Island Of Clones

I am not an avid collector of test pressings, but I am a collector of Needful Things. And when I saw them in NYC a couple weeks ago, they happened to be selling test pressings of their new split 7" with Roskopp. The fact that it was a test(limited to 60) and a TLAL release only sweetened the deal. Black vinyl, 45 RPM.

I love Needful Things, we all know this. I think they're one of the most criminally underrated grindcore bands going right now. The three tracks on here are vicious and unrelenting, just how NT do it. I wasn't a huge fan of the Roskopp side at all. Pretty much just standard grindcore, but without anything exciting in it. I feel like I do need to pick up an official copy of this though, because a TP can only be played a few times before it starts to go bad.

Cool artwork from Aaron Nichols of Defeatist.

This should be released sometime soon.

~VII

Tentacles of Influence

Here's the LP that came with my TLAL order, the new Needful Things album "Tentacles of Influence". Czech titans of underground grindcore! Gray/silver vinyl, 45 RPM with a printed inner sleeve.

Needful Things are, in my opinion, one of the most criminally underrated and underexposed grindcore bands going right now. There previous full-length "Dead Point" is an album all grind junkies need to check out. This album here, on first listen, pretty much delivers in every category and is a great follow up release. I'm gonna have to give it a few more spins to see if it's truly on par with "Dead Point", I'll be doing a review of this on Operation Grindcore in the near future. The B-side is especially kick ass. The recording is significantly more cleaner and not as thick this time around, but it's not that big a deal. Not a fan of the cover art at all.

A lot more short songs this time around too, I think only 2 break the dreaded 2 minute mark. Way more blasting and not as much groove. Though again, Side B has a lot more interesting riffs and structures.

I really hope this band gets more attention this year. They're playing Maryland Deathfest, which should get them a lot more fans here in America. Unfortunately I won't be able to see them cause I was to late to buy my 4-day pass. Endless bummer, I'm sure they'll kill it live.

~VII