Apocalipsis - Expansion (2012)

In the mood for some post-metal via math from Mexico? :)

Kawri's Whisper - EP (2012)

Hailing from St. Petersburg Russia, Kawri's Whisper demonstrates an incredible understanding of balance. That is to say between completely indulging in prog excess and time shifting math rock. It's a pretty fair cut down the middle and done with the right amount of heart that shines through. Instrumental in nature as well there is atmosphere built from song to song. It looks as though via there facebook page that they have some newer stuff on the horizon because this EP is just the first few bites of a meal I need to finish. Really enjoying this.

kawriswhisper

Indurain - Indurain

Got very little info on this here band.. What I do know is they make some pretty cool tunes. Mostly instrumental bar the odd murmurs and a few shouty moments. Mathy? yep and with that comes a nice dose of noise and a healthy splash of post-hardcore moments. The whole thing has a kind of post-rock to post-metal kinda vibe, though no real build ups with the twists coming in at the right times. They managed to slip this one under the radar too, released all the way back in January '12.. Indurain

Sajjanu - Californication II (2012)

Previously on PoS (yes we are all aware of that usually stands for )

So a reader has informed me that thanks to a successful bout of badgering the group Sajjanu posted their follow up record on bandcamp from 2012. Why is this amazing? well if you are familiar the question has already been answered (they are math rock demons). But for those not in the know certainly click the link above to DL some real meaty math. I have to say this is more compositionally rich than their first effort and less chaotic but a hell of a lot more focused. Sajjanu still stand as one of the busiest and most technical of the Japanese math rock groups. That is along with the amazing Nuito. So if anyone wants to get on those guys for a new album thatd be great as well.

Sajjanu

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

Math Rock Mystery (SOLVED!)

So this is kind of an interesting post as we had a reader with a very specific question for us the other day.
You see our interested party had an album that had been given to him by his girlfriend....math rock in nature...that had become one his favorite math albums.  Unfortunately...there were no track titles, nor album title and only the supposed name of the band, PIZZA.

The PoS team and myself feverishly began searching the interwebs for any and all information concerning to no avail. However it wasn't until a reader from the wonderful math rock reddit page suggested that it may in fact be a group briefly mentioned in Don Caballero's final tour diary.

As it turns out upon checking in deeper it was indeed that same group. Pizza hailed from Boston in the early 2000's and is said to have played in Tuxedo's and utilized a wireless guitar system to be able to play outside the venue. This is unconfirmed as the information on this group is scarce at best. One thing is for sure though is that they are best known as the group forbidden to play during Don Cab's show in Boston. (if you want the full story read the diary above..its worth it) As during Don Cab's set members of the audience actually threw real pizza at Damon Che and company.

It should also be noted that Scott Buoncristiano of Pizza would go on with a former member of Lynx and others to create the group Challenger. Also another incredible math rock group very much worth your time.

I feel like its incredibly important to keep people informed as much about the new music coming out as well about the older groups that have paved the way. Pizza is a pretty excellent group especially for the time and certainly have that classic math rock sound.

History lesson over :)
Below is a direct link to Pizza's self-titled as well two live albums
PIZZA

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.

The Water Safety - Happiness is a Warm Wookie (2013)

Aside from the god awful album name this is some thoughtful and intelligent dance rock from Germany. Dance rock typically invokes some dangerous thoughts...yes I know this...(The Rapture *cough*) Thankfully these guys keep their cards close and have some love for many genres. Post rock? yea. Math? mhm Alternative Rock? sure throw it in there to. Truthfully I have posted these guys on our facebook group but it just occured that an official post had not been created. There is a little somethin somethin here for one and all so certainly its one to check out.

Salvador - Fera Vischer (ep) (2013)

Rio De Janeiro based post rockers Salvador lay down some pretty interesting instrumental math rock I have to say. I wasn't completely sold until I noticed the introduction of some interesting effects and welcome twists to the formula. These slight departures add some well needed personality to the proceedings. I do have to say as well that as the EP progresses the songs seem to only get better and better while ramping up the complexity. Like I said it took a minute to sink into this lovely group but you'll be thankful for doing so. Listen.

Astrochasm - EP

If you've ever listened to or been to see a Math Rock band in Sacramento then you probably have heard about Astrochasm. This small California trio only has three tracks currently released in there discography, one which is an intro into another song. And although it is true if you search hard enough you can find more of their songs in the archives of Youtube,  they're nothing that is official or as well mixed as whats on their Bandcamp.

What I love about Astrochasm is how refreshing it is to hear a girl singer in a Math Rock band, and a good one at that. Their songs are chock-full of catchy riffs, this really shines through in "...Just Dreams." Although the guitar work is nothing really innovative and has a kind I've heard this before sound. They seemed to be a lot more laid back then what I'm use to listening to so I find it hard to get into.Not to mention due the fact that they don't have a bassist a lot of their songs end up sounding empty. This isn't remedied by the fact that Yvette Young, (the lead singer) doesn't have a deep underlying tone to her voice that makes up for the lack of bass.

My advice to Astrochasm would be to either find a bassist or use that second guitar to make their songs sound a bit fuller. All in all I'm very interested into seeing how Astrochasm will develop their sound further and will be keeping a very close eye on them.

Stockades - MONOLITH (2013)

Previously on X-Me....er Plenty of Swords

Australians based post-hardcore mathsters Stockades are almost ready to drop their first official release this June. Should prove to be a banger if this newly released song is any indicator. Great vocals and fantastically noodly guitars are in high order with these peeps so if thats your thing (and it should be) then you gotta peek it up.

