"It's best we part, I am broken and no good for you..." TTNG's 2016 release Disappointment Island ends on such a beautifully somber note, a genuine tear-jerker. The closing song on the record "Empty Palms" is a truly captivating meditation on bittersweet nostalgia and growing apart from loved ones. The honesty with which Henry "Hank" Tremain composes lyrics is a perfect compliment to the beautiful and slightly morose instrumentals. This record is a perfect balance of upbeat, poppy, technical, and honest expression. It quickly became my favorite record of 2016. For this article, I'm going to explore the tracks that stick out most to me but I can't stress enough that there are no bad songs on the record.
The album opens with Coconut Crab. It's definitely one of the more fun tracks on the record. The lyrics are deal with the frustration of writers block or feeling a certain futility in writing at all. This slight irony is a fitting start to the record. Dealing with writers block by writing about having writers block. Wait is that ironic or redundant? Or both? It's been a while since ENG-102, so cut me some slack English majors.
The 3rd track on Disappointment Island, Consoling Ghosts has some of the most interesting vocal melodies and chord changes I've heard in a while. The opening bass chords accompanying the first few vocal lines make for a delightfully peaceful yet somewhat somber atmosphere. When the drums and guitar abruptly kick in, the bass switches roles from lead to support as the guitar and vocal melodies shift and change keys setting an almost uneasy yet strangely soothing mood for the song. Definitely one of my personal favorite tracks on the album. The line "Meet me behind closed eyes..." sticks out to me as a profound expression of missing someone you lost(in the context of the song, specifically lost to suicide). This track is very personal, involved, beautiful, and truly some of TTNG's best work to date.
I could probably talk up the whole record but I think Disappointment Island is best explained by sitting down and listening to the album in its entirety.
Greetings! This installment of our Band Spotlight series features Arizona's own BLACK SUN. BLACK SUN plays a unique brand of darkly melodic alternative/rock and have been actively playing shows for roughly a year. I typically don't like bands who play this genre but BLACK SUN blew me away with their first recording and I've been a fan since. This is a great song to check out if you are unfamiliar:
Over the past few months they have shared the stage with HAVE MERCY, SILVER SNAKES, GOLDENGOAT, and more. These shows in combination with their recordings have garnered them a loyal following for being such a new band. I reached out to their bassist/vocalist Christopher White and he kindly answered some questions. Without further adieu: When did the idea for Black Sun come about?
After my last band had come to an end in 2013, I got this intense wave
of motivation and inspiration. I was writing music every day, and needed
to do something with it. One
night I got an invite
to a bonfire, where I was introduced to Tyler by a mutual friend, and
things took off from there. He introduced me to Logan, and we clicked
immediately. When we started writing, our sounds came together really
well.
When did Black Sun form and who is in the lineup?
We formed in Spring of 2014. Tyler and Logan play guitar, Zack plays drums, I sing and play bass guitar.
How long did it take for you guys to starting playing shows?
It took us a while to get to that point. We didn't play our first show
until January 2016. We are very particular about our sound, and took
almost a year to experiment and dial in the sound we were looking for.
It also didn't help that I was deployed
to the Middle East for most of 2015. That set us back a bit, and I am
thankful the guys were willing to put things on hold until I returned.
Black Sun is a musical departure from your guy's previous bands. What are some of the influences?
We all came into this band with an open mindset, and tried not to corner
ourselves sonically. That is probably my favorite thing about the way
we operate. We all come from different musical backgrounds, and are down
to entertain a new element or wild
idea. Nothing is off limits. The flip side of that is reigning it in
and keeping our sound focused. We draw a lot of inspiration from bands
like Failure, Hum, O'Brother, as well as our friends in Cloakroom and
Silver Snakes.
What is the writing process like for Black Sun?
Oh man. I don't know where to start. First of all, Tyler writes
more music than any human I've ever met. He is a walking riff factory.
He's constantly sending me song ideas or guitar parts to work with.
Tyler and Logan both have a knack for writing
profound guitar parts, which I struggle to do. I enjoy taking their
initial idea and helping develop it into a song. I try to write vocal
parts while guitars are being written. It feels more organic and honest
that way.
