ERADICATION

Coffin Birth- Demo Tape (Self Released)
First Edition, 2014

This is a tape that I was originally going to be responsible for releasing, though with my current finacial goals outside of music related things, it kind of went on the back burner. Coffin Birth have then undertaken the task themselves of putting their demo to the cassette format, and a clean result it is. Here the band have a crack at severe Grindcore and they're possibly the best (and maybe only) example of a band doing this sound right in Brisbane now. The recording is perhaps a little clean for my regular taste in this style of music, but the idea and vibe are still there. Josh from this band is in fact one of the guitars player for Sick People, and the now departed Downpour, two bands that I've released stuff for in the past.

I DON'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF YOU

Peacebreakers- Every Day Battle 7" (Rock 'n' Roll Disgrace)
First Pressing, 2013
Black Vinyl /500

I remember the Peacebreakers demo tape landing in 2012, and everyone losing their shit, to an extent, myself included. Though that release possessed a far from quality, yet characterful recording, the tracks presented were catchy enough to vito that poor sound and go on to generate more than a fair share of excitement around the band. Hailing from the Hardcore capital of the world definitely had something to do with it too. That excitement hovered for a good amount of time until the wider release of this first press of their debut EP, "Every Day Battle" emerged early this year. Maybe I just haven't been paying as much attention since I landed my own copy but it certainly seems to have dissipated slightly over the last few months. I can't see why it would though, everything that made that demo excellent is again on display here, albeit in a far more polished form. Six anthems of boisterous, bold Boston hardcore. Fans of the bands contemporaries Boston Strangler will surely bust a nut spinning this 45, as the parallels are many. Simple, fast constructions consisting mostly of crunchy power chords, gruff, throaty vocals, and contentious, 'edgy' lyrics.
While this is a more than listenable record, and worthy of any collection, I have trouble believing that this band would be experiencing half of the popularity that they have in recent years if they weren't from Boston. Good stuff though.

BAD FAITH

The Flex- Wild Stabs In The Dark LP (Milk Run/Video Disease)
First Pressing, 2014
Red Vinyl /500

A group that seems to be riding a tidal wave on interest at the moment is The Flex from The UK. On previous posts I've made about this band, I've talked about how they don't seem to be copping the kind of hype I think they deserved outside of their home market, but it looks like things have changed with the release of their debut LP, "Wild Stabs In The Dark". A split release between their own label Milk Run and Video Disease from California, the band are in the middle of something like a six week full tour of the USA with brother's in arms Violent Reaction, certainly an attributing factor to the their sudden wide spread popularity.
I would assume that I wouldn't need to put a massive description into what these guys sound like. I've mentioned it on here a number of times, as have multiple other blogs. Malevolent, knuckle dragging hardcore in the true spirit of Boston '82. Certainly the bands cleanest recording to date, ten songs are presented, all structured around a similar theme; mid to upper tempo arrangements, most containing floor friendly stomp bits, all wrangled together by an intimidating front man.
England certainly seems to be on the front foot at the moment. This album is an excellent example, as are new LP's from Perspex Flesh Mob Rules, and a mentioned new full length from Violent Reaction on Revelation Records before the end of the year.

BODY BAG

Caged Grave- Gutless 7" (Self Released)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /220, Tour Cover /60

An entirely worthy contender for Australian 7" of the year has arrived in the form of the debut EP, "Gutless" from Melbourne's Caged Grave. Obviously I've already bloooged about these guys three times previously in the last seven months, with their three excellent previous releases, but this record is where it's starting to get serious. Hasty, blasting, belligerent Powerviolence would certainly be the most appropriate way to describe the nine original tracks here (along with Left For Dead cover). Noticeably their cleanest recording so far, one of the best things about this band is the fact that they have the ability to record at this level and quality whenever they want, as the percussion section also happens to be an ace recording engineer with his own home studio. Couple that with the fact that as a whole the band has the talent and the means to churn out new songs like I change socks and you know it's a pretty solid bet that we can see more from this band in the next twelve months. Word from the horses mouth is that they're writing for an expected three more releases this year anyway. While I've posted about this black copy I obtained on their recent second trip to Brisbane, the band will also be selling clear copies of 100 in the next week or so via things like big cartel. A US release in the form of a cassette also approaches thanks to Operation Grindcore.

