Monday 2 September 2013

We've Moving!



That's right folks, we've got ourselves an actual .com address!  Just like those professional websites.

Our new site will have a new format and will include hardcore/punk/metal news as well as reviews.

We are slowly migrating the review from the site over there, but that will take some time.

As a result, we won't be updating this site anymore, so head on over there to check things out.

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Review: Modern Life is War - Fever Hunting

Modern Life is War
Fever Hunting



It’s good to see that some bands still have it.  In an era where the band reunion seem increasingly inevitable, all too many times it’s nothing more than a half-assed final grab at the brass ring, but it looks like Modern Life is War (MLIW for those too lazy to type four words) isn’t fucking around.  After about 5 years since they called it quits, this group of Midwestern ne’er-do-wells don’t miss a beat with Fever Hunting. In fact, this is some of the best music that MLIW has put out, period.  While I would still consider Witness their untouchable masterpiece, this record comes in a close second. 

I’m actually hard pressed to find a negative thing to say about this record....I guess there is an odd amount of repeating vocal lines, but that fades into the background and becomes a non-issue after a few listens.  Besides that it’s just MLIW being MLIW....the desperate sound that comes from coming from a region whose glory days are far behind them, a dissonant sound that is often imitated (La Dispute, Defeater, Touche Amore, I’m looking at all of you) but is never quite captured like it is by this band.  

All of the above AND probably the best, most concise song writing that this band has put forth so far.  “Health, Wealth & Peace”, “Media Cunt”, “Fever Hunting” are ragers that never fail to get stuck in my head immediately after listening.  Also, how good of a song name is “Media Cunt”? 
To summarize: Modern Life is War is back in a big way and is arguably better than ever.  Pretenders should take notice and see if they can’t learn a thing or two along the way.

Buy it here (Warning: Shipping to Canada is fucking ridiculous, so hopefully they come by on an upcoming tour....fingers crossed.)

Monday 29 July 2013

Review: Fuck The Facts - Amer

Fuck The Facts
Amer


Everyone in metal should probably sit down and take notes from Fuck the Facts.  This group of Ottawa/Gatineau-based bastardized grinders have been putting out some of the best ear-splitting music around for over a decade, and do so without half of the praise they deserve.  Beginning as Topon Daz’s one-man brainchild, FTF has somehow become one of the most well-respected and hard-working bands in metal.  I’ve seen them play in some of the dingiest, dirtiest, shittiest venues in Ontario, and they always put on a fuckin’ show, even if it was only to 20 people

Fuck the Facts are a band I’ve long respected and appreciated, largely in part because of their ability to stay fresh and interesting in a genre that is all too often guilty of rehashing old riffs and refusing to think outside the box.  Recent albums Disgorge Mexico and Die Miserable moved the band away from pure-blistering grind and into darker, more ethereal territory.  Luckily, each new evolution of this band has been more interesting, mature, and more enjoyable than the one before. 

Their new EP, Amer, is no different.  Blending elements of grind, death, and even groove metal, this record is damn near accessible.  Now, using a term like that for Fuck the Facts barely makes any sense, but it’s oddly applicable here.  The songs are full of well-thought out dynamics, usually run around the 2-3 minute mark, and are full of amazing riffs and catchy vocal patterns.  And somehow they do all of this without becoming boring, generic, or soft.  Pay especially close attention to tracks like "Une Triste Vue" and "A Void", as they really embody what I'm trying to say.

One caveat, if you are wayyyyy into lyrical content, but do not have a grip on the French language, then this may not be the best album for you.  Written entirely in French, this album has put my 6th grade French Immersion skills to the test.  Nevertheless, there is little doubt about the pain and anguish behind many of these lyrics. 


So all in all, if you haven’t listened to Fuck the Facts before this might actually be a good place to start.  But really, what the hell is your problem? Don’t you like good metal?  Why haven’t you listened to this band yet? Shame on you.  This has quickly become one of the best records of 2013 and easily my favourite non-English record of all time (I'm not sure if that's saying much, but whatever, it's true).  

