What we have here is a chunk of grinding wax from one of the scene's purest purveyors of mental blasting noise. Little to my previous knowledge, Unholy Bastards is a live EP (that ol' chestnut!) but this time, I haven't stumbled onto some sucky live recording that sounds like it was taken by a camera phone. Honestly, apart from the odd bass-rumbles that show it was recorded in a live environment, it doesn't sound too dissimilar to the type of noize that Unholy Grave spew out on a regular basis, so I'm down with this slab of living, grinding, festering mass.
What goes along with this 7" is a cool little tour diary by Takaho (the UG vocalist), which details the group's mini tour across Japan with the band Little Bastards. Not much else I can really say I'm afraid, but this is really cool. This EP was brought to you by Agromosh Records in the USA and is limited to 1000 copies, 300 being on red wax.
The sound on this record is huge! Kudos to the pressing people, they really packed this one in. Having grown up through the nu-metal generation I have always had a soft spot for System of a Down, and I was fairly impressed by Serj's first solo single. Unfortunately, the fun ends there as the album turned out to be rather disappointing (who saw that coming, eh?). Side B is just a shitty dance remix so unless your a serious hardcore fan of Serj Tankian there is no real reason to own this.
What I have here for review is the 1997 Morbid Records (RIP) LP release of Humarrogance. The sound is that of the usual Agathocles stock, if not a little crisper than most recordings. The tracks blast and grind away with impressive mincing fury until it comes to an abrupt halt at the start of track eight, “White Horse”. This song has a strange rock and roll vibe to it, and it is very refreshing to hear Agathocles mince through something with such a prominent groove factor. The tracks that follow, “Ain’t I?” and the interestingly titled “Beam Me Up, Scotty”, are of equal quality and I find myself banging my head like an idiot.
The four bonus tracks that come on the CD version (I have that too) are either live gigs or live rehearsals of songs that hark back to Agathocles’ earlier days, with even pitch-shifted vocals in tow. The quality of sound on some of these tracks is pretty grim, but enjoyable none-the-less. It is my opinion that these tracks belong on a seven inch record, to truly emphasize the crust factor (actually chances are they have already appeared on seven inch about 37 different times).
The artwork perplexes me. It reeks of the typical D.I.Y. ethic you come to expect of grindcore, but the front sleeve is something else entirely. It is some sort of surrealist painting by an unidentified artist. Perhaps the painting is famous, and therefore does not require a credit. This could well be the case as I have little experience with the world of “art”. It is a painting though, that much I can tell, of two ghostly figures examining objects on a clothed table; there is a butterfly, an hourglass, and what appears to be a French baguette.
Since this CD/LP was my first experience of Agathocles, and I fully appreciate this piece, I would recommend this release to any fans of grindcore, especially those looking for an in-road into the never-ending maze of Agathocles releases (trust me, it's a fucking nightmare). Although, the constant vegetarianism / anti-nazi / anti-racism / anti-fascism edge may put off some people.
The Youtube user SPEAKERHUMAN has kindly put together the whole album as a playlist, so sit back and grind away!
This was my first Technique purchase. I got it quickly after first hearing him online because i read it was free from his label Viper Records; the post and packaging coming to a nice little £3. You can download it here or get your free copy here. Burn this shit, as the CD so strongly suggests you do. Can't go wrong with the ethic this label has, so go and peep that shit.
I feel that this record is nowhere near as strong as Immortal's earlier Revolution work. Don't get me wrong, the raps are still full blown Immortal of old with the lightning quick flow and the heavy but clever political commentary, but strangely the chorus of nearly every single song is absolutely gash! It's like so much of the Immortal Technique experience is focused on his words, that the chorus is an afterthought. None of them are particularly strong and all go on far too long. I find myself dying for it to end so the next verse can come in. Shit choruses aside, Immortal is on top form here with some of his mind-opening songs about the reality of this world. If you want more from your average bitches-and-guns hip-hop, get this!
