By Maddox Lowe, Sophia Sciulli, Piper Turri, and Jonathan Sackett

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:: All good things must come to an end. WDCE’s MD team closes the semester out in style the only way they know how… with another weekly recap. Enjoy #11 and have a safe and restful holiday season.

:: December 7, 2025

:: CATPISS — TASTE THE PISS

Genre: Hardcore

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Beauty Regime,” “Coffin Nails,” “Vice Grip,” “Snaked,” “NOT DOGSHIT”

I recommend trying CATPISS. The Australian hardcore band just released their raunchy and rancid debut album and it feels like Christmas has come early. As per routine, I found myself perusing new punk releases mid-gym session when a certain album cover caught my eye — or rather a certain exposed buttocks did. Sometimes, you just know something is going to be peak before you ever listen; this my reader was one such moment. For the rest of my gym session I tasted it, and I loved it. This feels like a debut tailor-made for me. It’s not too serious, but it stays clever. There’s integrity on a release like this: it’s fun and honest. And the instrumentation is just where I want it to be — especially the guitars. There’s a strong mix of stupid wit accented by briefly impressive riffs. If any of that fits your fancy, TASTE THE PISS. 

— Jonathan Sackett

Roman Candle — Nothing Is Original

Genre: Screamo

Release: Single 

Recommended Tracks: “Nothing Is Original,” “This Band Has Led Me To Places I Wouldn’t Go With A Gun,” “Fire In The Night Sky Forever”

This is just a solid set of three screamo singles compiled together. The second track, initially released in late October, alludes to the band’s tumultuous past couple of years, which included being dropped from 2024’s SeeYouSpaceCowboy tour. These singles demonstrate a recommitment to the band itself, but I don’t think they put out the flames of discourse.  

— Jonathan Sackett

Speed — Bloodmoon Bass

Genre: Sploink 

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Kingdom Beneath,” “Empire of Dust”

On the morning of December 5th, my roommate, a fellow hardcore fan, came downstairs and told me that there was a new Speed release. This was surprising to me, not because I didn’t expect a follow-up to their EP ALL MY ANGELS, but because my roommate said this was not their usual punk release: this was an electronic album. He theorized that maybe it was one of the band members’ side projects, released under the main name. I wasn’t sure, but I had to figure it out and the truth is… way lamer than that. It looks to be simply an upload error, not a new experimental front. That being said, this isn’t bad. If you’re into dubstep video game OST remix albums you may enjoy this. 

— Jonathan Sackett

Prostitute — Mr. Dada

Genre: Noise

Release: Single 

Recommended Tracks: “Mr. Dada”

Dada shan’t be comprehended and neither should the surname. Dearborn’s Prostitute makes unique noise. Anti-review matches the art. 

— Jonathan Sackett

Flash Poetry — Reality, Now

Genre: Hip hop

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “every ism is a wasm,” “the secret life of urban trees,” “make god great again,” 

Flash poetry is a guy with a lot to say. And he says it all in an Australian accent. This self-proclaimed “philosorapper” tackles complex social issues on this album, like the loss of individuality, the lack of connection in an overly connected society, and religion. His flow is smooth, and his accent is awesome. Sometimes his bars are a little on the nose, and I cringe, but then he brings me back with the occasional banger. These rare bangers really make you want to look around, scratch your head, and think about the society we live in. Truly a confusing experience that I highly recommend. Also, Flash Poetry somehow got God to feature on “make god great again.” Truly remarkable. 

— Maddox Lowe

Sleepy Soph — Lucky

Genre: Indie folk 

Release: EP

Recommended Tracks: “leave it,” “jazz boy”

Another Australian!! I really like her style. Her voice is great and melodic, the songs are cohesive and yet musically diverse from one another, and the production is surprisingly good for such an indie artist. If you like indie folk or pop, I’d give this ep a spin. It’s only 20 minutes and very enjoyable. Some chill vibes to help get us all through finals. Recommend to fans of clairo. 

