The Locust are the musical equivalent of Marmite…. audience reaction varies between the two extremes of unquestionable love (ref- the three guys who came to the show dressed as the band) …. and total confusion.

I’m still in slight shock that the one show that caused a temporary reformation was in London and at one of my favourite venues ( because of my Architectural curiosity) Alexandra Palace…. the Great Hall makes for an epic photograph. Those eagerly hugging the front of the stage during a nervous sound check were like me, primarily there for that moment…. those curiously hovering at the back… probably wondering what the fuck was going on. I can’t find words to accurately describe my sheer happiness the second I saw Joey’s Synth.

The Locust are one of those bands that recording could never do justice to- that’s not to say that there’s ever been a problem with mastering or production of any of their records; I just feel…. that the ability to full understand the relationship between each of the bands members and the importance of percussion only comes from seeing them live.

With consideration to the fact that the band has been on hiatus for the past four years, I’m still in awe at the incredible precision of their performance and the constant energy they gave for the entire forty five minute set. Gabe Serbian has to be one of the most capable musicians in music, I mean… where else would you find a drummer that hits his kit so hard the cymbals fall over?

The release of Modular Genetics last year temporarily satisfied my hunger, but seeing these guys again makes me want new tracks. There is an incredible amount of love floating around for this truly unique band (and some of the most approachable people in music) and I’m glad to be part of that small community. They have been missed.

As an aside, until I curiously started searching the internet for info on Bobby Bray I never realised how much of a engineering genius the guy actually is- check out… robertbray.net

Bring on Retox in July!

Firstly: A389…. I fucking love you-but why the hell was the LP pre-order so limited?

Secondly: If your a female, who wants to keep the creepy guy across the hall a sensible distance- this record will probably do it….

Baltimore’s Full Of Hell: ever since the discovery of ‘The Inevitable Fear of Existence’ (2010) …. a band who’s crafted mix of Hardcore/ Grindcore and sludge, consistently impress me. If you have any doubts with regards to the amount of ‘crafting’ you only need to look at the way the tracks on this record blend seamlessly, demonstrating mass consideration to the writing process.

Rudiments of Mutilation is the bands second full length release, and is already generating a huge amount of attention- above and beyond the already successful ‘The Roots of Earth…’ (2011). Once again and lyrical content isn’t pretty (but is anything I listen to on a regular basis?):

“‘Rudiments of Mutilation refers to our innate and basic need to suffer and cause suffering.”

The drums on this record are audible from at least thirty meters away (Kevin Bernstein is a  bloody genius)- and it’s that dominance of drums in the mix, coupled with lashings of feedback and underlying electronics that creates a sound which is identifiably eerie- a sound that makes me fall further in love with this band post each release.

(n.b ….literally speechless upon the discovery that Dave Bland is only seventeen!)

‘Coven the larynx’ feature’s guest vocals from John Caution (Weekend Nachos) who’s frenzied vocals add a intermittent sense of urgency- and although I absolutely adore weekend Nachos, Full of Hell have the lead in terms of vocal diversity… an impressive range that vary from aggressive, gnarly shrieks to slow and tortured… there are even elements of vocals on the track; ‘Bone Coral and Brine’, that even remind me of the great Alexis S.F Marshall.

If you live in Europe- definitely make an effort to see them in July/ August. I’ve listened to little else for the past week.

Vox- Dylan Walker.
Guitar- Spencer Hazard.
Bass/ Vox- Brandon Brown.
Drums- Dave Bland.

Production: Kevin Bernstein

American Nervoso rereleased on Army freaking Green vinyl in record stores nowhere near me… Friday morning heartbreak #botch

youcantwashouthisdesire:

Everyone needs to support this label. There is way too much awesome shit put out by Dom and everyone at A389 that continually gets overlooked and deprived of the underground exposure it deserves. Reblog the shit out of this! Support A389 Recs and the acts put out by A389 such as: Withdrawal, Integrity, Seven Sisters of Sleep, Left for Dead, Like Rats, Nothing, Pick Your Side, Homewrecker, Full of Hell, Gehenna, Blind to Faith, Young and in the Way, etc, etc, etc. I could keep citing great bands, but you get the picture. A 10/10 label. Thanks for all your hard work A389. I know I appreciate all the work that goes into putting out great records by great bands and I know others appreciate it as well. Keep it up and keep it going.