Hiatus (Not the Band)

It's time to take a little vacation from blogging. With all the things going on right now, I would hate for this blog to become a chore. If it isn't fun anymore, why keep at it? I think you see my point. After two or four weeks, I hope to be re-energized and back to finding hidden musical treasures under unassuming rocks and ripping the shit out of them! Meantime, I look forward to getting caught up on a ton of other stuff and listening to music for no other reason than the sheer pleasure of it! I've recently received a flurry of e-mails; some from nice people sharing music or saying thanks, as well as those hoping for a review/post. To the former, I say thanks! and to the latter... I haven't forgotten about you-- please be patient. If any old links are down, let me know; I'll be checking comments here and there.



To send you on your way properly, I present the Half Man/Kisses & Hugs split 7". Roman, a long time/sporadic FE visitor/friend, was blown away by the small-town angst and violence of Kisses & Hugs' 12" and suggested I post this mean little split. This one's for him and anyone else who dug that piece (all of whom are probably laid up with a sore asshole from the experience). X's & O's were definitely a singular monster, and what Half Man might lack in originality and insanity, is made up for by their sincerity and power on the two tracks here. Made up of ex-members of Campaign and future members of Countdown to Putsch, HM took old school grit and "modern" smarts (I'm look at you Born Against) and made plain, good hardcore punk! They released a couple of EPs, some comp tracks and an LP that sounded like a completely different band. Check with the Mountain Collective for related bands and straggling artifacts.

The Half Man/Kisses & Hugs Split 7"

Thoughts In Stereo

You may have just experienced a reflex arc to click away from this page after seeing the above cover. Just know that Germany's Kurt knew how to bring the rock; namely one of the few kinds of rock that doesn't render me instantly comatose: that style brought by such bands as Kerosene 454, Last of the Juanitas and the like. Heavy drumming and shouted vocals conspire eagerly with sour but at times strangely soothing discordant guitars. Today's free download, the "Schesaplana" LP, hearkens to the heydays of San Diego and DC rock, without any derivative copy-cattery.

Kurt, like their country-folk Dawnbreed, started as a screamy hardcore band, but then "refined" themselves into an awesome heavy rock band. The packaging on "Schesaplana" is fairly unique in that the 10 inserts came in a sealed envelope (one for each track plus one extra). A reproduction lies in the folder below.

"Schesaplana" by Kurt (X-Mist Records, 1998; ripped at 320 kbps)

The Trigger Isn't Hard To Pull

It had to happen. Pretty much every other Enewetak record has been posted here; it was just a matter of time before "And the Beat Goes On..." should make its appearance. I had some mediocre rips I had downloaded, and which seem to be consistently downloaded from me on soulseek. When I recently came across a mint copy of the wax, I knew I needed to step up. If I do say so myself, these rips came out pretty nice, and this record deserves the treatment. I think anyone into any kind of heavy music can get down with these nine crushing tracks of metalicious Rorschachery, and if you can't, well this is where we depart. As with the "Guns" LP, it just has to be heard, as descriptions will inevitably fall flaccid. And, as with all Enewetak LPs, it's my favorite until I throw on another one. But really I think this one might seriously be my favorite.

"And The Beat Goes On..." by Enewetak (Revolutionary Power Tools Records, 1996; ripped at 320 kbps).

You're Next

A favorite song, from a favorite record, Void's "Time to Die" is a sweet ditty to compliment all the "slasher" films you've been watching lately. I always thought the lyrics to this one would be some frightening shit to hear for the first time; but I can't remember: it's been such a long time for me since its first spin.

"Time to Die" (Void)

Hashish Eaters

The Assassinators' 7" is a somewhat recent release, but since I can't stop listening to it I felt the need to share it with you (and it's out of print now). This Danish band gets compared to La Fraction excessively, so in my pessimism I figured they sound like nothing of the sort. They actually do, though, with some mixed in accents of other melodic European hardcore bands like Inner Conflict and Post Regiment. The band departs from the La Fraction mould with their less stylized lead vocals, more pronounced harmonies, and a layer of somberness that gets me all excited. The pop sensibilities and melody will compel you to spin this thing over and over, but there's enough punk grit to keep your crust-credentials intact. Listen; become addicted; then track down a copy of their LP released on Alerta Antifascista (You can also get these tracks on a CD along with a lot of other material here or here).

