2014's Most Undesirable (Collected Edition)
So, as has become tradition - weâve asked a few friends to contribute Year In Review type lists, and have compiled a pretty cool selection of both what was cool (and what was shitty) in 2014, and some other odds and ends to illustrate what a handful of our friends and peers were gettig into over these past twelve months.
Our first guest entry is from CC, a longtime friend and member of multiple Toronto and Hamilton punk and hardcore bands over the past twenty years. Currently CC is at the helm of Burning Love, the reformed Left for Dead, and most recently his culinary brainchild Magic Vegan Bacon Grease. If you havenât tried that greasy goodness yet, I can attest to it being a highlight of 2014 in my own home, for sure.
2014, Just The Hits:
Behemoth - The Satanist LP
Protomartyr - Live (+ Under Cover of Official Right LP)
Chelsea Wolfe - Pain Is Beauty LP
Timber Timbre - Hot Dreams LP
DâAngelo - The Black Messiah LP
Jarmusch - Only Lovers Left Alive (+ OST)
Johnathan Glazer - Under The Skin
The Babadook (Australia)
Giving in fully to post-Tom Baker Doctor Who
Quitting a 14-year job on a leap of faith into the void.
Josh McAlear (IG, JoshMcAlear.com)
Tattooer, Illustrator, Horror/Exploitation film obsessed. Liker of records.
Josh came across my radar this year when I stumbled across his excellent work as a tattoo artist. Then I quickly realized I have a ton of albums heâs done art for. You may know his work for Midnight, Battle Ruins, Boston Strangler, Hour of 13, and Nuclear War Now, and more. If not - well I highly recommend getting on that. His interest in the occult, stoner rock, 60âs and 70âs animation, and psychadleia is evident, and fluidly combined. Give a peek to the links to his pages above,
Top ten records I listened to this year (only two of which came out this year)
1) Repulsion- âHorrifiedâ 1989 (probably my all time favorite album)
2) Motorhead- âOverkillâ 1979
3) Repugnant- âEpitome of Darknessâ 2006
4) Motorhead- âOrgasmatronâ 1986
5) Anatomia âDecaying in Obscurityâ 2012
6) Alain-Goraguer- âLa Planete Sauvage OSTâ 1973
7) Hookers- âIts Midnight⌠The Witching Hourâ 2014
8) Pagan Altar- âTime Lordâ 2004/1978
9) Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats- âBlood lustâ 2011
10) MESMERVAT- âNight of Catastrophic Magicâ Demo 2014
Joshua Scott (Radiation Blackbody, Defeatist, Anodyne)
As a longtime fan of Anodyne, a few friends mentioned Radiation Blackbody this year and I was pleased to find out that the amazing rhythm section of Joshua Scott and Joel Stallings had continued beyond their most recent grind band (Defeatist) and continued to leave, breathe, and blast. Iâm pretty sure a few weeks later I was looking up Melvins stuff on Instagram and stumbled across Joshâs profile, eventually commenting on a picture of an Anodyne records and feeling somewhat foolish and creepy when he responded (though he was friendly and seemingly unalarmed himself.) This is all for the best, as it eventually lead to Anthems carrying a fuckton of RBB albums (and by proxy, Nerve Altar releases) which I both enjoy sand recommend wholeheartedly.
Here were some of Joshuaâs picks from 2014:
Brutal Blues - s/t (Nerve Altar)
ADD space jams from the deranged Norwegian mind behind Parlimentarisk Sodomi and Psudoku.
Dead Congregation - Promulgations of the Fall (Norma Evangilium Diaboli)
Disturbing density pulling everything from orbit and crushing it into tiny bits.
Gas Chamber - Hemmorhaging Light (Iron Lung)
Buried in dirt and ressurected to exist on an unattainable plane. The finest gentlemen making the finest records.
Gath Šmânê - Transmuted Marrow (Blutige Magie)
Half of Copremesis joins half of Geryon to produce the best death metal this year. Get this tape immediately. Inexorable Death Metal Supremacy.
NARC - 2014 Tape (Self-released)
Dirging two-piece grind with surgical strike drumming and deadpan bass.
Pissgrave - s/t tape (Graceless)
This might have come out last year, but I only heard it recently, despite Aaronâs best endeavors to get me to listen. Blown out monolithic death metal with distorted grunts about gore and violence and none of that stupid devil shit.
Raw Distractions/ Sad Boys/ Stagnation - Japan 2014 (Hardcore Survives)
Two from Japan and one from Nuke York. Raw Distractions are favorite this year. Looking forward to their 2015 tour. A full side of Sad Boys, and surprised to find I actually like these songs.
Teitanblood - Death (The Ajna Offensive)
Sit in cold empty rooms with cheap beer and a blanket on the floor. No windows. Review your mistakes.
Water Torture - Pillbox (Nerve Altar)
WWII mutation grind from naked cat owners. The LP weâve all been waiting for.
Zyanose - Putrid Sick Society (Brain Solvent Propaganda) One drummer and two bass players in giant rubber Mickey Mouse boots producing high-end blown-out noise in short intense bursts. Always see them live. Always throw beer cans.
Aaron Nichols (Nerve Altar Records, Defeatist)
Aaron sang and played guitar for the criminally underrated Defeatist. These days he operates the only slightly better appreciated Nerve Altar Records, who have out out excellent records by the likes of Water Torture, Gas Chamber, Haapohej, Brutal Blues, and more in recent years. One of my favorite places to get new stock for Anthems.
Best Live Sets I Was Witness To In 2014
1. Gas Chamber @ ABC No Rio, NYC
The show that almost didnât happen. Despite the supposedly burgeoning scene in Brooklyn right now (or perhaps, because of it) I was unable to find a promoter willing to take this show on or book a venue for this myself. Every venue in town was spoken for at least eight weeks in advance and it was getting down to the wire. Dyami at ABC No Rio was able to book a last minute early show on a weeknight, which is extremely rare for the venue. Starting directly at 6pm with a strict 9pm curfew, it was going to be a tight one and I was getting anxious that this show would flop. Luckily my fear was unfounded as the show was well attended and went without a hitch. Gas Chamber has to be the most intense band going right now by far. Completely devastating on all fronts.
2. Virus (x2) @ St Vitus, Brooklyn
Carl-Michael Eide is one of my few musical heroes, his work in Cadaver, Aura Noir and especially Virus are all constants in my playlist. I had a small crew of folks flying in from out of town for Virusâ first live shows in the US. Both sets were flawless and eye opening.
3. Pleasure Leftists @ Acheron, Brooklyn
Surprisingly killer set from this Clevo post-punk crew. I like the records quite a bit but being able to see whatâs actually happening with the guitars opened it up quite a bit more. Plus Haley Morris is a true weirdo, in the best sense of the word. Not many people can pull off a sequined polyester onesie on stage.
4. Whitehorse @ St Vitus, Brooklyn
Iâve seen these Aussie creepers a few times before but there was always something lacking in previous shows, usually due to the PA not being able to handle the amount of power they dish out. This particular set was completely devastating and physically enveloping and gave me a later-era Corrupted vibe, a reference I do not make lightly.
5. Dead Congregation @ St Vitus, Brooklyn
Perfect Death Metal executed perfectly. Accept nothing less.
6. Sex Dwarf @ Acheron, Brooklyn
Another surprise set as Sex Dwarfâs recorded output doesnât really stand out much to me. Live, this group is another matter. Squelching, fizzling d-beat noise attack but the rhythm nods more towards their native Scandinavian d-beat roots than the current crop of Japanese noise mongers they are obviously aping from. Band name referencing one of my favorite records ever doesnât hurt either.
7. Alberich @ St Vitus, Brooklyn
Iâm only recently familiar with the Alberich catalog but the cassette works comps that Hospital has been assembling stand out to me because of their depth and scope in tone and range. And while Iâm usually pretty dubious of a pudgy nerd wearing cop shades and taking himself way too seriously standing in front of a bunch of boxes on a cardboard table on a stage, Iâll be damned if this basement Nietzsche didnât have some sick beats at the ready to propel what could have been the usual linear white-noise-with-a-white-guy-yelling-over-it thatâs youâve seen a hundred times into actual compositions. If the crowd wasnât so sparse that night, a sad pasty dance party would have surely ensued.
