On its leap year, February deliver some excellent albums from the spectral return of Chelsea Wolfe on She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She and the emotive debut full-length from Bloom in the form of Maybe In Another Life. Now we take a look at some of the LP & EP releases that were just as grand that may have been missed in the month of February.
A Knife in the Dark & Heavens Die – Split (EP) (Independent)
Dropping One Way Needle in 2022, A Knife in the Dark showed us they could put together some absolutely scorching material. Putting this alongside the harrowing sound of Heavens Die on a Split EP makes for brooding listen that is packed with fist-throwing riffs and a ravaging guitar tone.
FFO: Domain, Divine Hatred & SCARAB
Rotting Yellow – Fountains Beneath Hell (Independent)
Ethereal meets hostile. Rotting Yellow turn their homebase of Phoneix, Arizona into a frigid plane with their tense drone guitar vignettes. Fountains Beneath Hell feels like a fully live recording for the instruments, devoted to corridor reverb and incidental noises, and probably plays best through speakers. The vocals are just as live, plus some overdubs of circling whispers. Enjoy the suspense of the album as it gets increasingly close to its promised intensity over the first half, as well as the sublime transition between the final two songs.
FFO: Chelsea Wolfe, Korkarlen & Demen
XaogcX – An Endless Search For Clarity (EP) (Future Sight Records)
The metalcore revival scene cemented itself in 2023 with the likes of Cauldron, Dying Wish and Killing Me Softly producing records of standout quality. Showing that this year can continue that comes An Endless Search For Clarity, the third EP from Minneapolis unit XaogcX. “Clarity” is a term often used in straight edge communities and becomes the focal point of this four track EP. Coarse vocals blended with riffs that switch between thrashy brutality and more melodic moments makes for an EP that should deservedly stand itself alongside it genre peers.
FFO: Balmora, Since My Beloved & Witness Chamber
Divine Sentence – Promo ’24 (EP) (Independent)
From one counterculture band to another, Swiss vegan metalcore outfit Divine Sentence are getting things underway with a two track EP. They embrace the post 2020 metallic hardcore sound with stunning vocals that leave nothing behind. If you like it fast and twisted, then enjoy the powerviolence bursts in “Flames of Justice“, but watchout for the breakdowns too. This should be #1 on all those HXC playlists.
FFO: Snuffed, Worst Doubt & End Game
Second Impact – Effigy (EP) (Morality Police Records)
Based out of Jacksonville in Florida, Second Impact have crafted together a gem of a record on their debut Effigy. Fierce cuts “I Am Going To Kill You. I Have A Gun” and “Vultures” will please many spinkickers at their live shows, earlier track “9 Lives” features the legends that are GILT, before closing out on contemplative track “Placeholder” that delivers gaze-y vibes, topped off with a noteworthy performance from vocalist Juni.
FFO: No Relief, SNUFFED & Tripper
So Below – Here and Heaven (EP) (Ephyra)
Featuring members who have been part of the likes of Balmora, Broken Vow and Montclair, the project So Below takes a change of direction from those bands noteworthy breakdown-filled sounds. Weaving together emo and indie chords with gorgeous alternative pop-esque vocals, and wrapped in the nostalgic production of the 00s, Here and Heaven begs for a quiet, contemplative listen.
FFO: MISRY, crushed & Lilac Queen
What Haunts You – Our Dark Shapes (EP) (Independent)
On their new EP, Our Dark Secrets, post hardcore band What Haunts You envelop your ears in an ethereal, shoegaze-influenced ambience. Their take on the genre sees a more atmosphere focused approach, from their smooth, floaty vocals to their reverb-laden guitars. Mixed and mastered by none other than George Lever, this EP is definitely one for those who enjoy heavy, atmospheric soundscapes.
FFO: Bouquet, Bloom & Tapestry
Sarita Idalia – Life Eternal (Stellar Frequencies / Modulor)
Following careful years of singles and touring in the likes of I Hear Sirens, Sarita Idalia grants us her debut, and it’s been worth the wait. A unique mix brings to life nine tracks that mix many influences, where the ideas are usually straightforward, but come wrapped up in delicious chains of reverb and delay. The overture “Minotaur” and following single “Traces of Light” beckon you into Idalia‘s world of gloom. Percussion is scarce, but used so well, from post punk grooving on “Voix” to slow-dance waltz-meets-shoegaze on “Spirit Ditch“. For the record’s gentler side, dive into warm acoustic drone on “Éphémère“, “Soma“, and the gentle closer “Covenant“.
FFO: Grouper, Ekin Fil & Have a Nice Life
Desorden – Afilado Terror (Quality Control HQ)
Madrid hardcore is here to make its mark with Desorden‘s debut record titled Afilado Terror. The straight edge group had quietly make themselves well-known, earning them a spot supporting hardcore stalwarts Scowl, while they were working away on the full-length behind the scenes. With their blistering guitar riffs and scalding vocals from Alenka, each track is packed with a relentless aggression. Afilado Terror summarises a sound that surely means Desorden are a grand act to see live.
FFO: Initiate, DARE & Last Wishes