REPULSED BY RADIATION

Insect Warfare- "Endless War With Grindcore Restitution" Compilation LP (Torture Garden)
First Pressing, 2016
Picture Disc /500

I hate picture discs but as my OCD would have it, I was incapable of letting this recent Insect Warfare compilation/reissue 12" thing slip by. This record brings together the bands first two EP's, 2005's "At War With Grindcore" and 2006's "Endless Execution Thru Violent Restitution", both long out of print by now. It was pressed to go along with the bands recent "one off shows" on the European leg of the Obscene Extreme festival, though they played a couple of shows in their hometown of Houston leading up to that fest, and they've now also been confirmed for Maryland Deathfest next year. Hardly necessary for anyone really except for uber fans like me I suppose?

BLACK BLOOD

Gravehill- "Death Curse" LP (Dark Descent)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /?? 

Gravehill's third LP originally released as CD in 2014 made my 'best of' list for that year. Finally it's seen a vinyl release this year. Scorching, Thrash laced Death Metal presented by way of lightning riffs, blast beats and scuzzy vocals captured in an immaculate recording. The title track saw A LOT of plays by me in 2014, and now the whole LP has seen constant rotation this year.

LOVE THE HURT

Sick People- "In My Nightmare" 7" (Urbn Rage)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /?? 

2nd EP release from local mob, Sick People. Over the years their sound has gradually mutated into some kind of broader stroked Australian Hardcore, moving away from the 80's new York inspiration of their earlier stuff. A lot of these changes could probably be attributed to various member switches, along with the ever growing and progressing tastes of front man and main driving force behind the band, Richard. I don't know how active they are these days, but this is good, solid, Brisbane based Hardcore Punk.

MOWER

Impalers- "Psychedelic Snutskallar" MLP (540)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /800

2014 vinyl pressing of this excellent bands latest EP, previously released as a tape earlier in that year. I really think that with their later material (namely this EP and the LP before it) the band proved their quality in droves. For the most part I'd always held them to the standard of the band that they share many members with, Mammoth Grinder, but I find myself listening to Impalers much more than MG these days. The A side is dedicated entirely to a +12 minute droning, pulsing mind fuck (the title track), while the B side presents four more typically chaotic D-beat assaults. They've been very quiet since this came out, I hope they aren't finished just yet.

 

GATES TO BEYOND

ZOM- "Flesh Assimilation" LP (Invictus/Dark Descent)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /?? 

The debut LP from Ireland's ZOM from a while back. The band continues to mine the depths of the grimy, Blackened Death Metal underground with this one and any semblance of the the members Hardcore roots have more or less completely dissipated into the Multiverse at this point. I will admit that I have struggled to maintain my interest in this band over the years, but this is a solid effort and it was worth the $20.