Future Corpses

Here is the Sexless//No Sex LP by Iron Lung, released in 2007 by Prank Records.  If you have been paying any sort of attention to powerviolence/fastcore for the past decade, you know who these guys are.  I'd say this LP is one of the best releases in the genre since it came out.  Original pressing on black vinyl.

Starting A Collection

I recently decided to start up an Extortion collection.  I haven't done this until now because I haven't had a good opportunity to do so, but I was able to acquire all of the following records through a recent trade.  I suppose it makes the most sense to go in chronological order, so here goes.

First up is the self titled 7".  This is a third press copy, which has a black sleeve.  The first press was released by Eerie Stratum Records and had a white sleeve I believe, and the second and third pressings were a split release by Fifth Column and Stained Circles.  The second press was on the 12" format, and the third was back to a 7".

Next up is the band's first LP, Degenerate.  This is a first press on green vinyl of 500 copies, released by Deep Six Records out of the US.  This is probably my favorite material form the band.

Next up of the records I got recently is the band's second LP, Sick.  Not as strong as their first long player, but not weak either.  This one was also released by Deep Six, limited to 1,000 copies on purple marble.

This is the Terminal Cancer 7" released by Way Back When Records and Short Fuse Records.  First press, out of 450 copies.  This is probably my second favorite release from the band.

And lastly is the Deep Six/Resist Records split release by the band, the Loose Screws 10".  While I still like this release, I'd have to say this is the band's weakest effort out of this lot of records.

I've got a long way to go in completing my collection for this band, but I'd say I'm off to a good start.

Book Burner In Ward 6

Here is the new Pig Destroyer record that I've been waiting for, Book Burner.  A lot of people have been complaining about the production on this one - mainly the drums.  In the past the production has been kind of raw but at the same time not sounding like shit, but on this one everything is pretty much crystal clear.  I'm sure the reason behind the drum sound on this record lies with the new drummer coming from the band Misery Index, which is a more death metal oriented band.  His drumming is fantastic, but his style is more fit for a death metal band.  Another issue for some people here are the vocals.  Again, they aren't as harsh as in previous recordings but they are by no means weak.  The actual songs on here are still really good.  Scott Hull truly is a riff machine.

After listening to this thing a few times through I'm honestly not sure what to think about it.  I do like it but I just don't know how it stacks up against past Pig Destroyer releases.  If you're a fan of grindcore at all, this record deserves at least a listen from you.

There were about 6 different variations of this to choose from, and as you can see I opted for the 180g black version.

While I'm on this band I figured I'd post two more record of theirs I got recently.  First up is their debut LP, Explosions In Ward 6.  This is classic Pig Destroyer.  Raw as hell, and just plain amazing.  This is my favorite style of grindcore.

Scored a green copy, limited to 200 pieces.

And last but not least, their split with the screamo band Orchid.  The band is on point here again, but I could really take or leave the Orchid side.  They're good at what they do, I'm just not the biggest fan.

Tour press, hand numbered out of 50 copies.

Mission From God

Here is the debut LP 'Mission From God' released by Column of Heaven.  This band is a direct continuation of The Endless Blockade, both musically and in its members - I believe all or most of the members of The Endless Blockade are in this band.  If you're unfamiliar with CoH, they play a mix of grindcore, powerviolence, and power electronics.  While there are times that I feel there is too much noise, I think this band does a pretty good job of mixing the styles.  I grabbed a black copy of this at Celebrated Summer in Baltimore last weekend.

Last Warning

Agnostic Front's debut LP, Victim In Pain, is one of the best NYHC LP's of all time.  This record pretty much set the standard for future bands playing this style of hardcore.  Recently I visited a record store nearby that generally has nothing I'm interested in, but every once in a while I come across something halfway decent.  I was able to grab this copy for a measly $10.  It's (of course) the recent Bridge 9 reissue, but it's the rarest color variant they pressed.  Say what you will about the label but they know how to do a proper reissue.  This thing looks awesome.  I love how they incorporated the old artwork into the layout.

Limited to 400 copies on gold vinyl.