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The classic genre-defining album now remastered with the original sequence. Cave In have had many musical identities since their inception in Methuen, MA, in 1995, but the one that first established them as underground heroes was the dizzying, face-ripping metal blowout now known the world over as Until Your Heart Stops. - J Bennett / Decibel Magazine Until Your Heart Stops continues and widens Cave-In's assault upon body and mind. The chugga-chugga chunks are still there, this time refined into escalating and edgy walls of sound that owe a large debt to Slayer. Newly present, however, are forays into psychedelia and noise. At times expansive and at other times dark and claustrophobic, these always aggressive ventures open new doors for Cave-In. When fused with the usual jarring assemblage of riffs, a bold and original heavy music is created. Perhaps the only band who has successfully tread similar ground is Neurosis. Until Your Heart Stops' production is a major force as well; the band's undertakings are captured and conveyed in a way that at times sound impossibly dense, balancing gut-stabbing bottom end with piercing highs. This is one key factor among many that burn away the hardcore framework through which Cave-In originally slipped. - Matt Kantor / All Music Forget Master of Puppets and the ever-evolving D&D discs of Mastodon for a minute. If there’s one metal record we reach for on a regular basis, it’s Cave In’s first proper full-length, the decade-old Until Your Heart Stops. A dizzying array of chord-climbing riffs, speaker-rattling vocals and traumatic time changes—not to mention the anvil-dropping rhythm section of drummer J.R. Conners and bassist Caleb Scofield—it’s a prime example of masochistic pop music, catchy but chaotic stuff that wouldn’t sound out of place while driving your car off a cliff. - Self-Titled Magazine Label: Relapse Records Barcode: 0781676750412 -
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It almost seems churlish to regard Celtic Frost as one of the great extreme metal bands, because they were so much more than that. It’s better to hail them as among the finest extreme and experimental bands of the 1980s. Refusing ever to do what was expected or demanded, the band constantly changed musical direction, always brought in surprising influences, and kept people guessing as to where they might venture next. Their catalogue of albums is formidable and unmatched. Each is not only unique, but part of an entire tapestry that only now can be appreciated for being a remarkable part of music history. Despite, or maybe because of, constant turmoil on so many fronts, Celtic Frost achieved an artistic level few others would even have dared to dream of aspiring towards. They climbed high because they were never afraid to fall. Which is why the band are now rightly regarded as icons, and iconoclasts. This box set includes : •Morbid Tales (1LP red & black galaxy vinyl) •To Mega Therion (1LP gatefold Silver & black swirl vinyl) •Into The Pandemonium (1LP gatefold on orange and beige galaxy vinyl) •Emperor’s Return (Back on vinyl for the first time in 37 years. Green & black galaxy) •Tragic Serenades (12” EP on pink and black swirl vinyl) •I Won’t Dance (12” EP, back on vinyl for the first time in 35 years. White & black swirl vinyl) •The Collector’s Celtic Frost (12” single, back on vinyl for the first time in 35 years. Marble vinyl with silk screen print on Side B) •Visual Aggression (7” single with new artwork and on grey vinyl) •Grave Hill Bunker Rehearsals (Four track rehearsal demo cassette from 1984) •12” x 12” 40 page book of brand new interviews with founding member Tom G Warrior and drummer Reed St Mark. Contains rare and previously unseen photos from the era. •‘Heptagram’ figurine USB drive containing MP3 audio of all the albums, including bonus tracks. •Two sided, A2 poster. •‘Necromaniac Union’ fan club enamel badge. •‘Danse Macabre’ sew on woven patch. (Noise – NOISEBOX107, BMG Rights Management – NOISEBOX107)
