Natural Law - Slump 7" (2010)

Artist: Natural Law
Album: Slump 7"
Release: 2010
Label: Katorga/Deranged

Tracklist: 
1. Hand and Foot
2. Poor Taste
3. Slump
4. Persona
5. Acclimate

Another polarizing hardcore band due to hype (Katorga and Deranged will do that to a band). But at the end of the day, sometimes hype is warranted  and in the case of this Natural Law 7", that's definitely the case (so ignore the griping punks in the corner and listen to the internet). Buzz saw guitars, catchy riffs, drowning vocals, five and a half minutes of great hardcore, its all there, its all good, so check it out. Especially recommended if you liked that Cult Ritual LP.



Unfortunately this 7" is way too old to buy from the label.
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Monozid - A Splinter For The Pure LP (2012)

Artist: Monozid

Album: A Splinter For The Pure

Release: 2012

Label: SM Music

Tracklist:

1. (Glowing) Big Stars

2. A Room For The Damned

3. Details (Moving)

4. In Shades

5. Hello Bomb

6. A Splinter For The Pure

7. The Drowning

8. Rita, You Know We're Doomed

9. Dead End

10. The Desperate

Monozid are a post-punk/new wave band out of Germany that sent me a copy of their new LP not too long ago. Dancey reverb drenched guitar riffs, classic goth/post-punk vocals and prominent bass make this a familiar listen; But a heavy dose of new-wave pop sensibility keeps your attention through the entire LP. With more than a few good hooks, varied experimentation, and dead on atmosphere with talented production, there's plenty of weirdo jams and shadowy sepulchers to be explored on this release. Fans of the more pop end of dark post punk are sure to enjoy. Unfortunately the link they sent me isn't working so I can't share the pirate's link, but hopefully I'll get a working link up soon, and in the mean time check out their site for full listen to the LP:

Download (up soon)

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Horror Vacui - In Darkness You Will Feel Alright (2012)

Artist: Horror Vacui
Album: In Darkness You Will Feel Alright
Release: 2012
Label: AVANT! Records

Tracklist:
1. Intro
2. Black Rivers
3. I Like It When A Soldier Dies
4. Corvus Corax
5. Everytime
6. In Darkness
7. Yersinia
8. Arabian Spring
9. Leave Me Alone
10. Outro

I was watching the horror flick Susperia (1977) a few nights ago with some friends, and this being my second viewing of the movie, I came to the conclusion that it was surprisingly goofy. My first run through I was entirely enamored with the surreal lighting and over the top soundtrack, and somehow the horrific acting (uninspired, not scary) was missed while immersed in the film's fantastic atmosphere. But you know what? I don't think this realization has moved Susperia from my list of movies I would recommend to anyone. I don't care that there are awkward transitions meant to build failed suspense, or that some of the more terrifying moments of the movie really are more laugh worthy than gasp worthy. I choose to appreciate the world of Susperia for what it is: a place filled with inexplicable colored light, and beautiful visuals composed of corpses lying in their own blood, impaled by broken stained glass.

Why is this relevant you ask? This is a music blog after all. Partly because I felt like trying something new and self-indulgent when introducing this record, but also because my relationship with this record, Horror Vacui's new LP, is much like my relationship with Susperia. I know that many of my friends would listen to a track off of this record and think the vocals were melodramatic, or the execution more theatric than dark. But those friends are obnoxious and missing the point. This record, In Darkness You Will Feel Alright is a wonderfully executed addition to the current 80's/goth/punk revival festering in punk circles abound. The melodies are catchy and driving, and the vocals right out of Romeo's Distress. If your looking for good atmosphere and feeling like you need more teased black hair in your life (who doesn't?) then this is for you. Now that you got through my bull shit go listen to it:



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The Misfits - Night Of The Living Dead (1979) & 3 Hits From Hell (1981)

Artist: The Mistfits
Album: Night Of The Living Dead
Release: 1979
Label: Plan 9

Tracklist:
1. Where Eagles Dare
2. Night Of The Living Dead
3. Rat Fink
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Artist: The Misfits
Album: 3 Hits From Hell
Release: 1981
Label: Plan 9

Tracklist:
1. London Dungeon
2. Horror Hotel
3. Ghouls' Night Out

Sadly, on this day of all days, November 1, Halloween has ended, and you are no doubt in a hungover haze (no matter whether mini candy bars or brass monkey is your vice). But if you're ever down, oppressed by the the beautiful memories of Halloweens past, incapacitated by the anticipation of another year of throwing rotten eggs at kids, smashing empty 40ozs on passing cars, and vomiting in your ex-girlfriend's bushes (pained that she never did dress as Woody Allen to your Dianne Keaton) then throw these on. Without a doubt they will soothe your brooding soul, and all-in-all prepare you for many All Hallow's Eves to come.


