S.O.D. - Speak English or Die Test Press

Sorry Eddie Trunk, I got the SOD Speak English or Die test pressing that was supposed to be sent to you in 1985 :)

Found this at a record show today. Couldn't find another image of an SOD test press on line so i figured I would throw it up on the page...Dave G.

Testament- Brotherhood of The Snake 2016

I'll be the first person to admit that I haven't really given Testament much of a listen over the past 20 years so when my buddy emailed me a few weeks back and asked if I had heard the new Testament song "Brotherhood of The Snake" I just sort of chuckled and said "um no". He then proceeded to send me a link to the track and  simply said " I think you'll like it" .

Well, I have to say that song made an instant enough impression on me that I decided to preorder the whole Lp so I could see how the rest of the record would measure up and I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised to say the least. The thing that strikes me is that the album on a whole sounds fresh, the riffs are heavy, the solo's rip etc. Testament still sounds like they are progressing and releasing sold albums, something Metallica could only wish to do.
 
I'm sort of shocked but I dig this Lp. I heard the new Destruction Lp is good as well, could this be true? I guess I'll have to give that one a chance as well.

Poor Lily - Dirt On Everyone 2016

Poor Lily first caught my attention a few years back with their Lp Vuxola which was a whirling dervish of what sounded to me like the Minutemen and Dead Kennedy's getting together for a heavy jam session. On "Dirt On Everyone" , Poor Lily keep that same intensity going but to my ears they sound even heavier and meaner, and I like it.

This album is a barn burner right from the get go. The opening track We Are opens calmly before exploding into the frantic fray of the next track up Nsaman. From this point on the album moves along  quickly with an occasional let up here and their to allow the listener to catch their breath.

Poor Lily really put together a strong Lp from beginning to end and they deserve to be heard, so head over to their webpage and hear this great album for yourself. Actually, better yet, drop some $ on a digital download or the vinyl, you will not be disappointed...Dave G.

Poor Lily

Bandcamp 

Facebook 

Nemesis - Pain (The Equalizer)

Here's a pretty damn good private press power metal 7" from Union NJ circa 1988. This one is pretty tough to find, only 200 pressed, but I got lucky and stumbled upon one recently at the local record shop. I've heard Nemesis described as thrash metal but they sound more power metal to my ears. 

The A-Side of this 7" Pain (The Equalizer)  is a rock solid powerful tune while the B-side Nemesis is not quite as promising, more of a mid tempo bouncy track that sounds like it was meant to appeal to the commercial side of things.  Regardless, this is an excellent record and well worth grabbing if you come across a copy....Dave G. (back from the dead)?  

Pain (The Equalizer)

Nemesis

Ludichrist demo 1985

My first post in a year and a half hahaha. I honestly  just felt like sharing this demo somewhere other than in a Facebook group. I couldn't find any real images of this tape on the internet so I figured I would post them up here on the old blog page.

Musically this is a killer tape. I'm certain the songs were included on the recent Ludichrist compilation  on FOAD Records so the music should be easy enough to find but images of the actual tape seem to be much harder to come by, until now...later Dave G.

Sacrificial Blood - Souls For Sale 2013

Sacrificial Blood  are a NJ based Thrash/Death metal band who have been releasing records and playing shows in and around NJ for the past 10 plus years, and in my opinion they are a true representation of underground metal, and I mean that as a high compliment.

If you are a fan of old school thrash/Death metal or even newer bands like Toxic Holocaust then you really need to listen to this cd and support Sacrificial Blood. Musically, SB pummels the senses with excellent riffs, tight drumming and brutal guttural vocals that should make any metal head foam at the mouth.

Sacrificial Blood are the real deal. A true underground metal band who are deserving of your attention, so trust me and give them a listen...you will not be disappointed...Dave G.

Bandcamp listen and purchase a CD.
Facebook

Mothman - Proboscis 2013

Having personally released a Mothman record in 1996 I have to say that I was caught off guard when this EP submission hit my inbox a few days ago. I mean, had my good friends from Mothman who now play in The Nolan Gate really get back together and record music behind my back without letting me in on the secret? Well as it turns out my pals were not playing an elaborate trick on me at all, what actually happened is some young upstarts chose a band name without doing a simple Google search to see if said name had been used before.

Anyway, I'm old and I don't give a shit what these guys call themselves, but I do care that after listening to their music I couldn't think of  a single useful thing to say about what I had just heard, so I put the Bandcamp link up on my Facebook page and asked my friends to give me there thoughts about the "new" Mothman...and here we go.

