EP releases are happening this month (and one from last month) everyone's had their summer, got fucked up at festivals, ate burnt burgers and got hella tan lines and now things are flying out from bands.
Ok first up is a band I covered a bit last issue. Solemn Promise. Their first EP release "Worse Than Death" will be released on the 5th of October. There is a release show on the 4th up at Big Noise Studio in Northampton. Not to be missed because this is going to be insane. Bring your own booze, £3 on the door, the set is being filmed for a video, all ages and of course a fucking heap full of bands playing this show. Bands include Revelations, Twisted Path, Outta' Luck, Tigerstyle and Oracle. Doors are at 6. Waiting for these guys to drop this since they recorded in March but like I said they seem to be grafting all the time. Tours, shows, merch, they've always got something going on. Recorded at Studio 6 in Swindon I believe and from the sound of the tracks up on the bandcamp it's going to sound sweet. Pick this up and help these guys out they definitely deserve it and the future looks very promising (ah) for these guys.
https://www.facebook.com/SolemnPromiseMusic
http://solemnpromise.bandcamp.com/album/worse-than-death
4th Oct EP release show HERE
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I haven't really been on the Grind scene for very long, but something clicked a few months ago that made me think "Yes, I fucking dig the shit out of this kind of music." Don't ask me why. Anyway, Atrocity have been around since 2006 and have a hefty back catalogue of EPs, splits and compilation appearances.
They boast playing festivals such as Hammer Smashed Fest this month, Damnation Festival and Grind Fest in France and were main support
for Napalm Death for the MK show and the
London show.
Definitely give these guys a spin or catch them at a show, these guys are masters of their trade in the Milton Keynes/Northampton circuit. For fans of grind/doom/sludge, Acid bath, Pig Destroyer and Brutal Truth.
Their next show is on the 5th of October up at Birmingham's Fearfest. Three day festival at The Asylum Venue. Weekend tickets are £25 day tickets are £10. Shit loads of bands playing 3 day genre specific event.
- Fri 4th Oct - Crust / HC Punk
- Sat 5th Oct - Grind / Hardcore
- Sun 6th Oct - Doom / Stoner
Buy the new Atrocity Exhibit / Catheter 7" and other releases and merch HERE
Listen to them if you're poor HERE
Stick your thumb up at them HERE
Ok, keeping on the doomy theme locals Crossburner have finished their EP. Highly anticipated for around 2 years due to line up issues and a small hiatus with a fresh mix around and name change I can say they have come along way in sound and as dudes too be honest. Stepping away from the metallic hardcore sound an into more crust, D-beat, punk, hardcore but fuck the labels, they play fast, angry and stupidly groovy. All out assault frankly. Heavily driven by Boss HM-2 pedals you can hear the "swedecore" being chucked into your face like a brick.
So yea, I got sent a copy by Andy the other night and I knew I was in for a treat. 6 tracks long and clocking in at a nice 18 minutes. Everything on this EP is done by the band, it's mastered beautifully. The tones that come out of this record stand next to full studio releases, low ends cutting through, stereo fielding. Lovely to listen to. It opens up to "Burn The Saint" a 3.42 kick to the face. As soon as this kicks in you're hit by blasts. Just a barrage of 16ths. Like I said the balance from each instrument is mixed very well, no sloppiness here at all. The vocals come in and you can tell these guys mean business, pure aggression throughout. D-beat takes hold and your head starts banging. Now, I used to fucking love shit black metal when I was at school, and when the 2 minute mark comes, if you're anything like me, you throwback to Cradle of Filth/Dimmu days. I fucking love that bit. Not because of the girly CoF screams or anything, just go dig out Cruelty or anything pre-Nymphetamine, or Dimmu with Nic Barker. Fuck it, just look up Nic Barker. Straight back into the D beat pulse and bridged with a half time break with many a mic grabbing opportunity. Brilliant opening track.
