Goddamn The Twentieth Century

A while back, rumors began to swirl about a split between the Infamous Gehenna and Germany's underrated juggernaut VV.egas. It was always going to be extremely limited with out of this world art. Time passed and the rumor grew stronger and stronger until it was revealed Vedavu was handling it. Even more time passed and I wondered if it was ever going to appear. A special edition, limited to a mere 13 copies appeared for the 7.17 show - it was a glimpse of hope. During September - when I was on leave from work - I remember wishing it was coming out until I had enough money. Then official word came down and it went back to a waiting game. Vedavu placed the pre-orders up at midnight (PST; 3 AM EST).



Make no mistake about it, this is a piece of art. Vedavu release records by collectors for collectors. An elaborate sleeve houses this slab of wax. As you can tell from the pictures, there was a lot of detail put into the appearance; the morbid yet vibrant cover is wrapped with a black obi-strip that has album's artwork on it (It's black on black, giving it a really cool effect). Opening the double fold sleeve reveals even more artwork in the same vein as the other pieces. Two inserts, one for each band, contain the lyrics. For grim, melancholic music, the packaging is absolutely beautiful.



Gehenna start things off with "Within The Peyote Cult", a thrashy, psychedelic number. After the first listen, I got a feeling of deja vu. The riffs were familiar and immediately I knew why: "I'll Always Say Forever". The sample-heavy piece has the same, making me believe that "Within The Peyote Cult" was recorded before 7.17. In any case, the track fits in with the more recent "Psychedelic Screwed Thrash Punk" trend. It's not as surreal as the Blind To Faith split, but it's definitely not your standard hardcore. The contribution gets me ecstatic about the new full-length.



VV.egas' "Original Sin" continues down the same path as their other material - Integrity influenced hardcore with tinges of neo-folk. This particular track features Matt Shack of the criminally over-looked Pale Creation. It's a heavy track, one that gets me hopeful for new VV.egas material in the future. I really dug "Verklingen", but in the end it was a cover. A damn good cover, but nothing beats an original, all new track.

Vedavu has a handful of new releases planned, including bands such as DEVIL, Arm And Sword Of A Bastard God, and Hot Pursuit. When I see and eventually hold records like the Gehenna/VV.egas split, it reminds me why I love collecting. Pictures don't do it justice. You have to see it to fully grasp just show crazy the whole package is. This came in a bundle that included the vinyl and an exclusive t-shirt.

This is limited to a hundred copies and is sold out (It sold out in a matter of days) but apparently there are rumors of a possible repress. Keep an eye on Vedavu - they've got some amazing stuff in the pipeline.

MMXI is just days old and I already deem this a top three pick.

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.

Deathlust

You either love or hate Kickback. There is no middle ground. Hailing from France, the band has been spreading its message of violence, decay, and Marquis De Sade themes since the early nineties and "No Surrender" is their latest full-length. Ignoring Kickback's controversial history for a moment, this effort is what negative hardcore should be: aggressive and out for blood.

Whereas bands like California Love and Gehenna prefer short, misanthropic assaults, Kickback puts out jams that can range past the five minute mark. Musically, this is like a continuation of "Les 150 Passions Meurtrieres", meaning it has a little more of a Black Metal tinge rather than NYHC. I read an interview that explained the change - the new guitarist has a history with BM (To be clear though, BM has always been an influence on the material, at least to my ears). The assaults may be longer, but they still pack the same punch as C/L does. Even with the longer numbers, there isn't that usual repetitious feel; they keep the listener engaged and uncomfortable.

"No Surrender" powers through eleven tracks in thirty-seven minutes but I cannot help but want more. There's a new full length on the horizon - a two year gap is much better than ten for sure. In the mean time, revisit the band's catalog for some serious metallic hardcore with hate and perversion.

I never really checked out the band until I heard the guest vocals on the Blind To Faith split and for a while I couldn't get past them. They were screechy and at first seemed out of place with the rest of the band. After a couple of listens to "Forever War", I was completely swayed and have never looked back.

