From the early days of DC Hardcore punk with bands like Faith/Void in 1982, to the formative years of screamo at the turn of the century in 2000 with Jerome's Dream/Orchid's infamous skull 10", splits have always been long been synonymous with DIY music scenes.

Melbourne, Australia's Gil Cerrone are the latest in a long lineage of screamo royalty that have stepped into the fray of iconic split releases. Gil Cerrone's latest single "Chuck Steak" forms half of their split with Japan's Poetry of Torch will be released June 16th through Zegema Beach Records.

Gil Cerrone are nothing short of vicious in every sense of the word on “Chuck Steak". From the opening seconds of the track guitarists Liam and Darcy, along with their drummer Jordan, create a sense of urgency. Not only setting the pace, but also the tone for what can sonically only be described as sprinting full tilt through a nightmare.

It's safe to say screamo bands typically bare their hearts on their sleeve, in this case, Gil Cerrone bore their teeth. Vocalist Michael's trademark ferocious screams help paint the bleak landscape that is Gil Cerrone's signature sound. The primal delivery of lyrics such as ‘the fish are ignoring our bait. The herd isn't feeding. The feet of the dirty will dance today’ feels like a raw unpolished reflection of the state of our world today. A nightmarish waltz through the cycle of death and guilt we are faced with in our day to day lives.

Over the course of its three minute runtime it's clear that Gil Cerrone have found a home among screamo's elite. Taking time to reflect on “Chuck Steak” left me with one question, "Is it worth the price of admission"? I think that answer can best be summed up in the song's closing lyrics, as Michael reflects: ‘Nine-fifty for the premium chuck steak. We know it was worth it'.

We caught up with the members of Gil Cerrone as they began to embark on their tour in Japan with split-mates Poetry of Torch..

HOW WAS THE WRITING PROCESS THIS TIME AROUND FOR THE SONGS ON THIS SPLIT?

Jordan: “A combination of methodical, collaborative and prescriptive. We typically start with a core chord progression or riff and expand it into a song, utilizing various structural ideas and concepts. Sometimes with computerized notation and sometimes without. Vocals usually come into the process in the latter half once we're all physically in the room together getting it dialled in. More specifically, 'Boardroom' contained most of the riffs I wrote in 2024, which were dumped together and, luckily, worked out okay.”

“CHUCK STEAK IS AN ADRENALINE RUSH. WE WROTE BOTH SONGS [ON THIS SPLIT] ACROSS SEVERAL MONTHS - WE’RE RARELY FAST WITH WRITING SONGS AND TEND TO GET VERY STUCK ON THE INTRICACIES.”

- JORDAN, @GILCERONE

Michael: “Boardroom touches on the need to have a spotlight on yourself and the paranoia that comes with that. Chuck Steak is an ode to a pet I had for many, many years. He passed and I felt a guilt as I didn't see him much in his final years.”

HOW WAS THIS SPLIT RECORDED?

“We've been collaborating with Simon Maisch, who is a local recording engineer and musician (who plays in Bitumen). These songs were tracked as efficiently as possible, track by track in his studio
(called Lily Street) in Coburg over the course of a weekend. Our drums were stolen on the eve of this recording which added to the anxiety and stress of the process.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR GIL CERRONE?

Jordan: “Continue writing and recording songs, plan more tours! Always keen to keep things moving. Maybe we'll even head up your way one of these days.”

Bordering the moat trying to lift us free, but only focus on the scratch versus the need.

Left to live a life less fitting of your creed. Let the poor prince suffer for our needs.

Sweet scene. Left to live with love on Barcelona Street.

Family of four by the cemetery. They’ll feel they could’ve done more.

Life to something. Life then nothing.

The fish are ignoring our bait.

The herd isn’t feeding.

The feet of the dirty will dance today. A liar who was lying.

Nine-fifty for the premium chuck steak.

We know it was worth it.

ANY CLOSING WORDS FOR OUR READERS?

Michael: “Thank you so much to Poetry of Torch for doing this with us and giving us a chance to visit their country. Please listen to Poetry of Torch and free Palestine.”

"Chuck Steak" was recorded and mixed by Simon Maisch of Lily Street Studios and mastered by Christopher Brownbill of Underground Audio. The single will be released June 16th through Zegema Beach Records as part of the bands split with Poetry of Torch. Gil Cerrone will be touring Japan from July 8th to July 14th, with Poetry of Torch to join them on some of these dates.

GIl Cerrone is Michael on vocals, Liam & Darcy on guitar, Joshua on bass and Jordan on drums.

Follow them on Instagram here : Gil Cerrone

Writer : @obijuan.cannoli

Editor : @just_reidz

06/16/25

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Gil Cerrone