Friends Unseen

Friends Unseen were a five-piece emo/indie band from Umeå, Sweden that released a single two-song 7" in 1998 via Subjugation Records. Other than that what's included with this record, there's really no other information out there on them. One of their members was also in Separation and The International (Noise) Conspiracy, but those are far cries from the sound heard here. These two tracks are slightly overdriven, lo-fi and melancholic, with impeccable vocals. You guys are going to love this, that's all I have to say to implore you to give this a listen. Enjoy.

The Usual Dilemma / Drowning Act (1998)

1. The Usual Dilemma

2. Drowning Act

Rainmaker

Rainmaker are a four-piece screamo/post-hardcore band from Eslöv, Sweden that formed in 2012. Though not officially disbanded, they haven't been particularly active since 2018. Their discography is quite small, consisting of just a demo, a full-length (put out by Dog Knights Productions), and a split with the excellent Italian band Øjne. Sonically, they fuse the forlorn catharsis of screamo with the more hard-hitting and technical elements of post-hardcore, with passages indebted to post-rock (with guitars awash in reverb and delay). This band is incredibly dynamic, going through a litany of sound and emotion in the span of just 8 tracks on their LP, and a single fantastic contribution to their split. I wish we got more output from them because this is legitamately great stuff, but for now we're lucky to have just this. Enjoy.

One More Winter (2013)

1. Farewell Swallows (Demo Version)

2. An Unopened Letter (Demo Version)

Alienation (2013)

1. Abolish...

2. Still Waters Run Deep

3. Relinquish Your Grip On The Rope, You Won't Fall

4. Rather Die Young, Than Die Young At Heart

5. Farewell Swallows

6. Silence

7. Falling Off The Sky

8. ...Alienation

Rainmaker/Øjne (2015)

1. Rainmaker - Le Poids Des Ombres

2. Øjne - Da Qualche Parte, Nel Momento Giusto

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Far Apart

Far Apart were a four-piece emo/indie band from Luleå, Sweden that began in 1995 and broke up in 1999. They released one EP, a split and a demo (which I unfortunately am missing). Sonically, they will appeal to fans of bands like Texas Is The Reason and The Promise Ring, with a bright guitars, an energetic rhythm section, and infectiously melodic vocals. There's not much else to say really, like their discography I'll keep this short and sweet. Enjoy.

Hazel (1997)

1. Hazel

2. Dartmouth

3. Overdriver

The John Doe Band/Far Apart (1998)

1. The John Doe Band - A-Song

2. The John Doe Band - At The Kerb

3. Far Apart - Competitive Excuse

Jazzbrunch

Jazzbrunch are a screamo/post-hardcore/post-metal band from Sweden that got started this year. This is a fantastic new project that features members of two other incredible bands, namely Vi Som Alskade Varandra Sa Mycket and Totem Skin. They released their debut EP a while back, which features two sprawling compositions of dynamic exploration and intensity, courtesy of the screamo/post-hardcore influence that really cuts through.

"Idiocracy" is a dark, and hard-hitting introduction, which builds monuments to dark clouds amdist a flurry of drums, tremolo-picked guitars, reverb and distortion. The latter track, "An Invitation to an Enormous Disappointment" takes a slightly more melodic approach, but still thrashes through some heavy crescendos before the waves break for the mid-section of the track, which features sparse drumming, atmospheric guitar work, and gentle plucks of piano keys below an incredibly passionate vocal delivery. The song ends with an incredibly symphonic conclusion, which on one hand is a fantastic wrap-up to this EP, but on the other leaves you ready for way more material from these guys.

Fans of the aforementioned bands will undoubtedly love this, as it sounds like an amalgamation of the two, with the sounds of Envy and Suffocate For Fuck Sake thrown into the mix. Their self-titled debut EP is out now via Zegema Beach Records on 7", and is limited to 200 copies. Order info can be found below. Enjoy!

