My Own Two Feet

Thanks to a recent trade with my buddy Paul, I have finally completed my Extortion discography collection. Of course, I don't have every variant, my wallet can't afford to take it. I might buy another variant of some record here and there, if the price is right, but I don't really see the point. Beside's that, here was the last piece I needed, the 7" repress of their demo. Black vinyl, 45 RPM.

Definitely not my favorite stuff from the band. I definitely don't see myself pulling this out very often, but it is mandatory for anyone who's hungry for their records, like I am. Super aggressive, pissed off, fast hardcore, just like we know and love from Extortion. Except that the recording on this is raw and lo-fi as balls.

Very simple, bare bones, and crude packagine. Basically just a printed image on some regular printer paper that was then folded. Hey, what ever does the job. Love the artwork on this too.

Now, apparently there is a recently released live bootleg LP that was just released, which I should be getting soon. I really don't like live records, but fuck all, I got to stay complete. For better or for worse :p Bring on the splits with ANb, Hatred Surge and Sidetracked!!

~VII

Barf To Death Grind

Pulled out an old cassette from one of my favorite über-underground grindcore bands. Hooker Spit Windex was one of the first bands I got into when I started to dig a little deeper into the underground when I was still a developing grinder. They sadly broke up last year (I think), which is a shame because they definitely could have gotten a bit of a following if they stuck around. Here's their "Barf To Death Grind" EP.

Absolutely nothing groudbreaking with this band, and they didn't intend to be. This is total old-school sounding, grimy grindcore, with a hint of mince mixed into the soupy concoction. Death growls, with some high screams thrown in, PLF-style riffs, lo-fi destruction. This tape compiles tracks that I believe were intended for a split 7" with Infernal Stronghold, which for some reason or another never came out, and some extra tracks on the B-side. Probably their best stuff, definitely their best sounding recording.

This art was also on a T-shirt, which I'm pretty bummed I never picked up.

~VII

Boys Don't Cry

The postage increase that was put into action last week can suck my left one. Eight bucks to ship one 7"? Fall in a hole and die. So yeah, I don't buy overseas very much, but I do make certain exceptions. One of them being Yacøpsæ, who recently had their first 7", "Krank Ist Normal" reissued. Red/black swirl vinyl, limited to 100, 33 RPM.

I'm really not a fan of how the original recording of this record sounds. It's all very flat and not-pummling. So thankfully, Yacøpsæ had the brilliant idea to re-record the entire record, with "Tanz Gronsy Tanz" quality production. The record sounds fantastic, and it looks fantastic. And yes, they did keep the Cure cover, it's wonderful.

This should probably be coming over to the USA soon, so local peeps should wait a bit. Or if you're impatient or want the color version, hit up Vulgar Records.

~VII

Green Wash

Here's a nice little demo cassette that I bought from Opaques Records a while ago. Skuff are a drum/bass powerviolence duo from Canada, and they play the style just how I like it. Simple riffs, some stop starts, and a totally blown out, grimy and lo-fi recording. The Canadian grindcore and powerviolence scene is by far my favorite at the moment. Basically everything I hear from that country is golden, it's incredible. Skuff have a split tape with Bridgeburner out that I want a lot, and have some more split in the future. I'm definitely gonna keep a look out.

~VII

Converge Post Follow Up..

This album made me remember why I fell in love with this band in the first place. Very good album, I'm very satisfied.

~VII

All We Love We Leave Behind

The pre-orders we all made several months ago FINALLY started shipping out, and I got my copy of the new Converge album, "All We Love We Leave Behind", yesterday. I ordered mine through Kings Merch, and got the yellow/gold/orange/whatever variant. Part of me kinda wishes I got the 180g. variant from Deathwish, but that's long gone by now, so who cares. Anyway, Converge is a band that I've really settled down on the past couple years. I used to live and breath this band, and they were my first real introduction to the modern style of hardcore. They really did help change my life. But with the VERY underwhelming couple of splits they've released, and the fact that I've probably over saturated myself with their music, I really don't listen to them all that much anymore. Truth be told, I haven't listened to this album yet either, I just wanted to get some pictures up on the blog after the long break and show you the absolutely GORGEOUS packaging and artwork on here.

Very tidy matte cover sleeve with foil graphics all over the cover. I chalk this up with some of the best artwork Jacob has ever done (wait until you see the gatefold), and it's a very refreshing change from the bands usual "damaged woman" aesthetic.

Bam! Lookit that gatefold. I gasped the first time I cracked this open and saw it. 

The colors...

They called this "yellow vinyl". Nuh-uh. I was honestly expecting a solid yellow color, which I think would have been cooler. 

Everyone and their dog is telling me this is a fantastic album. I have pretty high expectations, and I'm gonna spin it as soon as this is done posting. Updates later!

~VII

Surgery Addict

Here's a mincecore release that I've been eager to get my grubby mitts on for a few minutes now. TLAL joining on releasing this really brought it up to "gotta have it" territory. Here's the Archagathus/Pizza Hi Five split 7", transparent green vinyl, 33 RPM.

I'm a fan of Archagathus, but I never really could handle more than a few minutes of them Before getting totally bored, which is why 7"s are so perfect for them. More of the same mincecore stuff from them, nothing new for the band at all. Kinda of a clean recording, but the vocals just wash over everything. Not much more to say outside of that.

The Pizza Hi Five side is where this release truly shines though. I've been a fan of these guys ever since 2009, and seeing them get all this attention is great. They still got it, and their jams on here are great. Total pulverizing, grimy, gutter sludge mincegrind. I fucking love it. The guitars are super think and chunky and the drums got a heck of a lot faster. Love this band!!

Pretty sure the green vinyl was limited to 100, not that sure though.

Buy this, or forever suck.

~VII