'82 Inferno
Someone on Instagram recommended this demo to me a few weeks back and I was instantly impressed by Australian outfit '82 Inferno and their take on late-'80s/early-'90s NYHC filtered through the lens of, say, peak era Bitter End with a slight undercurrent of Trapped Under Ice. There's not much information out there, but the internet claims that the vocalist also plays guitar in Speed. Strong production, great riffs, tactful groove, The Icemen-esque cover art... what's not to love!? I'm certainly looking forward to hearing more.
First stop for The Elimination digital should always be Bandcamp. Those who stream can fire up Apple Music, Spotify, or some other such resource.
Box Elder
The debut album from Salt Lake City's Box Elder somehow crossed my path and despite the fact that it can be all too easy to skim past totally unfamiliar outings, for whatever reason I clicked on a track and was quickly intrigued by the group's catchy, heavy-hitting (and pretty rockin'), early-2000s style of "emo." I'm neurotically finicky about keyboards, so the keys can be slightly distracting on occasion, but the choruses are undeniable enough to make up for any minor shortcomings. At times I'm reminded of what bands like Armor for Sleep were doing 20-some years ago, which is a high compliment.
Snag Box Elder on LP or CD through Bandcamp, or pick up the vinyl from Steadfast Records. If you prefer streaming, Apple Music and Spotify and other sources should have you covered.
Crash Outfit
Santa Rosa, CA's Crash Outfit debuts with an eight-song/25-minute outing that presents some surprisingly memorable, angular indie/alternative rock that kinda reminds me of some comparable Scandinavian acts that I've covered over the years, with maybe a dash of a D.C.-ish form of post-hardcore flare on the side. I suppose that means there's a bit of an emo undercurrent at times, too, but those influences are always shifted by the tactfully gnarled ruggedness of the recording—which, now that I think about it, can lend a noise rock vibe to certain passages throughout. Lots of influences fluidly coming together with this one. Pretty cool.
Crash Outfit looks to be digital-only, so again the preferred option should be Bandcamp. Otherwise, Apple Music and Spotify and all that shit is out there, too.
Damokles
Oslo, Norway post-everything weirdos (and I mean that as a compliment) Damokles are back with another intriguing new full-length that explores a darker heaviness throughout—appropriate, given that this is a non-chronological concept album about a fictional serial killer (also aptly released on Friday the 13th last month!). Said "heaviness" is not what I would classify as "metal," however. There's a certain ambitiousness to the material, a lush density that makes me think of classic progressive rock, but through the Damokles lens that gets twisted up into an embodiment of its own. To be totally honest, part of me felt like this album might get too "out there" for me, so I'm pleased to report that I was incorrect. The band's knack for powerfully surging earworms remains in effect, and in a strange way this album might even have more potential for a wider spectrum of listeners. As has been true in the past, bits and pieces do bring to mind other acts, but I don't want to name any names because comparisons would be potentially misleading at best given the nature of the Damokles beast...
A Trophy Collection looks to be digital-only. Bandcamp is best. If you insist on streaming, look toward Apple Music, Spotify, and so forth.
Fail You
I came across New Jersey outfit Fail You on Instagram, I believe, and noted that one of the members was Len Carmichael from Landmine Studios. It feels like a foundation of late-'90s/early-2000s metalcore here, but they definitely bring in some tactful modern brutality and pull from a range of influences so that each track tends to have some of its own character. Certainly you'll be greeted by gnashing breakdown chugs, but the writing can lean more toward searing metal influences than anticipated—tremolo picking runs that can at times lend a blackened death undercurrent, bits of "stabby" caustic dissonance, etc. Guest vocal spots in about half of the tracks, too. Not bad at all!
All three physical formats for As Above, So Below are available direct from the band. Visit Bandcamp for the digital; or stream on Apple Music or Spotify or whatever.
Mass Appeal
This is another one that I heard about through @truetothegamenyhc on Instagram, due in part to the great graphic design on the cover catching my eye. The Dallas, TX group has been around for a few years, and this four-song EP marks a big step up in terms of the overall force, clearer/harder-hitting production values, etc. Expect nasty metallic hardcore with a good mix of thrashy speed and hardass grooves, fronted by raging vocals that walk the line between burly and abrasive without sounding forced.
None But One is available on 7" through Life and Death Brigade (100 on translucent blue with white and silver splatter, 150 on coke bottle green with gold smoke/swirl). Name your price download on Bandcamp. If you stream, hit Apple Music or Spotify or something.
