Murder In The Front Row - Bazillion Points Books

My copy of this book showed up in the mail today. The book has a poster style wrap around dust cover with metallica including Cliff Burton on the cover and Exodus on the flip side.

The book is loaded with 270+ pages of flyers and band photos from the heyday of thrash metal. There are many many old school Metallica photos in this book so if you are a Metallica fan I suggest you order a copy quick...Dave G



Purchase

Trip Machine Laboratories - Nyack NY

Trip Machine Laboratories is a long running hardcore label from my hometown area of Rockland County NY. The label was founded by an old friend of mine Chris W who played/plays in the NY hardcore band Atlas Shrugged . If memory serves Chris started the label to release the first Atlast Shrugged 7" and then things just took off from there.

Trip Machine Laboratories has released a slew of good records over the years and below I am going to give you a quick breakdown of a few of their most recent releases. So read, listen and support...




Living Hell are one tight motherfing hardcore band whose aural assault brings bands like Converge and Integrity to mind. Overall the music combines tight crisp full speed ahead hardcore with moments of thick/heavy slow to mid tempo passages all the while maintaining an impressive amount of hate and disgust. Living Hell are definitely worth your time if you are a fan of this style of metal tinged hardcore.

Living Hell - Blessed Are The Dead




Living Laser approaches hardcore music from a bit of a different angle than most bands, but if I had to draw comparisons to any other currently active bands I would say that Living Laser would be right at home touring with bands like the Omegas or Double Negative. The Living Laser's music moves along at a impressively tight quick pace with interesting time changes and solos popping up seemingly out of nowhere. The vocals are delivered in clean manner and help give the music that little something that makes them stand out from the pack...good stuff and highly recommended.

Living Laser - Fact Eraser



Most Precious Blood - 7" of this Brooklyn NY bands 2000 demo tape pressed to vinyl. These guys play straight up pissed off modern hardcore that worms it's way into your brain and awakens your inner demons.

Incendiary / Unrestrained splits 7" - Incendiary play modern hardcore with one foot in the 90's hardcore sound. Unrestrained stradle the same line as Incendiary but the music is a bit more metallic sounding to my ear and it possess some nice memorable riffing, dare I say the music is catchy.

Chris tells me he is about to step up the online distro at Trip Machine Laboratories so stop by the label distro and pick up some records...Dave G.

Resless - Restless Metal 7" 1984 Flying Dog Productions

Don't Understand
The Power







This 7" is much better than the band photos would lead you to believe. The band comes across looking somewhat glam metal in these photos but in reality this is a nice thick rocking slab of catchy metal leaning towards the power metal side of things and reminding me of the 80's metal band Medieval or even Tyrant (CA) with the high pitched screams in the excellent "The Power".

Anyway, Resless hailed from Northern NJ and Lou Ciarlo of Hades played bass on this 7"...give this one a listen..Dave G.

Attacker 1983 and 1986 Demo Tapes

Attacker

I wrote away to Attacker back in 1983 when I was all of 15 years old to get a copy of this demo tape, and after a week or so a Certron Tape showed up in my mailbox in a regular letter envelope. It's crazy but here we are almost 30 years later and I can actually remember pulling the letter out of the mailbox and I know exactly what the envelope looked like, however ask me what I did 2 days ago and I would have to think hard to remember.

Anyway, these tapes hold a special place in my heart as does the first Attacker Lp "Battle At Helms Deep" . It appears the entire Attacker catalog is currently out of print, so if you want to find their records and cd's at this point I guess ebay is the way to go...Dave G.

CIA - Conspiracy Demo Tape 1989

Here's a tape that seems to have been mostly lost to time as I couldn't find much of anything on the net about CIA.

Let me give a little info or at least all that I can remember about CIA. CIA was a side project of Glenn Evans the drummer of Nuclear Assault and prior to that TT Quick. If memory serves Glenn released this demo tape and another that I also have called Search & Seizure while he was playing with nuclear Assault. On this demo tape Glenn even has his buddy John Connelly of Nuclear Assault contribute vocals and bass while Glenn handles the guitar and drum duties.

There is no date on this tape but I think it came out somewhere around 1988 or 1989 as the Search and Seizure demo has a 1989 date on it, and I remember getting these tapes from Glenn not to far apart from each other.

Musically these 3 songs have a definite Nuclear Assault feel to them, especially with John Handling the vocal duties...Dave G.

New Breed Tape Compilation

I just wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that the awesome and legendary New Breed Tape compilation is officially back in print on cd and vinyl and it sounds better than ever.

