Death Evocation - s/t EP (2011)

Artist: Death Evocation
Album: s/t EP
Release: 2011
Label: Quality Control HQ


Tracklist:
1. Relentless
2. Isolation
3. Weight


Its my birthday today, and a damn good birthday it is. I've been scraping the bowels of the internet for a week trying to find this release, as my physical is currently somewhere in the hands of the USPS, and I finally uncovered it. This EP strays some from other posts I've made on this blog, but I think you'll find it warranted. Part stoner jam, part metal, part crust, Death Evocation's self-titled  consists of three dark hardcore anthems guaranteed to satisfy any and all headbanging fixations.

The highlight of the release is no doubt 'Relentless,' demonstrating both the acute ability to write capturing riffs in the vein of Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Sleep, etc., and deliver them with a fierceness atypical of usual stoner-metal fare. 'Relentless' is by no means a standalone however, as 'Isolation' and 'Weight' have their own merits, delivering further crust/metal intensity, and a more classic take on stoner-metal respectively. Unfortunately for the masses, Quality Control HQ has been sold out of these for a while, so keep an eye out as they're not easy to come by.


Follow the smoke to a riff filled land:



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Arctic Flowers Summer 2012 Tour & 8/14 Show w/ Foreign Objects, Bloody Gears, Cleansing Wave

The female-fronted anarcho-punk outfit Arctic Flowers (featured previously on this blog here) are touring the East and Midwest this summer supporting a new 12" EP, Procession*. Residing in Portland, OR, they don't necessarily get out to this side of the states very often, so for fans on this side of the Mississippi, I would check out their full tour schedule here. Most likely they're coming to a haunt near you. 


If you can make the Boston show, August 14th at What We Talk About, I recommend it.  I'll surely be there, as the line-up is killer, and showcases some of Massachusetts' finest (Foreign Objects, Bloody Gears, Cleansing Wave). As a preview to this dark ritual, I thought I'd share a few releases to give those unfamiliar something to look forward too:

First up is Arctic Flowers. Catchy, dark, anarchic, touring. Demo CS: Download

*new track off new Procession 12" EP that will be available on tour




Foreign Objects: Also female-fronted, straight punk rock. Great stuff. Demo CS: Download



Bloody Gears plays catchy garage/punk with dark post-punk influences. They just released an LP this year, Landscapes of Disease. Here it is: Buy, Download
  

Cleansing Wave: Fantastic noisy D-beat. They just released a s/t 7" on PRGNT records, pick one up here! Demo CS: Download



Remember, if you like these bands they are all current, so find a way to support them! Come say hi on August 14th, I'm the tall, dark, and gangly one.

Antisect - In Darkness, There Is No Choice (1983)

Artist: Antisect
Album: In Darkness, There is No Choice
Release: 1983
Label: Spiderleg Recordings


Tracklist:
1. They (The Eternal Myth and Paradox)
2. The World's Biggest Runt
3. A Midsummer Night's Dream
4. Channel Zero (Reality)
5.Yet They Still Ignore
6. The Ghost of Mankind
7. Tortured and Abused
8. Education or Indoctrination
9. In Darkness
10. Heresy
11. Hallo There...How's Life?
12. The Buck Stops Here


This post is somewhat redundant, as this record can be found on many other blogs, but considering Antisect is one of the more influential anarcho-punk outfits to come out of the UK, I think its definitely warranted. Much of the dark punk/goth thing happening now is definitely informed by this band. Antisect's only full-length, this record is chalked full of dark, murky riffs, and at times is both atmospheric and driving.  If you haven't heard it, this is not one to miss. You can even still get the repress.

Repress
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Deathcharge - s/t (Love Was Born To An Early Death)

Artist: Deathcharge
Album: s/t (Love Was Born To An Early Death)
Release: 2011
Label: Unseen Forces


Tracklist:
1. Untitled
2. Untitled
3. Untitled
4. Untitled
5. Untitled
6. Untitled
7. Untitled
8. Untitled


Formed in the late 90's as an obvious Discharge tribute, Deathcharge are a crust-turned-goth punk band residing in the thriving dark punk scene in Portland. This full length marks a break from their crust roots, and a turn towards goth influences, especially in vocals. Deathcharge still rips though. You'll get lost in this driving torrent of power chords and fist-pumping hooks.


Buy
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Amebix - No Sanctuary EP (1984)

Artist: Amebix
Album: No Sanctuary EP
Release: 1984
Label: Spiderleg Recordings


Tracklist: 
1. Battery Humans
2. Control
3. Progress
4. No Sanctuary
5. The Church is For Sinners
6. Sunshine Ward
7. Moscow Madness: No Gods Part II


My roommate is really into raw black metal, the kind that could just as easily be identified as crust. Its been ever-present in the house for a couple years now, hes turned me on to some great bands, and this new appreciation for the lo-fi black metal/crust sound got me hooked on this EP all the much more. Amebix are just as much Discharge as they are Joy Division, and at times distinctly seem to me an obvious pre-cursor to black metal. "Sunshine Ward" (below) exemplifies this, but crusty guitars and great bass lines are to be found abound on this release.



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