"Thrash War" 7" 4-way Split (Valhalla Pacifists/Patient Zero/Worker & Parasite/Brain Dead)

Right, this is a four way split released jointly by Keep Screaming Records and Demo-Lition Records. As mentioned the bands on it are the Valhalla Pacifists, Patient Zero, Worker and Parasite and Brain Dead. They have 3-4 tracks each and make a fine job of it.

The Valhalla Pacifists open up the whole thing with some blinding thrash and with some blatant Scholastic Deth influences being thrown into the bundle just for good measure. Their section is introduced with the amusing "Street Fight" between the Ron Burgundy and the other news teams which is just funny haha.

Next up is Patient Zero which deliver some tight as fuck screeching Thrash, with a similar sound to Charles Bronson or Das Oath. Some very intelligent lyrics from these guys too about poseurs and an unprecedented hatred for the fashion industry haha! Fuck those skinny bitches! Stand out tracks are "Alkatraz" and "Poseur Pt2". Real Balls to the Wall stuff.

Flipping the record over and we get Worker and Parasite (who I have to admit are a personal fav of mine) who seem to brign a bastard mix of Thrash and Grind into the equation with songs that just rip through your ears with unrelenting blast beats. "Cluster Fuck" has some brilliant shout outs at the end which are guaranteed to upset someone.

Brain Dead (another personal fav) are the best but by no means least band on this little split who deliver some absolutely CRUSHING Power Violence in a truly Man is the Bastard style manner, with ploddy and pounding base lines, ripping blast beats and roared vocals that shake the very core of your body. LOVE IT!!

It totally recommend it.

J.W (writes the worst review in history...EVER) [Keep Screaming/Demo-lition Records]

*PS: The artwork on this is the fucking bollocks as well!

Socialcide - Sick of the Pressure EP

This is fucking insane. Just over six minutes of 80's styled frantic hardcore punk, really gritty; with some rad bass parts. I'm trying to think of comparisons, uh, uh, it's like Cut The Shit vs. Tear It Up, at least I think so. Check out the new Burn In Hell Bundy 7", and the interview I did with Zach - Nick

Dead Swans "Southern Blue" 7"

I dunno, I liked it. Its not been until recently that Ive gotten back into this side of Hardcore (the heavy borderline metal stuff), but its probably due to these guys. They're as I said heavy Hardcore, and basically one of the Cross Over bands, like Get Fucking Dead and Haymaker (I mean as examples of Cross Over bands, not interms of how they sound), but lyrically are all about a break up apparently, which I think its kind of cool because it displaces them from the tough guy macho shit that seems to attach itself to the Metally Hardcore bands. Oh yeah, these guys are Melodic as well. Also the vinyl is blue and black (ooh aaaah) so its kind of cool as well with some really nicely done and passionate lyrics (album artwork is also the teets).

BUY It!!

J.W [Anchors Aweigh Records]

* I've not done a bad review yet. God, how posi am I! Maybe I just like everything, God! Maybe I'm just really easy to please, I should go and buy a shit record so I can say bad things about it now...
**PS: Fuck you guys! I'm reviewing Thrash War! I just need to listen to it again...Cock knockers!

Shitty Limits "The Limits Appear" 7" ep

I think Nick has done the 'Limits self released 7", but I see no review of the KSR release. So Ive taken it upon myself to fill the void in this humble little webzine (although to be honest it seems more of a collection of reviews then a zine as such. Scene reports, gig reviews and band interviews are welcome! PLEASE! even some sort of article about something would be nice, anything that stops this being Amazon.com with pissed off teenagers and minus the ability to buy said music).

Anyway, this stuff is rather good. Kind of like Dean Dirg in the sense its that jangly garage hardcore that seems to be going around like the recent outbreak of Bird Flu/Foot and Mouth/Blue Tongue (or any other agricultural nightmare). As Ive said, its garagy and its Hardcore, its good. I love it. Louis has this fantastically frantic vocals that are half screamed and half blurted out that just add more energy to the overall sound, Eddie's erratic and jangly guitaring (check out the technical instrument terms there!) go further to frantic energy of the music.

I cant be fucked to say anymore, I'm tired. Go out and buy the fucking thing from Keep Screaming Records, its cheap as chips and well worth it, its like pocket change (so about £4 max). Stand out tracks are "Limits Appear", "Minds Eye" and "Just Because".

