Last Saturday, The Setup officially released their new record, This Thing Of Ours. It's their 4th full length. I haven't heard it entirely cause I spent all my money on beers and consequently wasn't able to buy it. I will, however, do so when I get the chance, because I believe it will be good. I've heard 3 songs, 2 of which are mediocre and 1 of which is really good. So I'm going for good.
Anyway, Cub Kamikaze, free show, super rad venue, waddup?! The sun was out, beers were had, perfect evening.
I missed Ashes because I was late. Darn it.
I did see Dead End Sin rip it up. Good band, good dudes, they got the hardcore backed.
Saw a couple of Crooks songs. Pretty terrible. I didn't understand what they were playing. The first song sounded so off-beat it was weird. And they had these weird intermezzos and such. Not my cup. I didn't get it at all.
Hangouts instead. Great hangouts, actually. Such a nice evening.
Dead Harts (not to be confused with Dead Hearts) sounded alright, but I was having too much fun hanging to really care for a hardcore band at the moment, so I skipped them too. Sorreh.
I was basically there to see The Setup once again, it had been a while. And whaddayaknow, they ripped the place apart. Classics and new songs, all good and heavy as fuck. I went for beers when they started playing Hostile Eyes, needless to say I lost my beers immediately. Lotsa people going nuts, and I couldn't help myself. I just had to go nuts. It was an ancient power in me that forced me to lose shit and do my best mosh moves. The Setup killed it as usual and I felt 16 again, hardcore was the coolest thing ever again and they were my favourite band in the world again. Okay, the line-up is 80% different from when I was 16 but the old songs and the vibe of some of the new songs still do it. They ef me up, man.
TRIVIA: My bud Robby broke his fucking leg. Fucking fuck. That's 1) fucked up and 2) so fucking hard core. Mostly fucked up and a major bummer, though. Best wishes and such.
15-06-2013
Coffee Spivs
Friday night is party night, right? Wrong, last week it was soccer night. You were only allowed to party if you liked soccer. I couldn't give two shits about soccer, unfortunately.
Yet I managed to put on my party-clothes and go to the Klinker to see if anyone was up for it. Few people were on the "up for it" side of life, though.
I had won a duoticket through the radical Soul Food Radio, so that was really cool cause normal entrance was 8 or 10 euros. Wack. So I went to the punkshow, wit my bud Stijn en a couple of other doofuses who give too few shits about soccer.
The Priceduifkes started and they played a set. I literally cannot tell you anything more. Ehm, I can try. They did good. It had been a while since I had seen them so it was all cool. coolcoolcool.
The Accelerators from the great Rotterdam area were up next. I spent too much money on drinks so once again I failed in buying their new record, but live they still sound solid as fuck. Ox is a great frontdude and the band ripped through the set as a punk rock party machine. Of course, with the high stage and the ratio of roomspace to people being 10:1 or something, it didn't translate all too well. But I thoroughly enjoyed their tunes, new and old. Good job!
I had never even heard about Thee Spivs before I saw the poster for this show. But they're friggin' cool! They're a Britsh punk band. Need I say more? Big The Jam-vibe, and all those other early UK punk/mod/new wave bands. Buzzcocks and such. You get the picture, right? Really cool show, just fun, quirky, awesome.
Stijn drove me home. He wasn't sober. I got home safe. I guess he did too. I trust Stijn.
Yet I managed to put on my party-clothes and go to the Klinker to see if anyone was up for it. Few people were on the "up for it" side of life, though.
I had won a duoticket through the radical Soul Food Radio, so that was really cool cause normal entrance was 8 or 10 euros. Wack. So I went to the punkshow, wit my bud Stijn en a couple of other doofuses who give too few shits about soccer.
The Priceduifkes started and they played a set. I literally cannot tell you anything more. Ehm, I can try. They did good. It had been a while since I had seen them so it was all cool. coolcoolcool.
The Accelerators from the great Rotterdam area were up next. I spent too much money on drinks so once again I failed in buying their new record, but live they still sound solid as fuck. Ox is a great frontdude and the band ripped through the set as a punk rock party machine. Of course, with the high stage and the ratio of roomspace to people being 10:1 or something, it didn't translate all too well. But I thoroughly enjoyed their tunes, new and old. Good job!
