U.S. Showcase Compilation (2011)

Opening track "Chris Pooped at the Skate Park" by Spazz, shows that sometimes some folk have nothing important to say at all. Fast, full of grind and a few different vocals tracks, it's not bad, all they wanna do is thrash. 
"Don't Drink the Atwater" by East West Blast Test, sounds like someone dropped their gameboy in the toilet and it should stay there, this track is shite.
"American Holocaust" by Final Draft is a good hardcore song to bounce your head to and get stuck in in the pit.
This is followed by Cyborg's "Domestic", again surrounded by heavy blast beats.
Common Enemy finally get this compilation going with "Nothing's Wrong", suttle of thoughts of Aus Rotten spring to mind.
"Tear my face off" by Buried At Birth relies heavily on the screeching pulling sound thats been done a million times before, not over interesting, in my opinion. 
INTHESHIT come out swinging with "Mosh on Your Grave" and it's a not bad number with some fairly immence drumming.
Cry Havoc give some much need diversity to this compilation with a bit of sing along with heavy vocal sound of East Coast hardcore in the song "Living On The Witch Hunt".
Sado "Hadouken", is a waste of 4 seconds.
"Innsmouth Part 1" by Wake The Machine is a good track, but I can't help but feel it's all too much the same, on this comp.
"Punch Out" by Aggro or Die is American hardcore down to a tee and helps pull this compilation away from achieving nothing.
"American Dream" sound raw and brutal and is an excellent example of the underground street punk movement. I'll be checking these guys out. Best track on the compilation. Be proud Scattergun.
"Degenerate" by Dick Hickey. The echos of imitation GG Allin in the song, but not bad.


Overall: This compilation is pretty poor and Aside from Scattergun, nobody really stands out on this for me. 2/10



Track Listing:
Spazz - “Chris Pooped At The Skate Park “
East West Blast Test - “Don’t Drink the Atwater”
Final Draft - “American Holocaust”
Cyborg - “Domestic”
Common Enemy - “Nothing’s Wrong”
Buried At Birth - “Tear My Face Off”
INTHESHIT - “Mosh On Your Grave”
Cry Havoc! - “Living On The Witch Hunt”
Sordo - “Hadouken”
Wake The Machine - “Innsmouth Pt 1”
Aggro or Die! - “Punch Out!!”
Scattergun - “American Dream”
Dick Hickey - “Degenerate”

Fifteen Dead - NecroCrust EP (2011)

Fifteen Dead - NecroCrust EP (2011) [DIY]

This DIY release, and recording for that matter, by Aberdeen's black metal crust punk sadists is something to be treasured. At only 3 tracks long some might not find it worth while, but these 3 songs are superbly written.

They open us up with the track "Sunset". Even a wee cheeky piano piece at the start there and believe me it's a sign of things to come, cause this EP is diverse as hell. Lead vocalist Badger's echoing voice gives a sound of revoloution that wouldn't be far off at home as background music for the ongoing occupation of Wall Street. This matched along with the riffage of impending doom, followed by hope from the verse into the bridge before the chorus gives you the power to believe in something better.

If "Sunset" is the anthem for revolution in the US, then the one of the UK is undeniably this track. "Coalition Demolition". This time the it's the harrowing voice of Jamie Khrist, before the heartbeat of Ross Necro through his guitar let's us know it's time to start a fucking riot. The message is simple, but more powerful than you could hope for. A few audio news clips about the failures of our current government experiment and then an all in, we're pissed off go for it at the end. An excellent song.

