Höhnie Records 2005
I've been on a bit of a Crust bender lately, after picking up that DISFEAR/DOOMRIDERS split 7". I started searching Hardcore Holocaust and discovered a buncha bands I'd never heard of, and started thinking about old bands that I wanted to hear more of... thus Siberian Hardcore by Finland's BASTARDS. BASTARDS were my favourite band on the FINNISH SPUNK/HARD BEAT comp put out by Propaganda Records in 1984 - their track "The Beginning Of The End" was mid-paced Punk with a bit of a Rock'n'Roll feel, which made them stand out amongst the relentless thrash of all the other bands. For 20+ years I've only known 2 of their songs, so it was with some hesitation that I picked up Siberian Hardcore. Hesitation because I find that when it comes to Hardcore, I really only like the same stuff I liked when I was a kid... bands that were around back-in-the-day, that I didn't check out or wasn't aware of, just don't do it for me like they woulda when I was younger... oh the joys of getting old. Anyways, this record may be the exception because it's fucking fantastic. Siberian Hardcore is fulla songs just like the one I loved on the FS/HB comp - lotsa metallish muted picking, they mix up the tempos so it never gets boring, and everything is delivered with aplomb and youthful exuberance. If I had to draw a comparison (and I always do), I'd say BASTARDS lean more towards G.B.H. than DISCHARGE, mixed with that distinct Scandinavian sound (which is totally DISCHARGE influenced anyways). I have a feeling that I'm gonna be searching out more of these Finnish re-issues (this one was originally released in '84)... especially the APPENDIX Money Is Not My Currency record - always loved that cover! Download if yer feelin' a bit crusty.
DOWNLOAD: Bastards-SiberianHardcore.rar (75.89 MB)
BASTARDS • Siberian Hardcore LP
HEATHEN HOOF • The Occult Sessions EP
Nuclear War Now! Productions 2005
One look at this record and I knew it was gonna be good... the cover art and band name were both so great that the record had to be good... and I was right. HEATHEN HOOF pay homage to all their NWOBHM heroes by shamelessly and blatantly copping their styles, and that's no criticism - they do it so well that you'll swear you're listening to some unknown band from back in the day. Each of the 4 songs on "The Occult Sessions" is melodic and memorable, with riffs that'll be stuck in yer head for days, and the solos are killer too, especially on "Modern Inquisition". The only thing that's weak are the vocals, they sound like a Black Metal dude who's kinda trying to sing and is having a tough time at it. After a few listens the vocals stopped grating on me, and I actually kinda dig 'em now, and seriously, think about all the NWOBHM bands that had terrible singers, so maybe they were trying to add authenticity with the crappy vocals... I wouldn't put it past 'em, cuz their attention to detail is quite impressive. This is fun record, so download and get trampled under the HEATHEN HOOF.
DOWNLOAD: HeathenHoof-TheOccultSessions.rar (28.53 MB)
