Heavenly Deprogram Measures Easy Laughs

Deprogram Measures are to be taken. I will not succumb to the retail programming. Counter measures armed. It’s the holidays for so many. I’d love to move to an area far away from the territories that celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. Alas I am stuck here as its easier to stay put and deal then to go far , far , away. Besides I have these artists below and my blessing to count. Don’t forget that there is a MeatSheet vlog if you want to listen to me blather on and see me in my own meatly glory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcRLkmVK6Nc Read on.

Colonial Wound – Easy Laugh – Hex Records

Easy Laugh is the fresh LP from Colonial Wound for 2022. Initial impression is very professional, chaotic, mashing of extreme music genres. So much so I need to be in the mood for this. It’s intense.

Easy Laugh finds itself smack dab in the middle of down tune/ heavy territory. It is clear from the way they play that these are not people in which this is their first rodeo making this style of music.

If you’re a fan of bands from the early 00’s like Dillinger Escape Plan.  Burnt By The Sun.. then check this out. Colonial Wound  are not as technical as DEP but are approaching that arena quickly.

They’re not as chuggingly metal as BBTS but they do throw down in a way that reminds me of them. Colonial Wound’s songs structures are definitely getting more intricate than the material I covered here.  So the common denominator is intricacy of songs with a little of hardcore and a little bit of metal. If you’re not down with screaming vocals then this is not for you. 

The opening track Halogen Green has the feel of bouncing anvil. Heavy on the downstrokes, lifting in the spaces in between.

For heaviness, a stand out song is Covering Ground. Tortured, brooding vocals sitting impaled on minor key sounding guitar arpeggios. The bass rings out then reverberates like a low frequency warning bell.

Altar Of Youth raises up some fine percussions. Polyrhythms ? Unsure , but it sounds great. The drumming. On Nationalism gives you the best of the realities Colonial Wound live in. On one hand you get slow and heavy. Of course, on the other hand you get faster and more complex arrangements.

Easy Laugh may not be easy listening ( approachability and tonality) but fans of metal infused hardcore peppered with dirge like breakdowns will look forward to spinning this. Even though I need to be in proper mood for Easy Laugh it will go down as a classic LP.

Heavenly Bodies – Measures

If NASA stands for never a straight answer, then Philly’s own Heavenly Bodies deserve a positive acronym of their own.

I’d trust these players over some scientist who is not allowed to divulge what is happening in the skies and beyond.

But that is a different tale and my tin foil hat is catching the light too much causing solar glares.

Every release I hear from Heavenly Bodies is what I imagine interstellar space travel to be. Many times, the music feels as if you are one with the cosmic force about to witness a major event. Other times, maybe its a scenario of – you are Elton John’s Rocket Man only with a twist. Instead of your trajectory back to terra firma, you are gliding further and further into the void. So to sense what I speak of go here https://heavenlybodiesphl.bandcamp.com/album/measures

On Measures, the latest release, it’s the same in the sense it is instrumental space rock. Different in the sense the composition is ‘ 75% improvised 100% of the time’ .

Therefore it would be impossible for Heavenly Bodies to duplicate or repeat themselves.

Anyone with a very cursory understanding of music knows that improv music blows the possibilities of what could happen wide open. It’s not for everyone. Pure exploration. Heavenly Bodies find their groove. Starting with a drone or riff ( there’s the 25% planned). Next what develops is left to intuition and self expression. This my fine readers, is higher creativity.

You get six numbered ( I , II , III, IV etc) ‘acts’ or shall I say tracks. For me a standout is III. The droning motif is disturbing and satisfying. For the fans of Sunn and other similar drone music, check this one out. If you can get down with ambient drone and spacey rock it is likely the whole body of Measures will have something for you. IV features spoken word. I’m inferring the audio of the speech is from a close encounter with an E.T. The background music is sublime.

It would make Eno, Fripp, and cohorts in the ambient experimental cause proud. I just know it.

IV also shifts the energy from a more threatening sound of III to a more inquisitive, curious mood.

Last act or numeral on Measures is VI. Twenty six minutes. Mostly a single pattern of guitar notes repeated for nearly the whole track. It’s as if this guitar pattern is a malfunctioned transmission going into space. A new wave sounding series of notes repeated as if its being sent into the cosmos to reach any intelligent life that may be listening.

