With nary a praising documentary, coffee table photo book or tribute band to their name, The Dead C are nonetheless one of the most respected, longest surviving groups in the history of rock. Still sporting the original band members (Michael Morley on guitar / vocals, Bruce Russell on guitar, Robbie Yeats on drums) from their first assemblage in 1987, The Dead C’s renown has a lot to do with their stubborn unwillingness to compromise in any form. With a varied and challenging discography, the band has never released an album requiring later apology. No The Elder. No Diabolus in Musica. No Trans. Each release demands appraisal on its own merits and exists separate from any temporal trends in underground music, save for whatever influence they’ve had on others.
Armed Courage reaffirms their epochal career. With two side-long tracks, the record epitomizes the elements which elevate The Dead C to a level of worship. Compositions assemble and pivot, colliding new landscapes while undermining their very foundations. The Dead C exists on an intuitive sphere, with music never over-thought, yet rewarding when contemplated.
2013 marks the first time The Dead C has ever appeared on the cover of a magazine, and how appropriate that it was in The Wire, the only international music rag to celebrate anti-traditionalism. It is easy to view this as a highpoint of recognition, but the real achievement happens whenever that cognitive switch flips in the listener’s head, and they suddenly think, “I get it”—because from that point on, the promise of future satisfaction is guaranteed.
Only the greatest group on earth, gorgeous, gorgeous noise and just a superlative EP, and I've got the Vinyl coming, and now it's here, and yes it is completely wonderful. Gavin Hellyer
Relive the potent punk rock blast of NYC group The Hissyfits with this comp showcasing them in all of their snarling, hooky glory. Bandcamp New & Notable May 6, 2024
Post-punk meets a very classic alt-rock sound on the new record from this Chicago group. RIYL The Breeders, Dinosaur Jr, and Yo La Tengo. Bandcamp New & Notable May 4, 2024
Il faut du courage pour explorer de nouveaux horizons, il en faut encore plus pour assumer ce choix et poursuivre dans cette direction. Dans Hibernaculum, Earth reprend certaines de ses pistes iconiques mais dans le style de Hex; Or Printing In The Infernal Method, comme pour dire que le drone/doom metal à la production bruitiste est vraiment derrière lui. Ici, le drone chargé d'americana et permet de se couper du monde, de vivre en tant qu'ermite dans son propre esprit. C'est chaud et vaste. Jordan Vauvert