The Assasinators 7"

Sutek Conspiracy

It's a good thing I waited before posting the TR/Sutek Conspiracy/Catheter split CD, because (aboynamed)Stew stepped up and hooked us up with the entire Sutek Conspiracy discography! The compilation is homemade, since no such CD was ever released, but Stew did an awesome job putting it all together. SC was based in Indiana and played an emotionally charged hybrid of metal and modern hardcore that never really received its due praise outside of perhaps the mid-west. Some members went on to have a colorful future, as Stew mentioned, "I only got to see Sutek twice towards the end of their run, once in Athens and once in Columbus. Fucking rippers live, though. After they broke up, the drummer (not sure of his name) went on to play drums in The Dream Is Dead. Leila Rauf, the guitarist, moved to Columbus and played guitar in Memento Mori (along with members of The Awakening, Scrotum Grinder, Cobra Kai, and more) and I think another project called Valkyrie (also with Matt, the other guitarist in Memento Mori) whose tape I was able to find ripped on a blog called Cosmic Hearse. Then she moved to the Bay Area and now plays in a progressive death metal band called Saros (sound a bit like Cynic to my novice ears) who are also pretty killer." The folder below has material from their self-titled CD, demo, 4 splits, and a comp track. I recommend listening to the demo last (tracks 1-6) because the band hadn't yet started wielding their sharp metal edge. How ever you approach it, this collection is powerful and essential especially if you are a serious DIY music scavenger like most people who come here.

Thanks again, Stew!

The Sutek Conspiracy discography

Zap

As we near the hour when the goblins and phantoms come out to play, I felt it was time to revisit a witchy "punk" band I fear many of you overlooked when I posted their discography long ago. Witchknot was one of the more unique bands I've ever heard, and seemed even more curious when held alongside their label mates (Flat Earth Records). Subversive, rhythmic, funny, smart, catchy, quirky... this band was so many things, and yet every time you listen to them, you'll find other facets that will only make them more beautifully perplexing. The Song of The Week is called "Zap!", and it employs heavy-handed witch imagery, which I believe is sarcastic to a certain extent. It also showcases the signature wacky guitar picking, violin frenzies, and ecstatic and snotty vocal stylings that made me love this band instantly (and, yes, not a little cowbell thrown in too). Witchknot won't be for everyone, but I think they should be. Mount your broomsticks and...

"Zap"

X's & O's

Continuing on the trope of bands with curious names creating wonderfully fucked up music, here we have an almost-discography from Kisses and Hugs. Another overlap with the last band posted is Kisses And Hugs' soft-spot for insane distortion, blast-beats, and humorous song titles. Not to mention there's a totally jacked-up cover song ("Kiss Me, Kill Me" by Negative Approach). Titles like "Civ Lied" and "Genital Ben," make me really wish they had supplied a lyric sheet, but we'll just have to use our imagination instead (the crazed vocals certainly don't provide an in, either). So who were Kisses And Hugs? They were three rural Pennsylvania/New Jersey youths who look like the kind of kids who got their asses kicked a lot in elementary school (a compliment is a weird kind of way) but who shredded out some insanely fast and chaotic hardcore and unbosomed their angst with quirky and funny words (presumably). I first came to know the bands from the "Education" comp (Mountain Coop) and their split with Halfman (the former tracks appear on this LP). The album posted today is mainly material from 1994 when faster hardcore was only beginning to adopt its clique-y posturing, so it's free from all that. The LP itself only reached the pressing and circulation phase in 2001/2002, and only 500 were pressed. That's about all I know. If you need the split, just leave a comment and I'll get on it.

Kisses & Hugs LP

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)

Close To Distance

As usual, when I post an old favorite, I'm sent on a nostalgic trip through the band's entire discography. And, as always happens with Guts Pie Earshot specifically, I end up at "Close to Distance." What an incredible song! It's danceable, emotionally penetrating, with a most memorable violin riff and Anneke rockin' the mic like never before. I once thought to dismiss GPE for being so dance-friendly. They must be some pill-popping club kids or something, right? I can't tell you how wrong I was. Pure art.

