When people think of punk rock they don’t really associate very many songs clocking in over 3-4 minutes maximum. Heartsounds have bucked the trend with their new release ‘Dualistic Nihilist’. Instead of writing 10-12 songs that run in at maybe 30 minutes they have written one song clocking in just shy of 20 minutes. This is a very similar concept to NOFX ‘The Decline’ which I believe is stunning punk rock songwriting.

This release oozes class, taking the bands background in death metal and previous ventures in bands such as Light This City, as well as having two previous Heartsounds full lengths under their belt. The riffs are technical, fast and melodic as they come along with thunderous punk rock double time drums. All this is thrown together by soaring dual male/female vocals with both guitarists Laura Nichol and Ben Murray sharing the duties. Their voices harmonise so well together it gives any Heartsounds release extra depth.

It’s been a long while since these San Fran punk rockers have graced the UK but hopefully we won’t have to wait to much longer. If you want to lose yourself in 20 minutes of melody, then look no further.

Heartsounds: I for one double dare you to put this in your setlist.

Its been 3 years since Obey The Brave released ‘Salvation’ and finally they’re back with ‘Mad Season’.

This record takes a slight change in direction with the inclusion of more clean vocals, but as a whole it still represents everything Obey The Brave stand for.

‘Mad Season’ takes its title from the long-winded and highly frustrating recording process that resulted in the boys from Canada having to record it twice. With that scenario in mind, it gave them a great opportunity to iron out any situations that other bands may think “I wish I had done that better”. It has resulted in a barnstormer of singalongs, mosh parts and melodies and will be certain to open up any venue they play.

Photo: The Dude Abides Photography

It’s coming to that time of the year where I like to look through the festivals I plan to attend and pick out the bands I want to photograph/check out. Reading Festival is no exception here, however on doing some research of some of the lesser known names to me I discovered something so unique it filled me with a whole bunch of what the hell?!

Zeal & Ardor is just a guy, Manuel Gagneux and he with a collective of friends backing him, they have produced ‘Devil Is Fine’. This is a record like no other that I have ever heard. Simply, he has drawn backgrounds from haunting American slavery gospel music and soul, whilst mixing it with electronic samples (almost children’s cot mobile nursery rhymes in places), hip hop beats and a heavy splash of death metal guitars and screams. Just re-read that… yes, you didn’t imagine that concoction.

Manuel has previously stated that “Christianity was imposed upon both the Norwegians and American slaves,” and that he wondered what it would sound like if slaves had rebelled in the same fashion as the Norwegians – Satanism was used as a rebelling tool rather than a belief to these Norwegians.

What comes out at the end of that cluster equation is probably the most unique black metal (if you want to pigeon hole) record of the year. It is well worth a listen, and he could be on to something with this.

Over the years the term ‘hardcore band’ has become somewhat diluted with more sub genre categories than you can possibly think of. However, if you look in the right places you will still find traditional OG hardcore just as Minor Threat, Black Flag & Youth of Today paved the way for and wanted. 

Born from the ashes of seminal straight edge youth crew bands Turning Point, Mouthpiece and Floorpunch comes Search. Their debut ep (on the classic hardcore label Revelation Records) ‘Between The Lines’ is 6 songs of classic East Coast Hardcore. It will make you want to stage dive, high five and clamber over the guys in front of you to grab some mic action off Tim McMahon (formerly of Mouthpiece). Songs written for the kids, crucial words of honesty which would not be out of place at a Sunday CBGB’s matinee show (RIP CBGB). But with the CV these guys have you wouldn’t expect nothing less. 

If it’s fast and furious punk hardcore you want then it will be found here. 

Photo: JC Photo Media