No/Más “Consume/Deny/Repent”

LP - $17.50
LP UPC: 196292069877
STREET DATE: 4/29/22
CAT#: CCA098
LABEL: Closed Casket Activities

No/Más dispenses a face-ripping combination of grindcore, metal, death, and thrash that would cut deep a decade ago or a decade from now. The Washington, D.C. group — Roger Rivadeneira [vocals], John Letzkus [guitar], Patrick Merson [bass], and Henry Everitt [drums, vocals] — engage an uncompromising sensory assault, barreling forward like a runaway freight train only bolted to the rails by deft riffing, explosive drumming, and vocal brutality.

Under the influence of everything from Slayer and Napalm Death to Wormrot, NO/MAS materialized in Washington, D.C. They made waves with their 2018 full-length debut, Raíz Del Mal, which Metal Injection christened “one of the most intense releases of the year.” Meanwhile, Decibel added, "Every song on their latest album, Raíz Del Mal, is a nice little rollercoaster that tends to make its twists and turns around grind, black metal, D-beat and hardcore." In between dropping the Last Laugh EP in 2019, they graced bills with the likes of Exodus, Pig Destroyer, and many more.

Produced and Engineered by Taylor Young at The Pit Recording Studio and featuring the Artwork of Ethan McCarthy (Hell Simulation).

TRACK LISTING:

1. Manipulate/Consume
2. Sin Vergüenza
3. Exile
4. Interrogation
5. Sudor Frío
6. Mal De Ojo
7. Arson/Repent
8. Ciego
9. Ausencia De Luz
10. Refugio
11. Deny/Disgrace
12. Against My Will
13. Rabia
14. Police Brutality
15. Hypothermia

MARKETING POINTS:

• Produced by Taylor Young of The Pit Recording Studio
• Artwork by Ethan McCarthy (Hell Simulation)

FOR FANS OF:
Napalm Death, Nails, Full of Hell

Squint "Feel It"

CASSETTE - $7.00
STREET DATE: 4/29/22
CAT#: SDR078
LABEL: Sunday Drive

"Feel It" is the debut EP from St.Louis, MO melodic-hardcore band, Squint. Featuring various members from Missouri bands Time and Pressure, New Lives, Soul Craft and Choir Vandals, Squint has a nice palette of sounds ranging from hardcore to alternative/indie rock. Largely influenced by a shared liking of Rites of Spring and Turning Point, "Feel It" take the sound of melodic-leaning hardcore, but Squint is able to put their own spin on it with fuzzed-out guitars and big riffs—recalling tones heard from bands like Seaweed and Sugar. Most importantly, as the title suggests, "Feel It" loudly communicates a huge array of emotions. Themes of anger, presence, loving, depression, and more are delivered by vocalist and songwriter, Brennen Wilkinson. Each word is passionately shouted by Wilkinson, and with the backing of huge guitars and hard-hitting drums, all you want to do is shout-along, bang your head, and of course—feel it.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Squintro
2. Ghost
3. Dealer Wins
4. Homesick
5. Mantra

MARKETING POINTS:

• Featuring members of Time and Pressure, Still, New Lives, Choir Vandals

FOR FANS OF:
Seaweed, Sugar, Drug Church

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Heriot "Profound Morality"

LP - $15.95 / CD - $8.00
STREET DATE: 4/29/22
CAT #: CRR120
LABEL: Church Road

Following their 2021 addition to the Church Road Records roster and a string of single releases throughout the year, UK metal upstarts HERIOT have announced the release of their first EP proper - titled Profound Morality. Due for release on April 29, Profound Morality is eight tracks of uncompromisingly polymorphic extreme metal, hardcore and industrial music.

Heralded as one of Kerrang! Magazine’s sounds of ‘22 and labeled as ones to watch by the likes of Metal Hammer and Revolver - not to mention praise from none other than Machine Head’s Robb Flynn - to say that HERIOT’s debut record is highly anticipated would be an understatement in the wake of a recent UK tour support slot alongside labelmates Svalbard.

HERIOT live up to their well-earned hype in spades across Profound Morality’s runtime. Early EP highlight Coalesence and the previously released Enter the Flesh belabour grind, industrial and hardcore’s sonic template into the ground with feverish intensity, as Jake Packer and Debbie Gough trade mercurial vocal barbs over tonally acerbic instrumentation. Elsewhere the band expand upon their artistic vision with cuts such as Abattoir and opener Abaddon, bringing together sonic textures not dissimilar to Justin K Broadrick’s Godflesh and Jesu projects.