I had never even heard about Thee Spivs before I saw the poster for this show. But they're friggin' cool! They're a Britsh punk band. Need I say more? Big The Jam-vibe, and all those other early UK punk/mod/new wave bands. Buzzcocks and such. You get the picture, right? Really cool show, just fun, quirky, awesome.
Stijn drove me home. He wasn't sober. I got home safe. I guess he did too. I trust Stijn.
13-06-2013
Just a bad idea.
I'm just postponing this blogging bizniz and it's no good. I'll get behind. I need to be on top of the game.
Kinda.
Last Thursday I saw some bands play in some venue.
Now you'll probably stop reading cause that's how most of my reviews go, but let's e-la-bo-ra-te.
The first "band" van "Silver & Gold", a band from "Antwerp" city. I really "like" them. They play gruff "punk" like it should "be" done and I enjoy that. They got "a" new album "coming up" so that's exciting, "isn't" it? Yeah it is.
Up "next" was Ducking "Punches". More like, "Punching Duckies", am I "right"? God, I'm "hilarious". Dan put himself "out there" and he played really good. Why "not", right?
"Bad Ideas" "followed" and "closed" the line-up up. They played a "bitchin'" set full of "songs" that were really good. Their "new" album Compromise "is" also really good.
Damn, that was the worst review I've ever written perhaps.
So let me tell you about how I ended up in the bandses' van because I promised Pie from Silver & Gold I would come hang out with them at his house. So we rode to Antwerp, had some drinks at Pie's place, which is really cool, played a drinking game. I fell asleep halfway through and woke up the next day to the sight of triple the amount of booze on the table than before I fell asleep. Guess I "missed" a cool party.
Responsibility rules. I handed in my master's thesis on Friday. Life rules.
Kinda.
Last Thursday I saw some bands play in some venue.
Now you'll probably stop reading cause that's how most of my reviews go, but let's e-la-bo-ra-te.
The first "band" van "Silver & Gold", a band from "Antwerp" city. I really "like" them. They play gruff "punk" like it should "be" done and I enjoy that. They got "a" new album "coming up" so that's exciting, "isn't" it? Yeah it is.
Up "next" was Ducking "Punches". More like, "Punching Duckies", am I "right"? God, I'm "hilarious". Dan put himself "out there" and he played really good. Why "not", right?
"Bad Ideas" "followed" and "closed" the line-up up. They played a "bitchin'" set full of "songs" that were really good. Their "new" album Compromise "is" also really good.
Damn, that was the worst review I've ever written perhaps.
So let me tell you about how I ended up in the bandses' van because I promised Pie from Silver & Gold I would come hang out with them at his house. So we rode to Antwerp, had some drinks at Pie's place, which is really cool, played a drinking game. I fell asleep halfway through and woke up the next day to the sight of triple the amount of booze on the table than before I fell asleep. Guess I "missed" a cool party.
Responsibility rules. I handed in my master's thesis on Friday. Life rules.
11-06-2013
e.m.o.
Let's go back to last Wednesday. I saw a show back then. It was at JH Zenith in Dendermonde. Upstairs. Pretty cool venue. It was nice.
I arrived mid-set for Coldsore, who played their first show apparently. Acoustic (side-?)project with a couple of the The Homeless guys. It was cool, I guess. Some cool songs, a xylophone, nice hooks and cool lyrics. Good first impression, I'd check 'em out again.
The next band on the bill was Dowsing. As per usual, I didn't know what they sounded like and I hadn't bothered to listen to them before because I was busy listening to other music. But holy smokes, they were amazing. They captured me from the start with their shreddy emo-ish tunes, chords I couldn't recognise but sounded so infectious. It was great. If I had had a frown, they would have turned it upside down. Know what I'm saying? They're the kind of band that has an inherent energy and fun that makes you happy. It made me happy, anyway. Not many Midwest band can do that. Most of them just make me sad.
