Starving The Starving

So maybe we won't be leaving Canada alone just yet. I got bitten by the summer bug since the last post and thus the delay; but in the meantime I secured a cheap copy of the Wisigoth/Jobbykrust split LP which I'm happy to share with you today. Wisigoth continue with their raw and ugly doom/crust/metal, and Jobbykrust compile some early demo material for 12 tracks of charged-up political hardcore done right. Both bands are so distinct, yet the pairing seems just perfect and both match each other in intensity and sincerity, making the 47 minutes of music seem all too short. Get more Jobbykrust music and info here, here, and here, and get the Wisigoth 7" here.

Wisigoth/Jobbykrust split LP (Funai Records)

Hybride

I'll go ahead and leave Canada alone for while, but not without first dropping a double regiment of Hybride. I can't find much information about these guys, but on the 10" depicted above, prepare yourself for a seriously fucked up guitar sound and some noise rock/sludge/hardcore that leaves me with the same sickened satisfaction as the Gasp demo or the Insuiciety 10". There's a looseness of structure and direction that the band would shed a bit on their...
...7" a year or two later. On this, their final (?), outing the band stripped their sound down almost to the bones and opted for a mean, almost unencumbered sludge-metal approach. They also kept only Mélanie on vocals, and in isolation she reminds me a lot of the Daymare singer (maybe it's just because her screams are high-pitched and in French). I can't pick a favorite between the two records as it really depends if you're in the mood for some psychedelic chaos or more measured heaviosity. Both are in the folder below.

Hybride 10" & 7" (Spineless and Bad Card Records respectively)

In the Wake of an Ethereal Nightmare

In collaboration with 15 Counts of Arson, Ire week comes to an early terminus. Head over there to download Ire's first LP and scroll down a little for the second and some early tracks. I predict some disagreement as to which of the band's releases showcases their best material; since I have the floor, I'll say that "What Seed, What Root?" is my favorite. It really is a matter of taste, but on "WSWR?" I love the way the band exchanged some of the emotive sentimentality and cold mathematics of their previous two phases for warmer, riff-centered song-writing, along with some crushingly repetitive, hypnotic sequences. The song lengths are a bit shorter than their first LP, but the entire project retains an expansive feel as each song flows into the next with a narrative fluidity. To allocate Ire to a genre at the end of their career is not easy, but they might have found a comfortable spot near Token Tantrum or Lost, yet I can see logically how some of the members would be involved in The Black Hand demo as their next project. For full enjoyment, play it loud, and play it when you're not too antsy or distracted.

"What Seed, What Root?" by Ire (Scorched Earth Policy Records, 1999)

Appreciating Darkness

Our exploration of Canada's contribution to nineties hardcore and metal continues with a fairly unique split LP between Seized and Ire. For most of its life on my turn table, I had only listened to the Seized side-- their sound being unlike anything else I was listening to at the time, yet the tracks were powerful and engaging. Perhaps I was seduced by each track's serene opening, each following an idyllic trail that slowly darkens into a forest of mysterious and sinister goings-on. To say that the tracks are bass-driven is a redundancy after we see in the notes that there are three bass players and no guitarist in the lineup. Seized also employed a violinist who knows her limitations and adds great ambiance, and a vocalist who might have listened to some Cathedral records at some point. If all of this sounds strange, it's because it is; but not in a bad way. Seized is a case where oddness enhances greatness. These would be the last tracks the band would record (and the best), but they also left behind two split 7"s and I believe a 7".
My avoidance of Ire would end with time and the inevitable opening-up of my musical tastes. I still have reservations over the "PC" spoken word portion at the end of "She," (not over its validity, but over its necessity/delivery) but now I just dismiss it as a product of the zeitgeist. At this point, the backbone of Ire's metal was ossified of the same stuff as Rorschach, but tending in the more "sentimental" direction (read: "EMOtive") of bands like Groundwork or Grievance. As the band worked out its ideas, it's easy to see that these guys were endowed with considerable skill and conviction which would continue...

... on their follow-up 7" also posted below. These three tracks see the band giving into their aggressive tendencies and abandoning some of the dissonant flourishes present in past tracks. As is perhaps predictable with musicians like these, the band would experiment a little more with their style on their ensuing two LPs, which I hope to post later this week.

Seized/Ire Split LP (Spineless/Fetus Records)

Ire 7" (Schema Records)

The Slaughter of Immortals

I was looking for more Wisigoth material in order to compliment this excellent 7" and offer a more extensive post. Unfortunately, this didn't happen before the urge to post it took over. Wisigoth was a Canadian band that sliced and trampled its way into the secret society of bands ruled over by Dystopia-- bands with a definite metal base, but with leanings toward crust, a DIY hardcore ethic, and tempos that earn them sludge honors. If you're into other French-Canadien metal/crust/grind/sludge, you either already dig these guys or will have no problem doing so. Since I'm on this whole kick of doing series, look out for more Canadian stuff this week.

Wisigoth- "Une Hécatombe Pour Les Immortels..." 7" (Spineless Records, 1997)

A Dark Night of Shameless Abuse

Complications was a pariah mongrel of death rock and punk unleashed by members of Born Dead Icons, The Black Hand, etc. For me, this seemingly rare 7" evokes a heart-pumping pursuit of mysterious ends through a twilit dreamscape, all the while skirting along the edge of a nightmare but never quite lapsing into it. It's no doubt an exhilarating experience which can be enjoyed in a more fruitful and layered form on their LP, and which I hope you'll pick up from a distributor of your choice. Once the LP becomes harder to find, I'll just have to post that too.

Complications 7" (Feral Ward Records)

The Creators of Dismay

Two tracks today: one on distinguishing our past from our present, the other on our present attempts at affecting our future. Both are about futility. And so Arctic Flowers and Spectres do the only thing there is to do when tethered to an atrocious past, in a morally desolate landscape: make great music.

Arctic Flowers/Spectres Split 7"

This out of print split was a great excuse to post about one of my new favorite bands (AFs) and it also gave me a chance to really listen to Spectres who have finally sunken in and won me over (they have several releases you might be interested in). Arctic Flowers are touted often as "Stan from Signal Lost's new band" and they are that and so much more. They're the celebration of all things dark and beautiful, and the annihilation of the illusory and false. I hope this band is as resilient as their namesake, because their next releases will/would be amazing. Be sure to grab their 7" here or from the band on their California tour dates.

Song of the Week: "Images" (Complications)

I'm bringing back an old institution after a couple of weeks without any inspiration. This time my drooping antennae were compelled northward by the signal of an LP aged three years in the pipeline. Most descriptions of Montreal's Complications will start with the members' prior involvement in Born Dead Icons. An irresistible attention-grabber, no doubt, but inadequate for descriptive purposes. You might also see the Killing Joke reference, and here we start to unravel the secret. Whether you settle on post-punk, post-hardcore, dark punk, etc, Complications will likely mesmerize many listeners at first with the complex layering of their dark guitaristry, such as the amazing second riff in today's selection, "Images." Such shadowy music deserves a fitting vocalist, and here I think the band succeeds again. At the risk of completely missing the mark, I offer this: the creeky basement despair of Rozz, the rasp of Piciotto, the gravely hum of Stubbs. Despite the persistent gloom, there's odd warmth to the band's sound that isn't common among its tribe; this is due in part to the drums which in calmer instants lull and rock, but in fits of violence pulse and pump-- the former like a warm oatmeal stout by the fire on a moonless night; the latter a frantic chase through a tunnel whose end is a mere pin-point aperture. I thought I could kick the habit I had formed from listening to Zygote and Bad Influence, but it seems with bands like Complications and Cross Stitched Eyes around, there may be no end to it. "Images" from the self-titled LP by Complications (Feral Ward Records)

Song Of The Week: "Discipline" (The Rosie Jones Band/Leatherface)

