No Dogs, No Masters!

You're probably wondering what the hell happened with the cover photo. No, I did not get hungry... explanation is to follow. Today's spotlight is on the band Arma Contra Arma. When their only record, the "Let No One Deceive You (No Dejes Que Nadie Te Engane)" EP was released (on Lengua Armada Discos), Arma was billed as 'the band with Martin from Los Crudos playing drums.' I suppose that was a "selling point" for many, although his drumming is nothing remarkable. As a whole, the band's attack is not a surprise one for any fan of Crudos. ACA keeps it simple and raw the way Huasipungo or Ataque Frontal used to serve it up. Each of the 7 tracks (except the last one) gets it's message across in under a minute, making this EP a quick, no-bullshit experience!

Cover Story: Sorry about the crappy cover pic. When I adopted my dog nine and half years ago, he went through that orally fixated separation anxiety phase. I thought my records were secure, but I underestimated his tenacious jaws of death. Among the other casualties of this brazen act of vandalism: the .NEMA LP, the Angel Hair/Kerosene 454 split EP, and the HHIG "15 Counts" LP (this one, he actually damaged the wax!). In retrospect, it could've been a lot worse. I think he (Ulysses) fully realized my wrath over this matter, because he never pulled a stunt like that again! (A message to all you dogs out there: Don't mess with your best friend's records!)

The Arma Contra Arma EP

I Can't Seem to Get the Grimple Out of My Ass!

I must have been a Bay Area resident in a past life. Half the bands I love (from the US) are from somewhere in Nor-Cal. Since I don't believe in transmigration of the soul, I'll have to conclude and accept that there's just a ton of great bands up there, and not many down here (how I wish that weren't true!). Grimple were a great example of the Oakland punk greatness I love, exuding the infectiousness of Berkeley punk of the late eighties, and the ferocity of street-punk and hardcore. Their "Grimple Up Your Ass!" LP is a plasma-ball of energy, absolutely exploding with power, grit, and snot! Those tracks are readily available and recommended, as are the not-quite-as-easy to find tracks on their split with Logical Nonsense (East Bay Menace Records). These later tracks were, I believe, released on a discography CD which is out of print. By this point (1993), Grimple's approach changed a little (not for the better or for the worse necessarily... it just changed) adding a more serious, political, metallic, and, I daresay, crusty dimension. Part of this was probably just an internal musical evolution, but was also perhaps influenced by the bands they were playing shows with (and doing a split with!). These nine tracks are an essential part of their discography (there's a great Celtic Frost cover too!), so here are some high bit-rate rips for you (below)!

And we can't neglect Logical Nonsense, who on this disc offer seven earlier examples of their dark and menacing metal punk. Here the band displays a slightly closer kinship to crust punk than to the Neurosis-metal that would become the signature of their later full lengths. The gruff and pained vocals, as well as the jangly Bay Area bass lines are the big attraction for me, and are the main source of the power and lasting impression of these tracks. All you apocalyptic punk types are gonna love this stuff! There are five listed tracks on the CD, but as bonuses the band included a re-recorded version of "Pig's Blood Blues" (from the "Vinyl Retentive" Comp.) and an atmospheric spoken word piece.

Download here!

The "S.S." Must Stand for Super-Shred!

Yeah, it's another left-wing band that punctuates its name with that super ironic "SS." It was probably the unoriginality of the band's name that led me to dismiss them as just a cut-rate, aborted branch-off of .NEMA and Ottawa, and thus ignored their EP for years. BIG mistake in hindsight, as I now find that it's an AWESOME EP (in every sense of that word), and may surpass everything .NEMA or Ottawa put out in both power and quality! Dearborn SS did indeed feature Matt Weeks (of Current, Ottawa, .NEMA, Calvary, Council Records notoriety), and a cast of Michigan-based musicians that may have appeared in some of those bands as well. The sound on these seven tracks is hypothetically akin to what you'd get if you spliced the crisp, hard, fast drumming of Disrupt with the slight dissonance of more "modern" bands like Devoid of Faith. Each track is a whirlwind of energy, and before any of them gets too repetitive, the songwriting provides some turn or other to keep the jam from losing its intense momentum. To round this great little disc out, the male/female trade-off vocals are more compelling than many bands of this ilk (for me, at least), mainly because Kim's vocals are so reminiscent of Pink Turds in Space's and/or Detestation's (always a plus!). This EP is a raging piece of modern quasi-Scandi-thrash that could lead to a wide array of hardcore freaks slamming against walls or running naked in the streets (no guarantees, but I'm fairly confident).

Ultra-Nerdy Info:
The DSS EP was released in a single pressing of 1500 by Council Records and Lengua Armada Discos in 2000. 60 of those pieces were released in a "German only" edition, under the title THE DEARBORNSS, with all references to "S.S." removed (or at least "subtly" integrated). Based on the insert, it seems the band name was inspired by the band's disgust over Henry Ford's collusion with Nazi Germany before and during The War.

