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FUCKED BY NOISE'S BEST OF 2015 - Brayden's Picks (LPs)

December 14, 2015, 5:34 pm
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It's that time of year where I feel comfortable organising the music I enjoyed in the previous twelve months into some kind of list and share my opinions on them with the general public. What follows are ten LPs I found to be rather enjoyable, and while it was pretty gosh darn difficult sorting through the multitude of excellent releases from 2015, I think I've got a pretty solid selection.
Stay tuned for a second post of my favourite demos and EPs of the year, and make sure to check out the links I've included for each release.


'As A Four Piece Band' Cured Pink
Cured Pink are a wickedly inventive and odd hybrid of post-punk, industrial, no wave and noise channeled into a jarring and unique collage of sound. Tracks like 'I'm Swimming' will see you bopping around like an idiot with it's infectiously catchy groove; whereas tracks like 'Live in Sydney' or 'Rosetta' will have you scratching your head and going back to understand what exactly it was you just listened to. I'm always hesitant to have an actual AOTY, but 'As A For Piece Band' is more than deserving of this title. Please, oh please, check it out if you haven't already.

Choice track:'I'm Swimming'


'I Am A Problem: Mind In Pieces' Wolf Eyes
October saw everyone's favourite 'trip metal' band, Wolf Eyes, unleash this particularly desolate and hallucinogenic collection of sounds onto the general populace. Drones, clicks, squelching synths, sputters, guitar freakouts and saxophone all make a very welcome appearance on these 6 tracks culminating in what sounds like the soundtrack to a dying man crawling across a desert in search of peyote. Hopelessly bleak but with Wolf Eye's trademark catchiness running beneath the doom and gloom.

Choice track: 'Catching The Rich Train'



'Force The Zone' Cuntz
Once the tinny, distorted guitar kicks in on opening track 'Cooked', 'Force The Zone' bludgeons its way through a wonderfully sardonic assortment of punk jammers. Existing as both an ode to middle class Australiana and an outright piss take, Cuntz take the pummeling repetition and grunt from the likes of Cosmic Psychos, and turn it into a much more apathetic and uglier monster with the addition of noisier and slower instrumentation and gruff, yelped vocals.

Choice Track: 'Tanning'





'Excluded' Total Abuse
One of my most anticipated releases of this year was Total Abuse's 'Excluded', and boy oh boy the wait was worth it. A veritable ode to all things transgressive, this album packs its scummy subject matter into dirty, frenzied bursts of hardcore and leaves you to mop up the suspicious stains it left on the floor. As always Total Abuse aren't afraid to show off their more noisy, free-form tendencies (see 'Watching The Paint Dry' for your delirious, noise rock fix) and when combined with the pure grunt of their faster tracks it makes for a excellent time indeed.

Choice Track:'DNA Evidence'

'The Body & Thou' You Whom I've Always Hated
I'm not gonna lie, I slept on this for aaaaaaaaages and was only roused into listening it upon finding out about the Nine Inch Nails cover on it.
I learned that, a) Terrible Lie works excellently as a sludge metal song, and b) this was in fact an amazing collaboration between two of heavy music's best bands right now.Absolutely earth shaking and soul destroying music with a very healthy amount of experimentation, noise and distortion cranked into the mix. I will not complain at all if these two bands collab again.

Choice Track: 'Terrible Lie'

'Circular Time'Ramleh
A fairly late entry into this year's list, but after thrashing the preview track released earlier this year (album closer 'Never Returner') and hyping myself up for this release and had to include it. 'Circular Time' is Ramleh in extremely heavy psychedelic rock mode, with plenty of noise rock, drone, prog and krautrock influences. Running at roughly two hours this a gargantuan collection of crushingly nihilistic, yet soaring music. If you can set aside a sizeable block of your time to devour this in its entirety, you will not be let down.

Choice Track:'Never Returner'


'Self Titled' No Form
Good news! If you ever wanted a hardcore band that sounded like an actual descent into madness and/or oblivion, No Form exist to fulfill this niche desire. Sounding like a collision between Siege and a noisy free jazz ensemble (some marvelously skronky trumpet playing makes a very welcome appearance on 'Side B'), No Form are a band that can pull off frenzied hyper-speed hardcore as well as sludgy, atonal goop. Catch me waiting feverishly for more music from these guys.

Choice Track: 'Side B'




'Negative Feedback Resistor' Destruction Unit
The musical equivalent of the sunglasses emoji, aka Destruction Unit, are frighteningly adept at molding walls of fuzzed out guitar and psychedelic noise into ridiculously catchy music, and 'Negative Feedback Resistor' is affirmation of this.  If you like your riffs smothered in at least three layers of delay pedals and your amp stacks blown to smithereens I'd wager that you'd probably enjoy this album. Hey, I know I did.

Choice Track: 'Chemical Reaction/Chemical Delight'

'High' Royal Headache
'High' is something of an anomaly on this list, in that I could use words like 'bright' and 'happy' to describe the music contained within. Uncharacteristically positive connotations aside, this album is absolutely brimming with energy and has excellently written garage rock tunes to boot. Tracks such as 'My Own Fantasy' and 'Another World' show of Royal Headache's punchy punk side perfectly, while 'Carolina' and 'Wouldn't You Know' slow things right down and provide some much welcome, soulful relief. Oh, and the organ. So good.

Choice Track: 'Another World'
'Behold. Total. Rejection' Revenge
I'll close this list on a much more nihilistic and brutal note with Revenge's latest LP. The Canadian band have never really been ones for subtlety or finesse, choosing the much more noble path of beating your ears senseless with their concoction of death metal, grindcore and black metal. 'Behold. Total. Rejection.' begins immediately with pummeling blast beats, inhuman grunts and growls and plenty of Kerry King-esque divebomb solos and does not let up. At all. I worry sometimes about the toll this kind of music must have on the musicians playing it - but at the same time I'm so glad there are people out their plumbing the depths of the musical abyss and producing this kind of filth.

Choice Track: 'Silent Enemy'


Honorable Mentions:
The Body & Krieg - Self Titled
Koufar - Lebanon For Lebanese
Lightning Bolt - Fantasy Empire
Ghastly Spats - Spinozism Excorcism
Helta Skelta - Beyond The Black Stump
Soma Coma - Dust
Blanck Mass - Dumb Flesh
Follakzoid - III
Oneohtrix Point Never - Garden of Delete
Broken Prayer - Misanthropocentric AKA Droid's Blood
L.O.T.I.O.N -  Digital Control And Man's Obsolescence
Kitchen's Floor - Battle Of Brisbane
Prurient - Frozen Niagra Falls
Sunn - Kannon
Health - Death Magic
Battles - La Di Da Di
Thee Oh Sees - Mutilator Defeated At Last
White Walls - Afterthoughts In Limbo
Pissgrave - Suicide Euphoria
Special mention also goes to No Zodiac's 'Eternal Misery' for being the guiltiest pleasure of 2015.
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Dauðyflin - Demo

January 28, 2016, 11:04 am
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'Demo'
Dauðyflin
2016

Review by Joe McManamon-Simon

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk
For Fans Of: Mocoso, Rudimentary Peni, Dregs, Qualm

It's been a little while, but I haven't gone anywhere. It's time to kick FBN 2016 off (a little late, oops). I saw this demo posted, noting that it was members of the icelandic deathrock band, Börn (who I'm a huge fan of), playing hardcore punk. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but figured it'd be worth a listen. It was. Well, more like four listens. In a row. It's really fucking good. I guess I should be clear that this is nothing like Börn, unless you count the overall ominous feel; no post-punk here, just nasty, dark, dirty,  hardcore punk.

I honestly had trouble coming up with comparisons for this band, because there's something really special about them that I can't quite put my finger on. My initial reaction was that they sound like an atonal Rudimentary Peni, but that doesn't quite cover everything that's going on here. There's much more of a contemporary dark hardcore punk feel to this, bringing to mind bands like Mocoso and Dregs; it's firmly rooted in hardcore punk, but has a lot of goth tinges to it (drawing especially from deathrock bands like Peni, Nerorgasmo, etc), combined with a very filthy, noisy presentation akin to raw black metal/punk bands (think Bone Awl, Sewer Drainer,etc). Note: definitely not saying this is black metal, because it's clearly not. The production isn't the only thing that's noisy on this, however. The guitar work is screechy and dissonant, while the bass is winding and melodic. I would compare the vast difference in bass and treble to Minutemen, but that is where the comparison between the two would end. The juxtaposing works incredibly well, highlighting each end of the spectrum while also allowing the low and high ends to compliment each other in a strange, sinister, cacophonous way.

Overall, this demo is fantastic and is one of a couple great things I've heard already this year. I would say I highly recommend it, but I feel I shouldn't have to since I just wrote a whole thing about why it's great and why I'm recommending it. So have at it.

Tracklisting:
1. Holræsi borgarinnar
2. Drepum allt
3. Mannvera
4. Túrblettir
5. Meðvirkni

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
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IT'S FINALLY HERE + I CAN FINALLY PUT THIS UP (DOUBLE POST): COLUMN OF HEAVEN / SUFFERING LUNA - SPLIT LP + COLUMN OF HEAVEN / WOLVES OF HEAVEN - PRECIPICE CS

February 7, 2016, 3:57 pm
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'Column Of Heaven / Suffering Luna'
Column Of Heaven / Suffering Luna
2016

Review by Joe McManamon-Simon

Genre/s: Grindcore, Deathgrind, Blackened Death Metal, Sludge, Doom, Industrial Power Electronics, Death Industrial, Noise Rock, Noise
For Fans Of: Gasp, Knelt Rote, Dead Body Love, Man Is The Bastard/Noise

I have been waiting close to two years for this split to come out. While I wish it had come out earlier, it was so worth the wait. Holy fucking shit. I'd heard the demo version of Column Of Heaven's material on the Precipice tape (which I'm including in this post since Andrew Nolan said to hold off on putting it up here until the final split came out) and of course it was amazing on that version, and is still amazing in its revised form. Suffering Luna's material is all new to me, and I am so blown away by it, even more than I expected to be.

I don't want to just rehash my review of Precipice for Column Of Heaven's side, because it definitely is not the same. For example, the opening track, Nothing, has been changed from a 10 second burst of grind to a 35 second burst of pulsing power electronics that sounds like something you'd hear from Anenzaphalia. Another big difference is that the mix is much cleaner (not necessarily a bad thing, although it took a bit to adjust to, since I was used to the Precipice mix) and so everything that's going on is out in the open, actually giving this an ominous, overwhelming feeling equal to what they accomplished on the Mission From God LP (and really everything they've put out). And, since that LP, Column Of Heaven have been integrating black/death influences into their music; and its usage has gone from tinges to being the core of what they are doing here. The material on the Demonology tape (later on the split 7" with Radioactive Vomit) had heavy black/death leanings, but this material pushes it even further to the point that I'd risk saying they are primarily playing black/death. They are totally bestial here, and their bludgeoning assault isn't stopped by their integration of terrifying, intense power electronics tracks; it's made even more punishing. I'm so sad that this band is no more, they were truly one of the best and I seriously consider myself ridiculously lucky to have gotten to see them. I've heard that Andrew Nolan's new band is even filthier and possibly better than Column Of Heaven (how does he keep doing it?), but I have yet to hear it for myself. So here's to hoping a demo surfaces soon.