Also, I did a short interview with them after the show, and they were really nice peepz. We talked about the new record, girls in the punk scene, nerd stuff and why their bass player was wearing a motorcycle helmet all of a sudden. The drummer kinda looked like me, or I kinda looked like the drummer. Coincidentally, he also looked like the drummer from Direct Hit!, who also looks like me, or who I also look like.
Annabel started playing and they were really cool. Not as much my cup o' tea as Dowsing for some reason, but their brand of the 'mo was definitely more extravagant and freaky. Not in a bad sense. The build-ups, the vocals, the riffage and dynamics all made up for a nice show of which I had to miss the last song because of darn early trains. Great band though.
Forever traindependent.
I arrived mid-set for Coldsore, who played their first show apparently. Acoustic (side-?)project with a couple of the The Homeless guys. It was cool, I guess. Some cool songs, a xylophone, nice hooks and cool lyrics. Good first impression, I'd check 'em out again.
The next band on the bill was Dowsing. As per usual, I didn't know what they sounded like and I hadn't bothered to listen to them before because I was busy listening to other music. But holy smokes, they were amazing. They captured me from the start with their shreddy emo-ish tunes, chords I couldn't recognise but sounded so infectious. It was great. If I had had a frown, they would have turned it upside down. Know what I'm saying? They're the kind of band that has an inherent energy and fun that makes you happy. It made me happy, anyway. Not many Midwest band can do that. Most of them just make me sad.
Also, I did a short interview with them after the show, and they were really nice peepz. We talked about the new record, girls in the punk scene, nerd stuff and why their bass player was wearing a motorcycle helmet all of a sudden. The drummer kinda looked like me, or I kinda looked like the drummer. Coincidentally, he also looked like the drummer from Direct Hit!, who also looks like me, or who I also look like.
Annabel started playing and they were really cool. Not as much my cup o' tea as Dowsing for some reason, but their brand of the 'mo was definitely more extravagant and freaky. Not in a bad sense. The build-ups, the vocals, the riffage and dynamics all made up for a nice show of which I had to miss the last song because of darn early trains. Great band though.
Forever traindependent.
05-06-2013
TVT
Post-poning. That's my style. More like, post-pwning, am I right?
I am not right. This past Friday I went to a show by a man called Tim Vantol, backed by a band called The Misprints. I really only wanted to see Coma Commander but I ended up not.
They were supposed to play second, for some reason they play first and due to circumstances we only got there when they were done.
Anyway, I did see The Whaler perform. More like, the wailer, am I right? I am not right. I walked in while he was performing Blue Carolina by Alkaline Trio. I loved him immediately. He covered Teenage Dirtbag and some other cool songs. I stopped loving him when he played his own songs, though. Just a tad monotonous. It was good, but I was not in the mood for a mediocre Elliott Smith rip-off. But anyone who covers the Trio is a good man in my book. I complimented him for that.
Tim Vantol was cool. People were kinda crazy about him but I guess I'm not 'with it'. I should probably also say I'm not into the whole Frank Turner hype either, as I assume those are similar artists. Anyway, the violin player was smiling all of the time, which was cool to see, and the whole band was having an genuinely fun time apparently, which translates into a fun show for the crowd as well. Good job, Timmeke.
I am not right. This past Friday I went to a show by a man called Tim Vantol, backed by a band called The Misprints. I really only wanted to see Coma Commander but I ended up not.
They were supposed to play second, for some reason they play first and due to circumstances we only got there when they were done.
Anyway, I did see The Whaler perform. More like, the wailer, am I right? I am not right. I walked in while he was performing Blue Carolina by Alkaline Trio. I loved him immediately. He covered Teenage Dirtbag and some other cool songs. I stopped loving him when he played his own songs, though. Just a tad monotonous. It was good, but I was not in the mood for a mediocre Elliott Smith rip-off. But anyone who covers the Trio is a good man in my book. I complimented him for that.
Tim Vantol was cool. People were kinda crazy about him but I guess I'm not 'with it'. I should probably also say I'm not into the whole Frank Turner hype either, as I assume those are similar artists. Anyway, the violin player was smiling all of the time, which was cool to see, and the whole band was having an genuinely fun time apparently, which translates into a fun show for the crowd as well. Good job, Timmeke.
