2021

 i don't think many of us expected much out of this year, yet for many of us, it still fucking sucked. so we turned to what people like us turn to...music. no matter what, it's always there. it's always comforting. it's always cathartic. it's always our friend. it's always there when nothing else isn't. music. music and dogs. music, dogs and mothers. their love is unconditional. more than anything else, it's what matters. i lost my mother this year. i lost my dog this year. 2 of the 3 most supportive beings on this god forsaken shithole rock that i had. this list is what's left. whatever...we march on. humans are weird that way.


Zao- "The Crimson Corridor"




















Frozen Soul- "Crypt of Ice"






if i felt like continuing this list there'd be several more. rejoicethe plagueswampbeastdome runnercarcassgosudar, eye flys, chevelle and thorn would all appear above. also, i haven't listened to many new releases over the past few months so 1914, khemmis, converge, churchburn, cadaveric fumes, heiress, and genocide pact probably deserve a spot. i'll get to them eventually.

 

Glowing Brain-Brain Dust LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Punk, Metal, Grunge, Noise Rock
Label: The Ghost Is Clear
Tracks: 10
Length: 30.0'


Glowing Brain is a three piece band from Oakland, California who formed in 2017, from the looks of things.  Glowing Brain play a killer style of music that incorporates elements of punk, metal, grunge, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Glowing Brain can be loosely compared to bands such as Den, Burning Love, Motorhead, Fight Amp, Drive Like Jehu, Sweet Cobra, Easy Prey, Faking, Fashion Week, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2017, Glowing Brain have offered a self-titled five song EP in September of 2018.  Brain Dust is the band's debut full-length LP, which was released via The Ghost Is Clear records on December 10th. 2021.  On Brain Dust, Glowing Brain offer up ten tracks of raucous and discordant sounding punk, metal, grunge, and noise rock.  Overall, Brain Dust makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy! 

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New Grass-Scordatura Perforations LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Post Hardcore, Metal, Sludge, Noise Rock
Label: The Ghost Is Clear/Zegema Beach Records
Tracks: 9
Length: 27.20'

New Grass is the one person project of Illinois based Lucio Oquendo, who began performing under the moniker New Grass in early 2021.  New Grass play a unique style of music that incorporates elements of post hardcore, progressive metal, sludge, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, New Grass can be loosely be compared to bands such as Capsule, Daitro, Bear Vs. Shark, My America Is Watching Tigers Die, The Catalyst, and other like-minded bands. Scordatura Perforations is the band's debut full-length LP, which was released via The Ghost Is Clear and Zegema Beach records on December 13th, 2021.  On Scordatura Perforations, New Grass offers up nine tracks of forward-thinking and hard to pigeon-hole post hardcore, metal, sludge, and noise rock.  Overall, Scordatura Perforations makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Scenario A-Tired Device LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Screamo
Label: Middle Man Records
Tracks: 10
Length: 10.05'

Scenario is a three piece band from Indiana, Chicago, Il, and NYC who formed in 2021.  Scenario A features members of Coma Regalia, Closer, and Lord Snow, so going on that alone, you know you're in for something truly special.  Scenario A play a blistering, raging, and vicious as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, and screamo within their sound.  Tired Device is the band's debut LP, which was released on cassette via Middle Man records on December 10th, 2021.  On Tired Device, Scenario A offer up ten tracks of blistering, raging, and vicious as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, and screamo.  Overall, Tired Device makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Down With Rent-Lotus Eater LP (2021)

 Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Noise Rock
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 11
Length: 26.0'


Down With Rent is a four piece band from Central CT, who formed in 2016, from the looks of things.  Down With Rent play a killer style of noise damaged hardcore/punk.  Musically, Down With Rent can be loosely compared to bands such as American Nightmare, Some Girls, Narrows, The Suicide File, Incendiary, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2016, Down With Rent have released a four song EP titled Entitled To Demonstrations in May of 2016, a four song EP titled Like A Pane Of Breaking Glass in January of 2017, and a ten song LP titled Entitled Millennial Scum in July of 2018.  Lotus Eater is the band's debut LP, which was released on October 31st, 2021.  On Lotus Eater, Down With Rent offer up eleven tracks of brutal and vicious as fuck sounding noise damaged hardcore/punk.  Overall, Lotus Eater makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

(U.S.) Rid Of Me-Traveling LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Post Punk, Punk, Grunge, Noise Rock
Label: The Ghost Is Clear
Tracks: 10
Length: 33.40'


