Labels: Monocore
Review by: Andy Malcolm
This is a neat compilation that’s recently been released by a European label, gathering together a good range of European and American bands
all on one slab of 10 inches. Personally I would have bought it just for Sinaloa, but there is plenty of other good stuff on here, starting
with the opening track by Sifnos Plateau Collective, a band who are Euro’s but I am not quite sure from which country they originate. Anyway,
their track is a pounding and explosive slice of screamin’ emo straight out of the late 90’s. Lots of pained vocalising and melodic guitar
that builds to everyone falling down and crying. Nice! Then we get Sinaloa with a song that sounds a bit of a progression from the amazing
LP, starting out with some great almost tribal drumming (very Indian Summer!) and a rumbling intro before the awesome vocals kick in amidst
everything. It maintains an incredible level of intensity throughout, top notch. Overall it’s similar to stuff like Republic of Freedom
Fighters. As ever they have interesting subject matter, this time talking about American foreign policy. Following is Analena, who I am not
familiar with, they do some grooving hardcore that is sort of like Shotmaker, but with female vocals. Damn fine. After that is Ampere being
emo violent, crikey. This is punishing like End of the Century Party, just full on fast and thrashy with out of control vocals. Would work
better in the context of more songs, do a 10 song 7″ chaps! Finishing up side A are defunct Germans Killed by Malaise. I saw them once, they
were good. They do total European screamy emo with harsh screamed vocals over melodic guitars and emo-ness. Looking forward to their
posthumous lp out soon.
Circle Takes the Square are on side B, they are a band I can take or leave these days. They play a kind of epic screamo stuff which I guess
is like the Assistant or something like that. There is too much going on for me to be honest, lots of different things happening at once, time changes and all that. Oh well. I just find it too hard to listen to. A band called Gantz are next, they are French and new to me. The song starts off with a very subdued intro, twinkling into life with awesome spoken vocals (the French language works ever so well here), and also some cello, before they get the screaming on – very impressive. Lastly it is Calling Gina Clark, a German screamo band who are ok at what they do but it’s not really my thing. Lots of screeching and playing fast. Fair do’s.
And there you have it. A good solid comp with fine songs on it. Nice booklet too, which always is a bonus with a comp.