S.F.B. - S/T

S.F.B. - S/T
Independent




Shit For Brains (S.F.B.) are an excessively noisy four piece from Vancouver. I was turned on to this record by a Vancouver musician I know; I assume it's one of his 10,000 latest side projects (probably not actually 10,000... probably).

S.F.B.'s self titled debut release is at first listen a fast, fuzzy and clearly pissed off record, pissed off about something I can't deduce from the lyrics; whether that's the case or not is for smarter people than I to decide. Part of me wants to call this hardcore, and I would feel comfortable calling it that if not for the tight play and noisy aspects of this album. Part of me wants to call it noise rock, and I would feel comfortable calling it that if not for the fact that these recordings have been intrinsically steeped in the hardcore leanings of old.

While I would not say S.F.B. categorically sounds like these groups, I would recommend this group for fans of Pissed Jeans, Grids, or Homostupids. Nine songs in approximately ten minutes; this is exactly my kind of album. Get in, slay faces, and get the hell out.

I guess ultimately this is an noisy hardcore album; whatever it is, it's the equivalent of a sonic punch in the ear.

I give this album a rating of "listen or I no longer respect you" (not really, I never respected you in the first place), or, "this album sounds good me." You pick; either way, listen!

Head to their Bandcamp page for a free download!

BANDCAMP | MYSPACE

Torchbearer - The Dirty Swagger

Torchbearer - The Dirty Swagger
All Ears Music




Charging out of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Torchbearer step up to the plate with some incendiary hardcore/noise rock meant to kick in teeth. Made up of members of past hardcore/metalcore outfits like Ensign, Low End Theory, For The Love Of, Hellhole, Nora, and Mother Night, Torchbearer manage to lovingly collide some of the best things 90's hardcore had to offer with some punchy, ear bursting moments of noise rock and metalcore ferocity.


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Planks/Narsaak - Split EP

Planks/Narsaak - Split EP
Decoy Industry




Here's a new split from Planks, whose previous full length, The Darkest of Grays, I was a big fan of, and Narsaak who I was previously unaware of. Unfortunately this release has only one track from Planks, who play an aggressive and miserable brand of sludge by way of hardcore punk. Planks was one of the bleakest sludge bands I heard last year, and that's saying something. Fans of groups like Starve and Haarp, and older classics like Grief, Iron Monkey and Noothgrush would do well to listen to these guys.

Also coming from Germany, Narsaak play a slightly more straight forward barrage of crusty hardcore and deliver it quickly and roughly over three tracks here. Narsaak are competent at what they are doing but a whole lot less interesting to me than Planks, so I'm not sure if I would wholeheartedly recommend this release. Definitely seek out The Darkest of Grays by Planks, though, if you're a fan of depressing, angsty sludge. Apparently Planks also has a new album out entitled Solicit to Fall.

PLANKS BANDCAMP | PLANKS FACEBOOK | PLANKS MYSPACE | NARSAAK MYSPACE

Cara Neir - Stagnant Perceptions

Cara Neir - Stagnant Perceptions
Independent




Cara Neir are a two-piece band out of Dallas, Texas playing an intense blend of black metal, hardcore, crust, screamo (old school) and even some sludge influences. Their latest effort is self-released and will melt your face off with harsh despairing vocals, buzz saw guitar work and some seriously pummeling drums. The production here isn't the best, but with such an aural assault being laid down coupled with the group's adherence to the raw nihilism of black metal, perhaps it's just right after all.

What surprised me was the groups softer, even contemplative moments that show up out of nowhere like a post-rock birthday party. Hello, wasn't expecting to see you here in the dim dusk of all this misery.

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