New Music Report – March 18, 2022

This week marks my first big surprise album of the year. They’re usually from bands that I don’t know about though, not bands that have been around for 30 years now, but I guess the surprise is part of the fun.

Converge EP – This isn’t technically new music, this a remaster of super old school, pre-Jane Doe Converge, and honestly it sounds fantastic. I’m always weary about bands remixing old albums with really rough production because it sometimes ruins the magic of the album and makes it feel foreign but not really in a good way. But this one was actually very well done, It’s still a big departure from today’s Converge but very good.

Hot Water Music – This album really took me by surprise. I know Hot Water Music is a staple of the scene for literally decades, but let’s be real, it’s been a while. I wasn’t expecting this album to be as good as it was. For a band that’s been at it and been so consistent for so long, it’s hard to put out such an endlessly listenable album, but Hot Water Music nailed it. And I guess that’s exactly how you can get away with being a band for nearly 30 years.

Singles/Albums – Movements (feat Mick Gordon) (Post-Hardcore), Scary Kids Scaring Kids (feat. Spencer Charnas) (Post-Hardcore), Crosses (Chino Moreno side project), Dragged Under (Hardcore), Holy Fawn (Post-Rock)