Surprise Package

Surprise Package

LVTN-GELU LP (2017)

Country: Italy
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Post Hardcore, Post Metal, Sludge, Crust 
Label: Shove Records / Sonatine / Tanato Records / Nut's Tape / Icore / Atomic Soup / Bare Teeth / Tief in Marcellos Schuld Records / Désordre Ordonné
Tracks: 6
Length: 31.10'

LVTN is a three piece band from Rome, Italy who formed in 2013, from the looks of things.   LVTN play an amazing style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, post hardcore, post metal, sludge, and crust within their sound.  Musically, LVTN can be loosely compared to bands such as Lightbearer, Fall Of Efrafa, Amber, Withers, Titan, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2013, LVTN have released a four song EP titled #1 in May of 2013, a self-titled six song LP in October of 2013, and a four-way split with Kratzer, Rha, and Paan in May of 2015.  GELU is the band's latest full-length LP, which was released via Shove Records, Sonatine, Tanato Records, Nut's Tape, Icore, Atomic Soup, Bare Teeth, Tief in Marcellos Schuld Records, and Désordre Ordonné records on May 2nd, 2017.  On GELU, LVTN offer up six tracks of dark, ominous, and brutal as fuck sounding hardcore, punk, post hardcore, post metal, sludge, and crust.  Overall, GELU makes for an amazing listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

LVTN on Bandcamp
LVTN on Facebook
Purchase
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Hot Snakes

Hot Snakes are an American post-hardcore^[1][2] band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the Crypt. Hot Snakes disbanded in 2005 but reunited in 2011.
Although they share musical similarities with members' previous outfits, Hot Snakes have a sound that is much more primal than that of Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu or even Rocket from the Crypt. Reis and Froberg were also heavily influenced by bands such as The Wipers, Suicide, and Michael Yonkers Band, and these influences gave Hot Snakes a distinctive sound that has been described by one critic as "hardcore garage punk."^[3] The band's recordings and merchandise were conducted in a "Do it Yourself" manner, with Froberg providing all of the artwork and Reis releasing the material via his Swami Records label.

1999–2001: Formation and Automatic Midnight

As youths growing up in San Diego, Reis and Froberg had played together in the post-hardcore band Pitchfork from 1986 to 1990. Following that they formed Drive Like Jehu, which gained the attention of major labels and resulted in a record contract with Interscope Records. By this time, however, Reis had become seriously involved with his other band, Rocket from the Crypt, and in 1995 Drive Like Jehu stopped playing together. Reis would continue to work with Rocket From the Crypt until 2005, while Froberg moved to New York to start a career as visual artist and illustrator.
Hot Snakes essentially began as a "side project" in 1999 while Reis was taking time off from Rocket from the Crypt, who were in between record labels and had lost their longtime drummer Atom Willard. While searching for a new record label and drummer, Reis started his own label Swami Records and experimented with other musicians, resulting in the formation of both Hot Snakes and the Sultans. Hot Snakes originated when Reis recorded a batch of songs with The Delta 72 drummer Jason Kourkounis, then contacted former bandmate Froberg to contribute vocals to the tracks. Most of this recording session was released in 2000 as Hot Snakes' first album Automatic Midnight, which was the first release by the Swami label.
Although Reis and Froberg had previously collaborated in bands, Hot Snakes represented a new challenge logistically: Reis lived in San Diego, Froberg in New York, and Kourkounis in Philadelphia. This resulted in sporadic and intense touring and recording schedules. When a full touring band was needed, Gar Wood (Beehive and the Baracudas, Tanner, Fishwife) was called in to play the bass guitar. After some touring Reis returned to work full-time with Rocket from the Crypt.

2002–04: Suicide Invoice and Audit in Progress

In 2002 Hot Snakes reconvened to record the album Suicide Invoice and tour the United States. The following year Kourkounis left the band to play full-time with Burning Brides, and Reis once again returned to work with Rocket from the Crypt. When Hot Snakes again returned to the recording studio in 2004, Rocket from the Crypt drummer Mario Rubalcaba (also of The Black Heart Procession, Clikatat Ikatowi, Earthless, 411, and Chicanochrist) was brought in to play the drums. The album Audit in Progress was released and the band extensively toured the USA, as well as Europe and Australia.
While on tour in the United Kingdom that Fall, the band recorded several songs for BBC radio at British DJ John Peel's recording studio. Their performance would be one of the last for Peel's program, as he died shortly afterwards. This session was released as the Peel Sessions EP, which replaced a planned single for the song "Braintrust" in the UK market.