Marrying disparate sounds from all ends of the broader metal spectrum is no easy task, which makes Profound Morality all the more powerful when taken in as a collective whole. Since their 2020 inception HERIOT have offered glimpses of their capabilities on bite-size releases, however, their latest work stands as a watershed moment for both the band and those who wish to draw outside of genre lines within abrasive music. With UK festival appearances at the likes of Bloodstock, 2000 Trees and Upsurge on the horizon, things are only just getting started for HERIOT.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Abaddon
2. Coalescence
3. Carmine (Fills the Hollow)
4. Near Vision
5. Mutagen
6. Enter the Flesh
7. Abattoir
8. Profound Morality

FOR FANS OF:
Fuming Mouth, NAILS, Portrayal of Guilt

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The Locust "Safety Second, Body Last"

12"EP - $14.00
12"EP UPC: 795044139402
STREET DATE: 4/29/22
CAT #: 31G125
LABEL: Three One G

2005 saw the Ipecac Recordings/Radio Surgery release of The Locust’s “Safety Second, Body Last,” the follow-up EP to their acclaimed album, “Plague Soundscapes.” The concept for SSBL has been explained as one 10-minute song split into two tracks, each of which is further dissected into separate movements. The result is a timeless sci-fi onslaught described in reviews as an “elegant mind-fuck of organized noise” and “a fascinating contrast full of viciously dadaist musical fragments and surreal, perceptive lyrics.”

The now well-recognized cover art is a piece titled “Treatment” by Neil Burke, a member of likeminded experimental band Men’s Recovery Project.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Armless and Overactive
   Who's Handling the Population Paste?
   Invented Organs
   New Tongue Sweepstakes
   Consenting Abscess (Part 1)
   Consenting Abscess (Part 2)

2. One Decent Leg
   Movement Across the Membrane
   Oscillating Eyes
   Immune System Overtime
   Hairy Mouth

MARKETING POINTS:

FOR FANS OF:
Swing Kids, Some Girls, Head Wound City, Holy Molar, Retox, Le Butcherettes

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Violent Apathy "11/29/81"

7"EP - $4.75
STREET DATE: 4/29/22
CAT#: RADIO031
LABEL: Radio Raheem

Along with The Fix, Necros, Negative Approach, and The Meatmen, Kalamazoo, Michigan’s Violent Apathy was one of the pioneering bands for the Michigan Hardcore Punk scene of the early 1980s. A few months after recording their contribution to the highly sought-after Midwest Hardcore compilation Process of Elimination, Violent Apathy went into the studio with Necros bass player and head honcho at Touch & Go Records Corey Rusk in the production seat and 11/29/81 contains six songs from that session. With a head full of frantic earnesty, the crazed caterwauling of Violent Apathy contained on 11/29/81 is more akin to Land Speed Record-era Husker Du than the menacing, boot-stomping sounds any of their peers from the mitten state were kicking out at the time. After lingering in the dark recesses of the internet and crusty tape collections for years, No Idols and Radio Raheem are proud as punch to team up and present this obscure and unheralded piece of Michigan Hardcore history to the underground.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Live In
2. Vice Grip
3. On Trial
4. Reason
5. Ignorance Is Bliss
6. Theme Song

FOR FANS OF:
Negative Approach, Necros, Midwest Hardcore

Nathan Gray “Rebel Psalms”

12"EP - $15.95
STREET DATE: 4/29/22
CAT#: EH077
LABEL: End Hits

After releasing his third solo album Rebel Songs in late 2021, Nathan Gray presents the new EP "Rebel Psalms" with four new songs taken from the Rebel Songs recording session exclusively out on End Hits Records. The four songs display a calmer counterpart to the more upbeat and politically fueled protest songs on Rebel Songs eventually showing Nathan Gray’s (singer of Boysetsfire) musical versatility. Rebel Psalms was produced by Brian McTernan (Be Well, Battery & producer for Turnstile, Converge, Thrice, Texas is the Reason) at Salad Days Studio with the renowned rock drummer Charlie Walker (Chamberlain, Samiam, New End Original).

"Rebel Psalms" is available on vinyl with a screenprinted B-side and is limited to 550 copies with no repress.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Ghosts
2. Unhinged
3. Stay
4. My Ascent

MARKETING POINTS:

• Additional tracks from "Rebel Songs" recording session
• Screen printed B-Side

FOR FANS OF:
Boysetsfire, Chamberlain, The Gaslight Anthem

Amenra, Cave In, Marissa Nadler "Songs of Townes van Zandt Vol III"

LP - $14.65 / CD - $9.60
LP UPC: 733102724818
CD UPC: 733102724825
STREET DATE: 4/22/22
CAT #: NR120
LABEL: Neurot

My Proud Mountain is thrilled to announce Songs of Townes Van Zandt III, continuing the tradition of well-known artists in the heavy music and dark genres covering the songs of Townes Van Zandt. The LP features nine new and unique covers by Amenra, Cave In, and Marissa Nadler.