The EP title track is just as much an anthem, even if it's not for the masses. "NecroCrust" is a brilliant tune, simple lyrics, but it seems that's not the point. Won't give too much away here though, get listening.

http://fifteendead.bandcamp.com/album/necrocrust-ep

Although the quality isn't amazing, it was recorded on the drummers computer and vocally in a cupboard, it's an excellent example of the quality this band possess. 8.5/10

Kvelertak - Self Titled LP (2010)

As a serious fan of music, the bands that really stand out in my mind are the ones that polarize opinion. With the release of the Norwegian sextets debut album,  Kvelertak are musical marmite of the greatest kind. A combination of Hardcore Punk, Black Metal, Hard Rock and Prog combined with a “If you don’t like it I still fucked your mother” attitude, this is a band that’ll get people talking. If Carlsberg made opening tracks, “Ulvetid” would take the crown whilst hammering a boot square in your mother’s womb. Other highlights are the soaring brilliance of the solo in “Offernatt”, the Rock & Roll riffage of “Blodtørst”, the aural orgasm of “Nekroskop”. Do yourself a favour and buy it before I kick your cunt in.

8.5/10 – For fans of Raised Fist, Darkthrone, Enslaved, Turbonegro, Motorhead, Porcupine Tree


Credit: Ross Necro

"Osama's the Man" by Maze McPunklet

Osama Bin Laden. What if he was just a puppet on some broken strings. Nothing more than a face in the crowd massacred to keep happy a twisted nation. Simply the face on a web of lies. The victim of a false commodity. The label on a sick creation. Another fucked up sob story for the grandkids of a terror fuelled generation. And what of the victims of his masters cruel mind games? Well, they cherrish the day another man perishes amidst the chaos thanks to our lost right to an education.

And what of the nurses in dire need of better pay across the pond? What of you and me? The kids that drew the short straws. Nobody gives a fuck what becomes of us. We're just another voice drowned out by the constant droning of a dead society. Just prey for the monsters created by parliament. This world is becoming worse that the one that Maggie Thatcher dreamt.

And what about the working class? Even they won't unite because nobody wants to know their neighbours. Kept apart by racist bastards at the top of the food chain, but if only we could stand as one. No wall, no cage, could keep our rage restrained. Yet still we destroy ourselves. Unwilling to put aside our pride. If only we could look past political correctness. Nothing could keep today's youth contained.

And all of all i scream of, i don't forget you. You are the most powerful tool. Your heart, your mind, can lead us past this chauvinistic bullshit and stop this divide. Only you can defend what little we have left.
This life is just one fucked up joy ride. So as you lay in the gutter once again to forget this country's sorrows, remember that this life is only borrowed.

So live, don't let those bastards win. Scream. Struggle. Boycott this government until the fuckers give in. We have each other, and it's all we need. Forget anarchy, ownership, corruption and greed. Don't let the system grind you down as it's hate ridden cancer. Just you remember that you are the answer...

Rebellion 2011 @ Winter Gardens, Blackpool

As always seeing all the bands you want to at Rebellion can prove more difficult than intended, usually in my case it's wanting to see a band but can't get in cos i've still half a bottle of bucky in my hand, and downing half a bottle of Bucky in a few minutes is a bit difficult. In the case of this year it started with the very first band because I couldn't get through the bloody door! But here's quick run through of the band I saw and the bands from that day I wish I had.

Thursday

Ed Ache – The frontman from Colchester's ICH, brought about a sterling performance of his solo acoustic material. Very impressive.

Short Bus Window Lickers – A band that has alluded me for several years when it comes to seeing them at Rebellion. So glad I went to see them this year. Go and see them if you havn't already, don't make the mistake I did.

Geoffrey OiCott – Went along with high hopes of getting into this band, but having no interest at all in Cricket, except the drinking in the sun bit, it didn't pan out. Wasn't a big fan of the music, just wasn't for me. But hey the amount of people there proves that that might just be me.

The Old Firm Casuals – I'd listened to the tracks released online and like many had been left pretty disappointed, but to see this band live. It's the Rancid vibe we all know about I guess. They played brilliantly.

Menace – Caught 4 or 5 songs of a mediocre performance.

The Meteors – Stayed for a few tunes, wasn't impressed, left to go see the Bay City Rollers, that's how much I wasn't into it.

Wish I'd Seen – Off!, Kings of the Delmar, Jessie Eastfield, Girlfixer, The Fiend.