But don't forget this is a split LP. When I heard that there was going to be a split between Column Of Heaven and Suffering Luna, I was in disbelief. Two absolutely incredible, powerhouse, out-there as fuck bands on the same record? Sign me the fuck up. Suffering Luna's side holds its own against Column Of Heaven's, which should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with them. Their split with Dystopia is legendary, even though most people (wrongly) tend to only pay attention to Dystopia's side; their split with Gasp is truly deranged and weird in a way that hip glove wearing punks can only dream of touching (then again, I think listening to grind and noise isn't cool for them anymore). On this split, Suffering Luna goes all out (as they are wont to do), entwining filthy riffs with power electronics and samples, somewhat reminiscent of later era Man Is The Bastard (see: Thoughtless) but with less prog riffing and more jamming and their trademark heavy reliance on samples. Oh, and I guess I should mention that their side is only one track, and that the track is over 17 minutes long. Some people might be deterred by that, but trust me, this track is paced perfectly and when it's over you'll probably wish it wasn't (that's how I feel every time I hear it, anyway). This shit is totally fucked in the way that only a band like Suffering Luna could hope to achieve. Now hopefully they'll tour someday.

For those of you who saw this review and thought "tl;dr" here's a more concise version: fucking download this and listen to it because I can guarantee that it is without a doubt one of the best things 2016 has to offer. Official seal of approval from me, the internet's #1 punk bully and hater of fun. Also, I split the tracks since Nerve Altar's bandcamp has all of Column Of Heaven's side as a single track. Okay, I'm done, have at it.

Tracklisting:
1. Column Of Heaven - Nothing
2. Column Of Heaven - Hopeless
3. Column Of Heaven - Joyless
4. Column Of Heaven - Loveless
5. Column Of Heaven - Worthless
6. Column Of Heaven - Faithless
7. Column Of Heaven - Everything Is Fine
8. Suffering Luna - Near Death (Can't Put Down The Pipe)

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'Precipice'
Column Of Heaven / Wolves Of Heaven
2014

Review (mostly rehashed) by Joe McManamon-Simon

Genre/s: Grindcore, Deathgrind, Blackened Death Metal, Industrial, Power Electronics, Death Industrial
For Fans Of: Knelt Rote, Blood, Skin Crime, Skullflower

Andrew Nolan made me take this down (not really, he actually asked very nicely) until the final versions of these tracks were released on the split with Suffering Luna. So, since nobody has uploaded another rip anywhere (to my knowledge), I am again taking matters into my own hands. I managed to get a copy of this tape when I saw Column Of Heaven with Full Of Hell (fucking finally, I had wanted to see Column Of Heaven for quite some time and they did not disappoint; plus Full Of Hell are always great and it's nice to see them), but from what I've heard it sold out pretty quickly.  I assume one of the big reasons that there aren't any rips of this out there (besides the band not wanting it out) is because the tracks all bleed together, making it harder to split them (this does have split tracks, don't worry).

Precipice was meant to be a promo for Column Of Heaven's split with Suffering Luna, which (I think) was supposed to come out in June of 2014. And, after almost two years, it's out. However, this tape has a B-side with material which is exclusive; Column Of Heaven covers black/death band Ride For Revenge, and Wolves Of Heaven deliver two horrifying tracks, one of which is reminiscent of bands like Skullflower, who combine instrumentals with power electronics; and the other being horrifying ambient, similar to something you might hear from Cicciolina Holocaust. So what about the A-side? It's basically a rough demo of the material on the Suffering Luna split LP. There are a few differences, in both production and content, so you can decide for yourselves which version of the material you like more. I can assure you, however, that both are fantastic and worth listening to.

This tape -- like everything else the people behind this band have put out -- will knock you on your ass. You should have already expected that, though.

Tracklisting:
01. Column Of Heaven -- Nothing
02. Column Of Heaven -- Hopeless
03. Column Of Heaven -- Joyless
04. Column Of Heaven -- Loveless
05. Column Of Heaven -- Worthless
06. Column Of Heaven -- Faithless
07. Column Of Heaven -- Everything Is Fine
08. Column Of Heaven -- Eternal Woman (Hell Of Your Love) [Ride For Revenge]
09. Wolves Of Heaven -- Love Is A God From Hell
10. Wolves Of Heaven -- Hell Is A Love From God

DOWNLOAD

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Billy Bao - Communisation

February 18, 2016, 12:05 pm
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'Communisation'
Billy Bao
2015

(Band Submission)

Review by Joe McManamon-Simon

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Industrial, Power Electronics, Noise
For Fans Of: Cosmonauts Hail Satan, Premature Ejactulation, Twin Stumps, Skullflower

Everyone at FBN is a huge Billy Bao fan, I'm talking geek status; so when I saw Mattin sent us an email, giving us a heads up about the new 12" (which I actually knew about, as it was one of my most anticipated and favorite releases of 2015), I practically jumped out of my chair. I actually wanted to post this when it came out in December, but couldn't, because it wasn't up for free download -- but now we've gotten the green light, so here we go.

Those of you who know Billy Bao should have an idea of what to expect; on Communisation, they are doing what they do best. Those who don't, you're in for a ride. Billy Bao is notorious for their ability to create some of the most jarring and uncomfortable noise and noise rock, by not only combining the most abrasive elements of both instrumental and electronic noise; but also by turning those combinations into horrifying sound collages though the use of musique concrète techniques to play around with their mixes. Communisation sees them utilizing this style over the course of two tracks. The first is somewhat in the vein of their May 08 LP; it's 10 minutes of noise rock interspersed with power electronics and occasionally random instrumentation, field recordings, piercing tones, and sounds that make you think maybe something is wrong with your speakers (or headphones or whatever). The second reminds me of their Urban Disease LP; the track is a 20 minute sound collage which focuses on field recordings, tape loops, power electronics, and occasional instrumentation (mostly percussion). Trust me, it doesn't get boring at all, it's fucking terrifying and it's fucking awesome. This LP is a great addition to their already fantastic discography (which I obviously highly recommend).

Here's the short version: if you want noise -- and I mean more than just power electronics or monotonous repetition, I mean shit that is genuinely challenging and out there -- then Billy Bao should be your first stop. Smash that download button and get fucked up.

Tracklisting:
1. Debt: The Crisis To Come
2. Communisation: The Revolution Of Our Times

DOWNLOAD

On a related note, Mattin also sent the Lagos Sessions 2xLP which I'll be reviewing for Cvlt Nation since they don't want the recordings out just yet. So keep a lookout for that.
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NASA Space Universe - 70 AD (FUCKING FINALLY)

March 2, 2016, 5:30 pm
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'70 AD'
NASA Space Universe
2016

Review by Joe McManamon-Simon

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk
For Fans Of: Koro, Brain Tumors, Mecht Mensch, Die Kreuzen

Fucking R.I.P. to one of the best bands in contemporary hardcore punk. Sadly, this is NSU's final output, but luckily for us, they aren't walking away quietly; they're going out kicking and screaming and thrashing and smashing. This LP was only available at their final show until it was (finally) put up online yesterday for the rest of the world who wasn't at that show.

NSU is at their absolute fiercest and grittiest on 70 AD.  While their other releases have a somewhat cleaner production, on this LP they drop that and go for an all out, blown out assault on the senses. None of their off kilter riffing or irregular structuring is lost; in fact, I'd argue it sounds even more fucked up and deranged through a dirtier mix. But enough about production, blah blah, you want to know what's going on here musically, right? Probably not, I'm sure most of you skipped down to the download link already. But for all you true believers still reading, NSU are doing what they do best here, only they're doing it even better than before. With each release this band got better, and it seemed as if it'd be difficult to top the ICE and EGM EPs, but holy shit they did it. The guitar work is out of control, the bass is heavy and pummeling, the drumming is tight and relentless, the vocals are manic and maniacal; imagine their previous material only amped up in every way -- that's what this LP sounds like. The amount of shit going on here is amazing, and you're gonna want to listen to this a few times to let it all sink in, because it's definitely overwhelming.

I'm glad I got to see NSU once (at a midnight bridge show), although I would've loved to see them a million more times. Trust me when I say this is a shoe-in for top 10 punk 12"s of 2016. Well, you probably wouldn't be reading this if you didn't trust what I have to say (or maybe you would, I don't know). Regardless, listen to this fucker over and over and over because it's weirder than any midwest tryhard glove punk and more ferocious than whatever boring boston hxc rehashes that are getting hyped currently (sometimes you just can't resist making jabs at lame derivative/trendy shit). NSU was the real fucking deal, and this LP is the perfect way to end their run, and to give one last "fuck you" to everyone.

Tracklisting:
1. Flesh Multiplier
2. Meth Western / Salt Of Another Earth
3. 70 AD
4. Building
5. Deaf
6. Infernal Recurrence
7. Quantum Leper
8. Psuicibin
9. High Up

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
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Acrylics

May 7, 2016, 11:57 am
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'Acrylics'
Acrylics
2016

(Band Submission)

Review by Joey (taking the edge off, going for a softer FBN)

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk, Noise Rock, Noise Punk
For Fans Of: Mystery Product, Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers, Technical Ecstasy, The Cysts

I'm seriously kicking myself for missing Acrylics when they played Philly recently (and not just because it was with Blank Spell and Cape Of Bats). Acrylics is one of those rare bands who really gets it when it comes to making genuinely twisted punk -- and if you're familiar with this blog, you know how harsh of a critic I am with this stuff. There are no gimmicks, nor does it feel as if they're trying too hard to prove how "weird" they are; just truly disconcerting bursts of anxious energy.

I actually had to think a bit about what bands to compare this to. There's a lot going on here: erratic tempo shifts; tortuous bass lines; and totally absurd, unnerving guitar work that exists in a place where Greg Ginn, East Bay Ray, and Dome (from CCM) all meet. I wouldn't say that Acrylics sounds much like either Black Flag or Dead Kenendys, but I get the feeling that this guitarist definitely has spent some time with the B-side of Damaged/1982 demos and Plastic Surgery Disasters. Do I really need to elaborate on how scary and fucked that sounds? And while I think there should be a background check required to get a chorus pedal considering the obnoxious over-saturation we've seen in the past couple years from punks-trying-too-hard, the chorus pedals on this definitely work to highlight the weirdness of the riffs, rather than acting as the source of it. There are also drums on this release (in case you thought there weren't), and they work perfectly in tandem with the bass to fill up as much space as possible, which of course gives room for more off kilter guitar work. Subtlety is a real strength here, as the drummer's understated use of accenting really drives this whole thing forward.

Look, basically this is some really fucked up shit, and that's what you come to this blog for, right? The other bands I mentioned should be enough to pique your interest, so smash that fucking download, motherfucker, and get fucking wrecked.

