Black Breath "Heavy Breathing" Review

Black Breath "Heavy Breathing" Southern Lord

listening to this today - loving since i go t it - i realize i never reviewed it.

This is from a HC-punk guy, so excuse the surface metal references. There are elements of black metal (Bathory, Mayhem) with better production, of course. Songs like "Black Sin" and "Escape from Death", have the constant, frantic, buzzing riffs and blast-beats that exemplify the black metal creed. Also, the album draws from a present-day Swedish metal with its speed and presence. Your attention is demanded from this style, with commanding tenure, rivaling Gorgoroth , Immortal, Behemoth in this aspect. Blessed be the intervals of late '80s American thrash (Metallica, Testament, Anthrax) for those chest pounding pogo moments before breakdowns ensue. These slower 'reflective' spots embellish in a modern hardcore Reign Supreme/Blacklisted type feel. Still, though, the driving force becomes powered by Discharge and Poison Idea. This is punk at its core, but sharing the d-beat love like peers Coliseum and Victims. The visceral pounding of constant drums and tight riffing is the most immediate sensation. But you will be also seduced by breakdowns and some sludge moments. Songs like "I am Beyond" and "Unholy Virgin" have a moderate southern boogie stomp. Heavy chords render some slower head banging sandbars that I love. While songs like "Virus" and "Fallen" feel like straight hardcore songs mixed from the ingredients of all aforementioned bands. The vocals are screamed, but accessible as a normal hardcore band. The distortion and rawness is kept as a catapult of delivery; this is gritty and never polished. Start off with "Black Sin" (spit on the cross)" for an irreverent prologue. This band could care less about the established order of society or metal; or the comfort of your ears. But when songs reach 4 minutes, the mastery of the medium demands some fluctuation in arrangement, and this is where the power of all these influences truly coalesce. This is fierce, loud, belligerent music that will torture your senses to your delight. It all is perfectly balanced and never overwhelming. Just pure musical heaven; uh, hell….or Valhalla…; damn, whatever one brings you unearthly delight.

Keep Your Religion off my Booze....

a good blog posted a researched response to the (american Obsessed - ridiculous) question: Jameson or Bushmills; Catholic or Protestant?


original

"I was wondering when someone would ask this question. The truth of the matter is, the age-old faux-pas of ordering Bushmills for fear of supporting English aggression and offending the Republic of Ireland is about as Irish as corned beef – which is to say, not very Irish at all but rather Irish-American (Sorry, kids, corned beef is a Jewish invention).

Anyway, both of your sources are wrong, but at least your father got the order right. The widely-accepted Irish-American version is that Jameson is Catholic whiskey and Bushmills is Protestant whiskey. But that’s merely based on geography: Bushmills is from Northern Ireland (a predominantly Protestant region) and Jameson is from Cork – Catholic country.

Jameson was pretty much founded in 1780 when John Jameson – a Scottish guy – purchased the Bow Street Distillery, which at the time was one of the biggest distilleries in Ireland. Now, it’s important to note that the Scottish Reformation occurred in 1560, so odds are in favor of the founder of the Jameson distillery, being Scottish, was a damn Protestant.

Bushmills, on the other hand, was officially licensed in 1608 by King James I (of Bible fame) and despite of its location deep in the heart of Protestant country (and this next bit is straight from my local Bushmills rep, so take it or leave it) has a Catholic as a master distiller.

According to everyone I’ve spoken with on the subject, you only really find this debate in the States, where Irish-American support of the Republic can sometimes be blind and often fueled by the very product we’re speaking of. But none of it means much, anyway: both distilleries are owned by huge international entities: Jameson by French liquor conglomerate Pernod-Ricard, and Bushmills by the English firm Diageo.

As for my preference, I tend to like the lighter Bushmills as it’s the first Irish whiskey I discovered years ago, and I’ve certainly enjoyed my share of Jameson from time to time. But my personal preference is Redbreast, a twelve-year pot still Irish whiskey produced at the Old Midleton Distillery and a real delight to sip while enjoying a late-night Irish breakfast of sausage, egg, pudding and soda bread. Delicious."

....

and a nice response...

