2018 Summer EPs Reissues Splits etc

The Short List issue 42

COVER COMPILATIONS:

Classics vs Classics CD Freedom Soundworks

Silence Equals Death has been turning heads since their ferocious album last year, End Times. Channeling bands like Sick Of It All, Wisdom In Chains and, even, Snapcase, the band’s sound Is urgent. Fueled by the velocity of peers like Stick To Your Guns, Regulate and Blind Justice, SED delivers an amazing live set on a rigorous schedule. The band’s message and energy beckons hardcore fans old and young. So here on this Freedom Soundworks release, they pay homage to their influences. SED incites with their offerings; a 90s hardcore classic, “Burning Fight” (Inside Out); and CCR’s ode to the road, “Traveling Band (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

As the album continues, some surprising and brilliant choices manifest in a satisfying array of influences. Robots And Monsters absolutely crush with their Refused cover, “Rather Be Dead”; and a cool groove to Costello’s “Pump It Up”. The Ice Cold Killers bring some naughty swagger to a Buddy Holly “That’ll Be the Day” and then add jet fuel to a redo of Agent Orange’s classic, “Bloodstains”- a la Turbo ACs. Nothing Is Over takes a psych-surf classic and channels BL13RE with a heavy hardcore thrashing on “Hanky Panky” (The Raindrops). They then do a surprisingly melodic accurate cover of “Kids and Heros” (The Bouncing Souls)… well, for half the song until the second vocalist comes growling. The cool charm of I, Pipebomb radiates as they do a powerful cover of the sometimes underappreciated Prong with “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck”.

Available on CD and Bandcamp/Spotify/iTunes/Apple Music

bandcamp

EPs:

The Secret Lux Tenebris 12” EP Southern Lord

August 31 2018

Six years has passed since Italy’s heathen sons have provided soundtracks of their blasphemous fury. Releasing albums for metallic hardcore giant Goodfellow in 2004 and 2008, The Secret left giant footprints on Southern Lord’s roster with Solve Et Coagula (2010) and Angus Dei (2012). Blending apocalyptic crust punk / d-beat and treacherous black metal, The Secret’s ferocity  has been elevated on Lux Tenebris. Where before the punk aesthetic guided production, The Secret conjures multi-dimensional, grand vision in their music. Solid black metal production added to the band’s more complex writing (and adding doom metal elements), weaving dynamic layers of atmosphere and rage renders listeners awestruck; recorded by Steve Scanu and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege and completed with a cover illustration and layout by View From The Coffin. Southern Lord is releasing eight albums on limited silver vinyl exclusive to subscribers. The Secret get the treatment with these three new tracks (in 20 mins). Available on August 31. Now available is the 12” EP on one-sided black vinyl; B-side is silk-screened.

pre-order

Counterparts Private Room Pure Noise Records
September 7, 2018

From the working class landscape of Hamilton, Ontario, Counterparts have been flooding angsty fans with metallic hardcore in continuous waves. Since 2010, the band have released five full lengths and a few EPs (on Victory Records and Pure Noise). Heavy riffs, balanced with angular guitars, Counerparts write songs that can engage an arena with bursting anthemic swells as well as As I Lay Dying or Killswitch Engage. But Counterparts do not shy from blastbeats. And clean swinging is eschewed for a venomous, caustic vocal delivery. On Private rooms, Counterparts return with three two minute tracks. Counterparts strength is cutting any frills and crafting pithy tracks that do not shy from leads or solos but still trim the fat. In the metalcore/deathcore genres, it often seems people make a band to showcase themselves and be idols on the stage. Counterparts have a genuine feel and stay pissed without the pretty parts.

Mustard / Red (aside / bside); 300x Half Red / Half Baby Pink 

order here

Fixation Marked WAR Records

One of the most exciting bands to punch hardcore in the gut is Fixation. They will release their new eight tracks on WAR Records. WAR is Andrew Kline (Strife, guitars; Berthold City, vox) label which has released records by Miracle Drug and Reality Slap and more. This is bold, ugly Straight Edge Hardcore. Think Boston Strangler, Rival Mob, No Tolerance or Violent Reaction, Unjust and other NWOBHC. 