DSS EP (mediafire)

DSS EP (4 Shared)

I saw your mommy and your mommy's dead

If your experience with the Suicidal Tendencies LP is/was anything like mine, you've listened to it over 1000 times and have probably been caught in public singing aloud some pretty fucked up lyrics (see post title). That record had to be one of the most hard-driving and catchy punk/hardcore records of all time (funniest, too). As was typical in the eighties, the band went completely metal (and not in a good way, either) after the release of their masterpiece, leaving only 12 tracks for the punks to dote over. Luckily, the bootleg operation Skate Core has dredged ST's 1982 Demos and rehearsals, and etched them on a quality 17 track (see picture below) LP that's been making the distro rounds recently. Side "S" (One) presents about seven rough recordings of tracks that would make it onto the LP, and a couple of unreleased ones (all with decent sound quality). Side "T" (Two) features mostly unreleased tracks, but they either have horrendous "production" or the vocals are nearly to completely inaudible. Most fans will enjoy hearing these songs regardless of their imperfections, so here are some decent rips for your demented listening pleasure...

1982 Demos

Back Cover (including track list):

...lost inside this manned collision

I shudder to imagine where I'd be without Bad Brains. The ROIR tape and "Rock For Light" were responsible for lifting me out the (strictly) reggae-listening daze of my junior high years, and pretty much got me through the most painful parts of high school. I can't count the number of times I ran home in a hormonal rage in order to throw on one of these tapes and be instantly calmed by the more genuine rage of these four musicians. In the absence of that hormonal imbalance, I still reap a WHOLE LOT of joy from those songs (let's not even get into HR's religious and homophobic "issues"...). Most great stuff from the eighties has been covered by better blogs that are more focused on that era, but I've had this strange, presumably bootlegged, 7" for 14 years and felt the need to share it. The EP pictured above and below is basically the "Pay to Cum" EP but with a bonus track: a version of "Don't Bother Me" recorded during the same 1979 session of the original EP. This may or may not be the only place this version appears!? Another reason this EP seems unique is the insert which has some photos I haven't seen elsewhere (and the fact that the record has a little stapled booklet inside... kinda rare for such an old 45...). As you can see, the back cover states the record was released on Limp Brain Records in 1980, but seeing as how that's not a real record label (or is it?) I don't know if we should believe in the accuracy of the date (potential commenters: please share if you have info!). What is clear is that only 500 were made in this pressing, and I have no idea if anyone went on to press a bootleg of this bootleg. If you don't have these songs, then do yourself a favor and download them below, and check out the pics if you're interested.

Download The Tracks

Children of Barren Wasteland 7"

Anyone who has explored this blog far enough knows of my absolute infatuation with the bay area's Zero Hour. This band's discography was the infallible scripture of what came to be labeled "neo-crust." Enough about them... I've already gushed sufficiently in a previous post (the mp3s for which have been re-ripped with slightly cleaner sound quality). The point is that Zero Hour's wraith-like force of a vocalist, Whisper, briefly screamed for Children of Barren Wasteland (COBW), who released only this self-titled 7" (Profane Existence/Skuld Records, 1996). COBW's approach was much more "straight forward," both in the songwriting, and in the vocals which completely avoid the anguished howling and wailing I expected to hear proceed from Whisper's scarified pipes. The songs are catchy and energetic hardcore punk tunes (with a thin layer of crust), and approach nowhere near the abysmal, despair-trolling depths of Zero Hour's inward exploration of the personal hell of human existence (albeit, an exploration with a view toward empowerment). Whisper penned the lyrics as well, which are rambly, but deal thoughtfully with gender roles, the paradox of living as an outsider in a culture of conformity, and the detriment of personal stagnation via fear and complacency. Comparisons aside, this is a solid record that is marred only by the saturation of treble in the recording (you get used to it after the first song).


COBW

Damad EPs

Damad was a band whose appeal, for me at least, took some time to sink in. Their early releases showed intriguing promise, but did not leave a memorable impact (once again, just my opinion). The zine world made a big to-do over "Rise and Fall," but I think I've only listened to that record two or three times. Then, seemingly over night, the band hit their stride and produced some outstanding work, including the "Burning Cold" Lp, the split 10" with Meatjack, and the "Centric" 7". The two eps that comprise today's post are representative of Damad's burgeoning maturity during the late nineties. The "Rewind" ep (Bacteria Sour Records, 1996) consists of two tracks that show the band in full control, but once again I feel the songwriting is lacking the power they would later discover. "Centric," (Clean Plate Records, 1997) however, was the record that convinced me that I needed to follow this band's quest to the next phase. Below the surface of these twisted and dreary dirges, is a punk energy that I didn't feel on their earlier work. The band would keep this torch ablaze until about 2000, when members splintered into Karst and Kylesa. Most of the band's later work is available through Prank Records and At A Loss Recordings.