27-05-2013
The Winged Dragon of Amenra
Went to see Oathbreaker and Amenra last night. At STUK, Leuven. Sold out. Lotsa people. Most of them older than me. Most of the wearing black clothes. Most of them hating life, probably.
So Oathbreaker started and THEY STARTED VERY LOUD THEY ARE A VERY LOUD BAND. But sometimes they kick it back anotch as well and create musical intermezzos to leave to audience eagerly awaiting that one moment WHEN THEY GO INTO FULLBLAST MODUS AGAIN. And then DO THING like this WERE YOU don't realloy know WHEN to exPECT what they're GONNA play and it really cool. They Played a new song which started out with a quiet part and even some actual singing as opposed to the COSTUMARY SCREAMING THAT IS HABITUAL FOR SUCH BANDS and they pulled it off. Album's gonna drop this summer apparently. I've only heard snibbets of MAELSTROM THE LAST ALBUM THEY PUT OUT, but from what I've heard live they've definitely developped their own sound now. Whereas the first TIME I HEARD THE THEY KINDA SOUNDED LIKE A RISE AND FALL RIPOFF they now sound like a proper band, which is cool. Insane riffs, they share their guitar player with Amenra and he's pretty damn amazing.
Big up for the Dutch guy who said "Wat een lam publiek hier, 't lijkt Nederland wel" for making me laugh.
Amenra is the scholar example of a cultband. They have everything figured out, from the music, to the artwork, the aesthetics, the live performance. It's all perfectly tuned together to create a band the like of which the world has never seen the like of which*. A guitarist starts playing. Immediately the crowd is focused and Amenra is in the picture. Suddenly, EVERYTHING IS SET ABLAZE, THE SONG BURSTS INTO THE LOUDEST SONG EVER AND THERE'S HEADBANGING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. I've never seen so many short-haired people headbang, I think. AMENRA CONTINUES UNDISTURBEDLY AND PLAYS A SET OF all kinds of songs that I don't know cause I rarely really listen to them. But they sure AS HELL CAN WIN ME OVER FOR A LIVE SHOW once in a while. It's been a couple years since I've seen THEM PLAY, SO IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE ONCE AGAIN. Even though tickets were 16 euros. As I've said, perfect cultband, no talking in between songs, no thankyou's, no we'reamenra's, no buyourmerch's. They stick to their shtick and they do it extraordinarily well. Of course, the main attraction is THE MUSIC, WHICH WAS SLUDGY GOODNESS THAT IS DIFFICULT TO NOT BANG YER HEAD TO.
Although I must say I totally zoned out for the last 2 songs, like unconsciously watched them but with my head in another place. So yeah, I thought it was a bit too long but I'm not used to this kind of music. I like 2-minute pop punk songs and 1-minute hardcore songs. 7-minute sludge songs are harder for me to focus on.
*Thumbs up for who got that reference.
So Oathbreaker started and THEY STARTED VERY LOUD THEY ARE A VERY LOUD BAND. But sometimes they kick it back anotch as well and create musical intermezzos to leave to audience eagerly awaiting that one moment WHEN THEY GO INTO FULLBLAST MODUS AGAIN. And then DO THING like this WERE YOU don't realloy know WHEN to exPECT what they're GONNA play and it really cool. They Played a new song which started out with a quiet part and even some actual singing as opposed to the COSTUMARY SCREAMING THAT IS HABITUAL FOR SUCH BANDS and they pulled it off. Album's gonna drop this summer apparently. I've only heard snibbets of MAELSTROM THE LAST ALBUM THEY PUT OUT, but from what I've heard live they've definitely developped their own sound now. Whereas the first TIME I HEARD THE THEY KINDA SOUNDED LIKE A RISE AND FALL RIPOFF they now sound like a proper band, which is cool. Insane riffs, they share their guitar player with Amenra and he's pretty damn amazing.
Big up for the Dutch guy who said "Wat een lam publiek hier, 't lijkt Nederland wel" for making me laugh.