Friday

Billy Liar – A Solid show as always, along with the 5 sets he did busking and the one he did at the aftershow.

Maximum RnR – Played with not as much energy as they did to a crowd of 30 in Aberdeen 2 days previous, but a great set from the band on the earliest slot of the day.

The Restarts – Exploding on the stage like a zit on yer mirror, the band ripped apart the Empress Ballroom and a mid day slot is something, but they deserve to be higher up the bill.

Argy Bargy – Always a good band to catch live.

The Varukers – Caught the end of their set and the same hardcore atmosphere that they always bring.

Ex Cathedra – After all the hype around this band in the build up, they were pretty poor and not a band I'd bother to go and see again.

Anti-Nowhere League – At this point I was still finding the sound in the Ballroom to be pretty drab and this didn't help the band, not the best I've seen them.

The Exploited – Not as great a show as the last time they played Rebellion but a good show nonetheless.

Wish I'd Seen – Infa Riot, Bouncing Souls, Drongos for Europe, Dead Class, Drunken Balordi.

Saturday

Louise Distras – Her first rebellion and a good set, also saw her several times busking throughout the weekend. Which is good for those outside who couldn't make it in/busy drinking.

Runnin' Riot – Great band, a pleasure to see them any time.

The Dickies – Not a fan, didn't work for me at all. Had plenty say otherwise, but for me, nope.

Cock Sparrer – Great set from the lads as always, I definatly wasn't the only one who felt like dying by the end of their set with exhaustion. Bloody knackered.

Wish I'd Seen – Hardskin, The Filaments, Pascal Briggs, The Grit, Control

Sunday

The Adicts - …. what you want me to say, it's The Adicts.

UK Subs – I was late, but caught the last 6 songs. 5 of which I love. Always Always Always get a great show out of the subs. Tighter than nun's cunt and every time feels like yer first.

Wish I'd Seen – Kunt & The Gang, Dragster, Mike Only, Eastfield, Demob, Jello Biafra

The Casualties @ Bannermans, Edinburgh

Tuesday July 19^th @ Bannermans, Edinburgh

On this night, I witnessed, in my eyes, the best gig I’ve ever been to. Everything about this gig worked perfectly for me. Support acts were good, the venue was the perfect size for this event and The Casualties just blew me away. First up on the night we had Daddy No! Having listened to everything online I could get myself of theirs and not actually seen them live before I was pleased with the performance. The songs were a fast and furious tussle between singer and musicians for me and I thought that the whole band did very well. Catie also doing an excellent job with blissful stage presence, doing what so many other female vocalists have failed to do before her. She leads by example. The Happy Spastics then graced us with their presence. It's been a while since I saw the Spastics now and with 60% of the band members changed. The last time tonight's headliners were in town, 10 years ago, the band were the support, so it made it special for them. However their set wasn't the best I'd seen of them. The vocals weren't the best from Bones, who usually pulls it off no questions asked, and the band didn't seem as tight as they normally do. However their still a band you should be making the effort to see. To be honest, I expected more from Moral Dilemma, however as their set went on they seemed to work harder and harder and put in a lot of effort towards the cause. I do feel that maybe they're more of a recorded act, than one you see live, however, like I said they put in a lot of effort and because of this, I'll be catching them again next chance I get. Next to the stage was the main event. Now possibly being biased here, but I don't feel so in the slightest, but then again who does when you watch your favourite band. For the many years that I've been listening to the The Casualties, I've only managed to catch them once. Main Stage at Rebellion 2007, almost 4 years ago and without Jorge on the night. The set was cut in half and all in all I had to scrape together the what I could of their set and enjoy it. However. Bannermans, 200 people, crushed in the middle of one of my more desired cities in the world, it was special from the off-set. Their set triggered an explosion of requirement from the audience to make this a special night regardless of the world around them. With the band's back catalogue so big these days it was difficult to spot one they possibly didn't play, I was swept away by the sheer energy and it between bouncing on stage and off again with every other fucker who had the desire to say “I know this one too” and shout to the world to prove it, I may have lost track just a smidgen. By the end of the set, everyone in the crowd was drenched in sweat (the band looked like they'd been swimming with their clothes on) and everyone had a sigh of exhaustion that the orgasm had been that good. Yeah, that's what I said. If you ever find yourself lucky enough to be close enough to see The Casualties, do everything you can to make it. 10/10

