ASkySoBlack
The long-awaited debut full-length from Philly's ASkySoBlack, who I've been following for about three years now, came out right at the end of January. I wrote in 2022 that "their style carries some degree of a grungy/gazey type of sound, but feels rooted in the 'heavy emo' of the early/mid-2000s, combined with a Deftones-esque vibe," and that still feels quite accurate, as this material continues to expertly fuse the somber and dreary with harder-hitting/higher-energy density. Great production, too, that boasts a sheen of effects but also packs an almost surprisingly heavy punch when it needs to. This band definitely deserves to keep building more hype, they're a good deal better than the majority of what's out there within this increasingly populous niche.
Touch Heaven is available on highlighter yellow or black vinyl, CD(-R), cassette, or digital from the great New Morality Zine (Bandcamp or webstore). Discs and tapes are extremely limited, so don't sleep if either is your preferred format. Those who stream, find it on Spotify, Apple Music, and so on.
Denude
Another killer slab of noise rock from Expert Work Records (cooperating with Dipterid Records), this time in the form of the debut album from Chicago/Milwaukee outfit Denude. They're a trio and the guitars are rather sparing with distortion, which obviously gives the heft of the rhythm section plenty of time to shine. I could imagine some purists might argue that this cannot truly be defined as "noise rock." I would disagree, of course, but will cede that there's quite a bit of an almost "mathy emo" feel. However, with that narrative form of singing over those quirky riffs and hammering bass/drums, it's leaning noise rock for me. Who cares, though? It's good. All that matters.
A Murmuration of Capitalist Bees LPs are limited to around 300 copies on either standard black or clear rootbeer with black and metallic gold swirls (amazing cover photography as well—not unlike the recent American Motors LP, also from Expert Work), so grab one over at Bandcamp. If you must, stream through Spotify, Apple Music, or some other lame service.
Drugs of Faith
For absolutely no reason, I started to lose track of Drugs of Faith toward the end of the 2000s, but had coincidentally been picking back up on their discography around the time that Asymmetrical—the band's first full-length since 2011!?—was announced. With a total running time of about 21 minutes, one could argue that maybe this isn't a "full-length" after all, but the trio's slightly warped take on fast-paced grindcore with a near-constant sense of topsy-turvy dissonance remains forceful. The excellent recording also allows the bass to be as centrally important as the guitar, which is always admirable. And, if I haven't said it before, Richard Johnson is arguably my favorite grind vocalist ever—such an effective and immediately identifiable style, unlike any other. I'll have to make sure I follow more closely from here on out!
Asymmetrical is out now on CD through Selfmadegod (Bandcamp or webstore) or LP through Malokul. Streaming is false, but... if for some odd reason that's your preference, Spotify and Apple Music and the like will have you covered.
Stress Test
The hype text for the debut from Oregon's Stress Test mentioned some degree of an Aus-Rotten influence, which caught my attention since that ubiquitous '90s staple somehow seems rarely mentioned these days. I don't really hear any Aus-Rotten in there, but no matter, as this is quite a solid dash of contemporary crossover thrash that occasionally leans into an almost grinding edge of aggression. Some tracks, like "Suffer," even delve into some darker atmospheres and samples. The production is surprisingly crisp, again leaning more toward the metal than the punk influences, and strikes a nice balance with an impressive bass presence. The group also carries lineup ties to Unto Others, Vault Dweller, and Iron Scepter—though I'm totally unfamiliar with all of the above! Might need to do some digging there!
Stress Test is available this week on LP, cassette, or digital from Transylvanian Recordings. Keep an eye on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. if you'd rather be a streamfreak.
Sun Don't Shine
Formerly known as Eye Am—and I think I had missed the boat on any activities under that banner—Sun Don't Shine features Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly from Type O Negative and Silvertomb with Kirk Windstein and Todd Strange from Crowbar and Down. Silvertomb seemed underrated to me, and I haven't seen a ton other than relatively minor news blurbs with regard to Sun Don't Shine either, but I'd have to guess that such significant lineup ties provide them some degree of a built-in audience. Thus far they've issued a three-song EP of sludgy, metal-tinged rock that's kinda reminiscent of a darker Soundgarden with the textural elements of something like Danzig 4P (musically, not the vocals) filtered through a Crowbar type of plodding heaviness. Quite enjoyable, and I damn sure hope this project yields a proper full-length album at some point in the future.
The Promise Song is out now on CD-R or 7" through Corpse Paint Records (I only bought the CD-R, but assume the 7" also contains all three songs); or stream as individual singles via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.
Sunwise/Kilverez
With "Oath Skull," Illinois' Sunwise continues their take on "grungegaze," utilizing propulsive heaviness contrasted by some lighter moments of shimmery fuzz. You'll likely pick up on some similarities to Failure, Hum, etc. Brilliant opening riff, that's for damn sure! This project has quite a bit of potential, and I'm curious to hear how they'll continue to develop moving forward.
"Dead On" is my first exposure to St. Louis act Kilverez, who offers a very fitting pairing with Sunwise. Aesthetically similar, though treading more toward the type of sound that Cave In evolved into. The harder-hitting moments feel a little more streamlined and "rock," and there's a certain fluidity to the vocals and effects. I'll definitely have to dig into their prior work, too.
This split is physically available as a black lathe-cut 7" limited to just 50 copies via Half Empty Records. You can also grab each tune from the Sunwise and Kilverez Bandcamp pages; or stream using Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