Discontent with simple lyrics of banal tropes, Fixation heighten the hardcore threat with some angrier, unique words. The music slams and rages repeatedly throughout the eight minutes of straight edge vengeance. Breakdowns, two steps, and fast blasts all rotate in the spotlight. A punk foundation still thrives and lends a catchy feel as captured by Wyatt Oberholtzer (Jesus Piece, Year of The Knife). His production is crisp but beefy; while vocals are growled in old school glory.

100 x translucent pink; 500 x fluorescent green; Fluorescent green version with a hand stamped center label and a hand numbered  cover with alternative artwork (Out of 100)

bandcamp

Modern Life Is War Tribulation Worksongs 7” Deathwish Inc
Out Now

Excited to be on the road with Cro-Mags and Culture Abuse, and then Gorilla Biscuits, MLIW is back and spewing vicious venom into the current discourse with two tracks, “Feels Like End Times” b/w “Lonesome Valley Ammunitions”. Poised to test its audience and any naysayers, the band’s political agenda is ripe for discussion. MLIW shined from 2003 to 2008 alongside peers like Have Heart, Verse, American Nightmare, and The Suicide File. The pessimism and discontent simmer here through two tough but emotionally charged hardcore punk anthems.

Tribulation Worksongs will be a series of EP releases (hence the “Volume 1”). This two songs were recorded by Luke Tweedy at Flat Black Studios and mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City Studios. The craftsmanship is embodied by the materials and process here. Deathwish informs: “the lyrics/credits of each song were typed by vocalist/lyricist Jeff Eaton on his antique typewriter. These were later hand stamped on the front and back covers by artist Jacob Bannon, making each cover totally unique. The labels of the vinyl were also hand stamped before final assembly by the people at Deathwish. All copies include individually hand stamped covers and center labels. Manufactured in Los Angeles, CA; Assembled at Deathwish Inc. in Beverly, MA.”

Vinyl is limited edition in four colors: white, clear, transparent red, and black

deathwish inc store

Atomicide Furious and Untamed Iron Bonehead
June 22 2018

Atomicide’s Chaos Abomination was a treacherous ode to villainy and Armageddon. One of my #top10 LPs of 2015. But it has been three years since we heard the Chilean band’s version of blackened death metal. Iron Bonehead is focusing on EPs this summer, and Atomicide bless their followers with two new blazing tracks. Thick, battering riffs pound and punish fans with a sound mixed of peers like Sarcofago and others like Marduk, Abominator and Urgehal.

Limited to 300 copies on black vinyl.

IRON BONEHEAD

Invocation Mastery of the Unseen Iron Bonehead
Sept 17

Speaking of two track seven inches Chilean Blackened death thrash on Iron Bonehead, here we have Invocation slinging some ominous metal on “Ouija” and “The Spirit Trumpet”. Blasphemous tirades blare and besiege speakers on this ten minute release. Invocation is similar to Atomicide but more restrained,; the recording is more cavernous and gloomy. Invocation focus on blinding speed and the vocals are mixed low, giving a haunting vibe. The repetitive, staccato guitars poke as the music charges forward.

Invocation bandcamp

SPLITS:

Dwarves / Against The Grain SPLIT HITS THE FANS 7” #4 Failure Records & Tapes

Nasty punk legends Dwarves still mangle chords and pump out their brand of naughty rock and roll. Here, Failure Records & Tapes partners Dwarves up with Detroit’s Against The Grain. Both sides offer two tracks of high octane rock and roll spiked with bold and brash punk rock that embraces Motorhead, Poison Idea, Zeke and the like. Killer jams with screeching guitars, fast rhythma and disregard for polite society. Artwork by Clayton Jarvis of Abom Design highlights this release with vivid sleazy pictures.

