V/A - SAMTREST: Ex-USSR tape

This is quite a collection of punk, hardcore, noise, experimental, and thrash from all over the ex-Soviet Union: Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, and Armenia are all represented here. Lovingly compiled and duplicated by a fine punk in Latvia, this tape exhibits an impressive selection of unknown bands, only two of which I'd heard of previously (A.INVAZIJA and TURBO REANMACIJA). Once I decided to sit down and commit to getting through the whole thing, it was an enlightening and enjoyable journey. If you've got patience, an open mind, and a passion for purely raw and obscure punk, this tape is a fucking goldmine. 

SAMTREST

Also worth noting- I accidentally ripped side B first, so the file begins with the right column on the tracklist above. All titles in the Cyrillic alphabet have been just labeled as "Cyrillic" in the file becasue I simply do not know how to type it. 

MARICHUANA - 1993-1995 Cassette

I first learned of this incredible Lithuanian punk band from their EP released by Darbouka Records - the first release by the label. It has been my intention to post that 7" ever since I started this blog, but I recently got my hands on this cassette cheaply (thanks to the internet) since people apparently don't give a crap about seeking out amazing Lithuanian punk. This tape contains two demos from 1993 and 1995. Their sound can be characterized as raw but melodic punk, melancholic in tone and melody, but with a wild and expressive vocal style. His voice even sort of reminds me of Jello Biafra at times, but less grating. Even the music resembles DEAD KENNEDYS at times. There's even a track with an almost identical riff to "Too Drunk to Fuck!" But don't get me wrong here - DK's are the closest reference point in sound, but MARICHUANA is a strong band with their own sound. Most of the material straddles mid-tempo, but a few of the tracks are blazers. The second half of the tape has a few darker standout tracks with morose guitar lines, composed similarly to bands like THE WIPERS. My faves are "Tilto Kolapsas" and "Zingsnis Prazuti" - I've already added them to a mix tape. I don't have much knowledge about the Lithuanian punk scene from the early 90's (or any period for that matter), but most of the stuff I've heard varies in style; ie. there doesn't seem to be a common sound between the bands like there are with Polish or Japanese bands or something. This tape certainly does have me on the edge of my seat looking for more stuff like this from the region! Who's gonna help me out? Highest recommendation here, and make sure to sit down and really listen to this one.

MARICHUANA demos

A. INVAZIJA - Protestas Cassette

Awesome debut of dark hardcore from Lithuania! This is their first demo from 1994. Later they dropped the "A" and just went by INVAZIJA, and released a bunch of stuff through the late '90s-2000. Mainly fast hardcore with lots of effects and - throw WRETCHED, any fine old Finnish hardcore band, and a dash of Eastern Euro flair in a blender, and you've got a noisy weekend ahead of yourself. Ya can't go wrong with some groundbreaking, unique, swirling hardcore from Ex USSR! I don't know much about other hardcore from Lithuania, but I don't imagine there was much hardcore coming out of there before this. I will post more rare stuff from the Baltic countries in the future!



A.INVAZIJA - Protestas


Fun fact: In 1990, Lithuania was the the first Soviet republic to declare independence!