Negative Standards-Fetters LP (2016)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Crust, Doom, Noise
Label: Self-Released/Vendetta 
Tracks: 10
Length: 30.0'

Hells yes.  I was absolutely psyched to get the go ahead from Negative Standards to post this review because I've been following this band since blogging for Elementary Revolt and following the band since they formed back in 2009.  For those of you out of the loop, Negative Standards is a band from Oakland, CA who formed in late 2009.  Negative Standards play a unique, creative, and forward-thinking style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, crust, doom, and noise within their sound.  Musically, Negative Standards can be said to be influenced by bands such as Tragedy, His Hero Is Gone, Grief, and other like-minded bands.  The really unique quality that makes Negative Standards stand out from their peers is their use of sound samples and noise as a way to add additional layers of complexity to the band's already dark and ominous sound.  Since forming in 2009, Negative Standards have released a five song EP titled I-V in November of 2010, a six song LP titled VI-XI in May of 2012, and a split LP with Whitehorse in October of 2013.  Fetters is the band's latest full-length LP which is slated self-release by the band in the US and by Vendetta records internationally on June 17th, 2016.  On Fetters, Negative Standards offer up ten tracks of vicious, caustic, and brutal as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, crust, doom, and noise.  Overall, Fetters is an amazing album and is sure to be one of my favorite albums of the year.  Seriously, this album is that good!  Highly recommended! Enjoy!

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NEGATIVE STANDARDS - Split w/Whitehorse

NEGATIVE STANDARDS    ☼    FACEBOOK  ▲  BANDCAMP  ▼  HOMEPAGE  ▲  MERCH
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If you think a 3-song 12" doesn't sound very imposing, you may want to think again. Oakland's Negative Standards and Australia's Whitehorse have joined forces to create a record so mammoth that you will probably need a new needle for your record player after a few spins. Negative Standards have been featured on this blog before, and their previous releases, a 10" & LP, are still some of the most played records in my collection. This new split is crazy. You've got 2 songs from Negative Standards, one is 9 1/2 minutes and combines every genre you could want in a song. It's an atmospheric, creepy, sludge-filled blast of violence. When you're done with it, you'll feel like you just listened to 10 songs. The 2nd track on their side is just over 2 minutes and is more of a full frontal attack, similar to their previous records. I'm not terribly familiar with Whitehorse, but their near-13 minute monster of a side lives up to everything I've heard about them: Ultra-brutal sludge/doom with one of the sickest vocalists around. It felt like I needed to curl up in the fetal position as I listened to them. 

If this sounds like something you'd want to subject yourself to, buy this 12" from Vendetta Records.

- download -

NEGATIVE STANDARDS/WHITEHORSE SPLIT 12" (2013)

1. Negative Standards - XII

2. Negative Standards - XIII

3. Whitehorse - External Oblivion

NEGATIVE STANDARDS I-V & VI-XI

NEGATIVE STANDARDS    ☼    FACEBOOK  ▲  BANDCAMP

I generally don't care to have my politics intermingled too much with my music, but there's something about how Oakland's Negative Standards does it that just makes it seem perfect. The samples that are dropped in throughout both releases have a chilling effect and can only prepare you for the behemoth onslaught that you are about to hear in the next second. This band is DARK. And HEAVY. And they sound like they aren't fucking around. Definitely for fans who like their dark hardcore with touches of sludge and doom.

I-V 10" (2010)

Order the 10" from Cop Grave

1. I

2. II

3. III

4. IV

5. V

VI-XI LP (2012)

Order the LP from Vendetta Records

1. VI

2. VII

3. VIII

4. IX

5. X

6. XI