The eps

Cruevo/Brainoil Split CD

Having been released jointly by four labels (see pic above), you'd assume this disc would be more widely available! Unfortunately for the masses, the Cruevo/Brainoil split CD was only released in a single run of a thousand (in 2001?). That's a real shame, and although other blogs have probably covered this one, I am excited to do my part in spreading the rock! Brainoil was the motivating factor for seeking out this disc, but as you can tell from my enthusiasm, Cruevo (ex-Kalas, High Tone Son of a Bitch, Medication Time...) tears shit up as well. This Oakland five piece plod through three pulsating, sixties/seventies rock influenced sludge ditties (I'm trying to avoid the term stoner-rock... oops), fortified with a thick guitar sound and polished off with some painful, screamed vocals. Tone-wise, the band stays out of the deep canyons of doom that slower bands these days seem to love sinking into, and remain on the "high" ground of good ol' rock'n roll (but heavy!). Other than these three tracks, you may have a hard time finding any sign of life from these rockers in recorded form. Now, on to Brainoil... Anyone who has drunk from the Brainoil chalice (their 12" ep) knows these bottom dwellers must have made a pact with some unsavory and otherworldly entity to have conjured riffs like these! This time around, the production appropriately favors the lower end, loosening and revealing the dirty, diabolical sludginess of the band's true master plan. A couple of the tracks are rough versions of ones you may recognize, but the others are exclusives, comprised of a main-line of intricate Sabbath wizardry, chased with a bit of the blues. When sludge rock is done right, there is reason to rejoice... and rejoice you will! Brainoil members have done time in Grimple, Destroy!, Ojo Rojo, Lana Dagales, and many more, so you know these guys are the hardened real deal!

I had it mind that I would rip this thing at a super huge bit rate, but the tracks kept coming out with hissing and crackling (still not sure why). A couple of years ago I found some good MP3s on Soulseek that are cleaner sounding (but low bit rate), so I'm using those instead...

Download

A Crime Against Humanity

The download "revolution" may be exciting, but it always sucks to see good people become casualties. For the last few years, Crimes Against Humanity Records has been helping me fill my record bins with their amazing service, record selection, and prices. I know, I sound like a fucking commercial, but it's true-- Nick and company have put out great records and have provided an outstanding distro service. Sadly, he is considering closing up shop due to lack of support. He's having a sale to save the label, so if you have any extra scratch, check out the CAH distro and send some of it his way (you're bound to find something you like). The label also just released the new End of All (ex- Wolfpack) CD, which should kick serious ass, and were responsible for putting out Remains of the Day and To What End's CDs among many others. I know this isn't a noble save-the-whales or end genocide campaign, but it's something tangible that we can do to strengthen the tenuous framework of our little music community. Support 'em if you can!

Here's a 34 track sampler CD Crimes Against Humanity Records was sending out free with orders not too long ago featuring Uncurbed, Nashgul, Desolate Void, Illdad, Cripple Bastards, Skrupel, Massmörd, Hellshock, Diskonto, Wartorn, To What End?, Beyond Description, Remains of the Day, Wolfpack, Extinction of Mankind, Misery...

Sampler

Fugitive Equilibrium Mixtape #1- Cover Songs

While listening to the new Leatherface Tribute 2xCD comp., I couldn't help but recall all the great cover songs Leatherface and many other favorite bands have produced over the years. I figured, why not do a mixtape with a few of these? Finding no reason not to, I went to work for the past week ripping some of my favorite cover songs from new and old CDs and records (a couple were downloaded). The end-product is the 21 track monster you will hopefully be downloading shortly. Considering the different sources, you can imagine the variation in sound quality. But the quality of the music is undeniable! Many of the tracks are favorite bands covering other favorite bands, but several are songs I only like as they appear here in their more punk interpretations. I can almost guarantee this will make for a most entertaining ride to work tomorrow, or an enlivening soundtrack to your spring-cleaning adventures. I hope you enjoy listening to this half as much as I enjoyed assembling it!

Tracks:

1. "Raise the Curtain" (Jerry's Kids) by His Hero Is Gone from the "Fool's Gold" 7"

2. "Search and Destroy" (The Stooges) by Cursed from the "Hell Comes Home" 7"

3. "Largactyl" (Amebix) by Depressor from the self-titled 7"

4. "No Sanctuary" (Amebix) by Crow from the Prank 7"

5. "My War" (Black Flag) by Rorschach from the split 7" w/ 1.6 Band

6. "Purple Haze" (Jimi Hendrix) by Antischism from the "All Their Money Stinks of Death" 7"

7. "Greedy Bastards" (Antischism) by Capitalist Casualties from the "Pigs Suck" Comp.

8. "Candle in the Wind" (Elton John) by Leatherface from the "Fill Your Boots" Lp

9. "Razor Blades and Aspirin" (Leatherface) by Drunk from the Leatherface Tribute Comp.

10. "The Usurper" (Celtic Frost) by High On Fire from the "Art of Self-Defense" Lp

11. "Clutches" (Nausea) by Kylesa from the "Delusion of Fire" 7"

12. "Time After Time" (Cyndi Lauper) by Action Patrol from "The Weak Force" Lp

13. "Stigmata Martyr" (Bauhaus) by Angel Hair from the Gravity Recs. 12"

14. "Pressure" (Negative Approach) by Union of Uranus from the "Reproach" Comp.

15. "Chory" (Post Regiment) by Ballast from the "Fuse" Lp

16. "Memories of Tomorrow" (Suicidal Tendencies) by Despise You from the "Reality #2" Comp.