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Emperor's Return is the second release by the Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost. It was released in 1985 as an extended play and was their first record featuring American drummer Reid Cruickshank (a.k.a. "Reed St. Mark"). Now as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations for Noise, this classic album is available on limited edition green/black swirl vinyl with double sided poster. It almost seems churlish to regard Celtic Frost as one of the great extreme metal bands, because they were so much more than that. It’s better to hail them as among the finest extreme and experimental bands of the 1980s. Refusing ever to do what was expected or demanded, the band constantly changed musical direction, always brought in surprising influences, and kept people guessing as to where they might venture next. Their catalogue of albums is formidable and unmatched. Each is not only unique, but part of an entire tapestry that only now can be appreciated for being a remarkable part of music history. Despite, or maybe because of, constant turmoil on so many fronts, Celtic Frost achieved an artistic level few others would even have dared to dream of aspiring towards. They climbed high because they were never afraid to fall. Which is why the band are now rightly regarded as icons, and iconoclasts. Tracklisting Side A Circle Of The Tyrants Morbid Tales Side B Dethroned Emperor Visual Aggression Suicidal Winds Label: Noise Barcode: 4050538870305
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Heroes of the extreme metal scene, there has always been so much more to Celtic Frost’s music. From ‘Morbid Tales’, through ‘To Mega Therion’, onwards to ‘Into The Pandemonium’ and finally ‘Vanity/Nemesis’, this is a band who refused to conform or follow any specific musical direction. They experimented, took risks and in the process have left behind a remarkable catalogue which is timeless and extraordinary. When you hear these albums, you’ll appreciate why succeeding generations of diehard fans and cutting edge bands are so heavily inspired and influenced by Celtic Frost. Timeless music, timely albums. This best of release includes new sleevenotes, an extensive booklet, packaged in a casebound book and the art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. It almost seems churlish to regard Celtic Frost as one of the great extreme metal bands, because they were so much more than that. It’s better to hail them as among the finest extreme and experimental bands of the 1980s. Refusing ever to do what was expected or demanded, the band constantly changed musical direction, always brought in surprising influences, and kept people guessing as to where they might venture next. Their catalogue of albums is formidable and unmatched. Each is not only unique, but part of an entire tapestry that only now can be appreciated for being a remarkable part of music history. Despite, or maybe because of, constant turmoil on so many fronts, Celtic Frost achieved an artistic level few others would even have dared to dream of aspiring towards. They climbed high because they were never afraid to fall. Which is why the band are now rightly regarded as icons, and iconoclasts. CD in digibook with 34-page booklet. The songs of this compilation are taken from following albums: CD 1: - Morbid Tales (1984): Songs 1 to 6 - To Mega Therion (1985): Songs 7 to 14 CD 2: - Emperor's Return (1985): Songs 1 & 2 - Into The Pandemonium (1987): Songs 3 to 8 - Vanity / Nemesis (1990): Songs 9 to 12 - From Emperor's Return sessions recordings: Song 13 (Noise/BMG/2019)
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Released in 1987, only now can people understand just how far ahead of its time this album was. Not only did it have maniacal rhythms, but introduced electronica into extreme metal. On every level, it was a remarkable record, full of visionary ideas and ideals. This release includes alternate versions of tracks from the album and a cover of Dean Martin! The concept and art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. CD version include new sleeve notes and extensive booklets. The CD is packaged in a casebound book. Hype sticker over shrink wrap: "The original classic album remastered Includes bonus material & extensive sleeve notes Concept & art direction by Tom Gabriel Warrior". Tracks 11, 12, 14 & 15 are Pandemonium session tracks. Track 13 is a The Collector's Celtic Frost 12" Single track. (Noise/BMG/2019)
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The debut album from the band was released in 1984, and was quickly recognised as the work of agitated and agitating talents. This album was a huge influence on the burgeoning death and thrash scenes at the time. A masterclass of riff tirades and unholy sentiments. This reissue includes rehearsals from 1984 and the concept and art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. Both the LP and CD versions include new sleeve notes and extensive booklets. Hype sticker over shrink wrap: "The original classic album remastered Includes bonus material & extensive sleeve notes Concept & art direction by Tom Gabriel Warrior". Original album recorded & mixed at Caet studio, Berlin, October 8 - 15, 1984 Bonus tracks recorded live on cassette during Morbid Tales album rehearsals at the Grave Hill Bunker, Birchwil, Switzerland, in summer and autumn of 1984 All tracks remastered at Woodshed Studio, Landshut, Germany, March 2016 (Noise/BMG/2019)
