Zann – Earsick: more adventures with Zann

If you know Zann (myspace), you already know exactly what this album sounds like. Acme and Akephal -influenced  metallic hardcore with the intensity of early screamo music. Dissonant mid-tempo riffs, slowing down to catch a breath to equally discordant alternate picking. Songs about animal liberation and God free youth uttered in a sheer intensity, that convince you the vocalist takes these subjects to heart. As you should too. 

Last fm tags as  screamo, hardcore, emo violence, german, real screamo

click the image above to buy their stuff from a distro managed by (a) member(s) from the band

Ritual - Paper Skin

 listen to White Caskets by Ritual

To say this record was highly anticipated would be a huge understatement. To say it exceeds all expectations all the more so. Paper Skin shows Ritual (myspace) is a band with plenty of room for experimentation. Their hardcore punk rock’n roll style serves as only the subtle substructure to the overall sound to this record. With a much darker approach to the hardcore label, by incorporating  indistinct atmospheric elements in mid-tempo parts and here and there. Stirring melodies, by either minor chord strumming or haunting and slow plucking patterns with frail yet raw vocals. All incorporated with their signature rythmic fundamentals.

Last fm tags as hardcore, hardcore punk

click the image above to buy this record directly from their label, Reflection Records.

Reno - The Year Of Love

 listen to Deconstruction by Reno

Reno (myspace) is a chaotic-structured band from Belgium. Somewhere in between the more metallic mathcore and the more straight-forward chaotic hardcore, but always eclectic and somehow reminding me of 90’s metalcore, possibly because of their hardcore/metal approach. Because of their eclectic mix of contrasting structures and incorporated elements from various genres, every song seems to have its own sound. This makes the fact that the overall record has a very homogeneous sound all the more impressive and serves as evidence of some very  impressive song-crafting, giving even greater hope for everything to come.
Last fm tags as hardcore, chaotic hardcore

click the image above to buy the record from their label

Out Of The box on sunday XI (fixed!!)

  listen to Puss by The Jesus Lizard

ever wondered where bands like Daughters, These Arms Are Snakes and Young Widows got that what the fuck(ed up) sound from? that not sure if want awkward song-structures and vocals with seemingly random words and riffs. The kind that really grows on you! The Jesus Lizard (website) were doing it, back when Nirvana was still underground enough to do a split with such a band (which they did). rooted in the late 80's and early 90's alternative rock, their twist to it consisted of that sound of sheer insanity and al-ways catchy hooks. the latter may need to sink in, as it is smothered in the chaos and noise, so don't give up on it too soon.
Last fm tags as noise rock, grunge, alternative, noise, rock