REVIEW: Maximum Mad - "Dear Enemy" [EP]

By: Charlie Butler


Album Type: EP

Date Released: 16/09/2017

Label: Good to Die Records

Maximum Mad’s relentless riff generation makes for an exhilarating ride reminiscent of mighty Florida Helmet enthusiasts Wrong, they take the blueprint for dirty, riff-heavy racket from the 90s and 00s and wrench it breathlessly into the present on debut EP “Dear Enemy

“Dear Enemy” CS//DD track listing:

1. Affluenza
2. Lucky Coward
3. Active Aggressive
4. Unmanned
5. Weird Hand
6. Obscene Gestures

The Review:

Portland / Vancouver (DC) quartet Maximum Madare the latest band to take the blueprint for dirty, riff-heavy racket from the 90s and 00s and wrench it breathlessly into the present on debut EP “Dear Enemy”. Like many of the current glut of noise rock acts making their presence felt in the underground, their lack of originality is rendered completely irrelevant by the sheer quality of their sonic assault.

Maximum Mad’s relentless riff generation makes for an exhilarating ride reminiscent of mighty Florida Helmetenthusiasts Wrong. This is particularly evident on “Unmanned”where they also channel some of Torche’s thunderous pop majesty for good measure.

Elsewhere, the band deliver concise hits of churning Melvins-style grunge fury to great effect. “Affluenza” is the best example of this, bolstered by a brief section of warped, reverb-heavy melody towards its climax that brings to mind the much-missed These Arms Are Snakes. The sleazy groove of “Active Aggressive” shows Maximum Madare equally as effective at delivering lumbering menace as they are operating at full throttle

Closer “Obscene Gestures” throws in a dose of thrash into the mix which spices things up nicely. I like to think this is a little nod to their highly entertaining fake Facebook bio where they describe themselves as one of the most distinctive, influential and extreme thrash metal bands of the 1980s.

“Dear Enemy” is a solid start for Maximum Mad. Hopefully it won’t be long before they show the world what they are capable of across a full LP.

“Dear Enemy” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: Chicago's cavernous riffs generators Escape Is Not Freedom debut "Night Light"

By: Aaron Pickford

Hailing from Chicago, IL, the genre of noise rock and its forbearers have undeniable imprinted upon the DNA of today’s featured band Escape Is Not Freedom.  Crossings the boundaries of rock, sludge, noise and grunge, this trio convulsant manage to generate a cacophonous racket, where riffs are monotonously cavernous whilst retaining a strong sense of melody and originality. With influences ranging from the AmRep bands of yore through to Julie Christmas and Rabies Caste, Escape Is Not Freedom new album “Goldsmith” is further proof that the noise rock movement is alive and well, are will surely see the band garner praise in much the same way their peers, Wrong and Whores., have garnered over the last 12 months.

With “Goldsmith” set for release on February 24^th 2017, today you can get your first taste of the record with this exclusive premiere of the track “Night Light” with following parental advisory sticker: guaranteed to riff you the fuck out.  Check out the track below, follow the band in the usual places and preorder a copy here



Band info: bandcamp|| facebook