Top Ten:
SLAG-Mindslave-EP
XYMOX-Subsequent Pleasures-LP
BLOOD ROBOTS-LP
DEPARTURE KIDS-On The Go-LP
EXECUTIVE SLACKS-12"
PROTES BENGT-Påskstämning-EP
INSTITUTE-45/WIPERS-45
KNARK/KRÜGER-split EP
OVENS-EP/FRAU-EP
POIKKEUS/SBSM-live
SLAG – "Mindslave" EP
This is just so fucking on point. Proudly waving the banner of San Jose Supremacy, this first 7" launches SLAG straight into the pantheon of South Bay powerviolence alongside IN DISGUST (an obvious touchstone), GODSTOMPER, DEADPRESSURE, and T.A.D.R.O.E.V. Endlessly heavy with relentless blasting and some expertly blown-out production, this record emphasizes the best elements of crust-tinted grind with not a moment of filler. Great high and low vocals too; the only bummer worth noting is the lack of a lyric sheet. Tut tut, I could have at least used that to help set a cop car on fire. Fans of new-school grindviolence from ARCHAGATHUS to YOUR ENEMY: this is your new favorite shit. (WB)
(Regurgitated Semen)
VÅLDSAMT MOTSTÅND – “Gamla Goda Värderingar” EP
Swedish crust that bounces between death metal-infused chugging and
driving D-beat, complimented at times by an odd sense of melody. The
first song opens up with the death metal equivalent of a cheat beat,
but gets more bearable once the tempo kicks up, and the more hardcore
songs in the middle of the record are quite solid if you appreciate
epic vibes in this style. Unfortunately the band slows down again for
the plodding "Snake People", which has sick lyrics ('There will be no
burial for you in the lotus garden') but no real drive, ultimately
resolving into a mega-breakdown that’s about three sizes too tuff for me.
The two halves of their sound, which are never satisfyingly integrated, make this feel like a band that’s trying to pull from a smattering of influences, but still finding its own voice(s). (WB)
(Högre Tempo!)
RORT – “Warpath” LP
Manically riffy death-flavored grind from Melbourne, Australia, the fourteen tracks of RORT’s debut LP blur relentlessly into one another, making for an exhausting, almost nauseating listen (in this genre, not at all a bad thing). Precision drumming and brilliant tremolo leads win the day here—these guys know how to mine the noodle-y glory of ye old school death metal to perfection, and it makes the whole affair miles more fun than your run-o’-the-mill blastfest. There’s a more anthemic hXc element that occasionally comes to the fore, with some of the vocal hooks bringing a slightly moshy feel. Wrathful lyrics take on societal disgust as well as individualized hatred, a bit metal/hardcore word salad for my taste but it matches the music rather perfectly. Modern grind heads and hardcore kids who yearn for the glory days of MORBID ANGEL should not hesitate to pull the trigger on this one, and I can only imagine that these guys slay live. (WB)
(Regurgitated Semen)
IRON HAND – "Injected Fear" 12"
Seven tracks of tense d-beat hardcore from one of the best bands to come out of Connecticut in recent memory, this is IRON HAND's first full-length following two 7"s and an absolutely unreal demo tape from back in 2008. Three years have passed since their last release, but the basic M.O. is more or less unchanged: driving crust of the latter-day America-goes-Scandi variety, offset by forays into anthemic hardcore in the vein of RAW NERVES. Powerful stuff! I used to live in the same town as some of these dudes back when they still played in the underappreciated THEY AND THE CHILDREN, one of the first "modern" hardcore to resonate with me, and both bands share a lyrical and musical intelligence that easily sets them apart from the pack. Sadly, I moved across the country a few months before they played their first shows… still kicking myself for never catching the chaos live. (WB)
(Safety Meeting)
Showing posts with label neocrust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neocrust. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
September 2014 – #376
Top Ten:
KLAXON-EP
ALERTA ROJA-Algo Esta Cambiando…… Y Muy Violentamente-LP
NAPRED U PROŠLOST-Komunizam-EP
CONTORTURE/AHNA-split EP
DEGENERATE-Destreation-CD
ELECTRIC FUNERAL-2xLP/SUFFER THE STORM-side of split
NIGHTFELL-CD
BLOODSTAINS ACROSS BUFFALO-comp
EU’S ARSE-EP + split/KONTAMINAT-EP
KRUEL/BLAZING EYE/ARGENTAVIS-live
CONTORTURE/AHNA – split EP
Handle with care, this is fuggin’ deadly. Göteborg’s CONTORTURE goes straight for the jugular with their raging feminist käng, expertly toeing the raw/melodic line that has come to define Swedish crust in the last decade. Lyrics revisit familiar themes of autonomy, rape culture, and watching those around you age out of punk, but with a personalistic approach, and the lead vocals remind me of Kate from SCHIFOSI in all the best ways. On the flip, leading Canadian powerviolence freex AHNA lays out two more doses of their noisey blackened filth, sounding yet again like they’ve managed to record in one of the lesser pits of hell. This is actually a lot less blast-centric than their older material, with crusty rhythms offsetting the murky metalloid gloom, and the opening sludge of “Living in Fear” channels the headbanging glory of BOLT THROWER to perfection. Already a serious contender for my favorite split of 2014, this is nothing short of mandatory for all you metalpunx. (WB)
(Neanderthal.Stench/What Is Making Us Sick/Active Rebellion/Into the Abyss)
DEGENERATE – "Destreation" CD
Now this one is a blast. Thirteen years and a few comp tracks into
their existence, Osaka's DEGENERATE have dropped this fifteen-song
mindbomb, a dazzling collection of Burning Spirits HC with seriously
old-school vibrations. Somewhere between a stripped-down PAINTBOX and
the rock-n-roll flair of TETSU ARRAY, this is about as close as I'd
ever want to get to calling a hardcore record uplifting, but there's
definitely a infectiously soaring quality to the whole thing. You
better believe that there's some sizzlingly wankadelic leads in there,
but you know what? They fucking pull it off. Really though, that
guitar player is a goddamned ace, and thankfully he chose punk over
the ZEPPELIN-esque hard rock band he was probably destined to play in.
Don't pose, DEGENERATE is the real deal in 2014!! (WB)
(Bronze Fist)
SON OF MAN – "Call of the Morning Star" EP
Alright people, you asked for more chugging "Holy Terror"-style
hardcore, and here's another dose, with a pretty neat black metal edge
to sweeten the deal. The latter definitely helps to avoid the monotony
that plagues so many bands in this niche, and lot of the more punk-y
riffs almost sound like 80s UK crust, but I still didn't find a ton to
get excited about here. The prettier and/or catchier guitar parts
definitely had me excited a couple of times, but they always seem to
resolve into the same bo-o-ring cheaty drum part. And I'm sorry, but I
can't get behind any hardcore band that's never played a live show.
Seriously, why? (WB)
(King of the Monsters)
SUFFERING MIND/GUANTANAMO PARTY PROGRAM – split EP
The ol' slow vs. fast band split trick: does it ever get old? Poland's
reigning grind heroes SUFFERING MIND tear their way through three
burners, touching on power violence, crust, ripping black metal and
good ol' fashioned hardcore crush, preserving the lineage of greats
like MASSGRAVE and ASSÜCK. Some of the best material that I've heard
from 'em, these guys really hit a groove a few years back and seem to
be more or less unstoppable at this point. GUANTANAMO PARTY PROGRAM
offer up their take on the whole TRAGEDY meets NEUROSIS thang, and
while that's generally one of my least-favorite microniches, they do a
better job than most, reminding me of a less indulgent LIGHTBEARER.
Could the split seven-inch be the saving grace of the whole post-metal
trend? A girl can dream… (WB)
(Back on Track/Caramba/Halo of Flies)
TORCH RUNNER - "Committed to the Ground" LP
A repress of the 2012 full-length from these North Carolina crushers,
Committed to the Ground stands near the apex of a certain type of
blasty dark hardcore. In all honesty, it makes perfect sense that
they've made the move to Southern Lord alongside DEAD IN THE DIRT et
al, and the kids who go nuts for FULL OF HELL will eat this right up.
