Acid Priest — Drop Out (2018)

Band: Acid Priest
Album: Drop Out
Release Date: 6/05/2018
Listen and Purchase here: Bandcamp
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Clocking in at a crisp ~18 minutes, Drop Out hits high note after high note with its potent brew of chunky riffs, blasts of thrash, and a dash of Kyuss-loving harmony. Sometimes words just get in the way of understanding, so pack a bowl, take a hit, and queue this shit up.

(For that little bit extra, maximize your vibe and start reading Abbadon's epic comic, Kill Six Billion Demons.)

Chapter Books - Pep Talks (2013)

Fellow new yorkers Chapter Books have laid down a pretty enjoyable first effort. Its got a lot of that excellent harder edged emo revival going on but of course its always in the differences that I tend to latch to. The guitars here have a clear attachment to math rock and it injects even more soul into this project. Add a varied vocals approach with some punk energy and you have yourself an incredibly self assured album for a new group. Each song has its own identity that has me wondering what a new release will bring with some time. More of this please?

chptrbks

Do nascimiento - Do nascimiento (2011)

Confession time: I am a math rock hoarder.

It finally feels good to get that off my chest. So now that a team of trained individuals are twisting my arm, I am emptying my back catalog of tasty math from years past. First stop — Italy. 

Do Nascimiento are an impassioned bunch of gents with lots of high energy old school "emo-ness". A bit in the realm of that Philly sound but unhinged vocally (in a good way). Instrumentally you've heard this before, but it's honest work and they do try a couple different approaches here and there.

Quality stuff, but I do tend to like more creative juices dripping from this stuff.

(Bonus points for the pele nod)

Ditch Tiger - Old Growth (2013)

Dang Boise Idaho!

You guys are really bringing it hard this month. First with Fox Alive and now we have Ditch Tiger. This has the familiar feel of a lot of your favorite groups that play that earnest throwback emo with the great mathy guitars and angsty vocals. BUT — there always has to be a but — this comes at you like a tumbling boulder, way faster than any of those other namby pambies. (Is there such a thing as a "pamby" that isn't namby? - meta) Not too mention those drums are nothing to be joking around about either. The band fancies themselves "hardcore punk" and I suppose I could see in that spirit but beyond that not too much. Extremely cohesive stuff for sure and one that I'm sure will resonate with a lot of people. I know this album has very much captured my attention these days.

Slender Loris - World Tour (2013)

I have to say that I usually enjoy my lorises "slow", but after meeting this here Slender Loris my tune has changed. A three piece that employs speak/shout vox and some dirty punky guitars doesn't exactly smack of the math we love, but give this release a second and there is a lot to love, not too mention a couple twists. Jagged is the word I would use for these riffs for sure. In a lot of ways this reminds me of the fabulous No Means No and shoot, that's some high flying compliments. Early 90's vibes but not heavy to the point where I need a Crystal Pepsi. It took me a moment to grab hold of what these guys are doing, but thats my own fault truly and once you do I can promise that you'll be on board the ship.

Hank - Pinched (2013)

Lately the cram-jamming of punk aesthetics with math rock structures seems to be a "thing" that is gaining steam. However not all cats sleep the same on the window sill and that's why it's refreshing to hear Illinois' very own Hank taking a different angle. Yes, the aggressive guitars (and vocals) are there for your fist-pumping delight, but there is a "fun" angle that I am always looking for in the mood and playing of this type of music. Let's also not forget that we stay for the twists and turns via the prog/math elements. Besides conveying fun, the second important component that I'm always looking for is an honesty in the composition. Both are vague concepts, I understand that, but they remain extremely important for me in describing why I enjoy a group. This is an incredibly strong and diverse first effort for Hank and it's telling seeing them talked about in more than a few other math-centric publications.

Toasted Plastic - June Highs (2013)

I do feel a bit bad about this because New Jersey's Toasted Plastic are a group that is talked about a fair amount between the staff here at Plenty of Swords. However no official post has come (insert sad face) Well this three piece is certainly more than deserving of the praise. A high energon mix of pop punk/ punk, math rock twists and turns and newer emo. There is a lot of complexity crammed in here and that would mean next to nothing if it wasn't coupled with a heaping helping of emotion. Thankfully thats demonstrated in spades especially with the vox. There's more than a little obvious attention payed to crafting some memorable melodies which is more than I can say for a lot of groups. This is the largest element that have kept me coming back to their newest album again and again. If you're looking for a contemporary comparison our very own "black clouds" stated that they remind him of early Sirs. I would have to agree a bit with that but so so so much more. This is one to listen to all the way through. Lots to love here.