Please support Wardance Records and order a copy of this one before they are gone. I understand that the silk screen version is already gone and the regular Lp version is selling quick and it's highly possible that this could be a one time pressing so get on it people...Dave G

Re-issue of this legendary NYHC compilation from 1989. The re-mastered LP version features four exclusive bonus tracks plus the original twenty page lyric booklet. There will be an alternate limited edition that will include a silk-screened "Wild Style" LP cover (200 made) available to the first 200 mail orders.

Bands on the compilation: ABSOLUTION, OUTBURST, LIFE'S BLOOD, BREAKDOWN, BEYOND, RAW DEAL plus 15 other rocking NYHC bands from that golden era.

Order from Wardance Records

Judge - Bringin It Down Gold Vinyl Revelation

I am thinking about trading away my sealed copy of this Lp. Here's a pictures of the actual record. I have a black vinyl 1st pressing so I never opened this gold / orange (depending on who you ask) vinyl copy of the final pressing which is the most limited pressing of only 333 copies.

Revelation notes that this is Gold vinyl Kevin Finn says it's orange. I know this record has some value so it is going to take something special to pry it away from me.

I would consider trading it for some other rare Rev Records that I do not have, color vinyl together comp or original early dischord records like Youth Brigade Possible 7" or Teen Idles - Minor Disturbance 7" , Antidote - thou shalt not kill 7" etc.

If you think you have something I'd want drop me an email. Don't be shy I know I am shooting for the stars with my small want list but my actual want list is much longer.

Dave88@optonline.net

NME - Unholy Death - LSR Records 1985

Unholy Death







NME - Tacoma Wa. USA


To my ears NME sound like the evil spawn of Venom and Slaughter...the Canadian death thrashers Slaughter, not that terrible 80's / 90's hair metal band.

I was snooping around the net trying to come up with a better description of NME'S music when I came across Oxenkiller's review of this record on Encyclopedia Metallum which I thought hit the nail on the head....so here you go...Dave G.

"A lot of people have compared this to Venom, and certainly those comparisons are valid. Both bands share a similar songwriting style and image. NME weren’t really a speed or thrash band in the sense that, say, Bathory, Slayer and Possessed were. Rather, much like Venom and Hellhammer, they relied on a series of mid-paced, malevolent grinding riffs and allowed the overall heaviness, atmosphere and distortion to carry the sound. However, the guitar sounds on here are far darker and more corrosive and sinister than Venom ever were; its actually somewhat indescribable: eerie and heavy at the same time. The playing is none too complex, but there is more going on than just the simple riffs. The guitar has way more reverb and distortion on it than Venom or Hellhammer, and the guitarist deliberately channels the feedback to accentuate the playing. The overall effect is one of simplicity and power, getting the most power out of each single note, mimimalism at its best. And the production values are none too pretty either but that’s the point, you just don’t want them to be. The raw minimalist production actually suits this music perfectly; everything cranked up to ten. The whole thing is paradoxically beautiful in its very rawness and ugliness".

Deathrash - Faces of Death demo tape 1986

Lockjaw







Here's some classic old school NJ thrash metal featuring none other than Tony Scaglione (Whiplash and Slayer) drums, John Scherer (Caligula) vocals and Pat Burns (Whiplash) bass.

Deathrash is still active on the NJ metal circuit, and they recently released a cd that compiles this demo, new songs and a live show from 1986 all on one disc for $10.00.

Since I know this tape is currently in print I am only giving up one song for you to sample, so if you like what you hear please Purchase a cd from the band...Dave G.

P.S. If you live in NJ, Sound Exchange in Wayne has the Deathrash cd in stock.

.

Fathead Suburbia - Control The Masses demo 1982 fan club 7"

Awesome old school NY hardcore punk band whose biggest accomplishment was landing the song "The Masses" on the Big City Ain't Too Pretty Compilation back in 1983.

What you get is fast thrashy hardcore punk music done with a heavy amount of aggression and attitude. Classic stuff...keep your eye on ebay and select distro's to grab a copy of this limited 7" reissue...Dave G. o

Bad American - 2010 - 7 " ep - Discontent Records

Doozer
Lurker







Bad Amercan

Bad American deliver one hell of a headache with this 7", and I mean that as a compliment. The bass on this record is simply pummeling and the vocals are pissed beyond pissed. If I had to describe the music I would say it sounds like power violent skate rock. Seriously, this is the kind of record that makes me feel like dishing out some violence, except for the fact that I couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag.