JAZZBRUNCH (2019)

1. Idiocracy

2. An Invitation to an Enormous Disappointment

Order the 7" here:

Canada/International

USA

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Young Mountain

Young Mountain are a five-piece screamo/post-rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden that have been around since 2013. Since then they've been fairly prolific with consistent solid releases. The band takes the base of their sound from the atmospheric, rise and fall post-rock influence of bands like This Will Destroy You (whose debut album Young Mountain presumably get their name from). On top of that they throw in hard-hitting screamed vocals, haunting sung vocals, reverb-washed melodic guitars, and the ability to produce dynamic-shifting tracks of dark, emotional catharsis. Fans of the post-rock/shoegaze and screamo/post-hardcore blend will dig this, since it brings to mind other titans of the genre such as Envy,  Deafheaven, or early Pianos Become The Teeth. Their most recent release, Lost Tree is an absolutely immense record, and probably their best to date. If you're new to this band, I'd suggest starting there, though We're Drowning in Slowmotion is also incredible. Enjoy.

För Alltid Var Bara Något Vi Sa (2013)

1. För Alltid Var Bara Något Vi Sa

Fragile (2014)

1. Jag Begravde Solen

2. Dessa Väggar Viskar

3. Seasons Apart

4. Growing Hands

5. Your Name Means Loved

We're Drowning In Slowmotion (2014)

1. Hildedal

2. Arctic Smile

3. Månen Stal Min Själ

4. .

The Garden Of Biological Machines (2016)

1. The Garden Of Biological Machines

2. HMS Slowmotion

Young Mountain/La Petite Mort/Vivre Sa Vie (2017)

1. Young Mountain - Pilträdsvillan

2. Young Mountain - Bloom

3. Vivre Sa Vie - Ehler-Danlos

4. Vivre Sa Vie - Shield

5. La Petite Mort / A Little Death - Intro

6. La Petite Mort / A Little Death - Windchime

7. La Petite Mort / A Little Death - This Name Rings A Bell

Lost Tree (2018)

1. Asunder, To Eye Each Other

2. The Sun Is Away

3. ///////////////

4. Misery

5. Juni

6. Vacant Eyes

7. Lost Tree

8. I Flew Above Your House Last Night

Note: Order the vinyl from Zegema Beach Records: USA or International & Canada

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Kid, Feral

Kid, Feral are a three-piece screamo band from Skövde, Sweden that formed in 2016. Thus far, they've released a demo and a semi-recent LP, put out by two incredible labels (Emo Cat Records and Dog Knights Production, respectively). They play with an incredible mesh of sounds, including shimmering guitar tones, distorted bass lines, chaotic rhythms, and visceral, piercing vocal screams, mixed in with experimental interludes to break up the skramz party.

Their debut full-length, Live and Let's Die! is a must-listen for screamo fans in 2018, this is definitely one of the most varied and exciting releases in recent history. Also, as OMSB pointed out, the Billy Werner/Saetia comparison in the vocal delivery is uncanny, which is certainly high praise. Highly recommended. Enjoy.

Demo (2016)

1. Like it or not, we're the only game in town

2. Blue eyes white dragon (I'll close my eyes and imagine)

Note: Cassette available from Emo Cat Records here

Live And Let's Die! (2018)

1. So Much Money in the $kramz Game

2. Sensory Overload in the Afterclass Bathroom

3. Permanently Stuck in Small Town Limbo

4. Where You End Up Is Not Who You Are

5. This System Is a Bunch of Baloney

6. Listen Up You Nazi Fucks

7. Firedragon3651 Logs Out for Good

8. The Smallest of Intermissions

9. Quit Without Saving? (Y/N)

Note: Vinyl available from Dog Knights Productions here: EU / INTL

Headlights EP (2024)

1. Doomsday Scenarios Are For Nerds

2. Do Not Stop Driving Or You Are Dead

3. Am I Better Than All Of You?

4. An Answered Prayer

5. Arkenbuzzsaw

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Disembarked

Disembarked are a five-piece screamo/hardcore band from Stockholm, Sweden that formed in 2011. They play a painstakingly emotional style of hardcore that incorporates elements of post-rock sounds and vocals on the brink of breaking. Their sound will appeal to fans of bands such as Pianos Become The Teeth, Touché Amoré, State Faults, More Than Life, and Envy. Their last release was their sole full-length, which was put out by Dog Knights Production in 2014. Though the band is still technically together, they have not been active in quite some time. Hopefully some new material will surface in the future, but until then, their current discography is just as killer. Enjoy.