Tracklisting:
1. Shame
2. The Germ
3. Mamma's Boy
4. Nada Nada
5. He Wants A Baby
6. Waiting

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
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Intensive Care or: Andrew Nolan is fucking at it again

May 21, 2016, 5:13 pm
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'Pay Pig'
Intensive Care
2016

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Industrial, Power Electronics
For Fans Of: Dissecting Table, Skullflower, UFO Or Die, Unsane

Oh my fucking god. A friend told me that Andrew Nolan had a new band that was even more fucked than Column Of Heaven, and knowing his past musical output (Ebola, Death Agonies, The Endless Blockade, Slaughter Strike...just to name a few) I totally believed it. That was over 6 months ago, probably more like 8 or 9. I've been impatiently waiting to hear this project for all that time; and then the other day, when Iron Lung Records had their most recent update, they included an Intensive Care track and I flipped out -- it was incredible. I had no idea what to expect, which I think is part of why this band knocked me on my ass so hard, but I also know that even if I had known ahead of time, it wouldn't have really prepared me. But now, I'm finally able to listen to an entire release; and holy shit, this project is even better than I could have hoped for.

Okay, I know, enough backstory. I guess I should actually talk about the music itself. It took a minute for what Intensive Care is doing to fully sink in due to how overwhelming their music is, but once it did I knew exactly how to talk about it. The bands I compared it to should give you a good idea, but it's not so much that they sound like any of those bands individually, it's more that they sound like the Eraserhead baby of all of those bands. The power electronics/noise rock hybrid is not something new by any means, but it's something that I feel really captures what's amazing about both types of noise (which would explain why it's what I do in Bloated Subhumans). Rather than feeling contrived or detracting from one or the other, power electronics and noise rock compliment each other when combined, each pushing the other to new heights of depravity and intensity. When it's done well, anyway. And, Intensive Care does it well. Obviously, hybrid bands like Skullflower and Cosmonauts Hail Satan get nods here, but Intensive Care expands on those ideas in a way only those involved can do, and makes them their own. Rather than sticking to The Stooges formula (single riff repeated over and over, championed by Flipper, Brainbombs, etc), Intensive Care goes for the Unsane/Stretchheads approach, which is much more chaotic than the former, but just as filthy. Oh, and they use the late 80s/early 90s grind pitch shifted vocals at points which only adds to the overall menacing atmosphere. This shit is gross.

I got kinda carried away, so here's the short version: big scary noise rock with power electronics like if Dissecting Table, Stretchheads, and Hammerhead were smashed together. So in other words, essential.

Tracklisting:
1. Tithe
2. Entertainment
3. Transaction
4. Productivity
5. Surplus Value

DOWNLOAD THIS FUCKER, YOU FUCKER
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FBN MIDYEAR ROUNDUP 2016 MEGAPOST

June 7, 2016, 8:20 pm
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I know, I know, there hasn't been much posting on FBN in 2016 thus far. So, to make up for it, here is a meagpost comprised of 45 of my favorite releases from 2016 (15 LPs, 15 EPs, 15 demos), each with a short review and download link (the titles are the links). Oh and this is the only place you'll be able to find some of these with split tracks. Fucked By Noise doesn't fuck around. Don't say I never gave you anything.

Disclaimer: no download links were stolen from other blogs, because that's just tacky (you know who you are). If I found it on another blog, the original post is linked rather than a direct link to the download on a filesharing site, unless multiple blogs posted the exact same link and then I figured fuck it. Bandcamps with free downloads are also linked. For downloading from VK, I recommend getting the VK music downloader extension/add-on, although I'm sure there are other extensions/add-ons which will work just fine.

But enough small talk, let's get to it.

- LP -



Hez Hez
I've been sitting on this since last year, but I think it's safe to post it since it's officially out. Hez takes all of the best elements of hyper aggro hardcore punk and twisted dark punk, and smashes them together with a bestial ferocity. On top of it all, instead of typical guitar solos/breaks, they utilize rudimentary guitar-based pedal electronics which only adds an extra level of filth and menace.

FFO: No, Muerte



Behavior 375 Images Of Angels
Behavior made their debut a couple years back as a noisy hardcore punk powerhouse with subtle post-punk leanings, but on their LP they have shed away their hardcore shell and reemerged as a truly interesting post-punk/art punk outfit. While many contemporary post-punk groups try way too hard to sound like their 80s inspirations, Behavior stands out as a true spiritual successor to the original boundary pushing art punk bands. 

FFO: Wire, This Heat



Column Of Heaven / Suffering Luna split
This link leads to a review I previously published on FBN, but in summation: Column Of Heaven delivers a crushing black/death/grind and industrial/power electronics hybrid which sends them off with a bang. Suffering Luna is still Suffering Luna, so expect trippy, fucked up, sample-laden sludge. This has split tracks.

FFO: Knelt Rote, Gasp

Skáphe Skáphe²
Skáphe's demo was one of my favorite releases in 2014 and this LP picks up right where they left off. One of the tags on their bandcamp (the above link) is "asphyxiating," and honestly that describes their music perfectly; it's akin to what I'd imagine it would feel like to suffocate in the deep void of space. Skáphe's material is truly haunting.

FFO: Arizmenda, Lantern


Genocide Organ Obituary Of The Americas
If you know Genocide Organ, then you already have an idea of what this will sound like. If you don't, then brace yourself for waves of pulsing death industrial and heavy electronics, accompanied by military samples and distorted, threatening vocals. It's always nice to see older artists haven't lost their touch.

FFO: Brighter Death Now, Propergol


NASA Space Universe 70 A.D.
This link leads to a review I previously published on FBN, but in summation: NSU goes down kicking and screaming, dragging us into the void with them. This is by far their most aggressive and raw release, but maintains all of the weirdness that they've been well known and loved for. They've claimed their place among the stars. 

FFO: Die Kreuzen, Mecht Mensch


Billy Bao Lagos Sessions
I reviewed this for Cvlt Nation, but here's a summary: Billy Bao is back and pushing their sonic experiments ever further than ever on their newest and most audacious release. A jarring, yet unbelievably engaging hour long sound collage over four 15 minute tracks takes you on a journey through Lagos, giving you a taste of what the experience might be like. Buckle up.

FFO: Nurse With Wound, Cosmonauts Hail Satan

No Negative The Good Never Comes
So, I'm not sure if this was released early this year or very, very late last year, but as far as I can tell it wasn't officially released until January (I could be wrong, though). Whatever, anyway, this is total psych'd out noise rock that really is equal parts wigged out psych and scummy, repetative noise rock. It's a must-hear (then again, so is everything else here). 

FFO: Destruction Unit, Brainbombs

Vordr In The Shadow Of The Wolf
I honestly didn't even know Vordr was still active until I saw this LP in the related videos when I was looking for their 2009 s/t 12" to show someone. On their newest output, as with past material, Vordr leads the charge for a punky raw black metal assault. This one is a ripper fersure. 

FFO: Karmic Void, Arnaut Pavle

The Body & Full Of Hell One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache
The Body and Full Of Hell are bands who get shit for being popular from the ~2 tr00 4 u~ crowd, but these guys not only know their shit, they also know how to put it to use. The material on this collab draws from all types of electronic and noise music, including, but not limited to: noisecore/noisegrind, electro, black/industrial, dark ambient, and death industrial to produce something genuinely scary. I just wish their fans and so-called "contemporaries" would take note (playing recorded static or using an oscillator for 10 seconds doesn't count).

FFO: Gnaw Their Tongues, Gasp

Green Beret Standing At The Mouth Of Hell
There is an overwhelming amount of d-beat coming out of the US right now, and while much of it is just white, english speakers using random Swedish words or Japanese characters, and playing forgettable riffs, there are a handful totally raging bands. Green Beret is definitely one of the few who cut through the endless snoozefest and hit that sweet spot; and they hit it fucking hard. 

FFO: Totalitär, World Burns To Death

Puce Mary The Spiral
Oh man, this one is a doozy. Puce Mary, at least to me, stands out as one of the best current industrial/noise acts out there. Her ability to play off of classic death/industrial and make it sound fresh and terrifying is uncanny. This new LP is probably her best and most intense material to date, flowing from unsettling ambient to walls of heavy electronics and covering all territory in between.

FFO: SPK, Atrax Morgue

Qrixkuor Three Devils Dance
Qrixkuor put out a demo a couple years back that floored me, but of course when I lost 2/3 of my music last year, their demo went with it. And then my friend posted about this LP and I listened and was floored by them all over again. Qrixkuor slams you with an ominous atmosphere pierced by pummeling force and total shredding annihilation. And divebombs.

FFO: Impetuous Ritual, Grave Upheaval

Crvel Sombras
Crvel came out of nowhere, and when I heard this LP I think I listened to it six times in a row. Sombras is perfectly executed driving-yet-melancholy deathrock. Like other bands in the doing-deathrock-right camp, Crvel makes nods to a number of sources while still sounding fresh. This is also probably the best use of chorus, flangers, and phasers I've heard all year. 

FFO: Altar De Fey, Zotz








Sissy Spacek Disfathom
Sissy Spacek has been releasing so much in the past couple years it's gettnig hard to keep up; but what I have heard has been incredible, which should come as no surprise. Disfathom is like running headfirst into a tornado. In this case, the tornado happens to be made of turbospeed bass/drums grind and power electronics. Don't blink or you'll miss it.

FFO: Sete Star Sept, Euthanizer






-EP-


Magnum Force Hood Crimes
This is another release I don't have much info on, but I can tell you that it fucking rips. Instead of shoehorning breakdowns in and using obnoxious football coach vocals, Magnum Force lets it all flow naturally. And flowing naturally for them means erratic tempo shifts, killer riffs, and a perfect level of hyper-aggression; not macho brodown hyper-aggression mind you, just pure unbridled rage. This has split tracks.

FFO: Jenny Piccolo, California Love

The review for this one could be almost identical to the one above, except Snake Charmer takes their rampage even further. This EP is a behemoth; it's a pure expression of hatred and pain via raw and crushing hardcore punk. I'd honestly go as far as to call this powerviolence, because Snake Charmer really carries the torch of total unpredictable, thrashing, overwhelming anger. Regardless, this is some of the best fastcore to come out in the past couple years. This has split tracks.

FFO: Threatener, Mindless

Golden Path / Genexsplit
Noisy stomping punk has become all but played out at this point, but both Golden Path and Genex have found a way to keep their stampedes from sounding stale. Each band finds their own way to play around the formula: Golden Path's approach owes more to noise rock and punk, while Genex goes the Discharge, metal-tinged route (without resorting to relying on d-beats). Both takes on the style are equally effective in evoking a desire to kill.

FFO: Sewer Drainer, Qualm

Ramleh Conquest Play / Clockwork
This 12" single is a return to form for Ramleh. Side A is straightforward power electronics, side B is a psych'd out post-punk/noise rock dirge. It's simple, it's effective, and it's fantastic. The guys over at Broken Flag are doing their thing, and they still got it.

FFO: Consumer Electronics, Strangulated Beatoffs

Witchface Alt Gaar I Svart
I was pretty hayppy to see there was a new Witchface EP this year. Just as on the previous releases, static and fuzz is layered over midtempo punk with winding, sinister riffs.  One cool thing about Witchface is that there is always a bounce to the material which isn't necessarily something you'd expect from the style. Definitely worth a listen.

FFO: Sump, Dry Insides

Oooh boy, this is a ripper. Triage sounds like if Show No Mercy era Slayer was playing Hear Nothing... era Discharge influenced hardcore punk. Do I really need to say anything beyond that? You should be sold on this already. Power Beat has the riffs, the shred, and all the driving force you could want out of a thrashing hardcore release. Get ready to rage.