"Close to Distance" (Ripped by me from vinyl)

"Close to Distance" (Remix) (Downloaded from some nice anonymous person)

"Close to Distance (Live at Holzrock)" (Also downloaded)

You can still download the "Wait" album here.

Crawling On My Hands and Knees

This Sunday morning quickie sends us back to Seattle for another dram of twisted noise. I first was interested in Walls because of Jensen's (Iron Lung) involvement. The band's actual product has a little more to do with Kortland's old band, Gob, than any I.L. style grind. But what you really get is some pretty unique and messed up sounding dark and heavy rock. One track appeared on the Walls LP, but the other ("Hands & Knees") I believe to be an exclusive. Said LP and the awesome one-sided 12" are still available from Painkiller and Iron Lung Records respectively.

Walls "The Crawl" 7" (Iron Lung Records, from the first pressing of 400)

White Belt In Blogging

I think it's great when bands adopt misleading or at least non-generic band names. The only problem is, I rarely ever check them out... because of their names. As fortune would have it, Justin from Same-Sex Dictator introduced me to his band by sending me rips of their awesome split with Requin and permission to post. S-SD appear here as a two piece showcasing a penetrating bass sound with just enough distortion to assert its commanding role without being too abrasive. Song-writing-wise, the band is a reunion with your old crush, but she's different now, and the novelty excites you: the throbbing, crawling pace of your favorite sludge bands, the bursting frenetic fits of a few noise rock legends, but sounding not quite like anything yet in your collection. But maybe "Eight: From Meal To Bait" is more grand and universal, laying out the ancient, cyclical war between our desire for precision and harmony, and our uncontrollable tendency toward entropy and violence, with each listen crowning a different winner. And trust me, repeat listens are inevitable.

Requin are yet another reason to look to the Northwest for rock that ain't your grandpa's grunge. These guys skip most of the contemplation and shoot for a mainly primal approach with regard to tempos. The proggy, noodly fret board action however, prods deep into the cerebrum, as do the drums which keep up beautifully with the breakneck pace. And the vocals: No high pitch screaming, no forced guttural grunting; not even a grungy croon. Just good, raw, throaty yelling! This is yet another solid and original band to bookmark from the mad, musical laboratory that is Seattle.

You can get this very limited 7" from S-SD or perhaps Crucial Blast's webstore. It was recorded this year, so if you like what you hear, you can probably expect each bands' next releases to be similar. In my opinion, that's a good reason to get stoked.

The Same-Sex Dictator/Requin split 7" (320 digital rips)

WaitSitSceamListenFlyDreamFallRiseSpread

In my conscious effort this week to mix in some variety, Guts Pie Earshot seemed an obvious choice, and indeed the textures on the "Anatopia" LP also meld nicely with the autumnal moods of some recent SOTW selections. Guts Pie Earshot answer the hypothetical question few would think of asking: what would happen if a few squatter punk music students with diverse tastes threw all inhibitions and genre limitations aside and wrote some songs? The answer turns out to be as kaleidoscopic as you'd think, and "Anatopia" is a shape-shifting color palette of some of the possible outcomes. Their colorful diversity comes through not only from record to record, but from song to song on this LP. The band's music is driven by bass, drums, and cello with occasional appearances by other keyboard and string instruments, and their early recordings were graced with robust vocal melodies (by Anneke). This is indeed one of those earlier recordings, although the vocals are absent or subdued on many of the tracks. From funereal dirge, to Eastern European folk, to punk, to an awesome cello waltz... this one really shows the astounding array of this band's influences and abilities. It's also apparently a soundtrack to a film (which I haven't seen), presumably about the squat of the same name (?). Any more info about the film would be much appreciated. For more GPE, try this record too-- it's excellent!

"Anatopia" (ripped at 256)

The band is still around and plays mainly as a two piece, however the flyer at their site advertises a reunion with Anneke! Wish I could be there. I have a couple of other GPE LPs if there's one that you're missing.

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...

