REGIONAL JUSTICE CENTER • Crime And Punishment 12″ 2021

Closed Casket Activities

Well the wait is finally over. This is the second 12” from these Seattle pounders and it has me nodding along to the really slow sludge parts, then playing air drums to the ripping fast parts.  The drums are what really make this band/record for me. Dude is a machine. Vox are stellar as well… I know I should really read the lyrics but I literally don’t care what this cat is screaming about, I just know it’s angry and mean.  At first listen I was a little bummed on how short this 12” 45 is, but I’m on my third listen (to digest it and review it) and I feel like it’s the perfect length for a band of this style. I know a lot of people hate the term in which the style of music these folks are playing, but its pretty much PV that does not completely rip off or steal a sound from a specific band. Yes they probably like Crossed Out, MITB and Infest but it isn’t a direct rip. I’d really like to see them live someday if the world of shows ever opens up again. The label that put it out is from my old ‘hood of Albany /Troy NY so I’m proud that Closed Casket Records got on board to make this record happen. More kick ass art work from my brother Mark McCoy, the images are perfect for this platter. (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD Nate Wilson: NW Matt Average: MA Heath Row: HR

UNITED MUTATION • Dark Self Image LP

DESTRUCT self-titled LP (2020)

DESTRUCT •  self-titled LP (2020)

Grave Mistake Records 

I’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time. DESTRUCT are from Richmond Virginia and Share the guitarist from ENFORCED. The dude Zack is pretty amazing both as a player and a writer, he seems to be able to do it all. 

This record is straight up BASTARD worship done pro with some other influences thrown in here and there. For those of you reading this that have never heard the legendary Japanese Hardcore band BASTARD I envy you. I wish I could have my mind blown once again by hearing BASTARD for the first time. Other than BASTARD, I hear DISCHARGE, and most people will snicker when I say this, but I hear early SHEER TERROR vocally.  Obviously, I don’t think that was done on purpose, but I hear a lot of “I Just Can’t Hate Enough” when the singer is screaming along to these vicious tunes. To me everything about this record is perfect. The production is sick, and the drums just pound right through the speakers and keep my head bobbing. The production is spot on.  I can’t imagine I’ll hear another HC record that comes out in 2020 that will have me as excited about it as this one does.  Don’t sleep on this one, hit up Grave Mistake Records or your local record shop to get this one before its gone.  (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

 

GREY C.E.L.L. • Self-titled LP

Grey C.E.L.L. S/T LP

King Of The Monsters Records

Eleven scorchers on this beautifully colored 12” slab. The songs go by super quickly mostly due to this being a 45 rpm record.  These dudes weren’t on my radar at all until very recently.  This is harsh as all hell Philadelphia hardcore/punk. But it still has some weird quirkiness to it that keeps me interested, and also manages things from getting to generic. This record does have a massive 90s hardcore feel to it which I think works well for them.  There is some really cool guitar stuff happening with Janis who played (plays) guitar in Citizens Arrest. The drums and bass are spot on and are just rolling together and keeping the madness together. I love the harshness of the vox, they sorta remind me of San Diego’s Run For Your Fucking Life. If you like Citizens Arrest I’d imagine you’ll dig this as two of the four members are in CXA.

The lyric sheet apparently can be cut out to be turned into a zoetrope that becomes animated if played on a turntable at 45 RPM.  I am NOT going to be trying that with my insert, because it looks really nice and it would mean I no longer had a lyric sheet.   (NW)

Hit me up on Instagram if you want to send me your release for review at: nate_gloom

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

 

ENFORCED • At the Walls LP (2019)

ENFORCED • At The Walls LP (2019)

War Records     

I wasn’t really going to buy into the hype of this Richmond, VA band. My buddy Telf has been going on to me about how awesome they are for the last year, and how the guitarist Zack is one of the best writers of extreme music in Richmond. Well, after listening to this LP only once I was sold.  I immediately flipped the record over and listed to side one again….I’ve spun it many many times since then.  

This is a total top notch recording for this no nonsense metal/hardcore band.  People always seem to compare them a lot to Powertrip…I don’t hear it.  What I do hear is a lot of Slayer.  Yup… Slayer, Slayer, and more Slayer. Seriously, some of these riffs could be sold to Slayer to finally make a decent new record (donate those riffs Zack).  The dive bomb solos and wanks are perfectly positioned in these songs, and are not overdone.  What I do hear beside Slayer would be Sepultura, LeeWay, Ringworm, Integrity, Excel, Madball, and a little bit of the Cro-mags.  But honestly, I think this stuff just stands on its own… totally tough sounding music to pound one another as your pals are running around the pit being wacky.  I love this record and am very excited to hear what else these guys are capable of.  (NW)

Enforced: https://enforced.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-walls

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA

HELL BENT • Apocalyptic Lamentations LP (2019)

HELL BENT • Apocalyptic Lamentations LP (2019)

Armageddon Label

Atomic Action

This is some raw as fuck hardcore punk disguised as metal.  It rarely slows down and has elements of crust, D beat, traditional metal, thrash, black metal (at times)… I think it’s safe to just call this poor man’s metal or some type of crossover.  It’s like a lot of the stuff that I heard in the 80s and didn’t really get right away due to rawness and production. Well, I get it now.  This will resinate well with fans of extreme metal music for sure.  My favorite song on this was the slower one called “Ichthyosis” (track three).  It reminded me of Destructor.  Dudes cover a Znowhite tune as well.  

I hope these Rhode Island freaks keep at it putting out more records and playing some shows in NJ near me.  The band features members of Dropdead, and Ulcer.   I’m pretty glad I got this one on wax.  Great cover art as well.  (NW)

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Justin Dratson: JD   Nate Wilson: NW   Matt Average: MA