J.W (Over uses brackets) [Keep Screaming Records]

*Fuck Nick in his tight Greek arse if he just wants this to be reviews, I think it needs more!

Attack! Vipers! - The Mirror and the Destroyer

Yeah, so this is really ancient now. But who gives. This is super awesome really heavy hardcore mixed with rock'n'roll; think the heaviness of Jets vs. Sharks versus the rock of The Suicide File. Anyway, this band is super fast, and really special live. (Playing with Coliseum on Wednesday; diary that shit, now; 17/12/07) If you've missed it, unlucky, because this band are probably in the top five UK bands right now. Better than all the other JetsVs incarnations (sorry duders; the others are still really rad though), so get a grip on this. It's retails at £8, which probably went to pay the dude who designed the whole CD inlay - oooh controversial - but I don't care, cos it's definitely a keeper. Someone give me the 7"! - Nick [Rat Patrol]

Vile - Soloutions

Get into trouble, not me
Rob a liquor store, not me
Rape little girls, not me
I didnt do it
I didnt do it
I dont care what they say
Lock me up or let me go free
But someone punch that fucking D.A.
5 to 10 is what i got
In a cell in walpole state
All my freedom i have lost
I just wish it wasent too late
She was fat she was ugly
She was grossly sick
She was fat she was ugly
I wouldnt fuck her with your dick

What more needs to be said you have to have this record, unless your a PC lepper in which case this is musical aids to your ears!

Red Dons - Escaping Amman

Don't get this at all. Boring? 45rpm sounds better. Nick [Deranged]

LiveFastDie "Pissing on the Mainframe" EP

LFD help to further usher in the final phase of the true decline of western civilization with not one but two songs referencing "garage rock" messageboards (and actually their third total if you count that "Webshits..." thing), effectively forcing all of us punkrock record collectors and gossip mongers to gaze at the unshaven and sallow face reflected back in our monitors. The fact that I am typing this review should force some sort of armageddon clock to start ticking or seventh seal-style plague-of-frogs kinda shit. It's like they broke the fourth wall or something. Yet, regardless of whether I walk outside and the skies are raining blood and the earth is covered with locusts, I can actually say I have heard LFD's best record, because this is it ladies and gentlemen. It took subject matter as disturbing as this to elevate Camero Werewolf and Co.'s game to that next level of total GG-fronting-the-Ramones shitfaced genius. These guys have a seemingly unending supply of crappy-yet-awesome guitar sounds and recording "techniques" that give every song a different look, and it's this sort of innovative stupidity that makes LFD so transgressively enjoyable and unique. Well done, especially the title cut, but "Sonic Thread" is no slouch either. I need a fucking lyric sheet though. Scum
http://www.myspace.com/livefastdienow



I found this pretty amusing so im posting it up, also its just to buy me some time before i write a wax museums review as i have a shit load of work to do in the mean time why dont you buy some records from these guys you bunch of poseurs !

http://myspace.com/douchemasterrecords

Die Kreuzen 'October File'

So we all know that 'Cows and Beer' along with the self titled LP are pretty fucking rad and essentials in terms of your record collection, and we have all heard the warnings that pretty much after those records there isnt much worth going out of the way for.
So anyway im trawling through the wax factor categories and im having a pretty successful day, ive already snagged Ill communication, Orgasm addict and some alternative TV stuff for a good price and i come across October File, now i remember the warnings but hey its only 6 bones of my brothers christmas present whats the harm i may as well see what all the fuss is about, i mean come on how bad could it be.
So yeah onwards i stick it on the spin and it starts of with some eerie guitaring and then the drums and bass kicks in and it breaks into some kind of over produced post punk stuff. It doesent get any better either later on this song 'Theres a place' kind of sums it up, slow and infrequent drumming with repetative guitars and just random patches of whiny incoherent shouting throughout. The only bearable thing about this record is a song called 'Open Lines' and even that isnt so hot.
So the moral of the story i guess is its all well and good to find things out for yourself but sometimes the majority is just spot on, this is no cows and beers, don't buy this record it will only end in tears before bed time!

Tranzmitors - S/T LP

Apparently some people hate this.

Apparently some people are idiots.

