The ABC's of Noisecore

If I ever posted an official "best of 2016" list on any blog platform last year, you were bound to see this record placed firmly near the top spot. A brilliant noisecore split released by the always reliable SPHC, one that is a sure fire way to make most newcomers take a moment of pause. Two bands, Anal Butt and Cunts, both with monikers that are bound to spark reflex chuckling, or disgust. The latter only used drums and vocals. Sounds like something that only a basement dweller would vibe to. Me personally, I'm in love with it. One of the best slabs of wax I've heard in a few years. The newly released official pressing (I'll get to that later) is pressed in a run of 250, all black vinyl. 33 RPM.

Anal Butt not only have one of the best bad band names ever, but they're also a band that pulls of brutal, knuckle dragging noisecore with a tweaked sound perfectly. Spearheaded by SPHC label owner Dan McGregor and Co., I've heard him say that this is the best thing he's done. And while I haven't heard the bulk of his discography, I'd have to say this would be hard to beat. The sonic assault that Anal Butt bring on their side is crushing, warp speed, kaleidoscopic, and embraces the best of the genre's unapologetic stupid qualities. Standard instruments are used; drums, bass, guitar and vocals, and the general sound is nothing that groundbreaking. However, the editing and attention to detail in the recording, dare I say the arrangements of it, are just excellent! The session starts with a good chunk of short, crudely edited song bursts that begin with stick clicks. Eventually everything gets noisier and noisier, growing and getting more claustrophobic. Vocals are doubled on top of each other and the bass sounds like it's literally frying from the distortion. Simply brilliant editing and cutting out certain instruments at certain times, or letting everything die out for a split second to just explode again with more blasts and noise! Next thing you know there's a generic hardcore breakdown riff with Patrick the Starfish vocal grunts. It's such a joy to listen to every time, I always notice something different.

Cunts is a noisecore duo from Japan that have been around for over a decade, and have been a band that have been a treasure to fans of the underground. Their releases are sought after, and I'm fortunate enough to own only a couple items. The drill here is only vocals choking with high gain feedback, and drums. Bada bing. Cunts is a band that takes noisecore to almost it's most bare bones and neanderthal. Their recordings however always showcase the sheer brutality a duo like this can bring, and their half of this record is no exception. It's mastered so fucking loud, the feedback almost makes you feel like your ear drums are getting stabbed. The drums supply all the punch and force they need, they're performed absolutely perfectly. Blasting, grooving, polka beating and stopping all at just the right times. Ucchys non-stop screams and yells are so relentless they almost have a hypnotic quality. I'd say they're the best band doing this style of noisecore since World, easily. Definitely not as heady or conceptual as World, but they certainly are no chumps. It's so damn good, I cannot recommend it enough.

The record is packaged in a single-sided fold-over sleeve with this small insert inside. All of the regular press have large hole in the center.

Now back in the summer of 2016, I got to perform with Anal Butt and Sedem Minut Strachu, and I was able to pick up what was unbeknownst to me at the time, a test press! A run of 50 TP's were made for the tour, and I feel very lucky to own it. The test press version is virtually identical except it has a small center hole and no insert.

You can pickup this record at SPHC, what are you waiting for?

~VII

Sedem Minut Samurai

The noisecore lordships themselves, my favorite band, Sedem Minut Strachu graced the USA this year on their first tour over the Pacific. Playing alongside fellow sound crushers like Final Exit, Six Brew Bantha, Space Grinder and Deche-Charge. Echoing their incredibly prolific year before this, 7MS have cemented their status as contemporary titans of noisecore. One of their strongest releases to date comes to us from American weirdo/punk label SPHC, which is a label I definitely trust when it comes to insanely bizarre noise and punk releases.  A full EP of new studio recordings, recorded on their Japan tour at Ryohei's (Final Exit) home studio. This is actually a test press version they sold on their portion of the American tour with Anal Butt. Limited to 45 copies, 33 RPM.

I'd say that this is one of 7MS's most punishing recordings to date. Ryohei did an excellent job of capturing and engineering their signature assault and boosting it tenfold. Both Rado and Richard are hard-panned into their respective channels, surrounding you in churning walls of bass distortion and free form, neanderthal vocals. Richard (right channel) seems to have a pitch shifter on his voice and his grunts never sounded more barbaric. Jan's drumming is one of the real highlights on this record. The snare is compressed perfectly and the hits are so bright and pangy, the kick drums sound monstrous, and the cymbals sound like a bunch of chains being wailed on. It's a challenging mix, but I can't get enough of it lately, it's been on repeat all week. The last 30 seconds or so actually feature Ryohei on drums, which is a fun little add on at the end. Seriously, "Sedem Minut Samurai" is a brutal, brutal EP. It's one of the best recordings I think 7MS has ever done.

The test press is packaged in a simple fold-over sleeve with no inner art. White labels, and a double sided insert with the Japan and American tour dates. According to the SPHC website, this test press was actually rejected. Hopefully the pressing plant will make this incredible EP a priority soon and it will be available to the masses.

I actually got to perform on the Rochester, NY date of the tour. One of the real highlights of the year for me.

Until this EP is released officially, you can listen to the recordings HERE.

~VII

Assuck - "Misery Index" + Test Press

Sometime's I just feel like using this blog to it's real "show-off" potential and make posts like this. I've seen quite a few smash-my-face-into-the-wall-with envy test pressing posts on some of my fellow vinyl blogs, so I thought I'd throw my own addition into the fray.This right here is a test press for the grindcore magnum-opus album, "Misery Index" by Assück. Next to my regular pressing of the record.

Believe it or not, I actually got this gem on Discogs. Ken from Hellnation and Sound Pollution Records head hancho, apparently set up an account and put up test presses for almost the entire Sound Pollution catalog. And everything for incredibly low prices. Honestly, the price kept me away from buying some stuff right away, it seemed too good to be true. Eventualy I broke and figured it was worth a shot, and actually bought an addition test press (that I'll probably show soon), and upon confirmation of it's authenticity, immediately bought the "Misery Index" test press. This baby is limited to 5 copies. 

 Don't think I need to go into great detail explaining why this album is so good, Anyone into grindcore should be familiar with at least some of this band's catalog. Deadly serious and ferocious deathy-grind, some of the most technically sharp and inventive stuff to come out of the east coast in the 90's, and angry as all hell. This album still kicks ass, even by todays standards, and Rob Proctors blasting puts most of todays players to shame with his crippling intensity. Question for anyone who also has this record; did your copy come with a lyric sheet? Mine didn't.

~VII

Dropdead Split Test Presses

About a month or two ago, Dropdead had some leftover test presses of their two new upcoming split 7"s for sale on the Armageddon Records store site. Any chance to pick up some Dropdead tests should be instantly acted upon so I snatched them both up for a cool 6 bucks each. Plus, new fucking Dropdead jams, so naturally yes. While I am happy to own these, I got to be honest I don't particularly care for either one. I've made it clear that I'm not a crust guy, really at all, and these new Dropdead songs are just too...crusty. And I know! D'oy, Dropdead have always been a crusty band, don't even start with that. But they always held my attention because they were fast and aggressive as fucking hell, and I love them for it! They sounded like a crust punk band, but they all loved powerviolence just a little more. These new songs just make the band sound tired, and worn out. Playing half speed crust tunes that I could hear from anywhere. The vocals don't even have the same grit as they used to, or screamed delivery. Crust is crust, oh well. Here's their split with Ruidisa Inmundicia. Both tests are on black vinyl, 45 RPM.

And here's the test for their split with Systematic Death. I think both of these records are either close to, or just released. 

~VII