Our future is clear/No one seems to care/Armageddon is near/The end is here - SS Decontrol
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| Horns up |
New Horizons
LA Witch – DOGGOD
A shocking five years have passed since the underrated ‘Play with Fire’ and they’re back with more garage influenced post punk, albeit with slightly more emphasis on the post punk this time around. Songs like ‘777’ give off autumnal vibes due to the brittle (yet cutting) guitar tone while ‘Eyes of Love’ perfectly meshes The Gun Club with The Sound.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Sevendials – A Crash Course in Catastrophe
Reteaming Chris Connolly (Revolting Cocks) and Paul Ferguson (Killing Joke) was always going to be a winner and adding Mark Gemini Thwaite into the mix guarantees success. While the focus has been on their cover of Sparks’ ‘Number 1 Song in Heaven’, the broodier numbers like ‘Corrupted Verse’ and ‘Zodiac Minds’ are where the band come into their own.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
FACS – Wish Defence
One of the finest bands in the world return with an album that, lyrically, revolves around the concepts of the self and whether we have a true self. Musically, the album is more muscular, angular post-punk that feels world building (check out the track ‘Ordinary Voices’ for proof) and self-contained (‘Sometimes Only’ is apt proof of this.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Iggor Cavalera/Shane Embury – Neon Gods/Own Your Darkness
Two stalwarts of extreme metal have teamed up to deliver a split release of industrial/noise on Cold Spring. Although Iggor’s side is the most effective due to the thrilling atmosphere, layered sounds and varying volume, Shane’s track does offer a more ambient, yet sinister, take on drone. Hopefully both give us full albums in the future.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Decontrol – The Inevitable End
Mixing d-beat crust, Rudimentary Peni shrillness and thrash riffage, Decontrol have given us a fierce, modern anarcho punk record that lashes out with indignant fury at everyone from the BBC to the alt-right. ‘You Hate Me’ and ‘Our Boys in Blue’ stand out in particular due to the riffs not being a million miles away from Toxic Holocaust. I’m sure they’re even more ferocious live.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Score – Original Copy
Described in the press release as “...another round of trippy and melodic groovers for the heart and mind...” that “…hint playfully at the idea of ideas, and the power of creativity…”, this is a blissed-out LP that will sound just as good walking about in the sun as well as soundtracking summer evening barbeques. Ten minute closer ‘Lightbulb Moment’ exemplifies this euphoria.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Golden Oldies
Psychic TV – Force the Hand of Chance
The first release from Genesis P. Orridge’s post Throbbing Gristle outfit in 1982 indicated that it would be both business as usual (the ritualistic ‘Teminus’ and ‘Guiltless) and a different beast altogether (the poppy ‘Just Drifting’ and ‘Stolen Kisses’). Remarkably, it works brilliantly and you’re ready to join Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth by the end of the record.
Bad Religion – Suffer
Long after the initial wave of US hardcore (and five years after their misguided attempt at prog rock), Bad Religion ripped 1988 a new one by going back to their roots, writing catchy songs and helping to kickstart a new wave of melodic hardcore/pop punk. So many great songs on here but ‘Land of Competition’ and ‘How Much is Enough?’ remain peak Bad Religion.
Long after the initial wave of US hardcore (and five years after their misguided attempt at prog rock), Bad Religion ripped 1988 a new one by going back to their roots, writing catchy songs and helping to kickstart a new wave of melodic hardcore/pop punk. So many great songs on here but ‘Land of Competition’ and ‘How Much is Enough?’ remain peak Bad Religion.
Earth – The Bees Made Honey in the Lion’s Skull
With their days as drone rock pioneers long in the rear-view mirror, this 2008 LP from Dylan Carlson and co. is an astonishing progression from ‘ Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method’. Slow, swampy sounding and country tinged; it remains one of the definitive post-metal releases. Opener ‘Omens and Portents I: The Driver’ is the ideal track to introduce newcomers.
With their days as drone rock pioneers long in the rear-view mirror, this 2008 LP from Dylan Carlson and co. is an astonishing progression from ‘ Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method’. Slow, swampy sounding and country tinged; it remains one of the definitive post-metal releases. Opener ‘Omens and Portents I: The Driver’ is the ideal track to introduce newcomers.
⏩ Christopher Owens was a reviewer for Metal Ireland and finds time to study the history and inherent contradictions of Ireland. He is currently the TPQ Friday columnist.
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