Anarchist punk band From the Depths, currently on tour in the US, have just finished their debut album. Recorded at Mars Studio (known for recording Catharsis, Undying, and scores of more famous hardcore bands), “Germinate” comprises 7 songs in 36 minutes, an epic paean to self-determination and resistance.

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Hearkening back to the days when anarcho-punk was characterized by bands as diverse as Crass, Chumbawumba, and Contropotere, the songs on this album combine d-beat power, slower and faster hardcore, harsh noise, and even a passage from a traditional Italian anarchist folk ballad. This is intense, defiant, dark music, but it is based in compelling melodies; you can scream these songs at the top of your lungs in a riot, but you could also sing them quietly to yourself in jail to maintain your spirits.

From the Depths was formed at the beginning of 2008 by members of Catharsis, Requiem, Network of Terror, Auryn, and Balaclava. Traveling in a van donated by Winona’s Really Really Free Market after their vegetable-oil-powered truck died mid-tour, they performed for fellow demonstrators outside the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions; they’ve also played benefit shows for RNC arrestees, Green Scare defendants, and other prisoners in the anticapitalist struggle.

We’re trying a new experiment with this release, making it available via online downloading. We’re hardly convinced that the internet is a positive thing for humanity, but we recognize that it is one of the primary ways people get music these days. In order to offset the tendency of internet downloading to separate music from the context that gives it meaning, the download includes all the lyrics, artwork, and liner notes.

The band paid $3100 to record the album, and mastering cost another several hundred dollars. Presuming that at least 1000 people are interested in the record, we’re requesting that people donate $4 in return for downloading it. If you have particular access to resources, consider donating more to cover those who have less; to do so, simply increase the number in the “Quantity” column of your order. As soon as the recording and mastering expenses are covered, we’ll make downloading free; thus any donation goes towards making this available to everyone. If you can help the band break even on the costs of recording, that will also help them to play more benefit shows so as to contribute more than music to the public.

We recognize that not everyone has the means to donate money or download music via the internet. From the Depths is also selling a CD version on a sliding scale, and hope to be able to make downloading free shortly. Ideally, everything would be free; unfortunately, until there is a revolution, recording will cost money, and the band is asking you to help pay for this so they can put their personal money into community projects and prisoner support. If there’s absolutely no way you can make a donation over the internet or order the CD from us, email booking@fromthedepths.info to figure something out.

From the Depths is on tour on the West Coast right now. Here are the dates; email booking@fromthedepths.info for more information about specific shows.

February > t 17 Tucson, AZ > w 18 San Diego, CA > th 19 Tijuana, Mexico > f 20 Mexicali, Mexico > s 21 Santa Barbara, CA > sn 22 Santa Cruz, CA > m 23 Arcata, CA > w 25 Medford, OR > th 26 Eugene, OR > f 27 Portland, OR > s 28 Olympia, WA

March > w 4 Port Townsend, WA > th 5 Bremerton, WA > f 6 Seattle, WA > s 7 Tacoma, WA > sn 8 Salem, OR > t 10 Redding, CA > w 11 Reno, NV > th 12 Modesto, CA > f 13 Oakland, CA > sn 15 Berkeley, CA > m 16 Riverside, CA > t 17 Flagstaff, AZ > w 18 El Paso, TX > th 19 Austin, TX > f 20 Baton Rouge, LA > s 21 somewhere in GA > sn 22 Carrboro, NC