BLUE NOISE – Everyone Goes away Eventually
Music can be agressive
and beautiful at the same time. It can deal with the most hidden demons of our
shadow self and by recognizing them we can afford some clarity and peace, for
there can be no light without shadows.
Blue Noise is
the solo project of Maya Chun, who has spent considerable time with other bands
and projects such as Youth Novel, Bonzo, Death Flags, Vampires, Bonglord, The
Virgin Spring and a few others.
After two demo
tapes, this is the first LP by Blue Noise and one that is granted to cause more
than a few ripples in the alternative music scene. Maya Chun manages to combine
the violent ambiance of black-metal, the emotional energy of post-hardcore and
the fierceness of screamo. The end result is a wrecking ball of huge
proportions. There is a well thought out balance between agressiveness and introspection,
with brazen vocals harmonized with calm passages and even some catchy riffing
as in the songs, Regression and Everyone goes away eventually.
It’s a strong
and fascinating debut for those who want their extreme music laced with
emotions and sensitivity.
ALESKA + YAROSTAN
split
Screamo and
post-rock can go hand in hand these days, as well as politically-inclined
lyrics that match the beauty and boldness of screamo’s sonic attributes. This
Split features two french bands that bring social and political consciousness
to the table.
Yarostan hails
from Marseille in France and their name comes from the novel, Letters of Insurgents,
published in 1976 and writen by Fredy and Lorraine Perlman. It’s a novel about
two lovers with libertarian ideals who find themselves on opposites sides of
the iron curtain during the 60’s.
The name serves
as inspiration but also as a ideological background and inspiration for the
anti-authoritatian lyrics that the band harmonizes in seemingly chaotic but
complex melodies.
Yarostan weaves
a delicate but high-strung web of post-rock instrumental sensitivity and fire
blazing post-hardcore that entrap us in a web of delightful and ferocious
melodies like in the song Nous contre nous.
The second part
of the split is assured by Aleska a band from Metz/Lorraine in France and
comprised of members from outfits such as Shall Not Kill, Esteban and Dead for
a minute.
In the 8 songs
by Aleska there is a careful balance between screamo and post-hardcore with the
more atmospheric and instrumental passages reminiscent of bands like Fall Of
Efrafa and Burst.
The lyrics also
graze the terrain of the anti-authoritarian, however they appeal to a more introspective
stance to attain freedom, our place as irreplaceable individuals in a society
that wants to obliterate any trace of individual thought. The rebellion is
within oneself to battle and find his or her way in society while maintaning his/her
core values.
The songs
demonstrate a clear talent to mix scremo and post-hardcore, the boldness of
screamo and the pensive reflections of post-hardcore that boil altogether in melodies
that have as much chaotic energy as melancholic sensitivity. There are well
structured compositions and some of them cloak on 7 or 9 minutes, so there is a
progressive quality that gives the songs time to breathe, evolve and contruct
their own narratives.
Two talented
french bands make this split an authentic pièce de résistance for those that like
their screamo and post-hardcore with a sharp erudite edge.
SHIZUNE + LYTIC
split
This split
unites two countries, Italy and USA. Shizune is a five piece band from Vicenza
in Italy and Lytic is a two piece from NYC featuring members from Off Minor and
Saetia.
Shizune sets the
trail ablaze with two songs mixing punk, hardcore and screamo in a classic
sounding way that may be reminiscent of bands like La Quiete. It’s classic and
flawless with main and chorus vocals that brighten up the guitar riffs that
appear straight-forward but are played with almost math-core precision and
technicity.
Lytic manages to
be both technical and emotional, with complex and technical guitar layers that
explode into fiery chorus with inflamed vocals. They present three songs short
in duration but that are whole in intensity and fervor. A classic approach to
screamo with some mathy and emoviolence tinges make up their participation on
the split.
A classic
sounding split that highlights the euro-sounding type of screamo and the
screamo emo-violence approach from the states.
All the records are available at Zegema Beach's bandcamp and online store.
TEXT: CLÁUDIA ZAFRE