STIGMATHE-both EPs
PERMANENT RUIN-Tlazolteol-EP
DEEP WOUND-I Saw It-EP
RAKTA-LP/NAPOLNARIZ-45
LAST CHAOS/VAARALLINEN-split/KOROVA-lathe
NEMESIS-Gyou-Shou-EP
BASTARD NOISE/LACK OF INTEREST-split
METRO CULT-45/VIDEO-45
PESADILLA DISTOPIKA/VAASKA/COLD CIRCUITS-live
AORTAORTA–“Violent Meditation” LP
A meandering, moody slice of dark rock from Tampere, Finland, this is AORTAORTA’s second full-length. Even as they hop from one style to the next—the brooding intro track had me expecting left-field crust, only to morph into some dreamily melodic post-punk—there’s a masterful sense of coherence that keeps things flowing throughout. To their credit, the band isn’t afraid to experiment within their undeniably dialed-in sound, a spirit that’s most effectively demonstrated on the droningly avant “Medical Violence”. When the sound veers towards noise-rock territory, it can get a bit pedestrian, but in the end they hit mark more often then not. It’s always cool to find bands that feel familiar while lacking any obvious reference point, and AORTAORTA are just such a diamond in the rough. (WB)
(Ramekuukkeli)
CRÕN – "Low and Drowning" LP
Another dose of also-ran sludge metal via the Pacific Northwest, this is the kind of music I worry people will think I'm talking about when I say I love doom. By sticking to the well-established formula of chugging, crust-ish sludge with clean guitar passages, CRÕN doesn't do anything too unforgivable here, but there's also nothing in terms of tone, songwriting, or vocal presence to set this apart from everyone else lining up to worship RWAKE and GRAVES AT SEA. A brief foray into their online presence informs me that these boys also "like to crush some cowboy-nachos and party at 'her place'." Wow, I am passing on this so hard. (WB)
AUTONOMY/STREET EATERS – split EP
Even though I was pretty stoked to see this team-up, this definitely exceeded my expectations across the board. I've always enjoyed STREET EATERS drum-n-bass antics live, but I couldn't be happier about the dark turn they've taken here, with a basement WIPERS vibe and the perfect dose of RUNAWAYS snot to offset the dual vocal harmonies. Likewise, while the anarcho influences are still felt, Carbondale heroes AUTONOMY show us a new dimension on both of their tracks, serving up a dreamy punk take on ECSTASY-era MY BLOODY VALENTINE on "Limerence (A Game of)", followed by a MELVINS-y Pailhead cover ("Man Should Surrender") that pretty much rules. Both bands refuse to get stuck in a rut, and who could argue with the results? No regrets, this is just a fantastic split. (WB)
(Off The Books)
SATAN'S SATYRS/OHMWAR– split EP
A limited edition split with one original and one BLACK FLAG
interpretation by each contestant. Biker dudes SATAN'S SATYRS go
pretty far out on their side, tackling Loose Nut's "Modern Man" with a
satisfyingly SABBATH-y intro/outro that descends into some fuzzy
MUDHONEY garage/metal that does alright by Ginn and co. This is
coupled with "Was Ya Expecting Us?", an unexpected instrumental with a
variety of sounds and some undeniable surf/exotica overtones. Pretty
sweet. I'm downright intrigued by Glasgow's OHMWAR, whose "Snake" is a
satisfying slice of guitar-driven darkness, modern sounding but not
without its own sense of atmosphere. Liking the subtle use of effects
that don't interfere with the driving pulsebeat, plus one of the leads
sounds just like FAUST's "I've Got My Car And My TV". Regretably,
their "Nervous Breakdown" cover is just kinda gutless, super
indie-rock sounding in the worst way. Aside from that, this is a
pretty decent slab, even if I can't say I necessarily get it as a
total package. (WB)
(At War With False Noise)
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