Aside from being a cool title, this feature is really dependent on a band actually having a Bandcamp account. Nowadays, if a band doesn’t have releases streaming on this platform, I might ignore them completely. That’s just how it works. You get used to the layout and ease of something, then anything else seems just meh. But I digress. Back once again with some of the best and most bludgeon(ish) bands releases streaming through Bandcamp right now, I bring you not one, but two British acts laying the smacketh down. Each in their own charming manner.
Up River – If There Is A God That Is Judging Me Constantly
Holy Roar Batman! It’s yet another stellar release from everyones (my) favourite British label. Rounding off a ridiculously stacked year from the Roar renegades, Brighton’s Up River blaze through ten minutes of anthemic, gnarly post hardcore on If There Is A God That Is Judging Me Constantly. Focus more on the hardcore than the post though. Even though the band made their name playing some of the most majestic and honest post rock on their debut release, this newbie is a much more interesting beast altogether. Eschewing clean guitars and vocals for a twisted, Poison The Well-esque vibe is the best thing the band could have done. Who doesn’t like Poison The Well? Suckers. That’s who.
While this release may clock in shorter than even your average grind EP, the upfront and in your face delivery of metallic post material demands to be played over and over. Somewhere between Boysetsfire and Thrice in parts, there’s still room for some room splitting, crowd killing moments of utter hardcore brutality. Up River make a recording sound like a house show, hosted by and with musical booze supplied by Audiosiege (how many more times this decade will I sing their praise? Fuck loads probably). A band on the tipping point between post hardcore and hardcore post, this is one young unit of melody, mayhem and mighty good beats to keep your peepers on. For the up days, the down days and the “I have no fucking clue what I’m doing with my life but I need a soundtrack for it anyway” days.
Awooga – Alpha
Okay. This one wont bludgeon or beat about the head. This is a luxury I afford myself every now and again. Younger Matt devoured Tool, Deftones and Alice In Chains like an appetite challenged child in a fast food joint; I might still listen to these bands now and again but they are so far down the pecking order. Awooga make the kinds of noise that evoke thoughts of space, inner peace and on occasion a trip or two down the rabbit hole. This is perfect tripping music.
All my favourite parts of Alice In Chains (minus Stayley’s nasal snarl) can be found here. The rich, glassy bass tone that warbles in and out of reality bends and booms behind some incredibly well produced guitar tones. Full bodied and complimenting the meaty whack of huge sounding tom fills, the riffs are almost lazy. Lazy in a way that probably looks dead sexy on stage. Alpha is definitely something that Heavy Bloggers should be able to get into. It doesn’t grate or meander too much to be listenable, unlike some of the more extreme or proggy stuff that gets thrown around here. It scratches an itch for smart “grunge” and has some moments of brilliance that get even a disgusting creature like me into the mood.
I’m in a mood for confrontation. Tell me why you don’t like these bands if you don’t. If you do like them, share this or share something relating to them and their music. Share the good word of the dark lard.