Throats – Throats EP [Holy Roar]

Throats first appeared on my radar after doing an insane split EP with Maths way back… and later with the_Network both releases tore me a new one by starting with the ears and shredding everything else from there. So with 2009 bringing a full solo release from Maths with the wonderful Descent it’s brilliant to see Throats step out on their own and drop their debut solo record on Holy Roar. And you know what? It’s brutal.

‘Wake’ sets upon you like a maniac pouncing from the shadows to kick off the EP, with a tense prowling hardcore riff and brutal bursts of drums. ‘My Hands Are Cold’ takes the energy levels up even further with double time drumming and thrashy dense riffs alongside the primal screaming. ‘Fuck Life’ is so aggressive and cathartic that it’s like a carnal release from the beast within, plus it really twists it’s self into some serious riffs at the mid point that make you want to windmill your TV off the stand, if you happen to be listening to the EP in your front room... ‘Failgiver’ has a hardcore stomp like a rampaging dinosaur, there is just no let up here at all, and it’s all raw and hyper-fuelled brutal emotion. ‘Something Low From This Way Comes’ with its chugging low slung riffs comes on like a wall of sound that’s getting shredded by drum bursts as lethal as nunchucks, plus there is a killer solo. ‘Oak/Wait’ finishes off the EP in a high-speed throat shredding fashion and before you know it you’ve been led down a brutal path and you’re out the other side bruised, battered but laughing and full of adrenaline from the experience.

Throats kill it here; harness their pure cathartic energy into some truly beastly tracks. Holy Roar come with the goods again and show that you can have emotive music that isn’t wet, Throats have a heavy as hell quick fire hardcore sound that just screams release and the listening experience is a treat, instead of feeling knackered from the outburst of power/emotion, its kind of energising.

Throats practice from Throats Dude on Vimeo.

http://www.myspace.com/throatsofgold

http://holyroarrecords.com/

Maths – Descent [Holy Roar]

Maths have been on my radar for a while after releasing a quality split EP last year with Throats on Holy Roar, it set my stereo on fire with pure energy and relentless passion. They utilise the screamo tools of shredding guitar riffs and as the name suggests a throat bursting vocal delivery. They couple that with a post-punk meets hardcore musicality that sounds heavy as hell but with purpose. The band self recorded this album in their home studio in Norfolk and its testament to their talent that they nailed the sound. A sound which has an effortlessly flowing intensity that builds and peaks at all the right times, they don’t just go for the one, two, three, four shred brutality of other heavy bands they decide to build something and come out the better for it.

There are so many highlights on Descent and the album effortlessly flows as one whole piece. ‘Belief in Sorrow’ kicks things off with backwards tones and a shining melodic sound, like you’ve just woke up a bit a bit dazed and melancholic before you are smashed into despair with heavy riffs. They build solid powerful tunes that twist and turn effortlessly into each other, which the flow into the second track ‘Culpa’ shows, with its chugging riffs that soon melt into emotive chords and the funk’d up bass of ‘Wilderness’, which reminds me of Sonic Youth a bit, there is a spaced out emotion to it that something like Daydream Nation has.

The relentless pressure of ‘From Her Journals’ and ‘Boundless’ feed with euphoric power into ‘Sleep Deep’, which has an intense crescendo full of brutal physical drumming and adrenaline fuelled riffing topped off with throat shedding vocals, but the build isn’t all they have here, they soon drop into a melodic section that prolongs the intensity. It tough to make the vocals out through the shrieks and shredding but you get a hell of a lot from the delivery and odd word you pick up on.

It’s the guitar tones and tight interplay that keeps Maths sounding heavy with an evocative edge, they know when to turn on the power and throw out a melody. ‘…And Left To Die’ shows them at their melodic best, with a pent up calm before the storm feel to it that you just know is going to break out sooner or later. And that comes true with ‘Branches’ where they really tear out.