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It'S 1984 and, after the break/up of Hellhammer, the newly formed Celtic Frost are shaping what would become their punishing sound.Recorded just one month after the birth of the band at one of their very first rehearsals, "Procreation of the Wicked" presents Celtic Frost at their rawest, wildest embryonic stage. 8 tracks of pure unaltered mayhem, everything that would make them legendary is already here, proving once again why they've been such a huge influence for countless Black, Death, Thrash, Heavy Metal and Punk bands all over the planet. Tracklist A1 Return To The Eve A2 Messiah A3 Into The Crypts Of Rays A4 Visions Of Mortality B1 Procreation Of The Wicked B2 Morbid Tales B3 Dethroned Emperor B4 Nocturnal Fear Label: Mortal Shock Records/Unofficial Release
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Hand made high quality silk screen print. Gildan Heavy Cotton T-shirt. Ενδέχεται να υπάρχουν ελλείψεις σε κάποια από τα μεγέθη. Σε αυτή την περίπτωση θα σας ενημερώσουμε τηλεφωνικά ή με e-mail για τον χρόνο παράδοσής τους σε εμάς από τον προμηθευτή (συνήθως 3-5 εργάσιμες ημέρες).
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Released in 1985, the band’s second album had an ominous pall of doom and gloom, enmeshed in a sound both primitive yet also Wagnerian in its vast scope. Many claim this was a massive inspiration for black metal bands later in the decade. In truth, though, none matched what was here. This release includes the Emperor’s Return EP as well as a remix of Visual Aggression, and the concept and art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. CD - The CD is packaged in a casebound book. Hype sticker over shrink wrap: "The original classic album remastered Includes bonus material & extensive sleeve notes Concept & art direction by Tom Gabriel Warrior". (Noise/BMG/2019)
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Centuries rage with an emotive punk-influenced style of dark hardcore that fuses raw elements of explosive and morose d-beat viciousness. Their debut full-length album: Taedium Vitae is a relentless barrage of abrasive,blackened,hardcore played with extreme intensity. For fiends of Baptists, Heartless and Nails. LabeL Southern Lord Records
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Taking influence from Black Flag, Dead Boys, Bad Brains, and Thrasher magazine -- as well as pizza and beer -- Cerebral Ballzy were formed by five Brooklyn skaters who were nostalgic for early-‘80s speed metal and hardcore punk. In 2010, Mel, Honor, Mason, Jason, and Abe started getting together to play music as fast as humanly possible, and while doing so in their practice space, they came up with songs like "Underage Drink Forever," "Puke Song," and "Skate All Day." Cerebral Ballzy's debut 7", You’re Idle, was released on Article Records and came packaged in a sandpapery sleeve (à la The Return of the Durutti Column) made of hand-stenciled skateboard grip-tape. After playing for only six months together, the band inked a deal with Vice Records, who released their self-titled full-length debut in 2011. Receiving positive reviews for their brattish take on classic '80s hardcore, the group headed out in support of the record, taking on a full tour of the U.S. as well as dates at key European festivals such as Pukklepop, Roskilde, Reading, and Leeds. Returning to the studio in 2013 with TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek, the band set about recording their sophomore release, Jaded & Faded. Preceded by the 2013 singles "Another Day" and "City's Girl," the album itself was released in June of 2014. Label: Cult Records Barcode: 616892201946
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8 tracks of Copenhagen based international hardcore punk stomp. Like a brickwall colliding with a face! Recorded @ Blakklodge mastered by Brad Boatright @ Audiosiege. Artwork by Nicky Rat. Label: Adult Crash Records