Beach Parade - Tour Loko EP (2011)

Eli one of our fine members of the PoS had gotten me wise to these guys a little while back. I can safely say I am embarrassed to have missed such excellently crafted and instrumentally complex punk music from Ithaca NY. It's got that insane energy with great powerful vocals and some extremely inspired dual guitars. If your in the mood from some high flying rock then let this be your first stop of the night.

Beach Parade

Tommy Boys - Demo

Look familiar?

Well it should. I briefly covered these cats back in January when they only had one song to speak of. I do think that they deserve a much deeper look as it is painfully obvious that these guys once something official gets dropped.....its going to be good times for all. The chops are there as well as the killer song writing. In need of a well placed and tight math rock turn? theres about 70 in every song. Forced? no not at all everything sounds fluid like a river and the riffs are pretty catchy as well. If your going to reach into the comparison's basket then you could say a more energetic and twisty Ghosts and Vodka with more of a punky vibe running through. For those that don't know Ghosts and Vodka, I suggest going to drink some vodka. Sound's like a damn fine combo if I've ever heard. They do now have a song with vocals and its just as excellent as the instrumental stuff. I need a bat signal or a beeper specifically for when new stuff by these guys comes out. I need it that badly.

Marylin-Rambo - Baleine à Nourrir (2012)

A promising French duo that doesn't fall into the typical pit falls of hard rock duo's. Metal, Math, Punk and good old fashioned RockNRoll blenderized for your listening pleasure.

marylin-rambo

Zeus! - Opera (2013)

The wait is over.

This has been on my anticipated list for awhile now and I must say "worth it" all the way. 

For those that are not familiar Zeus! is an Italian two piece that follows no guiding star. Math rock rhythms snuggle up to industrial hardcore sized riffs and screaming. But it'd be too easy to end it there but there are a lot of progressive rock elements scattered about as well. Some brutal stuff to be sure and maybe not everyones tea. Give it a shot there are some wonderful moments in this full length. Two pieces usually scare me off but these guys have locked it down so hard you can not deny their power.

opera (2013)

Submission Hold Round Up

Hey fellow math monsters just wanted to drop in and share some of our submissions since I haven't been very current. Also yes that is a picture of moon knight. Does there need to be a reason?

Hymmel - post-rock centered maths with electronic sprinkles. a little three trapped tigers vibe? eh a titch perhaps. these gents hail from Kent and do mix stuff up pretty well. 

Apart - Heavy emotional post hardcore with some nicely structured songs. clean and crisp production is always a plus. wish there was a squeech more effort placed into standing apart from others.

La Bibioteca Deserta - 65 days of static sorta sound but still its own deal. Italian electro alt post rock math. check this out pretty cool stuff.

Arms of Tripoli - Nice and moody post rock instrumental math. Has a strong flow to the structures and good sense of melody.

Cecimonster vs Donka - alternative rock with a pop punk beating heart from Peru. Clear, concise and great energy are all here waiting for you.

Dore Mear Beon - pitter patter math rock with programmed drums. I would guess the work of one person. Pretty chill stuff going on. Would love to hear a full band perform this.

Blind Wives - strong QOTSA driving alt rock. slight rhythmic shake ups. Even a bit poppy as far as vocals go.

Foxing - That Philly noodle guitar scream combo many know and love. These guys are from St. Louis however. the right amount of math style drums get thrown in for added effect.

17 Pygmies - keyboard shoegaze prog lite?? sounds more interesting than it is in real life.

Lord - And lastly ending strong we have Portland Oregon's Lord. I had posted them on our facebook page with their first release and they are back. Pure and lovely progressive rock holding hands with math. it's the good stuff we know and love. check it out extremely well done 2nd effort.

Former Animals - Former Animals (2012)

Lets face it gang Math Rock is really all about those clean toned guitars cutting through each other.  This is less a rule of the genre and more of an issue of..shall we say...listen-ability.  Hear me out for a second.  With lazy production or the introduction of pedals to muddy your tone, your bracing new tribute spencer seim is going to sound confusing.

Why even bring this up? Well because Former Animals bring some interesting ideas to the table by way of atmospherics and guitar tone changes. At times shifts to the general "established" ideas of the "math rocking" just doesn't turn out so well. Tag on that fact that at many points it sounds like the train is about to derail and this sounds like it may not be very good.

SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH.

Because this train is filled with dancing bears and the tracks are constructed of marshmallows. When this train does go off track it somehow manages to still be fracking amazing...nay better. This is a pretty flawless release in my book. Dont see many of those around these days.

Occasionally jazzy and a bit punky maybe? interesting song structures, really inventive riffs and pretty proggy in spots. Wrap it up with a bow because this is some of the most interesting math rock I've run into so far this year.
 
