"I don't want to live like this."

I am not a music journalist, and I have no aspirations to become one. It's quite strange then that I should feel pressured into creating thorough and entertaining write-ups about the bands and albums that I post here. Part of it stems from the amount of respect I have for the music and the people who create it. Everything I post here on NKINW is intrinsically linked to my perception of self. I have defined myself, for the most part,  by the music that I listen to and the politics, jokes, and values contained within these recordings. That isn't to say that I agree with everything a given band has to say. I can get past ignorant lyrical content if the music is good enough. I don't worry about whether my wardrobe is punk or metal. But, my point is, all of these records mean more to me than they probably should. I think in fragments of song lyrics. I drum my fingers on every available surface, keeping time with the playlist in my head. I rally behind bands that value integrity over mainstream appeal. And, sometimes, I can't think of a damn thing to say about a band that I feel does justice to their art. I get bored of trying to find new ways to say an album is heavy, or fast, or what-have-you. Of course, no one has asked me to do any of this. I'm only up against myself, and today, I am kicking my ass. I don't have anything clever or funny to say about Apeface. I don't know how to tell you that their take on crust is both unique and necessary. I can't tell you that it sounds like mid-90's Black Metal without feeling like I'm only trying to sell it to you by alluding to a passing revivalist fad. Look, Apeface is from San Jose, Ca., just like me. They were nice dudes whenever I met them. They sometimes played shows with the lights out, the stage illuminated by desecrated nativity scene lawn figures. Some of the other bands in the Bay Area made fun of them for writing songs that were too long. Or for not being punk enough, and too metal. Apeface rules, and that's all I can really tell you. Is that enough? Will you click the DL link? Am I only talking to myself? Do I care? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions and more, here on The 'Wave.

"No monkey story will do." (DL)

Mary Had A Little One

I had meant to do a Jucifer post way back in October, after I finally got the chance to see them live. I have some photos from their set, and I was waiting to transfer them to my PC. Unfortunately, I don't have a card reader, or cable to transfer them over, thus the delay in posting. But, this isn't about my photos, or my experience - it is about cluing you in to an extremely good band that you may have slept on. Jucifer is a two-piece sludge/heavy metal band from Athens, Georgia. For 18 yrs., they have relentlessly pummeled crowds around the country with their music. Just look at the wall of amps and the size of that Vistalite kit:

Going through their discography, one finds a band that is not content to be static, yet never lacking in direction or intent. While most of the music is pounding and threatening, Amber and Edgar aren't afraid to slow things down and lull you into a false sense of comfort with passages of clean vocals and minimal drum beats, whose placid vistas are soon firebombed with more HEAVY FUCKING METAL. They've got a lil' something for almost any niche-minded headbanger. The newest album, Throned in Blood, even incorporates elements of Black Metal without hopping on any bandwagons or pretending any claims. Blast beats and wailing, tortured screams abound, and I highly recommend you go buy it, dude. It's "It." However, I would feel bad cheating such a hard-working band by posting their latest release, henceforth I have reached back into their catalogue and pulled what I think might be their least known release, 2001'2 Lamb's EP. Here you'll get a glimpse of the bands range and dynamic songwriting abilities, along with a sore neck and some broken furniture if you've got the volume up. Hide the cat.

"Off to the edge"(DL)