E says "Yuck, very very boring"

S says "They need to step out of the kiddie pool and dip into the danger zone"

D says "I feel like I've heard this a 1000x before and done much much better"

SP says "they're no Orchestral Movements in the Dark"

PA says "No other band that calls themselves Mothman will ever be as good as NJ 20th century Mothman.The odds are unfavorable".

So there you have it. I actually side with PA on this one, but listen for yourself and you be the judge...Dave G.

Mothman (the original) can be heard Here   Here   Here 

Mothman 2013 can be heard Here

Lewd - American Wino

                                  Opening a 31 year old sealed record hahaha...sealed records are no fun.

Steffan Rodd - Shocker 7" ep 1983

Here's an obscure little bit of NJ heavy metal history for you...Steffan Rodd. From what I can gather these dudes were from Newark, the least metal place on the entire planet, and they self released this 7" ep in 1983.

Musically, you get three nice mid tempo rockers, and the outstanding up tempo title track "shocker" that is full of over the top vocal histrionics that need  to be heard by metal heads everywhere....so listen...Dave G.

Listen

  

No Means No

Just felt like posting this image somewhere...Dave G.

Sectarian Violence - Upward Hostility

This is the first full length Lp from Sectarian Violence and  from start to finish it one hard as nails motherfucking album. Grave Mistake described Sectarian Violence's music as  "Burly Meat and potatoes hardcore" and I cannot think of a better description in all honesty. I get the feeling that these dudes are very serious about their lyrical message and about delivering thick menacing hardcore that is sure to get someones ass kicked in the pit...Dave G.

Buy
Listen

Manipulation - ST Lp Sorry State Records 2013

This damn Manipulation Lp bursts out of your speakers like a bat out of hell and I'm not talking about that fatso from the 1970's. The bat out of hell I am referring to is the Manipulations who are one lean mean hardcore pummeling machine on this their self titled debut Lp for Sorry State Records. If you like raw unrelenting hardcore then this records is definitely for you.

I heard a lot of great things about Manipulation over the past few years and in all honesty I didn’t fully appreciate their previous releases, but this Lp changes all of that for me. I'm adding this album to my repeated listening pile right now...Dave G.

Buy
Listen

Rough Kids - The State I'm In

 I'll tell you the quality control at Sorry State Records is down right impressive. I received 4 records from the label this week and so far they have all been excellent (see previous review Double Negative and Broken Prayer).

Rough Kids approach their sound from more of a 77 style punk direction with tons of hooks and snappy beats and memorable choruses to stick in your brain.  There is even some nice machine gun riffing in tracks like "insightful". Overall, Rough Kids hit the mark and deliver an excellent slab of pure memorable punk rock...3 Sorry State reviews down and 1 to go, curious to see if the winning streak continues...Dave G.




Purchase

Double Negative - Hardcore Confusion Volume 3 and 4 Sorry State Records

Double Negative have gone through some line up changes in the past year with the departure of Brian Walsby (drums) and  Kevin KC Collins (vocals) but on hardcore confusion volume 3 and 4 they really haven't missed a beat.

The music is intense and full of energy right from the start. I suppose the elephant in the room and what everyone will likely be talking about is the changing of vocalist which is understandable as vocalist will always be the toughest position to change...I mean are you a Dianno or Dickinson guy?  Personally I  have a preference for Dianno but I still love Maiden with Dickinson and  the same thing holds true with Double Negative in my opinion. I really like KC's vocals and thought they were an important part of -/- sound but on this ep I think Cameron delivers an excellent performance of his own and moving forward I think the band will continue to make killer music and some day people may be asking the question "are you a KC guy or a Cameron guy?"...Dave G.  

Purchase

Broken Prayer - st Lp Sorry State Records 2013

Broken Prayer definitely caught me by surprise with this LP.  If your a fan of other Sorry State record bands like Stripmines or Double Negative than Chicago's Broken Prayer should be right up your alley. The music is dark and energetic and straight forward at times, but also switches gears and throws in interesting synch effects which results in a slightly more post punk or even dark wave approach at times.

In closing, there is definitely a nice variety of sounds and influences in Broken Prayers musical repertoire that is guaranteed  to keep even the most jaded listener entertained and engaged...Dave G. 

