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Hi and thanks for reading. We recently got a huge order in from UK distributor Plastic Head, and we got a few copies of this EXISTENZ reissue from them. Heptown Records originally reissued this LP back in 2018, and that’s actually when I first discovered EXISTENZ. Unlike most of the raging Swedish hardcore bands I know, they do not typically play with a d-beat style. Regardless, their debut 1983 7” is some of the rawest hardcore that came out of Sweden I have heard. I wish someone would reissue that damn record! When comparing the 7” to the LP, the LP is not nearly as good—however, I do still consider the LP an essential record. It’s much less chaotic and kinda has more of a UK82 feel to it. I wish I took the time to check what the Swedish Punk Encyclopedia had to say about EXISTENZ before writing today, but in my typical fashion as of late I am not prepared. I know they were from Helsingborg, which is the same town SWANKERS PMS was also from. If I remember right, the same artist handled artwork for both bands’ 7”s as well. EXISTENZ reformed sometime in the 2000s. I haven’t checked out any of their new material, and maybe it’s terribly presumptuous of me to think it’s gunna suck, haha. However, a fortunate outcome from their reformation is that you can find all their ‘80s shit on their bandcamp page. They’ve got all the tracks under Let’s Get Drunk Before It’s Too Late, but you can hear the 7” and a handful of songs that only appeared on compilations following the LP. I think I only have one of those comps, so I was especially excited to discover I can stream some nice quality tracks online. Funny enough, it sounds like they ripped an actual 7” to get the tracks on bandcamp, haha. Maybe that’s why it has still yet to be reissued! The LP reissue is quite nice. It’s pretty much an exact reproduction of the original with the reissue label’s information added. The original record included an insert and the reissue upgraded that to a printed inner sleeve. The LP features a ton of photos of the band, and they did an excellent job with the printing of the reissue. Too often I see reissues with that moiré pattern shit on the photos. Maybe you know what I’m talking about? Or I am just picky, haha. Ahh… alright, I guess that’s all I got today. If you don’t know this record, I’d suggest you check it out! If you know EXISTENZ and don’t have this reissue—jump on it! Cheers and thanks for reading.