0019 Nuke ST Nuclear Green Splatter Vinyl

Nuke Vinyl Cover Forest Daisy

Artist: NukeNuke Vinyl in Daisies
Album: Self Titled
Label: Hells Headbangers
Release Date: September 15, 2016
Format: Vinyl Record

This slab of vinyl contains pure metal bliss, and I have had nothing but the smile of a little kid across my face since it arrived at my porch stoop. Pure thrashing dirty metal released on sick green vinyl, along with sweet artwork throughout, featuring a 90’s 16 bit aesthetic. Upon opening, I found myself sitting back with the artwork as the album ripped at full blast – fun details are found throughout.

Sound wise Nuke is what I think of as classic metal. Thrashy, dirty, and fast, but with a twist of sci-fi drug fueled adventure wasteland to encapture it all.  The audio mix puts the vocals just over the driving guitars, while the rest rides just below, again exemplifying that classic sound. Vocals dominate while guitars blister shreds and leads over the thrashing drums.Nuke Inner Artwork Outside

The second track, “Metal Inferno,” has a chorus I find myself wanting to sing along to, great leads and catchy fun hooks. Closing my eyes I can easily transport myself to a smelly bar in Detroit, Nuke is onstage and there I am soaking in all the energy. I can see the leather clad long haired sing alongs and shenanigans! The next track, “Marching Undead,” leads in with a wall of chaos and driving drums that keep pounding and shrieking for 3 minutes plus. Solos and vocals saturate the top end while the drums keep the forward momentum. Again – pure metal bliss is found!

The fourth track, “Hellrider,” brings another super fun chorus, and the guitar riffs on this track are some of my favorite on the album. I can almost feel the thick guitar sound, consisting of full out chugging parts that transition into a heavier thicker riffage. Complicated and classic. I hear so many classic bands in the sound that “Nuke” creates, with pure worship of everything that is metal! You could list on and on, but really, they take it all bottle it up and puke out pure Nuke. Each track on this album brings its own features, “Dead Space,” which is fifth, features an almost orchestral sound from the guitars, really giving the drums a chance to shine out. There are tight intricate beats that perfectly accent what the strings are putting down. Two minutes in the vocals come in, bringing another great chorus.Nuke Vinyl Back Cover on Milkweed

“Murder Troops” is the last track on the record. The drums are, again, the forefront, blasting their way through this track. Lots of great drumwork is found throughout this track as well. The guitars and vocals, again, ride in that classic metal punk sweet spot –  snotty, heavy and rich in solo flourishes and other embellishments.

Nuke are from Detroit. I have had the fortune of seeing some of these guys in some of the other bands they perform in, however, I have yet to Catch Nuke. These dudes love what they do and it shows. The worship of all things metal shines through these songs. The package itself has that wow factor. Even my 15 year old approved as he sat down for a good 20 minutes looking over the artwork while I was blasting this in my kitchen. Nuke Vinyl and Cover in Meadow

 

Nuke on Facebook

Nuke on Bandcamp

Photos by Nibiinabekwe Nuke Vinyl Hawks Michigan
Photos by Nibiinabekwe • Atlanta State Forest Area, Hawks, Michigan

0014 – Charcoal Squids – Self Titled Cassette

Charcoal Squids Self Titled Cassette Tape

Artist: Charcoal SquidsCassette Tape Charcoal Squids in the snow
Album: Self Titled
Label: Levitation Recording & Tapes and Ghost Carrot Records
Release Date: April 19, 2017
Format: Cassette Tape

Previously I had never heard of Levitation Recording & Tapes or of the Charcoal Squids. One of the exciting parts of this blog is reaching out of my known territories and discovering new bands and labels. I take enjoyment exploring DIY small runs of cassettes, with bands I have yet to hear of. This cassette I picked purely off of the write-up on a web store and the cool factor of the artwork, this looked like the dirtiest nastiest of the bunch! Psychedelic surf? Sure why not!

Pink Cassette in the SnowThe cassette itself is a sweet magenta color, with paper labels in a clear case, with slick looking J-card. DIY as F in the best way, the text and fonts on the J-card give that underwater feel, preparing the eyes and ears for the oncoming sonic adventure! This tape was put out in a limited release of 100 from both Levitation Recording & Tapes and Ghost Carrot Records from Missoula, MT. Well laid out, recorded, and packaged – the trifecta for DIY tapes.

The sound these guys create is a noisy, psychedelic, surf extravaganza. Listening to this modern take on surf is really refreshing. This is what I imagine you would get if you took a standard dirty, smelly garage band and dropped them overboard to be soaked in ocean fuzz. Fuzzy hooks soaked in reverb, dragging along the ocean floor, occasionally popping out with some explosion of insanity.Charcoal Squids Cassette in Snow

The recording of the album is spot on! I could hear all the nuances in the recordings, and all instruments share the space well. I really struggled with breaking the different songs apart and picking favorites. When I listen to the album it all just flows together really well. It plays in a seamless way that makes the entire album listenable as a piece. No one hit wonders here, you must take the whole journey!

Charcoal Squids Cassette Hanging in TreeThat being said the hooks in “Peppermint Spiders” bounce and stick in my brain like a half eaten candy cane sticks to a wrapper. Simple, clean riffs full of fuzz and hazy hooks. This fully encapsulates what is the great uniqueness that is Charcoal Squids and the soundscape that they meld! So, after close examination, I can choose that as my favorite track.

I look forward to delving further into the catalog of these guys! Links below for the music and more!

Charcoal Squids Cassette Snow and Sun

 

 

Charcoal Squids Bandcamp

Charcoal Squids Facebook

Levitation Recording & Tapes

Ghost Carrot Records

 

 

Camp 8 Road Atlanta, MI Snow by Nibiinabekwe
Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Camp 8 Road • Atlanta, Michigan.

