The Last of the Month (4/24)

Posting 5 reviews in April, I get that feeling that this is my maximum right now... though their came out way more releases, that would've deserved a few words. Here's where "The Last of the Month" comes into play!

.22LR - s/t (EP)
I can vaguely remember the time of NOISY SINS OF THE INSECT and some other Screamo-bands from Turkey whose name I can't recall. I don't know how much of a scene there is now, but this project spans between Atlanta, Georgia and the turkish metropole Istanbul and their record came out on Tomb Tree as well as on Mevzu Records. You'll get 7 tracks of highly melodic, but mostly upbeat Screamo. Feels kinda nostalgic to me. (Stream)

BSD-to-the-fucking-J Label...
They've probably been my favorite label of 2023 an now they released the most awesome string of records in April. The last six records they put out are all worth checking out! Besides a re-release of YOUR ARMS ARE MY COCOON's legendary "selftitled", you'll get new albums by FLOWERGUTS (great Slowcore-y stuff), HALT OR I'LL SHOOT (Screamo) and RAGTAG (Emocore). I gave these records one spin each so I can't say more about them and I don't know if I'll ever can, as there's just too much mindblowing shit coming out right now. The two BSDJ-records that I initially fell in love with are this sick kind of bastard by ASTATINE (a young band that is all over the place, from Hardcore to Screamo to Emo, from spazzy to heartfelt, this is something else!) and the more defined EP by HAUZU that will probably end up as one of my fav records of the year. I'll eventually write some words about them, if I'll ever find the time... (Streams) 

CATALYST/KNUMEARS/VS SELF/PARTY HATS - Split
This "4 way super split" is indeed a contender for the Split of the year. Four of the most popular Screamo/Emo acts right now meet up and contribute one track each. I especially love the first half of this, with CATALYST's great "Yesterdays Apology", that can only be matched by KNUMEARS' "No Count". The second half is really good as well, especially if you're into the Twinkle-Emo-site of Screamo. Being quite new to PARTY HATS, they managed to drag me along. (Stream)

DEAD MAMMALS - Killjoy (EP)
The always underrated DEAD MAMMALS are back with a new EP. I missed their last two outputs, but "Killjoy" resonates extremely well with me. It's old-fashioned, no bullshit Noise-Rock somewhere between THE JESUS LIZARD, UNSANE and SHELLAC. Give this a shot, if these names rung a bell. Big plus for the artwork too! (Stream)

GARDEN HOME - s/t
A review about this record will be out rather sooner than later, but as of now, let me tell you, that you should check this out if you're into quality Melodic-/Post-Hardcore. They delivered on their debut album. (Stream)

HEAVENLY BLUE - We have the Answer
In case you didn't know, HEAVENLY BLUE are the former YOUTH NOVEL. Time flies, as their debut EP turns 10 years in 2024. This is the successor to 2021's "selftitled" LP and while they totally stay true to themselves, they matured a lot with "We have the Answer". They upped the production value and became a bit more melodic. Ultimately this is their most accessible release so far, tho it's nowhere near an easy sit. It's hard to get through their trademark "Wall-of-Sound", but it's really worth it, as there is a lot of beauty to be found behind it. Again, HEAVENLY BLUE managed to stick out. (Stream)

LETSMAKENOTHINGHAPPEN - Kill your Local Politician (Single/EP)
This surprisingly came out on Ephyra Records, who normally specialize in Metalcore. LETSMAKENOTHINGHAPPEN definitely bring the Mosh and some breakdowns here, so it's legit. Besides that it's more of their fucked up, raw, chaotic Emoviolence. They basically do what they want however, and that Easy Listening-parts in the longest track "Deny! Deny! Deny!" is prove of it. It's 3 tracks in 4 minutes, just when I could use more from this. Damn, I love what LETSMAKENOTHINGHAPPEN do right now. Jump on them! (Stream)

LETSMAKENOTHINGHAPPEN/DEATH OF JAMES DEAN - Split
...and another one by LETSMAKENOTHINGHAPPEN! This bunch of songs is even more crazy. "My Math Teacher likes Technical Death Metal", "Fuck Ford, it's not a Chevy" and "Wait, People eat Roosters too?" are among their best tracks so far. On the other site there's DEATH OF JAMES DEAN with members from ONEWAYMIRROR. They only need two and a half minutes for their four songs and they're pretty much in the same vein as their Split buddies. Screamo revival for the win! CDs and Mini-CDs available through BSDJ. (Stream)

LIKE WIRES - Cold Matter (EP)
This band from France put out an EP in 2015 but then went on a long hiatus. Now they're back, after some lineup changes. "Cold Matter" feels pretty fresh in 2024, as this sounds like something from the late 2000s or early 2010s. LIKE WIRES play that kind of melodic, desperate Hardcore that was very popular back then. Somewhere between DEFEATER, MORE THAN LIFE, KILLING THE DREAM and ARCHITECTS, this EP deserves your attention. (Stream)

MENTAH - Empty
"Empty" is the second album by MENTAH, an Emo-two-piece from Spain. They got more comfortable when it comes to their songwriting and wrote some beautiful tracks, mostly hopeful and melancholic, but at times also very sad. If you loved the phase of the early 2000s, when Emo moved towards Indie- and Alternative-Rock, then "Empty" is right up your alley! (Stream)

OPPOSITION DOLLS - A Burden I beg to keep (EP)
This Screamo act hails from Miami, Florida and did a Promo-Split with GRAVESS in December. And the similarities are there. Though OPPOSITION DOLLS distinct themselves with those calm parts, that are really moody and just neat. If you like a subtle Shoegaze element in your Screamo, check out this EP! (Stream)

SAPONA - Is this your Movie Moment? (EP)
One more record from Oliver Glenn, a still rather young label, that is on the roll since 2023. SAPONA from Michigan are a very original Screamo act and I totally dig their direction, eventhough this is a record that is hard to grasp. From wild, spazzy, playful Screamo to moody, feeling, quiet parts they cover a lot of ground. I hear SHOTMAKER in this, just like ORCHID, SAETIA, BATTLE OF WOLF 359 or THE NUMBER TWELVE LOOKS LIKE YOU. The chaos screaming is done to perfection, and the sinister bass lines add a lot to this. "Is this your Movie Moment?" is an excellent EP and a sureshot for thos who loved PICKPOCKET's last record. (Stream)

New video by PORCUPINE
To close "The Last of the Month", here's a new track/video by the Hardcore-band PORCUPINE. Their new album "All is Vapor" will be out this Summer via New Morality Zine: