Hard To Swallow: A Follow-Up

Not too long ago, I posted a bunch of ripping gems from the UK's mighty Hard To Swallow. Some of you apparently liked them too, so I thought I'd update you on some matters. Vocalist, Bloody Kev, stopped by and detailed the convoluted family tree of bands related to HTS. You can read that here. It also turns out that Kev started a blog which so far documents the bands and projects he and his mates have been involved in over the years. It's called Keep It In The Family! and you should check it out immediately! He's got links to lots of HTS material (thanks for links to my blog, man!), and will be posting live and unreleased rehearsal tracks one day in the future (in addition to lots of other music links you'll be interesting in exploring). So continue checking in over there and here for further updates...

No free music today... go to Bloody Kev's blog!

The Ejaculation Of Serpents

I was reluctant to post the Hard To Swallow LP "Protected By The Ejaculation of Serpents" because I assumed the tracks were on their Armageddon Records CD. Luckily commenter XyosefX set me straight; I'm not too into CDs, otherwise I would have known that it only collects early EP tracks and such. So here it is... eleven blows of brute-force nihilism from one of the more underrated UK bands of last decade. By the time of this LP's release, H2S had beefed up their bass and guitar density and sickened their vocal style to become an almost full-fledged grindcore band. Those hardcore nerves are constantly exposed, though, and if you can imagine the burliness of Citizens Arrest, mingling with the cold, forlornness of Counterblast, and garnished with the dissonance of Discordance Axis, you may have an inkling as to the enigmatic yield reaped by these brits.

Household Name Records was wise enough to remaster these ragers for that anvil-around-your-neck heaviness. The LP still appears in their webstore, so maybe they have some copies left (doubtful, as it was released in 1999 in a pressing of 1000?!). If you're in the UK, hit 'em up!

D/L

Hard To Swallow Manfat

Here's some more Hard To Swallow hardcore, this time partnering up with Manfat. HTS's Sabbath/sludge influence is a little more upfront this time, but ultimately it's still fast and excellent hardcore! It's no surprise that HTS members have/had connections to Iron Monkey, Voorhees, and Electric Wizard. As for their split-mates, Manfat play really tight metallic, DC influenced hardcore/post-hardcore. Bri (Doom) handles the "lungs" on these two rock assaults, but don't expect traditional crust. The guitar picking is outstanding; the energy is unstoppable! If you haven't already, don't forget to pick up Manfat's first 7" at 7 inch crust.

Get the split HERE.

Up Next: some more nineties UK sweetness!

Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition

It's time for some more under appreciated hardcore, this time from the mid-nineties UK: the Hard To Swallow/Underclass split 7" (Days Of Fury Records, 1996). Hard To Swallow fit in perfectly with much of the music on this blog. At the core, they play fastcore not unlike their contemporaries, Voorhees, but with more modern discord and some bluesy, sludgy bass riffs thrown in for poops and grins. The vocals fall more on the screamy side, but not to an annoying extent. Three suspenseful tracks that will lay you flat! If you like these guys, stop by here tomorrow and/or go to Armageddon Records (Drop Dead members) to pick up their discography CD. The screaming continues on side B with Underclass who more or less follow the Bob Tilton/Ebullition framework. There's a refreshing absence of pretentiousness, though, and for the most part they pull off nicely that chaotic, syncopated mayhem that ruled the nineties.

Check It Out!