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The 2009 debut album from the chain gang led by Ian Svenonius (Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up, Weird War) is a masterpiece of primitivism. From dazzling set pieces of R&B and rock'n'roll, the band forms highly melodic songs full of call-and-response chants ("What Is A Dollar"), or invites you to take a walk through the cemetery ("Cemetry Map"), which sounds so spooky as if voodoo master Dr. John had thought it up. Sometimes Svenonius just grabs a wooden guitar to make fun of conspiracy theories like in "Deathbed Confessions": "I faked the moon landing, I saved Hitler's brain. Yeah, it's in Argentina but it controls the USA." Calvin Johnson produced the album at his Dub Narcotic studio and also did a bit of background vocals. The beat lurches and sways as confidently and surely as an old sea dog's gait in a breeze of doppelkorn. The somewhat odd album title is explained by the always conceptually thinking singer as follows: "Everywhere freedom goes, it leaves a path of destruction. Fast food, bad architecture, materialism, unbridled greed, destroyed environment, imperial conquests, class struggle; combined, these phenomena are seemingly synonymous with freedom." When big words often hide only capitalist greed and imperialist war, Svenonius & Co. prefer to slip into the role of dissidents. "Ian Svenonius is an inadvertent pioneer. His career has been a studied attempt to advance the history of punk rock, using influences as tools to build with rather than styles to flaunt and discard." - The Wire (Sounds Of Subterrania}
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Released in 2011, Chain & The Gang’s second album, like its predecessor, was once again produced by Calvin Johnson at Dub Narcotic Studio. The lineup is also mostly the same, with the small difference that there are now five background singers who answer (in different songs) the calls of Ian Svenonius: Tara Jane O’Neil, Veronica Ortuño, Susanna Patten, Sarah Pedal and Katy Davidson. “Why Not” challenges everyday common sense and the established rules to an energetic blues shuffle. “Detroit Music” sounds like dirty jabs and the Dirtbombs, “Detroit Music II” plays the ball on, towards a heavy monster jam. Brilliant! The title track is then again in a class of its own: to psychedelic laments familiar from the Stooges’ “We Will Fail,” Svenonius mocks the tastes of the naïve “I actually listen to everything” consumer: “I know you wanna share. But don’t!” he spits contemptuously at their feet. In the era of Spotify & Co., Svenonius accepts the accusation of snobbery: “Does a moth know a flame, just because it’s drawn to it? “Svenonius sells it all with conviction and a devilish twinkle in his eye. He means what he says, and also knows how absurd it all is. These 12 tracks serve as a bombastic backdrop for Svenonius’ treatises on living the life of an anti-capitalist svengali; they’re a guerrilla garage rock manifesto imbued with fever, fervour and soul.” – The Quietus (Sounds Of Subterrania}
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Chain Cult from Athens released their Demo on tape on the first of January 2018 and it instantly sold out. Now it gets rightfully re-released on Vinyl. The six track demo is full of churning and brooding post punk that is urgent and energetic. It has anger and passion built on a skeletal and distinct production. Dark jagged guitar riffs sit on top of hypnotic bass lines like the classic Vex 12 “on Fight Back Records mixed with The Wipers and Arctic Flowers. Label: La Vida Es Un Mus
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Chain Cult from Athens, Greece return with a new two track 7" after releasing their much loved demo on vinyl just a few months ago. On Isolated, Chain Cult have upped the intensity and dark atmospherics. The sound is bigger, focused and anthemic. The guitar work is haunting and flanged and the rhythm section locked in, keeping the energy high. It sits somewhere between Vex's Sanctuary 12", a more uptempo Killing Joke and Warsaw while remaining a band of their time. Isolated comes housed in a pocket sleeve designed by the bands signature designer A.D. Visions which also created the lyric insert. Label: La Vida Es Un Mus Records
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Athen’s CHAIN CULT return with their first full length following a great Demo and 7” from last year. Recorded at Ignite Music by George Christoforidis during May and July of 2019, Shallow Grave shows the progression of a band who have played non-stop for two years, covering pretty much all of Europe. CHAIN CULT’s post punk is anthemic, militant and idealistic, putting music to a very dark and bleak time and place. You can hear echoes of early THE CURE, THE SOUND, Second Empire Justice era BLITZ or WIPERS in their music but also the passion and conviction of locals METRO DECAY, STRESS or ANTI… Very much a perfect reflection of what springs to mind thinking about the current Athens scene.
