Sunday means demo time! We’re back at the Demos from the Vault showcasing yet another collection of releases you should blast through your ears this Sunday. This time, we’re ranging predominantly within the span of Hardcore music or especially leaving exactly that genre if you’re especially interested in that.
Sovereign – Neurotic (Death/Thrash Metal – Norway)
You like the sound of bands like CREEPING DEATH and HIGH COMMAND but you think they are both a bit too hardcore? Then check out the Norwegians from SOVEREIGN, whose death/thrash sound kicks your ass and sounds like the “true metal” version of a mix of both bands mentioned above. Especially the drums on the NEUROTIC EP know how to kick out one punch after the other and are incredibly groovy, despite their heaviness. The guitar playing delivers typical dirty riffing, as usually found in the two extreme metal genres. Solid work, but still no real memorable riff. That’s a point the band should still work on to create a little more originality without leaving the beaten path. This brutal debut is rounded off by sinister growling vocals, which at some points sound quite scary and are in no way inferior to the instrumental quality. For a first release, the recording is also respectable which amounts to a complete musical development, without making the NEUROTIC EP looking artificial
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Prime Suspect – Demo (Hardcore Punk – USA)
Based on the cover artwork of the demo of PRIME SUSPECT I was expecting more Youth Crew Hardcore or something, but not with the snotty sound you can find here. These 6 minutes sound like authentic outcast hardcore punk where you get the feeling that this is really about the own outburst with the valve music and not just about belonging in any form. Sure, the guitar playing and drumming is still a bit rough at times and surely not very innovative, but in combination with the angry barking vocals, which get out a lot of lyrics in a short time, the record really gets going. The raw sound that PRIME SUSPECT deliver just feels good and honest. You can literally feel the frustration and are almost disappointed that you only have 4 songs available. If you are into straightforward hardcore punk with 80’s attitude and pure demo character, you should definitely check out this new band from Georgia, USA.
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Gutter – Simulation EP (Hardcore Punk – France)
I don’t know, but when it comes to OI! laden hardcore punk, I think you can expect good quality from almost every French band. GUTTER are no exception and will fire four songs out of the speakers with their new SIMULATION EP whose barking vocals reminded me directly of the English scene heroes THE RESTARTS. The sound is pretty stomping and drives you crazy from start to finish, which is not least due to the great basslines. The riffing varies between rude guitar playing and dreamy post punk elements which give the record that certain something. The SIMULATION EP is an excellent, but unfortunately way too short hardcore punk record, that mixes current, melodic Oi! Sound with UKHC and can be absolutely thrilling with this combination. Hopefully GUTTER will deliver more soon and stay true to their line.
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Honey – Seeds Of Corona (Hardcore Punk/Noise – Germany)
After we recently presented a crossover combo of the same name, today’s band called HONEY is a new German hardcore punk band whose sound on SEEDS OF CORONA brings a decent no future vibe and dull, noisy gristle that would easily have been celebrated in the 80s. The echoing vocals of the debut record contribute a huge part to this while the raw sounds are at times interspersed with cold melodies which further intensify the cold setting and make it almost touchable. The drumming sounds as it should, aggressive and simple. HONEY – SEEDS OF CORONA is tristesse set to music from western Germany that is definitely worth listening to as a lover of dark old school hardcore punk.
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Fasad – The End (Crust – USA)
You might be interested in FASAD if you like bashing metal punk with an ominous atmosphere. The dull face that is shown to us on THE END can show up dramatic melodies that remind you directly of TRAGEDY and are sometimes very catchy. The mixture of old Swedish Crust, some Black Metal and melodic US Crust is killer and convinces me from the first to the last second. You shouldn’t be fooled by the stenchcore-laden intro because this record offers a lot more besides its great songwriting and even delivers traces of dark atmosphere. With their versatile sound, FASAD can’t be put into a certain box and with THE END they definitely make you want more. It offers a lot of distinctive parts, which can be moshed, headbanged or sung along. I can well imagine that you will hear a lot more from FASAD because no matter what kind of crust you are into there is something for every fan on this album and the combination of the different elements seems seamless and sounds well planned. For me personally this is one of the most exciting Crust Punk releases from the year 2020.
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