I Own Some Records

Seven Sisters Of Sleep - “Opium Morals” (A389 Recordings 2013)

God dammit.  This band seriously cannot do any wrong.  Like if you want to hear the perfect blend of dark hardcore and brutal sludge this is the record to buy.  Like this is exactly how that combination of micro sub genres of hardcore should sound, and every band trying to have this sound nowadays should use this record as textbook to follow.  However, I don’t think recreating how amazing the riffs on this record is possible.  They are just so fucking catchy, like EyeHateGod level catchy sludge riffs, mixed with His Hero Is Gone brutal hardcore.  FUCK.  I can’t handle this record; I want to destroy everything in sight while spinning it.  BUY THIS SHIT NOW.

-Log.

Water Torture/Six Brew Bantha - split (Nice Dreams Records 2013)

So I got to see both of these bands like 2 weeks ago at ABC No Rio in Manhattan, both of whom I had never heard before the show, and GOTDAMN were they impressive.  I had to own this split, which I now do, thanks to the magical wonders of the merch table.  

Water Torture hail from upstate NY, further upstate then me even, and play sweet ass power violence.  On this 7 inch they have three members, but when they played they only had two, just a guitarist and a drummer/vocalist.  Any band that has a drummer that does a large amount of the vocals impresses the hell out of me.  Actually both the bands on this split have a drummer/vocalist.  Anyway, the easiest (and therefore optimum) way to describe this band is they sound like Iron Lung. So that’s what I’m doing.  But fo’ rizzle, some of the most excellent PV I’ve heard in a long time.  

Six Brew Bantha occupy the other side of this record cold blue record, a color like the cold country they hail from, Canada.  I can easily say SBB had one of the best sets I’ve seen this year, and I’ve seen a lot of amazing bands this year so far.  SBB play a crazy variety of grindcore, the kind with pointy band logos and crossed out musical notes.  They remind me a lot of Magrudergrind, like split with Godstomper era Magrudergrind, you know, the best era of Magrudergrind.  All three members of the band do vocals and it really adds to the chaos.  I love this shit.  I also picked up their LP that day and it’s just as good as this, if not better.  

Track this record down or forever pose hard. 

-Log. 

Very interesting mail day. Akitsa/Ash Pool split + New Found Glory Ramones cover EP.  They sent me the Record Store Day color of yellow/orange!

Locrian - “Greyfield Shrines” (Diophantine Discs 2008)

I forgot I even had this record, I bought it during the flurry of record purchasing that was A389’s 9th anniversary bash weekend and just threw it into the to be listened to pile.  This morning I happened upon it and realized it was in the mood for some black drone soundscapes, and hooo boy, this is hitting the spot right now.  Basically this is one track spread out across two sides of this 12”, and its a spastic meditation of frenzied, delay-soaked guitar freakouts, and lush, thick droning synths.  The two play off each other like they aren’t in the same room, but at the same time it all works.  I’m pretty sure this is almost totally improvised, but it has a feeling of weeks of preparation.  I’m in love with this right now. 

-Log.

Baptists - “Bushcraft” (Southern Lord Records 2013)

This is what Southern Lord should have been doing for the last few years when releasing hardcore records.  They should have just been releasing Baptists albums, because this record is fucking awesome.  Basically I was sucked in by the cover art, which so rarely works on my nowadays, but its intriguing.  Basically from the discordant opening notes of the record, to the closing mid paced fury of the last track, I feel like this is how [dark, chaotic, crusty, or any other stupid adjective to start the genre with] hardcore should sound.  To me this really reminded me of Deathreat with gloomy, doom riffs and an overly depressed mood globbed on top of everything.  Basically this is a great record to throw on at your Grandma’s surprise birthday party.  

You can’t tell from the pic, but my copy is sweet dark green vinyl.  Most sexual.  

-Log.  

Scorpion Wind - “Heaven Sent” (Twilight Command 1996)

Oh boy. I’ve been putting off listening this for almost a year.  Don’t ask me why, but I’m kicking myself for doing so.  Scorpion Wind is one of the many collaborations between Boyd Rice (NON) and Douglas P. (Death In June, Crisis) and it sounds exactly like you’d expect.  Dark, melodious,  hypnotic, lush, and disturbing all at once; this record is making my night right now.

Basically this is a neo-folk record that sets the standard for what the genre might sound like. Simple, depressive melodies played out with synths, acoustic guitars, and pounding percussion; terrifying, partially spoken, partially sung, deadpan vocals spilling venom. Trance inducing tape loops tie everything together, making this a super satisfying listen. 

To me is the excessive use of wind chimes is the best part of this.  Seriously, wind chimes have never been so disturbing. 

Also both records have photos of the two musicians holding a koala.

-Log. 

