Valhalla Pacifists/Prumyslova split 12" LP

So, here we have it, the Valhalla Pacifists; Harrogate's finest and wittiest thrash troop and their second vinyl expedition with the Czech's Prumyslova Smrt. In total the band shred through 25 tracks of Thrashy, Grindy goodness.

PS play some furious Grindcore with some brilliant guitar riffs that had my head nodding piled together with some truly harrowing growls and snarls that fans of grindcore would naturally expect. The lyrics are really well thought out too and there's some original thought put into each one too (but not speaking Czech I don't know what the others are about HA!).

The Valhalla Pacifists side, however, was a let down. I mean, instrumentally and lyrically it delivers. It is what you would expect from the VP boys, 9 tracks of raging thrash with lyrics that go from Transformer Beatdowns to making sure the younger generation appreciate the Punk community that these lads have put their blood, sweat and tears into. I feel let down though because most of the VP tracks are from the "Punks In Trunks" split they did with Fuck With Fire (which costs about a quid I think) which was on Dead End Records. Granted the costs of recording are expensive (especially in these economically fruegal times), but really their side just left me feeling vaguely ripped off because Id already paid for those tracks and suddenly found myself paying [cosiderably more] for them again. Indeed support your scene, but I do feel kinda had and its not really the parting of money, its the general principle of being fobbed off with the same tracks from a previous release. Shit Id expect from Rancid or some other mainstream Punk band, but not these lads, for shame! Again, VP still deliver the goods in the way we all expect these crazy, twisted lads to, its just a shame they're not 9 new unheard ditties.

All in all, if you don't own the "Punks In Trucks" split this 12" is fucking rad. If you do, I wouldn't bother unless you really want the PS tracks
J.W [Keep Screaming, Cat And Owl, Dead Heroes]

The Burning Times - The End is the Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning 7"

So this is the newest releases from Brighton Punk trio, Burning Times, consisting of Andy (Abandon Ship), Matt (also AS) and Nick. For those of you who remember the first 7", you will recall it to be a proverbial powerhouse of politics and gender issues and scene values. All expertly written and wonderfully delivered in a blaze of crust inspired thrashy Hardcore.

Well this is more Crusty then before with some Witch Hunt/Tragedy-esque blood running through its veins and is truely a stomping brutalising onslaught of epic thrash tinged Crust (mouthful I know. Trust me, it works). Some truly brilliant tracks on this 4 track EP. Lyrically it deals with being out and proud, coping with loss and family matters. Lyrically this record is really strong. They're the type of lyrics that few could maybe relate to personally which I feel is the beautiful part of this band. The lyrics are truely straight from the heart and although you may have no comprehension of some of the matters delt with, you feel every ounce of rage, sadness and resentment thats seered into every track. Christina is the guest vocals for "Disipitive Structures" which works fantastically as well with her deep growl and bark that seeths darkness into the song.

I love the track "Pride". The lyrics for "Pride" are just brilliant thought out and wonderfully phrased into a true out and proud gay anthem for every queer punk out their to sink their teeth into an even straight people can enjoy the passion put into it.

So pick this up and enjoy it!

J.W [Keep Screaming]

In crust we trust

86 Mentality - Final Exit CD/7"

86 Mentality are probably one of my favourite bands, at least in recent years, and this Final Exit 7"/CD is the ultimate mark on their existence. Six tracks of British Oi inspired hardcore punk (with an extra track, and six live songs from a live show in Lintfabriek, Belgium) sits on this record so brilliantly.

It's catchy in its own right, and it really is fucking awesome. Included are riffs that are so powerful they just make you want to pick up your guitar and throw yourself around your bedroom. I've been there. Grave Mistake and Deranged are probably putting out some of the best records in hardcore right now, and long may it continue. YEAH.

Cloak/Dagger Interview

Basically, it took me ages to listen to Cloak/Dagger. I don't know why. I didn't go to any of their live shows because they toured with Life Long Tragedy (not as a protest, but I didn't think I'd be into them). Then a few months later I noticed that they'd done/were doing stuff with GRAVE MISTAKE, and realised that I should probably check them out. I bought the 7"'s and it started from there. 'We Are' was re-released on vinyl a few months ago, and it really is an awesome record. They were definitely a band that I wanted to explore further, so I sent Jason their vocalist a bunch of questions.


Here they are:

Nick: So, 'We Are' just came out on Grave Mistake on wax. Was a vinyl version always the intention from the start?

Jason: It took close to a year after the CD was released until the vinyl came out and we wish it would have come out sooner. There was even talk of Darren Walters ressurecting Hi-Impact to do the vinyl but we are happy that it came out with Alex and on Grave Mistake. We worked with Alex on our first release the Pinata 7" and then again with the Kamikazes 7" which had an unreleased song off of the LP so he was down to press the vinyl for the LP. The record sounds a lot more gritty and dirty which I think works well for the songs.

Nick: You did a tour of the UK with Life Long Tragedy, how did that turn out? Itwas kinda weird for you guys touring with a headline band that are largely musically different to you? How did it come about?

Jason: I talked to Avocado about coming over before the CD on Jade Tree was released. We just wanted to tour as much as we could when the record came out and they suggested Life Long Tragedy since they were looking for a band to tour with. We knew they had been over seas before and we were ready to go. It ended up being good because we all got along well with their band but the shows were strange for us to say the least. It was mostly core kids there definitely to see Life Long Tragedy and then there would be a couple kids with Fucked Up shirts or Career Suicide patches at every show and we would know oh ok they are here to see us. I don't think we won over any one on that tour.

Nick: On that note, word on the street is you're coming over again? When will that be, d'yknow?

Jason: Right now we are putting wheels in motion to come over there in November and we can't wait. We toured Canada in March but that's the last time we have done longer then a few dates and it's going to be with The Computers which are more our speed.

Nick: There's a load of good labels, which seem to be putting out some good records, and I keep seeing flyers for a bunch of gigs that make me weep that I don't live in the US but How healthy is the US live scene at themoment? And are kids buying lots of records or is it pretty apathetic?

Jason: It depends what kind of show it is. There are a lot of good bands in the US right now and sometimes there are shows that have awesome line ups where there are 200 to 300 people there and there are times where some good line ups only draw 30 or 40 people. We have a lot of shows in Richmond at a bar that holds about 60 people and it's usually packed and we just had No Way Fest here and Best Friends Day is coming up and those are fests that draw a lot of people from all over so I'm lucky to be in a city that has that going for it. Kids are definitely buying vinyl in a big way. Alex is almost sold out of the We Are lp's after a few weeks and we are running out of our copies fast too and people are always trying to keep up with new bands so we aren't that jaded over here. Every now and again there will be a show I know I should go to but end up staying home and I suck for that but there are a lot of shows here.



Nick: I don't know how aware you guys are with tours over here, cus prices arereally high at the moment, and it seems like a lot of bands avoid the UK unless they're with some booking agency like Avocado so they can safely tour with a guarantee, because it's so hard to break even. I think Loser Life came over and to break even they needed something like £250 ($500) every night...to break even and some kids lost a bunch of money on it. Is there a general impression of that in the US of the UK? And did you experience any problems when you came over at all with LLT?

Jason: Definitely. The UK killed us money wise on the last tour. It cost money for the work permits, the ferry over and for gas and food while we were there and we had a couple shows fall through so it left us in bad shape. We lost money at the end of that tour and it's unfortunate but bands need guarantees to make ends meet these days. There is gas, plane tickets, merch, food, driver, van rental, equipment rental and if you're lucky enough to cover that you still don't have money for rent or bills when you go home. Well some bands do but not at our level. All that aside we had a great time in the UK eating cheaper food and hanging out.

Nick: Are any of you guys in any projects/bands outside Cloak/Dagger that are going to be making an impression soon?

Jason: Not at the moment but I think there's things in the works.

Nick: Any awesome bands from the Richmond area we should be checking out?

Jason: The Ladies is a newer band from Richmond that rule. Wasted Time and Government Warning but I'm sure every one knows them by now.

Nick: Finally, GG Allin or Amy Winehouse?

Jason: I'm going Amy on this one. She smokes crack and keeps that glamour look, GG just throws shit and his songs are better but image is every thing.


Nick: Thanks to Jason for these questions. 'We Are' is now available from www.gravemistakerecords.com

Deep Sleep - Manic Euphoria

I think the best way to review this record is by not listening to it while I do the review - which is what I usually do.

So, Baltimore's Deep Sleep really are a killer band. It's once in a while when you get a record completely off the cuff based on what you've heard and they turn out to be really really something. This is short, sharp and delivers a complete package of Circle Jerks and Descendents style inspired hardcore punk. It's catchy, and filled with riffs that Greg Hetson wishes he wrote (or in the case of Textbook Timebomb, did actually write; busted dudes!). Needless to say, bar one weird emo breakdown, this is the complete package. I knew I couldn't get away with doing this review without comparing them to some band. Whoops. - Nick [Grave Mistake]

Civic Progress - Disposable

Nine tracks of angry pissed off hardcore punk. Rough til the end this band rips through the dregs of society, and leaves you feeling exhausted. Second seveninch, and still going strong Civic Progress are one of those bands you wish you could see live all the time because you know they'd destroy it every time. Fashionable Idiots should be proud, this really doesn't let go. I know I'm constantly giving good reviews, but y'know, I only buy good records, and this is another. - Nick [Fashionable Idiots]

Double Negative - Raw Energy EP

Negative Points:

- Ridiculously large thank you list, not even in an ironic way. Pretty disheartening to see I'm not on it.* I'm in two minds whether to do a good review. I jest.

Positive Points:

- Fast, thrashy, hardcore punk in the vein of Void, and loads of 80's hardcore bands I can't even think of right now.
- Probably my favourite 7" in the past few weeks.
- Packaging is illuminating. You can actually tear it apart and it makes a stencil of their logo. Although taking it apart would probably decrease its eBay value in a few years. Ooooh decisions. - Nick [Sorry State]

* There is literally no reason why I would be on the thank you list whatsoever.