As Craigos is a bit of a home screen-printing wizz, for their recent tour with Ringworm and Against they had these screen printed versions of the cover for sale also. He was telling me that he screened these himself as he wasn't expecting the regular covers to be ready for the tour. Hence why they present the exact same artwork.

SOLACE IN DEATH

Headless Death- Ultimate Resentment 7" (Crucificados Pelo Sistema)
First Pressing, 2014
Yellow/Black Vinyl /??

Following a couple cassette releases over the last two years or so, this is the debut 7" from Melbourne's Headless Death, "Ultimate Resentment". The band roll on here with their chosen style of thrashing grind that takes cues from stuff like Righteous Pigs and Repulsion. Certainly their strongest recording so far, the fuzzed out guitars and jackhammer blasts receive their stongest treatment yet on this slab. Seven original tracks in around ten minutes. Blasting brutalnesssss.

NOSE IN NECK

Internal Rot- Live & Rehearsal Tape, 12/200 // EP on Tape, /30 (Noise Not War Records)
First Editions, 2014

To my detest, I haven't had the opportunity to post about Melbourne's Grindcore chieftans Internal Rot since mid 2011 when I spoke about their debut EP. At the time I didn't know much about the band other than the fact that they were from Melbourne. Since that time I've gotten to know the bands drummer Christoph a little, seen them live a few times, and listened to that EP repeatedly for the last near three years. Pure, no frills Grindcore that takes heavy cues from 90's Socal propagators of filth Excruciating Terror. Obvious lineage back to albums like "FETO", and "World Downfall" as well. Christoph and co. have been quite busy the last 12 months, recording an aborted LP session (they were unhappy with the sound quality), re-recording and releasing a new CD LP (vinyl due in the coming weeks, of which I will post about when I get it), participating in a split 7", and laying down a few live and rehearsal sessions, one of each has made it here to this new tape release handled by Noise Not War Records from the UK.
In what looks like 200 home dubbed copies, sound is of a reasonable quality. The live side of the tape consists evenly of tracks from the EP and new full length. It sounds like it was literally recorded with a voice recorder in someones pocket at the back of the room, but for manic fans of the band, it is a pleasing angle. The rehearsal side is excellently blown out and raw and exactly what you'd expect from this kind of release.

And what looks like a treat for the more avid fans, Noise Not War also went to the trouble to dub 30 copies of the EP to tape. Again, sound quality is above passable. 30 copies only though, and obviously no new music, so certainly only really produced for proper Grind heads and followers of the group. All sold out at this point I think.

BANK ROLL

Shrapnel- Demo Tape (New Instinct Records)
British Edition, 2014

The absolute tidal wave of powerful UKHC continues with this demo tape from Shrapnel. It's just been issued by Moshers Delight in the US but this is the English edition from New Instinct Records. Where the bulk of this current breed of British stuff has centred around a stark Boston '82/UK Oi! vibe for the last 18 months or so, certainly kick-started by bands like Violent Reaction and The Flex, this tape oozes mid/late 80's NYHC ala Breakdown. It's heavy and nasty, and the recording teeters on blown out just like the '87 Demo'. There hasn't been a more on-point rendition of this particular kind of knuckle dragging hardcore in years from anywhere, let alone from the UK. Might be worth pointing out that this band is comprised of members of VxR and The Flex.

BATTERY

Metallica- Master Of Puppets (Universal Music Group)
European Reissue, 2008
Black Vinyl /??