Purchase

Fatalitees - Yeah Right Lp 1983

The Fatalities existed from 1979- 1983 as a little know NY hardcore / punk band from upstate Dutchess County NY who recorded a bunch of tracks in their house, landed a few cuts on some obscure punk compilations, had the distinction of being the first hardcore band from outside New York City to play at the A7 club and then road off into the sunset to be completely forgotten for 30 years, that is until John at Tappan Hill Records started his own personal crusade to get the bands music out to the masses.

The fruit of John's labor is this raging full length Lp (50 on blue vinyl) that is currently bludgeoning my ear holes as I type away at this post. Musically the Fatalities come across like a giant middle finger in your face. The songs are simple, crude and catchy. I'm not 100% sure who to compare Fatalities too but if I was forced to make comparisons I would say The Wards meets Flipper would give you a pretty good idea of their sound.

In closing I urge you to track down a copy of this Lp for your collection. The pressing is limited, the color vinyl even more limited and the music is worthy of a spot in any punks record collection...Dave G.

 From the Label:

Vinyl reissue of the 1982 cassette album by this obscure upstate New York hardcore band. Very much of the time, this is straight up raw 1980s punk with a snotty, slightly humorous bent. Reminds me of the classics of this style like Adrenalin OD and Suburban Mutilation, but much more raw and primitive. If you like primitive, snot-nosed early 80s HC this will be right up your alley.

Order Directly:  platypus666@hotmail.com

Order from Sorry State Records

Pusrad - cassette 2013 Yakuzzi Tapes

Short fast bursts of punk rock energy that will leave you feeling like you won a who can drink the most Red Bull competition...Dave G.


Yakuzzi Tapes

Pusrad Facebook

Cassette includes the Domad 12", Akta Dig 7" and Smarttrams 7". Unfortunately the cassette is sold out but you can still buy the 7 inches and 12" from your favorite online distributors.

Living Laser - Versus Pigs 7" (Trip Machine Laboratories)

Living Laser from NY state have released one hell of a killer 7" in "Versus Pigs". The music is tight and quick paced with plenty of starts and stops and monster riffs in the breakdowns that are sure to result in some circular motion in the pit. 

I think Trip Machine Laboratories has hit on a real gem in this band...I only hope an Lp is in their near future because "Versus Pigs" has definitely left me wanting more.

Living Lasers kick ass...there I said it...Dave G.

P.S. I see the excellent  Living Laser "Ragged Glory" cassette tape is still available from TML. I highly recommend you pick one up if your buying a 7".

Trip Machine Laboratories Purchase
Living Laser Facebook

Cicada Radio - No Fate But What We Make 2013

A recent Review I did for UBRS blog. Good band you should give a listen to.

Cicada Radio has been a favorite band of UBRS since we first laid our ears on their excellent debut ep "Imposter" back in the early summer of 2011. The "Imposter" EP was full of emotional heaviness and hooks that were firmly planted in the 90's Emo sound that reminded this listener of  bands like Karate, Knapsack and Small Brown Bike.

On the new album "No Fate But What We Make" the band has moved away from the Emo tendencies heard on "Imposter" and seem to have infused a bit of a shoegaze feel to their guitar tones. There's also an openness and clarity to their sound that was honestly off putting upon initial listen. I initially struggled with this album quite a bit. I was confused by the vocals that sound like they are being shouted across an empty concert hall and the overall production approach of the album had me confused. Therefore,  I decided to put this record aside to possibly revisit another day. The strange thing is that over the next few days I would catch myself with the melody to one of their songs stuck in my head. At first it was "Charity Mafia" and then it was "Oceans" so I decided that I better give this album another chance and I am really happy that I did. "No Fate But What We Make" showcases a band that is maturing right in front of our eyes and I now appreciate the way they approached this album.

I now believe the production of the record and the things I struggled with at first were absolutely intentional on the bands part. I like the fact that I had to really listen to understand and to gain an appreciation of their developing sound. Sometimes the best albums are the ones that don't immediately grab you, but the ones that plant a seed in your brain upon initial listen and then keep dragging you back for more. Even when you aren't sure why you keep listening... Until one day you realize that you can't stop listening....I present to you "No Fate But What We Make"...Dave G. 

