Band(s) Report: Calgary

Posted July 29 by sarah.kitteringham

Because this is officially my last week toiling away as office bitch for team Decibel, the powers that be have granted yours truly with the opportunity to highlight the truly bad-ass extreme music community that resides and thrives in my hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. So, without further ado, here are four underground bands that are making heads bang, bodies flail and ears bleed from cow town.

Breathe Knives 

Favoring filthy movie samples alongside filthy low-production grime is trio Breathe Knives, who is comprised of members from multiple entrenched Calgary acts. With their raspy screeching vocals, groovy chugging riffs and frantic percussion, Breathe Knives is carving into the Calgary music community.

Cold Craving

Cold Craving plays frenetic punk rock in the musical vein of At the Drive In and early A Day in Black & White, while in the conceptual vein of Buried Inside. The quintet recently released their debut full length Beacons on their own record label Eschaton Industries, a concept record which explores how the human brain and social culture evolved. The nine-track three-part record covers the reptile brain, the mammal brain and the human brain, packaged in gorgeous 12” format. 

Monkey

Monkey combines hyper technical math metal with roaring vocals, resulting in tunes that meld the jarring indecipherability of Daughters with the throaty howl of Brent Hinds. Without a single gimmick in site, the trio expels hardcore and shred’s mightily on stage during their vigorous performances. Expect an upcoming full-length produced by Craig Boychuck of Fuck the Facts fame.

"Snakes in the Grass (New Level)" by Monkey

Wake

Grimy grind sums up Calgary quintet Wake, whose latest Surrounded by Human Filth 7-inch garnered this glowing review in issue 71 from our own Shane Mehling: “This record with handy download is grindy, crusty powerviolence with surprisingly sweet guitar licks, and even a detour or two into melody. These guys could actually be on their way to much bigger things, as there is just enough setting misanthropy, impressive performances and creative songwriting to win over a mini-mass of people. Plus, this lyric: “what a grotesque way of becoming fucked.” Jesus, guys.”

Need I say more?

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