Rid Of Me is a four piece band from Philadelphia, PA who formed in 2019, from the looks of things.  Rid Of Me features members of Low Dose, Fight Amp, Legendary Divorce, and Soul Glo, so going on that alone, you know you're in for something truly special.  Rid Of Me play a killer style of music that incorporates elements of post punk, punk, grunge, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Rid Of Me can be loosely compared to bands such as Low Dose, Desperate Living, Unwound, Drive Like Jehu, Bummer, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2019, Rid Of Me have released a four track EP titled Summer in April of 2020, and a three song EP titled Broke Shit Demos in October of 2020.  Traveling is the band's debut full-length LP, which was released via The Ghost Is Clear records on December 3rd, 2021.  On Traveling, Rid Of Me offer up ten tracks of heavy as nails, yet melodic sounding post punk, punk, grunge, and noise punk.  Overall, Traveling makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed. 

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Remain Sedate-Unwell LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Post Hardcore, Punk, Metal, Noise Rock
Label: The Ghost Is Clear
Tracks: 10
Length: 19.20'

Remain Sedate is a five piece band from Kansas City, Missouri who formed in 2018, from the looks of things.  Remain Sedate was formerly known as Crisis Actor and features the drummer from KC's noise rock act Nerver.  Remain Sedate play an ugly, caustic, and brutal as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of post hardcore, punk, metal, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Remain Sedate can be loosely be compared to bands such as Breather Resist, Deadguy, Kiss It Goodbye, Rorschach, Meatwound, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2018, Remain Sedate have released a five song EP titled Crisis Actor in March of 2019.  Unwell is the band's debut full-length LP, which was released on cassette via The Ghost Is Clear records on December 3rd, 2021.  On Unwell, Remain Sedate offer up ten tracks of ugly, caustic, and brutal as fuck sounding post hardcore, punk, metal, and noise rock.  Overall, Unwell makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Endtimers-S/T LP (2021)

Country: Norway
Genre: Post Punk, Alt. Rock, Noise Rock
Label: Sect Appeal Records
Tracks: 10
Length: 35.20'


Endtimers are a two piece band from Norway who formed in 2019, from the looks of things.  Endtimers play a difficult to pigeonhole style of music that incorporates elements of post punk, alt. rock, and noise rock within their sound.  I haven't come across much about Endtimers on the internet, so I'm pretty much in the dark about them.  This appears to be the band's debut full-length LP, which was released via Sect Appeal records on June 25th, 2021.  On their self-titled debut, Endtimers offer up ten tracks of dark, moody, and discordant sounding post punk, alt. rock, and noise rock.  Overall, Endtimers' debut LP makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Great stuff!  Enjoy!

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Wipes-Pick Me, Dumpster, You're The Boss Single and EP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Punk, Metal, Grunge, Sludge, Noise Rock
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 3
Length: 9.55'

Wipes are a three piece band from Allentown, PA who formed in 2020, from the looks of things.  Wipes formed from the remnants of PA noise rock greats Tile, so going on that alone, you know you're in for something truly special.  Wipes play an ugly, discordant, and loud as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of punk, metal, grunge, sludge, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Wipes can be loosely be compared to bands such as Salvation, Triple Fast Action, Super Thief, Part Chimp, and other like-minded bands.  Pick Me and Dumpster/You're The Boss is the band's first three songs, which were released on June 4th and November 30th, 2021.  On Pick Me, Dumpster, and You're The Boss, Wipes offer up three tracks of ugly, discordant, and loud as fuck sounding punk, metal, grunge, sludge, and noise rock.  Overall, Pick Me, Dumpster, and You're The Boss make for an awesome and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!  Dumpster And You're The Boss was released as a 7" via Limited Appeal records in August of 2021.  Also, look for the band's debut full-length LP at some point in 2022, which is being released by the always spot on Hex records.  Can't wait for that album to drop!!!

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Infinity Land-Small Town Ritual Abuse EP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Post Hardcore, Punk, Metal, Sludge, Noise Rock
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 2
Length: 


Infinity Land is a five piece band from CT, who formed in 2021.  Infinity Land, features Tarek Ahmed from CT noise mongers Intercourse on vocals, so going on that alone, you know you're in for something truly special.  Infinity Land play an absolutely ugly and brutal as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of post hardcore, punk, metal, sludge, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Infinity Land can be loosely compared to band such as Breather Resist, Brain Banger, Unsane, Faking, The Jesus Lizard, Chat Pile, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2021, Infinity Land have released a four song EP titled Honest Comedy in May of 2021.  Small Town Rituak Abuse is the band's second EP, which was released  on December 3rd, 2021.  On Small Town Ritual Abuse, Infinity Land offer up two tracks of ugly, deranged, negative, depraved, and brutal as fuck sounding post hardcore, punk, metal, sludge, and noise rock.  Overall, Small Town Ritual Abuse makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy! 