"Holy moly,
I’m an Irish barman and I am stunned by the ignorant waffle that some Irish Americans spew about the “‘oul sod”.
These two fine whiskeys should be enjoyed in a glass and not on some pseudo-religious podium.
DONT EVER ask an Irish person , north or south if they are catholic or protestant because they will look at you with contempt.
If you want to support Ireland, go and visit and maybe read a few history books and hopefully realise that most normal people don’t give a toss about religious leanings"

The Reticents "The Sun Rises in the East" Review

The Reticents "The Sun Rises in the East" Basement Records

Stewing in the Nation's capital, The Reticents have had their time to contemplate what pisses them off. And, boy, are we lucky for that. These scene veterans have come together to crank out unrelenting, harsh tunes. And it has stolen my heart. I saw these dudes two years ago i RVA and fell instantly in love (as if Dita Von Teese was on stage...if she had a pack of luckys, a bottle of wild turkey, a black eye, a chainsaw, and bloody fragments of politicians' bodies, that is).

This is the epitome of hardcore punk rock to me. it is the perfect blend of all elements. Older dudes that take 77 punk, skate punk, trashy rock n roll, and early 80s hardcore in a blender and serve you a shake of hate. Fist throwing breakdowns (not kung-fu kick, but slower stomp) to an occasional lead (without the metal worship...phew). Pogo or pile-on, there is something here for everyone. Seriously, this is the band that will stop my suicide. i would not want to miss their next show or album.

The tunes:
"Last Goodbye" this song comes in with a stomp riff and beat to wake you up before jumping into a chaotic ensemble of punk. This is very fast with a little rock n roll touch. A sweet breakdown for a few measures in the middle builds the tension before continuing on.

"I Hate Football" Old school hardcore to go with a rant of the 'live for today' - why waste your sundays and emotions in people that will never talk to you anyway - in true spirit of early 80s.

"Don't Stop" a minor threat type riff plows forward through naysayers and suckers - as Reticents blaze in a melee of a tune that "don't stop". They end is a nice pick up change/ pizza maker punk trot.

"Zombies" Again, blazing speed to wake up the dead. Nice time changes help keep this one a standout. My favorite song on the e.p. we are not a commodity.

"Changing the World" quit your job and go punk. a 40 second wonder.

of the same ilk, but faster than the Slumlords and more early 80s than nyhc. A little Exploited, Circle Jerks, Kill Your Idols, Ensign, Tear It Up, Cut the Shit, NA, Poison Idea, SOA, Untouchables; the punkier side of Six Weeks/Gloom/Deranged labels of the early 2000s, but no on the "thrash wagon".


If you even claim to slightly like punk rock and/or hardcore - go get this shit! stop posing. When i think of "skate punk" - i get a lighter, catchier feel in my head. Oh yeah - cuz i think of Cali bands! This is what skate should be. Cloudy days, cityscapes, open wounds, crumbling concrete, store owner/cop chases. This is EAST COAST til the end.

Thanks to Freeman for turning me on to this glorious collection of attitude and sound. Big ups to Joey Nayls for being a cool ass dude.

ALSO - pick up EP I & EP II - slightly different production adds a heavier feel to the same formula. 10 kick-ass songs. Zodiac Killer Records

i bought these at interpunk for dirt cheap prices.
"Sun Rises..." $5.50
"EP I & II" $8.25

Reticents on myspace

Zodiac Killer
Basement Records

Donnybrook! Tour (Lionheart, Call to Preserve)

Donnybrook album set for release // News // Lambgoat

Donnybrook album set for release // News // Lambgoat

No Redeeming Social Video.....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


August 18, 2010

CONTACT:
Brian Rocha

rocha@fresnomediausa.com

Ryan Feldman

ryan@fresnomediausa.com

SUPER FUN TIME PARTY VIDEO
No Redeeming Social Value launches new music video on MetalInjection.net
QUEENS, NY – NYC’s prolific party-core punk outfit, No Redeeming Social Value, has posted a brand new music video for the infectious sing-along, “Super Fun Time Party Girl”, now streaming on demand on MetalInjection.net at:
Video

