Label + Distro Update

Just a post to let people who have already ordered the God Destroyer tape know that I haven't received the inserts for the tape yet, but should do so very soon. Most if not all the orders without a GD tape have gone out.

Got some new distro stuff in too. Doomed Beast is an Australian heavy metal band, playing solid riffs with an occult atmosphere. I have a few copies of their debut demo tape available. Along with that, I received some extra copies of Australian experimental/blackened/industrial project Oxygen Abortion. I've haven't quite absorbed their music just yet, so I can't quite describe it. I have copies of their first EP and a compilation release of their first album + EP.

In addition to that, I also have some 7"s available. I won't go into details, but you can read their descriptions on the distro page.

Kronofogden - Rid I Natt

It was only earlier this year that I realised Scandinavian hardcore wasn't left behind in the 80s. Bands like Heratys and the like are still carrying on, perhaps, as some will argue, without originality or the same inspiration that made the style so great. However, like any 'revival' that's taking place, the band's records that are being produced should be judged on their own merits and not so much on whether they are refreshing to the style or just plain derivative. Kronofogden belong to the former - this tape isn't by any means a 'highlight' for me, but there's just a shit ton of Euro raging to be heard across these 15 songs. If you worship Totalitar on a regular basis, this is probably for you. A CD-R version is available because the tape was severely limited, but I do know that Coffin Cut Records still has a few cassettes available.

try
buy

ByVolume #1 - Oct 2011

A new web publication which I have contributed towards has recently released its first issue. ByVolume is a contributor based publication and will hopefully be releasing issues regularly. Currently the PDF will simply be hosted on the site, but a print version may appear for future issues. The first one contains reviews of new material from M83, Wilco and Low as well as a few others, gig reviews and various articles such as an analysis of Thrice and a close look at Aidan Baker's work in 2011. The first issue came out really well, thanks to Adam for putting it all together. Check it out.

ByVolume

Distro Update

Got two new zines in just today, Negative Noise #2 from the States and Downsided #4 from over in Queensland. Only a few copies of each. More info on the content can be read on the distro page.

Violent Pink - The Propaganda of the Deed

Sooo, my gf bought me this (she's awesome) along with the 2x Cassette In Currents. Both rule, and I'd say that In Currents is a little better. I'd upload them both, but my ripping abilities suck ass at the moment. As soon as I get a rip that does the record justice, I'll post it here.

Now, Violent Pink (Tyler Keen) produces some very tight, rhythmic and layered noise. On most tracks, you'll find slowly oscillating drones of static, whirling sine-wave synths that are "syncopated" with jagged rhythmic bursts of feedback. "October 19, 1977" and "Attacks" are the most archetypal examples of this. One stand-out feature of this release are the vocals. Completely distorted beyond belief, wretched, writhing, hateful, desperate; they're simply some of the best screams I've heard in any noise release.

The album is also mixed very creatively. The main components (screamed vocals, voice samples, noise/static drones, feedback, synth) are brought to prominence/buried appropriately across the different tracks. Sometimes the synth and vocals will be on top and most prominent, other times feedback and drones prevail. It definitely keeps things interesting, which is important with a somewhat limited sonic palette.

Point is: get this. Violent Pink is one of the best emerging noise artists in 2011.

Mediafire MP3 320

Since this is from my personal CD collection, I can upload a lossless high fidelity copy that I use for my music library, but I have to split the album into multiple .zip to get around the "free" uploader limit, so I won't unless it is requested.

Total Abuse - Prison Sweat

For those who weren't paying much attention in the hardcore department, Total Abuse's Mutt was an ugly offering of noisy hardcore with stomp, and attitude and all that lovely stuff. At last we are pummeled with their latest Prison Sweat, and will probably be their last offering but who knows we will see. Right from the start we are where last years effort had just left off, it's almost as if we are given Secret Passage III. Once you are oozed out of the noise of "Final Passage" it is up to the listener to survive from then on.

you can stream Prison Sweat in its entirety here
download
buy

Auris Apothecary Sampler #2

Hey bitches, this is kitsch. The music I post is different.