Anyway, give these tracks a listen and hit up the band for a copy before they are gone...I understand that they are down to their final copies and I don't think they plan on repressing this monster of a 7", so act fast if you like what you hear. .

I also understand that Bad American is currently working on a full length Lp that I am sure will be killer, so if you own a label or know someone who does then please drop Bad American an email because I want to hear more from these guys...Dave G.

Burrito Records FeAst 2003

Today I am going to do something a little different and turn the blog over to my friend Bob Suren. You may know Bob as the owner of the Sound Idea Record Store in Brandon FL (rip) or perhaps through his record label Burrito Records, or maybe still from his many musical ventures which includes Failure Face, The Flaming Midgets, Gross National Product, John Madden And The Electric Condoms and his current band Murder-Suicide Pact. Bob also hosts a weekly internet radio show entitled The Punk Rock Record Party which is a great place to be turned on to all kinds of great underground music. Anyway, at this point let me step aside and let Bob take over...Dave G.

Bob: In 2003 I got the idea to get every band that had ever been on Burrito Records to do a show at my old record store, Sound Idea, in Brandon, FL. I called it the Burrito Records FeAst. A few bands just could not do it or could not be located, but what we got was pretty impressive. Eleven bands played on day one (SAT MARCH 23,2003) and on day two, eight of the same bands played again.

Shane Hinton, a local punker, made audio recordings of every band from the first day. I can't remember if he recorded the second day or not. If he did, I don't have the recordings. Anyhow, I recently ran across these recordings, tucked away on the bottom of my file cabinet. I figure it is better to get them out there than to leave them unheard.
Shane recorded everything with a single mic hung from ceiling in the middle of the room. The sound quality is better than I expected. Not perfect, but listenable. And if you were there, this will remind you how much fun those two days were.

A lot of people were shooting pics, but very few of them ever made it to my hands. Several people were shhoting video over the two days, but I've never seen any of it.

Anyhow, here is who played on day one and what I remember about their sets...Bob Suren.

Flaming Midget: FM was the first band on Burrito Records. I was the bassist. John, the drummer flew in for Texas, but we could not find the guitarist and the singer could not make it. John and I drafted Frank Vagnozzi from Reckless Deerhunters to play guitar and Richard Halsted to sing. We practiced once and did the show. We mess up the first song and then it gets better. I started the set wearing a zarape and a sombereo but had to ditch them after a couple of songs because it was so hot.

Scrotum Grinder: SG was kind of a mess this first day. Most of their set is tuning and jokes. They were a lot better on day two.

Combat Wounded Veteran: The CWV set was short and frenzied. They got the crowd going pretty good. I think this may have been the last time they ever played.

Runnamucks: The Runnamucks were never on Burrito Records, but the intention was to have them learn a bunch of Hated Youth songs and get Gary Srtickland,the singer of HY to sing with them. But Gary didn't want to do it, so the Runnamucks just played their own stuff. They were always good live and played at Sound Idea many times.

Failure Face: The first Failure Face show in about seven years. We practiced for about 20 minutes at 10:00 AM the morning of the show without our bassist. I didn't know if we could pull it off, but I'm pretty happy with the set. I mess up the last song but other than that, it is fairly tight. This set was included as bonus tracks on the "Complete Failure" CD released by Burrito Records in 2003, now out of print.

Reason Of Insanity: ROI was always a good live band and this set is no exception. Sadly underrated and dearly missed by those who understand good hardcore.

Terrorain: Pat Lawlor, the singer of Terrorain flew into the US the day before the show and stayed up all night practicing with the drummer and guitarist of Reason Of Insanity and Sound Idea employee Sam Watson on bass. They fucking nailed it. Pat says the UK version of Terrorain never sounded this good. I'll have to take his word for it
.
Otophobia: Atlanta's Otophobia absolutely shredded on both days. The drummer from Scrotum Grinder turned to me and said, "These guys are awesome. Keep them!"

Bread And Water: One of the many times Bread And Water played Sound Idea. They were excellent every time. Amy, the singer, really goes nuts. And drummer Chris Bland is one of the nicest guys out there.