Let me be clear, a song that is over five minutes and longer by default doesn’t always make the grade. What I love about VI is the repetition and the defocused yet focused at the same time intent. If you practice anything long enough, instrument, dance, or whatever skill you may experience this state of relaxed trance , with focus.

That being said VI achieves this when I hear it. VI is perfect respite to lay on the ground and gaze at the sky and heavens. A perfect closer to Measures

I am not an experimental music deep diver, but I dare you, reader to recommend anything you find in the league of this release that drops in 2022. Measures is one of my picks for best of year.

Planet On A Chain – Deprogram

POAC are unabashed, fast hardcore. Featuring members from Austin, Texas and Oakland, California. The singer Dave is what piqued my interest. Dave is originally from NJ and was in Dead Nation and Tear It Up. So, naturally if one knows those two bands, one may hope that POAC will meet the expectations. POAC meet and exceed said expectations.

No Ones Here is a strong anti violence opener with a fast tempo. Blinders is impressive in the sense they slow down to a steady hard mosh pick it up real fast and return to original mosh. All under a minute. The next 2 – 4 songs are just as high quality.

Delusion and Woodfox bring back fond memories of the days of TIU and Shark Attack playing together. Somehow the blokes in the band manage to capture that frenzied spirit of both those bands. It’s not a carbon copy or straight up fusion of those two bands. It could just me my personal take. Picture Woodfox as a long haired person of days past driving a muscle car with nitrous asking you ” Wanna go fast??” Then speeding off leaving all behind in a cloud of dust and exhaust. Only said person is way more punk and hardcore.

Either way if you are still listening to Deprogram by the time these play then you are either captive inside a screen printing shop -OR- you recognize the power of this band.

Deprogram is a scorcher. The equivalent of going to a packed show on a cold winter day and coming out of there steaming. This type of scenario compressed into a fast burning high energy album.

Soul Side – A Brief Moment In The Sun – Dischord Records

Born of old school post hardcore Soulside return. A refreshing LP that is way cooler than the regular alternative rock. Make no mistake, if you cannot appreciate anything other than basic three chord fast hardcore this LP could be a mismatch. But most who can listen with attention, and deeply at that.. Rewards await. Times Like These, Day 2, Every Clover kick off Brief Moment In The Sun. The hardcore vibe runs as an undercurrent in these three songs. In other words, post hardcore, traditional hardcore parts and the like are definitely de focused , blurry , and at times absent.

Attention seems to be turned towards lyrics, vocal melodies, and coming up with a fresh relevant sound. I’m super glad that Soulside went in this direction. If I may use a dated TV game show reference, Soulside make the choice to press their luck and take the chance of hitting a whammy. (See TV Show Press Your Luck for reference)

Isn’t taking a chance and creativity what it’s all about? That is to say , once you have established your following and or niche ?

Next is Reconstruction and Runner. I write about them earlier in 2022 as they were released as singles. Read about it here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/strong-triumphant-return-soulside-more/ Excerpt below.

“Reconstruction starts with klaxon like guitar warning sound and then lurches into a DC Fugazi ish melodic groove. It’s super tight, locked in. It opens up to a chorus that is roomy, warm, but lyrically making social commentary. Reconstruction is slower in tempo but super satisfying. I’ve says before, experience can make all the difference.

Runner is faster, with what seems to be a more complex groove”

Next one I hone in on is Tambourine. Love the phaser on the guitar. Resolved has a drum beat that pulls me right in. Lyrically seems to be about overcoming a challenge and reserves of strength. This is far too relatable for most people, unless you are anesthetized and or numb. In that case, more than likely Soulside will not interest you. Rediscovery is a chugger.

Riffs of D.C. flavor galore.

Guitar pickup and volume knob trickery that makes the notes / volume come in and out of the audio mix. This sounds great and adds dynamics. Top notch drums. Do I need to say more? A Brief Moment In The Sun is one of the best albums I’ve heard this year. Lots to unpack. Get it here https://soulside.bandcamp.com/album/a-brief-moment-in-the-sun

In conclusion, another batch of songs. Another year. I hope you are able to Deprogram yourself from the endless programming all around us. Planet On A Chain and Soulside have lots to say. Heavenly Bodies provide several backdrops for one to escape the gravity of the prison planet, if only for a few minutes. Colonial Wound just walk all over your ears and some may love it. Enjoy my good friends, Enjoy…