If you’ve gotten to know the Wise Blood Records “aesthetic” via premieres from extremely extreme acts from around the globe, like Empty Throne, Graveripper, Scarecrow, and Lavaborne, then this latest from the Indianapolis-based label run by Decibel writer Sean Frasier will no doubt surprise you. Wise Blood stayed close to home when it decided to work with local post-hardcore quartet, Sundown, who’ve only been together since 2020, and will issue their debut, Keep Moving, on February 25.
“Not My Jam” offers a up a short, sharp introduction to the band with a sludgy, drop-tuned angular riff that’s made jittery with drummer/vox Brett Sibbley’s propulsive groove and a wall of distorted guitars and bass from his compatriots Mike Allen (guitar/vox), Bake Henry (vox/guitar) and Carter Seaton (bass/vox). Think Helmet, Quicksand or Torche, with raw, shouted vocals from multiple members and a strong anthemic surge. It was recorded and mixed by Wes Heaton at 1857 Studios in Indianapolis, and mastered by Alan Douches (Converge, High on Fire, Cannibal Corpse) at West West Side Music.
Here’s what Mike Allen had to say about the track:
“The song started from a sludgy riff that we sped way up. Bake, Carter, and Brett came up with the structure and I added a bit to the bridge. As far as influences, it was one of the later songs we wrote so I think we were already just in the groove of writing with each other. There aren’t any specific influences aside from it sounding like us. Lyrically, it’s basically me just shit-talking the scene, saying I’m no better, and saying everyone is too self-important/serious. It’s written from the perspective of an older punk to a younger me about those themes. Or possibly me to a younger punk now, but the intention is the former not the latter. At this point it’s our set-closer and we all agreed it [should] be the lead single, so I think that says something.”
You can pre-order Keep Moving here.