Swan Dive are a noise rock outfit hailing from the UK and US composed of members of now defunct hardcore punk bands Dead Swans, Horror Show and my current favourite shoegazers Nothing. Wearing their influences on their sleeves, Fly Toward the Sun 7” EP showcases the band’s ability to meld sombre, almost bleak, lyrical content with upbeat tempo and catchy riffs flavoured by Brit-pop sensibilities. This came out late last year and hasn’t ever been far from heavy rotation, their sound is that addictive. I listen to the title track at least two/three times before moving on with rest.
Play loud, EGF: http://swandive13.bandcamp.com/
The Cure – Wish
I love me some Oathbreaker. I posted a bit about these guys last year and their sophomore release Eros|Anteros, and as incredible that album is, I think I can safely say I enjoy their debut Mælstrøm a lot more. The riffs are just that much more punishing, crisp and downright ear-splittingly infectious (see tracks like ‘Hierophant’, ‘Fate is Nigh’ and ‘Sink into Sin – I’). Things start to get a whole lot more “grand” and dark towards the end, the songs taking the form of slow and ponderous introspective dirges, giving the record a cool dynamic overall.
Caro Tanghe has probably become my favourite female vocalist in a sonically aggressive act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You don't happen to be an Isis fan are you, Bard?