The new material is going to slay. As a side note, this was - to my knowledge - only released on CD, which is a momentary bummer. GSR still has this in stock along with some gnarly shirts and hoodies. Support a good band.

This World Is A Shithole

A quick glance at this blog will reveal my love for Gehenna. For my money, there is no heavier, hyper-aggressive band in the world. This cassette tape was the start and features some of the band's best material. I absolutely love the look of the tape; it is housed in a thin manila envelope with a morbid cover and Gehenna written in the corner. It's not flashy nor busy but simple and to the point. Inside, there are a handful of booklets, including one that features the lyrics while others are ads for long gone distros and bands - Fall Silent. The imagery is stark and the simple fact that its black and white simply adds to the grim style. Continuing with the aesthetics, the demo's look reminds me more of a d-beat/crust band rather than hardcore, which is refreshing.

As soon as the first track, "83%", begins, a whirlwind of hatred and violence washes over the listener. The feedback crescendos into crushing guitars and savage drumming. Mike Cheese's demonic growls and apocalyptic lyrics sets the band apart from the usual formula. For example, the first words uttered on this recording are: "Human debris covers the Earth." It truly is negative hardcore. "83%" chugs along, complete with breakdown moments and snarling vocals. This is probably one of my favorite songs but as much as I enjoy it on the demo, the song is so much more intense with the most current line-up (Having members of Reno metal outfit Violent Ruler only adds to the speed and thrash). This is showcased during the live set on Erratic Radio this past summer.

Immediately after the first track, "Woodmaker" continues what "83%" started. As harsh as Mike Cheese's vocals get, they still are almost clean giving the music a much more powerful edge - the reason I say that is that the vocals could very easily be cookie-cutter grindcore nonsense and the lyrics would be lost in cheesy growls. One cannot help but sing along to the chorus of "We Must Obey".

The final track is "The Bottom Line", an abstract number revolving around pain and revenge. One of the biggest things that attracted me to Gehenna's music was the level of sophistication and thought that went into the lyrics. Portraits are clearly painted for the listener in the span of two to three minutes, portraits that are both vivid and often violent. To close things out is one of the more interesting lyrics: "Straight Edge, I Win Again". It's interesting to see how the band matured since the demo. It doesn't take too much to see how much more psychedelic/trippy/drugged out Gehenna became in their latest full length and especially the Blind To Faith split.

This version of the demo - cassette tape in the envelope - is long out of print and very hard to find. Luckily I scored one on eBay (Just the tape at first but then one with the envelope and insert) for a great price. For those that want to hear the numbers without tracking down the tape, they were gathered for the excellent "The War Of The Sons Of Light And The Suns Of Darkness" semi-discography CD and later on the LP. Like the tape, the original CD, which was released by CrimethInc, is out of print; A389 released the LP a couple of years back and still has copies of both the first and second press. The three tracks might some of my favorite but I prefer the various versions on live records (83% on the aforementioned Erratic Radio session and on the Catharsis split) a bit more.

It's a great starting point if you're new to Gehenna. You're given a ten minute assault on humanity, an assault that is merciless and stark. All hail the Seven Crowns.

+Orrchida

The 7.17 compilation brings together such juggernauts as Integrity and Gehenna in honor of the show in Anaheim earlier this year. It's a great slab of vinyl that came in a handful of variations, ranging from the standard mail-order sleeve to personalized band copies. In addition to the three* standard copies, there's a fourth - almost a special edition of a special edition - that features a picture of Charles Manson in military garb. This was released by the wonderful Hellfish, who recently put up a gnarly pre-order of VVegas vinyl. More on that band in a moment. To my knowledge, this is sold out in almost all forms.

