FAITHEALER

Genres: Chaotic-Hardcore/Sludge

Well, its been a while since I got around to actually writing about anything. The digital clock glows 1:00 AM and I really should be studying right now but, oh well.

Hailing from Austin, the capitol of Texas for those of you who don't have maps, Faithealer is kind of a "supergroup" of sorts having/had at one time or another members of Mammoth Grinder, Total Abuse, 25 Dollar Massacre and Toru Okada. They were featured on React with Protest's Emo Apocalypse Compilation under their original name, Architects, along side notable acts including Cease Upon the Capitol, Funeral Diner, Louise Cyphre, and Catena Collapse among others.

Their unique sound is something I find pretty difficult to describe. Lots of people like to say bands are simply "pissed-off" when they hear some dark, moody hardcore. On the other hand, and I apologize for the use of vernacular, Faithealer sounds downright evil. In the same way, that Phasma Phasmatis had this seething, unnerving tension to their songs, Faithealer broods in a similar nihilistic sentiment. Yes, that is the word. The band will transition from frantic, chaotic, hardcore to slow, head-crushing, sludgy riffs accompanied by the dual assault of both vocalists. 
http://myspace.com/wearefaithealer

UTARID

Genres: Hardcore/Screamo/Emo-Violence

As I was going through and cleaning out some unused files on my comp, I came across a 4-way split between Am I Dead Yet, The Mock Heroic, A Fine Boat, That Coffin!, and Utarid from a few years ago. Back then, I was pretty obsessed with all those chaotic-hardcore/screamo bands, but I had never really gotten into the first three mentioned except for Utarid despite the fact that Utarid's sound was influenced by A Fine Boat...etc. Utarid was a somewhat under-the-radar band from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They played the super-fast, strained vocal-chord screaming, abrasive wall-of-noise attack interspersed with quieter, slower, and melodic parts typical of the mid-to-late nineties bands such as Danse Macabre, Tristan Tzara, or Enoch Ardon. One of the most epic hardcore songs I have ever heard happens to be Utarid's "In Between Me And Quietness," which begins with inaudible, schizophrenic whispers that build up to empassioned screams and heavy, hard-hitting guitar parts that just invoke deep feelings of past regrets, isolation and optimism.

Over the years, I've really come to despise those terms like skramz or whatever ridiculous genre that's thrown around or abused like screamo by self-righteous "music elitists." They signify virtually nothing. The music is indescribable because it simply is what it is, a pure, cathartic release of emotion. So there's my stupid rant for the day.

They've since disbanded, but their zeal continues to live on in similar bands such as Kias Fansuri, i/am/rain, Orbit Cinta Benjamin, Elisabelle Tears, and Killeur Calculateur, all former members of Utarid. Eventually, I'll put some links to download music for each band, but for now you'll have to settle for this:
http://myspace.com/utarid
http://utarid.cjb.net/

GHOSTLIMB

Genres: Thrash/Hardcore/Punk

So first, I have to start by saying that California has a plethora of delightful things. I mean, they've got awesome beaches, Death Valley, The Governator, redwood trees, Kobe Bryant; you name it and they've probably got it riding in a stretch limousine. What more could you ask for in a state? But one of the most indelible fixtures, besides the seqouias that is, has to be the music scene, especially in southern Cali. And ghostlimb just so happens to be a part of it.

ghostlimb, hailing from the La Habra/Long Beach area (don't know the area code), shares members with the seminal Graf Orlock and plays pissed off, intuitive hardcore in the vein of Trainwreck, Coliseum, and Ruiner with a little crust-influenced d-beat thrown into the mix. Songs rarely breach the two-minute mark maintaining a constant, gripping intensity throughout the whole album which frankly, keeps songs from overstaying their welcome and makes each new track an enjoyable and visceral experience.

Lyrically is where I feel the band really shines. Packed with clever analogies and metaphors, the lyrics are eloquent without being pretentious. Lines such as "We'll die of thirst on the sea, the same as the city but black, asphalt waves lack the trade winds to save us from the isolation" really showcase the band's writing prowess and add a poignant but forceful element to their music.

Good grief, I kinda felt like I was writing an essay. Let's try and have a little more fun with it next time, shall we?

http://myspace.com/ghostlimb

Umm...*Ahem*

After stumbling through the process of "customizing" this page for the duration of an hour, here I am, staring aimlessly at my computer screen with no idea what to write here. But, I guess I should start by introducing myself...

Greetings! I am kenoma. Merely one of two ridiculously strange, quirky, yet imaginative jumblings of neurons and synapses that will be tending to this humble section of binary code.

Sooner or later or later than sooner, I'll be posting my restless musings and rants, feeble attempts at writing/poetry or maybe some reviews of various music or literature. I have no idea what pleroma has stewing in that mind of hers though... Probably something in Croatian I'll bet.

Anyways, I have some reading to do so for now, I must bid you farewell.