Sunami & Gulch Release Split EP
Two of the heaviest hitters from San Jose, CA come together for a crushing Split EP
Sunami and Gulch are two of San Jose’s finest bands right now, and they’ve been put on a record together FINALLY. Gulch are obviously known for their rabid fanbase of merch hoarders but also for their tunes, boasting a blend of blackened crust punk with hardcore riffage and bravado. All things considered with their sometimes insufferable fanbase, they continue to impress me with their dynamic musicianship and unavoidable ferocity and energy. Just when I think I’m out they pull me back in kicking and screaming.
Sunami on the other hand is a fairly straightforward barrage of beatdown stylized hardcore punk, a genre so full of suburban kids posturing as thugs it’s become a caricature of itself. Sunami however have that attitude that harkens back to the glory days of beatdown, the Bulldoze days. They’re just as ignorant in their thuggish lyricism backed by pummeling riffage that make it feel like your eardrums are being pistol whipped. They’re one of the best and realest bands to be filed under the label in the current hardcore scene.
Putting these two bands together on each was only a matter of time and thank god Triple B Records decided to be the ones to do so. The two bands are complimented by each other’s heaviness but also separated by the delivery of their music. Whereas Gulch likes to display a more dynamic approach on their first song “Bolt Swallower” Sunami’s two songs are continuations of their straightforward, in your face assault.
“Step Up” kicks shit off for the EP and instantly we’re treated to their trademark heavy ass riffage, “falling rocks” is the phrase I’ll use to describe the sound this time. You can instantly visualize moshers in the pit practicing spinkicks on the faces of poor bystanders on the pits sidelines from the jump off of the EP. As stated before the main thing that comes down to these beatdown bands is their posturing, there’s so much of this in the scene nowadays that beatdown has garnered a bad reputation amongst hardcore fans and critics. Bands like Sunami to me dash that notion, they keep the classic blueprint Bulldoze wrote decades ago in mind while also displaying an even greater musicianship. Not to mention the intense lyricism of Josef Alfonso gives you the notion that this band will for sure greenlight your ass if you talk shit about them. They’re still good guys no matter the notion.
The following track “Die Slow” once again clobbers you over the head with its thick ass guitars and slapping drums but it leads into the song with an amazing sample from the hood classic Juice. The scene where 2Pac’s Bishop tells Omar Epps’ Q that as soon as he decides he wants to kill him he will kill him. There’s just something about Sunami adding this sample that pushes it all over the edge but in a genuine way. It’s something I can honestly say fits them and their style as well as the songs lyrics. There’s many vengeful songs in the hardcore scene but Sunami’s contribution to the lexicon cannot be overstated, they always feel like the band that’s willing to do the dirty work others claim to do. It’s not an imaginary declaration of war, it’s rolling up on your front lawn real.
Gulch on the other hand have developed a similar attitude to Sunami’s but they also have a slightly unhinged characteristic about their music and their presence. This is felt on their opening song “Bolt Swallower” one of the lengthier songs in the bands repertoire and boy is it an entertaining one. It starts with some mean ass chugging riffs and some throaty growls from lead singer Elliot Morrow, it’s like a black metal band with a heavy hardcore edge and it’s the nastiest sound I’ve heard from the band thus far.
Elliot’s vocalizations are so varied on the track that I can’t help but be impressed with how great of a vocalist he is. The muddied guitars finally release at a blistering pace at the halfway mark and we’re treated to some of that Gulch energy they’ve become known for before once again being sideswiped by a crushing breakdown. It’s all so heavy. “Bolt Swallower” show us that Gulch definitely know how to keep you wanting more destruction throughout the 4-minute long track. I’m interested to see them tackle lengthier songs with more dynamic compositions, I think they have the potential.
The closing song “Accelerator” brings the tempo back into Gulch’s breakneck speeds and ear shattering noise level but there isn’t a lack of diversity in its sound. Gulch are just that great at mixing compositions while keeping everything they do as ear shatteringly loud and devilishly freaky. There’s no way anyone could deny such a band even when they do get a lot of hype which can be annoying but just shut up and enjoy their music.
Seeing both of these bands on a record got me very excited indeed. I will admit this is probably the record I looked forward to by both bands in awhile, neither have put out a bad record but this one caught my attention especially. Both bands are amazing at what they do and I knew their sound would compliment each other just as well as the Greylock/ BEDTIMEMAGIC Split did last month. I’d definitely recommend this Split between two of the west coasts heaviest and most entertaining bands. Hopefully we can see a show or two with them on a lineup someday.
Be sure to pick up a copy of the Sunami/ Gulch Split on Triple B Records. Hopefully there’s still some copies left for those of you late comers.