17. "Right Brigade" (Bad Brains) by Shank from the split Lp w/ Iron Lung

18. "It's Time" (The Faith) by Under Pressure from the "Still No Future" 12"

19. "Who Are You?" (Void) by Under Pressure from the "Still No Future" 12"

20. "My Rules" (Void) by MK-Ultra from the "Melt" 7"

21. "Movin' On Up" (The Jeffersons TV show theme) by Born Against from "The Rebel Sound of Shit and Failure" collection Lp

Listen

The Short Hate Temper/Harsh/Quill Split 10"

Three pissed-off bands from three continents... global harmony through ultra-violent music! This 3-way (he he) split (TVG Records, 2000?) is a real gem as each band plays its own brand of powerviolence expertly! Short Hate Temper start the show off with their amazingly catchy fastcore- first with a long track (two and half minutes), followed by seven short ragers. Great stuff that rivals their material on the Slight Slappers split. Following SHT, we have a recent Fugitive E. favorite, Harsh. These Finns win me over again, this time with eight bass-obsessed originals and a Nihilistics cover. The recording's a little muffled, but these are the best Harsh tracks posted here yet! The entire second side of this 10" is dedicated to the controlled madness of Japan's Quill. These punks opt for a less dark sound, and crank the punk-rock knob to eleven. On the average, each track is a mere 30 seconds of spazzed-out power chords- 14 originals, 2 audience sound samples (from a kick boxing match?) and an Infest cover. Although I'm pretty sure this record is out of print (the label says it has 10 left, but I think it has been saying that for a while), you can still find it around in various places (these bands are great, but let's face it, they aren't in demand). 1800 copies were pressed on pink wax...

Enjoy

Harsh/Control Mechanism Split 7"

A little while back, commenter, Matt, brought the Harsh/Control Mechanism split 7" (Phobia Records/Impregnate Noise Laboratories, 2002?) to my attention. Shortly afterward, I found it in a distro for 2 (US) dollars (a great deal considering the state of the economy right now!). Since Finland's Harsh rules, I figured I should pick it up... and it's a good thing I did! Both bands call it a draw as they battle to formulate the essence of pure spite, seldom neglecting the power of speed, and drawing influences from all the great names in powerviolence and grindcore. It's tough not to pull out the Man is the Bastard card to describe Harsh on this incarnation, as the band appears here as a two piece (bass/drums) and throws together almost equal parts sludgy despair and lunatic blast-beat fury. Some of the bass grooves are pretty damned catchy and crushing, making Harsh's eight tracks quite the revelation! The void of guitarlessness left by Harsh is filled on side b courtesy of another Finnish band, Control Mechanism. This is the only exposure I've had to this band, and I must say they stand out fairly noticeably from the multitudes of grind/mince acts out there. The eight tracks engraved on their side bring to mind the viciousness of Despise You, with the whacked-out mayhem of Sick Terror and Anal Cunt. There's some sense of variation from track to track due to the very disparate vocal styles of the two singer, and because the songs were gleaned from three different recording sessions. All in all, this a satisfying little rager of an ep! (Note: there's some crackley tape hiss at different points, but I'm fairly sure it's from the recording, not the ripping...)

Listen

Def. Master "The Fear of God" 7"

A qualifying statement may be in order here: I'm not usually into this sort of music, but... the title track of Def. Master's "The Fear of God" 7" (H:G Fact Records, 1993) is just so damned powerful. Said track is a hyper-paranoid mindfuck of stimulus-overloaded, industrial cyber-metal. Unlike some other Def. Master tracks, the various vocal samples and electronic noises are used as mere embellishments to the metal guitar's dominant position, all of which are goaded along by the manic pace of the drum track. Dizzying, and fucking intense! The b-side, "Beset," marches at a more moderate, lulling pace, and almost eliminates the role of the guitar completely. Perhaps it's needless to say, but this track falls short of the mark, although fans of Godflesh might find themselves bobbing their heads a bit. In addition to this ep, Def. Master released split eps with Discordance Axis and Spine Wrench.

Take a listen

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol.8: "Shadows of a Decaying Future"

As foretold, this is a compilation with some more Fallout tracks. I'm not sure when exactly the "Shadows of a Decaying Future" (Dry Retch Records) EP was released, but all the tracks were recorded around 1999. Only 1000 hand-numbered copies were pressed, but you may be able to get one still from the label or the always incredible Hardcore Holocaust. Although I got this one because of Fallout, the other bands won me over too. Nihilist are also from Australia, and drop three simple smoked-out crust/grind tracks that nod to Disrupt, but have their own fun and "nihilistic" flavor. Invazija are like the Lithuanian Sin Dios, (the Lithuanian language seems perfect for this, somehow) and issue four tracks of anthemic and catchy political punk/hardcore. Finally, Finland's Irritate baffle listeners with their mincecore cum stoner/psyche track that unfortunately ends just when you're starting to feel it. In the end, this is a good comp, and most will find something they like on it. Buy it if you can, or listen below...

Download

Fallout/Last Warning Split 7"

When I posted the Acursed/Fallout split LP a while back, I was mainly jazzed about Acursed's tracks, as well as their recent LP. In revisiting that piece, I realized that Australia's Fallout is NOT a force to be ignored either! On their split with Last Warning (Putrid Filth Conspiracy, 2000?), Fallout hammer us with five more blows of Dystopia-infused California-style violence. The tracks delivered here are every bit as menacing as those on the other split, and are forged extra solid by some excellent, heavy-handed drumming. The next post may very well be a seven inch comp. with more noise from these guys, so stay tuned! Sweden's Last Warning may not be able to match their split-mates in power and songwriting, but they definitely hold their own, spewing a catchy barrage of grindcore/powerviolence with precision enough to keep the listener following along and grunting for more! Two great bands, one great label, 13 sonic offenses...

