Zebras / E=MC Hammer - Parasitic Clones Under the Strong Arm of the Robotic Machine / Hurns (the First)

Name: ~Zebras / *E=MC Hammer
Album: ~Parasitic Clones Under the Strong Arm of the Robotic Machine / *Hurns (the First)
Year: 2009
Style: ~Post Punk, Math Rock, *Sludge-Metal, Prog
Similar Bands: ~Celebration, Braniac, Vexers, Sleater-Kinney*Melvins, Ceremony, Secret Chiefs 3, Evil Sword
"One-Word" Review: ~Future Neurotic Space Synth,
Based Out Of: ~Madison, WI / *Milwaukee WI
Label: Secret Records, FTAM, Sector 5 Records

Cover, Record, Insert

Back, Record, Insert

Parasitic Clones Under the Strong Arm of the Robotic Machine (2009)

1. The Machine 0:56
2. Me You God 3:10
3. Parasites 2:05
4. Eat Your Eyes 1:58
5. Tubes 2:12
6. The Spell 1:56
7. Robot Machine 2:54

Hurns (the First)

1. You In Checkers 6:14
2. United States of a Miracle 4:22
3. Operah for Poperah 5:00

Album Rating (1-10): ~8.5 / *6.0

Members & Other Bands:
~ Vincent Presley - Guitar, Vox, Synth (Window Smashers, Housecat-Sized Fennec, Logan 5, Those Poor Bastards)
~Lacey Smith - Vox, Moog (Window Smashers)
~Shawn Pierce - Drums
~Jacob Rust - Bass (Window Smashers)
~Shane Hochstetler - Recording
~Steve Somers - Cover Art
~KK Umhoefer - Graphic Design
~Daniella Maria - Photos
*P-Jaxxx (Peter Woods) - Bass, Vox (Bridges of Konigsberg, Galactic Cannibal, LOT, Phoned Nil Trio, xALLxFORxTHISx, SWWS, Raperies (Like Draperies), Mountain Language, Direct Hit! Coelacanth)
*D-Haxxx (Danny Friedman) - Drums, Zil-Bells, recording (Coelacanth)
*Trevor Sadler - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of either artist on this split record. I imagine it to be punky indie music, maybe a little noise and arty lo-fi production.

Album Review: The Zebras side is fun, energetic synth punk that drives fast and frantically with jittery nervous vocals, there is some math-rock bass and guitar. The E=MC Hammer side is sludgy, thick heavy plodding prog, occasionally with a lot of space. It is almost jazz-like, as the instruments create the mood and tones to paint the soundscape. Vocals take on personalities of different monsters: from that of a heavy, deep giant to yelling to screaming, whenever the mood dictates. Definitely some elements of Mr. Bungle, as the bandcamp page suggest.

Stand Out Track: ~ Me You God, *You In Checkers (2nd half) 

Links:
Discogs
Bandcamp Zebras music
Secret Records
Zebras Bandcamp
Shepherd Express article
Tone Madison
Adornments of the King interview
GetSongBPM
Record Release party post - Fanbelt
e=mchammer myspace