Shallow Grave comes housed in a reverse board sleeve including a printed inner sleeve with lyrics, all designed by CHAIN CULT’s collaborator Aris Panagopoulos of A.D. Visions.
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“Once the sadness of their 2020 canceled American tour was gone, Chain Cult went back to the practice space to write new songs, it was a perfect way to keep finding meaning in a world at a standstill. They are back stronger than ever with two new raging post-punk anthems, they’re bringing exactly what we need in these troubled times. These two songs give us elements for reflection on our lives, a good occasion to think about what we miss and what we want for the future. « We’re not Alone » and « Always a mess » show the band at its best. The very powerful rhythm section allows the guitarist to play the most beautiful and dark melodies and the singer to chant the catchy choruses that Chain Cult is known for. During uncertain times, it is good to be surrounded by people you trust to continue moving forward ; in this spirit Chain Cult has kept the same recipe as for their previous records. No one can say what the future holds and we can’t act like this is normal but always shall we remember that we’re not alone in this world” (Nico Destructure) Label: La Vida Es Un Mus Records
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“Once the sadness of their 2020 canceled American tour was gone, Chain Cult went back to the practice space to write new songs, it was a perfect way to keep finding meaning in a world at a standstill. They are back stronger than ever with two new raging post-punk anthems, they’re bringing exactly what we need in these troubled times. These two songs give us elements for reflection on our lives, a good occasion to think about what we miss and what we want for the future. « We’re not Alone » and « Always a mess » show the band at its best. The very powerful rhythm section allows the guitarist to play the most beautiful and dark melodies and the singer to chant the catchy choruses that Chain Cult is known for. During uncertain times, it is good to be surrounded by people you trust to continue moving forward ; in this spirit Chain Cult has kept the same recipe as for their previous records. No one can say what the future holds and we can’t act like this is normal but always shall we remember that we’re not alone in this world” (Nico Destructure) Ltd Red Vinyl. Label: La Vida Es Un Mus Records
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"Right-wing governments. Riots following sickening, racist police brutality. The general feeling that these are end times and the human race we know it is hurtling towards a doom of its own foolish making. Yessir, you can draw a lot of parallels between 2020 and the 1980s, although obviously as soon as anyone says it’s worth suffering all this because ‘the tunes will be better’, you are obliged to call them a fucking moron, set their hair on fire and give them a wedgie for good measure. Still, just as good tunes are undoubtedly a good thing, so too are absolutely blazing, ear-shredding, soul-soaring, fist-raising punk rock songs. Especially ones that race by at 150mph, while implicitly daring you to scream along with every line and probably dismantle all your furniture by bouncing all over it. Just ask Chain Whip; they know all about it. Hailing from the Canadian city of Vancouver and comprising members of Fashionism, Corner Boys and more, Chain Whip don’t so much sound ‘in thrall’ to the sounds of 1980s hardcore punk as ‘completely inhabited by the spirit’ of it, in the best way possible. They snarl, they holler, they roar and by gosh every single cut on debut album ‘14 Lashes’ is a thrill ride and a half. Originally released in 2019 on their own Chain Whip Records (makes sense), it gathers together 14 (also makes sense) blasts of irresistible fury in under 20 minutes, with subjects ranging from half-baked cultural commentators to not wanting to live in a fucked-up world (say it three times: this makes sense). This is hardcore as in ‘the snottiest rock’n’roll imaginable’; no shitty metal involved. They’re at their best when exploding in under 60 seconds, like on the very cross ‘Spectator’, but two-minute epic ‘Turner Street Ghost Motel’ reveals something dangerously close to Dead Kennedys-style melody that could make Chain Whip ones to stick with for the long haul. Well, that’s assuming they’re even in it for the long haul; maybe this is the last we’ll see of ‘em and this blizzard of brilliance that sounds like DOA, the Germs and Career Suicide punching holes in the side of a mountain is all we’ll have to remember ‘em by. If that’s how this is all gonna play out, I implore you to buy this record -. you owe it to yourself to hear it before we and they meet our grisly fate." (Drunken Sailor Records)