Where as ‘Belief in Sorrow’ starts the album and sets the tone, ‘Belief in Hope’ ends it and you really feel like you’ve got something off your chest. The music is so emotive and passionate that the sheer power of the music and vocal delivery give you this release like you’ve gone through something horrible and come to terms with it, they’ve managed to make a real emotional journey with this album it sounds like an honest hearts on the sleeve, all out release of a record.

Somehow Descent manages to sound epic even though it only clocks in at around thirty minuets and some of the songs only around two, they’ve got an ear for a tune and a concise vision that’s executed with an intense passion that keeps you coming back for more. Maths follows up the split EP in fine style, if you’re into heavy guitar music with heart and emotion that manages to keep well clear of cheesy cliché and an emo mope then Maths are for you.

Buy: Maths – Descent

http://holyroarrecords.com

Maths
Descent Listen Now!

HRR026CD/D
view track listing
on holyroarrecords.com

Easy Hips / Run, Walk! / Dreamboats / Le Swing – New Roars On The Block 7” [Holy Roar]

Face shredding hip shaking bringers of rock Holy Roar are always on the lookout for new exciting bands that bring the noise and rock the fuck out, which brings us nicely to the ‘New Roars On The Block’ 7” with four brand new bands.

Easy Hips kick off, literally kick off, they sound like a fight just started. They’ve got this thrashy screamo sound that sounds like a shot of adrenalin to the heart. Their tracks ‘White Ace’ and ‘Leopard Print Catsuit Party With Old Man Watts’ come on fast, strong and then they’re over in a flash of flailing arms and sweat.

After the intensity of the first two tracks Run, Walk! Almost sound chilled out, almost… blistering drums clatter and fizz over heavy catchy chords. They use a stripped back set-up to create a hell of a rockin’ noise. I think I’m addicted to them already.

Dreamboat’s rock out the next track, they have a darkness about them, a low slung fuzzed up bass line licks at the heels of some frantic riffing before breaking out into a dark side breakdown. The scream like they mean it with a retrained gravely precession.

Le Swing finish the 7” off with a couple of rip roaring frantic drum machine workouts, and a gutter punked-out sense of energy and an ear for scuzzy melody. They share a member with Easy Hips so bookend the platter well, but Le Swing have a different vibe its just as frantic but different elements are brought to the foreground.

Brand new bands on the block, ready to rip it up and hold take no prisoners. People should take notice; it’s an exhilarating ride. Maybe one day Le Swing will for fill the promise of their track name ‘Ross Kemp On Bands’ and get on TV or the Dreamboats might Run, Walk! and make that party Easy Hips promise on ‘Leopard Print Catsuit Party…’ All I know is that this lot are a blistering listen and demand attention.

http://www.myspace.com/runwalk

http://www.myspace.com/easyhips

http://www.myspace.com/dreamboats666

http://www.myspace.com/leswingleswingleswing

http://www.holyroarrecords.com/

Holy State EP (Holy Roar)

I love getting post from Holy Roar as they always deliver something that’s both brutal and a damn good listen, they usually make me want to jump around throw some rock shapes. This debut new EP from Holy State is no exception!

If you’re after 11 minuets of pure punk energy with a meaty backbone and killer riffs then look no further. The melodies they use really stick in your head it’s a real cathartic joy to listen to. I can only imagine what they are like live kicking out the jams.

They manage to sound pretty brutal even if they aren’t the nosiest band around; I mean they don’t scream too much or over drive the guitars into oblivion. They just have a really beefy sound that rocks hard and is packed full of high-tension energy that makes your head rock hard.

Opening track, ‘Comatones’ is a killer. The tone of the guitar is so lush and in your face and the riffs just hold so much vital energy. The vocals are raw, catchy and passionate and when the track breaks down and builds again it’s a real rush. ‘Solid State Messiah (vs The Valve King)’ keeps things rolling and, ‘Repeat and Fade’ smashes you in the face with a killer hook before, ‘Skeleton Coast’ finishes you off feeling a bit bruised but wanting more, the adrenalin still pumping through your veins.

