We’re back, baby! It’s been a little over a month since our last article, and we’ve been using that downtime to compile a massive list of bands from the Richmond underground. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and I’m here to offer you a fine assortment of offerings featuring the sounds of Ostraca, Gusher, and Ivy Creep. Plus, this week’s shows, including Public Acid’s new record listening party at VSC.
Are you an artist with new tracks, a listener with suggestions or the inside scoop, or just want to say hi? Send an email to cj@rvamag.com
NEW TRACKS!
OSTRACA – CONSTELLATION (SINGLE)
On their newest LP, “Disaster,” screamo band Ostraca blend together elements of screamo, post-rock, and metal, among others. More than half the songs run for about 6 minutes and manage to pack in numerous stylistic changes in a way that makes sense and adds compelling interest to their album. The record itself is worth your attention, but if you need a quick taste, then look no further than the opening track, “Constellation.” It’s the shortest song at 3:02, but the band doesn’t wait to hit you with everything they’ve got. If you are a fan of Deafheaven’s “Sunbather,” seriously go give this one a listen.
GUSHER – SCREENTIME (SINGLE)
Gusher perfectly captures that early ’80s post-punk sound while making it feel modern. On their track “screentime,” the band showcases their skill of writing catchy and danceable grooves while airing frustration over our constant overload of information. I love how the vocals slowly lose more and more control as the song progresses, namely with the line “let it go,” which starts off sounding like a confident command over the singer’s self but by the end becomes more of an emotional plea.
IVY CREEP – JUST LIKE YOU (SINGLE)
This hardcore punk supergroup has been hitting the scene hard since their inception in 2023. Consisting of members from numerous Richmond bands including (but not limited to) Richmond Vampire, Deviant, Fried Egg, and Animal Planet, these guys have some major experience under their belt. With raw and powerful anger, the band’s first demo is a nonstop assault that, in part, tackles topics of self-identity, faith, and existentialism. If you see this band on a playbill (and you definitely will), make sure to go see them and witness the beautiful chaos that ensues.
UPCOMING Shows!
Trophy Hunt, Euclid C Finder, le Morte, and Humanitarian Deficit
Saturday, February 17th @ Cobra Cabana
Doors at 7pm
What I’m Listening To!
FIRST FRAGMENT – GLOIRE ÉTERNELLE
Imagine if you were to combine elements of extreme technical death metal, flamenco, swing, power metal, and neoclassical music. Sounds insane on paper, right? Somehow, the Quebec trio behind First Fragment manage to pull off this amalgamation of genres in a way that is exciting and uniquely their own. Take their track “La Veuve et Le Martyr,” for example. Opening with a beautiful baroque-style acoustic guitar passage, the song quickly shifts to a nu-metal-type slap bass groove before going into full neo-classical speed metal insanity; and all of that happens in just the first 75 seconds! The guitar playing here is mind-bogglingly complex, but while showing off their technical prowess, the members manage to insert digestible, yet wonderfully moving passages in “blink and you’ll miss it” moments. Give this album a go if you’re looking for something truly unique and different.
Favorite Tracks:
La Veuve et Le Martyr
Pantheum
Main photo by CJ Payne