While TORCH RUNNER still finds its center in ugly, ripping grind, they
expand that core to include some crusty chugs and more than a couple
forays into SABBATH-worthy sludge, making up for what they sometimes
lack in dynamics with a well-honed sense of rage. Relentless touring
has given this band a degree of precision and focus that really
carries over here, and fans of modern heavy hardcore are definitely
starting to take note. (WB)
(Southern Lord)
VIVISEKTIO – "Mausoleumi/Noitavaino" 45
Definitely a cool story here: after lingering in relative obscurity
since their 80s heyday, Finnish vets VIVISEKTIO reunited and went
right back at it, releasing the 1984 LP a few years ago and now this
new single. The sound here is mid-tempo, latter-day anarcho with
rolling drums, but it's a bass-heavy, meatier-than-average
interpretation with just a hint of Italian hardcore in the vocal
department. While "Mausoleumi" takes a plodding pace and could stand
to benefit from a bona fide hook, the b-side here is the real gem,
following a similar formula but adding cool guitar harmonics and
powerful, shouted dual vocals on the chorus. It's worth noting the
excellent cover art, which puts a new twist on the classic psychedelic
watercolor/Wicker Man/nuclear reactor formula. At the end of the day,
this is a damn fine record, and it's always rad to see a band pick up
after twenty-plus years without losing any of their energy or
creativity. (WB)
(Kämäset Levyt)
KLAXON-EP
ALERTA ROJA-Algo Esta Cambiando…… Y Muy Violentamente-LP
NAPRED U PROŠLOST-Komunizam-EP
CONTORTURE/AHNA-split EP
DEGENERATE-Destreation-CD
ELECTRIC FUNERAL-2xLP/SUFFER THE STORM-side of split
NIGHTFELL-CD
BLOODSTAINS ACROSS BUFFALO-comp
EU’S ARSE-EP + split/KONTAMINAT-EP
KRUEL/BLAZING EYE/ARGENTAVIS-live
CONTORTURE/AHNA – split EP
Handle with care, this is fuggin’ deadly. Göteborg’s CONTORTURE goes straight for the jugular with their raging feminist käng, expertly toeing the raw/melodic line that has come to define Swedish crust in the last decade. Lyrics revisit familiar themes of autonomy, rape culture, and watching those around you age out of punk, but with a personalistic approach, and the lead vocals remind me of Kate from SCHIFOSI in all the best ways. On the flip, leading Canadian powerviolence freex AHNA lays out two more doses of their noisey blackened filth, sounding yet again like they’ve managed to record in one of the lesser pits of hell. This is actually a lot less blast-centric than their older material, with crusty rhythms offsetting the murky metalloid gloom, and the opening sludge of “Living in Fear” channels the headbanging glory of BOLT THROWER to perfection. Already a serious contender for my favorite split of 2014, this is nothing short of mandatory for all you metalpunx. (WB)
(Neanderthal.Stench/What Is Making Us Sick/Active Rebellion/Into the Abyss)
DEGENERATE – "Destreation" CD
Now this one is a blast. Thirteen years and a few comp tracks into
their existence, Osaka's DEGENERATE have dropped this fifteen-song
mindbomb, a dazzling collection of Burning Spirits HC with seriously
old-school vibrations. Somewhere between a stripped-down PAINTBOX and
the rock-n-roll flair of TETSU ARRAY, this is about as close as I'd
ever want to get to calling a hardcore record uplifting, but there's
definitely a infectiously soaring quality to the whole thing. You
better believe that there's some sizzlingly wankadelic leads in there,
but you know what? They fucking pull it off. Really though, that
guitar player is a goddamned ace, and thankfully he chose punk over
the ZEPPELIN-esque hard rock band he was probably destined to play in.
Don't pose, DEGENERATE is the real deal in 2014!! (WB)
(Bronze Fist)
SON OF MAN – "Call of the Morning Star" EP
Alright people, you asked for more chugging "Holy Terror"-style
hardcore, and here's another dose, with a pretty neat black metal edge
to sweeten the deal. The latter definitely helps to avoid the monotony
that plagues so many bands in this niche, and lot of the more punk-y
riffs almost sound like 80s UK crust, but I still didn't find a ton to
get excited about here. The prettier and/or catchier guitar parts
definitely had me excited a couple of times, but they always seem to
resolve into the same bo-o-ring cheaty drum part. And I'm sorry, but I
can't get behind any hardcore band that's never played a live show.
Seriously, why? (WB)
(King of the Monsters)
SUFFERING MIND/GUANTANAMO PARTY PROGRAM – split EP
The ol' slow vs. fast band split trick: does it ever get old? Poland's
reigning grind heroes SUFFERING MIND tear their way through three
burners, touching on power violence, crust, ripping black metal and
good ol' fashioned hardcore crush, preserving the lineage of greats
like MASSGRAVE and ASSÜCK. Some of the best material that I've heard
from 'em, these guys really hit a groove a few years back and seem to
be more or less unstoppable at this point. GUANTANAMO PARTY PROGRAM
offer up their take on the whole TRAGEDY meets NEUROSIS thang, and
while that's generally one of my least-favorite microniches, they do a
better job than most, reminding me of a less indulgent LIGHTBEARER.
Could the split seven-inch be the saving grace of the whole post-metal
trend? A girl can dream… (WB)
(Back on Track/Caramba/Halo of Flies)
TORCH RUNNER - "Committed to the Ground" LP
A repress of the 2012 full-length from these North Carolina crushers,
Committed to the Ground stands near the apex of a certain type of
blasty dark hardcore. In all honesty, it makes perfect sense that
they've made the move to Southern Lord alongside DEAD IN THE DIRT et
al, and the kids who go nuts for FULL OF HELL will eat this right up.
While TORCH RUNNER still finds its center in ugly, ripping grind, they
expand that core to include some crusty chugs and more than a couple
forays into SABBATH-worthy sludge, making up for what they sometimes
lack in dynamics with a well-honed sense of rage. Relentless touring
has given this band a degree of precision and focus that really
carries over here, and fans of modern heavy hardcore are definitely
starting to take note. (WB)
(Southern Lord)
VIVISEKTIO – "Mausoleumi/Noitavaino" 45
Definitely a cool story here: after lingering in relative obscurity
since their 80s heyday, Finnish vets VIVISEKTIO reunited and went
right back at it, releasing the 1984 LP a few years ago and now this
new single. The sound here is mid-tempo, latter-day anarcho with
rolling drums, but it's a bass-heavy, meatier-than-average
interpretation with just a hint of Italian hardcore in the vocal
department. While "Mausoleumi" takes a plodding pace and could stand
to benefit from a bona fide hook, the b-side here is the real gem,
following a similar formula but adding cool guitar harmonics and
powerful, shouted dual vocals on the chorus. It's worth noting the
excellent cover art, which puts a new twist on the classic psychedelic
watercolor/Wicker Man/nuclear reactor formula. At the end of the day,
this is a damn fine record, and it's always rad to see a band pick up
after twenty-plus years without losing any of their energy or
creativity. (WB)
(Kämäset Levyt)
Saturday, January 3, 2015
August 2014 – #375
Top Ten:
CHARLES DE GOAL-Algorythmes-LP
THE DISHRAGS-Three-LP
COLD INSTITUTION-EP/SCREAMING SNEAKERS-EP
LOW LIFE-Dogging-LP
REBARKER-12”/CRUEL FRIENDS-EP
ENSLAVE/PAZAHORA-split/DARFÜR/AUTUUS?-split
MAAILMANLOPPU/KUUDES SILMÄ-split
WHITEHORSE/SAVAGE REPUBLIC/FOSTER BODY-live
RHYTHM OF CRUELTY/EXTINCTION OF MANKIND-live
INTERNAL ROT/FORCED INTO FEMININITY-live
FUCK YOU PAY ME – LP
Cut-rate shit punk from deep Clevo; I’m still having trouble believing this shares
a member with 9 SHOCKS TERROR. Musically, it’s just whatever; your standard, run-
of-the-mill throwback hardcore, nothing innovative, but at least they play pretty fast and
competent. Vocally, however, it’s a fucking mess, alternating between ultra-annoying
high-pitched shrieks and some more talked-out parts that sound like an ANGRY
SAMOANS knockoff. A glance at the lyrics and liner notes quickly took this from
“boring” to “no, I actually hate this,” a thin veneer of bravado masking an obvious chip
on their collective shoulder about not being accepted by “self-entitled arrogant
PUSSIES” such as myself. Punk scene Illuminati or not, this band will probably playing
Now That’s Class until the end of time... party on, brodozers. (WB)
(Schizophrenic)
ENSLAVE / PAZAHORA – split CD
This split is definitely worth grabbing for expansive hXc heads. Tokyo’s
ENSLAVE give us four more tracks of epic screamo-crust, and though it’s a notch or two
below their Far East Hardcore Punk LP, they deserve credit for carving out a unique
sound somewhere between CATHARSIS, ENVY, and metallic D-beat. The dual vocals
are compelling as ever, and the uplifting “Out Of Society” reminds me of PAINTBOX’s
genre-exploding Trip, Trance, and Travelling LP, while the last song unfortunately goes
into some pretty campy chug territory. I’d never heard of Singapore’s PAZAHORA
before this, but wow, totally blown away by their side, a furious, passionate blast of
galloping melocrust that actually merits the comparison to ICTUS and FROM ASHES
TRAGEDY RISE. The recordings are fuckin’ raw in the best way possible, giving the
guitars harmonies a nice layer of grit while avoiding the sterile feel that’s come to
colonize far too much of this style. I’ll be digging up their entire discography, thank you
very much. (WB)
(MCR)
AGE OF WOE / 100 YEARS – split EP
Oh boy, where to begin with this one... two sides of “catchy” metallic hardcore
from Sweden, I think this is supposed to have a crusty edge but I’m really not getting
that. AGE OF WOE take a death metal tone into the realm of groovy hardcore, with a
mix that basically turns all the guitars into mush when they aren’t doing leads. This is
some windmill-friendly shit, and I’m truly embarrassed for the band when I say that the
vocals kinda remind me of misogynist crabcore darlings ATTILA. 100 YEARS don’t
fare any better, kicking their side off with some arpeggiated synth-bass that really misses
the mark, not to mention the jazzy funk lick that comes in halfway through. Like AGE
OF WOE, they just feel like they’re trying too hard, and the result is another example of
what I’m going to start referring to as dark dogecore: “such tuff. wow. much evil.” (WB)
(Give Praise / Suicide)
CRUEL FRIENDS – “Mittags in Deutschland” EP
Don’t let the cute baby on the cover fool you, this is some gnarly, grinding
hardcore in the vein of SVFFER or HEXIS, without the latter’s pesky demoniac vibes.
