Author: Zac

Raketkanon – ‘Florent’ – KKK Records

As soon as you press play on this you will be wondering what the hell is going on as Belgian four-piece Raketkanon have exploded onto the scene with a sound that will have your teeth on edge. Steve Albini’s production skills bring ‘that’ unbelievable drum sound as conventional lyrics stay dormant due to the band only working in tones. It’s a sound that should hopefully give you nightmares. Check them out live on March 9th at the Stillery in Camden, London. ‘Florent’ is out on 7” white vinyl from here. – Zac

TORCHE – ‘Annihilation Affair’ – Relapse Records

You can always rely on Torche for quality, bowel-loosening riff action and ‘Annihilation Affair’ (taken from new album Restarter) is a prime example of just that. Simultaneously catchy, and heavy as fuck, it’s a front-loaded attack of a track that gradually fades into a drawn-out, distorted outro. They’ll be back in the UK in May, and frankly, we can’t wait. – Alex Gosman

Girl Band – ‘Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage?’ – Rough Trade

Dublin’s Girl Band can do no wrong. In theory, a harrowing, stabbing industrial noise cover of a techno track by Blawan shouldn’t work, but it has become one of the bands staple live tracks since emerging in 2014. The new video is a fittingly twisted accompaniment to one of the most creative covers you’re likely to hear this year. – Joe Parry

Wire – ‘Joust & Jostle’ – Pink Flag

How do Wire stay so consistently amazing for so many years? They are never less than amazing, adventurous and melodically addictive and ‘Joust & Jostle’ is no different. Lifted from their forthcoming self-titled album, this is a sublime, driving, slightly sinister song that will work its way into your head and squat, refusing to leave. Incredible. – James Sherry

Ty Segall – ‘Mr. Face’ – Famous Class

Mr. Garage has just released an audacious double 7” set with at its’ head the song ‘Mr. Face’. Billed as the “first ever playable 3d glasses” one disc is see-through red, the other blue – it could be Ty’s first power play to properly take on the Third Man Jack White at his own game. The songs are not as 3 dimensional however, but they are nonetheless teeth grindingly great. ‘Mr. Face’ starts off like a mellow slice of “Sleeper” style action, all Byrds harmonies until it face melts (think cover of “Twins”) into the back yard Yardbirds. If you squint your ears at first (is that possible) it could be a Jake Bugg song until it shreds, ignites and melts like a snarly Salvador Dali. – Nick Hutchings

Dry Heaves – ‘Slim Pickings’ – Self Release

Two new ones here from Sheffield purveyors of hardcore, Dry Heaves. One mid tempo and one full throttle number, both characterised by crunching riffs oozing with paranoid anger, ably bring the hype for full length Slim Pickings. – Jono Coote

Ex-Cult – ‘Clinical Study’ – Castleface

Taken from their new EP ‘Cigarette Machine’, recently released on Castleface Records, this Memphis based noise barrage specialises in an especially thrilling brand of psychedelic guitar swirls and thumping, strutting tribal punk grooves. A new breed of lysergic hardcore. Prepare to be freaked. – James Sherry

Barely – ‘Whitewood’ – Self Release

Barely, the new solo-project of Max Raptor drummer Pete Reisner, quietly announced its existence with Whitewood, a small but perfectly-formed EP that burns slowly but proves to be a highly addictive listen. Closer in sound to Reisner’s previous band, the Sam Manville fronted two-piece Hymns (criminally underrated), it’s an inward and considered fifteen minutes, which somehow comes off feeling glorious and satisfying. The video for the title track shares that similar, contrasting sentiment. – Chris Bunt

Heems feat. Dev Hynes – ‘Home’ – Megaforce/Greedhead

Hip-hop and heartache aren’t always bedfellows, but done right, it’s hard to beat. Dev Hynes dons his Blood Orange cap to lend his signature guitar work and woozy vocal to the downbeat backing, as former Das Racist man Heems works out his anguish, on the most heartfelt track from forthcoming album Eat, Pray, Thug. – Augustus Groove

Backyard Burners – Let’s Go Food Shopping – Self Release

Rancid may have set about tarnishing their reputation with gusto over the last few years, but throughout the 90s they released some of the most well-crafted songs within the multi-faceted style known collectively as ‘punk’. At the heart of this were the pop sensibilities which influenced even the snottiest and rawest of their songs. Yorkshire-based country trio the Backyard Burners have picked up on this ear for a solid hook and put together this frankly fucking brilliant acoustic re-imagining of five Rancid tracks from four different albums. Taking its picks from a wide time period, the album turns Tim & Co’s sounds into something between country, bluegrass and rock n roll, with the result being an EP which demands repeated listening. And the money goes to a good cause as well, with proceeds donated to Yorkshire food banks! – Jono Coote

Muck – ‘My City’ – Prosthetic

Iceland’s Muck don’t know exactly what they are, but seemingly they don’t care. ‘My City’ is a pulverising hardcore track, with an kraut intro, elements of grind and some Torche-esque sludge-pop. Elsewhere on their new album Your Joyous Future, the band dabble in post-rock, groove metal and whatever else they feel like doing. No matter what they’re putting out, it’s guaranteed to be a vital listen from one of the smartest bands in modern hardcore. – Joe Parry

Naomi Punk – Firehose Face – Captured Tracks

Naomi Punk’s angular, duelling guitar noise will knock you for six. Their house blend of jerky, thrashing post-punk left us completely stunned when they arrived in the UK for the first time last month and ‘Firehose Face’ is just a taste of what this trio are capable of on stage. – Dave Palmer

Puppy – ‘Forever’ – Self Release

As soon as this kicks in, fans of Polterghost, and before them, Fanzine, will know exactly what’s going on here. Puppy’s ferocious fuzz and irresistible shred will have you hooked in ten seconds flat, whether you dig spandex-era metal or have a soft spot for power-ballads, there’s much gold to be found here. – Dave Palmer