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.

Tower of Silence (2018)

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

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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.

Demonstration (2014)

1. Aeterna

2. Nox

3. Luk

4. Nihil

Anthems For Falling Stars (2015)

1. Anthems For Falling Stars

Goth Girl x Respire (2016)

1. Storm & Stress

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

Gravity and Grace (2016)

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

Dénouement (2018)

1. Bound

2. Haunt

3. Shiver

4. Bloom

5. Catacombs

6. Virtue

7. A Heart Still Pines

8. Dénouement

Respire

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Zegema Beach Records (CAN)

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Middle-Man Records (USA)

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Narshardaa (GER)

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Dingleberry Records (GER)

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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.

Visiting Hours (2014)

1. Hi Hater

2. Bye Hater

3. Rich A$ Fuck

4. Yard Sard

5. Yale Sale // Another Sard

Terry Green/Huge Cosmic (2015)

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

LP (2017)

1. I

2. II

3. III

4. IV

5. V

6. VI

Note: Pick up the 12" here

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Zegema Beach Records

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.

Hindsight (2012)

1. Intuition/Rhetoric

2. Neutral

3. Awkward

4. Absurd

5. Breath of the City

Foxmoulder/Sartre (2012)

1. Foxmoulder - Rapture

2. Foxmoulder  - Ascend

3. Sartre - Circadian

4. Sartre - More Weight

Lethe (2013)

1. Tesslyn

2. Hum

3. Havelock

4. Endless/Blameless

Swollen Lungs (2013)

15. Far Away Friends

Note: Full comp here

Foxmoulder/Coma Regalia (2014)

1. Foxmoulder - Pine

2. Coma Regalia - Suffering / Anger / Peace

Foxmoulder/Eaglehaslanded (2015)

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

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La Luna

La Luna are a four-piece screamo/punk/hardcore band from Toronto, Ontario that formed in 2009. For the first few years of their existence they were known as Brain Fever. This changed in 2013 when they reissued their first LP, which had been recorded a year prior, and self-titled it under their new name. La Luna play a dark and aggressive brand of screamo akin to Ampere or Loma Prieta, with the technical side of things leaning towards Off Minor. They also remind me of one of my personal favourite screamo bands ever, Mahria (check them out), who also happen to be female-fronted and Canadian as well.

La Luna released a new LP earlier this year, and I cannot stop listening to this thing. It's solid front to back, and I'd go as far as to say it's my favourite screamo release of the year. Definitely check out their entire discography, catch them on tour if you can, and support them in any way you can. La Luna are a phenomenal band and definitely deserve recognition as being one of the best bands in their niche around now. Enjoy.

La Luna (2013)

1. You Can Take The Love Out Of Lover

2. Neverland

3. Words And Deeds

4. Never Talk, Only Shame

5. Winter

6. The Fool's Card

7. Destroy Everything You Love

8. Femme La Lune

Tour Cassette (2015)

1. Boys Club

2. Storm Song

Always Already (2016)

1. Empty Portrait

2. Outdoor Voice

3. House Party

4. Undreaming

5. Always Already

6. Father Time

7. Broken Heart Emoji

8. Withdrawal Of Consent

9. Seneca Falls Convention

10. West In Peace

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Junior Battles

Junior Battles are a four-piece pop punk band from Toronto, Ontario, that formed in 2007. They can finally be taken out of the "long overdue post" pile, since this one has been a long time coming. Junior Battles are an incredible band that are equal parts catchy and energetic. I saw them a few times a few years ago and every time they were phenomenal, and that definitely translates on to their recorded material.

They're the kind of band for people in the 20's who secretly still yearn for the "golden age" of their teen years, but are simultaneously kind of tongue-in-cheek about it. Their lyrics are definitely a big part of what makes them so good, since they're able to tell some very relatable stories in a fun, not-so-serious ways. They have two vocalists, which makes for some great harmonies that double the awesome of their already-catchy melodies. As far as sound goes, they keep it very varied, with each song standing out for a particular melody, riff, tone, or something very definitive that separates it from the rest. The Alkaline Trio influence is clearly prominent, though fans of bands like The Lawrence Arms or The Flatliners could also get on board with Junior Battles. They're upbeat, they're nostalgic, and a straight-up fun band to listen to. Enjoy.

Hotel Bibles (2009)

1. We're Not Coming Down

2. Will & Words

3. Hotel Bibles

4. Rip It Up

5. Decades

6. Boats

Junior Battles (2010)

1. Basements

2. Major Label Bidding War

3. Update Your Resume

4. Roads? Where We're Going, We Definitely Need Roads.

Other Stuff! (2010)

1. F.O.D. (Green Day)

2. Ghostin' (Con El Lobo Adolescente)

Junior Battles/O Pioneers!!! (2011)

1. Passing Out

Idle Ages (2011)

1. Seventeen

2. Twenty Five

3. Nostalgic At 23

4. "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?"

5. Birthdayparties vs. Punkroutine

6. Alternate 1985

7. Send The Pilots Away

8. Architecture

9. With Honours

10. Living On The Future Of Feelings / No Plan

11. Passing Out

12. Radio

Rally (2014)

1. (You Will Score The Winning) Goal

2. Rafts

3. Three Whole Years

4. Bunk

5. Believe It Or Not, George Isn't Home

6. Every Town

7. TPS Reports

8. Assholes On Rollerblades

9. 27th Floor!

