READY TO ROT

DiE- "Vexed" 7" (Sonic Terror Discs)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /1000

Unhinged, macho hardcore from the UK is running rampant at the moment, and while most of the bands from the country tend to specialise is the variety with a massively stompy feel, DiE dabble in a style that resides in a much more outsider, brooding kind of vibe. This is their second EP, following a simply perfect debut (that I'm still desperate to get my hands on), and while this is still top tier punk, it doesn't quite hold up to that earlier material. Vocals would be the stand out here, there's nobody around at the moment that quite possesses the power that this guy does, and the off kilter guitar work and frantic drumming all work perfectly together. Though I don't enjoy this as much as the first record, this band is still easily a top 5 UK group.

UNWELCOME MAT

Social Damage- "Both Demos" 7" (Straight And Alert)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /326

Vinyl pressing of the two demos (I / II) that Social Damage (previously Blind Justice) released in 2013. I was massively fond of both of these tapes when they originally surfaced, but to be honest I didn't really think it was that necessary to press them like this. Regardless, I had to buy myself a copy. The band have just released their debut EP which I shall post about soon.

ALLEY CAT

Migraine- Demo Tape
Band Edition, 2014

Been sitting on this demo from Byron Bay's Migraine for a few months now. This is the band released version, Around the same time, Asbestos Death Records released a differing version also. Outsider vibed, hardcore punk that I suppose would claim lineage to bands like Bl'ast!, Black Flag and the like. They're currently in the middle of a tour of the southern states and they have a new 7" coming out soon on Asbestos Death.

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.

STALE

Hygiene- "Void E.P." 7" (Rain On The Parade)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /?? - Green Cover /50

Not entirely familiar with this band, though I know they're from Canberra. Ripping PV stuff influenced heavily by Infest and similar, along with a handful of the modern classics. Nice and clean recording and interesting cover art. Landed a copy with a limited green cover. Regular wider press was printed on a regular black and white cover.

SELF EXECUTION

Violent Outburst- "Survival Signs E.P." 7" (Agitate/Tension Head)
First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /400

One of the better EP's to see a release this year is the new 7" from Virginia's Violent Outburst, "Survival Signs". I've been sitting on this record for the better part of four months without a post on here, but it's been getting repeated spins on my player for the bulk of that time. Good, simple, stompy hardcore that takes cues from a handful of the early 80's east coast notables. Not too dissimilar to the demo they released in 2012, though with a fairly updated recoding quality in comparison.

SEE YA LATER

World War 4- 2nd Demo Tape (Self Released)
First Edition, 2014

Two years on from their debut demo tape, here's the second demo from World War 4. More of the same, and what I suspect fans had hoped for and expected. The hype certainly seems to have settled over the last couple of years with this band, though it's till excellent NY inspired hardcore.

SHIT DOWN YOUR THROAT

Shitgrinder- "Life Is Corrupted" Demo Tape (Castigated)

First Edition, 2014

Supreme new demo tape from excellent new Grindcore unit out of Brisbane, Shitgrinder, featuring members of various other well known local bands, the most notable to international readers being Shackles probably. Very tasteful, well written, gimmick free grind and possible contender for my favourite demo tape of the year. Mark at Castigated still has plenty of copies.

STRANGE LOOP

Vile Intent- LP Pre Production Promo Casssette (Self Released)
First Edition, 2014

I've managed to post about various releases from Vile Intent over the years. This is their latest material, the new promo cassette featuring roughly recorded versions of new songs to appear on their forthcoming LP. Six tracks as listed on the j card (but unless I'm going crazy, I can certainly only find five on this tape) of exactly what any fan of the band's previous material may hope for; blast peppered, sludgy, downtrodden Powerviolence. The band have rarely deviated from their chosen path of Crossed Out influenced hardcore since their inception and nothing's changed here. Of all of their recorded work so far, I'd say that their previous EP was probably their most abstract; that material utilising a heap more 'complex' and unexpected tempo shifts. This new music kind of reverts back to the more straight up stop/start feel that they perfected with earlier releases. Certainly one of the best current groups doing this style at the moment, and definitely one of my favourite bands.

SUICIDE NATION

At The Gates- "Slaughter Of The Soul" LP (Earache)
'Full Dynamic Range' Reissue, 2014
'Dead Sky' Blue/Grey Vinyl /300

The time I originally posted about "Slaughter Of The Soul" from Gothenburg's At The Gates at the beginning of the year I mentioned how the copy I had managed to pick up was that of an official pressing, most likely a 2002 reissue. The more I've thought about it since that post in January, the more I've suspected that the copy I did speak about was likely in fact a 2013 bootleg. There's no way to be entirely sure, as all reports I've read detail how the bootleg is more or less identical to that of official copies, but the two most telling factors would be that the copy I scored at All Ages Records in London didn't come with an insert, and that I paid around $26 for it. These days, copies of that 2002 official reissue rarely sell for anything under $90-$100 on sites like discogs, so it's unlikely that any record store would be selling such a clean copy off the shelf for such a bargain bin price.
This copy here however is an official 2014 reissue, another chapter in this 'full dynamic range' saga that Earache Records seem to be implementing to cash in on former glories. As I have questioned in former posts about records from previous Earache bands that have received this same treatment in the last two years, you have to be curious as to wether any of the groups are seeing any kind of royalties from Earaches latest efforts. I doubt it. This colourway obviously references the fifth song on the album, a similar story to most of the variants that were made of this pressing. 300 copies on 'dead sky', something like the third most limited version. I will admit that unlike the few albums I've picked up in the last couple of years that have fallen prey to this 'FDR' binge, the wax quality provided here is of a reasonably high grade. The sleeve is still dog shit though.
You have to praise Earache's market savvy. The label could have easily initialised this FDR bender years ago with this LP and made an absolute killing, aware of the mammoth popularity that it's generated in the last decade. They held off though, and have decided to unleash it right at the cusp of the media gambit surrounding the release of the newly reformed bands brand new album, the first in nearly 20 years. Smart marketing. Based off the bland artwork and totally uninspired album title, I'm betting that this new album will be pretty crappy though. Hopefully I am wrong.