FFO: Slayer, Discharge



Rubber Mate Rub ‘Em All
According to the band, they started as a Brainbombs halloween cover band and then just kept playing together. I believe it. Cut the songs down to 2 minutes and throw a touch of Doc Dart and/or Bobby Soxx and/or Larry Lifeless in the mix, and you've got a pretty good idea of what this sounds like. Oh, and there's rudimentary contact mic electronics layered over the whole thing, adding another level of filth to this already gross display of degeneracy.

FFO: Stick Men With Ray Guns, Fang

Humiliation 4 Track EP
I saw this described somewhere (I think the Sorry State monthly update?) as being what it'd sound like if the Damaged Black Flag lineup kept playing together. I think there's a lot more to this than that, but I totally feel that; add some depraved, crushing twists to that and you'll get the idea. Humiliation sounds like desperation, like pain. This has split tracks.

FFO: Black Flag, Low Places

Framtid The Horrific Visions
Yup, it's a Framtid 7" alright. Thick, fuzzed out, and raging as all hell. And d-beats, don't forget d-beats. What can I really say about Framtid that hasn't been said a million times? They're great and they still wreck everyone else.

FFO: Hakuchi, 突撃戦車 (Totsugeki Sensya)

Barcelona Pueden Ser Ellos
Barcelona's debut 12" last year was total mayhem, and this 7" picks right up where that left off. Their signature no-snare sound is pummeling; the drumming bulldozes a choppy raw punk assault on the senses. The whole thing moves at an odd pace, sometimes even *gasp* diverging from the typical punk 4/4 time. This off kilter feel of Pueden Ser Ellos just makes it that much more volatile.

FFO: Atentado, Maquina Muerta

M. Del Rio Cleft Skull
Oh hey, it's the super secret Raspberry Bulbs flexi that's not actually Raspberry Bulbs but it totally is. I'm not sure if Del Rio is back to doing solo work on this or if it's the full band, but I assume it's the former. It's dark and dirty post-punk as you'd expect, but is somewhat of a callback to the older RB tapes (which is why I think it's solo stuff).

FFO: Raspberry Bulbs, Masturbation

Wojtek O Crooked Serpent, Receive My Spirit
Sometimes bands from delaware don't suck, and sometimes they're even really sick. And Wojtek is sick. They started out playing fairly straightforward raw black metal/punk, but have become more bestial with each release, and on their newest offering, they've assumed a form which is much closer to Conqueror than Ildjarn. Is raw death metal/punk a thing yet outside of Guillotine Terror?

FFO: Conqueror, Sesso Violento
I wasn't totally sold the first time I heard Rakta, but then that collab with Cadaver Em Transe (RIP, I am so sad they broke up) happened and I decided to reevaluate my opinion. So I gave them another chance, and lemme tell you, this band is fantastic. Rakta's brand of deathrock comes complete with over chorused everything, jangly post-punk guitar, driving drums, spooky synth, and an overall creepy atmosphere. I'm definitely looking forward to the LP due out this year on Iron Lung Records.

FFO: Haldol, Mannequin Neurose

Diva Cup Overflow
Diva Cup is a punk band who truly don't give a fuck. They're dirty, sleazy, and downright fantastic. They were giving away fireworks to be used during their set if that's any indication. Of course, this translates over to their music; the material on Overflow is reckless, sloppy, and snotty as fuck. If you want smutty punk, this is probably exactly what you're looking for. Also, it's just bass/drums/vocals.

FFO: Confuse, Outo

Mollot US Winter Tour Tape
Some dork posted a review of this on youtube and fumbled around calling it "experimental hardcore" and remarking at how harsh and noisy it is (apparently people don't know noise rock is a thing in 2016). Well, he's right in that Mollot is harsh and nasty and unrelenting; this tape is total blown out, deranged noise rock perfection. Mollot plays all the wrong things in all the right ways. I'm just bummed their tour didn't make it anywhere near me.

FFO: Rusted Shut, Drunkdriver




- DEMO -



Siyahkal Sagzani Demo
I had an insider tip about this demo before it came out, and sweet fuck is it good. But I would expect nothing less from a band made up of members of Desgraciados, Naamahk, and Golden Path. That being said, Siyahkal sounds nothing like those bands at all. Intstead, Siyahkal plays off kilter, choppy hardcore punk with an occasional catchy hook. Oh, and all the lyrics are in farsi. This demo will wreck you. I'm already itching for more.

FFO: The Nurse (ナース), White Pigs
Okay, I am so sick of instrumental intros on demos, this shit needs to end. However, Decapitators get a pass, because theirs is actually a perfect build up to the first track. The material on this demo is fairly straightforward scandi influenced raw punk, which can be total hit or miss, but Decapitators nailed it. Not much else to say, just hit play and rage away.

FFO: Rövsvett, Tampere SS

Dauðyflin Demo
This link leads to a review I previously published on FBN, but in summation: Members of Börn (a.k.a. one of the best deathrock bands on the planet) playing bouncy, stompy, dark hardcore punk. Dauðyflin is raw, aggressive, and just all around badass.

FFO: Dregs, Mocoso

Plastic Plastic 2.0
Plastic is, without a doubt, the best synthpunk band on the planet right now. When I first listened to this tape, I'm pretty sure I played it on repeat ten times or something. Instead of trying to rip off classic, innovative bands, Plastic puts their own deranged twist on the twisted synthpunk style. Plastic 2.0 is genuinely unnerving, and sits at a point between early industrial and proto-hardcore punk. Plastic is on their own level, and their Devo-copycating peers don't stand a chance.

FFO: Nervous Gender, The Residents
Those Naamahk boys are at it again, but this time they're playing more straightforward raw black metal/punk. The riffs on this really stand out from those typical for the style; they're simultaneously melodic and dissonant, and take some pretty unexpected turns. The pacing is the same way, certain changes happen and I just think, "Oh, fuck yea." And that's the type of shit I live for.

FFO: Akitsa, Black Murder

Siege Column Nocturnal Attack Formation
Do you like thrashing black/death? Of course you do. Or maybe not. Whatever, assuming that you (yes you, the reader) like thrashing black/death, then you gotta check Siege Column out. This shit is ripping. It's got all the divebombs and sickass thrash riffage you want, and that war metal aesthetic (in a borad sense, not just visually) that we all love so well. As the kids these days say, infernal hails.

FFO: Slaughter Lord, Blasphemy

Pollen Demo
Damn, it feels as if Pollen's first show was a a couple weeks ago. They're definitely a band you have to experience live, but this demo does a solid job of capturing their energy. They play blown out [mangle]d-beat with a twist: there are only crash cymbals; no hi-hats or rides, just crashes. It actually really pushes their raw punk attack over the top. Added bonus, they don't do the racist/exotifying fake broken english and kanji thing that their peers often do. This has split tracks.

FFO: Death Dust Extractor, Gloom

Kaleidoscope Kaleidoscope Steps Through The Looking Glass
Bummed Brown Sugar isn't a band anymore? Me too. But, you're in luck, because some of those dudes are doing a new band called Kaleidoscope. There's less subtlety, more tweaked out psych, and just as much wonky, off kilter, fuzzed out hardcore punk genius. Do drugs or whatever, I don't know. Not the classic mexican psych band of the same name. 

FFO: Brown Sugar, XM2
This link leads to a review I previously published on FBN, but in summation: Acrylics succeed where many fail, they make shit for the weird by the weird. These guys know how to make genuinely fucked up punk, I get a lot of East Bay Ray and Greg Ginn vibes. You'll like it.

FFO: Mystery Product, Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers

S-21 Demo
Their first set upstaged the other two bands they played with (one of them Gag, which I guess isn't that tough). All I could think was, "Holy shit, it's like YDI playing Peni riffs." And that was with an incomplete lineup (I forget why), and with a full lineup, they're even bigger and badder. S-21 dishes out the pain; they have the darkness, heaviness, and raw power that makes for an ideal aggro hardcore punk band (emphasis on punk, I mean aggro as in Citizens Arrest, not Earth Crisis). Break shit.

FFO: YDI, Rudimentary Peni

Crumb Demo
If it wasn't for the lack of aussie accent, I would swear Crumb is from the land down under (hey Brayden and Jerry). They sound like a lot of the noise rock coming out of there in recent years. The guitar on this stands out particularly. The riffs have an almost surf punk and/or cowpunk feel, but are dark and dissonant in a deeply unnerving way (which is a good thing, obviously). This demo really surprised me and has me coming back over and over again.

FFO: Dribble, Cuntz

City Hunter Knife Protocol
Finally, the long awaited sequel is here! I've been listening to City Hunter's s/t CS on repeat for the past 3-4 years, and while that short burst (2:38 in total) is incredible, I have been dying for more. And after the wait, Knife Protocol does not disappoint. The tape is a live recording (and it really sounds like one) which clocks in at 7:08, but manages to successfully showcase City Hunter's brutal intensity and menacing presence. Like if YDI was really into slasher flicks (lots of YDI going around). So when is the LP dropping?

FFO: YDI, Sewer Drainer

Dagger Lust Dagger Lust
This label,Vrasubatlat, popped up out of fucking nowhere, and in a very short time, has cranked out some incredible black/death, but this might be their best yet. Dagger Lust is cavernous and unforgiving. Over the course of two tracks, they unleash some of the most foul, dismal, and downright malevolent black/death I've heard this year. And part of that is due to their use of power electronics to create a truly noxious atmomsphere. The other part is that this just fucking rips.

FFO: Teitanblood, Triumvir Foul

Intensive Care Pay Pig
This link leads to a review I previously published on FBN, but in summation: Andrew Nolan drives another one home, this time it's noise rock and power electronics. It's heavy, gritty, and all around amazing. Intensive Care will knock you down. A personal letter to Nolan: please play philly, thanks. 

FFO: Dissecting Table, Unsane


I honestly think Eduardo Ramirez (a.k.a. Volahn) can do no wrong. He's put out so much amazing black and death metal, and already demonstrated his punk chops in Mata Mata; but Zoloa is where it all comes together. Their previous two demos were solid, but Plato O Plomo is much more fully realized than its predecessors. It's as if they've taken the best elements of both japanese and swedish crust, and put them through a cavernous black/death lens. Absolutely punishing.

FFO: Disgust, Seitan









This was some shit. And you know what, fuck it. I'm plugging my own band too. I think I earned it.


Bloated Subhumans Execution I
Not gonna write a review because that would be corny as shit. Repetative noise rock with power electronics. I'm done. Hope you enjoyed this absurdly large megapost.

FFO: Brainbombs, Skullflower


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The Elusive SKELETON Flexi

June 26, 2016, 2:19 pm
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Skeleton Flexi
Skeleton
2016

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk, Blackened Punk
For Fans Of: Chlorine, Desgraciados, Oaf, Nihilistic Fit

I've been seeing good things about this flexi all over, but somehow there isn't a single rip of it out there. Well, I got my hands on one after going to see Skeleton with Blank Spell; unfortunately no one else (aside from a couple friends, one of whom had flown in for Philly Shreds) showed up. And after spinning this flexi, I'm even more let down that the gig fell through, because this material kills.