Roach Motel: I didn't believe Roach Motel would really play until they actually started playing. They had been debating back in forth by email for months about the logistics of reuniting the band members, who had moved all over the USA, squeezing in some practices and getting them all to the show. Then there were the lengthy and heated emails about what songs to play. I was fowarded copies of all of these emails. Some were very funny,like singer Bob Fetz's joking email that if the band didn't "...open with 'Sorry Ass Sucker,' I will tab George with a pair of scissors." That was the last straw for George Tabb, who decided right then not to do the reunion. They carried on as a four-piece. RM played the day before their Brandon set in their home town of Gainesville -- their first show in 19 years -- and supposedly, it was excellent. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when they finally arrived late on Day One of the FeAst. Roach Motel is an important band to me and probably the most important band in the history of Florida punk. You can hear me gush about them in the beginning of the Murder-Suicide Pact set. Anyhow, seeing them play that night was one of the biggest thrills of my punk rock life.

Murder-Suicide Pact: Roach Motel wanted to play before MSP. I didn't want to do that, but when Roach Motel talks, I listen. So, we closed the show. I do a little spiel in the beginning of this set about what Roach Motel means to me and I actually get a little choked up. I know, I'm a cornball. This was a fairly typical show for us, but with way more crowd participation. The sound quality is the best live recording of us I have heard. I had never listened to this set until about a week ago.

BURRITO FEAST MARCH 2003 #1

Flaming Midget
Scrotum Grinder
Combat Wounded Veteran
Runnamucks
Failure Face

Download #1

BURRITO FEAST MARCH 2003 #2

Reason Of Insanity
Terrorain
Otophobia
Bread And Water
Roach Motel
Murder-Suicide Pact

Download #2

Total Abuse - Prison Sweat - PPM Records 2011

Rotting Foil
Masked Killer







PPM Records : Purchase

Total Abuse have been dishing out their disturbing brand of hardcore music over the span of 3 excellent full length Lp's , a 7" and a demo tape later released on 7" vinyl.

Their new album "Prison Sweat" begins with a long creepy intro of ringing distorted guitars that will make the hair on your arms stand up. As a matter of fact my wife actually burst into the room while I was playing this record in a panic because the intro was actually scaring her and making her uncomfortable (she actually said it sounded like people were being tortured) , and at that very moment I knew this record was special.

After the intro the band throws itself full throttle into a twisted mess of swirling ringing guitars and demented sounding vocals. At times the band takes a slower approach with equally effective results. Honestly, what Total Abuse does better than most bands is set a mood with their music. It's a disturbing mood that will leave you feeling a little dirty in the end, however...feeling dirty never felt so good...Dave G.

Picture - Heavy Metal Ears - a Backdoor Holland production 1981

Heavy Metal Ears







I purchased this record based on the album title, but I am keeping it based on the excellent traditional metal / nwobhm style of music that is etched into the records grooves.

Picture who hailed from Holland play an excellent catchy style of metal similiar to early Iron Maiden and Judas Priest to my ear , however I've also seen the Saxon comparison thrown around elsewhere on the web.

If you like old school metal this record comes with my highest recommndation ...for what that's worth...Dave G.

An extensive review of this album can be read here .

X-iles - Dreamin-no / Indecision 1980

X-iles features a pre-code of honor memeber Mike Sanchez, but sounds nothing like Code Of Honor. What you get is really good punk/new wave with a singer you will either love or hate, I lean more towards loving him. The recording of this record is a bit odd also, but you'll just have to hear it for yourself....Dave G.

Flex Discography says: "Obscure '77/KBD punk from California. Catchy stuff with good melodies and extremely powerful/noisy guitars. There is a synth, too, but it stays far in the background. Cool".

Bad Omen - Demo Tape.- year unknown

Remains of A Sinner
Blinded By Hate
Lost At Sea
Dark Horizons
Evil World







I picked this demo tape up in a trade recently knowing absolutely nothing about the band. I have been unable to find any info about Bad Omen on the internet, however I have determined from the phone number in the tape that Bad Omen were most likely from Queens/Long Island NY. I have no idea how old this demo is but I am assuming late 80's early 90's. If anyone has any info about Bad Omen please leave a comment.

Musically, Bad Omen is a very competent thrash metal act. The songs are heavy and fast paced with nice thick heavy riffing and impressive soloing. This demo was a pleasant surprise and comes highly recommended to all of you old school metal heads that may be following the blog...Dave G.

Proper ID - Electric Boy / Sound The Alarm 7" - 1981

Electric Boy
Sound The Alarm







Proper Id

Here's a record you would expect to find on the KBD Records blog, however this band is so obscure I'm not sure Peter has even heard of them.