There’s something in the waters of Central Europe right now that’s making everyone go
fast as fuck, and I’m certainly not gonna complain, though this only lasts about ten
seconds before plunging into one of the best, heaviest breakdowns I’ve heard in quite
some time (and that’s coming from someone who’s very anti-breakdown as a rule). After
that, there’s no letting up, just a raging, masterful blur of modern German hardcore with
great tone and just enough dynamics to keep things flowing. Lyrically, the band manages
to be inventive and off-the-wall without feeling silly. Damn good, to be sure, and I’ll
look forward to more. (WB)
(Meta Matter / Kink)
BEARMACE – “Cold Ones” EP
Mid-tempo hardcore with a nice dose of the fuzzz, this is a cool little nugget from
Montreal’s BEARMACE. Throat-ripping vocals set a nice pace from the start, and
there’s some solid riffs to sink your teeth into along with a solid rhythm section. A great
mix brings it all together, and the guitars have a nice layer of noize, although to be
honest, I think that could have been emphasized a bit more. A minor complaint, all things
considered, and certainly not one that should stop anyone from checking this out. (WB)
(Zaxxon)
CHARLES DE GOAL-Algorythmes-LP
THE DISHRAGS-Three-LP
COLD INSTITUTION-EP/SCREAMING SNEAKERS-EP
LOW LIFE-Dogging-LP
REBARKER-12”/CRUEL FRIENDS-EP
ENSLAVE/PAZAHORA-split/DARFÜR/AUTUUS?-split
MAAILMANLOPPU/KUUDES SILMÄ-split
WHITEHORSE/SAVAGE REPUBLIC/FOSTER BODY-live
RHYTHM OF CRUELTY/EXTINCTION OF MANKIND-live
INTERNAL ROT/FORCED INTO FEMININITY-live
FUCK YOU PAY ME – LP
Cut-rate shit punk from deep Clevo; I’m still having trouble believing this shares
a member with 9 SHOCKS TERROR. Musically, it’s just whatever; your standard, run-
of-the-mill throwback hardcore, nothing innovative, but at least they play pretty fast and
competent. Vocally, however, it’s a fucking mess, alternating between ultra-annoying
high-pitched shrieks and some more talked-out parts that sound like an ANGRY
SAMOANS knockoff. A glance at the lyrics and liner notes quickly took this from
“boring” to “no, I actually hate this,” a thin veneer of bravado masking an obvious chip
on their collective shoulder about not being accepted by “self-entitled arrogant
PUSSIES” such as myself. Punk scene Illuminati or not, this band will probably playing
Now That’s Class until the end of time... party on, brodozers. (WB)
(Schizophrenic)
ENSLAVE / PAZAHORA – split CD
This split is definitely worth grabbing for expansive hXc heads. Tokyo’s
ENSLAVE give us four more tracks of epic screamo-crust, and though it’s a notch or two
below their Far East Hardcore Punk LP, they deserve credit for carving out a unique
sound somewhere between CATHARSIS, ENVY, and metallic D-beat. The dual vocals
are compelling as ever, and the uplifting “Out Of Society” reminds me of PAINTBOX’s
genre-exploding Trip, Trance, and Travelling LP, while the last song unfortunately goes
into some pretty campy chug territory. I’d never heard of Singapore’s PAZAHORA
before this, but wow, totally blown away by their side, a furious, passionate blast of
galloping melocrust that actually merits the comparison to ICTUS and FROM ASHES
TRAGEDY RISE. The recordings are fuckin’ raw in the best way possible, giving the
guitars harmonies a nice layer of grit while avoiding the sterile feel that’s come to
colonize far too much of this style. I’ll be digging up their entire discography, thank you
very much. (WB)
(MCR)
AGE OF WOE / 100 YEARS – split EP
Oh boy, where to begin with this one... two sides of “catchy” metallic hardcore
from Sweden, I think this is supposed to have a crusty edge but I’m really not getting
that. AGE OF WOE take a death metal tone into the realm of groovy hardcore, with a
mix that basically turns all the guitars into mush when they aren’t doing leads. This is
some windmill-friendly shit, and I’m truly embarrassed for the band when I say that the
vocals kinda remind me of misogynist crabcore darlings ATTILA. 100 YEARS don’t
fare any better, kicking their side off with some arpeggiated synth-bass that really misses
the mark, not to mention the jazzy funk lick that comes in halfway through. Like AGE
OF WOE, they just feel like they’re trying too hard, and the result is another example of
what I’m going to start referring to as dark dogecore: “such tuff. wow. much evil.” (WB)
(Give Praise / Suicide)
CRUEL FRIENDS – “Mittags in Deutschland” EP
Don’t let the cute baby on the cover fool you, this is some gnarly, grinding
hardcore in the vein of SVFFER or HEXIS, without the latter’s pesky demoniac vibes.
There’s something in the waters of Central Europe right now that’s making everyone go
fast as fuck, and I’m certainly not gonna complain, though this only lasts about ten
seconds before plunging into one of the best, heaviest breakdowns I’ve heard in quite
some time (and that’s coming from someone who’s very anti-breakdown as a rule). After
that, there’s no letting up, just a raging, masterful blur of modern German hardcore with
great tone and just enough dynamics to keep things flowing. Lyrically, the band manages
to be inventive and off-the-wall without feeling silly. Damn good, to be sure, and I’ll
look forward to more. (WB)
(Meta Matter / Kink)
BEARMACE – “Cold Ones” EP
Mid-tempo hardcore with a nice dose of the fuzzz, this is a cool little nugget from
Montreal’s BEARMACE. Throat-ripping vocals set a nice pace from the start, and
there’s some solid riffs to sink your teeth into along with a solid rhythm section. A great
mix brings it all together, and the guitars have a nice layer of noize, although to be
honest, I think that could have been emphasized a bit more. A minor complaint, all things
considered, and certainly not one that should stop anyone from checking this out. (WB)
(Zaxxon)
Friday, January 2, 2015
May 2014 – #372
Top Ten:
BELLICOSE MINDS-The Buzz and Howl Sessions-10”
FUNERAL PARADE-LP
HEXIS-LP/RITUAL CONTROL-EP
KOMPLOTT-Sei Vivo, Sei Moro A Nessuno Importa-12”
DERROTA-LP/SUICIDAS-EP
SIMPLY SAUCER-45/THE SLIZZ-EP
SECRET PROSTITUTES-LP/ALERTA!-EP
RED MONKEY-How We Learned To Live Like a Bomb-LP
VASTUM/THE BODY/NEGATIVLAND-live
NOMAD/1984/STILLSUIT-live
HAYMAKER – "Let Them Rot" EP
A nasty little slice of hXc attack, Hamilton’s HAYMAKER bark and slam their way through four burly songs in about as many minutes on this, their umpteenth 7”. With personnel from CHOKEHOLD and LEFT FOR DEAD, you know this is going to be dark and aggressive, but everything here is honestly kinda generic compared to either of those pioneering acts. Lyrics about copdeath, poverty and hatred for fuckin’ society, man, round out a totally solid package that should impress fans of this label and new school hardcore in general. (WB)
(A389)
CONFLICT – "Live in London 2013" LP
For better or worse, this pretty much embodies every cliché for a live punk record: totally solid on its own terms, yet inessential for all but the most dedicated (or perhaps geographically isolated) fans of the militant anarcho-staple that is CONFLICT. The mix here is actually quite excellent, with great guitar tone, and the band was definitely on their game the night this was recorded, but even with all that I still can’t imagine ever wanting to put this on over the classic studio recordings. For a live set, there’s actually not much by way of banter, and aside from an introduction by Steve from LOST CHERREES, the only supplementary material we get is a CD reproduction of the LP. Make no mistake, CONFLICT is still a sight to see live—they ruled when I caught them in Hollywood in 2007, too bad RUBELLA BALLET had to cancel day of!—and anyone who caught Colin Jerwood’s comments on that police chopper that crashed in Glasgow last year knows they can still stir up a controversy with the best of them. Wait a sec, is that dude playing a five-string bass on the cover? Mind = blown. (WB)
(Antisociety)
CATHARSIS – "Light From A Dead Star I" 2xLP
Probably long-since sold out by the time you'll be reading this review, this is the first half of the four-LP discography reissue for the seminal ’90s anarchist hardcore band, representing their self-titled EP and the ever-so-epic first full-length Samsara. Having totally missed them in their heyday and never really having felt a connection to the music, I feel oddly positioned to review a band that means so much to so many. Personal taste aside, it’s obvious that CATHARSIS occupy a critical space in the lineage of modern hardcore punk, anticipating the emotive, melodic neocrust of the new millennium while retaining the East Coast metallic tuffness of their Holy Terror brethren INTEGRITY and RINGWORM. It's impossible to talk about CATHARSIS without mentioning its relationship to Crimethinc., of course, but I don't feel the need to dedicate any more ink to that often self-parodic organization/label/tendency/fun club, so I leave the reader to make what they will of said connection. Returning to the record at hand, the sheer abundance of monumental riffs on Samsara elevates things to whole other level from the first 7"—the lead that closes out 'Choose Your Heaven' stands out for me—but there’s also a good bit of filler to wade through on the way, and the more-than-occasional nod to Tom Morello grounds everything firmly in the late 90s (not necessarily a bad thing). With what feels like a thousand and one literary and philosophical allusions, haunted by the dual figures of St. Paul and Nietzsche's Zarathustra, this is bombastic anti-Christian agit-prop, with evocative lyrics and some truly stellar artwork that set it apart from the herd of imitators that followed. Following on their recent reunion, this reissue will be a godsend (get it?!?) for the dumpster-diving masses and anarcho-collecting élite alike…at least if you got your pre-order in on time. (WB)
