Bath Salts

Bath Salts is a sick ass dirty power violence band from Maryland. All up on that feedback tip. I saw / played with them on my birthday and shit was 2 dope. I assume they are in other bands but I don't know any off the top of my head, whatever. Check out this band (and the "drug" too), both tight. The homies have two things out right meow: a demo and a tour sampler thingy. The tour guy is one track, so I just condensed both the releases into one download. You can obviously go to their bandcamp and check everything out and get the real album art for your Iwhatever and stuff. The dudes are working on a new release, which I would assume is some of that next level shit. I don't know their schedule or anything, but I'ma be at this show which they are playing, I want to mosh with a bike chain (lookin at you Sam).

I guess the shit I posted yesterday was being wonky for some people so I'm gonna try a new cloud sharing thing. If this one doesn't work let me know, I'm completely dedicated to you. Word.

***

Bath Salts

Burn Idols

Burn Idols are a super awesome hardcore band from Los Angeles, CA. I met these guys when they went on tour with Calculator and then got to kick it with them real hard when mnwa went to California. Best dudes.

Their sound is kinda really sludgy and pv, super fucking dark. Doom. When I saw them they were a three piece but I'm pretty sure they got a second gutiarist recently. I think homeboy is on the new record, which slays btw. I bump their older stuff all the time and was waiting to chug them because I knew they were writing new material. Their drummer recently sent me their new album "Theodicy" and it fucking rips. This band just stays super heavy and head-bang-worthy. They duel vocals are perfect. I have heard them be compared to Spazz and stuff like that. I see it.

So yeah, below is their newest effort, plus their two previous releases and a video. Please please please download all of this, especially the new jaint. I heard they are going to try to press Theodicy, so when that gets on wax I'm going to put up a link to it so people can support my friends. Get heavy real quick. P.S all the photos are from when we hungout, so they are dated but mean alot to me. Double P.S in that bottom photo Ian is sleeping with his eyes open.


word


***

Self Titled Ep


From The Deepest Corners, Comes The Darkest Blues


Theodicy

Ordstro

Ordstro is the face of modern music to come.

I first met these dudes last year when we went to California for a four day stint of shows them in the bay and Los Angeles. you know that weird feeling you get when you meet someone for the first time but you know you guys are going to be really tight, tight like old friends tight? Yeah. That's Ordstro.

Three dudes playing power-violence way too goo. Real powerviolence. Real actual power-violence. The lyrics are all about politics and shit I guess. Henry and Chris, who play guitar and drums, are brothers, like the dudes in Good Charlotte. I like to imagine that's why they work so fucking well together. Some of the recordings have a bass on em, there was some other kid in the band for a time or something but for as long as I've known em they have been rolling around three deep.

I was originally going to do some kind of interview with Carlos, talking about things like the hardcore d.i.y scene and politics and stuff. I was looking forward to talking shit and stuff, but it never really ended up happening that way. After like two missed contacts because I sleep in, we finally talked yesterday. We ended up talking briefly about the band and their upcoming tour with Stares:

JULY 1ST- Fusion Cafe (Seattle, WA)
w/ Negative Standards, Stares, Mercy Ties, Numb
JULY 2ND - FASTCORE FEST (BC, Canada)
w/Obacha, Stares, SxBxB, Negative Standards, Stress Relief,
JULY 3RD- Chateu Noir (Vancouver, BC)
w/ Stares, Negative Standards, AHNA, Unlearn
JULY 4TH- Tyler's Mom's House (Seattle, WA)
w/ Stares, Stress Relief, more
JULY 5TH- The North Hole (Pdx, OR)
w/VxHxAxB, Stares, Wasichu, Honduran
JULY 6TH- Sue's Java (Redding, CA)
w/ Stares, Stress Relief
JULY 7TH- Holland Project (Reno, NV)
w/ Registered Sex Offender, Stress Relief, Stares
JULY 8TH- The Goondocks (Davis, CA)
w/ Caulfield, Di Bravura, Stares

We really just talked about anal sex, Carlos not wanting to get married and how we would eat a dog if it was served at a restaurant. Not that exciting. I was coming down and had just got done backtracking through the woods looking for lost snacks with Senior Caso, and Carlos just woke up from a nap after his grueling day bossing people around at American Apparel.

