The Short List is a weekly dive into EPs, Splits, Reissues, Comps, Live Records, etc
Hutch here again. I am descending into madness at the nexus of insomnia, a two week sinus infection, and the constant reorganizing of and cramming in omissions on my ten different Best Of 2022 lists. I started them early November and then I obsessively read every website, peeped each IG post, and watched every YouTube video from vloggers which I hold in high regard (and plenty that I do not!). I still have not published them because some killer records (Instructor on QCHQ; and a few below) on December 30th and I wanted to give them a few fair listens.
Some of The Short List listings (er…) are in fact from December 2022, but the vinyl has not shipped yet. Or are just so great you should be informed.
I have not included videos prior, but these dropped today (well, yesterday now…). And they are two killer bands with related news.
VIDEOS:
End It “Familia Finito”
Referencing back to a previous Short List where we talked Flatspot’s The Extermination IV Comp. This is End It’s contribution, “Familia Finito”. If you didn’t pick up the LP, here you can rock the joint and get hilarious visuals. The images evoke terrible memories of late night/as seen on TV ads from the 80’s and early 90’s. End It are on tour, slaying stages, supporting UK’s The Chisel with Buried Dreams.
Jan 08 Tampa FL Bryan Glazer JCC at FYA Fest
Jan 08 Tampa FL Bryan Glazer JCC at FYA Fest *Aftershow
Jan 10 Atlanta GA Masquerade – Purgatory
Jan 11 Chapel Hill NC Local 506
Jan 13 Baltimore MD Metro Gallery
Jan 14 Reading PA Reverb
Jan 15 Boston MA (Well, Cambridge.) Sonia *With Risk, Raw Brigade, and DBD
Jan 16 Portland ME Free St Restaurant
Jan 17 Brooklyn NY The Meadows
Obituary “My Will to Live”
Stupefying audiences since 1989’s Slowly We Rot, Obituary are titans in Death Metal. Noted for their slower approach then Florida peers like Death and Deicide, Obituary appealed to hardcore fans as well with Cause of Death and World Demise. They continue to ravage audiences and eardrums throughout the 2010’s, continually touring and dropping lauded albums; Obituary and Inked In Blood.
Obituary drop Dying of Everything January 13, 2023 on Relapse.
This is the third single and official video for “My Will To Live”created by 12 Inch Media.
If you want more than a lyric video, here is “The Wrong Time”, directed by Odd Life Studios:
EPs:
Lower Class Brats All the Young Dudes are Pissed TKO Records
As 2022 crashed into itself with wonder and regret, TKO Records figured they would tantalize us with a flash of what 2023 will unveil. That, my droogs, is a new Lower Class Brats LP, Tales of the Wild, the Ugly, and the Damned. The tease was an exclusive mail order two track 7”, “All the Young Dudes are Pissed” b/w “We Never Sleep”.
LCB have not released music in ten strenuous years; and not an LP since 2006’s, The New Seditionairies *(See below…). These two tracks are invigorating dalliances of defiance from a band that has been stomping since 1995. The Austin TX quintet is still led by the feral roar of Bones and the raucous riffs of Marty Volume. The two founders have been supported on the bass by Ron Conflict (vox, Final Conflict; 46 Short, etc) since 2012. They’re also accompanied by Zed on guitar and Nick on drums since 2017.
The time together was fused the group, ready to devour audience in 2023 with their canon of rebellion and snarling punk rock. “All the Young Dudes are Pissed” fits right into this column. Angst and sweat still propel the Brats over fast, sharp, loud, obnoxious punk. These two new tracks are promising with their abrasive delivery. Give this record a few spins before the LP lands.
VINYL: white, 100; black, 300
Buy exclusively at TKO
Lost Legion I Hate You Like I Hate Cops Rock N Roll Disgrace
Speaking of records that will get repeated play in 2023, Lost Legion return with four tracks. Available now on bandcamp digitally by the band; the EP will be released by Rock N Roll Disgrace in February 2023 (tentatively). Lost Legion’s 2022 EP, Bridging Electricity, received endless repeats by many and landed square on top of my 2022 Oi! list. Any punk or hardcore fan would sop these up with a biscuit.