Opener “Quicksilver Dreams of Maria” paints Nadler as a pastoral daydream of mournful siren vocals, embodying the lovelorn and lustful side of Van Zandt some listeners tend to overlook. “I wanted to shine a light on some of Townes Van Zandt’s lesser known, but equally excellent songs from his vast body of work,” says Nadler. “His deeply romantic lyrical tendencies are intricately displayed on the three songs that I chose, as well as the pervasive loneliness and deep-seated sadness, always waiting right outside the door.”

Her covers of “Sad Cinderella” and “None But the Rain” capture the tender and weary surrender to hope in the face of turmoil, like a flower blooming on a gravestone. The melodic and rhythmic contributions of Milky Burgess help make the covers a hazy carnival of memories that may be real or imagined, depending on where your eyes are following the setting sun over the hillside. “I recorded the songs at my home studio, with an intimate close-mic approach, and tried to be as raw as I could with them. The feeling that Townes is singing right in your ear, standing right next to you, comforting you – that is what I love about so many of his recordings. His attack and delivery go straight to the heart.”

Amenra strip back their sludge metal sound to just vocals and acoustic guitar to pay tribute to the tortured soul at the center of Van Zandt’s work. “The sadness and despair in his songs are unparalleled,” says guitarist Lennart Bossu. Tackling “Kathleen”, “Flyin’ Shoes”, and the eerie “Black Crow Blues”, Amenra shine a light on the real pain that made Van Zandt’s lyrics all the more haunting. “We recorded the songs with Gilles Demolder, in his little studio, where he added keys and atmospheres to “Kathleen” and “Flyin’ Shoes,” continues Bossu. “After working a little bit on tempos and composition, we surrendered to the songs, and tried to get as close to Townes’ original intention as we could.” The result is the Texas desert by way of Belgium, a set of stark and emotionally raw ballads for long night drives to nowhere.

“We’re gonna play another cover here,” says Cave In’s Stephen Brodsky from the Roadburn Festival stage in April 2018, a slight Texas twang escaping his mouth in anticipation of what comes next. “We’re gonna do a Townes Van Zandt song.” He and fellow Cave In guitarist Adam McGrath then launch into “Nothin’”, turning Van Zandt’s withering and detached anthem of forced sobriety and solitude into a proclamation of goodwill and tender absolution to a friend in the afterlife – departed Cave In bassist Caleb Scofield. “Caleb was a big fan of Townes Van Zandt, so we did it in remembrance of our friend,” says Brodsky. “When we think of Townes, we also think of Caleb – that’s the heavy shit.”

Cave In’s full-band covers of “The Hole” and “At My Window’ find them at their most cavernous, slowing down their high-wire sound to a sidewinder crawl to navigate the claustrophobic darkness. “I heard what Marissa Nadler and Amenra did with their covers, and it convinced me to go back to the drawing board,” says Brodsky. “It was pretty obvious that traditional-sounding Cave In versions of Townes Van Zandt wouldn’t work in this context.”
At nearly 7-minutes long, their doomed-out cover of “The Hole” is as black as west Texas midnight. “Our version was recorded mostly remotely – it started with me just singing and playing keys at the same time. I’m not sure there’s any other Cave In recording out there without me playing guitar,” continues Brodsky.”

For their cover of “At My Window”, Brodsky says, “We actually recorded 3 or 4 different versions. We eventually turned down the volume and slowed the tempo, with everyone going a little further outside their comfort zones to achieve something that would blend well with the other contributions. The Swans vibe that we eventually settled on seems to have garnered the best result for this application.”

It's likely that today’s digital landscape of plug-and-play creative freedom would have benefited an artist as fiercely committed to independence as Townes Van Zandt. My Proud Mountain is delighted to use today’s technology to help artists create an LP of covers that showcase his sad, brilliant, and highly influential music that continues to touch people the world over to this day.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Quicksilver Daydreams of Maria - Marissa Nadler
2. Black Crow Blues - Amenra
3. Nothin' - Cave In
4. Kathleen - Amenra
5. The Hole - Cave In
6. Flyin' Shoes - Amenra
7. Sad Cinderella - Marissa Nadler
8. At My Window - Cave In
9. None But The Rain - Marissa Nadler

MARKETING POINTS:

• Long awaited Vol 3 of the series “Songs Of Townes Van Zandt” featuring cover songs from Townes Van Zandt
• 3 songs each of Amenra, Cave In & Marissa Nadler

