Episode #53
1. Mistermeaner
Mistermeaner are a four-piece hardcore band from the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Veterans of the local punk scene on Oahu, they're still going strong and playing shows from time to time. They have two releases, a self-titled full-length and one EP, Six Songs till Silence, and have been featured on numerous compilations. Check out select tracks from both their releases on Episode 3, Episode 10, and Episode 30. Their music is full of positive vibes and intense lyrics, delivered through an aggressive assault of Hawaiian style hardcore and punk. Mistermeaner's song on this episode is titled, Choices, off of their Six Songs Till Silence EP.
2. Matahari
Matahari are a five-piece hardcore band from Boston, Massachusetts. Their music is very heavy, comprising of both hardcore and hard-rock influences. They have one 7” record titled, Never the Same, a live set from 2011, and a couple demos for an upcoming full-length, all available on their Bandcamp HERE. They also have records available through Get Young Records HERE. Their songs are very technical and progressive, often full of mixed-tempos and roller-coaster dynamics. The first three songs (Deceiver, Explanation Aftermath, and Standing Before, Long at Last) on Never the Same sound this way, a nice build up for the closing track, Widower. Hopefully their full-length will use this same formula. Matahari's song on this episode is titled, Widower, off of, Never the Same.
3. Tidemouth
Tidemouth are a four-piece hardcore band from Santa Clarita, California. They have a record, What I Meant To Say, released through Melotov Records in September 2011 (pick up a copy through the E-Store HERE). The EP features six songs of hardcore, grunge, and goth-rock. The lyrics are dark and slightly chilled (Rest your pretty little neck and pray forgiveness to the sky tonight/I figured out tonight you fucking die - Every Other Weekend), delivered through aggressive vocals and creepy rhythmic undertones. What makes their material a little more interesting is the brief break the instrumentals take in the middle of the song, Something Vicious. It's almost like a short interlude, a very cold and thrilling melody with the tiniest of chimes and soundscapes. Curious to hear what their new material would sound like. Tidemouth's song on this episode is titled, Wolves, one of the more faster tracks from their EP, What I Meant To Say.
4. Portrait of the Assassin
Originally based in Boise, Idaho, members of Portrait of the Assassin have relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota where the band will continue on its musical endeavors. The band has one album, For Centuries (check out a track from this album on Episode 26), an epic nine track collage of progressive metal. The album is a continuous soundtrack of technical guitar harmonies and solos, heavy drum work and an aggressive vocalist full of screams. Their first EP, This is the Day, is more hardcore influenced and features a different lead singer. The five songs on the EP foreshadowed their consistency for tight guitar work and leads. They are currently working on some new tunes (8 strings? should sound pretty cool). Portrait of the Assassin's song on this episode is titled, Rite of Passage, off of, This is the Day.
5. Real
Real are a four-piece hardcore band from Guadalajara, Mexico. They have one album, Gallo Negro, released through Panda Claw Records (pick up a copy on digital format HERE). Their album is 10 tracks of really tight hardcore, complete with aggressive breakdowns and gang vocals. They definitely do bring the mosh on a lot of their tracks (key songs include Odio Hoy, Peleare, and Una Vida). The musicianship is really sharp and consistently so; they know the right time to play fast and when to keep it heavy. And there's always a breakdown in each of the tracks. But they do keep their songs fresh and diverse by keeping it fast and technical. Listen a little closer though and you'll hear that they do speed things up as the album progresses (best heard in the middle of Una Vida - there's a brief (very brief) moment of some blast beat action). One music video was also produced for the closing song, Yo Real (check it out HERE). Another music video was also produced for a new song, Reyes Muertos (view the video HERE). Real's song on this episode is titled, Odio Vs. Falsedad, off of, Gallo Negro.