(Crimethinc/Refuse)
HEXIS – Abalam" LP
I've been loving these Copenhagen-based black metal mindfucks ever since I reviewed their X 7" in these pages a few years back, so when I got my reviewer copy I decided to do this proper, waiting until sundown and lighting some Jesus candles to set the proper mood. As their first full-length, Abalam represents the pinnacle of the avant-meets-hardcore approach they've been honing for the past couple of years, an exhausting drag through twisted industrial dronescapes that never loses focus or a foreboding sense of nausea. Think somewhere between PORTAL, INFERNAL STRONGHOLD, and, I dunno, ORANSSI PAZUZU, yet nothing like any of them. As the perfect distillation of their earlier material, Abalam is a totally satisfying experience, but what I’m really curious to see is where they’re going to go from here. Speculation aside, I’m definitely excited to witness these demoniacs when they hit the U.S. this fall with PRIMITIVE MAN. (WB)
(Halo of Flies/Music Fear Satan)
BELLICOSE MINDS-The Buzz and Howl Sessions-10”
FUNERAL PARADE-LP
HEXIS-LP/RITUAL CONTROL-EP
KOMPLOTT-Sei Vivo, Sei Moro A Nessuno Importa-12”
DERROTA-LP/SUICIDAS-EP
SIMPLY SAUCER-45/THE SLIZZ-EP
SECRET PROSTITUTES-LP/ALERTA!-EP
RED MONKEY-How We Learned To Live Like a Bomb-LP
VASTUM/THE BODY/NEGATIVLAND-live
NOMAD/1984/STILLSUIT-live
HAYMAKER – "Let Them Rot" EP
A nasty little slice of hXc attack, Hamilton’s HAYMAKER bark and slam their way through four burly songs in about as many minutes on this, their umpteenth 7”. With personnel from CHOKEHOLD and LEFT FOR DEAD, you know this is going to be dark and aggressive, but everything here is honestly kinda generic compared to either of those pioneering acts. Lyrics about copdeath, poverty and hatred for fuckin’ society, man, round out a totally solid package that should impress fans of this label and new school hardcore in general. (WB)
(A389)
CONFLICT – "Live in London 2013" LP
For better or worse, this pretty much embodies every cliché for a live punk record: totally solid on its own terms, yet inessential for all but the most dedicated (or perhaps geographically isolated) fans of the militant anarcho-staple that is CONFLICT. The mix here is actually quite excellent, with great guitar tone, and the band was definitely on their game the night this was recorded, but even with all that I still can’t imagine ever wanting to put this on over the classic studio recordings. For a live set, there’s actually not much by way of banter, and aside from an introduction by Steve from LOST CHERREES, the only supplementary material we get is a CD reproduction of the LP. Make no mistake, CONFLICT is still a sight to see live—they ruled when I caught them in Hollywood in 2007, too bad RUBELLA BALLET had to cancel day of!—and anyone who caught Colin Jerwood’s comments on that police chopper that crashed in Glasgow last year knows they can still stir up a controversy with the best of them. Wait a sec, is that dude playing a five-string bass on the cover? Mind = blown. (WB)
(Antisociety)
CATHARSIS – "Light From A Dead Star I" 2xLP
Probably long-since sold out by the time you'll be reading this review, this is the first half of the four-LP discography reissue for the seminal ’90s anarchist hardcore band, representing their self-titled EP and the ever-so-epic first full-length Samsara. Having totally missed them in their heyday and never really having felt a connection to the music, I feel oddly positioned to review a band that means so much to so many. Personal taste aside, it’s obvious that CATHARSIS occupy a critical space in the lineage of modern hardcore punk, anticipating the emotive, melodic neocrust of the new millennium while retaining the East Coast metallic tuffness of their Holy Terror brethren INTEGRITY and RINGWORM. It's impossible to talk about CATHARSIS without mentioning its relationship to Crimethinc., of course, but I don't feel the need to dedicate any more ink to that often self-parodic organization/label/tendency/fun club, so I leave the reader to make what they will of said connection. Returning to the record at hand, the sheer abundance of monumental riffs on Samsara elevates things to whole other level from the first 7"—the lead that closes out 'Choose Your Heaven' stands out for me—but there’s also a good bit of filler to wade through on the way, and the more-than-occasional nod to Tom Morello grounds everything firmly in the late 90s (not necessarily a bad thing). With what feels like a thousand and one literary and philosophical allusions, haunted by the dual figures of St. Paul and Nietzsche's Zarathustra, this is bombastic anti-Christian agit-prop, with evocative lyrics and some truly stellar artwork that set it apart from the herd of imitators that followed. Following on their recent reunion, this reissue will be a godsend (get it?!?) for the dumpster-diving masses and anarcho-collecting élite alike…at least if you got your pre-order in on time. (WB)
(Crimethinc/Refuse)
HEXIS – Abalam" LP
I've been loving these Copenhagen-based black metal mindfucks ever since I reviewed their X 7" in these pages a few years back, so when I got my reviewer copy I decided to do this proper, waiting until sundown and lighting some Jesus candles to set the proper mood. As their first full-length, Abalam represents the pinnacle of the avant-meets-hardcore approach they've been honing for the past couple of years, an exhausting drag through twisted industrial dronescapes that never loses focus or a foreboding sense of nausea. Think somewhere between PORTAL, INFERNAL STRONGHOLD, and, I dunno, ORANSSI PAZUZU, yet nothing like any of them. As the perfect distillation of their earlier material, Abalam is a totally satisfying experience, but what I’m really curious to see is where they’re going to go from here. Speculation aside, I’m definitely excited to witness these demoniacs when they hit the U.S. this fall with PRIMITIVE MAN. (WB)
(Halo of Flies/Music Fear Satan)
Sunday, December 21, 2014
February 2014 – #369
Top Ten:
PETER GUTTERIDGE-Pure-LP
CØNDITIØN-EP / LIFE CHAIN-EP
LAKES-Blood of the Grove-LP
KOSZMAR-Jeniec Wojenny-LP
RADIOACTIVITY-EP / 440-EP
ATTACK SS/FRENZY-split / MANATEES-45
SUFFERING MIND/SIXBREWBANTHA-split
AUTONOMY-lathe+split
KOROVA-lathe / WAU Y LOS ARRRGHS-LP
LAUDANUM/LOTUS FUCKER-live
Oh bands of this world, hear my cry: no more ISIS crust. There was a time not too long ago when incorporating the post-rock dynamics of bands like KINSKY, PAIK and, yes, GODSPEED, into heavy punk seemed like a great idea, pushing back on genre conformity and expanding the palette for a new generation of bands to the explore. Montreal's LE KRAKEN are one of these bands, raised on a steady diet of CULT OF LUNA (blech) and epic crust, but like many of their peers, they simply aren't bringing much that's noteworthy to the table. For a style that's so serious and self-consciously arty, too much of this feels like an excersize in cookie-cutter songwriting, from genre-standard throaty growls to the largely predictable chug>spacey>chug>breakdown song arcs. As is often the case for bands of this ilk, I actually just wish they would play to their strengths, ditching the metallic side of their sound and going for full-on po-ro. But what do I know, I don't even listen to NEUROSIS. (WB)
(L’Oeil du tigre)
440 – "Nailed Down" EP
Did you even wonder what that NERVESKADE 7" would sound like on 78, but can't afford a new turntable? Miami's 440 are here to help. Seriously, this might have the best/worst production in recent memory, an unapoligetically filthy affair that will probably burn holes in your soul if you aren't careful. Under all that hiss, these anxiety-inducing miscreants manage to conjure up some savagely chaotic grind/power violence that's sure the sate the blast freaks, and they just might win over a raw ponk or twelve in the process. Definitely a standout. (WB)
(Regurgitated Semen)
SWORDWIELDER – "Grim Visions of Battle" CD