German powerhouse VVegas starts off the record with a killer rendition of Integrity's "Fading Away". It almost feels like it's actually Integrity rather than VVegas. In any case, it's a great starting point. It's violent and savage and acts as a perfect prelude to Gehenna's absolute mind-fuck of a track. "I'll Always Say Forever" is like the bastard child of the band's previous thrashy punk style and sinister witch house. Driving guitar work is accompanied by the Manson girls' sing songy voices; Manson then becomes the forefront with a long sample that features such words as "I'm not your leader" and "If you want to ride, we'll ride." The tracks feels very experimental and a nice companion piece to the Blind To Faith split A389 released. I've always enjoyed how Gehenna took bits and pieces of other genres and created something new - in this case a sample heavy almost instrumental number. It's not 83% with the fat mosh parts and demonic vocals, but it's interesting. Gehenna is in the midst of putting together their third full length and if it contains material like "I'll Always Say Forever", the record is going to slay.

On the flip side, Unreal City's "Oath" continues what the first two bands started. I had originally slept on the band but after hearing their excellent full length "Ephemeral Subsistence", I suddenly checked out their other material - even if it was a mere cassette tape. What you get is a band very influenced by Integrity. From the vocals to the guitar, it's clear what kind of bands help shape Unreal City. This is far from a bad thing as "Oath" is a highly likable track. It's one of the more faster tracks and contains a good level of melody and aggression. In the end, these three numbers - including Gehenna's - are mere appetizers to the compilation's final piece, "+Orrchida".

A lot of bands try and copy GISM and often you get horrid abominations; Integrity's "+Orrchida" is a goddamn masterpiece. Guitarist Rob Orr channels Randy Uchida's spirit to create a minute and half epic solo fest that cannot do anything but brighten one's day. The first solo reminds me of Chelsea of Death Side/Paintbox fame but that second one... There's no mistaking it. For the band's show in November, they performed this number live and it still retained the magic. People knock Integrity for their various line-ups, but 2010 has been a great year. "VVe Are The End", a 7" put out by Magic Bullet, might be the band's best material post-Humanity Is The Devil. And from what I've heard, the Rot In Hell split is no snoozer either. I cannot wait to hear more Integrity and Orr's guitar work.

This is one of my favorite records - not just because I have a personalized copy from VVegas. There is a perfect blend of eccentricity, originality, and it contains tracks from Gehenna and Integrity. Beyond the music, the art is simple yet morbid and busy. With every new look, I see something different.

Like most Integrity material, their contribution is available to download via Holy Terror.

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The next post, which will be sometime next week, will feature a brand new look that'll take out the usual post a boring album cover and random scribbles. Hopefully, that is; I just need my camera to work. Thanks for reading.

The World Ablaze

Blind To Faith plays hardcore in the vein of Integrity, Ringworm, and Gehenna. Their first LP - which I hope is the first in a long series of releases - "The Seven Fat Years Are Over" was released back in 2009, courtesy of Holy Terror. The band's a super-group, featuring members of Amen Ra, Rise & Fall, and Reproach, and it clearly shows. Stijn, vocalist for Reproach, stays in that role, bringing an aggressive yet clear style to the table. For my money it's like a European Human Furnace (Keep in mind that the band is named after a Ringworm track).

A quick glance at the artwork will give you a perfect prelude to the music. The cover is a collage a la SKV, featuring Jim Jones, swastikas, and the KKK. It's pretty much an amalgamation of evil in the 20th century. To top things off, the band's logo - created by Dwid - is imposed in the background. I really dig artwork like this; I find myself finding new things every time I look at it. On the back, the tracks are listed in a cool, almost faded font. It's the same as Integrity's "The Blackest Curse" if you need a better visual. There is no lyric sheet, which is my only complaint regarding this release. Blind To Faith did post an insert on their site, which features the lyrics.

