In late August, Quicksand released the lead single, “Illuminant,” which you can hear on this page.

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Check out the track here on this page.

Recorded at Studio 4 Recording in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, Interiors was produced and engineered by Will Yip (The Menzingers, Title Fight, Pianos Become the Teeth). While the album finds Quicksand embracing the cathartic, guitar-driven dynamic of their earlier work, Interiors also takes on a wider spectrum of sound.

Pre-orders for Interiors are available here.

Interiors Tracklist:

1. Illuminant
2. Under The Screw
3. Warm And Low
4. >>
5. Cosmonauts
6. Interiors
7. Hyperion
8. Fire This Time
9. Feels Like A Weight Has Been Lifted
10. >>
11. Sick Mind
12. Normal Love

About Quicksand:

Formed in 1990, Quicksand made their full-length debut with Slip—a 1993 release recently praised by The A.V. Club as “a nearly flawless record that combines the irony and heaviness of Helmet with Fugazi’s penchant to dismantle sound in the most energetic ways.” Arriving in 1995, their sophomore album Manic Compression appeared at #1 on the Top Five Best Post-Hardcore Records list from LA Weekly (who noted that “if there were any justice in the world, Quicksand would have been the biggest underground band of the ’90s”).

Throughout the early ’90s, Quicksand toured with bands like Helmet, Fugazi, Rage Against the Machine, and Anthrax. After disbanding in late 1995, they reunited for a one-night performance in June 2012. They’ve since appeared at festivals like FYF Fest and Pukkelpop, and in 2013 embarked on their first North American tour in 15 years.

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The single comes from the band’s upcoming debut album titled, Home Is Not Where the Heart Is, which is set to release June 9th. The band, formerly known as Hollow Heart, has a history of metalcore, but in this new album, they mix genres of rock, metal, and post-hardcore, giving a unique approach to the new modern metal genre.

Bassist/vocalist John Flynn commented on the album and the “Anomaly” track:

Home Is Not Where the Heart Is was originally going to be a concept album, and these lyrics were the only ones we kept after we decided against that. It’s all about how bleak the future looks. They describe all of humanity being narrowed down to one big city that’s sucking up the rest of our natural resources. So, inside the walls everything looks fine, but the rest of world is just a big desert. It’s very Mad Max and it’s very Matrix.

Home Is Not Where the Heart Is is now available for pre-order here.

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The lyrics for the track were inspired by a time where vocalist Ali Rezghi’s mother was judged for her economic status (peers referred to her as a “gypsy” when the family lost their home).

Although social injustice was the inspiration for the song, the video also deals with racial profiling and police violence. Check it out in the player above and let us know what you think.

“Gypsies R Us” will be on Louder Than Quiet’s upcoming EP that is slated for release on the anniversary of the Michael Brown shooting. Purchase the single here.

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Post-hardcore outfit Ghosts Again have lit a fire with their newest EP, The Closest Thing to Closure. They borrow soundscapes from bands like letlive., Saosin, and even Underoath. Being compared to bands that have made legendary marks on the scene is a scary thing to do as both a band and the writer, but the similarities — and the band — speak for themselves.

The vocals are raspy and scratchy, naturally adding another layer to the in-your-face riffs and gripping pop of the songs. Ghosts Again are great at making their songs fall in line tone wise. There is not much harshness happening when the song sounds pretty, there is not much pretty when heaviness is dialed in. Ghosts Again center their dynamics on hook heavy choruses that are sandwiched by frantic instrumentals. “Pant’s Division (The End Is Silence)” is the standout track of this collection, utilizing all five minutes to create an emotional pull and release with the crushing lows and sonically gorgeous highs. Hearing the final moments play out sounds like an altogether different tune in contrast to what happened before hand.

Even after that rather stunning ending, “Les enfants terribles” stretches into some of the more choppier guitar work. The mixing feels a bit underwhelming, like the bass was scrapped altogether, the riffs lack depth in their approach. “Relive/revive” has a gigantic chorus section that shows off how high the vocals can soar above the music and feel natural with that damned infectious and lovable rasp — exploding and breaking as the song comes to a close. It’s memorable in the same light that Conditions was when they were around. “Eleven” is an honest outpouring rallying the band to give everything they can before exiting the stage and letting the fire continue on.

Fine Fine Titans! Welcome to Yell! Magazine, how are we feeling today?
Jenn: Hey Sean! Feeling pretty spectacular and excited for the weekend. Thank you!

Evan: Well, thank you! Feeling great!

With the new year approaching fast, any last-minute items you need to do to make this year even better? Stoked for any New Year’s kisses?
Jenn: We’re about to wrap up the year with a very exciting show… CI Productions and August Burns Red Annual Christmas Show in Pennsylvania, so it’s really just about packing up for the weekend and making sure we make the most of the trip. As for New Years kisses… our dogs make for the best make-out partners.

Evan: Playing the August Burns Red Christmas show will definitely make the year better. Can’t wait for it and it’ll be the perfect way to round out 2015.

What is the best resolution you have made and successfully completed?
Jenn: I have no recollection of New Year’s resolutions, which probably means whatever I tried for didn’t quite stick. I much prefer to start those ideas before winter hits so I feel like I’m ahead of the quitting or failing game.

Evan: Eating more pizza. I’ve definitely been successful with it and have never felt better.

Congratulations on releasing Renaissance! It’s sporadic and full of beautiful dissonance, how has the reaction made you all feel?
Jenn: Thank you! For the most part, we’ve been feeling pretty good about the release. The last year felt like it was absolutely crawling and I felt like I could literally peel away my skin in anticipation, so now that it’s out and we can move on, I feel much more at ease. Excited even. Every album is bound to get negative feedback and that’s all fair in the game of art, but it’s been truly a pleasure.

