Conflict - The Serenade Is Dead (1983)

Artist: Conflict
Album: The Serenade Is Dead EP
Release: 1983
Label: Mortarhate Records


Tracklist:
1. The Serenade Is Dead
2. The Positive Junk
3. The System Maintains

Conflict is a classic UK anarcho punk band that first put out material in the early 80s, starting with their debut, 'The House That Man Built,' on Crass Records. Although the band has seen many line-ups, they continued to put out records into the early aughts, and are still together today. 'The Serenade Is Dead' is one of their earlier releases, and was put out on Conflict's own Mortarhate Records. While Conflict has always been a proponent of animal rights, anarchy, and peace, this EP focuses solely on frustration with the larger social system that surrounds us. Enjoy the numb hymns kids.



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Lost Tribe - Tour Tape CS/Lost Tribe 02 (2012) [updated*]

Artist: Lost Tribe
Album: Lost Tribe 02 CS
Release: 2012
Label: s/r


Tracklist:
1. Psychic Death 
2. Life Prison
3. Asylum
4. Coma
5. Darkness


*The download link on this post now includes the full tape. Also, I have a few extra copies of the tape for sale. If you're interested, you can contact me at maloney_andrew_t(at)yahoo(dot)com.


Lost Tribe are a peace punk/goth project out of Richmond, VA. In 2010 they released The Dawn CS, a demo that would constitute much of their excellent s/t full length on Blind Prophet (you can still get it here!), as well as their Unsound 7" single, which includes possibly the best song from the demo, Unsound (hear it below).

Now they are touring, and soon, lucky for all of us, they will be releasing a tour tape, also s/t. Three of the five tracks on this tape are already available to your welcoming ears on their bandcamp (and below). The new material is less frantic and more synth heavy than previous releases, bringing a more prevalent goth tone to the tape, reminiscent of classics such as Bauhaus. Also added to this new sound is a dark psychedelic dimension that makes these five songs much more atmospheric and brooding than previous efforts. Keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates so you can get your hands on one of these. Lost Tribe may be coming to catacomb near you.





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Population - s/t 7" (2011)

Artist: Population
Album: s/t 7"
Release: 2011
Label: BLVD Records

Population are a post-punk/darkwave outfit out of Chicago. I especially like this 7" of theirs, as it simultaneously showcases pop sensibility, and maintains a certain dark atmosphere reminiscent of the dark punk scene that revolved around the Batcave club in London during the early to mid '80s (Alien Sex Fiend, etc.). I don't always enjoy this particular brand of goth sound, but the Ian Curtis vocals bring these tracks together in a tasteful way, not always achieved by bands of that bygone era. Recommended for any fans of the usual dark post-punk/goth staples. 


Bonus: There are still copies left, you can check them out below.



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Kalashnikov - s/t EP (1984)

Artist: Kalashnikov

Album: s/t EP

Release: 1984

Label: HUB Records

Tracklist:

1.Læderhalse

2. Schlüters Kabinet

3. Ødelæg & Hærg

Female-fronted Danish outfit Kalashnikov play a dark brand of hardcore-influenced post-punk. Their s/t EP, clocking in at less than seven minutes, covers a fair amount of ground, beginning with the danceable, almost darkwave 'Læderhalse', proceeding to a straight punk track, and ending with something in between. Its short and sweet, and will leave you wanting more.

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The Faith/Void - Split (1982)

Artist: The Faith/Void
Album: The Faith/Void Split
Release: 1982
Label: Dischord


Tracklist:

(Void)
1. Who Are You
2. Time To Die
3. Condensed Flesh
4. Ignorant People
5. Change Places
6. Ask Them Why
7. Organized Sports
8. My Rules
9. Self Defense
10. War Hero
11. Think
12. Explode


(The Faith)
1. It's Time
2. Face to Face
3. Trapped
4. In Control
5. Another Victim
6. What's Wrong With Me?
7. What You Think
8. Confusion
9. You're X'd
10. Nightmare
11. Don't Tell Me
12. In The Black


Sometimes you sleep on a record you shouldn't. For me, this was one of those records. For all of you who are in the same boat as I, let me just say, we are all fools. Happily however, you can now right this wrong, and experience this torrent of 80s hardcore, frustration, and ideological expression for yourself. Enter the void:





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Criaturas - Arañas En El Corazon (2011)

Artist: Criaturas
Album: Arañas En El Corazon
Release: 2011
Label: Lengua Armada Discos

Tracklist: 
1. Arañas En El Carazon
2. Mentiras
3. Paranoide
4. Sombras Ocultas


Members of Deskonocidos bring us four great hardcore tunes, steeped in dark post-punk with obvious metal influences as well. This 7" is catchy, with wailing female vocals, and melodic riffs lurking behind noisy drums. To be frank, I think this release would have been better with just a bit less guitar noodling, but my tolerance for this particular metal-derived habit is low to begin with, so take this with a grain of salt. Otherwise this is a fantastic release, which is no surprise considering the band's connection with Deskonocidos, and the fact that Lengua Armada Discos is run by Limp Wrist frontman Martin Sorrondeguy. See for yourself:


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Death Evocation - s/t EP (2011)

Artist: Death Evocation
Album: s/t EP
Release: 2011
Label: Quality Control HQ


Tracklist:
1. Relentless
2. Isolation
3. Weight


Its my birthday today, and a damn good birthday it is. I've been scraping the bowels of the internet for a week trying to find this release, as my physical is currently somewhere in the hands of the USPS, and I finally uncovered it. This EP strays some from other posts I've made on this blog, but I think you'll find it warranted. Part stoner jam, part metal, part crust, Death Evocation's self-titled  consists of three dark hardcore anthems guaranteed to satisfy any and all headbanging fixations.

The highlight of the release is no doubt 'Relentless,' demonstrating both the acute ability to write capturing riffs in the vein of Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Sleep, etc., and deliver them with a fierceness atypical of usual stoner-metal fare. 'Relentless' is by no means a standalone however, as 'Isolation' and 'Weight' have their own merits, delivering further crust/metal intensity, and a more classic take on stoner-metal respectively. Unfortunately for the masses, Quality Control HQ has been sold out of these for a while, so keep an eye out as they're not easy to come by.


Follow the smoke to a riff filled land:



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Vex - Sanctuary (1984)

Artist: Vex
Album: Sanctuary
Release: 1984
Label: Fight Back Records


Tracklist:
1. Sanctuary
2. It's No Crime
3. World In Action
4. Relative Sadness


'Sanctuary' is the only release ever purveyed by this goth-tinged post-punk outfit. On this EP, Vex fuses early 80's anarcho guitar tone and atmosphere with prominent pop sensibilities, fueled strongly by influences from the likes of Joy Division and Killing Joke. Thanks to Ghoul Man for pointing me in the direction of this one. Hear it for yourself:



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