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!

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!

SPAZZ - DWARF JESTER RISING

           

When I first heard these guys I had no clue that they were forging a new sub-genre of hardcore. I just knew it was the fastest and funniest shit on the planet. With countless releases and splits, Spazz endures as one of the most prolific bands in HC. Though not as aggressive or refined as some of their later work, Dwarf Jester Rising remains slightly more memorable for me. It was my introduction to both the band and to language of the music they inspired. Whether playing a bass laden sludge part, or a blinding garbled blast, Spazz delivers the goods as a cartooned badass that rises from the page to kick your teeth in. Unlike the metallic leanings of many of their spawn, they managed to move into uncharted territory without sacrificing one single ounce of punk rock. Who knows? Maybe someday HC bands will have ideas again. For now...

MAN IS THE BASTARD - SUM OF THE MEN "THE BRUTALITY CONTINUES...."

Aside from making what's among the most powerful and violent sounds on the planet, I never 100% understood how MITB could be categorized as powerviolence. The rest of their PV contemporaries took such a specific straight up HC or grind approach to the fast/slow thing. MITB evolved out of some earlier PV-ish projects, but ended up opting for a more flushed out, organic, even jammy feel. Sum Of The Men was my first exposure to the band. Despite being familiar with it's member's earlier work, this record came out of left field offering the most distinct and challenging music that had yet graced my dirty little teenage earlobes. To top it off, the lyrics are über intelligent. Really! Absolutely fucking hilarious. Poodles!

SEX PRISONER - S/T 7"

If you missed this sweet 2010 release then here it is. More butt pummeling powerviolence to help you strangle that naughty kitty. Oh wait, you're vegan. Not as memorable as Crossed Out or Infest (few things are) but ther's plenty of relentless aggression packed into SP's cascading, palm muted assault. It's amazing how much house cleaning I can get done in 10 minutes. Choke it!

NEUROSIS - THE WORD AS LAW

When Neurosis released Word As Law in 1989 every record I owned instantly turned into trite crap. This transitional effort bridges the band's early crusty hardcore approach with it's vast later collection of epic, genre defying, halloween soundtracks. It's not uncommon to meet a diehard Neurosis fan that doesn't know their early work. :( Well we're gonna fuckin' change that! :) Word As Law is not as fast or sloppy as their first record and not as heavy or layered as their later work. Instead expect mid tempo, bass driven punk with the standard signature Neurosis tri-vocals and noisy, but diligent guitars (imagine the Minutemen on bath salts). These songs are constructed in a manner that hallmarks the bands intuitive feel without becoming jammy or wanky. Though the production seemed very metal at the time, in retrospect, there isn't another record on earth that sounds remotely like it. I'll always have a ton of respect for these guys, but this was the high point for me. Become machine!

VILE INTENT - SHADOW OF THE SKULL 7"

Hailing from Toronto, Vile Intent are the absolute best of what currently feels like 10,000 Crossed Out cover bands (yes I have heard all of them). This 7" is pure Slap A Ham era powerviolence, but delivered with a freshness and vitality that separates it from mere nostalgia. These folks stand shoulder to shoulder with their predecessors and prove that there's more to mine in the genre. I can't help but wonder if the title isn't an homage to MITB. Vegan apocalypse!