Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Sun-Blackened Metal

It seems almost too often that a reviewer will describe a band as "metal played by hardcore kids," but I think it's appropriate with Suicide Nation. The metal in question here would be mainly of the black variety. Suicide Nation comes from the land of saguaros and cookie-cutter tract homes as far as the eye can see: Arizona-- the same steaming, earthen cauldron that birthed Absinthe, Unruh, Structure of Lies, etc. Posted here is their raw and devastating first LP released around 1998 on King of the Monsters Records. There's a bit of an older black metal feel, combined with some emotional nineties hardcore dissonance, and finished off with a beautiful acoustic instrumental epic. Although a bit hard on the ears at times, this one's a ripper!

Click if you dare.

16 comments:

lloyd said...

Once again, this blog makes me not feel so bad that i'm too lazy to rip my records to digital. Thank you so much. S.N. were one of my favorite bands of the late '90s. i like this LP way better than the second one, too. Do you have the 7"es?

yrfkt said...

If I'm not mistaken, the vocalist from Suicide Nation is Matt who plays bass in Landmine Marathon now? I'm sure a peek at the liner notes can confirm/deny.

Anonymous said...

Irresistable description. Nice job!

Batguano said...

Hey Lloyd, I'm here to help! (Whether accidentally or by request!) I agree... I owned their second LP for short time, then ended up trading it in. I wish I didn't because I'd like to give it another try. But, yeah, it didn't hit me like this one did. No, I don't have the 7 inches at present, but when I track them down you can be sure to see them here.

YRFKT, you may be right. The vocals are credited to "Matt," and LM's bass/vocals guy is Matt Martinez. I vaguely remember hearing of this connection before, but it is lost with all the other ex-member information I ingest daily! Thanks for pointing that out... it reminded me also to stop neglecting that LM LP.

I also noticed that you've started a blog. Excellent! I hope you keep it going... heading over there now to say hey.

Paris, always a pleasure. If you end up feeling strongly one way or another about this rec., do share!

Papst Benedikt XVI said...

marc, on another coincidence I stumbled over more SUICIDE-NATION here:

http://dregala.blogspot.com/2008/09/suicide-nation-requiem-for-all-that.html

guess that are the 7"es?

Batguano said...

I'll check it out, but that looks like the title of that 2nd LP of theirs. Thanks for lookin' out!

Papst Benedikt XVI said...

I think it's 2 records in 1 post!

Batguano said...

Ah yes, it's this album AND the 2nd one. Cool blog that I had yet to discover.

Ok, I'm off to work :(

lloyd said...

Yeah, it is the same Matt. Mike Emo (S.N. guitar player) was in Landmine Marathon for a while as well.

i do have a rip of the Tho Ko Losi (pre-S.N. band) 7" i can share if you don't have it.....

Anonymous said...

Hey, I did that album cover! Cool! Its crazy that people still remember this music and all the old AZ shit we did. Cheers for the great blog! And just to let you know we're still in it here to win it here in AZ! Emo is his nickname and he pretty much started LM. To many Mikes around here.

Bjella

black hell/gog/unruh/wellington

Zmaj said...

Here I go being unrelated and all again (haven't given this a listen yet) but hear me out; the 18th next month Birushanah is supposed to play in Croatia. I do not deserve the reputation of having a total boner for Japan if I don't go! Have you had a chance to see them yet? (I just know you really like them.)

Anonymous said...

Hey batguano, I think this is great stuff, just goes to prove why I like black metal (so long as it doesn't moan or screech too much) and crust punk, both. The one exception is the useless meandering solo called "Asylum." Sheesh, where'd that come from, and why? But easy enough to drop the last track and enjoy a powerful set of music. You rock!

Batguano said...

Lloyd- I've been planning to post the Tho Ko Losi ep, for a while. Thanks for offering, though!

Bjella- Thanks for the art, music, and the rad comment! And a big shout out to the 'Zoners! Glad to here you're still in this thing!

Zmaj- I have not gotten word about Birushanah touring around here, so I'm a little jealous. For your sake, I hope you end up going!

Paris- happy to hear that you (mostly) like it. "Asylum" does seem to come outta nowhere, but I don't know, I'm a sucker for well played acoustic stuff...

Zmaj said...

Oh I'm definitely going unless something really bad happens.

Also, Suicide Nation is totally awesome. It's pretty much how I'd like Teen Cthulhu to sound haha. Thanks a lot for this one!

Anonymous said...

Aaron Nice, SN's drummer, later played in A Light in the Attic, Takaru (only on the last 7") & then Burial Year, all awesome bands. He's also a great vegan chef & all-around good dude.

Batguano said...

Wow! The Ex-member saga continues! So I guess he moved to the SF Bay Area!?! Thanks for the info... this is exactly why I enjoy blogging.