Emanating Peace - S/T EP

Sometimes, just sometimes, good things DO happen here. Emanating Peace is a Cincinnati/Northern KY based sludge/hardcore band that is relatively new with a lot of members that are literally a stone's throw from me. This simultaneously makes me so happy, because I fucking love it, but I'm also a little pissed at myself because I didn't put together a band like this myself. Still time I guess. This Self Titled EP has got pretty much everything I look for in bands these days: Generally mid-tempo to fast hardcore drumming, not a billion fucking blast beats constantly. As a bass player in most of my previous bands, I really appreciate actually being able to hear the thud of the bass here. Guitars are nasty with what sounds like some Boss HM-2 pedals in the mix, and the vocals are super aggressive without being a screaming mess of noise. All of this combines to make a near-perfect, groove-laden, heavy as fuck, angry 6-song, 6-minute release. I only wish there were more tracks, but hopefully more are on the way. I still cant believe these dudes are in my backyard, can't wait to see them live, which I'll be doing soon in March. Check this out for sure.

FFO: Cursed, Nails, Cult Leader, Sect, The Swarm

YOUTUBE & GRAB THE PHYSICAL CD AT GOLD DUST RECORDS

DEATH CULT - Self Titled

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Death Cult is a hardcore and sludge metal band from Limoges, France. The band formed in 2015 and the members have previous history in the French underground scene, specifically in the band Purgatory. The group recently released their debut full-length record, a self-titled album. This follows their previous work, the Eternal Treblinka EP and the single "The Void." The new release features a heavy, slow-tempo sound with themes focused on social and environmental collapse.

FFO:  Primitive Man, Celeste, Cowards

Skives - The Future Is Ours To Take

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Skives is a crust-punk band based in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. The group formed from the remnants of several other hardcore and punk bands, including Controller and Take Shelter. The band recently released their latest project, titled The Future Is Ours To Take. The record maintains the band's focus on aggressive sound and social themes, specifically highlighting animal liberation. The cover art for the release was created by the band's bassist, Doug, and incorporates imagery related to the Animal Liberation Front (ALF). Musically, the release continues their established style of fast-paced, political punk.

FFO:  Tragedy, His Hero Is Gone, From Ashes Rise

Sator - The Dying Light

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From their Bandcamp: Psychedelic sludge heaviness never stops. SATOR are back once again with their new record “The Dying Light”. Born out of the creativity and the heaviness of the first four records and of the experimental vibe of the splits with Evil Cosby and celebrated dutch experimentators Gnaw Their Tongues, this chapter goes even more back to basics after a crucial step such as 2022’s “The Cleansing Ritual”.

The Dying Light is a dark album but a bit different from what Sator has offered us so far. This time hardcore blends with psychedelic melodies and powerful sludge/metal riffs, with frenetic accelerations and abrupt stops, creating an album that embraces and explores new sounds, taking you into a dark new dimension of volume, anger, and desperation. 

The trio has recently welcomed a new drummer, Gelso from experimental post-doom act Ainu and after the release of “The Dying Light” the band, stronger than ever, is ready to play live again throughout Italy and Europe bringing their heaviness on every possible stage.

FFO:  Fange, Celeste, Hexis, Light Bearer

No Shelter. - Remission/Resolve

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No Shelter. is another band that I missed last year. This record is fucking great. Oozing with Swedish Death Metal vibes complete with the buzzsaw guitar via Boss HM-2 pedals. There's even an Entombed cover. Perfection. Oh and they are German. Chef's kiss.

FFO: Trap Them, Nails, Trash Talk, Entombed  

Gnawing - Death Absurd

I meant to post about this band last year, someone mentioned it in the chat and it just fell through the Cracks. From what I can tell, Gnawing is a solo project out of the Philippines, and I am so impressed. As someone who wishes to someday create some music at home myself, I can't believe the level of quality here. Everything this dude, or chick, or whatever does, is great, but this Death Absurd release is fantastic. Please enjoy.

FFO: Sick/Tired, Woundvac, Water Torture, Trap Them

Synthwave Friday

 

Devil City Cult - Murderous Retribution

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Madrid’s Devil City Cult has unleashed a raw, uncompromising torrent of sound with their latest release, Murderous Retribution. It's a definitive statement of purpose from a band fully entrenched in the darker, more aggressive corners of European hardcore. A relentless volley of thick, down-tuned riffs, pulverizing breakdowns, and a vocal performance that sounds less like singing and more like a primal roar ripped from the throat.

FFO: Scalp, Malevolence, Gates To Hell, Young And In The Way

Chevalier // Bowie SPLIT

The Chevalier // Bowie split from December plays like two distinct approaches meeting on neutral ground. Chevalier’s side is sharp and to‑the‑point, built on tight structures and a sense of urgency that never drifts. Bowie answer with something heavier and more deliberate, leaning into repetition and weight rather than speed. The contrast gives the split a steady push‑and‑pull without feeling forced. It’s a brief release, but both bands make their case clearly and without excess.