Can't Find Any Hope Out In Tomorrow

You might know Protess from their split with Signal Lost. Those songs were good, but weren't enough to prepare me for the bleak epic that is "The End Of The Day." It brought back fond, giddy teen memories of first discovering Initial State or Zero Hour. They also released a 7" which I need to get ahold of, and if they ever release a LP I can die a little bit happier.

The name Noise Pollution may strike one as generic, and I'm sorry to say that this Irish band's sortie into raw political hardcore fits that description too. Their hearts are in the right place, and if they continue to be a band, I hope they write material that does better justice to the spirit of the band and its members. Not bad, but not great.

The Split.

I've been posting a ton of crust lately, mainly because that's what I've been listening to and apparently it's what people want to hear. Next week I'll shoot for a little variety; possible posts from Same Sex Dictator (if my copy will ever arrive!), Walls, Guts Pie Earshot, The Neighbors, Kurt...

It Must Have Been That Pastie

I was going to post the Charred Remains/Pink Turds In Space split, but I realized what a travesty it would be if someone out there didn't have decent rips of Pink Turds' discography. So here you go: 38 tracks of (at their best) obnoxious (vocals), thrashy (guitars), and hilarious (lyrics) Irish hardcore from 1986 to around 1992. The last two tracks are a demo and a 5 song live set, so this is one massive nugget. Hopefully the links work... I don't have time to test them since I'm off to commune with Redwoods out in Big Sur. Any technical issues will be dealt with this weekend.

Okay, bye.

The Complete PTIS Part 1

The Complete PTIS Part 2


I think this was re-issued recently, but couldn't find the site. If it was, I'll remove the link ASAP!

Three Hours

I have a staunch prejudice against most "dude-with-a-guitar" music; Nick Drake is partially responsible for this, mainly due the futility of any other mortal ever surpassing what he could do with voice and guitar. "Day is Done" may be the obvious Song of the Week choice for some, but for me, the way I'm feeling right now... it's all about "Three Hours."

"Three Hours"

The Battle For Seattle

Here's another excellent Brandon pick from two unstoppable Seattle bands. Decrepit should need no introduction, and surely, just listening to their take on crusty hardcore is the best way for newcomers to get acquainted. The incessant, rapid-fire vocals are easily the band's greatest virtue. They released a 7" and a self-titled CD that I know of, both of which are/are probably completely awesome. Phalanx also released a self-titled LP/CD, and then called it quits, leaving this split 7" as the only other artifact of their existence. Their sound will inevitably be cornered as Americanized Scandi-crust galore, with bad cop/badder cop vocals. I remember liking their LP more than I like these tracks, and from what I can tell both Aborted Society and No Options records are sold out of it. Being a low profile band, it should be easy to find a copy in one of your favorite distros (the Phalanx tracks below were tacked onto the CD version).

Decrepit/Phalanx Split

Today We Ride

Flipping through the myriads of black and white covered crust records can be daunting. Which holds the hidden treasure? And which of them are just stale d-beat? My advice-- don't pass up on El Monte, California's Mala Sangre. These guys play stench-core that could easily last multiple rounds in a cage match with Hellshock or Stormcrow. They're still around and gigging, and hopefully will release some more great tunes in the future. For now, enjoy their dirty, crusty two song 7", "Ride The Wind..."

"Ride The Wind" by Mala Sangre (released in an edition of 450 copies by Threat To Existence Records)

Hide The Sun

Some more haunting melodies here to usher you into to the fall. Dimlaia got compared to Neurosis, etc. a lot, but I suspect that was due to a lack of any truly similar band to compare them to. In addition to the creeping pace of their music, Dimlaia's sound is defined by gorgeously tenuous guitar lines that seem to break apart at a mere gust of wind, and which afterward reconverge only to crumble again. It only takes a listen or two to know that this cycle is carefully orchestrated, although it gives the impression of randomness or improvisation. Overlaying the arrangements is an ambient shroud of autumnal melancholia, which should be ventured cautiously by those prone to moodiness. The band also avoids the trap many heavy bands these days fall in of getting too indulgent with their song lengths. "Hide The Sun" is an excellent example, packing in an epic's worth of power into a mere three minutes, and allowing the music to do most of the communicating.