8. NARC @ Cobra Lounge, Brooklyn
Caught the homies a few times before but this might have been the only one this year and in the back of a random bar in Bushwick. These dudes are doing it right, absolutely punishing bass and drum grindcore in the vein of Siege or Peel Sessions era Napalm. Emil has to be the hardest hitter in the biz and rad people to boot.
9. Inmates @ Le Poisson Rouge, NYC
Clevo mooks make the girls go crazy. Gold chains and syrup makes me lazy. Only show I saw during NYâs Alright Fest, mainly due to every fucking show being completely sold out.
10. Multicult @ 538 Johnson, Brooklyn
Some of my favorite left-of-center musicians from different genres (The Wayward, Triac, etc) pump out angular noise rock with groove and urgency. Theyâve been in town quite a bit lately but this particular set may be one of my favorites despite the weird loft party vibe and lack of stage management just due to the urgency and turning the hipster crowd of complete strangers to their favor by the time they were finished. Always leave them wanting more.
Taylor Geddes (Absurd Exposition, Scream & Writhe Distro, Subsist, Ahna)
Taylor is a kindred spirit to say the least, and it seems that our efforts to both operate physical stores, book shows, run mail-order, and have local pop-ups have kept us connected and trading contacts, records, and stories for several years now. This year he migrated from Vancouver BC to Montreal, and has since inundated my home with eBayed powervilence records he eventually expects me to give to him. (This seems marginally likely.)
2014 was a big year for me and isnât as easy to write about in short form as 2013 was. SUBSIST disbanded, I finished my stint in AHNA, I moved across the country, I got a - relatively speaking - dream job, Iâve made new friends and miss my old ones back home, we all lost some good people, my great aunt turned 100, I met some of the year-end goals I set out to accomplish with Scream & Writhe, and Iâm still broke.
Here, then, are some of my favourite shows from the year that I could gather enough words about. Honourable mentions to BRIDGEBURNER (x3), DEATHWINDS (x2), EYEHATEGOD, GRAVES AT SEA, HAGGATHA, INTERNAL ROT (aka my final set with AHNA), OSK (x5), SIX BREW BANTHA (x5), VACANT STATE, and WILLY TEA TAYLOR (x2), who were all amazing but for the purpose of keeping things somewhat short shall be left as simple name-drops.
NOMAD / PURA MANIA
February 25 - 333, Vancouver, BC Lots of people are starting to pay attention to PURA MANIA, as they rightfully should. A good, catchy, solid band fronted by Rafael whom I love. Theyâre great every time I see them and Iâm anticipating getting my hands on the two new 7âs. I wouldnât have been at this show if it wasnât for them, and Iâm thankful to them because I got to see an amazing set by NOMAD. A set of chaotic, fast, tight punk that lasted only about 10 minutes, and it was perfect. DISCHARGE in 2014.
SUBSIST & BURROW OWL February 22 - Alf House, Vancouver, BC February 27 - Slabtown, Portland, OR February 28 - The Meat Suite, Seattle, WA Though SUBSIST played our final show in July, these three shows in collaboration with BURROW OWL were far more memorable and enjoyable. The Alf House show was the best. It was our first show back after a bit of time off and we had been jamming a lot in preparation for recording some new material (which will hopefully see the light of day at some point). This was the best BUMFLAP set. RIP that band. In Portland we got to play with REDNECK, hang out with many cats, eat at Sizzle Pie, and spend not nearly enough time or money at Powellâs Books. In Seattle we were treated to the best vegan tacos Iâve ever eaten, cooked up by Haroldo of CAPITALIST CASUALTIES fame.
The next night was this killer gig:
INFEST / IRON LUNG / GEHENNA March 1 - El Corazon, Seattle, WA
"Weâre Infest. First song: Mankind." Thatâs all the summation one needs, really. GEHENNA ended their set with a DISCHARGE cover. IRON LUNG were great. I then proceeded to get kicked in the head numerous times while INFEST lay waste to Seattle for 20 minutes. A perfect way to end a punk excursion.
HEAD HITS CONCRETE / CETASCEAN March 22 - Stabmonton Fest, Edmonton, AB March 25 - The Astoria, Vancouver, BC March 27 - The Gun Club, Squamish, BC March 28 - The Red Gate, Vancouver, BC Winnipegâs greatest offerings. Amazing humans and amazing musicians. CETASCEAN came through BC last year and SUBSIST played with them at the Chateau Ouest (RIP), but it wasnât until this time that I realized how great of a band they actually are. Totally crushing and relatively short (aka perfect) sets. HEAD HITS CONCRETE are just unreal. Watching and listening to Mike introduce the song âPhoenixâ every night, especially at the Squamish show, is incredibly moving. Couple that with Brad and Darcyâs amazing musicianship and you have a band that needs to continue to be making music for as long as possible. AHNA played with them in Edmonton and Vancouver, SUBSIST played with them in Squamish, and that was one of the best weeks of my year. I love all of these guys and I hope we get to do this again on the east coast soon.
VANCOUVER NOISE FESTIVAL May 3 - The Remington, Vancouver, BC This was the first noise fest in two years that I didnât co-organize with Anju as I had moved out of Vancouver and back to Chilliwack in preparation for my big move to Montreal. Top acts: BLUE SABBATH BLACK CHEER, UNEXAMINE, RUSALKA, BT.HN, GRIEFER, WORKER, BURROW OWL.
GORDON ASHWORTH June 1 - The Red Gate, Vancouver, BC Headed to this one after SUBSIST played a backyard gig at the Alf House with THROAT SLITTER, OSK and SCAPHE. I think I counted 9 people in attendance including performers and the 3 people I dragged with me to the show. This abysmal turnout did not stop GORDON ASHWORTH from playing an utterly amazing set. I donât have any words other than that. Utterly amazing. Saw him again in October at Casa del Popolo in Montreal alongside WORK/DEATH, and while it was another great set it couldnât touch the amazing atmosphere that was created at the show in June. Another great human, another great musician.
MOVING FROM VANCOUVER TO MONTREAL July 18-27 - CANADUH
A tale for a different post in a different place.
RRROOOAAARRR August 1-3 - La Sala Rosa, Montreal, QC
Just a few days after I arrived in Montreal this amazing fest went down. The amount of people in attendance from Vancouver and Seattle made me feel like I hadnât even left BC. I didnât get a chance to check out any of the smaller hardcore shows, but the three big nights at Sala were more than enough. IRON LUNG never fails, ever. Iâve seen those guys as many times in my 5 months on this side of the country as I have in my entire life on the west coast. Much respect to two more great humans doing great things. NOOTHGRUSH were much better than when I saw them in Oakland last year. Things started to get real on the second night, though. BLASPHEMY were perfect. I canât remember the last time I felt so ecstatic and content during a bandâs set. Absolutely perfect. The final night was the first time I was able to see ABYSS. Dave and co blew me away. Being on this side of the country enables much more frequent hangouts with the ABYSS / COLUMN OF HEAVEN contingent and thatâs something I couldnât be happier about. More great musicians and humans that Iâm stoked to have as friends. The entire weekend at RRROOOAAARRR lead up to what may have been the single most consistently intense thing I have ever witnessed: the unrelenting ferocity of REVENGE. Another set that no words can do justice. Sheer brutality.
IMPALERS August 20 - Loudhouse, Montreal, QC The first standard gig I attened after moving to this city. A two-band bill with MUECO opening. An oogle burned my arm with a cigarette, but IMPALERS were great.
PELVIC FLOOR / VILE INTENT August 31 - Flywheel, Easthampton, MA Drove some of the members of these bands down to Massachusetts for this gig. The show itself was arlight, but the real treat was staying with Will Dandy and Meghan Minoir of AMPERE fame (and Will also of ORCHID fame). Great hosts with a beautiful house and a cute cat named Patches. I talked to Will briefly about old Clean Plate releases and there was a promo poster on the wall for the BORN AGAINST / MAN IS THE BASTARD 8â. A pleasant evening.
FARANG / ABYSS October 25 - La Vitrola, Montreal QC ABYSS was good and all but holy shit, FARANG. Their recordings do them no justice. See this band live. Theyâre fast, theyâre catchy, they donât let up. Thereâs nothing more to ask for.
