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!

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!