Often cited as a huge influence in emotional, cathartic hardcore and post metal, ENVY are one of those bands who seemingly deserve a tribute album or three. However, given their unique sound and vocal appearance, and the fact they stood out from their peers so much, it’s hard to envision many younger bands trying to cover their tunes regardless of how much respect they had for their craft. On the newest tribute compilation from Zegema Beach Records dubbed “ENVY/LOVE” we get a solid dose of artistry, creativity and appreciation for the work of this special band. Featuring an amazing album cover from Connie Sgarbossa of SeeYouSpaceCowboy, the album features contribtions from APOSTLES OF ERIS, BEAST JESUS, CARCAJOU, CROWNING, GILLIAN CARTER, LKTDOV, MASSA NERA, NIBOOWIN, RESPIRE, and SHIZUNE, and today we’re stoked to give you the first listen of AGAK’s version of 1999 track “Angel’s Curse”, which won’t be available on the 12″, as it will be on the digital release.
Zegema Beach’s tribute baby, each band was hand-picked to participate in this Envy covers 12” compilation. Almost a year and a half in the making, this 10-track homage to the great Japan’s greatest post-hardcore/screamo band, with a ridiculously influential catalogue spanning over two decades. Each band provides a cover that both stays true to the original but is also rooted in the band’s sound, instead of being an Envy clone. This is a Zegema Beach Release on 300 black 12”s with black jackets/white stamps, hand-numbered black inner sleeves, an insert with each band explaining how Envy influenced them and a download code.
US pre-orders / Canadian pre-orders / Test-presses / Continued below…
Here’s what Shingo from AGAK had to say about their take on ENVY and this particular track:
Of course all the members of AGAK grew up listening to Envy, but our preferences were different. So there were over 10 songs that we were thinking of from the initial songs all the way to more recent songs. Among them, I think that it was natural that we decided that “Angels Curse”. It seems to be a song that AGAK‘s style matches, because it was one of my favorite songs. I personally wanted to play “Black past”, “An encyclopedia of the unification” and “A red wound picture” too, but there are too many favorite songs!
It was actually a struggle to arrange and cover it. I wanted to mix in the style of AGAK so I spent a considerable amount of time arranging it, but I am proud of what we produced as a result of the struggle.
Probably the first hardcore bands I listened to were Envy, Orchid and Converge. Perhaps in Japan, so-called screamo bands began to appear in the 90’s, among them Envy, Kulara, Nine Days Wonder, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out are legends. I think Envy was a band that made the foundation that continues to this day. I have not been able to witness these bands in real time, but I’m longing for it. Among them is Envy who is still active and even has a new album next year!
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Dave from Zegema Beach Records continues:
I first discovered Envy in 2002/2003 when I discovered Level Plane Records and became obsessed with All the Footprints You’ve Ever Left and the Fear Expecting Ahead, Dead Sinking Story, The Eyes of Single Eared Prophet and the Iscariote split. Their ability to mix harsh hardcore and screamo with post-rock and post-hardcore elements was and continues to be mind-blowing. My love of their style and realization that many current bands that I loved were heavily influenced by Envy and could likely pull off a tribute made this compilation feasible.
My friend who played in Tetola93 also became a member of AGAK whom I have released vinyl for (a split 10″, to be exact) and were able to make an amazing cover, but very early on we knew that their recording date was too late to make it to the vinyl release (which ended up being full anyway). I think this is an excellent digital companion to the 10-track 12″ and a fantastic representation of a Japanese band taking the sound of Envy and splicing it with their own. Any pre-orders for the 12″ vinyl will get a free mp3 via their email, which will join the full compilation on the December 16th, 2018 digital release date.
The physical copies will be available in late January and feature art from renowned artist and vocalist of SeeYouSpaceCowboy Connie Sgarbossa. The Envy/Love 12″ tribute compilation comes on numbered black records /300 with 5 test presses, some of which are still available for sale at the time of this post. This tribute is the offspring of Zegema Beach Records.
