EHP 0.22: Funeral Diner / Welcome The Plague Year split 7" [ out of print ] Pressing Information: [1st press] 100 white 200 clear 700 black [2nd press] 1,000 blue There seem to be a horde of fucking bands these days that are described as "inspirational" and "passionate", but very few are as dynamic as the two represented on this 7". California's FUNERAL DINER execute another powerful track, adding this split to their long line of releaes which include several full lengths and splits with DEAD CITY, THE SADDEST LANDSCAPE, STAIRCASE, and others. WELCOME THE PLAGUE YEAR, featuring ex-members of MAKARA, YOU AND I, NEIL PERRY and JFFB, debut their piercing and fierce style of hardcore inspired by everything from URANUS and ONE EYED GOD PROPHECY to CITY OF CATERPILLAR and CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE. This is honestly a jaw dropping record with two heartfelt groups. TRACK LISTING: Funeral Diner 1. Yeah, Your Remember That Welcome The Plague Year 1. We Had Hoped For So Much More REVIEWS: Out Of Kilter webzine (will) It's pretty rare to come across a band with as much passion as Funeral Diner, but on this 7" split they're evenly matched by Welcome the Plague Year. Funeral Diner contribute 'Yeah, You Remember That', one of the songs from their very much out-of-print European tour CD, and it's still just as technical, emotive and chaotic now as it was when it was first heard. It's surprising how well these guys can mix up such abrasive hardcore with such beautiful melodic interludes, but damn do they do it well. On the other side of the split we have Welcome the Plague Year. They are comprised of members from Joshua Fit For Battle, You & I and Neil Perry. There is a striking similarity to the previous bands that these guys have been in. They still mix up melodic, screamy hardcore with dreamy soundscapes and melody, and they're still fucking awesome. It's tough to say who wins out on this one as the bands are so complimentary to each others style, so I'd say...who cares which is better! just snag yourself a copy and listen! So damn good! Heartattack issue #43 (lisa oglesby) Funeral Diner beats out another one of their typically emotive and technically chaotic songs. They have so many songs out, you'd think their style would mellow or their energy would be sapped -- but that certainly is not the case here. This one has all the energy and passion of any of their releases. I really like the drumming on this record. It is solid and interesting, making it one of the strongest aspects of their sound. Welcome The Plague Year are the new screamo concotion of folks from Neil Perry, You & I, Makara, and Joshua Fit For Battle. Their sound is heavy and chaotic, with strained vocals and pounding tempo. It isn't too far of a jump from the bands they had been in, but it is another step further into the chaotic/screamo sound. One that is getting more heavy and less screechy with time. The bands compliment each other, but are different enough to make for an interesting split.