Chronic Seizure - Live WHPK 7"

Chronic Seizure - Live WHPK 7"
Fashionable Idiots Records
October 2008
By: Bill Molloy

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm basically a Chronic Seizure fanboy. Ever since seeing them in a sweaty-as-fucking-get-out classroom at DePaul in the Summer of 2005 and getting their first demo tape they've pretty much been my favorite Chicago hardcore group. Astoundingly enough they've only managed to keep getting better, rising to the top ranks of national hardcore, as witnessed by probably my favorite LP of the year, Ancient Wound. To steal from my own review, Chronic Seizure write actual SONGS instead of simply slapping four chords on top of a fast 4/4 drum beat.

That said, I don't count this in the steady upward trajectory. If you couldn't glean it from the title, this 9 song 7" is a recording from a summer 2008 set at the University of Chicago's radio station WHPK. The record includes eight songs from the aforementioned Ancient Wound as well as "Violent Opposition" all the way back from the Brainsick 7". The performances are pretty representative what you'll get from a CS live set; awesome. The sound on the 7" sounds like it was taken from a cassette dub from the broadcast rather than the actual master recording in the booth. Whether that was intentional or not I can't vouch for but it does give you the feeling that you're listening to the original broadcast.

For hardcore fans Live WHPK is a cool addition to the collection but for the casual ones it's not really necessary. HOWEVER, for those nerds out there like myself, the first 100 copies come in the above pictured acetate sleeve, and there will only be 500 pressed all told. If you're a super fan snap it up; if you want to get know the band (what took you so long) pick up the LP and the two other 7"s. RIYL: the 80's hardcore revival (which I'm actually beginning to get a little sick of, amazingly enough)
7/10.
Chronic Seizure Myspace

Pisschrist - Victims of Faith LP

Pisschrist - Victims of Faith
Yellow Dog/Havoc Records
October 2008
By: Bill Molloy

In reality it's been a year and a half, but it seems like only yesterday that Australia's Pisschrist came to the USA and thoroughly destroyed my brain and forehead (care of several knees to the face from vocalist Yeap). When a band is good enough to steal a show from the mighty Wolfbrigade, they're onto something. After the show I bought up everything I could from them: t-shirts, CDs, stickers, whatever. I had a new favorite d-beat/crust band.

Now it's late 2008 and they're back with their second full length (not counting the singles collection) entitled Victims of Faith. It's a definite journalistic cop out to use the phrase "they're not reinventing the wheel," but this is more of the same super blown out crust that you'd expect from Pisschrist. The difference between Pisschrist and just about every other band doing this style is that they're simply better. Beneath the pounding drums, ultra-distorted guitars and the grizzly bear vocals lie actual melodies. I said it, real melodies. You'll be pumping your fist while the actual record is on and drumming on your knees when you're at work. Take one listen to the re-recorded "Run For Your Life" and you'll know what I mean.

Taking a cue from any number of generic Youth Crew (ugh) bands, Yeap has decided to include explanations of several songs. Most revolve around the typical themes of atheism (this is Pisschrist after all), nihilism/anarchy and the horrors of war, but with some variation including a how-to-guide on how to get out of perfunctory military service and rants on immigration. Yeap I believe emigrated from Malaysia into Australia so it's obviously an important cause to him. The opening song "Punk is Love" for example is an ode to what makes punk rock great, in a few simplistic lines.

"DIY Punx Under One Flag
Music and Idea
Empowers Our Life
Good Friends Playing HC
Around The World
Punk Is Love
This Is Our Life
Different But It's Right
International HC
Without No Pose
Punk Is Love"

The US distribution of Victims of Faith is through Havoc, so head over to their website to order it. My only minor complaint is that my copy is a little beat up but shit happens when a record comes from Australia into MPLS then into Chicago. If you're into d-beat, crust or even good old fashioned punk rock there are literally millions of worse bands to listen to than Pisschrist. This is definite top 15 of the Year material. RIYL: Framtid, Discharge, Mob 47, bands that begin with "Dis-"
9/10.
Pisschrist Myspace

Valient Himself (Valient Thorr) Interview (September 2008)

(Photo cropped and re-sized from RyanRussell.net)
E-mail interview that gave way to wacky, sleep deprived feature article.

Bill: How is your health after the kidney surgery?

Valient Himself: I feel as though I am fully recovered now. My strength is back, my energy is back, & I'm trying to take care of myself health-wise now. My father is doing very well too. We just had dinner together about a month ago in Charlotte. It was so great to see him out of the house.

Bill: Immortalizer seemed to take longer to get out to the public than previous releases; is there a reason? What was it like working with Jack Endino on the record?

Valient Himself: hmmm. I don't know, I don't think it took longer did it? Well, we wanted to take our time on all of our forthcoming releases to make sure we have excellently crafted the best product possible to give to the people, but, I feel as though things always get crazy & feel rushed. Jack was amazing to work with. He's having sort of a renewed interest with tons of bands coming to him these days for work. We'll definitely be working with him again in the future.

Bill: Immediately, the Immortalizer artwork struck me as unique; I can’t recall ever seeing anything like it. Who came up with the concept for the Immortalizer artwork and -who is the artist behind it?

Valient Himself: I actually did the artwork and came up with it myself. It shows Morpheus, the time master (son of father time) trying to grab a hold of the tiger owl (which represents our band ((something knowledged, but something that's also buck wild))).

Bill: Are there any plans to re-press Stranded On Earth or either of the two early demos?

Valient Himself: No plans as of yet. I always think there's the possibility of releasing Stranded on Earth someday again. Maybe it'll have demos and old weird early live footage of us, but that’ll be for sometime down the road.

Bill: What is the status of the groups DVD? What will be featured on it?

