Low Before the Breeze
Photo Credit 📷 : random fan at the show
When hope is at its lowest, when we fight and we scream at the world, crying out against the thousand paper cuts that score the skin, we seek comfort from duress. For some of us, therapy is our therapy. Others use their art to lift themselves from the dark — and some of us find solace in that. Today’s new music review is the track Proverbs 7:22 from Atlanta’s Low Before the Breeze, and this is the kind of track that seemed to act as catharsis for its authors, but serves its audience with its existence.
The opening chords ring out, thick with distortion, and a driving pummeling baseline that slides up the neck may not be your first introduction to Low Before the Breeze, who released the single Night Wept on Valentine’s Day, 2025. To begin with, Low Before the Breeze is best described as “a band whose ability to defy genre expectations is certainly going to start arguments based on how reviewers decide to classify them in order to increase their appeal.” This is a subject that we’ve spent far too long discussing about all the genre-bending awesomeness that we’ve been exposed to this year, and Low Before the Breeze is another band that I’d happily play Devil’s advocate when arguing for or against their inclusion in a given genre.
Ultimately, Proverbs 7:22 is the sum of many influences, and when you expose yourself to the Venn diagram of bands like Majority Rule, Altar of Plagues, and Portrayal of Guilt you’ll find that all bands are UNDENIABLY heavy. The swarming guitar riff that kicks in at 10-seconds harkens to that post-blackened sound, and the subtle electronics and burbling noises (headphones, people) lend themselves to all the sonic possibilities that rise to the surface of repeated listens. So is it chaotic blackened hardcore? Blackened screamo with a mewithoutyou influence? Mathcore? The classifications and “for fans of” statements are helpful starting points when exploring new music (or starting arguments in the group chat).
This new track is part of the forthcoming full length, A Hole Beneath the Home We Shared, which is to be released this May. In conversation with the band they remark that the creation of the album was “a fucking mess” but if the currently released tracks are indicative of the sum of their parts, we’re in for “a fucking treat.” Guitarist and vocalist, Andrew, provided context to the writing process on the album, noting that he would often go “to practice with an outline of a song, and then the band will break it down and refine it until it turns into something that reflects our collected personality.”
“WHILE THE COMMON THEME IN METAL ORIENTED MUSIC IS TO FOCUS ON POSTURING TOUGHNESS, I'D MUCH RATHER HIGHLIGHT MY MOMENTS OF VULNERABILITY. I WANT TO CONVEY KINDNESS.”
- ANDREW, @LOWBEFORETHEBREEZE
The inspiration for the record is a chronicling of dark times run through the filter of religious guilt. Failing relationships, abusive relationships, and the near death of loved ones bring power to the music of Low Before the Breeze. Flipping that script on the brutality and machismo associated with heavy music, the band offers its experience to help others, whether through the trading of stories and shared experiences or support in finding the necessary resources to see somebody through the difficulty life puts in their path.
The record was recorded by Conner Ray at Sobek Sound Studios, mixed by Simon Small (Tunnel of Reverb) and mastered by Erol Ulug at Hi Octane Recordings. It is being released by Terminus Hate City.
They’re a very heavy band based in Atlanta, and they’ve created an incredible piece of music in Proverbs 7:22, enjoy.
Proverbs 7:22 by Low Before the Breeze:
From the day that you crawled into my home
I could tell that you were hungry, starving
First I’m screaming at the gas pump
(Screaming)
Next I’m weeping to the parish
(Weeping)
Methadone Lockbox
(That I paid for)
That we paid for every other day
I often wonder if it’s just your nature
Or if your god made you a martyr
Just like your boy
Low Before the Breeze is Andrew Spann on vocals, guitar and electronics, Johnathon Kemp on guitar, Dennis Maganda on bass, and Jonathan Balsamo on drums,
Follow them on Bandcamp here : Low Before the Breeze
Writer : @garevthistle
Editor : @just_reidz
03/25/25
Emery
Emery was a post-hardcore band that existed somewhere between 1993 and 1996. In the mid 90s D.I.Y punk music was nearing its peak popularity. Emery was on the cusp of a very special point in time; in the inland empire that birthed them, Emery was surrounded by a bustling hotspot of influential and emotional punk bands. During their brief time, Emery frequented popular venues of the era such as the Jabberjaw, Che Café and the Huntington Beach Library; sharing bills with emo greats like Christie Front Drive, Boys Life, Giants Chair, Boilermaker, Evergreen, Julia, Nuzzle, Ex-Ignota and Still Life.
While every one of the aforementioned bands have more or less got their due by now, Emery stands out as a talented group that is deserving of a fair bit more attention. I am proud to say that finally, after 30 years, one of Emery’s long lost studio sessions has been remastered and will appear on vinyl in the very near future on the new Dimensional Projects label. To be able to hear more from this band after such a long time is a complete blessing and I really hope people start tuning in to this band’s wavelength, as their unique energy and spirit is breathtaking and still somewhat unmatched.
Somewhere in the years that have passed since the burgeoning 90s punk scene reached its heyday, likely due to their limited output and pre-internet obscurity, Emery became lost in the fold somewhere along the way, even though they were on par with the very best. Jae Rodriguez once told me that; compared to Jimmy Eat World, who they most famously had a limited-run 7” split with “We were like a pack of feral cats” which I think is a perfect way to describe Emery; a wild passionate whirlwind of controlled chaos and blinding energy comparable to influential bands like Drive Like Jehu and Hoover. Emery was tight, technical and had a lot of impressive instrumental interplay. I originally came across Emery when I found their sole 7'‘ in a pile of old 45s at an antique store and the two tracks on it really blew my mind. I’m more than excited to hear more as these new singles slowly roll out.
Today another Emery single will be released, so make sure to tune in to have your head blown clean off! Dimensional Projects other two scheduled releases will focus on The Western Expanse, a continuation of Emery. The boys found a renewed spirit and created an even more polished and remarkable sound. Keep an eye on Dimensional Projects in the near future for more information about these incredible releases. For now, have a listen to Emery’s The Smarter In You, one of their “new” tracks that have remained unreleased for 30 years up until this moment!
Emery is Jae Rodriguez & Kevin Adamson on guitar, Chris Smith on bass and vocals, Aaron Wimberley on the drums.
Follow their releases here : Dimensional Projects
Writer : @canadianwasteland
Editor : @just_reidz
03/17/25
Ashen Hands
Photo Credit 📷 : @ashen_hands
Dissonance, quick tom fills, stop, go. It’s a recipe that we all know and love. It’s a cherished, time honored tradition for bands cut from the metallic tinged cloth. It’s New Music Monday today and we’re debuting Circuiti by Ashen Hands, an absolutely punishing new emoviolence band from Italy.
When the bass slides into the rest of the song there is a brief moment of respite before we’re pummeled with blastbeats and ripping guitars. Ashen Hands nods to the crust punks of the world with a change into mid-tempo d-beat before transitioning into yet ANOTHER riff. There is almost an element of surprise as the band dance from section to section. About halfway through the track you can tell this is a band owning their influences, Neil Perry and Love Lost Forgotten stick out, this is the contemporary version of Level Plane bands. But fans of bands like Converge, Robotosauraus, and Battle of Wolf 359 would do well to check this out.
As the band would tell you, “we are just four punks” but they’ve put together an impressive debut single. Supporting the band in the studio, Riccardo “Pelle” Pellegrini helmed the recording and production. Mastering was shipped off to the legendary Will Killingsworth, a household name in the screamo scene and heavy music communities alike. The band is also quick to note that Circuiti is “a starting point for our sound, the newer songs that we are writing are already very different.” For a band that hoped to bang out some tracks, have fun and just play some shows, they’ve put together a killer track and the upcoming debut is sure to crush.
The songs are written in Italian, which should come as no surprise. The lyrics take inspiration from movies, books, and other images. Conceptually there is a theme to Circuiti that is profoundly eerie. The perpetual advancement of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, and its consumption of our digital fingerprint is truly terrifying. The notion that even in the event of your untimely death some server in a data center is masquerading as you.
Enough already, enjoy this track.
The forthcoming collection of songs from Ashen Hands will be put out by Tomb Tree, My Back Hurts Records, Khya Records, and Dingleberry Records on March 14th.
Catch them in their home town of Bologna on March 23rd at the Freakout Club. Check out the debut and read the lyric sheet for Circuiti below.
English:
Losing someone who still seems alive online, as much as everyone else around us. Only what has been remains of him, now food for algorithms and AI.
Clinging with the teeth to the electric wires I won’t be abandoned ever again / By no one / My crushed face crumples in the pitch darkness of the room / I can't grasp what's left of your body / A wire for every vein / I break a finger in your memory / Burned into the screen / They still devour your body / Swallowing every one of your mistakes / Your shape / a vague memory lost forever / Clinging with my teeth to electric wires I will never be alone again / Here for me you are still alive
Italian:
Perdere una persona che sembra ancora viva online, tanto quanto tutte le altre persone attorno a noi. Ma di lui rimane soltanto ciò che è stato, ormai cibo per algoritmi e AI.
Aggrappato con i denti ai fili elettrici non sarò mai più abbandonato / Da nessuno / Il mio viso rotto si accartoccia nel buio pesto della stanza / Non riesco ad afferrare ciò che resta del tuo corpo / Un cavo per ogni vena / Mi spezzo un dito in tuo ricordo / Impresso nello schermo / Mangiano ancora il tuo corpo / Ingoiano ogni tuo sbaglio / La tua figura / un vago ricordo perso per sempre / Aggrappato con i denti ai fili elettrici non sarò più solo / Qui per me sei ancora vivo
Ashen Hands is Francesco on vocals, Alessandro on guitar, Marco on Bass and Will on Drums.
Process//Sleep
Photo Credit 📷 : @process_sleep
Something malicious is boiling over the surface in Carolina. A new band by the name of Process//Sleep have formed and they’re ready to claw their way into the worldwide screamo scene and the DIY communities.
Their unrelenting and abrasive instrumental assault is the aftermath of infecting emoviolence with black metal influences. This maelstrom of mayhem is paired perfectly with feral shrieks and blood curdling screams that carve through the mix like a surgical incision. The full effect of it is hair raising. This will leave you with goosebumps and the undeniable urge to run into your nearest dark forest and scream back into the void.
Process//Sleep have written some seriously sinister tracks for their upcoming EP Wherever You Think You Belong, You Probably Don’t and we’re honored today to be premiering their first single titled Love Sosa by Chief Keef. We had a chance to chat with their guitarists and vocalists, Isabelle and Jackson, about what inspired this EP, their writing and recording process, and where they see Process//Sleep in the near future.