The vibrant, visually stimulating video was directed by Glen Lorieo and edited by Scott Cumbo, offering a fantastic break from the tough-guy, in your face videos that so many hardcore bands replicate without any originality. “Super Fun Time Party Girl” was previously unreleased in the US until now, so find that special super fun time party girl in your life, and rock out to this party anthem destined to become a classic!
No Redeeming Social Value is currently gearing up for the release of High In Holland, a 19-song beer-drinking romp, recorded at the Dynamo in Eindhoven, Holland, to be released on Dead City Records on September 7th. The professionally captured, High In Holland, was recorded on October 18, 2007 on the “Still Drinking Across Europe” tour, and contains rare live recordings with some different versions of classic No Redeeming Social Value songs. High In Holland features a limited edition full color booklet filled with photos and all of the words spoken (and lyrics), as well as an enhanced CD featuring unreleased videos.
The track list for High In Holland is…
1. DARK FUN INTRO
2. MORE TATTOOS
3. WAKE UP
4. OLDE-E
5. P**SY P**SY P**SY
6. CHICKEN
7. FABIO
8. YOUR BOYFRIEND'S A GUIDO
9. STILL DRINKING
10. DON'T F**K WITH MY POOCH
11. BEER = FUN
12. I HATE EVERYONE
13. DRINKING IS NOT A GAME
14. DRUNK AT THE Y.O.T. REUNION
15. NO REGRETS
16. NEW 64
17. SKINHEADS RULE
18. THE WORLD IS MY MICROWAVE
19. RAINING BLOOD
Bonus Videos
- BEER = FUN
- OLDE-E (COLOGNE TAKEOVER)
No Redeeming Social Value was founded in Queens, New York City in the late 1980’s, and was one of the key bands in the early 90’s second coming of New York hardcore. They stood apart as the band you had to see to believe - beer drinking party animals with real talent playing real hardcore music.
Over the decades, No Redeeming Social Value has played shows alongside such bands as Sick Of It All, Vision Of Disorder, The Casualties, Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, Bad Brains, Murphy’s Law, Body Count, and countless others. They have also toured the majority of the civilized world.
No Redeeming Social Value has made an indelible mark on the global hardcore scene with their intense live performances and their incredibly dynamic recordings. Their past releases on Dead City, Striving or Togetherness, Triple Crown, Fuzzy Bunny Media, and Scars Productions have sold over 100,000 total units, earning them respect and credibility throughout the hardcore, punk, and metal scenes. The band was featured prominently in the groundbreaking and award winning N.Y.H.C. Documentary film, and their music has appeared in the successful video game, Backyard Wrestling 2.
No Redeeming Social Value has played, and will continue to play High profile shows in support of High In Holland. Stay tuned to:


For more information…
nrsv.com
my space
DeadCityNY

Holy website, batman!

here is a very cool website. Tons of full length sets from tons of bands.
damn.

HATE 5 SIX

prepare to lose days

Current ROTATION

here's ten gems:

COKE BUST: "Lines in the Sand" holy fucking shit. this shit is ridiculous. DC Hardcore Punk - but this ain't rites of spring or marginal ma. This is Tear It Up on fuckin' steroids. This has a huge sound to it. Napalm Death meets Death in Custody. Not so thick, but blazing tight drums - synchronized to every minute movement of an epileptic fit. Hail ROBO! this shit is sick. Picture Brutal Truth morphing early AF songs into their own set. most tunes go between :40 and :65.

TRI-STATE KILLING SPREE: "Some Words..." maddening songs - vicious. Heavier than thrashcore, but more accessible than that implies. Screamed vocals, not screeched. Heavy, thick chords with some lead squibble-dee-doo solo bursts. Fast and thrashy breakdowns excel these past the dozens of bands that do this average. Heavy shit that is fast and not grating. Did i say heavy yet? There are unmistakable Unbroken riffs, breakdowns and time changes. Burnt By The Sun and the like should get mentioned while i still think of the 2000 thrash craze. This shit is so amazing. Dark, depressing atmosphere of your skull crashing in. Soundtrack to an emotional breakdown.

VORHEES: "Spilling Blood..." digging in the crates to '94. i always think of "13" and "CLL", but this is the winner. Vorhees bring the insanity on this one. thrash core at its best. adding depth to the NA and NFX worship. This is all grit and emotion and rage. all the key ingredients.

VIOLENT MINDS: Both 12"s - i saw this band's albums for so long. Hey, when you got a limited budget, you can only spend so much. Well, i am a fool. i have finally got around to searching for them. and i am blown away. Supercharged, raging upbeat tunes that are thick and dark. But there is a punk bounce to this so i keeps it fresh from crust or thrash banality. Think GBH, Cut the Shit, Last in Line, Out Cold. Pick either "Eyes of Death" or We're Nothing"; either way, you win.

TOTALITAR: "Sin Egen Motståndare" great hardcore. Blazing fast and really, really pissed. Not as heavy or 'thick' - and slightly longer songs - then what we've discussed, but just as blistering with speed and execution. Sick early '80s sound with no breakdowns, just swift, fierce, serious hardcore.

