SOTW: "Withdrawal" (Econochrist)

I don't hear about Econochrist too often these days. I suspect it might be because their music has been widely available-- I guess it takes scarcity to boost a band's popularity sometimes. Regardless, Econochrist are one of the top 10 bands I could never live without. Their discography is just gripping from beginning to end (even their melodic "Arkansas" era stuff has its charm). To avoid rolling dice to choose a favorite, I present the first track I ever heard from the band, in the form I heard it in: "Withdrawal" ripped directly from the "Vinyl Retentive" comp.

"Withdrawal"

"Withdrawal" (mediafire)

Hotter Than Satan's Crotch

The summer temperatures have finally arrived over here. Before you start to one-up me... I know... it's 10 times hotter where you are. It wouldn't be so uncomfortable if it weren't for my pledge to ride the bike to work 3-4 days a week. Nothing like riding uphill, sandwiched between baked asphalt and the 100 degree sun to make you feel alive!

At times like this, I like to think of those less fortunate souls, like the people of Arizona. Then I get to remembering how awesome the metallic hardcore bands were that used to come out of that state. Unruh is a great example. I always reminisce fondly about their later LP, "Setting Fire To Sinking Ships," but I often forget the unbridled devastation of their early "Friendly Fire" 7". Upon first hearing the distorted chords of the title track, I thought for sure this was a lost Wellington recording. But the tempo changes later on verify that this is indeed Unruh, in its primal phase, setting down its blueprint for global annihilation.

"Friendly Fire" 7" (Edema/King Of The Monsters/Abiology Records)

Hell Comes Home

Why did Cursed have to die?! The three excellent full-lengths were satisfying indeed, but imagine three more! Such is life. The 7" of the day may be only two songs long, but they are two rip-roaring examples of what this band was made of. One's a feisty original, and the other's a ball-kicking hardcore version of The Stooges' "Search & Destroy." The latter track was compiled on an old mix tape I did, but I had to put it on here again because no one downloaded that thing anyway, this version is so damned good, and this time it's ripped at a better rate.

"Hell Comes Home" 7" (Hex Records)

Song Of The Week: "Electrifier" (Monochrome)

Staying on the theme of Dawnbreed and labeling, it's finally Monochrome time. I'm almost certain the "indie-pop" tag has prevented many potential fans from checking this post-Dawnbreed band out. "Pop?" With that heavy drum production, stark bass and guitar interplay, and seven minute duration? I think there's a lot more going on here.

"Electrifier" from the awesome "Laser" CD

or

"Electrifier" (mediafire)

Recession Chic

It's time for another example of '90's experimentation that didn't suck. Dawnbreed's "Kiosk" LP was neither too screamy, too metal, nor too pretentious. It followed the golden mean in every way, except for being excessively good! Heavy, artful (as opposed to 'arty'), smart, and aggressive are all decent but inadequate adjectives for a band I refuse to brand with any other label but hardcore. They differed from most bands under that banner, and were so much more besides; but I prefer to leave it at that.

Dawnbreed's "Kiosk" LP (on Common Cause Records and ripped @ 320)

Next week: Dawnbreed 7"s!!!

Gluttons Of Necropolis

Being one of the better and more mould-breaking early Profane Existence bands, I wouldn't be surprised if Moral Suckling has done the blog rounds already. Where to begin with a description... crusty post-punk? No.. there's just no way to encapsulate this band easily. Fans of The Clash, Conflict, The Smartpils or (very) early Deviated Instinct might easily find themselves digging MS's best material, which is the great "Reach" LP. I lost my copy a while back, but I have a test pressing that's in good shape and which I ripped and linked below. Having no inserts to go by, I had to rely on Discogs.com and intuition to tag the tracks. That's not exactly a perfect formula, so let me know if I made any mistakes. I also tracked down Moral Suckling's 7" on Monkey Puzzle Records. This is a nice and raw representation of the band, and although nowhere near the LP in quality, the youthful-yet-smart punk thereon is hard to resist.

Both records HERE

For The Benefit Of The Nation Or Its Destruction

This Song Of The Week was inspired by a cheezy happenstance. It's the second time whereby the i-pod has reminded me of the urgent need to revisit a band. Crucifix was one of the best things the later Cold War produced. Cross the streams of the paranoid aesthetic of Discharge and Crass with the raw music theory of early DC bands and we arrive somewhere near this band's power. "Dehumanization" is pure greatness from start to finish, so I present the first track "Annihilation" to solve the dilemma of choosing only one.

"Annihilation"

"Annihilation" (mediafire)

What To Do With This Yearning...

When a certain former blogger requested Warhead rips a while back, I thought I'd see if I could get affordable copies of the band's out of print EPs before doing a post. Since the next ice age will probably happen sooner than that, I went ahead and busted out the 12" released on Ugly Pop Records recently. It collects the 1993 CD, "What To Do With This Yearning?" and the 1995 7" "The Lost Self And The Beating Heart." Everything addictive about '90's Japanese hardcore impatiently awaits us in these grooves. And then there's the vocals. The word psychotic comes to mind, as does the phrase fucking awesome! On the CD tracks, the vocals are recorded a bit too loud, but once you get used to that, the complaints end there. If you lack rips of this thing, hesitate no longer...

