In the wake of the original record premiere over at Open Mind / Saturated Brain blog, we’re super stoked to share the full stream of “Illusions”, the newest full length (don’t worry, you won’t need more than 12 minutes) from Russian chaotic screamo / hardcore band SMILE TO THE WIND (Улыбайся Ветру)!
Hailing from the beautiful Saint Petersburg, the band has been around for 6 years and you might know them from excellent executions from Tribute to Orchid compilation, Tufàgne compilation or their splits with ØJNE and МАЯК. The new record serves as follow-up to their 2013 debut LP “Моменты” (“Moments”, mixed and mastered by Will Killingsworth of Orchid/Ampere), and will be available on March 21st via Zegema Beach Records (Canada/BC), Unlock Yourself Records, Dead Tank Records (USA), Upwind Productions (Italy), and Trace In Maze (Germany).
Both historically and today, a lot of screamy, noisy, chaotic hardcore bands project a lot of chaos, playing crazy fast, employing ear-bending technical improvisation, or switching tempos or even the whole styles multiple times a song. SMILE TO THE WIND does most of it, but their short jams are largely structured, and instead of just blasting away, they somehow manage to incorporate epic moods and soundscapes that could fit a 10-minute post metal oeuvre.
Here’s what they have to say about the record and its lyrical content:
This album is our fourth record since we started in 2012. The process of recording and mixing was very prolonged and lasted almost two years. The idea of that record was to create a consistent piece that will be perceived as one long composition. Track placement and transitions are thought out and we perform it live the same as it is recorded. Every song is written in the same key which bonds them together.
Lyrics touch on subjects of world pollution, urbanization, child abuse, totalitarianism and terminal illness. Lyrics in the second song is a poem by Soviet poetess Nika Turbina.
11 songs in 12 minutes. Chaos. Dueling guitars and accentuating bass. Back and forth screaming. Ridiculous drumming. It’s all here and it comes packaged in the most beautiful 12″ art I’ve seen in years. / Dave Norman of Zegema Beach Records (GO HERE to see the full feature)
Artwork by Ekaterina Zalesskaya.
