If It's Too Loud...

In the age of social media and the internet, it's basically a given that every band will have some form of online presence. Maybe they don't have their very own website, but at the very least they'll have a Facebook or a Bandcamp or a Tumblr, etc. That brings us to Boston's Martyrs. I first wrote about them back in 2014 when they released their debut album . All I knew about them at that point was that Tee Jay from Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys was in the band, but now that he's moved away from the area, I don't even know that. Somehow I know less about a band after being aware of them for two years. Back on September 8, Martyrs released their second album, The Great Disturbance. This one appears to only be available on YouTube. It somehow manages to cram every single side genre of punk into one sound. It is as heavy as hardcore, but as melodic as emo. (I know a MILLION bands have that in their description, but I really, really mean it here......

When I heard Tee Jay, the drummer for Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys , had a side project described as "...  early 90's melodic hardcore... blended with some shoegaze..." I knew I had to check Martyrs out. This is about as far from the folk/gypsy/punk/burlesque that defines the Army of Toys, and I'm thrilled to hear something so different come from a member of that band. The description the band uses is perfect, and it definitely has more of a At The Drive-In feel to it than Jawbreaker. Picture Dischord Records signing a shoegaze band. It's heavy and beautiful and just about perfect. The fact that it was recorded last month and is already out for free download is what I love about the current music scene. I can't find any website or social media outlet for Martyrs, but they do have a Soundcloud where you can stream or download their debut for free.