FOR FANS OF:
Cave In, Marissa Nadler, Amenra, Converge, Neurosis, Steve Von Till, Townes Van Zandt

The Darling Fire “Dark Celebration”

LP - $14.65
LP UPC: 810017640553
STREET DATE: 4/22/22
CAT #: IOD-SPAR063
LABEL: Iodine Recordings

After years of individual success in some of the scene's most beloved bands, The Darling Fire was born of both deep struggle and deeper friendships. A veritable mosaic of indie notoriety, the band features members or ex-members of The Rocking Horse Winner, Further Seems Forever, Dashboard Confessional, Poison The Well, Shai Hulud, As Friends Rust, and Strongarm among others. The debut album, Dark Celebration, is in many ways what you'd anticipate — energetic, powerful, melodic, and heavy; however, it is far more nuanced than you would imagine. The collective sum of the parts and the alluring heart-on-sleeve lyrics produce a more intimate, spacey and bewitching experience — an authenticity that speaks to the true cathartic nature of the project. The result of their collaboration with producer J. Robbins (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Government Issue) is a powerful coalescence of artistry and vision — a record that five artists spent their entire careers waiting to make.

TRACK LISTING:

1. For the Loveless
2. Nevertwin
3. Omaha
4. Catatonia
5. Silver Spider
6. The Constant
7. Saints in Masquerade
8. In Twilight

MARKETING POINTS:

• Featuring members of: Shai Hulud, The Rocking Horse Winner, As Friends Rust, and Dashboard Confessional
• Playing Furnace Fest 2022 in Birmingham, AL
• US Tour planned for Summer 2022

FOR FANS OF:
Deftones, Nothing, Hum, Narrow Head, Slow Crush

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Thin & The Wind In The Trees "Split"

7"EP - $6.50
STREET DATE: 4/15/22
CAT #: TG053
LABEL: Twelve Gauge

This split EP brings together Thin and The Wind In The Trees two grind-adjacent sounds of their own that compliment one another to deliver 9 minutes of loud, frenzied chaos.

Thin is a 3-piece mathgrind band from New York City. The trio have developed a reputation for quick, cathartic, off-kilter compositions, with similarly chaotic and aggressive live performances. Listening to Thin is the sonic equivalent of rolling around in broken glass, and liking it. For fans of Ed Gein, Maruta, and Discordance Axis.

The Wind In The Trees is a 3-piece grind band from Baltimore made up of guitarist Dave Gill (ex-The Heads are Zeros, No Note), drummer Wade Civitarese and vocalist Brandon Winter (ex-Whenskiesaregray, Leveless). The band, which eschews a bass player in favor of a wall of amps and an octave pedal, delivers a chaotic and punishing performance that belies their minimalist lineup. For Fans of Ion Dissonance, Robinson, Sawtooth Grin.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Thin - I Don't Go on Walks Anymore
2. Thin - Feeding Your Best Friend His Last Meal
3. Thin - Swear to Dog
4. Thin - He Was a Friend of Mine
5. The Wind In The Trees - Eons from Mortality
6. The Wind In The Trees - Thoughts Entombed by Gravity

MARKETING POINTS:

• Thin's second release on Twelve Gauge, following up their debut LP, Dawn.
• The Wind In The Trees features ex-members of Whenskiesaregray, Leveless, The Heads are Zeros, No Note
• On tour this summer

FOR FANS OF:
Ed Gein, Maruta, Discordance Axis

Thin:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

The Wind In The Trees:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Still "Faint"

LP - $14.00
STREET DATE: 4/8/22
CAT #: SDR064
LABEL: Sunday Drive

"Faint" is the debut EP from St. Louis, Missouri shoegaze band, Still. The band was formed in 2020 by Michael Hoeltge, Ben Koeing, David Shanle (New Lives, Time and Pressure), and Chris Wright, with a goal to write something different from their previous bands, primarily consisting of indie, hardcore, and pop-punk music. Still is a drastic change from the aforementioned, incorporating classic elements of shoegaze, with a mix of slowcore.

"Faint" feels like a journey from start to finish—introduced with guitars fading in on "Spinner" and concluding with fuzzy guitars, melodies, and heavy-hitting drums on "Downward". Throughout all of the noise, however, there is still a sense of catchiness, which can be difficult to capture in the genre. Still pull off the sound extremely well, with the help of local St.Louis producer, Gabe Usery, and master engineer, Zac Montez (Cloakroom, Turnover). “What's left to feel with all the sounds, as it all falls down?”