And the dark Lord said, "Let there be Stench!" After a couple of demos, this is the debut full-length from these Gothenburg death dealers, and they've really outdone themselves here. This might as well be titled Hails to England for it's allegiance to the model carved out by 80s stalwarts like DEVIATED INSTINCT and AMEBIX, creeping chorus-drenched riffs and all, but SWORDWIELDER does an admirable job of modernizing their inherently retrograde approach without ending up sounding like a false. The guitar work is top-notch, inventive and peppered with just the right amount of gloomy clean bits, while the vocals are spot-on throughout. This album has grown on me with every listen, easily worth rallying the hordes near you and giving it a spin. (WB)
(Cubo de Sangre)
CONSPIRACY OF DENIAL – LP
Racing, expansive d-beat/crust with lyrics in Greek and English, CONSPIRACY OF DENIAL have cranked out an impressive debut here, incorporating melodic elements and epic breakdowns without losing the driving pummel that makes for a great hardcore record. I'm admittedly a sucker for well-executed dual vocal crust, and this band knows just how to push my buttons in that regard, all the better when these are matched with articulate, introspective lyrics. Fifteen years into the 2000s, a lot of punks have understandably grown weary of melodic crust, but fans of bands like SCHIFOSI and FROM ASHES RISE would do well to hunt this out. (WB)
(Scarecrow/World's Appreciated Kitsch)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
January 2014 – #368
Top Ten:
HARD SKIN-live
LANDVERAAD-live
DESTRUKT-live
BACCHUS-live
VITRIOLIC RESPONSE-live
RUINED FAMILIES-live
CIORAN-live
INSTINCT OF SURVIVAL-live
WARPATH-live
DEAD RAMONES-live
BESTHÖVEN/FINAL SLUM WAR – split LP
In DISCHARGE worship as in life, some things never change. Thankfully, BESTHÖVEN is one of them. Twenty-three years into staking their claim as the world’s greatest (and most prolific) one-man D-beat band, this split finds Fofäo in top form, bringing us six new tracks—including a FORÇA MACABRA cover—of his huff 'n stumble brand of brilliantly inept noize. As usual, the production is paper-thin and bass-heavy, and of course there's nothing 'shredding' or 'technical' about the guitar solos—they just fucking rip, ok? Those seeking a crash course in how to write anthemic shit-fi need look no further than 'This World is Dying'; seriously, I think I might never get that chorus out of my head. On the flip we have Barcelona's FINAL SLUM WAR playing some charging raw punk with an obvious debt to South American hardcore. While their songs tend to blur together a bit more, there's a buzzing metallic edge to the guitar tone that I really dug, and the vocals are satisfyingly dark with nice touch of cavernous 'verb. All in all, a great split, recommended without hesitation. (WB) (Rawmantic Disasters/Nuclear Fear/Imminent Destruction)
FALTER – "Descent" EP
Angry, oft-chugging brutal hardcore from Milwaukee, FALTER cover a lot of ground in this ten-minute slab of bad feelings, hinting at a crusty atmosphere without actually going too far down that rabbit hole. While it’s mostly aggression and straight-up grime, the pretty, downtempo breakdowns were actually the highlight for me. Starting the second side of the 7” with one? Genius. Dark ‘core kids in the FULL OF HELL/SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP camp should definitely check this out, but to be honest I’ll probably just wait ‘til they start a doom band a few years from now. (WB) (Reality is a Cult)
GERANIÜM – LP
A repress of a record that was criminally overlooked (at least in the U.S.) in 2012, this is massive, sometimes gorgeous screamo/crust of the highest order. GERANIÜM hail from France and deliver a tense, deliberate take on the neocrust sound, coming off like a more fragile AGE OF COLLAPSE. Along with a plentiful trove of great crescendos and raging D-beat breaks, the vocals are a critical component, supremely raw and with a serious sense of passion and pain—worked for EKKAIA and it works here. Every time you think you’ve figured out what they’re up to, there’s a new element that’s just as gripping as what came before it, and the riffs feel instantly familiar in a way that let’s you know this is a record to remember. So many bands collapse under the weight of their ‘epic’ intentions, but GERANIÜM know how to make every note count, and there’s a immediacy throughout that few in this style are able to pull off. I need to get my hands on the split they just put out with FINISTERRE, damn. (WB) (Dingleberry/Dream Comes True/Up The Punx/Lubic/Contraszt!/Emergence/Tanker/Subversive Ways)
KRATZER/KVAZAR – split LP
A Greco-German collaboration twice over (one band and one label representing each country), fans of modern blasting hardcore should definitely give this one a shot. Thesaloniki's KVAZAR definitely own the split for me, solidly crusty grind that manages to sounds nasty while incorporating some melodic elements that give the songs a sense of depth and variety. KRATZER start on a similar note—though the focus here is more on dark hardcore than pure grind—and I definitely enjoyed the first few songs, but as their side progresses things go in a more shimmery post-metal direction that left me cold. Oh well. I guess this is KVAZAR's final release, apparently they've been broken up since 2010! Damn, guys, I hardly knew ye. (WB) (Blastbeat/7 Degrees)
LAVATCH – "Mental Deterioration" CD
A lot of bad decisions went into this one, oof. This group of angst-ridden souls from Cologne waver between melodic hardcore and tuff metalcore breakdowns with way, waytoo many crab vibes, throwing in the occasional spacey part for good measure. A lot of the more upbeat sections are honestly just pop-punk with mismatched screams laid over them, and really the whole thing just feels too clean for it's own good. There's no denying the sincerity of LAVATCH's intentions, and every once in a while a riff will pop up that's pretty damn awesome, but the world of polished hXc this represents means nothing to me. (WB) (Mudcore)
V/A – "Monomaniac, Vol. 1" EP
The concept is simple: throw together a bunch of today’s illest fast bands and have them each contribute a song (or three) in the minute-ish range. There’s some serious heavy-hitters on this 7”—THEDOWNGOING (Australia), SETE STAR SEPT (Japan) and DETROIT (Canada, confusingly) give an idea of the international intention here—and whole thing feels coherent despite the wide range of grind and black/death metal sounds it encompasses. Never thought I’d see CLOUD RAT and DIOCLETIAN on the same record, that’s awesome. I’m generally pretty compilation-skeptical—especially in the oversaturated world of latter-day grindcore—but this is just a great record from start to finish, with zero throwaway material and more than a few new bands I’m stoked to have discovered. There’s more to come, apparently, so keep eyes peeled in the future. (Blastbeat)
HARD SKIN-live
LANDVERAAD-live
DESTRUKT-live
BACCHUS-live
VITRIOLIC RESPONSE-live
RUINED FAMILIES-live
CIORAN-live
INSTINCT OF SURVIVAL-live
WARPATH-live
DEAD RAMONES-live
BESTHÖVEN/FINAL SLUM WAR – split LP
In DISCHARGE worship as in life, some things never change. Thankfully, BESTHÖVEN is one of them. Twenty-three years into staking their claim as the world’s greatest (and most prolific) one-man D-beat band, this split finds Fofäo in top form, bringing us six new tracks—including a FORÇA MACABRA cover—of his huff 'n stumble brand of brilliantly inept noize. As usual, the production is paper-thin and bass-heavy, and of course there's nothing 'shredding' or 'technical' about the guitar solos—they just fucking rip, ok? Those seeking a crash course in how to write anthemic shit-fi need look no further than 'This World is Dying'; seriously, I think I might never get that chorus out of my head. On the flip we have Barcelona's FINAL SLUM WAR playing some charging raw punk with an obvious debt to South American hardcore. While their songs tend to blur together a bit more, there's a buzzing metallic edge to the guitar tone that I really dug, and the vocals are satisfyingly dark with nice touch of cavernous 'verb. All in all, a great split, recommended without hesitation. (WB) (Rawmantic Disasters/Nuclear Fear/Imminent Destruction)
FALTER – "Descent" EP
Angry, oft-chugging brutal hardcore from Milwaukee, FALTER cover a lot of ground in this ten-minute slab of bad feelings, hinting at a crusty atmosphere without actually going too far down that rabbit hole. While it’s mostly aggression and straight-up grime, the pretty, downtempo breakdowns were actually the highlight for me. Starting the second side of the 7” with one? Genius. Dark ‘core kids in the FULL OF HELL/SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP camp should definitely check this out, but to be honest I’ll probably just wait ‘til they start a doom band a few years from now. (WB) (Reality is a Cult)
GERANIÜM – LP