Amenra is the scholar example of a cultband. They have everything figured out, from the music, to the artwork, the aesthetics, the live performance. It's all perfectly tuned together to create a band the like of which the world has never seen the like of which*. A guitarist starts playing. Immediately the crowd is focused and Amenra is in the picture. Suddenly, EVERYTHING IS SET ABLAZE, THE SONG BURSTS INTO THE LOUDEST SONG EVER AND THERE'S HEADBANGING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. I've never seen so many short-haired people headbang, I think. AMENRA CONTINUES UNDISTURBEDLY AND PLAYS A SET OF all kinds of songs that I don't know cause I rarely really listen to them. But they sure AS HELL CAN WIN ME OVER FOR A LIVE SHOW once in a while. It's been a couple years since I've seen THEM PLAY, SO IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE ONCE AGAIN. Even though tickets were 16 euros. As I've said, perfect cultband, no talking in between songs, no thankyou's, no we'reamenra's, no buyourmerch's. They stick to their shtick and they do it extraordinarily well. Of course, the main attraction is THE MUSIC, WHICH WAS SLUDGY GOODNESS THAT IS DIFFICULT TO NOT BANG YER HEAD TO.
Although I must say I totally zoned out for the last 2 songs, like unconsciously watched them but with my head in another place. So yeah, I thought it was a bit too long but I'm not used to this kind of music. I like 2-minute pop punk songs and 1-minute hardcore songs. 7-minute sludge songs are harder for me to focus on.
*Thumbs up for who got that reference.
26-05-2013
French cries
There's a brand new band from the wonderful country of France that I'd like to introduce to you. They're called Buried Option and they are from Orléans. Pretty wicked, huh?
Oh, and it's free for download!
Buried Option - Save Yourself (DIY, 2013)
1. To Oscar
2. Delta Position
3. Needs
4. Perfectly Buried
Buried Option claims to be influenced by the melodic punk rock and hardcore of the 1990s, and you betcha they are! Track 1, To Oscar, starts with a old school bass riff and the whole song, from riffs to the vocals from time to time reminds me of a Hot Water Music song or Four Minute Mile-era Get Up Kids. It's a demo so it's all a bit raw, but I hope they keep that raw edge in later recordings, cause it really is a vital element of the likeability of this sound. I'm not trying to sound like a tr00 p0nx here by saying polished recordings are not cool, but this kind of slightly-shouty 90s-emo-influenced punk rock just begs for a straight-up honest, sincere, pure and hence not overproduced recording.
Back to the music then. This demo contains some obvious influences from other bands that the band should consider developing, but I generally like it. It's a kind of music I like so they do nothing wrong. It's kind of a safe demo. But, as I've learned from experience, never judge a book by its cover and never judge a band by its demo. What is it that does or could set Buried Option apart? Well, for one, they don't have a terrible accent as some French bands tend to have. The use of creative melody, the construction and dynamics of their songwriting (like in Needs particularly), and the alleged versatility of their small repertoire.
Perfectly Buried closes the demo and is an instrumental. It starts out as 90s emo as it gets, genre American Football, Cap'n Jazz, Mineral.You know, the whole twingy-twangy guitar thing. It develops into a full-blown instrumental of reasonably epic proportions. Probably my favourite track on the demo.
See, I'm not wild about this, but it's okay. It's better than a lot of bands these days, but I really hope they search into their own capabilities and creativity. There's too many parts I've heard before a couple of times and that kinda reduces my direct interest and enthusiasm in the band.
On the other hand, the style of music they want to play, they perform it really good, and the band helps to revive the feeling I had when I first listened to bands like Hot Water Music or Jawbreaker, and fits in with contemporaries like Spanish Gamble or Timeshares. I think.
I'm pretty excited for what they have in store.
Oh, and it's free for download!
