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Please send one copy of 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. We reserve the right to reject releases on the basis of content. Music without vocals or drums will not be considered. All music submitted for review must have been released (or reissued) within the last two years. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!
Very pop and dance oriented, definitely geared towards the upscale post-punk crowd. Their early material had an urgency to it, whether punk or semi-industrial, but this is just sad.
More fun from this bunch of East Bay bozos. Chunky garage tunes about stinky feet and their punk rock lifestyle. Funny stuff.
Because of its producer, roommate and all-around good guy Ian MacKaye, I expected a later period Dischord “sound” like DAG NASTY or RITES OF SPRING. But I was really surprised to hear a very modern blend of rock and blues and some real classy harmonica playing. Not thrash but it rocks like a mofo.
With the exception of one song, this record is comprised of five slow/medium tempo melodies and, when mixed with the sappy vocals, it becomes obvious that power was compromised for a very clean mainstream sound. It seems the riffs and emotions were made secondary to production. I can’t help but compare this band to a tame, underground version of the SMITHS. I would “reach out,” but there is simply nothing for my ears to hold on to.
Rock and roll with a hard edge, pounding beat, sometimes self-indulgent breaks, and too-full production that takes the grit out. They don’t wear make-up, but their ’70s rock roots are showing in any case.
An audiovisual introduction to El Sobrante and “Sobcore;” an hour’s worth of catchy spastic punk tunes with surprisingly serious lyrics, plus plenty of zaniness and personality. Includes a lyric booklet and miscellaneous objects from El Sobrante. You’ve heard the name, you’ve seen the pictures, now get the tape—all for the very low price of…
Extremely aggro thrash with slight metallic tinges. The guitars are fuzzed out, the lyrics are mainly social, the emphasis seems to be on the overwhelming power, which is a little squelched by the noisy production.
Pretty grunged out noise from this young act, who crank it out sloppy, loud, and aggressive. A pretty good start.
Better production and a little control and seasoning give more definition to this release than their debut. Fans of mid-tempo, smoldering HC will enjoy this a lot. In the vein of EMBRACE.
Their 4th vinyl outing, this German hardcore band employs a big sound that utilizes both metal and non-metallic influences. Hammering.
Yeah! Straightforward punk tuneage with great lyrics that show a good perspective on human relations. Hell, these guys are “harder” than most other acts who claim to be “hardcore.” Thumbs up!
What can you say? You take one of the best all-time hardcore records, add 6 extra tracks (from previous comps and tapes) of equal quality, and you’ve got an awesome fucking record. Initially released in 1982, the singing and playing still outdoes most anything that’s happened since. Killer.
A pretty appropriate band name, considering their fuzzed-out guitar tone. Good, driving punk tunes with catchy hummable melodies, and guitar leads which seem out of place. Good stuff.
A new line-up for this Boston band. Though there are fits of rage here and there, and glimpses of real power and acceleration, too often the “corporate pop” sound predominates, an overproduction that homogenizes any eccentricities. Still, the tracks that do demonstrate genuine emotion are really good, just with that shone through more.
A rough recording but still varied enough to be interesting. Early punk, later punk, pop, a little psychoticness and some humor add up to potential that should be followed through later on. Enough good moments to be worthwhile.
Great concept, two split LPs packaged together with lotsa info, enclosures, and fine music. VERNON WALTERS play a highly political and intelligent form of pop punk, sung in English. INDIREKT hit back in Dutch with many punk forms, though there’s less really uptempo stuff then in the past. All in all, an excellent example of cooperation and DIY spirit, and good music to boot.
Good question, don’t know if this will find the answer, but with righteous tuneage from DEVIATED INSTINCT, FRATRICIDE, LARM, & more, it certainly can’t hurt. Rad. All the proceeds go to the Toronto ALF Bust Fund.
This tape features super hot stuff from STIKKY, ELECTRO HIPPIES, DESECRATION, RIPCORD & more, but the tape has completely atrocious sound quality: recorded too low with a loud hiss throughout the whole thing.
This package is a dedication to the spirit of the Gilman Street Project. Featuring 12 groups that participate regularly at Gilman (both as bands and individuals), there is plenty of music as well as a 14 page booklet. Bands include ISOCRACY, CORRUPTED MORALS, STIKKY, YEASTIE GIRLZ, NASAL SEX, SWEET BABY JESUS, RABID LASSIE, OPERATION IVY, CRIMPSHRINE, NO USE FOR A NAME, SEWER TROUT and BUGGERALL. My prejudiced view: hot!
Wow! Just about every country is represented on this world comp featuring VICIOUS CIRCLE, WRETCHED, SUBHUMANS, INFERNO and tons more. Great stuff, and comes with a book!
Yet another mega-righteous comp from the Flush folks – this one featuring NO FRAUD, SUBVERSE, SCREECHING WEASEL, and 5 more gonzo acts. Rad tuneage to the max.
DOOM are terrible metal, SHELL SHOCK are decent metallic hardcore, X are enjoyable thrash, JURASSIC JADE are as bad as they sound, GROUND ZONE is boring metal, and ROSE ROSE make powerful thrash noise. And they all look like a punk version of KISS.
This compilation covers a side of the greater DC scene that we rarely hear about. Other than MADHOUSE, PHLEGM, SARCASTIC ORGASM and ASBESTOS ROCKPYLE, most of these bands are new to vinyl, and deliver a variety of garage punk, thrash and grunge. Featured are MOTOR MORONS, PLATINUM SLUGS, BAD VIBES, SYBIL PURE EVIL and many others. Only problem is no insert/no info on the bands.