Listen

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol.7: "Books to Prisoners"

To continue on the 7" compilations with honorable intentions current, I present the "Books to Prisoners" comp (Young Heirs Project, 1996?). Proceeds from this release were donated to, well, the Books to Prisoners organization, whose purpose probably doesn't need to be spelled out any further. They've been around for over 30 years and deserve our support! Now for the music... This disc pre-dates the release of any discography CDs of its featured bands, so at the time of release this was a very exciting platter. Herein, we're treated to the under appreciated yet powerful modern hardcore stylings of Devoid of Faith and Drift, as well as the dark and dirty sludge riffing of Seized and the old school punch 'n kick of the almighty Los Crudos. Listen to this, read a book, donate, organize a prison break...

Listen

Senseless Apocalypse/Harsh Split 7"

Seeing Japan's Senseless Apocalypse live afforded me the first experience where I thought my head would cave in from sheer volume overload. Luckily, the dizziness did wear off so I could enjoy the rest of their insane set. Even the sound guy (who seemed more like an indie rock dude) was so impressed that he recorded them and played pieces back during the set change (as Capitalist Casualties were preparing to take over!). SA have that effect- they are over the top, but somehow infectious and endearing. Several of the 17 untitled tracks on their split ep with Harsh (Mink Records, 1999), use the bait'n switch technique, luring the listener with rockin' punk rock and metal grooves, but then abruptly opening up a can of Fear of God-style blast-beat ass-whoopin'. This is some entertaining noise, but not as good as their two tracks on the CD posted below. If you still crave more, you can visit Cathedral of Erotic Misery and download their 5" ep or go to SA's myspace to hear tracks from the "Japanese Assault" comp (a more "mature" sound). Or.... if you want punishment of a different sort, Finland's Harsh grace the flip side with their own bass-heavy brand of California-style fastcore. Their admiration for Infest and potential influence from Spazz and Lack of Interest is worn sleeve-side, so if you like that sort of rock, you're in for it! Six tracks that take on dogmatic vegans, MTV "punk", the class gap, and our ever-present need to escape reality.

Download the Split

"Kamikaze Attacked Amerika/Yankee Bombed Hiroshima, Nagasaki" CD Comp.

Commenter dxb requested more CFDL, but sadly I don't have much. I do, however, have this amazing comp. CD on which they appear. Since I'm on this whole compilation kick, it seemed right to post it. As the title suggests, this CD contains almost 50/50 American and Japanese bands. When Sound Pollution and MCR let this thing out of the pen in 1996, it found a cozy place in my CD player for upwards of 15 or so months straight! I can't express what a great listen this one is, and to entice the skeptics, I'll supply a band list below (note: several bands contribute two tracks) with special annotation when (I feel it's) needed.

Bands (Japan)
Insane Youth - Heavy-handed hardcore- Japan meets NYC
Anti Authorize - D-beat Cookie Monster-Core!
Senseless Apocalypse - noise/grind at its finest... their 2 best tracks!
Disclose - Hey, it's Disclose!
Balzac - Japan's unabashed punk "Misfits"
Addiction - simple and catchy- 80's style
CFDL
Violent Pain - appropriately named
Bleed for Freedom - Rocked-out anthemic punk!

Bands (America)
Ottawa - Pre-.NEMA Tolkien grind. 3 Tracks from their split LP with Jihad
Final Warning - D-beat boot-stomp featuring the original singer from Nausea!
Suppression
Mankind? - Dirt influenced peace-punk-hardcore with squealy female vocalist
Spazz
Monster X - The first and only straight-edge grind band (!?!?)
Quadiliacha - Melodic, political punk/hardcore (Great for those who like Strike Anywhere but are ashamed to admit it)
Masskontroll - Portland's answer to Sweden

Download (192)

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol.6: "In The Spirit of Total Resistance"

All right, this one's a double 7", but why split hairs!? "In the Spirit of Total Resistance: A Benefit for the Mohawk Nation of Kanesatake" (Profane Existence, 1992) is one of my all time favorites. This masterpiece has everything a good comp needs: variety, a combination of known and unknown bands, an honorable purpose, incredible information/packaging (64 page book!), and of course, some ass-kicking music. All the bands featured have their own unique sound (except perhaps Crudos and Huasipungo... but who's complaining?!), so if you've never heard this one, you're in for a fun musical adventure. To this day, I still think MITB's track, "Homo Afflictus," is my favorite song of theirs, and Crudos' "Quinientos Años" might be my favorite of their early tracks as well. Crudos' work is easy to find, but it's still nice to hear this song within the context of this comp's theme (500 years of indigenous resistance, etc.) I wish I had the time to scan the entire book(let)... maybe one day soon.

