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Hello and thanks for reading. I’ve been moving the past few weeks, very slowly. It’s an hour drive one way, so I only have good opportunities on the weekend. Most of my belongings have moved but only a small portion of my records are at my new spot, which is why I said “very slowly,” haha. I move just a few boxes of LPs at time, so my selection is mad limited at my new crib. I’m pretty much just diving back into shit I haven’t jammed in ages. I just got done with that first WASTED TIME compilation, and now I’m moving onto my favorite (and only) SPITS LP. I didn’t get into THE SPITS until 10+ years after this came out, but I probably would not have liked it until later in life. I remember when my friend from ATX came to visit soon after I moved to Raleigh, and he called me poser for listening to something that was not blazing HC hahah... I first fell for this band when I heard “Let Us Play Your Party” and eventually I tracked this LP down. While that song closes out the A-side of the record, I really love the B-side. It’s actually just ended, and I’ve dropped the needle on B1 again.

Anyway, we have plenty of great records (and tapes) to write about, but I will embrace my inner fanboy and write about this TERVEET KÄDET book. I’ve raved about this label Finnish Hardcore in several Staff Picks, so it’s no surprise I am thoroughly impressed with their latest release. While this book is not loaded up with interviews and liner notes, it is brimming with fucking sick (and HUGE) photos. There is still bits of info surrounding each photo, however. I am grateful again for the English translations, cos there is some cool info/trivia about TERVEET KÄDET during these early years. The book itself is over 100 pages long, and it’s hand-numbered out of 600 copies. I could be wrong, but I think most of these photos have never been released. Some of them I recognized from TK records though, and of course they mention this in the book. I know for certain this book features photos by only one person, Heikki Kemppainen, spanning from 1980 to 1984. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about this person, and there is not much to learn about their history in Tornio, Finland from what the book says in the English translations. Alright I’m jamming SKITKIDS ‘Onna For Pleasure’ now, and it’s time for me to get back to work. If you are a fan of classic Finnish HC or TK in specific, I would grab a copy of this book cos you will not be let down! It’s not like that Sakevi book that has a shit ton of garbage that came later that no one gives a fuck about, haha or that one F.O.A.D. book where the last like 15 pages were just ads from the label... the name of that book escapes me at the moment. Anyway, thanks for reading, peace.

Hello, thanks for reading and thanks for the support. I will write briefly about a record that I have been playing a lot. This week we got these hot-ass SYCOPHANT slabs in at Sorry State. I didn’t know anything about this release beforehand; I had zero anticipation for the release because of this. It’s always a great feeling to be completely caught off guard by a release. I love it so much. It’s also kind of whack this was completely off my radar since we carried the cassette version back in June of last year, whoops. I am not really a fan of the single-side 12” but I am glad this release now has a vinyl version, cos it’s way too good to only appear on cassette. The recording itself sounds excellent, especially the drums. Every instrument sounds clear and pronounced but somehow everything is blended well together into a nice wall of sound. I don’t mean the band is noisy by that wall of sound reference, but that each instrument seriously compliments each other. They bring out the best elements, making the band as a whole sound really full. It sounds like almost too pro haha but it is fucking excellent. Anyway, this band’s “style” is right up my alley, so it was no doubt I’d immediately like it. I am relatively easy to please if you are playing DISCHARGE style, but you must have riffs forreal... and SYCOPHANT has riffs indeed. Although they play like DISCHARGE with the constant D-beatage, it sounds like they have more similarities to the Swedish bands who followed suit. While they mostly remind me of DISCHANGE or MEANWHILE, some of the riffage is really reminiscent of TOTALITÄR. If you like any of those bands and I haven’t heard this record yet, I’d check it out now! But wait, that means everyone should listen to this record, cos who the fuck doesn’t like TOTALITÄR, right? Alright thanks for reading and I hope everyone is staying safe, peace!

Hello, if it wasn’t obvious I don’t have a therapist it will be evident after this week’s Staff Pick. Whenever I am down and depressed, I find it hard to listen to music. That is probably some unconscious self-destructive behavior that has been slowly programmed into me. A program that wants to negate any possible feelings of enjoyment, so that my idea of suffering can continue on as long as possible. It’s hard to break the cycle, the chain of depression. Whenever I am back, it feels like I never even left. Sometimes it’s hard not to believe life is a constant struggle with a few good times sprinkled in here and there. I don’t know, maybe that really is the case.