We cut more songs than we keep. I'd say we've scrapped at least 30
viable songs to this point. We try to filter out all the bullshit before
we bring songs to Zack. When we are in a rut, or stuck on something, he
has a way of taking an okay song and make
it a banger. He is definitely the filter we run all of our ideas
through. The voice of reason in our band, so to speak. It's actually
nice not having one primary songwriter. We all pull our own weight, and
work our ass off to make it work. Everyone brings
a unique element to our sound, and it definitely takes all four of us
to get song to where we want it.
Some of you guys have been in other bands. Does that experience play a role in how you guys approach Black Sun?
Absolutely. All of us have played in other bands, with extremely
talented people. I think as we've grown older, we all got to a point
where we wanted to make things as simple as possible. To cut the
bullshit and make music we enjoy, regardless of what
anyone else thinks of it. We spend very little energy concerning
ourselves with who wrote what, how it will be received, or being
distracted by a new wave or trend that comes and goes.
You are currently active duty military. Has this affected Black Sun? If so, how?
That has been a huge challenge for us. I think they would agree that the
year I was deployed was the most difficult time for us as a band. I
left on a few days notice, and it threw a huge wrench in our plans. We
were in the studio when I received the
call telling me I fly out in 3 days. I had just finished tracking bass,
and had to wait until I came back to lay down vocals for the EP. The
distance and time created some uncertainty and tension, at least in my
mind. But the guys were understanding and supportive.
I'm insanely thankful for them. Balancing fatherhood, military life,
and music is challenging. I'm sure you can relate, as a father and
former military member. It's hard work to keep a band active, even
without those additional factors. My wife is the most
supportive and selfless person I know. She does so much to enable me to
do what I love.
What are some future plans for Black Sun?
We just finished tracking our next album. Now we wait! The goal is to release early this summer, but there's no solid date yet.
What are some other bands we should check out?
I'm really upset right now, because my favorite Arizona band called it
quits (RIP SUNSHOWER). It's a shame that band didn't receive the
attention they deserve. Goldengoat is doing cool things, super talented
guys. I'm a big fan of their music. Also check out our friends in
Woundvac, Cloakroom, Silver Snakes and UGLY.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you to Culture Thrash for reaching out to us and asking us to be a part of this!
Huge thanks to Chris and BLACK SUN for making great music and taking the time to answer some questions. Here are some of their pages you need peep: FACEBOOK MERCH SPOTIFY TWITTER BANDCAMP
Earlier today a literal metalcore BOMB was dropped on the internet. A couple members of the pioneering metalcore turned rock band 18 VISIONS posted this on social media:
Based on this announcement, one can assume new songs will be released in the near future. Hopefully this means shows as well!! We are really hoping they go back to their heavier roots with these new tunes, but are happy just to know they are making music again.
For those who don't know, 18 Visions formed in the late 90's and had a TREMENDOUS impact on heavy music. They eventually broke up in the mid-2000's but were way ahead of their time in both sound and aesthetic. They never made the same record twice and oftentimes polarized listeners with their records. In fact, they are largely responsible for "fashion oriented" heavy bands becoming popular. Beyond that, their brutal mix of metal, hardcore, and rock influenced legions of bands across the musical spectrum. Chances are if you are newer to heavy music, a gateway band that you like was either influenced by or friends with 18 Visions. Anyways, here are some 18 Visions songs that will serve as a great introduction to a great band. These are also some of our favorites. For those already familiar with 18 Visions, let the nostalgia flow. What are YOUR favorite 18v songs?
Song: "She Looks Good in Velvet"
Record: Until the Ink Runs Out
When I think of current Chicago hardcore bands, the first to come to mind is MAL INTENT. They recently dropped a record called "Cycles of Terror" and it absolutely SSSSMMMAAAAASSSSHHHHHHEEEESSSSS. This band has been putting in some serious work and have recently played shows with the likes of Expire, Bracewar, Weekend Nachos, and more. They are one of the best newer bands I've listened to and the attention they have garnered so far is extremely well deserved. With that in mind, I reached out to their vocalist Jon Ortiz and he kindly answered some questions for Culture Thrash. Check it out:
When
did the idea for Mal Intent come about?