Proper ID hail from Rockland County NY, which is about 30 minutes north of NYC and just happens to be were I grew up. Proper ID formed in the early 1980's to the best of my knowledge and performed in and around NYC for 10 years at the least.

On this self released 7" from 1981 you get punky new wave music that has been criminally overlooked and deserves a listen. The A-Side song "Electric Boy" is an excellent guitar driven song that brings Devo to mind at times, where as the B-side is a rather strange and quirky song that is hard to put a finger on but is completely catchy and memorable. Give these guys a listen and spread the word..Dave G.

P.S. Visit my brother blog Suburbia Suburbia Suburbia to read about and listen to other Punk, Metal,Hardcore and Indie bands from Rockand County, NY.

Night Fever - New Blood - Tank Crime Records 2009

New Blood
This Is Copenhagen
Better Off Dead






I have been meaning to write a little something about Night Fever for a few months now but for some reason I just can't seem to put into words how awesome this record is. I guess the best description I can come up with is if you can imagine a totally over the top energic punk hardcore band with a metal screamer on vocals. At first I found the vocal approach slightly off putting, however after a few spins I realized that it's actually the totally over the top vocal approach that makes this band stand out from the pack.

Besides this excellent Lp on Tank Crimes, Night Fever also has an equally excellent 7" available from No Way records so do yourself a favor and get them before they are gone. Also, if Night Fever comes to your town go see them because they absolutely slay live...Dave G.


Purchase New Blood 2009 Lp and cassette
Purchase Transparent ep 2011 7"

The Chords - Now It's Gone / Don't Go Back - 1979 Polydor Records

Now It's Gone







The Chords

This is The Chords first single from 1979. All I can say is if you like MOD bands like The Jam then you will like The Chords. I don't have much more to add in all honesty, I mean this is a catchy MOD pop record, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that...Dave G.

Here's a little history from Wikipedia to save you from having to look it up.

"The Chords are a 1970s British pop music group, commonly associated with the 1970s mod revival, who had several hits in their homeland, before the decline of the trend brought about their break-up. They were one of the more successful groups to emerge during the revival, which was popular in the UK in 1979, thanks in part to The Jam's popularity (and their affection for mod music and style) and the release of The Who's Quadrophenia, a film centred around the mod subculture of the 1960s, and based on their 1973 rock opera. They re-formed with the four original members for a UK tour during 2010".

( Steve Scott) Steel Warriors - On The Road To Hell - 1985

Wow, this is one hell of a record. First you have to soak in the amazing cover art which is worth the price of admission alone. Then you have to actually listen to this mess of a record which is all over the place in all honesty. The A-Side opens with a satanic intro of sorts and goes straight into an okay power metal type song. The B-Side opens with a long fancy guitar solo and is followed by a totally 80's style hair metal song. I think Mr. Scott (who plays all instruments and sings on this record) could have made a better record if he had been a bit more focused. I mean are you a tough metal dude, a guitar hero or a wanna be Brett Michaels? I have no idea...sorry...Dave G.

Dead Kennedys - Kill The Poor / In-Sight - Cherry Red Records 1980

In-Sight







Non Lp B-Side "In-sight" later released on the rarities compilation Lp "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death". Everyone is probably familiar with the song "Kill The Poor" but if you've never heard the "Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death" Lp then the b-side of this 7 incher "in-sight" is definitely worth a listen... I think it might be better than the more well know A-side...Dave G.

Dead Kennedys
Purchase Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death

UX Vileheads - Hardcore XI - Sorry State Records 2011

Blind
UX Vileheads







Excellent new Lp from Umea Sweden's UX Vileheads. What you get is fast paced straight up catchy hardcore punk that immediately brings Minor Threat to mind, however there is also an old school Boston/NYHC sound/feel to some of the guitar work. This Lp immediately grabbed my attention the moment the needle hit the vinyl for reasons I can't fully explain. I think it's the excellent clean, yet full production, and the warm bass and drum sound that kicks off the opening track. Anyway, I will include a couple tracks ("Blind" is the Lp opener) as a sample for you to hear and then I suggest you head on over to Sorry State Records to grab yourself a copy of this Lp ASAP...Dave G.

Purchase

Video - Leather Leather Lp - Play Pinball Records 2011

Leather Leather
The Husband









I just picked up a copy of this Lp and man am I happy that I did. The music is punk yet quirky and interesting in the same way that bands like Wire took basic punk rock of the late 70's early 80's and morphed it into post punk... Leather Leather feels like post punk for the new age...Dave G.

