Mercy Killings - Snuffed Out

Wow, no posts in a few months. I've really fallen off.... Sorry! I'll try to start posting more. I have a huge back log of stuff, I've just been real lazy and super busy with work and life in general

Anyhow, Here is my purple copy of Mercy Killing's latest EP "Snuffed Out" on Beach Impediment records. Last year, Mercy Killing released their S/T EP and it turned out to be one of my favorite records of the year. I still listen to it all the time. This EP offers more of the same, the only difference is the recording doesn't sound quite as polished. There is definitely a warmer sound on this recording with a higher level of distortion. My untrained ear tells me that this may be an analog recording, compared to the first EP being digital? The caveat to that is this does give a "harder" feel to the songs, making this an instant classic for any fan of brutal USHC.

Purple vinyl out of /150, with the black vinyl version out of /600.

Impalers

Here is the Impalers 2010 demo that was put on vinyl in 2012 by Beach Impediment and No Way Records. This was the limited press on red out of /200. This Austin band brings the heat on this one with some good 80's USHC and a whole lot of D-Beat going on... and a mix of Motorhead worship.   This group also has a split and an LP out, which I need to check out. Beach Impediment can do no wrong.

MERCY KILLINGS

My two most listened to EP's this month have been Breakout's "Razorwire" EP and this Mercy Killings EP. This Virginia hardcore band shares members with Wasted Time, Direct Control and Violent Outburst. This is right along with the recent wave of incredibly scummy hardcore with a touch of Oi! mixed with Infest. This Mercy Killings EP seems to stand out amongst it's peers, and I think it's because of the superb vocals. The guitars and crunchy and thick, the drums are tight and crisp but the vocals set this above most of the recent stuff that's been coming out. I knew from the first time I heard this record that it is an instant classic. I usually don't post "free download" links, but for this one I suggest you go download it IMMEDIATELY! This is on the immaculate Beach Impediment Records and is a second press out of /320 on black. I really wish I would have caught on earlier and scored a blue vinyl copy. Oh well. Don't sleep on this record, this is a serious contender.

Check them out live and you'll see why they rule so hard.

War Is Our Destiny

A while back a Skull Fucked post caught my eye about this record. It was revealed that Obliteration shares the same singer as Knife Fight. Not to mention, it's released on the powerhouse Beach Impediment Records, who appears to do no wrong. This is fast, noisy, sleazy stuff that many relate to Scandinavian hardcore, but I wouldn't know because I haven't listened to much Scandinavian hardcore. I picture it more like Knife Fight but with more sing along choruses and goofy (and awesome!) guitar solos. This is a total banger... Pressed on black out of /600. 

Gas Rag - Human Rights

 

Gas Rag from Chicago is one of those "it" bands right now. Lately there has been a big revival of noisy, simplified d-beat inspired Neanderthal punk. Gas Rag also just came out with their debut LP which the limited colors sold out too fast for me to snag one. I am digging this, it reminds me of East Bay style hardcore that has been going on for years out in here the Bay Area. When I hear this release, I can't help but think of Rotten Fux, which puts a big smile on my face. This is the 2nd pressing with red and yellow center labels out of /500. I'd love to track down a first press of this on red out of /100, which appears to be the only "limited" variant of this out there. Beach Impediment strikes again, they are killing it right now! Check out Gas Rag live below...

Desperat St Patty's

Figured I'd do a quick St. Patty's day post, since I've been seriously slacking off on my posts. It gets hard when you work 60-70 hours a week! Anyways, I didn't really have anything very "St. Patty's like", since I have never been that big of a fan of Irish music. So I went for something very green... Here is Swedish hardcore band Desperat, with their US pressing version on Beach Impediment on a green cover and green vinyl with stamped dust sleeves out of /150. This is a cool release, maybe a little fast for my liking and I don't know what the fuck they're saying. This is something that seems more appropriate for Skull Fucked or Utopia Banished, but I'll rock it. On another note... I need to pay more attention to Beach Impediment Records, they have been putting out some seriously heavy shit lately.

HASSLER - Amorality

Most the time I am super late to every party, so I was glad I caught onto this during the early stages before they blow the fuck up. I was scrolling through the Grave Mistake store when I saw this cover that immediately caught my eye. I thought to myself "That looks an awful lot like Spoiler Art" so I clicked on the little link to investiage. I knew right away that the art work was from the hands of the almightly Spoiler, so right away I had to buy it for that reason alone. Another sick cover, one of my favorite ones by him. I love the baby in the locs with a knife. 

And how about the rat also saluting and taking a piss all over the place. Is that butt hair on the rats butt cheeks? You better believe it. On to the music... I don't know what is in the water up there in Toronto, but holy shit they are pumping out some good hardcore right now. You really need to check this release out, the band has it up for free download on their bandcamp. It is your typical early 80's hardcore revival type stuff, but executed perfectly with great vocals and lots of fast distortion. This thing is just really good and I can't stop listening to it. This isn't straight Boston hardcore worship like alot of bands are (which is a good thing), but this reminds me a little bit more of old Circle Jerks or Black Flag mixed in songs like "Trainwreck". My favorite song is "Retaliation", because it sounds so much like 86 Mentality.

Beach Impediment Records currently has copies of this on Green Vinyl /100 too. I don't think those will last song so I would STRONGLY suggest getting one before you miss out on one of the best releases of the year.