Fear not what their name implies, as this Paris-based quintet is anything but weak or inhibited in their delivery. Thundering with massive, low-end amplification and a downcast, scathing vocal delivery, COWARDS‘ noxious brew of sludge/doom is not from, or for, the weak of heart.
Formed by current and ex-members of Sickbag, Death Mercedes, Hangman’s Chair, Eibon and Hellbats, COWARDS has already built a reputable arsenal of destructive audio since forming in 2011, but will take this year by the throat in several ways, with a reissue of their debut album confirmed for official reissue in North America, and the plans for their next full-length studio endeavor confirmed.
Gathering Parisians with an already strong pedigree in dark and heavy music, COWARDS regurgitates gutter hardcore, unhealthy sludge/doom and nauseous black metal on their 2012-released debut LP, Shooting Blanks & Pills. Recorded only six months after the band was formed, this monstrosity surges with a desperate urban attitude, bridging the knife-in-the-heart crudeness of Eyehategod, Deadguy or Kickback and the majestic darkness of bands like Deathspell Omega or Thou. With a sound carrying the smell of piss-soaked back-alleys and the blood you’ll taste for a mistaken sidelong glance, producer Francis Caste perfectly captured the corrosion and angst of these thirty-eight minutes, recreating this forced apnea in a bile tank with a no-frills approach. Originally released on France’s Throatruiner Records, Shooting Blanks & Pills is long sold out, yet will see a rebirth on CD and transparent 12″ LP via Canadian label Secret Handshake Recordings on September 1st, 2014. Additional pressing and release details will follow in the coming days.
In the meantime, the Shooting Blanks & Pills album and Hoarder EP are available for download via Bandcamp HERE.
Shooting Blanks & Pills Track Listing:
1. Hoarse From The Get Go
2. Last Card
3. Scarce
4. Vices & Hate
5. Arrogant, Unseen
6. Grand Failure
COWARDS has also sanctioned studio time this October to harness the demoralizing anthems that will be their sophomore full-length, the follow-up to 2013’s mangling Hoarder EP. The band will return to Sainte-Marthe Studio once again with Francis Caste at the engineering helm for the as-yet-unnamed works, which will be completed for early 2015 release.
Having toured across Europe and with countless regional performances under their belts, COWARDS will continue to tour throughout the coming months surrounding their recording sessions, supporting their previous releases, while they begin integrating their new works into their live delivery. You’ve been warned.
COWARDS Live:
8/22/2014 La Bergerie – Montbrun, France w/ Mur
11/07/2014 La Instants Chavirés – Montreuil, France
11/08/2014 La Scène Michelet – Nantes, France
11/09/2014 Mondo Bizaro – Rennes, France
http://www.cowards.fr
http://www.facebook.com/cowardsparis
http://cowardsparis.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Secret-Handshake-recordings/1520788561467903
http://secret-handshake.org
http://secret-handshake.bandcamp.com