Infall released, Lower Automation premiere

November 15, 2022 by David Norman

Massa Nera releases in just over two weeks! Above is a picture of the cds /100! Holy crap I’m excited, and you should be too. This is some monumental shit. Stereogum knows what’s up. Click on this text to read.

After a most excellent push, Infall’s ‘Far’ is finally out and available for mass consumption! Is this release for the masses? Fuck no! It’s a goddamned clusterfuck of math, chaos, seething rage, breakdowns, and screaming and will probably appeal to about 3% of the population. But if you are part of that 3% you are gonna eat this shit up. For fans of: Converge, Anna Sage, Stuntman, Ed Gein, Zeit, etc.

Lower Automation premiere on (((((OPENmind/SATURATEDbrain))))) for new track “Guzzler”. 12”LPs for ‘Strobe Light Shadow Play’ release next week! Click on this text for the full premiere or jam the new song below.

Ramona Cordova is attempting to undergo gender affirmation surgery and needs help making it happen. All Softseed sales of the Ramona Cordova tapes will go to Ramona, and if you’d like to contribute please click on this text to be transported to the Go Fund Me page.

RAMONA CORDOVA - On Paper (cassette)

CA$12.00

For fans of: The One AM Radio and Denver In Dallas.

This is the most recent album by Ramona Córdova. Originally released in 2017. «On_Paper» invites us into a world awash with sonic nuances, where vocals slash at us with soothing bleeding cuts. A world where the melodies of keyboard, violin and a broken megaphone peak out like soft beams of sunlight from behind an ominous blanket of clouds. 33 cassettes, 32 on white with A/B stickers, and 1 golden tape. Download code included.

Listen here:
https://softseedmusic.bandcamp.com/album/on-paper

Crossed Letters did a most excellent review of that killer Letterbombs + Portrëit split tape that we released last year. A few copies remain in the best packaging we’ve ever done. Click on this text for the review and/or nab a copy below.

LETTERBOMBS + PORTRËIT - Split (tape)

from CA$12.00

LETTERBOMBS + PORTRËIT ‘Split' tape (ZB272)

For fans of: Salt Money, Wolves, Cease Upon The Capitol and Eros + Massacre

An exceptional Finnish/German split with stunning DIY packaging to boot! Finland’s LETTERBOMBS offer up four new tracks of their most chaotic and heavy material to date, while Germany’s PORTRËIT pump out their mathiest/jangliest screamo and even include a fifth track that is a Comadre cover. Each tape comes in a gorgeous outer o-card/box, an inner o-card, four screenprinted picture cards, a two-sided lyric sheet with explanations and ZBR stickers! Co-released with Dingleberry Records. Cassettes /154. 77 silver, 25 red, 36 glitter swirl, 10 blue/red/black swirl and 6 test dips. 4 songs by Letterbombs and 5 by Portreit.

Listen here:
https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-13

Variant:

Hiding In The Outpost is back with a ridiculously old release, the Pastel + Merridew split 12”! This silk-screened b-side has an a-side bursting with Italian screamo and gorgeous post-hardcore. Get it. NOW!

now sold out:
Massa Nera 1st 12”
Binary 12”
People’s Temple Project + Sleeper Wave 12”
Sans Visage tapes
Blind Girls ‘Residue’ / Blind Girls ‘The Weight of Everything’ (tapes still available for both!)
Rotting In Dirt 12”

Sold out

PASTEL / MERRIDEW - Split (12"LP)

CA$15.00

For fans of: Suis La Lune, Old Gray, Envy and Explosions In The Sky.

This split is like the offset to the Oaken/Marnost split. This is one of ZBR's more chill releases. PASTEL play a beautiful, thick-yet-twinkly style of post-rock/screamo that reminds me a lot of Suis La Lune and newer Death Of Anna Karina. MERRIDEW is a one-man band that plays ethereal instrumental music that combines a lot of layers, relaxing melodies as well as more aggressive moments. For fans of Explosions In The Sky and Tomydeepestego.

Silkscreened b-side on black vinyl/300.

Listen here:
http://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pastel-merridew-split-12

This past Friday’s Operation X-Ray played more righteous jams including tracks from Thank You Driver and To Be Gentle!

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: THE TOTEMIST = Awesome proggy instrumental math/hardcore/metal from a member of Toska and Frog Leap.

2022 - 05 - 29 /// Crowning + Naedr aka 'Rayau' is tomorrow!

May 29, 2022 by David Norman

‘Rayau’, the Crowning + Naedr split 12” releases in full tomorrow Monday May 30th via Zegema Beach Records (North America/world) and Left Hand Label (Europe/world) at 9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST. They come on 200 mood-ring 12” vinyl and look awesome!

CanaDave’s offshoot Softseed Music just released Ramona Cordova’s ‘On Paper’ on cassette. This completes the two-album run from such a massively talented individual. They have more material out include the most recent ‘naïve‘ just last year, which I’ve linked at the bottom of this post.

Because of this, I’ve included the full Softseed discography in a Softseed section of the store from the primary Canada/International store drop-down menu. Or just click here!

Greed Worm was recently on The Cast That Ends Creation so check that shit out. James also does vocals in Crowning…he’s everywhere!

Anna Sage should be here soon. Here’s another review to wet your appetite, this time from Small Music Scene. Click on this text for the review. Buy that shit below.

ANNA SAGE - Anna Sage (cassette/12")

from CA$10.00

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: RAMONA CORDOVA = A brilliant artist who I’ve been obsessed with for nearly two decades. Check out their newest album released last year.

2022 - 05 - 27 /// Social Caterpillar in, A Paramount A Love Supreme out

May 27, 2022 by David Norman

Due to logistical issues from a member acquiring a new job, A Paramount A Love Supreme will be unable to play the 2022 ZBR Fest Mid-West. Are we upset? Of course not, we totally get it. Are we gutted? You betcha. Fret not cuz Social Caterpillar has stepped up and taken their spot!

Members of Crowning and Greed Worm? You betcha. Got an Itto restock in both stores!!!

Sold out

ITTO - Pursuant (12")

CA$22.00

For fans of: Crowning and Mahria.

Ridiculously technical screamo and yes that’s Nnamdi on drums. LAST COPY / RESTOCK!!!

12” on gold vinyl with die-cut jacket. 12 songs.

Listen here:
https://ittochicago.bandcamp.com/album/pursuant

Tomb Tree recently released that ridiculous 4-way split featuring new tracks by Vientre, Letterbombs, Piet Onthel, and Demersal which was picked up by Stereogum (click on this text for said review). Did I just say Demersal? Well shit, two of those fine folks are in Telos and that Danish band just released a new non-album track from their upcoming LP release. Tomb Tree again will be making swirl tapes for this release. Ever say “Demersal is just way too soft and emo"? Seems unlikely, but if you did Telos is like Demersal after a trip through the nine circles of hell. Jam it below.

The Reverie full length had an interview/review via Rock It from Italy. 12”s coming at some point…I dunno when! Click on this text for the interview/review.

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: LESS DEAD = This new Atlanta band just dropped two tracks of screamo fire. Did not see this coming. Very sick.