Reviews

Belladonna

Bitemarks Sucia LP

While knowing that BITEMARKS has folks from older Florida bands such as TRUE NORTH and PALATKA might not give you a full picture of this band, it does work as a starting point. It has a similar feel to those 90s No Idea post-hardcore bands in that it’s aggressive and punchy but catchy and melodic without sounding cheesy or boring. Where this differs is that it is a little more straightforward, a little more rock, and the vocals are snotty and in your face. It’s like if one of those Chris Thompson bands had guitars that are big and heavy sounding rather than that noodly stuff. Top it off with a full sounding recording, and you have a record that really smokes, even if it is only single sided.

Dead Sea Lords Dead Sea Lords LP

Gainesville band with the classic Gainesville sound. Whoddathunk? This actually has sort of a Midwest twinge to it, as if DRIVE LIKE JEHU started playing twinkly parts like CAP’N JAZZ while still maintaining that darkened Rick Froberg edge. Of course, there’s still that Northern Florida energy that pokes through their brooded facade, channeling No Idea Records honeys like HOT WATER MUSIC and LEATHERFACE. Shit, there’s even a MINUTEMEN cover reimagined in DEAD SEA LORDS’ own image, and it doesn’t suck! Really solid album here. I’d go as far as saying this is a must-listen if you’re fan of what’s been unfortunately termed as “orgcore.”