Former Animals

Ittō - Ittō

This is massive.  This is punk. This is Ittō from Chicago. They play screamo

Screamo? yea like when you mix emo music and screaming. Hmm that doesnt sound much better. Rest assured however that this is not what you may be thinking. This is some technical hardcore punk with screamed/shouted vocals intermixed with some spoken word.  The starts and stops are very welcome to hear but you'd be a little hard pressed to claim this fully under the math rock banner. These songs are just completely unhinged rock music with a dynamic punk spirit. If anything that I just quickly typed out sounded even marginally interesting then I suggest you make a visit. Very Very Good.  


http://ittochicago.bandcamp.com/

Bastro - Rode Hard and Put Up Wet (1988)/ Antlers Live (1991)

If Bastro is not a band that rings familiar in your dome well that perhaps is history's fault.

Time for a little Social Studies. Open your page to 182 please and follow along. Squirrel Bait from Louisville KY an up tempo shifting rock group broke up at the end of the 80's. Skag Heaven their crowning achievement is an interesting listen today. Not for its impressive musical nature per-say but because you will consistently get the feeling you've heard it before.  This could be because many argue that the group foreshadowed the grunge and math rock movements 90's (true).  Aside from being important on their own their dissolution actually caused more of a splash than anything else.  Here's the run down and you tell me.

Squirrel Bait Members:

Peter Searcy - Vocals (Big Wheel, Starbilly)

Clark Johnson - Bass (Bastro)

Britt Walford - Drums (Slint)

Brian McMahan -  Guitar (Slint, The For Carnation, King Kong)

David Grubs -  Guitar (Bastro, Gastr Del Sol)

_________________________________________

While most folks focus on the Louisville second coming of Jesus ( read: Slint) a lot of folks should be shifting their gaze toward the other more prominent group on this list. Bastro was certainly the more interesting of the two in my opinion. Their first EP Rode Hard and Put Up Wet (1988) is a widly pleasing  release.  Clear love of Big Black runs rampant with the the drum machine going full tilt but mathier elements do rear their head however subtle they may be. Each release after found the group settling into a post-hardcore punk style of melodic rock that smacks of the math we love today.

Sorry for being long winded but my point to this is that Bastro should be counted as the first modern math rock group. Sure we can all sit back and bandy about this influence and that influence through prog rock and modern comp but honest to flip here it is. If your still not entirely convinced check out Antlers live. released in 2005 these recordings were culled from various shows in 1991 and find the group at the end of their life span. The sound of which is true blue math in all its rough and ready glory.  John McEntire is punishing behind the kit (as well he should being a percussion major) and in my opinion the greatest of the early math drummers. Does the name sound familiar? that may be because McEntire went on to join Tortoise where he essentially became their musical leader.

If your at all interested in the roots of early math rock, or late 80's early 90's rock you can not pass this up. Seriously.

DEM LINKS BE DEADED PA!

metaghostin' Vol. VIII - Don't Be Such a Dissonancy

Don't Be Such a Dissonancy - 50'34"
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Ornette Coleman : "Skies of America" :: US Congress : ?
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1. Sonic Youth - "'Cross the Breeze" / Daydream Nation (1988)
2. Zvoov - "How Dare You How Dare Me" / Everbrown EP (2011)
3. Brontide - "Limestone Ink" / Sans Souci (2011)
4. Soft Machine - "As If" / Fifth (1972)
5. Natsumen - "Septemujima" / Endless Summer (2005)
6. Blue Cranes - "Here Is You, Here Is Me" (Ethan Rose remix) / Oversea Orbits (2010)
7. Massacre - "Carrying" / Killing Time (1981)
8. Zevious - "The Noose" / After the Air Raid (2009) 
9. Kayo Dot - "The Awkward Wind Wheel" / Blue Lambency Downward (2008)
10. Dysrhythmia - "Will the Spirit Prevail?" / Barriers and Passages (2006)

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P.S. - Natsumen got a new record coming out next month, ready to cure all your impotence issues.

STNNNG

Aggressively angular guitars mixed with spoken word vocals and shouting are always a recipe for success in my book. Clearly there is a deep love with Fugazi going on as well but I'd say its harder to find bands that aren't influenced by them so no points will be deducted.  There is also a liberal sprinkling of mathy structures but certainly not enough to be overbearing. At times I'd say they remind me if Slint was angrier and played faster, all in all a high compliment.  Not for everyone but a great redux of some classic 90's alternative indie rock with an edge

 Dignified Sissy
Fake Fake
The Smoke of My Will

PS. The cover art for Dignified Sissy is awesomely representative of how they sound

Bad Dudes

Electro-punk math rock?

Having an ex and current member of mega sick prog demons Upsilon Acrux automatically makes your band that much cooler.

It helps that they are actually amazing. Songs are varied but always fun and it never gets too noodly. Great vocals going on.

Lastly current Upsilon Acrux member Phil Cobb on the keyboards is a dangerous man to mess with.

Bad Dudes - Eat Drugs