INFEST: "Mankind" ep. they're legends. i never got that too into them. i figured they were sloppily produced screaming crusty d-beat noise. Well, i am a dick. and fuckin wrong.
Ripping fast and jaded screams. Vehement about the nonsense of the world. Infusing politics and a little metal into '84 style 'core. When hardcore turned to Youth Crew to rejuvenate the masses from wandering towards the disillusioned art-bent older crew, these dudes came in and stripped it all down to ire and focus. Intense. Influenced by NFX and NA. INFEST. fucking intense. 9 of 10 songs under 45 seconds.

SPLITTING HEADACHE: "Night Terrors" my favorite band of that whole 2K thrash boom - Tear It Up. Well these days (and for the last 5 years) we have Splitting Headache. 2 amazing 7"s. and this full length. Dave singing as he did in Dead Nation and TIU - with the same self-hate and self-destruction bent lyrics. No hope, no change all these years later. thank god. I love it. Same kind of sound. find it, buy it. Simple frank hardcore. Pissed of and direct as a dart. Fast parts, breakdowns, and time changes to skate to. Don't fuck with the formula when it works.

DIRECT CONTROL: "Nuclear Tomorrows" These dudes hone in on whatever emotion the choose and exploit it to the most potent tunes they can muster. Old school drive and sounds. Get anything by these dudes - (split with Strung Up, You're Controlled, or Kangaroo ep now repressed by Tank Crimes). Lyrics heralded as smart, sarcastic and spiteful. Music often compared to The FIX and Poison Idea. It's all there.

SIEGE: "Drop Dead" way ahead of their time, Siege came from braintree and weymouth and got out tp playw western mass and rhode isdland. smart. they lift to a cult status due to in part not being acepeted by the Boston Crew. i do not know the politics of 1984, i can only appreciate them today. And i do. Heavy and scary. Fast to slow and chug. Against the grain hardcore. They cite influences as "DRI, VOID, Black Flag and Discharge". makes sense. check them out live on public access. it's true...

SICK OF TALK: "s/t" name yourself after a NA song - you better live up to it. and they do. Not quite who i'd say they sound like - thicker, heavier, thrash metal riffs and even some early Madball sounds. They growl and wear Warzone shirts. best of all worlds. with outstanding lyrics. More like The Swarm and Coke Bust and Infest than Kill Your Idols - but they played their last show with KYI - so, fuck yeah!!! These dudes played some ill hardcore.

ANTI-YOU "Two Bit Schemes and Cold War Dreams" Review

Yeah! i love hardcore punk rock. i also love when people blend it perfectly. and i love new shit. This is all 3, baby. Prepare to be impressed. This is nasty, son.

Now, sometimes you can tangibly realize how close punk and hardcore are. Maybe i listen to Cold As Life or Merauder then move to Good Clean Fun or The Bodies or The Toy Dolls; and see the obvious difference. But they all fall under the same umbrella. Well, Italy's ANTI YOU blend the worlds perfectly. *(not my specific examples here, but hold on for that). You see, i would never say they sound alike. Yet some how - ANTI YOU sounds like The Briefs and Tear it up. Some how. i see qualities of both. I swear this is a perfect blend of The Briefs' pop and catchy sensibilities and tone with the ferocity and chaos and harshness of Tear it Up. It's Down in Flames meets Oxymoron.

These punks have a few releases under their belt. I had never heard them yet. So i gave this a whirl. 8 songs under 1 minute; 8 songs under 2 minutes. Tight, clean, strong production; balanced and crisp instruments and vocals. Catchy music - but short bursts of gritty, fierce hardcore are the hull of ANTI YOU.

Think Government Warning and Deep Sleep; Zero Boys and Angry Samoans - with good euro Oi! thrown in.

Get it.

ANTI YOU myspace
BUY IT
six weeks records

KNIFE FIGHT "Isolated" Review

my girl is away and i have been sick. so no going out - no socializing. i pull up my 7" boxes just to reminisce and delve into some things i have not got to spin in awhile. i find the first Knife Fight 7" and think "Damn, whatever happened?" *(I also find the "Mein Comp" 7"...). Well, when i feel a little better and am crawling out of my ADD laden skin, i mosey to Armageddon shop.

in the "new" section is some green 7" with "Knife Fight" marqueed on the top. Curious. Maybe a repress or something i never found. if i hadn't just broken them out - i would have ignored this one. but i was feeling sentimental.