1. To Oscar
2. Delta Position
3. Needs
4. Perfectly Buried
Buried Option claims to be influenced by the melodic punk rock and hardcore of the 1990s, and you betcha they are! Track 1, To Oscar, starts with a old school bass riff and the whole song, from riffs to the vocals from time to time reminds me of a Hot Water Music song or Four Minute Mile-era Get Up Kids. It's a demo so it's all a bit raw, but I hope they keep that raw edge in later recordings, cause it really is a vital element of the likeability of this sound. I'm not trying to sound like a tr00 p0nx here by saying polished recordings are not cool, but this kind of slightly-shouty 90s-emo-influenced punk rock just begs for a straight-up honest, sincere, pure and hence not overproduced recording.
Back to the music then. This demo contains some obvious influences from other bands that the band should consider developing, but I generally like it. It's a kind of music I like so they do nothing wrong. It's kind of a safe demo. But, as I've learned from experience, never judge a book by its cover and never judge a band by its demo. What is it that does or could set Buried Option apart? Well, for one, they don't have a terrible accent as some French bands tend to have. The use of creative melody, the construction and dynamics of their songwriting (like in Needs particularly), and the alleged versatility of their small repertoire.
Perfectly Buried closes the demo and is an instrumental. It starts out as 90s emo as it gets, genre American Football, Cap'n Jazz, Mineral.You know, the whole twingy-twangy guitar thing. It develops into a full-blown instrumental of reasonably epic proportions. Probably my favourite track on the demo.
See, I'm not wild about this, but it's okay. It's better than a lot of bands these days, but I really hope they search into their own capabilities and creativity. There's too many parts I've heard before a couple of times and that kinda reduces my direct interest and enthusiasm in the band.
On the other hand, the style of music they want to play, they perform it really good, and the band helps to revive the feeling I had when I first listened to bands like Hot Water Music or Jawbreaker, and fits in with contemporaries like Spanish Gamble or Timeshares. I think.
I'm pretty excited for what they have in store.
24-05-2013
Tombas
The time has come for me to review a record. This is a record I like a lot. It's by a band I like a lot. It's by a band I've given quite a lot of attention lately, and in my opinion it's all deserved.
My favourite hardcore record/EP of 2013 so far:
Outline - Tombs (Fortyweight Records, 2013)
1. Intro
2. Still To Come
3. Statues
4. Inner Pride
5. Tombs
6. Final Call
The only negative remark I have about this EP is that it's too short.
No, I'm just kidding, that must be the most cliché line in EP-review-history.
This isn't even too short, actually. This fills the spot suite well. I have no idea how long it is except that it's one side of a 12" record. So, let's say, 14 minutes? That's enough for now. I've heard they have a split coming out late 2013/early 2014 so then we can hear more songs. Hooray!
So let's get into this record. Tombs starts with an intro. Well, I'll be damned! That's new! Nah, I'm a fan of intros, particularly on hardcore records. And this one is the perfect introduction to Outline. Mid-paced, palm-mutes, high-end riffage, a disgustingly raw bass, headbangworthy drums and a general atmosphere of impending doom. Like most hardcore acts, Outline aren't the most cheerful dudes when they play music. It's all pretty gloomy. But don't worry. It speeds up.
Just like that *snaps finger*.
Still To Come blasts right at you and sends you into anger-mode 2.0. Outline is angry. No joke. Still To Come is a fast jam about Rikkerd's house-fixing activities I think, and how things don't always work out the way you expect them to. How you have to work for your goals and how difficult it is to trust other people with your intentions. I think. The riffage on this one is excellent and the tempo change mid-song is primo mosh material. With just one guitar the second verse sounds a bit hollow as Pie plays an arpeggiated melody (is arpeggiated a word?), but Petit on the bass and drummer Ari kinda back that up. Furthermore, I think the sole guitar in this band can stand his ground quite well.
The record is self-recorded, self-mixed and self-mastered at Ari's home-studio. So yes, the recordings sound pretty rough sometimes, but it's hardcore, it's not supposed to be polished. It sounds pure and angry. Good enough for me. On top of that it's self-released by Petit's record label Fortyweight Records. Safe to say these guys like to hold on to what they do.