Auris Apothecary is a DIY label based in Bloomington, Indiana, USA that releases, punk, metal, avant-garde, noise, drone and the like in very limited quantities and with very unique packaging. Whether you think its pretentious or adds to the aesthetic of the music, one can't deny the creativity of packaging a cassette in a recycled library case with a library punch card that holds the liner notes. In addition to oddball packaging, they also release obscure formats, such as a loop of reel to reel tape, a 17" lathe cut made to be played at 17 rpm, and floppy discs. One such release this summer came wrapped in dried sunflower leaves with mysterious “magical seeds.” Anyway, you get the idea. Its the kind of stuff that hipsters would eat up if they could stomach the auditory “variety” that this label releases. This “variety” is nicely captured in their most recent “Sampler #2.” For every lo-fi indie bedroom jangle and autumn emo anthem there are also jagged and piercing power electronics, shrieking black noise and “samples of torture victims.”

This variety makes for quite an uneven listen. Just when you get in the groove of a nice indie song by The Constants or Fair Fjola, the next track blasts in with a scream of feedback from the likes of Dante Augustus Scarlatti or Torture Corpse. The tape isn't completely random, however, the label did a nice job of establishing a flow with the extremely eclectic array of material at hand. The poppier stuff tends to be at the beginning, and the more noisy and experimental songs populate the latter half. There are some nice transitions, too, where the minimal synth of Pendra Gon fades nicely into the layers of noise in Rob Funkhouser's track.

The point is, most of the material is excellent stuff. If you are familiar with the kind of label that has the tag line “We exist because fuck you” you pretty much know what you're getting yourself into with this compilation. Everything on the label can be purchased (cheaply, I might add) on their website aurisapothecary.org.

This sampler is available to download there for free.

Slays for Days Issue #2

The second issue of S4D is complete - I have approximately 25 copies sitting next to me, left over from the gig I was selling them at last night. I mentioned before that Jeroen of Antediluvian was designing the cover, and you can see his work above. I've got to say, it looks fucking fantastic. I've even printed off extra copies of the design on separate sheets, to be sent out along with the zine. I'll be printing the rest of the copies later this week - as it stands, I'm aiming for a press of 150 copies, though that might extend to 200 depending on how quickly they go. I still have people asking me for copies of #1, so I'm hoping to keep some stock for at least a while. Anyway, information on the content can be read on the zine's page.

The Aeolist #1

I'd like everyone to welcome our new contributor, kitsch. I'm not really too bothered with posting links and shit like that on here anymore (though obviously it's still gonna happen), but I thought kitsch's posting would add a little extra flair to the blog.

Kitsch has recently made a zine that features essays, poetry, short stories, photography and illustrations from various contributors around the world, including myself. The best thing about it, other than the material being fantastic, is that it's free - all you have to pay for is the shipping. If you're in the US, visit kitsch's blog Modern Lies Media to order one.

If you're in Australia I'll be doing the same thing, or I'll simply include a copy with any order if requested. Alternatively, if you have the means to print it yourself, the PDFs are available on MLM - the only condition about printing it yourself is that you have to print as many as you can and pass it around.

Willing Feet - Willing Feet 7''

I could only count down the days until this nasty little seven inch would surface on the interweb. I've been spinning this destruction since it was released and due to my incredibly poor ripping abilitys there would be no way i wouid degrade one of my favourite releases this year. Willing Feet are a local band from here in Winnipeg and i've had the pleasure to see live many times. Two re-recorded songs you've heard from the demo and the sound is more menacing then ever. Right from the start you are whirled into the punk-y stomp of Deep With the Dead, and not much bands these days seem to be pulling off this style without coming off as tired and recycled.

buy here
download

Otro Mundo - Jellied

Hailing from the scorched psychadelia of Arizona, Otro Mundo is stuck in an acid-laced and highly fuzzed out time warp. Jellied is essentially an exercise in futility - a lot of alternative and noise rock bands covered Otro Mundo's chosen path two decades ago, but this doesn't make Jellied any less involving. Recalling elements of bands like Sonic Youth, Butthole Surfers or even punkier forms such as Husker Du, Jellied consists of 5 songs awash with distortion and catchy melodies.

