WORLD WAR V

Twitching Tongues- In Love There Is No Law LP
First Press, 2013
Black Vinyl /900

Before this band's tour of Australia was announced earlier this year, I had never bothered listening to Twitching Tongues. For whatever reason, I always had this idea in my head of what they sounded like. I think I based these ideas on the cover art of this album of theirs, "In Love There In No Law", and some of the bands they tend to tour with in the States. One night I was driving with a mate and he had this album playing but I didn't know it was them. I was more or less instantly attracted to the thick and heavy thug mosh that I was hearing. Generally I don't get into new bands doing this style, but I found myself enjoying this quite a bit. So obviously I found out who the band were and looked into them more.
This is their second long player from 2013, following a much rougher 12" from the year before. Recorded by some members of the band, it comes across as a reasonably polished production, without being overdone. Without getting too descriptive, at it's core, this is relatively ignorant, moshy hardcore, held together by a crooning vocalist, and a lot of excellent, tasteful hooks. That combination makes it a little hard to compare to anything else, but I'd say these guys are likely drawing strongest influences from 90's bands like Biohazard, Life Of Agony and Only Living Witness (from where they take their name I would assume). There's also a locked groove on the B side that spins outwards that contains a 'secret' cover of the excellent SMD by the legendary Carnivore. To be honest, that was the thing that really clenched it for me. I love Carnivore.
Nothing but good things to say about this album really, except for the one fact that the mastering used on this platter lacks MASSIVELY in the bottom end. I've only recently obtained this record, up until then I'd been jamming MP3's, and after a few months of that, noticing the difference in levels is completely unavoidable. Bit of a shame, and I can imagine that it may be a little detracting for those hearing the band for the first time via this format.

IN HOSPITAL

Mob Rules- Nothing Left LP (Quality Control)
First Press, 2014
Claret Vinyl /100

I don't live in the UK so I can't be sure, but I certainly get the impression that the North's Mob Rules are generally regarded as one of the best and most highly respected hardcore bands in the country. It's been nearly four years since we'd heard any new material from them, and the fact that their online presence is virtually non existent makes it hard for people like me on the other side of the planet to ascertain if they're still in fact a band or not. Recently Quality Control Records quietly announced on their website that they would be presenting the bands new material in the form of a second LP, "Nothing Left" so surely a collective sigh of relief was probably made by many fans abroad. No massive amounts of hype surrounded it really, it just happened.
Simultaneously this record became available to buy on the QC site as well as the Static Shock Records site. I bought this from SS because they also had the Crowned Court demo for sale. As a result (much like the Violent Reaction EP) I wasn't expecting to land any kind of limited vinyl, but for whatever reason I was lucky enough to get this limited press on red wax.
The stark stylistic changes that the band decided to employ between initial early material and their first full length in 2010 are still largely evident here. A complete lack of anything resembling a blast beat or an A-typical modern mosh bit in favour of a mid-later era Black Flag vibe. The recording quality here is also vastly improved over any previous material which greatly improves the whole feel. It's a much more refined, realised, complete release.
Like Perspex Flesh, Mob Rules definitely don't play the style of hardcore that's currently exploding in the UK right now. Why this band may be regarded as masters of their craft is certainly made obvious with this new album though. Easily their best work to date.

FEEDING TIME

Perspex Flesh- s/t LP (Static Shock)
First Press, 2014
White Vinyl /100

The behemoth that is current UK hardcore punk continues it's immeasurable rampage with this debut full length from Leeds' Perspex Flesh. This is a band that I've made glowing statements about in the past on this blog and their previous EP was arguably one of my favourite records of last year. I still spin it very regularly. Brooding, alien, interloper hardcore that would claim stark heredity to bands like United Mutation, Void and similar early 80's groups is what you get, and throughout the bands lifespan they've always managed to capture a really on-point, gritty feel in each of their releases.
Various solid sources around the place have been making early claims about how this will be the UK LP of the year etc, and I hoped -even assumed- that I would really enjoy this album. And for the most part this is a very strong example in the bands chosen style, but maybe I have just become too comfortable with the previous 7", as I have had definite trouble getting into this recording as much as previous material. The sound here is essentially the exact same in terms of grit as older stuff and there are some great songs, but it just hasn't grabbed me as much as I thought that it would. I suspect part of the problem would be that with various life commitments, and other punk and metal releases that have surfaced in the last six months, I just haven't had much time this year to really focus a heap of attention on this LP, so I'm kind of hoping that I'll finally 'get it' with more time. Things like that have certainly happened in the past.
Regardless, this will certainly make my year end list.

MISERY

Bastard- Wind Of Pain 12"
Reissue, 2013
Black Vinyl /??

Seems almost perpostorous that this 12" wasn't reissued until last year. Originally released in 1992, I think it's probably fair to say that "Wind Of Pain" by Bastard swings a fair bit of weight and influence amongst a handful of today's Japcore crowd. Not that I am any sort of proper authority on punk of this ilk, but they've always been the band that I've referenced in my own head when it comes to stuff  from that country. Relatively well recorded for music from this era, it's just fast, relentless hardcore punk.

HEAD ON A STICK

Internal Rot- Mental Hygiene LP (625 Thrash/Crucificados Pelo Sistema) 
First Press, 2014 
Blue Vinyl /??

Melbourne'a heathens of haste Internal Rot, continue their full aural assault on the ear drums of grind fans everywhere with their debut full length album, "Mental Hygiene". I've detailed on here numerous times over the years my fondness of this band and this record does nothing to change that. Complete and utter grind warfare, and arguably the most concise example of no frills grind since Insect Warfare. Doesn't get much better, grind your face off.