Reviews

Reactor

Condemned? Humanoid or Biomechanoid? LP

Strange fuzz fusion metal core. All the typical metal speed changes are here and mixed in with high speed thrash that is accompanied by snarling vocals. The production helps create a spooky, dark sound that is too forced.

Depression Depression LP

Finally, an LP’s worth of mayhem from this great Aussie band. 26 songs pack this platter full of straight driving power punches with shouting vocals and whining guitars. Political lyrics with raw furious music in the true hardcore attack. Some variety, but mostly medium-paced with some fast throbbers. A classic like the BGK LP.

Depression Money Chain EP

DEPRESSION’s virgin vinyl reveals a shift from the metallic thrash of their demo cassette to a slower, more grinding metal attack. The tempos are mostly slow and steady, the guitar leads are prominent, the lyrics are excellent, and the overall sound is very English. “World Leaders” is the fastest, most appealing cut.

Depression Australia Australia 12″

Maniac accelerated speedcore and the bites are intense. Their third release has head-choppin’ activity which never backs off, their best yet. Laced with metallic thrash and abrasive vocals and produced with a booming sound, this crossover ignites to drive you mad. Take off this buckled jacket, I want to flail.

Gash G.A.S.H. LP

This all-female band from Australia forces out a tough, grungy guitar sound and some nasty vocals — and I admired the lyrics concerns, too. It’s too bad that the melodies follow the same minor-third guitar professions song after song. Extreme repetition, which is too bad, because I was hopeful about this band.

Hard Corpuscles Decide LP

This Aussie outfit employs an approach to HC which emphasizes simple, riffy structures (frankly with not enough variety to keep my musical interest) abetted by the upfront guitar sound. The real highlights here are the exceptionally passionate words, and of course, the great cover art.

Perdition How to Teach Your Budgie to Talk LP

Well done punk in a more British style. There’s mostly fast punk (as opposed to thrash), with a couple of slower tunes to break the tempo. I can’t say I jumped up and down listening to this record, but fans of the Britpunk genre will be able to pogo.

Permanent Damage I’m Not Spoiled EP

A three-song effort that’s really impressive. Really tight, assured hardcore with lots of tempo changes, but which doesn’t detract from the impact. Even the guitar solo is OK. Driving stuff—great thrash from Australia.

V/A The Hardcore House cassette

Some new Aussie bands show their stuff on this new comp. Excellent effort courtesy of: GASH, FILTHY TRASH, MIMOSA TRIBE, LONERS OF STENCH, and DEPRESSION. This is one diverse thrash compilation that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Recommended.

Vicious Circle Reflections LP

This Aussie band once again delivers the goods: mid- to fast-speed hardcore with crunching guitars and an impassioned vocal attack. Occasional forays into slower velocities result in less power here, but there’s more than enough frenzied thrash for most HC aficionados. Good LP.

Vicious Circle Hidden Supervision? EP

A really diverse two-song EP from this powerful Aussie band. Side A represents a hard-hitting, melodic tune filtered with acoustic guitar and a slow pleasant rhythmic beat. The flipside, on the other hand, sports a speed-metal/punk thrash guitar riff and harsh vocals, and is kept to high-power fast pace. Catchy.

Vicious Circle Hope and Wait 12″

“Common sense, enjoyment, respect for life and responsibility” appear on the insert for this, the sixth vinyl release from this durable Aussie band. Four well-produced rockin’ punk tunes accompany and enforce this message. “Turned to Stone” is the standout.

Vicious Circle The Price of Progress LP

Owing more to UK thrash than the US variety, this band rocks with the best of their ilk (DISCHARGE-spawned), coming forth with a whole host of powerful hardcore tunes. Includes a hot cover of TERVEET KÄDET’s “Outo Maa.” Excellent.

Vicious Circle Search for the Solution EP

Ramcharging cranks of aggressive power from Australia, sounding a lot like DEPRESSION or PORNO PATROL or STRETCH MARKS. Beefy vocals with active musical compositions, fast- to medium-paced, with a live studio-sounding recording. This band will soon tour the US, so watch out for this burst of energy.