Holy State’s debut EP is a real beast and well worth a punt, go on feel the fuckers roar!

Download: Holy Roar Spring 09 Sampler
(Features Holy State amongst others)

http://www.myspace.com/holystate

http://www.holyroarrecords.com/

Free Holy Roar Spring Sampler

Just a quick one from me today as I'm off out to catch some comedy, I just found this from the wonderful Holy Roar and thought I would share it with you lot. It's a free sampler of, 'New songs, new bands, rare songs, classics. Free. Win? Win' stuff from Holy Roar!

Tracklisting -

1. Brontide - Crunk Anansie
2. Youves - Big Arexic
3. Holy State - Repeat and Fade
4. The Ergon Carousel - Ironclad
5. the_Network - 500 pounds of idiot
6. Throats - Reign of Low (tape version)
7. Maths - Untitled Album Demo
8. Cutting Pink With Knives - Aylburton
9. Rolo Tomassi - Cirque Du Funk (4Music Session version)
10. November Coming Fire - Return of the Black Dog
11. Jealous - Ruins

Download: http://www.holyroarrecords.com/uploads/holyroarspring09.zip

Hold tight for some words on Holy State the new EP from the Holy Roar crew.

Throats and the_Network – Notes From The Turncoat Campaign

Holy Roar unleash another brutal storm in the form of a split EP featuring two wicked bands. Throats are some kind of monster of a band that incorporates hardcore energy and heaviness with a bit of an epic metal style at times too. the_Network are from the USA, New Hampshire to be exact. It’s the first time Holy Roar have hooked up a Trans Atlantic collaboration and it’s a sweet one at that. the_Network are insane, I say insane but this is no dumb ass heavy metal stuff. It’s heavy as hell yes, but it doesn’t’ skimp on creativity.

Throats open the EP with three tracks of what can only be described as pure energy streaming out of the speakers. Screams and grinding guitars clash and melt into massive heavy riffs while drums smash and skip with a beastly brutality. It’s only about five months since they last dropped a split EP on us with the excellent Maths also on Holy Roar and Throats have not let up at all in the mean time.

All of the tracks are crackers but Hibernate sounds pretty damn special to my ears. The opening riff is awesome and when another guitar starts joining in and the harmonies of the two sound like the pitch is bending up the tension builds and builds before the grinding punk noise smashes you in the face. This then breaks down into a bit of a slow groove for the first time on the whole EP and you get chance to catch your breath before it all kicks off again.

the_Network’s side of the split fits so well with Throats style it all just flows so well as a whole EP. I’m pretty sure they are some sort of hybrid of hardcore / grindcore / punck / metal they are pretty intense anyway. They can scream like creatures from the underworld of long gone prehistoric times or even have a good old sing as they do on the final track R. Taylor.

Rabid Electronics kicks off the_Network’s section and it’s like fighting off a deranged dog with a power drill. Well it probably doesn’t sound as gruesome as that but you get the idea. 500 Pounds of Idiot is hard as hell as you would expect from such a title. They have this testosterone-fuelled beastliness to there sound.

These two bands shred fucking face and kick arse grab it.

http://www.myspace.com/throatsofgold


http://www.myspace.com/thenetworkmetal

The Ergon Carousel

Short and to the point The Ergon Carousel make more brutal noise in six tracks in six minuets than most heavy bands do in a lifetime, just one more six and I swear the devil would be involved.

This is their untitled debut EP and it comes to you on the excellent Holy Roar. The Ergon Carousel rise from the ashes of British grind-core aficionados Narcosis, along with members of Breecher and Carmen.

They stop and start, slam on the breaks, then twist and grind out the riffs. The fast as fuck drumming and guitar mashing is pure primal energy pushed through some industrial machinery it really shouldn’t have been using because… well they are fucking insane!

