Midnight-Satanic royalty LP

Midnight have been around a while. A mate actually gave me one of their 7"s in a trade a few years ago but I'd be lying if I said I'd played it more than twice. In fact I was thinking about selling/trading it but I'm glad I didn't now. I only heard this album via download a week ago. It was that good I ordered it straight away. Just 6 days later I recieved it. Considering Hell's headbangers are in the US and I'm in the UK-that's what I call fast!!!! Anyway, Midnight play METAL!!!!! It's more in the NWOBHM style rather than thrash/death/black etc. Seriously, this is one of my faves of 2011. My copy is on dark blue with a nice poster. Glossy sleeve, this is one quality release.

Front line-Basic training 7" Purple vinyl

Just when you think there's no more hidden treasures in the early USHC archives comes along this awesome 7" which is a vinyl conversion of a long lost demo tape from 1982. I'm no expert on early 80's like some folk I know but I do love a lot of that stuff. It was some of the most hardest, urgent and authentic music ever. Of course a lot of it wasn't well played or well produced but that was it's charm. That said, like anything there's a lot of mediocre stuff out there and you have to wade through some junk to find the good shit so it's great when something like this shows up. Beach impediment records have done an awesome job here. The packaging is simple but still nice and even features a sticker and an old interview with the band. Obviously a real labour of love. 400 on black and 100 on purple and would you believe that they've already sold out? Hope for a second pressing. Hey, if he does another colour I'll buy one.

Trial-Foundation 7" repress

Originally released in 1997, New age records have decided to do a timely repress, of four versions. 500 on brown,300 on clear, 200 on marble grey and another 77 on the same colour with the special labels for the customary '77 pressing'. The last time I ordered from new age was back in the early to mid 90's and I always thought they were pretty ok despite their bad reputation for running a slow and crappy mailorder. There was no paypal back then so I would get my dollars from the bank or travel agents, send them off and hope for the best. I'd generally get my package in 3-4 weeks. This time it took over 4 months but there was a delay at the pressing plant so I don't blame them. I think React are the slowest mailorder around. It took them 3 months last time to post my order which was in stock for fuck's sake. Anyway I digress...
Trial are one of those bands that people who weren't around hold up as some magical type band but for me they were just there. I never saw them live so maybe that's why they never affected me as much as Strife or earth crisis who I did see back then and was awe struck by. This 7" does hold up well. It's probably either nostalgia or the fact that there's a 90's revival of sorts going on . Still I'm digging this. I do wish New age would re-release the mean season LP next though simply because I only have the CD.

Morbid angel MMXI box set

Anyone who knows me prety well is aware that I have a soft spot for some old metal stuff. I was more into Thrash than death metal as when Death metal started getting big in around 1989 I was already really into hardcore and it's attitude so I kinda shunned metal for a bit because I realised how silly a lot of the lyrics and images were (always loved slayer and old metallica though). When I was really into grind and power violence around 1992-3 I started listening to a bit of death metal too and along with Entombed, Autopsy etc, Morbid angel were always one of my favourites. Nearly 20 years later and I'm buying represses of their classic records in the form of this box set which collects their four best albums ('altars of madness', 'Blessed are the sick', 'Covenant' and 'Domination'). As you can see these all come on white vinyl and also in nice gatefold sleeves. This box set was limited to just 100 and they didn't last long in the earache store. One has already gone for a daft price on ebay and there's some silly cunt trying to sell one for £666 although I can't see him getting that. Still, some of us actually buy records because we actually like the music and even play them from time to time not to simply make some quick cash.

krakdown-s/t 7" repress

This was originally released back in the day on common cause records minus a couple of tracks that are featured here on this better looking repress by state of mind records. There are just 500 of these pressed. Listening to this reminded me that Krakdown were a pretty overlooked and underrated band. It's not surprising really as they were always going to be overshadowed by the likes of YOT, Warzone, Gorilla biscuits,SOIA, sheer terror etc and all the other bands that dominated New York in the late 80's. Even on the awesome 'NYC hardcore-the way it is' (easilly one of my all time favourite hardcore comps) it's easy to forget that they were actually on it despite their contribution being really good. Shame really that it's a repress of a long out of print and largely forgotten record that is the reason I'm reminded properly of this band. Anyway if you haven't Krakdown this band then I highly recommend this. It's raw and hard and the lyrics are cool. Much better than any of what NYHC turned into during the 90's with shit bands like 25 Ta life etc. State of mind are putting a discography I believe. I look forward to that.

