Here is Warthog's "Exterminate Me" ep from Katorga Works. This is some brutal 80s USHC with some d-beaty raw noize thrown in. This is a good release, but there has been alot of stuff coming out like this lately that is better. This is no slouch though, and Warthog has been getting a ton of hype lately. I hope they make their way out here soon so I can check them out live.
This poster freaking rules though. Why is he balding, and what's with the mullet?
Surely to be one of the best releases of 2013, behold Southern California's STOIC VIOLENCE 8 song LP. This is an absolute shredder from start to finish of old school hardcore similar to Negative Approach. The vocals are very similar to those of 86 Mentality and Violent Future, except Stoic Violence is defintely faster than those two. You can download this entire release for free here, so there is no excuse for you not to be jamming this! This was released on Katorga Works and Video Disease records. Katorga Works has been putting out some serious heavy hitters.
This release has really awesome artwork. The faces are looking through laced up boots as if they are behind bars, interesting. My copy is on black vinyl and I don't know if any color vinyl was released for this. It will be interesting to see how well these guys are perceived. I am sure if they were from Boston or something they would be blown up as hell by now, but since they are from the West Coast it may take a little more time for people to catch on. Don't be fooled, this is an amazing release and is deserving of any and all hype that it receives.
A big old poster insert. Sweet jacket. Listen to "Fight Them All" below and try and tell me that doesn't pump you the fuck up!? I'm hoping these guys come play in the Bay Area soon, I am so there!
Here is one I bought on a whim with my last Grave Mistake order just because of the sweet artwork. Another interesting release from Katorga Works. Apparently this band is from NYC, but they sing in Japanese. I don't really think it matters what language it is because you can't understand a word of it anyways. I gave it one listen and that is probably about it for me, I have never been too big on the powerviolence, d beat, whatever you want to call it style. It's cool for what it is, I guess. I love the artwork so much that I think it was worth the $5. Hand stamped labels, too. Pretty cool.
I mean look how awesome that is. Pouring glue in your ear? Raw Noize baby.
It's been a whirlwind the past week, but it's time to get back on that horse! Here's Natural Law's "Find the Flock". I have been listening to this a ton lately, but it did take some time to grow on me. The first couple listens I wasn't all that impressed, but now I am loving it. I guess I'm glad I didn't post it months ago when I first got it. This is pressed on Deranged/Katorga Works on black out of /770. I am a fan of this record, but not that big a fan of the artwork and layout. I've never been a big fan of covers without the band name on them. I know, I know, "but it says Natural Law" in the top right corner. Yeah, let me get my microscope so I can find it. Pfft. When I saw this, I thought they should have added some of the "censored" bars over the eyes of the sheep, One saying "Natural" and one saying "Law", and then the tiny writing at the top could have said "Find the Flock". That would have been freaking awesome.
Some weird artwork and layout. It seems most of the Deranged and Katorga Works stuff is a little bit too on the artsy side for me as far as artwork goes, call me a traditionalist I guess. But man, have they been pumping out some of the best hardcore right now. Another excellent release from these powerhouse labels. Go pick it up!
Record collecting isn't always peaches and cream. Sometimes you are going to get records that you anticipated liking or looked forward to, and once you put it on your turntable you realize that it's really just not working out. Not every post I put on this blog is going to be how this or that record is the best record ever to get put on wax, sometimes I just have to keep it real. I was really looking forwards to this Hounds of Hate demo. Everything seems to fall in line with something that I would like. I heard it was kind of Oi(ish) inspired 80's style hardcore, check. On a great record label (Katorga Works), check. Excellent artwork and layout all around, check. Approval on several other bloggers pages that I respect, check. Unfortunately once I heard it I was just not having it. It just seems like the band doesn't have passion on the recordings and the songs aren't put together very well. The singers voice isn't that bad either and the band has alot of potential, but it seems this band needs to really find their identity and what they're good at. For example on the song "The Evil That Men Do", it starts out with a slow brooding sounding Oi! style intro, but then suddenly it speeds up into a more 80's style sounding hardcore and all of a sudden it sounds sloppy and out of place, but then when it slows down again it suddenly sounds good again. The theme I've noticed on this is slow parts = sounds really good, fast parts = sounds not so good. My favorite song on this is by far "Born Alone" and its probably because it's mostly slow and displays the bands strengths. If hope Hounds of Hate finds their niche and improves for their next release.
Here are two that I heard high praises about, High Life's "Self Abuse" and "Drink Yourself to Freedom" 7"s. I love some good drunk furious hardcore. This one seemed like all the stars were aligning for a nice piece of vinyl... I like the band name, the art work, it had good reviews and Cowabunga usually releases decent stuff. Unfortunately I just couldn't get into these at all. It is without a doubt fast and furious, but the vocals are really obnoxious and the songs are just a bit too sloppy for my taste. This would be more fun watching them play while being drunk at a house party, but I'll pass for listening to them on my record player.
This is going to be a top ten album this year. Here is NYHC's CREEM. Early 80's Boston sounding hardcore with a little bit of Oi! influences. I am loving the revival in this type of music right now, in the past few years we have seen bands like (the almighty) 86 Mentality, Vacant State, Wasted Time, Violent Minds, Boston Strangler, Shipwrecked, Cold Stare, Reckless Aggression, Bukkake Boys, No Class, and so many more. I think this is becoming one of the most exciting eras of hardcore with this kind of revival, after so many years of just youth crew, beatdown and powerviolence styles dominating the 'core. Which is nothing wrong with that, but I grew up on Oi! and old hardcore so seeing these genre's become more and more prevalent is a great, fantastic thing. This release is FANTASTIC. I just wish it was longer, seven tracks that come out the speakers straight for the kill. No fucking around, just amazing hardcore. I'm frankly amazed that these guys aren't as blown up as Boston Strangler is right now. Either way, I would go ahead and scoop up a copy of this if you have a chance. Just listen to the track below, "Think Twice" and Think Twice about buying this record.
