The Short List is a weekly dive into EPs, Splits, Reissues, Comps, Live Records, etc
EPS:
Beton Arme Second Souffle Primator Crew (EU) / Roachleg Records (US/CAN)
Digital Out Now/ Vinyl est. two weeks
If you could not tell by the title, these Montreal bootboys are back with their second solo offering. This week, these determined lads dropped four new tracks. Beton Arme return with their signature sound, basking in the glory of ‘80s French Oi! and punk. Recent shows have had them play with brethren Puffer and notably, High Vis. In 2022, shows with Poison Ruin, NY Hounds, Fuerza Bruta; plus a killer bill with Vis Vires, Rixe, Criminal Outfit, Castillo (Supply & Demand in Long Beach) have cultivated a growing fan base. And splits with Violent Way and Ultra Razzia didn’t hurt either.
Traditional and proud, Beton Arme chants in French. Song titles such as “Victoire” and “Jusqu’a ta Mort” remind us of the common skinhead themes. Rough and tough sounds are heightened by “woah oh oh” backing vocals and hard hitting, blunt choruses. Second Souffle’s raw production crushes but is still mixed well to represent all the musical aspects. Good riffs, hard drums, and clear vocals all blend to represent Beton Arme’s fantastic execution.
The Primator Crew veterans soon embark on a fine run through Les Etats Unis. Beton Arme join Squellette of Paris in July 2023 to hit Pittsburgh (7/12), Philly (7.13), Boston (7.14), NYC (7.15), Buffalo (7.16).
In September, Beton Arme also play a Paris festival, Le Bal Des Vauriens with the astounding French giants, Komintern Sect, 86 Crew, UK legends, Infa-Riot, No Class (Al form Marching Orders), home town champs, Lion’s Law, Maraboots, Cran, and more.
1000 Black Pressed
Order at Primator Crew or at Roachleg Records.
Order shirts and check show dates at band’s instagram.
Old Ghoul Old Ghoul Helter Skelter Productions/ Regain Records
July 31 2023
True artists do not want to rest on past accomplishments. A fervent drive compels them to perpetually produce. But when you are Chad Davis and produced a litany of mesmerizing tracks over four staggering albums and six EPs over 13 years, as the instrumentalist behind the mammoth, Hour Of 13, it is fine to revel in fans’ adoration. Garnering the respect of established labels such as Svart, Earache, and Shadow Kingdom, Hour Of 13 left a dominant legacy. But rebirth is continually imminent.
Davis’ new endeavor, Old Ghoul, enters the doom metal universe with three new tracks. And for those weary of commitment, despite the adherence to classic doom attributes and subject matter, each song dips out at four or five minutes. Stark atmospheres birth a venue for crunchy lo-fi riffs, sticking to traditional doom parameters. Ominous subject matters writhe in tales of death and horror. Undeniably catchy with crunchy production and spooky grooves, this self-titled debut is essential doom material. The haunting evocations of dark and demented tales convey concoctions of crypts and crippling fear. Slow and churning, plodding and plotting, Old Ghoul’s offering is a continuation for fans to perr into the demonic genius of Chad Davis.
Regain and Helter Skelter sites are under construction. Stay in touch at Shadow Records.
Preorder the twelve-inch Mini-LP: at Regain bandcamp.
-silk-screen printed b-side
-limited edition of 200 copies on black vinyl
RIYL: Hour Of 13, Beastmaker, Master of Reality, Count Raven, Lord Vicar, Dead Witches
REISSUES:
Vandals Vandals Good, Hitler Bad 25th Anniversary Craft Recordings
June 26 2023
The Vandals began in the early ‘80s in Orange County. They quickly gained extreme popularity. Many shows and catchy punk records akin to Bad Religion, Agent Orange, Descendents, etc gathered a loyal legion of miscreants. The Vandals created punk that was fueled by suburbs and sunshine, yielding a clean and palatable sound. Yet, their lyrics were still packed with sardonic soliloquays. References on The X-Files and homages from the budding new pop-punk bands in the ‘90s led to their most successful record in 1998, Hitler Bad, Vandals Good, originally on Nitro Records. Somehow, 1998 is 25 years ago. To celebrate, Craft Recordings are issuing a color vinyl reissue of the classic record.
Hitler Bad, Vandals Good is defined by fast, tight guitars and drums, fun pogo parts, and crisp production. The tone embellishes in quirky and downtrodden lyrics. These proved in 1998 that The Vandals could draw in new fans. Hitler Bad, Vandals Good offers songs about dead girlfriends (“My Girlfriend’s Dead”), legally insane girlfriends (“F’ed Up Girl” is like if David Lee Roth’s “California Girls/Just A Gigolo” was a swing punk song), rejection, mall girls (“Cafe 405”), redneck hate for immigrants, mullets (“I’ve Got an Ape Drape”) nad other eccentric, odd-ball topics.
These barrages of double-time snares and rushed riffs are aided by various horns and supplemental instruments and screeching lead guitars. Oh, and the horns enter the fray not in ska way, just horns emulating the charging riffs. Hitler Bad, Vandals Good provides Jazzy stomps and funny lyrics laced with witty wordplay and rhymes. In 1998, as every pop punk band reiterated ideas and chords, The Vandals proved that a band can jam fourteen tracks on a pop punk album without having a redundancy plaque. They paint punk portraits with variety.
Preorder limited edition blue/white splatter vinyl.
Follow The Vandals on their instagram.
SPLITS:
Destroy All Gondolas / Gutara Kyo Split 7inch Slovenly
PreOrder Up Now
Admittedly, I had never heard of either of these bands. But when the revered label, Slovenly Records, breaks tradition with its first ever split seven-inch after 250-some releases, I—along with the rest of the world—pay attention. Venice, Italy is the obvious home of Destroy All Gondolas, led by Wasted Pido. Their track, “Death By Hamburger,” is a barrage of furious riffs and feedback with blinding speed in a psyche garage punk whirlwind. The band had an LP in 2017 and an EP in 2015. Popping up on Slovenly with a new blistering track in 2023 is sure to find the spotlight. The song is chaotic mayhem until about halfway through when it descends into a surf-laden, sparse echo chamber of a reverb-drenched headfuck.
Gutara Kyo hail from Kobe, Japan. While slightly more restrained and discernable, the psych-garage of the Japanese ‘60s modern day ferocity and hostility is appreciated in this updated sound. Gutara Kyo’s B-Side is undeniable in its severe rocking despite only exhibiting two short tracks in under three minutes. Both embrace the signature sound of Slovenly. “Revolving Hell” drives with an abrasive stomp while being energetic and boldly infectious. “Just Gotta Do It” boasts a brash, alarm like repetitive guitar line. I love the drum sound on the tracks. The guitars are caustic and loose. Two glorious tracks here.
Can’t find pressing info on their site, but I would hurry up and order it regardless. Sure to move. Order now at Slovenly.