Yuck put out a record earlier this year that attempted to recapture the particular 90s vibe that a lot of 20-somethings are now nostalgic for, and it succeeded in various ways - Otro Mundo is much more of an experimental take on the style, leaving the listener with very little pop sensibility to grasp. In fact, the lo-fi aesthetic of the record is one of its defining elements, and sets the standard for a lot of the songs.

The title track, for example, is an addictive yet simple indie rock song in the vein of Built to Spill, but it gives off an almost claustrophobic vibe from its subdued production and lower-mixed vocals. The anxiety that it invokes is something which can be found on most of the songs, and in my opinion sets it apart from the usual revivalist deadheads. The highlight of Jellied for me is undoubtedly Heart-Thrush - it's one of the less punky songs on the demo, and in an almost anthemic way totally epitomizes the mood of the record.

As far as I can tell, there is a hotbed of interesting acts currently residing in Arizona, such as Pigeon Religion, Avon Ladies, Nihilism, Acid Dawgz, and Naive - Otro Mundo has members of all of them. You can purchase this on cassette directly from the band on their blog. If you aren't convinced of this demo's quality, then please, sample the download and let me prove you wrong.

Prosanctus Inferi Red Streams of Flesh

For all those who have been waiting for more viscous enthropic ennui, Prosanctus Inferi returns with incestuous genuflections in presenting their newest EP, Red Streams of Flesh. Those who preferred the band's demo over their LP (as many apparently do) should be immensely pleased with this opus, as the guitar tone and overall production have become much thicker. Also of note is the new drummer's contribution to the band's sound; what used to a messy flurry of battering toms and cymbals giving something of a "machinegunning a beehive" effect, is now a uniform march of incessant hatred. The intensity here is off the charts, and the songwriting has changed in a similar way as well; composition is tighter than a nun's asshole and has largely moved away from the grindcore-like random stringing of riffs that characterized Prosanctus Inferi's previous approach. There is still plenty of fury, and plenty of chaos, but it has now become focused and directed into a singular vial of decadent sadism. As if to highlight these changes, the work closes with two older songs. Of the six on display, "Bent in Genuflexion" in particular is mind-fuckingly violent. Buy here.

download (VBR, 297-320kbps)

God Destroyer - III

Third release (obviously) from this New Zealand ambient/drone project. Two tracks, coming in at just over 20 minutes. The first, 'Ghosts', gradually builds in intensity over its 13 minute length, constantly adding texture and noise to its already warm and bass-y drone. It's arguably the best song they've recorded thus far.'Iñupiat' closes the EP with a gentle comedown, displaying an excellent grasp of minimalist composition. As an overall record, III is by far the most polished and conceptually 'complete' release by God Destroyer. You can download it from Zeronoize. The God Destroyer Untitled compilation tape is still in the works, and will be available here on Slays for Days Records very soon.

Bad Life - The Day You Die

'Bad Life is a procession of every half-heard sound that ever seeped through heat-cracked walls distorted. The Day You Die is eleven death rattles as rallying cries, grinding against the walls of this world'

Music Ruins Lives is back again - having been somewhat inactive over the past couple of months, the label has set off a series of upcoming releases with Bad Life's The Day You Die. Did I expect anything bad from MRL? Of course not. Did I expect to be blown away by Bad Life? Not entirely, but that's still what happened. Bad Life, as far as I can ascertain, have been around for a while, putting out some splits and such. The Day You Die seems to be their first full release however.

I find it hard to to properly categorise Bad Life. At its core, the band follows a post-punk template, but elements of noise rock, doom metal and Have a Nice Life-esque melancholy shine through. To sum it up as concisely as possible, this record is a fusion of both post-punk's and doom metal's versions of depression. Hearing Curisms alongside clear Black Sabbath influence seems to be a rather unpalatabe combination, but Bad Life make it work perfectly. Add to this a highly textured and addictive pop sensibility (warped beyond recognition by the band's experimental nature), and you have what could possibly be one of the best underground records of the year.

As dark as its subject matter may be, there is a consistent level of accessibility to The Day You Die, despite the record's almost malevolent atmosphere. For those of you who listened to nothing else but Deathconsciousness in the months following its release, you are strongly encouraged to spin this through just once. That's all it will take.

