Showing posts with label ontario. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ontario. Show all posts

Tuesday, 20 August 2019

30 Second Motion Picture


30 Second Motion Picture were a four-piece post-hardcore band from Ottawa, Ontario that existed for a short time in 1996. They were formed by members of Shotmaker, a legendary band that if you have not heard I highly, highly suggest checking out as well. They were one of the first bands posted on here if you feel like flipping through the archives. 30 Second Motion Picture carried on a similar post-hardcore vein to their predecessor, but with far less recorded output. They recorded one demo in 1996, which was released posthumously a year later. This demo is what became Can't Kill Time, an incredibly solid effort. Enjoy.

1. The Hundred Hands
2. Fricative
3. Recovery Analysis
4. No Questions, No Answers
5. Input To Receiver
6. To Change A Mind

Sunday, 3 June 2018

Bearings


I know I've been neglecting the pop punk fans on here, so here's a decent one for ya. Bearings are a four-piece pop punk band from Ottawa, Ontario that have been around since 2014. They play a brand of pop punk that fans of bands like Seaway and Knuckle Puck will undoubtedly dug. They're currently signed to Pure Noise, and have their debut full-length coming out later this year. Enjoy.

1. Constant State
2. Up All Night
3. Secret's Safe
4. Dead Weight
5. Hollow

1. Indecision
2. What's Best For You...
3. Absent

1. Petrichor
2. Spent
3. Letters Home
4. North Hansen
5. Makeshift

1. Where You Are
2. Aforementioned
3. Eyes Closed
4. Beautiful Places
5. Blue In The Dark
6. Stuck In A Doorframe
7. Careless Clarity
8. Hear Me Say
9. Goodbye (To All Of Our Friends)
10. Tide
11. Love And Decay

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

Tower of Silence


Tower of Silence were a four-piece screamo band from Toronto that started in March and ended in April 2018. This project was conceptualized as a four-piece one-off project that can be best described as a "skramz supergroup", if such a thing ever did exist. It included members of Respire, Foxmoulder, Terry Green, Polina, Seeing Means More, and Fight Fair. They only played one show, and recorded and released one EP. Considering its quick assembly, these three tracks are incredibly solid pieces of dark, screamy hardcore that brings to mind Portraits Of Past (for some reason). Definitely recommended if you're a fan its members other (amazing) projects. Enjoy.

1. October and Her
2. Parade Me Through The City
3. A Long Passage

Note: You can pick up the limited cassette from Mount Seldom Records here

Friday, 11 May 2018

The Drew Thomson Foundation - Stay


Ontario's Drew Thomson is back with a new EP, Stay, out today on Dine Alone Records. Perhaps better known as the frontman of the raucous punk band Single Mothers, Drew has released a handful of EP's under his own name with a decidedly calmer sound. This marks his first one under the new moniker "The Drew Thomson Foundation", which is an appropriate change since this EP deals with new beginnings and brings out a new sound. Now, first and foremost I am a massive fan of this guy's work, and anyone who has ever been trapped in a car with me can attest to that. Thus, any attempt at a "review" of this would be beyond biased, so a "rant" is more fitting. Moral of the story, check this EP out.

Stay trades out the acoustic-based or clean electric melancholy of his earlier work for a full-on distorted power chord sound, complete with a full backing band. Drew solidifies himself as a graduate of the University of Craig Finn, with incredible lyrical wit and detail, shout-along choruses, and an undeniable rock n roll energy. His vocal ability and songwriting skills just continue to get better, and the result is his most accessible material to date paired with his continued distinct charisma. Lyrics have always been a strong suit of his, and the guy who once wrote Negative Qualities seems to have found a far more sunny disposition, which is reflected in this new EP.


The intro wastes no time with "Married To The Night", which immediately opens with Drew's vocals and a loud, overdriven guitar before the entire band kicks in. The punk influence is immediately more evident than on any of his previous releases. Vocally, he dabbles in the sing-speak style more commonly used with Single Mothers. This is the perfect delivery for the wordplay and lyrical density he is renowned for. He fits a lot of detail into this 2-minute track, which says just enough to capture a moment without indulging in it.