Valient Himself: In Heat comes out on November 4th. It’s a feature length flick on us traveling over the last 5 years throughout the US & Europe. It’s pretty funny, I can t wait for everyone to see it.

Bill: Did the Thorriors grow out of actions taken by the band or is it a purely fan driven phenomenon? Has there been a national gathering of the Thorriors yet, and if not, is it a possibility?

Valient Himself: It was mentioned by us, & then totally swooped up into a whirlwind of crazed party dudes & ladies who like to eat good food & listen to good music. We are planning an event called the Thorrendezvous for 2009. More details about that are forthcoming.

Bill: How did the upcoming tour with Motorhead come about, and do you have any thoughts or expectations of it?

Valient Himself: We toured with Motorhead in Germany in December, and in the UK & Switzerland during the summer, so we became friends. I think its going to be one of if not the best tour we've ever been on.

Bill: Will you ever attempt to topple your own record of 272 shows in 2006? Can it be done?

Valient Himself: Maybe... Not this year, and probably not next year. We are going to be doing a world tour next year. Playing places we've never played; hopefully Japan, Australia, & more European spots.

Bill: What governing body sanctions the Rock and Roll Championship of the World, and what will it take to defend your crown in the coming years?

Valient Himself: Well, it’s a conglomeration that claims to be involved with various nefarious organizations including the "record industry". They don't really like to recognize us. They'd like to put a band like Wolfmother out there, but you see what happens when a band’s not ready! BANG!!! They implode from the weight of their own consciousness. Luckily we hold the title for the Rock n Roll Championship of the UNIVERSE, so we get to duck thru certain loopholes.

Bill: Has the addition of Voiden changed the sound of the group at all?

Valient Himself: A bit, I think we evolve every time, and it’s funny because our sound is always different, song to song, not just album to album... That's because we all bring our own parts to each song. These definitely sound tougher because Voiden plays a more metal guitar picking style.

Bill: If there is one specific thing that you want a fan to get out of listening to or seeing Valient Thorr, what is it?

Valient Himself: A boner.

Bill: Let’s pit Earth and Venus against each other in the ultimate showdown; which would come out on top and why?

Valient Himself: Earth, b/c Venusians are (were) trying to settle this planet and practice peace. The earthlings are the warlords. I don't think there are any Venusians left up there. If there were, they would’ve tried to contact us by now.

Bill: Any last words or parting thoughts?

Valient Himself: I have last words, but I don't wanna say them for a LOOOOONG time
Thanx,
Valient himself
Sent from my handheld space communicator device

Sweet Cobra - Forever

Sweet Cobra - Forever
Hawthorne Street
I completely forget when this came out
By: Bill Molloy

I'm going to steal an idea from Spinal Tap and no one is going to fucking stop me, so let's get on with the two word review

Fucking. Punishing.

7/10
Sweet Cobra Myspace

Early Graves - We: The Guillotine

Early Graves - We: The Guillotine
Iron Clad/Metal Blade Records
August 19, 2008
By: Bill Molloy

Has Tragedy really gotten this big? I mean, is it to the point where their influence is so omni-present that even pure metalheads are reaching into the past, copping equally huge amounts from His Hero Is Gone and Tragedy? Now this is not a complaint, this record is actually really good. I'm just genuinely surprised at the influence that the Burdettes and crew are having on "extreme" music.

If His Hero Is Gone were to form now with a higher recording budget, heavily exaggerated metallic tendencies and a smidgen of Converge love, they would be Early Graves. The press sheet name checks them, but even before glancing at it I had HHIG on the mind. Vocalist Makh Daniels probably owes Todd Burdette some royalties after this record.

As for the music, it's suitably epic as fuck. It's chaotic yet controlled with interesting flares and time signatures thrown into the galloping beats Song lengths range from below two minutes to over seven and even includes the requisite "clean guitar interlude" halfway through. Most of the time when I hear something this derivative I immediately just want to go to the original source but that urge didn't come up during We: The Guillotine's 40 or so minutes. The only skip over moment comes in the form of "Here There be Monsters," a 'spooky' track with sampled dialogue and 'creepy' music. It'd be alright if it was two minutes long but seven, to quote G.O.B. Bluth, COME ON!

Technical-Crust-Metal? Or should the metal come before the crust? I'm thinking crust first despite the ultra clean recording. Pick this up if you're into the aforementioned Tragedy, His Hero Is Gone, Converge, Slayer, maybe even some Entombed or Mastodon. I know this review sucks, I'm rusty and extremely tired, but on a number scale, let's give this one a high 7/10
Early Graves Myspace

Neighborhood Villain - Look Within EP

Neighborhood Villain - Look Within EP
Garage Sale Records
September 2008
By: Bill Molloy

It took me a decent amount of time to get around to giving this a good listen. My overall summation is that it's good for what it is but not something I'd really listen to all the time.

Negatives - Most of the seven songs fall into the more mid-tempo range, which is all fine and dandy, but can become a bit monotonous after awhile. The lyrics can be kind of cheesey and the vocal inflections of Gjared (according to the myspace page? I don't have the CD in front of me to reference) are a little bit on the whiney side.

Positives - The recording quality, done by none other than Stephen Eggerton of Descendents/ALL fame, is crystal clear. Like, I'd recommend bands try out Stephen instead of the more famous Bill Stevenson/Blasting Room contingent. A couple of riffs throughout the record are definitely influenced by Eggerton's work with the aforementioned bands and will get stuck in your head. I know I mentioned above that some of the lyrics are a bit cliche and whiney, but they're definitely sincere and direct. The melodies and choruses will get stuck in your head after a listen or two.

Overall, I'd give this EP a five of ten. It's not great, it's not terrible, but it is serviceable. RIYL - Descendents/All, Dag Nasty, Bollweevils, etc
Neighborhood Villain Myspace