THEE NODES December 21 - Godot, Montreal, QC
I canât say too much about the bands at this show as there were at least 100 people crammed into this tiny aparment. I enjoyed what I saw of DRIP, a new Montreal band, but couldnât get a reasonable spot to see any of EFFET WERTHER or GLUE. This was THEE NODESâ final show. Mr. Node is probably dead by now from whatever disgusting, weird disease he contracted. For more information on that, see the documentary âWho Are You Mr. Node?â when it becomes available online or whatever. More to the point: THEE NODES played a good set, but my main reason for including this in my list is how much of an important gig this was. 100 people in a house in the dead of winter to see a band live out its final moments. Vancouver readers can compare it to the last WAR HERO show at the Chateau a few years ago. Iâm very excited to see where things go and to get more involved with the Montreal branch of punk rock in 2015.
THE REST:
Not seeing COLUMN OF HEAVEN or RADIOACTIVE VOMIT at all this year.
The GAS CHAMBER show in Ottawa getting canceled. Having to miss Not Deat Yet at the last minute.
Losing heroes (Brian Goble, Pete Seeger), and more importantly: losing friends.
In memory of Dave Finkelman, Taylor Scott, Odin, and every one else weâve lost this year.
Ty Merriam (Anthems of the Undesirable minion and Web Support for Old Man Aircraft. My only friend born in the â90s)
If youâre local, youâve probably noticed that Andrew, Joey, and Ty have been my go-to dudes for Anthems-related activties for several years. When I need a hand loading the distro into a venue, packing orders, stuffing records, or doing anything more complicated than microsoft paint type art, Ty has become my right-hand man - and his help was invaluable numerous times in 2014. Here are some of his selections for the best of the yearâŚ
Clockwork Indigoâ EP
This is a small collaborative album from Flatbush Zombies and The Underachievers. Itâs a solid release from two very talented underground hip hop artists.
(FFO: Joey Bada$$, Steez, Pro Era)
Moutheater - Passing Key LP
The new full length from Virginiaâs best kept secret is heavy and emotional. They did a fantastic job on this one, and thereâs not much else to say. If you havenât heard it, what are you waiting for? KNFRS
(FFO: Nirvana, Unsane, Young Widows)
NehruvianDOOMs â s/t LP
Itâs safe to say that my favorite rapper of current day is DOOM - may it be his solo stuff as Viktor Vaughn or MF Doom, or his collab stuff as DangerDOOM, or Madvillian. This new collab with the young rapper Bishop Nehru is incredible. They both bring a different style to the table, and while I wasnât a big fan of Nehruâs solo stuff, I hope that he has a chance to bring what he brought to the table with project to his solo stuff, and Iâm excited to see if these two collaborate again in the future.
(FFO: MF Doom)
âNightcrawlerâ (Dan Gilroy)
No, this film has nothing to do with the superhero from the X-Men, but it is an amazing movie staring Jake Gyllenhaal (who deserves an award for this performance - itâs amazing.) The cinematography is just incredible. The lighting, the camera angles, practically every shot is executred with such purpose and direction - it might be my favorite film for this year, and Gyllenhaal deserves the Oscar for best actor for his Bateman-esque portrayal of a true sociopath.
Destiny
This is the new game from Bungie Studios, who made the Halo games for Xbox up untill Halo 4, when 343 Studios took over - but away from that this game has an amazing vision, and the gameplay is totally something else. It plays more closely to that of the original Halo 2 multiplayer (that i spent countless hours playing with my friends when i was younger) and this new game from them is everything I wanted from that and then some.
Guardians of the Galaxy & Awesome Mix, Vol.1
Okay, so this spot goes to two things: the movie and the offcial soundtrack, but this was a surprise to me because I love comic book films and still had no idea who the Gaurdians of the Galaxy were. So you have a talking racoon and giant anthropomorphic tree, and I figure âI guess Iâll give it a shot.â James Gunn knocked this one out of the park. It was shot awesomely, and my god did I enjoy the end credit scene. The movie was hilarious and the soundtrack was awesome. It fit the movie well â bringing familiarity to an other-worldly film. I definitely find myself just singing it while driving.
Turnover - Blue Dream EP
Only an EP, but man was this good. These guys have came a very long way and their success is well deserved. I have to say if they keep up like this, Iâll be happy.
(FFO: Title Fight, Citizen, Get Up Kids)
Code Oranges - I Am King LP A very good follow up and to a very good first full length witch i loved and thought was fantastic and this full length far surpasses anything i could have thought a follow up could be from a band.
(FFO: Disembodied, Converge, 108)
Foxings - The Albatross LP
Melodic emo full of trumpets and pianos. Itâs beautiful, and every time I hear one song, I want to hear the whole album again. Well written, lyrically and musically from a fantastic little overlooked band and album. I hope to see them get more exposure in the future.
(FFO: American Football, Old Gray, Mansions)
Dads â Iâll Be The Tornado LP
Dads has been on a hot streak lately with releases like âThe Pretty Good EPâ and âAmerican Radassâ theyâre just putting out good emo at the top of the third-wave revival wave and this new album is full of everything youâd come to expect from the two and improves on it. I love that they are getting the attention from people, they deserve it.
John Fatigate and Rusty Painter (Trustfall, Wolfcastle)
The members of Trustfall are among a pocket of the younger Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Hampton Roads scene that truly inspire me. They opened a DIY venue in Virginia Beach that operated without hitch for a year, avoiding the usual hazards of VBHC (fights, vandalism, etc.) and hosted hundred of punk, hip hop, and indie shows without interference from the police of VBFD. Since then, Trustfall has released a 7â and LP on Flannel Gurl records, and self-released a limited edition 8â Lathe Cut that sold out promptly. The band went to Boson last summer to record the debut full length with Will Killingsworth (Orchid, Ampere, Failures, Vaccine, etc.) Trustfallâs âSecret Keeperâ is available on vinyl here, and copies will be in the Anthems webstore shortly.
Self Defense Family - Try Me
The bulk of my listening for the first half of 2014 was centered around this album. I havenât had that âyes this song is next and then itâs THAT songâ thrill in some time. Donât skip the interview disc.
Moutheater - Passing Key
What a dense record. Undeniably catchy melodies lay beneath this monolith and makes for a genuinely fun listen despite how negative of an album it is.
Bloodpheasant - Traum
Doomy, swampy, folk-tinged dirges. Shannonâs voice guides you through labyrinthine guitar work, and when the riffs hit, they hit hard.
The Hotelier - Home, Like No Place is There
An intensely personal record that is extremely confident in the way it lays it all on the line. An extremely well-crafted punk rock album.
Gas Chamber - Hemorrhaging Light
Sinister and wormhole-traversing hardcore that still manages to make a concise statement. Heavy as sin.
Weak Teeth - So Youâve Ruined Your Life
After a few years these guys have finally come back with an album thatâs even more pissed off than their earlier efforts, coupled with a production value that does their nuanced songwriting justice.
The Replacements @ Forest Hills Stadium
I got the chance to see one of my all-time favorite bands in New York City. I teared up during âAndrogynous.â
Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
If this record had been released in 2014, it would have been the best record of 2014.
Turnstile
Am I missing something here? Whatâs the appeal? Itâs a shitty distillation of ignorant hardcore and 311. I have a perverse fondness of both of those things and it still sucks.
Holy Land
Is vaguely weird metallic hardcore supposed to be this boring? Next.
Joyce Manor
This band has always sucked and even playing the nostalgia card by trying to sound like Third Eye Blind hasnât helped.
Van Holtenâs Dill Pickle Popcorn
Conceptually, incredible. However, this ended up being the biggest disappointment of 2014. Taste and texture could be likened to cotton balls that dabbed up pickle juice off of the floor.
Rusty Painter: Top Video Game Scoreâs of 2014âŚ
Rakuga Kids (N64) - Rakuga Kids is, as far as I know, the only capcom-esque fighting game on the 64 that never made itâs way to America. Little kidsâ crayon drawings coming to life and fighting each other. The art style is the first thing about this game that caught my attention, but it actually turned out to be a pretty dang good fighter too. Also thereâs a hip hop cat.