Buy it here (And if you dig this record from FTF I highly recommend the Misery EP as well).

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Podcast: Ep. 52 - This is the End

 
Ep. 52: This is the End

Well folks, it's been real.  Here at Lost Tribe we don't pride ourselves on much, but we are proud of the fact that we have been able to give you a quality podcast each and every week.  Come hell or high water we've always delivered a podcast that we've been proud of, and we aren't about to start half-assing things now.  As a result, this will be our last podcast for the time being.  Life just gets too busy sometimes and with a slew of weddings, second/third/fourth jobs, vacations, etc. there is no way that we can keep delivering a podcast every single week.  For the time being we will be going on 'hiatus'.  What that means, I'm not exactly sure, but it does allow us to return at a future date if we are so inclined, and maybe get in on some that reunion tour money (Judge and American Nightmare doesn't deserve it all).  And for anyone wondering, yes, we will still keep the website going, and will probably be a lot more active posting reviews there as we no longer have the podcast to discuss the music/movies/comics/video games/politics/etc. that we do or do not like.  So enjoy this final episode, where the boys talk about not-so-sexy gangster rap, World War Z, and a whole bunch of other cool shit.  It's been a lot of fun, so thanks for listening.

If you are looking to download older episodes, get them while they are hot...we will be removing them from the interweb by Sept. 1st.  You can currently download all 52 episodes and just listen to them whenever you want, but as of the end of the summer they will no longer be available.

Get it on iTunes or here.

Friday 28 June 2013

Podcast: Ep. 51 - Liberace Pussy Slayer

 
Ep. 51: Liberace Pussy Slayer

On this episode the boys Whole Foods, Jack Astor's, and end of another fantastic season of Game of Thrones.  Seriously, how good was Season 3?  And yes, we talk all about the Red Wedding and what is to come.  We also talk about Orphan Black and how Canadians are rocking US-based British TV stations.  We then have a rather lengthy discussion about steven soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra and whether Liberace was in fact a note-worth ladies man.  He wasn't, but what if?

Get it on iTunes or here.

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Podcast: Ep. 50 - Call of Duty Dogs

 
Ep. 50: Call of Duty Dogs

In this episode the boys discuss international Slayer purchases, the official release of Xbox One, and the battle lines that have now been drawn between Microsoft and Sony's PS4.  The reason we can have this debate is because E3 has happened and all sorts of glorious new techy things have been announced that the boys talk about, rate, and drool over. As a bonus, more invested members of Lost Tribe explain everything about the evolution of video games to those less in-the-know.  Finally, Marvel movies get some talk time as everyone ponders why Guardians of the Galaxy is becoming a blockbuster.

Get it on iTunes or here. 

Thursday 13 June 2013

Podcast: Ep. 49 - Air Wolf vs. The King of Kong (Light Em Up)

 

Ep. 49: Air Wolf vs. The King of Kong (Light Em Up)

In this episode the boys deliver the best podcast of this, or any, decade.  We discuss new bands like Heartless and Greber that are great, and older music that is incredibly shitty like Fall Out Boy.  Then there is a discussion about World/Inferno Friendship Society and bizarre old ass shows like Air Wolf....and no, I don't really remember it either.  We talk about the new Start Trek movie and argue over how good it is, but we all agree that the technology they has is something we most definitely want!  We talk about other shit, but I'm writing this at my parent's place with the worst netbook ever, so I'm not writing anymore.  Enjoy.

Get it on iTunes or here.

Thursday 6 June 2013

Podcast: Ep. 48: The Future is Now, Motherfuckers!

 
Ep. 48: The Future is Now, Motherfuckers!