Discharge/Off with their heads-Split 7"

I thought my eyes were decieving me when I saw that Drunken sailors had released this. Yes that's actually Discharge and that's actually off with their heads sharing a split with each other. Discharge's side is good stuff. Like most people in hardcore I dig and own most of their early stuff but I am sceptical about old bands releasing new records (especially when it's not anything resembling the old line up) but this is good heavy shit.
OWTH were the reason I bought this and their side rocks of course. 200 were pressed on red and 800 on black. The red copies went really quick but you can still grab a black one. Apparently this isn't going to be repressed so don't leave it too late if you want one.

Reproach-The bitter end LP

I didn't know these guys were still around. I have a couple of 7"s that they did a few years ago which I was really into at the time but I had no idea they were still going until this turned up on the ever reliable Deep six records (the 21st century's answer to Slapaham-one of my favourite labels ever). Naturally I made a purchase and I'm glad I did, not only did I get the limited red/pink-ish colour of 100 but it's one of the best releases of 2011 (which has been an awesome year for music). This Belguim ragers play fast, thrashing no bullshit hardcore with great lyrics. This has been on heavy rotation this week on either the deck or my ipod.

Death is not glamorous-Soft clicks LP Test press

Another one for my dead & gone records test press collection. This time it's the 'soft clicks' LP by Death is not Glamorous (or DING as they also seem to be known as). I love this band and I love this album-so much that this marks my 4th copy. It's just nice, positive feel good hardcore punk although it seems wierd listening to them at this time of year-they're more of a summer band, not that we really get summers anymore in the UK. This didn't come with a special cover or anything-just a plain white dust sleeve. There's only 10 of these I believe.

Deep wound-s/t 7"

Since this is my 200th post I wanted to do something pretty special . I have bought loads lately but I still wanted to do something a bit more than just posting about some recent item. I’ve decided to go back in time by digging out a significant record in my collection- significant for a few reasons. One because it’s one of my favourite ever 7”s and not to mention one of the pride and joy’s of my collection. Also because at that point when I bought it (1999) it was the most expensive record I had purchased at £50. Seems like a bargain now but back then it was a big deal. I knew it was a big item but there wasn’t the same price measuring tools around like Ebay (which was still in it’s infant stages) and Popsike. I had just been made permanent at work and felt like splashing out on a nice item and this one was in the pages of record collector so I called the bloke up and it was a done deal. I first stumbled across this record via bootleg in the early 90’s as it was when Dinosaur Jr were massive and this was the previous band of singer/guitarist J Mascis (who played drums on this) and bassist Lou Barlow ( playing guitar here). It was also one of the best and fastest records of that era. Recorded and released in 1983 by Radiobeat records, there were only 500 copies pressed until the said bootleg surfaced (which is a very good I must say-most bootlegs of that era looked and sounded like shit). This was Deep wound’s only proper record (apart from an appearance on a comp) and it just summed up everything about early US hardcore-fast, brash and snotty. Nearly 30 years on it’s still one of the best hardcore punk records ever and I can’t ever see that changing anytime soon.

Brain F#-Sleep rough LP (UK pressing)

After two really good catchy 7"s, North Carolina's Brain F# have dropped a full length 12" upon us. It's more of the kinda garagey punk style (they're not that easy to define)that they displayed on the singles. In the states this was a split release between Grave mistake and Sorry state records. Over the pond, us lucky Brits have a special pressing thanks to the ever reliable Static shock records. 125 on purple, 125 on clear and the rest (350) on black. I've already played this 3 times and it's getting better with each listen. Not for everyone I'm sure but I dig it. My only complaint is that the f'n download card doesn't work. Bah!!!

Hang the bastard/Brotherhood of the lake-Split 7"

Hang the bastard have been around for two or three years as far as I'm aware and I was never that bothered about them until I saw them last year with Black breath. I picked up their LP (hellfire reign) at that show and it was a regular on my turntable and Ipod for months. I couldn't believe how much they've improved. So I was excited about a new HTB release and I ordered the full package-3 colours and the package also came with an alternate red sleeve, a patch, badge and sticker. Quite nice when you look at it as a whole. The black is the most limited colour of just 100 copies while there are 200 each of the other colours. HTB sound great on this. I saw them last weekend at the thirty days of night bash in Manchester and they were the best band on the bill next to the awesome Oathbreaker. Certainly one of my fav bands in the UK right now. Brotherhood of the lake are a band I know nothing about except they're also from the UK. They sound ok here though. Typically heavy and metallic. I'd like to hear more but this 7" is crucial in my book for HTB.