Red Alarm (VB) - 2014 was also the year of the Virtual Boy. After getting one on a sweet craigslist deal, I was on the hunt for games. Red Alarm is a 3rd/1st person shoot em up that, once you get past the mind bleeding black and red wire frame, itâs just the kinda game the Virtual Boy needs! Totally worth sitting up all night playing until your eyeballs melt.Â
Dinosaurs for Hire (GEN) - Do you like shooting stuff? Do you like dinosaurs? Do you like dinosaurs in leather jackets and sunglasses shooting stuff? You like Dinosaurs for Hire. Think of it like Contra meets Weâre Back.Â
Night Trap (32x/CD) - Oh yes Night Trap. The grand daddy of all horribly acted âlive actionâ video games. Cool teens, hot babes, ninja looking goons with weird neck choking gun things, cheesy booby traps, and I think vampires or some stuff too, yeah thatâs there. All whoâs fate relies on you watching a bunch of CCTV screens while you dig through your garage for more surge protectors to plug in your Genesis, 32X, and Sega CD all at the same time.Â
Metal Storm (NES) - I bought a lot of NES and shoot-em-up games this year, and this on has to be one of/if not the best of both those worlds. Who doesnât want to shoot robots as a sick ass mech!? The character design, dual layer backgrounds, good tunes, and the ability to switch gravity at any time really make this shmup stand out. Not may games for the NES could pull off the two backgrounds or the amount of enemies and projectiles, yet Metal Storm manages to without dropping frame rate.Â
Super Mario World 64 (GEN) - do you absolutely love Super Mario World for the snes? Then super Mario World 64 for the Sega Genesis isnât for you! This botchy-ass âportâ of Super Mario World will ruin everything youâve ever felt for it. The frame rate fluctuates horribly, Mario damn near impossible to control and sometimes teleports, and when you beat the game the jeopardy theme plays. Yup.
Kid Dracula (FAM) - This year I got a Twin Famicom and I made damn sure this was one of the first games I picked up for it! The cutest of all Castlevania spin-offs that plays more like a Mega Man game. Though not as difficult, itâs a heck of a lot of fun, and I found myself playing it more often than both my Castlevania and Mega Man titles lately.
Monster Party (NES) - This year my life was graced with Monster Party, an action platformer full of wacky horror movie spoofs and cheesy jokes.This game has about everything I love about old games. The storyline makes no sense, the enemies are bonkers and one boss takes the form of a GIANT ONION RING. The logical limit of gaming as far as Iâm concerned.Â
Super Smash Bros 4 (WiiU/3DS) - A new Smash game came out this year so it obviously has to be on the list. More characters, more combos, more hit stun, better online, and currently the reason I havenât played any new games this year since it came out in October. Break out yer wallets for some $40 Amiibos.
Duck Tales 2 (NES) - I ended this year acquiring a personal white whale, the elusive, not easy to find, Duck Tales 2. Definitely a step up from the first game as far as graphics and gameplay, which can be hard when making a sequel for one of the most classic games on the NES. Heck we even got moving backgrounds! Hello world, I got a Duck Tales 2 this year.
Nathan Adkins and Josh Clark (Head2Wall Records)
I connected with Nathan and Josh a few years ago when they offered to put out the vinyl version of Moutheaterâs âOrnament.â Then you know what I did? I ganked the fuck out of the next Moutheater record right out from under them. HA! You got punkâd, nerds!
Iâm kidding. Head2Wall rules - these guys are putting out stuff all over the board, from Self Defense Family, to pop punk (Bracket), to atypical but heavy hardcore (Eternal Sleep) and post-hardcore (Headacher). A young label hard at work to ensure they continue putting out albums by left-of-center bands.
Nathan Adkins (Head2Wall Records)
1. Thing on the net⌠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eR2MC3e8ss Not from this year but I saw this for the first time in 2014. Changed my life.
2. Best LP⌠Raspberry Bulbs - Privacy
Runner up being Spine - Time Has Gone. I had put the True Love 12â here but itâs an EP oops. And it didnât even end up being the top EPâŚ.
3. Best EP⌠No Sir, I Wonât - The Whole Fucking World Is Shit.
Punkest thing Iâve heard since Who Killed Spikey Jacket?
4. Best Demo⌠Last Crusade Demo.
Real fucking Oi!
5. Best Show⌠Anti-Nowhere League @ Punk Rock Bowling.
Might be the best show of my life. Still canât believe I finally saw my favorite band. Fuck. Wild times.
6. Best Zine⌠Neutral Accents zine #6.
The fifth issue was better.
7. Best Blog⌠stenchofthedeath.blogspot.com.
Gold, all of it gold. You can find a few things off this list on there.
8. Best Merch⌠Rancid hockey mask.
It was a steal for only $15.
9. Best Comic⌠Trillium.
It started last year but ended in 2014. I recommend buying the single issues rather than the trade, itâs more fun to read that way.
10. Best Movie⌠Guardians Of The Galaxy
Interstellar was a far off second but I also loved it. If you didnât like that one you didnât get it.
Josh Clark (Head2Wall Records)
Top 10 full-lengths of 2014, in no particular order, except where indicated.
You will notice a recurring theme of cynicism and curmudgeonliness throughoutâŚ
Seizures â The Sanity Universal
Although techinically originally released last year, the LP and subsequent explosion were this year, so Iâm counting it. Those of us old enough to remember âthe Botch thingâ from the first time around tend to have mixed feelings about its return. But this album KILLS it. A double LP can be like kryptonite to a busy person with a punk rock attention span, but this thing is amazing, from start to finish. Probably the best technical/mathy hardcore album in a decade.
Sun Kil Moon â Benji
I will be the first to admit that Mark Kozelekâs ability to arrange vocals over his music seems to have gotten somewhat sloppy and lazy in recent years. But he is still the best singer/songwriter out. Maybe ever. To call him prolific would be a gross understatement, considering heâs averaging something like 2 LPs a year lately, under his various band names, but every single one is incredible. This one is especially relatable to me, because it deals significantly with his childhood and adolescence in our shared home state of Ohio.
Run The Jewels â RTJ2
Ok, time for the obligatory âI swear Iâm not a square, out of touch, thirty-something, family manâ rap album⌠But seriously, these guys are filling a void in my listening of recent years, for intelligent, creative, politically relevant hip-hop. Like about a zillion other people, my first introduction to El-P was through his involvement with Aesop Rockâs 2001 powerhouse, Labor Days. I followed El-P closely for years afterward, but had kind of lost interest lately. Killer Mike, I had never really taken seriously, for a variety of totally superficial reasons (on a major label, friends with the mind-blowingly overrated Outkast, etc.). But, after hearing their collaboration on these two masterpieces, I feel like I have a lot of catching up to doâŚ
Shellac â Dude Incredible
I am, by no means, a Steve Albini superfan. But when he nails it, he NAILS it. Shellac has an absolutely uncanny ability to combine heavy, rock riffing, with dissonant noisiness, and this album is a perfect example of exactly that skill. Not a lot of bands continue to get better and better as their members plow through their forties and into their fifties, but they are clearly the exception. I cannot wait to hear what comes next. I just hope itâs not another seven yearsâŚ
Braid â No Coast
As a general rule, I hate it when my favorite bands get back together after a long period of inactivity. Although there are a few notable exceptions (I honestly believe that some of Helmetâs very best riffs are on 2004âs Size Matters), the result is almost always just a very obvious attempt to recreate an emotional state that is no longer accessible to the members of the band. Which is exactly how I felt about the first new Braid material. On No Coast, however, I feel like they achieved a nearly impossible feat: they have become a totally new, and independently excellent band, that just happens to share the name and members of one of the best bands of the â90s. Itâs in the same general family as their previous material, I guess, but much more polished, and adult, and current sounding.
Moutheater â Passing Key
As much as I would like to say that the Moutheater album we released was their best material, it is not the case. This band, despite long silent stretches, just gets better and better. They continue to explore and redefine their sound, without ever losing what fundamentally makes them who they are and, without exception, every record is better than the one before it. This album is such a perfect document of angst and emotional fragility, without ever coming across as whiny or self-pitying. And the music is as ugly, and disgusting, and crushing as ever. In the best possible way. I am very jealous that we did not release this. A very close second for my album of the yearâŚ
Aviator â Head In The Clouds, Hands In The Dirt
Talk about a record that caught me off guard⌠I have always liked this band, but I was NOT prepared for this album. It is the logical next step in their self-described âtoo mad for the emo gig, too sad for the hardcore gigâ adventure, but the leap they took here is almost incomprehensible. Every listen reveals new and interesting layers. They are often compared to Self Defense Family, which I think Self Defense Family should take as a tremendous complimentâŚ
DIVORCE. â LIFERS
As much as I feel like itâs a conflict of interest to mention an album that we released here, and as much as it may compromise the integrity of my list, I just couldnât not include this. It is, without a doubt, my favorite full-length of the year. Beautiful lyrics, disarmingly perfect vocal performances, an interesting and totally unpredictable (but never disruptive or distracting) rhythm section, and guitars that play so incredibly to and against one another, have kept this thing on nearly constant repeat for months. It is new and different, but at the same time reminiscent of so many of my favorite emo/indie/alternative bands from the â90s.