This shit is dope. Tight fucking production and playing. This has a thick wall of heavy chords as its foundation. The behemoth of a tone is more like an ogre dragging a spiked sledgehammer down gravel, rather than a fleet, agile Knife Fight. Imagine if Jabba the Hutt could move. Fast. Blistering drums and low tones of focus and hate. It lists 7 songs - 3 on Side A and 4 on Side B - but they seemed like one song per side to me. So prepare to read along with a solid quality 6 page fold out inlay to seperate. It is nice to see effort put into the art.

Anyway - This is awesome. i was also surprise to see Painkiller records is still around (i also broke out PKR001...) despite the fact i have the Iron Age7"; guess i forgot. The hardcore is there. The daunting, intimidating storm that is KF drudges up all the shit, stink and discarded lives from whatever swamp it arose from and smothers you with their experiences. Moments of rest do appear to mark the different songs, going fast than recinds into slower romps and breakdowns here and there.

Mostly i hear a THICKER representation of Discharge. But i even hear a doom/crust blend kind of feel. This is dirty HC ready to punish you. Think Dystopia, Infest, Siege, xfilesx Coke Bust - Negative FX playing with Disfear's gear (and skill)?

Solid fucking release.
PAINKILLER

Youth Korps 82 7"

Youth Korps '82 Crucial Response Records

Damn. i was in Armageddon Shop and Ben knows i like a good recommendation. and he knows i like the old school hardcore. He handed me this 13 song crammed 7". Now the story goes that:

"Youth Korps were a hardcore band from Connecticut. They recorded a demo in September 1982 at Boston's Radiobeat studios, then broke up. Eight years later, a copy of the demo made its way to Germany, into the hands of Crucial Response records' Peter Hoeren. On a whim, he wrote to the address on the tape, and luckily for the international hardcore community, it made it to someone from the band, who approved a vinyl reissue of the demo.

The Youth Korps 7" has to be heard to be believed. It is a blueprint for the ultrafast style of hardcore epitomized (for me) by bands like Infest that would evolve in the late 80s." *** Thanks for "Kill from the Heart"

and holy shit. Lou Giordano (you know the name) produced this. and god damn. If you do not know it - please go find it.Ben described this as Black Flag on speed, even faster. The recording quality is tight. Clear and loud (...or "loud and clear", if you will). This sounds fantastic. I had never heard these songs. They are wicked fast. and please do not think that is their one trick - they play fast and well - while carrying the torch of quality New England Hardcore. Angry and seering vocals and buzzing guitars over hyper metronome drumming. The vocals are akin to FUs.
Serious SXE lyrics, to boot. Good stuff. and an anti-hippie song. and a anti- "cop Song". sweet.

Do you love hardcore? especially HC like The Fix, Negative FX, Negative Approach, Die Kruezen, YDI, Jerry's Kids, FUs? then jump in here. Love it.

Oh - any these dudes were from Connecticut! which i always associate with Preppies and rich people (short of Apathy, 100 Demons and Death Threat) - and these dudes were ripping past any band in the speed department years before Siege and Infest.

and they thank Glenn Danzig and Choke. Impressive.

One song is called "Hang on Belushi" - which makes me laugh. i just read the John Joseph bio - and he got into the Fear on SNL story - which is impressive piece of HC History. But JJ talks of Belushi being a 'celebrity'. and to oppose that to their lyircs, and i am like "right on!".

WHERE TO LISTEN TO THIS MASTERFUL SLAB OF WAX:

"Ultra fast Boston hardcore, it’s only simple guitar noise, but I like it… Fast, raging, furious hardcore from CT" - - -- where to hear it

"Short sharp songs from a Connecticut band, recorded in Boston and released on a German label. I think Crucial Response Records rereleased several classic yank records."
another place to hear it

ASHERS "Kill Your Master" Review

ASHERS "Kill Your Master" Thorp Records

This is the new band of Mark Unseen (i feel bad for the other dudes...they're people, too). Anyway - scrap your thoughts of that band (as i did) and let's dive into this freshly.

a low tone welcomes - and unsettles - you to the first track. than BAM! "Kill Your Master" has all instruments and vocals rain down at once. Frenzied and dark with a slight metal feel, the music grabs hold of the listener as the bass and drums pummel our throat with no reservation. Gang background vocals help ensnare the spirit of you as Mark's throat slicing vox rip into your ears.

No moment of respite or smooth transition. The chaos continues brashly with "Destitution". It is a bouncy bass line that threads through a song that constricts and builds tension. The production assists fully deliver this tune. Some layered vocals and dark tones help create a anxious atmosphere.

