Haldol - Demo (2011)

This hardcore/deathrock demo was submitted to me by way of Nashville, TN. Self-proclaimed influences include Japanese hardcore legends active in the Burning Spirit scene, which is evident in their murky, riff-filled sound. Tracks surge between unsettling, slow-tempo builds and noisy hardcore. This EP is a solid first release, and Haldol will be releasing an LP followed by two EPs in the not so distant future, so for now head over to their bandcamp for a pay-what-you-will download, and watch out for new material to come. Check it out:


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Infinite Void - s/t LP (2012)

Artist: Infinite Void
Album: s/t LP
Release: 2012
Label: Poison City Records

Tracklist:
1. Creeping Symmetry
2. These Days
3. Pull Apart
4. Give Up
5. (You're) Still Sour
6. Pay For What Its Worth
7. Still Waiting
8. The Weight
9. Distant Light
10. Something is Lost
11. What's Left

Saw these guys last night at Willimantic Records, home turf in Willimantic, CT. They're in all the way from Melbourne, Australia, touring the US supporting their new debut s/t full length, so I was really excited to catch them. Infinite Void plays a melodic brand of dark post-punk with dancey beats, female vocals,  and swirling 80's guitar riffs that impart a dreamy element to the sound. All in all the band's aesthetic is borrowed from all the 80's regulars, but not definitively derivative of any one act I can think of. Great stuff, look out for tour dates near you, and if there isn't one, but you're dying to get your hands on a copy of the LP, head over to Poison City Records. Links below.

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The Estranged - The Subliminal Man (2010)

Artist: The Estranged

Album: The Subliminal Man

Release: 2010

Label: Dirtnap Records

Tracklist:

1.The Subliminal Man

2. Lunacy

3. Doubts and Regrets

4. Faces Stare

5. Testify

6. Wicker Man

7. Perfection

8. Statue In A Room

9. Love And A Molotov Cocktail (The Flys Cover)

10. Choke

More great 80's throw back from Portland, this time in the form of straight forward dark post punk/new wave. Catchy chord progressions, plenty of flanger/chorus guitar tone, and dancey rhythm are to be found on this LP. The album gradates in pop sound, ranging from mid-Husker-Du influenced post-punk to new wave hooks via The Sound, and is devoid of any disappointing tracks. The LP is out of stock for now, but according to Dirtnap this is temporary. The album is still available in CD format however, for those interested. The links below. Try it out:

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Lost Tribe - Tour Tape CS/Lost Tribe 02 (2012) [updated*]

Artist: Lost Tribe
Album: Lost Tribe 02 CS
Release: 2012
Label: s/r


Tracklist:
1. Psychic Death 
2. Life Prison
3. Asylum
4. Coma
5. Darkness


*The download link on this post now includes the full tape. Also, I have a few extra copies of the tape for sale. If you're interested, you can contact me at maloney_andrew_t(at)yahoo(dot)com.


Lost Tribe are a peace punk/goth project out of Richmond, VA. In 2010 they released The Dawn CS, a demo that would constitute much of their excellent s/t full length on Blind Prophet (you can still get it here!), as well as their Unsound 7" single, which includes possibly the best song from the demo, Unsound (hear it below).

Now they are touring, and soon, lucky for all of us, they will be releasing a tour tape, also s/t. Three of the five tracks on this tape are already available to your welcoming ears on their bandcamp (and below). The new material is less frantic and more synth heavy than previous releases, bringing a more prevalent goth tone to the tape, reminiscent of classics such as Bauhaus. Also added to this new sound is a dark psychedelic dimension that makes these five songs much more atmospheric and brooding than previous efforts. Keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates so you can get your hands on one of these. Lost Tribe may be coming to catacomb near you.





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Kalashnikov - s/t EP (1984)

Artist: Kalashnikov

Album: s/t EP

Release: 1984

Label: HUB Records

Tracklist:

1.Læderhalse

2. Schlüters Kabinet

3. Ødelæg & Hærg

Female-fronted Danish outfit Kalashnikov play a dark brand of hardcore-influenced post-punk. Their s/t EP, clocking in at less than seven minutes, covers a fair amount of ground, beginning with the danceable, almost darkwave 'Læderhalse', proceeding to a straight punk track, and ending with something in between. Its short and sweet, and will leave you wanting more.