A repress of a record that was criminally overlooked (at least in the U.S.) in 2012, this is massive, sometimes gorgeous screamo/crust of the highest order. GERANIÜM hail from France and deliver a tense, deliberate take on the neocrust sound, coming off like a more fragile AGE OF COLLAPSE. Along with a plentiful trove of great crescendos and raging D-beat breaks, the vocals are a critical component, supremely raw and with a serious sense of passion and pain—worked for EKKAIA and it works here. Every time you think you’ve figured out what they’re up to, there’s a new element that’s just as gripping as what came before it, and the riffs feel instantly familiar in a way that let’s you know this is a record to remember. So many bands collapse under the weight of their ‘epic’ intentions, but GERANIÜM know how to make every note count, and there’s a immediacy throughout that few in this style are able to pull off. I need to get my hands on the split they just put out with FINISTERRE, damn. (WB) (Dingleberry/Dream Comes True/Up The Punx/Lubic/Contraszt!/Emergence/Tanker/Subversive Ways)
KRATZER/KVAZAR – split LP
A Greco-German collaboration twice over (one band and one label representing each country), fans of modern blasting hardcore should definitely give this one a shot. Thesaloniki's KVAZAR definitely own the split for me, solidly crusty grind that manages to sounds nasty while incorporating some melodic elements that give the songs a sense of depth and variety. KRATZER start on a similar note—though the focus here is more on dark hardcore than pure grind—and I definitely enjoyed the first few songs, but as their side progresses things go in a more shimmery post-metal direction that left me cold. Oh well. I guess this is KVAZAR's final release, apparently they've been broken up since 2010! Damn, guys, I hardly knew ye. (WB) (Blastbeat/7 Degrees)
LAVATCH – "Mental Deterioration" CD
A lot of bad decisions went into this one, oof. This group of angst-ridden souls from Cologne waver between melodic hardcore and tuff metalcore breakdowns with way, waytoo many crab vibes, throwing in the occasional spacey part for good measure. A lot of the more upbeat sections are honestly just pop-punk with mismatched screams laid over them, and really the whole thing just feels too clean for it's own good. There's no denying the sincerity of LAVATCH's intentions, and every once in a while a riff will pop up that's pretty damn awesome, but the world of polished hXc this represents means nothing to me. (WB) (Mudcore)
V/A – "Monomaniac, Vol. 1" EP
The concept is simple: throw together a bunch of today’s illest fast bands and have them each contribute a song (or three) in the minute-ish range. There’s some serious heavy-hitters on this 7”—THEDOWNGOING (Australia), SETE STAR SEPT (Japan) and DETROIT (Canada, confusingly) give an idea of the international intention here—and whole thing feels coherent despite the wide range of grind and black/death metal sounds it encompasses. Never thought I’d see CLOUD RAT and DIOCLETIAN on the same record, that’s awesome. I’m generally pretty compilation-skeptical—especially in the oversaturated world of latter-day grindcore—but this is just a great record from start to finish, with zero throwaway material and more than a few new bands I’m stoked to have discovered. There’s more to come, apparently, so keep eyes peeled in the future. (Blastbeat)
Monday, November 18, 2013
October 2012 – #353
Top Ten:
GOUM – NOISESAP CD
Some truly strange and progressive female-fronted hardcore punk from Japan, this took me a little while to warm up to but now I must admit I'm quite into it. This very modern-sounding album has a definite 'everything and the kitchen sink' approach, bouncing between stoney FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND worship, rock'n'roll-y hardcore, and even some very 90s dream pop/shoegaze without feeling incoherent and/or watered-down as genre-hopping experiments so often do. Certain parts could be compared to the poppy side of BORIS, and the final instrumental 'Still You Say It's Safe?' is one such high point, doing the post-metal thing better than 97% of the bands in that safest of heavy genres. While the lyrics for 'Rotten Apple' are undeniably sketchy ("Those women that desire to be treated equally to men easily get carried away/Selfish-cunts taking advantage of their feminity"), the broader context makes it unclear if they're intended as dark satire or merely reactionary anti-feminism. One thing is for sure, this album isn't about easy answers. I for one can't quite get it out of my mind. (WB)
(Narm Discos)
MALATESTA - ABWESEND EP
Hailing from Munich and named for a 19th-century champion of insurrectionary anarchism, MALATESTA specialize in brooding melodic crust with the occasional hint of metal. Not all that gritty for a crust record, the combination of epic d-beats, forceful chugging and melancholic guitar work here recalls bands like ÖROKU minus the cello, while the obscure, washed out production adds several layers of screamotional depth. The vocal range on this record is simply fantastic, and really ties the whole thing together. A record to be listened to with pinkies raised, this is totally worth your time. (WB)
(self-released)
PYROKLAST – THE MADNESS CONFOUNDS LP
These guys nail the sound they're going for and it's catchy as shit at points, but to be honest I'm having trouble caring about what PYROKLAST have to offer here. These guys play no-bullshit, straight-ahead hardcore punk complete with the most cookie-cutter of left-wing punx politics, but the overall vibe is here more like crusty thrash metal. There's some nods to NYHC and thrashcore in there too, and those parts do help to break from the monotony of PYROKLAST's meat-and-potatoes shreddy hardcore, but the basic m.o. has already been done to death by every mediocre band formed in the wake of AUS ROTTEN. The guitar players are fuckin' shredders and there's no denying the hooks that are simply lying all over this record, but in the end it makes me think about beer bongs way more than I generally like my hardcore to. There's thousands of punks all over the world who would eat this right up, but sadly I ain't one of them. Oh well. (WB)
(Agipunk)
V/A – TOR JOHNSON RECORDS TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OMNIBUS EP
I can't confess to any real familiarity with the Tor aside from their D-list namesake and the THEY AND THE CHILDREN CD they put out years ago (props), but this little nugget makes about as compelling of a case for checking out their back catalogue as I can imagine. The first track is probably my favorite, a previously unreleased dose of crushing German-style metallic crust by Providence's SAINT JUDE. NOW DENIAL add a lo-fi pop-punk feel to their nonetheless super-legit take on the MISFITS' "We Bite", while THE PRETTY FACES manage to integrate some pretty killer toy piano melodies into their enjoyable melange of screamo, post-hardcore and NIRVANA-influenced alt-rock guitar. Finally, the awesomely-named A FINE BOAT, THAT COFFIN round things out with some fairly glitchy electronica paired with hardcore vocals. DIY as fuck right down to the recycled covers (mine came from a DIONNE WARWICK LP!), this rules, ok? (WB)
(Tor Johnson)
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT – DOG LP
Heavy and bleak dual-vocal punishment from Western Australia, NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT offer up an enticing combo of sludge, powerviolence, and hardcore snarl that can't help but impress. A song cycle about mental illness and alienation accompanied by some fantastically schizoid artwork, words like discomfort, shame, and fffuuuuuuck are but a few brought to mind by this release. Never resting on a particular sound for too long, the band manifests an appropriately oppressive atmosphere throughout, to maddening effect. This is what they call a "total package". Get on it. (WB)
(Coffin Cut)
SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP – SUNDOWN EP
From the appropriately hellish wasteland of Orange County, this is dark hardcore for the Satan/weed set, pretty fucking good stuff. The requisite A389 mid-tempo pummel is in full effect, thick metallic hardcore a la XIBALBA punctuated by murky black metal and spot-on sludgecore breakdowns that had me headbanging impulsively. Sisters of SLEEP indeed, you can tell these guys have spent plenty of time on a certain 'Holy Mountain', and they're particularly indebted to Chris Hiakus' rightfully-legendary cymbal-plod. No complaints here. This single 7" comes in a gatefold sleeve just so it can contain the accompanying bonus CD, poster, download card, and embroidered patch that come with it. This, in turn, begs several questions. Like, why does one need a download card if a CD copy is included? And, more importantly, who wants to pay $13 for a 3-song EP? Fucking ridiculous. (WB)
(A389)
GHASTLY SPATS-Flesh Thing-EP
FUTURO-Sair de Mim-EP
REPLICA-flexi+live
WATER TORTURE-Shellfire!-EP
NO STATIK-Everywhere You're Not Looking-LP
TRUNCHEONS-Cashing in on Freedom-EP
HOAX-Discipline-EP
KNOTS-Heartbreaker/Action-45
COMMUNION OF THIEVES-demo+live
RAPE REVENGE/STRESSXRELIEF/DNF-live
GOUM – NOISESAP CD
