Get Fucked Up

Two of California's most vile team up for a two song split that both melts faces and crushes skulls. This is an absolute win-win situation; Gehenna brings a solid, thrashy number to the table whilst California Love has a two minute power-violence attack. The band's truly compliment each other - both playing a style of negative, misanthropic hardcore with Black/Death Metal influences.

The Infamous Gehenna contribute "Get Fucked Up", a savage track that is probably the band's biggest thrasher. Compared to their most recent tracks - the Blind To Faith split and the 7.17 comp - this is the polar opposite. While the last three tracks have a psychedelic witch-house feel, this would easily fit in on "Negotium Parambulans In Tenebris" LP. Even with the driving, repetitious guitar, "Get Fucked Up" is oddly catchy - not in the sense of bubblegum pop or anything but I've caught myself humming it a couple times at work. It's like I said about their 7.17 track "I'll Always Say Forever": If this is the material on the upcoming LP, it's going to slay.

On the flip-side, California Love gives the world "Feurersturm" (The German word for "Fire Storm"), a two minute epic that sounds like it was recorded in a paper bag. It's long for a C/L but completely fits in with their other material. "Feurersturm" still has that infamous "power-violence" sound yet in this recording, there is an undeniable early Death Metal sound that is refreshing. Lyrically it's the same: humanity is the devil and shall be exterminated. Even when they're at their most simplest, California Love head and shoulders above 97% of hardcore. "Feurersturm" is from the same gnarly session as the "Post Mortem Emanations" - it doesn't feel like a b-side but an act of psy-warfare. That opening is just fucking intense and reminds me of an old Bad Brains track, "The Big Takeover". It builds and builds and builds then just explodes.

A389 released this in 2010 (It seems weird not to say earlier this year) in two different variations: red vinyl - this was limited to the pre-order package that included the excellent "Hope Guzzo Bootleg" - and black vinyl - the common version. The covers and inside pages are plain, something that I like; I compare it to something like the Caulfield LP or Gehenna's "Lands Of Sodom" EP where all the attention is directed to the slab of vinyl instead of a flashy insert or artwork. From what I've gathered, this record took a while to finally see the light. Apparently, Relapse was going to release it but in the end things didn't fall through. Fast-forward a bit and A389 unleashes something vile and heinous.

I was able to score the test press via A389's wallet-destroying 24hr Test Press sale on Halloween. The cover is much more morbid and would seem right at home with the bands' other releases. Truth be told, I prefer it to the regular version.

This is still available from many distros. Do your self a favor and pick it up. One of the best releases in 2010 without a doubt.

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Check out my review of Ironwood's new album "Storm Over Sea" over at Halifax Collect. While you're there, take a glance at the Top Ten lists. Some great tunes involved.