CAST DOWN

The Sentenced- "Out For Blood" 7" (Hardware)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /??

More excellent traditionally geared hardcore, this time from The Sentenced from Fort Worth, Texas. This is their demo pressed to vinyl, re-titled "Out For Blood". Black vinyl of the wider press, red wax of 100 copies was also committed. Not a huge amount of variation from the tried and true style that originated on the east coast of the US in the early 80's that is obviously very popular at the moment, but it's just done extremely well. Punchy recording, manic front man, snappy drumming. Can't really ask for anything more.

FUCKED UP HEAD

The Combat Zone- s/t LP (Side Two)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /400

Though my buying has lagged this year for various reasons, I do keep a list of current and upcoming essential purchases. Stuff that is must-get regardless of how much postage may cost, or how it might effect my savings. A lot of the list is bulked by stuff from the UK and Boston (and Boston surrounds) and until earlier in the year the debut s/t LP from The Combat Zone. I have actually been spinning this copy now for a few months and I'm confident in saying that this album will definitely end 2014 as one of my top LP's.
There's nothing to it really- as with a heap of the stuff that I post on here, they're a modern hardcore band essentially playing a style that owes a heap to the Boston scene of the early 80's. They just do it really well. Though they've progressed from their demo in virtually zero increments, this is a lot better than that tape.

ONLY WARNING

Mind Trap- "Life Among Liars And Thieves" 7" (SFR/Refuse)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /500

A friend turned me onto this debut 7", "Life Among Liars And Thieves" from Mind Trap a few months ago citing the intro riff to the EP's opening track, "Lifer" and it's stark similarity to the intro of "Life As One" from the massively influential EP, "Thou Shalt Not Kill" by New York Hardcore stalwarts, Antidote. These guys don't hail from the big apple though, instead claiming origin in Germany and Russia. If the previous sentence didn't indicate well enough, these guys claim early 80's East Coast USHC as primary influence, most obviously that NYHC sound, though flourishes of Boston '82 peak through here and there. The recording is loud and gnarly and walks that balance of blown out while still retaining a totally listenable quality. Bare bones sleeve rounds it all out with an entire press of black wax. Excellent release.

DESPOTISM

Genocide Pact- "Desecration" 7" Single (Bad Teeth)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /450

More excellent Death Metal from this newish DC band, Genocide Pact, in the form of this two track 45 pressed by Bad Teeth Recordings. I originally managed to post about this band at the beginning of the year when their demo was pressed to vinyl by Flophouse Records & Tapes and Malokul Records. The two tracks on offer this time around don't differ in any way to the groups earlier material at all really, other than the fact that they've managed to present a noticeably more up-market quality recording. Two tracks of meandering, plodding, riff charged, guttural Death metal. Over the year I've read in numerous places the band being compared to obvious and more popular influences such as Obituary, Autopsy, Terrorizer etc, but one band that I haven't seen brought into the discussion at all that I think these guys sound heaps like is Six Feet Under. The singer bares obvious similarities to that of Chris Barnes and the music is largely of that simplistic riff based style also. Whether they realise it or not too, they've managed to come up with cover art that is strikingly similar to that of Six Feet Under's 1999 opus, "Maximum Violence".
From what I've read, these guys are writing for their debut full length to be released on A389 Records in the not too distant future. This EP serves as a perfect preview to that upcoming music.

SEEPAGE

Iron Lung- "Savagery" 7" (Iron Lung)
First Press, 2014
Green Vinyl /??

I doubt there's any real need to go into massive detail about this new Iron Lung EP. The band continue the near flawless barrage of frenzied, hyper-blast, weirdo Powerviolence with "Savagery". 12 tracks in around 7 minutes, all of which use single word titles that start with the letter 'S'. Fans of the bands work from the previous 5-6 years will enjoy this. The recording is a little low brow compared to the last album, but it's hardly unlistenable and it suits the format perfectly. Giant fold out poster sleeve with hand stamped cover. Artwork by the bands guitarist Jon, otherwise known as Feeding. Unsure of pressing details but I think this green vinyl is of the more limited press. I don't think it's overly rare or anything like that though.

SECOND CHANCE

Cause For Alarm- s/t 7" (Victory)
Reissue, 2012
Black Vinyl /??

Most would agree that New York's Cause For Alarm and their first EP from 1983 were massively influential as far as founding NYHC goes. This record easily stands up to and alongside classics like "United Blood", "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and "Loud And Clear". I feel that history probably hasn't been as kind to this record as the others mentioned though and I'm not sure why. Though with that said, original copies do sell in the hundreds like those others, so maybe I'm just not paying enough attention?
Details are vague, but from what I can tell, this is a 2012 reissue of the bands original self released debut 7". Handled by Victory Records here, they've reissued it a couple times since 1994. A few differing factors make up this version, most obviously the bright yellow sleeve and an added track ("Time Will Tell") that was originally released on a compilation.