Illustrations â In Vain
Another one that SORT OF came out last year. But Iâm counting it. Perhaps itâs a function of my age, but it is very hard for me to take music seriously that isnât available in a physical format. I got this shockingly self-released masterpiece (with a beautiful layout by Give Up) earlier this year, and was absolutely mindblown. Dark hardcore/metal bands may be a dime a dozen these days, but that just makes the ones that stand out that much more impressive. I had the good fortune of seeing them live this year, too, and they were absolutely incredible. I canât wait to hear what comes next.
Mark Kozelek â Sings Christmas Carols
Despite a deep opposition to most of the things that Christmas represents, I love everything about it. The movies, the decorations, the music⌠Especially the music. I know most people think of an artistâs Christmas album as disposable at best, and a poorly disguised money-grab at worst. But I donât care. I love it. And, for what itâs worth, I really donât think thatâs the case here, anyway. Covering everything from the classics to 2,000 Miles, by the Pretenders, this is exactly what I needed this year. It will take its place by (though definitely behindâŚ) Kenny Rogersâ Christmas in my holiday music rotation.
Willem-Jan Kneepkens (Left For Dead, Acid Deathtrip)
I was introduced to Willem at Not Dead Yet 2013. My girlfriend saw he was wearing a Torche hoodie and mentioned how much she enjoys them as well. Willem insisted on giving her the literal shirt off his back, and since then has continued to send Torche and Floor related mail to us on a regular basis. He is without a doubt one of the most sincere and friendly people Ive ever met, but heâs also a badass guitarist and loves pissed off hardcore. And actually, a surprising amount of sludge and doom for a vegan straight edge dude. Willem plays bass in the current incarnation of Left For Dead and guitar for the underrated Dutch doom outfit Acid Deathtrip.
Blind To Faith - Under The Heptagram 12â EP
Best European band since a LONG time. Gnarly riffs, filthy drumsâŚlove it!!
House of Lighting - Light worker LP
After a second listen the record grew more and more on me. Great riffing, great band!
Mastodon - Once More âRound The Sun LP
Love the progressive rock vibe, killer record.
Monolord - Empress Rising LP
Nasty stoner doom metal record. Sounds like Sleep meets Electric Wizard
Gehenna - Funeral Embrace 7â
Need no introduction, filthy as ever.
Windhand/Salemâs Pot 10â
Windhand side rules, the melodic sweeping vocals and dark riffingâŚ.best stuff they have recorded yet!
Haymaker - Let Them Rot 7â
Pissed off as ever.
Seeing Siege (sort of)
We had some shows Left For Dead. While driving up to Rhode Island, Chris started talking about Siege. Didnât realize he was talking about him singing a song with Rob Williams on drums, Brian/Dropdead on bass and Ben/Dropdead on guitar.
Saint Vitus live at Dutch Doom Days, Rotterdam Bass player looked like he was cut out of cardboard, barely moved on stage. Wino high on dope⌠great show!!!!
Blind To Faith at Ieperfest
Pure mayhem. Never saw so much hate, violence and casualties at a show.
Mike Lawson (Kingshead, Tarpit)
Mike played in some of the most important VBHC bands of the past fifteen years, and for a sizable period booked shows in the area consistently and ran a practice space hosting the likes of Iron Boots, Victim, Wasted Time, and Tarpit. Beyond this though, heâs pretty fucking hilarious, and each year I eagerly await his snarky list of overrated bullshit from the twelve months prior.
I donât consider myself a pessimist, a cynic, or even a âhaterâ, maybe a wet blanket to an extent, but certainly a skeptic. I typically donât like things that most of my peers do. With that in mind, these are music things from this year that I didnât like.
Code Orange - I Am King.
From the cover art to the last note, this album just screams âNuâ. I listened to this record and when I close my eyes I can see the army of former juggalos clearing out the pit at any one of the 400 hardcore fests that happen around the country. I donât really like this band.
Rancid - Honor is All We Know.
I didnât expect this to be any good, it really just drives home what youâd expect from a band whoâs ran its course for 20 years and still tries to write punk songs. Theyâre like a cartoon of what your parents think a punk band is.
Taylor Swift/Spotify beef.
Taylor Swift released an album and took all of her music off of the paid streaming site Spotify. I assume it has to do with her not being paid enough money, and I wonât debate what she thinks her music is worth. But I had to put her album â1989â on my Christmas list because I couldnât listen to it on Spotify, and I guess no one took that request seriously because I got 2 pairs of house slippers and zero Taylor Swift CDs this year. Pay the lady what she wants, Spotify. I need to be listening to âBlank Spaceâ on repeat right now and youâre fucking up my day.
The Gaslight Anthem - Get Hurt.
First the album cover, it just scratches the surface of this bandâs recent lazy and failed attempts at art. This is loaded with contrived blue collar rock n roll with bad metaphors and worse music. And it wouldnât be a Gaslight Anthem record without more borrowed Springsteen lyrics and references. Donât let us forget that youâre friends with The Boss since thatâs the only interesting thing about your band lately.
Madball - Hardcore Lives.
Iâve never been a Madball fan, I saw them play once, it was very violent and it was entertaining. Theyâre brand of hardcore just isnât for me. I listened to this record because I heard some dickhead say something like âif you donât like this Madball, you just donât like hardcore.â That statement is almost as absurd as this record. These songs are terrible. Loaded with lyrics about honor and crap like that, plenty of heavy pitting opportunities, and guest vocals from other corny hardcore vocalists, including the mom that was in Walls of Jericho. I assume if you like Madball this probably isnât much worse than their other material.
Wu Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow.
20 years after 36 Chambers comes this piece of dog shit. This is a common complaint in this list, but an understandable one. I can not imagine how hard it is to write hundreds and hundreds of songs over a 20 year span staying within the same genre defining guidelines that you helped create. I assume itâs very hard and the end result is near impossible to pull off. This record is no different. It sucks. The music is distracting and doesnât flow, the rapping is slow and lazy. It lacks the fury and cleverness that made Wu great. Ghostface does continue to pump out bangers in 2014 though, so just check out his shit and skip this one.
Cold World - How the Gods Chill.
Lots of tired ass Life of Agony worship riffs. Lots of hip hop blended with lousy hardcore. Lots of bad vocals. I think if CW just wanted to be a regular hardcore band I might like it a little, but they clearly donât want to be just another hardcore band, and I do respect that. The thing I hate most about this record is that they came up with the name before I did. Not unlike most of their merch itâs clever and well done.
Dave Grohl.
Every time I think Dave Grohl is doing something cool, it ends up lame and self serving. He is a caricature of what he thinks a rock star is supposed to be. Loud, cussing a lot, telling us what rock and roll is supposed to be like anytime someone will put a microphone in front of his face. We get it. Self promotion 101, brought to you by Dave Grohl. The Paul McCartney/Nirvana stuff, what the hell does Nirvana have to do with that mess? Donât attempt to legitimize it by adding Nirvanaâs name to the mix. Sonic Highways, alright, give us a history lesson on a few cool music cities but then write a crappy song and force it down our throats. I think Grohl does do some cool things and does respect good music and itâs history but he canât just be cool and leave it be, he tends to take it too far and makes me think itâs not genuine. If he could just do his thing without promoting himself sometimes Iâd probably love the guy.
Speaking of Dave Grohl⌠The Grammy Awards did some shit this year. To close the ceremony Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age performed together. Dave Grohl played drums and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac played guitar. It was actually great, Buckingham seemed really into it, he had the best stage presence of all the performers, the song choices were good, they sounded good. I thought it was a really cool way to end a show like that. But of course too good to be true, half way through the QOTSA song they roll credits and play commercials with the music as background noise. Just when you think a show like The Grammys maybe did something right, nope.