0009 – Plurals & Black Sparrow Press Split 7″

Artist: The Plurals & Black Sparrow PressThe Plurals Black Sparrow Press Split 7" Vinyl Record
Album: Split
Label: GTGSomething DanceyMinor Bird Records
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Format: 7″ Vinyl Record

This release is another treasure that I acquired some time ago. A split from Lansing, Michigan’s The Plurals and San Pedro, California’s Black Sparrow Press. The cover of this split features printed line drawing with colored pencil “coloring.” The effect makes the cover super vibrant and fun to look at, a different take for sure. The actual record is a black 7″ labeled as “P” and “B” respectively.The Plurals Lansing Michigan Vinyl 7 inch

The first song from The Plurals, “How About The Weather?” brings shredding guitars and punk rock insanity all encapsulated in one track. Melodies flow in and out while the drums and guitars pound out the punk rock fun. The second Plurals track, “Clouds,” brings a more traditional punk sound. The breakdown in the middle gives the song the touch of awesome that I have come to know from the Plurals.

The Plurals 45 RPM disc

Black Sparrow Press open right up with a mid paced pop punk song titled “Adult Braces.” This song exemplifies everything I would expect from a pop punk band, upbeat guitars and punk rock choruses . The second track “Lady, I Love You” is by far my favorite from them, the guitars for me are reminiscent of The Wipers. Black Sparrow Press really show the west coast sound here.Black Sparrow Press record

For me pop punk has never been my favorite genre of music, and I would classify The Plurals as more punk than just pop punk. I love the sound they create, punk rock with melody and nasty driving guitars. Smash the Beach Boys with the Minutemen and you might get close. The flip side brings Black Sparrow Press which is much more of a traditional pop punk sound, well recorded and performed. Opening my ears allowed me to find a way to appreciate pop punk in a different way.

The Plurals Facebook

The Plurals Bandcamp

Black Sparrow Press Facebook

Black Sparrow Press Bandcamp

Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Alpena County Michigan.

Thoughts on the photo shoot, I feel the need to address.

This project is about getting out of my comfort zone, finding music, exploring the world around us, and putting the media in a memorable place. Also attempting to capture my feelings about the music in written form.

Nibiinabekwe and I hesitated on doing the shots at this spot but we went ahead with it.

Personally as an Anishinaabe, I found this to be somewhat disturbing, but also felt a need to document this in our project. The road where this was shot is on our way to town. I pass this regularly, no one is ever “home” and I think this is a hunting cabin. But he is always there, looking at me.

Alcoholism, and the evils it is associated with, has hit close to my family for generations, not only in my personal bubble, but my fathers, his fathers and beyond…

So, here sits a “red man” with his booze and his gun. And this is all in good humor right? I cant even put into words all the emotions this brings up. But here it is, everyday in my life.

Hate is alive and real today. Just good fun right? Or is it hate? I have my feelings and opinions.

– Binesi

0007 – The God Eaters – Fading Horizons

Artist: The God Eaters
Album: Fading Horizons
Label: Invertebrata Records
Release Date: Feb 15th 2018
Format: Vinyl 10” Smoke Colored

I ordered this album from The God Eaters off Bandcamp, released in a limited edition 10” smoke colored vinyl. The cover is a heavy weight black stock paper  with a black screen-print of what I am guessing is Lake Superior. The back of the cover features a letter pressed foil stamped track listing. The care put into the physical production of this record is incredible. Art and design was done by Nick Erickson who also pulls drummer duty! As an added bonus for me, the band signed my liner notes. Thanks guys!

The God Eaters consists of 2 brothers, Dylan Trost on guitar and vocals and Devyn Trost playing the bass. This is along with the, as mentioned earlier, Nick on drums. There is something unique that is created when 2 brothers are in a group together, and the God Eaters are no exception. The riffs are thick, fast, with lots of intricate parts twisting together. The liquidity, with the way the riffs come across, is so well executed and cohesive, you can tell the brothers have that special connection. Nick’s drumming is just as impactful and well executed, hes all over the kit keeping the beat interesting and fun. Fast punk rock with great drums and sweaty fast guitars – whats not to love?

The longest track, and my favorite on the album, is “Carcharodon Carcharias” and at 6 minutes,  I feel this totally encapsulates all the best aspects of The God Eaters. It starts out with a jangling punk section devolving into a total jazz freak out, flowing into a punk rock dinosaur stomp fest. Fun rock and roll with a punk grunge vibe, the whole disc is incredibly tight and a blast to put on.

The recording was done at Electrical Audio in Chicago, and it sounds great as you would expect from a studio of that caliber. The mix is spot on, everything sounds like it has its own place and presence in the “room.” Coupled with a bad ass recording and the super cool layout and design of the record itself, this makes for one hell of a release. I cant wait to see what future releases will these guys will bring.

The God Eaters Bandcamp

The God Eaters Facebook

Invertebrata Records

 

 

Photos by Nibiinabekwe. Pendills Bay, Lake Superior Hiawatha National Forest.

 

0002 – Minus9 – Valley Of The Sick & The Stupid

 Photo by Nibiinabekwe 45.053233, -84.078636.

Artist: Minus9
Album: Valley Of The Sick & The Stupid
Label: Flying Blood Records
Release Date: May 31, 2015
Format: CD Digi-Pack

 

Valley Of The Sick & The Stupid, by Minus9 came in a limited edition DigiPak from Flying Blood Records.  The Digi-Pack is white with black lettering, featuring a juice box, cell phone wielding illustration of a overweight man’s belly line on a field that is reminiscent of an American flag. ‘Murica. Continue reading “0002 – Minus9 – Valley Of The Sick & The Stupid”