Two rapidfire reviews on the docket today, starting with an established band in the US screamo scene showing why they're still one of the best going, and a newer face from the UK with a fierce message wrapped in chaos and passion.
Hundreds of Au - Life in Parallel
Any album that effectively starts and ends with gang vocals is a win in my book, and sandwiched between that is some of the most spirited and engaging blends of melodic hardcore and screamo you’ll find this year. Screamo has exploded in recent years with a slew of young bands shaking things up and delivering some genuinely great albums, and a least part of this momentum can be attributed to bands like Hundreds of Au for kickstarting this wave. The New Jersey 5-piece formed back in 2016, and the new album Life in Parallel marks their fourth full-length now to date. Unlike some of their newer peers, this is a band full of people approaching middle-age, and lyrically it tackles the challenges of that reality - how it’s changed their views on their hometown, their systemic failures around them, political unrest, loss, the struggles and hope found in parenthood, and the “emotional complexity of growing older in a world that’s left us behind.”
Life in Parallel is arguably their strongest, but also most distinct album to date, as it marked the introduction of new vocalist Brian (Lesser Minds) and bassist Buzz (Pellinore/The Banner). Previous vocalist/guitarist Tom is still in the band, but has shifted more towards backing vocals and his guitar duties. Also joining them on this release are a few guest vocalists, highlighted by Thursday’s Geoff Rickley on the opener. Brian’s vocals take on a more discernible, deep emotive shout. This feels closer to a style more associated with the likes of melodic hardcore and the post-metal leaning variety of atmospheric sludge, also employed by screamo-adjacent bands such as Locktender and Earth Moves. However it’s hard to ignore that this at times sound like the new best Being As An Ocean album. Overall there's a good balance of urgency, heaviness and melody throughout that compliments this vocal style. Some may find this sound more approachable, while not compromising on any of the earnest, vulnerable passion that screamo is known for.
Life in Parallel manages to capture a healthy array of moods and temperatures, accumulating with the heart-stirringly uplifting and optimistic closer “Waves of Piety.” Channelling a bit of Svalbard along the way, there’s soaring atmospheric instrumentation that makes you both want to hold someone and run through a wall for them. This is a screamo album for people in their 30s and 40s and want to wallow in some familiarity and relatable story-telling with music that still makes you feel alive. And I think we could all use a bit of that.
Hundred's of Au's Life in Parallel is available now from Iodine Recordings.
Death Goals - Survival Is An Act of Defiance
Death Goals aren’t dispelling the “panic chords: the band” allegations with this one, yet I don’t think the band, nor you, should care, as they’re doing this old-school Norma Jean sound with a modern twist as good as anyone right now. The self-proclaimed queercore duo of Harry Bailey (guitar/vocals) and George Milner (drums/vocals) have grown into one of the UK underground’s finest hardcore exports since their 2021 debut. Blending the lines between screamo, sass and mathcore, their music is unrelenting, in your face, and brazenly queer. This identity has always been integral to Death Goals’ ethos, but this feels especially pertinent with their new EP Survival Is An Act of Defiance. The name really says it all. With their most politically-charged release to date, the duo has set out to craft an “authentic response to the world and the persecution of the queer community.” To that end, they’ve engaged the help of a host of queer guest vocalists from the likes of HIRS Collective, Burner, Cainhurst and Victim Unit.
"I had heard the phrase ‘Even a worm can turn’, and it really resonated with me as a queer individual; we are not, and do not wish to be the violent & malicious group that the far right portray us as, however due to ever increasing hostility we are having to become more confrontational in our acts of self preservation."
The new EP is composed of five short tracks which were previously deemed “too gnarly” (is there such a thing?), which were chopped and refined over 2024. However the group recognized the volatility, exasperation and anger within them seemed to more and more reflect their view of the world collapsing around them over the past few years especially. And while certainly cathartic in doing so, this is not purely a conduit for releasing that anger. They struck a good balance between heavy dissonance, emotive passion, and enough catchy bounce that leaves you wanting to experience this surrounded by friends in a pit. There's nuanced feeling in their song-writing and lyricism that reflects a sense of togetherness, and a call to lift each other up, whether that's mentally and emotionally, or physically in the pit because you just spin-kicked them in the face.
The self-released new EP Survival Is An Act of Defiance is out everywhere Friday August 28th.