ERADICATION

Coffin Birth- Demo Tape (Self Released)
First Edition, 2014

This is a tape that I was originally going to be responsible for releasing, though with my current finacial goals outside of music related things, it kind of went on the back burner. Coffin Birth have then undertaken the task themselves of putting their demo to the cassette format, and a clean result it is. Here the band have a crack at severe Grindcore and they're possibly the best (and maybe only) example of a band doing this sound right in Brisbane now. The recording is perhaps a little clean for my regular taste in this style of music, but the idea and vibe are still there. Josh from this band is in fact one of the guitars player for Sick People, and the now departed Downpour, two bands that I've released stuff for in the past.

I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF YOU

Peacebreakers- Every Day Battle 7" (Rock 'n' Roll Disgrace)
First Pressing, 2013
Black Vinyl /500

I remember the Peacebreakers demo tape landing in 2012, and everyone losing their shit, to an extent, myself included. Though that release possessed a far from quality, yet characterful recording, the tracks presented were catchy enough to vito that poor sound and go on to generate more than a fair share of excitement around the band. Hailing from the Hardcore capital of the world definitely had something to do with it too. That excitement hovered for a good amount of time until the wider release of this first press of their debut EP, "Every Day Battle" emerged early this year. Maybe I just haven't been paying as much attention since I landed my own copy but it certainly seems to have dissipated slightly over the last few months. I can't see why it would though, everything that made that demo excellent is again on display here, albeit in a far more polished form. Six anthems of boisterous, bold Boston hardcore. Fans of the bands contemporaries Boston Strangler will surely bust a nut spinning this 45, as the parallels are many. Simple, fast constructions consisting mostly of crunchy power chords, gruff, throaty vocals, and contentious, 'edgy' lyrics.
While this is a more than listenable record, and worthy of any collection, I have trouble believing that this band would be experiencing half of the popularity that they have in recent years if they weren't from Boston. Good stuff though.

BAD FAITH

The Flex- Wild Stabs In The Dark LP (Milk Run/Video Disease)
First Pressing, 2014
Red Vinyl /500

A group that seems to be riding a tidal wave on interest at the moment is The Flex from The UK. On previous posts I've made about this band, I've talked about how they don't seem to be copping the kind of hype I think they deserved outside of their home market, but it looks like things have changed with the release of their debut LP, "Wild Stabs In The Dark". A split release between their own label Milk Run and Video Disease from California, the band are in the middle of something like a six week full tour of the USA with brother's in arms Violent Reaction, certainly an attributing factor to the their sudden wide spread popularity.
I would assume that I wouldn't need to put a massive description into what these guys sound like. I've mentioned it on here a number of times, as have multiple other blogs. Malevolent, knuckle dragging hardcore in the true spirit of Boston '82. Certainly the bands cleanest recording to date, ten songs are presented, all structured around a similar theme; mid to upper tempo arrangements, most containing floor friendly stomp bits, all wrangled together by an intimidating front man.
England certainly seems to be on the front foot at the moment. This album is an excellent example, as are new LP's from Perspex Flesh Mob Rules, and a mentioned new full length from Violent Reaction on Revelation Records before the end of the year.

BODY BAG

Caged Grave- Gutless 7" (Self Released)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /220, Tour Cover /60

An entirely worthy contender for Australian 7" of the year has arrived in the form of the debut EP, "Gutless" from Melbourne's Caged Grave. Obviously I've already bloooged about these guys three times previously in the last seven months, with their three excellent previous releases, but this record is where it's starting to get serious. Hasty, blasting, belligerent Powerviolence would certainly be the most appropriate way to describe the nine original tracks here (along with Left For Dead cover). Noticeably their cleanest recording so far, one of the best things about this band is the fact that they have the ability to record at this level and quality whenever they want, as the percussion section also happens to be an ace recording engineer with his own home studio. Couple that with the fact that as a whole the band has the talent and the means to churn out new songs like I change socks and you know it's a pretty solid bet that we can see more from this band in the next twelve months. Word from the horses mouth is that they're writing for an expected three more releases this year anyway. While I've posted about this black copy I obtained on their recent second trip to Brisbane, the band will also be selling clear copies of 100 in the next week or so via things like big cartel. A US release in the form of a cassette also approaches thanks to Operation Grindcore.

As Craigos is a bit of a home screen-printing wizz, for their recent tour with Ringworm and Against they had these screen printed versions of the cover for sale also. He was telling me that he screened these himself as he wasn't expecting the regular covers to be ready for the tour. Hence why they present the exact same artwork.

SOLACE IN DEATH

Headless Death- Ultimate Resentment 7" (Crucificados Pelo Sistema)
First Pressing, 2014
Yellow/Black Vinyl /??

Following a couple cassette releases over the last two years or so, this is the debut 7" from Melbourne's Headless Death, "Ultimate Resentment". The band roll on here with their chosen style of thrashing grind that takes cues from stuff like Righteous Pigs and Repulsion. Certainly their strongest recording so far, the fuzzed out guitars and jackhammer blasts receive their stongest treatment yet on this slab. Seven original tracks in around ten minutes. Blasting brutalnesssss.

NOSE IN NECK

Internal Rot- Live & Rehearsal Tape, 12/200 // EP on Tape, /30 (Noise Not War Records)
First Editions, 2014

To my detest, I haven't had the opportunity to post about Melbourne's Grindcore chieftans Internal Rot since mid 2011 when I spoke about their debut EP. At the time I didn't know much about the band other than the fact that they were from Melbourne. Since that time I've gotten to know the bands drummer Christoph a little, seen them live a few times, and listened to that EP repeatedly for the last near three years. Pure, no frills Grindcore that takes heavy cues from 90's Socal propagators of filth Excruciating Terror. Obvious lineage back to albums like "FETO", and "World Downfall" as well. Christoph and co. have been quite busy the last 12 months, recording an aborted LP session (they were unhappy with the sound quality), re-recording and releasing a new CD LP (vinyl due in the coming weeks, of which I will post about when I get it), participating in a split 7", and laying down a few live and rehearsal sessions, one of each has made it here to this new tape release handled by Noise Not War Records from the UK.
In what looks like 200 home dubbed copies, sound is of a reasonable quality. The live side of the tape consists evenly of tracks from the EP and new full length. It sounds like it was literally recorded with a voice recorder in someones pocket at the back of the room, but for manic fans of the band, it is a pleasing angle. The rehearsal side is excellently blown out and raw and exactly what you'd expect from this kind of release.

And what looks like a treat for the more avid fans, Noise Not War also went to the trouble to dub 30 copies of the EP to tape. Again, sound quality is above passable. 30 copies only though, and obviously no new music, so certainly only really produced for proper Grind heads and followers of the group. All sold out at this point I think.