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SV01 Single Mothers "Self Titled" Format: 7"EP, Digital Ordering information for this release will be announced soon. "Last year TA played an off-date show in Hamilton, Ontario. That night a band opened the show called Single Mothers. They started their set as I was organizing our merch and after about 45 seconds my ears perked up and I dropped what I was doing. I watched their set in entirety with my eyes wide and a rabid feeling of excitement that I knew I was witnessing something very special. Based out of London, Ontario Canada, Single Mothers plays a style of punk/post-hardcore that is both high in energy and layered with creativity. There is a level of honesty that vocalist Andrew Thomson gives with every song and performance that is jaw dropping and hair raising. This 7” EP serves as a unforgiving confessional of late intoxicated nights and sexual deviant behavior. Imagine a hybrid of The Hold Steady and The Bronx with a grimy overtone all it’s own. All of the elements are present for Single Mothers to step out of the shadows of Ontario and be the new Canadian front runners." - Jeremy Bolm. “It’s like Craig Finn fronting Black Flag in early ’90s DC, yet not at all.” - Adam White managing editor of Punknews.org Secret Voice is a label founded by Jeremy Bolm of Touche Amore, manufactured and distributed by Deathwish. 
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DW129 Rise And Fall "Faith" Format: CD, LP, Digital Available in stores March 19th. Ordering information will be posted soon. Deathwish are proud to announce "Faith" the new album from Rise And Fall. "Faith" is Rise And Fall's artistic exploration on the concepts of faith and fate, nature and nurture, and life and death. Struggles that we can all relate to in our daily lives. Sonically, the album melds an impassioned technical proficiency and emotional performance unlike any other previous Rise And Fall release. Showing that in their maturity, Rise And Fall have gained creative depth without losing the ferocity that earned them their rightful place on the throne of the Belgian hardcore community. "Faith" was engineered and recorded by Kurt Ballou (Converge) at God City studios. It includes guest appearances by Kurt himself, Stephen Brodsky (Cave In), Justin De Tore (Mind Eraser, etc.), Kevin Baker (The Hope Conspiracy, APMD, etc). With the first murky chords of opener "A Hammer And Nails", Rise And Fall shake the ground with noise rock discordance, weighty hardcore heaviness, and trademark "punk metal" rage. As the song recedes, they rise up again and unleash "Deceiver" and "The Gallows Await", two truly vicious anthems. While it's welcoming to hear Rise And Fall hit this familiar (yet evolved) stride, it is in their new found dynamics where they really shine. For example, "Breathe" carries an infectious/hazy jangle that pays homage to the Am Rep world before exploring unorthodox directions. And songs like "Burning At Both Ends" and "Things Are Different Now" take unpredictable melodious twists and turns before collapsing into powerful dirges. Not only have Rise And Fall grown musically but lyrically as well. In fact all throughout "Faith", soul searching lyrics are more revealing than ever before. Exploring the concept of broken faith, separation from the natural world, and the search for direction in life. This theme and its aural counterpart coalesce in the nearly seven minute epic closer "Faith/Fate". A song that metamorphosizes through a hypnotic ebb and flow, only to strip away layers to reveal something primal at the core; audio of the actual heartbeat of Vince's newborn daughter. This is truly a rare and powerful moment to hear in aggressive music; one where real life and art fuse together as one.
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DW133 Narrows "Painted" Format: 12"LP, Digital Available in stores February 28th. Ordering information will be posted soon. While every bit as sonically vitriolic as their past endeavors, Painted attempts to focus its energy rather than lash out blindly. Songs like “Greenland” and “It’s The Water” still weigh in with bottom-heavy instrumentation, but lyrically look towards brighter horizons. Though the band seeks to close the emotional divide it basked in on their debut, the primary meaning behind New Distances couldn’t be more pertinent to the band’s sophomore album. The U.S. Department of Immigration recently denied entry to Cox, forcing the recruitment of temporary guitarist Mark Holcomb (Aeges, Undertow, Shift) for Narrow’s 2011 tour with Helms Alee. While the global nature of the band already limited their opportunities for touring, this additional roadblock further exacerbated the difficulties of writing and recording an album with members spread across the United Stated and Europe. Despite the difficulties of recording across two hemispheres, Painted sounds like a band locked into a singular vision. Matt Bayles (Mastodon, ISIS, Minus The Bear) recorded the album at Red Room Studios with Cox’s guitar overdubs tracked by Wayne Pennell at Bunker Studios in Brentford, England during late night Skype sessions with the stateside members of the band. Due in part to the constraints of time and distance, Painted is a streamlined record. With eight songs clocking in at just over 27 minutes, the album wastes no time exorcising its demons. And while part of New Distances’ allure stemmed from it’s marriage of primal metallic hardcore with the effects-laden art rock approach of guitarists Cox and Frederiksen, Painted harnesses power from curtailing more of their experimental moments in favor of big meaty riffs and voracious tempos.