Limited to 500 pressed; random colors (Incl. this sky blue with black swirl in my hand).

failure shop

Cliterati / Violation Wound split 12” Tankcrimes
July 27 2018

Prepare for a violent engagement here. Two ripping bands have teamed up to combat ignorance and political insanity with 10 sonic assaults. Portland’s Cliterati and Oakland’s Violation Wound split this 12” with confrontational punk/metal/doomy d-beat tracks. The master of the dirty, raucous Oakland sound, Greg Wilkinson recorded both bands at his Earhammer Studios.The music was then mastered at Mammoth Sound by Dan Randall (Ghoul, Fucked Up), the split features cover art by Violation vocalist/guitarist Chris Reifert (Autopsy, Abscess).

Cliterati harvest rage and unrelenting spite with tracks like “Water is Life”, “War on The Poor”, “Alt-Wrong”. Violation Wound serve equally abrasive music with tracks like “Worthless Figurehead”, “The Church of Go Fuck Yourself”. Cliterati dropped a demo and three EP over the previous two years to acclaim; seasoned by former members of Poison Idea, Voetsek (Amy on vocals), and Murderess. Their version of UK82 adoration via Oaktown grime plays as gnarly as one expects.

Violation Wound provides odious tones in which to revel; featuring Autopsy’s leader, Chris Reifert. Formed in June of 2013, Violation Wound has Riefert’s trio embed crusty, powerviolence/hardcore punk; described as a blend of Toxic Narcotic, Zeke, and Fear. The savagery is palpable, Reifert’s throat beckons the overthrow and leaves needles yearning for a respite. The colors and flavors are yet to be noted, but this one is a winner.

cliterati bc

tankcrimes merch

Integrity / Krieg Split 12" EP Relapse

Contaminating souls for his third decade, Dwid has seen himself and his band, Integrity, a number of times. Last year’s full length showed a revamped and reinvigorated collection of musicians; led by A389 Records’ owner – and guitarist of Pulling Teeth, Slumlords, and Day of Mourning – Domenic Romeo. Integrity continues with four additional tracks in the same vein; including “Flames of the Immortal” and “Sons of Satan” *(not a Venom cover). The tracks are short scorcher of searing Holy Terror. Dwid’s commanding howls illustrate why he is the master of metallic hardcore demonic incantations. In a wonderfully surprising pairing, Neil Jameson’s Krieg bring forth their black metal odes of isolation and despair. Kreig’s three five minute tracks aurally infect with blistering scabs and audio infestations. This is the band’s first material since 2014’s amazing Transient.

1400 x Black; 300 x White and Black Merge with Baby Blue, Electric Blue and Blood Red Splatter; 200 x Milky Clear with White, Black and Blue Splatter; 100 x Clear with Black Smoke and White Splatter; 100 x Clear

 Relapse Pre-Order

Primitive Man / Unearthly Trance split 12” Relapse
August 17^th

Primitive Man continues to unleash their glacial hate hymns here (after a one minute intro) splitting 20 agonizing minutes between two tracks. The Denver trio seems to put out Relapse releases between self-released and other DIY; a litany of EPs, LPS, and splits (especially).They are back at it; distilling misanthropy and self-abuse to reveal the ugliest, most repugnant sludge-metal soundscapes. After last year’s LP, Caustic, Primitive Man return with two filthy tests of your endurance.

Unearthly Trance is one of the few bands mighty and slow enough to hold down this side B. The New York doom titans broke the world’s heart when they disbanded (although Serpentine Path helped the pain). After 2017’s Stalking the Ghost, on Relapse, restored galactic order, Unearthly Trance present 4 tracks of blackened doom/chaotic noise. The speed of “Triumph” is a brutal display of metal prowess. “Reverse the Day” sounds like a blistering portal to Hell more than a conventional song. 

RIYL: Clive Barker and John Carpenter and Lee Dorrian.