This is good. - Nick [Deranged]

Shermer - Hope Is An Anchor

This is an outstanding full-length. Serioooously great NO IDEA worship from some place in the Midlands or something. This has got some of the songs off the first seveninch on it, as well as some really awesome other ones. The intro to 'New Years Revolutions' is slick as fuck, and this band I need to put on. The split with the Machines Will Take Over is brilliant too. - Nick [Art for Blind]

The Shitty Limits - Yesterday's Heroes

So yeah, this is good. - Nick [DIY]

White Rose - Ghosts of the Sidewalk 7" EP

Ive known about this band for yonks, and Ive already reviewed their War Machine album which is the bollocks, but they also released this 7" EP (one with the massive 45 hole in the middle...dont know why thats worth a mention, but it is) for charity. So Im reviewing, if you dont like...well honestly I dont give a fuck.
Alot of the time when I mention them people are like "are they racist?", the quick answer is No the long answer is "I dont listen to Racist music, so no". Their name comes from a bunch of students in Munich around the time of Hitlers rise to power who (along with their teacher) protested against him with leaflets and other such things. Anyway, they got rounded up and strung up for it.

Now, the 7" is two songs "Ghosts of the Sidewalk" and "Seed's of Destruction". Both great tracks. "Ghosts of the Sidewalk" is my favourite, its basically about homeless people and how we choose to ignore them when essentially is us whose put them into this position. The lyrics are brillaint the melody to this piece is really haunting (which I suppose is fitting), basically mad props to the guitarist for really making this piece. The lyrics are fucking exceptional too.

Get this brillaint little 7" from this awesome Hawiian Punk band. They're true Punk awesomeness in the vein of Against Me, Strike Anywhere, 7 Seconds and those other melodic Punk bands.

J.W [Unitree Records]

Citizens Patrol "Sick Routine" 7" EP

This is another great little band from the Netherlands called Citizens Patrol. Blisteringly fast political hardcore which kind of reminds me of Career Suicide on speed. All the songs are just soo fast, but soo good and the lyrics are sung at a machinegun like speed with really snotty vocals.

The lyrics as I said are mainly political and range from the usually Anti-Cop sentiment to Anti-War sentiment, so granted its nothing that hasnt been said before. But its all sung with such venom and hatred, brilliant. Stand out track has to be the title track "Sick Routine" which is about peoples inability to prize themselves away from their televisions and just absorb the rot that comes out of it. As I said its really fucking fast but not in that Thrash or Power-Violence way, just fast. Its still got melody and rythem to it and isnt just a blur. Its all played really well and I reckon their live shows are the fucking bollocks.

J.W [Crucial Attack Records]

Bergenfield Four S/T EP 7"

This is yet another of Damian of Fucked Up's little projects, but is actually quite different from what he's usually involved in. This also contains George Pettit from Alexisonfire along with members from Attack in Black and Keep It Up. This is also the first release on Damian and his better half, Lauren's record label, LowDown Records.

Named after the four teenagers who parked their car in a garage in Bergenfield in the latter half of the 1980's and committed suicide together using the Cars emmissions leaving a lengthy note that requested they all be buried together.
The 7" seems to deal with these issues, each song seeming to be written as a letter to various individuals (my ears are shot and I couldn't make out the exact lyrics over the instruments and with no lyrics sheet I couldnt tell whether they're supposed to be interpreted as suicide notes or not)

The music itself is jangly American Punk, kind of like if the Buzzcocks were fronted by John Brannon of Negative Approach. Its not fast, its about mid-tempo so dont expect blisteringly fast, just put it on and feel the groove and enjoy it.

I found the stand out tracks to be "My Sweetheart" and "To My Insurance Broker" which are perhaps the more tuneful of the 4 songs. But really its all good.


J.W [LowDown Records]

Pink Eye "World Wide Columbine" 12" LP

This is is Damian's and Johan's of Fucked Up and Career Suicide side project (one of many for Damian who seems to have about 4 that I know of). The band's aim is a call to arms for all outcasts, geeks, dweebs, goths, gays, punks, and other members of the unpopular crew; So naturally I fuckin' LOVE this shit being the fat kid that no one liked in my school days and now just settling for the Fat guy that no one likes.
This band are brutal and honest and just great. The salient song I feel to the whole LP is In Praise of School Shooters which is a homage to all those kids who snapped under the muscled arms, thick necks and tiny brains of their school bullies and wondered into school harmed and dangerous putting a bullet into each and everyone of the fuckers (a fantasy alot of us have shared im sure) but the LP gives a big FUCK YOU to the Nazi ones. Those great songs are Thaco which essentially just seems to be about taking D&D too seriously.

