Zegema Beach Records got some varied stuff for y’all twisted tuned lovers this time. The first is unrelenting Russian screamo ala AMPERE called SMILE TO THE WIND (see our recent feature HERE), the second is a split between two pretty chill post-rock/post-hardcore bands CONGRATULATIONS and THE RABBIT THEORY, with the third being the five PROTEST THE HERO cassettes, limited to 300 each!
Since it’s inception in 2013, Zegema Beach Records has been a dominant force in the world of DIY screamo / post hardcore labels. The creation of Mr Dave Norman has since evolved from being just another record label into becoming a recognizable brand, known for his engaging blog & screamo encyclopedia Open Mind / Saturated Brain, and putting out dozens of screamy, sometimes post rock tinged hardcore bands in the last couple of years.
SMILE TO THE WIND – Illusions 12”LP (ZBR088)
for fans of: Kidcrash, Louise Cyphre and Loma Prieta
Flabbergastingly good, this new 11-song 12″LP by Russia’s Улыбайся Ветру (aka Smile To The Wind) titled ‘Illusions’ is a testament to chaotic, mathy, dual screaming hardcore. Seriously this is easily a contender for album of the year and fans of any technical, blazing screamo such as Loma Prieta, Neil Perry, Crowning, Louise Cyphre and Carrion Spring will likely be so happy they may soil themselves. Yep, it’s that good. And the art is unreal, created by Ekaterina Zalesskaya.
12”LP on blue vinyl/300 with insert. 11 tracks. Download code included.
CONGRATULATIONS / THE RABBIT THEORY – Split 7”EP (ZBR107)
for fans of: Indian Summer, Life In Vacuum, Wolverines and Tera Melos
A tantalizing split and fitting swan song(s) for these Canadian and Swiss bands. CONGRATULATIONS drop their longest and most diverse track, starting dreamy and chill and ending in a swirling, screamy wall of noise. Featuring members of Life In Vacuum, Kiken and Yoo Doo Right. THE RABBIT THEORY also include their final and longest jam, the instrumental head bobber recorded after their singer had passed away. Limited to 200 copies.
7”EP (black/200) 2 tracks
PROTEST THE HERO – Kezia cassette LP (ZBR095)
for fans of: Thrice, Choke and Coheed And Cambria
The first and most prolific of all the PROTEST full lengths, 2005’s ‘Kezia’. Following the story of a little girl in a war-torn country these 10 tracks were written by teenagers, fer christ’s sake. Literally mindblowing and ridiculously ahead of its time. A classic in poetic storytelling, melodic and screamy vocals, dueling guitars, awesome drums and dizzying bass.
cassette LP in clear shell (red/300) 10 tracks
PROTEST THE HERO – Fortress cassette LP (ZBR096)
ffo: Thrice, Between The Buried And Me and Heaven In Her Arms
The second and most jawdropping PROTEST record, 2008’s ‘Fortress’ is a force to be reckoned with. Housing 10 songs of insane technicality and without a doubt the heaviest of the band’s recordings, it boasts some very metal art, to boot. A sophomore classic, indeed.
cassetteLP in clear shell (white/300) 10 tracks
PROTEST THE HERO – Scurrilous cassette LP (ZBR097)
for fans of: Between The Buried And Me, Dragonforce and Propagandhi
The final record with Arif on bass and Moe on drums, this album is the most complete set of songs and without a doubt the most fine-tuned. Taking their talent to a songwriting level instead of crazy riff-central, the albums is huge and plays out as much as an opera than as a punk and metal record.
cassette LP in clear shell (yellow/300) 10 tracks
PROTEST THE HERO – Volition cassette LP (ZBR098)
for fans of: Propagandhi, Dragonforce and Belvedere
The first record without the original lineup, 2013’s ‘Volition’ features Chris from Lamb Of God on drums and shows the band experimenting with their sound while reaffirming their roots. Punk, hardcore, metal and vocal melodies that are so good you’ll eargasm all over the place.
cassette LP in clear shell (green/300) 11 tracks
PROTEST THE HERO – Pacific Myth cassette LP (ZBR099)
for fans of: Coheed And Cambria, The Mars Volta and Thrice
Taking things in a completely new direction, 2016’s ‘Pacific Myth’ features only six songs that span the normal amount of time for a PROTEST LP. These songs were written (generally) during a month and then recorded, one by one. This thing is so big and epic it was nominated for a Juno (Canadian version of The Grammy’s).
cassette LP in clear shell (purple/blue/300) 6 tracks
In other news, PROTEST THE HERO are celebrating the 10th Anniversary of FORTRESS with their FORTRESS X TOUR that kicked off 3 days ago and will be storming through North America, Europe, and Japan until late August.
FORTRESS X NORTH AMERICA
03/21 to 04/08 w/ Closure In Moscow and Thank You Scientist
04/19 to 05/06 w/ Good Tiger and DESTRAGEMarch 21st – London, ON @ London Music Hall
March 22nd – Detroit, MI @ St.Andrews Hall (LTW)
March 23rd – Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge (SO)
March 24th – Milwaukee, WI @ Rave II
March 25th – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity
March 27th – Winnipeg, MB @ The Garrick
March 28th – Saskatoon, SK @ Louis’
March 29th – Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall
March 30th – Calgary, AB @ The Palace (LTW)
April 1st – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw (SO)
April 2nd – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile (SO)
April 3rd – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre (LTW)
April 5th – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s (LTW)
April 6th – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy (SO)
April 7th – Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction (SO)
April 8th – San Diego, CA @ SOMA
– – –
April 19th – Montreal, QC @ La Tulipe(LTW)
April 20th – Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey (SO)
April 21st – Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey (SO)
April 22nd – Quebec City, QC @ Salle Multi (LTW)
April 24th – Halifax, NS @ Marquee (LTW)
April 25th – Moncton, NB @ Tide & Boar Ballroom (LTW)
April 26th – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (SO)
April 27th – New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre (SO)
April 28th – Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents (LTW)
April 29th – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
May 1st – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel (SO)
May 2nd – Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel
May 3rd – Cleveland, OH @ Agora
May 4th – Toronto, ON @ Danforth (SO)
May 5th – Toronto, ON @ Danforth (SO)
May 6th – Toronto, ON @ Danforth (3rd Show Added)FORTRESS X UK / EUROPE With Norma Jean, Loathe and Cyclamen
July 5th – Oberhausen, DE @ Kulttempel
July 6th – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
July 7th – Birmingham, UK @ Asylum
July 8th – Newark, UK @ Tech Fest
July 9th – Day Off
July 10th – Glasgow, UK @ Garage
July 11th – Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
July 12th – London, UK @ o2 Islington Academy
July 13th – Antwerp, Belgium @ Kavka
July 14th – Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Pandora
July 15th – Day Off
July 16th – Berlin, DE @ Musik and Frieden
July 17th – Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof
July 18th – Prague, CZ @ Futurum
July 19th – Budapest, HU @ A38
July 20th – Pinarella Di Cervia, IT @ Rockplanet
July 21st – Munchen, DE @ Free & EasyFORTRESS X JAPAN With Cyclamen
August 12th – Fukuoka @ Early Believers
August 13th – Hiroshima @ 4.14
August 14th – Tokushima @ Club Grindhouse
August 15th – Osaka @ Drop
August 16th – Nagoya @ 3Star
August 18th – Tokyo @ Club Seata
August 19th – Tokyo @ Club SeataSO = Sold Out
LTW = Low Ticket Warning