1600 x Black; 300 x Milky Clear with White, Grey and Black Splatter; 100 x Clear with Grey Smoke; 100 x Clear.

Relapse PreOrder PM_UE

Stuntman / Art Of Burning Water Split (digital) SuperFi Records
July 1^st

Certain feelings surface when listening to Stuntman’s malevolent, scathing five minutes of side A. Those feelings are apprehension peering in a mirror of confrontation. Stuntman deliver grinding, spastic powerviolence type hardcore that reaches out of your headphones to pummel your misconceptions as well your eardrums. Sludge driven noise rock played through chaotic punk chords bathed in nihilism. Glorious purging of belligerence from the south of France. AOBW join the destructive practices with their two minute rager of unrelenting noise plus add a :38 Deep Wound cover.  Each band gives it their all here.

 bandcamp

PREV UNRELEASED:

Joe Strummer Joe Strummer 001 Ignition Records
September 28, 2018

Ignition has compiled a stack of unreleased versions of Joe Strummer material, gathered from Strummer’s property. The unreleased material includes an early demo of "This Is England" originally called "Czechoslovak Song/Where Is England”; a solo demo of "Letsagetabitarockin" recorded in 1975; outtakes from Sid & Nancy featuring Mick Jones and unreleased songs "Rose Of Erin"; "The Cool Impossible" and "London Is Burning". Some songs are outtakes from 101ers, Mescaleros and some are simply Strummer solo. Finally, a collection representing authentic  closure for fans. The collection exemplifies the legend’s reflection of the world he saw; wrought with hope, anger, confusion and urgency. 

Joe Strummer 001 was overseen by Joe’s widow Luce and Robert Gordon McHarg III. “All tracks were restored and mastered by Grammy Award winner Peter J. Moore at the E. Room in Toronto Canada. […] On the 1" 8-track recordings, it was discovered there were hidden tracks superimposed onto each other. […] The box set has the same content as the CD set and is pressed on audiophile quality 180g vinyl. The box set's accompanying book… features rarely seen and previously unpublished memorabilia from Joe's personal collection as well as historical press reviews and technical notes about the albums […] The artwork was curated by Robert Gordon McHarg III who previously worked on the Clash Sound System box set with Paul Simonon, the John Cooper Clarke compilation Anthologia and curated the Black Market Clash Exhibition.”

Limited edition Deluxe Box set: Quadruple heavyweight Vinyl, 7" vinyl single, cassette, A4 Book, enamel badge, art print, screen print, lyrics and sticker sheet (IGN53BOX).

Limited edition Deluxe Double CD in book; Double CD in slipcase; Quadruple heavyweight Vinyl in slipcase (IGNLP53X).

The Last Crime “Operate/Medicate” b/w “Man vs. Shark” Cassette Sunken Temple Records

Recorded at legendary Inner Ear Studios (many Dischord Records) by legendary producer, J Robbins; these two tracks were committed to tape in 1998. Somehow, hidden under a cloak of justice, they were never released. The Last Crime were a “New York City cult Y2K-era hardcore/screamo outfit”. They had released a vibey, atmospheric, jaunting math-rock EP of four songs. Combining dark atmospheric with Fugazi, 6L6, Neurosis, Deftones, Glassjaw, Unsane, Shellac and other incinerating influences, The Last Crime did not release anything else. Until now.

1996 saw Kevin Egan of NYHC giants, Beyond, and joined with other Long Island and New York City musicians. Any band from Long Island, fighting to find the light outside of 

NYC’s shadow, has always been left of the dial; jarring and angular – beyond (sorry…) whatever genre it was supposedly in.  Formed with Egan and Steve DePalo both on guitar and vocals, Eric Svirida on bass, and Richard Muller on drums, the music created was blossoming among bands like Vision of Disorder, Locked In A Vacancy, Milhouse, Sons Of Abraham.

“Playing eighty-seven shows in their first year and turning through several bassists including Chris Donohue before Mike Ciasullo filled the slot, The Last Crime recorded their first release with Alap Momin, a self-titled four-song 10” and CD, released on NYC-based, The Omega.”