2005–06: Breakup and Thunder Down Under

Hot Snakes in Philadelphia in 2005: Froberg (center) and Wood (right)

In May 2005, while on tour in Australia, Hot Snakes recorded a live in-studio performance at ABC studios for Australian radio station JJJ. On their return to the US, Reis announced that the band was breaking up. Audit in Progress was named "best punk album" at the 2005 San Diego Music Awards, and shortly after Reis announced that Rocket from the Crypt would also be breaking up. That Fall, Hot Snakes contributed a cover of the Government Issue song "Time to Escape" to the soundtrack to the Tony Hawk's American Wasteland video game. This was the last song recorded by the band. Their live Australian radio session was released posthumously in 2006 as Thunder Down Under.
Following the breakup of both Hot Snakes and Rocket from the Crypt, Reis focused his energy on running the Swami Records label. He continued to perform occasionally with Rubalcaba in the Sultans until that band's breakup in January 2007. Rubalcaba also plays in the San Diego band Earthless and is part owner of an independent record store called Thirsty Moon Records. Wood continues to record music and play in Beehive and the Barracudas, while Froberg resides in New York and works as a visual artist and illustrator. In early 2008 Froberg debuted a new musical act called Obits, while Reis, Wood, and Kourkounis reunited in The Night Marchers.

2010–present: Reunion

On July 29, 2010 The Night Marchers and Obits performed together at The Casbah in San Diego; for the encore, the original Hot Snakes lineup of Reis, Froberg, Wood, and Kourkounis reunited to perform "If Credit's What Matters I'll Take Credit", "Automatic Midnight", and "No Hands".^[4] The following year Hot Snakes reunited, with Kourkounis and Rubalcaba taking turns on drums, for a series of gigs including All Tomorrow's Parties and Fun Fun Fun Fest.^[5][6][7] The band toured the West Coast of the United States from March to April 2012, and performed at the Metallica-curated Orion Music + More festival in New Jersey in June.^[8]
On August 14, 2017, Hot Snakes announced a fall tour starting in November as well as new album tentatively scheduled for release in spring 2018 via Sub Pop.^[9] Hot Snakes' discography is also scheduled to be reissued by Sub Pop.<sup>[9]

(Wikipedia Biography)</sup>

                                                                              ^{Automatic Midnight LP (2000)}

                                                               Suicide Invoice LP (2002)

                                                           Audit In Progress LP (2004)

Surprise Package

Surprise Package

Calligram - Askesis (2017)

Rel. Date: November 24, 2017 
Format: Digital

Origin: London (UK)
Genre: Blackened Hardcore, Black Metal, Death Metal, Crust

Label: Basick Records

Past Releases: Demimonde EP 12''/CD (Nov. 2016)

                         

Mentioned in my best of 2017 list, this album needs a post on its own.!

Blown away at first listen by this new 5-piece band located in London (UK). The members are hailing from France, Italy, Brazil and UK. Until now the debut album 'Askesis' is only released in digital format. Perhaps it still sees a vinyl release this year, according to a facebook post from the band. Would be worth it, it's absolutely crushing and perhaps one of the most brutal releases from 2017. Fans of Trap Them, Nails and other like-minded bands will definitely enjoy this fine tune.!!

Askesis 

Demimonde EP

BEST OF 2017 // EP's - 7''s - Demos - Splits

Second and last part of my best of 2017. 
This one's for ep's, 7''s, demos, splits and stuff like that. 
Same as with the album list, the first 20 entries are sorted by ranking, 
the rest is sorted alphabetically...everything is total subjective.!
Enjoy.!! 