Bands like Majority Rule, Letters To Catalonia, and Ostraca are noticeable key influences to the swirling of turpitude that is Process//Sleep. “The past few months I’ve been listening to a lot of that metallic screamo sound, it’s what I’ve been super into recently. Lots of ambient sounding screamo and general emoviolence are in my wheelhouse.” Isabelle tells us of her influences and the bands writing & recording process:
“Usually, Jackson or I will come up with a track and then workshop it at practice together as a band. We trade lead vocals pretty 50/50, usually he sings his songs and I sing my songs (not including backing vocals). This new EP was our first time going into an actual studio. In the past we just used a cheap mic in the center of the room, or just Reaper at home. This time we had our friend Nick Futral from the band Bluegill mix and master the EP for us. We recorded in his little studio space in his band house.”
This is the first release as a full band, something they’ve been working on for at least three years now. Overwhelming feelings are the overall theme surrounding the EP and it’s evoked a great deal of emotions within the guitarists and vocalists of the band, but both for very different reasons. Jackson says the EP features a handful of the very first songs they’ve ever written..
“One of my personal favorites on this release was the title track Wherever You Think You Belong, You Probably Don’t, as it covers my experience as a mixed Asian-American, specifically with not feeling like I belong into any of the cultures I am a part of because of those minor differences. I hope that I’m able to contribute to the growing Asian-American community in the genre through my music.”
Isabelle tells us that the overarching lyrical theme is loss. “The track Love Sosa, it’s about losing your teenage years to addiction. When you’re spun out during what is supposed to be your formative years, you don’t mature the way humans are supposed to. Once you quit, you are left at the maturity of the age you began using, plus the traumas of addiction that you have to work through. This is something I’ve personally dealt with and feel isn’t a topic ever brought up.”
“WE DON’T WANT TO BE ANOTHER BAND THAT JUST SELF-FLAGELLATES ABOUT THE WORLD AROUND US. WE WANT TO INSPIRE THE FEELING OF ANGER TOWARDS ALL THE PROBLEMS IN THE WORLD. THE ‘EMO’ IN ‘EMOTIONAL’ DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN JUST SAD MUSIC.
I HOPE PEOPLE CAN TAKE ALL OF THE LOSS AND GRIEF THEY’RE GOING THROUGH CURRENTLY AND USE IT TO PUSH FOR UNITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE NEED IT THE MOST NOW.”
- JACKSON @PROCESS_SLEEP
SO WHAT MORE CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE BAND THIS YEAR?
“A split with our friends, the Michigan based band Abuse Repression is in the works and hopefully after that we can work on our debut album next!”
ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR THE READERS?
“Things are getting scary in America right now, and they will continue to get worse. If you are trans, POC, or any group that is being targeted, arm yourself. If you are a person with privilege, protect your friends and community. Be vigilant, and stay safe.”
Wherever You Think You Belong, You Probably Don’t is being released on CD via Middleman Records and Tomb Tree Records will have tapes that will also be available by sometime in April this year. We’re honored to be premiering their first single with the lyric sheet below.
If this band keeps writing music on the insane level they’re currently at then I speculate they’ll be on a quick rise to becoming a new household name in screamo, and hopefully that means their next move isn’t to split up immediately after releasing their full length album.
Love Sosa by Chief Keef:
Dish wash safe mistakes
A rerun with the dial stuck
Flowers and credit
Synthetic performance
Dosed away tremors
Slice the nerve and kill all your reason
For forgiveness
One broken word
Five more crossed
Two burnt voices
Six times over
Three times a day
Four years that I will never get back
Lose your heart
Kill your mind
Nothing's sorry
Lose your heart
Kill your mind
You said it's no good
You are
What you are
Find a way out
Kill your heart
Cut the mouth
And you always said that you
You follow
I don't lie down
To my peers
Four years I will never get back
Four years I will never get back
Four years I will never get back
Four more years I will never get back
I'm close
I've been
Fighting for you
I've been
Nothing to you
I'm a fraud
Lose your heart
Kill your mind
Process//Sleep is Isabelle Karina & Jackson Chang on vocals and guitar. Matthew Patteson does bass and backing vocals and Carter Beacham is on drums.
Pyre
Photo Credit 📷 : @davedeath
Today is another day earmarked on the calendar for New Music Monday. The team here at Not Just a Phase is positively giddy to be debuting Good Bones, Better Teeth from Jersey and Philly screamo darlings, Pyre.
The band needs no introduction when you consider their live appearances amongst star studded lines the last six months, including sets alongside screamo legends In Loving Memory and, most recently, a sold out show with recently reunited Frail. If I’ve made you feel guilty about living under the onslaught of new music coming our way this year, then let me enlighten you, these are East Coast baddies.
Pyre, is self-described as trans emo/screamo, and when you inevitably dig through their back catalog, you’ll find the description apt. Drawing influences from a wide variety of influences ranging from the greats like Saetia, Converge, combatwoundedvetran, Thursday, and Snowing. Hell, you might argue that Good Bones, Better Teeth manages to pack the frenetic energy of Saetia, with some of that jangly, catchy, emotional bullshit we all love from Snowing, while ending the track with a brand of metallic hardcore that made Converge, well, Converge.
Pyre’s writing process sees its collaborators (Dove, vocals; Green Rob/Blue Rob, guitars; Kayleigh, bass; Dan, drums) writing their riffs and sharing them back and forth to iterate on before bringing everything together as a group at practice where they refine and reorganize. This latest batch of songs from the band were recorded over multiple spaces, including live drum tracking and vocals in a now-defunct DIY space, while other instruments were recorded in Evan Dyer’s home studio. Evan performed all recording duties and also handled mixing and mastering. The final product is slick, but not overly produced. It maintains its raw, animal ferocity.
“MOST OF THE LYRICS ARE VERY PERSONAL AND ARE ABOUT PERSONAL TRAUMA AND LOSS AND THE STRUGGLES OF BEING A TRANS PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES.
A TAKEAWAY FROM THE ABLUM COULD BE THAT TRANS PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS FUCKING EXIST AND WE WILL ALWAYS BE LOUD AND PROUD AND OBNOXIOUS AND STAUNCHLY ANTI-FASCIST UNTIL WE ARE DEAD.”
- DOVE @PYRE_SCREAMO
This latest track is part of an upcoming release on Bored Science and Good Bones, Better Teeth is Pyre at their finest. This track should leave us all yearning for the release of what’s to come. We’re treated to tasteful doses of double bass, anthemic pop-emo sing alongs, all slipstreamed by emotional, chaotic screamo.
Don’t be silly, go smash the play button and enjoy this track. Then take yourself on a little Spring Break ‘25 to catch Pyre alongside In Loving Memory and Jeromes Dream in early April as they hit up Jersey, Rhode Island, and NYC.
I hear they’ve got some fun summer plans too..
Pyre is Dove on vocals, Green Rob / Blue Rob on guitars, Kayleigh on bass and Dan on the drums.
Martin Randal Travel
Photo Credit 📷 : ???
Nothing feels more on-brand from screamo and screamo adjacent bands than to play shows for a year, put out some banging tracks, and then fuck off into the sunset. Should I have buried that bit of information deep in the heart of the article where tired eyes might miss it? If the last few years have taught us nothing else then we can expect to hear more from Martin Randal Travel.
Hailing all the way from Birmingham, United Kingdom, and helping us put the “Worldwide” in Not Just A Phase, Martin Randal Travel are dropping a split (with Sulfur) on Tomb Tree Records / Snuff Puff Productions / Unfettered Heart and we’re fucking tickled to premier the track My Final Message.
The Birmingham based quartet delivers a track steeped DIY and nostalgia, reminding us that what got us here all those years before still slays. Approaching My Final Message with a clean slate I had no expectations. My experience with Martin Randal Travel was completely blind beyond knowing the label releasing the tracks. When the clean, noodly guitar riffs end at roughly 40-seconds and you get a taste of that throwback metalcore-ass riffing you too will be delighted.
Martin Randal Travel tip-toe around early metalcore bands like 7 Angels 7 Plagues and early screamo like Hassan I Sabbah or Love Lost But Not Forgotten. The riffs are fast, driven by that “core” influence, and the breakdowns have me ready to tip over a lorry. Just ninety seconds in and old heads are coming out of mosh retirement. But the vocals, the clean passage halfway through the track (and the clean passage to open it), and the way the guitars play off of one another (headphones in) really demonstrate the bands love of screamo legends like You and I and Hassan I Sabbah.
These tracks really do embody the spirit and DIY ethos of early screamo and metalcore. The recordings are raw, but powerful. The guitars sound wooly and fuzzy, not the crisp, almost sterile sound of present-day popular bands. The drums are almost subdued. The snare doesn’t snap, the toms don’t thud, aren’t backed by a fucking 808. BUT IT’S REAL. The song writing is there and that’s what matters.
Having broken up in September when one member moved away for university, Martin Randal Travel plan to posthumously release a discography compilation and they said “Hopefully we can all play again this summer once we're done with college / uni.” So let me make this recommendation, join me in jamming this killer debut, while spamming their Instagram page with comments about a reunion tour. Follow that up by buying the record and supporting the bands / labels with the links listed below.
The split is scheduled to be released by Tomb Tree Records on February 24th, 2025. CDs will hopefully be released by Snuffpuff Productions later down the line.
Follow them on Bandcamp here : Martin Randal Travel
Writer : @garevthistle
Editor : @just_reidz
02/17/25
Visitor Pass
Photo Credit 📷 : @visitorpassmi
Amanda Bernstorf has been booking festivals and DIY shows for years in the Michigan scene and now she’s finally coming into her own creative for her solo project-pop punk band: Visitor Pass. While Amanda is the sole writer & composer, as well as guitarist / vocalist and lyricist for the project, she is working with three other talented musicians that will be performing with Visitor Pass for some upcoming live shows.
For a lot of women Paramore was a major inspiration and they were naturally a huge influence on Amanda growing up too but her range of influences go far beyond pop music genres. “The Story So Far is one of my favorite bands, so they are also a big influence for me as well”. Amanda’s other cited influences include The Menzingers, Eat Your Heart Out, and Household. Amongst her many connections within the DIY scenes, Amanda and Visitor Pass also have ties to the hardcore world.
“I love the idea of throwing in some elements of hardcore as well, since melodic hardcore is one of my favorite genres, though I'm not sure if that comes across in these singles. Haha. But hopefully my future songs will bring more of that style!”
Her latest track Bad Habit deals with fighting against (and overcoming) your fears. “You can stay afraid, but do the scary thing anyway.” Bad Habit is the first of three Visitor Pass singles to come in the next few months and features Zeke McKinney of Tooth and Nail’s post-hardcore heroes Idle Threat. The song and bands sound currently is very energetic and bubbly with the catchy trademark hooks and pop melodies one would associate with mall emo of the early 2000s but the attitude and the message are different here, Amanda’s lyrics are far from bubblegum or anything to be considered corny.
WHAT’S YOUR WRITING PROCESS ENTAIL FOR VISITOR PASS?
“I typically find myself coming up with a catchy vocal pattern for the chorus first, and then I try and fill out the rest of the song from there, which was the case with this single [Bad Habit]. As far as lyrics go, I have tried to gear them toward something positive and helpful. The world is so crushing and I spent a long time being crushed, so I want to hopefully give back something positive and honest to anyone who listens.”