"Hide The Sun"

Dimlaia featured Carl Auge (original bassist for HHIG) who also painted the art used for the cover (as well as the cover for their split 10"). Life Is Abuse Records still has copies of the Dimlaia CD as well as the Drain The Sky EP (ex-Dimlaia). The above mp3 was ripped from the Stonehenge Records vinyl version of the album.

Saints From Hell

Open Revölt's 6 song LP, and you're greeted by the band member's photos. Here they pose in a forest, the Drummer and Bass player donning some serious metal spikes and panda-faces collectively, and chainmail and bullet sashes respectively. Oh yeah, they both brandish sabers too. Then there's the guitar/vocals guy standing on the shore of the lake, but looking like he just got back from a Battle of Disarm show. At first you might think these guys are not yet sure what they want to be, until you hear the first riff. Then it becomes clear: we're in old-school, stench-ass crust territory! The tempos crawl and the guitar chugs along at a nightmarishly hypnotic pace, and if it weren't for those simple yet kick-ass riffs, I'd say the songs were a bit too long and undynamic. They pull it off damn well, though, especially on side A, and certainly with help of the double bass drums which bring a bubbling-under-the-surface intensity to the tracks. Check it out if you're a fan of Axegrinder, later Amebix, or Coffins. Only 500 of these were pressed on Awesome Moshpower Records (the Japanese have such a way with words!). The label also points out (correctly) that there were a lot of pops/clicks on this pressing. I deleted as many as I could, but could only do so much.

"Gate Of Holocaust"

You might be able to get a CD-r with live and demo stuff here.

We Descend As Dreams

As autumn drops down on us, we initiate a series of Songs Of The Week in tune with this time of dimming light. I wanted to save this one, the darkest, for the cusp of winter. But I've always discouraged listening to really depressing music during that season, and I just snapped out of one of those the-world-fuckin-sucks kind of moods, so this one is perfect for today. The spotlight this week is on The Gault's "The Shore Becomes The Enemy." Few bands have succeeded in making pure human despair so palatable, or in the case of this composition, sublimely beautiful. Having connections to black metal legends, Weakling, the BM card must be pulled, but it's the gothy, progressive aspects of this band that drive the ship. Be patient. At 12 1/2 half minutes, this journey is a far cry from the punk blasts our attention spans crave. But despair of this purity takes time and a careful hand to evoke.

"The Shore Becomes The Enemy" by The Gault (ripped from vinyl for that crackle-of-dry-leaves-under-foot experience).


Read along with The Gault:

Black Becomes The Sunday

I just got this one recently, but had to share. Is it possible that World Burns To Death is getting even better? They've raged and pillaged through three incredible 12"s and a small archipelago of 7"s, and yet they continue to blow minds! This little two-banger has the great tracks, "The War Can Go On Forever" and "Black Becomes The Sun" and I believe it was released for the band's tour of Japan with Blowback. A thousand were pressed on H:G Fact Records, and if there are copies out there, they won't last long. I'm sure the tracks will appear on future releases, but unless the actual EPs are re-pressed, I'll keep these rips up. Being such a short record, I'll go ahead and include...



...the WBTD/Blowback split. And, what's this? Melody? Yes, World Burns To Death weaves in some tasteful melody in their track "Here A Dream Dies Everyday," making it both a surprise and one hell of a killer! If you grabbed their friend Blowback's LP last year (or was it this year?), you know that they are a Far-East force of unfuckwithableness! They've got the insane vocals and tightness bands from their native land are known for, and then some. A fantastic and exhausting little split.


Get both 7"s HERE

Q: Music? A: Noise!

You probably already have this one too, but I just couldn't take the chance. What really needs to be said about perhaps the meanest, noisiest Japanese crust-core band of recent times? The insanity lets up for about 15 seconds at the beginning of "Wargasm," but other than that it's 28 minutes of glorious torment. If you make it all the way through without a headache, you've passed the test (or your volume setting is too low).

Gloom "Vokusatsu, Seisin, Hatansha" LP (Crust War Records, 23 tracks, 320 kbps).

