Sigh & Explode

last.fm

So far I've been putting all the Norwegian bands for some reason. I have to admit I love their scene and I don't really understand why so many bands are underrated (and why it took me five posts to get to one).

Sigh & Explode from Oslo are one of those. Strongly resembling JR Ewing or Dominic but you could say the same thing about any screamo band from Norway. As opposed to their more famous fellow countrymen the Sigh & Explode are using some electronics. Vocals are more high pitched with no singing.

All combined it just sounds great. Not so great on their first record but absolutely terrific on later full lenght. The band died shortly after releasing it.

...
¡O Bailan Todos o No Baila Nadie! (EP 2007)
These Seem Like Tarantulas (2009)

...

...

Escapado

last.fm

Though a bit mainstream on later records. Still it´s the band I'd recommend to anyone who's looking for classic european screamo. Anyone looking for purest example of the genre without any other influences. Melodic yet keeping strong hardcore drive especially on Hinten der Spiegeln and Initiale.

I do understand that German language can be an obstacle to many of the listeners but I recently started loving it during screamo parts. Check out amazing FJØRT or all time classic YAGE for another german speaking bands.

Other than that Escapado's sound strongly resembles early stages on Envy or Wow, Owls.

...

7 inch (2002)
Hinter Den Spiegeln (2004)
Initiale (2007)
Monggomery Mundtot (2010)
...

...

Stella Dawes

last.fm

These guys are one of the most underestimated screamo bands ever but Brittish bands generally have this in common. Mostly because the emo/screamo scene is not strong on the islands. I can’t think of any “major” skramz band (maybe Mesa Verde? but let’s be honest here - those guys are famous mostly because blog that was run by one of the members...).

First of all: singer is one of the best I’ve ever heard. Vocals can be really annoying in DIY screamo but this guy has something warm in his voice. He’s very ocasionally singing and when screaming he’s still significantly changing the tone and expression.

Second of all: the rest of the band is great too! Whole Contrasts sounds bit unsettled - some songs are straightforward and melodic, others almost mathcore-ish and very chaotic. But for example “The Unspeakable” with its complexity is similar to pg.99 or Majority rule style. I honestly cannot think of any other band similar to those two iconic groups. Plus the sound quality.

Third of all: I had possibility to see Stella Dawes live in Worcester so I have memories. Live performance was perfect and sounded exactly like from the Contrasts CD (which I bought).

Last and saddest of all: the band is not active anymore :/ Guys disbanded after they were not able to find new members to continue with. Except from Contrasts they had some another studio recorded songs available on webpages. Those are not active of course. One of those songs is available on youtube - check the link below.

...

Contrasts (2010)

...