TRACK LISTING:

1. Spinner
2. Heavy
3. Blur
4. Faint
5. Downward

MARKETING POINTS:

• Features members of Time and Pressure, New Lives.
• Mastered by Zac Montez (Cloakroom, Turnover)

FOR FANS OF:
My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Ride, Nothing, Cloakroom

Instagram | Twitter

Doomriders "Darkness Come Alive"

LP - $14.00
LP UPC: 723314784175
STREET DATE: 4/1/22
CAT #: DW95
LABEL: Deathwish Inc.

Recorded and engineered at God City Studios by Kurt Ballou, "Darkness Come Alive" shows a more monstrous Doomriders emerging. Songs like "Jealous God" and "Heavy Lies The Crown" carry a precision and infectious quality, while the title-esque track "Come Alive" is a stunning example of their new found muscle. The opening seconds of the aforementioned sets an electrifying backdrop before erupting into one of the most hook laden ebb and flows of recent memory. Effortlessly throughout the album they continue this bombardment, with rhythm section JR Conners (Cave In) and Jebb Riley (Disappearer) as the hurricane force wind at the back of Chris Pupecki's (Cast Iron Hike) riffs and Nate Newton's (Converge) gritty duel guitar/vocal attack. Shedding influences to stand with them as contemporaries, Doomriders "Darkness Come Alive" is a monumental full length achievement. Proving not only that aggressive music still has much to offer, but that Doomriders are more soulful and heavier than all.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Fade From Black
2. Heavy Lies The Crown
3. Bear Witness
4. Knife Wound
5. Come Alive
6. Night Howler
7. Crooked Path
8. Lions
9. The Equalizer
10. Night Lurker
11. Jealous God
12. Mercy
13. Night Beckons
14. Blood Avenger
15. Bloodsuckers
17. Rotter

MARKETING POINTS:

• Available again color vinyl
• Features Nate Newton (Converge, Cave In, Old Man Gloom)

FOR FANS OF:
Danzig, Torche, Baroness

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Svalbard "Discography 2012 - 2014"

LP - $19.40 / CD - $8.00
STREET DATE: 4/1/22
CAT #: CRR106
LABEL: Church Road

"Svalbard are a great example of a band who have done things The Right Way. Existing as a band for approximately 4 years before releasing their debut album, Svalbard played the slow and steady game, holding their cards relatively close to their chest. This enabled them to finely hone their craft over a number of 7”s, EPs and split releases, each time improving slightly on their songwriting and recording methodology, allowing themselves to experiment and push their sound in different directions along the way. This plan of attack enabled the band to consistently improve without the stringent spotlight, or pressure thereof, of an album. It also, rightly, seemed to keep people wanting more… "

TRACK LISTING:

1. Ripped Apart
2. Grayscale
3. Allure
4. Open The Cages
5. This Is The End
6. Flightless Birds
7. For What It's Worth
8. Melting Hands
9. Never Look Back
10. Pick Up The Pieces
11. Leave It
12. So Much For Meritocracy
13. The Damage Done
14. Anything Goes Nothing Stays

FOR FANS OF:
Alcest, Mew, Tragedy

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Lifesick "Misanthrophy"

LP - $15.95 / CD - $9.60
LP UPC: 305390598138
CD UPC: 305390598145
STREET DATE: 2/11/22
CAT #: ISO034
LABEL: Isolation Rec.

Pure misanthropy – and true and utter disgust for humanity. Three years after the release of ‘Swept In Black’, Lifesick from Fredericia, Denmark are back with their third studio album ‘Misanthropy’ out February 11th, 2022 via Isolation Records.

After releasing their debut album “6 0 1” on Southern Lord Recordings and it’s follow up ‘Swept In Black’ on Isolation Records in 2018, Lifesick are set to release ‘Misanthropy’ into the world. Whilst perfectly blending raw death metal sounds with a punk attitude and extreme rage, Lifesick manage to retain an outstanding texture to their music which goes to show that the Danes know exactly what they are doing. The new album consists of no-nonsense and to the bone metallic hardcore that the band will soon bring to the stages of Europe at Impericon’s Never Say Die Tour in Europe alongside Nasty, Cabal and more as well as Copenhell Festival 2022.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Wolf Among Rats
2. Misantrophy
3. Dies Irae
4. Enslavement Method
5. Necessary Evil
6. Death Stays Close
7. Good For Nothing
8. Ill Will
9. Idolising Crooks
10. Hellmouth

MARKETING POINTS:

• Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege
• Playing Impericon Never Say Die Tour with Nasty in November 2021
• Playing Copenhell 2022
• Previous releases on Southern Lord

FOR FANS OF:
Xibalba, All Pigs Must Die, Entombed

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Hundreds of AU "A Briefing On The Human Condition"

12"EP - $13.35
STREET DATE: 3/25/22
CAT #: PROTAG072
LABEL: Protagonist

Coupling impassioned, melodic crescendos and progressive, technical screamo hardcore, Hundreds of Au are back again with another album of pure energy.