Asta Kask - “Aldrig En LP” (Prank Records 2011)

So I finally was able to peel myself away from flash games long enough to start plowing through my to be listened to pile of records, and remembered I ordered this gem from Prank when I ordered the new Iron Lung (which is bangin’ by the way) about a month ago.  I saw Asta Kask at Chaos In Tejas two years ago, and while they aren’t playing this year this record is pumping me up for it.

Like I had never heard of them before I saw them in 2011, but shit, they are one of my favorite bands now.  This record and the EP that came out before this one are two of the best punk records I own.  Like fast, melodic, punk from Sweden, really I can’t think of a band that sounded like this before them. The easiest comparisons I can make to these guys are like if a bunch of crusties started the Descendants or AFI in the mid 80s. 

I love this record and band.  You should too.

-Log.

Archagathus/Iron Butter - split (Bringer Of Gore Records 2012)

You couldn’t ask for a better split; in my mind at least.  Some others might think you were crazy to say so.  Mostly because of the violent noise offered on these two sides of this record.  

Archagathus offer there signature style of ripping off  paying tribute to Agathocles.  This shit rips.  I wasn’t sure what speed to be playing it on, because it sounds awesome at both 33 and 45.  So fucking brutal and fast. n This is how all grindcore should sound; fuck technical bullshit.  Crossed out music notes forever!

Iron Butter also bring the noise, with I would say is there best material.  16 short noisecore blasts centering around an insane Kiss cover.  This is noisecore done right; with a sense of humor.  If these guys were serious, this would suck.  I mean it does suck, but in the best way possible.  I don’t know.  Get this in your life.

-Log. 

Cold Cave - “A Little Death To Laugh” (Heartworm Press 2012)

It took me a while to give into the hype of Cold Cave.  I saw them in 2009 and was like, “wow this is lame.” That weekend I also saw some of the sickest and best noise bands ever, so I wasn’t in a synth-pop mood that day. The hype machine rolled on and they got huge.  I’m gonna level with you, my readers; in my experience, about half of the time a band is super hyped up, they usually deserve the hype.  Generally I’ll ignore said hype, but occasionally I’ll give in.  Cold Cave certainly deserve all the praise they get.  They know how to write a catchy as fuck synth-pop tune.  

The three tracks on this single are further proof of Cold Cave’s genius.  Like these songs are so simple, just vocals, drums, and a few synth tracks; but they are perfectly crafted.  Instantly memorable, the titular track will be stuck with me for days.  The second track is a synth pop song delivered at hardcore speed.  I love it.  The final track is an instrumental of spacious synth bells and sounds almost like a Talking Heads song.  

This single is more proof to me that Cold Cave will be around for quite some time.

-Log.

Actuary/Bacteria Cult - split (Vomitcore Music 2011)

Man, Actuary is putting out some of the most exciting noise lately.  I haven’t heard that much by them, but what I have so far has been ace.  On this little record they bring one track of desperate haunted electronics, with some movie sample I can’t identify, but damn it works well.  The result is a dark brooding trip suitable for play at your next dinner party with your relatives.  

Bacteria Cult is the noise project of the illustrious Chris Dodge, you might  know the guy, he’s been in a million influential bands, owned one of the most important hardcore labels of the last 20 years; you know, some jobber.  The piece offered up here is a mixture of industrial machine sounds, samples, and percussion (both live and electronic).  The result is a trip to unsettling city, where all the residents are creepy loners in baggy pants.  That are probably bald.  Or balding.  

A fun little record.  The artwork is awesome on here too.  To bad there is only 160 copies (I got copy #10 somehow!).

-Log. 

D.O.N.D.O.N. - Last Warning (Schizophrenic Records 2007)

Oh no big deal, just one of the most insane Japanese hardcore bands I’ve ever heard.  I never even heard of these guys before I happened upon this record.  But let’s be honest here, look at the cover.  How could I not buy this?  I must say however, I could kiss Schizophrenic Records for reissuing this masterpiece discography from 1991.

While I want to say D.O.N.D.O.N. just sound like Discharge, that’s totally not the case.  There is nary a D-beat on this record.  To me D.O.N.D.O.N. sound like an early fastcore like Larm or Gauze or something, recorded really well and peppered with major metal influences.  There are some odd guitar lead breaks that should seem out of place, but totally work.  I don’t think it’s possible for me to hate a record like this.

-Log. 

Ancient Shores/Cynarae - split (A389 Records 2013)

Damn.  Both bands I’ve never really been exposed to, but after hearing this record I’m seeking out more material from both.  Especially Ancient Shores…phew!

Two sides of brutal hardcore, more fast like Left for Dead from Ancient Shores and more metal like Catharsis from Cynarae.  Plus, lookit that color vinyl! Gotdamn!

Purchase or pose.

-Log.  

JK Flesh/Prurient - “Worship The Cleansing Of Imagination” (Hydra Head Records 2013)

So this is the final release from the illustrious and amazing Hydra Head Records.  I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t think of a better combination of artists or a better release to send off the label.