Ordstro has five releases available downstairs, the most recent being the 2011 summer tape. They just put that shit out not too long ago. It was recorded at Texas Toast and I think Henry mixed it. I forget. All of their shit sounds so good, but their new shit is the dopest IMO. In My Opinion. Download all of it if you like "fast hardcore with breakdowns", they do it better than most of the other bands I've heard who try to do this.

Seriously though, super community minded individuals who actually give a fuck about their peers and their scene. Don't be a douche, download this. Go buy all of their merch too, buy it when you see them on tour. They are some of my closest friends, and we are working together quite alot in the future, which I couldn't be more excited for.



Word.


***


Summer 2011 Tape


Ordstro II


Ordstro / Sheeep Split


Ordstro / Ah-!!! Split



Ordstro / DEERS! Live Split

Magrudergrind

Let's be honest: corporate sponsorship and punk don't mix. The two have about as volatile a relationship as potassium and water.

It's not surprising when bands like All Time Low and their neo-pop-punk Myspace generation kin sell out; they probably never hid their full intentions to sell out from their first practice together. For the sake of argument, let's just dismiss these aforementioned bands for what they are: thinly veiled pop artists disguised as "punk" or "emo" musicians.

In the alternate universe most readers of this blog probably live in, punk is an all-encompassing word that can mean a million different things and sound like a million different sounds. DIY releases, small-print labels run by kids out of their garages, low-fi tape duplications, anti-corporate lyrics, basement shows: these are just a few of the things that probably come to mind.

A few things that probably don't come to mind are the Toyota subsidiary Scion, corporations sponsoring metal concerts, and Magrudergrind, the legendary D.C. based grindcore band, putting out records on Scion's A/V record label.

Yes, you read correctly. Grindcore giants Magrudergrind's, (who have toured all over the world and released countless records over their long tenure as a well respected, anti-fascist, highly opinionated, DIY band over the years), new Grind Crusher 10" has been released for free by Scion A/V, who have hosted metal concerts and festivals featuring the likes of Trash Talk and Mastodon (not personal favorites of mine, I'd like to mention).

It certainly seems a far cry from the group who released an album called Don't Support Humanitary Aid Led By the Church. And the Scion logo isn't exactly hidden away in a corner on the insert or something; it's featured prominently at the bottom center of the record's front cover.

However, before we delve any further into why this might legitimately make any Magrudergrind fan jealous, let's take one step back.

There's really only one problem with any hardcore elitist who's attempting to talk shit on one of D.C.'s most well known bands for selling out: this record fucking shreds. And with song titles like "Incapacity Reigns" and "Conditioned Minds" it doesn't exactly sound like lead vocalist Avi has suddenly had a change of heart about his no-bullshit, anti-fascist, anti-scene politics, anti-capitalist values.

The album clocks in at somewhere around eleven minutes, and every single one of them seems to carry the band forward from their previous release, 2009's self titled LP. From the newly acquired production value to the hip-hop interludes that seem to have become a staple of the band's sound as they move forward, even from the guitar solo (?!?!) on the album's closing track, the five minute plus long "Cognition".

As bizarre as it may seem that out of all bands, of out any scene, Magrudergrind has put out a record via Scion A/V, they haven't suddenly started writing cheese metal music all the sudden.

And as a huge corporation, Toyota might not have the best of reputations, but we're not exactly supporting them if we take them up on their offer to download this album for free, are we? Or by supporting the band in any way shape or form.

I guess the best way for anyone to form an opinion, in this case, would probably be by letting the music speak for itself.

