ninehertz

Qualms, self proclaimed Maine Spiritual Violence; out via Noise Merchant Records on boutique (that's not a very punk description, but they're so nice) tapes in the UK; the label had no less than five tapes on the most recent bandcamp Friday, this being the pick of the bunch for me. Qualms are from the screechier, messier, heavier end of Noise Merchant's home for lost international oddball punks.

It is spot on, from the off right to the end. Hardcore punk played right. On Loose Newports it almost approaches powerviolence territories - so frenetic, all out, rampaging binge of punk that feels weighty due to its sheer chaos. It is punk but warped, a bit broken, punk with a misanthropy you'd more often associate with metal.

The label informs that they feature members of Misery Whip, so I search them out, listen to the wrong band of the same name (death metal from Portland, Oregon) before finding the right one (d beat from Portland, Maine) and spend a good old time on a Saturday afternoon extending my punk listening time beyond what I'd imagined, as this is equally cool stuff.

I could write more, but sometimes when you have made your point, shut up. It's only four tracks, barely past ten minutes, but it leaves its mark - vital and dark and feral hardcore punk that's absolutely infectious.