The trio from South Side Chicago ex/members of Fuerza Bruta, Warrior Tribes, Flatfoot 56, Brick Assassin, War Effort, etc (if you need the external validation) resurfaces sporadically to treat us fans. On the same bandcamp, you can hear (and buy, ya cheapskate!) their 2016 demo, Auto Produktion, and their 2014 demo, 2 Oz Taster. On I Hate You like I Hate Cops, the sound is less dark than the Bridging Electricity; not as ominous. The tracks are of a more boisterous (bOi!sterous, if you will… Don’t roll your eyes; that was an actual British ‘90s band name) ilk with more infused rock n roll. The rambunctious feel is a smart contrast to the heavy Bridging Electricity.
The sound isn’t power-pop or anything. The tracks are still loud, hectic punk. More Blitz than The Boys; More Cockney Rejects than The Crack. All this said, among the many tags on the band camp – Oi!, garage rock, punk rock, etc – is ‘power pop’. What do I know? The final track would most likely be the impetus for that tag. It is the most infectious of the four; lo-fi Oi! best sung with an arm around your mate swilling a pint. The third track would actually fit perfectly on Bridging Electricity. The song harnesses the dark. Its grizzly and helms an opaque atmosphere. The drums are pounding while the tension of the riff lingers and Ian growls a menacing snarl. “Hanging Downtown” (Replacements’ cover) and “Nuclear Contact” bang furtively, driving Oi! in the vein of beefed up Templars. They are fast paced, rowdy, and short (under two minutes) and kick things off correctly. Good things come to those who wait. C’mon February…
Corvo Cortados To Live A Lie
At the tail end of 2022, Corvo released an abomination of sonic dereliction. Cortados is heavy; as in a cannonball attached to an anchor encased in cement, heavy. Ferocious low-end drives a wall of down-tuned monstrosity. The sasette (or bandcamp digital download) attempts to contain five tracks ofsavage brutality. Corso have three other releases on bandcamp; all with about five tracks at 1 – 2 minutes each. All punishing hardcore. No two step, no breakdowns, no gallops. Unhinged strong and deadly hardcore that blazes through without apology. This is DC hardcore in 2022.
RIYL: Coke Bust, Protester, 86 Mentality, Pure Disgust, Red Death, Mind Eraser … Heavier and Angrier
Available on Cassette
Houkago Grind Time The Second Raid To Live A Lie
Ripped To Shreds’ Jubian was noted on myriad Best of Metal 2022 lists. The one-man army is diabolically skilled at making treacherous metal. Andrew Lee, that one man, also appeared on Banger TV’s Lock Horns: New Wave of Old School Death Metal.
He is a humble, laid back, endearing man who happens to create vile, vicious OSDM as guitarist/vocalist/composer. So, when he puts equal effort into a grindcore project, expect devastating results. Back with Houkago Grind Time, teamed with Dan Ryckman (aka the Prince of Mince from Archagathus, Electro Quarterstaff, Under Pressure), Larry Wang (Maggot Colony), Pharmacist, R Mason (Enemy Soil, Jesus Of Nazareth, Reeking Cross), and Tapo (First Days Of Humanity).
HGT’s second release is an uncanny peering into television. It is intense and deadly serious, not to be handled with humor and skepticism. That is, notes Will from To Live A Lie, “a television series reattempting to mature by bringing in darker and edgier elements, so as to be taken with the utmost seriousness of the listener. Concordantly, the lyrical content of each decomposition has been irrevocably altered in the pursuit of greater artistic pinnacles.”
Lee saw grind as the way to convey his maligned vision. 16 songs in 19 minutes. Grand, thick production with growls, crisp time changes and bursts, blastbeats, and wrenching guitar squeals all combine and spew furiously sounding like Napalm Death playing powerviolence. This release is extremely palatable with above standard production, discernable and punishing. I put this next to Wormrot, Nasum, and Rotten Sound.
Pressing of only 300 copies on highlighter yellow clear vinyl; Cassette
Snag this rager at To Live A Lie Webshop
LIVE:
Circle Jerks Live at The House of Blues DVD/CD Cleopatra Records/Kung Fu Records
If you are reading this, you know the Circle Jerks. Maybe you remember their venomous lyrics bandying in your brain while sulking past jocks in the 80s with your skateboard and tattered jeans. If you have never dove into their first two seminal/punk required reading records, reissued with reverence by TRUST Records in 2021, belly up. Maybe you weren’t into their records but caught them, after 40 years, in infallible condition destroy the country with Negative Approach and 7 Seconds last year. Either way, you are familiar.
