NAPALM A.D. 12"

Back in 2012 our longing for more TOTALITÄR was satisfied by INSTITUTION's Domen Är Satt LP. Not that all those TOTALITÄR 7"s and LPs ever get old or played out, but it's exciting to get slapped with new material featuring members of the original band, especially when it just sounds so much like TOTALITÄR. So this year we were presented with the brilliant and succinct NAPALM A.D. 12". The only information actually on this record is that it was recorded in 2012, and Poffen's signature manic vocal style gives him away as the singer. I actually flipped right past this disc months ago at MRR headquarters while digging through the new arrivals because I had heard no news of it, and the cover didn't grab my attention. Once I found out what it was, it proved to be impossible to mailorder in the States. Luckily I had my feelers out for it in Europe and managed to grab it at the always dangerous Static Shock Records in Berlin. Fingers crossed that these TOTALITÄR-related projects will keep churning out more releases! 

NAPALM A.D.

TOTALITÄR - Allting Är På Låtsas EP

TOTALITÄR is one of the greatest hardcore bands of all time. Period. Words cannot describe how much I love this band. No matter what I'm into at any given time, I can always put on TOTALITÄR and commit to being 100% stoked. I've refrained from posting their records here because they seem to be pretty well covered on the internet, and I don't have much interest into putting energy toward posting easily accessible releases these days. This EP, although not being particularly old or special in any way, seems to be one of the most elusive TOTALITÄR records, so I've decided to share it. By claiming that it's not "special," I surely do not mean that it's boring or inferior in any way. It fucking destroys, and is in the top tier of their material, or any hardcore material from any period from any region, ever. For expanded analysis on the greatness of TOTALITÄR, see the "Post Postscript" toward the end of Golnar's review of the LÖGNHALSMOTTAGNINGEN EP on the MRR site. 

TOTALITÄR

V/A - GBG Hardcore - 81 Punk 85 CD

A phenomenal document of 14 hardcore/punk bands from the early 80's in Göteborg, Sweden. Apparently this came with a zine, which I unfortunately do not have but would love to see. Many of the recordings seem to be alternate demo or live versions, or simply from rare records such as the ABSURD EP. Styles range from the familiar classic Swedish d-beat hardcore masters ANTI CIMEX and DISARM, to the catchy and upbeat sing-along punk of BUMSEN MUSS MAN and GBG PUNX. Particularly compelling to me are: 

1. the seemingly live DISARM tracks (it takes a few seconds for the person at the mixing board to get the levels right, but once they do it's devastating! Those vocals!). 2. The single track by INJEKTION is insanely catchy, but I mostly love it for the maniacal laughter at the end. 3. Three perfect crude blasts from youngsters NISSES NOTTER, especially the burp that kicks off "Pissefjong." 4. The tuneful TROUBLMAKERS tracks with undeniable swagger and unforgettable choruses! 

An overall essential collection!

GBG HARDCORE

SUBVERSION EP 7"

Dis-jointed (pun intended) hardcore from Belgium, recorded in 1983. This is a rare 7" collection of all their recorded material from compilations, released by Game Of The Arseholes in '08. Six d-beat rippers in the rawest tradition of DISCHARGE! 

 SUBVERSION EP

BASTARD SONS OF APOCALYPSE - Merciless Slaughter EP

 

From BSN.....and on to BSA! Nothing obscure here, but no less effective in the blistering Latino hardcore department. BASTARD SONS OF APOCALYPSE formed in south Texas (Rio Grande Valley) in the early 00's and I started seeing them appearing on bills in Austin, where I lived, in maybe 2003 or'04? Can't remember for sure, but after a promising demo, they released this monster debut D-Beat platter on the now well known 540 Records. I became quite close to these guys - I toured with them twice, once to the east coast and once through Mexico, and later played in a few bands with the singer, Eddie, who now plays in CRIATURAS and runs a cool label/distro called Todo Destruido. BSA's drummer, Omar, now plays in PORKERIA and does a label called Adelante, for whom I can't find a link. Not sure what the other folks are up to these days, but I've probably seen this band more times than I've seen any other band, and I have many fond and chaotic memories of them! 

BASTARD SONS OF APOCALYPSE - Merciless Slaughter EP

BSA also released another EP on Distort Reality, a great split with Chi-town hardcore punk stalwarts SIN ORDEN on my buddy Manolo's Desobediencia Records, and their massive "Strangled By the System" LP - co-released by Todo Destruido and Adelante. 

I should also mention that this EP and the self titled one were recorded by my dear friend Stan Wright, whose recording operations are much more stable these days at his studio in Portland, Buzz or Howl. I still haven't made it up there to visit and see the new setup, but any punk bands located on the west coast, or bands planning to come the west coast that want to record, Stan's your man! 

THE HORROR...

...YOW!!!