SO HOW DID THE COLLAB WITH ZEKE HAPPEN FOR BAD HABIT?
“I'm a big Idle Threat fan, so I was excited when Zeke agreed to sing on the track. I really want my sound to draw from post-hardcore / hardcore elements, since they are some of my favorite genres, so it was a no-brainer to ask Zeke to be on this song. Andrew Tyson, of the band Real Face, recorded and produced this song and two others that have yet to be released. He is very energetic and fun to work with, making the recording process so easy.
He really pushed me to get the best sound and made a ton of great suggestions and contributions on arrangements and instrumentation. He kept telling me to channel my inner Hayley Williams to get the best vocal takes, I really loved that!”
“BAD HABIT WAS INSPIRED OUT OF FRUSTURATION TOWARDS MYSELF. I KINDA HAVE A ‘BAD HABIT’ OF SABOTAGING THINGS AS SOON AS THEY ARE GETTING REMOTELY GOOD. TURNS OUT THAT I AM AFRAID OF SUCCESS, ALMOST AS EQUALLY AS I AM OF FAILURE.“
- AMANDA @VISITORPASSMI
Bad Habit forces you to answer Amanda’s direct questions in her chorus lyrics “are you afraid to be happy, that the good will run out? Are you afraid to be happy or forgive yourself?”, and quite honestly, yes to both. Admitting that (very publicly) isn’t easy, and having lyrics that deeply personal and emotional stand to prove that Visitor Pass isn’t bubblegum bullshit so don’t let the cutesy aesthetic of this project fool you, there’s a lot of substance going beyond skin deep within the heart of this project. The juxtaposition of this song being instrumentally very hyper, bright and fun while lyrically hitting me like a heavy therapy session gave me goosebumps and a smile.
“If other people unfortunately relate to this song, I hope they feel encouraged that they are going to fail at some point, but that doesn't make them a failure. And just the same, when things are going well, try not shy away from that, but embrace the good.”
SO WHATS NEXT FOR VISITOR PASS NOW?
“I have two more singles set to release at the top of 2025, as well as a music video for my first single "White Noise". There's currently a new album in the works that I'm really excited to share with everyone. The goal for that album would be for 2026.”
ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR THE READERS?
“I'm so very grateful to have so much support, and to be involved in the DIY scene. I have gotten to do so many incredible things because of other people being so kind and generous to me. I am hopeful to be that to anyone who aspires to do any type of art. Shoutout to Kevin Schlereth, the real DIY hero of our time.”
Die Wild :)
You can catch Amanda live as Vistor Pass have upcoming shows for January 24 in Royal Oak, MI, with the band Lester. They’ll also be at Bowlero Lanes & Lounge on February 15 with Real Face in Trenton, MI but in the meantime checkout the latest single Bad Habit below and be sure to give them a follow on their socials!
Amid The Old Wounds
Photo Cred 📷 : @francis_bebo
Today at Not Just A Phase we’re doing a spotlight review on a very special artist. Daniel Becker is a man who has worn many musical hats in his career, from his previous projects “Wishes On A Plane” in 2002-2009 to “Duct Hearts” in ‘09 - 2018, Daniel is now currently doing a singer / songwriter solo project in “Amid The Old Wounds.” The most glaring influences to his writing for this project are Dashboard Confessional & William Fitzsimmons. Yes, we are going on an emotional journey with this body of work today, so prepare to be shown, hear, and feel a lot more than you may have expected to.
Side effects of listening to Daniel Becker’s work may include: thoughts of sorrow, yearning for the past and versions of your former self, general confusion regarding your purpose in life, feelings of heartbreak and dread, general anxieties as well as overwhelming feelings of love and loss, defeat, triumph & strong urges to emotionally look inward, and overall self reflection. Side effects may also include but aren’t limited to: strong urges to call your ex or therapist and potentially even dust off your old acoustic guitar. Daniel Becker, “Amid The Old Wounds,” and all of his musical endeavors are not liable for any choices you may make while experiencing any of these potential side affects.
After signing a few waivers we were allowed to ask Daniel some questions about his latest release which is a collective of singles, older songs and b-sides called Almost Lost. We discuss his inspirations amongst other things while including the writing and recording process and the beauty within the imperfections.
WHAT WENT INTO THE WRITING PROCESS FOR ALMOST LOST?
“Well It varies a lot from song to song, especially since Almost Lost is a record that compiles a bunch of singles, with older songs that were ‘leftovers’ from bands over the years, some were among the first songs I wrote. Anyway, usually I write down whatever lyrics come my way, what's on my mind, what keeps me awake at night... Sometimes it's just a sentence, sometimes it's an entire page. In parallel, I play chords on my guitar and try to come up with things that go beyond standard chords.
Sometimes these two writing processes just magically latch onto each other and a song forms pretty quickly and I only have to explicitly work on the last sentences, and sometimes a guitar part or some lyrics lie around for ages because I don't know what to do with them. Other than that there is no set process, I usually like to give creativity enough room to unfold but not force it, except for the final sentence or something that can be a bit of more effort to get right.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC ROUTINE OR STANDARDS IN REGARDS TO YOUR RECORDING PROCESS?
“I usually demo songs on my phone, but for some I don't. Most of the time I have a certain record I want to record for then pick the songs and practice them until I am confident with my playing. I mostly play the guitar to write and record, so I need to practice more than you'd think. I record at home but it takes a bit to setup and get into recording mode so like others, who take leave from work and book studio time, I record over a few consecutive days and take those days off, or record whenever there's not much work to do anyway.
During the practicing process I decide on a certain speed, or if the song can't be done in a single BPM I program that, and partly practice to metronome. I have recorded songs live without click, but only if that's the only option. You might think recording a guy playing his acoustic guitar and singing is a quick record, but I record with very natural room sounds and ambience mics, so every small noise will be very audible in the mix, compared to for example when recording just with a guitar pickup. So it takes a lot longer than one might think.
I've been diagnosed with house dust allergies which has been affecting my quality and stamina at singing, so I mostly record when my voice is in good shape, which has become increasingly rarer within the last years, but I am treating the allergies and am also consulting a speech therapist at the moment so I hope in the future recording vocals may become easier.”
HOW WAS ALMOST LOST MIXED AND MASTERED?
“I have been working with a friend of mine named Franz who is running a small studio called Koenichsound. He has mixed and mastered all songs from Almost Lost as well as the recent split with Mt. Oriander. However we have recently started a collaborative project called 'their something borrowed, glory' he is busy with adding his bells and whistles to my basic tracks, and life in general, so I have been working with Role at Die Tonmeisterei on some other single tracks and the future will be a mix of the two I guess. Both have different approaches to mixing and I learn different things about my recording process from working with both people.”
“I THINK MOST OF MY SONGS ARE MOTIVATED BY THE MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL STAGE I AM IN AT THE TIME AND IN A WAY THEY SERVE AS THERAPHY. THEY DEAL WITH BREAKUPS AND GENERAL HEARTBREAK OR LONLINESS, BUT ALSO WITH A REVELATION OR MAKING PEACE WITH A PAST LET-DOWN OR TRAUMA. I THINK AS ANY PYSCHOLOGICAL THERAPY THEY SERVE AS A MEANS TO UNDERSTAND MYSELF BETTER EVERY DAY.”
DANIEL BECKER - @AMIDTHEOLDWOUNDS
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR MUSIC IN 2025?
“Well, I have a couple of songs I am recording for an EP and a bunch of smaller releases here and there. The biggest milestone would be a more consistent and reliable voice to be able to sing and record at a faster pace and better quality. I embrace imperfection as mentioned, but also have a certain ambition towards the quality of my performance and recording. That's probably nothing you can count but is really important to me.
Other than that this project is really a means and document of growth as a person, and a musician and singer, so my journey here really is the goal. I would like to see more people listen to my music, and maybe my music might help them through difficult times like other people's music has done for me. It's not like I wouldn't enjoy if this turned out making a part time income so I'd have more time to make music, but the motivation really is to follow my inspiration and be creative.”
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS TO LEAVE WITH THE READERS?
“I'm not sure if this has come to everyone's attention but I wanted to emphasize what Spotify's changes in demonetization means to small artists, and subculture in general. Basically in addition to the weakest payout per stream compared to any other streaming service, Spotify has now stopped paying out for songs that perform less than 1000 streams per month. Their reasoning sounds sensible, saying that small payouts don't reach the artist anyway due to high minimum payouts from the distributor, so a lot of those micro-payouts just stay with the distributor and never get paid out eventually. This might be true for an artist with only a few songs, but let's take a small DIY label or artist with maybe 5 albums, 10 songs each that plays 500 streams per song each month.
That's a significant amount of 2500 plays per month, 30,000 plays per year, equals $70-100 that DON'T GET PAID out to the artist that earns and needs it and that goes to the Drakes and Taylor Swifts (I love TS, by the way,, just saying, she makes enough already). So where does this lead? Even more payouts to the big artists, even less support for small and developing artists. The initial idea of streaming was more democracy, less gatekeeping by labels, radio stations and distributors. So I can only encourage artists and listeners to find better ways to fund subculture and artists directly, over big corporations.”
In far less politically correct words I too would like to say that Spotify is a fuckin cancer to the DIY scene and they literally do not pay their creators for their content either. So let’s say you have a pretty successful podcast you’ve run for four years on their platform and let’s say you were even in their top ten percent most listened to podcasts in 2022 (facts), it don’t mean a damn thing to them, you don’t get a dime. We all need to support each other with whatever funds we have to keep art and artists alive, and with that being said…
Attached to this article below is a beautiful song chosen by Daniel off of the Almost Lost collection. I strongly encourage you to listen to it and if the song doesn’t move you then you might be a robot. All of his previous bands and previous releases contain pieces and memories of Daniel’s life journey that are deeply personal and also universally relatable at the same time, that’s something truly powerful and hard to convey with music.
The Almost Lost CD & cassettes are being released on Daniels own label Time As A Color, as well as Slow Down Records in Norway and Rufen Publishings in Japan. The split with Mt. Oriander has the same labels mentioned above releasing the split and is also being released by Sonic Rendezvous in the UK, Shove Records in Italy, Civic Duty in Australia, and in the states we have Friendly Otter, New Knee Records and Count Your Lucky Stars with copies so grab one while ya still can!
athousandangelsandseven
Photo Credit 📷 : @lucidnature
Take a deep breath. Now, if you’re ready to do a little sonic exploration today, then prepare yourself for a new single called Clipped Wings from Denver’s athousandangelsandseven forthcoming self-titled EP. The name may look familiar to those of you with a pulse for the screamo scene as the band debuted a track on Zegema Beach Zampler #24.
Clipped Wings picks up where the band left off — frenetic energy fraught with dissonance. The Denver quintet opens the track with homage to chainsaw riffs and d-beat drums, reminiscent the_network or Trap Them. The floor tom thunders as instrumentation syncs before it all falls to shit with a tasty slice of cacophony. Elle’s vocals teeter from snotty and sassy punk-esque vocals all the way to ear piercing screams that’ll call to mind Sawtooth Grin.