"Pace Yourself" is an alt-country ballad in the vein of Lucero, which sees Drew trading in his "whiskey spell" for "diet coke and lime". The acoustic guitar on this track suggests that it may have started much more stripped down. With the addition of the full band instrumentation, this song sounds a lot less lonely than it may have originally, which is perfectly fitting for the song's subject matter. This track pulls together a huge, communal chorus with some incredible lyrics that hit a little too close to home. Its a reflection on a previous self juxtaposed with the current self, and the changes that have arisen in that time, and the sense of hope that brings. Drew throws in some incredible personal details on both lives with that chorus hammering home the simple yet poignant life lesson: pace yourself. This is the second track released from the EP, and a definite highlight.

Track 3, "Rifle" is a bit of a detour on this EP, with its run-time being over twice any other song on here at 5:21. Its foundation is a riff played on what sounds like a cross between a bass and a synth, over steady toms, with some guitar flashes decorating the spaces. It burns a little slower than the rest, but brims with lyrical potency, allowing Drew to tell this story with vivid detail and feeling. It contains fantastic lines such as "All this goddamn town has is a funeral home, a liquor store and a church. Not sure which one I'll end up in first". The wordy chorus hits its peak the third time around post-bridge, where the guitar work begins swelling, and the snare and cymbals hit. The slow build and progression hits an incredible climax here before devolving into the bass/synth riff to close.

The closing track, which also happens to be the title track and first single released is "Stay". It's an incredible concept to hit on, and one universally (albeit painfully) understood by so many. This track borders on a pop song, with an upbeat chord progression, standard song structure, and catchy refrain (the kind of earworm that gets stuck in your head). The lyrics on this track are pretty immediate, with the narrator dealing with the loss of someone who left before their time of self-improvement. It's got this incredible duality to it, where it fits into both camps of happiness and sadness (for lack of better words), which I think perfectly encapsulates the human condition (as pretentious as that sounds). Regardless, this is an incredible song with a replay value that does not wear out easily, and a highlight in Drew's already-amazing catalogue. You can check out the video for "Stay" below.



I'm not sure if my recommendation has much merit, but I do truly suggest giving all of Drew's music a listen, especially Stay (and Single Mothers if you haven't heard them, holy shit get on that). This is a fantastic project from one of my favourite songwriters kicking around today, and one I will be (and have been) listening to tirelessly. The music, lyrics, and hooks are all simply astounding, which I know is a vague description, but also abundantly true. I wholeheartedly encourage you to check this out. You can buy or stream it over at Dine Alone at the link below. Enjoy!


The Drew Thomson Foundation

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Respire


Respire are a six-piece "post-everything" band from Toronto, Ontario that formed in 2013. This is a project I admittedly slept on for a long time, which is a damn shame because "members of Foxmoulder" should be a selling point in and of itself. Regardless, that feels like a millenia ago, since their recent sophomore release has left an unforgettable wake in its path. It's the kind of thing that makes your eyes bulge while your hands grip the steering wheel, and you can't help but mutter loudly "holy shit, this is awesome".

Dénouement is a collapse of catharsis, featuring sprawling instrumentals and searing vocals. The band blends a multitude of sounds and emotions throughout these eight tracks, making it one of the most heavy-hitting releases in recent history. They take influence from genres as diverse as screamo, post-rock, post-hardcore, blackgaze, and even hints of classical, making their "post-everything" descriptor spot on. Respire is a notably collaborative effort, with numerous musicians performing on record in addition to the core members. This brings in a whole other layer of instrumentation, including strings, brass instruments, and keys, among other things that really lift its skinny fists to this grandiose sound. This record has me completely floored, and floods with these intensive build-ups and calming moments throughout. Respire have truly crafted a masterpiece here, and I cannot recommend this album enough.

Also, I don't want to leave their debut unmentioned, Gravity And Grace is also a stellar record, and the crescendo at the end of "Ascent" will leave a single tear in your eye. If your a fan of bands like Suffocate For Fuck Sake, Envy, Deafheaven, or even Godspeed You! Black Emperor, do not let Respire go by in your rearview. Trust me, you will regret it. Additionally, I can't let the chance to shout out Zegema Beach Records go to waste, since they are the geniuses who put Dénouement out. You can grab a copy below, or from one of the other fantastic labels who backed it. Enjoy.

