Rob’s Album Of The Week: Flat Worms’ Antarctica

There’s something really good about listening to an excellent punk record in 2020. It gives a bit of nostalgia for the fans who’ve loved this kind of music for decades while also giving the outlook that perhaps this style still has a place in today’s cookie cutter pop filled landscape. What makes it even better is when the record in question pushes punk forward with unnbridled noise and distorted elements. It makes it seem like you’re in a metal box being shocked with electricity when you put on your headphones. That’s exactly what Los Angeles’ Flat Worms have in store with their third album, Antarctica, that was released on April 10 via Drag City Records’ sublabel God? Records.

There shouldn’t be any surprise that the legendary Steve Albini from Big Black and Shellac produced the album at his recording facility, Electrical Audio, in Chicago. He’s been behind the board for some incredible albums and that trend still carries on to this day. What makes Flat Worms’ new album great is the droning progressions coming from the guitars. They’re borderline surf-like in a way but they also exude a ton of reverb. It’s ultimately a sonic barrage of riffs and beats that hit the senses like a reptetitive battering ram.

I’m getting to the point where I’ve drained any sort of future commentary about COVID-19. It’s such a surreal time and we’re having…