You can still pick out riffs from the carnage in-fact for grind-core this is pretty tuneful and maybe one of the heaviest things I’ve heard in quite some time.

I can only imagine what this onslaught would be like live; I would have to arm myself just in case it all kicked off to be honest. If you want your brain kicked out through your ear holes then grinded into a pulp The Ergon Carousel are for you.

Buy It

Maths + Throats - Split EP (3barfire review)

More fire on the 3bar crew from me, this was posted on my blog the other day but now check out the 3barfire version here.

Expect more tasty bits from Holy Roar soon, I've got some more words on the way for up and coming / just dropped releases soon...

Maths + Throats – Split EP

First up on this Holy Roar split EP are Maths a three piece hardcore / screamo band: they don’t just scream for the sake of it, they have passion and can write one hell of a tune. They prove this over the course of their five tracks with a great deal of quality, aggression and skill. Each of them can really play hard and agility, they are on the look out for another bassist now mind as he went to uni… Heavy Heart kicks things off with some huge pounding drums and screaming to die for. This is music to let all your anger and passion out to it’s cathartic as hell. Statue Of Her keeps the riffs coming and the emotions running then slides into a tender breakdown with shiny guitars and primal beats. The fragile beginnings of Breath As If It Were A Story give way to Maths closing track Solace, which just slams out the riffs and screamo energy. Short, sweet, brutal, to the point and well thought out: Maths shred.

Throats are a slightly more epic metal meets punk five man shred machine they can do it short and sweet or stretch it out a little bit more while still keeping the brutal energy. Headclouds sets off their side with some grinding buzz saw riffs that aim to take your face right off in the darkest manner possible. the energy of Locked Blue is just something else and the licks they spaff out are some of the best in the business. The stop / start antics of Reign Of Low suck you in then throw you off before smashing your head in and pummelling it into the middle of the pit. If I had a comedown like Comedown I would probably seek help and order myself a straight jacket; pretty intense. The finale comes in the form of Deathnaps but if you think it’s going to make you sleep you have another thing coming, the riffs are catchy as hell.

Maths + Throats combine on this EP so well, they compliment each other and both bring something different to the table. I can only imagine the carnage they both produce live. Slam this on and let it all out, go on…

http://www.myspace.com/mathsband

http://www.myspace.com/throatsofgold

http://www.holyroarrecords.com/

Dananananaykroyd – Sissy Hits

Sissy Hits has been a long time coming Dananananaykroyd had some trouble getting it released because a record labels ran out of money and that sort of gubbins. Sissy Hits is well worth the wait though, it’s six tracks of pure fight pop, hardcore, punk, indie, rock action with balls of steel and a massive heart. I’m so glad it got a release on Holy Roar as its one of my favourite labels as they spit out Rolo Tomassi stuff along with others. In the pipeline is an album, which is being recorded in August this year and not my predicted 3006, they are also in talks with someone to be their label, which is ace news. Anyway for now lets talk about Sissy Hits…

Dananananaykroyd bring a sound to the table that I haven’t heard so well done in quite some time. The songs twist and turn yet in an entirely accessible way it’s the song structures that are really inventive and off the wall on Sissy Hits. It rocks hard yet also has its feet in the indie camp too, with an eye for hardcore to boot, a mishmash that works a treat. And wait for it they have two drummers yep that’s right two; I love bands with two drummers. I can’t even think of a band they sound like, although Dananananaykroyd use the traditional rock band set up well with added drum kit, they sound pretty unique. Live they are meant to be something else, as in brilliant not something else as in a hobo in leggings that would just be strange.

The Greater Than Symbol And The Hash kicks Sissy Hits off with big beats, guitar pings and claps. The sound is really punchy and everything is damn well recorded for a little band with no cash. The first section breaks out into a mad session of rocking feedback and a tempo change that will get people moving at shows for sure. Fight Pop is an ace description, and as we get drenched in feedback not unlike some kind of Sonic Youth tune and drop back into some chugging riffs you can hear where the tag came from.