Download I
Download II

Cult Ritual - LP (2009)

Artist: Cult Ritual

Album: s/t LP

Release: 2009

Label: Youth Attack

Tracklist:

1. Holidays

2. Horror Sale

3. Ugly Years

4. Nailed

5. Failed

6. Saturday's Blood

7. Last Time

8. Cancer Money

Cult Ritual is another David Vassalotti outfit (see previous rant about Merchandise), and is unfortunately now defunct. Not to say he's all that went into this band, but damn, it seems like every band he's in rules, so at this point I'm just put two and two together. Seriously though, David and his buddies down in Florida killed it with this LP. Those following hardcore the past few years will surely have heard of this band, if not heard this record. Front to back it engulfs your pitiful little brain with sharp, noisy, unforgettable hardcore riffs, and keeps you in that unhealthy headspace where singing about crucified cops (their words not mine) makes the day that much easier to get through. This band doesn't lay directly in the wake of many of the older bands on this blog, but they are without a doubt dark in the sense that plenty of pent up aggression went into making this record. Check it out, and then wish you could find an affordable copy of this LP:

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Autonomy - The Art Of Work In The Age Of Digital Reproduction (2012)

Artist: Autonomy
Album: The Art Of Work In The Age Of Digital Reproduction
Release: 2012
Label: Dirt Cult

Tracklist:
1. Homostasis Stasis
2. Public Faith
3. Dumb Punk
4. Contemptus Mundi
5. Library of Alexandria
6. No Need
7. Kistvaen
8. Gods Die
9. Work Order
10. Monuments Men
11. Fear Hate
12. Culture Tomb

I've been anticipating this LP ever since I first got my hands on Autonomy's 2011 demo and it was well worth the wait. The production is more clear, the songs more polished, and the energy and atmosphere of the demo intact. Frantic and dancable, this record takes from a spectrum of punk and post-punk influences, landing somewhere between the fuzzed-out, political Crass records tradition, and more dark atmospheric new wave. Don't pass this one up, you'll regret it:


Buy 
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Merchandise - (Strange Songs) In The Dark (2010)/Children of Desire (2012)

Artist: Merchandise 
Album: (Strange Songs) In The Dark
Release: 2010
Label: Katorga Works, Drugged Conscious

Tracklist:
1. Loss
2. I Locked The Door
3. Foolish (Her Song)
4. I Get Lost
5. Worthless Apology
6. In The Dark
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Artist: Merchandise
Album: Children Of Desire
Release: 2012
Label: Katorga Works

Tracklist:
1. Thin Air
2. Time
3. Become What You Are
4. In Nightmare Room
5. Satellite
6. Roser Park

So to say I've been slacking hard on this blog is an understatement. I appreciate all of you that have dug through past posts in my absence. Focusing on such small niches of music so intensely for a while has burnt me out  a bit, so what I plan to do is open the scope of this blog a bit (don't worry, 80's punk in all its various forms will still rule). To start here are two albums from a band very strongly influenced by the goth movement, but who have done something refreshing in a period where Christian Death and Discharge clones roam abound. I mean lets be serious, not everyone can pull it off like Deathcharge. This band, Merchandise, is probably not new to you, as even hoards of Pitchfork followers are discovering them, but I highly recommend both of these releases if you haven't given them the chance they deserve.

The first, '(Strange Songs) In the Dark', is more outwardly influenced by many other bands on this blog. Depressing, synth heavy, drum machine, dark crooning, its all there. But something else puts this band a step above many other contemporary acts. In fact two somethings. The first is that, while definitely residing in the wake of Ian Curtis, Adrian Borland (The Sound), etc, the vocalist for Merchandise, Carson Cox, has an identifiable, heart-wrenching voice in his own right. The second is that guitarist David Vassalotti writes guitar riffs of all kinds, so good they'll make you dumb. And when I say all kinds I mean it. Check out the last song on the Merchandise demo (pure 90's gold), his solo work under monikers Dads, D.Vassalotti (lo-fi noisy pop), or his work with Cult Ritual (riff dominated hardcore). All fantastic, and I haven't even delved into the Neon Blud discography quite yet (another solo project).

These two records will make you sad, they will make you sing along, they will make wish you could ever write a song so fucking good. Start with my favorite below. In my opinion the best of many great songs they have written. If you like what you hear, watch Katorga for represses, 'Strange Songs' already has been repressed once, and I'm sure Children of Desire isn't too far off.



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