Wormrot-Noise 10" Promo

This was a strange 'buy'. First up Earache (who I got it from) announced they had some of these in their store and they were free if you paid the £5(!) postage. Hmm okay. It still seemed like a good deal as these are all new tracks. It is indeed a 'promo' as it says so on the sleeve and label. Next up it's a collaborated release between Earache and Scion and Toyota (yes the car manufacturers). I'd heard that Toyota were sponsoring grindcore and death metal bands but I guess I had to see it to believe it. Now I've seen it I still find it hard to digest. If someone had told me twenty years ago that this would happen I would have laughed in their face. So besides all that I'm glad I picked this up. I really like Wormrot, they play full throttle grind. The way it's meant to be.

Nothing in vain records= Rip off!!!!!!

About 3 months ago I ordered the Axis and Deathbed 7"s from this label. Anyway after a while I got in touch to see where my shit was and I got a email back saying he'd check. Numerous emails from me later I got nothing back-no records, no replies. Looks like I've been conned. Seems the guy who 'runs' this label has a rep for being shady. Anyway I guess the point of the post is to warn others and to try and avoid anyone else getting fleeced. Cunts like that have no place in hardcore. And if you are reading Garret Lewis then be warned I will be posting on all the main forums about you being a fucking thief.

Steel tormentor-Return of a king LP

I must admit I don't buy much new (not 'nu') metal stuff these days but I had to make an exception for this awesome album by Ireland's Steel tormentor. This is very traditional sounding metal-definitely a NWOBHM vibe going on. Don't let the Slayer shirt on the back fool you. This is self released by the band and anyone who likes it proper unashamedly metal(that means you Mike) should give it a go. I discovered this by accident and it's the best 'accident' that I've ever had. Check that cover out. Manowar and savage steel would be proud.

Death is not glamorous-Undercurrents 7" Tour sleeve

One of the things I miss about Dead and gone records is the fact that they used to release records by bands that I probably wouldn't have got round to checking out if they hadn't come out on that label. Norway's Death is not glamorous were one of those bands. I remember ordering their 7" back in 2006 and automatically liking it. It was positive, upbeat and inspiring feel good hardcore-the sort of stuff that puts a smile on your face as soon as you hear it. Death is not glamorous are still around and quite recently put out a new album which is as good as anything else they've ever done. Anyway back to this 7". It must have sold well as there were 3 different pressings. This one was sold on their UK tour in 2006 which I recently scored for cheap on Ebay was from the first press and was one of the black vinyl copies. Like a lot of bands that toured around that time I didn't catch them but if they ever make it over again I'll definitely make the effort next time round.

Floorpunch-Discography 2xLP Euro press

I was gutted at the beginning of 2010 when I missed out on the Floorpunch reunion and even more gutted when I found out that there was a special version of their discography on SFU records made up exclusively only for the European tour. Of course these things soon became Ebay gold and I ruled out the idea of ever getting one. So to my surprise I managed to bag one recently at just £12.50. I really lucked out there as copies had just sold before and just after at around £50-I just hit the right week. The funny thing is that I didn’t realise that I’d won it until over two weeks later as I had been in hospital for an operation and the guy had forgot himself to check Ebay so it arrived over a month after I actually won it. Still I’m chuffed to get such a bargain. The truth is that this thing isn’t much to look at. It is numbered out of 150 but the packaging is very basic and the labels are blank but fuck it because it is Floorpunch and I had to own it.

Boiling over-Barriers 7" (+ Tape)

Boiling over played great SxE hardcore and put out a very underrated 7" 'Trash city' a few years ago on Lifeline records. Their follow up was originally a tape. I hate those fucking things. Always have and always will, I don't care if there's a revival of sorts they still look and sound like shit. Anyway one of them landed as a freebie in a record order with Lifeline a while ago and despite the actual sound quality being piss poor (it is a tape after all)I wanted it on vinyl. My prayers were answered when I discovered that there had been 150 pressed on wax for their last show (in January 2010) and even better they still had some left in the lifeline store. So here you go-both releases back to back. I do like the 'go vegan' slogan on the tape though. Great band, they will be missed. By those who remember them anyway.

Ringworm-The promise LP Test Press (updated)

A while back I scored a test press of the A389 release of the classic Ringworm album 'the promise'. It was the accepted test so I knew I needed the rejected one to make this thing complete so I managed to grab one the other week (numbered out of 15). They look nice together don't you think? I wouldn't mind an original Indecision test pressing now although I'm not holding my breath.