I make these comparisons not because the band apes these styles, but rather because the range and depth of the band members span nearly ten active projects and over ten dormant endeavors. For the self-titled EP, Mat (guitar) started building the framework for the tracks, building the songs in a digital audio workstation and presenting these ideas to the band, who were then tasked with composing their parts. With vocalist Elle noting that the writing progress for this project was different than past projects, that there was emphasis on impacting the sound of the song through “new and interesting rhythmic elements."
“LYRICALLY AND VOCALLY, THIS PROJECT’S A LOT DIFFERENT TO ANYTHING ELSE I’VE WORKED ON DUE TO HOW CONSISTENTLY CHAOTIC AND MATHY IT IS. THE PHRASING HAS TO BE MUCH MORE INTENTIONAL, SO I SPENT A LOT LONGER THAN USUAL HONING THE LYRICS FOR THIS EP.”
- ELLE @ATHOUSANDANGELSANDSEVEN
The tracks were workshopped over an extended period before live takes, real amps and drums gave way to the track you’re hearing today. Mat and Ryan (drums) were at the helm for recording the debut, recording and mixing at 140Audio. Elle (vocals), Alex (bass) and Kendrick (guitar) supplied ample riffing to cover the sonic spectrum that give the songs such energy. Mat and Ryan did an incredible job capturing a myriad of tones and dynamics in this 2-minute track. I’m blown away at the bass passage around a minute in that makes Alex’s sort of noise rock bass riff fit in so well. The tone on it is stellar.
Clipped Wings is a tour de force with regards to suffering. Lyrically we have a narrator against themselves, battling that which makes them “function” while still feeling impotent. The very thing that takes the edge off of the sharpest parts is holding us back, wings clipped just enough not to escape. The album will set its sights on our “culture of greed, violence, and fear, perpetuated by the [United States] and [Elle’s] feelings of anger, guilt, and trauma as a marginalized person existing within this country.”
The self-titled EP will be released on 01/27/27 by Zegema Beach Records, with an album release planned for the 28th, at Squirm Gallery in Denver. Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on this record, it scratches the itch in a good way — a chaotic blend of bands like Cult Leader and Jerome’s Dream and a touch of Usurp Synapse.
Checkout their Bandcamp here : athousandangelsandseven
Writer : @garevthistle
Editor : @just_reidz
01/13/25
NAUFRAAGE
Photo Credit 📷 : @veuvescarron
Bathing in the noises of decay and washes of ambient pads I feel anxiety for my anxiety. I can anticipate the path I must travel, I can envision the dangerous byways between Scylla and Charybdis as my boat seeks refuge from the tumultuous waters. I am greeted by the putrid froth, a sound that is called forth from the belly of Chraybdis, whose whirlpools rage as the saltwater rushes from its mouth, enveloping me…
This is the sound of “Le festin de décadents,” from the blackened screamo meets post-metal outfit NAUFFRAGE. We’re beyond excited to collaborate on this single release from the French duo. Matt and Seb are longtime collaborators. Veterans of the French screamo scene may recall their past projects Madame de Montespan (2007-2010) and Cathedraal (2012, 2022). The group is supported by producer / collaborator Ténèbre on this release, who helps to hone the vision that has been crafted and refined over nearly 20 years.
Digging deeper into the writing process of the band, songwriting starts with Seb at home in Angers, drafting sketches of new songs then shipping it to Matt in Paris where the work on vocal patterns, lyrics, harmonies, and ambience is crafted. Finally, Ténèbre “dissects the track and orders [the band] to make a few hundred changes,” the band writes, “we re-record everything, he asks for fifty more changes, and a month later, we have a song!” A demanding process, but clearly the destination has made the journey fulfilling.
Ténèbre’s production is distinct and builds upon the foundation that Seb and Matt created in their earliest efforts. The screamo scene of the early and mid-aughts is still reflected in Matt’s vocal patterns and stylings, where I’m reminded much of bands like Birds in Row. Yet there is a maturation to the sound as Matt leans into the progressive metal and post-metal, demonstrating his range as he moves effortlessly from French brethren Celeste to European post-metal heavyweights the Ocean.
Sonically, Seb’s guitar work runs the gamut of influences. The 7-string guitars favored by the latest and greatest of djent guitarists aren’t the darlings of the screamo scene, but Seb uses the extended range of the instrument to paint with a palette that reminds you of Gojira or Tesseract, doing black metal while leaning into a post-metal influence before the song puts you in mind of a Chelsea Wolfe and Converge collaboration (get about 2-minutes into the track, you’ll know). While the drum break into the just barely distorted high note at the 3-minute mark reminds you what this duo cut their teeth on and how they’ve refined their sound over the years.
“THE IDEA IS TO LISTEN TO THE RECORD IN ONE SITTING, LIKE WATCHING A MOVIE. IT’LL BE VARIED ENOUGH TO KEEP THINGS INTERESTING, AND WE HOPE THAT LISTENERS WILL TAKE OFF THEIR HEADPHONES AT THE END WITH THE SAME FEELING THEY GET AFTER A GOOD FILM - LIKE THEY’VE JUST EXPERIENCED SOMETHING.”
- SEB @NAUFRAAGE
Lyrically, if my earlier metaphors left no hints, I am brought to torrents of the sea and the sirens’ call. With the lyrics translated into English, Matt sings, Deprived of bearings / drifting in your wake / They lure you with their charms / Drawing you away from the shores, into vile crashing waves, and I cannot stop thinking about the parallel between feeling lost and scared and trying to grab hold to something, anything, that lets you feel like you’re above water and the dangers of upswell of far right authoritarianism throughout the globe, a sentiment the band shares.
You get the first listen of “Le festin de décadents” at Not Just a Phase and I hope you’re as fucking amped about this track as I am. You can find Naufraage on Bandcamp (linked below) and other streaming platforms. Both this single and the track from fall of 2024 reflect the tremendous effort the duo has put into their craft and I urge you not to sleep on this.
Nine Necks
Photo Credit 📷 : @woefoto
Your favorite Chicago band from Los Angeles has returned after nearly five years with a re branding of sorts. Nine Necks are back and setting out for a wild 2025. Currently taking influence from veteran acts like Jeromes Dream, Botch, Converge and Every Time I Die while not sounding like a copy of any of them. Their eclectic new blend of melodies and hefty rhythms accompany the absolute vocal assault and battery they deliver and it reaches every corner. Far beyond a handful of influences and a few band name drops, their style allows their sound to fit flawlessly across many genre fanbases. From post hardcore to screamo and metalcore lovers, Nine Necks have a neck for anyone who likes heavy music.
Emerging with their new vocalist Dan Rees to debut a new song “No Heart” coming off of their upcoming EP Ritual & Demise which is due to be released this spring under the bands label imprint “Be Human”. Nine Necks are also currently looking for other labels to partner up with for a wider physical release. We had a chat with their "drummer / band secretary” Patrick about their line up change, writing and recording process, the new single, their upcoming EP and the plans and goals they’ve set to take on in this new year.
WITH A RECENT LINE UP CHANGE I’M CURIOUS HOW THE WRITING PROCESS FOR THIS EP WENT?
“The writing process for this EP was a long one. We started writing these songs during the lockdown after we decided to move forward as a three piece following the departure of founding member and vocalist Joel. The search for a new vocalist was taking longer than we wanted so we decided to take up the vocal duties amongst ourselves. That’s when Joe, our guitarist, discovered that he could sing a little, then Dan eventually came knocking on our door.
Dan brought in a crazy deathcore pedigree with him so we decided to eschew our melodic hardcore past in favor of something heavier and more pummeling. After Dan came into the fold we re-tuned the songs that we had written and began writing new songs along with Dan. The songs on the EP reflect that growth as a band.”
HOW WAS THE RECORDING PROCESS FOR THE NEW MATERIAL?
“The recording process for this EP was also a long process. We demoed these songs twice before finally laying down tracks with Alex Estrada at The Pale Moon Ranch. The time at the ranch was a great time. It’s in a pretty remote spot in Juniper Hills, CA. It felt a lot like going to band camp except you get a record at the end.”
WHERE WAS RITUAL AND DEMISE MIXED / MASTERED?
“We decided to keep the mix in house with Alex Estrada at The Pale Moon Ranch. Alex is multi-talented and mixing is just another of his super powers. It was great to mix there as we were all able to get our ears in the same room for the final mixes. We had a few options for mastering but Alex suggested that we should go with Chris Common from These Arms Are Snakes.
He thought Chris would be a great fit for what we do and he was right. He did an amazing job shaping the overall tone.”
“THESE SINGLES AND THE EP AS A WHOLE ARE A BIT OF A RELAUNCH FOR THIS BAND. IT’S OUR FIRST RELEASE OF ANY NEW MATERIAL IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS AND IT’S THE FIRST WITH OUR NEW SINGER DAN AS WELL SO IT DOCUMENTS THIS TRANSITORY PERIOD IN THE BAND.“
- PATRICK @NINENECKS
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR NINE NECKS NOW?
“The goal is to start building around this. We’re planning to play more shows in support of the releases but we’ve also been writing so we’re going to be back in the studio again this year. We’re currently planning to ramp up shows in support of the upcoming releases. We’re playing next week (1/18/25 @The Redwoods in DTLA w/Some Gifts). We’re also planning for more local touring around LA with possible midwest dates as well as that is where we are all originally from.”
ANY CLOSING WORDS?
“We just want to give a shoutout to all of our friends and family both in Los Angeles and Chicago (fun fact, all of our members are originally from Chicago). Another shoutout and some love to all of the bands we’ve played with and the venues who have hosted us (You know who you are. I’m not gonna list because someone always feels slighted).
One specific shout out though to our ridiculously talented friend Brian Skipworth who painstakingly engineered and mixed the original demos for the EP in the crucible like summer heat of our practice spot, he is the unsung hero for us in all of this.”
Posted below we’re hyped to debuting their new single “No Heart” which will be available on all streaming platforms this week on January 10th. Check it out below, follow them on their bandcamp link listed there as well and hit ‘em up if you’re a a label that may be interested in partnering up to help release Ritual and Demise. If this is any indication of what our new year will entail for Nine Necks upcoming releases and for the heavy music scene in general then we’re all in for an absolutely magical 2025!
Do not quote me on 2025 being “magical” for anything except new music releases.
Self Neglect
Photo Cred 📷 : @demonicaarts666
Today we’re presenting “Gently,” the two minutes and seventeen second track that distills “the power, horror, compulsion, and inevitability of love.” This banger comes to Not Just a Phase courtesy of the Albuquerque quartet, Self Neglect.
The opening floor-tom roll into drum fill kicks things off in a way that feels anthemic. When the guitar tracks come in you can nearly feel the next chord in progression before it hits and drags you along. The vocals hit, with hints of bleakness. They raw screaming evokes the ilk of blackened screamo artists like, Portrayal of Guilt or Infant Island. That hint of reverb that smears the pained and panic wailing of vocalist Alex gracefully blurs the abrasion into the croon of Cody Votolato (Blood Brothers).
