Negative Space

I was a massive fan of Demo, a four-track cassette put out by Kent bad boys Negative Space, last year, so much so I added it as one of my favourite releases of last year. They are back, this time in 7" form, with four more killer post-punk tracks. They are chiseling further into the crust of the Earth, striking black gold in vitriol and mutual mutilation - having taken their DNA from DNA and platforming an institution out of Institute, Negative Space are spreading their own desiccated disease. They are playing a show in Brighton March 21, with Diat and Sealings - should be one of the best shows of the year, seriously.

Never Grave In Negative Space

Berlin label Grave Imprint (putting out the awesome Pretty Hurts releases) have stepped out of Germany for their next release from Kent punks Negative Space. They have a Crisis/Institute sound (especially 'II'), but there are other touchstones too, from the light wiry buzz of Fugazi and the metallic bounce of Wire - but this is much dirtier, grimier, something I can see spewing out of the gutters of Australia's punk underground.  None of the tracks rise over two minutes, but all make an incendiary impact. These are just demos. Blistering set from an amazing new band.

Expectations Hurt

Berlin punks Pretty Hurts are back already, with an aptly titled 7" in Expectations. After their Makes Graves blew me away back in January, I have been feverishly waiting to see what else they have in the bank. The four tracks here are metallic, echo heavy, distorted pieces of black alienation and desperation - the heat and sweat and despair expelled in fetid swathes of noise. It's over far too quickly. Fierce and uncompromising, Pretty Hurts are smashing a hole in the German underground. Grab a copy here.