Reverie (2011)

1. Reverie

Disembarked EP (2012)

1. •

2. Pulled Apart

3. Disease

4. Deckhouse

5. Mist

I Do Nothing But Regret The Fact That I Left (2013)

1. Abscond

2. Unwanted But Chosen Pt.I

3. Pillars Pt.II

4. Bewildered

5. Flags Of Our Fathers

Nothing's Wrong Here (2014)

1. Body Of A Ghost, Arms Of A Man

2. Sudden Veer

3. Nothing's Wrong Here

4. Postponed

5. Absent Mother

6. I Gave It Away

7. Caesura

8. Friends, Are You Still There?

9. Grethe

10. Saunter

11. Hindsight

12. Weekend Chaser

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No Omega

Yes, I'm alive. Not dead or doing porn (among other stranger speculations). I've had this post sitting in "drafts" for over four months. I figured it's only fitting to make it the first one up after an unexpected hiatus for an unexpectedly long time. Sorry it's been so long, but I am back (hopefully for good). Expect to see new posts often, and I've been updating old ones with all the new releases I've missed.

No Omega are a four-piece hardcore/screamo band from Sweden that formed in 2010. Since then, they've released a fantastic stream of dark, melodic, modern hardcore with a tinge of screamo influence. Their most recent release, Culture (featuring hit single "Bad and Boujee"), is nothing short of fantastic, and fans of bands like Touché Amoré, Killing The Dream, More Life, Converge, Birds in Row, and Loma Prieta will undoubtedly dig this. Definitely one of my highly recommended hardcore releases of the year. Enjoy.

No Omega (2011)

1. Ravens Fair

2. Constants

3. The Design

4. Ett Hjarta Svart

5. Relations (demo/bonus track)

Metropolis (2012)

1. Lives Worth

2. Breathe

3. Blunt Knives

4. Heavy Rain

5. Heartless And Cold

6. Rot

7. Harbinger

8. Metropolis

9. Eight Year Dream

Below (single) (2013)

1. Below (Single Version)

2. Not A Place

Shame (2013)

1. Earth Stands Still

2. Vacants

3. Sleeping In

4. Below

5. Woodlands Pt. 1

6. Utopianist

7. Dirt Hands

8. Engima

9. V (Control)

10. A Man Reprieved

11. Woodlands Pt. 2

12. Shame (Bonus Track)

Occupants (2015)

1. Passing

2. Staying

3. Man/Monster

4. Takers

5. Comfort

Culture (2017)

1. Culture

2. Phobia

3. Misgiving

4. Autoimmune

5. Cogs

6. Agora

7. Unsociable

8. Within, Without

9. Contortion

10. Safe

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I Love Your Lifestyle

I Love Your Lifestyle are a five-piece emo/indie/punk band from Malmö and Gothenburg, Sweden that formed in 2012. They play an excellent blend of up-beat punk mixed in with the bright, twinkly/noodley guitar sound of midwestern emo, with some catchy as hell Cap'n Jazz vocals. Basically, they're Algernon Cadwallader reincarnated. We Go Way Back is one of the best emo records to come out in the past few years, and their new 2-song EP is just as good. I can't recommend this band enough for fans of Kinsella-inspired midwestern emo. Enjoy.

I Love Your Lifestyle EP (2013)

1. Spider Monkey

2. Cristoffer Robin

3. Poetry Issues

4. Dynamites & Catfights

5. Happy Lacuna

6. Long Time No Bruce

I Was A Loser In School EP (2015)

1. Prank

2. Zitch Dog

3. I Was A Loser In School

We Go Way Back (2016)

1. Nice Jacket. Not

2. My Yard

3. Jazz Nights

4. Common Sense

5. Oh, Twisted Me

6. Overall Adderall

7. Testimonial Deadline

8. Routine

9. Brain Freeze

10. No Time For Major Fuck Ups

11. Birds of Paradise

12. Dirty Shades

13. Roda Mossan

14. Summer 03

Touch / Fire (2017)

1. Touch

2. Fire

No Driver (2020)

