New Stuff from Katorga Works

Western Massachusetts' Hoax return after an ear splitting demo with four more bullets straight through the brain in the form of a 7" debut. Gritty production, abrasive vocals, and thunderous percussion congeal together to create an absolute calamity of an EP. If you were into their first tape, this is an absolute must as far as polluting the airwaves in your immediate locale. Four songs in five minutes, you already know what to expect.

This sold out quickly from Katorga Works but Deranged still has some copies available so snatch those up before all of the vinyl heads flock quicker than locusts to a fruit tree.

Download (link from Katorga)
Buy from Deranged Records

Merchandise returns from humid, sun drenched Tampa, Florida with their latest head scratching musical effort, this time as a split release between Katorga and Drugged Conscience. Blending elements of post-punk, fuzzed out rock, and gritty pop, they create an intoxicating cocktail of tuneage unlike most bands circulating the scene these days. I was pretty psyched on the unusual vibe and surprising songwriting on their first two tapes, and (Strange Songs) In the Dark finds a comfortable home in a similar vein.

This is also sold out from Katorga, but definitely pick this up (as well as the Neon Blud LP) from Drugged Conscience before they're sold out. (Note: this is not a hardcore record, try something different.)

Download (link from Katorga)
Buy from Drugged Conscience

Merchandise - EP

This was originally released a while ago, but considering there's a new LP in the works from these guys, it seems appropriate to post it now. From the ever elusive Cult Maternal group, and released by Drugged Conscience Records, Merchandise's tape EP is a versatile, experimental, adventurous take on indie rock and post punk. You could probably toss in a few other subjective genre names in there too if you'd like, just as long as you understand this isn't a Cult Ritual rehash. Fuzzy, distorted, and nerve-wracking at times, this has the potential to soothe and disturb listeners simultaneously.

Blue pro tapes with double sided silkscreen covers make this a visually appealing release, with quirky puke green and blue artwork that matches the cassette almost perfectly. Merchandise churn out 22 minutes worth of music here in five songs (there's six tracks but the first one is just 15 seconds of noise), which dials in at assorted frequencies all across the musical spectrum. Beginning with "I'm Still Right," the band lumbers on for around three minutes at a slow, deliberate pace, before unexpectedly exploding into fast, distorted riffs which completely take you by surprise. 

There's plenty of interesting things happening throughout this tape, which are far better explained by the musical experience than my random statements regurgitated through the medium of a keyboard. Moments of fuzzed out rock blur right into post-hardcore which disintegrates into something possibly less intelligent. Does that even make sense? I hope not. If you aren't already blissfully aware of this tape, please go buy it from Drugged Conscience. Or wait until it's on eBay. Someone wins either way.

Download
Drugged Conscience Records
Cult Maternal