For a moment, it looked like our End Of The Year series was over, but suddenly a surprising new e-mail popped up and we have one more enchanting wrap-up to bless your ears. The wicked gentleman below is our friend, screamo advocate and evangelist Dave Norman of Zegema Beach Records, (((((OPENmind/SATURATEDbrain))))) blog, МЯТЕЖ (MRTEX), APOSTLES OF ERIS, and SWALLOWS NEST, and we’re honored to give you his top record of the past year!
Calendar illiteracy is at an all-time high. Along with language, mathematics and art, we should probably start calendar classes because I don’t think the vast majority of people understand how they work. Besides the included, instructional picture, I’ve listed and briefly discussed 10 fantastic releases that I feel were snubbed on a ridiculous amount of premature lists. These are in chronological order of release date.
ISTILAH – ‘Fill the Void’
Singapore’s answer to killer Japanese screamo is ISTALAH, an incredible three-piece that released ‘Fill the Void’ late last year to this guy’s standing ovation. I fucking love this screamo/emo-violence stuff that’s coming back around again. This is the earliest release on the list, dating back to October 25th, 2018. For fans of: Sans Visage, Cassus and Zdzis Law.
NOISE TRAIL IMMERSION – ‘Symbology of Shelter’
An absolute beast of a record, Italy’s NOISE TRAIL IMMERSION unleashed the chaos, math-grind, hardcore, death metal nightmare that is ‘Symbology of Shelter’ in the beginning of November. Not for the fainthearted, these seven tracks are more progressive and eclectic than most, making it a truly unique and mesmerizing experience. For fans of Meshugga, Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza and Sectioned.
PIET ONTHEL – ‘Demo’
My friend Mashi sent this to me early and I was dumbfounded. Easily one of the best solo screamo projects around, his demo is truly exceptional. Sounding akin to The Ultimate Screamo Band but with an uncanny knack for injecting fluid hooks, PIET ONTHEL is both raw and beautiful. For fans of Orchid, Coma Regalia and Blue Friend.
See the track-by-track feature for this record HERE.
KADDISH – ‘What World Was Still’
I can’t believe how many lists left this out, presumably because it came out at the end of November and people lack patience. I mean, c’mon, they release on a four-year schedule and I found the response online very underwhelming. The Scottish royalty of screamo graced us with a beautiful, moving and epic record that I think I like even more than their previous endeavor. For fans of Suis La Lune, Shizune and Via Fondo.
LIMBS – ‘Exquisite Corpse’
What the fuck?!?! I know LIMBS from the Philippines were getting more aggressive and focusing less on the shoegaze, but good god this is some violent, metalcore shit that fans of WristMeetRazor should have been shitting themselves over in early December. 8 fantastic jams that’ll rip your face off. For fans of WristMeetRazor, Beast Jesus and The Bled.
GRAF ORLOCK – ‘Examination of Violent Cinema vol.1’
My love for the California cinema-grind outfit knows no bounds, so when it was released on December 8th I was all the fuck over that release, while it seems most people had their heads up their own asses instead. GRAF ORLOCK continue their relentless assault on the ears while simultaneously making critiques on both Hollywood reboots and the world at large. For fans of Euclid C Finder, Ghostlimb and Phoenix Bodies.
GO HERE for full track-by-track feature.
BIG WATER – ‘Drink More Water’
My friend Bobby Johnson from The Ghost Is Clear Records turned me onto this band early and I was lucky enough to help release the tape. Gritty, screamy hardcore with enough bounce to get you dancin’ along. For fans of Snag, Slow Fire Pistol and Ten Grand.
ENVY/LOVE – ‘A Tribute to Envy’
This was act of love on my part, that was released on Zegema Beach Records on December 16th. I know, “it’s a comp” and, “it’s a tribute comp” but I don’t care, the bands on here killed it. Envy is legendary and bands like Respire, Beast Jesus and Shizune blew me out of the water with their very original renditions of the Japanese screamo/post-hardcore classics, both old and new.
GO HERE to see our 2018 feature on AGAK’s contribution, including Dave’s commentary on ENVY!
RADURA – ‘flowers&shelters’ split
I’d never heard of Italy’s RADURA before, so I was flabbergasted to find out how phenomenal they are. They only have two songs here totaling seven-and-a-half minutes, but the feels on these noodley emo jams are deep. For fans of La Quiete, Rutka Laskier and Shizune.
RED WATER – ‘No Life Left to Take’
I like my hardcore/metal seething with sinister vocals and dark, subterranean instrumentals, and boy oh boy do Lithuania’s RED WATER fit the bill. They unleash utter destruction over five tracks that are disturbing, dark and decimating. For fans of Tentacles, Still and Hexis.
PALE HANDS – ‘Pale Hands’
Russia’s PALE HANDS were a new band to me, but the December 22nd release of their self-titled EP had me at hello, and I’ve delved into the band’s back catalogue since. A clusterfuck of hardcore, metal, screamo, black-metal and post-rock, these seven tunes sound equally evil and awesome. For fans of Euglena, Nulajednanulanula and Minaret.