Next up is "Crossburner". Again, the no-fucking-about-16th-notes burst though you. I know I keep going back to this but you really need to hear it, the depth that is put out from this band is incredible. Matt's guitar work on this track is really something, heavy, but not droney. I've heard bands use the HM-2 before and sometimes it's hard to make out what's going on really, but he is on point. The riffs are big and fast and they keep you listening - nothing repetitive or overused and a nice mix up of battery and technical flair. Again, you can hear the death/black influences leak through on this track.
"Chaos Reigns" picks up the pace again, this is a track where the art of mixing good guitar work pulsed by good bass comes into play. Do not neglect your bass player people. Starts off nice and fast then the tempo is stripped to a sludgy Hang the bastard / Brutality Will Prevail-esque down tempo break. Again, the bass coming up trumps. I'm pretty sure Andy puts the HM-2 on his pedal board aswell and the undercut bass buzzsaw work very well.
A slower tempo start for "Wet Mary" than the rest but it kicks in with perfect 2 step section. Callum's vocals instigating lick after lick. I like the fact that on this record there is always something in the songs to catch your ear that makes your listen out for, be it a drum fill a bass or guitar lick or a vocal cue. Theres always something to keep your ear interested. This is the longest track on the EP coming in at almost 5 minutes with the middle break - a real dark groovy instrumental - again on the doom/sludge area. Then into a doomy break that just begs your head to nod. Callum's way of saying the word "vultures" on this section does funny things with my ears, and that's what I mean about there always being something you're listening out for. My favourite track of this record for sure.
To finish up is the track "Demonic Forces" which has been up on their bandcamp since August. This is the song that has the tiny break in-between riffs that always catches my headbanging out the first time. Builds this EP up to a end with the final riff being heavy and sludgy.
Solid release from the the Crossburner boys and we knew it would be. Holds it own and stands out well. In my eyes, it's a good enough release to be put on the Holy Roar distro. So distros, labels, dudes with presses, get on to these guys. I'm personally waiting for a 7" with my name on it to pop up as this will be a nice addition to my collection.
A release date is not set in stone but the boys say around November time. Keep a eye out for a release show!
Test presses of the new EP will be available at the XIBALBA show on the 3rd of October which is their next show at Craufurd Arm in MK. Doors are £7... Supports are Heirophant, Let it Die and Crossburner
They play Unicorn down Camden on the 5th of Oct. So you got choices to make next weekend.. Free entry. Bands include Anxiety Disorder, Unfixed, 100% Beefcock And The Titburster (:/), Discophobia and Greed force.
Go to the show and burst tits HERE
Thumbs up stuff HERE
Outbreak happened in the middle of the month, and I hear back that it was crazy. Videos and pictures are coming out now. The new venue looks amazing and it looks like this fest is only going to get bigger. Heres a video of Turnstile smashing it.
Down in Hastings my boy Kris is putting a few shows on.
Distance to Fall, Solemn Promise and Wolf Parkingson White.
Free Entry because students need money for shots.
No event on facebook but here's the venue linkzza
https://www.facebook.com/flairz.hastingsvenuebar
If you're a fan of pizza and pop punk then Flairz in Hastings on the 29th of October has USA band Direct Hit!
Free entry
Bands include The Priceduifkes, Summerslam 88 and the Muskets.
Pizza and red cups HERE!
Faults reunion show.
Emo, Touche Amore-esque band from MK and all over, are playing again.
This one's not free, £2 on the door bands include
Dont Disturb Dave, Metal Scrolls, Our Kingdom and Bastard Eye Scream.
Event page HERE
This looks like a good one. DIY Hardcore Fest on the 5th of October down in Cardiff's Fuel Club.
All day event, first band on at 2.30. ADV tickets £10 £15 on the door, Doors 2. Ruction distro. Bands include Murder Circuit, Hardout, Resurrection, Forrest, The Dead Man's Chest, Tempers Fray, Outrage CC, War Charge, Astroid Boys, Forsaken, True Valiance, Bleak Reality, Bun Dem Out and a secret support band announced on the night.
