Monday, December 30, 2013

Motorhead "Aftershock" LP UDR

Motörhead

"Aftershock"

UDR

Released: October 22, 2013

I opened the gatefold sleeve of the 2013 offering from Motorhead as if I were a 5 year old child on Christmas morning rather than a 47 year old man on October 22, 2013. I carefully separated the black sticker from the shrink wrap around the LP. The sticker, boldly stating that what I held in my hands was "14 new tracks of crunchy, greasy, punky, bluesy, gutsy rock'n'roll" was as important to the experience as the first drop of the needle on the vinyl. I took in the art, the photos, the lyrics, the weight of the vinyl, the smell. A new plastic sleeve ready to encase this masterful work of art. I suppose I took the same complete sensory examination of the entire "Aftershock" LP just as a wine taster would examine and enjoy a vintage wine. A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing. I suppose I could be classified as a sommelier of records at this stage of the game.

Why should the purchase of yet another LP instigate such a response? You see, Lemmy is God.

I have been a fan of Motorhead since the first time I heard "Ace of Spades" in 1980.

I love the imagery.

Lemmy worked with Wendy of the Plasmatics. You really have no idea how much I loved Wendy O.

Motorhead worked with Girlschool.

I got to see Motorhead with Overkill and Slayer on the World Sacrifice tour at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem PA on October 31, 1988.

I had the privilege to write about Motorhead in the Morning Call newspaper in 1992. I got to expand on that in my own fanzine FOE (Freedom of Expression) when I interviewed Wurzel.

Lemmy Pokemon Card

I got to name my son after Lemmy (my sensible wife convinced me that naming our son "Lemmy" was out of the question, so I then offered "Ian" - Lemmy's real name, and therefore my son IS named after Lemmy).

Lemmy also drinks a bottle of whiskey every day. I tried this for awhile, but I had to stop 22 years ago, because, well, I am not Lemmy. Lemmy is the exception to the rule.

So. Yeah, even after all these years, after all this music, after twenty other studio albums (I am pretty sure "Aftershock" is the 21st studio LP), I will tell you that if you buy one album in 2013, you should buy this album. Yes. All 14 tracks of crunchy, greasy, punky, bluesy, gutsy rock'n'roll are instant classics. Completely solid release.

Thank you Lemmy and Motorhead.

MOTÖRHEAD - "Heartbreaker" - Official Video

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Menace "Too Many Punks Are Dead" Rebel Sounds LP

MENACE

"Too Many Punks Are Dead" LP

Rebel Sound Music

Released: November 21, 2013

I will not pretend that Menace "Too Many Punks Are Dead" is better than the mandatory, classic Oi that the band released in the late 70s. I spent many days searching in record stores for Menace's hard to find releases. For some reason back in the early 80s, I had a hard time finding the Menace records and Mau Maus records too. Two bands I loved and needed everything I could find. If you are unfamiliar with Menace, give their songs "GLC", "Screwed Up" and "Last Years Youth" a listen. Classic punk from the early years of the genre.

"Too Many Punks Are Dead" was released in 2011 on CD. Rebel Sound reissues the music in the preferred vinyl format here in 2013. The packaging is a nice gatefold sleeve and is available in three different vinyl colors: 200 black, 200 red and 100 on white vinyl.

I will also not pretend that Menace "Too Many Punks Are Dead" is a bad record. Quite the contrary. In fact, I do love "Too Many Punks Are Dead". Morgan Webster doesn't sing in the band anymore. Charlie Casey (bass) and Noel Martin (drums) are still in the band. Realistically, the new material doesn't sound like the old Menace. There is an unrefined sound that those early punk records had, that bands like Menace had, that is nearly impossible to recreate in 2013.

Songs like "Party Animal", "One Two One Two", "Busy" and "My Very Good Friend" are new Menace classics. Precision punk, with hooks that stick. Down to earth lyrics and a lively feel make me wish that Menace was playing down the street tonight so I could go see them live.

If you are an old punk looking to expand your Menace collection, don't be shy. "Too Many Punks Are Dead" is a worthy investment!

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Horror Pain Gore Death Free 2013 Sampler

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions is proud to present the 2013 Full Year In Review:

25 Track FREE Sampler!

Over 1 hour and 38 minutes of music from the following artists:

NIHILISTINEN BARBAARISUUS

released 09 December 2013

Head on over to the HPGD bandcamp page for exactly what you should expect: black metal, death metal, doom metal, grindcore, thrash METAL!

