SEVEN MAGNIFICENT RELEASES TO HELP YOU FORGET ABOUT THE PERIL
Well, the world’s gone to shit hasn’t it? One minute we were living our lives like regular tossers and now the idea of going to a gig or even a café feels like some distant utopia. We’re all shitting it about loved ones, our livelihoods and generally feel a constant sense of terrifying impending doom (which isn’t as fun as it sounds).
To say this decade has been an absolute pile of shite so far would be the understatement of the century. However, some of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time have been released around all the bleakness in the real world. I’m talking absolute fucking jaw-droppers that we’ll be hammering until the end of time. It’s a real shame for these bands that they aren’t touring and promoting the living shit out of them but we can still crack open a beer, crank them loud and dream.
These magnificent seven acts are mainly bands who have played Cosmic Carnage for many years. The fact that such quality releases have come in such short succession shows what an incredible scene we have in the UK and how special it will be when we can start hanging out and diving off stages again.
Michael
– Tell Your Friends (Crackedankles)
London rockers, Michael have been knocking around a couple of years now and their energetic live performances have been leaving punters firmly on the floor and covered in shit. Their debut release “Tell Your Friends” matches the live performances, it’s an absolute rock‘n’roll monster packed full of killer riffs and unbelievable drumming. The vocals are top fucking class too. It’s hard to describe what this is, somewhere in between The Melvins, ZZ Top and WASP? That sounds shit but ignore me, I seriously can’t recommend it enough.
Bushpilot – Already!
(God Unknown)
I keep a close eye on God Unkown records closely. Its releases are so consistently amazing that it would be foolish not to. Like this one, Bushpilot from Leeds! I had a listen and it sounds like Can but more hard rocking and the level of songwriting is just incredible. I thought they were a new band but they’ve been around since the early 90s apparently, shows what I know. I would tell you more about them but I’m not like a journalist or anything, look them up your fucking self. What I do know is this is an album to blast for any occasion and I’m going to listen to it forever because it’s absolute kraut wizardry.
Casual Nun - Resort For Dead Desires (Hominid Sounds)
This album is ridiculous. Sounds somewhere in between like DEAFKIDS jamming with Motorhead, fucking WILD. Casual Nun have been around about 6 years now and they’ve established themselves as one of the best bands in the scene. This feels a bit more straightforward and hard-rocking than their previous releases and sounds all the better for it. “A Light Plague” is my COVID-19 soundtrack and I for one will start the biggest circle pit to it that the world has ever quite seen when I’m allowed to touch people again. You’re all fucking in for it.
Bruxa Maria – The Maddening (Hominid Sounds)
Sticking with Hominid Sounds, come from London noise punkers Bruxa Maria. Listening to the first few seconds right now, I SAID LISTEN! It’s so heavy that it’s just fucking sinister. This is a relentless beast of a record that digs into your spine and doesn’t let go. It rocks so hard that I can’t really tell you what’s going on. I can’t make out a single lyric but if I know Gill like I think I do, she’s screaming about injustice and telling all the cunts in charge to go fuck themselves. She’s da best.
Luminous Bodies – “Nah Nah Nah Yeh Yeh Yeh” – (Box Records)
This album has been in the pipeline for what feels like decades but it’s finally here and the world is all the better for it. The double drumming noise rock machine that is Luminous Bodies are sounding better than ever as they take you on a crazy ride through the best part of town where all the booze and drugs are. By the time you’re through with it, you’ll probably end up feeling tired, confused and wondering if you’ve been to bed in a week… this feeling is called “Luminous Bodied”. They are the ultimate band for any party and back it up with great song played with sheer intensity. Essential!
Obey Cobra have gained a reputation for being one of the very best bands in Cardiff over the last couple of years, not that I think any of them live in Cardiff any more. However, these psych-rockers have developed a magical set of songs and their sound can only be described as fucking dreamy. There are moments where you feel like your having a mug of cocoa on a cloud and the next you are being tortured by some seriously pissed off demon. I’ve got a sneaky feeling big things are going to happen for Obey Cobra and this release is only just the start. See you by the bins!
Pigs
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Viscerals
(Rocket Recordings)
This isn’t actually out until tomorrow but I’ve been lucky enough to
have been spinning for a good while. And guess what? I have not fucking
stopped. It’s truly remarkable how much success they’ve had and it’s fully
deserved, next year they have a residency at the Electric Ballroom which will
no doubt be sold out months in advance. That’s fucking NUTS! “Viscerals” sees
them bring much more variety to their sound, “World Crust” and “Crazy in Blood”
sounds like fist-pumping anthems that could be on regular rotation on every
jukebox in every metal bar across the world and no doubt they will be. It’s a
perfect rock album, what more do you want during the apocalypse you lucky sods?