The Dark - "I" Demo CS (2015)

This cassette, simply titled "I", is the first release from Los Angeles, CA punk band The Dark -- not to be confused with the early 80s CA punk band of the same name. The Dark is a fitting name, because much like their peers and contemporaries Blazing Eye, both bands seem to worship the creepier, darker depths of Japanese hardcore. The Dark in particular seem to borrow from the more metallic, plodding side of Japanese punk, bringing to mind bands like The Execute, The Sexual, and Ghoul. The songs are perfectly executed (no pun intended), and the chugging riffs and heavily effected vocals give the band this creepy, forboding atmosphere. From what I hear, this tape and their second tape "II" are already pretty hard to find. I'll be looking forward to what comes next. I hope they do a proper full-length.

0:00 Monster
3:13 Criminal
5:15 The Dark
7:52 No One To Grieve

Here's a link to support the band directly: http://www.darkerrecords.bigcartel.com/

Even though the tape is sold out, I've still provided a link to the East 7th webstore where I last saw them available: http://east7thpunx.bigcartel.com/