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Monday, December 23, 2013

Bedlam Knives "Here Comes Trouble" 7" Dr. Strange Records

Bedlam Knives

"Here Comes Trouble" 7"

Dr. Strange Records

Released: Fall 2013

You might know Doug, the vocalist of Bedlam Knives, from his previous vocal duties in Schleprock and The Generators. In April of 2012 Doug Kane and Mike Snow (who was also in The Generators) teamed up with drummer Mike Clark, bassist Chalon Kashey and guitarist Chris Loya (The Toughskins) to form Bedlam Knives.

Bedlam Knives has a cool, rockin' edge (think Devil Dogs and X) that meets the driving, high energy, crisp, punk rock that brings to mind vintage UK Subs.

"Here Comes Trouble" is limited to 300 on black vinyl and 100 on green vinyl (available through Dr. Strange only). This is an instantly enjoyable record and as a debut, leaves me wanting a full length record as soon as possible. Nice tease. Looking forward to more from Bedlam Knives.

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Maddog Surrender Record Release Show with Special Needs and Duffy's Cut

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Maddog Surrender Record Release Show

At Jabber Jaws in Allentown PA

Follow this link for Frank FOE's review of the Maddog Surrender LP.

with special guests:

Special Needs

and

Duffy's Cut

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Brutal Truth / Bastard Noise Split

Brutal Truth / Bastard Noise

"Axiom of Post Inhumanity"

Relapse Records

Released: November 11, 2013

Man Is The Bastard remains one of my all time favorite live bands. Their releases are amazing.

Bastard Noise is a side project of Man Is The Bastard that brings to mind my favorite industrial noise album "Dry Lungs" which was released in 1985 on Placebo Records. This was my first introduction to the likes of Merzbow, Controlled Bleeding, Sleep Chamber and Maybe Mental.

The horrific collages of noises, industrial scraping, violent, scary outbursts that Bastard Noise creates is the best I have heard since that "Dry Lungs" compilation. In the right situation, this will create havoc with your blood pressure and pulse rate. Not meant for a summer's car ride with the windows down.

I actually wished Brutal Truth would have blasted out some chunky Brutal Truth thrash, as their typical sound is as harsh, industrial and noisey as a metal band can create. Same chaotic insanity, but through a different style. Here Brutal Truth experiment with the "Control Room" noise that wrapped up their "End Time" CD. This is more atmospheric, haunting and less violent than both the Brutal Truth norm and Bastard Noise. It would have fit equally well on "Dry Lungs". Not for the faint of heart.

This is anti-easy listening industrial "music".

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Maddog Surrender LP, CD, Digital Skinflint Music

MADDOG SURRENDER

"Maddog Surrender"

Skinflint Music / Tattooed MFers

Released: September 2013

Dutch, Mugsy, Sean and Roger, I consider friends. I've actually been in several bands with bassist Mugsy dating back to the mid 80s. Mugface and Forthright were my first two bands and Mugsy was in both. We had some great times. That said, even if I wasn't friends with these gentlemen, I'd be raving about this record.

I've been pushing this Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem PA based band for years. Telling them they had to release an album on vinyl. Thankfully others like Skinflint saw what I saw and helped Maddog Surrender get a classic Oi / Punk record out there. Seeing this record, dropping the needle on this record, memorizing the lyrics, enjoying the energetic and original songs makes me proud and brings an uncontrollable smile to my face.

There are 250 on clear vinyl and 250 on black vinyl. The ten songs are the real deal. No one sings like Dutch. The lead guitar on "Soul Survivor" is classic. The hooks, the structure, the drive, the passion all comes through. I have literally, already listened to this record a hundred times.

Maddog Surrender also has contributed "All I Want For Christmas is the Stanley Cup" to the "Cashing In On Christmas Volume 5" LP.

Johnny Generic of Up To No Good Radio

giving the Maddog Surrender LP the thumbs up!

If you are new to Maddog Surrender, they have been doing this for more than a decade and you should try to find some of their other releases!

While this is being pushed as an oi/punk record, I do think this has the ferocity to appeal to hardcore and metal audiences as well as the rock precision and melodic impact which should appeal to anyone who loves the guitars/bass/drums set up!

"Nagasaki Bang", "Soul Survivor", "Grapes to Wine", "Rip Down" and "Hey Little Brother" are among my favorites on the ten track LP. There are no clunkers. A great listen start to finish.