Suicidal Tendencies - "S/T"

What can I say about this record that hasn't already been said in the 20+ years since it came out...Love 'em or hate 'em, S.T. was ALWAYS a force to be reckoned with. Before they started doing their crossover shit (and hey, I think that shit kills too...) there was this album....voted Worst Band AND Biggest Assholes in the '82 Flipside reader's poll, they still rocked the fuck out of the tracks on this album. Everyone at least knows "Institutionalized", the "hit" from this album...but what about "Memories Of Tomorrow" or the blatantly antagonistic "I Saw Your Mommy"? What about "I Shot The Devil"? Let me just tell you that EVERYONE should be familiar with the greatness that is this album.....break out your skateboards and your bandanas, it's time to get CYCO!!!

SUICIDAL FOR LIFE

Holy Terror - "Mind Wars"

Back in the very early days of this blog, before I really knew what I was doing, I posted this album.....in wma format, and on rapidshare. Well, sorry about that. Here it is again, Holy Terror's criminally underrated "Mind Wars", which to me is nothing short of a masterpiece. Holy Terror was formed by Kurt Kilfelt, formerly one of the guitarists for american speed metallers Agent Steel, playing on their first album "Skeptics Apocalypse" before starting Holy Terror. They also recorded a demo and an LP before releasing this, their final album, and a metal album unlike many others. It has everything that a metal album should have...it is full of amazing riffage, top notch rhythm work, a vocalist who sounds like at any second he could lose his shit, and lyrics that are thought provoking and intelligent and very much against religion, but in a very theologically probing kind of way, not your typical anti religious metal lyrics. Whatever, I fucking love this album. It is a crime that a band like Metallica got huge (especially that piece of shit black album), and this band got relegated to near-obscurity when they could outriff and outplay Metallica any fucking day of the week. I found this copy in a small, fledgling record store in Richlands, Virginia, for ten bucks, still shrink wrapped, but one of those "cut-out" cd's you so often see. The guy in the store was amazed that I had even heard of Holy Terror, and said that the cd had been sitting in the store since it open fourteen years ago. This album is still available, but on a disc that has their first album also and omits a track. This is at 256k, in mp3 format (like I said, early days post, didn't know what I was doing), and scans of the lyric sheet are also included. I highly recommend this.

Mind Wars

Deathbag 7"

Here is a record that I've wanted to post since the beginning of this blog, and now I finally can. Here is the only 7" by Deathbag, six tracks of Discharge/Raw Power influenced punk rock. These guys played our old house twice, the first time we had heard the demo (it'll be up here soon), the second time Jesse, their drummer, sent me a package of tapes and there was this on one of the tapes. So I listened to the tape of the 7", loved it, and by the time they came back I knew the songs. I may be mistaken, but I do believe that this is a Scummified first, as I've tried to find these mp3's online but the only ones I could find are tracks from their split 7" with Witch Hunt, so this could be the only place to find these online. After Deathbag split up, their guitarist/vocalist and drummer switched instruments (to bass and guitar respectively) and started No Fucker, who released two 7" and two splits with Disclose before calling it a day. I'm biased in that I think these dudes can do no wrong. This record is killer, fast, raw, and they even cover Raw Power's "Fuck Authority", cowbell and all. Lyrics are included in the file.

A note on the mp3's: these were made from a tape of the 7", since I can convert tapes but not records...I think it adds to the rawness. I highly encourage all regular readers of this blog, if there are any, to get this. It is one of my favorite records that I own, and if you like fast punk rock at all then please check this out.

P.S. - Jesse; I told you it would be up here one day!!

And they grind the faces of the poor....

Bauhaus - "Mask"

Darkness and Light. Facades we all hide behind. Fear of the unknown, and joy in overcoming those fears. Night and day, good and evil. All these are phrases that I would use to describe the variety of emotions that Bauhaus put forth musically and lyrically on this album, their second and best. From the rousing opener "Hair of the Dog", to the funk laden "Dancing", experimental weirdness of "Of Lillies And Remains", utter atmospheric creepiness of "Hollow Hills" (every single time I hear Peter Murphy say "in fear of death/in fear of rot" it sends chills up my spine), and the absolutely phenomenal title track "Mask", which always sounds to me like the evils of the night fading back into shadows as the light comes out at the beginning of a new day, there really isn't a bad song on this album. This is easily one of the best albums ever. Here is the video they made for the title track, and it is entirely eerie:

The Transformation is invested with the mysterious and the shameful

while the thing i am becomes something else

part character part sensation

Sarcófago - "Rotting"

Sarcófago should need no introduction, their brand of high speed metal with lyrics about satan, sex, and booze being a big influence on many bands, especially their first album, the classic "Inri". Here is "Rotting", their second full length, which is 6 tracks in 32 minutes. The first track is a throwaway 30 second intro of moaning called "The Lust", which should have just been incorporated into the first real song, the ripping "Alcoholic Coma", and who knows why it stands on its own, but it does. This album seems at first to be sloppily played, but really grew on me the more and more I listened to it. My CD copy of this does not have the original cover pictured above, just a black cover with a grey logo and the name of the album in red, but it does have an awesome but blurry picture of the band on the back of it:

Any band with "Sexual Maniac" jeans has got to be killer, right? Right. So, invert your crosses, put on your bullet belts, grab some booze, and turn this up fucking loud!