In this episode the boys discuss awesome local hardcore shows (RIP Purity Control and hurray for Pick Your Side) and revist the Rob Ford crack smoking scandal.  The majority of the episode is dedicated to the return of Arrested Development and how season 4 stacks up against previous episodes (hint: we like it, but lets not go overboard, it wasn't THAT great).  Following that, the boys discuss how the future is here, and it's going to watch you in your living room! Xbox One, PS4, etc. are all on their way and while their technology is impressive, it may also turn out to be invasive and downright creepy.

Get it on iTunes or here.

Friday 31 May 2013

Review: Heartless - Certain Death

Heartless
Certain Death



I had never heard of Heartless.  I didn’t know they were from Pittsburgh, I didn’t know they were playing Maryland Death Fest, and I didn’t know they had a new 7” coming out on Halo of Flies (which is a label I actually do know and respect).   Usually I’m ok with the fact that I’m slowly falling out of touch with what’s new/noteworthy in heavy music, but I’m kinda kicking myself that I didn’t know about Heartless earlier than now.  Certain Death is an incredibly heavy 7” that blends hardcore, metal, and grindcore in an astoundingly impressive way.  This is music to destroy property to.  The production value is there, the ability to seamlessly blend styles is there, and obviously genuine nature of this band’s aggression is consistently front and centre.  

I don’t know who decides which bands get jocked hard and which bands have to slog it out on their own, but it really doesn’t make sense that this band doesn’t enjoy the notoriety and success of bands like Nails.  Since I can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound or dedicate billions to developing a super high-tech cave, I’ll have to live out my superhero fantasies by trying to get a band like Heartless the recognition that they deserve.  Fortunately, Certain Death is the destructive force of nature that will hopefully allow Heartless to gain the recognition that they deserve.

Pick up the 7” over at Halo of Flies.

Thursday 30 May 2013

Podcast: Ep. 47 - You're the Wrong Kind of Nerd

 
Ep. 47: You're the Wrong Kind of Nerd

In this episode the boys discuss the comedic-live-theatre genius that is The Book of Mormon and what a frustrating clusterfuck trying to buy live theatre tickets can be.  In terms of music, old Nails and new The Wonder Years albums get discussed and praised while I See Star's cover of Bane gets properly ripped apart.  At this point the discussion turns to the boys' nerdy youth, when Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering ruled their girl-less nights.  Also, how fucking cool are 20-sided dice?

Get it on iTunes or here.

Thursday 23 May 2013

Review: Greber/Hiroshima Vacation - Split 7"

Greber / Hiroshima Vacation
Split 7"


It is a well-known fact (around my house) that I’ve had a HUGE musical crush on Fuck the Facts for about a 11 years now, and have had the joy of sharing stages, couches, and pizzas with them over the years.  I put this out on front street because Greber is the brainchild of Marc Bourgon from Fuck the Facts and I don’t want to be accused of having hidden biases (I’m much more comfortable with my biases when they are blatant, apparently).  Now, in all honesty, the sharing of personnel is one of the only things these two bands share.  Greber provides a much grimier, sludgier style of metal than FTF’s dissonant grind, but that doesn’t make it any less appealing.  In fact, this two-man-band (drummer and bassist) are able to outperform most 4/5 person bands on this release, as they don’t mistake minimal for boring or simplistic.  Also, my favourite song of theirs is called “Twenty Nine Years Old”, which as a 29 year old grind fan greatly appeals to me for a number of reasons. The other half of this split is occupied by Ithaca NY’s Hiroshima Vacation.  They play sludgy grind/powerviolence and can keep up with anyone else in the field.  If you haven’t yet, definitely check out this band as they are bound to impress you, even though I’m sure you have impossibly high standards like most people on the interent. 

I’m very glad that I actually sat down and took the time to listen to this release because it reminds me of when I was a teenager and would love grindcore splits because it always seemed like you got more bang for your buck, as 5 minutes of intense grind is always more satisfying than one prolonged acoustic track or some such b-side bullshit.  Also, having to grow up in a pre-internet age, splits like this always gave you a chance to find out about bands that you had never heard of.  I came across this release through a message from Greber, but are now completely turned on (not sexually...while, kinda sexually) to Hiroshima Vacation, who I otherwise never would have heard. 