Jamie Grimes (Vircolac, Lurch, Serpents, Drainland)
I encountered Jamie first on Tumblr about three years ago, when Anthems had just opened a physical store and Jamie was running Suburban Mayhem Records. Sadly, both of those ventures have long-since folded, but we both get our jollies in other ways. Presently, Jamie plays guitar for the recently debuted Irish death metal band Vircolac - who just released an EXCELLENT cassette on Iron Bonehead.
Given how good a year for music of all stripes 2014 was, even trying to compile a definitive list seems utterly fruitless. Here are 10 records that stood out to me for various reasons this year - not necessarily my favourite 10 (though if youâre asking my absolute favourite record this year was Thantifaxathâs staggering âSacred White Noiseâ), but 10 of many that have really stood out to me this year for These are in no particular order.
1) Godflesh âA World Lit Only By Fireâ - I was extremely sceptical about the return of one of the greatest bands of all time after the ep they released early in the year failed to grab me at all. Luckily it was a false alarm. This fucking delivered in spades. The record that should have come out after âPureâ.
2) Kirin J.Callinan âEmbracismâ - utterly oddball Australian makes bizarre, fantastic and unique pop album. I have absolutely no frame of reference for what this guys is doing. Inxs meets JG Thirlwell meets Prince meets Nick Cave. Except not like that at all.
3) Execration âMorbid Dimensionsâ - I really liked Morbus Chronâs âSwevenâ this year, and this Norwegian band have gone a similar route to the Swedes here, metamorphosising from a fairly straight forward death metal band into something colder and darker. While MC went proggy and sparse, Execration have gone done a nastier, frostier path of intricate horror.
4) Trepaneringsritualen âPerfection and Permanenceâ - No one else does dread like Trepaneringsritualen. No one. I tend to stick this on when Iâm going asleep and it never fails to put me on edge.
5) Mica Levi âUnder The Skinâ OST - I canât say the film really did much for me to be honest, it looked great and everything but bar the odd sequence I couldnât get into it. The soundtrack, however, was superb and reflects the darkness and oddness of the story perfectly.
6) Swallowed âLunarterialâ - not quite as perfect or as monumental as it has been made out to be in some quarters, itâs a little flawed if you put the microscope up to it, in fact. But like Trepaneringsritualen, it makes for great/terrible listening with the lights off, and is the most genuinely frightening death metal record Iâve heard since âMental Funeralâ . Largely, I suspect because that record was the template they drew from.
7) Dead Congregation âPromulgation of the Fallâ - the best death metal record this year that wasnât made by Drowned or Sacrificio. Stellar live too.
8) Timber Timbre âHot Dreamsâ - A band I like more with each record. Great light night music that reminds me of Lee Hazelwood, David Lynch soundtracks, and the first Portishead record. The perfect combination of songwriting and atmosphere.
9) Floor âOblationâ - Because Floor. âLove Comes Crushingâ was better than any song you wrote this year.
10) Lewis âRomantic Timesâ - Everyone needs to hear this record at least once. A reissue of an 80s album by some suave looking Canadian playboy. Iâm sure he meant the lush keys and acoustic guitars to be romantic but his utterly bizarre voice pushes this into terrifying, surreal areas. Imaging Bryan Ferry trying to impersonate an owl. While masturbating. Yeah.
Ryan Canavan (Hex Records, Dialysis, No Idols)
Ryan and I were introduced almost a decade ago, when he was playing in No Idols (a band that sounds NOTHING like the other bands on the Grave Mistake Roster and would physically anger some of the labelâs most frequent supporters). A mutual love of 90âs noise-rock and intelligent metallic hardcore made for nods of approval and firm handshakes. This year, Ryanâs label HEX put out the Blood Sun Circle LP âBloodiest/Sunniest,â one of my favorite albums of the year. If you havenât heard his most recent band, Dialysis, they sound like a screwball version of Haymaker or Pick Your Side.
1.) MOUTHEATER, âPassing Keyâ (Anthems Of the Undesirable)
2.) GREYS, âIf Anythingâ (Carpark)
3.) YOUNG WIDOWS, âEasy Painâ (Temporary Residence)
4.) BLOOD SUN CIRCLE, âBloodiest/Sunniestâ (Hex)
5.) EYEHATEGOD, s/t (Housecore)
6.) PRAWN, âKingfisherâ (Topshelf)
7.) HELMS ALEE, âSleepwalking Sailorsâ (Sargent House)
8.) CAYETANA, âNervous Like Meâ (Tiny Engines)
9.) FUCKING INVINCIBLE, âIt Will Get Worse Before It Gets Betterâ (Atomic Action)
10.) PUP, s/t (SideOneDummy)
Runner-upâs:
CREEPOID, s/t (No Idea)
SECRET CUTTER, s/t (self-released)
HELMS ALEE/ YOUNG WIDOWS split LP (Sargent House)
EVERY TIME I DIE, âFrom Parts Unknownâ (Epitaph)
7â category:
EX-BREATHERS, âEXBXâ (Texas Is Funny)
EX-HEX, âHot and Coldâ (Merge)
PSYCHIC TEENS, âFace/Allâ (Reptilian)
Demos Be Damned:
WRONG, âStop Givingâ
BLEAK TYPEWRITER, âNo One Clears Out a Room LikeâŚâ
Favorite re-issues:
ROLLINS BAND, âLifetimeâ (2.13.61/Dischord)
JIMMY EAT WORLD, âStatic Prevailsâ (SRC)
UNWOUND, âNo Energyâ (Numero Group)
Shows I knows:
ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT/ EX-HEX Boston & NYC 4.1.14, 4.2.14
LEFT FOR DEAD/ DROP DEAD/ FUCKING INVINCIBLE, Machines With Magnets, Providence, 5.23.14
BLOOD SUN CIRCLE/ DIALYSIS/ NIGHT OWLS/ SECRET CUTTER/ AFRO NIPS, Westcott Community Center, Syracuse, 5.30.14
MENZINGERS/ LEMURIA/ PUP/ CAYETANA, El Corazon, Seattle, 6.17.14
LAST BADLANDS SHOW, Badlands, Syracuse, 6.28.14
CEREMONY/ IRON LUNG/ NOTHING, First Unitarian Church, Philly, 7.19.14
BLACK S.S./ DAMNATION ad/ PSYCHIC TEENS/ FUCKING INVINCIBLE/ DAMAGED III, Westcott Community Center, Syracuse, 10.26.14
FEST, Gainesville/Tampa, FL, 10.29-11.2.14
Bomb Comics:
SEX CRIMINALS, Matt Fraction
HIP-HOP FAMILY TREE, Ed Piskor
SACRED HEART, Liz Suburbia
Brent Rellstab-Randel (HHL)
Brent enjoys harsh sounds, bike rides, being away from the city of Los Angeles, â90âs Today Is The Day, and hating cops. He is a stellar human being and makes his own harsh sounds under the moniker HHL. He also has collaborated with Children of God and The Body this year, which is pretty goddamn cool.
Joel Danielsson- The Death of the Grey Wolf / Resurrection of the King
Mania- Decrepit
Unexamine- Bokeem Woodbine
GX Jupitter-Larsen- Pump-Powered Permawave
Terror Cell Unit- Fear God/Hate Man
Column of Heaven- Precipice
The Body- I Shall Die Here
Sissy Spacek- Horned Beast
Vasculae- Listening From Another Room
Lana Del Rey- Ultraviolence
Andrew Aircraft (Moutheater, Wandcarver, Debris Amour)
Andrew is my best friend and one of my favorite creative minds not just in our area, but that Iâve ever met. In 2012 he had a pretty shitty year, and dealt with devastating personal losses and tragedies by chuckling down and writing an album about it. The result of those efforts was âPassing Key,â Moutheaterâs second full length record, and one I was very proud to have released through Anthems. Since then, Andrew is jamming with our friends in Wandcarver and writing a psychadelic solo album.
Here are Andrewâs picks from 2014:
Best of 2014 (no order)âŚ
Their best post-reformation album in my opinion. Iâll be seeing them again in March and Iâm very excited. A great album by (literally) my 2nd favorite band of all time.Â
Justin has made a masterpiece of psychedelic-slacker-sludge-pop with this one. I cannot say enough good things about this record.
Satanâs Satyrs - Die Screaming
Really good, authentic sounding late 60âs/early 70âs hard rock worship. Drenched in wah. Vocals kind of have a Rozz Williams or Peter Murphy vibe. One of the best versions of this type of thing that Iâve ever heard. I want to be in this band.Â
Column of Heaven - Precipice
Tour cassette I picked up from Andy and Co. on tour this past spring. Always excited to see what these dudes will come up with next.