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THIS IS A PRE-ORDER! YOUR ORDER WILL SHIP ON OR AROUND OCTOBER, THANKS! At some point it becomes clear to all of us that trying to navigate life on The Darkest Timeline is pretty heavy going. Politics, economics, human rights… all that grown-up stuff you have to worry about as an adult. Turns out they’ve all been surrendered to ideological grifting and cynical culture wars, which should be enough to make you pretty fkn furious. And you know what? We’re gonna need a soundtrack to this that sounds equally pissed off; something loud, fast and ‘orrible that gives you the impetus to finally drive that bulldozer through the cop shop. In case you hadn’t guessed where this was going, please welcome the grand, timely and thoroughly welcome return of Chain Whip. Straight out of the gate, their second full-length ‘Call Of The Knife’ is absolutely raging. The opening title track might have you squinting at the turntable for a couple of seconds to check that someone hasn’t reanimated the young Circle Jerks, but as soon as frontman Josh Nickel’s voice kicks in, hardcore cognoscenti will be under no illusions that they could possibly be listening to anyone else. His voice is a righteous, gravelly roar that cuts straight through the noise with the very loose subtext ‘I’m having a bad day and it’s imperative that you know about it’. There’s a vitality to it that helps make these Vancouver boys one of the best bands in punk today, and it helps that he’s backed up by a rattling, rolling collective who remind us all that good old-fashioned hardcore (like the ‘80s used to make) remains one of the best ideas anyone’s ever had. Suck on that idea for a moment, poindexter! You know what you’re getting with song titles like ‘Class Decay’ and ‘Hatewave’, but there’s something about the band’s garage-slanted take on the genre that makes ‘em a cut above. Panache? Chutzpah? Just the simple matter of really fkn good songs? Impossible to say, so let’s just settle by agreeing that this album does it all: you can skate to it, you can slam to it, you can paint your bedroom black to it. You can even listen to it while kicking over the statues and kickstarting that violent and bloody revolution we’ve been promised. Look, this is serious stuff that also happens to be oodles of fun. ‘Something’s gotta give,’ they sing, and maybe it’s your resistance. On this sort of delicious form, no one can touch Chain Whip right now. Form a cult and get obsessed immediately. Label: Drunken Sailor Records
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CHAIN WHIP from Vancouver, Canada released this demo recordings in July 2020 via Bandcamp as well as on a limited tape run. These recordings weren´t originally intended to be released on vinyl as some of the songs have been re-recorded to be released on CHAIN WHIP's upcoming LP "Two Step To Hell". Now, No Spirit is doing a one-time pressing of the "Demo 2020" on 180g vinyl with a limited run of 500 pieces. (No Spirit Records)
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6 tracks of Vancouver, BC hardcore. Chain Whip formed in 2018 with the sole intention of playing their favorite blend of hardcore punk. Part KBD, part California beach, part grimy Vancouver. This 12" E.P. finds the band in a faster, more furious mode with five original tracks written and recorded in the height of the 2020 Pandemic. 3 tracks are re-recorded and polished versions from their 2020 Demo (being pressed on LP RIGHT NOW by No Spirit in Germany) while the others are brand new Chain Whip recordings. The final track, Death Was Too Kind was written by Brian Goble and recorded by the Subhumans. From the band: "For me it started in December 2019 when a developer unveiled a 5 million dollar chandelier to hang from the Granville Street Bridge - a testament to wealth and the city's cluelessness. A smug fuck you on display for the world to ogle while people froze in sleeping bags underneath. That insult grew into something more tangible. 