Crass Dismissed: May 1998
Archived
Eagles may soar…. but weasels aren’t sucked into jet engines
Burn The Priest / Agents of Satan
Split 7”
In spite of the band names, neither one of these bands is black metal. Burn The Priest are an extremely tight, earth-shatteringly powerful hardcore band. Their politically charged lyrics are underscored by a musically massive sound that harnesses the finest in extreme hardcore traditions, from power violence to old-school thrash. Agents of Satan are a noisier, more erratic act who seem to specialize in extremes of hysteria and passion.
Don Campau / Robin & Don
Pre-Existing Condition / Western Union
Don Campau is a long time purveyor of “home recorded” art jazz/rock. This tape features on side one Don easing through an eclectic arrangement of tunes that are marked by his genteel and smooth delivery. His music has no boundaries. He is as comfortable in a pop tune as he is in an experimental electronic improv. My favorite is the sarcastic “Little Godly Kisses” which lyrically is an attack on Tartuffian religious hypocrisy which, in Don’s words delivers “less than a pepperoni pizza.” Musically, the tune is rather Irish. An odd mix that works well. The flip side of the tape is Don and his wife performing some soaring and dreamy numbers that are as hypnotizing as they are enigmatic. Robin has a captivating soprano that easily weaves a tapestry in and out of the music whether it be upbeat or serene. If you want to explore music that is TRULY unique and TRULY “underground” contact Don. He also does a radio show called “No Pigeonholes” that features a variety of home tape artists who are exploring sound and music in a myriad of ways. Copies of each two hour “No Pigeonholes” broadcast are also available. To quote the tag on Don’s show, “You’ve never heard anything like this.”
Sculptured
The Spear of the Lily is Aureoled
This is metal music that soars on the beautiful wings of a dove one moment and dives towards the sulfur spewing pits of the underworld the next. The beauty of and splendor captured here is remarkable. Black metal bands have been trying to sculpt albums like this for years…at least they now have a model. Petal-soft melody is juxtaposed against metallic crunch and is then intertwined with various embellishments like a jazz horn and improv. The vocals trade off between death growls and ultra-clean singing. The production is flawless and the entire disc from music to packaging screams class.
Drogheda
Celebrating Five years of Violence
One of my favorite grind bands is back with a 29-song retrospective of their career that includes cuts from all their best material, as well as a few re-recorded classics and some unreleased stuff. Drogheda are pure, relentless grindcore. Nothing fancy, nothing experimental. just full speed, full contact grindcore that rips you a new one with its sheer intensity. Mid-career Napalm Death is a good comparison for those who need one. If you are ready to get creamed, get Drogheda.
INP$
Promo Tape
With members from SLAM zine in Brazil, INP$ is a pure blood, in-your-face and down-your throat hardcore band with a driving beat, harsh and raspy guitars, and very traditional hardcore vocals yelled in Portuguese. This late-eighties sound has become classic but few bands really pound it out with the power and fury found here. —Jeb Branin
Read more from the archives:
Local Band: Deviance: August 1994
Movie Review: Cronos: August 1994
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