Slaughterfest 2011 @ The Tunnels, Aberdeen

Friday July 15^th @ The Tunnels, Aberdeen

The first night of Aberdeen's DIY punk and metal festival Slaughterfest kicked off with an almighty explosion and a fantastic night was had by all. With Pissed On Pissed Off having to sadly pull out, only thing that would have made the night better was having them join us, it was up to the too-many-times-mentioned-in-this-fanzine-already Fifteen Dead to open up the show. The standard we've come to expect from the band who on the night were in no mood to fuck about and got the job done and got the place escalated to the perfect level. The 3^rd generation of the band Filthpact then hit the stage. I say 3^rd generation. They're just on their 3^rd guitarist. The band do what they do best and remind their hometown just who the fuck they are. Such a pivotal part of the scene in Aberdeen in the past and indeed Scotland as well, they're not prepared to let someone else carry the torch and they want it back and they showed just why. A mixture of new songs and old favourites helped to make this evening come together even better. Local Leg-ends Toxik Ephex were up next and gave us yet another sterling showcase. Even a new song “Times are a Changin” was thrown in there. Highlight was defiantly Deek (Oi Polloi) and Dod doing “Doesn't make it all right!”. With everyone going wild by this point it was time to unleash Oi Polloi on the crowd and round off an amazing evening. The band showed, as they always do, why they've stood the test of time, albeit with over 300,000 members on their back catalogue. To be honest for me.... everything starts to get a bit hazy half way through the set. I remember a bottle of whisky being passed around the crowd and then sort of walking back to the palace of crust at a 45° angle. 9/10

Slaughterfest Saturday and Sunday: I'm trying my best not to fill up the fanzine with too much of my own gigs. It's crap, requires little effort and of course i'm going to say my gigs are good. Well that's not true. I'll tell you if they're shit. Well Saturday and Sunday of Slaughterfest was a disaster for only one person. Me. The population of Aberdeen decided that they wouldn't bother their arse, as they often do and after putting so much work into the weekend, it was ruined by the usual punters who moan that there's nothing to do in this city and when they get it, they do fuck all about it. So Fuck those cunts and to be honest I need not feel any spite, because every single band, bar one I can think of who didn't put much effort in (can't blame them), played like they were playing to 50,000 people at Hampden. So over the course of the weekend, 25 bands, that's incredible. The people that were there did everything they could to cheer on the bands and the connection between stage and dancefloor helped keep the event running. So because of all that, all these bands deserve being mentioned and if you see them on a gig poster, go see them, because they earned it. Kings of the Delmar, The Brogues, Element 106, Billy Liar, Wayne Lost Soul, Bin Laden's Daughter, The Beast Must Die, Hideous, Skitzofrenik, The Amphetameanies, The Roughneck Riot, Hated Til Proven, Maxwell's Dead, Johnny Skyscraper (x2), KCHGH, Thousand Needles, Maze Punklet, Bobby Stickah and erm... Bobby's Stickah's mate who did a set as well. You were all brilliant.

Slaughterfest 2012: I've said that last year was the idea, this year the blueprint and next year will be thee Slaughterfest. Simply put, I'll be changing several things. First of all I need help next year. I discovered that it's simply too much for one person to do. We'll also be pushing back the festival until September and for all the students coming back again. We will probably only make the festival 2 days next year, but I'll make it if you buy a double day ticket then you'll get yourself access to several gigs in the weeks running up to Slaughterfest for free. I wanted to give everyone a lot of things this year, problem is I think I just gave them more than they could take.

