CanadianWasteland Archives: November 2024

11/17/2024

In Vacuo - Discography (2008-2010)

In Vacuo was a hardcore/grindcore band from Calgary, Alberta, Canada active in the late 2000s/early 2010s. One band member was also in Vancouver band, Crack Cloud. They released one album on 12" and one EP on 7" while active. In Vacuo's 7" was released on Just Say No Records, a label that released various grindcore records from the 2010s, and also American emo bands The Saddest Landscape / Pianos Become The Teeth split 9".

In Vacuo mixed hardcore and punk with elements of grindcore, screamo and even some math-rock to create a moody, atmospheric heaviness that transcends time. Falling somewhere in between the current resurgence of grindcore in Calgary, and the initial popularity of the genre in the late 90s, In Vacuo sounds kind of timeless. They are much more dynamic than your average grindcore or hardcore band, seamlessly shifting from slow to incredibly fast instrumentals and throwing in clean almost emo sounding vocals between the shrill, throaty vocals. In Vacuo is spazzy and chaotic in the best ways, while remaining calculated and accurate in their execution, creating a unique balance.

I had never heard of the band even though I'm from Calgary until recently when Ben dug it out of the overwhelmingly full shelves in the back of Recordland. The 12"comes with a yellow folder filled with lyrics and various texts in the format of police or legal documents, as well as an attached hand-written sticky note which reads "Attention Citizen 096, it is our intention that you will find the enclosed documents instrumental to your investigation/Assimilation - X.V."

Its a shame this band didn't release even more music because they stand out as something special in my hometown, especially during the 2010s which seems like a bit of a dead zone for this kind of music. I'd be curious to know where they got their inspiration from as a band. They almost remind me at times of 90s bands such as In/Humanity, Impetus Inter or Hose.Got.Cable.

It's interesting to see grindcore making such a comeback in Calgary right now, the scene seems to be ever expanding and reaching more and more young people which is great to see. It's nice to have something new coming out of Calgary because for a while it felt like it was all metalcore or post-punk.

Bandcamp

S/T 12" 2010 (Self-released)

You Pilot 7" 2008 (Just Say No)

11/15/2024

Full Service Quartet - Discography (1994-1996)

Full Service Quartet was a hardcore/emo band from Fayetteville, Arkansas who were active in the mid 90s. Members of the band also played in Generation Of Vipers, Hundred Years War, Drain, Chalk and The Shivering. During the years they were active, the band released three 7"s, each on a different label and one a split with Shake Ray Turbine.

Full Service Quartet, who were infact, a quartet, played calculated yet intense hardcore in the vein of Ambassador 990 or Assfactor 4. Along with a handful of other Arkansas bands such as William Martyr 17, Benchmark and Generation Of Vipers, Full Service Quartet helped expand and popularize the "emo" genre in their area. Their sound mixes syncopated guitar and drums, switching tempos and rhythymns frequently, with raw, throaty yells over top. Featuring elements of punk and hardcore, but with more complex instrumentals and a distinct reflectiveness that is prominent in "emo", Full Service Quartet makes for a great listen whether you're deep into the scene or just beginning to explore it.

Full Service Quartet's first 7" leans slightly more toward the punky side of things and their second 7" moves more into a refined, slow and at times melancholic sound, but still with lots of energy. Their tracks on the split fall somewhere in between the two.

All of this bands releases are great, I wish that they had stayed together for just a couple more years to release something else because they were headed in an interesting direction. That being said, they remain and classic and great example of the golden age of DIY hardcore bands in Arkansas in the mid-90s.

S/T 7"

Tetraethyl 7"

Full Service Quartet / Shake Ray Turbine Split 7"

Tetraethyl 7" 1997 (Council Records)

S/T 7" 1995 (File 13 Records)

Full Service Quartet / Shake Ray Turbine split 7" 1996 (Landmark Records)

11/13/2024

Polaris - Discography (1993-2007)

Polaris was a post-hardcore band from Leeds, UK. Starting out in 1993 Polaris created some incredibly atmospheric, compelling and dark music that could be likened to bands like Slint and contemporaries Bob Tilton. Polaris is often overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Too indie to fit nicely into the British hardcore scene and too obscure for American listeners; the band created a characteristic blend of slow, spidery post-hardcore, with half-whispered spoken vocals that would suddenly erupt into intense screams. As a British band, Polaris stands out as an anomaly, skillfully channeling the discordant sounds of the early '90s Louisville hardcore scene. At the same time, they add their own uniquely British influence, all while predating many of their overseas counterparts.

I am sure there is more Polaris material out there based on how long they were active for, if you happen to have any more of their material, or a better rip of the Belated LP, (unfortunately I just missed out on a copy) please let us know!

LPs, Demo, Live and Unreleased Session
Split 7" w/ Baby Harp Seal

Decade Of Dissidence CD Comp

Belated LP 1998 (Common Cause)

ST LP/CD 2004 (Gringo Records)

Baby Harp Seal Split 7" 1994

11/10/2024

Enemy Soil - Discography (1991-1999)

Enemy Soil was a Grindcore band from Virginia who formed in 1991 and were active throughout the rest of the decade. Members of the band were also in Pig Destroyer, Drugs Of Faith, City Of Caterpillar, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Pageninetynine to name a few.

Enemy Soil played, fast, heavy gut-wrenchingly loud politically driven grindcore. Most of their lyrics were rooted in left wing sociopolitical ideals and a pessimistic outlook on US politics. According to guitarist Richard Johnson, their lyrics were also affected by their daily lives, relationships in addition to politics. There was definitely a passion and anger at the world driving their music which is evident in the intensity and genuine feel to their sound.

In their early days, Enemy Soil reportedly couldn't find a suitable drummer so opted to use a drum machine in their early recordings and shows. According to an interview with a member, they also played a few live shows with a backing tape before they decided to find a drummer. Also in the interview, Richard Johnson states that he and newly found drummer, R. Mason intentionally tried to experiment and create a sound that was distinctive from the mass of other grindcore/hardcore bands at the time.

Some mentioned inspirations for the band included early Napalm Death, Neurosis and Initial State, however, I can hear a bit of an Influence of bands like Reversal Of Man, with whom they had a split 7", in their sound as well. Overall Enemy Soil definitely stands out as having their own style and sound.