This set was recorded from the 2004 The Show Must Go Off! series at the House of Blues Disneyland, has been admired since its release by Kung Fu Records. This boasts a classic line-up and brilliant production sound quality.
The set list allows Greg Hetson’s (Bad Religion) tight and jovial delivery of classic punk, spurting riffs to shine with the tough, jangly bass from Zander Schloss (The Weirdos). The impression of Kevin Fitzgerald’s drum performance here is unshakeable, resonating with people who saw this gig 18 years ago. And of course, punk icon (ex-Black Flag, OFF!, and now a bobblehead), Keith Morris spews acrid vocals with his sardonic slant. They are only matched by his acrimonious in-between song banter.
The sound is phenomenal. The performances are tight. And they’re playing some of the best punk anthems ever written.
Get riled on your own couch MVD Shop
Trouble Live in Stockholm Hellhammer Records
Hammerheart correctly boast: “Finally available on vinyl for the first time! Remastered and cut in DMM!”
I address Trouble below in REISSUES which this is a part of. But here are the solely related vinyl versions. For this doom metal fest, Trouble were invited by Leif Edling and Candlemass as special guests. Trouble’s 14 track are a sentimentally wise sculpted set. The band delves into 75 minutes of classics here. The set is incendiary, collecting the spirit and passion of this cataclysmic band. Classics such as the opener, “R.I.P.”, “Fear”, “Psalm 9”, “Run to the Light”, “The Skull”, “At the End of My Daze”, and more rage until the six minute closer, “The Tempter”. The album was fully remastered by Erwin Hermsen at Toneshed Studio. Recorded live in 2003, the album remastered becomes crucial as vocalist Eric Wagner passed in August 2021. Hammerheart recalls, “Eric Wagner didn’t move too so much, he mostly hung over his mic with shades and a cigarette, but that turned out great, because of his amazing voice that was still intact.”
2XLP comes as a deluxe 180 grams audiophile vinyl
Trouble Live in Stockholm Gatefold 2XLP (Black Vinyl)
Trouble Live in Stockholm Gatefold 2XLP (Transparent Green Vinyl)
Trouble Live in Stockholm Gatefold 2XLP (Ultra Clear Vinyl)
Trouble Live in Stockholm Gatefold 2XLP (Transparent Blue Vinyl)
REISSUES:
Trouble Re-issues Hammerheart
Purveyors of original/old school US Doom Metal, Chicago’s Trouble stands alone. Along with The Obsessed and Saint Vitus, Trouble channeled bad as metal while words like “arena” and “hair” sullied metal’s true roots. The peak of Trouble’s American translations of Iommi’s are usually attributed to Psalm 9 (Early pressings omitted that title, rendering it as Self-titled) which was released on Metal Blade in 1984; The Skull, Metal Blade/Combat, 1985; Run to the Light, Metal Blade, 1987. The band also ended up releasing records on luminary metal labels such as Century Media, Def American, and of course, Hammerheart.
“Paranoia Conspiracy” exhibits the band’s grit and talent on the 2013 comeback album, The Distortion Field. Heavy with a charging gallop embedded in a doom metal groove.
2022 witnessed Live in Stockholm, celebrating Eric Wagner, remastered and reissued *(see above) on 2XLP LP. But for those who do not have a turntable in their Plymouth Roadrunner, Hammerheart is reissuing four classic Trouble records; Plastic Green Head, 100 copies; Simple Mind Condition, 100; Live in Stockholm, 50; The Distortion Field, 50.
Order quickly at Hammerheart Records
Eric Wagner triumphs on this cut, “Opium Eater”, of 1995’s Plastic Green Head. Before the 2000’s hipster explosion, this was a bodacious, daring, heavy stoner metal record in the barren metal era, the mid-90s.
