The Short List is a dive into EPs, Splits, Reissues, Comps, Live Records, etc
SPLITS:
Disaffect / Sanctus Iuda Fuck All Borders Armageddon Label (US)/ Sanctus Propaganda (EU)
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Last week, Armageddon Label gave two anarcho punk bands from the ’90s an avenue to continue their defiance against this sphere stained with “borders, religion, fascism, and bigotry.” Disaffect are from Glasgow, Scotland. Disaffect began in the early ’90s, although, they went separate ways within a few years. They self-released a 10-track cassette in 1991; and subsequent albums in 1994 and 1996 (the brilliantly titled Powerless With A Guitar.) Re-forming in 2019 with original members and a couple of new ones, the music created here is fresh and rebellious.
Coming from Poland, Sanctus Iuda had caused disruption against forces of tradition in the second half of the ’90’s. They followed a similar path, recording from 1995 to 1999 and resurfacing in 2022.Their brand of hardcore punk is a thick, heavy serving of Amebix, Tragedy, and Wolfbrigade. Doom-laden intensity feeds a caustic cloud of low-end, distortion, and political ire.
Disaffect have a distinct approach to punk. Disaffect employ dual vocals mixed well with driving bass, clear drums (cymbals and all) and rollicking guitars. With two of the tracks titled “Profit From Pain” and “Keep It Political,” the motivation of the band is evident. Crunchy guitars across six tracks embody the defiance and chaos embedded in the punk ethos.
Sanctus Iuda take their opportunity to express nihilism and rage with six tracks as well. Again, their sound embraces the spirit of D-Beat, thrashy hardcore. True to their homeland, their track titles and lyrics are in Polish. The production here is exemplary. Darkness is woven into each indignant scream. The layered guitars and drums bring a grandiose feel matched with Sanctus Iuda’s urgency. Outside of the piano/sample intro appended to track one, resulting in six minutes, the following five tracks range only from two to three minutes. Voracious intensity is the marked method here.
“All the anger is etched into split colored vinyl and includes a 16-page booklet.” – Armageddon Label
LP on 150gram Ltd colored vinyl
US Version: Black / Pink split colored vinyl ltd to 418
Euro Version: Black / Red split colored vinyl ltd to 450
Order here.
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EPS:
Meat House s/t Sorry State
July 21 2023
Meat House has arrived. Slinging dirty, raw, lo-fi, hardcore punk, Meat House explode through your speaker unapologetically. This is the band’s debut. Seven tracks, none of which cross the two-minute mark, span less than 10 minutes. Sure, that would fit on a seven-inch. But Sorry State note that the band chose to utilize the lovely 12-inch EP/MLP format at 45 RPM. The depth of sound punches harder. But the band also wanted to make an impression “with a ton of dead wax in homage to records like Black Flag’s Jealous Again or Battalion of Saints’ Fighting Boys.”
That reference should key you into the Meat House’s sound. And this is not a surprise considering the resumes of its members. Comprised of White Stains’ guitarist Eric Montanez (Government Warning, Direct Control, Blood Pressure, Sickoids, etc), who is joined by Alex Greenberg from Mutant Strain on drums, and Scarecrow / Public Acid guitarist Jeff Young on bass. The final timber in this Meat House is White Stains’ vocalist, Keith Caves. The record was recorded in December 2022. Lore states this was achieved in “a couple hours.” This was recorded as a unit, in the flesh, live and on a four-track. Vincent Klopfenstein, aka Shaved Ape, had the pleasure to do this. He uses this space and machine to record his project (Shaved Ape) and has played in or recorded many of the bands mentioned.
Meat House have something brilliant. Less refined than some of their prior bands, or less heavy, Meat house rattle the globe on this four-track recording. The future will show where the sound goes and if they embrace a thicker sound. Some more low end would be cool. But these mid-tempo, aggressive, gnarly, 1979 Black Flag inspired ragers exceed expectations. Lots of hardcore these past few years have muddy production, low-mixed vocals, are super heavy with blast beat (I still love it) endeavors. Meat House end up bringing a refreshing approach beckoning the early 2000’s Grave Mistake splendor. They mid-tempo punk rock is nasty, fierce, and angry. If you miss Government Warning, Night Birds, (early) Fucked Up, Regluations, Career Suicide, prepare to enjoy.
Limited edition 12-inch vinyl with jacket and screen printed dust sleeve. Clear or black vinyl.
Preorder at Sorry State.
Chupacabra Fortified with Ashes Self-released
August 4 2023
Out of Bristol, U.K., we receive another debut EP. However, the sonic approach is the opposite. Chupacabra wield a thick, thunderous thrash attack with crisp production. The trio are forged from decades of filtering Slayer, Kreator, Testament, Sodom, and At The Gates through their sour veins. The members themselves have been entrenched in the Bristol metal scene for eons, coming from Wytch, Cybervoid, and Captive. Nige Savage (Wytch) plays all instruments short of the guitar leads. Impressive considering the dexterity and fluidity needed in this genre of thrash. Treacherous and commanding vocals are handled by Heather Taylor (Wytch, Cybervoid). The final piece on lead guitar is in the hands of Alex Brent (Captive).
The music is ominous. The foreboding tones match perfectly to Taylor’s vicious vocals. Her condemnation and scorn is palpable as she growls and snarls. The contemptuous venom drips from her words. The guitars behind her are piercing and relentless. The punishing rhythms of the drums pound forward without respite. Quick time changes highlight my favorite attribute of quality, interesting thrash, Motivational fills on the drums create a gritty dynamic. Soaring solos accomplish the intensity needed but never overstay their welcome.
The first track is done at 4:29; as it should be. No retreading here to elongate unneeded thrash tracks into seven minute outings. “F.T.T.D”” continues with all the hallmarks of the first. Again the menacing vocals remain at the forefront. But swift, chunky riffs push the track at a blazing speed. And the drums never lag, continuing to jackhammer away. The bridge pulls back slightly, and the guitar line utilizes a higher tone to accent the bridge. But when Chupacabra dive back into warp speed, that is when we can appreciate that dynamic. They utilize this exceptionally. Again, in under five minutes.
The third track, the EP’s closer, the title track, opens with elevated guitars and is a controlled feast of aural spasms. Feeling as if trapped in no man’s land in WWI, sonic devastation is blistering in a barrage from all angles. Over stimulating and invigorating, the tempo and level of destruction is respectable. The middle of the track switches to a more, chugging/stuttering riff. And then of course, as we near the end of the 5:18 track, all Hell is unleashed; musically and vocally. This is an exceptional debut and I except to hear from Chupacabra again soon.
“And that’s not all! Chupacabra is providing all the music for the new audiobook edition of DX Ferris’ best-selling Slayer biography, Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, Postmortem Remastered Edition, as well as the accompanying podcast, Talkin’ Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.”
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