 01. WVRM - Can You Hear The Wind Howl (7'')   ♫

02. Lihhamon / I I - Miasmal Coronation (12'' Split)   ♫

03. End - From The Unforgiving Arms Of God (EP)   ♫

 04. Leeched - Nothing Will Grow From The Rotten Ground (EP)   ♫

 05. Friendship - I & II (12'' EP Compilation)   ♫

 06. Fister / CHRCH - Split (12'')   ♫

 07. .Gif From God / Vein - A Release Of Excess Flesh (7'' Split)   ♫

 08. Profane Order - Tightened Noose Of Sanctimony (Cassette)   ♫
 

 09. Siberian Hell Sounds / Convulsing - Split (12'')   ♫

 10. Amenra / Raketkanon - Split (10'')   ♫

 11. The Body - A Home On Earth (EP)   ♫

 12. Whitewurm / True Love - Split (Cassette)   ♫
 

13. Converge - I Can Tell You About Pain / Eve (7'')   ♫

 14. Zao - Pyrrhic Victory (EP)   ♫

 15. Sounding - Trepanation (Cassette)   ♫

 16. Dark Habits - Cave Paintings (EP)   ♫

 17. Geist - Disrepair (12'' EP)   ♫

 18. Disrotted / IRN - Split (EP)   ♫

19. Advent - Pain & Suffering (EP)   ♫

 

 20. Encoffination / Sempiternal Dusk - A Monument To The Abyss Of Death (12'' Split)   ♫

 

21. A Needle Under The Nail - Demo (Cassette)   ♫
22. All Pigs Must Die - A Caustic Vision (EP)   ♫
23. Antigama - Depressant (EP)   ♫
24. Beg - Beg (7'')   ♫
25. Birdflesh / Organ Dealer - Split (EP)   ♫
26. Blame God - Strategically Confined (Cassette)   ♫
27. Bottom Feeder - Bottom Feeder (EP)   ♫
28. Cadence Fox - Masses Of Program (EP)   ♫
29. Cloud Rat / Disrotted - Split (12'')   ♫
30. Damned Spring Fragrantia - Chasm (EP)   ♫
31. Deathrite - Where Evil Arises (EP)   ♫
32. Disma - The Graveless Remains (12'' EP)   ♫
33. Distaste - Todt (EP)   ♫
34. Fluoride - Fluoride (EP)   ♫
35. Gatecreeper - Sweltering Madness (7'')   ♫
36. Glitterbomb - No Gods / No Heroes (EP)   ♫
37. Hexis - XII (10'' EP)   ♫
38. Lihhamon - Iron Hands Of Domination (EP)   ♫
39. Lingua Ignota - Let The Evil Of His Own Lips Cover Him (EP)   ♫
40. Low Life - Low Life (EP)   ♫
41. Mastodon - Cold Dark Place (EP)   ♫
42. Memory Loss - Exile (Cassette)   ♫
43. Milk Teeth - Be Nice (EP)   ♫
44. Mind Mold - Mind Mold (Cassette)   ♫
45. Moloch / Cloud Rat - Split (12'')   ♫
46. Moral Support - Nowheresville (EP)   ♫
47. No Funeral / Livid - Split (EP)   ♫
48. Nothing Left - Destroy And Rebuild (EP)   ♫
49. Portrayal Of Guilt - Portrayal Of Guilt (7'')   ♫
50. Selfharm. - Farewell (EP)   ♫
51. Sex Prisoner / Harm Done - Split (Cassette)   ♫
52. Spiritbox - Spiritbox (EP)   ♫
53. Sutekh Hexen & Hissing - Split (12'')   ♫
54. Terror - The Walls Will Fall (7'')   ♫
55. Thantifaxath - Void Masquerading As Matter (EP)   ♫
56. The Discussion - European Tour EP   ♫
57. The Fever 333 - We're Coming In / Hunting Season (1st Songs)   ♫
58. The Homeless Is Dead - The Homeless Is Dead (EP)   ♫
59. Throat Breach - Art Whore (EP)   ♫
60. Throat Breach - Impotent God (EP)   ♫
61. Throat Breach - Psychic Wave Mutilation (EP)   ♫
62. Under A Sky So Blue - The Spectacle Provides (EP)   ♫
63. Whitewurm / Ominous Hymn - Split (Cassette)   ♫
64. Wrathprayer & Force Of Darkness - Wrath Of Darkness - (12'' Split)   ♫
65. Yellnikow - Beizeiten (EP)   ♫