Evan: The reaction has been great. As with any release, there’s been negative comments, but for the most part we’ve received a lot of great responses and support. Can’t wait for the next one!

This is more toward Jennifer, but I enjoy the constant change of hair color; any plans on what’s next or is the blue-purple sticking around?
Jenn: It’s funny you say that… two days before this interview, I decided that the violet had a good run. I hung out with the blonde for a minute but an ice storm hit, my appointments for the day canceled and I had just restocked my entire color line and so I got a bit carried away… with blues, greens, and yellows. There really is never a plan.

The natural range of the vocals is way more raspy and low than most other post-hardcore bands, does that put the scope of your writing in that more low-end as well?
Jenn: We never actually decided that in the beginning, but as we began to write with lower tunings more frequently, I did find that it seems to fit my chest voice a bit more easily. If I move up into my falsetto range, none of it matters, but I rarely do that in Fine Fine Titans. That may very well change as we continue to write.

What are your opinions of Glassjaw’s return?
Jenn: SO STOKED! That is a band that has greatly inspired the lot of us and it’s always exciting to get fresh music from these guys.

Evan: Best. Band. Ever. Can’t wait to hear the new record!

What is up next in 2016?
Evan: New music and tours. I can’t wait to get started and to hit the road.

Jenn: We’ve been anxiously awaiting the next step and what that is, we’re not sure. This is a pinnacle point for us I feel… we can’t drop the ball but we also have to be particular about how we handle the new year. It may be make or break.

Last words?
Evan: Thanks for having us!

Jenn: And so, so sorry that this took so long to get back to you! We appreciate you taking the time to do this and hopefully we will have much more to talk about going into 2016.

Pre-order Renaissance here!

There will be some moments in this that will baffle you with both an awe and a cringe. Sometimes it can happen in the same song. Take “I Just Saw A Ghost,” for example. Bartlett weaves her clean vocals through guitar melodies with such ease it’s addictive, but as the song comes to a close it features a duet scream off with T.J. of Still Remains. While the screams are urgent and well placed, the guitars are deathcore chug cheese.

Never fear, Renaissance has plenty of songs that are properly structured and well thought out. “Mistress” being one of the greatest things to come out of Fine Fine Titans. The chorus guitar melody is a twisting and spacey lead that brings life to Bartlett’s rather beautifully crafted emotional delivery.

Opener, “We Planted a Beating Heart,” is a vibrant kick led by technical drum work and discordant guitars. It’s one of the songs that finds Bartlett using her entire range, both screaming and singing, and the band wrote parts that allow her to dominate.

Fine Fine Titans aren’t afraid to venture out to other genres either, with “A Fire Retraced” sounding like a stoner-power metal track mixed into the closest thing that a ballad would sound like from this group.

“Guillotine” is an indie spoken-word beat down that leads into a vicious closing track, “In All Your Glory.” It’s an all out assault from Bartlett and company featuring gang vocals, gnarly screams, war-like drums, and natural guitar progressions.

This is the group’s second track to be released off their forthcoming EP, The Influence of Monsters, due out on October 30, 2015. “Their Influence”can be heard here. Ocean Grid has also released the artwork and track listing for The Influence of Monsters, both of which can be seen below.

Ocean Grid explains the force behind the new EP:

The Influence of Monsters EP brings a positive light to all of the negativity that people deal with every single day, everything from depression and anxiety awareness, self-hurt and suicide prevention, and giving hope to those who are bullied and victimized due to any Monsters that they deal with on a daily basis.

OK, I’m all for supporting those who are hurting, and for putting bullies in their place, but this statement from the band… oh, Lord, cry me a fuckin’ river! But, I suppose hearing a band make such a statement actually means something when you’re young and looking for understanding and support.

The Influence of Monsters Track Listing:

1. Introducing Monsters
2. Mind Over Monsters
3. Their Influence
4. PRERFTV
5. Run From The Vices
6. Welterweight
7. Battle Tested

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I hate when people said after Metallica cut their hair it was over. False, they were making themselves more aerodynamic for riffage like ‘Fuel.’ I dare you to put this track on in a car and not get pulled over for speeding. This track not only opened so many doors for the band, it blew them right off the hinges. All hail the kings.

Hmm, I know I won’t be getting pulled over for speeding because I turn the station any time “Fuel” comes on the radio.

While Vanna has done a pretty mediocre and straight-forward cover of Metallica’s hit from the ’90s, it’s still pretty cool that the post-hardcore band has released an EP of covers. You can order ALT here. ALT also includes “Beautiful People” (Marilyn Manson), “Self-Esteem” (The Offspring), “Zero” (The Smashing Pumpkins), and “Got the Life” (Korn).

Vanna Tour Dates:

Oct 23 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
Oct 24 – Ottawa, ON – Ritual
Oct 25 – London, ON – Rum Runners
Oct 26 – Toronto, ON – Hard Luck Bar
Oct 27 – Hamilton, ON – Club Absinthe
Oct 28 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s
Oct 29 – Buffalo, NY – Waiting Room
Oct 30 – Amityville, NY – Amityville Music Hall
Oct 31 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance

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Guitarist Stephen Noel commented on working with Peter:

Peter was such a pleasure to work with and brought so many creative ideas to the lyric video. We were obviously impressed by his previous work, but the final product came out even better than we had imagined.

“The Genie Should Stay in the Bottle” is a follow-up the band’s last EP Before The Sun Sets… and is available via iTunes.

Guitarist Jake Whalen commented on the track:

‘The Genie Should Stay in the Bottle’ is one of our most diverse songs to this point. It’s a good representation of the direction of the rest of the album in terms of being more focused and even more emotional than our EP.

Aww, emo boy has a big emotional heart.

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