Shai Hulud

HARDCORNER: DENIAL OF LIFE

NEW TOPIC ALERT: HARDCORNER IS A TOPIC DEDICATED TO BANDS IN HARDCORE

The Pacific Northwest is a haven for great music. We all know about the Seattle explosion in the 90’s but, there is more to this area than just “grunge.” For years, even going back to the 90’s explosion, heavy music has always been part of the landscape up there. In particularly, Metal and Hardcore music. The legendary Botch is from here along with other great bands like These Arms Are Snakes, Akimbo, Filth Is Eternal and so many others. The scene up in this area is alive and well, let me tell you! There is a band from the Tacoma area that has caught my ear a bit the past couple weeks and they are called, Denial Of Life.

Denial Of Life is a metallic hardcore band that will punish your ears in the best way possible. Combining elements of speed and thrash a la Slayer, Sepultura and a bit of Swedish Death Metal courtesy of Entombed and At The Gates, making this an onslaught of audio! The culmination of their sound is menacing, dark, and uncompromising. Each member you can tell brings their own personal influence to the collective inspiration. Vocalist Brenna Gowin is a force of nature. Those screams will sink in for sure. Guitarists Logan Miller and Dante Zickler have that hardcore tandem down and with precision. Then there is the rhythmic assault of bassist Brian Bernard and drummer Nick Cody.

Personally I love bands that have crossover elements to bring together people that are into other bands and genres. The band was formed in 2019 and have already released a handful of singles, as well as their independent debut album, No Reason. Which I have to say is a very raw and pummeling record. Their upcoming new EP, Witness The Power will be out on November 7th via Creator-Destructor Records. The first single/video for “Circle The Drain” is beyond impactful. I keep finding myself starting it over each time I hear it.

Denial Of Life is a band I’ve got on my radar for sure! You can catch them on their West Coast tour with Shai Hulud starting November 5th through November 15th. Be on the lookout for the Witness The Power EP!!!

Denial Of Life- Circle The Drain:

More From Denial Of Life:

https://denialoflife.bandcamp.com/music

Against The Grain: END

There really is something intriguing about extreme music and the heavier side of rock music. I’ve always been drawn to it in bits and pieces but, as I’ve gotten older, I’m starting to realize the technicality that comes with it. Which brings me to the band END. What began as a fun passion project for guitarist (and producer) Will Putney, quickly became something else as the band became more recognized for their aggressive and volatile music. END features a collection of musicians from various sub-genres of extreme music, including current and former members of Counterparts, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Fit For An Autopsy, Misery Signals, Shai Hulud, and Reign Supreme. And all those pieces have made for quite a reputation. The debut EP From The Unforgiving Arms Of God, released in fall 2017 via Good Fight Music, was met with critical praise and fan response was definitely there as well. This summer will see the release of their debut full-length, Splinters From An Ever-Changing Face. The two songs released from it so far, really are quite a glimpse into their in your face approach to heavy music. END is more than just a run of the mill heavy/extreme band. When you take the time to listen, you can hear a plethora of inspiration and influences, which in turn, makes for quite a listening journey.

END- Pariah:

 

 
END- Covet Not:

 

 

 

END- From The Unforgiving Arms Of God:

Band Of The Week: Vagus Nerve

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These days making music with people across the country has been made simple by the internet. The makings of Vagus Nerve started that way, and the end result is something to talk about. After the end of his band God Forbid, guitarist Doc Coyle began putting together the pieces with vocalist Ravi Orr to create music for the purpose of creating passionate music with no restraints or genre guidelines. What they have come up with along with additional input from drummer Moe Watson of Shai Hulud, guitarist Mike Gowen, and Alex Oxenreider on bass, has allowed them to follow their own path. Sonically Vagus Nerve are a rock band with a touch of prog and artistry to help separate them from the pack. Think A Perfect Circle meets Karnivool with a dash of metal. Their debut E.P. Visceral is about to be released and deserves your attention. Vagus Nerve really allows Doc Coyle to shine as a songwriter.  Based on the songs “Do You Know Who I Am” and “Pull Me Out,” Vagus Nerve is in the right direction to realizing their full potential.

 

Do You Know Who I Am:

 

Pull Me Out:

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/VagusNerveBand

http://vagusnerveband.com/