The back and forth, dueling vocals of Alex and Cody ties together the three distinct phrases of the first minute of the song before we descend into the briefest display of madness. The drums go fast, the riffs go fast, and it all goes hard. This is a six second snapshot before you get brief hints of some white belt breakdown. Spinning out of this in a whirlwind we get fantastic guitar leads, courtesy of Cody Votolato.
“WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE OUR LIVE SHOWS A PLACE WHERE LOSERS, FREAKS, WEIRDOS AND OUTCASTS CAN COME TOGETHER, HAVE FUN, AND EXPLORE. WE DON’T JUST WANT PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEY DON’T BELONG IN SOCIETY AR LARGE, BUT ALOS PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE TO FIND BELONING IN HARDCORE AS WELL.”
The quick, dynamic chan1ges, the pain, the panic, the emotion crammed into this track has me absolutely pumped for this release. This is a testament to the efforts that Leon, Matt, Derrick, and Alex have put into their craft. Before you dive in, here's what Self Neglect had to say about this track: "Gently is about the tension between our desire to love and be loved and the primal fear we have around surrendering to that experience."
So enjoy "Gently" and wait with me so that I am not alone in craving the rest of the tracks Self Neglect will release on February 2nd, 2025.
Nick Cage “Intruder” Music Video Premiere
Alright, so this music video / band is one of the coolest things to ever show up in the NJAP inbox. This band, Nick Cage, (yes, named after the actor) hail from Queens, New York and consists of members from the previous bands: Mems Ouster Nash, Off White, and Super FM. They’re ripping up a classic meat and potatoes hardcore punk style that’s heavily influenced by veteran acts such as Discharge, Negative Approach, Youth of Today, and really any Youth Crew or 80’s NYHC acts. I’m absolutely hyped to spread their message today as it’s one that strikes close to home for me.
As someone who’s trying to grow this “brand” and expand the blogspot and podcast I have this constant mental anguish from the never ending convo in my head that goes something like this: “Reels man, all those influencer clowns are doing those reels with the cheesy captions and that shit spreads like cancer online, it works. Ya gotta do it eventually, c’mon, it’ll grow the audience and that’ll help the bands you promote and work with get more attention.. You fuckin cheeseball, do that corny shit; it’s not selling out, right? You’re already on TikTok so stop fronting.” So ya gotta understand that when I watched this music video I grinned ear-to-fucking-ear maniacally, like the Grinch. I even let out a goofy cackle like an evil villain and shouted “YESS! YESSS! FUCKIN’ GET EM!”.
I know my reluctance to follow the influencer trends will likely hinder the progress of this brand in the long run, and it’s really tough for bands to find promotion for a good price, it’s even harder to find a way to get some coverage without selling your soul to trendy influencer bullshit just to appease the algorithm gods. I could write a Bible long rant about this shit, but much like this song and video does, I’m just gonna get to the point: Nick Cage have a stupid ass band name that made me laugh, this video gave me a hearty chuckle and this song goes dummy. I asked their voclaist Nolan a few questions and said I’d happily premiere the music video, so here it is..
YOU KNOW I GOTTA ASK, FIRST OFF, WHAT’S WITH THE NAME?
“We're named after the actor. We liked that it felt low effort to just be the dude's name. After the fact, I woulda named the band Renée Zellweger or something because every single person is like ‘haha what's your favorite movie?’ ....Of which the answer is Bad Lieutenant Port of Call New Orleans by Werner Herzog.”
WHAT’S YOUR WRITING PROCESS USUALLY CONSIST OF?
“We come up with a lot organically during practice. Most times when one of us comes in with a riff, we play with it, discard most of it, and come back with some sort of mutant version of the original idea. That's a lot of what came up with Intruder.”
“I THINK THAT COMPARED TO OUR LAST LP LOST CAUSE, WE’VE TIGHTENED UP OUR SOUND. WHEN WE FIRST RELEASED THAT (AND I’M STILL PROUD OF IT) I WAS PERSONALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW I WANTED TO SOUND AND PRESENT MYSELF AS A VOCALIST AND WE WERE TRYING TO LOCK INTO A SOUND. I STILL THINK THAT WE’RE EVOLVING, BUT I FEEL NOW THAT WE’RE CLOSER TO WHAT WE WANT TO SOUND LIKE.”
- NOLAN @NICKCAGERAW
HOW DO YOU RECORD?
“Our recording engineer, Adam Amran, is a frequent performer / client of Jones Bar in Ridgewood Queens, of which our lead guitarist, Sean, is the proprietor. He offered to record us in his apartment, a big lofty space right next to the train. The drums were kinda in an awkward spot so we had to position a mirror so that we could see Louis playing and keep in time! We blasted the 6 song EP out in about four hours.”
WHAT’S THE MIXING AND MASTERING PROCESS?
“Mixed in Brooklyn, at Adam's loft, and Mastered by our bassist Zack at (redacted), a fancy post sound facility in Manhattan that we kinda snuck in to do it.”
ANY LABELS INVOLVED IN THIS UPCOMING RELEASE?
“No labels yet, we just wanted to pump out a 7" by ourselves. Release date: TBD, but currently aiming for December, 2024.”
ANYTHING YOU WANNA SAY ABOUT THIS WORK OF ART?
“I suppose I just want to talk more about the music video. I really hate all these influencer fucking people and how much it just creeps into your social media timelines no matter what you do. The algorithm just puts these morons in front of you and most of it is just thinly disguised advertising. I had this idea kicking around about someone trying to make another one of these things and just something terrible happens to them.”
(fuckin’ brilliant by the way)
“Originally the idea was a lot more, uh, gory but then we thought that might be too over the top. We shot it in an afternoon and then I edited it in CapCut a day later. I wanted to do as much as I could to make it seem diagetic, so we shot it 9x16 on an iPhone and then edited it using the software that all the influencers use, including the AI speech to text translator. I think that way it makes the whole thing feel all the more weird and dangerous feeling. We're pretty stoked on it.”
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR NICK CAGE?
“For 2025, we're really interested in opening up and touring more into the tristate. We've played quite a lot in the city but I feel like now we're in a place to open ourselves to the world. Plus we have cars now!”
This video instantly captured my attention (pun intended) and I’ll be a fan for life now. Fuck goofy influencer trends, fuck the internet personalities who sell lies to the people, and a big shoutout to the ads I keep seeing that tell musicians they can grow their audience by paying for plays on streaming apps, promote your music however you want to but shilling out cash to get fake plays gotta be the lamest shit ever.
Long live Nick Cage.
Follow them on Bandcamp : Nick Cage
Writer : @just_reidz
Editor : @garevthistle
11/07/24
Graypath
Photo Cred 📷 : @seventhsideprod
Hailing from the foothills of North Jersey, Gray Path have officially released their debut Ep. “Abysm EP” which explores an emotional metamorphosis of losing oneself only to be reborn, with all of the lyrical content written by guitarist and co-founder of the band, Mikey Burgos. Pair this with some of the punchiest, dynamic and acrobatic metalcore of the year, you got yourself a tightly packed EP that thrives off of getting straight to the point without any filler whatsoever. Gray Path have already been on a semi-extensive tour, even getting recognition from YouTuber, Ohrion Reacts.
During this past week, I managed to reach out to Graypath, where we discussed their new EP as well as origins and future aspirations.
HOW DID YOU GUYS INITIALLY MEET AND WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO START THIS BAND?
“Mikey and Danny went to high school together. They formed this project by themselves pre pandemic around 2019. The project officially found their members in 2023.”
WHERE DID THE NAME COME FROM?
“Our vocalist Bryan came up with the name. The name has no particular meaning, it’s vague and leaves it up for anyone to interpret it however they want.”
OUTSIDE OF YOUR DRUMMER DANIEL, WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THE BAND, FROM THE DEPTHS, WHAT IS EVERYONE’S MUSIC BACKGROUND?
“Everyone else is a self taught musician, Mikey has always been an insanely skilled at home bedroom guitarist. Bryan and Pedro recently picked up their instrument, it seems they’re all naturals.”
WHAT WAS THE WRITING AND RECORDING PROCESS BEHIND THIS EP?
“Our guitarist Mikey writes all of our songs, records it onto pro tools, and then sends it to the rest of us. We then provide feedback and ultimately come to a final version which we’re all happy with! This release will be our first ever, we've put in many hours of work fine-tuning and countless days rehearsing to create the heavy-hitting EP that is Abysm. It takes inspiration from many different avenues of different bands and personal struggles, we're absolutely stoked to release it to the public and see what people have to say about it.”
“THIS RELEASE IS SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE IT’S ALL RAW EMOTION, IT WAS WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT IS RELATABLE IN CERTAIN ASPECTS IN TERMS OF LOSING ONESELF AND PUSHING THROUGH THE ACHE TO ULTIMATELY BECOME A BETTER VERSION OF OURSELVES.”
- MIKEY @GRAYPATHBAND
WHY DID YOU GO WITH TIMBER STUDIOS AND IRON AUDIO? WAS IT THROUGH A CONNECTION?
“Our drummer Danny has been working with Timber Studios for a few years now through Adam (their owner). Though we tried to hire Adam for our debut single, he wasn’t available and had his other engineer Chris Dombrowski work with us which completely worked out considering we were huge fans of his band ‘Sentinels’.
Iron Audio has been a producer that Mikey and Danny have been eyeing since the early days, turns out he’s friends with Chris from Sentinels and it all kinda came full circle. Iron Audio produces some of our favorite bands and it’s also a huge coincidence that he’s from Jersey.”
HOW DID THE COLLABORATION WITH CRYSTAL PATH ON THE TRACK “FRACTURE” COME ABOUT?
“Crystal Plains is Danny’s first band, although he is no longer apart of it, they’re all still really close. The frontman of Crystal Plains, David, is Bryan’s older brother. The collab kind of happened naturally, we were super on board with the material David provided and we showed zero hesitation in letting him hop on the record.”
I’VE HEARD YOU GUYS ARE CURRENTLY UNSIGNED. ARE YOU PLANNING ON STAYING INDEPENDENT? IF NOT, WHO WOULD YOU CONSIDER SIGNING WITH?
“Although were unsigned we’d definitely love to be a part of a label one day. Label’s including Sharptone Records, Fearless Records, UNFD, or Epitaph Records.”
I SEE THAT YOU’VE BEEN SUPER ACTIVE THIS PAST WEEK OR SO ON A SMALL TOUR IN THE NEW JERSEY / NEW ENGLAND AREA. HOW HAS THAT BEEN? ANY HIGHLIGHTS YOU COULD SHARE? ANY FUTURE SHOWS COMING UP?
“We just went out on our first weekender recently and also played our EP release show in Newark, NJ which was extremely successful. Upcoming shows are 11/01 in Teaneck, NJ w/ May They Rest 11/16 in NYC w/ Advents.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR GRAYPATH? ANY FUTURE GOALS OR MILESTONES?
