END REIGN - END REIGN

End Reign is one of the many exciting bands in the UK scene. Weaving together an original metallic sound on par with Rise & Fall, the band presents four new tracks that will please fans of Converge, Trap Them, and Entombed. “Horror” immediate throws the listener into a merciless, chaotic frenzy. Right off the bat you get a great no bullshit vibe. This is the sound of anger, raw and in your face. I can't get over the level of ferociousness in this recording. It brings to mind bands like Gehenna and Rorschach – not in the sound exactly but in the aggression.

The vocals sound absolutely primal, at times sounding like a less worn out Jake Bannon. It has an older R&F feel but keeps things fresh and original.“Abyss” continues in this vein with a great section starting at the two minute mark.“To Pray For” keeps the pace of the first two tracks but slows it down a bit with some excellent guitar work. This is probably the most engaging and the best piece on the album. “Dream Eater” is a very close second regarding the best track. It has a great slow opening as if easing the listener into the upcoming attack. Just when you think it's going to be okay, you're ambushed and thrown back into the chaos for another round.

The undeniable energy coupled with the skill of the musicians makes for a very interesting listen. Another enjoyable aspect was the very few slow moments. The foot is on the pedal for the full EP. Sometimes that sludgier sound creeps in – even just a hint - but to my ears, I heard none. Which is, again, refreshing. It's fast pace makes for an memorable listen, one that doesn't feel repetitious or tired. I'd like to hear a full length from End Reign (Besides liking the music, I'd be curious to see if they can keep up such an intense and pressing sound for an LP) and am excited on hearing more from their camp. And the art work by Give Up is a perfect way to represent such an frenzy.

End Reign is one of the bands that could be the next big craze so don't sleep on this 7” as there are less than a thousand copies. This is a joint release type deal; Hemlock 13, FITA, Holy Roar, and Witch Hunter are the ones responsible for this slab of wax. It's available in a handful of variations and packages so spend your hard earned money on some quality music and support a couple of awesome labels. If you enjoy the 7” and want to check out some other End Reign material, they have a couple of samplers and demos up for sale in their Big Cartel and there's a split with Alaska, which is highly recommended. Overall this is a release that took me by surprise and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys aggressive hardcore with a heavy dose of metal. [Hemlock 13]

PARASITE / VERMAPYRE

Japanese juggernaut Parasite, fresh off their gnarly “Metal Punk Massacre”, teams up with the mysterious entity known as Vermapyre on this split 7”, courtesy of Holy Terror Records. Both bands play unique styles of metal-punk-noise; Parasite has a much more faster hybrid sound that brings to mind G.I.S.M. (Of course) and Doraid while Vermapyre leans toward fans of Les Legiones Noire, NON, and black metal.

After a string of demos, 7”s, and the aforementioned 10”, Parasite brings two tracks to this split, one new and one from an earlier demo. The first track “警鐘” starts off the split and it's a great opener. The guitar work is great and sounds filthy and like on all the previous material, Masaki's vocals sound menacing without getting cartoonish. The more and more I listen to it, there is a RUG vibe that I can't shake – not that it's a bad thing. “Warning I” stands right up their with the demos and “Sin” 7”. “Warning 2: Death Or Die” is much of the same except it's a quick number that adds in a dose of Discharge. I like how the guitar, while really entertaining, doesn't take away from the rest of the track; there is so much that it takes multiple listens to fully comprehend the sound-scape. All in all two very good tracks from perhaps the most promising Japanese band out there.

Vermapyre, a group masked by shadows and misinformation, contributes three tracks. Blending together Boyd Rice/NON, black metal, and myriad influences the numbers are savage and primal. “March Of Thee Vermapyrical Legions” kicks things off immediately; the sound is cold and paints a grime soaked picture. I can imagine soldiers clad in black uniforms and gas masks marching down the streets of a war torn city. “Thee Cold Invocation” continues in this vein. I really like the beat; it doesn't take away from the other aspects of the track – the background noises and the whispered voice nor does it build up to anything. Instead it flows well. I would love to break the track down in Audacity or Garage Band just to see how many layers there are. My only complaint is it's too short, but that's a minor quibble. The final track “Return Of The Sorcerer” takes elements from the first two tracks and add in a much quicker, urgent pace and vocals. This one definitely compliments the Parasite side, weaving together a solid hardcore/Japanese/black metal attack. As murky as the sound can get, there is always a level of crispness and clarity – a trait that really shows on most Holy Terror releases.

While this is Vermapyre's first release there are a handful of splits and releases in the pipeline – including a compilation on H13 with The Mistake, Rot In Hell and many more - so hopefully it won't be too long until we hear some new material. Both bands have a serious lack of internet presence, which is something very refreshing in this day and age. It makes the music speak for itself rather than relying on the band members to post on various message-boards and Facebook. This is available in the Holy Terror shop; multiple variants are still up for sale to please the collectors. [Holy Terror]

A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking

Just Die! plays a perfect blend of punk, rock n' roll, skate rock, and pretty much every other label under the sun. “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking” is the group's newest release, released by Work In Shadows: Transmissions and Self-Aware records. This is one of the most interesting albums I've heard in quite a while. One moment it shares tendencies with 80's hardcore, the next with early Dischord groups, then to throw you completely off it'll veer toward Paint It Black. Never does it feel like there's too much going on though, which is very important. After listening to individual tracks it almost seems like a different group for each one but a few more times listening to “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking” is a complete, well done piece of art.

The album kicks off with the highly energetic “Dead Horse”, a fifty second punk rock assault. Right off the bat, the guitar sounds terrific and the overall the production keeps the dirty rock n' roll sound but makes it crisp and clean. “I'll Be Damned” continues in this vein. The title track, “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking,” is, for me, the stand out. It goes with the first two tracks, style wise, but adds in a layer of the more experimental, alternative flavoring the latter half of the album has. It's a great listen.

“Impossible” is where the album gets a bit different. I can't really get behind the backing “Ohs” but even with that small complaint, the number is still damn good. It keeps “A Momentary Lapse In Positive Thinking” rolling and original.

“Play The Hero” reverts back to the first couple tracks with a crisp, furious feel. It transitions perfectly into the next number “War Memorial.” This is perhaps the heaviest track and one of my favorites. Around the forty second mark, the speed and intensity is pushed into overdrive.

“Did I Ever” (Stand By Me) gives the listener a melodic hardcore track, reminiscent of Paint It Black – with an 80's edge. “Rest Of My Life” gels with the previous one, keeping with that melodic approach. The one thing I admire about Just Die! Is the lyrics. They are very well written and with the music paint very clear images.

“Straight To Voice Mail” picks the tempo back up with a pale thrashy sound. I find myself gravitating to the more faster tracks but there isn't a loser in the bunch.

“These Words”, the album's closer, puts everything in a blender – punk, rock n' roll, Dischord emo, and some hardcore - and produces another melodic piece, one that's a fitting end.
I really enjoyed the album, given that it's not the usual metallic hardcore or neo-folk I find myself listening to. There is a limited number of vinyl available so do yourself a favor and buy this. If you like any of the mentioned groups, Just Die! Will be right up your alley. [Work In Shadows: Transmissions]