive rock to not forget how to rock but still stretch out with melody and instrumentation, Vinny Vegas' The Big White Whale will serve well.

Iron Mind - 2014 - Iron Mind

Iron Mind is a five piece hardcore punk band from Melbourne, Australia. Iron Mind is their second LP courtesy of Flatspot Records. Iron Mind play a riff heavy brand of hardcore that manages to be both limber and heavy. At their best Iron Mind bring together agile hardcore riffs but imbue with with metal heaviness and flesh it out with a singer who sounds like he's barely able to escape the demons that pursue them. If you're interested in some riff heavy, pit focused hardcore that rarely decelerates then Iron Mind's Iron Mind will serve well. Thanks to Music Approved By A Banana

Slippertails - 2014 - There's A Disturbing Trend

Slippertails is a punk rock duo from central New Jersey. There's A Disturbing Trend is their new LP. Slippertails play a noisy brand of lofi punk rock garnering physical and sonic comparisons to Frank Black. The singer has an atonal talking style capable of an emotive whine but never ventures much beyond those territories while the guitar churns out somewhat melodic, generally very distorted old school punk rock. These songs are as interested in crawling along at glacier speed wallowing in distortion and noise as they are in saddling a mid tempo, shifting riff with distorted vocals and riding it into the dust. Highlights include Hip New Jerk, Walk, Will Peel You Open and Altar Wine. If you like your punk with a little sludge and a focus on doing what feels good, Slippertails' There's A Disturbing Trend will serve well.

Chalkboards - 2013 - Chalkboards

Chalkboards is a two piece chiptune band from Austin, Texas, USA. Chalkboards is their new EP. Chalkboards play a lush melodic brand of chiptune, finding the melody using two 1989 Gameboys and then filling out the sound with more "standard" instruments. Chalkboards manage to conjure an atmosphere that is equal parts Air, Brian Eno, Anamanaguchi and shoegaze indie rock. These songs have dual functions, you can put your whole attention towards it and absorb every nook and cranny of what Chalkboards is trying to do or you can let it receed into the background and use it as ambient music floating in the background providing atmosphere. There are definitely other instruments at use here than just the Gameboys but everything else is shrouded in lovely distortion and subsides into the background. Highlights include This World Is Not Yours, Splitting The Room In Two, My Favorite Show Is On The Television, The Sickets Kickflip You've Ever Seen, There's Twentytwo Fireflies In My Jar and The World Belongs To Us. If you like your chiptune catchy and dreamy, Chalkboards` Chalkboards will serve well.

Absolut - 2014 - Punk Survival

Absolut is a hardcore punk band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Punk Survival is their debut LP. Absolut play a speedy brand of hardcore influenced by bands like Anti-Cimex and Gauze. The vocals are incomprehensible screams of a demon being tortured, the guitar ranges from tight, noisy hardcore riffs to wild, Slayer-esque screaming solos and the drums are never anything less than utterly chaotic. The lofi production only serves to heighten the hardcore pummeling, this album is  best played in a room full of people with multiple strobe lights flashing. If you like your hardcore to be absolutely pummeling with no mind for anything else, Absolut's Punk Survival will serve well.

Robb Flynn & Friends

Friday (Jan 17) saw the ‘Rob Flynn And Friends’ benefit gig take place in spectacular style, with the likes of Robert Trujillo, Chuck Billy and Robb himself all thrashing out some badass covers of classic Black Sabbath tracks.


The concert was organised by Forbidden and Spiralarms guitarist Craig Locicero in honour of a good friend of many of the bands from the Bay Area scene who’s suffered a heartbreaking tragedy.



“A good friend of ours and all around great person, Nikki Davis, was in a motorcycle accident with her husband Jeff,” explains Craig. “Sadly, Jeff died at the scene. Fortunately, Nikki survived but she was unconscious for a few days. She awoke to the daunting reality that her husband, soulmate and best friend had passed away. It was heartbreaking to all of us in the Bay Area scene. Robb Flynn and I have known Nikki for at least 25 years and she is a huge supporter of the Bay Area’s metal and punk scene. I wanted to help Nikki out a year ago, but most every band was busy on tour and unavailable. A few weeks ago, I had approached Robb about doing a benefit for Nikki and he thought it was a great idea.



“Robb has gone above and beyond to help bring together something very special and memorable to help Nikki on January 17th. He’s been the catalyst for getting this thing off the ground so quickly and Nikki is very thankful. We hope to raise enough money to help Nikki continue to get back on her feet because the healing is not finished. She still has medical bills to pay and we want to do anything we can to help our old friend.”

Living Ghosts - 2014 - The Thought Of Giving Up

Living Ghosts are a four piece emo band from Oxnard, California, USA. The Thought Of Giving Up is their second EP. Living Ghosts are garnering comparisons to bands like  Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), Citizen, and Old Gray and feature former members of HRBRS. Living Ghosts plays an eclectic brand of emo. In the first three tracks of The Thought Of Giving Up Living Ghosts move through emo that would be reminscient of Foxing if Foxing where even more quiet and reserved on Like The Sea, a  somewhat discordant up tempo emo song that breaks part and barely rebuilds on Arrows and an even more melodic, straight forward emo sound on Falling Apart (Featuring Jazzmine Brazil). Highlights include Falling Apart Ft. Jazzmine Brazil, Arrows, Light,  If you like your post-hardcore to be progressive and genre mixing but not pretentious, Living Ghosts' The Thought Of Giving Up will serve well.