Fav Screamo/Post Hardcore Releases of 2017

by Hugh Schmidt

Full Length:

CHEAT DEATH, LIVE DEAD! - Shizune

https://shizune.bandcamp.com/

Does this record really count as a full length? It's only 14 minutes long but there are ten tracks on it so let's run with it shall we? As you can probably tell from the runtime and number of tracks, this record is pure scramz with no bullshit. The longest track on here is a second under 2 minutes, yet despite their short runtime, each song is uniquely catchy. Hailing from Lonigo, Italy, Shizune has been around for almost 6 years now, influenced by earlier Italian bands like Raein and La Quiete. CHEAT DEATH, LIVE DEAD! is to me a full realization of what the band has been trying to do for all these years. It's their beat yet. Opener "the dreamers sleep on concrete" begins with weepy yet frantic guitar playing, tight rapid fire drumming and mid/high screams accentuated by gang vocals. Every song seems to have those same elements, yet each track remains unique. While the vocals are certainly extremely emotive, it's the guitars on this record that really get me. They're incredibly active (dare I say shreddy at times) yet remain sorrowful, and pull together some really pretty lead parts. Something that also sets this record apart is its clear sound. As much as I love lo-fi recorded in a trashcan skramz, this album really benefits from clean production. Every element is clear and exactly where it's supposed to be, it just sounds fucking perfect. The drums sound so fucking good, and the guitar tone is just incredible. This record has so much replay value. I worked on a farm over the summer and used to listen to this very album over and over while picking. It's so fucking good and has my favourite production of skramz album I've ever heard. You're doing yourself a disservice if you're not listening to this. Seriously, you're fucking up.

Full Length:

Los Pensamientos De una Cara Palida - Massa Nera

https://massanera.bandcamp,com/

This band is fucking incredible. I could honestly leave it at that but I get so excited about this record that I feel I'd be doing it a disservice if I did. If you're into post rock influence screamo at all, this is the release for you. Reminiscent of bands like City of Caterpillar or La Quiete, New Jersey based band Massa Nera have been killing it for almost two years now. This record is their debut full length, and the lengthier format really lends itself to their style. It's one cohesive piece in terms of mood and atmosphere, with beautifully placed spoken word and samples. I barely know how to describe the sheer scope of this album, it's just that gorgeous. What stood out the most to me on first listen were the lyrics and vocals. Standalone, the lyrics are extremely well written, and are powerful even without context. Not only are the lyrics themselves amazing, their delivery is fucking incredible. The vocals on this thing are higher pitched yelly screams, with occasional lightly sung vocals. On the first track specifically, they're just so incredibly powerful. Near the end of the song there's a melodic yell that turns into a scream which just sounds so completely tortured. It's quite rare that music brings real tears to my eyes and Massa Nera fucking did it, and on the first track. The drums on this album are extremely intricate and tight, with the guitars doing some really interesting work that further sets this band apart. This is for sure my favourite screamo release of this year, and possibly my favourite release if the year, period.

Favourite Track: ¡Waltz! (La Guerra)

EP's:

Fashion Statements of the Socially Unaware - Seeyouspacecowboy

https://seeyouspacecowboy.com/

This EP is just fucking brutal. It just is. It's 8 minutes of absolutely insane and sassy grindcore. If it were any longer than that my face would have literally melted off my head. When I say that I'm not fucking around, and neither is this EP. Seeyouspacecowboy is a sassgrind band from San Diego that's been making waves this year; you're probably familiar with them if you've been paying any attention to screamo/sass this year. The guitars are constantly feedbacking and layer panic chords over insane blasts, with vocals that alternate between low growls and mid to high pitched screams. This EP also has easily some of the sassiest vocals I've heard this year, so if you're like me and are into that, give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

Favourite Track: Jimmy Buffett Doesn't Even Surf

I've Been Running Round The City For 10 Minutes Straight In Order To Find You & Rip Your Fucking Face Off - 964 Pinocchio

https://964pinocchio.bandcamp.com/

The title of this record indicates exactly how it sounds It's absolutely disgusting and as a result, it's fucking sick as hell. It's heavy and fast paced with classic, sassy cleans punctuating in between screaching vocals. This is the first release from Tokyo whitebelt outfit 964 Pinocchio, and it makes me so excited to hear more of what they have to offer. The drums absolutely control these songs, and provide most of the backing for the vocals, with the guitars acting more as a method of increasing the dissonant ferocity this EP has to offer. The vocals sound so purely demonic and the songs sound so gross that there's no way I couldn't write about this release. It's so completely over the top and is easily the most off the walls release of the year.

Favourite Track: I'm Not a Scab, I am a Strikebreaker!

Single:

Long Enough/Contrition - Deathdealer

https://deathdealer.bandcamp.com/

I've already written about this single a little bit but goddamnit I'll do it again. These are Deathdealer's two best songs. Straight up, they're fucking great. This Boston skramz duo has been at it for few years now, dishing our grindy and heavy screamo. While most duos sound a little thin, this band makes up for it with hyperactive tight drumming and the heaviest bass tone I've heard in a while. The bass riffs on this thing are incredible, with strained, screamy yells, provided by both members. The song "Long Enough" even has a singalong post-hardcore chorus, which while new for the band, feels natural for them. It was a shock when i first heard it but totally fits with their sound. The b-side to this, Contrition, is more of classic sound for them but features some of the coolest drumming I've heard them do. This record sounds so full and just so much heavier in terms of production than their past releases which signals, at least to me, a possible new leaf for the band. Check this single if you're into any kind of hardcore punk, because this new release has something for everyone.

Split:

Senza/Antiphony

https://senza-sordino.bandcamp.com/

This split is so freaking good, I know I talked about this in my show review but I just have to shout this out again. Senza is an emoviolence band from Eugene, Oregon who released this split early November with NorCal post-hardcore band Antiphony. Senza's side of this split is just non-stop. Of a similar ilk to bands like Jeromes Dream, they blaze through their side in just 8 minutes, with over the top bird screech vocals that pierce through the chaos. The drumming on this is extremely tight, especially considering how breakneck their sound is. On the other side of this thing is Antiphony, who have a very different sound but one that pairs really well with Senza, both on the split and as tour mates. They have a similar sounds to bands like At The Drive In, with weird song structures and shifting, energetic instrumentation. They're melodic and mathy, with classic post hardcore yelps and sometimes frantic vocal delivery. The melodic vocals also reming me of Anthony Green at times, which is truly a great thing. Their performance on their side is incredibly tight, with really sharp drumming and grinding bass chording. This split is incredible, with really strong tracks from both bands.