I remember hearing this album for the first time and it felt like a sucker punch to the gut. Everything about it was completely over the top. The speed, the guitar solos, the unhinged raving vocals, it was all just absurd….and I couldn’t get enough. I don’t think I ever listen to this album less than 2 times in a row whenever I throw it on.
When I moved across the country 15ish years ago I foolishly parted with a lot of records I loved to fund my move and to save pressure space. Luckily I got this real nice repress that Prank released of one of my Favorite dbeat bands to ever beat the D. Nothing about this band ever gets monotonous to me. Riff after riff that just moves right on through to the next killer track, warning of the dangers of capitalism and the elite fucks who ruin everything for us chumps on the bottom. I fucking love this band.
Outo – 正直者は馬鹿を見る 12”
This late 80s album rips front to back. Thrashy, catchy, fun as fuck fast fast fast hardcore. The buzzsaw guitars are noisy but defined, the chanted gang vocals are memorable as hell and break this record up and adds to overall fun. I even hear little bits of old school US HC breaking through sometimes. And the artwork is gold. I mean there is a demon biting a dudes dick. The artist credited as TOM also did the cover for WHN? Stand Fast Armageddon Justice Fighter. Awesome reissue that seems to stay pretty true to the original, but I don’t think they should have fixed that typo.
Gauze - Equalizing Distort LP
This band started a year before I was born and they just continued to kill it until their last breath. I can’t remember if Gauze, Death Side, or Bastard were the first Japanese Hardcore bands I heard downloading MP3s off soulseek back in the day, but regardless they have left a lasting impression on me with their controlled chaos. Happy they finally reissued these some time ago so I could get my grubby little mitts on them.
Lp Since I’m went back in time with my last post, I might as well play this blown out, super distorted yet bouncy as fuck, bass driven noise hardcore from Japans finest. I always wonder what people thought the first time they heard this wild album when it was first released. Killer Reissue from General Speech.
Do y’all like foundational Japanese hardcore punk that all your favorite bands built their sound on? I do.
In honor of Gudon playing a handful of shows in the Midwest US that I cannot attend, I’m rocking this killer 2xLP discography. The artwork and layout on this thing is amazing. Comes with a giant booklet of flyers, photos, record info etc. It’s great to have all of this stuff collected in one nice package to rage to.
A compilation of 7”s and Como tracks from one of the best Japanese hardcore bands to ever do it. And the Sugi artwork never fails to tie it all together.
Paintbox - Singing Shouting Crying LP My old beat up copy of Paintbox first album. This album is extremely competent, energetic, passionate and catchy as fuck. You can catch a small glimpse into so of the more…eclectic influences that Paintbox would embrace on later releases. I fucking love this band.
I’ve been listening to this album at least once a day lately. From the very start opening with feedback, driving drum beat, rumbling bass until that first riff hits you know it’s just on. This really is the perfect album. A perfect melding of anger and optimism.
AI is some killer Japanese hardcore in the vein in Warhead. Maniacal vocals, relentless punk rock and good leads and solos with that patented forward momentum Japanese hardcore is known for. Find a copy.
Hands down the best and most coherent Crow release. This album is a classic rager.
I know all you fucking freaks love this ripper of a classic. Nothing more can or needs to be said about this one. Put it on now if you haven’t in a while.
Stinky slab of crusty ass Japanese wax. This album is raw and relentless. Really great stuff. Go get one if you can find it.
Crow doing their Crow shit. Side b is Crow doing their weird Crow shit. I love this band in all forms, true outsider hardcore.
Finnish band Selfish does their best Burning Spirits impression and it honestly just fucking shreds. Breakneck speeds and solos and leads that would make Judas Priest nod their heads in approval. This has been a constant rotation for me for about 20 years now. Fuck I’m old.
Jack Control and some folks from WBTD, Lifechain and others team up to bring some truly memorable hardcore. The highlight of this and the subsequent Lp is Souichi from Forwards blistering leads and solos. Dude brings more heat that a pack of Buldak Ramen.
I absolutely fucking love this band. I know when it came out people wanted more Death Side and Chelsea denied us more Death Side and I just absolutely love that. This album they start to incorporate all sorts of weirdness and horns and song structures that were very much not just typical hardcore songs.