Anyway, the main riff in Statues is another example of tyPiecal riffage (see what I did there?) and is a bit of a hit song. It was the first song to go online and probably the catchiest song on the record. Rikkerd sounds super pissed off on this one as well, rad. Fuck your status. Rad. Great sing-along parts as well, and cool backing vocals. The end makes me wanna be mad at people for no reason. The needle on my record, which is a beautiful green vinyl by the way, transcends into the lingering intro of Inner Pride, only to burst out in a slow headbang-inducing jam about standing up for yourself and letting others fuck you around. Once again a climatic outro that just exhales anger, both musically and vocally.
Tombs is the politically charged tune on the record. With a opening line as Learn. Repeat. Don't ever resist the chains. it's failrly obvious. Of course, it's not all the way political, but I feel the other songs are thematically way more personal than this one. As all the other songs, this one's over pretty quick as well. The term "no-nonsense" is definitely applicabel to an Outline record. It's not ignorant, cause there are really clever riffs, song developments, drum patterns and instrumental fills.
Final Call is easily my favourite song on Tombs. The pounding intro with Rikkerd screaming his lungs out drives me up the wall. The lyrics are really good and deal once again with personal trust issues or something along those lines. I could be wrong, I'm no Sigmund Freud, right? The guitar part at the end, when it's like This is my final call. Our getaway. and it goes duduuuuu/duduuuu I'm like FUCK.
General musical similarities can be found in Dead Hearts, Carry On and Verse. Bands that were the shizz 10 years ago and now do reunions (except for Carry On). I want to give some more contemporary acts are probably similar but I can only think of bands that are broken up already, like Ritual or Killing The Dream.
But, yeah, get into this before it's 2023 and you're all like "man, remember the 2010's? there were such cool bands back then."
My favourite hardcore record/EP of 2013 so far:
1. Intro
2. Still To Come
3. Statues
4. Inner Pride
5. Tombs
6. Final Call
The only negative remark I have about this EP is that it's too short.
No, I'm just kidding, that must be the most cliché line in EP-review-history.
This isn't even too short, actually. This fills the spot suite well. I have no idea how long it is except that it's one side of a 12" record. So, let's say, 14 minutes? That's enough for now. I've heard they have a split coming out late 2013/early 2014 so then we can hear more songs. Hooray!
So let's get into this record. Tombs starts with an intro. Well, I'll be damned! That's new! Nah, I'm a fan of intros, particularly on hardcore records. And this one is the perfect introduction to Outline. Mid-paced, palm-mutes, high-end riffage, a disgustingly raw bass, headbangworthy drums and a general atmosphere of impending doom. Like most hardcore acts, Outline aren't the most cheerful dudes when they play music. It's all pretty gloomy. But don't worry. It speeds up.
Just like that *snaps finger*.
Still To Come blasts right at you and sends you into anger-mode 2.0. Outline is angry. No joke. Still To Come is a fast jam about Rikkerd's house-fixing activities I think, and how things don't always work out the way you expect them to. How you have to work for your goals and how difficult it is to trust other people with your intentions. I think. The riffage on this one is excellent and the tempo change mid-song is primo mosh material. With just one guitar the second verse sounds a bit hollow as Pie plays an arpeggiated melody (is arpeggiated a word?), but Petit on the bass and drummer Ari kinda back that up. Furthermore, I think the sole guitar in this band can stand his ground quite well.
The record is self-recorded, self-mixed and self-mastered at Ari's home-studio. So yes, the recordings sound pretty rough sometimes, but it's hardcore, it's not supposed to be polished. It sounds pure and angry. Good enough for me. On top of that it's self-released by Petit's record label Fortyweight Records. Safe to say these guys like to hold on to what they do.
Anyway, the main riff in Statues is another example of tyPiecal riffage (see what I did there?) and is a bit of a hit song. It was the first song to go online and probably the catchiest song on the record. Rikkerd sounds super pissed off on this one as well, rad. Fuck your status. Rad. Great sing-along parts as well, and cool backing vocals. The end makes me wanna be mad at people for no reason. The needle on my record, which is a beautiful green vinyl by the way, transcends into the lingering intro of Inner Pride, only to burst out in a slow headbang-inducing jam about standing up for yourself and letting others fuck you around. Once again a climatic outro that just exhales anger, both musically and vocally.
