Reviews

For review and radio play consideration:

Please send vinyl (preferred), CD, or cassette releases to MRR, PO Box 3852, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. Maximum Rocknroll wants to review everything that comes out in the world of underground punk rock, hardcore, garage, post-punk, thrash, etc.—no major labels or labels exclusively distributed by major-owned distributors, no reviews of test pressings or promo CDs without final artwork. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!

V/A New York City Hardcore 1987: Together EP

Seven highly moshable tunes here, all showing some kind of searching attitudes. While there are still traces of the NY “hard” attitude, there’s much more of a human quality that’s replacing the naive “unity for unity’s sake” approach. Bands include YOUTH OF TODAY, SICK OF IT ALL, SIDE BY SIDE, BOLD, WARZONE, SUPERTOUCH, and GORILLA BISCUITS. Pick it up, and hope that as these bands mature they will prove less mercenary and display more emotional depth than the previous wave of NYHC.

Moto-Stillbirth / Victims Family Live at the Cab split cassette

First off, you get 70 minutes of MOTO STILL BIRTH recorded live at Jake’s last show. They’ve been around forever and yet no one seems to know who they are. They mix thrash, metal, punk, and even a little reggae and remain politically aware and totally incoherent at the same time. Plus 20 minutes of VICTIMS FAMILY, including three non-LP tracks.

V/A Future-Now! Presents flexi EP

This flexi comes with the first issue of Future-Now! UK zine and features one song each by HERESY, STUPIDS, and DEPRAVED (now called VISIONS OF CHANGE). All three songs are great, each with its own style of thrash, all backed by high energy and good intentions.

Ruido De Rabia / Ultimo Gobierno split LP

This duo of Spanish bands demonstrate a remarkable similarity to Finnish bands from 82 or so. U.G., with their ultra-fast, messy thrash sound, is reminiscent of that first BASTARDS EP; R.D.R., with more extended song structures but the same general style, recalls the first EP by RIISTETYT. Altogether, rather like a blast from the past, and recommendable for the U.G. side.

Totalitär Multinationella Mördare EP

TOTALITÄR, with a grinding HC guitar approach and a tasteful speedcore edge, pummel out five tracks on this one. The closest comparison I can think of is ANTI-CIMEX, and the vocals on this one manage to convey a real sense of urgency and power. Very strong release.

Thug Dad / Thug 7″

A noisy and confusing blast of electrical air that throbs and throbs like a bad toothache. The only thing I could come close to comparing it to would be CABARET VOLTAIRE’s “Nag Nag Nag” era. Great.

Strebers Öga För Öga 12″

Echoes of ASTA KASK and 6-10 REDLOS reverberate through the eight tracks on this fourth release from this Swedish band. Melodic, driving pop-punk is the order of the day, and it’s handled with style and verve. Nice choruses, powerful instrumentals—a good showing.

Spunky Boys Kids Are Alright EP

The rambunctious pop-punk on this record has a pleasantly tough power chord instrumental sound (abetted by sloppy, but good arrangements), and screamed vocals over the whole thing. The two songs on the A-side rock, while the one on the flip is less special.

Sons of Ishmael Pariah Martyr Demands a Sacrifice LP

Two years after the Hayseed Hardcore EP and some lineup changes, the Canadian SONS return. This is a great album of sociopolitical thrash and the lyrics are right on target. And yes, the cover of “Stairway to Heaven” is priceless.

Shellshock Self Defence EP

Terse, speedcore riffing energizes this fast, to-the-point trio of songs. The abrasive vocals are quite good, and the guitar work aims for original reworkings of the basic core figures we’ve come to expect from this genre. Verdict: a top-notch example of the style, though not exactly my cup of tea.

SM-70 Über Dem Jenseits EP

SM-70, hailing from W. Germany, opt for short, fast songs in a messy thrash mode. It’s a style that’s familiar, and you can bet there’s loads of aggro and a pummeling sound from track to track — it’s also, despite its effectiveness, a trifle too common to make a major impression. Still, it’s good.

Psycho Sin You Axed For It EP

Primitive production and an almost terrifying rawness make the highly distorted thrash on this one actually connect in a distinctive way — much in the way that TERVEET KÄDET did it years ago. The more experimental tracks, with lyrics over drums, are less effective, this is one unusual, interesting record. I like it.

Primevils Chicken Factory LP

After releasing one of the neatest garage singles of last year, “Saw My Name Written on a Tombstone” (included here), the PRIMEVILS went to record this album which showcases both sides of their musical styles. You get some fantastic, catchy instant-garage-classic songs as well as some slower, dirge-y drone songs. Great record.

The Offspring I’ll Be Waiting / Blackball 7″

What a pleasant surprise! Instrumentally varied, kick-ass punk with personal lyrics, both tracks camping out in the same area as early material by the LEFT. What’s more, there are hooks, nifty guitar breaks, and more than a little arranging skill. Highly enjoyable, and recommended.

The New Christs The Black Hole / Addiction 7″

Not quite as hard and loud as their other releases but because they’ve shifted their gears a little the sound here is less Detroit-styled rock and more slower, moodier that resembles the best of the FLESH EATERS and the GUN CLUB.

Napalm Death Scum LP

Hey, if you absolutely hate tunes in your music and vocals you can’t understand at all, this album’s for you. Very fast, very metal-influenced, very gruff and very political. Sorta like old DISCHARGE meets every modern speedmetal band.

Murder Murder Suicide Christians 12″

An anti-Christian rage here, sort of like the first CRASS 7″ but set to a more post-punk mood. Nevertheless, it’s as biting and pointed. Both male and female vocals, nice harmonies on the flipside, though the dance beat on one cut and the “prettiness” on another make them difficult to handle until the guitar and drums kick in.