Formed in Seattle by former members of technical hardcore powerhouse Botch and mathy indie-rock outfit Kill Sadie, These Arms Are Snakes defined an era and a movement of thinking person’s heavy music during their initial run from 2002 to 2009. Injecting the knotty complexity of their previous bands with a swing and throb befitting the […]
Tag: noise rock
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Drone adepts Pelt return to Chicago for the first time in a decade
As we navigated shutdowns and venue closures throughout 2020, many of us observed that time seemed to slow down. But when it comes to dilating time, COVID-19 is a rank dabbler compared to Pelt. Even in their early incarnation as a Sonic Youth-inspired noise-rock band based in Blacksburg, West Virginia, they were prone to sludgy […]
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On their first album in seven years, Anatomy of Habit continue turning over new stones
It’s been ten years since Chicago collective Anatomy of Habit released their first record, and a lot has changed since then. Anchored by front man Mark Solotroff, the band came out of the gate with long, complex, layered songs that blend doomy metal, Swans-style noise rock, bleak postpunk, heavy drones, and hypnotic guitar-looping acrobatics. It’s […]
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Metz deliver more reliably bombastic noise rock on Atlas Vending
The best thing about Metz might also be the worst thing about Metz. The Toronto-based trio have been cranking out high-volume noise rock for more than ten years. Their music is solid, reliable, and interesting—and like Nirvana before them, they begin with a subversive sound, then add enough melody and take away enough grime to […]
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Time to dissolve your brain with ridiculous noise rock
The new album from Austin “supergroup” USA/Mexico is the musical antidote to consciousness.
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The harsh noise of Evicshen’s Hair Birth will leave your head spinning
Massachusetts-based sound artist and instrument maker Victoria Shen, who performs as Evicshen, makes music that rattles your brain. Her debut LP, Hair Birth (American Dreams), is a master class in explosive cacophony driven by blaring modular synthesizers. This isn’t just unregulated noise: Shen puts thought into her songcraft, and it’s immediately apparent right from the […]
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New York metal outfit Pyrrhon confront our harrowing reality on Abscess Time
Metal has a reputation as an escapist genre. That could be because some bands indulge in the theatrics and fun of dragons, witchcraft, and swordplay, or because others traffic in gruesome or apocalyptic themes that feel too outsize and horrific to accept as real—even when they’re a staunch reaction to a specific place and time. […]
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’Tis the season for antisocial noise rock
Local noise-rock bands Den and Salvation drop new albums this week, Epworth United Methodist hosts an experimental music festival, and more.
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Noise punks Running and jazzy folk guitarist Ryley Walker release an unexpected collaboration
Chicago weirdos Running and Ryley Walker are far-out in very different ways, but they find middle ground on a new instrumental tape.
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Deranged new post-Cacaw band Lilac debuts with the demo ‘Kiss the Corpse’
Lilac consists of folks from Cacaw, Anatomy of Habit, and defunct Baltimore outfit Witch Hat.
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Local noise-pop group Melkbelly release a video for the brand-new single ‘Middle Of’
In Melkbelly’s new video they’re having all sorts of hangs in their practice space.
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Thalia Hall gets far-out with this weekend’s psych-heavy Levitation Chicago festival
Levitation’s massive celebration of weirdo tunes kicks off on Thursday night.
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The Bridgeport Library all-ages punk series continues with Ono and Running
Art-rock legends Ono will be performing a weirdo set of country covers.
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Columbus noise rockers Unholy Two tear up the Burlington tomorrow night
The noise-rock collective makes a rare Chicago appearance.
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Check out Pinebender and Hum get all Let It Be at the PRFBBQ
The gigantic music festival takes over Borelli’s dining room, basement, and rooftop this weekend.