GISM - DETESTATION

There are certain influential records that render all others pale by comparison. If you grew up in Japan in the mid 80's, it's likely you considered GISM's 1984 debut lp, Detestation to be one of them. I first heard it at Fast Forward Records in Providence RI around '92. On recommendation, I got a pile of japanese stuff that day by Death Side, Insane Youth, Disclose, Battle Of Disarm and Gauze, as well as a cd copy of Detestation. Situated somewhere between Discharge, Septic Death and The Misfits, GISM's sound was characterized by fuzzed out guitars, squealing garage metal solos and one of the most distinct vocalist in HC history. With it's pounding energy and broken english anthems, this legendary record paved the way for a generation of subsequent bands. Most of which were content to bite a fraction of it's greatness. Face it, nothing you do in your life will ever be this cool. Pussyfooter!

KROMOSOM - 2010 DEMO

Krömosom is a fuzzed out D-beat assault out of Melbourne Australia featureing members of Pisschrist and Schifosi. Extremely endebted to japcore, they combine the speed and voraciousness of Gauze with the low-fi sonic abandon of Confuse. The differentiating factor being the reverb drenched, aussie vocals. There's nothing particularly new about these guys, but they deliver hard hitting crusty goodness through the glaze of a satisfyingly shitty recording. There are a million bands after this sound. Few can back it up with real playing. Krömosom are the exception. Terror!

AGRESSION - S/T LP

                                                        My Buddy Jeff at Black Gold Records is worth the air he taints after all. I gave him a list of golden oldies that I'd been trying to track down forever. He finally came through with this choice slab of primo 80's HC. For those not in the know, it doesn't get much würse than this! A typical stain on the Mystic Records roster. Aggression combined weirdo, sk8 punk sentiments with sliding, derelict execution. Top heavy drums, rib sticking guitars and perverted, sewer rat vocals made them a perfect fit for Doug Moody's putrid collection. I was introduced to this record during a party my older brother threw in '87. I got drunk for the first time (so did our goldfish), saw real boobs (second time), road a piece of plywood down a flight of stairs and bashed my skull on a cinderblock. Scared more for his life than mine, big bro set me up with two cans of Bud. One to drink and the other to ice my lump with. I did a lot of stupid things back then, but thank the lord I wasn't a... Rich Kid!

SHITFIT/HUMAN GREED - SPLIT

Along with Immoral Squad, Inertia Kills, Dahmer, General Fools and Seized, Human Greed and Shitfit were heavyweights from Quebec's early 90's scene. I caught Human Greed live in '94 with Ulcer, Dropdead and Immoral Squad. They were incredible! Hovering somewhere between Scum era Napalm Death and early Discharge, they offered a crushing brand of low-tech grindcore delivered with superb desperation. The thirteen songs on their side of this split feature multiple vocals retching amidst raw and driving instrumentation. An onslaught apparently fueled by the band's vegan politics. Sadly, I never got to see Shitfit live. Fronted, by Max Of Tomorrow (hilarious!) who's throaty gargle sounds like a hybrid between Choke (from Slapshot) and a didgeridoo. The band plays mostly heavy, palm muted, crusty HC with a slight NYHC vibe thrown in now and then. Nothing new for the time, but totally awesome. The perfect platform for Max's helicopter yodel. I listened to this fucking thing enough to wear it out. Luckily, I finally found another copy. QCHC!

DOOM - THE GREATEST INVENTION

Got this when it came out in '93. I used to hate the production on it. It starts off with a spongy techno intro, the drums have more reverb than a Neil Diamond record and at times excessive use of chorus washes the guitar out completely. I recently dug it out after sitting quiet in my collection for almost twenty years. I gotta admit, I totally screwed the pooch on this one. The rave-cave production is actually kinda awesome. I can't think of many HC records that sound this expansive. Not even other Doom records. Beneath the atmosphere, Doom's Napalm Death-ish approach to crusty D-beat HC reveals why they are one of the most influential bands in the genre. Relentless low end, Jump 'n' jack guitar riffs and unmistakably british gut-throat vocals set the bar for everyone from Dropdead to Martyrdöd. All of their releases are worth having, but The Greatest Invention has become, by far my favorite. The techno intro is like crack to my ears now. At times I consider dubbing an endless loop of it to make love to. Am I Doomed?