“At this very moment we're going to continue moving forward, playing shows in the tri-state area and writing music together. We're more than excited to be able to finally release this EP to everyone and be able to showcase ourselves more. If it catapults us into something bigger then that's a plus too.”
ANY CLOSING WORDS?
“Big thanks to our local fans, the producers who helped along the way and the family and friends that made this dream possible. This EP would be nothing without the audience that's been there to back it since day one.”
Find all their links on their linktree : Graypath
Writer : @nicks_creative_outlet
Editor : @just_reidz
10/29/24
Live Longer Burn Everything Music Video Premiere
Its been a rough year. We're living through the death throes of the corned beast that is the imperial capitalistic empire, and its horrors that are imparted to the world seem to be ramping up every day. As a scene but more so as a community, we have to ask ourselves what world can we envision once the cinders smolder and the nightmare finally ends? Music is often a salve for our woes and a provision of a better future for us to imagine. Love Longer Burn Everything have always embodied this sentiment, from the moment of their inception to now, and "I Lost My HeavyHeavyLowLow Pin At a Hong Kong Fuck You Show at The Whyld Ass Cafe”” is another entry in the bands catalogue of sonic desires for a better life.
With their typical finesse, the track kicks in with insane aplomb. Massive guitars sweep and grind and shred while vocals caterwaul and sprint from clean to screamed to wailed. The accompanying video (lovingly captured and crafted by the legend himself, Isaac Geesling, stitches together footage taken from their last year of tours and gigs, featuring dogpiles, stage dives and few moments of antics in the legendary Che Cafe’s rafters, giving the viewer a little taste of what you can expect from an LLBE live show. The most striking thing about the bands desire for a visual component is what it offers as an answer to the songs lyrics. A track racked with exasperation and pain, it speaks to the crushing state of the world as we’re all having it pressed upon us, while supplying actual visual proof of what we can be when we come together.
Live Longer Burn everything have been on a tear since they played their first set and show no signs of stopping whatsoever. In a world that feels more and more unkind and unforgiving every day, the relentless nature of the bands ethos and passion serve as a small but mighty anathema to all the ills of the world. Come to a show, make a friend and find your place in the community. This is the language of our scene and that his the idea behind this sound.
We’re more than honored to have been and continue getting to be a part of LLBE’s story, make sure to watch the video, stream the song and get yourself to a gig.
Live Longer and Burn Fucking Everything.
Follow them on Bandcamp : Live Longer Burn Everything
Writer : @letsgetpivotal
Editor : @just_reidz
10/28/24
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT MUSIC PRESS: 57 PAGES YOU SHOULD FOLLOW
Photo Credit 📷 : @fabmoreiraphoto
A while ago I made a post saying to support independent music press before it all dies off. Selfishly I made that post to remind people that we’re here and that there is a fight behind the scenes to keep giving your time and heart into running any DIY music press. Whether it be a blog, podcast or any DIY music documenter, often the only thing that keeps us going is a fan saying “hey that article / podcast or live footage was great thanks for doing that” ‘cause we are certainly not in this game for the money (no one’s making any but hit us up at patreon.com/notjustaphaseworldwide if you wanna support this page and the staff).
I talked the talk and now I’d like to walk the walk and show support for our brothers and sisters in arms who are fighting the good fight. This is music journalism written by music fans just documenting their scene and their music for the love of the game. Today we here at Not Just A Phase would like to salute all of you in the trenches with us and I hope our readers find some new pages to follow for the music they love. These pages are written in no particular order and have no favoritism, I started this article with the intent to do a top 10 and it got very out of control and now we’re here somehow with 57 or 58 pages you should follow.
TOC SIN MAG: @tocsinmag
Zine based in Portland and Pomona, covering screamo from all over the globe with straight to the point Q&A interviews with band ending with thee single greatest question ever asked by an interviewer “What song would you want to die to?”. I thought about this for so damn long before I came to my final answer. Garth Brooks - The Dance, yes I’m fuckin serious. I was raised on Garth and whenever my untimely death comes this ballad is gonna be the dramatic outro and I’ll be glad to see all my friends again if there’s anything after this world.
REALOEMO: @realoemo
Covering everything emo from song of the day features to amazing articles to quality memes and shitposts. They cover everything from the well known to the very obscure in real emo and are succeeding with their mission to #keepemoinhardcore
Borderlinefuckup: @borderlinefu
Music blog from Austria that covers everything from hardcore, punk, emo and screamo to indie and hip hop. Beautiful blogspot and IG layout aesthetic full of interviews and great articles. They even do a “bloggerly love” segment to shoutout others they admire to spread awareness of other independent music press 10/10 journalism you need to be following. Has written articles for NJAP before as well.
Stop Calling Them Screamo: @stopcallingthemscreamo
A hilarious play on words from the See You Space Cowboy song “Stop Calling Us Screamo”. A UK based journalist with an IG page that covers everything Screamo, from photographing shows they attend to album reviews and more, they got screamo on lock. Has written articles for NJAP as well.
Scoped Exposure: @scopedexposure
Western Canada based documenter Spencer Pries has been documenting DIY through filmed live sets since 2017 and began interviewing bands for his podcast Scoped Exposure in 2019 as well as being a major hand in throwing the annual Hold Your Ground Fest and being in a few bands. Spencer wears many hats while interviewing and documenting the smallest and biggest, oldest and newest names in Hardcore and more.
Open Mind Saturated Brain: openmindsaturatedbrain.blogspot.com
Canadian screamo veteran David Norman from @zegema_beach records runs this blogspot which showcases his album reviews for all bands screamo and screamo adjacent as well as his podcast of the same name all available on the blogspot we linked above.
Bandecdotes: @bandecdotes
Started by a friend of mine Phil Paxton after being interviewed on Not Just A Phase he created his own podcast to cover the local scene of our Canadian province, Ontario. Many years later it’s now expanded to a two man team that mostly does international album reviews and reaction videos for YouTube and less interviewing yet probably more entertaining content now than ever.
Sadder Star: @sadderstar.fm
Chelsea is a Portland based music enthusiast with a weekly emo show on @xrayfm and archived episodes available on their YouTube channel. Chelsea’s show features emo songs ranging from inactive 90s rarities to modern day day emo and screamo bands and everything in between. Started in late November of 2022, I hope this show blasts the sad jams until the end of time.
Sad Jams: @sad_jams
A page dedicated to sad jams and ran by a record label called We’re Trying Records (@weretryingrec). Playlists, interviews, audio, radio, oh and they also make jam! I think..
Deckonstrukcija Yugoviolence: @xdekonxyugo_violencex
Started in February of 2024 as a blog dedicated to covering Emo and Screamo in the Ex-Yugoslavian region (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Montenegro). Boasting a massive emo and screamo playlist on Rate Your Music and doing a stellar job of documenting and archiving those specific scenes. 10/10 for emo and screamo dorks who love finding the new and very rare bands this is where to go!
Aphhaus Records: @aphhausrecords
A @semicollectiverecords subsidiary ran by @eitherlight promoting releases and conducting interviews.
Z Tapes: @starttrack_com
Ran by @filip_zemcik (ex owner of the now defunct @ztapes) this music blog / label & YouTube channel does a ton of coverage on the underground scene from compilations to articles covering a lot of indie and folk / mellow jams to emo and everything inbetween and beyond.
Temporary Tats Zine: @temptatszine
(Ripped from their IG bio) a magazine documenting DIY music and culture in Houston, Texas. Fuck corporate press. Couldn’t have said it better myself on that last sentiment. This zine also does online interviews and covers all genres. God bless em.
Bearded Gentlemen Music: @beardedgmusic
Ska, punk and other junk. Rants, reviews and interviews / podcasts and more at beardedgentlemenmusic.com
Get Alternative: @getalternative
Self proclaimed best independent music site out there (I’d say second place but clearly we’re both very cocky and biased) with that being said I respect their gusto. It’s a real music blog run by real music lovers (again big fan of that mission statement) they’re on every platform doing everything. Stay independent my friends.
The Hideout: @xhideoutx
Okay I’ll admit they don’t exactly do music press, they’re a DIY venue, ran by people who love their scene and keep the community alive and thriving with these shows so they deserve your love and support.
Versed Magazine: @versedmagazine
LA based media production & artist publication. Live interviews for their online zine (versedmagazine.us). Looks like they cover a lot of screamo. Excited to see where they take this platform.
Cross My Heart With A Gun: @xcross_my_heart_with_a_gunx
https://xemosmakeriotx.livejournal.com
A blogspot doing reviews for emo, screamo, sasscore and metalcore. The music reviews are usually about a a paragraph or a little more just straight to the point and an out of 5 bullets rating system. The interviews have unique questions I found quite interesting and I immediately became a big fan of their format. I give it 5/5 bullets but if we are playing Russian roulette I’d say 6/6 just to make it count.
H813video: @h813video
Archiving Tampa hardcore bands and touring bands that play in Tampa. He shoots anywhere though apparently. Discovered this page after he shot a Novely set at a skatepark in Tampa. March 20th 2024 marks his one year anniversary of the first post to go up online so congrats!
Rambler Magazine: @ramblermagazine
“A reason to put ur phone down” which is funny considering I discovered their page on the Instagram app while scrolling on my phone. They do events in NYC, London, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Berkeley, also run interviews and plenty of creative outlets. Very cool page to check out.
Everything Is Noise: @everything.is.noise
Premieres, reviews, interviews for all types of music for all types of music lovers.
In Detentions Magazine: @indentionsmagazine
Small local arts and pop culture magazine based out of Denton, Texas.
Noven: @novenmag
Skramz mag with CDs, posters and love coming soon (or maybe already here by the time this article drops?)
Screamo Everyday: @screamoeveryday
Literally a new screamo band being reviewed daily it’s crazy.
Be About It: @beaboutitzine
Montreal based zine, does show flyers, booking, design, compilations, covers the MTLHC scene as well as the Ontario HC Scene. Lots of love for this group and all they do.
Hal Capone: @hal_capone1
Recorded live footage of screamo and underground bands dating back to the late 80s. Host of “Chopping it up Harcore with Hal Capone” and lots of love for screamo from all over the world.
Quahog Emo Adjacent: @quahog_emo_adjacent
Memes for Emo and screamo bands, books screamo shows in his area and recently collaborated with me to produce a Midwest emo playlist on Spotify called “Noodle Mode Engaged”. This is the page that made the family guy skate video with the VS Self track that has 300,000 or more likes somehow. Still mind boggling.
Beans and Breakdowns Podcast: @beansandbreakdowns
“A podcast dedicated to bridging the gap between specialty coffee and heavy music”. Covers HC and HC adjacent bands in the DIT culture on the podcast and provides album reviews on the Instagram page. Good music, good coffee what else could ya want?