Wolves of Heaven/Nyodene D - split
This is the record that came out on Anthems of the Undesirable alongside my bandâs new album, Passing Key. Both sides are longtime friends of ours that always have an interesting perspective to share. And Ryan at Anthems has of course been a habitual associate of ours, filling various roles as needed over the years.Â
Pharaoh - Negative Everything
More longtime friends of Moutheater. 3-piece doom/sludge somewhere between Old Man Gloom, The Melvins, and Corrupted. Thereâs a lot of really interestingly sonic stuff on this one. You can tell they put the work in on it. The drums are drenched in reverb and sound like were recorded in a cave, and I mean that in a good way.Â
Blood Sun Circle - Bloodiest/Suniest
Moutheaterâs slightly more mature, older cousin. The brothers from The Engineer doing what Iâve seen dubbed around the Internet as âgrunge-gazeâ. Really cool album put out by our buds at Hex Records.
Godflesh - A World Lit Only by Fire
Godflesh return with a heavy lifter. Somewhat of a return to form. Itâs good.Â
Raspberry Bulbs - Privacy
Imagine if Burzum, Sonic Youth, Bone Awl, Bikini Kill, and The Stooges made an album together. It MIGHT sound like this.Â
Old Man Gloom - Ape of God I & II
This one (these ones?) actually kind of came out of left field for me. OMG had admittedly fallen off my radar. But Nateâs tongue-in-cheek boisterousness about the record, along with their anti-leak prank on music journalists, had me interested to hear what was up. I feel like Iâm hearing a lot more Godflesh and Swans vibes this time around, making it feel somewhat like a mid-era Neurosis album to me, especially the longer songs on II. Definitely one of my favorite Converge-related things to come out in the last few years.
Simone Koussa (Sex Dagger, Ancient Torture Techniques, Brain Hemmorhage Records)
Simone and I have been acquaintances for a decade, but over the past couple of years weâve become closer and connected much more regularly. A few years ago he and some other friends formed Ancient Torture Techniques, the first legitimate grind band from our area in countless years - at least that ever accomplished anything, and now he plays drums from Sex Dagger, a fast, noisy VBHC band that put out a split EP with Malaysiaâs SMG this year and has a lot planned for 2015. Heâs a good friend, a fellow punk rock dad, and a talented multi-instrumentalist. An enthusiast of all things fastcore, here are his top pics from last yearâŚ
Top 10 albums released in 2014:
1. Pharaoh ânegative everythingâ
2. Chest Pain âWeltschmerzâ
3. Sixbrewbantha âintravenously commodifiedâ
4. TO THE POINT âGIVE ME A REASONâ
5. Iron Lung âSavageryâ
6. Gets Worse/Fissure split 7â
7. Low Threat Profile âproduct #3â
8. PUNCH âThey donât have to believeâ
9. Genocide Pact âDesecrationâ
10. Pure Disgust âPure Disgustâ
Ryan Aircraft (Anthems of The Undesirable. Arguable hotdad. Nothing else of note. Ever.)
10) Radiation Blackbody, Falling To Death Through Time and Space 12â (Ultraviolet Catastrophe)
Chaos tamed. Joshua Scott and Joel Stallings composed the rhythm sections to Anodyne and Defeatist, and with the demise of the latter established Radiation Blackbody â which seems to be the obvious next step in their endeavors at this point. Parts grind and powerviolence, but always under the guise of complicated song structures and more than a decade of these two learning how to play off of each other. Masterful in the truest sense.
9) Blood Sun Circle, Bloodiest / Sunniest LP (Hex)
I hadnât heard of Blood Sun Circle until Moutheater played with them this summer. The band came back singing their praise, and recommending their new album to me. As soon as Moutheater albums were in, I traded a stack for copies of âBloodiest / Sunniestâ and almost immediately sold out of them. Excellent, minimal post-hardcore by way of demure noise-rock. Iâll say it â this is the album I wish Young Widows wrote every time I hear one of their records.
8) Nyodene D, Mouths That Reap The Harvest 12â (Urashima)
First off, I am not the most educated listener to noise and powerelectronics. I try to keep up with the handful of artists and labels I genuinely enjoy. This year I thoroughly enjoyed new albums from Puce Mary, Pig Heart Transplant, and Pharmakon as well â but this album, and frankly, the material on the split with Wolves of Heaven Aaron piques my interest the most. Aaronâs been putting out consistently solid material for years, but Iâd say this LP edges out last yearâs âAtop Masadaâ as my favorite thus far. One of the most exciting acts in American power electronics, at arguably his best form yet. Dynamic and intelligent industrial with a spirit that Iâd like to see more out of punk and hardcore bands, much less the noise scene.
7) Old Man Gloom, Ape of God LP (Profound Lore / SIGE) and Old Man Gloom, Ape of God LP (Profound Lore / SIGE)
I wasnât as into âNoâ as their earlier work, but âApe of Godâ (all versions) sees the band in top form both in their songwriting and in fucking with their listeners. As usual, their best moments are when they get weirdest, and âApe of Godâ sees Old Man Gloom obviously enjoying themselves and trying the kind of shit bands talk about doing in the studio and donât follow through on. One of the best in the game.
6) The Body (and Haxan Cloak), I Shall Die Here 12â (RVNG)
Iâve enjoyed everything the Body has done. No exceptions. But one of the reasons I love this record so much is because itâs both a focused version of what theyâve offered on their two most recent LPs, and at the same time a more esoteric and noisy than what they traditionally bring to the table on their splits and EPs. The collaboration with Thou (Released from Love) was pretty solid too, but this one spent more time on my turntable.
5) Pharaoh, Negative Everything LP (A389 Recordings)
New Jerseyâs Pharaoh released two underrated 7âs on A389 a few years ago, and were periodically playing shows in the mid-Atlantic region, but were largely overlooked by both the metal and hardcore communities. With this album, it seems theyâve finally shown up on the greater collective radar of the âcool kids,â and in good timing â âNegative Everythingâ brings a greater depth and nuance to the bandâs songwriting, and shows the band pushing their creative limits further than anything theyâve done thusfar. Itâs awesome to see a band grow into what theyâve hinted at for years, and to see others recognize it as well.
4) Mysticum, Planet Satan LP (Peaceville)
This fucker snuck up on me. I didnât know what to expect and was wildly impressed when I finally heard it â so I wonât do you the disservice of talking about what you should expect outside of their brand of intense, psychedelic black metal. My favorite âdumbâ album of the year.
3) Raspberry Bulbs, Privacy LP (Blackest Ever Black)
With this step further from the constraints from black metal, R.B. have begun to incorporate even more post-punk and noise elements into their craft - all to their benefit. The best anarcho-punk inspired album this year, and people are trying to rationalize as a metal album.
2) Moutheater, Passing Key LP (Anthems of The Undesirable)
Putting your own record on your âBest Ofâ list is admittedly corndick.. Doesnât mater though â any moron that ventures to start putting out records in the financial minefield that is running a label in 2014 should be able to tell you that they love the records theyâre releasing. Since Thrashed! Records dropped the ball on Moutheaterâs âOrnamentâ LP in 2009, Iâd been idly pondering how I might help put an album of theirs out. When the band started writing âPassing Keyâ in 2012 I knew it would be good, but it was when I started talking to Andrew and Tim about their plans for the actual recording process that it became evident this album would really be something special. Inspired by the production on albums like âSiamese Dreamâ and âRated R,â and (like always) sonically framed by the likes of Nirvana, Tad, Melvins, Helmet, most fans of Am-Rep noise rock and grunge would pick up on these obvious influences. But where âPassing Keyâ truly surpasses any previous Moutheater work is in the minutiae: hints of psychedelia, layers and layers of guitar with different setups and sounds on each track, and a surprisingly accessible back half of the album. I couldnât be more proud of being involved in this record - and even if I didnât know the band, I can confidently say it would have been among the best albums of the year.
