RIPCORD

RIPCORD – LIVE AT PARKHOF ALKMAAR HOLLAND 18/09/1988 CD (BTRCRS020)
What can be said about Ripcord, that hasn’t been said before? Just one of my all time favourite bands and are totally legendary. The made some of the best hardcore songs that ever existed and all the favourites are here. All recorded live, bursting with power and really awesome quality too, covering various songs from their back catalogue of releases. The package is like that of a little LP, no plastic tray, insert like an LP insert – which is really excellent. Personally I think all CDs should be packaged something like this – they’d take up less space, cut down on unnecessary resources being used. A regular CD booklet still fits in too, so they could still be made as I like them. Anyway, it’s also available on coloured 10”. Lee Dorian guests on vocals for Walls (Siege), which is a wall of noise. This release is mandatory, whether you like vinyl or CDs – take your pick.
BOSS TUNEAGE RECORDS, PO BOX SANDY 74, SANDY, BEDS, SG19 2WB, UK.
http://www.bosstuneage.com/

TRAMPLE

THE DEFENSE

THE DEFENSE – FROM THE START CD (CRUCIAL RESPONSE 62)
How can something be hard, yet beautiful at the same time? I can only blame this Spanish band The Defense. Because, the songs inside this 10 track CD are – it’s also available as a vinyl LP too. They’ve got a ripping youth-crew /posi-core sound, which is very upbeat and full of energy. But most of the songs have truly mood catching intros, which just jump into a fast current of ripping hardcore. The song that stands out the most for me is ‘From The Start’ which is a pretty amazing song, great intro, beats and complimentary lyrics. They also include ‘Supuesta Libertad’, which was originally done by REFRAINING. They definitely are not afraid to put their hearts into it, especially the last song ‘Out Of Place’, which is deadly tuneful, melodic and gutsy. Really good lyrics, loads of action packed photos and just a good vibe all-round. For those who totally love VISION, TURNING POINT, YOUTH OF TODAY, MAINSTRIKE. Continuing the Crucial Response Records legacy, of releasing fresh, vibrant and invigorating bands, that will definitely keep you on your toes.
CRUCIAL RESPONSE RECORDS, KAISERSFELD 98, 46047 OBERHAUSEN, GERMANY.
http://www.crucialresponse.com/

DEATH IS NOT GLAMOROUS

DEATH IS NOT GLAMOROUS – UNDERCURRENTS CD (D&G025)
This has been out a while, but is still available and they are a great band, so hey. From Oslo, Norway, a country that has given birth to many great and wonderful bands and DEATH IS NOT GLAMOROUS follows suit with this inspiring tradition. 6 songs (1 extra song, compared to the 7” release of it) of fast, upbeat, catchy and tuneful hardcore. They are pretty melodic, in a good way, but the extra crunch in their playing gives them a more hardcore vibe. The vocals pretty much set them apart from a lot of hardcore bands, in that the really good and sung with passion. I just keep thinking of 7 SECONDS, SHELTER, TURNING POINT. Along with the wonderful tunes are thoughtful lyrics, that more than anything give inspiration to get up, be yourself and not worry what others think. Absolutely fabulous.
DEAD AND GONE RECORDS, 17 DRIVER STREET, SHEFFIELD, S13 9WP, ENGLAND.
http://www.deadandgonerecords.com/

NASHGUL

NASHGUL – HUMANICIDIO CD (CAHRECS058)
A 33 track CD of thunderous grind-core, from this Spanish band, who sure know how to blast those beats. It compiles their splits from 2003 to 2006, namely split 7”s with SEWN SHUT, FROM THEASHES, WORLD FALL DOWN and the split 12” with ANTIHERO and what a combination it is. From the first riff, until the last there is no let up, or let downs for that matter. Super sonic speeds, keep in time with an awesome drummer, who knows his blast beats from his drum rolls. Manic riffage parallel to the drumming, that break downs into chunky bass filled beats that conjures up some of the best grind I’ve heard this side of the moon. They have a single vocalist, but the bellowed tortured screams alternate between gruff roars, to high painful screams and barking cries. Just think of EXTREME NOISE TERROR vocals in their 1980’s period. Musically, and I know it’s an old nutshell, but NAPALM DEATH’s SCUM would be a good starting point, coupled with more early Earache noise mongers. Seriously awesome sound quality and despite taken from 4 different releases, they keep the quality and intensity throughout. Lyrically, it’s a look at how fucked up the human race it; be it killing the planet, enslaving our souls to the daily grind of working etc. If that’s not enough, there is a video too.
Each CD is $10.00 ppd USA and $15.00 world.
CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY RECORDS, PO BOX 1421, EAU CLAIRE, WI 54702, USA.
http://www.cahrecords.com/

NEGATIVE APPROACH/NECROS

INSTIGATORS

MINOR THREAT etc

NOTHING DONE

NOTHING DONE – EVERYBODY KNOWS CD (NJW021)
Their second full length, a pretty impressive follow up to their previous full length ‘Powertrip’, from Holland’s Nothing Done. Progression is a good word when it comes to these guys. No they haven’t changed all that much, but they have just got tighter and have crafted a bunch of high adrenalin soaked hardcore tunes, full of melody, power and speed when it’s needed. 10 beauties of sweat drenched songs where they give a nod to influences such as the straight ahead power of Negative Approach and early Black Flag, essential tuneful elements of Circle Jerks and Minor Threat. Plus quirky riffage, in small doses, ala Minutemen and Victims Family, but I don’t really need any references to dig this release – more just a pointer for those reading this. Every song is tight, catchy and a big plus in my book – memorable. Top notch hardcore, how I like it and I’m glad Nothing Done have proved to me that the art of song writing in hardcore bands is definitely not dead. Listening to their song ‘Cardiac Arrest’ makes me feel like they are having one. Their lyrics are straight forward, but in an open personal way. All I can say is that Nothing Done are definitely one of the most exciting bands going these days. The CD version has a complete video of their gig, from Manchester 6/4/06. The vinyl is pressed on light blue vinyl.
NOT JUST WORDS RECORDS, DE KLING 4, 8651 CK LJLST, THE NETHERLANDS.

INFEST

HERESY