The band has become known for its razor-sharp playing, waves of chaotic sound, and emotional exposure. Moments of desperation and catharsis are woven into the varying layers of these intricate, yet propulsive tracks, all anchored by the stellar musicianship. Each record in their growing catalog is an event, and "A Briefing..." is certainly nothing short of another momentous occasion.

Featuring ex and current members of You and I, Working Through Rust, Hell Mary, The Assistant, Capacities, Estella, Lesser Minds, and more!

TRACK LISTING:

1. 100 Year Test
2. Objective Party
3. Afloat
4. Ancestor Reality
5. Return

MARKETING POINTS:

• Ex and current members of You and I, Working Through Rust, Hell Mary, The Assistant, Capacities, Estella, and more.

FOR FANS OF:
Frail Body, Capacities, Touché Amoré, Respire, For Your Health

Helpless "Caged In Gold"

LP - $16.60 / CD - $8.00
STREET DATE: 3/25/22
CAT #: CRR113
LABEL: Church Road

Just short of five years on from their acclaimed 2017 debut album, Debt, HELPLESS return with their sophomore album - titled Caged In Gold, due for release on March 25 via Church Road Records. Furthering their sonic blueprint of grindcore and discordant noise, the South West, UK trio’s second full length shows that time has not blunted their penchant for extremity in the slightest.

Following tour and standalone show support slots alongside acts such as Full of Hell, Nails and Gatecreeper, as well as festival appearances at Download and Dreadfest, Dan Couch (guitar / vocals) found himself as the sole founding member of HELPLESS before bringing Caged In Gold to life. Fortifying their line-up with the additions of both Simon Walker on bass and vocals and Sam Trenchard on drums and vocals, the three-piece’s second full-length’s gestation period was a complicated but fruitful one.

Caged In Gold is the pith of all that HELPLESS are, as they lay down a gauntlet of ill-natured grind and vitriolic blackened riffs alongside cacophonously inharmonic rhythms. In less than 30 minutes, HELPLESS affirm their growing reputation as masters of callous brevity on cuts such as the jarring The Empty Gesture and frenzy-inducing Unseen Servant, before closing proceedings with complete despondency on the four-minute monolith The Great Silence.

As chock-full of technicality and cohesive malevolence as their sophomore effort is, there’s a starkness to HELPLESS’ sound that is captured in sobering fashion by Chris Nicholls’ painted artwork - a primal terror that lurks in all of us. Which, below the surface of all of HELPLESS’ fury, lies at the heart of the trio’s savage virtuosity.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Wraiths of Memory
2. The Empty Gesture
3. Suppression
4. Another Sunlight
5. Single File
6. Time Worship
7. Focus Group Extraction
8. Unseen Servant
9. Simulacrum
10. The Great Silence

FOR FANS OF:
Nails, Trap Them, Pig Destroyer

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Sundowning “In The Light Of Defeat, I Cease To Exist”

LP - $17.25
LP UPC: 305390598213
STREET DATE: 3/25/22
CAT #: ISO033
LABEL: Isolation

“In The Light Of Defeat, I Cease To Exist” came to life as a humble, even shy idea. Could you trace back the initiating moments of this album, you would probably find an intimate, honest conversation between friends much rather than a musical scenery. Publishing the songs that were written in erratic, explorative songwriting sessions wasn't given much thought – at least in the beginning of the process. Now, ten years after releasing their last studio album "Seizures Of The World", a new understanding of the same musical vision that they shared all along brought the band Sundowning back together.

The Band that is now living scattered in Berlin, Hamburg and the Ruhr-Area was founded in May 2009 by lead vocalist and guitarist Christoph Wietzorek and has existed as the same outfit ever since 2010. Starting out young in the hardcore scene of the Ruhr-Area, Sundowning soon evolved into a solid institution within the European Doom-Metal scene. After several tours and releases, the members focused on other personal projects and the band entered hiatus in 2014.