Track List:

1. Jonestown - "The Gnawing Flood of the Wasichu"

2. Los Crudos - "Quinientos Años"

3. Huasipungo - "Estúpida Ambición"

4. Charred Remains a.k.a. Man is the Bastard - "Homo Afflictus"

5. Pollution Circus - "The Angry Brigade"

6. One By One - "Self Determination for the Fucked Over of the World (Common Ground)"

7. Dogfight - "Texas Two Step"

Download It

"Animal Rights" Comp LP

Compilation madness continues with this full length gem brought to you by Tribal War Asia. "Animal Rights" (1999?) assembles seven of Japan's ragingest crust-mongers, and two others who employ a "lighter" approach. There are way more hits than misses on this piece of work, including but not limited to the thrash metal attack of AGE ("Psycho System" appears on their "4 Wings" LP), the classic crust barrage of Battle of Disarm, and the '80's keyboard-embellished punk assault of Argue Damnation. Really, though, all the other bands will make short work of pummeling the shite out of you too. Of course, all good comps should have some variety, so at the end of each side there's a couple of non-hardcore acts. Black September with Ikeda crank out a swanky yet socially conscious progressive-lounge-funk (or whatnot) track that may appeal to fans of The Big Boys and/or Guts Pie Earshot, and to conclude the show Yoshiaki belts out an acoustic number that sounds at once like your roommate singing in the shower, and then at times like an animal being tortured (maybe that's the point?). I still think it's a great way to end this inspired comp. When I picked this slab up, it was not in the best shape, so the sound quality is a little blah blah blah ... but, oh well, what can you do?!

Download

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol.5: "Disoppress"

To satisfy your Saturday afternoon noise hunger, here's another out-of-control, non-sucky comp. "Disoppress" was released around 1997 on Disoppress records, a label I am not familiar with. There are some good unknown bands on this one (for me at least) and a couple of long-time heroes (see back cover). The styles are all either straight forward political hardcore, or total ear-assaulting grind/noise. The one exception, and a real highlight on the record, is Depressor, who play metallic industrial crust. Depressor now plays with a drummer, and their releases (if you can find them) are definitely ones to look out for. First, the disclaimer: the production isn't great and my copy's a little warped... sorry about the (extra) noise. Second, the actual noise... Download

Hellnation/CFDL Split 7"

Sound Pollution Records has always been a reliable source for international fast-as-hell music. Around the time it teamed up with MCR Company, it was an especially good resource for Americans hungry for Japanese noise that fell on that side of the musical extremity spectrum. The split presented here is a great example of the label bringing two bands from opposite sides of the Pacific together. Hellnation should be legendary, but unfortunately are only mentioned cursorily in discussions of powerviolence and "underground" grindcore. Founded in 1988 by two Kentuckians (including Ken Sound Pollution), the band would go on for years producing an impressive body of grindcore, spear-headed by high-pitched, screamed vocals. The production was often fairly clean, but the band managed to appeal more to the hardcore crowd than the metal. Besides their choice of chords and song structures, part of this allure was in the straight-forward social/political lyrics that never shied away from calling out idiotic behavior within the "scene." On their side of the split, they take on, among others, sloganeering crusties, as well as the whole PC nonsense so annoyingly pervasive in the '90's. These dudes didn't care who they pissed off! Hellnation gives us five songs on this one, and although that's a lot for split, I am left wanting even more! CFDL (Chaotic Formidable Destructive League) take the wheel for Japan and, although not as ear-shattering, do the job equally well. There's a little more of an old school punk feel thrown in with the fastcore, and the vocals are a little easier on the ear as well. Only two of the four CFDL tracks have lyrics provided, and after reading them I truly believe that most bands should just write their lyrics in their native language. Anyway, the band's recordings are energetic and noisy- which is what I always look for in Japanese fastcore. At the time of this release (1996), the band had already broken up, but they reformed recently. Check this little record out!

Download the Split

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol 4: "Our Voice Pro-Choice"

The "Our Voice Pro-Choice" 7" (Hands On Records, 1993) consists of half Utah bands and half non-Utah bands, and was a benefit for the Utah Pro-Choice Coalition (they probably needed all the help they could get!). As you can probably guess, the Utah bands are virtual unknowns (unless you're from Utah?). However, the two out of state bands (Born Against and Heroin) would become quite influential within the nineties modern hardcore pantheon.

Synopsis:

1. Anger Overload- "Waiting." I have not heard anything else by this band, and I'm not sure I would want to. They played metal with hardcore leanings that just doesn't do it for me.

2. N.S.C. - "Choice No Choice." NSC play old school punk not unlike The Avengers. Their track is not original, but still quite good and catchy.

3. Born Against - "Resist Control." BA need no introduction. "Resist Control" is a good example of their earlier, more straight forward material. This song is also compiled on their "The Rebel Sound of Shit and Failure" singles collection, and was originally a Life's Blood song. As the story goes, the release of the "Our Voice" comp. was delayed due to Sam McPheeters "misplacing" BA's layout for the insert behind his stereo. The comp. was thus completed after Clinton was sworn in, making the Bush Sr. imagery dated even for the record's own time of release.

4. Heroin - "Comes to Mind." San Diego's seminal gods of emotional and chaotic hardcore offer a very early track. If memory serves, this track did not make it onto the Heroin discography. While not as good as the band's later work, it is still great to hear this one... a real piece of modern hardcore history!

Download the Comp.