1. Aeterna
2. Nox
3. Luk
4. Nihil

1. Anthems For Falling Stars

1. Storm & Stress

Note: Collab between Goth Girl & Respire, all proceeds go to Pieces to Pathways

1. Pitter Patter
2. Ascent
3. Eternal Light
4. Waltz
5. Gravity and Grace
6. Eternal Nothing
7. Evening. Melancholy I
8. Evening. Melancholy II
9. Evening. Melancholy III

1. Bound
2. Haunt
3. Shiver
4. Bloom
5. Catacombs
6. Virtue
7. A Heart Still Pines
8. Dénouement

Respire

Zegema Beach Records (CAN)

Middle-Man Records (USA)

Narshardaa (GER)

Dingleberry Records (GER)

Saturday, 10 February 2018

Basic White


Basic White are a four-piece band from London, Ontario who play that old time rock n roll. Their debut EP, Long Time Comin', came out in November 2016. This thing is five tracks of killer hooks and riffs, complimented by some slick leads and blues-tinged rhythms. Fans of other great Canadian rock bands such as The Trews or Sam Roberts will definitely see the appeal here. They've got a fantastic kick-back and let loose energy to them, which really translates well in a live setting. Check out their latest video for the song "Glory Years" below. If it suits ya fancy, I definitely recommend picking up the full EP, which is available below and well worth the listen. Enjoy!



1. Glory Years
2. Something In Between
3. Willing & Able
4. Waiting For Change
5. Way Up

Tuesday, 6 February 2018

Terry Green


Terry Green are a four-piece screamo/post-hardcore band from Mississauga (Toronto), Ontario that formed in 2014. After an EP and split under their belt, they put out an incredible LP last year that I cannot recommend enough for fans of screamo goodness. They play a very progressive blend of the genre that displays their technical ability in addition to raw catharsis. This includes lengthy instrumental passages with influence culled from every great faction of screamo. If you like a little melody in your chaos, or are a fan of bands like Daitro, Kidcrash or The Reptilian, this is highly recommended. Enjoy.

1. Hi Hater
2. Bye Hater
3. Rich A$ Fuck
4. Yard Sard
5. Yale Sale // Another Sard

1. Terry Green - What The...
2. Terry Green -  Instant Relief
3. Huge Cosmic - Danny Bombs The Universe
4. Huge Cosmic - Garmonbonzai

Note: You can pick pick up the cassette here

1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV
5. V
6. VI

Note: Pick up the 12" here

Friday, 3 November 2017

iburiedyourflowers


iburiedyourflowers are a four-piece screamo band from Saint Catharines, Ontario that got started (presumably) earlier this year. They recently released their debut EP Love Is When You Leave, and this thing just shreds. It's the heroin to your intense sad jams fix. These 6 tracks play out with as much overblown melancholy as you can imagine, creating some truly incredible songs in the process, blending the pulsating energy of hardcore, the jagged, scorching vocals of screamo, and the melodic sensibilities of emo. They're pretty comparable to bands like Touché Amoré, as well as other modern screamo/hardcore blend bands. They've also got a lot of hints of the good ol' classic screamo shiz, such as You And I. Highly, highly recommended. Enjoy.

1. Standard Callback (No One Online)
2. A Bird in the Bush Usually Has a Friend in There With Him
3. Fix Your Heart Because Mine's Already </3
4. iburiedyourflowers
5. A Bittersweet Narrative
6. Love Is When You Leave

Wednesday, 22 February 2017

Scapeshift


Scapeshift are a four-piece pop punk/emo band from the great city of Windsor, Ontario. They just released their debut EP, Reasons I Need To Disappear. Fans of early Title Fight, Real Friends, and Pentimento will definitely take interest in this. They blend the high-energy and catchiness of pop punk with the intricate guitar noodling and introspection of emo to create one hell of a solid EP. This is definitely recommended. "Heavily Played" and "You Should Have Left Me At The River" are essentials. Enjoy.