What the label has to say:

Denton TX's VIDEO began intending to sound like a mix between CRIME, CHROME, and CREAM. However, the twelve songs on this debut LP, "LEATHER LEATHER", end up sounding like your record collection melted into one solid album. Ranging from songs that have the primal pounding of FLIPPER, the space jam sessions of HAWKWIND, and the lyrical bent of early ALICE COOPER and STICK MEN WITH RAY GUNS, VIDEO's debut album should shatter all preconceptions of what Denton's punk scene can produce. Featuring members of THE WAX MUSEUMS, BAD SPORTS, WICCANS, SILVER SHAMPOO, and as many other bands that you can name, "LEATHER LEATHER" breaks the mold of the usual poppy, melodic punk and instead forges a new territory somewhere between punk, hard rock, and weirdo psych. To borrow from the venerable BOBBY SOXX, "Fuck powerpop! Fuck new wave! This is punk rock, you're a slave!"

Keeping the spirit of the band's namesake alive, the vinyl edition of this record is 100% ANALOGUE. No computers in any step. Recorded on tape by ORVILLE NEELEY (Bad Sports, OBN III's, etc) in October 2010, a mixing session with DAVID WILLINGHAM at The Echo Lab, and cut direct from tape, PLAY PINBALL! RECORDS is shamelessly proud to unleash this disease known as VIDEO unto the world. Long live the New Faith. Long live VIDEO.

First Press: 500 Copies in DIE-CUT JACKETS with PRINTED INNER SLEEVE. All on BLACK VINYL.

Play Pinball Records
Sorry State Records blog

VOM - Live At Surf City 7" White Noise Records 1978

I'm In Love With Your Mom / Too Animalistic






Pre-Angry Samoans and you get exactly what you would expect...primitive and simple punk with crude lyrics. A must listen for any Angry Samoans fan...great KBD record...Dave G.

Darxon - Killed In Action - Wishbone Records 1984

Darxon








Picked this record up in a used bin recently simply because the album cover was so bad I had to own it.

Germany's Darxon play traditional heavy metal in the vein of Judas Priest and Accept. Overall, certainly nothing ground breaking , but the cover art and funny song titles...for example "Smile of A Tiger" and " Holy Macho" make this record totally worth while to me...Dave G.

New Breed Tape Compilation - Interview w/Freddy Alva

Interview on United By Rocket Science
Preorder New Breed Tape Compilation LP







My partner in crime over on the United By Rocket Science Blog just upped an interview with Freddy Alva of the legendary NYHC record label "Wardance Records". Freddy just put up the preorder for the New Breed Tape Compilation vinyl reissue. Please read the interview and order a copy of the record from Wardance.

United By Rocket Science is a blog that I do with James from the legendary old school NYHC fanzine "Unite". We try to cover the current local NY/NJ underground music scene as well as old school hardcore/punk etc. We incorporate more record reviews, show reviews and band / label interviews etc than I do here on Rocket Science so check us out when you get a chance.

Also, looking to trade some blog links for the United By Rocket Science blog so if you want to trade links with Rocket Science or United By Rocket Science please add us to your blog links and drop me an email ( dave88@optoniline.net) and I will link you up to us as well...Dave G.

Cold Steel - Perfect Peace cassette 1990

Cold Steel - Thrash metal from Long Island NY.

I posted Cold Steel's "Dead By Dawn" demo a while back and I think I like the demo a little more than the "Perfect Peace" cassette in all honesty, though "Perfect Peace" has it's moments the music seems a bit more commercial and gimmicky to me in places. I still hear the Anthrax,Testament, Metallica, Flotsam and Jetsam influence at least to my ears, but the Anthrax type choruses are a bit much for me at times...Dave G.

Here

Gray Matter 2x7" Dischord/WGNS 1991

Bite The Bit







I fell in love with the opening song " Bite The Bit" on this double 7" the first time I heard it back in 1991. I'm not sure this 7" still holds up for me beyond the opening track but it's still worth posting. In my opinion Gray Matter's best record is "Take It Back" from 1986, so if you like this 7" I would recommend you give "Take It Back" a listen if you haven't heard it already...Dave G.

Artificial Peace / Exiled split 7" Fountain of Youth 001 - 1982

Artificial Peace and Exiled sound very similiar to me on this split 7". Both bands play a mix of mid tempo and fast paced hardcore punk with pretty poor recording quality in all honesty. This 7" definitely has a certain charm, however I think I prefer the Artificial Peace songs on the Flex Your Head compilation and also on the recently released Artificial Peace discography.

