Cementing The Seams

I've been listening to this for a few months now, and every time I do it just gets better. Pine Barrens are from Manchester, UK (there is evidently a Pine Barrens from Philadelphia) and play a mix of dark hardcore and black metal. A bit like Tempest meets Bone Awl.  Anyway I finally found the tape for sale in the US a few weeks ago so I picked it up and remembered how good this demo is. I'm surprised this shit isn't more hyped to be honest.

FFO: Drainland, Bone Awl, Darkthrone

Stream, Download and Buy via Bandcamp

More dark hardcore, this time by way of Vancouver, BC.  This LP came out sometime last year but the band is currently awaiting a fresh crop of wax to sell to the masses, and I'm hoping I can get my hands on one.  Tempest previously released a crazy good 4 song demo tape in 2008 and a 7" containing one song from the demo, one exclusive and (weirdly) the title track of their new LP.  Anyway this is really good and this post has been open in my browser for a week.  Apparently it won't write itself, but "Passages" will speak for itself.

FFO: Surroundings, Planks, Finisterre

Planks follow up their 2010 full length "The Darkest of Greys" with a 4 song 12" of songs leftover from sessions recording their LP.  Planks are from Germany and play a mix of crust-punk inpired hardcore with a heavy black metal feel.  Anyway, this EP doesn't feel like a collection of b-sides as much as a stand-alone record in the same vein as the previous album.  "Solicit to Fall" definitely holds its own in comparison to "Greys".   If you're into the sort of thing that labels like Vendetta (Germany) and Halo Of Flies (US) are doing then you should check this out.

FFO: Northless, Protestant, Black Freighter

Listen at Bandcamp