I hear tickets are selling fast and there is no guestlist.
Facebook event page HERE
On the 19th of October (moved from the 10th) Biohazard are playing the Craufurd Arms Milton Keynes. Take Offence support. Other support TBA
£14 ADV more on the door. 14+
Tickets available
www.thecraufurdarms.com
www.wegottickets.com
www.seetickets.com
Facebook event HERE
Thursday the 3rd of October Xibalba play Craufurd Arms Milton Keynes
£7 ADV more on the door.
Doors 7.30 14+
Bands include. Heirophant, Let it Die and Crossburner.
Tickets available
www.thecraufurdarms.com
www.wegottickets.com
www.seetickets.com
Facebook event HERE
As a little shameless self promotion, my band Beard Punch has a demo out soon, currently being mixed and mastered. Lack of money and time means we recorded it with one mic, but it's a very raw demo. Fans of fast skate punk. Floorpunch, Reproach, Losin' it. Details soon.
Click up in HERE
As we are on the subject of doom sludge grind.. and Hastings... check out this band called Wizard Fight.
Listen to their demo HERE
Test presses of the new EP will be available at the XIBALBA show on the 3rd of October which is their next show at Craufurd Arm in MK. Doors are £7... Supports are Heirophant, Let it Die and Crossburner
Go to the show and burst tits HERE
Thumbs up stuff HERE
Outbreak happened in the middle of the month, and I hear back that it was crazy. Videos and pictures are coming out now. The new venue looks amazing and it looks like this fest is only going to get bigger. Heres a video of Turnstile smashing it.
Down in Hastings my boy Kris is putting a few shows on.
Distance to Fall, Solemn Promise and Wolf Parkingson White.
Free Entry because students need money for shots.
No event on facebook but here's the venue linkzza
https://www.facebook.com/flairz.hastingsvenuebar
If you're a fan of pizza and pop punk then Flairz in Hastings on the 29th of October has USA band Direct Hit!
Free entry
Bands include The Priceduifkes, Summerslam 88 and the Muskets.
Pizza and red cups HERE!
Faults reunion show.
Emo, Touche Amore-esque band from MK and all over, are playing again.
This one's not free, £2 on the door bands include
Dont Disturb Dave, Metal Scrolls, Our Kingdom and Bastard Eye Scream.
Event page HERE
This looks like a good one. DIY Hardcore Fest on the 5th of October down in Cardiff's Fuel Club.
All day event, first band on at 2.30. ADV tickets £10 £15 on the door, Doors 2. Ruction distro. Bands include Murder Circuit, Hardout, Resurrection, Forrest, The Dead Man's Chest, Tempers Fray, Outrage CC, War Charge, Astroid Boys, Forsaken, True Valiance, Bleak Reality, Bun Dem Out and a secret support band announced on the night.
I hear tickets are selling fast and there is no guestlist.
Facebook event page HERE
On the 19th of October (moved from the 10th) Biohazard are playing the Craufurd Arms Milton Keynes. Take Offence support. Other support TBA
£14 ADV more on the door. 14+
Tickets available
www.thecraufurdarms.com
www.wegottickets.com
www.seetickets.com
Facebook event HERE
Thursday the 3rd of October Xibalba play Craufurd Arms Milton Keynes
£7 ADV more on the door.
Doors 7.30 14+
Bands include. Heirophant, Let it Die and Crossburner.
Tickets available
www.thecraufurdarms.com
www.wegottickets.com
www.seetickets.com
Facebook event HERE
As a little shameless self promotion, my band Beard Punch has a demo out soon, currently being mixed and mastered. Lack of money and time means we recorded it with one mic, but it's a very raw demo. Fans of fast skate punk. Floorpunch, Reproach, Losin' it. Details soon.
Click up in HERE
As we are on the subject of doom sludge grind.. and Hastings... check out this band called Wizard Fight.
Thumb them up HERE
Last note.. I have a Facebook page thing now so hit me up on that and thumb me... HERE