Yeah, I know, tribute comps suck. Most of the songs, as decent as they might be, just make you want to throw on the originals. Rubber Factory's "Leatherface Tribute" isn't very exceptional in this respect. Of the forty or so renditions hereon, about eight warrant repeat listens. The one I celebrate today always kills me though: a western version of "Discipline" (western as in country and western)!?! On paper, it sounds hokey and ridiculous, but in the capable hands of The Rosie Jones Band, we are given one beautiful piece of work. The band's rootsy approach luckily predates the trash the industry passes off as "country" these days, and the skillful use of acoustic string instruments and the nice vocals delicately harness the urgency and somberness that make Leatherface an eternal favorite. A good cover should bring something new to the table while still keeping the integrity of the song's mood and power intact. This one does it, and while doing so, completely rips apart my genre prejudices. A lot of you are gonna hate this, so proceed only if you're feeling a little adventurous.


"Discipline" (Leatherface) performed by The Rosie Jones Band

SOTW: "The Game" (Shotmaker)

That's one tasty looking piece of asparagus. It's also the iconic cover of one of my all time favorite splits. Many great splits result in stalemates, but I have no problem saying that Shotmaker win this and then some. I am biased however... I own everything they ever released. But take note of that persistent and stubborn rolling thunder of a bass trying so hard to establish dominance over the grating nails-upon-chalkboard assault of the guitars, and see how both come out together in a unified hand-gesture of total defiance to categories. This is not a vegetable phallus, but a big middle finger to genres, preconceptions, and all potential and forthcoming judgment.

"The Game" by Shotmaker (from their split LP with Maximillan Colby)

Guns, Liquor, & Whores

No, the title of this post is not a feeble attempt to get your attention, but it does sound like a fun Friday night. Guns, Liquor, & Whores was actually the previous band of three future members of Manitoba's Under Pressure. Those of you familiar with the latter band from their "Still No Future" 12" on Sound Pollution are bit more prepared for the abomination at hand: raucous fast(hard)core glued together with thick feedback and some hilarious film (?) sound samples (from a movie that I'm ashamed to admit I cannot identify). The nine originals would be enough to make this 10" a smokin' hot affair, but then there's a cover of Turbonegro's "Hobbit Motherfucker" and a blazing mad version of Infest's "Sick (Fuckin')-O" (remember how they tore apart those Void/Faith songs on "Still No Future"? Yeah, it's kind of like that!). A lot of you out there eat up the fast stuff I've posted in the past, so I'm pretty certain you'll like this one too.

GL&Ws didn't release anything else that I can find. I was bummed to find out Under Pressure quit, but they did leave behind 4 really good 12"s and some EPs, many of which are available still. They slowed things down a bit on later releases, but the quality seemed to get even better on the last couple of outings.

Guns, Liquor, And Whores - "Serpico" 10" (Putrid Filth Conspiracy, 2002, 500(?) pressed, 320 kbps)

Spectra Sonic Sound

This is the 3rd time Okara's track "Corona" has been posted on this site. This Song Of The Week was promted by a visit from Shawn of Spectra Sonic Sound Records who announced that he's got about 100 copies left of Okara's "Months Like Years" LP that he'd like to unload. There was a great response when I posted it a while back, so now's perhaps your last chance to own an original! Get a copy or three here or here.

So obviously "Corona" is my favorite Okara track. There's something about those tightly-wound opening measures with their frantic drumming and slightly off-time guitar riff, and the way they lead into the musical equivalent of ecstatic euphoria that sits well with me. The tracks throughout the LP are coated in a veneer of austerity, but a careful listen reveals a complex life under the surface of the songs that's pretty phenomenal for a three-piece.

"Corona"

Okara folks had some involvement in the bands Shotmaker, Three Penny Opera, 30 Second Motion Picture...

