Weekly Roundup: May 22nd
Featuring Koyo, Temple of Angels, The Chisel, and more.
MOSH PITHY:
A curated selection of cool shit for you to listen to.
The Chisel – “Cry Your Eyes Out”
It’s been a busy 18 months for UK punks The Chisel. Their debut album Retaliation dropped in 2021; they then released a split 7-inch with Mexican oi band Mess and also contributed the song “Punisher” to the Flatspot Records’ The Extermination Vol. 4 compilation. They’ve now signed with Pure Noise Records, reissued Retaliation, and according to frontman Callum Graham, it’s business as usual on their rollicking new single “Cry Your Eyes Out”:
“Musically, we wanted to try and build on the more expansive moments of Retaliation. The verses are driven by a simple old-school rock ‘n’ roll-style riff, which then gives way to dual leads and multi-layered guitars in the chorus, creating a thick melodic sound. Some references we threw around at the time of writing were the Replacements, Ramones and Leatherface.”
Watch the pint-swillin’ video for “Cry Your Eyes Out” below:
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation
It’s hard to find a rock outfit today that could match Aussie psych powerhouse King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard in terms of prolific musical output. Since 2010, the group has released 23 studio albums, 15 live albums, 5 compilations, 3 EPs and a remix album—absolutely psycho shit. Their upcoming thrash-inspired record is set to be their heaviest yet, and its full title is a total doozie (see above). It’s billed as a seven-song double LP that, according to band leader Stu Mackenzie, focuses on “humankind and ... planet Earth but also… witches and dragons and shit.” Nice one. Stream the LP’s pre-release singles here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Temple of Angels – “Waving to the Wind”
Austin alternative/post-punk outfit Temple of Angels will drop their debut full-length, Endless Pursuit, on July 8th through Run for Cover Records. The LP was recorded with Colin Knight (Death Bells, Leisure World) and Phillip Odom (Ceremony, Militarie Gun) and mastered by scene maestro Will Yip, and is set to capture the band’s enthralling and dynamic live show, fine-tuned on stage supporting acts like Beach Fossils, Iceage, Narrow Head, and Turnover. Listen to “Waving to the Wind” here.
Oscar Bait – It’s Not Your Fault
This one comes courtesy of Jim Howes, lead singer for Chicago melodic hardcore outfit Oscar Bait (great name, by the way), who dropped this in my inbox a few weeks ago. The quartet are back with a new record called It’s Not Your Fault, which has an independent release locked in for June 6th. The five-track EP showcases a step-up in songwriting maturity and production, with inspiration taken from bands like Drug Church, Koyo and a slew of Dan Yemin-adjacent work, such as Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint It Black and Open City (if you know, you know). Stream the EP’s pre-release singles here (Spotify).
Slo/tide – “It Always Seemed Easier”
Underoath lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain is no stranger to curious solo side projects. Years ago, Chamberlain began experimenting with less aggressive textures on his Sleepwave project, and he’s now moving further into melodic territory with slo/tide. His latest single for the project is called “It Always Seemed Easier,” and it's a slick, glossy alt-pop banger with an undeniable chorus hook. On the single's lyrical focus, Chamberlain states: “Sometimes I just forget to check in on myself, and I find old habits/depression sneak up on me. This song talks about that feeling directly.” Listen to “It Always Seemed Easier” here.
Suspect – Urge to Extinguish
I love finding releases that have little to no digital presence. It adds some mystique back into the process when lifting things from a random Blogspot RAR file, or someone’s shared library came with a sense of inherent musical discovery. As best I can tell, Suspect hail from Germany. They dropped a five-track demo on Collective Memory back in 2021, and now they’re following it up with a new release. This six-track EP is titled Urge to Extinguish, it’s out in full now, and it fucking rips. If you want stomping hardcore punk with subversive melodies, sick gang sections, incredible vocals, and plenty of concrete swagger, then this is for you. Stream the EP in full here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Koyo – “You’re On The List (Minus One)”
We finally got word on one of my most anticipated albums of the year. Would You Miss It?, the upcoming debut full-length from Long Island rockers Koyo, is coming out through Pure Noise Records on Sep 29th—which also happens to be my birthday. So, I’ll take that as a sign. (Thanks, universe.) The LP was recorded and produced by Jon Markson (Drug Church, One Step Closer) and brings together past and present East Coast legends, with appearances from Glassjaw’s Daryl Palumbo, The Movielife’s Vinnie Caruana, and Vein.FM’s Anthony DiDio. Check out the video for “You’re On The List (Minus One)” below:
Outer Heaven – Infinite Psychic Depths
Pennsylvanian extreme metallers Outer Heaven are back with a crushing new record. It’s titled Infinite Psychic Depths, and it’s out on July 21st through Relapse Records. The album promises to build on the band’s template for frenetic death metal, pairing technical chops with galloping rhythms and dark melodies. Vocalist Austin Haines will also be growling away about societal collapse, hallucinogens, mutations, and more, alongside guest features from Pig Destroyer’s JR Hayes, Morbid Angel’s Steve Tucker and Undeath's Alex Jones. Stream the LP’s pre-release singles here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Listen to all these tracks and more on the TPD 2023 CUTS playlist, updated weekly.
HEAVY METTLE:
A closer, more in-depth look at a new record that ticks all my boxes.
Sleep Token – Take Me Back to Eden
As a genre, metal is no stranger to gimmicks and diminishing returns: for every KISS, a Stryper; for every GWAR, a Lordi; for every Slipknot, a Mushroomhead. Yet for enigmatic masked collective Sleep Token, anonymity isn’t merely a fiercely guarded promotional stunt; it’s necessity made manifest, an aesthetic conduit to serving a higher calling.
In the guiding hands of soulful frontman Vessel, obscured by dark body paint and emblazoned in Nordic runes, songs are elevated to “offerings.” Sold-out shows become “rituals.” Fandom finds devotion in “worship.” Fusing earth-shattering alt-metal guitar tones with immaculate pop production, the group’s third studio album, Take Me Back To Eden, marks the final chapter in the ambitious trilogy spawned from 2019’s Sundowning and 2021’s This Place Will Be Your Tomb.
Littered with haunting synths, cavernous ambience, and sledgehammer breakdowns, the twelve-track album contrasts moments of quaking catharsis with sensual R&B textures, glistening hyperpop recitations, and sweeping piano ballads. As a testament to the enduring power of the desire to transcend the self, Take Me Back To Eden stands as Sleep Token’s most sprawling and emotional work to date.
Stream here: Spotify
ERRONEOUS BOTCH:
Comedian Ben Searle stopped by The Pitch pod last week for a big ol’ side-splittin’ yarn, and it was a helluva lot of fun. Searlo gave us the lowdown on his creative journey through the annals of Aussie hardcore punk and how that progression ultimately led to his stand-up career and the genesis of ‘Hammerhead,’ his debut solo hour at this year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival. Check it out below: