The crushing new LP from Richmond, VA’s BARGE is now available for mailorder from Grave Mistake Records in the US and Quality Control HQ in the UK / Europe, and is streaming in full (and available for download) below.
“The debut full length from Richmond, VA’s Barge is an unstoppable whirlwind of uncompromising hardcore insanity. These twelve blistering tracks find the band maturing both musically and lyrically from their debut EP, “No Gain.” Sonically, Barge pummels through with the speed and ferocity of powerviolence greats like Infest and Crossed Out, and delivers with unadulterated vitriol calling to mind Youth of Today and Ripcord’s most searing moments. The opening track, “Social Pressure,” kicks this album from 0 to 120 out of the gate, then proceeds with a non-stop barrage of savage riffs and pulverizing breaks (reminiscent of Boston hardcore heavyweights Mind Eraser), straight through to the album’s final track, “Dismantle,” which trudges to a close with brutal precision. Lyrically, Barge’s message is as heavy and powerful as their sound – addressing personal themes of alienation, acceptance, distrust, and disenchantment in the current climate of both our subculture and in the everyday life of 2016. Confronting issues of race and racial identity, masculinity and machismo, and corruption and bigotry in politics and law enforcement, the overall narrative draws parallels to illustrate how the DIY scene in many aspects is very much a microcosm of society, both of which face abuses of privilege and power that need to be properly addressed, confronted, and ultimately destroyed. If there’s anything to take from this record, it’s to never trust power and those who hold it, as it will inevitably be used to abuse, exploit, and marginalize those without it.”
Grave Mistake still has some copies of the limited GREEN VINYL (200 pressed) available for mailorder, and the record should be getting around to your favorite stores and distros over the next few weeks. If you run a distro or record store and would like copies or wholesale info, get in touch!
Barge are playing two Record Release shows this weekend with DC’s Pure Disgust, who also have a brand new LP out on Katorga Works, and will then be heading out on tour from 8/28-9/9 with Richmond’s Mad Existence for a nice little East Coast / Midwest excursion. Info on all of these shows is below.
BARGE and MAD EXISTENCE – “Bustin’ Out the James 2016” Tour
[Facebook Event Page]8/26 – Richmond, VA * @ Strange Matter w/Bracewar, Pure Disgust, Stuck Pigs, Nosebleed [Info]
8/27 – Washington, DC @ The Pinch w/Pure Disgust, Triage, Stuck Pigs [Info]
8/28 – Chapel Hill, NC * @ Nightlight Bar & Club w/Holder’s Scar [Info]
8/29 – Tampa, FL @ Lucky You Tattoo w/ Sick of Talk, Barrage [Info]
8/30 – Miami, FL @ Churchill’s Pub w/Homestretch, Don’t Bother Me, Dome of Obedience [Info]
8/31 – Orlando, FL @ Uncle Lou’s w/Klout [Info]
9/1 – Atlanta, GA * @ 529 w/Drool, Heavy User [Info]
9/2 – Birmingham, AL * @ The Machine Shop w/Say It, Laughing Sword [Info]
9/3 – Nashville, TN * @ DRKMTTR [Info]
9/4 – Louisville, KY * @ Spinelli’s [Info]
9/5 – Bloomington, IN * @ Jan’s Room w/Laffing Gas
9/6 – Chicago, IL * @ 2040 w/Tigress [Info]
9/7 – Detroit, MI * @ The Sanctuary [Info]
9/8 – Cleveland, OH @ Club Atlantis [Info]
9/9 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Atomic Thrash Garage w/Decapitators [Info]
