REGIONAL JUSTICE CENTER • Crime And Punishment 12″ 2021

Closed Casket Activities

Well the wait is finally over. This is the second 12” from these Seattle pounders and it has me nodding along to the really slow sludge parts, then playing air drums to the ripping fast parts.  The drums are what really make this band/record for me. Dude is a machine. Vox are stellar as well… I know I should really read the lyrics but I literally don’t care what this cat is screaming about, I just know it’s angry and mean.  At first listen I was a little bummed on how short this 12” 45 is, but I’m on my third listen (to digest it and review it) and I feel like it’s the perfect length for a band of this style. I know a lot of people hate the term in which the style of music these folks are playing, but its pretty much PV that does not completely rip off or steal a sound from a specific band. Yes they probably like Crossed Out, MITB and Infest but it isn’t a direct rip. I’d really like to see them live someday if the world of shows ever opens up again. The label that put it out is from my old ‘hood of Albany /Troy NY so I’m proud that Closed Casket Records got on board to make this record happen. More kick ass art work from my brother Mark McCoy, the images are perfect for this platter. (NW)

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Justin Dratson: JD Nate Wilson: NW Matt Average: MA Heath Row: HR

INTER ARMA • Sulfer English 2 x LP

INTER ARMA- Sulfer English 2 x LP

Relapse Records

I really have appreciated Richmond, Virginia’s INTER ARMA’s earlier releases a lot. I’ve given this double LP a listen more than once and just can’t hang or relate to it, and I’ve really wanted to. In my opinion, they seem to have moved away from the heavy doom, Southern stoner sound and traded it all in for a later NEUROSIS vibe. NEUROSIS have always been innovators of sound, and have not been afraid to pursue new/different sounds. With INTER ARMA this record, to me, doesn’t feel truly authentic in the way their earlier releases do. It is almost forced and copied. For me there isn’t really much interesting or even new with Sulfer English, it just sounds like what Relapse Records would want I.A. to sound like (a NEUROSIS clone). The production is great, the musicianship is terrific, but I feel as though they went from almost finding or having their own sound to clearly taking an influence and just rolling with it at full steam. Sorry guys, you lost me on this one.  (NW)

 

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

 

GAME • No One Wins LP

GAME • No One Wins LP

2019

Beach Impediment Records

It’s kind of funny… because as soon as I put this slab on my turntable the first thought I had was that of the 1980’s Heavy Metal act, ACID.  I proceeded to turn the record cover over and the first song on side two is called Acid.  Maybe I’m not that crazy after all!

This is nothing like I expected it to be. I expected some U.S. sounding hardcore punk ala Boston for some reason.  Instead it has a great catchy heavy metal feel to it, and I’m guessing that was not really the intention?  Then again I’m way the fuck out of touch with current hardcore/punk.  If this is what hc is supposed to sound like in 2020…well then sign me up, things have definitely progressed and changed a lot for the better because to me it’s really just melodic fast metal (which I’m 100% okay with).  Yes, metal is normally the lane I prefer.

This music is pummeling with low end aggression, super melodic riffs and vox that are equally as catchy as the riffage.  The lyrics could also be mistaken for some metal lyrics.  Everything about this record is done with professionalism and beauty.  I really love this and have listened to it three times in a row so far tonight.  My only complaint is that the record feels too short, and left me wanting a lot more.  I guess that is the point though, right?

Jonah Falco is the guitarist in this band, and for those who don’t know he plays drums in FUCKED UP (this obviously sounds nothing like F’dU).  Ola Herbich from Arms Race and Quality Control HQ plays bass and keeps things rumbling along with the drummer who just loves playing beats on the toms.   Great Metal from the land of great metal… England! (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD Wilson  Nate : NW   Matt Average: MA

COME TO GRIEF 12″ EP

COME TO GRIEF • Pray For The End 12” EP

Grievance Records #4

2020

I’ve been following everything Terry Savastano has done since I fell deeply in love with his band Disrupt back in the early 90’s. Disrupt played furiously fast hardcore and I was lucky enough to see them at least 4-5 times. His next band Grief played the opposite of fast and they went on to be one of the innovators of East Coast Doom metal. I once saw them open for Man Is The Bastard and I recall their entire set consisted of one Sabbath song that was slowed down to almost nothingness. I was once again hooked to another Terry band. At any rate if you don’t know… Grief broke up in 2001. Terry got the band back together for a few reunions, but in 2014 with the original drummer on board they started playing gigs under the name Come To Grief (yes it’s a Grief LP title). They just started from scratch and did a new band with new records. It’s exactly what you’d expect if you followed Grief.  Slow, droned out harshness that just drops to the depths of someplace where most people don’t want to be. Me… sometimes I like being there. This is the band’s newest release, and features three beasts that just stay in the heavy lane. It’s perfect for the Covid-19 times we are living in. Terry Savastano for President! (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