This band are great, they're pure Void worship and Void were just the bollocks! Its fast and heavy 80's style Cross-Over Hardcore but without the shit.

Honest to god, if you can get either format of this record do, its just SOOOO fucking good.

J.W [Slasher Records]

Poison Control – The Violent Years 7” EP

Ex-members of Cut the Shit come together to form a slower but equally fantastic mid paced Hardcore band. If your into 80’s Hardcore then these guys are up your alley, they’re a bit like S.O.A. or Government Issue. This 4-track EP is great; I’m having trouble pigeon holing it, so why even bother. They’re just a great punk band. Stand out tracks are Human Targets (about the assassination of celebrities) and Nervosa.

J.W [Deranged Records]

Nothing Done – Power Trip LP

When I decided to check out these guys the only thing that was holding me to it was that the singer (Michiel) “Wears glasses like me”. Not meaning we had similar glasses but, just as myself, he was visually challenged.
I was at a show and there was a rather large distro and I had picked up a few pieces but realised I hadn’t searched the LP boxes, I found this and immediately bought it, got it home and put it on. Its great stuff, fast hardcore punk from the Netherlands. Stand out tracks have to be “Control” “Crackhead” and “Up to you” but each one is awesome with skilful playing and snotty angry vocals. For fans of Career Suicide, Cut the Shit, Citizen Patrol (review for that coming later, can't find me spider for the middle of the record) and other fast hardcore bands but still with some melody (ie the guitars aren’t so buzz saw fast they bleed into each other) these are defiantly a group to pick up.
J. "Cant find his fuckin' spider" W [Not Just Words Records]

Henry Fiat's Open Sore - Patmos or Bust 7"

"I fuckin' hate all that garage punk shite, but Henry Fiat's Open Sore are pretty good" says my mate Alex to me last week. The same dude that refuses to listen to anything that's not on Bridge Nine Records, or that you can ninja kick to. So I guess that's a good point. Either way, this band are really good (shame there's no insert with the 7" sfsfsjsfsfskkkklslslsjshsj!) really rock'n'rolly feel without sounding too much like The Kids. For some reason Sweden seems to kick out way more bands than the rest of Scandinavia, maybe it's something in the water...-Nick [Wrench]

Dean Dirg - Three Successive Blasts 10"

The artwork for this is really cool; some punk dude with half his head off, steaming like the mushroom effects of an atomic bomb explosion...and it's been pressed on black wax with some bluey spurts all over it; lovely. ANYWAY, Dean Dirg are probably my favourite Euro-band, not by far, but they probably hold the top spot, based on record and live. This 10" is a collection of THREE of their 7"'s (Chimpanzee, Henry Fiat Split, Bombenalarm Split) all recorded roughly within a year of each other. I don't know why they did this 10", 'cos all the records aren't out of press. But that's a question that probably won't be answered. Essential band. - Nick [Six Feet Under]

Fall of Efrafa - Elil LP

I was introduced to this band by a friend of mine who knows the Singer (Alex) of this band. I asked a little about them and he briefly explained that they were a "Melodic Crust" band, that the time it seemed quite the oxymoron to have a Crust band that plays melodically. Never the less this did not deter me and I typed their name into my trusty Google search engine and their name popped up. I clicked and read about the band discovering that they were somewhat of a concept band. This concept being Richard Adams' Watership Down novel (a tail about rabbits and their quest for a safer spot to set up a warren), I'm sure most of you have either read the book or remember being traumatised by the animated movie. The band see the book as the Animal Farm-esque tale of the evils of Fascism (the Efrafa Warren lead by the war mongering and vicious General Woundwort) and incorporate this metaphor into some of their songs about the mistreatment of animals and of the planet in general.
Anyway on their website they had stuck up a track from their first 12" Owsla called the The Fall of Efrafa and immediately I was hooked. I hunted down their original 12" (which took some doing, and eventually found one thanks to Nick), I then patiently awaited the second installment of The Warren of Snares (Owsla being part one).

Eventually it arrived (and after that long winded back story so does this review) with the title Elil, Elil being "Lapine" (rabbit talk) for the enemies of rabbits (principally, us, humans). Its pure bliss to listen to (I dont mean its tame by that). Its a brilliant record, Alex's gruff howling vocals sit perfectly within each track. The instrumentals are equally fantastic with almost harp like playing in the intro's and outro's of the songs before erupting into the thumping blasts that lovers of crust are familiar with. However the music is really delivered by the Chello which gracefully scythes its way through the grinding guitars and feels so brilliantly soothing. Ill admit, I had my eyes closed this entire LP in sheer relaxation because of the skillful playing of the Cello.
The songs are also introduced with a sound clip in this 12" case it is Richard Adams reading an extract from his book and their is also a lengthy piece (but still very interesting and brilliantly chosen) piece read by Richard Dawkins from one of his novels on athiesm (which I've not had the chance to read).

Althogether a brilliant 12" and I look forward to hearing the 3rd installment from this brilliant Brighton based band.

-J.W. [Sound Devastation + others]
(Sorry for lack of track details, I dont have the record with me right now).

Eyeball Chambers - Demo

Awesome punk rock band from the abaddon that is the Isle of Wight. Clearly been listening to shed loads of No Idea stuff, 'cos that's what it sounds like. If you like Jets vs Sharks or Shermer you'll dig this. Hopefully destined for good things 'cos this is seriousy good. - Nick [DIY]

Tortuga - Demo

This is really good. OBVIOUSLY going to draw similarities to now d-e-f-u-n-c-t November Coming Fire, and it is kinda similar going for the crushing hardcore vibe. Not as good as other bands like Throats or whatever, but still really good. I wish they wouldn't keep going on about how they signed to In At The Deep End, though. I mean yeah it's cool, but we don't need to be told fifty times a day. Good band nonetheless, probably going to be heading on to good things too. - Nick [DIY]

Jealous - Jealous S/T 7"

I love these guys. Ex Sworn In, with a super attitude. Heavy yet fast crushing hardcore, killer live too. Yeah some guys give them shit for what they do, but at least they're original and don't go around talking about how sxe they are. - Nick [Double Crossed]

Crash The Pose/Brain Dead 7"

I never really liked Brain Dead. I don't know why, I think it's 'cos of the vocals. But yeah, whatever. The Crash The Pose side is THE SHIT, super. Really chaotic hardcore punk, split up. I wanna get hold of all their other stuff, cos it's all OOP. So if you have some in distro/trades list send me an e-mail. - Nick [ What We Do/Ghost City/Keep Screaming]

Burning The Prospect - Fires in Your Cities 7"

SHAME this is one sided, but apparently it was meant to be a split with some other band who didn't pull through in time. But yeah, D-Beat from the Boston dudes, they do it better than most UK bands really, got some good stuff going on. Recently signed to FETO records, deserved it. - Nick [Right To Refuse]

Suicide File - Live on WERS 7"

One of my favourite bands, with some of their best songs recorded on WERS (essentially like BBC Sessions, but not as lame). It doesn't encapsulate the best stuff about live shows like the crowd; probably cos there is no crowd, and it's just them playing in a studio. Needles to say, good for fans. - Nick [Lifeline]

Skitkids - Valkomna Till Paradiset 7"

This is one of my favourite records in ages, I think I got it 'cos my friend Tom was going on about how amazing they were and the song he put on his Myspace page (which is track number one on this record) was some of the best Euro-punk I'd heard in ages. Really fast, kinda aiming for a crusty sound (probably just the vocals), and totally perfect. - Nick [540]

Shoot It Up - S/T 7"

This is so trashy it's insane, like it was recorded in a bin. This release was super hyped like most Fashionable Idiots stuff is, but it's really good. Like FJunkies, but way, way more to the core. And they don't have a bassist on this record so it's even more guitar orientated and doesn't have the bass added too it. Turn the bass down on your record player while you're at it, insane. - Nick [Fashionable Idiots]

Formaldehyde Junkies - Are A Total Wreck 7"

Yeah this is well old and the band are DEAD, but I'm reviewing it anyway. Super fast hardcore punk, you know the drill from the US bands. Serious Minor Threat ripping off is going on on this record, but who cares; THAT'S A GREAT THING. Formaldehyde Junkies are amazing anyway. - Nick [Firestarter]

Burning Times - 7"

Saw these guys once, shame they split up. Both the brothers from Abandon Ship team up with another guy from Brighton to make a kind of epic hardcore punk. Hard to describe, but there's definitely some Witch Hunt worship going on in there. Artwork's a bit strange, but get this. Ever since I heard the demo I was hooked, some good lyrics going on there. As I said, split up. But still something to get hold of. - Nick [Tadpole]

Self Destruct - Self Titled 7"

These guys are probably one of my favourite punk rock bands in the country right now, shame they don't do so many gigs, I've only seen them once, boo hoo. Anyway, back to basics punk rock, not fast, but not slow with some awesome guitar parts and solos. I'm not too sure on the lyrics, they're mostly good, but I don't know why the keep mentioning 'God' and 'Jesus' but whatever. It's a minor point. It's a kick ass 7" and a kick ass band. Probably out of press, get the mp3's anyway. - Nick [Dead and Gone]

Raise The White Flag/The Outpatients - Split 7"

The Outpatients are basically the band that never was. Super amazing, and they only got a handful of gigs under their belt, but needless to say; the awesome band that never was. Features members of Raise The White Flag, and it's really fast hardcore punk, with some almost power-violence parts, and some awesome lyrics. The Raise The White Flag side is also amazing, also now defunct, RTWF were probably one of the best UK hardcore punk bands, if anyone heard Calling All Cynics, you'd agree. Anyway, this is more of the same from these dudes. Both bands split up, this record is also OOP. I never saw either live, but I have this record. So if you're in neither camp: GUTTED. - Nick [Keep Screaming/Demo-Lition]

La Piovra - 'Risacca' 7"

This is awesome, super-fast Italian hardcore punk. These dudes kill it live too. This 7" contains probably my two favourite LP songs, even though their LP on Youth Attack slays. If you like Dean Dirg, or your EuroSuperFastPunk pick this up. - Nick [Punks Before Profits]

V/A - Public Safety LP

There is literally nothing to say about this is that it's done by MRR, therefore you know which bands will be on it -Career Suicide, LBAL- as well as all those zeitgeist bands that MRR tends to cover (not a band thing...). Anyway, good LP, and also an awesome track by Limp Wrist who really need to get out of the shadows and do a Euro tour or something. - Nick

Life Trap - Bleak Reality 7" EP

You know where you are with No Way releases; they're all good. This is no exception, fast, sketchy hardcore punk from Nashville. You get one of those 'shit! is this meant to be run at 45' moments when you put this on. But yeah, if you like Deranged stuff, Feral Ward stuff, you'll love this. - Nick [No Way]

Crocus - Kristallnacht Demo

Jaw-droppingly crushing noise from the deepest south of England. Crocus have a Converge-esque sound, and they're probably a good place to start if you're into them. Similar to other UK bands like Attack! Vipers! in their sheer ferocity as a live band. This one tracker is a nice taster, but their sound has moved on since the recording of this demo, which was done a while ago.

Whatever, this band is awesome, five tracker on We Heart Records soon...so keep an eager eye out for that one.- Nick [DIY]

Pinback - Autumn of the Seraphs

This is probably Pinback's most accessible album to date, and a pretty strong record at that. There are no obvious 'weak' tracks - probably none- but this is definitely a slightly new direction for Pinback. The album artwork is off kilter, and not what they usually do (see Summer in Abaddon, Blue Screen Life etc), but it's definitely a good album, and definitely a grower. Not as sharp in some places as you'd wish, but it's a pretty textbook release. - Nick [Touch and Go]

The Plight - Black Summer

Second 'proper' release and getting much better. You know what you're getting with The Plight. Probably one of the best bands patrolling the UK right now. 'Clarendon' kicks the record into shape straight away, probably the strongest on record, excluding the two re-recorded 'Ball and Chain', and 'Lifestyle' -whose inclusion is fairly unneccesary 'cos I always think it's better to just write more songs instead of making old ones better. Either way, The Plight are awesome; awesome dudes, great fun. Watching them at a house show a few months back is probably one of my fondest memories of the whole year. So yeah, if you're into rock'n'roll with gritty vocals sans bullshit, go for The Plight. - Nick [Visible Noise]