Spine Wrench eps

After the dissolution of Deviated Instinct (who reformed and played shows recently!), Mid and Charlie started Spine Wrench. Charlie left after their first release, and was replaced by a drum machine. These two eps, "Soulscape" and "Heeldrag" (Desperate Attempt and After the Bomb Records, 1994 respectively) represent the latest period of this band's life span. The drum machine and noise used on these tracks warrant the "industrial" label to a certain extent, but the backbone of Spine Wrench's music is sludgy, groovy, hard-driving metal. There is a chilliness to their sound, not only from the drum machine, but from the pained screams and yells coming from Mid's mic, which seem to have some effects or distortion applied to them. I'm usually picky about these kinds of bands, but SW wrote some catchy and powerful tunes and I've come to appreciate their work quite a bit. In addition to these eps, Spine Wrench released a split CD, 2 other eps, and a split ep with Def. Master. Members are now in Bait and, well, back in Deviated Instinct.

All Spine Wrench releases are posted here.

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol.3: "Deadly Encounters"

As you can probably tell, I was really into the whole '90's west coast powerviolence/fastcore situation. Here's another little artifact with a bunch of favorites on it: The "Deadly Encounters Hardcore Compilation" (Agitate/Kill Music Records, 1997?). Half the bands on this one are from somewhere east of here (3 of whom are very well known!), but otherwise you'll notice the usual cast of LA and Bay Area superstars. As with many comps like this one, the cover is photocopied, the sound quality is checkered, and the songs are hit and miss. There were many detrimental skips on this ep, which I had to "repair" manually or with editing software; I hope it's not too noticeable.

Track List:
1. "Blinded" by Psycho
2. "Newest HC Song # 4" by Anal Cunt
3. "Newest HC Song #3" by Anal Cunt
4. "Drinkers of Mung" by Crom
5. "Redenbacher's Orgy of Pain, Fear and Pestilence" by Spazz
6. "Sarin" (Live) by Capitalist Casualties
7. "Boiling Point" (SSD) by Drop Dead
8. "Pressure" (Negative Approach) by Lack of Interest
9. "Viet Vet" by Violently Ill
10. "Better Never Than Late" by Charles Bronson
11. "Who Needs a Kleenex?" by Laceration
12. "Dig Up Your Dead" by Bad Acid Trip

Listen

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol.2: "Passing Bells"

This EP (Passing Bells Records, 2003?) is not as crusty as it looks. There are some crusty-type bands represented (Sharpeville & Diaspora), but the mix is fairly eclectic and displays some of the less "Finnish" sounding bands Finland has to offer. I love traditional Finnish hardcore as much as anyone, but that's not what this comp. is about. All the tracks and bands are great, which isn't something you can say about most V/A releases.

Synopsis:
1. Sharpville: These neo-crusties play a thick, metallic style of punk much like the songs on their LP. The vocals are recorded a little low, but otherwise this one's a killer!

2. Diaspora: This band reminds me a little of Lost World or early Harum Scarum with its mid-paced hardcore tempo and vocals that alternate between snotty punk and harsh crusty screams. They released an LP too, which I'm now thinking I need to seek out!

3. Unkind: Taking a break from their usual scandi-crust ambush, Unkind deliver a haunting acoustic track that reminds me of some of the material on the first Deviated Instinct demo (for some reason). Not only is the song good, it really adds to the great sense of variety on this disc.

4. Wasted: 80's influenced, slightly abrasive punk. Lots of melody and fairly clean guitars. Good stuff.

5. Manifesto Jukebox: Another surprise! Rather than the bitter-sweet melodic indie rock influenced punk they are better known for, we are treated to a very faithful rendition of "Shroud" by Born Against! At times I thought I was listening to an alternate take of the real thing!

6. Hero Dishonest: These guys are starting to get better known in the US now, because they kick ass! HD play rocked-out old school (US) hardcore beautifully! Tons of energy and instrumental proficiency. Enough said... all their records are more than worth checking out.

Passing Bells

Plutocracy/Phobia Split LP (Live)

On this split (Misanthropic Records, 1994), LA/OC kingpins, Phobia, scrap it out live with infamous Bay Area tokers, Plutocracy. Both bands have had a huge impact on the "extreme music" emerging from California over the last decade and a half, and play/played their own brands of grindcore and/or powerviolence. Phobia have been leveling cities for about 18 years now, and on this LP expel 4 blasts of "Harmony Corruption"-era Napalm Death-style grind. Considering that it was recorded on July 24, 1993 at The Butt-Cave in Santa Ana, California, the sound quality on their side definitely exceeded my expectations. A great early set, by a legendary band! On the flip, Plutocracy put their out-of-control stylings on display by way of 8 bruising tracks. These guys created their own genre of grindcore that could never possibly be copied. The vocals are nutty and all over the place, giving the tracks a chaotic feel. But the band is in total control of its "art." They play with precision and conviction, and conjure a well-balanced blend of politics, humor, and fury. I can't say for sure where and when Pluto's side was recorded, because the insert is vague. There is a funny, ambivalent write-up of Pluto's last show reprinted there, but I'm not sure if we're to believe that the tracks were recorded at this show, The Butt-Cave, or elsewhere. Either way, their set completely shreds! Pluto members went on to play in Spazz, No Less, Capitalist Casualties, etc. They released a bunch of early records collected on a CD, and reformed around 1999 to record the "Sniping Pigz" LP.

The Split

More 7" Comps That Don't Suck Vol. I: Reality

Arrgh. 7" Compilations. They're over in a flash, and before you let them sink in, you get too lazy to throw them back on the turntable. Doing this blog has really forced me out of my aversion for this comp. format, and allowed me to dig up and appreciate some of the better ones. I'll be posting more "volumes" of these comps here and there for the next couple of weeks...

