Though long time residents of Virginia’s storied screamo and DIY scene, the Richmond-based collective known as ​.gif from god​ have embedded themselves within the system of hardcore punk and extreme metal, spreading an encrypted message of social injustice and impending collapse.

Solidifying their lineup in late 2017, ​.gif from god​ describe themselves as “serious yet playful”, practicing a cold, calculating blend of grind and metalcore absurdity designed to act as a vehicle for their ominous propaganda. On their upcoming Prosthetic debut, a 12-song album titled ​approximation_of_a_human ​ , the Virginians demonstrate a surgical command of their ruthless and chaotic sound. The album was recorded and mixed at Viva Studios by Matt Michel, and mastered by Lance Koehler at Minimum Wage Recording.

While their tongue-in-cheek song titles give away an oddball sense of humor, the lyrics beneath often detail a harsh, grim reality; the demons that haunt them, and the personal struggles to exorcise the ones within themselves. Explicitly political in its mission, the six-headed collective prefers to eschew labels, and express its beliefs not just though lyrics but the causes and activist organizations they have fundraised for as individuals and a group.

.gif from god ​collectively encourages all reading to seek out and donate to these organizations, and those similar within their own communities: Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project, the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, Black Mama’s Bailout Fund, ICE Out of RVA, Nationz Foundation, Richmond Food & Clothing Resistance Collective.