I like BURNING SPEAR a lot, especially ‘Rocking Time’. This is a record I can listen to no matter what my state of being might be. Honestly, it is therapeutic for me when I am feeling down. He mostly sings of struggle in his songs. I experience a lot of emotions when I listen to his songs, but in the end, I find it grounding. I know his struggles were far greater than mine, and it reminds me the world is a big fucking place. It reminds me I am just a very small piece of this world. I will come and go, while the Earth will remain. When I start to feel small, the feelings that plague me also shrink. It leaves more space for wonder... it allows me to remember my appreciation for the vast beauty and the scary power of the Earth we inhabit. It reminds me I am grateful for my existence, grateful for the experiences I have had and the love I have shared with those who are close to me. Maybe life is a constant struggle, but that should make the good times even more glorious, really. From my experiences, I have learned anxiety and depression typically come from dwelling on the past or worrying about what the future may bring. I worry a lot. When you worry, you are just letting the happenings right before you slip through your fingers. So, the worry of the future has suffocated any possibility of enjoying the now. But we must seize every moment for its great worth and experience, we must trust as little as possible in the future. Just remember to do as that great poet said back in the day and “Carpe deez nuts.”

Hello, and thank you for reading. Today I will be talking briefly about my favorite, Suomi hardcore. I was pleased we got some of the SEKAANNUS 12”s in stock. The Finnish Hardcore label is an excellent label that has me eternally excited for what they have up their sleeve. While the original ‘Kutsu’ 7" from 1985 does not sell for exorbitant prices like some other Finnish slabs from the same era, it doesn’t make this reissue any less important to me. This EP was originally released as a single-sided, three track 7". The session was recorded at Laser Studio, where some of the greatest Finnish bands like MELLAKKA, DESTRUCKTIONS, POHJASAKKA, KAAOS, and APPENDIX recorded between 1983 and 1985. This 12" reissue features an additional three songs(!!!) from the same session that were not originally released on the 7". These tracks have remained totally unreleased prior to this 12". I was wondering why they weren’t released on the original record. They aren’t played poorly, which often times would be the deciding factor for a song not making the cut. Haha, well kind of... Many of these classic records are from sessions where each song was recorded in only one take, but that was usually due to lack of money for a “real-deal” recording session. Anyway, I learned from the label that the band only released a single-sided 7" cos a double-sided one was too expensive, so that mystery is solved. The Finnish Hardcore reissue comes with a booklet that’s got great information on the band’s history and the recording session where ‘Kutsu’ was recorded. And of course, it includes all the original artwork plus bonus material such as their appearances in a few zines. In true Finnish Hardcore fashion, this reissue was clearly made with a tremendous amount of love, care, and attention to detail. This is another top-notch archival release that deserves a place in every record collection, really.

I first heard SEKAANNUS on their split with MASSACRE. While both bands played faster (and sloppier) hardcore on this release, the SEKAANNUS sound changes quite a bit in the next year leading up to ‘Kutsu.’ In the booklet, they talk about the sound and how the band was leaning more towards FLUX OF PINK INDIANS than DISCHARGE at this point. While I enjoy the early stuff, the ‘Kutsu’ tracks are very cool, especially in that they stand out from other Finnish bands during that time. Regardless of this evolution, one of the unreleased tracks on the B-side is still a raging D-beat track. It’s sick to hear them play locked-in like that cos they sounded pretty sloppy early on while they were trying to sound like DISCHARGE, haha.

Alright next, have you seen the “new” KAAOS 7" on Fight Records? I have and I want one bad... but I don’t have one, yet. We tried to get copies but the initial run sold out pretty quickly. No surprise there. However, we have a nice stack of copies of the repress secured for us!!! Not sure when they will ship, but if you still need a copy, don’t worry; we got you covered. I don’t know much about this 7" but I know it’s an unreleased session from 1982. There are two songs from this session that have appeared on their split with CADGERS and on the “Systeemi Ei Toimi E.P.” compilation. But those tracks were recorded at a different studio, so these are different versions which I think were recorded later. I’m pretty sure one song has never been released at all, but I could be wrong. The Fight Records page says the other track was never released as a KAAOS song but given to BASTARDS and they released their own version, which is pretty sick. They also say it’s actually the guitarist of BASTARDS playing on this entire session. Anyway, I can’t wait to get our copies, nerd out, and blast these unreleased tracks of raw Finnish hardcore. Keep your eyes and ears open for updates.