Volume I is the "Reality" comp. released around 1994 on Deep Six Records. This would be the first in a series of numbered "Reality" comps that would appear in full length editions for years to come. Number One here is no sloucher, and showcases some of the most brutally violent bands the LA area had to offer at the time (the only exception is the Bay Area's Spazz). It's hard to pick highlights, because all the tracks kick muchisimo ass! For a full track list, click on the back cover photo up top. The Man is the Bastard track appears on the already-posted "Anger & English" comp, but this is a rough, live version that has its own distinct character. You can download this ep right....Here!

Asebia "Face of Civilization" LP

If your addiction to dark, metallic scandi-crust is as insatiable as mine, this may be the fix you've been scrounging for. Asebia sound like Swedes, but are actually Danes. Their "Face of Civilization" LP was released by Plague Bearer Records in 2003 and went fairly unnoticed in North America (as far as I can tell). It's too bad, because this is some excellent, world-class hardcore that could easily hold its own next to Skitsystem, Kontrovers, or Acursed. Asebia use speed generously to convey their fury, but keep each song interesting with tense intros, and slow interludes, many containing some evil black metal-type guitar picking. In addition to being sonically riveting, the lyrics are amazingly literate and thought-provoking (especially considering that they are mainly in English and the band is Danish). Themes cover a variety of topics symptomatic of our post-industrial predicament, including class exploitation, the dilemma of "freedom" for citizens of more more privileged states, and the anonymity of mass economic murder resulting from globalization. I've posted a photo of the lyrics from the back cover below if you're interested.

Asebia LP

Silence "Mad Civilization"

This band's name reflects the amount of comments I've been getting lately (ha!). Silence is, really, a mournful, crusty hardcore band from Poland. Call it neo-crust, drama-crust, emo-crust (actually, don't call it that)-- I call it good hardcore. Each track on their "Mad Civilization" 10" (Les Nains Aussi, 2004) is out to wrench your guts and emotions thanks in large part to the darkly discordant guitars, hoarse screams, and on a couple of tracks, piano and violin. Most tracks reach hardcore-level speeds, but many slow it down in order to drag the listener through some serious emotional beatdowns. For lack of any better comparisons, some reviewers were hasty to foist Silence into the "Tragedy-esque" category. This is fair in terms of sub genre placement, but their tactics/techniques are more akin to Remains of the Day, Fall of Efrafa, or even Jeniger. In some ways, this is my favorite Silence release, although they have been busy in the last couple of years releasing some really excellent pieces: this 10", an LP, a split LP with Easpa Measa, a 7", and a split 7" with Burning the Prospect (probably a demo too, but I haven't seen/heard it). Of all these releases, the 10" seems the most difficult to find lately, so here you go...

"Mad Civilization"

Totalitär/Disclose Split LP

This post is dedicated to the I-Heart-D-Beat pack out there. Sometimes primal emotion just can't be aptly expressed through subtlety, intricacy, or poesy. That's why there are bands like Totalitär and Disclose-- to make sure we stay connected to our savage selves. Sweden's most reliable d-beaters are matched up here with Japan's prolific Discharge/Confuse-worshipping distortion pushers. What more needs to be said?

This split was a fairly limited release by Your Own Jailer Records (Sweden) in 2001 (500 copies). Havoc Records commissioned the repressing of around 500 more that year to be sold in the US. This is a loudly recorded disc, and I ripped it pretty loud too, so you've been warned!

The Split

Sink "Sad But True" 7"

"Sad But True" is a 5 song seven inch created by four angry young Japanese women who went by the name of Sink (MCR Company, 1995). The band stays fairly true to their country's punk roots, cranking out noisy and rather crusty hardcore that is as powerful as it is simple and raw. The vocals are gruff and agonized, and bring to mind the more gutteral grunts of Damad or Society Gang Rape. As should be anticipated from most Japanese records of this era, the insert supplies the listener with "Engrish" lyrics that waver between terribly charming and charmingly terrible. Overall, this is a really nice EP, and probably the only recording the band left behind (or is it?)

"Sad But True"

Mörser/The Swarm Split 7"

Some records are so singular and arresting in their power, they seem to have their own gravitational pull. The Mörser/The Swarm split 7" is one of these; it lures you in black hole-like, and does things to you scientists only wish they had the words with which to explain the phenomenon. Mörser shouldn't need any introduction, but perhaps do. This German band is Systral's evil twin, and issues forth an a-traditional brand of grindcore that leaves nothing standing in its wake: four "singers," two bass players, two bass drums, and a guitarist. The two tracks included here are no disappointment to anyone who has heard this band before. The Swarm's tracks are miles away from disappointment, as well. Prior to hearing this ep, I had only heard one track by these Canadians on a No Idea comp., which left me numb. However, on this disc the band completely destroys with three tracks of suffocatingly heavy Swedish influenced hardcore that brings to mind the desert-bleakness and urgency of Initial State. This split is no light listening, so I suggest you warm up by listening to any of the bands mentioned already, and maybe a little Nasum and Tragedy.

The Mörser/Swarm split was released around 1999 by Spitfall and Per Koro Records. The Swarm's tracks are available on their CD.

Download the Punishment!