— Maddox Lowe

One Hundred Moons — Black Avalanche 

Genre: Indie rock grunge 

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “black avalanche,” “shade of night,” “chairman of the board,” “the architect” 

One hundred moons is grungy. The instrumentals are awesome and super diverse, and the production is really strong. This album feels very emo, and the songs sound mostly the same, but in a consistent rather than repetitive way. The lead’s voice is amazing. I recommend it to fans of Hole and grungy stuff in general. 

— Maddox Lowe

​​Poppy Wizard — Whip

Genre: Alternative Rock

Release: Single

Recommended Tracks: “Whip”

I did not know what to expect as I have never listened to Poppy Wizard, however, I was pleasantly surprised by their ode to 90s grunge, and alternative rock, with an element of screaming angst. The vocals reminded me of The Smashing Pumpkins as the lead singer of Poppy Wizard, Hendrik Dyga, is like Billy Corgan’s distinct semi-nasally voice. Additionally, the song title, “Whip” speaks to the experience of listening to the song: being spun violently around in life (perhaps in the back of a beat-up ford while the night descends into a cold winter sky, and your mind is blurred by the ensuing fog coming from the distance). 

— Sophia Sciulli

Guns N’ Roses — Nothin’

Genre: Rock

Release: Single 

Recommended Tracks: Nothin’

I have to say, I am not the biggest fan of 1980s rock. For whatever reason, I enjoy every other decade of the genre, but the 80s feel soaked in cheese to me. However, I do have a soft spot for Guns N’ Roses. Blame it on the boogie, or my older brother, but there is something about the songs “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Welcome To The Jungle” that make me want to get up and sing my heart out; or roll down the windows of my car and scream the lyrics to oncoming pedestrians. Even the band’s rendition of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” can be a goodie at times. So, when I saw that they released a single, I knew I had to listen to it. “Nothin” starts off rather slow with a more modernistic tone of voice and use of the keyboard, so initially I was not impressed. However, when the song sped up and the guitar began to shred, I started to appreciate the song for what it was: a toned-down version of their hit songs. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with turning down the volume a little bit, nonetheless, I have noticed an increase in pre-21st-century rock bands dialing their crescendo when it comes to their new releases. I do not know if this is to appease their older audience or perhaps “move with the times,” but I do have to say, I miss the oldies.

— Sophia Sciulli

Dove Ellis — Blizzard

Genre: Indie Folk

Release: Album 

Recommended Tracks: “Little Left Hope,” “Pale Song,” “Love Is,” “Heaven Has No Wings,” “To The Sandals”

Blizzard is exactly what its name promises—a rush of emotion and craft so tightly braided you feel it before you can unpack it. Galway-born Thomas O’Donoghue, recording as Dove Ellis, builds songs that feel like a friend, weaving bright banjo, fleeting flute flashes, and effortless harmonies into a warm, handmade sonic world. The record’s underlying warmth intensifies into pure jig and joy on “Jaundice,” whose communal drive recalls an Irish dance hall and nods to his Irish roots. He then settles into the warm, ’70s-tinted glow of “Heaven Has No Wings” and the expertly arranged and deservedly most popular track, “To The Sandals.” Ellis’s gentle-but-commanding vocals and unexpectedly sharp lyricism make Blizzard one of the most quietly assured folk debuts of the year.

— Piper Turri

moondoggy — Everything is Never Enough

Genre: Indie Rock 

Release: Single 

Recommended Tracks: “Everything is Never Enough”

“Everything is Never Enough” grabs you from the first note, a perfect collision of spunky energy and raw charm. Hard-hitting yet playful vocals carry the melody, while tight, airy harmonies blend seamlessly in the background. Crisp drums anchor the track, and bursts of electric guitar—quick licks and playful flourishes—add some spark and texture. The production leans into the song’s loose, one-take energy, letting imperfections and human touches shine through. A warm, summery shimmer coats the track, with a subtle bluesy-funk edge that leaves you hooked and eager for more.

— Piper Turri

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