Cicada Radio Bandcamp
Killing Horse Records Purchase CD

Neurosis - Honor Found In Decay - Neurot 2012

This is either a tough record to review or a very easy record to review. I am going to take the easy route and say that Honor Found In Decay sounds exactly like what we have come to expect from Neurosis over their past 3 albums or so...atmospheric, plodding, somewhat heavy music with gruff vocals, and a nice heaping of emotion. Now I am not trying to be a wise-ass  or anything, it's just that Neurosis have found there formula and they do not stray from it in the slightest.    

Overall, I think that while there is nothing new here it is comforting none the less to have new Neurosis music playing from my speakers, and Honor Found In Decay is certainly worthy of repeated listens....I wish these guys would play NY again, and soon...Dave G.

This review appeared originally on the UBRS blog.

Become - Cassette - Take It Back Records 2012

Driving emotive hardcore with a bit of an old school Dischord vibe mixed with a touch of the 90's Emo sound that you would find on many of the Gravity Records releases of that time period.

Become features current and ex-members of Manumission, Ochre, Lumber Lung, X-Wing, Worship, Bone Explosion, Desperate Hours, Masisin, No Man's Land, Eden in Flames, Sutrama, Embassy, Uphill Battle, Broken Needle, Blasting Concept, and Surprise Vacation. I must say that that is one hell of pedigree. If you are a fan of any of these bands or simply a fan of well done emotional hardcore music then I urge you to give Become a listen...Dave G.


This review appeared originally on the UBRS blog.

Bandcamp
Purchase

Dark Empire - From Refuge to Ruin 2012

Wow a real metal band from my home state of New Jersey who actually have the chops, production value and talent to make a name for themselves in the current prog metal scene.

The three songs on the bands Facebook page are very varied offerings. The first track "A Plague in the Throne Room" contains excellent riffs and mostly clean vocals, and just when I think I have the band figured out the second song "Dreaming in Vengeance" kicks off with a riff reminiscent of the best Fear Factory ever had to offer. The final track "The Crimson Portrait" slows things down a touch but still moves  along at a steady pace held aloft by excellent riffing, tight precise drumming and the strong clean pipes of vocalist Brian Larkin.

Overall, these three songs have left me thoroughly impressed and eager to hear more. If you are a fan of bands like Fear Factory, or maybe Opeth would be a better comparison, then I think Dark Empire may be right up your alley...Dave G



This review originally appeared on the UBRS blog.

Bandcamp
Facebook
Nightmare Records 

Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind

The first thing that caught my ear about the new Converge record is the slightly broader use of clean vocals which brings a new dimension to Converges' ferocious sound  that was needed in my opinion, as my ears had become numb to their brutal full on assault a few records back. In my opinion the use of clean vocals gives the gruff vocals all the more power and effectiveness, like being lulled to sleep and then awoken with a hammer to the temple.However, 98% of "All We Love We Leave Behind" is still dominated by the full on brutal vocal style you have come to expect from converge.

Musically Converge is as sick as ever, the music is tight, the drumming is spot on, the level of brutality is high, and the heaviness is down right intense...I have a headache after one listen, but I'm popping a few aspirin and going back for more...Dave G.

Converge
Epitaph order CD or Vinyl
Deathwish order Vinyl

Evil - Evil's Message (Rave-On Records) 1984

I almost shit myself last weekend when I found this record in a used bin for $2.00. I knew rumor had it that King Diamond himself played guitar on this record, but after some investigating I believe that this rumor is definitely unfounded. Hell, this ep is great on it's own merit  and certainly doesn't need the King to help make it more appealing,

What you get from Evil is a powerful style of Euro-metal with plenty of nwobhm  influence. The production is top notch, the riffs slay and there is even some Iron Maiden hidden away in some of the guitar work. So don't let the cover art fool you, these Danes kick some serious ass...great record..Dave G.

Evil

Rodan - Aviary Demo Tape

Here's a hard to find demo tape if ever there was one. Rumor has it that only 200 were made and I have never seen another copy. I have also never seen an image of the actual correct demo tape cover which is the reason I am posting an image.

I came across this tape at least 10 -15 years ago after a very long time spent chasing internet leads and emailing as many people as I could think of who may have a copy of the tape. Eventually I located a woman in Louisville who had a connection of some sort to the band and after a few emails back and forth she realized I wanted this sucker pretty badly so she offered to send me the tape for free which was beyond nice.

Anyway, I wanted to post the image for all to see and also to see if anyone can verify that this is indeed the correct cover for the tape. I believe it is as it is laid out correctly, contains song titles, recording info and says it was released on Helen Ready Records 1993...Anyone, with specific details please comment...Dave G.