Ball Of Light-Demo (2017)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Sludge, Metal
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 7
Length: 19.18'

Ball Of Light is a Cincinnati, Ohio based band who formed in early 2017, from the looks of things.  Ball Of Light play a killer style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, sludge, and metal within their sound.  Musically, Ball Of Light can be loosely compared to bands such as Griever, Heiress, Sweet Cobra, and other like-minded bands.  This is the band's debut demo, which was released on May 29th, 2017.  On their debut demo, Ball Of Light offer up seven tracks of killer hardcore, punk, sludge, and metal.  Overall, this demo makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

Ball Of Light on Bandcamp
Listen Here 

(U.S.) Yautja-Dead Soil 12" (2017)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Sludge, Death Metal
Label: Forcefield
Tracks: 14
Length: 37.0'

Yautja are a three piece band from Nashville, Tennessee who formed in 2011.  Yautja play a killer style of music that incorporates elements of hardcore, punk, sludge, and death metal within their sound.  Musically, Yautja can be loosely compared to bands such as Torch Runner, Seizures, Funeral Chic, and Young And In The Way.  Since their inception in 2011, Yautja have released a self-titled five song EP in May of 2011, a split 7" with Enabler in January of 2012,a fourteen song LP titled Songs Of Descent in February of 2014, a seven song LP titled Songs Of Lament in October of 2015, and a split 7" with Forn in December of 2015.  Dead Soil is the band's latest EP, which compiles the band's out of print early releases onto one EP.  Dead Soil was released via Anti-Corporate music on December 7th, 2017.  Overall, Dead Soil makes for an awesome listen and makes for an awesome look at Yautja's retrospective early beginnings as a band. Highly recommended!  Enjoy!

Yautja on Bandcamp
Yautja on Facebook 
Purchase
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Mrtex/Kelut-Split LP (2017)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Crust, Screamo, Emoviolence
Label: IFB/Zegema Beach Records
Tracks: 10
Length: 27.35'

мятеж is an project that consists of Chris Story (ex-Makara, Jenny Piccolo, Yaphet Kotto, The Anasazi and Anal Knievel) on...everything instrumental and myself (ex-The World That Summer) on vocals. This split 12" is a mixture of songs recorded by Chris over the last three years that are assembled into a much more ambient and atmospheric mix when compared to the groups other releases.
KELUT is, for lack of a more succinct synopsis, the next step for the majority of members from Yusuke. Gone are the pretty, noodly and more Saetia sounding sections, as the band goes apeshit here with five tracks of mind-numbing and ear-splitting screamy, dark hardcore. (Press Note)

*This is some seriously insane hardcore, punk, crust, screamo, and emoviolence.  Both bands contribute five songs a piece for this split.  Seriously, I can't begin to describe how good this album is.  Highly recommended!  Enjoy.  This split was released via IFB and Zegema Beach records on October 29th, 2017. 

MRTEX on Bandcamp  MRTEX on Facebook 
Kelut on Bandcamp
Kelut on Facebook
Zegema Beach Records on Bandcamp
IFB Records on Bandcamp
Purchase via Zegema Beach
Purchase via FB Records
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Biscuit Mouth-Hot Change LP (2017)

Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Post Hardcore, Punk, Noise Rock
Label: Self-Released
Tracks: 9
Length: 26.50'

Biscuit Mouth is a two piece band from Derby, UK who formed in 2013.  Biscuit Mouth play a killer style of music that incorporates elements of post hardcore, punk, and noise rock within their sound.  Musically, Biscuit Mouth can be loosely compared to bands such as Future Of The Left, Drive Like Jehu, Tiny Hawks, and other like-minded bands.  Since forming in 2013, Biscuit Mouth have released a an eight song LP titled Captain Gregs, Wrapped In Legs in April of 2013, and a nine song LP titled Doing It Right And Doing It Well in May of 2014.  Hot Change is the band's latest LP, which was released on January 16th, 2017.  On Hot Change, Biscuit Mouth offer up nine tracks of tense, discordant, and off-kilter sounding post hardcore, punk, and noise rock.  Overall, Hot Change makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed.  Great stuff!  Enjoy!

Biscuit Mouth on Bandcamp
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