Sex, Drinks, And Metal

Billy And The Boingers - Bootleg Flexi

Bloom County was one of my favorite comic strips when I was younger, and even though it hasn't aged too well, there are still some very funny moments in it, and then there's this: a two song flexi disc included with early copies of the collection "Billy And The Boingers: Bootleg". I have wanted to post this on here for some time, as it is a departure from the usual fast and raging punk/metal posts I love to make. So I figured, for my 175th post on this thing, why not have a little fun. Included with this you will find the lyrics and some scans. I promise I'll be back with more metal and punk rock soon, but for now, enjoy.

U Stink (But I ♥ U)

Paintbox - "Singing Shouting Crying"

Here is Paintbox's first full length, and what a fantastic album it is. Simultaneously melodic and harsh at the same time, with great japanese/english vocals and the fantastic guitar wizardry of Chelsea (from Death Side), how could you not like this? Highly recommended!

Sing A Crying Song

Void - "Condensed Flesh"

Void is, without a doubt in my mind, the greatest hardcore band from the Washington, D.C. area, and quite possibly the best hardcore band ever. Their split with Faith is a classic, and mandatory listening for anyone remotely interested in punk rock. Here is "Condensed Flesh", their second demo from 1981. The songs on this that are also on the split seem to have more energy and rawness on this recording, and there's no annoying high pitched vocals on "Organized Sports" here either. For those who have never discovered the awesomeness that is Void, I submit this demo for your enjoyment. And for those already initiated, you know exactly what the fuck I'm talking about.

Void - "Condensed Flesh"

Funeral Oration - "The Godsend"

Here is an early demo by Funeral Oration, one of many absolutely killer bands from the Netherlands in the 80's (see also Larm, B.G.K., Gepopel, Mornington Crescent, etc). This demo finds them ripping through 15 tracks, slowing down only twice for some proto-death rock songs that don't suck. I recently got this on vinyl, it was apparently issued in that format by Neder Again Records, which I cannot find anything about online, but they also released live bootlegs by Larm and B.G.K., both of which I would love to hear, if anyone has these, let me know! After releasing this demo, F.O. released the amazing "Shadowland" EP, which I posted here last year, and the incredible "Communion" LP, which you can find all over the place, just look for it. This could be my favorite of all their releases though. In the 90's, they were signed to Hopeless Records, and they put out some albums on that label that, while good, were nowhere near as great as their early stuff. Sadly, in 2004, vocalist (and guitarist on this demo) Peter Zirschky passed away, but this music will live forever. In fact it's partly the vocals of the early Funeral Oration stuff that I like the most. They're gruff, yet emotional at the same time, which is a pretty apt description of the music on this release also. Enough of my yapping, just get it!

Funeral Oration - "The Godsend"

D.I. - "Ancient Artifacts"

D.I. were a band from Fullerton, CA, and were made up of members of The Adolescents, a band that should be familiar to punks everywhere. Featuring the Adolescents drummer, Casey Royer, on vocals, and guitarist Rikk Agnew, they released this debut album in 1984. The original album had nine tracks of great melodic punk rock, but what really makes it stand out is Rikk Agnew's guitar playing. He is, to me, one of the unheralded masters of punk guitar. Just about every melodic punk band took the groundwork that he laid out and tried to expand on it. His solo album, "All By Myself", is featured on most copies of the first Adolescents album so you should definitely check that out if you haven't already. This album also features songs that were originally done by Rikk Agnew on his solo album, "O.C. Life", and what I consider to be one of the BEST punk songs ever, the phenomenal "Falling Out". Actually, every song on this is great. This contains the original nine track LP, plus a full live set with six "unreleased" tracks and some of the funniest in between songs banter you'll ever hear. If you don't already have this, then don't be a damn fool and get it now.

How do you get a nun pregnant? You fuck her.

Pussy Galore - "Corpse Love - The First Year"

My freshman year of high school would have sucked if I hadn't had this album to get me through it. At that point in time (and at this point in time also), I was into stuff like Black Flag, Misfits, Sonic Youth, Sebadoh, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Descendents, etc....and Pussy Galore was like no band I had ever heard before. It was pissed like hardcore, yet noisy as Sonic Youth, with an utter sleaze and trash vibe that I just couldn't resist. Like being in a very sketchy, dark alley, while cars crashed and people screamed obscenities at you while they died. I fucking love this album, and just about every other subsequent P.G. albums. It is exactly what its name implies, tracks from the first year of P.G.'S existence, including the "Groovy Hate Fuck" and "Teen Pussy Power" ep's. Yeah, they hated Ian Mackaye, and yeah, this was Jon Spencer's first band, but fucking A this album rules. Hell, there's even some Rolling Stones covers on it for good measure. I used to think this album had a song on it for everyone to find offensive, check out "Cunt Tease" and "You Look Like A Jew" for proof. Why don't you get it now and find out for yourself?