Skeleton plays some gnarly riff driven hardcore punk; a style which I love, but also a style which is becoming harder and harder to pull off due to the total oversaturation of bands who are trying to sound like Rudimentary Peni. Fortunately, bands like this one exist to get it right. The serpentine riffs feel as if they're too long as they wind their way through the mix, but instead of progressions which are seemingly all over the place, Skeleton strips things down; and it's this primal simplicity which puts them way ahead of many of their peers. Combine that with abrupt tempo shifts, crushingly brutal and heavy atmospheres and production, and snarled one-line lyrics -- and you've got yourself a winner of an EP.

They said they'd be coming back around later this year, so I'm really looking forward to actually getting to see them. But until then, I'll just be replaying these nasty numbers again and again.

Tracklist:
1. Locked Up
2. Change Me
3. Torture

DOWNLOAD

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ANXIETY

July 2, 2016, 8:42 pm
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Anxiety
Anxiety
2016

Review by Joey (is anyone else even doing this anymore or am I all alone in this cruel world?)

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk, Post-Punk, Art Punk, Industrial, Power Electronics, Noise
For Fans Of: Feederz, SPK, Minimal Man, GRRR

I don't even know where the fuck to start with this LP. It is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things to come out this year. Or really in recent memory, honestly. When I clicked play on LVEUM's bandcamp, I was not prepared at all, and I don't think anything I say in this review can fully prepare any of you. It's not only that it's really that out there, but it's also that fucking good.

Anxiety is a new band out of the UK -- no surprise based on how much truly interesting shit (No Form, Perspex Flesh, Frau, etc) has been coming out of there in recent years -- who feature members of The Lowest Form (another favorite) and others. But I'm not sure that really has any significance in terms of how this sounds. Anxiety sounds like...well...anxiety -- yea yea, I know it's corny. Their unique blend of all those various genres I listed above is an unstoppable force of nervous energy; like a sonic panic attack. Everything about what Anxiety does has a touch of madness; even the more straightforward (relatively speaking) hardcore punk leaning tracks reek of influence from oddball bands like Feederz and Saccharine Trust. Add in the early SPK and Monte Cazazza-style electronics, The Ex and GRRR-style art punk, dark and ominous textures, and confusing progressions...and you still probably can't imagine what this sounds like. The best way I can even semi-accurately describe Anxiety is that they sound like a hardcore punk Minimal Man. And how fucking sick is that?

I listened to this ten times in a row the day I heard it. And I'm still playing it over and over and over. If you don't download this immediately, that's a moral decision you'll have to live with for the rest of your life.

Tracklist:
1. Dark And Wet
2. Fool In The Shower
3. The Worst
4. Addicted To Punishment
5. Human Hell
6. Delayed
7. Trapped Shut
8. Sewer In My Mind
9. VMD

DOWNLOAD

EDIT: The parenthetical is a joke referring to how I'm the only one doing reviews on FBN anymore, not a cry of desperation.
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NO BALLS / BLANK VEINS

July 17, 2016, 4:11 pm
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No Balls / Blank Veins
No Balls / Blank Veins
2016

(Band Submission)

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Psych, Post-Punk
For Fans Of: Brainbombs, DNA, Twin Stumps, No Form

If you're familiar with this blog, I'm sure you know how much we (I?) love both Blank Veins and No Balls. And really, what's not to love? Both bands have fantastic outputs and play with the repetitive noise rock formula in distinctive, instantly recognizable ways. I've known this split was in the works for a while from correspondence with Blank Veins, and I gotta say it's everything I hoped for.

I guess I should start with No Balls since they're the band on side A. No Balls is essentially half of Brainbombs, and while similarities can be drawn between the two, No Balls puts more emphasis on the hypnotic nature of their music, generally without as much focus on vocals, often ditching them in favor of instrumentals -- the latter of which is the case on this split. But don't worry sports fans, because the atonal trumpet we all know and love fills in the gaps. These guys have an uncanny ability to consistently churn out hit after hit, and I have no idea how they do it.

Fewer people know about Blank Veins (a shame considering how good they are), but hopefully this split gets them the attention they deserve. Hailing from Greece, Blank Veins have carved out a niche for themselves dishing out what can best be described as a terrifying mixture of Brainbombs and DNA. And they also use trumpet. Honestly, they're one of the coolest noise rock bands to come out in the past five years, and despite a relatively small output, have a total mastery of their craft. I know they have future releases planned (one being a split 7" that needs a label...wink, wink) and you should all keep an eye on them (not related to the "wink, wink" comment), because I can guarantee it's all gonna be great.

Short version for short people: big bad riffs and trumpets.

Tracklist:
1. No Balls - Bright Eyes
2. No Balls - Total Eclipse
3. No Balls - Back On The SNRI
4. Blank Veins - Till It Subsides
5. Blank Veins -  The Next Time
6. Blank Veins - Most Of The Fabric

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MOTH SLASHER

July 27, 2016, 11:18 am
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Moth Slasher
Moth Slasher
2016

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Post-Punk, Industrial
For Fans Of: Slices, Locust (before the The), Happy Flowers, Walls

Dude, I gotta say...I love when friends' bands are good. That seems like such an obvious statement, but one of the worst feelings in the world is when a friend sends you their band (or worse asks you in person how you felt after just watching a set) and you don't like it, and gotta figure out if you should dance around things or just flat out tell them the hard truth. Well, in the case of Moth Slasher, the hard truth is that they are fucking disgustingly great.

Moth Slasher is kinda hard to pigeonhole, which is something that's always refreshing. My first impression was that they reminded me of The Locust's earliest recordings (splits with Jenny Piccolo and Man Is The Bastard/Noise) sans blast beats, but keeping the industrial/electronics, mixed with Slices. So basically it's totally blown out, filthy, crushingly heavy, and unpredictable; but dirging and rhythmic. But wait, there's more. Moth Slasher manages to make nods to one of my all time favorites, Happy Flowers. There are parts which just completely fall apart -- seemingly forgoing all structure, and embracing pure musical decomposition -- while still relying on traditional punk instruments as the means for producing sonic mayhem. And what glorious mayhem it is.

So hold onto your hat and watch the valuables...it's going to be a bumpy ride.*

Tracklisting:
1. I Don't Know Him
2. Flowers Dead
3. Mecha Parasite Brain
4. Zero Return
5. Watch You Die
6. Free Wi-Fi

DOWNLOAD

*read in Mark Hamill's Joker voice

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BRAINBOMBS - SOUVENIRS

August 7, 2016, 6:55 pm
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Souvenirs
Brainbombs
2016

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Post-Punk, Psych
For Fans Of: The Stooges, Blank Veins, Paul Chain, Drunks With Guns

Ummmmmm...so I'm sure many of you heard earlier this year about a new Brainbombs LP...and it's finally here! I'm kinda flipping out over it, because they somehow are still consistently churning out some of the most haunting, filthy, and memorable tracks of any noise rock band ever, despite having been a band for a little over 30 years at this point. Granted, it's generally one riff per song, but goddamn are they great. However, this LP sees Sweden's Meanest taking a direction they haven't played with this much since their Genius And Brutality...Taste And Power LP; that's right, they're pulling out the psych.

Those familiar with Brainbombs' output shouldn't be too surprised with what they're doing on Souvenirs. They've always had heavy psych leanings, but what sets the material on this LP apart from the rest of their work is that  a lot of the tracks are driven more by creating frightening moods and atmospheres rather than every riff being big and bad. That's not to say this LP doesn't have big, bad riffs, because it really does. But the feelings of emotional detachment and emptiness are more at the forefront of it all; and it feels unnerving in a way most of their output doesn't (aside from the Genius And Brutality...Taste And Power LP). It really is incredible that Brainbombs have found ways to keep their output from getting stale, while still maintaining their overall aesthetic. Plus, at least now I have this killer to listen to while I cry over not being able to see them in LA.

Blah, blah it's Brainbombs doing what they do best. You know what you're getting into.

Tracklist:
1. A Darker Shade Of Pain
2. In Danger
3. Beyond Darkness
4. Let Me Kill
5. Satisfied
6. Having Fun
7. Souvenirs
8. Darkness

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UNBOUND

August 21, 2016, 9:57 am
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"Flesh Burns" Demo 2016 
Unbound
2016

Review By Jerry

Genre/s: Death Metal, Punk, 90's Metal
For Fans Of: Christbait, Beanflipper, Mangacide, Massappeal, Misery (Aus)

New bands revitalizing classic sounds and styles of a particular era of extreme music is nothing new but rarely does a band come along and have their influences sorted out with such an acute precision of a long gone and obscure style that chances are you may not even know any of the bands listed in the "For Fans Of" section (guilty of this myself).

Coming from a rich pedigree of old and new bands (Where's The Pope?, Ripped Off, The Submissivies, Pissed On, Sick People), Unbound are manic time travelers adventuring back into the long forgotten times of 90's punk-metal. Ripping into it from the get go they traverse back to a  realm of heavy music in an era that is seldom traveled. From the start they dive down into a time-frozen zone of death metal/thrash and return with specimens like "Morbid Freaks" before they go back again into an alt-metal dimension on "Births Eulogy" before finally their obsessive endeavors catch up to them causing a time rift with worlds colliding together in a spiraling frenzy of heavily effected madness which is documented in "Epitaphic Confines" and "Only Dead".  Sparing nothing from their methodical styles and grooves the same can be said for the tight and very un-demo like production. Slick and dense guitar and bass tones combating against rugged and plummeting drums whilst they all carry the vocalist around howling in the language of insanity into a flanged-out void.

Unbound has done a top notch job exhuming this peculiar style of 90's Australian punk-metal out from the ground. While at first this may sound like its an acquired taste it only seems that way because Unbound proudly wear their influences on their sleeves when no one else wanted them.


TRACKLISTING
1. Flesh Burns
2. Momentary
3. Morbid Freaks
4. Births Eulogy
5. Epitaphic Confines
6. Only Dead

BANDCAMP

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THE LONG LOST SPIKE IN VAIN TAPE

September 1, 2016, 5:36 pm
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Jesus Was Born In A Mobile Home
Spike In Vain
1984-85 (?)

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Deathrock, Noise Rock, Post-Punk, Hardcore Punk
For Fans Of: No Trend, The Scam, Tar Babies, Saccharine Trust

Spike In Vain is easily one of the coolest, most underrated punk bands ever. Their iconic Disease Is Relative LP, sits in the nightmarish crossroads where Christian Death, No Trend, and Rudimentary Peni meet, feasting on corpses in rapturous, sardonic glee. Their second full length Jesus Was Born In A Mobile Home was released on cassette; and probably would've been lost to time...but thanks to the internet, knowledge of this elusive band and their material was exhumed, and given another life to wreak havoc once again.

Jesus Was Born In A Mobile Home picks up right where its predecessor left off, but has a somewhat different overall feel to it. The material is more cohesive, as though they took what they did on Disease Is Relative, and whittled it into a deadly point. Take that how you will, but I think this tape is just as good as the LP. Some of the tracks are live and demo recordings, however that doesn't take any of the bite out of this release. The music on here is truly deranged in a unique way, and it's honestly difficult to compare Spike In Vain to any other band(s)*, because none that I can think of -- before or since -- have matched their terrifying fusion of the caustic and macabre. In their own words: ugly and damaged.