You can stream the album at Bad Life's bandcamp page.
Preorder the CD from MRL's store, as well as several other great releases they still have available (Wreck and Reference, Bad Braids).

Psychic Blood - S/T Demo

As a fuzzy combination of Sonic Youth and the Butthole Surfers, Psychic Blood have certainly done their research - their noise and shoegaze-laden style of discordant alternative rock does very well to remain true to the bands they're inspired by, but at the same time retain even a smidgeon of originality. Not to say that this is original, but there does seem to be a shortage of bands like Pyschic Blood these days - at least good ones. Post-punk melodies, noise-rock rhythms and shoegaze-esque distortions make up the brunt of this demo, and it's combined rather authentically underneath the band's lo-fi aesthetic. Apparently there is more Psychic Blood on the horizon, so if you like this demo, keep your eyes open.

Download it here

Keep up to date here

Blut - Grief and Incurable Pain/Ritual and Ceremony

Ritualistic drone doom gets bad rep these days. A few years ago it was all the rage, but it seems no one really wants to get their hands dirty anymore. And fuck Sunn O))) - they don't deserve half the acclaim they get. While the drone doom genre may be lacking, this could be partly due to my own ignorance; I'm usually content with Corrupted repeats and a local act from these parts called Drowning Horse so I don't feel the need to search out other, newer groups. But this is where Blut makes their entry. A two-piece outfit from the UK, Blut combine noise and a lo-fi aesthetic to further emphasis the 'ritualistic' component of their style.

As far as I know, Blut has several releases under their belt - I received only two of these in the mail, but apparently they are the band's two full lengths, last year's Ritual and Ceremony and the recently released Grief and Incurable Pain. Both records are very similar in sound and style, combining colossal riffs with long and painfully slow passages of murky, droning ambience. It can be said with some certainty that Blut's style is not incredibly palatable, but this is merely from the outset. With repeated listens I've found a plethora of depth to these overly excessive recordings.

The way atmosphere is handled by the duo is surprisingly good. More often than not, the types of people making this kind of music don't really have any idea what they're doing and end up creating long songs that are boring as shit, feel like they go nowhere, and certainly don't help the listener 'transcend' to an alternate plane or whatever the fuck the intention is. There are little things here (remember, it's always the little things) that just make it for me. Both records are heavily textured, albeit in an extremely lo-fi manner, with layers and layers of fuzz cushioning the constantly rolling riffs. The noise and ambient passages are ritualistic by every definition of the word, and the occasional synth work that Blut utilises makes for some interesting vibes. In actual fact the noise/ambient passages remind me of 70s horror films, but without the four decades of deteriorating shock value.

What is most (un)pleasant about Blut is the sheer filthiness of the recording. The drums are completely buried, and sound entirely suffocated under the weight of the riffs. Leadwork is also put to use, arching over the murkiness of the songs. Good examples are in 'Death.Mourning.Famine' from Grief and Incurable Pain or 'Throne Ritual' from Ritual and Ceremony. The latter track goes for 24 minutes, and after building up a lumbering riff for a little over 6, throws in this harrowing black metal inspired tremolo-ed riffage, which sits perfectly with the overall mood of the track. Similar moments are strewn across both albums, and make the build-ups even more exhilarating. And just because I'm a lazy writer, I'm just going to tack this onto the end of the paragraph - no, Blut is not instrumental. The vocals aren't overly used, but they're mostly disgusting and completely unintelligible shrieks and gutturals. Whether this affects your decision to hear the band or not is irrevelent of the fact that they work perfectly with the music at hand.

Blut have requested that I upload the two albums I received, so both are available below uploaded at 320kbps. I highly recommend this to fans of this style, particularly to anyone who wants a little foulness in the wake of Corrupted's overly clean recent offering. Check out their website for more information on other releases (the availability of which I'm uncertain).

Ritual and Ceremony
Grief and Incurable Pain

Blut

Dirty Beaches - Badlands

Without a doubt this will now offically be my summer hangover record; in my opinion it's one of those love it or hate albums. Dirty Beaches offer you nothing more but a record do absolutley nothing to and it feels great. The only thing wrong here is that it's length does do the album justice as the album is not even a half hour long. After its completion the listener should feel lost and miserable and if you do not feel this way you are most likely not a person and probably a terrorist. Another thing Badlands could be criticized for is it's originality; the bassline from "A Hundred Highways" straight from Les Rallizes Denudes' song 'Night of the Assassins' but it's not like we haven't heard that bass line before in any other Denudes song anyway, it is time to get real. There are couple others worth mentioning but I just listened to the album again and i don't feel like doing anything anymore.

