DOG DAYS

Rats Blood- "Low Life" LP (Distro-Y/Dogs And Vultures/Phobia/Imminent Destruction/Donnez Moi Du Feu)
First Press, 2014
Pistachio Vinyl /100

Apologies for the lack of posts for the last while. My girlfriend and I just bought a house, so I've been quite pre occupied with all that stuff.
Very little fanfare surrounded the release of the debut LP, "Low Life" from Dublin's Rats Blood at the end of last year. On one hand I like that this band isn't one that's been ruined by the masses and their hyping, on the other, I really think they're worth that attention. High energy, Scando influenced punk with the odd grooved out dance bit, they actually remind me heaps of Boston/LA act Obliteration because of this. This made my best of 2014 list. I hate how five different labels had a hand in releasing this though...

JESUS LOVES YOU

To The Point- s/t 3" (Behind The Mountain)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl, Lathe Cut /200

I like this band a little, they play a good, angsty take on Slap-a-Ham-esque Powerviolence mayhem. Their 7" from last year, "Give Me A Reason" is a record that I really need to get my hands on. This EP though, I didn't need. It's two songs and barely a minute of music and left overs from previous recording sessions. Had it been pressed as a 5", I doubt I would have bothered. As I don't have any other 3" records though (and I doubt I'll ever buy another one), I had to get this if anything just for novelty value. It's certainly a strange record to hold and look at in that context of small, novelty value releases.

Photo with Shrapnel 7" for comparative purposes.

TIED

Social Damage- "Eye For An Eye" 7" (Straight And Alert/Life To Live)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /328

When I last posted about Social Damage from Indianapolis, I mentioned how much I liked the music presented on that demo collection 7", but I also spoke about how I didn't think that it was really necessary. Perhaps ironically, I could probably say the exact opposite thing about their debut EP, "Eye For An Eye". Obviously, it's almost always a prerequisite for any newish band to make their first vinyl or CD release in the form of an EP, it's just a pity that the songs here aren't really as good. The same thing's happening here as with both of their original demos though; accurate Straight Ahead styled NYHC worship, the recording just lacks something- not as punchy, and the songs, like I said, aren't as good- not as catchy.

NO WAY OUT

Step Forward- 2nd s/t 7" (Painkiller)
First Press, 2014
Clear Vinyl /200

A record that probably would have made a lot of year end lists for 2014 is this second EP from Boston's Step Forward, and though I am certainly enjoying it right now while it's spinning while I write this review, I can't say that it's grabbed me the way that the bands first EP did. It's essentially the same kind of thing going on as the earlier material; menacing, fast, straight edge hardcore, and the recording is rough and excellent, but the songs just aren't as catchy. Maybe I just need to spend some more time with it though.
I'm not completely up to date with the info on this record, but I think it was recorded post humous with this being a second attempt. I also suspect that these are songs that were written well over six years ago. The story goes something along the lines of a tape demo being released in 2012 that was initially meant to be this record, but the guys in the band weren't happy with the sound so a vinyl release was abandoned and the music was relegated to cassette. I think for a while it was up in the air as to whether a newer version would ever actually be recorded. Well obviously it was, and here's my copy on the more limited clear colour way. I will get around to posting about my copy of the first 7" too. I thought I had but it seems I must have acquired it before this blog existed.