Sitting somewhere between 00’s indie and 80’s hardcore, Manchester-based loudmouths Bruise Control have carved themselves an unlikely name in DIY punk. In their wake they’ve left a handful of self-produced releases and a notoriety for chaotic live shows. In true DIY fashion, the album has been mixed and produced by the band’s guitarist Niall Griffin keeping the core sound as true as possible.
Dead on Arrival shows a more jagged edge to the bands sound. With a bouncing lead guitar riff and syncopated drums, the song is reminiscent of 00’s Dance Punk and Indie Rock, while still holding the bands signature aggression and attitude at the forefront. The song tackles the topic of emotional burn-out with the lyrics show a more vulnerable side to the band. A sentiment addressed through Jim Taylor’s growling lead vocals and a call-and response chorus.
Happy Days from USA released their first full length in last five years. Why, maybe you wonder? Why so long? Well, this opus will give you an answer. There is an eerie intro plus ten songs of explanation on this opus. For those who don’t know, Happy Days play depressive black metal, raw and atmospheric with all the conviction of an occupant of psychiatric institution and between four walls different ideas occur, maybe only to me, but I am sure that also to A.Morbid who wrote his most deep and personal opus with this one. My metal brother in my hometown once told me that depressive black metal is non existent because it destroys the meaning of bm, being aggressive and yet atmospheric music and that all dsbm bands are in fact Burzum clones turning one or two riffs all along. This band and album is something I will play to my brother to prove that his statement is not true. Just listen to slow, doomy rolls of ‘J’y étais’ with almost post black metal guitar work, fantastic anguished screaming and female spoken vocals topped with choirs, making it a fantastic opus. ‘Hollow’ is another absolute highlight, I am amazed how Happy Days manage to connect black metal with gentle piano and synth melodies, almost ethereal clean vocals turning into anguished tortured screams, superb female vocals and great songwriting like a whirlwind of emotions. Songs like ‘Mors Vincit Omnia’ and ironic ‘Life Goes On…’ show all the heartbreak, emptiness, bare blooded flesh of emotions without skin or mask. This is a tour de force of emotional black metal.
Voelker are hailing from USA and I must admit that I don’t really know much about this band besides that this is their brand new opus containing eleven songs. Music can be described are American school of thrash metal, Bay Area style, but also having a lot of other influences. For example I can hear NWOBHM in some guitar work, also there are lots of prog metal elements in songwriting, but making it more interesting to listen to. Lyrics deal with some personal stuff, but also with lots of current world themes, survival, war, politics, corruption and having almost punk political vibe. One of my personal favorites for sure is ‘One Percent’ being almost ballad at the start of the song, but evolving into angry thrash metal with mid tempo to double bass insanity mayhem. Guitar solos are great in all songs, having that melodic hooks and vibes, vocals also fit perfectly to this kind of metal. Some other songs mentioned as highlights are ‘Put’Em All To Sleep’, ‘Good As Gone’. Great and varied album.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 