Seven songs of dark crust played in the key of despair.
Encierro formed in the wake of Australia's savage Black Summer bushfires, an intense and catastrophic fire season that consumed large parts of the country in late 2019 and early 2020. The cover artwork for this LP is inspired by this horrific event, which wiped out ecosystems and incinerated wildlife in the millions.
Seven songs rage out of epic hopelessness in the face of corporations that pillage the environment and exploit the disadvantaged to wreak havoc on global ecosystems and crush the human spirit. Amidst the chaos and destruction, this EP gives hope to a new generation who will never back down in strength and solidarity against corrupt systemic abuse.
Legendary local artist Swak reproduced the cover art for our roller door in January 2024.
Ships early February.
After the great plague, Oratory reformed with a clear vision to forge Sepultura's Chaos AD with Celtic Frost, Discharge, Neurosis and Abscess into some hardened weapon-grade steel in the form of three songs. Hence the Inner Pyre EP spews forth from the gates of Brisbane City, resulting in some of the best extreme songs to come out of Australia.
This metal/hardcore onslaught was recorded by the band themselves, minimising contamination or compromise. Originally unleashed in digital only, the songs were left to the algorithmic whim, penetrating the online static here and there but mostly getting lost in the shuffle.
Now they are getting the vinyl treatment, which has only made these songs more potent. The range and depth of sound brought forward in the analogue format packs a powerful punch, providing ever greater scope to appreciate the songwriting and delivery. It's also testament to the masterful work of Jack Control, who refined these songs for wax.
The record is pressed on red vinyl that matches the black and red cover artwork by Murdoch Stafford and logo drawn by the legendary Japanese hardcore icon Crow.
Bad Habit loves these songs and artwork so much we actually had local artist Swak paint our front roller door with the artwork. And to be frank, this 7" is one of the best records we've released.
How does one describe Gudgeon? They have existed as a band for nearly a decade. They have been jamming and writing songs that whole time. In isolation, they evolved. Like some sort of Galapagos Island music project.
Their closest relatives would be the already weird and outsider brands of punk. Think Nomeansno, Man Is The Bastard, Big Black. Music played by freaks who write music like they are solving complex math equations. But it's not nerdy. Or dense. Or studious. It's mathematic music in the same way a master tradesperson can look at a roof and tell you the pitch without even thinking.
Gudgeon are the musical equivalent of internalised trigonometry. If you are a Queensland local and reading this, you've probably witnessed their mysterious arithmetic hardcore. They are part of the nu wave of bands blazing new paths, playing shows in more regional areas. (It was Bundaberg last weekend).
Total DIY punks. Providing backline and always up the front making all shows (even the ones they don't play) legendary.
There's only 200 pressed with a limited number on white.
Bad Habit Records started with a totally unplanned release.
In the second version of the Bad Habit retail shop in Ipswich City, every Saturday a local guy would come in and proceed to tell us how shit all the records we had were. If you've ever worked in a record shop you'll understand how you grow a pretty high tolerance for punishers and wacky regulars. But one Saturday I cracked it at this guy and said he can't come in here and bag everything out until he's produced something that blows everyone else away.
The guy laid low for a few weeks and didn't come in, at which point I started to feel a little guilty and wondered if my response had been too harsh. Turns out I shouldn't have worried. A few weekends later, he comes in with a box of tapes. He'd recorded a demo. A homemade one-person demo just using free to download programs. And it's actually some half-decent programmed drums death thrash.
As I looked at one of the pixelated ink jet printed covers he'd made for the tapes, I noticed it said Bad Habit Records #1. Hence a label was born. Old mate earned his right to be an annoying punisher I'd say.
Release date - August 2018
Print run - 100 I think
Format - Cassette Tape
Listen - Return To The Sewer, by Clone Mutant