“You're always there, inferior. My time to let it go, oh/My brother, now hold that iron.
Time to collide/Your face is strong, your eyes want to unfold inside of me.” @ Sunny Day Real Estate
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| Horns up |
New Horizons
Although never releasing a studio album in their heyday, Belfast’s first gothic punk act were able to support Siouxsie and the Banshees as well as be televised. This release sees the band revisit their early demos, compile tracks from recent releases as well as live tracks (onstage and in session). Fans of post-punk and goth rock would do well to investigate these pioneers via this compilation and hear how their sound has progressed right up to the present day. Recommended.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
The Philadelphia/Derry based IRA blackened death metal group’s first album sees them add Thin Lizzy to the riffage department (something that is seemingly required of most Irish metal acts once they hit a certain point). ‘Five Demands’ starts off a jig before turning into a d-beat number (obviously a glorious thing) that pays tribute to the hunger strikers. ‘The Procession of Sands’ threatens to be a militaristic march before turning into a jig and ‘Touts Crucifixion’ lashes out at Stakeknife and co in furious fashion. No frills, no fucking around. This rules.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Mass Hallucination – s/t EP
Three tracks in barely four minutes does seem like taking the piss but this Leeds based act ply a particularly scummy and unkempt trade, operating somewhere between Killing Joke and Rudimentary Peni (obviously a brilliant thing if you ask me) and this EP makes for a savage listen. ‘Dragging a Rope’ contains a rather filthy bassline while ‘Lacerated’ just plummets the listener around the head. Next time, put out a full LP lads as we could do with even more.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
The Body and Cel Genesis - Whole Wide World
Fresh from their excellent gig in Dublin a few months ago, the ever-prolific Portland duo team up with electronic act Cel Genesis for an album that pounds (due to the presence of two drummers) and has a crunch to the electronics that gives the noise a digital dirt that is often lacking in records of this ilk. ‘Remind Me’ is the obvious standout but ‘Everything’ comes a close second due to its mangling of rave euphoria, turning into being akin to descending into hell.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Golden Oldies
Broken Bones – Without Conscience
Taking nearly 5 years to record this record and then having Bones reform Discharge around the same time meant this LP was going to be overshadowed. And it shouldn’t be. Although lacking the more overtly metal elements that made ‘F.O.A.D’ such an exciting listen, it’s a ferocious piece of UK hardcore tracks and tracks like ‘8 Second Seizure’ and ‘.co.uk’ demonstrate this.
Lydia Lunch – Retrovirus
This live album from 2013 sees Lydia teaming up with underground hero Weasel Walter, former Sonic Youth drummer Bob Bert and former Swans bassist Algis Kizys for an evening of her songs stretching across her various collaborations. They’re a testament to the power of Lydia as a songwriter and a performer but also just how fresh and powerful her band makes them. Closing with a cover of Alice Cooper’s ‘Black Juju’ is an astute move.
This live album from 2013 sees Lydia teaming up with underground hero Weasel Walter, former Sonic Youth drummer Bob Bert and former Swans bassist Algis Kizys for an evening of her songs stretching across her various collaborations. They’re a testament to the power of Lydia as a songwriter and a performer but also just how fresh and powerful her band makes them. Closing with a cover of Alice Cooper’s ‘Black Juju’ is an astute move.
⏩ 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 and is the author of A Vortex of Securocrats and “dethrone god”.
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