Still in the world of FInnish hardcore, have you seen the VARAUS ‘Tuomittu Elämään E.P.’ reissue?!! So fucking cool. Feral Ward did that 1/1 LP (which was essentially the same tracks as the 1996 ‘Requiem’ CD reissue) but it’s cool Lärmattacke Records is doing just the EP like the OG, especially now cos the Feral Ward reissue is difficult to come by. When I first saw this EP reissue, I lost my mind cos I didn’t hear about it at all until I saw it for sale on their site. And then I lost my mind again in confusion why it said there was only 150 pressed on black vinyl, alongside some “limited” color variants... I went to check out and they wouldn’t ship to USA, again losing my mind haha... Luckily I secured copies for me and some friends. However in the end it won’t even matter, hehe. Of course SSR inquired about distro copies even though there was a small quantity made. I learned that the plant had “lost” a portion of the records and was in the process of pressing the compensating copies, so at that time there were no copies available for wholesale. Luckily we asked at a good time cos we have a very nice stack secured for us. If there are no delays, expect to see us with those two monstrous distro stockpiles in the beginning of April. Alright, that’s it for this week. Thanks for reading, and thanks so much for the support.

Hello and thanks for reading.

Last night I was on Instagram and I saw Ryvvolte had just dropped some stuff into their distro, including this cassette from LIFELOCK. This is a live tape from Pink Noize in 2015. I think this tape is excellent and not super common to come by so I thought I’d mention it. I picked up a copy when they were initially released cos I had already become obsessed with LIFELOCK via their debut EP. You just never know what yer gunna get when buying a live cassette haha. The tape has good sound quality, which is why I would recommend you pick up a copy if you are a fan of LIFELOCK but don’t have it. If you don’t know this band but like DISCHARGE and DISCLOSE, I would recommend you check the link above and definitely check out their 2018 EP as well; the tone is insane. I feel like this band is so good that you don’t need to be obsessed with D-beat to like them, so if you pass ‘em over based on aesthetic I might have another look if I was you. Alright thanks for reading, I hope everyone is well. Peace.

Whenever I match up bands for HC Knockouts, I pick em from the same country, and I do my best to pick bands that were active at the same time or at least within a few years. I felt bad when A.O.A. and ANTI-SYSTEM faced-off some time ago cos A.O.A. was Scottish while ANTI-SYSTEM was English. I guess they were both a part of the United Kingdom? But still, I’m sure the countries and especially the cultures differ a lot. This is the case again with this week’s Knockout between OI POLLOI (Scotland) and CHUMBAWAMBA (England). I’m sure a lot of people don’t know why I think this Knockout is particularly great, but a devoted OI POLLOI fan would likely understand. I heard OI POLLOI in my late teens. When I heard ‘em initially, I had no idea they were a band that began in the ‘80s. Their sound changed a lot over the decades. They’ve had dozens and dozens of members, with the vocalist being the only constant member. They started out with an anarcho sound, moved into hardcore, toughened up a bit in way too after that, and somewhere in there they incorporated much, much more of an Oi! sound. If I remember right, they intentionally leaned hard into this style to pull over all the fence walking skinheads in their area and at the gigs. I don’t listen to OI POLLOI much anymore, but when I first heard em when I picked up their “Total Resistance To The Fucking System” compilation 12". The photo above is from a page in the booklet that came with the record. This comp featured two EPs and some extra tracks. One of those EPs is Carson? which originally came out in 2003. I still like this EP a lot actually so I wanted to link it. Alright, those extra tracks… if I remember right they are all cover songs. At the time I don’t think I knew THE SPECIALS, so I’m not sure if I understood ‘Concrete Jungle’ was a cover, a really cheesy cover... But they also cover RUDIMENTARY PENI’s ‘Rotten To The Core’ but under a new name, ‘Shhh…It.’ At this age I loved “Death Church” through and through so I lost my mind at this haha. I definitely did not know CHUMBAWAMBA was initially an anarcho-punk band. I probably never even heard their name aside from that hit single from the ‘90s. I’ve listened to a lot more of their releases since and I don’t really like their shit very much, but there was a rip of a tape I heard that I obsessed over for a long time. I’m not sure anything about it but I found this link on YouTube of the same songs. Anyway, I guess I haven’t explained any of the beef OI POLLOI has with CHUMBAWAMBA, so I’ll just leave you with the rest of that page from the booklet cos I don’t wanna write anymore about this pretty much meaningless Staff Pick. I hope every one is doing well, take care. - Usman

I thought 2021 was a great year for releases, the best year in a while in my opinion. Or maybe I am just paying more attention... 2020 had a lot of solid releases, but 2021 was like a relentless onslaught of hardcore. But maybe we just got pummeled with releases cos everything was held up in vinyl production in 2020. I mean it’s not like that situation has changed at all... everyone I know is waiting insane amounts of time for record pressing. My label with Jeff is waiting on two records whose test presses we approved in October, and there’s still no sign of the actual press date... Anyway, I think 2022 is off to a great start, and is already competing with 2021 in the name of excellent releases. Not to mention, the dank reissues are coming outta the woodwork too!!!