1. Near Mint
2. Lead Heart
3. Heavily Played
4. Teardrops And Art Museums
5. Eulogy (Good, Fuck 'em)
6. You Should've Left Me At The River
7. Teardrops and Art Museums (Acoustic Versions)

Dead Tired


Dead Tired are a five-piece hardcore punk band from Hamilton, Ontario that formed in 2015. They were formed by Alexisonfire vocalist George Petit during the brief time AOF were on hiatus, though Dead Tired continue to be active today. They play straight-up classic hardcore punk, in all its angry and energetic glory. George's vocals are fucking A+ plus, as expected of course. Their self-titled debut is a fantastic album for anyone looking for some straight-up, gritty modern hardcore. Enjoy.

1. Court Of Public Opinion
2. All Hands
3. Nativity
4. Dead Tired
5. Hill Of The Poisonous Tree
6. Slow Day
7. Nightmare
8. Punks At The Gym
9. Cold And Construction
10. Awakened
11. Undecided
12. Expansion

1. The Prowler
2. Can't Shut It Off
3. Music Enthusiast Blues

1. Here Comes The Fall
2. Complicated Pleasures
3. Hedonic Adaptation

Monday, 20 February 2017

Union Of Uranus


Union of Uranus (sometimes just Uranus) were a five-piece hardcore/grindcore band from Ottawa, Ontario that were around from 1993 to 1998 (not 100% sure on the years though). Along with One Eyed God Prophecy and a handful of others, this band was a major influence on screamo, particularly bands like Orchid, June Paik, and others like that. Just listen, the similarities are undeniable. Though the band had a few years of activity, their discography is fairly limited. They released a demo, Backhand, in 1994, which would later be re-released on a split with His Hero Is Gone. They also released a split with Immoral Squad, and a 2x7" titled Disaster By Design. In 2004, a full discography compilation was released, titled To This Bearer of Truth. Grab this now, this is by far one of the most underrated hardcore bands ever. Enjoy.

1. Union Of Uranus - Believer
2. Immoral Squad - Book
3. Immoral Squad - Endless Road

1. Circumstance
2. Face Value
3. Panacea
4. Pedestal
5. Revolve

1. His Hero Is Gone - Friendly Fire
2. His Hero Is Gone - Fool's Gold
3. His Hero Is Gone - Scare Tactic
4. His Hero Is Gone - Sound The Alarm
5. His Hero Is Gone - Becoming Soil
6. His Hero Is Gone - Raise The Curtain
7. Union Of Uranus - Backhand
8. Union Of Uranus - One Eye Strengthens
9. Union Of Uranus - Weight Of Tomorrow
10. Union Of Uranus - Equilibrate
11. Union Of Uranus - Pressure (Negative Approach cover)

1. Circumstance
2. Face Value
3. Panacea
4. Pedestal
5. Revolve
6. Believer
7. Backhand
8. One Eye Strengthens/Weight Of Tomorrow
9. Equilibrate/Pressure

Sunday, 19 February 2017

Foxmoulder


Foxmoulder are a four-piece screamo band from Toronto, Ontario that have been around since 2012. They're probably one of my personal favourite screamo bands around now; this is some good shit right here. They're noisy and chaotic in the vein of classics like Orchid, but would also appeal to fans of other fantastic modern bands, such as Capacities or Coma Regalia. If you've got a hankering for a skramz fix, here it is. Enjoy.

1. Intuition/Rhetoric
2. Neutral
3. Awkward
4. Absurd
5. Breath of the City

1. Foxmoulder - Rapture
2. Foxmoulder  - Ascend
3. Sartre - Circadian
4. Sartre - More Weight

1. Tesslyn
2. Hum
3. Havelock
4. Endless/Blameless

15. Far Away Friends

Note: Full comp here

1. Foxmoulder - Pine
2. Coma Regalia - Suffering / Anger / Peace

1. Foxmoulder - Tempered Ill
2. Foxmoulder - Needless/Anxious
3. Foxmoulder - Antrim
4. Foxmoulder - Shame
5. Foxmoulder - Increments
6. Eaglehaslanded - Intro (Nightmares In Suburba Pt. III)
7. Eaglehaslanded - Заклятые Враги
8. Eaglehaslanded - Mora samo da se umre
9. Eaglehaslanded - Got a Flower
10. Eaglehaslanded - Tworatz
11. Eaglehaslanded - Grobljanska
12. Eaglehaslanded - 1000 Palms

