Sapporo City Hardcore Vol. III

I haven't seen this mini-CD in too many places, so I'll just throw it out there for you. I'm sure a bunch of you out there dig the leaden, Japanese pummeling of Slang's hardcore, and this disk is right up there with "Immortal Sin." Actually, it has the title track and few more off that LP, plus a couple that are not (including a Ripcord cover). The package itself is a little cheaply put together, but that'll be the farthest thing from your mind as you stagger around in a bloody stupor of Slang-induced trauma.

"Humanistic Disorder" CD

Sapporo City Hardcore Vol. 2

Slang is yet another Japanese band whose die hard spirit inspires the heck out of me. 2008 marks their 20th anniversary as a band, and in celebration they've released a slew of recordings, including the three 7"s posted here, and a new LP, "The Immortal Sin." The three EPs-- "Ill Peace Hymn," "Rain In August," and "Amid The Raw Pain," were released in one-time pressings of 500 by three of the more well respected labels in Japanese hardcore (MCR Company, Blood Sucker, and H:G Fact Records respectively). Each beautifully represents the newer Slang spin on traditional Japanese hardcore, which is also what you can expect from the LP. Fans of Gauze and Death Side won't be disappointed, but if you loved the NYHC influence of "Skilled Rhythm Kills," the new Slang may take some getting used to. After a while though, there will be no denying that this band can do no wrong.
Three of the tracks can be found on "The Immortal Sin," but the b-sides, I believe, are only available on these little gems. Themes deal with the usual topics of war and the destruction caused by imperial aggression, with an extra emphasis on "Rain In August" toward the H-bombing of Hiroshima. Powerful stuff, and if you don't believe it, check out the powerhouse over there in the singingbox. And of course, don't forget to visit Hardcore Holocaust distro to fill up on Slang tunes.

Here

Slang - Sapporo City Hardcore!

Two traditions meet in Slang. These South Coast Japanese Hardcore die-hards fuse traditional Japan-core with late '80's US east coast straight edge. If you have any doubts as to the sincerity or quality of their music, just look at the heritage of their homeland. I don't think I've ever heard a Japanese hardcore record I didn't like! These gents certainly do pull it off... and it appears that they are still together! They started off in the late '90's with a more traditional sound, and their new demo seems to be a harkening back to that. In between, "Skilled Rhythm Kills" (recorded in 2000) saw the band branching out with the more US influenced material. Combining the hard edge of NYHC with the energy and special something that makes Japanese bands so great, resulted in one heck of an album. The CD version (on Schizophrenic Records) is still available and contains some live tracks as a bonus. The LP version (see crappy photo I took of my copy above) was released on a mysterious Finnish label called Conquest Wake Records. Vinyl nuts (like me) will have to consult the ebay. Check out the tracks:

"Confidence"
"Keep the Faith"

Purchase:
Hardcore Holocaust