Anyway, AXE RASH. This name I’ve heard before… makes sense since it appears their first release was in 2015. And of course, they played K-Town festival this past year. But foolishly, the music I have never heard until this past week. Daniel was lucky to land an advance copy of this hot ass slab (!!!) from the label. So sick. I was working at the warehouse and heard this ripping shit from afar like last week. I immediately approached the turntable and inquired about who the fuck we were listening to. It ripped. What a nice pleasant surprise. NFTW Records is unleashing yet another hot ass slab onto our insatiable ears. While the last beast they put out was not necessarily “my bag” (but still sooOOOoOoo ripping), this AXE RASH 7" is right up my fucking alley. This EP is like the turkey of the alley, striking out every pathetic pin that thinks they can hang. This band has fucking riffs. It reminds me (very) slightly of SKITKIDS, but less “rocked” out. A more recent contemporary for comparison I think would be ARSLE or LARMA, but honestly LARMA is so good... too good. I don’t think any bands can really compare. Seriously. If you missed that one somehow, check it out immediately and buy yer ass a copy now! If you missed it, ARSLE was another great one on Adult Crash from some time ago, featuring members of other raging Swedish HC bands you probably already know and love.

You know it’s kind of funny. I am working my way into AXE RASH’s discography now, and the previous 2017 EP is not really like this most recent EP. I think the song writing is good, but it doesn’t catch my ear like ‘Contemporary Ass’ does. I think it compares to bands like Glue and maybe Strutter a bit more than how I compared them to those mängelin’ bands I mentioned above. But moving onto the 12" that came out 2019, I hear much, much more similarity to their latest EP. To me their style evolved a lot from the first EP to LP, in a good way. And then, from the LP to the new EP, they perfected this sound into one hot ass fucking slab. Very stoked this EP has a pressing in the States, so we can all get on our hands on a copy, and fast. I don’t have much else to say right now, but I would suggest you check this EP fosho and grab a copy if you enjoy it. I think deserves a place in every collection. Before I part, I’d like to leave you with this link. And I’d also like to let you know that the latest LETHAL MEANS 12" is back in print on clear vinyl! Thanks for reading, cheers!

Hello, and thank you for reading.

I had no idea what to write about this week. There have been plenty of good releases lately, but I don’t think I have taken anything in enough to give it “justice” in a Staff Pick. Instead of writing about nothing, I am writing about ANGER BURNING, a band who has been on endless repeat since I first heard them. I’m sure most people have heard of this band, cos they are not new by any means. But if you don’t know them and don’t care for Discharge worship bands, I would just stop reading now. Of course you will miss out…

I picked up a copy if their Warcharge E.P. when it was released on LVEUM, just cos the cover looked sick. I had no idea what it would sound like. I don’t think I knew anything about LVEUM at this point, and it was probably their first release I picked up. When I got home, I put it on immediately and got my wig split. Got damn, this shit is raw as fuck, pummeling Discharge attack!!! It never, ever gets old to me. And they do that shit where the toms are loud as fuck and blown out… fuck. It’s straight forward, just plain evil Discharge type hardcore. All their records sound pretty different actually, while the song writing style remains the same. They released a split the same year as this debut EP. Man it’s insanely raw, even more so than the Warcharge E.P. Listener beware, haha. Sometimes I think it might be my favorite of their records, but it’s always easy to say the release with the fewest songs is best from a band cos there is little room to get bored or be disappointed. They went Kawakami style on this one for real, though. It is so nasty with leads layered on leads, sounding like nuclear rain just like Kawakami’s guitar solos.

