The Last of the Month (11/23)

November traditionally is one of the busiest months in the year when it comes to new releases and 2023 wasn't much different. No real chance to give every record the time it might have deserved, but here we go with what was left unmentioned...

ALLWARM - "Camellia" (EP)
Ephyra Records -known for 90s-tinged Metalcore- drifts away with its 21st release. ALLWARM somehow sound like the soft spot between the two Long Island-bands THE MOVIELIFE and TAKING BACK SUNDAY. So if you dig those legends or new stuff like KOYO, STAND STILL and PRIVATE MIND, this is a sure shot. The production is pretty rough, but these guys have lots of potential. (Stream)

LABASHEEDA - "Blueprints"
These guys from Amsterdam, Netherlands are in their 20th year as a band and just released their 6th full length "Blueprints". It's quality Indie-Rock, with traits of Post-Punk and some noisy undertones. Part catchy (the riffs) part artsy and rough around the edges. Somehow they sound routined like a seasoned band, but at the same time curious and engaged like newcomers. Good stuff. Check out the video for "Vanity" below! (Stream)

LLEWELYN - "Disposable Culture" (EP)
Nice EP on Tomb Tree & The Ghost is Clear Records, blending Noise-Rock, Post-Hardcore and Screamo-intensity. TRANSISTOR TRANSISTOR indeed is a good reference for this, but I can also hear 90s-Noise-Rock-acts like RODAN and CRAIN or the Screamo-outfit JOWLS in this. LLEWELYN have lots of personality and I'm curious where they'll take their sound in the future... (Stream)

PHONY - "Heater"
Counter Intuitive Records are excellent at this style, meaning pop-ish Emo (emo-ish Pop-Punk?). KID LIGHTNING's debut record was proof of that a few months ago, and PHONY's "Heater" is even better. I can't stop listening. (Stream)

SEXLESS MARRIAGE - "This is not Love"
This band with former members of THE RED CHORD and DOOMRIDERS formed in 2020 and released their debut album the same year. "This is not Love" is their second one and it's among my favourite Hardcore records of the year. It's slightly metallic, noisy and mathy, everything in the right dose. In a good way they remind me of DEADGUY, KISS IT GOODBYE and Tim Singer's latest project BITTER BRANCHES or even CHAT PILE, though SEXLESS MARRIAGE are more keen on the classic HC/Punk formula. (Stream)

SKANNRAKK- "Gratis Øl"

This band (with connections to GREEN SKY ACCIDENTS) out of Norway is kinda weird but at least they know they are. For a change this is pretty positive, funny and light footed Rock-music. Hearing the opener "Kitty Kat" I was convinced that they'll continue the same way, but they also wrote two or three more serious, sensitive songs too. But most of the time it's pretty silly stuff with song titles like "Bacon", "Shitkiller" and "Boom Boom". Attitude-wise SKANNRAKK are somewhere between ALICE DONUT, NOMEANSNO and FAITH NO MORE. 

SPIRITSITE - "s/t" (EP)
New project with members from SECRET SMOKER and WITH ARMS STILL EMPTY and damn, I'm in. Driving, groovy, scream-y Post-Hardcore somewhere between HOT SNAKES, HOT CROSS and MODERN LIFE IS WAR. Sadly, it's really short clocking in at five and a half minutes, but hopefully they come back sooner than later. (Stream)

TRIPPER - "People die Every Day" (EP)
Female-fronted Hardcore-band out of Baltimore, Maryland. And I could see these guys getting bigger in the years to come. They definitely have the tools, with crushing yet also playful musicianship and intense screaming. The timing is more than perfect, with ROMAN CANDLE, SPACED, GEL and of course SCOWL as popular as they are. (Stream)

VANTAGE POINT - "Against Myself"
This is a record I like for its general tone. It's nothing breathtakingly original, but it took me back to the holy days of HAVE HEART (VANTAGE POINT are from Boston too), VERSE, RUINER and BANE. They do a solid job, but it get's a bit samey and tiring even when the record is over before the 20 minute mark. For fans. (Stream)

XNOMADX - "On Skylines of Embers" (EP)
...speaking of "for fans", I think XNOMADX's EP also is a record "for fans". The fans of Melodic Metalcore in the vein of FOREIGN HANDS. Their demo from earlier this year was really promising and "On Skylines of Embers" is nowhere near a bad collection of songs. I like the opening and the title track is a good one too, but the other songs drag a bit and add nothing new. They definitely should trim down their songs a bit, as there are cool moments in there, but at a length of four or nearly five minutes, some of these cuts get tiresome. (Stream)