I am posting this up as a reminder to everyone to purchase a copy of the official AP discography from Dischord so please go order yourself a copy...Dave G.

Angry Red Planet - Too Much Knowledge Can Be Dangerous - Angry Red Records 1983

Angry Red Planet "Too Much Knowledge Can Be Dangerous" is one great trashy yet melodic punk hardcore record from Detriot Michigan. Angry Red Planet also released another 7" Gawkers Paradise (Touch & Go, 1985) and an Lp called Little Pigs Little Pigs (Angry Red Records, 1987) , both of which come with my highest recommendation. There is also a second full length Lp from 1989 called Give Em' Enough Dope...Dave G.

Zeros - Wild Weekend / Beat Your Heart Out 1978 Bomp Records

Wild Weekend
Beat Your Heart Out







Bomp

This is the second Zeros 7" from 1978 and it is a classic slab of KBD punk rock. The a-side is a fast catchy punk rock song and the b-side is a more mid-tempo Ramones style song that will get caught in your head for the rest of the day once you hear it.

Bomp records has a few Zeros Lp's available through their mailorder so please order some records or cd's from Bomp. A good Zeros compilation to start with is "Don't Push Me Around" which collects the Zeros early singles,demos and unreleased songs...Dave G.

Abrasive Wheels - Army Song 7" 1982 - Riot City

Army Song







Abrasive Wheels

This is the third single from Leeds UK's Abrasive Wheels, released in 1982 on Riot City Records. What you get is good solid rough and tumble street punk with plenty of sing-a-long vocals. Probably one of the best singles to come out of the early UK punk scene, so give it a listen if you've somehow never heard this one before.

Abrasive Wheels are actually still actively touring, and have just released a new Lp titled "When The Punks Go Marching In Volume 2"... more details available here ... Dave G.

Patrik Fitzgerald - Safety-Pin Stuck In My Heart - Billy Bragg - Between The Wars

Patrik Fitzgerald
Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg and Patrik Fitzgerald are both urban folk singers or acoustic punks if you will. I prefer urban folk singers personally. Both Bragg and Fitzpatrick started performing during the late 70's early 80's British punk movement, and both artists wrote acoustic punk/folk songs dealing with working class issues. Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to post these records up today to show a little different side of the punk rock and roll genre.

Up first is Patrik Fizgerald's first 7" from 1977 "Safety-Pin Stuck In My Heart" , which is probably his most well known song. Fitzgerald went on to release a total of eight 7 inches and 2 Lp's in the punk rock heyday between 1977-1982. If you like what you hear then check out his complete discography Here and start tracking down the rest of his musical catalog.





Patrik Fitzgerald - Safety-Pin Stuck In My Heart





Up next, I am presenting the "Between The Wars" 7" by Billy Bragg. Bragg is definitely the more well known and accomplished of these two artists, and the 4 songs on this 7" from 1984 are some of his finest works in my opinion...enjoy! ... Dave G.





Billy Bragg - Between The Wars

The Nolan Gate - Alchemy 2011

The Nolan Gate


One of New Jersey's longest running metal monsters has awakened from a 4 year slumber to unleash it's newest album "Alchemy" on the unsuspecting masses.

The Nolan Gate sticks to what they do best on this 7 song album which means you get big angry choruses, heavy rumbling bass, pounding drums and wave after wave of pummeling riffs to keep your head banging.

The Nolan Gate has been pounding it out on the Jersey club scene for 10+ years and they definitely deserve to be heard so please purchase a download of "Alchemy" for a measly $2.00 to show The Nolan Gate some love...Dave G.

Sample songs:

Grinding
Swordsman

Purchase "Alchemy"

Notes:

released 24 October 2011

Recorded at Moonlight Mile Studios in Hoboken, NJ
Engineered and Mixed by Mike Mobius
Mastered by James Plotkin

Mordred - 1986 Demo Tape

A commenter mentioned Mordred on my previous Mercenary post so I figured I would dig out Mordred's first Demo Tape and throw it up on the blog.






I don't have much to say about Mordred honestly. I remember Mordred moving in a more funk metal direction after the release of this demo tape, however the music on this demo is good straight up Thrash metal...Dave G.