Integrity-To die for 10" Test press

Another day, another A389 test press. Actually out of all the things featured in their recent 24 hour test press sale this was the one I wanted the most (and typically it was one of the more expensive items). Released originally back in 2003 as a CD on Deathwish records this is one of my favourite Integ records and it came after a string of pretty dodgy releases (Closure, that horrible 'covers' CD etc). This was the Integrity that I knew and loved and they were back on track. The vinyl was a long time coming. At one point it even looked like Marcus of Endless quest would be putting it out but in the end A389 did the honours. I already had the 3 limited colours of this release so adding a test to the collection seemed like the logical conclusion (unless they put it out again on another colour of course).

Ringworm-1991 Demo 7" Test press

The first time the Ringworm demo first saw the light of day on wax was back in the 90's was when it came as a 7" with the almighty Blood book zine. Any a couple of years ago A389 decided to repress it to go with the deluxe version of the re-release of 'The promise' album. I decided to grab a test pressing when was available and it's pretty cool looking. Nothing flash, just a nice one off item.

Gluttons-s/t 7" Test press

Recently A389 had one of their 24 hour test pressing sales. I ended up going on a crazy buying spree since I had a rebait from my gas bill. This was one of the cheaper items as I guess not a great many people bought this when it came out. It was a band featuring Human furnance of Ringworm but there was more of a Motorhead rock n' roll style rather than the intense metalcore that Ringworm blast out. Pretty damn good but sadly overlooked. The test was just limited to 10 copies with a great alternate sleeve-a rip of of Venom's welcome to hell. Instead it reads 'welcome to Clevo'. Great stuff!! This a nice addition to my clevo HC collection. Shame the actual record just came and went.

Regret-Demo 2005 7" mailorder version + test press

Recently while placing an order (OK about about two and a half months ago-this took a while to turn up) I decided to add the Regret-Demo 2005 7" that organised crime records put out back in 2006. Even though I'd never heard it before or knew anything about it I figured it was cheap and because OCR had put it out and most of their records are good. So when it finally arrived I was pleasantly surprised not just to get one of the limited to 61 mailorder versions on white vinyl but also a test press numbered out of 20!!! How cool!!! Anyway sticking this on it's very typical of early to mid noughties hardcore. Many bands were doing the Metal tinged thing (ala American nightmare) and these were no exception. There was a former Holding on member involved too. It's a good little record-well played and all but I can see why it got lost in the shuffle. I guess many bands of the time stood out a lot more. Anyway it's nice to finally hear it and of course wind up with two very limited pressings.

Amebix-Sonic mass LP

The new album from the mighty Amebix. Only been 24 years since the last one, that's some osrt of record surely. Anyway the most important matter is whether it's actually any good or not. Some are saying it isn't but but I think this is a superb comeback from a band who were so influencial on many bands that are bigger in name (Neurosis etc). The new stuff does have goth elements to it but boy, when it's heavy , it's damn heavy. Also helped by the fact that this is probably the finest sounding production job that they've ever had. It's like they've finally been able to to do the record they've always wanted to. I imagine these still to be a force to be reckoned with live. Easy action records have put this out and the entire first pressing is on red vinyl with a snazzy looking gatefold sleeve. The second pressing will be on black and so will the following pressings but in a regular sleeve (as opposssed to a gatefold one).

Night birds-The other side of darkness LP

After a string of 7"s, the Night Birds have finally dropped a full length and it's their best release yet (in my humble opinion). It's a mix of old school hardcore punk with surf guitar elements and oh and these guys love horror films too so how can you fail. In fact there's a sound bite from the classic movie 'Brain damage'. All copies of the first pressing are on black but a very limited amount of the pre-orders came with a special sleeve which sadly I missed out on. Oh well. If Grave mistake records repress this on colour I will certainly buy another copy. That's what us nerds do right?

Alert-Find your way 7" record release

A while back I recieved an email from Six feet under records saying that they had some of the record release show versions of the Alert 7". I naturally headed to the store and got lucky and bagged one. Alert play old school style sXe and if you like that stuff you can't fail as they pull it off well (albiet while still being generic sounding). Anyway this bad boy was just limited to 54 copies so I was surprised any were left over unless no one attended the show. The sleeve is better than the actual regular version (which I don't have yet)and the labels are hand stamped. Another nice souvenir of a gig I never went to (and maybe not many others did either).

Crusades-The sun is down and the night is riding in LP

This is one of my favourite records of 2011. I only got it last week and I’ve played it a bunch of times already. Looking at Crusades’ record sleeves you could be mistaken that you would be getting something musically that could be on Holy terror but in fact it’s more pop punk sounding albeit with a more darker feel. I can even feel a hint of black metal in there somewhere. Their lyrics are very anti-religion which makes them unique for a band of that style. I only recently got a copy of their 7” from last year but this is brand spanking new. Great job. It’s alive records have done the deeds here. It comes housed in a nice gatefold sleeve and there is a limited quantity on red vinyl.

