Review
Twenty Inch Burial
How Long Will We Laugh and Smile?

Immigrant Sun (2005) Kevin Fitzpatrick

Twenty Inch Burial – How Long Will We Laugh and Smile? cover artwork
Twenty Inch Burial – How Long Will We Laugh and Smile? — Immigrant Sun, 2005

Like all of you, when i think of Portugal, I think of three things: the architect Miguel von Hafe P'rez, tungsten mines, and metal. I know what you're thinking - I'm biased. Sure, we're all familiar with bands like Holocausto Canibal, Acromaniacos and Bizarra Locomotiva - all of which are named after famous Portuguese papal candidates. But no, be strong! Just because they're Portuguese, they're not necessarily the automatic "shizz".

Twenty Inch Burial's How Much Will We Laugh and Smile? is a pretty decent listen when there's nothing good on the Circulodefogo show. Their second full-length release, not including 2 EP's and the split release with New Jersey's With Resistance, How Much Will We Laugh and Smile? - hence fore to be known as Smile, because I'm just too goddamn lazy - shows a band not afraid to kick our respective pricks into the course red dust of Portugal with openers like "Five Forward" and "Letters of Discontempt.' It's enough to make me wish I was a young matador again - happily running through the streets of Lisbon with ripe tomatoes purchased at the local Safewayos.

Rui Miguel Br's knows how to belt 'em out with the best of 'em, and along with....ok, just admit it...if I told you the guitarists were Ricardo da Rocha Correia and Jo'o Pedro Fulg'ncio, are you really going to remember? I didn't think so, you racist scum. Just remember they're better than the guitarist from [insert your favorite not-very-good-band here], so the sooner you accept it, the better off you'll be.

I could go into more detail, but why? You already know you'll buy Smile. And why? Because they're from Portugal. And they'll kick your mama's dead ass.

Twenty Inch Burial – How Long Will We Laugh and Smile? cover artwork
Twenty Inch Burial – How Long Will We Laugh and Smile? — Immigrant Sun, 2005

Recently-posted album reviews

Ace Enders

Posture Syndrome
Pure Noise (2025)

If the name Ace Enders sounds familiar, it should. He’s been the voice behind The Early November, one of Drive-Thru Records’ cornerstone emo bands in the early 2000s. While that scene exploded, Ace carved his own path with that band, as well as solo experiments under the name I Can Make a Mess, and the occasional record as Ace Enders … Read more

Summer Blue

Self Titled EP
New Morality Zine (2025)

You may not be familiar with the band Summer Blue, but that’s your issue. If you do know the San Jose, CA based band, then you know how enjoyable they are to listen to. For some background for the newcomers, the band started in 2022 as a side project between friends already orbiting the Bay Area DIY and indie scenes. … Read more

Relay For Death

Mutual Consuming
Helen Scarsdale Agency (2025)

At a time when experimental artists are constantly churning out new music, it is curious to find some that take their time. Rachel and Roxann Spikula might not be the most prolific creatives, but when they make an appearance, it is worth paying attention. The twin sisters have performed in Towering Heroic Dudes and Boyzone, but it is their own … Read more