Mercenary - Demo Tape 1986

Here's a demo tape I mail ordered directly from the band back in 1986 and never received.I remember reading an incredible review of this demo in some fanzine back in 86 so I was literally dying to hear the tape for myself,therefore you can image my incredible disappointment when the tape never arrived and the band ignored my follow up letters asking when they were going to send my tape etc. Keep in mind this was pre-internet and email so I couldn't just type in Mercenary demo tape mediafire and download the music so when the tape never arrived I was literally deprived of their music for many many years to come until I finally bought a copy of the demo off ebay sometime back.

Since over 10 years or so had gone by from the time I ordered the tape and then finally actually heard it the music had less of an impact on me than it would have if I had received the tape back in 86 when I was 19 years old, however the demo is still really good and holds up well today. To my ears I think this demo sounds similar to The Legacy demo tape... who morphed into Testament.

Oh well, I guess this post gave me a chance to vent a little hahaha...I feel better now...Dave G.

Here

Infernal Majesty - None Shall Defy - Roadracer Records 1987

A straight up Canadian underground thrash metal classic. If these guys had a better name, better album cover and didn't look like complete poseurs then maybe this record would have been huge haha...but hey it's the music that really matters and this record kills from start to finish with technical riffing, ripping solos and time changes galore...this slab of wax contains everything you could possibly want from a thrash record so check it out...Dave G.

Files borrowed from Cosmic Hearse..

Mercy - S/T album 1984 - Fingerprint Records

Excellent early 80's metal Lp from Sweden's Mercy. This album features Eddy Markulin on vocals who most of you metal heads know as Messiah Marcolin of Candlemas fame.

The music is really excellent NWOBHM with hints of doom and moments that are reminiscent of Mercyful Fate...without really sounding like MF.

A highly recommended listen...glad I was able find this copy recently hiding out in a local record stores used bins...Dave G.

Jaguar - Axe Crazy / War Machine - Neat Records 1982

Axe Crazy
War Machine








Since I posted Goldsmith and Soldier up I figured I would dig this classic 7" out of the archives to finish off my little NWOBHM run.

The A side of this record contains a nice uptempo rocker and the b-side steals the show for me with a nice ballad type rocker reminiscent of Iron Maiden's Remember Tomorrow or something along those lines...Dave G.

Goldsmith - Life Is Killing Me / Music Man - Bedlam Records 1982

Life Is Killing Me
Music Man








Here is another NWOBHM 7" that my metal hating friend gave me last week.

Pretty cool obscure record that's worth sharing and worth a listen if you like this kind of
thing...Dave G.

Soldier - Sheralee / Force - Heavy Metal Records 1982

Sheralee
Force








I bought some records from a metal hating friend last week and luckily for me this 7" was one of the gems he had no use for.

Soldier deliver sold NWOBHM on this 7" with the up tempo A side Sherilee being the standout track for me with its sold riffing and catchy vocals. The B-side is more mid tempo but still a good solid rocker with some nice guitar soloing running into the fade out. If you are a fan of early 80's NWOBHM then you really can't go wrong with this 7"...Dave G.

Mothman - Axe Hold and 5 Songs of Freedumb Demo Tapes

The mighty Mothman formed in the nether regions of NJ somewhere around 1993, and used to play a lot of shows locally with a lot of the Emo bands of the mid 90's, though there was absolutely nothing Emo about Mothman.

Mothman actually played more of a dirty Lower East side of NYC style of Metal more similiar to Prong or the Unsane. The music is heavy, dark,angry and hits like a repetitive pounding to your head.

If you like what you hear....I released a Mothman 7" back aound 1995 or so that you can purchase from me right here in the distro section of this blog.

Mothman is actually still active today, however they went through a change in drummers some years back and changed their name to The Nolan Gate. You can download The Nolan Gate elsewhere on this blog or you can buy a copy of their cds from my distro as well or don't buy anything...I really don't care...Dave G.

Demo Tapes

Fresh Meat - The Stunning Self Destruction 2011

Fresh Meat have a brutal hardcore punk style that is sort of horror inducing. This is a good promising recording for a band that has been together for less than 6 months. The music reminds me of the Misfits meets Ministry or something along those lines. I think the band is onto something here as their music has a fairly original feel to it to my ears. Anyway Give them a listen and keep an eye out for future releases...Dave G.

"Fresh Meat started in May of 2011 and within three weeks started gigging. With influences spanning punk, hardcore, psychobilly and also electronic music we opted to use programmed drums instead of a live drummer. This gives the music a cardiac inducing pounding rhythm which will either make you dance or vomit down your favourite Exploited t-shirt."

Fresh Meat bandcamp
Fresh Meat facebook