Spike In Vain should be considered essential deathrock, up there with Part 1, Theatre Of Ice, Rudimentary Peni, etc.

Tracklist:
1. Little Voice That Betrays
2. Rejected By Number Twelve
3. Ugly And Damaged
4. Glass Doorknob
5. A Grave Left Behind
6. You're Gonna Watch Me
7. Real Cool Time
8. Seconds
9. Lullabye Nocturno
10. Helga At The Square Dance
11. Deathstyle
12. Love Isn't Hollow

DOWNLOAD

*aside from The Dark, which was essentially Spike In Vain with the members playing different instruments

I can't find credit for this rip anywhere, but to the hero who did this...fucking thank you.
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FBN 2016 YEAR-END ROUNDUP MEGAPOST

December 27, 2016, 6:08 pm
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2016 was spent mostly trying to not kill myself (also finishing school), meaning I really didn't get much reviewing done. Because of that, I'm just going to do this absurd thing again where I review 15 LPs, EPs, and demos (45 releases in total) in a single post to make up for my absence. I made sure there were no repeats from the midyear roundup megapost, so this is a whole new set of shit. No links were stolen, because only hacks do that (you know who you are), and original sources are all linked / credited unless I couldn't find the original source; the links are all in the titles. So strap in, this is gonna be a wild ride.

- LP -

Everything Grim has put out should be considered among the best, most essential industrial ever made (up there with SPK and Minimal Man), and Orgasm is no exception to that. The unrelenting rhythmic electronics, hints of traditional folk, and beautiful, uncomfortably serene melodies which Grim is known for are all here. Jun is still a master of his craft, and still stands above most of his contemporaries, past and present.

FFO: SPK, White Hospital

When I first heard this band in 2014, I was fucking floored. The obvious comparison to Primitive Man based on shared members was there, but Vermin Womb certainly is its own monster.  I think a good way to describe them is to liken them to the climactic scene in Lovecraft's "The Music Of Erich Zann," in which the titular character frantically plays in an attempt to keep elder gods from crossing the threshold into our world. But instead of a shrieking viol over the indescribable sounds of lovecraftian horrors, it's ruthless deathgrind. 

FFO: Knelt Rote, Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire

This link leads to a review I did earlier this year on FBN, but in summation: Anxiety is a total fucking mess of weird punk and industrial, and certainly one of the more interesting bands to pop up this year.

FFO: Feederz, Minimal Man

Brainbombs Souvenirs
This link leads to a review I did earlier this year on FBN, but in summation: it's Brainbombs doing what they do, and doing it well; it's more psych-oriented than what a lot of people expect from them, but I can assure you that it fits in as a fantastic addition to their already flawless output. 

FFO: The Stooges, Blank Veins

I've been looking forward to this one for a while now, and it does not disappoint. The Lowest Form's previous LP, Negative Ecstasy (also on ILR) established them as a total powerhouse of a band. Personal Space picks up right where they left off, and although the production is different, The Lowest Form still deliver their over-the-top explosive hardcore punk battering ram of a sound; just in a different way. There's less fuzz, but the frantic guitarwork and overall claustrophobic delivery fills in any space that you might have thought would be freed up. This thing is a fucking wrecking ball. 

FFO: Anxiety, Warthog

I reviewed this for Cvlt Nation a couple months ago (the feature can be found here), but in summation: Balcanes' brand of brooding, minimalist noise rock with hints of industrial is as crushing as it is bleak. If you remember how highly I praised their Plataforma / Autopista 7" a couple years ago, just know that Carne Nueva takes everything amazing about that release and amplifies it exponentially.

FFO: Skullflower, Swans

I'm so glad that Shaatan finally has a full length release out. They're certainly a strange band, even for the Black Twilight Circle, which should already tell you something. Weigh Of The Wolf feels like a middle point between the spaciest and most plodding of the BTC's projects, but there's also what seems to be a post-punk element, along with the usual psych leanings. Also, there's a flute, which might make you think "oh boy, a gimmick," but I can assure you that it only serves to enhance the gloom and doom. You probably should've already been sold on this when I mentioned it's from BTC.

FFO: Arizmenda, Blue Hummingbird On The Left

The titans behind Iron Lung Records strike again. Private Room is self-described as "the new Walls. Better songs, worse attitude," which is a solid reference point. Their debut 7" was good, but Forever And Ever is something else entirely. So much is happening on here that it might take a bit to realize what the fuck is hitting you; there's hints of shit from all across the spectrum of noise and post-punk, including (but not limited to): electronics, unconventional structures, and abstract guitarwork layered over driving bass and drums. There's even some Rudimentary Peni style riffing to top it all off. A must listen. 

FFO: Walls, Cows

Admittedly, I didn't listen to as much metal this year as I did the previous couple years, but I made it a point to check out the new Blood Incantation, because I'd heard nothing but good things from people whose opinions I trust (and there aren't many). Lemme tell you, Starspawn is everything I would want from a death metal LP in 2016; it's overwhelming and foreboding in a very real way. The seamless melding of spacy elements and bruising death metal is not the easiest thing to pull off, but Blood Incantation does a helluva fine job.

FFO: Timeghoul, Artificial Brain

This might be White Medal's best work yet; it's got the riffs, it's got the evil, it's got the potentially questionable content, it's got everything you probably want from a black metal LP. I have to say, it's interesting to hear White Medal with a clean(er) production, because it brings out just how terrifying they sound. Lyke Wake is a winding, gnarled killer.

FFO: Cirrhus, Axnaar

I'm so glad I got to catch them on their most recent tour, because seeing Rakta live really cements just how outstanding they are, and how good they are at what they do. For example, most bands who use keys/organs/synths to make dark music end up producing what could be compared to kitschy tunes in a shitty high school theatre rendition of Dracula. But not Rakta; no they push those keys and synths to their limits, even delving into electronics and exploring harsher textures. The result is spooky, but in a Lovecraft way rather than in a campy haunted house way. ILR sure knows how to pick'em. 

FFO: Xmal Deutschland, Cadaver Em Transe

I have no idea how the members of the Black Twilight Circle manage to churn out so many winners, but I'm thankful for it. Arizmenda is easily one of my favorites of the bunch; their nightmarish, psychedelic sound always evokes existential dread, and this new LP only adds to their already absolutely phenomenal output. If you're looking for something to listen to in the dark when you're having an existential crisis and want your skin to crawl just a little more, this is a solid pick.

FFO: Volahn, Ashdautas

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckkkk this release kicked my ass. When I first heard it, I was not expecting the level of sheer, wretched darkness and aggression Padkarosda dish out. Blitzing and deathrock are not two words commonly seen together, but blitzing deathrock is an accurate way to describe the offerings on Tétova Lelkek. The ferocity and urgency of Padkarosda's delivery is worthy of praise in its own right, but coupled with their skilled songwriting, they're a ghastly, formidable force of a band. I'm just hoping they make it over to the states so I can justify drooling in public. 

FFO: Vonbrigði, The Scam

This link leads to a review I did earlier this year on FBN, but in summation: it's two outstanding contemporary noise rock titans (one featuring members of Brainbombs), both dishing out some of their best respective material yet. 

FFO: Brainbombs, DNA


Con-Dom How Welcome Is Death To I Who Have Nothing More To Do But Die
Dando is on top of his fucking game on this one. Con-Dom's use of sampling is legendary, and this release might be one of my favorites he's done in that regard. Basically, this is an album about old people dying, killing themselves, and resentment towards them from their families. It's brutal, poignant, and ingeniously snarky; the electronics which serve as the base for this fun little romp through a nursing home, work perfectly to create a snide, malign atmosphere.

FFO: The Grey Wolves, Genocide Organ




- EP -


With each new effort, Intensive Care pushes their take on the Skullflower / Cosmonauts Hail Satan / etc fusion of electronics and noise rock (incorporating what I believe the kids call the "pig fuck" approach) even further, into increasingly more noxious territory. Voyeurism is, according to the band, the closing chapter of a three part exploration -- the first part being Pay Pig, and the second being This Is Exactly Who You Are -- of capitalism, work, dehumanization, and validation through exposure and humiliation. The seamless integration of samples works well to express and highlight those ideas; comparisons can be drawn to industrial titans such as The Grey Wolves and Propergol, as well as to weirder powerviolence-informed bands such as Gasp and Suffering Luna. There's a lot more to say about this than can fit in a small blurb, so I might do a separate review later, but in short, this release is just as fantastic as expected.

FFO: Unsane, Dissecting Table

Here's a split I'd been waiting (im)patiently for. As you'd expect, both Internal Rot's and Mellow Harsher's sides are unforgiving and recklessly fast. These bands are just picking up where their last releases left off, which, for grind  -- let's be real -- is often a good thing. Honestly, there's not a whole lot to say about this one other than the fact that it's a grind split 7" that was able to hold my attention, something that can't be said for most newer grind split 7"s. It's a rager, so check it out.

FFO: Excruciating Terror, In Disgust

Oh man, Larry Lifeless still fucking has it. Kilslug's side of this split is exactly what you'd want from them (i.e.  total sleazed out doom that falls apart into noise rock) without sounding like a rehash of previous material. Drunk In Hell, while not necessarily as familiar a name as Kilslug, holds their own on their side with one of the most punishing dirges I've heard this year. I heard they're working on an LP and I can't wait to hear it.

FFO: Upsidedown Cross, Rectal Hygienics 

Okay, listen up everyone. Humanshapes is one of the best bands in philly right now. Their live performances are riveting, and their music is disconcerting in the best possible way. Extremity Parties is a hornets' nest of noisy post-punk imploding on itself, simultaneously deconstructing and reconstructing its dilapidated form. I've only caught them a couple times (and played with them under a bridge which was a blast to say the least), but they're one of those bands who I think I could see every other week and not get bored.

FFO: Teenage Jesus And The Jerks, Pygmy Shrews

This link leads to a review I did earlier this year on FBN, but in summation: whether it's the winding riffs, the driving drums, the sinister and heavy overall feel, Skeleton totally nails what they're going for. Listen to this and break stuff.

FFO: Sewer Drainer, Chlorine

Well, well...what do we have here? Why, it's a 53 song flexi, brought to you by the noisegrind / noisecore project from the people behind Total Abuse, Breathing Problem, etc. There's a real oversaturation of this style lately (I blame bandcamp dot com), so it's easy to pass on a lot of it, but Mental Abortion is definitely worth checking out. The use of electronics really helps to fully flesh out the full scope of smut that they're going for; and oddly, they've opted for a semi-clean production which actually works in their favor. But make no mistake, Infinite Cum is pure, unadulterated filth. You might want to take a shower after listening to this one. 

FFO: World, Traci Lords Loves Noise

Man...it's really hard putting something with Nails' name on it on here, but Full Of Hell's side of this split is killer enough to justify it. As with the material on last year's 7", Full Of Hell is diving deeper into the dark, murky waters of deathgrind; with each stroke of their uncompromising onslaught, they become more of a gruesome hybrid, equal parts Incantation and Discordance Axis. I guess I should probably mention Nail's side since it's already here; it sounds kinda like that (actually somewhat decent) flexi they did last year, so it turned out better than expected (sorta). But anyway, Full Of Hell is doing a new LP and from what I've heard, it's gonna be a fucking ripper.

