Oakland’s Glowing Brain returns with Memory Distortion, a scorched-earth blast of punk-metal fury that leaves no eardrum unpunished.
Released May 9 via The Ghost Is Clear (vinyl) and Master Kontrol Audio (cassette), the sophomore LP sees the band doubling down on their “long hair punk” mission, fusing the speed-freak drive of Motörhead, the alien angles of Voïvod, and the dive-bar danger of Annihilation Time into something raw, gnarly, and undeniably alive.
The title track rips the lid off right away, a three-minute rush of d-beats, fuzz-saturated riffs, and squealing leads that spiral around lyrics soaked in druggy disillusionment. It’s an anthem for the sleep-deprived, the chemically compromised, and the perpetually pissed.
“Creeping Debt” feels like a sly nod to Metallica’s early thrash days, but Glowing Brain repurposes the phrase into a punk-poisoned cry against the crushing reality of modern financial doom. “Bummer Machine” and “Dying on the Vine” don’t let up; these tracks come in hot and hit like a brick.
There are no ballads here or reprieves. Memory Distortion is the kind of record that raids your fridge, shatters your windows, and peels out with your last cigarette. It’s pure throttle built for pit lifers and fuzz fanatics alike.
Crank it loud, spill something flammable, and prepare for a psychic meltdown. Dates for their Summer Distortion 2025 tour kick off June 12, so check their Bandcamp page for stops in Denver, Chicago, NYC, Boston, and beyond.
Check the record out on Bandcamp here.
Leave a Reply