If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Matt Bass I've been an Astral Bitch fan ever since stumbling upon them when they first released "You've Got it Wrong" back in 2023. The Boston band is back with two new songs, and you're going to need to buckle up for this one. In their press release, the two new songs are compared to The Jesus Lizard, At the Drive In, Babes in Toyland, and War on Women. I'm certainly not arguing with any of that. As soon as "Seeds of Hate" kicks in, you're going to know if you're going to love it or not. It opens with a giant burst of feedback that will have you desperately waiting for when it bursts into the full song, since only an explosion can follow that sound. And explode the song does in the best manner possible. For comparisons, I'm personally going with Helmet jamming with At the Drive In. "Seeds of Hate" is a loud, noisy, and angry song, and we simply can't get enough of it. You can listen to "Seeds of Hate" bel...

Photo by Tom White Our favorite Leeds based post-punk/free jazz band Volk Soup is back with a new single. "Professionalism Debunked" is a weird freak out that simply sounds and feels cool. It's surprisingly groovy, with a chorus consisting of wordless sounds... and it could very well be one of the catchiest things we've heard all year. I'm not quite sure how you're going to dance to this one, but you're going to want to find a way. And all of this is before the guitar solo kicks in with the odd vocalizations behind it. "Professionalism Debunked" has an interesting Talking Heads meets Frank Zappa thing going on, with maybe just a little extra aggression thrown in. Vocalist/guitarist Harry Jones says of the band's latest single: "It’s a song with a simple sentiment: don’t take your job too seriously. It is essentially demanded of a person that they lose vast swathes of their precious time on Earth or else face a cruel and untimely death. W...

The New Limits are quickly becoming one of Boston's favorite ska bands, and if you haven't been converted yet, their latest single will make you a fan. "Mr. Blue" merges earlier, two-tone ska and third wave ska. It has this great laid back side that has a killer groove and soulful vocals from singer Julia Wolfe. The song swings between this side and a more upbeat, Save Ferris-esque style. Both are sure to inspire dancing from their fans, and "Mr. Blue" is everything you've always loved about ska, even if you're afraid to admit that you still do. Luckily, The New Limits are the kind of band that will make ska acceptable again. You can listen to "Mr. Blue" below. These are the Nights is due out September 19 on Jump Up Records. For more on The New Limits, check out the band's website . They'll be playing an album release show at Faces Brewing in Malden with Eight Foot Manchild and Futon Lasagna. Mr. Blue by The New Limits