Tombs is the politically charged tune on the record. With a opening line as Learn. Repeat. Don't ever resist the chains. it's failrly obvious. Of course, it's not all the way political, but I feel the other songs are thematically way more personal than this one. As all the other songs, this one's over pretty quick as well. The term "no-nonsense" is definitely applicabel to an Outline record. It's not ignorant, cause there are really clever riffs, song developments, drum patterns and instrumental fills.
Final Call is easily my favourite song on Tombs. The pounding intro with Rikkerd screaming his lungs out drives me up the wall. The lyrics are really good and deal once again with personal trust issues or something along those lines. I could be wrong, I'm no Sigmund Freud, right? The guitar part at the end, when it's like This is my final call. Our getaway. and it goes duduuuuu/duduuuu I'm like FUCK.
General musical similarities can be found in Dead Hearts, Carry On and Verse. Bands that were the shizz 10 years ago and now do reunions (except for Carry On). I want to give some more contemporary acts are probably similar but I can only think of bands that are broken up already, like Ritual or Killing The Dream.
But, yeah, get into this before it's 2023 and you're all like "man, remember the 2010's? there were such cool bands back then."
23-05-2013
"Where can I find a beer?"
Last Sunday was moshday once again. THis time at Panique D'O, Mechelen, with the cream of the cream of Belgian hardcore and a French straight-edge band.
I missed the first band, I Am Legendary Robot. No biggie. They're described as "8-bit Metal / Nintendocore". I'll pass, thanks.
Then, Every Stranger Looks Like You. It's been a whole while since I've seen them play, they've released an awesome EP in the meantime and that new song they played was heavy as fuck. Rad band, rad peepz, très bien!
Outline played next. I love Outline. With every bone in my body. Especially my dickbone. Ehm... They played a good show. I awkwardly crowdsurfed for a moment at the end.
Ashes is still brutal as fuck. Nothing else to say except that they are a cool band with cool dudes.
Dead End Sin was cool. I'm halfway into their stuff, and halfway out of it.
Didn't see xDigx. Sorry guys.
Good hangouts, good Sunday night.
I missed the first band, I Am Legendary Robot. No biggie. They're described as "8-bit Metal / Nintendocore". I'll pass, thanks.
Then, Every Stranger Looks Like You. It's been a whole while since I've seen them play, they've released an awesome EP in the meantime and that new song they played was heavy as fuck. Rad band, rad peepz, très bien!
Outline played next. I love Outline. With every bone in my body. Especially my dickbone. Ehm... They played a good show. I awkwardly crowdsurfed for a moment at the end.
Ashes is still brutal as fuck. Nothing else to say except that they are a cool band with cool dudes.
Dead End Sin was cool. I'm halfway into their stuff, and halfway out of it.
Didn't see xDigx. Sorry guys.
Good hangouts, good Sunday night.
17-05-2013
una dei Ramones
Pop punk show. Wednesday. Dilbeek.
Who the fuck is going to go there?
Well, fucking no one apparently.
The Ponches and Riccobellis played for an audience of a couple Italians, 8-ish Dilbeek punx and me. Sucks.
Anyway, the Ponches were pretty good. I like their songs, they had some energy going, it was a fun show. They played a Ramones cover called I Don't Wanna Be Learned/I Don't Wanna Be Tamed.
Same goes for the Riccobellis, really. Ramones-inspired pop punk. Bop punk, if you will. Fun show, couldn't stay till the very end cause I had train issues.
The train was late so I could've stayed but I did not know this.
That's it.
Who the fuck is going to go there?
Well, fucking no one apparently.
The Ponches and Riccobellis played for an audience of a couple Italians, 8-ish Dilbeek punx and me. Sucks.
Anyway, the Ponches were pretty good. I like their songs, they had some energy going, it was a fun show. They played a Ramones cover called I Don't Wanna Be Learned/I Don't Wanna Be Tamed.
Same goes for the Riccobellis, really. Ramones-inspired pop punk. Bop punk, if you will. Fun show, couldn't stay till the very end cause I had train issues.
The train was late so I could've stayed but I did not know this.
That's it.
Abonneren op:
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