NASDAQ / MOTHERTRUCKER split 12” (DAQTRUCK) review

NASDAQ / MOTHERTRUCKER split 12” (DAQTRUCK) review

Well how's this for a monumental line-up for a split record? Manchester-based NASDAQ's EP 'AGM / Fourth Quarter Slump' blew me (and pretty much anyone else that listened to it) away when it got released a few years back, and Stourbridge-based MOTHERTRUCKER have been consistently putting out colossal stuff for as long as I can remember. So NASDAQ only have one track on here but it's about fifteen minutes worth of instrumental magic that drifts in and out of huge riffs, sweeping highs, technical funky beats, and ambient interludes. They're very very good at building momentum, playing a similar rhythm for a good few minutes at a time, but working in subtle intricacies on each instrument, giving you plenty of time to get into the groove of each section before it falls away into new territory. Nestled in amongst the longer parts of this tune, there's an absolutely killer riff at about 8:50 in, which is made all the more special for its short length, and is worth replaying the whole song back for. I'm always amazed at the dynamism and contrast in highs and lows that they manage to create with just one guitar. Awesome stuff. MOTHERTRUCKER are another great band for dynamics, but focussing a little more on the heavier side of things, with the kind of cathartic riffs that only a band that has been going for over ten years can forge. Both of their songs on this half of the split are dark, sludgey, post-metal affairs, that contrast the heavy textures of metallic riffing with delayed, stoner leads, which break into atmospheric, spacey interludes, before caving back into some more monumental riffs and sweeping melodies; a contrast that's emphasised by some careful and effective song structuring, and some really killer drumming that's all at once solid and pounding, and tight and technical. An atmospheric yet crushing listen. Definitely a split to pick up for fans of amazing prog / stoner / post-metal heaviness.

This split is coming out next year I believe, so the best way to keep up to date with its release would be to follow the guys on the ol' Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Mothertrucker-58539296248/

https://www.facebook.com/NASDAQ-THE-FTSE-100-372464866776/

xox

DOE – 'Some Things Last Longer Than You' review

DOE – 'Some Things Last Longer Than You' review

Before I saw them at Deadpunk in Bristol earlier this year, I liked DOE. After I saw them at Deadpunk in Bristol earlier this year, I Loved DOE. And not just because they did a truly spectacular cover of THE SPICE GIRLS' '2 Become 1' (although that definitely helped). They're a three-piece from London (dual guitar, no bass) who play really awesome garage pop-punk, with ace male-female dual vocal harmonising, plenty of angst, some chuckle-inducing lyrics, and some bloody huge choruses. There are also some great riffs on here ('Respite' has a notably good 'un), and there's a pretty strong 90s vibe coming through (think SONIC YOUTH, THE PIXIES and THE BREEDERS, and also the way TANCRED's stuff has been going lately). There are some great tunes on side A like the opener 'No. 1' and I like 'Monopoly', but I absolutely love side B, which is full of bangers: 'Anywhere' has the energy and intensity of CAVES, 'Last Ditch' gives us one of their most memorable choruses, 'Before Her' is magic from start to finish (those vocal harmonies in the chorus, oh my days!), and the intensity of 'Corin' is fantastic, reminding me of THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS' harder stuff: Nicola's shouting in it gives me goosebumps. A really incredible album by one of the best British bands around at the moment; pick it up now!

https://www.facebook.com/hellowearedoe/

http://www.doetheband.co.uk/

xox

RASH DECISION - 'Headstrung' 12" review

RASH DECISION - 'Headstrung' 12" review

Bloody hell yes, this is pretty much exactly the kind of thing that I hope will drop into my inbox to review. Fast, no messin' about, thrashy hardcore with immense drumming that flicks between blasts, double time, and lightspeed fills, that complement the awesome, tight guitar and bass riffs perfectly, and multiple vocalists, all with very different but equally pissed-off sounding tones. Every song on here is brilliantly structured (that's what 9 years of experience will do for you), from the 66 seconds of 'Dogsbody' (one of my personal favourites, and featuring one of the best thrash-inspired riffs on here) to the slower but no less furious 'Cunt of the Litter', and the rather odd, somewhat amusing, yet still awesome 'Blinded by Leaves'. If you like your hardcore how it should be played i.e. fast, heavy, and abrasive, well-produced and with no nonsense, and that reminds you of stuff that used to come out on DEAD AND GONE RECORDS (FIFTY ON RED, BREAK IT UP, etc.), then this will please you a lot. This 12" also comes with their last album 'Seaside Resort to Violence' on the other side. Ace.

http://rashdecision.bandcamp.com/

xox

SHIZUNE - 'Le Voyageur Imprudent' 12" review

SHIZUNE - 'Le Voyageur Imprudent' 12" review

"There's too much great stuff coming out of Italy at the moment, and SHIZUNE are part of that, playing hugely consistent melodic hardcore / screamo that despite favouring melodic and relatively clean chording, still retains the intensity of old emo-violence bands thanks to some seriously immense chaotic drumming, and monotonous but abrasive and emotional screamed vocals, all packed into largely short songs. The ten tracks here make up a truly intense experience that, owing to its ultimate briefness, is perfectly lengthed to leave you wanting more or to simply listen all over again. A great piece of work with beautiful cover art. Check out the tune 'Immortel et Imperissable' for something to go on."

https://shizune.bandcamp.com/

xox

PASTEL - 'L'acchiappa Nuvole' 12" review

PASTEL - 'L'acchiappa Nuvole' 12" review

PASTEL are an awesome two-piece from Italy who play with a real fusion of styles, from emo, screamo, and punk rock, to post-hardcore, with some great riffing and chords combined with a brilliant sense of underlying melody, and some seriously intense drumming that thrashes between grinding blasts, double time, and technical tom and cymbal-work at such a pace as to make your head swim. All of this is broken up by interludes of cleaner and delayed guitar work, fuzzy soundscapes, and even some rather beautiful piano. The high-pitched shouted vocals are minimal, and the cool thing about this album is that as well as the full-band ten tracks, this also contains the entire thing without any vocals, for those that prefer or are in the mood for an instrumental version. The artwork is awesome too and the lyrics are printed in both English and Italian which is nice. A cracking, musically awesome album that has a very wide appeal for the genre ground that it covers. Great stuff. Check out 'Il Lancio Karman' on our tape, and also the end of 'La Scatola, il Crocevia' for one of the greatest riffs ever.

http://pasteldiy.bandcamp.com/

xox