Monotone Depression is an entity hailing from Sweden and this is a re-release of two demos both recorded in 1998 during the entity’s stay at mental institution. As Bandcamp says, music from bipolar dungeon, so I can relate to psychological side of things, because I am on the similar side as this entity, so I was eager to listen and enjoy this little piece of record. Some of the music on this nine songs has been edited with today’s technology. The music is complicated yet deep and simple at the same time. Some songs have almost punk rock or post punk melody and melancholy feel like Sister Of The Dark. Gothic rock and death rock with interesting vocal effects and gothic melodies are present in Out Of Tune With Life, but I also love depressive black metal influenced guitar work in On A Plane With The Devil. Lyrics are important part of music on this opus, so although some are really minimal, I can understand their meaning and entity behind them. Also, songs that I must mention being a stand out for me are Of Darkness And Suicidal Thoughts and The Loss Of A Worthless Father. This is not for everyone. I love it!
Nordend are from German hardcore scene and this is their new e.p. containing five songs. I love this one. It is a perfect mixture of modern melodic hardcore with some metal and street punk influences, yet retaining one leg firmly into old school hardcore influences. If I must compare them to some band, they reminded me in some parts of Comeback Kid. Lyrics are in German language with vocals which vary from shouted, angry screaming, spoken word and melodic singing, all that meaning singer is fantastic. Energy Nordend delivers is also totally touchable, you can sense it and almost touch it in the air floating around you and in you. Songs are mainly your fast hardcore punk with some excursions into moshing and metalized parts here and there. As I understand and speak German, lyrics deal with personal demons, survival, coping and finding strength to go on and battle depression, everyday and look deep into yourself and transform all hardcore energy and heart into something worth living and positive. My personal favorites are A-Okay and also Selbstportrait. Great record.
HolyName were already featured on the pages of this zine, as they released singles that were prior to the release of this full length opus with Facedown Records. This one features twelve songs. Music of HolyName is not Krishna hardcore as their name would suggest(anybody remembers the same titles 108’s album?), but it is also devotional in lyrics, this time a love letter to their beliefs and their souls and what the guys in the band carry within themselves. Music of HolyName is interesting mixture of gentle melodies with post hardcore guitar vibes and atmosphere, like in Meet Me Somewhere. But, there are also harsher and strong metalized hardcore elements where brutal vocals mix perfectly with almost ethereal clean main vocals on choruses. The perfect example for that is one of my personal favorites Creed. There are also some almost blast beat drums in Sect, another personal favorite of mine. I don’t know why exactly but in vibe these guys remind me a bit of hardcore version of Polish band Batushka. Incredible how this band shifts with ease from doom metal influences to blasts of hardcore energy to ethereal melodies and this album shows really varied and strong songwriting. Great one.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 