One After One has a chirpy guitar riff at the beginning that gets me smiling. Dananananaykroyd drop some dirty sounds in there before popping back into chirpy mode again, and building with percussion. The vocals go from your regular indie/rock style to gruff shriek. The line, ‘We are the party’ brings us to the end of that one, and they certainly are.

Cleaning Each Other has some rumbling beats from pretty much all the drums and a swinging guitar line that plays off it. This tune has a pretty intense rock build up filled with repeated riffs until you just want it to drop.

British Knights skits along with bouncing bass lines and driving riffs, with some speedy sung moments. To be honest I’m not really sure what these songs are about just yet, I’m just in love with the sound of it all.

1993 is a cracking tune with thumping 4x4 beats at the beginning with a hot as hell guitar motif. This stuff will get you moving for sure. The lyric, ‘We will turn your hissy fits into sissy hits’ shines through, as does the screaming of, ‘1993’. This one’s a growler, yet slows to a beautiful number at the end.

Infinity Milk (Outro Version) leaves the listener gagging for more with its teasing 50 odd seconds of perfect Fight Pop that starts just as you are ready to kick off and really go for it and screams at you too, the cheeky swine’s.

Dananananaykroyd’s Sissy Hits is a triumph and I’m so glad it has reached my ears finally; I was so surprised to see it on my doormat yesterday morning. Holy Roar has another ace release under their belts. What an EP this is, from one of the most exciting new bands around right now. Don’t just take my word for it either. Go and check out the myspace here, and some random types shouting about its greatness here, oh and the 10/10 review of Sissy Hits from DiS here. Then go to the shows, buy the T-Shirts and the EP, you will soon be gagging for them to get in the studio to record an album. Viva La Fight Pop revolution!

Rolo Tomassi – Digital History / Beatrotter 7”

This is an exclusive 7” limited to 500 pressings only available from the band or Holy Roar, it won’t even appear on their forthcoming album. It’s a beautifully made record hand painted by the band, white and in a clear sleeve. Both the tracks are on one side with no gap in-between. We start off with a digital pulse and heavy electric guitars before slamming into the brutal screaming. This stops and some really beautiful and spooky sections come in and vibrate around, before slamming into some more beastly-spasticated grooves. A metal section and even a lounge Jazz section appear. I’m very fond of the final section in which the girl sings drenched in dub like echoes. As always Rolo Tommasi bring everything to the table all at once and it’s a wonder to behold.

The Future Is Fight Pop

What the hell is Fight Pop? You may well ask, and I’m not quite sure but I like the idea of it. I’m talking about two new bands that excite me this year they are Johnny Foreigner and Dananananaykroyd. The phrase was found on the latter bands myspace page to describe their sound. I’ve gone and lobbed Johnny Foreigner in with this description to, which seems fair as they have a planed tour together. The similarities don’t end there either, both write amazing, joyful, energetic, powerful and rocking Indie Pop. They are different enough however, to have a distinct sound of their own.

Dananananaykroyd are a Glasgow six piece with plenty of balls to the wall energy and inventive tunes. They have released two 7” before and both of them have sold out, unfortunately way before I had ever herd of them. I will be making up for this by buying their new EP ‘Sissy Hits’ from one of my favourite record labels Holy Roar on 9th June 2008. I’ve only herd the songs on the myspace page and they are a real treat, plus a review on Drowned in Sound was one of the most glowing I’ve read for a new band. Who could resist the excellent name Dananananaykroyd anyway?

Johnny Foreigner are, I think a three piece, yet there are two more mentioned on their myspace, from Burmingham. They released an EP called Arcs Across The City that I have previously reviewed on this blog. Their debut album will be coming very soon and goes by the name of ‘Waited Up ‘til It Was Light’, I have a feeling it will be absolutely wonderful. The songs are again full of power and passion like all good Fight Pop.

Fight Pop Forever!