Lower Class Brats – The New Seditionairies 15th Anniversary Remastered Edition TKO Records
The last true studio record from LCB, The New Seditionairies (2006), is now again available. TKO describes this pressing as a complete revamp (must be all that Poison Idea reissue money). TKO has “brutally remastered for maximum audio destruction”. 13 cursed tracks get resurrected and emboldened. Vicious and loud, LCB throttles between speedy to gritty mid-tempo. The mix glistens on this with coarse vocal and pounding drums. Taking pride in exclusion and isolation, LCB boasts their confrontational glory on “The Worst”, which opens with those pounding drums. “See You Go” rides a taut, clawing riff. From the raucous opener “Go Insane” setting the frenetic tone to anthemic closer, “Walking into the Fire”, this reissue lives again with the treatment it deserves.
Buy one of the 300 at TKO Records
SPLITS:
The Chisel / MESS Split 7” EP Mendeku Diskak
If for some reason you didn’t grab this gem as it was released December, 2022, here is a peek into what was my top Oi! or punk Split EP of last year. Obviously myself and every other punk fan had The Chisel’s 12” Retaliation as the best record in 2021 (released around the same end of year in 2021). Of course, you also know them from gracing the cover of New Noise #60 and #45 of the New Noise Flexi series.
ISSUE 60 – COVER FT. THE CHISEL (W/ 2 EXCLUSIVE FLEXIS!)
The flipside is repped by Mexico’s MESS who have been quietly – well, not quietly – but less egregiously winning fans with their brand of tough street-born punk / Oi! Their releases are fantastic. Three of these Blitz worshipping noise discs – Intercity (2020), this split, and Fuego, Fuego, Fuego (2021) are on Menduku Diskak while Traidores was self-released in 2021. This band is amazing. Find it quickly. Still a few out there. It sold out quickly in a few places like Mister Face Records, Beach Impediment, and RevHQ.
Buy the remaining few at Menduku
PRESSING:
EU, Mendeku Diskak: TP, 20; Dark Emerald Blue, 302; Black, 962
US, Beach Impediment: 300x White, 700x Black
Batallion Zoska / Fatal Blow Split 7″ EP Violated Records/Rebel Sound
Now here is some good old, straight up punk rock; spikes, leather, and attitude. Battalion Zoska have also unleashed a stellar full length, New Blood which is a powerful record of brash punk which dropped at the end of October 2022. Battalion Z is fronted by Pat Society of Violent Society. After their 2019 s/t LP, they had a complete line up change, and the new energy thrives on this split EP. Former engineer and now guitarist, Arik Victor (owner of Creep Records) and drummer Steve Vaiani. To round out New Blood, they utilized legendary friends such as Dez Cadena (Black Flag); Ian Woodcock and Brian Chevette of the legendary, Eater; Fish (Skeptix/ Discharge); Neil “Newts” Newton of the Angelic Upstarts; and vocals by Peter Cornter (Dag Nasty/ Field Day). Established street cred by UK and US solidified greats.
Battalion Z’s two tracks are titled “Slipping Away” and “Bad Things”. Energetic Not the over-wrought buzzsaw blurring hard punk of Violent Society. Here is a more UK Punk/UK Oi! approach, meaning bouncy, catchy and spiteful. You can combine all the guests’ bands previously mentioned and get the hint. or just listen:
Fatal Blow are some older gents (ha dplayed in The Oppressed, hence the name) still playing their version of Oi!. They offer “Proud Boys, Proud of What?” and “Tent City”. The rambunctious and cursory energy are delivered with rapid aggression in the vein of East End Badoes, Menace, Chron Gen; just with more distortion.
available here on golden yellow or translucent green.
Fatal Blow bandcamp
Fatal Blow instagram
Battalion Zoska catalog at bandcamp
Blood (Germany) / Incantation (US) Split 7″ EP Hells Headbangers
Two eternal gargantuan ogres in the annals of Death Metal unify to demolish turntables with stunning results. Knuckle dragging savagery is transmitted flawlessly here. Blood, freshly extracted from the 12” MLP Split with NunSlaughter on HHB is implanted here with the eviscerating track, “Manipulator/Preacher of Hatred”. Blood conjures slow, plodding death metal; vile and treacherous. Yet, in their 4:30 trek, they charge forward in double time for the final 90 seconds. Production is banging with distinct drums and sludgy riffs. The mighty Incantation dominate their exclusive track, “Quantum Firmament”. Incantation’s expertise exudes with a seething guitar tone, well balanced mix, clear production, and tempo changing drums. Each band has reigned in their own fetid circles since the late 80’s. They each serve wretched OSDM with no signs of filling a casket anytime soon.