FFO: Multiplex, Column Of Heaven

On the surface this EP could be mistaken for typical throwback nyhc, but the more you listen to it, the more you hear how it's constantly falling apart around itself, held together by a thin thread. The sloppy playing, to me, seems intentional; it's artful and calculated. Generally, hardcore punk bands who play sloppily tend to just sound like everyone's first shitty band from high school, but Nueva Fuerza's utilization of this aesthetic somehow hits that perfect spot. Oh, and the riffs are fantastic. This bad boy is worth sitting down with.

FFO: (early) Agnostic Front, No Thanks

I'll never stop kicking myself for skipping out on Brown Sugar's last philly show (in 2012?), but fortunately members have gone on to do other killer projects, one of them being Tapehead. My first impression of them was "holy shit, it's Brown Sugar playing Born Against songs," which should tell you immediately that this is something worth your time; Welcome To Heck is a psyched out Battle Hymns Of The Race War, sans death threat samples and an intermission, (but they have time to pull that off if they so choose). These songs are catchy, nasty, and fun in a totally degenerate way.

FFO: Born Against, Brown Sugar

I forgot that this was dropping, and then it came out this month and I got excited all over again. I think Triac can do no wrong; everything they do is memorable. On this split, their signature fusion of noise rock and grind is balanced perfectly, and by the end, falls apart into a mess of grueling repetition and electronics (perfection). Sick/Tired went from decent(ish) thrashcore to unforgiving grind seemingly overnight. To me, some of their releases hold up better than others, but this material stands alongside their best. I will say the goofy vocals on that one track threw me off, but other than that, they hit like a train. I guess there were a few good grind splits this year.

FFO: Flesh Parade, 324

I have no idea why nobody has been talking about this 12" from Es, because it's fucking fantastic. I haven't seen any info on the band, but whoever they are, they know how to craft some unnerving synthpunk. The material on here is bouncy and bubbly, yet at the same time is abstract and nightmarish. Definitely one of the coolest, most interesting things to drop this year.

FFO: Units, Outer Circle


Vacant Life Cassingle No. 1
Their tape floored me, and their follow up 7" on ILR was fantastic, and now Vacant Life is back. While the Olympia/Seattle hardcore vibes (Sex Vid, White Wards, Society Nurse, etc) are still there, the focus has shifted more towards an exploration of art punk/post-punky elements, similar to what Behavior did on their LP earlier this year. And somehow, it feels like a natural progression/evolution of their sound; none of it feels contrived. I'm really looking forward to whatever these guys churn out next, they're just getting weirder and weirder in all the right ways.

FFO: Behavior, Wire

This is one of those releases that reminds me why people who publish their AOTY lists in the first week of december are total hacks. The first band that this brings to mind is Saccharine Trust, but there's more hardcore punk elements in there than ST ever really had, which are reminiscent of Stains. City Trends is like an SST Records fanboy's wet dream come true; it has all the nastiness and organic weirdo fuckery that made all of us fall in love with this shit in the first place. I'm loving the newer wave of art punk that's popping up, here's to hoping it doesn't get ruined too soon. 

FFO: Saccharine Trust, Stains
M. Del Rio Completely Serious
I'm sure that for those of you who've wanted new Raspberry Bulbs, M. Del Rio's Cleft Skull flexi scratched that itch; and I have no doubt that the news of a follow-up tape would get you excited as well. This tape sits between all three RB LPs (Nature Tries Again, Deformed Worship, and Privacy) in a way that lives up to the high quality I've come to expect from Del Rio's post-punk based output. While this is clearly intended to be a project separate from RB, the similarities are certainly there. One thing that really stands out about Completely Serious is Del Rio's focus on and incorporation of more of the industrial / minimal synth elements which came into play on Privacy; something which makes me wonder where this project is going next.

FFO: Raspberry Bulbs, Dome


Teitanblood Accursed Skin
Well, what can I say, it's Teitanblood doing that thing that they do. The two tracks on Accursed Skin are (obviously) crushing thrashing black/death; and as much of their previous material, the songs both cross the ten minute mark. Luckily for us, this band seems to always keep their intensity, regardless of the span of time it takes them to get from start to finish.

FFO: Triumvir Foul, Wrathprayer






- DEMO -
Blank Spell is easily one of my favorite contemporary punk bands. I don't think there's a time that I've seen them and haven't had a stupid grin on my face to the point that it hurt by the end of their set. And despite how good their previous output is, this promo for their upcoming LP is their best material yet; it perfectly showcases their twisted amalgam of dark, chaotic mid 80s Italian hardcore punk with dashes of 80s US/UK/Japanese deathrock. The riffs are all memorable, the structures are unpredictable, and the overall atmosphere is haunting.

FFO: Bedboys, Phaidia
Mama mia, this is a spicy meatball™! I remember my friend telling me a while back they were working on a band influenced by Japanese metalpunk, and I hoped that it'd be good. I wasn't let down at all, holy shit; Devil Master surpassed all my expectations. But, that's to be expected when you've got members of Cape Of Bats, Blank Spell, The Drip, etc working together, influenced by some of the best of the best. When this came out, people were comparing it to Zouo, but it really sounds only vaguely like Zouo. A lot more is going on here, which you should honestly just hear for yourself. Devil Master not only has the riffs, but also the presentation needed to pull off something like this. Decibel magazine had a review of this that was a fucking joke (what a shocker), and honestly I don't think I can even give this as good a review as I want. But, trust me, you need this.
This has split tracks. 

FFO: Sex Messiah, 集団自殺 (Syudan Jisatsu*)

The people who brought you Twin Stumps and White Suns are back, and somehow no one seemed to notice. Conduit definitely has the same plodding pace as Twin Stumps' first LP, and has all the abstract guitar work of White Suns; but that's where the similarities end for the most part. In addition to the essential noise rock elements, Conduit integrates some rudimentary electronics into their sound, which, as I'm sure you know, makes for an overwhelming and downright scary listening experience. It's been interesting seeing the rise in this theme explored by noise rock bands, and somehow many (Conduint included) have managed to keep it sounding fresh. 

FFO: Skullflower, Will To Live

I got turned onto this project because it features a member(s?) of now defunct UK hardcore punk band No, and wasn't really sure what to expect when I lisetned. Well, it doesn't sound like No at all; it's like a strange mixture of blackened punk and goth recorded in a cave. For some reason I also get Dreamdecay vibes from some of the guitarwork which is definitely interesting. Nadie's sound is as sombre as it is aggressive, and it's probably something you should just listen to for yourself.

FFO: Raspberry Bulbs, Siekiera

The Bug is back, and more buggy than ever. If you liked their first tape, you'll like this one too, and not just because some of the same songs are on it. Room 44 Sessions a continuation of what the Bug started with their brand of reckless, trainwreck hardcore punk, only they've cranked up their usage of noise and atonality; and have done so without slowing down one bit -- they may have even sped up some. You know what you're getting into with this, and I'm sure it's just what you wanted. 

FFO: Sex Vid, Migraine

Here's one of the few contemporary deathrock projects that integrates industrial into their sound. Admittedly, it could use a little bit of fine-tuning, but Laugh's approach is effective in creating chorus drenched existential dread. None of the tracks reach the 2 minute mark, making each one feel like a microcosmic experiment in evoking fear and discomfort, and fully realized via the disconcertingly muffled vocals. Listen in the dark.
This has split tracks.

FFO: Datsustora, Clair Obscur

This link leads to a review I did earlier this year on FBN, but in summation: Moth Slasher's brand of blown out noise rock dirges and crawls, yet also remains unpredictable, often falling apart into detuning and electronic soundscaping. I can't think of anything in recent memory that sounds quite like this, so get it while it's hot (or maybe it's cold, I don't know dude)

FFO: Happy Flowers, Slices

Oh boy, if you wanted to hear the unholy bastard child of United Mutation and YDI, Only Human is the band for you. The riffs, the unbridled aggression, the somehow not stupid sounding cookie monster vocals...it's all here. And it's phenomenal. But then again, Only Human features members of No Form, so I'd expect nothing less. Put it on and smash. 

FFO: United Mutation, YDI
How does the idea of psych'd out funky deathrock sound to you? Good? Good. And that's what First Wave Of Death Funk is -- it's good. Product melds the two styles, but leans towards the psych/noise rock side of things, so the gloom takes a back seat to the doom, so to speak. The spacey guitar and powerful rhythm section build an environment, rather than just a backdrop, in which sinister howls thrive -- the culmination of which is hair-raising. Check it out. 

FFO: Dreamdecay, Haldol

Prison Shower Prison Shower
The people over at Yamabushi Recordings really know how to churn out some of the most vile shit. While the most well known project on the label is Sesso Violento (Molestador is for sure one of the best, most memorable blackened punk LPs that I've heard), there are a handful of other projects which the label is home to, one of them being Prison Shower. My first impression was that it reminded me of a project I did a few years back called Nathaniel Wingate Peaslee (named after a Lovecraft character), but I quickly I picked out some 80s Texas noise rock and weirder 00s blackened punk vibes. This thing is punishing; total knuckledragging dirges, complimented with some harsh electronics to top it all off with an extra layer of filth.

FFO: Stick Men With Ray Guns, Norymberga

Oh look, yet another offering from Iron Lung Records that's made it onto my "best of" lists. This particular tape is best listened to alone in the dark, where the pulsing synths and crashing waves of electronics can bring the cliff wall that is your being crumbling down. Life Drag erodes the soul, slowly and methodically, each track stripping a little bit away until there's nothing left. Their exploration of Chrome influenced industrial/psych is both satisfying and gut-wrenchingly bleak. 

FFO: Chrome, Dome

I don't know how this guy can put out such a variety of shit and have all of it be great; he's responsible for Naamahk, Malphas, and now Fuath Vough. The biggest influence is definitely Paysage D'Hiver, especially their releases which are split between elegiac dark ambient and devastating death metal influenced black metal, the main difference here being that Fauth Vough's black metal riffing has slightly punker leanings. Monolith To The Brollachan Priest is fantastic as both a black metal release and an industrial release.
This has split tracks.

FFO: Murmuüre, Paysage D'Hiver

No Care Superiorstrains
Here's a new(er) project from one of the masterminds behind Wojtek, except instead of raw black/death metal punk, it's hardcore punk influenced by some of Japan's finest lofi heroes. And okay, maybe a little hint of raw black metal here and there. It may be straightforward, but what sets Superiorstrains apart from other similar efforts within this specific style, is the fact that rather than falling into the typical pitfalls that come along with worship, it comes off as more of an homage; it is notable due to its own merits, not because "oh man, this sounds just like G-Gas." Does this count as shameless self-promotion since I'm drumming for the band incarnation of this project? Who knows, but check it out.
(P.S. I did the art for this one, and that's shameless self-promotion)

FFO: Gudon, Bone Awl

So, I found out about this band because the guitarist from my old band 1/4 Dead (I doubt anyone remembers), is doing vocals; and the first I heard of them was that they were playing with Die Kreuzen. Both of those things intrigued me -- especially the first since everything Eric touches is wild -- and I gotta say this is one of his best efforts yet. It's total sleazed out rocking metalpunk, with a big emphasis on the sleaze. The opening sample from The Hobbit really sets the tone for how tongue-in-cheek and kickass this whole thing is; plus all the lyrics are about b-horror and old sega games. Do I need to say anything else, or are you sold already?
(P.S. I did the art for this one too, although it's not the final draft since I'm waiting on the band for the logo they want to use; but I needed to put something on here)

FFO: G.I.S.M., Cape Of Bats

The Obscured Desolate Wanderings
This release actually was a submission that I've been meaning to post for a while, but didn't get the chance to, so here it is now. Desolate Wanderings might be one of the most dreary things I've heard this year, everything about it sucks the fun right out of the room and replaces it with hypoxic hopelessness. Goth with an emphasis on atmosphere is harder to pull off since it's not the 80s, so The Obscured are certainly an impressive band in that regard; the best comparisons I can make are -- for the most part -- french bands from the 80s. I'm really glad this made it to the FBN submissions inbox, and I hope to hear more from this band in the near future (hopefully a tour too?).

