Music-evoked autobiographical memories, or MEAMs, refer to the recollection of personal experiences or past events that are triggered when hearing music or some musical stimulus1. Snuffed and their EP Lobotomy Dream perfectly exemplify that aforementioned feeling to a fucking “T”.
From the punishing opening of the title track, I am immediately transported to a dark, dingy, smelly underground venue. I can feel the pulse and the nervous, excited energy of everyone in the crowd. I can feel the vibrations in the air as the strained screams and instruments collide to mix and mash in a conglomeration of the palpable angst felt by all. I can feel the sweat of myself and others as two steppers and stage divers become the acrobats of this three-ringed circus. I am utterly alive.
The Chicago based quartet called Snuffed are a hardcore punk band. Full stop. And Lobotomy Dream is resplendent with anthems of self-reflection, self-hatred, disgust, and retribution. “Parasitic” is a “fuck you” to any and all who figuratively suck the life out of you by way of blaming oneself. And haven’t we all been in a similar situation? Feeling and believing that another person has your best interest in mind, all the while that same person is draining you of all that you are yet you are powerless to divest yourself until you are worn down to nothing.
“Euphoric” begins where “Parasitic” ends both musically and lyrically. Vocalist Karly Soto (who seems to revel in screaming her throat raw to great effect) paints a picture of violence and forlorn; of an attacker (the parasite?) who, despite repeated attempts to dehumanize and destroy, will have no victory because “…you can’t fucking kill me, when I’m already dead.”
For me, the fucking pièce de résistance is “Two Daggers”. This track encapsulates all of the elements that make Lobotomy Dream a gem of an EP. [Let’s talk about bass, just you and me. I’m barely a musician – played some guitar, hit drums with sticks, plucked a bass string – but goddamn do I know when I like what I hear and the bass tone on this EP is tops (Ryan, if this was all your decision as Snuffed’s bassist, fucking kudos!)] Bass, distorted and prevalent, kicks off the drudging. A scream, guitar feedback, and half-time drums plod us along while those self-reflective lyrics cut through the static with remorse and helplessness. Part Deux: uptempo and driving circle pit into two stepping deliciousness cap off this marvel of musicianship.
Lobotomy Dream is short and bittersweet. It is hardcore punk and it is unapologetic. Snuffed take the ethos of a city like Chicago and the pathos of human failure and in six tracks of an EP evoke palpable sense memories. Dirty anger incarnate not easily washed off.
- Fav song: “Two Daggers”
FFO: hardcore, punk, stage dives, grabbing the mic, distorted bass, brass knuckles, spitting blood
Follow this fucking link to listen and while you’re there, fucking buy something from the band:
Windmills, Spinkicks, Headbangs, Push Pits 
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