Hello Disaster

What more needs to be said about Out Cold that I haven't noted already? OC are the most genuine, bitter, scabby-knuckled, wake up in a pool of urine, lipstick message on the mirror hardcore this country has to offer. They've been offering it since the late eighties, and their most recent LP, "Goodbye Cruel World" shows no sign of burnout or sellout. The fast tunes are raw and cutting; the mid-paced ones are fist-pumping and full of grit. Like all of OC's LPs, this one is my favorite as long as I'm not playing one of their others.

These rips are for Mikxxx at the always adventuresome 15 Counts of Arson blog, but it's also for you if you have this LP already, or if you don't have a turn table. I'd like to think this post will turn someone on to Out Cold and that person will go buy the LP, but very few blog visitors will probably do that. Just in case, here is a link to Mad At The World Records, where you can get a copy for cheap. The d/l link will be removed 2 days from the posting date.

"Goodbye Cruel World" by Out Cold (link has been removed)

6 Trax Hated True Sounds

Bless me readers, for I have sinned. It has been 5 months since my last Out Cold post. There's just something about the real deal that never gets tiresome, and Out Cold are just that (the real deal... not tiresome). OC rages, and doesn't give a rat's what you think about it. I like 'em; but they couldn't care less about that either. It's the straight, old school hardcore done right, and for this round they've snagged their Japanese counterparts, No Side, to fill the B side. My only complaint is that it's too short, but I don't think these bands could give two fucks.

Here.

Hardcore For The Broken & Battered

It's been far too long since my last proper Out Cold post; perhaps these two deleted 7"s will atone for the gap. This post provides a beautifully abrasive sampling of the two periods that compose OC's long history. "Lost Cause" (Fudgeworthy Recs) features the original line up (with a different vocalist), and if it wasn't for the recording date on the back (1994), you'd think this was an eighties band you overlooked. The music, the recording, the hairstyles... total eighties! This is a good thing, but their later releases are awesome too...

"No Eye Contact" (Kangaroo Recs) is more along the lines of most of OC's releases. Sheehan had taken over on vocals, and the band had refined their relentless working-class-hero-hardcore sound. If you've heard any of their albums after the self-titled one (sometimes called "Web Of Lies"), then this EP will satisfy the Out Cold addiction you've developed from that experience. Each side comes from two different recording sessions in 1997 and 1998 respectively, and damn if all the tracks don't completely shred!

Both 7"s are Here

Gutter Songs For The Godless

I'm in a compilations-that-don't-blow kind of mood, so I've got a couple of good ones today. The bands mainly fall into the new old school category in case that's your thing. The connection between the two comps is the appearance of one of my faves, Out Cold, although both tracks posted here are NOT exclusives. The first, "Bands That Don't Give A Shit About Being God," was pretty limited, but still might be in print. I don't know, so check with the label. In addition to Out Cold, it showcases some of best Massachusetts has to offer, including another favorite, The Conversions. The rest of the bands kick ass as well, and range from old school hardcore, to poppy punk. All of 'em are good.

Tracks & Bands:

1. Out Cold- "Doomsday Guy"
2. Violent Nuns- "The CIA Is After Me"
3. Sgt. Slaughter- "Wildman"
4. Social Circkle"- Private World"
5. Witches With Dicks" - It's Not You, It's Me"
6. The Conversions- "Chosen Few"


Keep scrolling for D/L link

In the folder below you'll also find this impressive, slightly older comp put out by Kangaroo Records, "Songs From The Gutter." Once again there's an Out Cold track that appears on one of their albums, but it's one of my favorites, so you won't hear me complain. Other bands that may perk up your antennae would be Brother Inferior, Final Conflict, and Seein' Red. The other bands compliment the awesomeness nicely.

Tracks & Bands:

1. Brother Inferior- "Collective Conscience"

2. Out Cold- "No Solution"

3. Yawp!- Inhuman Attrocity"

4. Brezhnev- "District 72"

5. Final Conflict- "Abort"

6. Boils- "Anthem 4 This Generation"

7. Seein' Red- "Dream"

Both Comps Are Here

Jesus Hates Out Cold

I've already sung my praises for the integrity of Massachutsetts hardcore mainstays, Out Cold, so I'll make this brief. In their 20 years, these guys have been consistent as heck in releasing record after badass record of old school, Negative Approach/Negative FX-influenced hardcore with very little recognition (considering the quality and quantity). Every time I let myself "absorb" one of their releases, it becomes my favorite; this time it's "Warped Sense Of Right And Wrong" (Kangaroo Records, 1997. I think it's out of print, but you may find a straggler here). It has great riffs, tight playing, varied and angry vocal ejaculations, and even decent production. The only thing not awesome about this record is the cover design (but maybe you already noticed that). As a bonus, we get to hear vocalist, Sheehan, yell "retard" repeatedly in his "Masshole" accent! I'm not usually one to pass judgment on people, but if you can't respect Out Cold, you may very well be a poser.



Listen

Out Cold

Out Cold is a band anyone can respect. For about 17+ years now, these Massachusetts old schoolers have ripped assholes anew on album after album. Rather than rehashing early eighties American hardcore, Out Cold blend the more menacing specimens of that era (ie. Negative Approach) with a dose of the futility, desperation, and irony that marks our current one (... and perhaps a bit of Death Side style hardcore spread on top? Maybe it's just my ears....). Don't sample Out Cold songs expecting to hear the latest ultra-brutal-mathy-progressive-crusty-blackened-tech-thrash. In fact, it seems these punks pride themselves on an ethic of complete "bullshitlessness": they have spent their years of live and studio time shunning trends and simply playing the music they love.

Despite a fair amount of touring, and consistently great reviews, Out Cold have only managed to blip a few times on the recognition radar. Arguably, their recent albums are their best material, so now is a great time to track them down while they are not impossible to find. Below are some samples from their last two full lengths. Give 'em a try if you're not already hooked.

from "Goodbye Cruel World" (Mad at the World Records/Acme Records)

"Total Human Monster"

"Body Number 9"

"Hello Disaster"

from "Will Attack if Provoked" (Deranged Records/Acme Records)

"Hidden Agenda"

"Suicide Watch"