2020 was the year that an ever-worsening overdose epidemic was too boring for most news cycles. We watched citizens of North America get murdered in real time by pigs. White supremacists marched in the streets, encouraged by their revered grifters. Major news corporations backed both on primetime while demonizing people for just wanting to stay alive. We sat back, depressed and tuned into the images. We wished that we could just pull the plug on the nightmare around us. We attended some demonstrations, organized some benefits. Stayed home and we drank and drugged. We tried to sleep away the reality. Just like pollution makes the sunsets richer, we danced that good beat; a dependable, monotonous, continuous death. It hasn't quite come for us yet but we're still dancing to that tune - ever closer to the edge. Two Step To Hell. Meaner, faster, and a bit more pissed off." Chain Whip (Drunken Sailor Records)
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Philly’s own Chained Bliss set tongues a-waggin’ back in 2019 with their Stained Red cassette EP, gathering more than a few comparisons to the Wipers’ early racket in the process. Well, now they’re back with a debut album that seems to have skipped right ahead from Is This Real? to Over The Edge: this self-titled LP has all the gut-punching ramalama, knockabout guts’n’glory of that first tape, with added layers. Melodic guitar lines come perilously close to jangling over crunching power chords, while furiously yelped choruses give way to sumptuously put-together breakdown sections that catch you off guard and kick you in the shins before legging it down the street. Chained Bliss clearly love scrappy, skatey garage rock (echoes of Agent Orange’s Living In Darkness abound) as much as they love pushing that raucous clatter into something spacious - the meditative sections that flow effortlessly into absolute ripper Pillars Of Abuse are as unexpected as the thoughtful but head-spinningly energetic sections that bring Creative Seizure so thrillingly to life. Other times they’re just as happy to keep you careening towards the pit with two-minute bangers, but that’s the beauty of this record: it’s never smarter than when it’s playing dumb, and the rest of the time it’s just pretty damn smart. Here’s a challenge: can you listen to Ominous Life’s gnarly pop without raising those fists of yours skywards and landing a firm thump on the air? Or Drifter’s swaggering stomp? Or, or, or… ahhh hell, you get what I’m saying here. Every single cut slays, every single hook snags itself on your brain. You’ll come back for more, and more, and more. Are Chained Bliss your new favourite band? Well, gee, we’ve never met and I don’t know what you like and it’s not for me to say… but on the other hand, yes. Yes, they are. They’re heading straight for your heart and they ain’t budging. Will Fitzpatrick (Drunken Sailor Records)
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It’s time to grow towards the sun again. It’s time for Change. Closer Still is the debut LP from Change, the Pacific Northwest Straight Edge band made up of Aram Arslanian, Chris Williams, Jeff Caffey, Mike Jurek and Matt Bertell. The record is 13 songs of urgent hardcore influenced by Youth of Today, Uniform Choice, INSTED, Sportswear, Turning Point and Embrace. However, the song writing pulls inspiration from across genres keeping the record from painting itself in a corner musically. Lyrically, Closer Still was written over a year and at its core is about coping with loss, anxiety and depression and trying to make the changes needed to find a better path. The songs focus on growth, both personal and social, and encourage embracing who we are while also working on becoming the best version of ourselves. Written and recorded by Aram Arslanian, Dave Mitchell, Carl McBeath and Alex Schollen, the LP was tracked and mixed by Jesse Gander at Rain City Records, with lead vocals recorded Avrinder Dhillon at Ziyen Studios and mastering by Alan Douches at West West Side Music. The record features art by Eric Himle and the packaging was designed by Evan Wivell with help from Jon A Gaasland. Closer Still will be released on LP through REACT! Records in North America and by Refuse Records in Europe, and on cassette by Life.Liar.Regret Records in Australia. (Refuse Records/2020)
