Dial

The old expression "like a ton of bricks" doesn't even come close here. The weight of a mountain is what Dial's absolutely crushing five-song debut EP drops. This austere New Zealand outfit successfully channels the darkest corners of the AmRep catalog, the raw ferocity of classic hardcore, the off-time kilter of math-rock, and the concept that music can actually be dangerous.

The airtight composure of Dial's debut recording is striking; it focuses more on space and dissonance than technical shreddery. Obscenely heavy guitars collide with bludgeoning percussion and vicious female vocals, making for a downright terrifying listening experience.