JK Flesh is one of Justin K Broadrick’s 8 billion projects.  If you don’t know who he is, kindly educate yourself, because while I don’t think I’ve reviewed any of his projects, every single one of them is excellent, and three of them are some of the most influential bands of the last 25 or so years. JK Flesh is sort an amalgamation of his later work with Godflesh and Final, the result is truly satisfying.  The three tracks on here are ambient electronic tracks, with heavy distorted guitars playing doom riffs.  I’ve honestly never really heard anything quite like this before, everything that tries to sound like this falls short and sounds cheesy.  Mr. Broadrick pulls this off masterfully; this is definitely something that requires multiple listens to dissect every nuance and truly appreciate the musical genius presented.

Let’s flip this over.

Prurient has quite the task to live up to the previous side, but I don’t think it’s possible for Dominick Fernow to disappoint (well me at least).  Prurient takes a different approach then his previous Hydra Head releases, which mostly revolved around synths and beats.  These three tracks rely more heavily on ambient electronics and atmosphere rather than keyboards.  The final track does have a synth lead, but brutal electronics slowly come in and take center stage while the synth becomes an afterthought.  

All in all an excellent record.  Do yourself a favor and buy this.

-Log. 

Plow United - “Narcolepsy” (Square Of Opposition Records 2012)

Have you ever gone to a show and there was a local band opening and they are like a punk band that really mean well and have all the right influences but just really really suck?  You know what I mean, like they want to be the next Propagandhi or Avail or Pennywise or something but they just miss the mark slightly (or completely)?  Maybe it’s a New York thing, but no joke, I’ve seen hundreds of bands like that.  

What does this have to do with Plow United?  Well first thing is this record was recorded in 1998, but this is the first time it was pressed on vinyl.  I was wary to buy this, because a late 90’s punk band off the bat is a big no go for me.  Mostly because most of them sound like the band described above.  However, Square Of Opposition is behind the rerelease of this record, and if you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I have a huge boner for everything they put out, so I gave this a chance.  

This record exemplifies exactly what a fast melodic late 90’s punk band should sound like perfectly.  Like they are fast, but not trying to sing when they can’t so the vocalist yells and screams and has tons of emotion dripping from his voice.  The songs are well written and memorable.  This is another case of I was totally skeptical and totally prepared to hate this record and I totally fucking love it.  Good shit.

-Log.

The one thing that sucks is that my copy came out of the sleeve with a huge imperfection on the b side that makes the record pop every few seconds during one song.  I pre-ordered it months ago but I’m just getting around to listening to it.  :(  I don’t like being a pain so asking for a replacement so many moons after I received it.  I work in retail so I know how fucking annoying that is.  Oh well.  End complaining.

Left For Dead - “Devoid Of Everything” (A389 Recordings 2013)

It’s funny how the hardcore scene works. Typically, most bands will have a tiny spark of interest around them, they’ll tour a bit, put out a 7 inch or two, maybe a 12” if they are really committed, usually they’ll break up around it’s release and everyone will forget about them and that’s it (see most of Bridge Nine Records early releases for examples).  Sometimes bands get huge and put out a handful of records, then they break up and people kind of forget about them and that’s it (bands like Verse). One final scenario, a band gains some notoriety, breaks up then members will form another awesome band.  Sometimes the old band will get overhyped and their records become legendary holy grail items even though they aren’t that good (see bands like Saetia and like American Nightmare [before you get all butt hurt on me, I think AN has always been overhyped. But feel free to bring it if you like.  Also Off Minor is waaaay better then Saetia ever were, though Hot Cross is kind of meh.]).  

Left For Dead did none of that and all of that. They put out 3 splits and broke up. They existed for just about a year and that’s it.  All the dudes in the band went on to form fucking amazing bands and Left for Dead became this legendary band.  

Quick aside, I knew of Left For Dead because of their split with Acrid, but I never listened to them.  Honestly they have a completely forgettable name, and they broke up the year I got into hardcore, when I was a freshman in high school.  I’m not going to brag and say I listened to them forever, because I’ll be honest, my first time hearing them was at their reunion show in Baltimore. I had completely forgotten who they were until that weekend, but everyone on the planet (aka almost all of my friends that listen to hardcore) were beyond stoked to see them.   

Anyway.  For this review it’s my first time listening to Left For Dead’s recorded output.  Apparently this LP contains all of their studio recordings, and fuck.  Fuck.  Fuck this amazing.  Like how the fuck have I never even listened to them? How have these song never passed my ears before? How have none of my friends that listen to cool music never recommended them to me??  This is exactly how hardcore should sound. Like I hear every awesome band of the last 20 years in these 17 songs.  Goddammit.  I wish I knew them even more now before the A389 anniversary shows because I could have gone apeshit like everyone else at the show. Ok I’m just rambling now, but thankfully A389 put out this collection because this is seriously an ESSENTIAL record for anyone who listens to any form of heavy music, hardcore or otherwise.  

-Log.