They have two other splits later but I am not as familiar with them. The sound is really different on them. Not saying I don’t enjoy them, they just aren’t my go-to. My go-to is their When 12”. This record is perfection. Maybe it’s too on the nose with their track ‘When’ and ‘When (Reprise)’ but holy shit, it is fucking excellent. Seriously, it doesn’t matter how much cheese is on it. The production is excellent. It’s not blown out at all; it is pretty “raw” in the actual meaning. You can hear every instrument clearly… the sheer brutality.

Well, that is all I am writing today. You probably already heard this band, but maybe this is nice reminder to keep ‘em on your playlist. Or maybe yer getting to hear a new band of interest now that you missed at first. All their records are regular punk prices, heads up. And if you do like the links I dropped, don’t forget to check out their tracks on this split as well, the power in the recording is fucking insane. Thanks for reading. Peace.

Hello, and welcome to my Top 10 of 2021. This year was insanely good for records. There was so many more great releases than I could include in my ten picks; it was hard to narrow it down. Well kind of; some of them were 100% no-brainers. I decided not to include cassettes to make it easier on myself. I thought about doing an “Honorable Mentions” thing too but who the fuck cares what I think... Getting on with it, in no particular order.

Warchild: A Question For Today...Not Tomorrow (D-Takt & Råpunk Records) I hadn’t heard this band until this release. Jocke was so kind and sent me a copy so I could get the complete limited-edition bundle of DTAKT releases. This recording is excellent, right up my alley with a raging nonstop D-beat attack. I hear lots of shit that’s similar to this style come out every year, but rarely does it actually catch my ears. Even though I am d-beat fiend at heart, I still think it’s hard to please me.

Svaveldioxid: Första Dagen Efter Sista Bomben (Phobia Records) Sticking with another Swedish band’s release, this one really struck my fancy. I think I have all of Svaveldixod’s records, but something about this record stands out from the previous release to me. It’s the same nonstop D-beat attack as Warchild, but with a totally different vibe. It’s heavy, it’s mean. It is total käng.

Golpe: La Colpa È Solo Tua (Sorry State Records) Hell yeah I chose a Sorry State release. This fucking record is amazing, honestly probably one of the best 12"s that came out this year. Well duh, it’s on my list.. I jammed this so many times I can’t even explain. Tadzio sent me the master ages ago, cos he actually asked if BPDT would have interest in releasing it. Of course he dropped our asses the second Daniel replied and said SSR would do it, haha fucker. Much love to Tadzio, I can’t wait to see what he does next.

Nervous SS / Rat Cage: Skopje Vs. Sheffield (La Vida Es Un Mus) This is an excellent split. When is the last time I even got a split where both bands ruled? Most people probably bought this cos of Rat Cage. While I enjoy Rat Cage, Nervous SS is my fucking shit. Blagoj is the fucking man. This dude can rip every instrument, seriously. Cannot wait to hear what he does next... maybe I already have ;)

Quarantine: Agony (Damage United) Do I need to write anything here? If you read my Staff Picks you already know that I was obsessed with this band, to the point of making a fanzine. If you missed a physical copy, you can download it here.

Tower 7: ...Peace On Earth? (Roachleg Records) I just wrote about this last week. Probably in the Top 25 records of the past 10 years. So fucking good. Worth all the hype you see.

Electric Chair: Social Capital (Iron Lung Records) Speaking of hype... I contemplated putting this up there, but the fact is that it is a fucking excellent EP. This band is sick as fuck, they aren’t “re-inventing the wheel” but they figured out how the wheel works at it’s the most optimal, peak performance.

Fairytale: Self-titled (Desolate Records) When I saw this band, they only had their flexi out. I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t think I even knew Joe B was in the band. When I saw them live, my wig got split. Everything clicked. This band is top-notch. Raw, ruthless hardcore that gives no mercy to the listener. This was another no-brainer for my Top 10. I hope they do something new soon so I can get my wig split yet again.

Kohti Tuhoa: Väkivaltaa (La Vida Es Un Mus) I was super late to the game on this band. I remember hearing the EP from last year, Elä Totuudesta, right at the end of the year. I only did a bullshit Top 3 last year, but Kohti Tuhoa should’ve been on that list as well. Each release they do is killer, from the first one to the latest one. The sound has changed, but it’s all excellent. Not better or worse, just different.

Yleiset Syyt: Umpikujamekanismi (Open Up And Bleed Recordings) This is my favorite EP of this year. Easily. Somebody PLEASE sell me their first EP and LP. Please.

Next year I will make a “Worst of 2022” list. I hope Turnstile makes a new album. Happy New Year, send your hate mail to in.decay@yahoo.com