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.
S/T 12" 2010 (Self-released)
You Pilot 7" 2008 (Just Say No)
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