Loose Tooth Zine: @loosetoothzine
“Hardcore Punk promoter and sometimes a zine from Ontario, Canada” - taken from their IG bio
Ontario Metal: @ontariometal
Posts show flyers to their IG page for metal shows all around the province of Ontario, Canada (not affiliated with our umbrella brand @ontarioxhardcore).
The Hardchives: @thehardchives
Dedicated to covering local and touring bands that come through Toronto and Ontario, profiles, reviews, concert photography and physical zines available.
Sophie’s Floorboard: Sophiesfloorboard.blogspot.com
If you don’t know this blogspot you must be new here (and that’s fine) and if you do fondly remember this blogspot you’re likely well over 30 and starting to feel old (and that’s okay too). Post #1200 in their 12th year of covering underground bands with short reviews and downloadable links to the bands music. This page was a staple of my youth and a major influence on what I’d listen to. If it was Sophie approved I’d check it out. A major inspiration behind how I want NJAP to become someday. Sophie is the queen of the underground sound in terms of blogs and I dare anyone to defy that truth.
Scena Muta: @scenamuta_
Our Italian representative and cohost for Not Just A Phase (Vicky) does so much for music it’s mind boggling. Writing for numerous music magazines, she’s the meme queen over at @screamo_affirmations and vocalist for @rescuecathc, she’s also booking shows in Italy under @rmskramz and now doing this page Scena Muta where she’s doing live interviews of fans and bands at shows and I have zero idea what she’s talking about cause I can’t speak any Italian at all but I know she’s asking great questions so check out all her work.
This Noise Is Ours: @thisnoiseisours / thisnoiseisours.com
A blog covering everything from metal to hc, punk, screamo etc, compilations, reviews and doing it all since 2010.
A Fan’s POV: @afanspov
A fans POV of underground music. Short clips of the bands often playing live with quotes from the band members speaking about their work. Covering everything from folk punk to emo and screamo. Very cool stuff, they should be way more popular.
Hotstuff Productions: @hotstuff_production
Based in LA and filming sets for SO MANY amazing screamo bands. From new jacks like onewaymirror to pioneers like Jerome’s Dream, this camera is filming so many sets. They are all over YouTube and have a premium for only $1.99 monthly so please support this page and defend it at all costs.
Apathy and Exhaustion: @apathy_and_exhaustion_blog
UK based blog covering Punk, Hardcore, and Emo from all over the world. Vinyl reviews only currently, but tons of great reviews on this page so go give it a follow and send your record over for a review!
Treble Music: @treblezine
News, reviews, features and more. For music lovers of all kinds.
Montana Media: @_montanamedia_
Live music documentation based out of New England. Est 2018. Quality page that’s put me onto some excellent bands.
Bucky Fanzine: @buckyfanzine
A zine / promoter booking shows out in Cali, written and run by @bimbotoolshed, one of the founding members of California Kicks Fest. Need I say more?
Miss The Stars: @missthestar.shows
Miss the stars is a music blog / zine / label / festival for screamo, emoviolence and all relatives. They also do samplers and compilations and honestly idk what they don’t do but missthestars.com has been around a long time (2009) so way before NJAP was talking about any screamo. I figure everyone in the emo / screamo scene knows this page already but if not it’s never too late to get involved with this great brand.
screamomiscellany: @screamomiscellany
“A page dedicated to screamo/ emoviolence / post hardcore / emotive hardcore” - bio stolen from their IG page. This page is non stop posting tons of live footage of bands and they even made a shirt last year which is crazy 10/10 the best page that has never returned my DMs!
Small Albums: @smallalbums
smallalbums.com is a music blog that shares all the new cool music they find as well as a couple memes, tiny playlists, reviews and more. They may be small but they are mighty and they deserve your attention so give them a follow and show some love.
Swim Into The Sound: @swimintosound
“Words on music and life. Ad-free, independent and from the heart. Forever.” (Stolen directly from their IG bio). THIS is the shit I’m talking about. DIY music press based out of North Carolina covering emo, screamo, hardcore and a ton of other genres. They hooked me in by bringing on special guest writers (an idea I directly stole from them after Elias wrote an article for them I decided NJAP was also gonna get some special guest writers when possible).
They really hooked me with the haters delight section. If you’ve been following the podcast you know I love to hate on bad music (and good music and tons of shit really) so this was something I hold near and dear to my heart. This page is doing the lords work! Can I get an amen? Amen.
Chainzmag: @chainzmag
Chainzmag is mainly focused on covering local skate crews and their local music scene to help them both reach new audiences. They’re Ontario based and book hardcore shows around the province as well. Super cool group that just started up. Raised some funds for a skatepark recently. Really grass roots DIY shit. Can’t wait to see them grow and what else they have in store for the future!
Dead Relatives: @deadrelativesmag
So Elias (@letsgetpivotal) put me onto this page cause I was at like 46 pages and really trying to hit 50 so I asked him to name a top 5 independents and he mentioned this very cool page. @deadrelativespress does affordable publishing & artist fundraising, booklets, magazines, comics, posters, stickers, art / photo prints (taken from their Instagram bio). deadrelativesmagazine.com has a bunch of interesting articles. Owned and operated as a non profit brand I respect the hell out of that and you should too so go give ‘em a follow and poke around their Instagram page and website.
Everything Remade: @everythingremade
Host Edie Quinn (owner of @middlemanrecords) chats about music with DIY emo & screamo guests. Art, life, music, stories that much dig further than skin deep. Great podcast, proudly independent and doing it for the love of the game.
Screamo Index: @screamoindex
On YouTube and Facebook, and always up to date on covering all things Screamo and Emo. They even have a bird on their logo so you know it’s real screamo. Not to mention their massive counterpart @mathcoreindex that has a podcast and does fests and tons of other shit. If you’re sleeping on these pages now is the time to check them out.
Punk Black | Alt POC Network: @punk.black
ATL based community network that features P.O.C. In the rock, art, cosplay and nerdlore communities. They do articles, playlists, events, they’re also a record label . They’re doing everything and they’re on YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Twitter and online at punkblack.com
What It Takes HC Blog: @what.it.takes.blog
Hardcore blog doing reviews and features that covers hardcore bands worldwide and keeps ya up to date on new releases, they book hardcore shows in Roanoke and they have a podcast with Scoped Exposure called “Listen Up!”.
Blackmarket Playlists: @blackmarketplaylist
Hand curated Spotify playlists. Support for emerging and or unsigned artists. Covers new punk, indie rock, shoegaze, heavy and fast music. Very cool page 10/10 you should be following it.
Evangezine: @evangezine
A zine based in Toronto, Ontario as well as San Francisco. In its very earliest stages of development. No zine out yet no articles nothing at the moment but lots to come very soon.
What Planet Is This? Magazine: @whatplanetisthismagazine
Southern Ontario based magazine focused on the local and underground music scene.
Where It Went: @whereitwentpodcast
(Taken from their IG bio) A podcast discussing the Revelation Records discography in chronological order. By the kids, for the kids. BY THE KIDS, FOR THE KIDS. That’s what I’m talking about, music lovers talking about music for the love of the game. We salute you.
Micro Spy: @microspymusic
“A podcast that takes a closer look at the lives and work of the musicians and creatives I admire + record label.” (stolen for their IG bio). A podcast and record label run by @erik_rate who is the drummer of Jeromes Dream. I’m not much of a podcast fan, despite being the founder of one, but Erik is very insightful and definitely has a “podcaster personality'“. Go check that out asap.
Preserving Hardcore: @preservinghardcore
Seems that their original youtube channel was deleted and they were at 3500 subscribes and 1.5 million views and uploaded over 1000 full live sets over the past decade. I was unaware of this page until very recently I came across them while doing some research for a podcast. Check their website at preservinghardcore.com and watch some core that’s old enough to be fossilized!
Doomed and Gloomed: @doomedgloomed
Part of the @heavyunderground_se network. Seems to have started in 2024 and covers underground music with monthly “round ups” stating which new albums to check out that month. I came across them because they covered some screamo.
hi8hound: @hi_8hound
Seems to be footage shot on a hand cam and looks like early 90s skate videos or (if you’re older than 30) it looks like the footage your family took of your birthdays when you were a kid. I’m not knocking the footage, I fuck with the retro look and this page covers everything from Spy to Sinema so check it out!
If you’ve made it this far down the list and actually read any or all of those I thank you. Instagram is awful to navigate so click that little bell in the top right hand corner of these pages and turn on notifications that way you can keep up to date with the pages you love and beat the menacing algorithms.
Writer : @just_reidz
Editor : @obijuan.cannoli
10/08/24
Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead
Photo Credit 📷 : @wmmd._
I know I’ve been saying it all year, but 2024 really has been quite the year for Screamo, the genre as a whole has never been more popular than it is today. With such a huge growth in the international community there are new bands popping up literally every day and I can no longer keep track of every new band and every new project so a few of them may end falling through the cracks unfortunately. One band that is too big to fall in any cracks and has been directly on our radar since day one is “Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead”. This year they’ve come back to the wheel to plow over everyone’s bones and ears with their signature style that makes the listener feel like they’re base jumping without a parachute.
Today we’re very excited to be debuting their brand new single “Spirit Incantation”. Citing influences like Joshua Fit For Battle, Ostraca, Lord Snow and Senza, the Vancouver based trio will be releasing their first full length album titled Tragedy As Catharsis on November 5th. The album was mixed and mastered by the legendary Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios and will be available for purchase on vinyl through No Funeral Records & Middle Man Records will have 50 cassettes as well.
I recently had a chance to conduct some interviews with the band over email to discuss this upcoming album and get their thoughts about and their future path and what the future has in store for the band.
WHAT WAS THE WRITING LIKE FOR TRAGEDY AS CATHARSIS?
Miffy (drums) : More often than not Jens (bass) and Kyle (guitar) bring riffs or completed songs and I write drum parts after the fact and do some arranging and editing. Thankfully none of us are precious about anything we write and a lot of stuff gets discarded. I really appreciate having band mates who are open to just throwing things out regardless of how much work we’ve done on them. When songs are only a minute long we have to be extremely editorial.
HOW WAS THE RECORDING PROCESS IN THE STUDIO?
Miffy : We play and record as live a set as possible, if anyone is unhappy with their parts we re-record a whole song to get a take we all like. We try not to do more than a couple of takes of anything - to keep a fresh sound that doesn’t feel too polished. Heig - who does engineering for us - always has great advice and honest opinions about what needs to be redone. Once the music is done, Jens and Kyle will add vocals and guitar overdubs. I roll around the studio reading and playing video games at that point.
Jens (Bass / Vocals) : It’s just been such a relief to have the opportunity to make music as a release. Screaming and playing aggressive music has always been a way for me to process my feelings of regret, guilt, anger, frustration and sadness. This is my meaning of the album title.
Miffy : I’m so proud of the work we make and the sheer intensity of it. It’s a blast playing with Jen and Kyle and getting to just scream rage and sorrow into the world. I’m so glad people resonate with it and I’m especially honored to have such a queer and trans audience. I’ve been aching for people to hear this album after the demo got such a positive response and I really hope this feels like a step up musically.