I think I've posted everything the band has released besides a two song sampler put out previous to the release of Religious Baffle. If I've missed anything, please post the release in the comments!



Recieve a FREE copy of the 10" when you pre-order it with another record or a T-shirt here.

Read the Brooklyn Vegan blog post here.

Read an editorial in opposition to Magrudergrind's decision here.

Read a supportive article here and here. Also features Magrudergrind's explanation of releasing the record through Scion.



Magrudergrind live at Obscene Extreme Fest (All songs from Rehashed, except one from Don't Support...:



* * *



Don't Support Humanitary Aid Led By The Church (2003)



Religious Baffle (2003)



Magrudergrind/Vomit Spawn - "Not A Happy Meal For A 13 Year Old Girl Who Found Razor Blades In Her French Fries/Live? Split" (2004)



Magrudergrind/Akkolyte Split (2004)"



Owned!! (2004)



Sanity's Dawn/Magrudergrind - "Humanity In Decline" Split (2005)



Magrudergrind/Godstomper Split (2005)



Magrudergrind/A Warm Gun Split (2005)



Sixty Two Trax of Thrash (2005)



Magrudergrind/Shitstorm Split (2006)



Magrudergrind/Sylvester Staline Split (2006)



Rehashed (2007)



This Comp Kills Fascists Vol. 1 (2008)



Magrudergrind (2009)



Crusher 10" (2010)

Surroundings

I've been posting a lot of powerviolence/hardcore lately, so I figured I would keep the theme going.

If you're from the Baltimore area, chances are you know who Surroundings are. I've heard words like stoner, powerviolence, sludge, and doom all be thrown around when describing these guys. The band pretty much embodies a little bit of everything listed and a little more. With influences like Discharge, Eyehategod, and Neurosis you can get a good idea of what's going on here. Throw in some Dropdead (it seems like every heavy band with any crusty trappings owes a little something to those 90's greats these days) and some bong smoke and you've got Surroundings. They aren't afraid to go from breakneck speed to grimy, slowwww breakdowns and their new self titled album is a hardcore album that doesn't disappoint. Instead of rehashing the same five riffs and paying mindless, drooling homage to their idols, Surroundings continues to makes a name for themselves in the hardcore scene by writing intriguing and original material that keeps the listener on the edge of their seats. "Man Has Failed", a 6 minute long grinder, is followed up with "No Seed," a straight up thrash track that fills out nicely at a slim fifty eight seconds.

Unfortunately I've actually never seen these guys live, but by all accounts it's pretty badass.

* * *



Monuments in Ruins 7" (2007)



World Darkness 10" Split w/Pellinore (2008)



Surroundings (2010)

Lapse

I recently recieved this demo in an e-mail. I get a good bit of albums sent through to my e-mail address, but with my crazy schedule and recent lack of updates on my part (you can thank Robbie for keeping up with the blog so well) I barely get a chance to hear a lot of the bands that send stuff my way. Lapse caught my eye because they're from the D.C./Baltimore metro area. I'm not sure if these guys have been in other bands or anything (their myspace page is pretty cryptic), but I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing them play live.

Their debut demo cassette (coming out soon on Heaven's Gate records) comes off as a solid powerviolence effort. Raw vocals, grimy bass and raging guitars are all a factor here. Songs are, as to be expected, short, except for the album's closer "625," which clocks in at just over 3 minutes and adds some sludgy, doomy texture to the band's sound.

Check it out!

* * *



Demo Cassette (2010)

Vaccine - Human Hatred 7"

Vaccine's first "full length record" was not pressed on LP. The exercise would be incredibly pointless. With a full running time of 4.1 minutes and the longest song on the record clocking in at 36 seconds, it barely warrants the two sides of a 7" that it was pressed on.