Additional Thanks to: Steeny, who stopped me from having a heart attack over the weekend and kept everything together while it crumbled around us. Ross Necro and Fatboy for equipment on the Sunday, after the venue didn't tell us there was no equipment in room 2, which was really cool of them. Chiz for playing 4 sets in 3 days, who now holds the record for the most Slaughterfest appearances. The Aberdeen faithful/Chaos Crew for all your help and support over the last year in getting to this. I feel like I've finally put this year to sleep, time to plan next year. Woop-de-fuckin-do, why do I do this?

Slaughterfest

Leader Board:

(1) Chiz – 4
(2) Jamie Khrist – 3
(_) Bry Parasite – 3
(_) James Dron – 3
(_) Fatboy - 3

Street Kids - Back in the Days (2010)

Street Kids – Back in the Days (2010) [Carnage Punk Rock]

This album comes from French punk rockers Street Kids and it's become a favoured one in my collection. Although it's not a complete start to finish album there are a few gems in there. “Amitié”, “L'hymne des Buveurs” and “Avec Eux”. The melodic tone to it with the drunken sing along sections brings a great atmosphere to a party once you learn it. Sadly it'll take folks a while to learn the words, because it's in French, but it's one of the only times i've liked the French language used in punk music. For me it usually doesn't fit the sound. On top of that it's pretty difficult to find much more about them as they have pretty much no online presence and as far as I'm aware they have split. 8/10

Fresh Meat - Boys (2011)

Fresh Meat – Boys (2011) [DIY]

Interesting. But then again putting Roysta in a queercore style band always was going to be unlike anything you'd ever heard before. At 7 tracks and 6:44 mins, it'd be stupid to say it wasn't a quick splash of energy. “Flaccid and Miserable” does enough to kick us off. “The Most Well dressed Tongue in Town” is a bit better, but does sound like some of the dodgy irishman's solo stuff. I'm sure i've heard it before. Maybe because the singles been on for half an hour and i've already heard it 73 times. I do love the progression of “When Circumstances Require Blood”. However, the best version of Limp Wrist's “I love Hardcore Boys” i've heard. It's sterling. CD is limited to 35 and it's very fancy for a first release, they've put a lot of effort into it. Nice to have in the collection however, I definitely think this is a band we're going to have to let come together a bit more and see where it goes from there. I expect really good things, the potential is there, no doubt. 6/10

Psychotic Maniacs - Self Titled EP (1987)

Psychotic Maniacs - Self Titled EP (1987)[Reactor Records]

Originally recorded in 1985. 6 songs, 7 and a half minutes. Typical 80s hardcore. It's pretty good to be honest. Story goes they were living in a house in Melbourne with Aussie band Depression and when Depression finished recording earlier than anticipated, rather than let the studio time go to waste, the band were called at 2am to get their arse to the studio and record. They lay down 6 tracks and had themselves a release. It's speed and the riffs make it a powerful wee EP, but the lyrics are a bit shit. Nae bad little download. Sound quality is quite shit, but it suits the style and the nothing sounds too drowned out either. 6/10

Man The Change - Weather The Storm LP(2011)

Man The Change - Weather The Storm LP(2011) [DIY]

Heavy Fat Wreck influences being an obvious for this band, but a pretty good pop punk rock album none the less. Think mid-90s NOFX, when they'd release 15 track albums, and 12 of them were yer standard “that's a NOFX song”. But I don't want to take anything away from them here because it is a not bad wee number with some fast skins thrown in there and few good riffs. 5/10

Urgent Blood - Self Titled EP (2011)

Urgent Blood – Self Titled EP (2011) [Elgin Rock City]

Now Cleavers Frontman Danny Crombie's old band when he lived in Australia. Where You Dead are struggling to put his mad man antics onto CD, Urgent Blood don't seem to have that problem. The first track “Tram Pig” is a blast of energy that has me envisioning him throwing his body everywhere. “One Day” is quite a bit slower, but a 50 second power anthem with “Time to Die” puts the spring back into their step to finish it off with rock n roll song “Home”. Pretty good EP 7/10