#death-rock

http://bit.ly/2s1BzGd

Some pretty gloomy death-rock here via Chicago group Cemetery who, after a demo in 2011, have given us their first full-length to consume through Mass Media. Been hearing what seems like a ton of this stuff lately, which hasn't really become a problem yet, and Cemetery does very little to create one with Wind and Shadows. Not the typical trudge of bass and roll that the genre brings, as the band gets pretty downright noisy at times on quite a few of these tracks, opting for a sound that definitely finds itself working in just as much of a punk territory as it does the goth/death-rock vibes. The guitars are definitely dominating the show here with an uncompromising amount distortion, filth, and reverb...played at a pace that is just a tick out of the norm to give it an odd sense of energy/anxiety yet hanging on to the overall dark drapery that certainly places it within the early days of this type of dreary rock, with obvious reference points to early Christian Death, Sex Gang Children, Danse Society, etc.. The vocals may be a bit of an acquired taste, though that is only when you can hear them, as they've been fairly buried in the mix, however they occasionally slip into an exceedingly slurred style that could prove distracting. But honestly, if you've been listening to this type of music for any real length of time, then I doubt it will be...it's kind of fitting/appropriate. Anyway, really cool debut from these folks. Cemetery - Worms (stream) BUY IT!

I've heard a majority of the singles and other loose ends this band has put out and have enjoyed them for the most part, always seemingly wavering between the straighter punk side of things or their apparent goth influence. At least in my mind (or from what I can remember, that's a tall order) they were always a bit more punk than goth. Nevertheless, they've been dubbed “goth-punk” on their debut album and it seems fitting, even though I guess you could just as easily describe it as death-rock, it's whichever makes you feel less like cringing when you say it aloud. Labels aside, the Anasazi debut is a stellar one, layered in a grimy coating and blown out guitars for nine solid tracks that eschew the typical plod of the goth/death-rock set and keep things fast and furious throughout. I'm trying really hard to not use the word “nasty” since it's in the title, but this really is a nasty sounding LP. Christian Death, 45 Grave, etc. references aside, Anasazi still come off as more of a punk band than anything else on this album, but tinged perfectly with a dark/moody edge that sells it. On the top of the heap of things I've heard this year so far, no doubt. Anasazi - Hex Da System (stream) BUY IT!

Violations (MMR22-IT, Limited Edition 7'' EP, 60 copies) is ready to be shipped! http://dystopiansociety.bandcamp.com/album/violations

Shadowhouse is coming back to OC ! Play loud dance slow!