For what I do to you, I should burn in hell.

Helmet - "Meantime"

1992 seems like so long ago. When this album was released I was not yet eleven years old, but I knew it was heavy, and so by that standard, it was good. Here it is, almost 20 years later, and this album STILL holds up. I think it has excellent riffs, and I also think that John Stanier is one of the more under-rated drummers out there. I know that for some Helmet is an acquired taste, but this album has blown me away since '92, with no signs of stopping any time soon. It is a great, heavy, head banging album. Yes, I know that it is partly because of Helmet that crap like Deftones, Limp Bizkit, and the like are around and so popular, but I don't hold that against them.

Helmet - "Meantime"

All - "Allroy For Prez"

The Descendents are one of my all time favorite bands. Their music got me through some rough times. They are truly one of the greatest bands to walk this Earth, and I will forever love their music. That being said, ALL is, as you may know, the Descendents, minus Milo. The fact is this though: ALL is a criminally overlooked and under-rated band. Sure, they get sneered at by most punks because of their overt sappiness, but this sappiness is within the confines of hook-laden, carefully crafted punk rock that will stick to the insides of your mind like the bubblegum it so wants to be like. This is their second release, an 8 song ep that is possibly the best thing they ever did. It features Dave Smalley (of D.Y.S./Dag Nasty fame) on vocals , Stephen Egerton on guitar, and the unstoppable duo of Karl Alvarez on bass and Bill Stevenson on drums. If I haven't said this before, I'll say it now...Bill Stevenson is the best punk drummer, ever. Standout tracks on this are "Skin Deep", "Wishing Well", and the great "Daveage".

All - "Allroy For Prez"

Lip Cream - "S/T"

Here is one of the single greatest punk rock full lengths to ever come from the land of the rising sun. I am of course talking about Lip Cream's 1989 self titled album. They already had a slew of releases under their belts by the time they released this, a 12 song masterpiece of furious hardcore pummeling. Words cannot do this album justice. It is THAT good. Ranks up there with anything by Death Side, Gauze, Outo, The Comes, etc...If you have never heard this before, believe me, you are doing yourself a favor by getting it now!

Bloodsucking To Death!!

Pestilence - "Malleus Maleficarum"

Here is "Malleus Maleficarum" by Pestilence, a metal band from the Netherlands that started off as a thrash metal band , but later on incorporated more death metal and even jazz influences into their attack. Sadly to say, I don't find those albums as interesting as this one. Maybe it's the sheer amount of killer riffage to be found on here, maybe it's the short but ferocious minute and a half onslaught called "Extreme Unction", maybe it's the fact that this album destroys. Their follow-up album, "Consuming Impulse", has its moments but can't hold a candle to the intensity of this one.

Pestilence - "Malleus Maleficarum"

G.G. Allin - "Freaks, Faggots, Drunks And Junkies"

G.G. Allin. Rock'N' Roll's #1 most wanted terrorist or complete utter waste of flesh and blood. I'll let everyone else decide that amongst themselves. While deciding, please use this album, his "magnum opus" to me, as part of your decision. I know where I stand. Asshole? Sure. One fucked up individual? Of course. Great punk frontman and instigator? Without a doubt. All I know is this...if you get easily offended, then Mr. Allin is by no means for you. If, you are like me and don't take everything exceedingly too seriously, then you might enjoy this. If you don't like it, well...

Suck My Ass It Smells

Thin Lizzy - "Black Rose"

Today is my birthday, but I have a present for you. Here is Thin Lizzy's "Black Rose", surely one of the greatest rock albums ever made. The guitar work on this one is amazing, and let it be known that Phil Lynott is the greatest rock lyricist ever. Get this, chill out, and let Thin Lizzy take over.

Got To Give It Up

They Live

John Carpenter's They Live is one of the best paranoid sci-fi/action movies ever. If you have never seen it, stop reading this and go watch it NOW! Don't worry, I'll still be here when you get back.

Back? Now, wasn't that awesome? For those who don't wanna get away from their computers, check out the scene below, surely the greatest fight scene ever filmed.

Now that you've done that, may I suggest getting this fine score by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth?

"I'm giving you a choice. Either put on these glasses, or start eating that trash can!"

COMICS

These are just a small sampling of some of the older comics I own. The last 5 are the ones that are most sacred to me.

Voivod - "Killing Technology"

Why have I never extoled the virtues of Canada's Voivod before? It was an oversight which i will remedy now. This is their 3rd full length album from 1986, entitled "Killing Technology". It is what I like to think of as geek metal: excellent, headbanging riffs,blazing solos, bass and drums bashing along at punk tempos with very distinct timing changes, and lyrics about sci-fi themes. I like to think that I could sit in a basement in 1986, with a nice hesher haircut of some sort, finishing Neuromancer for the 4th time, then putting this record on and playing the old GURPS Cyberpunk rpg with some friends. Why don't you do that now?

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