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Left For Dead


Left For Dead were a metallic hardcore band from Hamilton, Ontario that were originally around from 1996-1998. Initially they were formed by members of another band called Chokehold, though the member of most note here is probably vocalist Chris Colohan. Besides Left For Dead, he was also in The Swarm, Burning Love, more recently Sect, and of course, the legendary Cursed. Left For Dead initially put out a few spits and one EP of dark, gritty hardcore, with Colohan's intensive vocals to top it off. Though they didn't last long, their legacy has stayed intact over the years. First, there was a reunion show in 2004. Then, a near complete discography was released in 2006 by Deranged Records. In 2013, the band actually reunited again for a few shows, as well as to record a new EP, simply titled 1. In addition to these, a new, remastered and comprehensive discography was released, which included all the band's recorded studio material prior to the new EP. I also included a compilation that was released back in 1998, which included all their material from various splits. It basically includes their discography (prior to the remastered version), and live tracks from a split they actually put out with Chokehold that weren't included on any subsequent compilations. Enjoy.

1. Eight Floors Above
2. Pulling Teeth
3. Six O'Clock
4. Plant The Seed
5. Ripped Up
6. Pliant
7. Who D'You Know?
8. Skin Graft
9. Second Guess
10. Nothing There
11. Kept In Line
12. Dirt
13. Didn't I
14. Left For Dead
15. A Nice Place To Raise Children
16. Standing By
17. Pliant (Live)
18. Who D'You Know? (Live)
19. Skin Graft (Live)
20. Second Guess (Live)
21. A Nice Place To Raise Children (Live)
22. Nothing There (Live)
23. Standing By (Live)
24. Kept In Line (Live)
25. Dirt (Live)
26. Didn't I (Live)
27. Left For Dead (Live)

1. Six O'Clock (V1)
2. Pliant
3. Who Do You Know?
4. Skin Graft
5. Second Guess
6. Nice Place To Raise Children
7. Nothing There
8. Standing By
9. Kept In Line
10. Dirt
11. Didn't I
12. Left For Dead
13. Eight Floors Above
14. Pulling Teeth
15. Six O'Clock (V2)
16. Plant The Seed
17. Ripped Up

1. Digital Pigs
2. Standin' By
3. Devil's Punchbowl
4. 1946
5. Cop Trap
6. Feeding Tube
7. Rival Leaders
8. Road Rash

Sunday, 21 August 2016

Alexisonfire


There's a few things to mention before we get into this band: first off, this will be Sophie's 500th post. Holy shit, I did not expect it to have kept going for this long. As always, I hope you've all found something you've enjoyed in this increasingly expansive catalog of free shiz. Also, a long-time frequenter of this blog is celebrating their birthday today actually it was yesterday, I'm a little late getting this post up (Happy belated Birthday Anthony), and he requested this band. I can't say no to that, plus this band is perfectly fitting to celebrate numero 500. Enjoy.

Alexisonfire are a five-piece post-hardcore band from Saint Catherines, Ontario, that formed in 2001. They called it quits in 2011, when Dallas Green (vocalist/guitarist) left to focus on his solo project City and Colour, and Wade MacNeil (guitarist/vocalist) became the lead singer for Gallows. However. they reunited the following year to embark on a farewell world tour, and played their "final show" on December 30, 2012 at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. The band announced their return in 2015, with a headlining set at Riot Fest. Though they're not as active as they once were, they will be doing a handful of shows in Australia in 2017, so in some capacity Alexisonfire are in fact, back again.


To contextualize Alexisonfire's influence, they emerged in the new millennia, following a decade long build-up of post-hardcore in the underground. A ton of bands were pushing the envelope on traditional punk and hardcore, including more dynamics, more melody, and sometimes even more aggression. They got experimental, incorporating off-kilter rhythms and chord structures, and essentially whatever the hell else they wanted. This culminated in Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come, which title says it all. This evolving sound broke loose at the turn of the century, when a ton of new, up-and-coming bands rode this new wave of post-hardcore. The production was cleaner, the songs had more hooks, so much so that they actually made it into the semi-mainstream. Bands like Thursday, Thrice, Glassjaw, as well as Alexisonfire can all be credited for exposing an entire new generation of people to post-hardcore.