How to Count One to Ten - Blue Building Blocks (2012)

Better late than never right?
2012 seems like a distant memory but I have plenty of hold over groups I just have not gotten to covering yet. Case in point is this fantastic Japanese group "How to Count One to Ten". Crisp and clean instrumental post-rock with some great interlocking rhythms. Some math rock love is yes implied within that last statement so no fretting yall.

If you're looking for twinkly slow plodding build up's you unfortunately are at the wrong blog and band for that matter. The melodies can get a little pastoral and nostalgic but we are all about that. A lot of the Japanese groups seem to have some kind of lock down on that kind of thing anyway. Yet again no skipping out on this guys and galls. must.

Jonah Vin - From the Top (2013)

So it seems as though "Look Mexico" has formed their own mini label (Holy Hell Records) and have added a new group to the proceedings. Granted it does feature a couple of the same personnel it's an excellent first glimpse into the group Jonah Vin. There is certainly enough to get me very excited into what should be some very excellent indie flavored math-pop. Some great hooks and proper instrumentation go a long way with me. I'd never steer you wonderful peeps wrong so check it. Seems like this is officially being dropped sometime in July.

Sholi

I thought by now I would be able to introduce this band via their newest album as it's been 4 years now since their debut came out (or any other news on them) but I still find myself coming back to it many times over. Besides the impressive song writing on display here what immediately drew me to this band is the jazzy drumming of Jonathon Bafus. Ever present yet understated at all the right times they anchor the numerous dynamic and emotional shifts throughout the album. It's not going to get your blood pumping with intensity but take the time to play this album end to end and let it wash over you. I would love to check these guys live, they seem so effortless and playful.

RIYL: Dismemberment Plan, Shipping News, June of 44



BNDCMP

Antlers

First post in awhile and it's a bit of an older one (my fellow swordsman have a habit of beating me to the punch on the newer stuff). Initially came across this DC band when I spotted their 2008 s/t on yellow/white vinyl for under $10 and took a gamble (I'm a sucker for colored LPs) but I was pleasantly surprised at the vintage math rock sound this album contains. Slinky guitars, tight drumming and enough twists and turns throughout to keep things interesting across eight tracks curiously named after a different kind of tree.

Until writing this, I thought they had all but disappeared but their bandcamp has 2 newer releases, a similar sounding EP called "Kosmische Cat" and a their latest LP "2607 Space Godz" which sounds like they decided to drop acid and forge a new sound. Won't rush judgement just yet but I stand by their eponymous debut, check er out.

RIYL: Faraquet, Ghosts and Vodka, Don Caballero



BNDCMP

Flower Coronet - Circumstances Revised (2013)

So I'd dare say this wouldn't fit anyone strict definition of math but the influences are pretty clear. 

What we have here is a one man project that is based in folk. The sauce starts getting spicy with the heavy introduction of a lot of odd timing, experimentation and some interesting vocal melodies. 

Its a recipe for some wonderful and unique music. Not to be missed

 

Chinook - EP

Repost:
In the time between this post and now I have realized a few interesting things concerning Chinook's EP. This EP has grown on me like a spreading wild fire. The melodies have latched into my brain in such a fashion that has surpassed what I initially gave them credit for. Those guitar's seriously never waste a moment. The drums almost steal the show as well. While not altogether unconventional certainly both convey a sense of fun and serious ass rocking that seems to be lacking in a lot of post rock. I frequently blast this very loudly in my car while air drumming around town a favorite past time of mine. It's pretty much bullshit that more people aren't talking about these guys. Please if you didn't the first time around do yourself the pleasure.
______________________________________________________________

Now we are in about the same realm of math as far as feeling but this Michigan quartet are far more melodic than my previous post. Some of the breakdowns here are really brilliant for math rock this driving. Its something that really hits a chord emotionally speaking so this is not something anyone should be going out of town for. Extremely well crafted indie rock tinged math. Very nicely produced as well which for intricate rock music gives you that much of a leg up.

The Jezebel Spirit - I Hate it Here (2011)

Been following these guys for a bit kinda waiting for them to drop the big one...sigh. Half of the equation has been fulfilled as they are not together any longer but have this release to speak of. Thankfully its a straight looker. 

Aside from a fairly terrible band name these gents have some impressive pedigree behind them. Parts of "Bearcubbin" and "Duck. Little Brother, Duck!" are represented in this group, so you can only imagine that something good would come of this. 

This is post-rock that doesn't keep its fur lined winter parka on for a moment and yet has a great ambient and atmospheric quality to it. On the flip side there are some great mathy moments but really its a great showing of progressive instrumental post rock. A lot of really stellar ideas this is one not to miss at all.

Why more peeps haven't been slinging this is beyond my comprehension

Splendid.

Brownie Mountain - Space Hardware

First post for me as new plenty of swords member so hello all!

Hopefully I have something good for you in the form of this five piece hailing from Chicago. What to expect form these guys? These roll with a energetic sort of blend of instrumental, post and math rock. Think math rock instrumentals with the use of some post-rock structures. Okay so this isn't out for a few days but you can check out two tracks of it already on the camp, where they also have up their previous record (also pretty cool though more post rocky in sounds). If the rest of the ep is a good as the taster tracks all will be good.

Los Piedra - Antiperro (2009)

 

Something pretty fun that certainly wont win any originality awards

post-punk vibe with math

again wont light your house on fire but then again prolly not a good idea anyway.