Some truly strange and progressive female-fronted hardcore punk from Japan, this took me a little while to warm up to but now I must admit I'm quite into it. This very modern-sounding album has a definite 'everything and the kitchen sink' approach, bouncing between stoney FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND worship, rock'n'roll-y hardcore, and even some very 90s dream pop/shoegaze without feeling incoherent and/or watered-down as genre-hopping experiments so often do. Certain parts could be compared to the poppy side of BORIS, and the final instrumental 'Still You Say It's Safe?' is one such high point, doing the post-metal thing better than 97% of the bands in that safest of heavy genres. While the lyrics for 'Rotten Apple' are undeniably sketchy ("Those women that desire to be treated equally to men easily get carried away/Selfish-cunts taking advantage of their feminity"), the broader context makes it unclear if they're intended as dark satire or merely reactionary anti-feminism. One thing is for sure, this album isn't about easy answers. I for one can't quite get it out of my mind. (WB)
(Narm Discos)
MALATESTA - ABWESEND EP
Hailing from Munich and named for a 19th-century champion of insurrectionary anarchism, MALATESTA specialize in brooding melodic crust with the occasional hint of metal. Not all that gritty for a crust record, the combination of epic d-beats, forceful chugging and melancholic guitar work here recalls bands like ÖROKU minus the cello, while the obscure, washed out production adds several layers of screamotional depth. The vocal range on this record is simply fantastic, and really ties the whole thing together. A record to be listened to with pinkies raised, this is totally worth your time. (WB)
(self-released)
PYROKLAST – THE MADNESS CONFOUNDS LP
These guys nail the sound they're going for and it's catchy as shit at points, but to be honest I'm having trouble caring about what PYROKLAST have to offer here. These guys play no-bullshit, straight-ahead hardcore punk complete with the most cookie-cutter of left-wing punx politics, but the overall vibe is here more like crusty thrash metal. There's some nods to NYHC and thrashcore in there too, and those parts do help to break from the monotony of PYROKLAST's meat-and-potatoes shreddy hardcore, but the basic m.o. has already been done to death by every mediocre band formed in the wake of AUS ROTTEN. The guitar players are fuckin' shredders and there's no denying the hooks that are simply lying all over this record, but in the end it makes me think about beer bongs way more than I generally like my hardcore to. There's thousands of punks all over the world who would eat this right up, but sadly I ain't one of them. Oh well. (WB)
(Agipunk)
V/A – TOR JOHNSON RECORDS TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OMNIBUS EP
I can't confess to any real familiarity with the Tor aside from their D-list namesake and the THEY AND THE CHILDREN CD they put out years ago (props), but this little nugget makes about as compelling of a case for checking out their back catalogue as I can imagine. The first track is probably my favorite, a previously unreleased dose of crushing German-style metallic crust by Providence's SAINT JUDE. NOW DENIAL add a lo-fi pop-punk feel to their nonetheless super-legit take on the MISFITS' "We Bite", while THE PRETTY FACES manage to integrate some pretty killer toy piano melodies into their enjoyable melange of screamo, post-hardcore and NIRVANA-influenced alt-rock guitar. Finally, the awesomely-named A FINE BOAT, THAT COFFIN round things out with some fairly glitchy electronica paired with hardcore vocals. DIY as fuck right down to the recycled covers (mine came from a DIONNE WARWICK LP!), this rules, ok? (WB)
(Tor Johnson)
NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT – DOG LP
Heavy and bleak dual-vocal punishment from Western Australia, NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT offer up an enticing combo of sludge, powerviolence, and hardcore snarl that can't help but impress. A song cycle about mental illness and alienation accompanied by some fantastically schizoid artwork, words like discomfort, shame, and fffuuuuuuck are but a few brought to mind by this release. Never resting on a particular sound for too long, the band manifests an appropriately oppressive atmosphere throughout, to maddening effect. This is what they call a "total package". Get on it. (WB)
(Coffin Cut)
SEVEN SISTERS OF SLEEP – SUNDOWN EP
From the appropriately hellish wasteland of Orange County, this is dark hardcore for the Satan/weed set, pretty fucking good stuff. The requisite A389 mid-tempo pummel is in full effect, thick metallic hardcore a la XIBALBA punctuated by murky black metal and spot-on sludgecore breakdowns that had me headbanging impulsively. Sisters of SLEEP indeed, you can tell these guys have spent plenty of time on a certain 'Holy Mountain', and they're particularly indebted to Chris Hiakus' rightfully-legendary cymbal-plod. No complaints here. This single 7" comes in a gatefold sleeve just so it can contain the accompanying bonus CD, poster, download card, and embroidered patch that come with it. This, in turn, begs several questions. Like, why does one need a download card if a CD copy is included? And, more importantly, who wants to pay $13 for a 3-song EP? Fucking ridiculous. (WB)
(A389)
May 2012 – #348
UNHOLY MAJESTY – “Age of Affliction” EP
With a distinct INTEGRITY/"Holy Terror" influence reflected in
chugging guitars and over-the-top lyrical posturing, UNHOLY MAJESTY
from the UK provide yet another entry in the hopelessly oversaturated
world of dark-ish hardcore that's really blown up in the last few
years. Unfortunately, good mixing and solid musicianship don't amount
to squat when the riffs amount to rehashed 80s thrash metal, only way
slower, like if you got too stoned and accidentally listened to a
MEGADETH 45 at 33 RPM. This is the kind of band that credits which
member performed each guitar solo, and yes, those solos are fucking
atrocious: predictable, noodling wankfests that sound like they were
lifted from every bad classic rock song you could possibly think of.
You almost have to love a band that could produce such cheezy shlock
while maintaining such a level of pretense as to self-identify in
their liner notes as “a psychological projection of your own
identity”…almost. (WB)
(A389)
HOST – “There’s Nothing Up There But Heavy Clouds” EP
New Hampshire's HOST offer up a short but brilliant dose of crushing,
pissed-off hardcore here, touching on the brutal, off-time fast/slow
of powerviolence without ever really getting blasty with it. Throwing
together fun-as-fuck mosh parts, galloping crust beats, and the
occasional gang vocal for good measure, HOST take their rightful place
alongside bands like DRAIZE, OILTANKER and VACCINE as part of the
vibrant New England hardcore scene currently destroying all posers.
Each song is wisely kept under under the two-minute mark, presumably
to keep the members from having a rage-induced aneurysm. (WB)
(Cricket Cemetery)
YOUNG AND IN THE WAY – “Amen/I Am Not What I Am” 2xLP
Baroque, harsh, and unabashedly esoteric shit, whoa. YAITW are from
North Carolina and produce black metal-laced crust with a solid
grounding in angry East Coast hardcore. This release is a compilation
of two albums, one on vinyl for the first time and the other
previously self-released by the band. First, 2010's Amen, which
oscillates between bludgeoning hardcore and slow, claustrophobic
breakdowns; the far-slower B-side of Amen, which plays out like an
extended dirge worthy of THOU, was actually my favorite part of the
record. Fast forward a year later to I Am Not What I Am and we find
YAITW upping both the speed and majesty factor exponentially, the
latter to the point of opening the album with several minutes of opera
singing sampled over creeping tremolo riffs, somewhat like a filthier
MORNE. The black metal influence goes beyond mere blast beats, with
horror movie keyboards and dreamy, symphonic passages constantly
cropping up to give the whole thing a delightfully demented feel. No
doubt, this is a project that aims high, but there's nothing better
than seeing something like this that's actual able to deliver on its
promises. Yeah, this is totally great. (WB)
(A389)
LE DEAD PROJET – “Keep on Living” LP
Epic screamo/neocrust by way of Paris, LE DEAD PROJET play an
atmospheric brand of hardcore that instantly reminded me of the German
powerhouse ZORN, with a focus on melody and vocal leads that's
decidedly post-something. Wailing guitars and a dynamic, at times
chaotic approach to songwriting puts this in the realm of Euro-crust
torchbearers ALPINIST, but with a slower, more deliberate feel that
fits the raw, heartfelt lyrical delivery well. There are times when
this record drags – an inevitability for me since the band never
really makes it out of mid-tempo – but LE DEAD PROJET manage to cover
a wide range of sonic territory while maintaining an overall coherence
that keeps things engaging. When the band does hit its mark, they
achieve some of the more compelling moments I've heard in this style.