"End of the Rope" starts with a great riff. This is a straight up hardcore punk song.
and this is where the album's strength lies. They have a little fun in teasing the fray, or drawing in influences; but, they never traverse the boundary of being just a good hardcore punk band. The songs don't let up - no breakdowns or big mosh parts (if your getting confused by 'hardcore' as a label)

The punkiest - and my favorite tune is "Watch It Burn"; albeit rather formulaic. it does what it intends. Other standouts are "Destitution", "Eyes of Demise", "Cold Dark Place". A song or three could have been nixxed as an album critique, the do tend to blend indistinguishably, but, hey, it's punk, right? if you like punk - darker rather than catchy, but still claiming an ability to sing along - and centered around strong bass lines - give it a try.

the sound and the production (frenetic, nervous, dark) and even the tonality, remind me greatly of Knives Out - but fuller, thicker. I would liken this to:
a polished, slowed down Kill Your Idols; a matured Blind Society; a blend of Discharge, Set to Explode, and early Briggs. There are reflections of Boston bands like Panic and Suicide File, but the main visage is punk rock.

ASHERS myspace
Ashers info
Thorp Records

Integrity "We are the End" review

INTEGRITY "We are the End/Beneath Black Flames We Ride" Magic Bullet Records



MAGIC BULLET RECORDS: "This 7″ is not recommended for record stores adjacent to flower shops, churches, indie rock venues, and small pet stores, as it has been scientifically proven to kill all foliage and weak mammals within a 500-yard radius."

well, that warning from MB is accurate. a slow stick count kicks in a Tragedy-esque (yeah i know Integrity started it...) slow stomp then BOOM - that yields to the drums racing forward, as guitars "skwi-bill-dee-doos" and wails overlay each other. It feels like a lone prayer on Normandy Beach on 6.6.44 while hell reigns on you. The sonic-scape is dark and chaotic. Then Dwid begins to growl (legibally) about something terrifying. Bass and drum gallops somewhere between D-Beat, Black Metal, NWOBHM, and 88 NYHC. There are elements of Hardcore and vicous metal. (in other words, it sounds like vintage Integrity

They slow down to the beginning refrain again, as Dwid barks, "We are The End!". and it settles for a moment.

It picks up slightly to a mid-tempo stomp. Dwid continues to bellow from Satan's scrotum to declare many of what "We are"s. A thrash riff l;ays the foundation of crisp, scathing spite for Dwid to continue his disavowal of human ignorance. This continues with the low bass scrapes and guitar leads weaving and the commanding drums and Dwid's declarations.

As Music: i have been listening to "Those Who Fear Tomorrow" remasters a lot lately. And while you can't channel the urgency of 1991, this is damn impressive. I am not sure of the line-up on this 7 inch, but it is vintage Integrity. All the elements are there.

As Record: I spent $8, and the one-sided vinyl etching alone is worth it. The Collage is cool on the slipcase. Technically this is supposed to be 2 songs; as it i s played, it is 1 song. Is $8 worth it? to have the cool vinyl - and the digital download to listen to the songs *(not on "The Blackest Curse") when you want without risking a scratch - WORTH IT.

magic bullet release page

Cenobites "No Paradise for the Damned" Review

Cenobites "No Paradise for the Damned" Rebellion Records

Obviously caught my eye years ago with one of the best band names ever - perfect for a psychobilly band. Cenobites are known for speed and a hard-edged/metal version of psychobilly in past efforts. Cenobites have an impressive list of blistering speed songs and crashing tunes. But truth be told, the songs tend to blend together. They sound awesome, but slightly cookie cutter.

Well, on their new slab of wax, these guy have been rejuvenated with new members and a new label (Oi! Favorite, Rebellion Records from Holland). All of these refreshing factors have culminated into a more rockin' traditional slant. They still come out vicious, but instead of just straight ahead, metal-influenced speed attack, Cenobites add some dynamics that have made them a better band. Not that it's slow or laid back; woah no! It just has more character in each of the songs. This differentiates them from each other more distinctly. An almost Brian Setzer rockin' swing/dirty boogie shows up here and there. Cenobites approach this album with the dynamic of Mad Sin album - while channelling the spirit of Meteors, Frantic Flintstones, and Nekromantix. The amazing production adds a big, strong presence to the sound that lacked in prior efforts. Each song bursts out with its own personality. This music is fantastic. They have incorporated a better variety of influences, while sticking with the gory, violent, sex, horror lyrics. PSYCHO!

Cenobites myspace
hardcopy at interpunk
get it digitally at emusic