I think most people around my age (born in the early 80's) could say that some of their earliest exposure to Heavy Metal was via Metallica. My earliest memories of anything remotely heavy were of some of the film clips from the Black album playing on a local video clip show. Though I was always familiar with this portion of their career as a result, my real interest in more popular metal didn't come about until years later via Pantera and "The Great Southern Trendkill". From there I explored the heavier and more evil end of the spectrum like Slayer and early Sepultura, and then American and European Death Metal. Metallica was just something I never paid any attention to, probably because I came up in a period when nearly every older, experienced metalhead that I met would write them off as a result of any work of theirs that followed "And Justice For All...". I'd taken a light interest in that album (and a much stronger one in the last few years), but nothing before it even came onto my radar.
Though I'm certainly still no fiend, I've taken some time to explore the bands Burton era albums in the last few years, probably more so as a bit of task then as a genuine vested interest. From what I can gather, the general consensus amongst the wider metal community is that "Ride The Lightning" is the bands crowning work, though of the first three, I'd have to say that that album is their weakest. This one is my favourite- "Master Of Puppets".
As stupid as it may sound with what I've just said in mind, I feel that no proper metal record collection should be without this bands earliest work, if just from a cataloguing point of view. It's an OCD thing I have with collecting and probably why I made myself explore their music, so I wouldn't feel stupid dropping cash on their product. This is a 2008 Universal Records reissue of the album on black vinyl. At least, I think it is anyway. This bands entire catalogue has been re-issued and re-pressed so many times over the years that it's hard to keep track, even with the help of Discogs. I doubt I need to explain though, influential, thrashing metal glory, this pressing being pretty faithful to the original.

CRANK TEETH

In Disgust/SFN- Split 7" (Drugged Conscience Records)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /600

Sometimes the faithful must wait, and never more so has that been the case than with the In Disgust/SFN split EP. A good solid two years of planning went into the release of this 7", and from what I've read, plenty of hurtles were encountered along the way. Pressed by Drugged Conscience with some kind of help from IFB Records, this EP was originally announced initially in 2012 (possibly even late 2011?) before In Disgust broke up the first time. It was also also originally supposed to be released as a two sided 5" but for whatever reason it ended as this one sided 7".
Four tracks in less than 2 minutes from In Disgust of the usual ExT peppered Californian Grindcore, sure to please any fan of the bands previous work. The biggest difference from older material being that Ramirez handles the vocals on all of the tracks as opposed to Gomes usual main contribution. The best thing about their side is the viciously 'slow' track in the middle of the bunch. Information is scarce but I'm sure that these songs were recorded during the sessions for the split LP with PLF. Maybe someone out there can tell me, but I think these guys have broken up again? There doesn't seem to be much word of anything happening.
SFN handle their side in much the same manner, three tracks in less than 2 minutes, all of which should please fans of down trodden Powerviolence ala Crossed Out/the bands previous works. I've never been the hugest of fans, but this is pretty solid stuff.

WHEN YOUR GENITALS SEEP UP INTO YOUR FACE

Doubled Over/Hemdale- Split 7" (Fat Ass Records)
First Pressing, 2014
Black Vinyl /??

Melbourne's blast beat merchants Doubled Over had been notably dormant for a number of years, perhaps even totally dispatched until recently reforming to make a contribution to this split 7" with Cleveland grind stalwarts, Hemdale. Perhaps naively, Hemdale aren't a band that I had ever been familiar with before this record came about, but research shows a 20 year history of demos, split release and the like, and talk of an ill fated LP that never saw the light of day. They play a pretty solid blend of no frills grind, generally the kind that I am normally most fond of. Perhaps I need to track down this bands other stuff. Doubled Over strike back with their style of obtrusive, straight forward grind. Guttural bellows dominate the mix, and as always Christoph's percussion is world class. Lineage and influence of course can be traced back to bands like Excruciating Terror and perhaps even their split mates here. Pressed by Fat Ass Records.