This released on December 30 2022 but at Hells Headbangers preorders are still being taken.
Available on black or orange/magenta vinyl.
BOX SETS:
The March Violets The Palace of Infinite Darkness JUNGLE RECORDS
In the world of goth rock/death rock/post-punk, Manchester obviously is the Mecca. But Northwest, striving to be known for more that a live LP of The Who, Leeds could tout some heavy hitters in the scene as well, The Sisters of Mercy and The March Violets. Beginning in 1981 the band was singular in the matter of vocalists, utilizing both sexes. They also employed a drum machine, Dr. Rhythm. The genre signature of dissonant, echo-laden guitars are instituted over bouncing pop-riffs and vocals of pomp and flare. In the realm of accolades, The March Violets had seven singles reach the UK Indie Chart (plus, the 1984 Natural History compilation of their first four singles, hit No. 3). The “Snake Dance”, “Walk Into the Sun” and “Deep” were popular. Plus the wit on songs titled “Religious as Hell” and “Avalanche of Love”.
The earlier songs clearly are more industrial/electronic and repetitive. The two years of 1982-1984 was a fruitful span for the band. It held more diversity, which admittedly did include more pop leanings than peers. But again, it also went the other way with more guitar-based rock songs (check the building tension and the meandering guitars of “Kill the Delight”) that were as despondent and yearning as any redundant synth-electro band looping some measures. The bass line in “1 2 I Love You” is elusive but is a great centerpiece for the band among the noise. The A Side to that track, “Crow Baby” (Crow Baby, 1983, Rebirth Records) is a creepy but layered song, with multiple guitar tracks and choral vocals emanate a haunting atmosphere over a rocking electro beat. The guitars are tripping out as if the first U2 record, Lux Interior, Joe Strummer, and some police sirens are having an orgy. And it’s gorgeous. “Strange Head (Peel Session 1983)” is a dirge filled rocker. “Love Hit (Peel Session 1984)” is 50’s style garage punk filtered through the genre aesthetics tucking it neatly between the early works of The Go-Go’s and The B-52’s.
Wikipedia notes: “The band then signed to major label London Records, adding drummer Andy Tolson to the lineup.[6] The “Turn to the Sky” single was released 24 February 1986 on London, although still bearing the Rebirth imprint. The song (and their cover of “Miss Amanda Jones” by the Rolling Stones) was featured on the soundtrack to the 1987 film, Some Kind of Wonderful, which included a live performance by the band of “Turn to the Sky.” They broke up later that year.”
If you are a diehard fan or a new comer, this is a transforming, sensational collection. The material is remastered to acute standards. On the surface I would roll my eyes and snarkily whisper that this is not my bag. But I always had a soft spot for The Sisters Of Mercy. And i did fill my best of 2022 lists with the likes of Syndrome 81, High Vis, and Militaire Gun. And The March Violets certainly broke the boundaries of my expectations and ignorance. There are dynamics with these discs that show a unique and true musical approach to writing “gothic rock”.
The Palace of Infinite Darkness is a 5CD boxset. “Though the band never recorded an album in the 80’s, an abundance of material has been discovered. In addition to CDs of singles and extended versions, the box includes six BBC sessions and two whole discs of unreleased demos – one each from the Rosie and Cleo era. Rosie Garland recounts the band’s story in an illustrated 44-page booklet. This box set chronicles their development with lead singers Simon Denbigh, Rosie Garland and Cleo Murray, backed by bassist Lawrence Elliot and guitarist Tom Ashton.”
Disc 1 – PLAY LOUD PLAY PURPLE (COMPLETE SINGLES 1982-85)
Disc 2 – PLAY LOUDER PLAY PURPLER (EXTENDED VERSIONS & ERAS)
Disc 3 – BIG SOUL KISS (BBC SESSIONS 82-84)
Disc 4 – INFINITE DARKNESS (RARITIES 82-84)
Disc 5 – SILVER LINING (RARITIES 85-87)
Their most recent album at bandcamp
Buy this box set at Jungle Records along with two 2XLP Reissues: Play Loud Play Purple on 2LP purple vinyl + Big Soul Kiss 2LP yellow vinyl after a sold-out RSD release.
From Jungle Records website: “The band have announced a reunion for tours and new recordings in 2023/24.”