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)

Sorry For The Delay

During the teaching season, I have a chronic case of head-up-the-ass. Hence I've neglected to post some music sent to me by some good bands/nice people. This post marks my first, albeit tardy, attempt to rectify my ineptitude. First up is the Toronto band, The New Enemy. Either Clint chose this blog randomly for his submission, or else he noticed the repeated Leatherface and Jawbreaker worship throughout the site. Those bands are good starting point for a description, as would be comparing them to a more hardcore sounding Sainte Catherines. The songs are cleanly recorded, but the vocals and heavy guitars add plenty of grit. "Outsourced" is a solid six track EP, and the band is offering it for free!


Here



Next up is a Stoner Rock/Doom outfit from Portland that goes by the name, Salvador! The only thing I had to get used to were the grungy "clean" vocals present in most tracks... after that I could easily appreciate these guys' take on a genre I'm normally finicky about. The vocals get more aggressive at times, but it's the thundering drums and, perhaps most importantly, the meaty-ass bass density that keeps me coming back. I don't think the band wants their entire CD shared, so here's a nice sample of Salvador's rock. Then contact the band to get a copy of the disk, okay?



"Lycanthrope"




Finally, Mother Disobedience of Athens Greece just sent me their Lahar EP. There's little of what we used to call music on this 12 minute track. By default, they will inevitably be labeled noise rock or post punk, but the band has a definite DIY/hardcore ethic and aesthetic. If you are a total riff-monger or melody addict, MD might turn you away. But if you're in the mood for something different or you love guitar feedback, give this a chance. The back cover states, "So artless, our music sounds experimental." Whether they are being charmingly self-deprecating or serious, is up to you to decide.

Here

Beware The Living

Feel the pretense and bullshit leech from your pores as Canada's finest flog you with 10 hulking, knuckle-dragging grind lashings. I'm not sure I should tell you that Saturation members also played in Born Dead Icons, Ire, The Black Hand, and Human Greed, but I just did. Sometimes finesse just doesn't do the trick, and you have to use the blunt end of things to get the message across.

Saturation 12"

(Note: This disk was released with, like, three different cover options, so the version you've seen may have had a black and white cover/another design).

Defiantly Flatulent Arachnoids

So I hear you like thrashing-mad hardcore played with precision. I also hear that you like to be able to understand what hardcore vocalists are saying once in a while. Well, so does Lardass, and so do I. In case you've been noticing a void in the above areas lately, DFA might be the remedy. The band plays fast songs, but isn't trying to break any records. Just fast, like the 80's crossover bands they obviously love. I can't say that DFA bring anything terribly new to the style, they just nail it with an intensely youthful zeal, and baffling tightness.

Six Weeks Recs. released DFA's follow-up 12" and I know they did a split 7" with Under Pressure. If there's anything else by them, I haven't run across it yet. The 12" below, "Destined For Assimilation," is their first and was released by Ugly Pop. UP doesn't do re-presses anymore, so this will probably be unavailable for some time at least. You may notice some noise on the first four tracks, because whoever owned this before me must have done hand-plants all over side A. The side B rips are of much better quality.

Here

This Post Will Self-Destruct...

... in 24 hours! While I don't generally post records that are in print, this post is a gift to all the regular readers of this blog, especially Sean from NY who owns this split, but has no means of playing it. By now you might know Mass Grave (from Canada) who play brutal, high-energy grindcore that will satisfy fans of ENT or Disrupt any day of the week. They have other releases available that you should see about getting, too. Stormcrow should already be in your lexicon as well, but just in case, they are one of the best stench/crust-core bands going today. A couple of the tracks on this split have some gradual build ups, but eventually deliver the jugular attack this band excels at. You should still be able to find their full length, "Enslaved In Darkness," their split CD with Sanctum, and their split 7" with Skaven around in several places.

The Mass Grave/Stormcrow split was released by Agipunk and Mangled Ankle Records, but can be found in the states here, here, and possibly over there. It comes in a great gatefold sleeve, and if you have 12 or so extra bucks, it's more than worth adding to your collection!

