WRETCHED OF THE EARTH - S/T Demo Tape

WRETCHED OF THE EARTH – S/T Demo Tape Self described as anti-colonial D-beat. Portland’s WRETCHED OF THE EARTH named after the book “The Wretched of the Earth” by Franz Fanon deliver a six track demo tape of enraged hardcore crust punk. Formed by current and ex members of A//POLITICAL, SQUALORA,  MACHINE GUN CONGRESS, DETERRORFORMED and WEEKEND WARRIOR, WRETCHED OF THE EARTH play a powerful mix of hardcore epic punk with a D-beat and metal crust influence which at times sound pretty dark while still having some interesting melodies and acoustic breaks throughout. The vocals fall somewhere between guttural and screaming and sound fucking great keeping it interesting with a dual male and occasional female vocal attack. What really impressed me about this demo is the twenty page lyric booklet that accompanies the tape. The lyrics and explanations are very well written and articulate focusing on anti capitalist and anti imperialist issues as well as referencing Franz Fanon book written in 1961 regarding the Algerian struggle for independence from colonial rule. This is a really strong release both musically and lyrically from WRETCHED OF THE EARTH. Highly recommended for fans of dark anarcho crust. Yellow Dog Records are planning to release 300 limited copies of the demo on coloured vinyl with screen printed covers anytime soon. (www.tomorrowbelongstous.weebly.com or email wretchedoftheearth@rocketmail.com).

BELGRADO - 1in12 Club, Bradford 03/03/12

V/A - 4 Way For Destruction Vol 2 CD

V/A – 4 Way For Destruction Vol 2 CD Brazil meets Japan on this four way split between Brazil’s DEATH FROM ABOVE and UNFIT SCUM and Japan’s DARGE and DISGUST. Musically this split is pretty diverse ranging from traditional D-beat raw punk to metallic grind crust. Japan’s metal crust punks DARGE start the split with some fast grinding metal crust. Self described as “evil raw thrash metallic crust hardcore punk” DARGE have gone towards a much more metal sounding direction since I last heard them on their 2009 “Desespero” 7” while still maintaining a crust hardcore punk sound there is a strong metal thrash influence now. DISGUST are next and play a much more darker and heavier style of crust to DARGE and while also having some metal and grind elements DISGUST lean much more towards a grinding brutal crust sound than say thrash metal. D-beat maniacs DEATH FROM ABOVE are first up for Brazil’s contribution playing some classic DISCHARGE and ANTI CIMEX inspired D-beat raw punk. I fucking love DEATH FROM ABOVE and their style of straight up raw D-beat punk make them one of my favourite Brazilian D-beat bands around at the moment. Sao Paulo’s raw punks UNFIT SCUM close the split with some early eighties influenced Scandi hardcore punk. Totally fucking raw and chaotic reminding me of Scandinavian greats like BOMBANFALL, ANTI CIMEX, SVART PARAD, ASOCIAL etc. Fucking amazing stuff from UNFIT SCUM and without a doubt the high point on this 4 way split. Co-released by Karasu Killer Records in Japan and Two Beers Or Not Two Beers Records from Brazil. (Karasu Killer Records c/o karasukiller@karasukiller.com www.karasukiller.com or Two Beers Or Not Two Beers Records c/o wander.segundo@hotmail.com http://tbontbrec.blogspot.com).

DEATH FROM ABOVE - 4 Trax EP

DEATH FROM ABOVE - 4 Trax EP Brazil's D-beat maniacs DEATH FROM ABOVE have been playing straight up no bullshit D-beat raw punk since early 2006. This new 4 trax EP released on the excellent Bombs Away Records is the bands first time on vinyl and as you would expect there's some serious fucking DISCHARGE worship going on here even covering DISCHARGE's "War Is No Fairytale". DEATH FROM ABOVE are a band who wear their influences with pride with inspiration drawn not only from DISCHARGE but from bands like ANTI CIMEX, DISCARD and DISASTER. No lyrics included but with song titles like "Game Of The Arseholes" and "Bloody Streets" there's no mistaking what DEATH FROM ABOVE are singing about. It's been a long but well worth wait to finally see DEATH FROM ABOVE on vinyl. A total fucking D-beat inferno from start to finnish. Limited to only 300 copies. (Bombs Away Records c/p Jorgen Eng, Brannklokkevn 27 A, 8622 Mo i Rana, Norway. www.bombsawayrecords.org bombsawayrecords@gmail.com).