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Criaturas - Arañas En El Corazon (2011)

Artist: Criaturas
Album: Arañas En El Corazon
Release: 2011
Label: Lengua Armada Discos

Tracklist: 
1. Arañas En El Carazon
2. Mentiras
3. Paranoide
4. Sombras Ocultas


Members of Deskonocidos bring us four great hardcore tunes, steeped in dark post-punk with obvious metal influences as well. This 7" is catchy, with wailing female vocals, and melodic riffs lurking behind noisy drums. To be frank, I think this release would have been better with just a bit less guitar noodling, but my tolerance for this particular metal-derived habit is low to begin with, so take this with a grain of salt. Otherwise this is a fantastic release, which is no surprise considering the band's connection with Deskonocidos, and the fact that Lengua Armada Discos is run by Limp Wrist frontman Martin Sorrondeguy. See for yourself:


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Belgrado - s/t (2011)

Artist: Belgrado
Album: s/t
Release: 2011
Label: Discos Enfermos/Static Age/Oficyna Paranoja


Tracklist:
1. No Exit
2. Clockwise
3. In My Head
4. No Answer
5. Those Times
6. Dead Generation
7. Lies
8. Zapomnijmy
9. Koszmat
10. Visions of Massacre


Belgrado are a dark post-punk group from Barcelona. Their self-titled LP consists of ten tracks of female-fronted, dancey, forlorn tunes, that fans of other contemporary anarcho groups are sure to enjoy. Their sound is akin to much of the Portland dark punk scene especially.

It's a solid release, and lucky for you there's a free, totally legal download on their bandcamp. If your itching to grab a copy, visit any of the labels that released it (links also on bandcamp). Enjoy the numb hymns.



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Lost Tribe - S/T Tour CS 2012

Artist: Lost Tribe
Album: s/t Tour CS
Release: 2012
Label: s/r


Tracklist (incomplete, will be completed upon tape release):
1. Coma
2. Psychic Death
3. Darkness


Lost Tribe are a peace punk/goth project out of Richmond, VA. In 2010 they released The Dawn CS, a demo that would constitute much of their excellent s/t full length on Blind Prophet (you can still get it here!), as well as their Unsound 7" single, which includes possibly the best song from the demo, Unsound (hear it below).

Now they are touring, and soon, lucky for all of us, they will be releasing a tour tape, also s/t. Three of the five tracks on this tape are already available to your welcoming ears on their bandcamp (and below). The new material is less frantic and more synth heavy than previous tracks,  but retain the fast-paced punk melodies that make this band so damn good. Keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates so you can get your hands on one of these. Lost Tribe may be coming to catacomb near you.





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Spectres - Discography CS (2012)

Artist: Spectres
Album: Discography CS
Release 2012
Label: Crysis Records


Tracklist: 
1. Pattern Recognition
2. Time is Out
3. Stasi
4. Romans
5. Our Time
6. Loginas
7. City of Ghost
8. Standing East
9. Last Days
10 Decline And Fall
11. Revolutions
12. Visions of a New World
13. Complications
14. Cold War
15. Message From Above


Spectres is a fantastic anarcho/darkwave outfit out of Vancouver. The obvious comparison is Joy Division, but Spectres puts their own spin on this classic blueprint. Endless hooks make this release catchy as hell. Unfortunately, these tapes are sold out, but this is not a band to overlook.



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Fifth Column - Decadent Disco! (1985)

Artist: Fifth Column
Album: Decadent Disco! Demo
Release: 1985
Label: Unknown


Tracklist:
1. Necromancy
2. Monitors
3. Golden Girl
4. Schizophrenic
5. A Sadistic Practice


This UK dark punk band is not to be mistaken for the Canadian all-female post-punk outfit, who put out material during the same period. This demo is the only studio recording Fifth Column ever released, and its a shame because these garage-tinged tracks rip.



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