Germany’s long-running exploratory record label Exile On Mainstream presents its first release of 2024, a split LP between CROWSKIN and BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS, out today.
The four tracks of this split LP have been waiting for a release since 2017. So, it was time for the story of a friendship between two bands to reach its happy ending. Although, ‘happy’ is a bit misleading here – apart from friendship, what predominantly connects the two bands is the slow layering of riffs: unpretentious, negative, and cathartic. The result is a monolithic sound and content that poses more questions than this life can answer.
In the German lyrics of CROWSKIN, this frustration finds its counterpart: helpless anger paired with dark melancholy following dragging rhythms and dark emotionalism. The A-side of the split, titled Verstummt, contains three songs from the band: “Wolves,” “Resthirn,” and “Verstummt.” BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS occupies the B-side of the record with the single track “Monocelestial Chords” lasting over fifteen minutes, pushing the listener to the limits right from a repetitive, dark version of a Kraut reminiscent intro, before evolving into a grooving sludge monster inspired by Baudelaire’s “Flowers of Evil.”
Both sides of the record were recorded in Rostock at the studio of BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS’ drummer, Pierre, who managed to capture the individuality as well as the common ground of both bands.
The CROWSKIN / BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS split is out now on 12” vinyl at the Exile On Mainstream webshop HERE, and digitally – the CROWSKIN audio HERE and the BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS digital HERE.
Verstummt / Monocelestial Chords Track Listing:
1. Wolves – CROWSKIN
2. Resthirn – CROWSKIN
3. Verstummt – CROWSKIN
4. Monocelestial Chords – BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS
CROWSKIN has been around since 2004. The doom/sludge quintet from Potsdam/Magdeburg/Zittau channels feelings such as anger, frustration, and fear into a dark concoction of downtuned guitars, deafening feedback, and dragging grooves. The goal: maximum catharsis. CROWSKIN emerges from the DIY hardcore underground scene. The members also do and did play in bands like Cyness, Mist, Chainbreaker, and Brink Of Despair. They gladly share the stage with like-minded and friendly spirits, valuing attitude over musical similarities.
BAD LUCK RIDES ON WHEELS from Rostock also formed in 2004, established as a post-metal project filled with dark endless prog jams. The members also currently play in or have previously played with bands such as Wojczech, Who’s My Saviour, and Exile On Mainstream labelmates Confusion Master. After years of endless tours, serious mental breakdowns, and challenges, the power trio has now arrived in absolute darkness, with hypnotic sound loops, incredibly heavy drums, and impenetrable guitars, from which vocals emerge from somewhere deep down.
https://www.facebook.com/crowskin666
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http://www.mainstreamrecords.de
https://www.youtube.com/@exileonmainstream3639