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(U.S.) Ovlov-Buds LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Indie Rock, Alt. Rock, Grunge, Pop Rock
Label: Exploding In Sounds
Tracks: 8
Length: 23.05'

Ovlov is a four piece band from Newtown, CT who formed in 2008.  Ovlov play an infectiously catchy style of music that incorporates elements of indie rock, alt. rock, grunge, and pop rock within their sound.  Musically, Ovlov can be loosely be compared to bands such as Sebadoh, Guided By Voices, Dinosaur Jr., Weezer, Superchunk, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2008, Ovlov have released a five song EP titled Crazy Motorcycle Jump in September of 2009, a four song EP titled What's So Great About The City in July of 2011, a ten song LP titled AM in July of 2013, a three way split with Krill, LVL UP, and Radiator Hospital in October of 2014, a four way split with Ex-Breathers, Woozy, and Gnarwhal in October of 2014, an eleven song LP compiling all of the band's early EPs titled Greatest Hits Vol. II in December of 2017, and a nine song LP titled TRU in July of 2018.  Buds is the band's latest full-length LP, which was released via Exploding In Sound records on November 19th, 2021.  On Buds, Ovlov offer up eight tracks of infectiously catchy indie rock, alt. rock, grunge, and pop rock.  Overall, Buds makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Vulgarian-Nothing Has Changed EP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Metal, Sludge, Crust
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 3
Length: 16.15'

Vulgarian are a four piece band from Denver, Colorado who formed in 2019.  Vulgarian play a vicious, ugly, and brutal as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, metal, sludge and crust within their sound.  Musically, Vulgarian can be loosely compared to bands such as Senior Fellowes, Chained To The Bottom Of The Ocean, Throes, Great Falls, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2019, Vulgarian have released a two song demo titled Thoughts And Prayers in February of 2020 and a digital single titled DPD in October of 2020.  Nothing Has Changed is the band's latest EP, which was released on August 2nd, 2021.  On Nothing Has Changed, Vulgarian offer up three tracks of ugly, vicious, and brutal as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, metal, sludge, and crust.  Overall, Nothing Has Changed makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Bethmoora-Thresholds LP (2021)

Country: Denmark
Genre: Post Metal, Doom, Sludge
Label: Sludgelord/Black Voodoo Records
Tracks: 4
Length: 43.10'

Bethmoora are a five piece band from Copenhagen, Denmark who formed in 2015.  Bethmoora play an ominous, oppressive, and brutal as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of post metal, doom, and sludge within their sound.  Musically, Bethmoora can be loosely be compared to bands such as Batillus, Keeper, Northless, Breag Naofa, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2015, Bethmoora have released a two song demo in March of 2016 and a split LP with Dorre in November of 2016.  Thresholds is the band's debut full-length LP, which was released via Sludgelord and Black Voodoo records on November 27th, 2020.  On Thresholds, Bethmoora offer up four tracks of ugly, ominous, oppressive, and brutal as fuck sounding post metal, doom, and sludge.  Overall, Thresholds makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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(U.S.) SpiritWorld-Pagan Rhythms LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Thrash, Death Metal
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 9
Length: 30.05'

SpiritWorld is a band from Las Vegas, Nevada who formed in 2017.  SpiritWorld play an ugly, vicious, and brutal as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, thrash, and death metal within their sound.  Musically, SpiritWorld can be loosely compared to bands such as Lowered AD, Blistered, Harms Way, Gatecreeper, Integrity, Rise And Fall, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2017, SpiritWorld have released a self-titled six song demo in May of 2017, a digital single titled Viper Blood in November of 2018, and a split EP with Black Coffee in March of 2019.  Pagan Rhythms is the band's debut full-length LP, which was released on November 5th, 2021.  On Pagan Rhythms, SpiritWorld offer up nine tracks of ugly, brutal, and vicious as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, thrash, and death metal.  Overall, Pagan Rhythms makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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(FR) Plebeian Grandstand-Rien ne suffit LP (2021)

Country: France
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Black Metal, Sludge
Label: Debemur Morti Productions/Total Dissonance Worship
Tracks: 10
Length: 48.30'