Wednesday 22 May 2013

Podcast: Ep. 46 - I'ma Give You Five Bucks Right Now

Ep. 46: I'ma Give You Five Bucks Right Now

In this episode the boys explain the absolute clusterfuck that is the politics of the city of Toronto.  Specifically, we discuss how the 4th largest city in North America has an 'alleged' crackhead for a mayor.  Thank you Rob Ford for being an unending stream of embarassment for all of us.  On the second half of the show is dedicated to the trainwreck that was the season finale of Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.  Bon Appetite!

Get it on iTunes or here.

Wednesday 15 May 2013

Podcast: Ep. 45 - Slayer!!!

 
Ep. 45 - Slayer!!!

This week the boys begin by discussing Iron Man 3 (dont' worry, no spoilers) and happy-go-lucky music that seems to have an appeal during summer time. From there the majority of the episode focuses on the passing of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman and what it has meant to the metal community and to each of the boys themselves.  This was a musician who was a true juggernaut, and almost single-handedly transformed what Trash Metal guitar playing was.  He wrote Angel of Death.  He wrote Reign in Blood.  And now he's dead.  Fuck.  RIP.

Get it on iTunes or here.

Thursday 9 May 2013

Podcast: Ep. 44 - The Slutty Ari Gold

 
Ep. 44: The Slutty Ari Gold

On this horribly recorded podcast (don't worry, we've figured out our sound issues and every podcast after this one will sound like sonic gold...so don't get your panties in a bunch.) the boys talk about incredibly ridiculous and awesome sorority letter that has taken over the internet as of late.  We love her.  We hate her.  We love to hate her.  Once we get over our internet obsession, they discuss the repress of Cursed's legedary 'One' album, and other newer Toronto bands that are worth checking out.  Furthermore, the initial This Is Hardcore 2013 line-up was announced, so they talk about how great Kid Dynamite is.  Moving away from music, the guys talk about Newsroom, Game of Thrones, Once Upon a Time, and how even non-gamers should definitely play the Bioshock games.  Fuck Ayn Rand.

Get it on iTunes or here.

Wednesday 1 May 2013

Review: Spaz out - Demo



Spaz out
 
Demo

It most likely some form of nationalism speaking, but I honestly believe that Canada puts out a disproportionate amount of good hardcore/metal/punk bands.  As a country that is a mere 10% the size of the USA, we pump out consistently great, groundbreaking, and fun bands that end up making an impact despite being from the frozen North-Western corner of the globe.  While Lost Tribe is centered out of Toronto, and we all consider TOHC to be our hometown music, I once lived in Ottawa and still hold a fair amount of love for the nation’s capital.

It was this geographic affection that caused me to check out Ottawa's own, Spaz out.  Now, beside the fact that it should be spelled “Spazz” in my opinion, I love everything about this band.  The demo sounds raw (it is a demo of course), but the intensity and fury comes through clearly on every song.  “Tangled” and “Cut the Shit pt. 2” bring a style of early 2000s hardcore that I will always love best.  “Blind to the Truth” is probably my favourite song, mixing killer hc riffs, metal dive bombs, and a gang-vocal breakdown.  What’s not to love??!!  “Losing Grip” speeds things up and adds some metallic and punk roots to the release that fit perfectly. 

Look, I know we usually don’t do track-by-track breakdowns of what we review, but every song on this release is good in a different way, so blanket statements are kinda hard to come by.  Furthermore, when a new band puts out something this impressive it’s worth taking a step back and appreciating each track....jesus, now it sounds like a want to blow this band.....and I do....musically.  Only musically.

Get a free download of the demo here, and buy a physical copy whenever that becomes available.