Thirdface, Ministerial Cafe
Since COVID lockdown, we’ve run a recurring print column called Another Look that rounds up several super-brief record reviews. It’s a way to highlight worthy releases from Nashville-residing musicians during the past few months that we haven’t yet covered in-depth. The time has come for an evolution: Rather than one whopping article, we’re revamping Another Look as a series of single short reviews, with one or more iterations online each week.
In the cult of hardcore punk, releasing a second full-length is a mark of longevity. Cornerstone bands like Minor Threat, Negative Approach and Gorilla Biscuits all imploded before reaching a second album. Music City rippers Thirdface dropped their second 12-incher on the Exploding in Sound imprint at the end of 2024, keeping it fully D.I.Y. with design duties by vocalist Kathryn Edwards and engineering from drummer Shibby Poole. The earth-scorching thrash chaos of Ministerial Cafeteria feels intentionally unpolished and raw — even more so than their first LP Do It With a Smile. It’s a perfect soundtrack for our world of mayhem.