As soon as the first track starts, you are immersed in a world of hate and violence. Stijn spits the lyrics almost as in disgust. His vitriol, combined with the savage guitars and Nabbe's sharp drum work, create this black hole of utter brutality that lasts just under twenty minutes. Integrity and Ringworm may be clear influences, but there are hints of Eyehategod, Pulling Teeth, and even a little bit of Left For Dead. Tracks range from short, intense bursts to slower jams such as the excellent "Mountains Of Gold". It's pure and the perfect showcase of life's depravity and violence.

Blind To Faith remained quiet until this past summer when a split with the Infamous Gehenna came to light via A389. They released two new tracks; "RJ" featured Stephen Kickback's signature tortured vocals whilst "Icon" continues down the same path as the LP. In the span of a mere ten tracks, this band is one of my most listened to. There is a level of such disgust and anger in these two recordings that is absolutely mind-blowing. Back to back, it's like being hit by a Mack truck and dragged across a street covered in barb-wire.

This band needs to release another record... soon. If you don't like vinyl - shame on you - this is available to download off the Holy Terror page. The Gehenna split is available only on vinyl - no download card was made for the release*.

As they say in "Mountains Of Gold": "I see the roaches and the snakes. They crawl around my feet. My world burns at the stake."

*Like everything else, this is available in a digital format on a host of blogs, but even a 320/FLAC rip doesn't do the album justice. If you want to experience just how psychedelic Gehenna's side is, buy it.

Stumble To Failure

"Reaping The Whirlwind: is California Love's second 12" but like the Low Profile Threat record, it's short as hell. While the length of time may be a bummer, the content is top notch. The sound can easily be described as a mix of Infest and Gehenna; you get the intensity of the former and the negative, misanthropic black metal tinged latter (This recording doesn't have too much of a black metal influence but C/L's final output "Post Mortem Emanations" does.).

The biggest surprise to me was the simple fact a label like Youth Attack! released this monster; Youth Attack! is respectable and has worked with bands like Ruination and The Repos but this - "RTW" - doesn't fit their usual criteria. In any case, this was also released by the band on their Cali Love label.

Ten to one if I've talked to someone about music, California Love has been mentioned. It's a violent, take-no-prisoners style that many attempt but few excel. A Gehenna quote comes to mind: "Our songs are about real fighting. Fighting is violent, brutal, calculated, and unmerciful. Not just fighting with your fists, or with guns, or with knives, but fighting with every fiber of your existence. These fights are everywhere... On the streets, against yourself, mental, legal, spiritual, or financial, wars. Every living thing is fighting an unending battle." Lyrically, the band doesn't push the boundaries nor are they overtly poetic but they're brutally honest.

Tracks like the closing "Wolf Feast" are just negative assaults on humanity and document the simple fact that life is a war. The usual topics are discussed; misanthropic and apathetic humans, religion, and failure. For example, "Of Flesh": "Mankind surrounds me - can't stand the sight - your voices disgust me - worthless lumps of flesh - always around me - suffocating - feelings violent urge - fuck your life." In under a hundred words, you're painted a bleak outlook that is sure to ruin your day.

I've seen this band described as grindcore, hardcore, power-violence, death metal - pretty much every name under the sun - but to me only one name stands out: Negative Hardcore. Whilst Gehenna's lyrics are more abstract at times, both bands share the same outlook and the same sound, It's no mistake that there is a split between them (A389 still has some in stock), a record I'm positive will appear here.

As I mentioned above, Youth Attack! and Cali Love released "Reaping The Whirlwind" back in 2008. I've been able to track down a handful of variations:

/100 Green Vinyl w/ Silk Screen Cover
/100 Purple Vinyl w/ Silk Screen Cover
/500 Green Vinyl w/ Regular Cover
/500 Purple Vinyl w/ Regular Cover
/? Gray Vinyl w/ Regular Cover (This is a transition color so I have no idea on the pressing info)

While California Love released the flawless "Can't Waste Death" 12", I have to admit that this is my favorite record by them. "Reaping The Whirlwind" is the perfect album for Winter. Take a seat and embrace the hate.