(review) Lockjaw Records released Waterweed´s LP Diffuse on vinyl!

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There may have been a shortage of gigs and festivals this year, but we can’t deny the incredible memories we have from previous years and the excitement for the return as we all recharge for the next round.

Flashback to April 2018, when waterweed were invited over from Japan for Manchester Punk Festival and their first European tour. In some instances, this feels like a lifetime ago but sometimes it seems only yesterday. A lot has changed since then, but what definitely hasn’t changed is the total awesomeness of waterweed. Following up Brightest with another a third excellent full length Diffuse in April 2019 on CD format.

We are super pleased to announce we have pressed, not only Diffuse but waterweed to vinyl for the first time, out today December 4th 2020.

The vinyl is coming on Galaxy effect, transparent Reverent Black Grape with a smokey swirl of opaque pale green stars. We have bundled the vinyl up with an exclusive shirt design featuring photography from Cold Front Photography snapped at the bands incredible performance in Rebellion at Manchester Punk Festival 2018.

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Biography
Formed in Osaka 2003, waterweed have been at the forefront of the Japanese post-hardcore and screamo movement since the beginning of the scene supporting bands such as Between The Buried And Me, SHAI HULUD, TRASH TALK, THE CHARIOT. The band have since released 3 albums & 2 EPs.

They have toured all over Japan and the far east, and at notable festivals in the territory such as ROCK-O-RAMA, the event where old and new, underground and mainstream bands get together. ROCK-O-RAMA was the spark of movements and events such as MANPOWER, the event waterweed has held with bacho, FIVE NO RISK and PALM.

They performed on SHADOWS’ debut album as support members.

SHADOWS was formed by the ex-members of FACT, the host of ROCK-O-RAMA.

In 2018, waterweed were invited to the UK for the first time to play Manchester Punk Festival and re-releasing the critically acclaimed album Brightest via Lockjaw Records for a new European fan base. Following the release, the band continued from Manchester to tour over Europe.

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waterweed are:

  • Tomohiro Ohga (Bass, vocals)
  • Shotaro Ono (Guitar)
  • Hayato Teratsubo (Guitar)
  • Shigeo Matsubara (Drums)

(review) Winning Streak – We Need A Plan (Thousand Islands Records/Disconnect Disconnect Records)

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We already wrote about Winning Streak on the pages of this zine. This Texas based melodic technical skatepunk machine recently released new record with Thousand Islands Records and Disconnect Disconnect Records and I listened to it. Addition of new members to the band, none other than Chris McGrath of Much The Same on vocals and Davey Knight of Debt Cemetary on bass only added to the power of this band.

This new record contains 11 songs of beautiful, melodic, fast and emotional, also technical punk rock. The title song just mesmerizes the listener with its guitar work, atmosphere and takes you over and draws you into this record. I Tried To Run is for me one of my personal favorites on this record, I can totally relate with this one, musically and lyrically. The real jewels of this record are The Dark featuring guest Dave Nassie of NUFAN, this being my absolute favorite with that sad and wicked guitar solo and harmonies on vocals and backing vocals. Three Hundred Million is also one of the songs that needs to be mentioned as highlight of the album, creating such big emotion in me as a listener. That reminded me why I love this genre of punk rock the most besides horrorpunk. Anchor In You features great guest vocal performance by Yamil Velez (Lipona).  I will not discover all the songs for you here, you will have to listen and decide your own  favorites on this record. I will mention just one more song I love and have listened to couple of times in a row, that is We´ll Make It Home featuring Eddie Haddad as guest guitar. Go get this one, you will not regret it!

https://winningstreaktx.bandcamp.com/album/we-need-a-plan

(review) Trap Hill Collision – Monsters From Another World

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Trapp Hill Collision are coming from Virginia and this is their new e.p. This record contains 6 excellent melodic horrorpunk songs done just in a way I love it. Uplifting, melodic, energetic and with emotions. Freakshow Infection is one of the most catchy songs on the record with beautiful vocal lines and backing harmonies on choruses. The vocals remind me a little of Ray from Teenage Bottlerocket in some parts of the songs. Zombie Killing State is more harsh and classic punk rock sounding songs, straight on for pogo and moshing in front of the stage. Pony Shark has some fast hardcore punk influences and screaming vocals which fit perfectly to the song. Demonic Noises is the most brutal song on the record being death thrash metal in its roots with some raw hardcore punk, even sludgy parts. Skull Crushing Demons From Space has some nice guitar hooks and it is also one of my favorites on this record. Why? Because it is again more melodic side of the band, what can I say? I love my horrorpunk more anthemic and melodic and this one is a keeper. Indeed this song is a nice mixture between old school horrorpunk and metal influences. In Mortality is an epic atmospheric ending to this nice e.p.

https://trapphillcollision.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-from-another-world