MOSH PITHY:
A curated selection of cool shit for you to listen to.
Death Bells – “Intruder”
A year out from their stellar sophomore album, New Signs of Life, California-based Australian post-punk outfit Death Bells are drawing on a distinct L.A. noir feel for their haunting new single. “Intruder” rests on guitarist Remy Veselis’ sparse and jarring instrumental alongside vocalist Will Canning’s eerie refrain, together painting a vivid portrait of urban eruption. Watch the visualiser below:
Antichrist Siege Machine – Purifying Blade
Calling your project Antichrist Siege Machine isn’t exactly an exercise in subtlety and, come to think of it, neither is calling your album Purifying Blade. It makes sense then that everything about the latest LP from this hostile Virginian duo is forceful and direct: a thematic middle finger to Christianity in all its forms, and a vicious cocktail of lumbering, pounding black metal shot through with death, grind, and surging hatred as the preferred delivery mechanism. Stream the full album here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Camp Trash – “Weird Florida”
I’ve been seeing Camp Trash get a lot of mentions over on Twitter and their latest single more than justifies that hype. “Weird Florida” is on some real Oso Oso shit, with bright, effervescent, emo-tinged power pop (or “rock music for scared people” as their handle suggests) that bounces around with fun melodies and call-and-response lines practically begging for basement show airtime. Also, I can confirm: Florida is weird. So, you know, at least that checks out. Listen to the single here.
Ovlov – Buds
It’s really hard to keep track of all these great O-bands (and believe me, I know): Oso Oso, Onslow, Oslow, and now Ovlov. On their forthcoming LP, Buds (out November 19th through Exploding In Sound) the Connecticut quartet appear to be channelling some early ‘00s Death Cab with a shot of modern vigour, informed as much by short bursts of alt-pop as weighty lyrical digressions on mental health. Stream the LP’s pre-release singles here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Sunbleached – “Flowers Grow from Ugly Places”
I’m always stoked to find great new local talent and Brisbane outfit Sunbleached totally fit that description. “Flowers Grow from Ugly Places” is the A-side of the band’s upcoming single release, Rose Tinted, out December 3rd through Collision Course and MGM Distribution. Sure, the Queensland quartet might be treading the familiar alt-grunge sound popularised by peers in Violent Soho and Introvert. Yet buried beneath the inherent catchiness of the melodies is an appreciation for the gritty textures of late ‘90s shoegazers like Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. Listen to the single here.
She Said Destroy – Succession
Man, this record fucking owns. Up until a few weeks ago, I had no idea Norwegian post-metal collective She Said Destroy were even a band, let alone coming back from a significant hiatus period, but their latest LP Succession is one hell of a comeback. This eleven-track behemoth offers up intricate and captivating blackgaze compositions before turning on a dime and dropping into crushing, Far From Driven-era Pantera worship. It makes for a powerful mix of instrumental navel-gazing and instinctual headbanging, and I love every second of it. Stream the full album here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Can’t Swim – “Set The Room Ablaze” (feat. Caleb Shomo)
I haven’t really dabbled with Can’t Swim all that much, save for 2019’s fantastic Foreign Languages EP. However, the New Jersey outfit’s recent single “Set The Room Ablaze” drew me back in with a heavier sound and a vitriolic vocal performance from frontman Chris LoPorto, who snarls and snickers like the long lost Yankee cousin of Single Mother’s Andrew Thomson. The band’s third LP, Change of Plans, hits like a modern update on Senses Fail-style post-hardcore and it totally rules. Watch the wrestling-themed video below:
Rongeur – Glacier Tongue
At this point, if it’s dropping on Fysisk Format then chances are I’m going to be into it. Such is the case for Glacier Tongue, the forthcoming album from Norwegian metallers Rongeur, out November 5th. Thus far, the album’s singles have alternated between labyrinthian post-metal to furious, d-beat flavoured hardcore and then a curious, incendiary mix of those two modes. Either way, I’m intrigued and keen to see where this one goes. Stream the album’s pre-release single here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Listen to all these tracks and more on the TPD 2021 VIBING playlist, updated weekly.
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