SWALLOW

Caged Grave- Live Tape 2014 (Self Released)
First Edition, 2014
Orange Cassette 27/28

While I was away over the Xmas/New Years period Melbourne's Caged Grave came up to Brisbane to play. They were selling this self released live tape of 28 of theirs as part of the run. Obviously I missed out on my own copy as I wasn't around but Craigos was kind enough to keep a copy aside and send it up to me recently. Nice little short run cassette with three songs from the demo and a Deadstare cover. The band have a new EP due pretty soon, pressed on vinyl as a self release, while Operation Grindcore is handling a cassette issue for the North American market.

BAR SMASH

Kurb Stomp- Stomp The Druggies Tape (Self Released)
First Edition, 2012

I don't really remember how I got onto Kurb Stomp. I think this "Stomp The Druggies" demo tape of theirs may have been included in a Youth Attack update at some point in 2012 and I may have looked into the band from there, but I'm not sure. This would certainly be the kind of music you'd expect to see Youth Attack involved with these days; ignorant, scummy, stripped down hardcore. The four tracks here possess one of the most blown out, roughest recordings I've heard since the last Urban Blight EP and scrape in at around five minutes. I'd been chasing this tape for the better part of 12 months until one popped up on discogs from somewhere in Europe a few weeks ago. Lyrical content revolves mostly around ignorant, baiting straight edge lyrics, and though I'm not edge at all, I wish I was when listening to "SxE Streetfight". Good stuff.

THE DICKS HATE THE POLICE

The Dicks- Hate The Police 7" (1-2-3-4-Go! Records)
Reissue, 2012
Black Vinyl /200

It's only been very recently that I've taken interest in The Dicks. Having been involved with hardcore for a long enough period of time to have heard the bands name mentioned a few times over the years, it's almost embarrassing to say, but I just never bothered checking them out until this year. My interest was sparked when a friend of mine simply posted the youtube vid of this EP's title track "The Dicks Hate The Police" one afternoon on Facebook. Following that one preview I have been pretty hooked on this band and their brand of social outcast/weirdo/edgy hardcore punk.
Existing throughout the early 80's in Austin, Texas, this was the bands debut release, coming in before a live recorded split with The Big Boys and a couple of LP's. Indication of the bands prominence within the early Texan hardcore punk scene (and to a further extent, the 80's USHC scene in general) would be obvious when participating in a split with a band as influential as The Big Boys. Along with that band, The Dicks were/are the godfathers of punk in that region along with groups as well known as MDC and DRI. I almost feel that history hasn't been as kind to these guys as it has been to some of the other mentioned acts. This is a 2012 reissue of the "The Dicks Hate The Police" 7" pressed by 1-2-3-4-Go! Records, though it was originally pressed by the bands own imprint Radical Records. I'd go as far as saying that this is one of the best EP's to come out of the entire 80's American Hardcore scene just for the title track alone.

DRIFTING AWAY

I've been waiting for this record for the better part of four years now. An initial track, "Extinction"  from Shin To Shin first surfaced around that long ago on an A389 Records online sampler. Then later that year it ended up on the bands split 7" with Pulling Teeth. And now it sees another release on the bands debut s/t MLP pressed by A389. Since 2010, word would surface every 12 months or so of the impending release of this record and then nothing would happen. Well near the end of last year an official release was mentioned, and finally it has materialised in the last few weeks. It's been a topic on many blogs over the last few years, but for those who don't know, this is the sole work of Aaron Melnick, writing genius behind early Integrity, and far as I can tell he handles all duties except for drums, which are sorted by a guy named Bob. Fans of Melnick's previous efforts should find plenty of interest here. It's basically 90's style metallic hardcore with a slight Japanese feel, that can be attributed mostly to his uniquely burly vocal style and the reverb it's put under on a few of the tracks. Whether that was intentional or not may be debatable, but it's definitely something I hear. Every track is a lesson in well written, catchy stomping hardcore. I already knew this before I even heard any of the other tracks, but this will certainly be on of my absolute favourite records of 2014.