Paint it black-New Lexicon LP 2008 Euro tour version

I remember going to see Paint it black back in 2008 with Trash talk and I wasn't too impressed by them. I thought Trash talk blew them off stage to be honest.I've seen them twice since and my opinion has changed. They are a great band, both live and on record and Dan Yemen is such a cool frontman. Anyway back to the 2008 show I remember them selling a tour version of their album 'new lexicon' exclusive to Europe. Having not being blown away by them I didn't bother getting a copy. I would regret that later as it became a wanted item of mine when I started really getting into the band. So at last, 3 years since that gig I've managed to bag a copy. 250 pressed with a different sleeve on blue vinyl. The funny thing is that I think this is my favourite thing by them now yet 3 years ago I just wasn't bothered.

ufomammut Eve LP Tour red vinyl

Just got in from seeing ufomammut play a killer set in my town. They ruled!!! Also managed to pick up a nice souvenir, their 'Eve' album on red vinyl with a nice silk screened sleeve, sold exclusively on tour. It's a great album to just drift away to. It's late and I'm tired so I may just do that in a moment when I stick it on.

Davana/Uncle acid and the deadbeats-Split 7"

It happened again. I went to see a band that I didn't end up seeing. This time it was Davana when they played in Liverpool. I caught Lecherous Gaze and had to leave seeing train times in scouseland back to Preston are shit. Anyway I didn't go home empty handed. I picked up some records including this split 7" with Davana and Uncle acid and the deadbeats (on Kermado recs). Imagine my shock when I saw one sell the other day on the bay for nearly £60. Bloody hell!!! Make no mistake the reason is simply because of Uncle acid and the deadbeats. Their stuff is gold right now. I shudder to think how much the mega limited release of their album on rise above will go for. No, I didn't get one and I'm gutted. Anyway I just wish I'd bought more than one copy of this. At least I got one. I would have have been pissed off to have passed it up. Oh, it's a pretty good record too!!!

Slapshot=Step on it LP Red

I first purchased a copy of this album back in 1989 from my local store (which is thankfully still around). It was a boring black copy but what a record!!! Skip forward 23 years later and I'm getting my first colour version. Limited to just 500. This was also released on green I think and I'm guessing it was the same number. Anyway like I already said what a fucking record!!!!!!!

Betrayed-Substance LP

One of the unsung classic sXe records from the last decade for me is 'Substance' by Betrayed. Fronted by Aram who did time in Champion and now runs the cool but ultra slow (mailoder wise) React records. I got a blue copy (328 pressed) this week so it goes next to my white copy (of 622). These are from the first pressing and there was also a pink vinyl of just 218 and a black test press of just 10 which of course I don't own. A second pressing of 1030 copies were all on white vinyl with a different B side label. I'm even listening to it as I type this stupid nerdy info. Great stuff.

NoFX-Hardcore covers 10"

What the hell? A NoFX record in my collection? My mate sent me a link to this EP on youtube a bit back and thought I'd like it because it was covers of old classic bands like Agnostic front, Stretchmarks etc. He was right. I'd certainly never heard that side of NoFX before. Anyway that got me looking on the sites for a copy. It was released on two formats- a 7" and one sided 10" on Fat wereck chords. Both colour versions had sold out (as is the way with fat wreck-a label that still does limited colour releases like labels used to before vinyl became a serious collector's only format-bless 'em). I decided to have a look on the bay and managed to bag a reasonably priced copy (before postage costs). The packaging in minimal to say the least. Just the nofx hardcore symbol spoof on the front and a sticker. No track listing or anything. Not even a fat wreck logo anywhere. So there you have my first and probably only ever NoFX record. Blimey!!!

IRON CHIC- "Not Like This" LP 3rd press

This is the third pressing of 'Not like this' (the dead broke rekerds release). 400 on pink and 200 on orange. I'm loving this shit at the moment. I own four copies of this record at the moment and the annoying thing is that I'm nowhere near completion as there's also European pressing on YO Yo records in a variety of different colours. Well it gives us geeks something to do I guess in between working and sleeping while normal people lead lives.

Nazi dust-s/t 7"

A killer 7" that came and went quickly on the red hot Youth attack records. Shit, nearly everything sells out quickly on that label and this was no exception. It's pretty thrashy hardcore with vocalist who sounds a bit like Pushead (Septic death). Since I'm a life long SD junkie that can only be good news for me. I managed to score this off the bay at a fair price I guess. If postage wasn't so fucking high these days it would have been quite a bit cheaper. This shit's been rocking my ipod for a few weeks and now it will causing mayhem on my turntable.