TRACK PREMIERE: Canadian progressive doom duo Uncle Woe, debut the monstrous "Become the Ghost"

Hailing from the oft frozen hills of rural Canada, Uncle Woe is a phantom limb, wielding a bludgeoning tool against mostly true tales of bittersweet sorrow, revenge, and regret.

The bleak desolation of Bancroft, Ontario spawned Uncle Woe in 2019 when principle songwriter Rain Fice (Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Keyboards) grew weary of floundering in non-committed projects and instead dove into song writing mode with a rough idea of his ideal sound and started carving out what would become the first Uncle Woe LP “Our Unworn Limbs”.

After the album was released in 2019 and started to pick up some buzz, a full band began to form. However, the pandemic was not far off and the band whittled down to a 2 piece. 

Before lockdown began, Uncle Woe managed to lock down the rough elements of what would become the second album “Phantomescence”, Fice expanded on them, and after being fed to drummer Nicholas Wowk, and recording remotely, the album was complete: a meandering exploration of death and dreams. Many chugging, bludgeoning passages are offset by expansive and contemplative, subdued, almost post-rock soundscapes.

As Uncle Woe begins to hit their stride, fans can look forward to the band putting out music pretty much indefinitely, plans are in motion for a third album already. The full album “Phantomescence” is due out October 23rd via Packard Black Productions and available for digital, CD and vinyl pre-order HERE. You can out the monstrous track “Become the Ghost” below.

Band info: Facebook || Instagram

ALBUM REVIEW: Minors - "Atrophy"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 15/12/2017

Label: Holy Roar Records

 

Minors manages to make a big splash with its debut album "Atrophy," a confrontational collection of nihilistic but unassailably captivating songs and is one of the more enjoyable hardcore debuts listeners got with the wrap of 2017. The possibilities for a group like Minors seem limitless. May 2018 see a lot more from this promising young band.

“Atrophy” CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Somnolence

2. Bone Pointer

3. Leper               

4. Dark Clouds

5. Void

6. Miseranaut

7. Soothsayer

The Review:

As much as one can make an impression in seven tracks over about 18 minutes, the Windsor, Ontario sludge/hardcore band Minors manages to make a big splash with its debut album "Atrophy," a confrontational collection of nihilistic but unassailably captivating songs.

You will discover some gems on "Atrophy." "Miseranaut" rains down monster chords and distortion in one of the long-player's most sustained cuts. By the time it settles into a hard charging rhythm, you're exhausted from its thrashing, dense composition.  It peaks at the end with unforgettable feedback and a nod to the sort of hardcore you love. Hat tip thereafter to post-production, which flows "Soothsayer" exceptionally well into it. By now, Minors grind into a depressive, cold groove. Although the rhythm almost teases you for a second with a hint of "Miseranaut," the band shocks you with a clubbing riff and unrelenting drum sequences. It too wraps with just a hint of feedback that makes the cut feel like a perfect pairing with its predecessor.

Some critics have noted a bit of unclassifiability to Minors' sound. However, there is a good chunk of post-hardcore in the All Pigs Must Die vein that you might find common lineage with. The quartet are able capable of bringing both frenetic energy to its tightest selections, such as "Dark Clouds" and "Bone Pointer," while offering a deliberate attack on music like "Somnolence" – here, with a dash of punk/noise in its open. The result is a perfectly executed first album, one that gives listeners a sense of what this group is capable of creating, while providing room for the imagination to consider more.

If fans will have any complaints with Minors, it is that "Atrophy" is almost unforgivably short. Granted, there is a lot provided. A debut album of seven songs of impeccably rugged quality is something to appreciate.  The fact they clock in at just less than 20 minutes may be understandable, but that just does not make the pain go away. You may walk away wanting to hear much more from these Canadian bombers, but one has to guess that's what the new year is for.

"Atrophy" is one of the more enjoyable hardcore debuts listeners got with the wrap of 2017. The possibilities for a group like Minors seem limitless. May 2018 see a lot more from this promising young band.

"Atrophy" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook