Vinyl
A LIFE ONCE LOST
iron gag (2008/SUBURBAN HOME)
METALCORE. With "iron gag", A LIFE ONCE LOST is set to deliver a truly original, innovative, heavy-as-hell listening experience. It is the rare heavy record with staying power. Supremely well-paced, the music dovetails its blend of raw-power metalcore and fuzz-tripping hard-rock. The vocals are at once sarcastic, cynical and mocking, a troubled humanity lurking just beneath the surface. You want the heavy? It’s all here. Nothing has ever slowed them down. Like a shark, this band can only go forwards and the deeper reaches of "iron gag" are very clearly the sound of A LIFE ONCE LOST finding new waters in which to hunt.
A LOSS FOR WORDS
no sanctuary (2011/RISE)
POP-PUNK. Boston pop-punk outfit A LOSS FOR WORDS having worked relentlessly, touring and doing everything d.i.y. for years. They are a group with unstoppable dedication, perseverance and creativity. A LOSS FOR WORDS is able to bring their infectious tunes to all audiences in the all-ages scene. Colored vinyl includes a MP3 download card.
A PASSING FANCY
i'm losing tonight (2012/UGLY POP)
GARAGE-ROCK. One of the all-time great Toronto singles, this actually had decent local chart success in early '67. The hit's a high-energy slice of quick-paced freakbeat elevated to greatness by an absolutely stinging lead guitar attack, while the eponymous flipside delivers an insistent mid-tempo jangle built around a haunting chorus. Utterly essential for those who dig classic mid '60s garage sounds. Remastered with a brand new picture sleeve.
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS
and i'm up (2012/DEAD OCEANS)
POST-PUNK. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS interweave threads of krautrock, dream-pop, and '80s goth without ever losing the edge. Unhinged dissonance is artfully framed within a fiercely dynamic and assured melodic sensibility. Here "and i'm up", a highlight from the band's 2012 intense "worship", is paired with unreleased "don't stop".
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS
onwards to the wall (2012/DEAD OCEANS)
POST-PUNK. Yes, "onwards to the wall" packs every bit of the searing sonic maelstrom listeners have come to expect from A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS. Yet, the adroit songcraft that's always been there is brought more the fore, pop hooks are repurposed and more instantly recognizable. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS proves that they have not only been leading that charge for some time now, but that they are also evolving and maturing on those front lines. "onwards to the wall" is a fresh, complete artistic statement from APTBS. It's a new chapter, a prelude for what awaits us on the horizon. It is a taste of greatness to come.
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS
worship (2012/DEAD OCEANS)
POST-PUNK. Guitars as jet engines; guitars as haunted electronics; guitars as filling-melting white heat: A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS' new album "worship" is explosive, visceral, and dark. The duo continue the evolution of songwriting that began with "onwards to the wall", interweaving threads of krautrock, dream-pop, and '80s goth without ever losing the edge that is quintessentially strangers. There are ambitious, trend-bucking choices at every turn. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS simply push itself further in all aspects of their music. Vinyl includes a digital download card.
A PLEA FOR PURGING
heart of a child/fat pride (2012/FACEDOWN)
METALCORE. This 2 song 7" was originally offered only through Facedown Records' mailorder as a bonus with the pre-order package for "the life & death of a plea for purging". It features the b-side "fat pride". For fans of FOR TODAY and MESHUGGAH. Colored vinyl includes a digital download card.
A PLEA FOR PURGING
the life & death of a plea for purging (2011/FACEDOWN)
METALCORE. A PLEA FOR PURGING have never been a band to stay in the proverbial box. Their new album, "the life & death of a plea for purging", proves, yet again, how versatile and multifaceted these musicians really are. The excellent brutality the band has cultivated over the years is present on this full-length; existing in perfect harmony with the metallic hardcore they've become known for, are some intense acoustic tracks. Colored vinyl version includes a MP3 download card.