Warhead

When They Sleep

Here's that A Light In The Attic LP I was talking about. All twelve rippers are so much better realized than the ones on the previous post; each one a mesmerizing, frenetic haze of grey chaos. Lots more twisted discord this time around, for maximum ambiance. This isn't for everyone, but I goddamn love it!

A Light In The Attic "When They Sleep" LP (Wild Zero Records) @ 320 kbps

11 Fits Of Communication

What would happen if members of Yaphet Kotto and Suicide Nation got together? Besides an excellent split 7", the answer would also include A Light In The Attic. Silverstein reference aside, LITA was an impressive, ephemeral musical event that fused the respective emotion and metallic brutalism of both bands, the congealed result of which sounded like neither. Now, I'll admit, their tracks on this split LP are not exactly their crowning achievement. I suggest approaching them as preparation for the Takaru tracks, or for the much superior ones that appear on their own LP (shall I post that tomorrow?). The Takaru tracks are indeed fine examples of what this band could do. If you're one who finds some qualities of "screamo" redeeming, but prefer some metal chutzpah (balls) placed heavily in the mix, you'll appreciate Takaru immensely. I want to say they have connections to Burial Year, but I lost track. This is a blog, though, so if you know more about Takaru or this supposedly rare split, you should try commenting. You'll feel good about it afterward. Trust me.

A Light In The Attic/Takaru Split LP (@ 320 kbps)

Mental Lubricant

The Tafkata post sent me on a major Brainoil revival kick. Not that I ever stopped listening to them. Both bands are all about insane and at times intricate sludge riffage, and the Song Of The Week is fraught with some major doozies. I sometimes forget that "Naive In A Bliss" even has vocals. I feel more often that the guitar lines are doing all the screaming in this one, and what they have to say is pure rock poetry. The entire Brainoil 12" is essential listening, but this one gets the horns in the air this week.

"Naive In A Bliss"

"Naive In A Bliss" (Mediafire)

Violent Minds Never Heal

I've only got time for an EP post today, but next week I'm planning upwards of four posts, so hold tight. Now, on with the free music... Since discovering the insane goodness of Never Healed, I had to set aside a small budget to collect everything they've released. Lucky for my wallet, that isn't much (however unlucky it is for my new addiction). Descriptions of their simple but devastating, mid-paced hardcore punk will surely fall short of doing them any justice; listen and become a believer! This split (Armoury Of Fearless Truth Against Whispering Rumor(?)) was my first exposure to Violent Minds. They play solid as heck hardcore with a rock'n roll twang that I love. Their side is ridiculously short, so when you want more, contact Deranged Records to get a more sustained fix.

Never Healed/Violent Minds Split 7" (Vexed Records, 2007).

Never Healed has a so-far Discography CD available, and you can sample their 12" tracks here.

Worker & Parasite

When All Out Ward suggested posting some Tafkata, I was a little hesitant; it seems like I just got my copy. After a bit of snooping, I'm a little less leery. The band's website and myspace page betray a bit of neglect, and the labels involved in releasing the "Worker & Parasite" LP reveal an equally veiled approach at musical proliferation. If any of the above entities have a problem with me posting these rips, just send the word. Meanwhile, Tafkata have been annihilating the rotation here at FE HQs with their thick and gutsy sludge-metal-hardcore. The label bills them as a union of Rorschach and Sabbath, and I think that's pretty fair. Some of the more bouncy tempos allude to a newer sludge master, Brainoil, and in a vague way, the drawn out vocals evoke a bit of Dystopia. Whatever the comparisons you choose, the above cast and the fact that Tafkata has former Enewetak folks in its line-up should help you decide if they might interest you. The bottom line is, if you like your metal fried Southern style and infused with a fair amount of hardcore grit, this album is calling your name.

"Worker & Parasite"

If you live in the UK, some distros might have this piece in stock.

No Hay Banda

No Song was calling my name, topical or otherwise, so I took a look at what I've been playing lately. I can't seem to get this El Banda 7" off my turn table. Not that I'd want to. What you need to know is a) They're from Poland, b) the bass player is from Post Regiment. Yep, that should do it. "Wisi Mi" was released on CD with a different cover and I believe one fewer song. You can pick up the vinyl here if you live in 'Merica, and I strongly suggest doing so. It's really smart and at times quirky hardcore punk with melody and nicely layered guitars. "Grojecka" is the first track and is exceptionally gloomy compared to the rest; hence, I love it! It appears to be about a dismembered woman, but whether literally or figuratively I cannot say. It rocks just as hard from both angles.

"Grojecka"

"Grojecka" (Mediafire)