IDIEDTHISFEBRUARY

Location: Novi Sad, Serbia

Year active: 2023 - Ongoing

Members: Em Drakulic, Luka Salak, Stefan Duka

Related bands: give.me.the.gun, Labud, Plik

FFO: Jeromes Dream, Eaglehaslanded, In/Humanity, .minmo

Ah, yes. Novi Sad, the great old punk kingdom and Odense's southeastern european sister, the city that's as flat as a board and extremely friendly to bike riding, vegan, straight-edge, antifa punks, making sure to keep fascists and neo-nazis afraid of their very own existence. A lot of those things are what makes me love this city. Even more than my own hometown.

And most importantly, my very own friends who reside there, especially Stefan of give.me.the.gun, who has formed an upcoming screamo band along with Em and Luka. With the exception of Luka, both Em and Stefan have their own noise projects respectively.

The band in question is Idiedthisfebruary. They started performing in Novi Sad a couple times and performing in Belgrade for the first time. Whilst performing, they dropped their 2 Song Demo EP.

Here we're on a Wonka boat trip to the noisy garbling sample of this legendary Japanese 90's mindfuck which sets us off to the lo-fi chaotic mess of "Caught in a Daydream" lasting 2:26 of runtime, all hell set loose until we get to that somber moment of 1:10, building up to epic catharsis mode. Then we follow up to 2:38's "Rapid Eye Movement", challenging us with their epic breakdown, being occasionally prevalent throughout the song. Here are some of the lyrics to go by:

"Used to hate the Sun and now the sky's getting red

Every day I breathe, I can't get out of bed

 All my flowers wither as I turn into a slob

The months turn to years as the days turn to fog"

If that doesn't perfectly capture depression, then i don't know what does.

DEMO

A year later of following their touring, the band officially dropped their debut release "These Fading Years" at this exact month after their initial demo's release. An 8-track EP was recorded in Brutal Studio, mixed/mastered by Filip Djurovic and its artwork done by Vivi. Needless to say, it was quite worth the wait.

I've spoken with Em, the guitarist at the time of their gig and he jokingly pointed out how i have to look for new words to describe their show every time i write them a gig review, which sent me laughing, saying "you're totally right, better wait for your EP then!"

The EP opens with "You raise your arm, I turn away", with wearied, monotonous spoken words, lamenting on the effects of physical abuse (One more day to feel lobotomized/Talk to me as if i were a child, But no matter what you say/You raise your arm, i turn away), building up to screaming crescendos. After the lacerating chaos of 29-sec "I Won't Play Your Fucking Songs", the band delves further into themes of existential crisis (Get in the Fucking Robot, In Love With Misery, etc.) and depression (Rapid Eye Movement, Nothing), matching the overall depressive mood to the generous amount. Despite that, the mixing can be slightly muddy and most of the guitar work (trebly at best) is almost nearly upfront than the rest, and it wasn't as punchy as i thought it would be. Nevertheless, it still maintains to be a listenable experience for half an hour.

THESE FADING DAYS

GIG REVIEW: MAKE VOJVODINA EMO AGAIN (Idiedthisfebruary, See It My Way, Ubili Su Batlera, Brazde) 3.2.24.

Yay, another gig review! This time taking place in Crna Kuca (CK13), the DIY antifa venue located in Novi Sad fifteen minutes away from the nearest train station.

The even in question is "Make Vojvodina Emo Again" aiming to promote emo/screamo bands from Vojvodina, particularly in Novi Sad. It also happens to include one band from Belgrade in support for their Vojvodinian neighbors.

Starting off with Idiedthisfebruary, their chaotic projectile rollercoaster runs for usual 15 minutes with Evangelion projection blaring in the middle of their set. This isn't my first time attending their show, so i was able to catch up again. With that being said, compared to the disappointment from the disengaged crowd at Zappa Barka, this time they have proven to be chaotic, kinetic and more engaging to their Novi Sad audience. Their frenetic presence has definitely paid off the event big time.

Up next is Novi Sad's acoustic emo trio See It My Way, ready to set the change of pace with something calm, serene and maybe joyful. Now, this is the first time i'm seeing them and i am enjoying the hell out of it. Their entire acoustic shtick made the entire scene wholesome and cozy. The entire setlist ranges from their own songs to covers such as Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" and Debeli Prijecednik's Nema Me with a guest vocalist on stage, as well as being very engaging with their audience in between takes. I am used to more aggressive acts on the venue, however i don't mind seeing this group for a change.

Afterward follows Ubili Su Batlera from Belgrade, who are prepared to shake the nest with riveting passionate hardcore with more moshing and more crowdsurfing, lasting around 30 minutes. The one that struck us all is that epic track probably named "Ubili su ga" that will be appearing in Hali Gali's upcoming compilation. With so much happening for just 4 minutes shows how raw and epic it can all get. The Butlers definitely steal the show.

Then comes Brazde to finish off the event with their warm and heartfelt midwest emo sentiments for the last 15 minutes of their set. In comparison to the Butlers, Brazde keeps it concise and not too rowdy but still engaging to the core. Being the last band to play on this bill makes sense, as the entire melancholic atmosphere sets the bittersweet farewell of the event very well. 

This event is honestly one of my favorites that i've ever attended in my lifetime. I look forward to seeing up and coming bands at this event in the near future and spread the word as much as possible. Thanks to CK13 and Rebuild Collective for keeping this small scene alive. MAKE VOJVODINA EMO AGAIN.