As 2018 trudges forward, DIY cassette label Sunken Temple is searching for lost NY punk and hardcore gems. They now share the other, lost recording from The Last Crime. Each track hits seven minutes, dissecting the reverb and sonically embattled layers; now, “mastered in 2018 by Jon Florencio at Produkt Sound and completed with paintings by Richard Muller and design by Muller and Dalton Ryan.” Chaotic and angry, “Man Vs Shark” finds a captivating (yet, dark) groove, thick and hazy. It is a disturbing romp.  “Operate/Medicate” is a little more restrained. Anchored by a locked grumbling bassline and a snappy snare and open hi hat rhythm; the track bandies between a meandering feel – holding Fugazi and Unsane and The Jesus Lizard in a padded room.

Cassette Only

http://www.sunkentemplerecords.com/ 

REISSUES

Agressor Rebirth Season of Mist
Out Now

Scorching French metal from 1994 is now available, remastered with bonus tracks on two LPs. Symposium of Rebirth was a grand venture, applying a classical music template to sinister death metal. The infusion of searing thrash parts, while still growling in the death metal vocal approach and pounding double bass drum created an unrealized masterpiece. Merging influences such as Dark Angel, (early) Sepultura, and Morbid Angel. Rebirth takes the original Long out-of-print LP and adds a re-recorded version and almost a dozen bonus tracks. The mesmerizing effort – of the original 1994 album – proves a staggering endeavor and I highly recommended.

Double LP vinyl available on black or 350 on blue or 100 on red.

SoM Order

Prong Cleansing Century Media
8.31.18

In their apex, New York’s Prong wielded a daring sound. They were metal but had roots in the CBGB’s hardcore scene. And then a NY Noise/AmRep sound creeped in as well as industrial influences. Their attitude and commitment to being original was revered. Tommy Victor was a respected producer ans sound guy at CB’s. Prong’s Cleansing – boasting their biggest hit, “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck” – may have seen them catapult out of the underground, to some praise and some disappointment. But 25 years later, fans can objectively listen to an album boasting rigorous rhythms, crushing riffs, and amazing leads. Somewhere between Helmet, Type O Negative, Fear Factory and Ministry, Prong’s sound fought tough to declare independence when released on major label, Sony. But jump to “Cut-Rate” and you hear the speed driven 80’s NYHC/crossover love from the band. “Not of This Earth” is a spacey adventure with reverb and a lighter foundation.”One Outnubered bandies between a churning stomp and a cleaner melody. Songs range from 3 – 7 minutes; exploring a wider breadth than on their underground first two classics, Beg to Differ and Prove You Wrong. 

Here Century Media releases this giant on black or red vinyl.

Suicidal Tendencies Lights Camera Revolution Century Media Records
8.31.2018

In 1990, it was clear that Venice’s punk kings were far removed from their 1983 eponymous classic. Regardless of where your opinion was in 1990, now it is clear that LCR is a stone cold classic. Introducing Robert Trujillo to the stellar and seasoned line up of Lead Cyco, Mike Muir, and lead guitarist, Rocky George, Mike Clark, and RJ Herrera (his last ST album), LCR left behind any hardcore punk or crossover and went straight thrash. And they executed it with power and strength. Suicdal got pushed into almost mainstream, as Megadeth, Anthrax, and Metallica all had videos on Mtv. Suicidal released killer classics, “Send Me Your Money” and “You Can’t Bring Me Down”. The production remains crisp and piercing as Suicidal had tight riffing and succinct delivery balanced with emotional melodic breakdowns that would become their signature. Songs like “Send Me Your Money” and “Lovely” also introduced the funk-metal label and Trujillo’s signature slap sound. Muir reels in his sarcastic taunting best here as he writes his odes to misery. LCR is a brilliant offering sometimes forgotten among the roller coaster of Suicidal’s career. 

Black or Transparent green vinyl.