“I THINK SO MANY OF US AROUND THE WORLD ARE SO INVESTED IN EXPRESSING THIS MESSAGE TO OTHERS: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN WHAT YOU FEEL. NOW MORE THAN EVER WE HAVE TO WORK TO STRENGTHEN SOLIDARITY AND (RE)CONNECTION IN THE FACE OF NEO-LIBERAL AND FACIST IDEOLOGIES THAT SEEK TO ISOLATE US FROM EACH OTHER. I HOPE THIS ALBUM REMINDS EVERYONE WHO HEARS IT THAT ANGER IS THE CORRECT RESPONSE TO INJUSTICE, AND WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO EACH OTHER TO FIGHT THAT INJUSTICE WHEREVER AND HOWEVER IT ARISES.”
- MIFFY @DRIVEYOURPLOW
ANY SHOWS OR TOURS PLANNED FOR THE ALBUM?
Kyle (Guitars / Vocals) : Right now we just have our album released booked for November (but not announced yet). We are hoping to play some festivals in 2025 though! Getting out of Vancouver would be great!
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BAND AFTER THE RELEASE?
Kyle : The main focus after the album release is writing new material for splits with bands we love and look up to.
ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR US?
Miffy : Extend grace to your communities. Don’t act like cops to each other or yourself. Choose to do good everyday. Don’t give in to despair. Build a better world because it brings you joy. Death to all empires and tyrants. Long live The Communist International.
Kyle : Start a band, play some shows, and be nice to everyone you meet. you never know where you'll end up and we are all in this together.
We eagerly await the sonic assault of their debut album Tragedy As Catharsis to be released on November 5th. In the meantime checkout the new single premiere for “Spirit Incantation” below and follow the band on bandcamp and all their socials to show some love and support.
Follow them on Bandcamp : Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead
Writer : @just_reidz
Editor : @obijuan.cannoli
09/30/24
Career Day
Photo Credit 📷 : @askaboutmyfilms
It's becoming harder and harder to keep it in. This growling, angry, sad and despondent thing that is occupying me. The state of the world is sick and we all know, yet a rent payment only knows indifference, a job can only yawn in our face and the grocery register stares blankly while the total bill keeps climbing and climbing. This is a lonely feeling, even while I know so many of my peers, neighbors and friends are feeling the same way. Many of these woes and pains find themselves named and cursed on Career Day’s latest EP I’ll Always Be This, and with an even stronger grasp on melody and lyricism that the band has clearly honed since 2022’s Where We’ve Always Been, they plumb the depths of these dark modern times we find ourselves in.
Sickened by this weekly dance / To keep a roof over my head / Just to tell a therapist/ About the place that’s paying for it. Fuck me man. These lines have been rattling in my head since I first heard them. And where is the lie? Even being flanked by sick rhythms, tasty riffs and infectious drumming can’t pull away the gnawing reality of it, which is where “Team Player” and largely by extension Career Day pull off their deftest tricks on the EP. Pogo-able moments with lyricism that elicits a powerful understanding.
The EP single, “Rumors of My Wellness” immediately gets the heels rocking and the body swaying. A despondency that greets you with a sobering reality is certainly a difficulty that anyone who’s tried to layoff of a familiar vice can identify with. Here it feels huge, anthemic even to make amends with who you are, as you are finding the rope to pull yourself forward. Heady fretwork and colossal drumming bind “Last Thread” tightly, an undisputed toe tapper, couches pinpricks of hope in the familiar darkness found on the project. The closing track “One Bad Day” hits all too close to home while maintaining its presence as an absolutely massive track. Eager moments of finger pointing and dogpiles are inevitable, as the track careens and crashes with its sickeningly saccharine hooks and irresistible chorus of One bad day is all it takes.
Career Day carry all the hallmarks of a pop punk band. But they’re a pop punk band in the way that bands like Comadre were a punk band, or that Dawn Ray’d were a metal band. The simplicity of a moniker, an ascription of a sound that is both complex and nuanced and richly patchworked with so much history and influence that it can almost be a sort of inside joke to call them such. The band self-describes as emo punk, and as clearly shown throughout “I’ll Always Be This”, the emo aspects are there and the punk energy too.
What sets Career Day truly apart is how they take a sound that is as infectious as it is fun and make it real. “I’ll Always Be This” depressed me upon my first listen. It isn’t chock full of lighthearted and aimless lyricism that could be found in other poppier works within the genre. However, as I looped the EP again, washing dishes, driving my car to and from work and even while fulfilling my monotonous tasks that ensure a paycheck so that I can survive and provide, a truth became more and more clear. Yes, we live in a pretty rough moment in history and yes another few dollars are definitely more than deserved by me and so many others, but no matter what I’m doing or how I’m doing it I can only be who I am as I do it and ultimately, that’s a beautiful thing. I’ll Always Be This is now streaming everywhere.
Follow them on Bandcamp : Career Day
Writer : @letsgetpivotal
Editor : @just_reidz
09/27/24
Earth & Elsewhere
Photo Credit 📷 : @westphotoandvideo
Earth & Elsewhere have concocted a solid 20 something minutes of pure melodic riffs & bombastic drumming, soaring vocals and visceral growls.
The band hails from Ohio, a state that many have long associated as being for lovers and perhaps the melodramatic 2000 MTV screamo-alt-rock-emo etcetera, etcetera, however "In Life We Vanish" showcases a band that have decided to carve their own name into the Buckeye States hardcore landscape.
Opening track "Forever Mine" wastes little time getting to the very heart of what makes the band such a moving, yet tight unit with scaling riffs, throaty screams and growls all punctured, wind and dance through a sort of sonic fabric tied together with soaring clean vocals. Tracks "Clarity" and "Suffer Through" further extend the statement of a harsh yet nurturing form of aching heartache, with lyrical content that ranges from empty abandoned moments of stark remembrance all the way to cold, long gusting nights with nothing but you, your memories, and a unsympathetic night sky.
A personal favorite cut on the album "Volume In The Void" has all of what I really, really want (with all due respect to the band) which is massive chugs and absolutely galactic scale heavy drumming. All the same the band delivers even further by creating a dissonant sort of sound wave that permeates through the last minute of the track as the ground and screamed vocals meet and form a harmonious lattice work starts closing out into further dissonance.
Hallmarks of a band who has decided that heavy music can be soft while also making soft music heavy, Earth & Elsewhere have found their signature sound nestled within this album, Earth & Elsewhere's "In Life We Vanish" will keep you coming back to its emblematic yet refreshing take on the genre. “In Life We Vanish” can be found on all streaming platforms, with a music video for the album single “Clarity”.
Grab your own physical copy of “In Life We Vanish” in cassette or vinyl format on their bancamp linked below.
Follow them on Bandcamp : Earth & Elsewhere
Writer : @letsgetpivotal
Editor : @just_reidz
09/16/24
Split Silk
Photo Credit 📷 : @emmettcant
Atlanta, Georgia based trio Split Silk are back with their well crafted sad girl post-hardcore and we’re honored to be debuting their new single “Glimmer”.
Previously known for their work in the Athens-based sassy mathcore band Clavus, the drummer and bassist (Will and Lucia) of Split Silk. This interview with Split Silk members Lucca and Will cas conducted with us via email regarding their upcoming release Bitter which has physcials coming out on September 10th via Tomb Tree Tapes.
WHAT BANDS INFLUENCED THE SOUND ON THIS NEW RELEASE?
Lucca: Unwound definitely feels like the elephant in the room, but I'm also really inspired by Shotmaker, Rodan, Ethel Meserve, Hoover, Coma Regalia, Lync, Ache Hour Credo, Rainer Maria, Indian Summer, Moss Icon, Super Unison, Lord Snow, and The Breeders. Trying to call back to that 90s energy of when post-hardcore, emo, screamo, slowcore and indie were all a singular blend of sounds instead of distinct genres with no wiggle room.
Will: Lucca first showed me the verse guitar riffs in one of our old Athens practice spaces and the first thing I was reminded of are the slowcore-leaning parts of Repetition and Leaves Turn. The drums on Bitter are based off Lucca’s programmed demo but definitely filtered through my love for Erik Anderson’s playing in Lord Snow and Stormlight.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING PROCESS?
Will: For Bitter, Lucca brought a pretty complete rough instrumental demo with programmed drums, so I was kind of learning and rewriting the part at the same time to settle on what you hear in the final version. “Glimmer” was much more worked out with the three of us live in a room together trying different things until we settled on parts we were happiest with.
WHAT WAS YOUR RECORDING PROCESS?
Lucca: We recorded with our friend Al Daglis, who we've known for a long time in Athens. Al is great to work with and let us kinda do whatever, so we got to play around with some different micing techniques. We just tracked it all together in a room to embrace that live feel since these are the first songs we've recorded as a full band. I ended up just recording vocals at home while mixing. The live tracks we recorded at the UGA radio station WUOG 90.5 FM where both Will and I DJed as students. The two live tracks are ones I recorded by myself and released on an earlier EP, but we've been playing them for so long that we wanted to document how they sound with us playing in the room together.
I mixed Bitter by myself in my spare bedroom, then we handed it off to Joel Hatsat. Joel mastered the Clavus records and also some other local favorites of ours like the Juna record, On Courage.
“THIS IS THE FIRST RELEASE BY SPLIT SILK WHERE IT WAS TRACKED AS A BAND RATHER THAN JUST A SOLO PROJECT. THIS IS HOW I ALWAYS WANTED THE BAND TO SOUND AND I’M SO EXCITED TO SEE THIS LITTLE PROJECT EVOLVE INTO A BAND WITH TWO OF MY LOVELIEST FRIENDS!'“
We're super stoked to work with Tomb Tree Tapes, as I've known Dave Norman for a decade at this point. I first knew of him through the blog and then got to see Zegema, Tomb Tree and Softseed grow to where they are today. I always have wanted to put something with him because he really supports the bands he puts out which I appreciate immensely. It drops on 9/10 on the Tomb Tree Bandcamp and I believe tapes will be available then too. Streaming soon to follow!
ANY SHOWS OR TOURS COMING UP?
Will: We’re currently booking a tour up the east coast and through the midwest for this fall, ending at Jabroni Fest in ATL. We will also be playing the second annual Three Days Till Xmas fest, also in ATL this December. We plan to tour this fall and hopefully in early 2025, as well as finishing up work on our debut album which will hopefully also be out in 2025. November 2024 marks one year with the full Split Silk lineup!
ANY CLOSING THOUGHTS?
This feels like a good place to express our solidarity with Gaza and urge anyone who reads this to donate to the various GoFundMe campaigns floating around Instagram to provide financial support to families trying to flee the ongoing genocide. We also encourage anyone who reads this to look up and support the BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) movement targeting businesses with financial ties to Israel and the IDF. Finally, we suggest anyone reading this look for opportunities to participate in and organize protest efforts in their area - economic and sociopolitical disruption are among the most effective tools at our disposal as citizens of the country funding a vast part of what’s happening in occupied Palestine.