A PLEA FOR PURGING
the marriage of heaven and hell (2010/FACEDOWN)
METALCORE. A PLEA FOR PURGING's 3rd album, "the marriage of heaven and hell", is a follow-up to the highly acclaimed sophomore release, "depravity". For fans of MESHUGGAH. Limited colored vinyl.
A STORM OF LIGHT
and we wept the black ocean.. (2008/NEUROT)
PROGRESSIVE/POST-ROCK. Led by NEUROSIS' Josh Graham, A STORM OF LIGHT take the lumbering slowness of sludge-metal to new levels, occasionally riffing at a pace where you forget what the last chord sounded like while you're waiting for the next one. Filling in the gaps, you're presented with a doubled-up drumming approach courtesy of ex-SWANS skinsman Vincent and SATANIZED's Pete, who add an enormous amount of weight to the mix, punctuating monolithic outpourings of low end abrasion on "undertow" with snares that sound like the blasts of distant cannons. Great cinematic doom from the Neurot camp.
A STORM OF LIGHT
as the valley of death (2011/BURNING WORLD)
PROGRESSIVE/POST-ROCK. Apocalyptic band A STORM OF LIGHT formed by Josh Graham (NEUROSIS etc.) have become a whole new musical entity on its own merits. With their 3rd album at hand, not only is "as the valley of death." A STORM OF LIGHT's heaviest and most dynamic release to date, but it is also A STORM OF LIGHT's most song-oriented and most musically inclined release to date. While still maintaining certain elements referenced from their previous releases, elements which ranged from moments of sludge/doom-metal, ambient experimental, and post-rock respectively, "as the valley of death" sees the band focusing more on solid traditional song structures and foundations. To top it all off, this album sees a fair share of musician guest appearances.
A STORM OF LIGHT
forgive us our trespasses (2009/NEUROT)
PROGRESSIVE/POST-ROCK. A tell-tale sign of just how widespread NEUROSIS’ influence and reach has become, A STORM OF LIGHT emerges as more restrained NEUROSIS, on Neurosis’ label. The only thing missing would be a guest appearance from a member of ISIS or Scott Kelly. "forgive us our trespasses" for all intents and purposes, falls under the metalgaze category. Absent are those dreamy, melodic moments that ISIS and ROSETTA love, but the stark, oftentimes minimal nature of these songs allows for some truly striking moments. "forgive us our trespasses" may not be as fully realized as it can be, but the foundation and natural heritage of this band suggests there’s still lots of work to be done.
A STORM OF LIGHT
s/t (2011/LATITUDES)
PROGRESSIVE/POST-ROCK. The lineup for A STORM OF LIGHT’s session includes founders Josh Graham and Domenic Seita, Geoff Summers, plus Will Lindsay (WOLVES In THE THRONE ROOM) guesting on guitar, and new singer Zohra Atash. The result is a volcanic display of doom-laden metal, complete with a chilling appearance from the legendary LYDIA LUNCH. This is end time music for people who welcome darkness with open arms. Features covers of JOY DIVISION's "day of the lords" and BIG BLACK's inimitable "kitty empire". Limited edition of 1000 items.
A STORM OF LIGHT / NADJA
primitive north (2009/ROBOTIC EMPIRE)
PROGRESSIVE/POST-ROCK. Every few years a collaboration stands above the myriad split releases that are haphazardly scrapped together. "primitive north" is what 2 strong bands can create when their forces are joined together. DoLP housed in a eyecatching gatefol sleeve comes with an etching on the 4th-side and CD.
A TRILLION BARNACLE LAPSE
black lava (2003/SOUND VIRUS)
POST-HARDCORE. A TRILLION BARNAPLE LAPSE return with an 8 song release which is a follow up to their full-length that was released on Level Plane Records. "Black lava" delivers a mixture that brings together sounds of bands like TRISTEZA, THE CURE and even moments of early PIL, creating a soundtrack that is truly unlike anything else coming out these days. You can see the progression in their music, as it still holds onto its hardcore roots but now adds an even more synth sound. Thus at times making their music seem layered with an almost spacey feel, giving you an idea what THE CURE might have sounded like if they were just starting out as a band today.