Up here in Kanada, Alexisonfire were incredibly popular, especially around Watch Out! and Crisis. A small personal anecdote here, but I first heard "Accidents" when I was 9. That was my first exposure to any form of "aggressive" or "extreme" music, and it's obviously come a long way since then. I suppose their popular appeal isn't much of a surprise. The blend of George's howls and Dallas' VERY catchy and melodic choruses are infectious. The band not only brought an uninhibited energy, but some legitimately good songwriting. They've got the best of both worlds, so to speak. In addition, they never put out a bad album. All four of their full-lengths are fantastic (my personal favourite is their debut), and are an absolute essential for post-hardcore fans. There are some things missing from this discography, most notably some live stuff. If anyone has that, or anything else I don't, please feel free to send it to me so I can add it. Otherwise, here's the majority of their discography. Enjoy.

1. The Philosophical Significance Of Shooting My Sister In The Face: An Essay By James Secord
2. Counterparts And Number Them
3. Little Girls Pointing And Laughing

1. .44 Caliber Love Letter
2. A Dagger Through The Heart Of St. Angeles

1. .44 Caliber Love Letter
2. Counterparts And Number Them
3. Adelleda
4. A Dagger Through The Heart Of St. Angeles
5. Polaroids Of Polar Bears
6. Waterwings (And Other Poolside Fashion Faux Pas)
7. Where No One Knows
8. The Kennedy Curse
9. Jubella
10. Little Girls Pointing And Laughing
11. Pulmonary Archery

1. The Bled - Ruth Buzzi Better Watch Her Back
2. Alexisonfire - Counter Parts And Number Them

1. Sharks And Danger (Demo Version)
2. Get Fighted (Demo Version)

1. Accidents
2. Control
3. It Was Fear of Myself That Made Me Odd
4. Side Walk When She Walks
5. Hey, It's Your Funeral Mama
6. No Transitory
7. Sharks And Danger
8. That Girl Possessed
9. White Devil
10. Get Fighted
11. Happiness By The Kilowatt

1. Alexisonfire - Passing Out In America (Moneen cover)
2. Alexisonfire - Tonight I'm Going To Wash The Hippy (Moneen cover)
3. Moneen - Accidents Are On Purpose (Alexisonfire cover)
4. Moneen - Sharks In Danger (Alexisonfire cover)
5. Moneen - Bleed And Blister (Version 2)
6. Alexisonfire - Charlie Sheen vs. Henry Rollins

1. Drunks Lovers Sinners And Saints
2. This Could Be Anywhere In The World
3. Mailbox Arson
4. Boiled Frogs
5. We Are The Sound
6. You Burn First
7. We Are The End
8. Crisis
9. Keep It On Wax
10. To A Friend
11. Rough Hands

1. Thrones
2. My God Is A Reasonable Man

1. Old Crows
2. Young Cardinals
3. Sons Of Privilege
4.Born And Raised
5. No Rest
6. The Northern
7. Midnight Regulations
8. Emerald Street
9. Heading For The Sun
10. Accept Crime
11. Burial

1. Two Sisters
2. Wayfarer Youth

1. Dog's Blood
2. Grey
3. Black As Jet
4. Vex

1. The Northern (Acoustic) (Triple J Radio)
2. I'm Stranded (Acoustic) (Triple J Radio)
3. Old Crows (Live @ Soundwave)
4. Young Cardinals (Live @ Soundwave)
5. This Could Be Anywhere In The World (Live @ Soundwave)

1. The Dead Heart (Midnight Oil cover)

1. Born And Raised
2. Midnight Regulations
3. You Burn First
4. Accept Crime
5. Burial
6. Happiness By The Kilowatt

1. Young Cardinals
2. Boiled Frogs
3. Heading For The Sun
4. .44 Caliber Love Letter
5. Drunks, Lovers, Sinners And Saints
6. No Transitory
7. Crisis
8. Rough Hands
9. Charlie Sheen vs. Henry Rollins
10. Born And Raised
11. Waterwings
12. You Burn First
13. We Are The Sound
14. Keep It On Wax
15. Accept Crime
16. Malibox Arson
17. Get Fighted
18. Old Crows
19. The Northern
20. Dog's Blood
21. Accidents
22. Pulmonary Archery
23. This Could Be Anywhere In The World
24. Happiness By The Kilowatt