Badlands

God Destroyer - S/T

God Destroyer is from New Zealand. I personally have not been to Australia's smaller neighbour (yet) but I've heard good things. For such a small country with a tiny population, I'm always surprised at how good underground music is over there. There are several death metal bands who've recently gained international limelight, and the last year or so I've uncovered a burdgeoning hardcore/PV scene with more filth than most can handle. Nowadays when I associate a style of music with NZ, I think of crackling tapes and lo-fi aesthetic.

Now to be sure, I'm not complaining in the least. While I'm positive every style of music exists in NZ and I simply haven't heard about it yet, God Destroyer is a surprise for me, as well as being completely expected. Given the different bands and styles I commonly associate with NZ, God Destroyer is very far removed. But then given the placid atmosphere and scenery that we all know NZ to be famous for, God Destroyer is incredibly fitting as a musical accompaniment to the country’s environment.

When I received the self-titled album, the tag of ambient didn’t dissuade my thoughts that this would be something a little noise oriented, something a little fucked up. This is not the case. God Destroyer is reminiscent of some earlier Aidan Baker, displaying gentle, flowing tones that pulsate through your own warped visions of nostalgia. There is something genuinely haunting about this type of drone music – while it can often be very alienating, it at the same time breeds a greater appreciation of isolation.

There are four lengthy tracks on this demo, all which follow a similar template. It’s pointless to go into specifics here – this is minimalist ambient music. However, when it does break the mold of minimalism and reaches into the expanses of drone, when the pulsations are loud and the musical surrounds are filled with a soothing buzz, God Destroyer is at its best. These weightier passages are juxtaposed with the minimalist quietness of other passages, further emphasising their intensity.

As far as I know (and can tell) this is a DIY recording, so listeners only familiar with the later works of bigger artists such as Baker or Tim Hecker should not expect crystal clear production. In my opinion the somewhat fuzzy exterior to this album gives it a sense of reality, making it all the more authentic and organic. But that’s just me though. The demo is free to download, and you’re all encouraged to do so.

download

The Dada Tapes

From the outset, Perth, Western Australia's music scene seems sparse and uninviting, even to people who live here, but with enough dedication one will uncover a thriving and genuine underground, in a plethora of different styles and genres.

Perth has two main centres, being Perth (the CBD) and Fremantle, a port town. In terms of record stores, Fremantle has two well known ones (Mills and Junction Records), as well as a couple of second-hand stores. The city has a few more, such as 78 Records (shit) and a few new ones I'm unfamiliar with, but the best of the bunch is easily Dada Records, a nondescript store front with a huge collection of different types of stuff. As I've found out, the store is quite involved with many of the city's 'experimental' bands, and has released a tape of various live recordings from a collection of Perth bands.

The artists I'm familiar with on the compilation (Royal Vomit, Mental Powers, Gilbert Fawn etc.) all provide a really great song each, but there really isn't anything remotely bad here. The songs range from soft folk/ambient to more outlandish and noisy experimentation, as well as more rock-oriented ones (as well as a hip-hop track). The comp is entrancing from beginning to end, and highly recommended.

Thanks to Reel Muzak for posting the link up. The tape was limited to 200 copies and is probably long sold out, so this rip is all latecomers such as myself have to go with.

download

Slays for Days Issue #1

Copies of issue 1 are available again. Another 25 copies were printed, 20 of which remain. Send an email to the address given below to order a copy. A couple of distros will also have copies available soon.

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The first issue of the S4D print magazine is now available. In terms of content, there is a predominant focus on Australian music. There are also three pages of reviews. The four interviews are with:

- Drowning Horse/Warthreat
- God Harvest
- Mammon
- Ocean of Zero

Within Australia, the zine is $3 shipped.
International orders, $5 shipped.

To order one, send an email to slaysfordays@hotmail.com