Link has been removed. Enjoy these teasers:

Mass Grave- "Unconsciously Mundane"

Stormcrow- "Poisoned Minds"

Okara Revisited

I thought I had a firm handle of what the visitors to this blog like: straight hardcore and grind! But every once in a while, someone will contact me about the less aggressive bands I like. A couple of people now have stumbled upon FE by searching for the elusive Ottawa trio, Okara. I did a post during the first weeks of this blog, but did not post an entire record by the band. So this revisit goes out to Brian who reminded me that Okara was indeed awesome, more people need to know about them, and that an immediate repost is urgently in order! Below you'll find links to the band's discography minus one 7" that I'm missing temporarily. First you'll get their playful, dazzling, and perplexing LP, "Months Like Years," where the band shows itself in full control of its faculties and had the best production of its career (which still wasn't great, but it adds grit to an already heavy piece of rock!). Equal parts jazz, San Diego rock, and New Math, every track is full of hooks and grooves, but also a fair amount of nerdery. In addition, you'll also get Okara's split with Mothman, where Okara sound different than usual, but Mothman sound uncannily like Okara. Maybe the labels were switched, but a closer look reveals that the above conclusion is correct! Finally, I've included what I call "The Rose" 7", which I believe to be Okara's second. On it you'll find some of the best and darkest of the band's output-- four chilling tracks that render the poor production negligible. All three musicians are incredibly talented, but I think on all these records

you'll find yourself drooling over the rhythm section's incredible precision and energy. If there's any interest, I may post some bands related to Okara, like Shotmaker, Three Penny Opera, and 30 Second Motion Picture, but we'll just have to see about that. If you're interested in vinyl copies of the LP and 7", try this distro, where you can also find out about members' later projects.

Okara LP

Okara "Rose" 7" and Split with Mothman

All ripped at 320 kbps with inserts, etc...

Louder Than Four Walls

If members of His Hero Is Gone, Slayer, Uranus, and Suicide Nation vacationed in the same Canadian ski lodge and were trapped in by an avalanche for 12 or so hours, they may have produced something like The Black Hand's demo, "Pulling Your Strings." The band itself has nothing to do with the others mentioned, but is related to Ire and Cobra Noir. Dig hard enough and you'll find a composite of all kinds of metal (namely, thrash, black, and speed metal), and various forms of modern hardcore and crust. But you won't have to dig too far to know that these guys are proficient as heck with their instruments and can write incredible songs. Hell, just listen to "Disburden" and I can almost guarantee you'll be hooked. Scorched Earth Policy Records re-issued these four tracks on a 10", which is what I've ripped for you tonight. Before closing shop, The BH also fired out an incendiary LP and one comp track that I know of. I still think these four tracks are my favorites:

Here

In A Glass Box Of Emotion!

Jake sort of requested the One Eyed God Prophecy LP, or at least that's how I chose to interpret it. I was looking for an excuse to do so anyway... Plenty of blogs have probably posted this thing, but as you can see already, I don't care. OEGP were a brilliant off-shoot of (Union Of) Uranus who released this 6-banger and I'm not sure what else (I've heard there was a super limited fan-issued discography?). The band played screamy and chaotic hardcore, but to dismiss them as some "screamo" band would be to miss the point (whatever that may be). What sets the band apart is tough to nail, but each track is like the detail of a larger panorama... a dark one where people and objects are painted in the same impersonal gray. Beneath the surface throbs a pulsing knot of every human emotion imaginable, but instead of breaking through, it only moves the murk in mesmerizing waves and sudden convulsions. This is the songwriting of a band that both rejected and embraced its own moment in time and space, and created something lastingly powerful, if not beautiful. Follow its chilling and turbulent movements, and see where it takes you...

@ 320

As with many records from my personal stash, this one has been a bit ill-treated and it shows in extra noise. Just thought I'd warn you. It sounds like it's been man-handled by a guy who got the munchies, ate an entire bag of hot Cheetos, and didn't wash his hand. I don't want to mention names, but let's just say his name begins with a B and ends in a -guano.