While Sunn O))), Cult Of Luna and Amenra are still very recognizable influences, “In The Light Of Defeat, I Cease To Exist” is a much more independent and less constricted work than the earlier releases of the band. The soundscape is more consciously chosen and benefits from the individually acquired musical skills of each member. Wind instruments now support heavy, pressing guitar riffs. String sections underline choral, perpetuating vocals. Samples and electronic sounds provide the necessary contrast. All while the thematic subject is more centered and visible: the album continues the narrative of "Seizures Of The World" and tells us about moments of failure, our own weaknesses und unfulfilled longing and hope. Mercilessly, the conflict of living in a steady discrepancy of intention and feasibility is discussed and the adaption to these circumstances is disputed. The blunt honesty of the lyrics is the product of a matured and naturally grown intimacy within the band, that always infused the process that is Sundowning. The album could not have been made in any other constellation.

"In The Light Of Defeat, I Cease To Exist" is the second album of the band Sundowning and will be released into the world on March 25th 2022 via the band’s own label, Isolation Records. The Album was written and composed by the band, consisting of Christoph Wietzorek, Pascal Thönnißen, Markus Uhle and Sebastian Busch. It was recorded and mixed by Nikita Kamprad (Der Weg Einer Freiheit) inside the studios of Ghost City Recordings in the summer of 2021. The record was mastered by acclaimed audio engineers Keith Souza and Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets, known for their work with Lingua Ignota, The Body and Full Of Hell, among many others. Full Of Hell also provided actual content to the record with singer Dylan Walker immensely contributing to the song “Imminent Ache”. The album artwork as well as the video to the first single “Imminent Ache” was directed by Sven Harambašić (Lingua Ignota, Soft Moon, Duma).

TRACK LISTING:

1. Exits Don't Exist
2. Imminent Ache
3. A Prison, A Cage
4. Armor Of Indifference
5. In The Light Of Defeat, I Cease To Exist

MARKETING POINTS:

• First album in 10 years
• Album artwork and music video directed by Sven Harambašić (Lingua Ignota, Soft Moon, Absent In Body)
• Additional vocals contributed by Dylan Walker (Full Of Hell, Sightless Pit, Sore Dream)
• Produced and mixed by Nikita Kamprad (Der Weg Einer Freiheit)
• Mastered by Keith Souza and Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets

FOR FANS OF:
Swans, The Body, Cult Of Luna, Amenra, Neurosis, Primitive Man

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Mad Honey "Promo '22"

CASSETTE - $6.00
STREET DATE: 3/25/22
CAT #: SDR074
LABEL: Sunday Drive

"Chasing, seeking, hiding, silhouetting lies" creates a hazy, dark, and yearning visual. It's the opening line from Oklahoma City's indie/dream-pop band, Mad Honey, and is the most accurate way to describe the band's sound. The band's earliest formation started in 2018 with members Tiff Sutcliffe and Branden Palesano writing music together. The band later came to fruition with members Lennon Bramlett, James Tunell and Austin Valdez joining the band and continued writing and releasing singles such as "Good Grief" and "I Won't Go Easy" most recently in 2021.

In 2022, the band has continued to evolve in their songwriting with more straight-forward indie-rock, but still stays true to their roots with a darker, dream-pop sound—mostly from the distinct voice of Tiff Sutcliffe, who arranges some of the catchiest melodies heard on their new promo tape, with singles, "Odds" and "Euphoria".

Influences from early ’90s dream-pop/shoegaze bands like Lush and My Bloody Valentine, with a mix of contemporaries like DIIV and Beach House can be heard on these new singles, especially from the whirling guitar leads and dual-vocal harmonies. The two tracks easily stay on an endless loop while we look forward to hearing more from what Mad Honey has in store in 2022.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Odds
2. Euphoria

MARKETING POINTS:

• Featuring members of Cursetheknife

FOR FANS OF:
Lush, Beach House, My Bloody Valentine

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Various Artists “Release The Bats: The Birthday Party as Heard Through the Meat Grinder of Three One G”

2xLP - $22.50
LP UPC: 787269113992
STREET DATE: 3/25/22
CAT #: 31G034
LABEL: Three One G

Spawned from the Cave that set the standard for mischievous, perverse, raucous punk music in the form of Australian band The Birthday Party, Three One G Records has set out to pay tribute with Release the Bats. This album is a compilation of covers by varied acts from Cattle Decapitation to Some Girls to Ssion, each undoubtedly influenced in one way or another by The Birthday Party’s wildly entwined goth-punk-jazz-blues sensibilities. Hidden in Das Oath’s feedback and Rah Bras’ unsettling synth lines lie curious, well-written, dark stories, and it’s fascinating to hear them told through the collective distorted echo of the Three One G family. Featuring artwork by Mark McCoy.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower – Pleasure Heads Must Burn
2. Das Oath – Friend Catcher
3. T Cells – Deep In The Woods
4. Cattle Decapitation – Sonny’s Burning
5. Year Future – Blundertown
6. SSion – Nick The Stripper
7. Ex Models – Mutiny In Heaven
8. Les Georges Leningrad – Riddle House
9. Rah Bras – Mr. Clarinet
10. Melt-Banana – Faint Heart
11. The Chinese Stars – The Plague
12. Celebration – King Ink
13. Kill Me Tomorrow – Junkyard
14. Get Hustle – A Dead Song
15. Numbers – Cry
16. Error – Wild World
17. Daughters – Marry Me (Lie Lie)
18. Some Girls – Release The Bats

