Scrape – S/T EP

Oblivion Records, Too Circle Records, Monkeybite Skate Co.

I wish I could call every band I write about “international noise sludge,” but Scrape may be the only band I can confidently apply that label to. The surprise new band is fronted by Canadian hardcore powerhouse Chris Colohan (Cursed, Left For Dead, Sect), who’s backed up by a tight-knit group of Dutch players from bands like Blind To Faith, Citizens Patrol, and Insult, to name a few. Bassist Ronny Kessels recorded most of the EP at his studio, Overdose Audio, while Colohan tracked his vocals in his native homeland.

Scrape themselves admit they are largely influenced by legendary noise rockers Unsane, which makes sense given they’re likely named after the classic track “Scrape,” but that doesn’t mean they are just worshippers of the ‘90s flagship bands before them. There’s a particular type of ferocity to these four songs, partly due to the project’s genesis during the pandemic, best reflected on the closer “Bad Year All Around.” I love hearing punk dudes go for something a little left of center, where it still captures the energy of traditional punk music but isn’t as immediate or straightforward. “Writhe” is an excellent example of this, with the band fully in sync with their propulsive rhythms while Colohan is shouting along just as intensely.

“Deliverance” and “Fucker Take All” round out the rest of the EP with thicker, more distorted performances that fit right in the sludge tone zone but don’t plod or overstay their welcome like some noise tracks can. Even with the deep recording history of everyone involved, this is still a super impressive debut EP. Scrape take the best elements of the grimier sides of punk and hardcore, then boils them down to a delectable sludgy stew, just in time for longer nights ahead.