1) Gas Chamber, Hemorrhaging Light LP + Flexi (Iron Lung)
A lot has been said about this record already, and Iâve heard people liken it to some things I donât quite hear myself, but its one of those albums where I listen and am both compelled to listen to everything else the band has done, and at the same time find myself wondering why anyone would bother with their other material â simply because it very clearly was always leading to this. (In fairness though, you absolutely SHOULD listen to all of the other Gas Chamber records, especially âModern Vision of The Erect Nightmare.â) From the first listen, I knew this was something special â and where these days everyoneâs happy to start screaming album of the year in March (cough, *Morbus Chroneâ cough), at the close of the year thereâs still nothing thatâs come close to topping âHemorrhaging Light.
I also thoroughly enjoyed new albums by Thantifaxath, Disciples of Christ, Puce Mary, Pig Heart Transplant, Teitanblood, Dead Congregation, Satanâs Satyrs, PC Worship, Cutthroats 9, Brutal Blues, and Water Torture this year. I would recommend purchasing any of these at your earliest convenience.
Some of the best EPs of the year:Â
Die, Vexed 7â (Sonic Terror Discs)
Simple hardcore that doesnât neglect quality songwriting and hooks, but is still pissed. Absolutely my favorite straightforward hardcore act in recent memory.
Puce Mary, The Great Panic CS (Freak Animal)
My introduction to Puce Mary, whom I successfully missed twice this year. Better luck in 2015, I hope.
Sewer Election & Puce Mary, Masks Are Aids CS (Total Black)Â
Arguably better than âThe Great Panic?â How cool is it when a great artist puts out several quality releases in one year, right? Surely one of the most high quality artists to be so prolific.
Column of Heaven, Precipice CS (Survivalist)
Perpetual favorites. Tour-only cassette featuring songs that should appear on a split with Suffering Luna sometime in 2015. And a Ride for Revenge cover and two Wolves of Heaven tracks. Christmas in April. But, you know, heathen.
Permanent Ruin, San Jose 7â (Not Normal Tapes)
Didnât hear this band until the week of NDY. I fucked up, because this shit rules. Excellent drumming, in puchy, crazy-tight hardcore.
Breakout, Razor Wire 7â (On High) and True Crime 7â (Grave Mistake)
Again â two great EPs in one year. I prefer the more â78 punk vibe to Razor Wire but the new EP is growing on me more and more as well. Glad to see Kyle and his gang making waves with this project - well deserved.
Davidians, Davidians 7â (Deranged) and North Carolina Single Series, Vol. 1 7â (Sorry State)
I for one was very sorry to see Double Negative fall apart. ž of the original lineup are together hear playing noisier, more experimental punk less in line with say, Poison Idea and more akin to Honor Role or mid-period Die Krueuzen? I just got the Single Series 7â in the mail and look forward to hearing a lot more from these NC weirdos.
Iron Lung, Savagery 7â (Iron Lung)
I enoyed this more than anything theyâve done since âSexless/No Sex,â and I rather liked WGT, so hopefully that says something. The Pig Heart Transplant full length is a nice companion piece to this if you want more strange too.
Vircolac, Codex Perfida CS (Iron Bonehead)
Irish Death Metal. These guys and Malthusian are putting Dublin back on the map. Simple, brutal, effective. EXTREMELY excited to get my physical copy of this monster, and to hear what they do next.
Annnnnnnd, this year I caught some pretty awesome shows. These were the best of them.
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds at DAR Constitution Hall (DC)
Always better live than anyone else. The greatest entertainer alive.
Full of Hell, Colum of Heaven, Nyodene D, Disciples of Christ in DC
A glorified house show, packed to the gills with killer bands and a largely positive and excited crowd. Protip: Donât be the drunk plain dude at a show. Ever. Also, donât bring your drunk plain friends to shows. D.O.C. made me a believer that night, I finally got to see Nyodene D live (at least in the context of a solo set), and Column of Heaven were excellent, but thatâs no surprise.
Gas Chamber, Disciples of Christ, Unsacred at Cedar House (Richmond, VA)
Gas Chamber played a frantic set of âHemorrhaging Lightâ material and a few newer songs to a house full of sweaty, drunk punks and I have to wonder how many of them didnât fucking get it versus how many of them came to see these Buffalo weirdos drift into space for twenty minutes while theyâre at the top of their game.
Iron Lung and Column of Heaven at Sneaky Deeâs
Forward and DiE at Hard Luck
Permanent Ruin at Hard Luck (Not Dead Yet - Toronto)
Sometimes I feel like I spend all year waiting for NDY. Thatâs lame, but true. This year was as much fun as ever, but I went to fewer shows - partly because of my annual tradition of somehow missing the pre-fest show (this year due to seven feet of snow around Buffalo as we were driving into town - and a twelve hour detour getting into Toronto), and partly because of the shows I wanted to see running concurrently. Regretably I missed Big Zit, Puce Mary, Ooze, Demonbrother, Deconstruction Unit, and a few other acts Iâd hoped to catch - but I saw some great sets, had killer vegan food, caught up with friends from all over, and even sold some records. More important that all that - Column of Heaven played the best set Iâve seen (or heard) from them yet, including a completely perfect cover of âTwisted Mass of Burnt Decay.â Now I just have to make it until next November so we can do it all again.Â
Integrity (âSystems Overloadâ lineup + ORR), Infest, In Cold Blood, Ringworm, Pharaoh, Pick Your Side, Haymaker, etc. â A389 Bash (Baltimore, MD)
A fun weekend in one of my favorite East Coast cities with some good friends. Oh, and seeing Ringworm play to a hundred people didnât hurt. Stellar sets by Integrity, Ringworm, Pharaoh, In Cold Blood, and actually Noisem too â who surprised the shit out of me by completely freaking out and ruling the Baltimore Soundstage. Not surprisingly, I also cleaned up at Celebrated Summer and Black Mess records. Totally killer time.
Highlights: Hearing the new Pharaoh songs for the first time, seeing Baltimore slowly realize Pharaoh RULES. Shortly after that, seeing Ringworm play an amazing set of their classics and a handful of new songs to a room of a hundred kids. Moshing to âUrine.â Human Furnace singing âVocal Testâ with Integrity. Spraining my ankle stage-diving to Infest, then joshing through the rest of their set AS IF IâM NOT A THIRTY-YEAR OLD FATHER. Crucial hangs with Justin Henderson and Kasan Ali/Aaron Harbaugh. Scoring the Merkstave LP, a first press of âUtopia Banishedâ, and a ton of Cresecule Negro tapes from Black Mess. Stumbling across the Godstopper LP I put out last year at Celebrated Summer.
Caverns, Pharaoh, Moutheater, and Foehammer at The Cellar Door (Annandale, VA)
First night of Moutheaterâs tour. Drove up from VB, labeling âPassing Keyâ cassettes the whole way. Foehammer were a sleeper surprise, and Moutheater and Pharaoh killed. Caverns were wild and crazy tight. Because their Jersey show fell through I ended up driving home at three a.m. and stopping in Fredericksburg to sleep in a Hotel parking lot. Because I am an adult. One of the best Friday nights in recent memory.
08.31.14 - Moutheater, Druglord, Wandcarver, and Pain In The Yeahs at The Parlor on Granby (Norfolk, VA)
Easily the best show Iâve booked in years. The Parlor was at capacity, and all four bands played totally different stuff and were totally captivating. Iâve seen Druglord about a dozen times and this was the most energetic set Iâve seen out of them in at least a year, and out of all of the times Iâve caught Moutheater this was absolutely the best set Iâve ever seen by them. Watching two hundred people headbanging to âSexual Sadnessâ made all of the toil over Passing Key worth it and then some.
Summer Always Summer Tour with Clay Rendering, Lussuria, Dual Action, and Severance Replay at The Beauty Parlor (Norfolk, VA)
Shit like this never happens in Norfolk. I was damn glad to see it, and unspeakably excited to catch a few acts I never thought Iâd see live in Virginia play to a room full of other excited weirdos. Also, while Severance Replay was closing out the night a drunk dude plowed into three cars in front of the venue and flipped his car. When everyone ran outside to see what the fuck was happening I thought Terry had cleared the room.
Planning For Burial, Pain In The Yeahs, Severance Replay at The Iguana (Norfolk, VA)
Norfolk got real gloomy for a night and I was into it. Thom was excellent and covered a lot of ground, Severance Replay played their harshest set yet, and PITY had a strong debut.
Sadistic Intent at Rogerâs (Chesapeake, VA)
The new album was disappointing, but this set of live set of classics and new songs was intense and engaging. Way above expectation and easily the best death metal set Iâve ever seen locally.
Solid year. A-. Would watch again.
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