Sunday, December 21, 2014

Templars Test Presses




Templars have always been one of my favorite bands, and always will be. As a youngster I once drove 8 hours each way just to see them play.  A few years back when TKO Repressed the class "Dans Les Catacombs Du Studio de L'Acre" collection by the Templars, I was all over it. I was then able to snag the test pressing for this release, with the black and white sleeve. It comes on black vinyl with plain white labels.





The "Band Edition Test Pressing" had a red and white cover, and wasn't really a test pressing but more of a band only alternative cover. It came on the the clear vinyl with red and white black splatter which was the limited version out of /200 for the main release. There was also a bunch pressed on black vinyl for the main release.



The top left is the original pressing on Vulture Rock (clear vinyl), Top right was the main release, it is not shown that well in the picture but its like shiny tin foil front cover. Then the two test presses on the bottom.  Make sure to check out the original pressing from my 50th post...
 

TEMPLARS RULE, OK!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Poder Absoluto



Here is Valencia, Spain's PODER ABSOLUTO ("Absolute Power"). This is some awesome raging hardcore. I have always been a sucker for any punk or hardcore that is sung in Spanish. This record rules though, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite records of the year. It was put out by Fight Em All Records and this is the clear copy out of /100, with /200 also on black. Don't sleep on this record and cry later. Not sure if they are still available on clear, but it's worth a shot!


Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Boston Strangler - Fire



I saw this get posted on Facebook a while back as being up for sale. Apparently I've been living under a rock because I thought it was a repress of their first LP with new album artwork. I ordered a copy from my phone and went on with my day. I later realized it was in fact a brand new LP from the Stranglah. Doh! Glad I got my hands on a copy because as expected these sold at real quick. As far as I know, they followed the same recipe as their debut LP and released these all on black vinyl.





After ordering it, I scoured the internet for a free download and started listening right away. For some reason I was not as impressed by this release as their debut LP. Something about it sounded flatter than their older stuff. When I got the LP, I listened to the actual record several times and realized the digital copy I have is just not that good of quality compared to the real recordings. It gave me a sour first impression, but on further listening I have fallen in love with this record. It is without a doubt more "Oi!" than the last record, which is fine by me. I don't know if this record will live up to the same hype as their debut LP or which will stand the test of time better, but to me it's apples and oranges with both of them being fantastic.