MARKETING POINTS:

• Originally released in 2006, the vinyl has been out of print for many years.
• Limited to 500 on color vinyl

FOR FANS OF:
Nick Cave, The Birthday Party

Converge “The Poacher Diaries”

12"EP - $14.00
12"EP UPC: 723314783703
STREET DATE: 3/18/22
CAT #: CONCULT007
LABEL: Convergecult

"The Poacher Diaries" sessions were originally released as part of a split album between Converge and ANB on Relapse Records (1999, now OOP). This is the only Converge session to feature the drumming of John DiGiorgio (The End Of The Universe, Canephora).

Converge "The Poacher Diaries" has now been remixed by Kurt Ballou and remastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music. Illustrator Randy Ortiz created artwork inspired by the original release art by Derek Hess. All presented here as a standalone 12"EP/Digital release.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Locust Reign
2. This Is Mine
3. They Stretch For Miles
4. My Great Devastator
5. The Human Shield
6. Minnesota

MARKETING POINTS:

• Remixed by Kurt Ballou
• Remastered by Alan Douches at West West Wide
• New artwork by Randy Ortiz

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Audio Karate "¡OTRA!"

LP - $14.65 / CASSETTE - $7.00
LP UPC: 603111749419
CASSETTE UPC: 603111749440
STREET DATE: 3/18/22
CAT #: IOD21
LABEL: Iodine Recordings

From the suburbs of East Los Angeles, CA, four Mexican American kids came together in 2001 to form the band Audio Karate. Audio Karate developed a unique sound that drew from their many influences such as Descendents and Jawbreaker. Their unique mix of melodic and emotional punk rock helped them develop a big fan base and quickly caught the attention of Kung Fu records, who signed them in 2001 alongside bands like Blink-182 and Tsunami Bomb. Audio Karate were far from being just another “punk” band, and their blend of melodies and hooks set them apart, making it difficult to place them in any one genre. The band has mastered the art of writing infectiously catchy songs with deeply personal lyrics, while still remaining upbeat and fun.

Audio Karate spent the early 2000s touring heavily and shared stages with bands like Blink-182, NOFX, The Ataris, Face to Face, and had many Van’s Warped Tour appearances. Their first studio album “Space Camp” was met with much acclaim from critics and fans, and the band was often featured on MTV and Fuse TV. Their follow up album “Lady Melody” was produced by Bill Stevenson of the Descendents. The record straddled pop-punk convention and technical oddity, with unique key changes and riffs that seemed to sound “wrong” while sounding gloriously right. Even Stevenson wondered how they did it, marveling at times during their recording sessions: “Technically, this shouldn’t work.”

Audio Karate went on a long Hiatus in 2006 and returned in 2018 to record their third album “Malo” for Wiretap Records and support their idols, Descendents, on a U.S. tour. Shortly after their return, the band began working with Iodine Recordings for anther release. “¡OTRA!” is a collection of their rare and unreleased material that spans the history of the band and feature works produced by Bill Stevenson (Descendents/ALL) and Trever Keith (Face to Face). Featuring guest vocals by Agent M / Emily Whitehurst of Tsunami Bomb and new original artwork by Chris Shary (Descendents/Teenage Bottlerocket). “¡OTRA!” contains some of Audio Karate’s best songs that have never been released on vinyl. A soon to be essential volume for pop-punk and emo fans’ collections.

“Well crafted melodic-punk and the passion in the vocals is undeniably infectious. Bill Stevenson once again has produced a gem of a record!” - Punk News

TRACK LISTING:

1. Lovely Residence
2. Segway
3. Care Carelessly
4. Black Covering
5. End Won’t Justify the Means
6. She Looks Good
7. Do You Miss Meaning Everything to Me?
8. Betrayed

MARKETING POINTS:

• Contains all rare and unreleased songs never pressed on vinyl
• Produced by Bill Steveneson (Descendents) and Trever Keith (Face to Face)
• All new artwork by Chris Shary
• Tours and Festival appearances planned for 2022

FOR FANS OF:
Jawbreaker, The Ataris, Jimmy Eat World, The Lawrence Arms, The Menzingers

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