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.

Pretty Hurts Make Graves

I'm not sure if the above is a deliberate play on word from this German band on Seattle band Pretty Girls Make Graves, but it's made my pun a lot easier... The squalling punk howl that Pretty Hurts carves out is on full display on their EP Make Graves (which came out in October 2014), six songs of writhing, uncomfortable tension that nonetheless is immensely cathartic, the release a cleanse for artist and audience alike. There are tracks like 'Everybody' that resides in a mid tempo chug with the occasional spike of release scattered throughout, but most tracks here are continually moving, an elastic tension that no amount of scratching can fully sate. Such coiled aggression is what underpins the best of post punk rock stylizations, and Make Graves is a testament to a band that are poised to spring, attack, and free us all.

Buy Make Graves here - it is bloody great.