The Footprint On Your Soul

I didn't quite make this one on time for split week, but it's my blog, so I can do what I want! You should probably have this one already, and if you do you know that these two bands live up to their reputations. This was one of the first releases Crow did after reuniting, throwing down a Crucifix cover and a thrashy original that will eviscerate your very being. Artimus Pyle, while keeping a somewhat low profile, have knocked out tons of quality releases over the years, and here shatter all your hopes for a better world with three jabs of down-tuned, dream-smashing, hardcore drear. If it's not a classic already, it might as well be. Mangrove and Prank handled this one, but I doubt you can still get a copy from either. The latter might be good place to stock up on other releases by both bands, though.

The Crow/Artimus Pyle split 7"

Grieve Over Destiny

It's only fitting after a week of splits to post a song off of one. Exhale exploded onto the scene, throwing out some serious post-Burning Spirits chops, then swiftly exited the back door to musical oblivion. Or maybe not. Perhaps they're crouching out of sight, waiting for the right time for another attack. Two splits (with Skitkids and Diallo), a 7", a couple of comp tracks; not enough damn it.

"Grieve Over Destiny" by Exhale from the split with Diallo

You're On My...

...Shitlist is a band whose brilliance was brought to my attention through the miracle of blogging. With all the great, mediocre, and terrible crust released in the nineties/early 00's, it's nice to have some guidance to navigate it all. I have blog hommie, Shawn, to thank for holding the torch up to this band. Shitlist's pedigree, while impressive, only serves as a stylistic reference index, because their power is absolutely singular. I believe the band is related to Hail Of Rage, Inhaste, and possibly Decrepit. I apologize if I'm wrong; all of the music and info I take up daily is getting to be too much for the o'l Duder's head. But the nine tracks on this slab lay waste to much of the material from those other bands. The tightness, the unrelenting fury... unbelievable. Thanks again, Shawn.

If you're energy isn't completely sapped from Shitlist, Calloused offer another challenging aural workout. Blokes like me who'll never get enough Detestation and Pink Turds In Space will find a 10 track feast of obnoxiousness bursting through the grooves of side B. The collusion of these two bands is just pure crusty perfection. The CD version of it was been posted elsewhere, but I really wanted to have it here for personal reasons. The link below has the usual 320 kbps vinyl rips with complete scans...

The Shitlist/Calloused Split LP

Christ-o-nators

Another classic here, at least as far as my personal cannon is concerned. I love both bands, and it really isn't fair to either of them to attempt a description or an explanation of their importance and/or awesomeness. EC drop a couple of mid-period gems: "Petty Ways" and "Uncontrolable Urge" (a Devo cover. I can't say it's better than the original, but it's Econochrist covering Devo for Christsake!). I recognize The Detonator's "Day By Day" from the "Balls To You" LP (rough cut), but I'm not sure if the other two tracks ("Crime And Punishment" and "Angry Young Man") were released elsewhere. The Econochrist discography is probably available everywhere from Ebullition to Amazon, and The Detonators' "Balls To You"CD has been reissued and is also easy to find.

320 rips from the 3rd pressing, scans, yada yada...

Here.

Kiss The Goat

Here's a split LP that's done some seat time on my table since about 1995. It's a pretty vicious piece, beginning with Ottawa-- the Tolkien-worshipping grind monster started by members of Current, and future members of Dearborn SS, Nema, and Calvary. Cacophonous is the word here, like a crustier, rawer Brutal Truth. Now, upon listening to side B after some years, I've come to believe Jihad could really have benefited from a better guitar sound. The tracks consist of some rockin' mid-paced metallic hardcore and are pretty crushing once you get used to the flat production. Bands like Enewetak, Gehenna, and Unruh really took this style and fucked it up in a good way. Overall, this is a massive record that merits repeated and torturous listens. I'm not sure how long this link will be up as I just found out that Council Records will finally be reissuing the Ottawa 12" with remastered tracks!

Click it:

The Buttshits Split

It looks like we're embarking on another split week. This time, I'm posting whatever I want, regardless of how many times it's been posted or whether or not the tracks have been compiled on a discography. Yes, a true celebration of a truly punk format. When it comes to punk as fuck splits, it's hard to shake a stick at Filth and Submachine's manifesto of drunkenness and punkness, "This Is Why We Are The Drunks." These bands need no intro and no disclaimer-- listen and let the debauchery begin! Full scans, 320 kbps vinyl rips, bla bla...