What the record lacks in running length, however, it makes up for in an unrelenting assault on your eardrums. Vaccine's nihilistic, straightedge aesthetic, which sneers at the entire world while still taking time to reflect inward and lament, as well as their unique and powerful take on the powerviolence genre, makes them a heavyweight contender in the modern hardcore scene. Take the lyrics to the third song on the LP, "Failure":


Hollow faces / Empty heads / Humans are vile / Succumb to this / Rotten existence / There is no excuse / Minds are diseased / Addicted by nature / Humans are / The worst fucking failure.


Let's just say that the mood doesn't lighten at any point during the record. Self-loathing, contempt for anything non-straightedge, religion, capitalism, and civilization all get their fair share of abuse from vocalist Matt KcKeown.

Musically, the band picks up where it left off with their self-titled demo (which you can download from Chug Life here), which is basically playing an absolutely fucking brutal brand of hardcore. Matt Swift's guitar is all over the place here with tasteful, classic breakdowns taking center stage between feats of strumming so fast that you're sure the sound of his wrist snapping is sure to break up the song any second. The a-side has it's share of strong moments: the album's opener, "Your Life's A Joke," which basically sets the tone for the record; the one-two-three punch of "Failure," "Soul Fuckers," and "Limited Edition," where "Failures" and "Limited Edition" serve as bookends for the breakneck attack of "Soul Fuckers," which lasts a grand total of 16 seconds.

The entire b-side of the record may be the best part though. It flows flawlessly and combines bone-crushing breakdowns with wiry, perfectly placed feedback and heady fill parts. The last 10 seconds of "Rotting Away," perhaps my favorite song on the record, puts Will Killingsworth's (guitarist of Orchid, Ampere, Bucket Full of Teeth, Failures, etc. etc.) bass in the forefront before Swift's guitar joins back and the band plays a riff you could two-step to if you wanted: except it only lasts for a couple seconds, and before you know it, the record is over following the best breakdown of the album, "Waste".

You can buy the record for a cool $4.50 here from Painkiller Records.

The art direction for the record was handled by Christopher Norris of Steak Mtn, who has made a name for himself by handling projects for bands like Against Me!, CombatWoundedVeteran (which he was a member of), and Orchid, and I even saw a profile of him that someone did up in Alternative Press, which I found both perplexing and intriguing at the same time. The above photo of the band was taken by Mark McCoy (Charles Bronson, Failure, Das Oath, and a respected punk artist in his own right), and is featured on the record's insert. All in all, this is a well put together, great sounding release that would be a great addition to any hardcore fan's record collection.

* * *



Human Hatred (2010)

Charles Bronson

This is a band that needs no introduction. Charles Bronson was one of the seminal powerviolence acts active throughout 1990's. Their prolific output was eventually cataloged into a two disc discography collection, featuring an impressive output of 100+ songs.

You can explain Charles Bronson's vernacular in four words: young and pissed off. Front man Mark McCoy's lyrics focus on subjects like straightedge, skateboarding, hating just about everything, and general apathy and misanthropy. Check it out.

* * *



Complete Discocrappy

Vaccine

Here's another hardcore super group featuring Will Killingsworth. This band features members of Relics, Ampere, Orchid, Think I Care, Failures, Glue, Bucket Full of Teeth...okay, basically every band Will Killingsworth has ever been in plus a few others.

Vaccine plays very fast, very powerful, very short powerviolence with a straightedge message. And by very short, I mean extremely fucking short. Like, their five song demo clocks in at a little over two minutes.

This demo was originally released on a cassette limited to 100 copies which has been long since sold out.

You can order the one sided 7" from Killingsworth's label Clean Plate, or Red Room Records. Each site had only 35 copies of colored vinyl for sale, so I'm sure they're gone for now, but there should still be copies of black vinyl available! (I would reccomend Red Room, since Clean Plate can be a wee bit slow sometimes...)

Vaccine's website

And guys, sorry about not updating much lately. I'm really going to start posting more frequently!

* * *



Demo (2009)