FFO: Trop Tard, Theatre Of Ice





*not actually a Japanese band, turns out it's a Finnish project featuring members of Selfish and others.

Okay, you know what -- I doubt anyone else would bother posting these, so here's some real shameless self-promotion. I've earned it right? I won't review them since that'd be corny, but here’s my two latest releases from 2016 (both of which still need to be put out in a physical format, whoops):

Bloated Subhumans Commemoration 
This was released coinciding with the 1 year anniversary of my last almost successful suicide attempt, and explores the 4 forms of suicide proposed by Durkheim via repetitive noise rock and electronics.

FFO: Brainbombs, Grim


Commodity Fetishism Manifesto
Commodity Fetishism is a rhythmic industrial project influenced by the works of Marx; Manifesto explores capitalism, sexuality, and the intersection of the two.

FFO: SPK, White Hospital














There you go. Obviously, I encourage you all to support the artists when you can. 2016 is finally coming to an end. I'm done. In the words of the immortal Juntaro:
Fuck compose
Fuck melody
Dedicated to no one
Thanks to no one
Art is over

Until next time,
Joey / FBN

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ACRYLICS - DESPAIR

January 31, 2017, 6:35 pm
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Despair
Acrylics
2017

Review by Joey

(Band Submission)

Genre/s: Hardcore Punk, Noise Rock
For Fans Of: Tar Babies, Mystery Product, Cheetah Chrome Motherfuckers, Stick Men With Ray Guns

Oh shit, January 2017 is gonna be over in a few hours and I still haven't posted anything -- so let's start the year out right (even if it is a month late). I'm sure many of you remember how much I loved Acrylics' s/t tape from last year, and I'm also sure that a good deal of you heard the news about them putting out a 7" on the almighty Iron Lung Records (a.k.a. the greatest label on earth); and if you didn't know those things, now you do. And guess what, sports fans: Despair is Acrylics' most volatile material to date.

Acrylics are a rare breed. They're the sort of band whose music can accurately impart the feeling of being thrown down six flights of stairs and into a pit of tar -- a very specific, yet relatable sensation. Their 2016 tape was a fantastic barrage of disquieting, aggressive punk, and Despair picks up right where that left off; however, these two tracks feel even more fully realized than those on the preceding release. The tracks on this 7" tap into some classic tendencies of noisy punk, but rather than sounding rehashed, they do so in a way that reminds me of what made me fall in love with bands like Tar Babies to begin with. In other words, they are successfully able to sound fresh, and escape the stale trappings many of their contemporaries fall into. The winding riff/stompy thing has gotten pretty played out (especially because a lot of bands can't pull it off), but thanks to their guitarist's amalgam of Greg Ginn's, East Bay Ray's, and Dome's unique styles, along with a stomp comparable to Stick Men With Ray Guns, and a truly unnerving presentation rife with anxiety and dread, Acrylics easily stand out far in front of most of their peers. Simply put, Acrylics exemplify everything I love about wonky, noisy hardcore punk; their brilliant subtlety and ability to overwhelm make them a force to be reckoned with -- a wording which may be cliche, but is accurate nevertheless.

So what are you nerds waiting for? Hurry up and download this slugger -- or if you're able to support, head over to the ILR bandcamp, and get your hands on a copy while you still can!

Tracklist:
1. Despair
2. Reassurance

DOWNLOAD
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PLASTIC

February 5, 2017, 7:35 pm
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Plastic
Plastic
2017

Review by Joey

(Band Submission)

Genre/s: Synthpunk, Industrial, Post-Punk, Power Electronics, Dark Ambient, Art Punk, Noise Rock
For Fans Of: Nervous Gender, Clair Obscur, Trop Tard, Flipper

Plastic's 2.0 tape was, in my opinion, one of the best synthpunk releases to come out since Nervous Gender's Music From Hell LP; and also one of the few which I feel actually can be compared to Nervous Gender, based on their use of synth-based electronic noise (not to mention a healthy dose of influence from The Residents). Hell, I'd go as far as to say that Plastic is one of the best synthpunk bands since Nervous Gender, period.

On this newest offering from Chicago's weirdest, their heavier use of industrial/electronics, paired with a descent into much darker post-punk territory, results in a level of bleakness which is as suffocating as the band's music is irresistible. While its predecessor is ostensibly more aggressive musically, the crushing dirges and almost stark soundscaping on Plastic effectively conveys despair and disillusionment so overwhelming that it becomes mesmerizing, and absolutely conducive to disassociation. These songs bear a striking resemblance to those performed by Flipper, not just in the crawling pace, the use of chilling, ironic laughter, and snide, painful delivery, but also in the way that they sound the way depression feels -- although obviously the addition of synth creates a good deal of dissimilarity. The ability to fully capture that state of being, in my experience, is elusive to say the least. If I had to make a visualization of the sounds contained on this release, it would closely resemble the ominous, harsh background of a Dali painting. Needless to say, this release floored me, and I'm hoping they tour around my way again this year; and if they come anywhere near you, I highly recommend going to see them.

Download this, turn your lights off, and get bummed the fuck out. Nothing here is real.

Tracklist:
1. At The Gates
2. A Good Laugh
3. Mannequins
4. Untitled (Mark II)
5. A Call For Help
6. 731
7. The Garden

DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)
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BRAINBOMBS - INFERNO

May 28, 2017, 10:42 am
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Inferno
Brainbombs
2017

Review by Joey

Genre/s: Noise Rock, Psych, Post-Punk
For Fans Of: The Stooges, Chrome, Strangulated Beatoffs, Paul Chain

Well, they did it -- they released another album essentially titled "Burning Hell." Brainbombs are a band who can do no wrong; their uncanny ability to consistently churn out riff after riff of psych-driven noise rock perfection is unmatched, and this new LP is no exception.

The first thing I noticed about Inferno (aside from the fact that they've finally recorded a studio version of "Stormy Blast Of Hell") is that each song builds from an uneasy calm into a terrifying wall of aggression and intimidation. Brainbombs are generally thought of (by pedestrian fools) as a band who always explode right out of the gate, but on this LP they rely on uncomfortable slow burn buildups which are incredibly effective at evoking the level of dread inspired by their lyrics -- much like what they do on "Right Side Of Hell" and "Skinned Alive," which are two of their most powerful (and oddly underrated) tracks -- and the chilling album art represents this perfectly. Each song on here feels like being out in the country and looking back suspecting that you're being followed -- and then being right (coincidentally, that actually happened to me before listening to this for the first time, so I can confirm that this really nails it) -- but will you be able to escape?

Brainbombs are a truly interesting band, because they are one of the few whose lyrics focus on extreme violence and abuse while still acting as a commentary rather than being used simply as a means of being offensive -- something which has always been integral to noise, but tends to get lost when edgy dudebros don't get it. Don't get me wrong, it's still definitely problematic, but I would argue that the clear self-awareness of the presentation makes it far less dangerous than Black Flag casually (and sincerely) throwing in that they want to beat up their girlfriends.

Anyway, a huge thanks to my friend for ripping his copy (including the bonus single-sided 7") and sending it my way! Now I just have to wait for that new Rudimentary Peni EP to come out, and I'll have my two best releases of the year. But what are you dorks waiting for? Download this fucker, turn off the lights, and let your paranoia run wild.

Tracklist:
1. Inferno
2. They All Deserve To Die
3. Rock Your World
4. If You See My Face
5. An Eye For An Eye
6. Just An Ordinary Fuck
7. Malfunction
8. Wanted To Kill Your
9. Trust Me [bonus 7"]

INTO A PLACE I CAME

I'm going to try to post more frequently again now that I've finished school. Expect a submissions megapost and some other random goodies in the coming weeks. Fucked By Noise isn't dead (yet).

Not sure how I made it through this without making a "burn, baby burn" joke.

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MINIMAL MAN - THE SHROUD OF

September 20, 2017, 6:37 am
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The Shroud Of
Minimal Man
1981

Review by Joey (back from the dead, maybe)

Genre/s: Industrial, Post-Punk, Power Electronics, Noise Rock, Art Punk, Noise
For Fans Of: Factrix, SPK, Flipper, Monte Cazazza

I was so happy when this finally got reissued last year with the original mix (as opposed to that tinny garbage on the 2004 "remastered" CD version) through Spain's BFE Records. The Shroud Of is Minimal Man's first LP, and also the weirdest  -- within the grooves of this 12" lies a lethal mixture of sounds which draw from across the post-punk and industrial spectrum; and somehow, it is all cohesive. It shouldn't be hard to see why this might be (read: is) one of my favorite LPs of all time. And if you aren't already in the know, soon you will be.

Minimal Man was masterminded by Patrick Miller; the project had a revolving door lineup, which often featured collaborators from other San Francisco weirdo art bands such as Factrix and Tuxedomoon. Much like their fellow (and more famous) San Franciscan peers in Flipper, Minimal Man did not make any attempt to portray disillusionment / despondency / detachment / etc as romanticized or quirky; and instead, they unleashed an honest sonic representation of what all of that turmoil really feels like, accompanied by what can be seen as a sardonic attack on those who do take the romanticized or quirky approach. However, while Flipper focused on a more brooding and antagonistic approach, Minimal Man's method was more somber and unnerving, relying more on subtle (and overt) ominous soundscapes.

From the opening sample of the emotionally vacant Ronald Reagan, all the way through the climactic ending and ensuing fade out, The Shroud Of takes the listener on a frightening journey through the dark recesses of a damaged mind. The cacophonous arrangements of synth, electronics, bass, and hollow vocals on this LP  are constantly at ends with -- yet complimentary of -- each other to a haunting effect; and each track is a an overwhelming push/pull of invasive thoughts, emotions, and urges which scramble the mind and plunge it deeper into nothingness. This is not fun music, even though at parts it may seem to be. The chilling moods created by Minimal Man do not disappear when the music ends, rather they saturate the air and stick to the listener's raised hairs like an elusive nervousness.

And now that you've gotten past the boring review part, here's what you came here for:

Tracklist
1. Loneliness
2. Two People
3. High Why
4. Hospital
5. Blue Step
6. Hatemonger
7. The Shroud
8. Now I Want It All
9. The Hex Of Sex
10. You Are
11. I Don't Resist
12. Jungle Song
13. She Was A Visitor

I HURT ALL OVER INSIDE...

P.S. I think I'm finally back and ready to bring the pain from my ears into yours (for real this time).
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