UNITED MUTATION • Dark Self Image LP

MINOR STARS • Through Pinholes in the Sky LP

MINOR STARS  • Through Pinholes In The Sky LP 

2019/2020

By the looks of this LP -the record the isn’t something I think I’d typically listen to or try to seek out… but after I threw it on my turntable and cranked the volume I was pleasantly surprised by the heavy fuzz of these North Carolina psych-rock vets. It reminds me of some Sabbath minced up with some 90’s indie shoe gaze. “Cavepainter” the first song on side 2 really should have been the opening track. It’s super heavy with killer dragging Sabbathy doom riffs and some great vox. I’d maybe compare parts of it to really really early Soundgarden. The production and mastering is really stellar making it super pro. You can tell much time and effort was put into this record, and these guys really tried to make the perfect product for themselves. The bass sustains all the way through the record.  

My only complaint would be the sequencing…. Side 2 should be side 1. I think the songs on side 2 are way better/heavy and might get people who might not typically listen all the way through to actually flip the record over with some real excitement. Guys, if you read this get at me next time for sequencing advice (har har har). I’m really glad I got to experience the band’s record… Like I mentioned earlier it’s nothing that would have come across my radar but I’ve listened to it four times in two days. I’d dig seeing them live to see if they can pull this full sound off live.  (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

DESTRUCT self-titled LP (2020)

DESTRUCT •  self-titled LP (2020)

Grave Mistake Records 

I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time. DESTRUCT are from Richmond Virginia and Share the guitarist from ENFORCED. The dude Zack is pretty amazing both as a player and a writer, he seems to be able to do it all. 

This record is straight up BASTARD worship done pro with some other influences thrown in here and there. For those of you reading this that have never heard the legendary Japanese Hardcore band BASTARD I envy you. I wish I could have my mind blown once again by hearing BASTARD for the first time. Other than BASTARD, I hear DISCHARGE, and most people will snicker when I say this, but I hear early SHEER TERROR vocally.  Obviously, I don’t think that was done on purpose, but I hear a lot of “I Just Can’t Hate Enough” when the singer is screaming along to these vicious tunes. To me everything about this record is perfect. The production is sick, and the drums just pound right through the speakers and keep my head bobbing. The production is spot on.  I can’t imagine I’ll hear another HC record that comes out in 2020 that will have me as excited about it as this one does.  Don’t sleep on this one, hit up Grave Mistake Records or your local record shop to get this one before its gone.  (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

 

DARK THOUGHTS • Do You Dream 7″

DARK THOUGHTS • Do You Dream 7” 45

Peterwalkee Records

This Philadelphia band gets love from all around the world. If you’ve never heard them and are like me (semi out of touch), but love that East Bay Lookout Records sound then you need to grab some of their shit immediately. I think what does it for me with them is that they get it. They understand that the production is super important, and if these songs were produced in a modern way they might just be another generic pop punk band. But, like I said, they seem to get it, and always make sure that the recordings have that late 80s early 90s rawness that isn’t polished like many bands these days go for.  I think the bands recordings might be the most important thing about them. Sure, the songs are super catchy and melodic, but if they didn’t have that DIY sound I know that I’d have no love for them.  The shit doesn’t sound digital at all.
At any rate this is a single for the Must Be Nice album.  One of the two songs, “It’s Too Late”, on the B Side,  is exclusive for this here record.
(NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

GREY C.E.L.L. • Self-titled LP

Grey C.E.L.L. S/T LP

King Of The Monsters Records

Eleven scorchers on this beautifully colored 12” slab. The songs go by super quickly mostly due to this being a 45 rpm record.  These dudes weren’t on my radar at all until very recently.  This is harsh as all hell Philadelphia hardcore/punk. But it still has some weird quirkiness to it that keeps me interested, and also manages things from getting to generic. This record does have a massive 90s hardcore feel to it which I think works well for them.  There is some really cool guitar stuff happening with Janis who played (plays) guitar in Citizens Arrest. The drums and bass are spot on and are just rolling together and keeping the madness together. I love the harshness of the vox, they sorta remind me of San Diego’s Run For Your Fucking Life. If you like Citizens Arrest I’d imagine you’ll dig this as two of the four members are in CXA.

The lyric sheet apparently can be cut out to be turned into a zoetrope that becomes animated if played on a turntable at 45 RPM.  I am NOT going to be trying that with my insert, because it looks really nice and it would mean I no longer had a lyric sheet.   (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

 

LOW FORM • demo tape (2019)

LOW FORM • Joyride demo tape (2019)

This is done by Western Mass punk hardcore guys who are playing more of an alternative style that gets me thinking of the late 80s or early 90s college rock scene (for lack of a better word).  Its really good especially for a three piece.  I’d say it has parts that sometimes remind me of the Cult, or even Danzig (just without the heavy). The recording is stellar with the song Purgatory really being the stand out to me, but the songs are all catchy as hell.  It’ll be interesting to see if these guys are able to move into getting into the vinyl game or finding a label to help them spread their word. (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA