COLUMBUS DIY

Brandon's reviews inspired me to get off my ass and finally start putting some reviews in here. I'll just use this to review select recent purchases of mine.

Reality Crisis: Who Is Your Messiah? 7" (Japan 2006//Crust War)
This is one of my favorite bands of recent times. I absolutely love their first lp and was psyched to see that Crust War put out a 7". 4 songs of great, high energy Japanese crust. The drummer holds the shit down and the vocals are strong. This band has a bit of a different sound because the guitar riffs almost sound positive, piercing through the howling vocals. I love it.

Reality Crisis: Discharge Your Frustration CD (Japan 2007//HG: Fact)
New second album from this peace crust band, 8 songs on this one. 2 songs that were also on the 7". Like I said earlier, I love this band and this didn't let me down. I must say the first lp is still my favorite, but this definitely goes on my 2007 top 10.

Terveet Kädet: Rock Laa Hausta Vastaan 7" (Finland 1980//Hohnie reissued 2007) and Terveet Kädet: II 7" (Finland 1981//Hohnie reissued 2007)
I was really pumped to see that these were legitimately reissued and the intent was the keep these as close to the original format as possible. Especially considering all the Finnish bootlegs that have been coming out. I've never seen the originals of these in real life, since they go for anywhere from $400 - $700 these days. As far as I can tell, it looks the same except that it says 2007 and Hohnie on the back. I don't know if the original covers were fold-overs but I can only assume they were also just two pieces of paper in the plastic sleeve as well. Really cool ragers to get if you are into the history of Finnish hardcore punk. Both are one sided 7" as they originally were, Terveet Kädet translates to 'Healthy Hands.' Velted Regnub Distro has copies of these.

Ferocious X: Våga Tänka Själv E.P. 7" (Japan 2003//Distort)
Another one sided ripper. This is one of my other favorite bands that have come out recently (anything 2003 or after, I consider recent). Unfortunately, I had to pay a pretty penny to get this. Obviously, I don't regret it one bit. I was surprised to find out that this was released in the United States. Not sure how I missed this one. It's also one sided...but full of fucking fury in the vein of Frigora, which is basically Mob 47 sped up with 8000x more distortion. 5 songs, with no breaks. Kicks ass, but I would recommend their 2nd 7" (Befria Från Vånda E.P.) on Overthrow over this one.

Fy Fan 7" (Sweden 2007//Feral Ward)
This one is still in print. I can't get enough of this band. Simple, to the point, furious, Swedish råkäng hardcore with no fucking around. Every song is around 1:15. To give you an idea, they sound like a looser, faster and simpler Skitkids mixed with Totalitär. The cover is also made out of a really cool, rough material. If you like this, you can also find some of their demos on soulseek, which are just as good, if not better, and I think one of them is from the same recording session, with more songs. It looks like this band is playing Chaos in Tejas in 2008.

Skitkids / Nightmare split 7" (Sweden/Japan 2007//HG: Fact)
I suppose this was released to commemorate their tour together, wish I could have been there! Skitkids pretty much consistantly rage without an ounce of cowardice, in my opinion while Nightmare have been pretty spotty lately...but have no fear, neither side will let you down if you like these two bands. For those that don't know, Skitkids play Swedish hardcore punk with lots of rock and roll solos and riffs that force you to close your eyes and bang your head like an idiot. Nightmare pretty much play straight forward traditional Japanese burning spirits style hardcore and have been around since the 80s. I would say this is a 2007 top 10 for me as well.

Sarcasm: Crematory 12" (1989 Slovenia//Nuclear War Now reissued 2007)
Eastern block melodic speed metal, originally a cassette only release. This is one of those records that just makes me laugh the whole time through, but at the same time, I love it because it is so awesome. The band never really got any recognition because of where they were from and also, they were a little late on the melodic speed metal tip...at the time, this shit was out and death metal was in....and black metal was growing it's wings. This holds up against the test of time way better than a lot of the early death metal, in my opinion. Great melodic vocals over some wonderful speed riffing...can't get enough. A must for true fans of 80s speed metal. Still available from Nuclear War Now and various distros.

>Ferocious X: Våga Tänka Själv E.P. 7" (Japan 2003//Distort)
This was released as a demo tape originally. It sounds much better on tape, then vinyl. If interested, please write.

>Skitkids / Nightmare split 7" (Sweden/Japan 2007//HG: Fact)
Skitkids were great on their Japan tour!
Nightmare must be seen live to fully appreciate their existence. Especially with Shin from Framtid drumming for them now. So powerful.

Nice reviews, Dennis.

i've seen that sarcasm LP, the name cracked me up, and confused me a little...

I found a test press of the Ferocious X 7" at Used Kids for $2. Ig'nant.

Good reviews Dennis! Keep em coming!

brandon--wtf?!?

sash, that is good to hear that the demo tape sounds even better. i'm going to have to come up to Japan again to see Nightmare and Reality Crisis! and of course eat more of those rice/nori triangles.

time for bed, more reviews tomorrow.

ok, so it didn't happen "tomorrow." anyway,

Kolokol: Flammer Og Farger 12" (Norway 2007//Moocow)
KOLOKOL is a Norwegian hardcore punk band deep into politics. Little bit of drama surrounding this release. Small bit of background, but I don't want to focus too much on the drama: There was supposed to be a full color booklet to come with this and the label ended up not being able to afford the cost and/or couldn't justify the high price that the 12" was going to cost due to the full color booklets. 1000 covers and 500 records were already pressed when they two groups came to an impasse. The band and label's relationship deteriorated and at this point, the band considers this release bootleg and the label says that he will only sell the copies made to get his money back and then abandon the release. Even though I think the label didn't do anything malicious, if I would have known about this before trading for some records, I might not have traded out of respect for the band. For better or worse, I have a few copies and kept one for myself because it is so good. The music is fast hardcore punk the way many of the Norwegian greats have pulled it off: well thought out song structures, technical and intense riffs. I find this to be somewhere between LIFE...BUT HOW TO LIVE IT? and SO MUCH HATE. The crazy melodic riffs of LBHTLI and hardcore punk intensity of SO MUCH HATE. The recording is perfect for this band as well, big sound without sacrificing the intensity or rawness. Another one that is at the top of the 2007 releases for me.

Final: Grow Strong / Empty 7" (Japan 2006?//Crust War)
"Kamikaze metal gravecore" from these Japanese AMEBIX worshippers. 2 song 7", the intro to the first song is almost a direct rip off of the intro to the Monolith LP. The shit pretty much ends there when the distortion kicks in and the brutal speed picking starts. The song pretty much blazes from there on out with reverbed out howling vocals. Side 2 is more rocking at the beginning with a dark Amebix type riff but then kicks into DISCHARGE-land soon enough. A+.

No Security: In This Country That I Call Fucking Home 12" (Sweden//Against)
This band is a pioneer in the more modern Swedish raw punk or råkäng sound made popular by bands like SKITSYSTEM and WOLFBRIGADE. They had several releases in the 80s up to the early 90s. Split 12" with DOOM on Peaceville, another with VALVONTAKOMISSIO on Finn in 1990, plus some more 7"s and split 7"s. This LP covers 26 songs from betwen '86 and '93 of unreleased demos and such plus 4 songs branded as new unreleased songs. I wouldn't recommend this as a first purchase if you want to check this band out, even though it is most definitely the easiest to find. But this is great for someone who loves this band and wants to hear more. Cool record, I would have been stoked for more info on the band to come with the record.

Prosanctus Inferi: Sacreligious Desecration In Excelsis (one sided) 12" (USA 2008//Chrome Leaf)
I have to admit, I think a lot of the American black metal and death metal basement shit sucks and is mostly self flagellating, boring, low-fi noise. With that being said, this record fucking rages from start to finish. Great riffs, song structures and powerful drumming. I understand the drummer has only been playing drums for the past couple years? Shit! This record is downright scary. I would probably be even more scared if I didn't know Rope. Sounds really great on vinyl, not that the cassette didn't. Great job, I can't wait for the next one to be released.

Destierro: s/t 7" (Spain 2005?//Humilidad Y Honestidad)
Another Basque d-beat band, from what the Europeans say, there are millions of these bands coming from this area. Being across the ocean, we don't seem to feel the effect. Instead, we get a bunch of ironic metal bands. Ugh. This record has been out for a little while, it seems, but just made it over to my distro. Huge, dark sound with deep, screaming vocals. The songs seem to talk a lot about the inner struggle of living in a world in which you don't belong. The packaging is dark, but simple. This record is pretty pissed sounding, so naturally, I like it. It's hard to avoid comparing this to the 3rd HIS HERO IS GONE album.

Kieltolaki 7" (Finland, Moocow)
Don't know why I waited to get this, just picked it up used a couple months ago in Philly. Their songs were my favorites on the Finnish 12" comp, Propaganda Is Hippies and this didn't let me down, either. Raw and really powerful recording. You can tell they probably went to a good studio but knew exactly what they wanted and didn't let it sound overproduced. Great Finnish raw hardcore with those awesome gruff ass vocals. I think this is still available from Moocow records.

Isterismo: Non Puo Sopprimere Il Mio Conflitto 7" (Japan, Overthrow #44)
Another awesome release from this label. Ultra raw, blown out hardcore punk that gives homage to Wretched. This even comes with a photocopied insert like the Wretched 7"s (done on purpose, for sure). 8 song 7", fuck yeah. Definitely on par with other great Overthrow releases. I believe this sold out in one day. Big thanks to Sash for hooking me up with this one!

Skizophrenia!: Raw Punk E.A.T.E.R. 7" (Japan, S.K.Z. Records 002)
Awesome, upbeat, catchy, lo-fi punk Japanese group. As far as I can tell, this is this group's first 7". I assume the title is a reference to the old band, E.A.T.E.R. and I've seen other reviews comparing this to some other old bands from up north, like Nukketeatteri, Lama, Appendix, etc. I don't don't really see it so much, but I really like this, it's so catchy, I could listen to it many times in a row. Pressing of 500, looks to be still available.

Sotatila: Eepee 7" (Austria/Finland, Kämäset Levyt/Plague Bearer)
Great follow up to the demo and Propaganda Is Hippies comp tracks. To my ears, this is a little more traditionally Finnish sounding than Kieltolaki. A little less heavy, but every bit as raw and powerful. It has a little more of the vibe from the old Finnish bands like Melakka and Kaaos. Another ripping 8 song 7". Awesome. Still available from the labels and Havoc, here in the U.S. I'm probably going to end up getting some in my distro, as well.