For Anchoress, "momentum is progression", as singer Rob Hoover shouts on their single Hydrodynamic. To keep themselves moving and fight the entropic forces of the pandemic period, the band spent their days marking every little victory to stay sane. Those victories quickly grew from tentative group zoom calls to being back in the studio to finish their fourth record, Stay Positive, and signing on with Early Onset Records to plan its release.

Based in Vancouver, BC, Anchoress play a style of punk and hardcore that leans technical and melodic without losing grit or relatability. Guitarists Keenan Federico and Phil Jones keep things percussive yet hummable, Ricky Castanedo's bass work is driving and hook-filled, Chris Lennox-Aasen brings punk-with-a-bowtie drumming, and Rob Hoover shouts, sings, and screams over top.

Since forming in 2010, Anchoress have released three full lengths and an EP, toured across Canada and the U.S., and become a staple of the Vancouver heavy-music scene. Their infamously wild live show and unique mix of hardcore punk aggression and post-punk versatility grew a fan base that packed venues, record stores, and basements throughout the city. It earned them bills with heroes like Every Time I Die, Cancer Bats, A Wilhelm Scream, '68, Drug Church, Gallows, and Andrew W.K.

Stay Positive, the band's first record as a five piece, was recorded with Jesse Gander (Japandroids, White Lung) at Rain City Recorders. It finds Anchoress at their most confident, experimenting with piano and cast-iron percussion in the anthemic "Peace Lines," and slide guitar and synths in the vibe-heavy "An Old Wolf," while letting each song be exactly what it needs to be. Lead single "Hydrodynamic," which features vocals from all five members, reflects on maintaining personal progression when you feel stuck in place--a feeling that only grew more relevant through lockdowns and quarantine.

Still loud rather than merely heavy, Anchoress are following a trajectory similar to Title Fight or Touche Amore, trading the chaos of their earliest material for more dynamic, controlled, and ultimately more fulfilling songs. A decade in, the band is still moving forward, set to release their most exciting record yet, and eager to get back onstage where they belong.