10. Architecture II - Future Music For The Children Of The Future

11. (You Are Very Good At) Sports

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Creeper

I got an e-mail requesting another band with the same name a while back, which reminded me of them, and I just had to get them on here since these guys rip. I saw them a few years back with Code Orange Kids and Full Of Hell, and they were nothing short of astounding. Creeper were a five-piece hardcore band from Toronto, Ontario that lasted from 2009 to 2014. They managed to get a few EP's and such under their belt. They play a really sludgy, riff-based brand of hardcore that can maybe warrant comparisons to Graf Orlock or Burning Love or something in between those, with really visceral vocals. Creeper are a solid band all around, though their best material is probably the Canyons split and Noise II Men. They've got a small discography though, so it's definitely worth giving everything a listen. Enjoy.

Demo (2009)

1. Drones

2. Brannigan

3. Bottom Out

4. Heaving

Exhaustion (2011)

1. Get A Grip (a)

2. Sucker (b)

3. Deadbeat (b)

Hands In Hands In Hands In Hands (2011)

2. Ballast

3. Commodity

Note: Full split here

Sovereign Songs (2012)

18. Chronic Letdown

Note: Full comp here

Canyons/Creeper (2013)

1. Mother

2. Half Lit Life

3. Privileged

4. Drag

5. Trunk Buffet

Noise II Men (2014)

1. (Your Body Is A) Garbage Bag

2. F.T.P.

3. Cattle Car

4. Numbskull

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PUP

These go to 11. You want loud, distorted guitars? Fuzzed-out bass? Don't-give-a-fuck-hungover-in-yesterday's-clothes attitude? As cliche as it is to describe something as "rock-n-roll", PUP come pretty damn close. They're a four-piece punk band from Toronto, Ontario that began around 2010 under the name Topanga. After two 7"'s (neither which I have but am dying to find), they became PUP in 2013 and released their self-titled which we all know and love in 2014. If you're looking for an album to blow your speakers to, this is it. The songs are filled with an insane amount of energy most bands can't capture on a record, and are topped by the fact that they're also incredibly catchy. Through reckless, strained vocals they craft some amazing songs, and are backed by this wall of sound featuring booming rhythms and some crazy riffs. So here's their self-titled debut, and if anyone has anything else by them, please do send them to me! Enjoy.

Oceans (2012)

1. Oceans

2. Mabu

PUP (2014)

1. Guilt Trip

2. Reservoir

3. Mabu

4. Never Try

5. Yukon

6. Dark Days

7. Lionheart

8. Cul-de-Sac

9. Back Against The Wall

10. Factories

The Dream Is Over (2016)

1. If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will

2. DVP

3. Doubts

4. Sleep In The Heat

5. The Coast

6. Old Wounds

7. My Life Is Over And I Couldn't Be Happier

8. Can't Win

9. Familiar Patterns

10. Pine Point 

Morbid Stuff (2019)

1. Morbid Stuff

2. Kids

3. Free At Last

4. See You At Your Funeral

5. Scorpion Hill

6. Closure

7. Bloody Mary, Kate, and Ashley

8. Sibling Rivalry

9. Full Blown Meltdown

10. Bare Hands

11. City

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Burning Love

Burning Love are a four-piece punk/hardcore band from Toronto, Ontario that formed in 2007. They were started by vocalist Chris Colohan as a side-project to Cursed, who would (sadly) break up a year later, making Burning Love his main focus. He was joined by members of punk/metal band Our Father, who would also make it their main project. Together they took the relentless energy of Black Flag and meshed it with the thick riffs of bands such as Kyuss, creating a sound focused on heavy grooves and Colohan's distinct, guttural vocals. Their debut demo brought them immediate attention, and rightfully so. After two albums, numerous EP's, and signing to Deathwish, Burning Love are still going strong, and just released a new EP. Here's their full discography, except for some early demos, which can be found on Dead Pulpit, which you can find through that link. That seems to be the only place to find them, so that's where I'll leave them. Enjoy.

Burning Love (2009)

1. Lives Of The Saints

2. Alien Vs. Creditor

3. Money Shots

4. I Don't Like You (Battalion Of Saints cover)

5. Burning Love

Songs For Burning Lovers (2010)

1. Destroyer Of Worlds

2. Don't Ever Change

3. Momento Mori

4. Gain

5. Curse Breaker

6. Miserable Sound

7. High Speed Wires

8. Alien Vs. Creditor

9. Money Shots

10. Morning After Party

11. The Needle

12. Burning Love

13. (Bonus Track)

Don't Ever Change (2010)

1. Don't Ever Change

2. Jack The Ripper (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds cover)

Live At The Atlantic Vol. 4 (2011)

8. Momento Mori

9. Gain

10. Curse Breaker

11. Miserable Sound

12. Mess

13. Alien Vs, Creditor

14. Money Shots

Note: Burning Love side only, thanks to Cut & Paste

Black Widow (2012)

1. Karla

2. Love's My Only Crime (Laughing Hyenas cover)

Rotten Thing To Say (2012)

1. Intro

2. No Love

3. Karla

4. Superstitious Friend

5. The Body

6. Made Out Of Apes

7. 12:31

8. Hateful Comforts

9. Tremors

10. Damage Chase

11. Pig City I

12. Pig City II

13. Broken Glass

14. (Outro)

Burning Love/Fight Amp (2012)

1. Burning Love - The Body

2. Fight Amp - Shallow Grave

Down So Long b/w Medicine Man (2015)

1. Down So Long

2. Medicine Man

3. Secret Solace

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