FFO: Geld, Primitive Blast, Frail Body, Jeromes Dream

Cruel Act - Cruel World

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Albuquerque’s Cruel Act doesn't care about being catchy or comfortable. Their latest EP, Cruel World, is a jagged slab of metallic hardcore that feels like it was recorded in a basement filled with broken glass. Moving past the more straightforward energy of their earlier demos, this release embraces a dissonant, "anti-melody" approach where the drums sound like a construction site and the vocals are a hoarse, desperate roar. It’s a hateful, high-tension record that positions them as the most hostile band currently coming out of the Southwest.

FFO: Cult Leader, The Acacia Strain, Wound Man, Sanction

Painfield - Piracy

San Francisco’s Painfield has emerged as a powerhouse in the Bay Area underground, delivering a sound that feels like a high-speed collision between heavy groove and modern metallic hardcore. Their latest drop, Piracy, is a relentless, no-frills assault that trades polished production for a gritty, basement-show authenticity. The record is driven by thick, low-tuned riffs and a percussive battery that feels designed to rattle the walls of a dive bar. With a vocal delivery that is both snarling and rhythmic, Piracy captures a specific brand of Northern California urban tension—raw, unpolished, and fiercely independent.

FFO:  Jesus Piece, Shattered Realm, Gouge Away, Punch

LOCUSTS - LAPSUS AB INFERNO

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Locusts operate out of England with a brand of hardcore that feels tense, cold, and tightly coiled, like every song is seconds from snapping. Their approach leans on sharp pacing and a bleak undercurrent that never fully lets up. LAPSUS AB INFERNO, their newest release, pushes that atmosphere into something heavier and more deliberate. The record moves with a grim steadiness, each track stacking pressure rather than chasing speed.

FFO:  Svalbard, Guilt Trip, Drain

MONOCRUST - SELF DESTRUCT

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MONOCRUST erupt out of Bali with a harsh, metallic strain of hardcore that feels built from rust, concrete, and pure velocity. Their sound leans into d‑beat grit and crust‑punk abrasion. SELF DESTRUCT, their newest release, is the band at their most volatile. The record detonates in short, punishing bursts, all with scorched‑earth intent.

FFO:  Disfear, Martyrdöd, Wolfbrigade, From Ashes Rise

HOBO TOYZ & HOBO ZONE

 

So here's the news I was talking about. A buddy of mine has a line of toys and a quarterly magazine and I'll be contributing a music recommendation page to the magazine called Jerm's Heavy. The 4th edition comes out soon but it will be the first for me. These magazines are full of art, toys, interviews, and short stories from contributors all over the globe. I can say I've seen the 1st 3 editions and there's some amazing stuff in there. Things I think a lot of you around here will appreciate. John is a talented dude and has assembled many other talented folk (not necessarily me, unless having exquisite music taste is a talent (hint: it is)) to be featured in these magazines. These are high quality and seriously amazing. I'm also including several pics of toys he makes and has made. Seriously, he's a talented dude. 

   

Some words form John about the magazine-

    "Features art, toys, drawings, paintings, short stories, music and movie reviews, artist pinups and interviews. It's mainly just a bunch of shit I think is awesome and i wanted a place to be able to see this stuff without staring at a screen. I'm really burnt out on the internet and wanted to bring back some physical media. At the end of the day, the internet isn't real. Your power goes out your art disappears with it. Physical media is a tangible thing that isn't going anywhere."

   

      



                                    

The above is probably my favorite possession (pun intended). It's no secret I love Danzig. That logo sucked me in  about 35 years ago. It's actually bigger than it looks in this pic. Almost a foot across and 7" tall. I have it hanging from the ceiling above my record shelves. This is one of John's creations that my wife had him make for me last Christmas. Couldn't have asked for it to come out any better. I love this fucking thing. 

Visit Hobo Toyz here Instagram and here Big Cartel

Nine Necks - Ritual & Demise

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LA’s own Nine Necks have shed their skin, trading the melodic leanings of their past for a jagged, confrontational sound that feels like a live wire. Their newest EP, Ritual & Demise, serves as the definitive introduction to this intensified era, marked by a shift into far more venomous and "violence-forward" territory. It pulses with a chaotic friction reminiscent of early mathcore legends, yet it remains anchored by a modern, heavy-set weight.

FFO: Ken Mode, Botch, Mouthbreather, Pupil Slicer

Plague Thirteen - ERODED

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Belgium’s Plague Thirteen emerges from the gloom with a sound that perfectly captures a sense of impending collapse. While their roots are firmly planted in the soil of traditional neocrust, they weave in somber melodies and sprawling arrangements that elevate them beyond simple genre tropes. Their latest offering, Eroded, serves as a bleak exploration of decay and the slow wearing away of the human spirit. The record masterfully balances d-beat velocity with suffocating, sludge-heavy passages, creating a landscape that feels both vast and claustrophobic.

FFO:  Rise And Fall, Amenra, Tragedy, Fall of Efrafa

Smearing - Acts Of Service

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Seattle's own hardcore heavyweights, Smearing, have carved a niche with their relentless energy and uncompromising sound. Known for their furious live shows and politically charged lyrics, they consistently deliver a sonic assault. Their latest release, "Acts Of Service," is no exception, showcasing a more refined yet equally brutal approach to their signature style. This album dives deep into themes of mutual support and community resilience

FFO: WVRM, Regional Justice Center, Cult Leader