Plebeian Grandstand is a four piece band from France who formed in 2005.  Plebeian Grandstand play a chaotic and volatile style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, black metal, and sludge within their sound.  Since their inception in 2005, Plebeian Grandstand have released a nine song LP titled How Hate Is Hard To Define in January of 2010, a three-way split LP with Bone Dance and Divider in January of 2012, a split 10" with Cortez in May of 2013, an eight song LP titled Lowgazers in March of 2014,  an eight song LP titled False Highs, True Lows in April of 2016.  Rien ne suffit is the band's latest eight song full-length LP, which is slated for release via Debemur Morti Productions and Total Dissonance Worship records on November 19th, 2021.  On Rien ne suffit, Plebeian Grandstand offer up ten tracks of chaotic, volatile, and brutal as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, black metal, and sludge.  Overall, Rien ne suffit makes for an amazing listen and  definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Cerce-Cowboy Music LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Noise Rock
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 11
Length: 19.30'

Cerce is a five piece band from Boston, MA who formed in 2011.  Cerce play a vicious, scathing, and completely unhinged style of hardcore, punk, and noise rock.  Since forming in 2011, Cerce have released a four song EP titled Teen Bible in December of 2011, a split EP with Leer in February of 2012, a six song 7" in September of 2012, a seven song demo in February of 2017, a 21 song Discography 2011-2013 LP in February of 2017, and a remastered version of their  2011-2013 LP in February of 2017.  Cowboy Music is the band's latest full-length LP, which was released on October 2nd, 2021.  On Cowboy Music, Cerce offer up eleven tracks of brutal and vicious sounding hardcore, punk, and noise rock.  Overall, Cowboy Music makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Coilguns-Shunners/Burrows 12" (2021)

Country: Switzerland
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Metal, Sludge, Noise Rock
Label: Hummus Records
Tracks: 2
Length: 8.40'


Coilguns are a four piece band from La Chaux De Fonds, Switzerland who formed in 2010.  Coilguns play a chaotic and vicious style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, metal, sludge, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Coilguns can be loosely compared to bands such as Death Engine, Death Mercedes, Breather Resist, Botch, Playing Enemy, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2010, Coilguns have released a split with Kunz in September of 2011, a six song EP titled Stadia Rods in March of 2012, a split with NVRVD in September of 2012, an eleven song LP titled Commuters in February of 2013, a split with Abraham in September of 2014, a five song compilation of early EPs titled EP A&B in March of 2018, a ten song LP titled Millennials in March of 2018, and a twelve song LP titled  Watchwinders in October of 2019.  Shunners/Burrows is the band's latest EP, which was released via Hummus records on November 26th, 2021.  On Shunners/Burrows, Coilguns offer up two new tracks of absolutely brutal and chaotic as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, metal, sludge, and noise rock.  Overall, Shunners/Burrows makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

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Hässlig-Guillotine LP (2021)

 Country: Spain
Genre: Black Metal, Punk, Noise
Label: Mystischaos Records
Tracks: 8
Length: 17.25' 

Hässlig is a band from Spain who formed in 2020, from the looks of things.  Hässlig play a viscerally ugly, raw, and brutal as fuck style of music that incorporates elements of black metal, raw punk, and noise within their sound.  Musically, Hässlig can be loosely compared to bands such as Bone Awl, Altrage, Lamp Of Murmur, Ancestors, Noose Rot, and other like-minded bands.  Guillotine is the band's debut LP which was released on November 26th, 2021.  On Guillotine, Hässlig offer up eight tracks of raw, ugly, and vicious as fuck sounding black metal, punk, and noise.  Overall, Guillotine makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy.  Look for physical copies to be released in May of 2022 via Mystichaos records, because you know, it's 2021 and vinyl is completely fucked like everything else.

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Cara Neir-Pain Gel Of Putrification LP (2021)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Crust, Black Metal, Grindcore
Label: Tomb Tree Tapes
Tracks: 16
Length: 24.05'


Cara Neir is a two piece band from Dallas, Texas who formed in 2008.  Cara Neir play a dark, ominous, oppressive, and atmospheric style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, crust,  black metal, and Grindcore within their sound.  Musically, Cara Neir can be loosely compared to bands such as Tragedy, Hexis, Protestant, and SVFFER.  Since forming in 2008, Cara Neir have released eighteen releases in total, so going on that alone, you know this band is insanely prolific.  Pain Gel Of Putrification is the band's latest full-length LP, which was released via Tomb Tree Tapes on November 19th, 2021.  On Pain Gel Of Putrification, Cara Neir offer up sixteen tracks of vicious as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, crust, grindcore, and black metal.  Overall, Pain Gel Of Putrification makes for an awesome listen and should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy! 

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