(WB)
(Dingleberry)
HEXIS – “X" EP
Relentless, maddeningly bleak stuff. This mysterious outfit from
Copenhagen specializes in an incredibly dense form of black metal that
displays both avant-garde leanings and a decided hardcore/crust
influence. Like similarly-minded contemporaries ELITIST and THE
SECRET, HEXIS masterfully strike a balance between memorable riffs and
sheer sonic intensity, with jaw-dropping, almost industrial drum
blasts that blur together to create a massive, pummeling drone. The
one-sided seven-inch is quite possibly the most annoying (vinyl)
format in existence, but this band manages to pack more mood and
compositional wizardry into a few minutes than a lot of bands achieve
in entire LPs, so perhaps that can be forgiven here. The perfect
soundtrack for an anxiety attack, I fucking love this. (WB)
(IFB/Maximum Douglas/Orchid Scent/Parade of Spectres/Panda Banda)
With a distinct INTEGRITY/"Holy Terror" influence reflected in
chugging guitars and over-the-top lyrical posturing, UNHOLY MAJESTY
from the UK provide yet another entry in the hopelessly oversaturated
world of dark-ish hardcore that's really blown up in the last few
years. Unfortunately, good mixing and solid musicianship don't amount
to squat when the riffs amount to rehashed 80s thrash metal, only way
slower, like if you got too stoned and accidentally listened to a
MEGADETH 45 at 33 RPM. This is the kind of band that credits which
member performed each guitar solo, and yes, those solos are fucking
atrocious: predictable, noodling wankfests that sound like they were
lifted from every bad classic rock song you could possibly think of.
You almost have to love a band that could produce such cheezy shlock
while maintaining such a level of pretense as to self-identify in
their liner notes as “a psychological projection of your own
identity”…almost. (WB)
(A389)
HOST – “There’s Nothing Up There But Heavy Clouds” EP
New Hampshire's HOST offer up a short but brilliant dose of crushing,
pissed-off hardcore here, touching on the brutal, off-time fast/slow
of powerviolence without ever really getting blasty with it. Throwing
together fun-as-fuck mosh parts, galloping crust beats, and the
occasional gang vocal for good measure, HOST take their rightful place
alongside bands like DRAIZE, OILTANKER and VACCINE as part of the
vibrant New England hardcore scene currently destroying all posers.
Each song is wisely kept under under the two-minute mark, presumably
to keep the members from having a rage-induced aneurysm. (WB)
(Cricket Cemetery)
YOUNG AND IN THE WAY – “Amen/I Am Not What I Am” 2xLP
Baroque, harsh, and unabashedly esoteric shit, whoa. YAITW are from
North Carolina and produce black metal-laced crust with a solid
grounding in angry East Coast hardcore. This release is a compilation
of two albums, one on vinyl for the first time and the other
previously self-released by the band. First, 2010's Amen, which
oscillates between bludgeoning hardcore and slow, claustrophobic
breakdowns; the far-slower B-side of Amen, which plays out like an
extended dirge worthy of THOU, was actually my favorite part of the
record. Fast forward a year later to I Am Not What I Am and we find
YAITW upping both the speed and majesty factor exponentially, the
latter to the point of opening the album with several minutes of opera
singing sampled over creeping tremolo riffs, somewhat like a filthier
MORNE. The black metal influence goes beyond mere blast beats, with
horror movie keyboards and dreamy, symphonic passages constantly
cropping up to give the whole thing a delightfully demented feel. No
doubt, this is a project that aims high, but there's nothing better
than seeing something like this that's actual able to deliver on its
promises. Yeah, this is totally great. (WB)
(A389)
LE DEAD PROJET – “Keep on Living” LP
Epic screamo/neocrust by way of Paris, LE DEAD PROJET play an
atmospheric brand of hardcore that instantly reminded me of the German
powerhouse ZORN, with a focus on melody and vocal leads that's
decidedly post-something. Wailing guitars and a dynamic, at times
chaotic approach to songwriting puts this in the realm of Euro-crust
torchbearers ALPINIST, but with a slower, more deliberate feel that
fits the raw, heartfelt lyrical delivery well. There are times when
this record drags – an inevitability for me since the band never
really makes it out of mid-tempo – but LE DEAD PROJET manage to cover
a wide range of sonic territory while maintaining an overall coherence
that keeps things engaging. When the band does hit its mark, they
achieve some of the more compelling moments I've heard in this style.
(WB)
(Dingleberry)
HEXIS – “X" EP
Relentless, maddeningly bleak stuff. This mysterious outfit from
Copenhagen specializes in an incredibly dense form of black metal that
displays both avant-garde leanings and a decided hardcore/crust
influence. Like similarly-minded contemporaries ELITIST and THE
SECRET, HEXIS masterfully strike a balance between memorable riffs and
sheer sonic intensity, with jaw-dropping, almost industrial drum
blasts that blur together to create a massive, pummeling drone. The
one-sided seven-inch is quite possibly the most annoying (vinyl)
format in existence, but this band manages to pack more mood and
compositional wizardry into a few minutes than a lot of bands achieve
in entire LPs, so perhaps that can be forgiven here. The perfect
soundtrack for an anxiety attack, I fucking love this. (WB)
(IFB/Maximum Douglas/Orchid Scent/Parade of Spectres/Panda Banda)
April 2012 – #347
AGE OF COLLAPSE – “Burden of Beast” LP
Sprawling, dark hardcore from San Diego. AGE OF COLLAPSE touch on a wide range of influences here: although rooted in modern, epic crust, the pleading vocals and haunting, melodic guitars owe as much to screamo as they do to FROM ASHES RISE or FALL OF EFRAFA. Slow, hypnotic breakdowns give way to faster punk parts that remind me of Spanish heroes MADAME GERMEN, a comparison made all the easier when I occasionally mistook the reverb-drenched guitars for bowed string instruments. This recording sounds absolutely huge, and in all the right ways; it’s easy for this kind of music get bogged down under the weight of ambition, but AGE OF COLLAPSE wisely avoid the trap of monotony with a seemingly endless flow of masterfully-placed riffs. Serious without feeling self-indulgent, these songs convey a sense of loss and exasperation that is echoed in muted artwork and bleak, narrative lyrics. (WB)
(Aborted Society)
ANCIENT FILTH – “Too Young (Fuck Adults)” EP
Indignant political punk from Massachusetts. Everything here centers around a classic, mid-tempo approach, but ANCIENT FILTH set themselves apart with heady samples and breakdowns that border on the epic without detracting from the overall sense of immediacy. Vocals are solid throughout, if a bit monotonous, and the lyrics and accompanying explanations are quite brilliant, touching on classic anarcho-punk themes without feeling ever like a rehash. The packaging takes everything to the next level, the vaguely Giger-esque cover art unfolding to reveal an awesomely detailed two-sided poster along with a mysterious drawing of a spiral galaxy that is never quite given proper context. (WB)
(Shock To The System)
APPALACHIAN TERROR UNIT – “Black Sands” EP
Genre music for genre people, APPALACHIAN TERROR UNIT certainly aren’t doing any favors to those of us wanting to defend the continuing vitality of the contemporary crust scene against its many, many critics. D-beats, chugging breakdowns and well-worn thrash guitar leads abound throughout, while “The End of Complacency” adds female/male vocal trade-offs to the “incensed dude half-screaming trite lyrics over a slow, forgettable riff” formula that always made me think of BEHIND ENEMY LINES as one of the most over-hyped bands of the new millennium. Definitely the best-sounding release I’ve heard from them so far, but this EP is mostly noteworthy for having some of the ugliest, tackiest art in recent memory. (WB)
(Profane Existence)
IN RUINS – “Lifeless” LP
Unapologetically grim and apocalyptic, IN RUINS show you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to put out a worthy punk record in the year 2012 (ok, this came out in 2011, but you get the point). I know I roll my eyes every time I see a lazy reviewer comparing a crust band to TRAGEDY, so you’ll just have to trust me when I say that the galloping, melodic dual guitars make that actually merited in this case. This record doesn’t have the most memorable hooks, but when they get ripping IN RUINS is right up there with WOLFBRIGADE and other obvious forbearers. It certainly doesn’t hurt that these guys are shredders and clearly had a lot of fun writing these interwoven guitar leads, though I will say the palm-muted chugs that pop up every once in a while reminded me way too much of metalcore. Vocals are gritty and perfect, and the drumming is supremely solid throughout with enough tricks thrown in to keep things interesting. Definitely worth picking up, I’m expecting even bigger things from this band in the future. (WB)
(Anti-Corporate)
WARCOLLAPSE – “Defy!” LP
A reissue of the most recent full-length from one of the powerhouses of Swedish metalpunk, WARCOLLAPSE have been putting out some of the world’s heaviest käng for over two decades and this album is no exception. Fans of DISFEAR, MARTYRDÖD, and the rest of the Scandi-pantheon will eat this right up, and the band remains faithful to the guttural vocals, plodding riffs and meaty d-beats that have defined their sound since the mid-’90s. Shit gets downright psychedelic for the YOB-worthy sludge of the title track, and a liberal use of effects throughout the LP adds a whole other dimension to an already-winning formula – I love how the vocals occasionally integrate delay in a subtle, understated way to add an extra air of atmosphere. This record was apparently recorded over the course of three years, and it shows, with incredible musicianship and a total absence of filler. If this record doesn’t have you involuntarily pumping your fists within minutes of putting it on, you obviously do not lead a crust as fuck existence. (WB)
(Profane Existence)
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