In their latter years, Converge have enjoyed relatively high levels of popularity despite the esoteric feel of their music and the substantial lack of media attention they receive. The extreme nature of their music, particularly the atonal vocals and often complicated finger-work of the guitar riffs make it difficult for some to appreciate this brand of metal. Later records have gradually become more extensively produced largely due to the maturation of their sound.
Converge’s influences range from hardcore punk bands, such as Black Flag, Negative Approach, The Accüsed, and Born Against; metal bands like Black Sabbath, Godflesh, Slayer, and Entombed; and proto-mathcore bands Starkweather and Rorschach. Jacob Bannon has also discussed an appreciation for and inspiration from grindcore on Earache Records, post-hardcore on Dischord Records; thrash metal, such as Suicidal Tendencies, Vio-Lence, and Death Angel, and post-punk groups, such as Depeche Mode and The Cure.
Deathwish Inc.
Trap Them
Trap Them is a band from Salem, New Hampshire, formed in 2001. They began as a side project for vocalist Ryan Mckenney (Backstabbers Inc.) and guitarist Brian Izzi (December Wolves). Since forming they have released three albums, Sleepwell Deconstructer, Seizures in Barren Praise and Darker Handcraft, as well as three EPs, Cunt Heir to the Throne, Séance Prime and Split with Extreme Noise Terror. Anyone digging the 90’s swedish deathsound from the Sunlight studio should have a go at this.
Prosthetic Records
Burning Love
Members of Toronto’s Burning Love play Hot Snakes-influenced punk rock with Chris Colohan (ex-Cursed) providing vocals. To date they have released a demo 7”, a single 7”, ‘Jack the Ripper’ and an LP entitled ‘Songs for Burning Lovers’
The Flaming Tsunamis
The Flaming Tsunamis are an experimental hardcore/punk band that incorporates a diverse range of eclectic musical styles further accentuated by their inclusion of a horn section, keyboards, samples and auxiliary percussion. Based out of New Haven, CT the fiercely DIY and relentlessly touring six piece has put out releases on Kill Normal, a label that members of the band founded. Since their formation in 1999 the band has released 2 EPs and 2 full-length albums. In 2011 the band announced “Externalities”, their latest and potentially final album.
$15 / All Ages