The Submachine/Filth split 7"

I Just Want To Sing Your Name

To all the Yanks with the day off today... happy Labor Day! I'm not sure why early September was chosen for this; America has a pretty arbitrary way of scheduling holidays. Anyway, this calls for a SOTW from everyone's favorite "commie" folk hero, Woody Guthrie. "I Just Want To Sing Your Name" comes from the "Ballads Of Sacco And Vanzetti" record, and I think you can figure out what the topic of each song is from that title. I always found this song moving, and with this kind of music, that's all that matters.

"IJWTSYN"

Or

"IJWTSYN" (mediafire)

There's Always Someone Else

I could think of no better quickie-post for a Saturday than a Burning Kitchen 7"! I also can think of few punk bands with as much piss, sincerity and nonstop energy as this amazing Swedish band. The "Damn If You Do..." 10" is my favorite BK release, but "Consolidation" is now a close second. Give yourself plenty of space when you play this one, as insane, spastic dancing will surely ensue. More (all?) Burning Kitchen releases will be posted here as I find them...

Burning Kitchen "Consolidation" 7" (5 tracks, Communichaos Media/Bent Edge Records, 1999, 1000 pressed)

Dawnbreed 7 Inchers

Man, it took me a while to get this shit together. Sorry for the delay, but you know how things can get. Today's four-EP post chronicles the drastic evolution of Germany's Dawnbreed. The early EP and split with Switzerland's Mine see the band trying their hand at the screamy chaos their American counterparts like Frail and Honeywell were dabbling in (the Mine tracks are great; near the goodness of their LP if it weren't for the muddy production). Then I'm throwing in their track from the "Plot" comp because it shreds and it provides a good segue between the early stuff and the awesome, mid-period "Kiosk" LP. Finally we arrive at the more indie-rock Dawnbreed (or Dawnbreed 5?), sauntering right into the open arms of their future band, Monochrome. I still love the "Kiosk" material best, but the later tracks sound more than pleasing to these San Diego ears. The early ragers showcase a very talented young band, but I don't know about all that screaming. It tends to grate on the nerves.



4 Dawnbreed 7"s and a comp track

SOTW: "Withdrawal" (Econochrist)

I don't hear about Econochrist too often these days. I suspect it might be because their music has been widely available-- I guess it takes scarcity to boost a band's popularity sometimes. Regardless, Econochrist are one of the top 10 bands I could never live without. Their discography is just gripping from beginning to end (even their melodic "Arkansas" era stuff has its charm). To avoid rolling dice to choose a favorite, I present the first track I ever heard from the band, in the form I heard it in: "Withdrawal" ripped directly from the "Vinyl Retentive" comp.

"Withdrawal"

"Withdrawal" (mediafire)

Hotter Than Satan's Crotch

The summer temperatures have finally arrived over here. Before you start to one-up me... I know... it's 10 times hotter where you are. It wouldn't be so uncomfortable if it weren't for my pledge to ride the bike to work 3-4 days a week. Nothing like riding uphill, sandwiched between baked asphalt and the 100 degree sun to make you feel alive!

At times like this, I like to think of those less fortunate souls, like the people of Arizona. Then I get to remembering how awesome the metallic hardcore bands were that used to come out of that state. Unruh is a great example. I always reminisce fondly about their later LP, "Setting Fire To Sinking Ships," but I often forget the unbridled devastation of their early "Friendly Fire" 7". Upon first hearing the distorted chords of the title track, I thought for sure this was a lost Wellington recording. But the tempo changes later on verify that this is indeed Unruh, in its primal phase, setting down its blueprint for global annihilation.

"Friendly Fire" 7" (Edema/King Of The Monsters/Abiology Records)

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)

Song Of The Week: "Electrifier" (Monochrome)

Staying on the theme of Dawnbreed and labeling, it's finally Monochrome time. I'm almost certain the "indie-pop" tag has prevented many potential fans from checking this post-Dawnbreed band out. "Pop?" With that heavy drum production, stark bass and guitar interplay, and seven minute duration? I think there's a lot more going on here.

"Electrifier" from the awesome "Laser" CD

or

"Electrifier" (mediafire)