1. Stupid

2. Car

3. No Harm, No Foul

4. Shilly-Shally

5. Align!

6. I Have No Point To Make

7. Fram Och Tillbaka

8. Well, That's Not Ideal

9. OK

10. Inner Freakness

11. Making Nothing Out Of Something

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Shirokuma

Shirokuma are a four-piece screamo band from Sweden that have been active since 2012. They play a very melodic style of screamo that incorporates elements of emo and melodic hardcore. With some very bright and noodly guitars, a flowing rhythm section, and some pain-stakingly shrieked vocals, they're an absolute must for fans of fellow Swedish band and split-mates Suis La Lune. Other decent comparisons might be Raein, State Faults, Cavalcades, and Loma Prieta's last album. If "melodic screamo" sounds appealing, it doensn't get much better than Shirokuma. Enjoy.

Demo (2012)

1. Exits

2. Old Stories

3. Past Times In Silence

Shirokuma (2013)

1. Dropping Out

2. To Seek My Very Own Sun

3. Stranded

4. What Is Cold?

Sun Won't Set (2014)

1. A Cloud Painted

2. Cold, Cold Hands

3. To Seek Out My Very Own Sun

4. Okami

5. Four Rivers

6. Chiaroscuro

7. Falling Leaves From A Dying Tree

8. Blue Circles Turning Black

9. Sun Won't Set

Light Dies / Colours Fade (2015)

1. Empty Squares And Thinner Lines

2. The Rabbits Hole

3. Well

4. Marble White

5. Crystal Shell

Shirokuma/Suis La Lune (2016)

1. Shirokuma - Endless Rain

2. Shirokuma - The Earth Sleeps 

3. Shirokuma - Leave Me

4. Shirokuma - Lost Contact

5. Shirokuma - My Body Is An Empty Vessel

6. Suis La Lune - What These Hands Can't Hold

7. Suis La Lune - Beyond Repair

8. Suis La Lune - In Between Heartbeats

9. Suis La Lune - Lost Moments

Clothes I Wear For The Space I'm In (2019)

1. Black Lungs

2. Flies

3. Cycles

4. Present Day

5. Smiles

6. Seven Candles

7. In Abeyance

8. Above The Noise

9. Space

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Heart On My Sleeve

Heart On My Sleeve are a five-piece screamo band from Stockholm, Sweden that have been around since 2010. They were formed by former members of another fantastic band, The Hope And The Failure. Heart On My Sleeve play emotionally impassioned music that features some tortured vocals and heavy post-rock influence in the instrumentals. In particular, their last LP In The Midst of Hope and Nothingness is definitely recommended, both for its concept and incredible music. This is definitely recommended for fans of more melodic screamo. Enjoy.

Blood Is Not Thicker Than Wine (2011)

1. Control Alt Delete

2. Heart On Her Sleeve

3. Blood And Wine

4. Linguistic Cure

Heart On My Sleeve/состояние птиц (2011)

1. Heart On My Sleeve - Assassin Limp-wristed and Shy

2. Heart On My Sleeve - Carry On Carry Me

3. состояние птиц - IX

4. состояние птиц - X

5. состояние птиц - XI

Stand-by, We're Going In For Life (2012)

1. Forever Summer

2. Today Is The Day

3. Bitter Verses

4. Without Scaffolding

Cavalcades/Coma Regalia/Heart On My Sleeve (2013)

1. Cavalcades - Distort

2. Cavalcades - Morning Eyes

3. Coma Regalia - What It Costs

4. Coma Regalia - What It's Worth

5. Heart On My Sleeve - A Fabrication Of Life

6. Heart On My Sleeve - Petticoat In Ashes

Totem Skin/Heart On My Sleeve (2014)

1. Totem Skin - Along The Lines Of Nature

2. Totem Skin - Totem Skin - To Live Is To Be Hunted

3. Heart On My Sleeve - For That Feeling That Never Came

In The Midst Of Hope And Nothingness (2015)

1. This Failure Is Not On Me

2. So I Ran With Scissors

3. Vicious Circles

4. What Doesn't Kill You (Will Damage You)

5. He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven

6. A Tale Of Two Hearts

7. In The Beauty Of It All

8. Home Is Where The Hurt Is

9. I Hate It When You're Here, But I Miss You When You're Gone

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