EPs:
Smoke AxD Vaya Con Dios Casa De Roc
June 28, 2024
I remember walking into Newbury Comics in 1997 and picking up the new/first (Drugs, Money, Sex EP). I was beyond excited. What an all-star line-up. Plus it was one Another Planet Records, who had a killer roster. When Smoke AxD came through my email, I was brought back to that moment. The hardcore world misses Hoya since he stepped back from Madball. Well apparently, he is not ready to let go.
He was on that initial Skarhead release with Ezec and Dimi Roc and has brought them in on this project. Mike Dijan (Crown of Thornz, Cold Front, Breakdown, Sai Nam) was the guitarist but for Smoke AxD, and Hoya enlisted his touring smoking buddy, Sean Martin (ex-Hatebreed, ex-Twitching Tongues). On this EP, Dimi is listed as the current drummer, but the mighty Riggs Ross did the recording. Ross is one of my favorite drummers, but not one you hear of too often. His playing on Rag Men and the the three LPs with ‘00s Madball, created some of my favorite hardcore ever. He also toured and played with Skarhead, COT, and SubZero. But if this project moves forward, Dimi is no joke either with his time in COT, Stillsuit, Skarhead, Cold Front, Fit of Anger, Homicidal (great records), Truth & Rights (Eddie Leeway new project).
Smoke AxD is a family affair of NYHC legends and CT’s Martin slaying riffs. The riffs are akin to Hatebreed at their most aggressive. Time in Twitching Tongues, 100 Demons, Death Threat, and Hatebreed will propagate that. But he has written and played for the eclectic and post-punk of Cold Cave, Wear Your Wounds, and XO Skeletons; illustrating Martin’s versatility and creativity. Ezec still has one of the strongest voices in hardcore. His vocal presence is penetrating and commanding. And then there is Hoya on bass. This is his brainchild, and we know he can write, as 30 years of Madball prove.
Smoke AxD are venting lyrically about impenetrable fortitude, broken hearts, and lit spliffs. Smoke AxD does stand for “Smoke All Day” after all. Vaya Con Dios (meaning, go with God) is five track with a loose narrative arc which is cool. Three tracks hammer away. “The Codes We Chose” and “From Hate We Came” are heavy ragers. And as this EP is produced by Zeuss, the Hatebreed/Icepick/100 Demons/Full Blown Chaos feel is on target and appreciated. Halfway through “Unstoppable,” the center of the album, we get Martin’s only solo.
Then the second half of the song resonates with a dark dreamlike settling. Track four is the title track and is an electro-pulsating jam. All concluding with the closer “Smoke All Day,” with Ezec and Hoya Roc exchanging angry vocals over churning, low-tuned riffage. The pain at the end of the relationship is alleviated by the Devil’s Lettuce.
This is a fantastic EP from NYHC/CTHC stalwarts who aer still killing it, still loving it. It’s a fun record for sure. Hard as heck.
Vinyl:
110 – Copper Nugget (Blackout! / Casa de Roc)
280 – Jade (Indie Retail)
110 – Gold (Coretex)
Preorder vinyl at Blackout! Records.
Follow Lord Ezec aka Danny Diablo on instagram.
Follow Hoya Roc/Smokin Word on instagram.
Follow Sean Martin on instagram.
Follow Smoke AxD on instagram.
Splits:
Adrestia/Collapsed Split LP Phobia Records
April 5, 2024
I had not heard of either band, but with this record, I keep on hitting repeat. Buckle up for some furious and frenzied d-beat crust. Adrestia occupies Side A and corrupts the vinyl with five tracks of maddening punk. “Nail in the Coffin” alone has earned my money. The glorious time changes, the gnarly bass, the raging drums, the feral snarl, and the swirling riffs all combine to a blistering driving force. The production is precisely what Adrestia demands. Low-end rhythms with high end tweaks give a grand vision an outlet. Think peak Victims, Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, Anti-Cimex, etc. The Swedish lads don’t lean into Motorcharge; this is an appreciated adherence to the classic sound. The two-step and breakdown tempos add the variety which keeps the record interesting. Every song pummels. I am going to have a blast delving into their past catalog, and there is plenty.
Collapsed’s “Global Collapse”, opener of six tracks, plods with guttural vocals, a twisting guitar line, and sludgy/death-doom beginning. They soon do get to the d-beat feel and push through erupting into a nasty bit of music. These Montreal miscreants enjoy mixing their Swedish Death Metal with their adoration of ‘90s crusty d-beat. All the attributes from each genre are there, explored and conquered. Amebix meets Entombed.
“Inherent Distrust” stands out to me with its galloping attack and some texture to the riffs. The drumming is fierce. There is not a skip in Side B either. Collapsed have a demo and tracks on a compilation and a tribute comp. They have a sole, eight track, self-released full length and I am gonna rock that. If I can stop playing this damn record.
Phobia Records outdid themselves here. Both bands ravage through their side. Both bands have songwriting skills beyond the norm. These songs have a grandiose presence and a dark atmosphere enveloping you. Plus, the cover artwork is stunning. The colors. The subject. It does not try to go nuts with gore or whatever; it is just captivating. I cannot find a credit. Have to order the record for that, I guess.
Listen to Adrestia on bandcamp.
Listen to Collapsed on bandcamp.
Vinyl:
black, 500; gold, 100
Order the record here.
Follow Adrestia on instagram.
Pick up the record on Phobia Records.
