Intelligent, but somewhat heavy-handed political thrash. Reminds me of MDC meets Jeff Bale’s old band, WARZONE. The drumming and singing are a bit too stolid for my tastes, but if primitive is your bag, this thrash is for you.
Two recently deceased bands share this memorial release. While INCEST were just so-so, ZWAAR KLOTE were quite awesome. They are as tight, fast, and powerful as you’ll find around Europe, and not prone to too much sloppiness.
Discordant, psychotic, psychedelic, and painful. Simple, stark, and crazed. OH! DEV plays twisted jazz meets the most painful blues. Definitely arty, but not wimpy. Nick Cave and Lux Interior take heed.
Industrial post-punk hardcore? Whatever it is, it’s done with gusto and power rare for most post-punk bands. Also rare is the band’s imagination. Sort of like SONIC YOUTH meets the BUTTHOLES meets some nightmare you had after eating meat and taking acid for the first time in ten years (Ray Farrell, take note). Not noise!
’60s punk meets the GERMS meets thrash. It’s pretty fast stuff, but with an earlier punk feel to it, not unlike many current British bands. An excellent debut from this very young Dutch group.
More careening thrash from Holland’s PANDEMONIUM. All three songs on this EP are manic as hell, although “No Reaction” has a slow/fast structure. The only problem here lies in the production—it’s a lot more trebly and echoey than their cuts on the Als Je Haar Maar Goed Zit 2 compilation, which makes them sound a little tinny. Recommended anyway.
Gritty, grinding guitar scratchings wail in total banzais of chaotic thrash attacks. PANDEMONIUM tries to play as fast as possible, which doesn’t always work to their favor…but when it does, it’s a howling barrage of mayhem. Good slow, driving intros, with heavy bass haunting this sonic assault.
The third release by this Dutch thrash ensemble, this EP continues the full-tilt, no-holds-barred, 10,000 MPH barrage of rapid fury that holds a meaner pace than DRI. This is what you thought was fast when you turned up the speed on the turntable. Quick and exhilarating.
Neo-’60s punk with a CRAMPS undertone. Really simple songs, a slightly raunchy R’n’B feel, and basic guitar drive. Fun.