This edition covers Australian neo-’60s garage bands, and there’s quite a bit of psych/gloom stuff as well (too much). But bands like LIZ DEALEY & THE TWENTY SECOND SECT. CONEHEADS and ASSASSINS do kick ass, making it worthwhile.
All right! This is the most manic group I’ve heard in ages, featuring acts from W. Germany, Peru, UK, US, and Finland, the standouts being DESECRATION, THE ELECTRO HIPPIES, LAST OPTION, 7 IRSTAS. Amazing!!
A six (Canadian) band comp benefit for Aid To Nicaragua. Standouts include SONS OF ISHMAEL, M.S.I., and GUILT PARADE’s trashing of “Heartbreak Hotel.” A good record and an effort worth supporting. Cool.
Don’t be put off by the cheesy cover, this LP don’t smell. Bands like FEAR ITSELF, DEPRESSION, A.P.P.L.E. TH’ INBRED, ATTITUDE, DEAD SILENCE, G.A.S.H., LIFE SENTENCE, PSYCHO and lots more add both live and studio tracks. A good selection of many punk styles.
A pretty good sampling of A.P.P.L.E., SEIZURE, THE SARCASTIC ASSHOLES, and more. All profits go to the No More Censorship Defense Fund, which is still heavily in debt.
A 14 band benefit compilation where all profits go to the Hunt Saboteurs Association. There is a wide range of music here, which becomes obvious when you realize the contributing bands include CHUMBAWAMBA, ELECTRO HIPPIES, RUBELLA BALLET, MEKONS, STEVE LAKE, etc. Of course, all lyrical content is directed towards animal rights but the record itself lacks information concerning the topic, in fact there are only lyrics to five of the songs.
Both bands here are metal influenced hardcore, gruff-vocaled, lots of guitar wanking, etc.
A statewide comp of varying alternative musics. There isn’t any hardcore, but most of the pop stuff here has an edge, and bands like CLAUDE PATE, HOUSE OF LARGE SIZES and SHELLGAME do have quite a bite.
Ninety minutes of righteous tuneage, the standouts being CANCEROUS GROWTH, SCREECHING WEASEL, and DEAD SILENCE. Well worth the moolah. Comes with booklet.
A weirdly conceived LP, because other than a hot and previously unreleased LAW & ORDER track, a so-so version of SCREAM’s “Solidarity,” and a live G.I. track, the rest is very commercial wave stuff. Given all the DC bands whom we haven’t seen on vinyl yet, I was disappointed with this selection.
FORETHOUGHT, BLUTSTURZ, RAPED TEENAGERS and LEBERWOHLSTAND are just a few of the acts featured on this above average world comp. Lots of spirit and spark here.
Heaven (or hell?) is here if you’re a speedcore maniac, because those “jugga jugga” axes are here in full force. Acts include NO REBATE, BLOODCUM, GENERATION WASTE, and more.
A pretty damn good comp here featuring hot stuff from CORRUPTED MORALS, STIKKY, PINK LINCOLNS and more. Great selection of punk and thrash energy.
A hot comp with NO FRAUD, ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE SYSTEM, ARM THE INSANE, and lots more. All the proceeds go to the Toronto ALF Bust Fund.
A mega-thrashola comp with CHRIST ON A CRUTCH, BFD, THE HATES, and more. Lots of quick stuff here, and includes booklet.
Quite an accomplishment. An excellent sampler of mostly not-famous bands, but bands that really put out. Lots of differing punk styles, fine choice cuts, lots of listening and most all are invigorating. Bands from Czechoslovakia, Peru, South Africa, Hungary, and just about everywhere else. Hot.
Rully? OK, 7 SECONDS, AOD, WHITE FLAG and F come up with 4 or 5 tunes each, oddities, versions, live takes, etc. Pretty fun selection, plus bits of goofiness and experimentation.
Quick melodic punk with a bit of distortion to roughen things up a bit. Not bad, but the vocals and the commercial flavor kinda turns me off.
A high quality DIY demo tape here, great recording quality, nice printed package, etc. Musical style varies which keeps the interest level up, I hear BUZZCOCKS, DAMNED, UK SUBHUMANS. Very listenable, good job!
A pretty good showing by the ol’ SUBS, playing mostly energetic material with a clunker here and there. Good live recording, too.
Containing members and ex-members of WARZONE, PSYCHOS, and ULTRAVIOLENCE, these boys churn out some raw HC with a distorted guitar sound and lyrics which analyze personal and social problems. Pretty good.
Very blatantly SIOUXSIE influenced material and sound. Well done for what it is, and will appear to fans of pop, wave, early punk, mood music, etc.
Quick, melodic thrash with sing-along choruses, comparable to early 7 SECONDS. Lyrics cover war, poverty, violence, etc. An act to watch, keep up the good work!
Less sludgy this time out—more jazz riffs creeping into the act here but still good enough to recommend to fans of midwest-wump like the APPLIANCES-SFB, COUCH FLAMBEAU and a little KILLDOZER. Also elements of pop and funk seeping in to draw comparisons to earlier MEAT PUPPETS and the MINUTEMEN. You decide.
A two-song, one-sided flexi that has hardcore graphics but is decidedly pop punk. Not really too jumpin’, but OK.
A six-song straightedge Y.O.T. type band that celebrates youth, innocence and hope. The songs are pretty short; the message loud, simple and progressive. Hope they can maintain their idealism as they grow. Hope they grow.
These guys had an extremely zany and attacking sound, deeply rooted in an early SEEDS mold, but rarely does that manic aspect surface anymore. Only one of the six tracks here really approaches that intensity. Instead, they settle for decent organ-dominated ’60s punk with no stinging guitar and no psychotic vocals. Too studied.