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DW127 Heiress "Naysayer b/w Just Throats" Format: 7"EP, Digital A release date and ordering information will be posted soon. Heiress is comprised of former members of Botch, Himsa, Undertow, Jough Dawn Baker, Harbinger, and Pistols At Dusk. A well worn five piece hailing from the Pacific Northwest, they play a brand of dissonant post metal infused with a cold, hardcore heart. "Naysayer b/w Just Throats" features two brand new exclusive Heiress songs and picks up where their split with Narrows left off. Both songs are grim, dark, and ominous post everything musical explorations. "Naysayer" falls into a downward spiral of aggressive percussion before plodding forth with a warhorse like pace. While the b-side "Just Throats" navigates emotionally melodic waters, showing the sonic diversity that is Heiress at their most powerful. There's no question, "Naysayer b/w Just Throats" is a stunning release. A stark place holder to hold you over the fall and winter months, as Heiress will unleash their debut album "Early Frost" in 2012 on Deathwish. Artwork by Demian Johnston
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DW131 Loma Prieta "I.V." Format: 12"LP, Digital Formed in 2005, Loma Prieta have been a mainstay of the Bay Area hardcore community for more than half a decade. In that time they have released four 12 inch records and two 7 inch records mostly on their own label, Discos Huelga. They have also toured the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Mexico numerous times, all while members play in several other hardcore bands (Punch, Beau Navire, Us Haunted Bodies). While Loma Prieta’s sound is difficult to describe, it is clear that they come from the rich tradition of creative Bay Area hardcore bands such as Mohinder, Funeral Diner, Bread and Circuits, Yaphet Kotto, and Indian Summer. Eschewing sub-genres in favor of organically writing songs that are personally fulfilling, each Loma Prieta record is substantially different from the last. Nonetheless, Loma Prieta have managed to forge a distinctive form of expression that is entirely their own. For “I.V.” the band’s Deathwish debut, Loma Prieta once again worked with longtime collaborator Jack Shirley (Atomic Garden Studio). With his guidance Loma Prieta tracked to tape 12 songs intensely emotional songs. Written during a time of great personal suffering and transition for the band "I.V." is the creative culmination of those collective experiences. From the opening breath of “Fly by Night”, Loma Prieta crash and bang melody and discord together into one beautiful work of art. This grinding theme continues throughout "I.V." in stunning songs like the aptly named three parter "Trilogy 4, 5, and 6". Creating a powerful and unpredictable ebb and flow to their emotional outpouring. As the dust settles on the distorted haze in closer "Diamond Tooth", an artistic coherency and clarity emerges that can only be described as Loma Prieta. A new kind of melancholy chaos that should be familiar, yet challenging, to those who enjoy bands like Love Lost But Not Forgotten, Pg. 99, La Quiete, and the ilk. First Press: 300 - Clear 700 - Grey
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DW115 Give Up The Ghost "We're Down Til We're Underground" Format: 12"LP "We're Down Til We're Underground" by Give Up The Ghost was originally released by Equal Vision Records on September 23rd, 2003. Produced by Jim Siegel (Blood For Blood, Slapshot) and Tim Cossar, "We're Down…" is true milestone of a hardcore album. Encapsulating the personal growth, strife, and struggle of the band members that helped to create it. From the first strummed notes of opening instrumental "(It's Sometimes Like It Never Started)" the album feels intensely personal and thematic. In many ways, it is as if we are listening to the beat of the open heart of the creators. Because of this, it's difficult to pinpoint any high point in the music and lyrical content. Every song on "We're Down Til' We're Underground" effortlessly carries intense emotional weight in all it's layers. After all, it's an album born out of pressure and pain more so than most hardcore records (past or present) will likely ever be. Deathwish, under exclusive license from Equal Vision Records, are proud to announce the reissue of "We're Down Til We're Underground" on vinyl format. "We're Down Til We're Underground" has been remastered for vinyl by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering (Converge, Fucked Up, and more). This new version is offered in a gatefold jacket with revamped artwork and packaging. It also comes with an immediate MP3 Download of the release at checkout from the DW Estore. As with all new Deathwish vinyl releases, a Digital Download coupon is included inside the release, just in case you would like to Download at a later date. First Press: 354 - Opaque Yellow vinyl 424 - Clear Yellow vinyl (Merch Now Exclusive) 687 - Clear Orange vinyl 1012 - 180 Gram Black vinyl 2210 - Clear Pink vinyl Collector's Note: The Clear Yellow and Clear Orange vinyl colors transition into one another, making it a bit difficult to differentiate between the two colors for some people. They are different colors though, and each do exist on their own.
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DW114 Give Up The Ghost "Background Music" Format: 12"LP American Nightmare's "Background Music" album was originally released by Equal Vision Records on June 12th, 2001. Produced by Tim Cossar and Dean Baltulonis, "Background Music" is anything but what the title implies, standing the test of time as a true hardcore classic. From the machine-gun like snare roll of opener "(we are)" into Wes' cry of "this is the soundtrack to saying goodbye…" the atmosphere around American Nightmare is emotionally electric. Setting an tone that rings through anthemic songs like "am/pm", "hearts", and "your arsonist". These and the rest of the songs on the album blend a youthful violence and vulnerability into something rabid, hopelessly romantic, and refreshingly real. After almost ten years, "Background Music " continues to resonate as loudly and potently as ever. Deathwish, under exclusive license from Equal Vision Records, are proud to announce the reissue of "Background Music" on vinyl format. "Background Music" has been remastered for vinyl by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering (Converge, Fucked Up, and more). This new version is offered in a gatefold jacket with revamped artwork and packaging. It also comes with an immediate MP3 Download of the release at checkout from the DW Estore. As with all new Deathwish vinyl releases, a Digital Download coupon is included inside the release, just in case you would like to Download at a later date. First Press: 340 - Clear / Black Mix (or Grey) vinyl 423 - Clear Yellow vinyl (Merch Now Exclusive) 598 - White vinyl 1009 - 180 Gram Black vinyl 2159 - Opaque Green vinyl
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