I had been out of a band for a
few months after leaving Warhound and I was starting to lose my mind
haha I really missed playing and making music. I knew what I wanted to
do with this band and it was solely to just play with friends and all in
all just have fun with it.
When
did Mal Intent form and who is in the lineup?
Mal Intent formed back in
mid 2013. Its myself on the mic, Pedro on drums, Kyle on guitar, Serg
on guitar and Anchit on Bass.
How
long did it take for you guys to starting playing shows?
Honestly not
long at all haha we only had 3 songs written and my good friend G from
Bodybag hit us up to play with Nasty. I texted the guys and was like you
dudes want to do this show? and everyone was down right away. Crazy ass
first show lol the lineup was Nasty, CDC, No Zodiac (That Population
Control shit!), I.E.D and Silverhammer.
When
I first heard Mal Intent, I thought you guys sounded like a mix of
Weekend Nachos, Stout, and Taste The Steel. After more listens I feel
like that description might be a bit limiting. You guys have much more
going on musically. What are some of the musical and lyrical influences
for Mal Intent?
I love all those bands so to hear that is fucking sick!
Musically were all over the place honestly and thats why I think the
band sounds the way it does. Musically we all listen to different shit
from Migos to Built Upon Frustration to Pig Destroyer to Sabbath.
Lyrically for me i always loved the rawness from Product of Waste (RIP
T) he had it all in my opinion, that band was perfect. Taste The Steel
def influenced the lyical content and delivery on Cycles Of Terror. I've
been listening to Taste The Steel for the last 6 maybe 7 years and I
feel they're completely underrated. They really make you think and
question what's going on in the world and not be afraid to let people
know what you think about the government. Seeing them 3 times last year
made me appreciate that band more and more. Outside of music just
everyday shit, working at a job that you know is a dead end, scraping by
every step of the way just to make ends meet, shitty people we see and
know exist, the government and the world. I don't believe you should
write about shit you haven't experienced or aren't passionate about.
Some
of you guys have had other bands. Does the experience in those other
bands play a role in how you approach Mal Intent?
Absolutely, we don't
intend to take this band on the road to much. Were just 5 close friends
who want to make music. If people like what were doing and we can make
it out to different places once in a while, were all for that.
Does
being from Chicago affect your band? How so?
I think so. Theres alot of
history in the city of Chicago with not only the Hardcore scene but on a
more different scale. Chicago is beautiful but its also fucked up in
terms of violence. Innocent people are murdered it seems like almost
everyday and the way the media feeds it to the people is making it more
into a desensitizing factor for people not directly involved or not from
the city. I'm not a hard dude and I don't present myself that way, I
acknowledge whats going on in this city and that shit isnt cool. Some
days you dont even know if youre going to make it home from your job or
school because shit can happen at any moment. All of that goes into our
songs.
What
does the future hold for Mal Intent? Any specific plans?
We got a
little 4 day tiny mini tour to NY and back at toward the end of Feb. We
plan on recording 2-3 new songs for a split in April and plan on
realeasing another full length sometime this year.
What
are some other bands people should check out?
Ok, first and fucking
foremost The Killer (if you do not know this band, you're fucking up
hard), Bitter Thoughts, Bodybag, Detain, Inferno, Breaking Wheel,
Purgatory, No Victory, Penitentiary, Blood In Blood Out, Infamy, Numb,
Silverhammer, Queensway, Invoke, Vatican, Judiciary, Human Garbage,
Upright, Kharma, Absent Mind, Counterweight, Sarin, Laid 2 Rest, Shame,
Division of Mind, Trail Of Lies, Of Feather and Bone, Easy Money,
Seperated, Life After Death, No Reason To Live, Vein, Lifeless, Time
Walk, Enemy Mind, Inferno, Creepout, Detriment, Heavens Die and THREE
KNEE FUCKING DEEP. Also want to add one of the heaviest bands of all
time, Primitive Man! I have to end it there because I will seriously
keep listing bands haha
Is
there anything else you would like to plug?
When it comes to your
scene, the people in your life, your beliefs... stick close to them. Do
whatever you can to make positive impacts where ever you go because you
only have one life and a very limited time here so do the most.
Thank you to you and Culture Thrash for asking me to be apart of this!
AND shout out to CHICAGO, INDIANA and MILWAUKEE HARDCORE.
