Black Water

Hellshock

XXV

Black Water

***Hellshock are nothing short of a stenchcore institution. For 25 years, this Portland band has been shaping apocalyptic crust with unrelenting conviction, and their new record XXV stands as both a celebration of their legacy and a bold step forward.Across six new tracks, Hellshock return to the raw, filthy roots of classic stenchcore while simultaneously pushing their sound into darker, heavier, and even more triumphant territory. Crushing Bolt Thrower-style riffing collides with grim, somber melodies and the occasional synth flourish, creating an oppressive, almost funereal atmosphere. The result is six anthems of rage and despair, delivered with massive production, visceral vocals, and a rhythm section that hits like a collapsing world.With the addition of Todd Burdette (Tragedy) on second guitar, XXV connects deeply to Portland’s DIY hardcore lineage while evoking the spirit of legends like Hellbastard, Axegrinder, and Deviated Instinct. Still, this is no mere throwback – Hellshock reinvent the wheel with a sound that can only be described as progressive darkened stenchcore.

Betrayer

s/t

Black Water

***Their second cassette in less than a year coming in hot with their infectious hardcore attack on the world at large. Driving USHC that stands in line with Reek Minds, Electric Chair and Poison Idea’s “pretentious record collectors” era. DRINK IT UP! 5 tracks + Verbal Abuse cover.

Disturd

Visions

Black Water

***Disturd, metallic crust/HC band from Japan, released a new mini-album in advance of performing on Varning From Montral Festival, Canada.This mini-album contains the six fast crunchy metallic grinds with a mix of the new and old songs, and purposely omitted the middle and slow songs in this recording. The sounds of this mini-album are the most intense and thrashy compared to their past recordings.Engineered by Akira Inada, the guitarist of Palm from Osaka, Japan.

Nyx Division

Midnight Lights

Black Water

***Three years after their stunning Dark Star EP, Portland’s (OR) Nyx Division is making a full throttle comeback with their debut full length, Midnight Lights.Drawing sonic inspiration from everything from Killing Joke to Cocteau Twins to Thin Lizzy, the band continues to cut their sound from the cloth of post-punk classics while bedazzling it with disco, rock n roll, and heavy metal mastery—never shying away from the swirling dark melancholia of their primary influences, while fearlessly introducing the glitter and glam of disparate genres.This high octane album welcomes guitarist Justin Cory to the fold, seamlessly integrating striking leads, timeless hooks, and vivid melodies with the massive, infectious groove of the bass and dance-floor-ready drums. Soaring vocals illuminate themes of desire, the necessity of hope in hopeless times, and the power inherent in the will to survive; with a passion and impact sharp enough to cut glass and sure to have you singing along.

Alienator

Meat Locker

Black Water

***After a demo, a couple of 7”s and several notorious shows around the U.S.A., Black Water is proud to release the hardest sounding LP of the year. Tough as nails hardcore thrash the way it should be. No song over 3 minutes, dive bombs all over the fucking place, riffage galore. Throw in some sick breakdowns, intense solo’s a-plenty and the angriest vocals in PDX and you get this masterpiece of a lesson in violence. Live, they are known for creating an ungodly frenzy in the pit, often resulting in mangled bodies (check their video for “Senseless Violence”). With these 8 tracks being released for home listening, there’s sure to be an epidemic of kids and adults alike destroying their own bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms and breaking bones stage diving off beds, counters or couches. Plain and simple, if you hear this record and it does not make your top 10 list for 2025, chances are you just don’t like Hardcore, period.

Procrastinators

s/t

Black Water

***PROCRASTINATORS were a locally cherished ‘77 infused punk rock band active from 1994 to 1997 in Portland, Oregon. For whatever reason, the rest of the world has taken its sweet time discovering this gem. Featuring Portland all-star Chris Carey (RIP) who would later grace his presence in many local bands including POISON IDEA, DEATHCHARGE, RELIGIOUS WAR, DEFIANCE, etc., etc., this is a great document of how it all started with this very important figure in the scene here along with many others who were very active in the Portland underground scene throughout the 90’s. Musically, these punks can be likened to cohorts, The Riffs with the straight ahead street punky rock n roll executed totally raw and unadulterated. This LP collects variations of the tracks on their one and only 7” EP, demo stuff, an unreleased EP, a comp track, rehearsal track, and live song simply titled “New Song”. This record comes with an extensive layout with liner notes from surviving members, a lot of photos, reviews and snippets from fanzines. One excerpt from the insert sums Procrastinators up perfectly: “Like an old Stooges t-shirt; comfortable and classic.”

Disturd

From The Darkside

Black Water

***Nine tracks of devastating Japanese crust. Don’t let the name fool you, this band is not a by the numbers d-beat band. Musically they draw influence from Out From the Void era Antisect and S.D.S with aggressive, tight and hard riffs that come at you fast. No frills in your face metallic hardcore and still very punk! This is one of the more impressive current Japanese bands going. Side B is an entire live set from Osaka in 2021. High energy songs recorded well and played just as tight as the studio side. Formed in the early 2000s, Black Water was privileged enough to be able to release their first EP in 2011 and just as excited about this newest offering almost 15 years later!

Retsu

s/t

Black Water

***From Halifax, UK, RETSU is here with their debut LP! Nine soul crushing punk bangers. An amalgamation of 80’s British HC and Punk influences including (but not limited to) the likes of Broken Bones, Discharge, Rudimentary Peni and English Dogs—and featuring SCOOT (EXTINCTION OF MANKIND, DOOM, etc) and his signature guitar tone and crust infused dark (yet catchy) riffs. The lyrics along with the urgency of the songs and driving beats are a reflection of life on planet Earth in 2024 and the dark future that lies ahead. The level of anger on this record is enough to help inspire to fight against said dark future. Furious Hardcore punk filtered through heavy guitars, angry vocals. A refreshing take on a classic formula!

Malakili

s/t

Black Water

***The debut album release of Portland’s own hardcore destruction unit, Malakili. Unrelenting hardcore from members of DEAD HUNT, FALSE RITUAL, DEFIANCE and MYCONID. Mixing of classic US hardcore with a strong Scandinavian hardcore influence. Lyrics fitting for the desolate times, a modern day soundtrack to our downward spiral.

Taifun

Kaiju Power

Black Water

***Hailing from the western county of North Rhine / Westphalia, Germany, TAIFUN brings 2 masterfully constructed Burning Spirits inspired hardcore rippers. Members have played in such bands as BURIAL and BOMBENALARM which is no surprise once you hear these songs. The vocals sound so Japanese, it’s hard to imagine the singer as a German guy yelling lyrics about a smog monster named Hedorah and the power of Kaiju. As bass driven as this record is, the solos and guitar work are sometimes reminiscent of the late Chelsea of Paintbox / Deathside, resurrecting a style that has been overlooked in the modern HC scene in recent years. While this is complete Japanese hardcore worship, Taifun keep it really interesting and fun with their take on the genre. The noisy soundscapes, specifically the end of side A ("Kaiju Power") complete the package, urging the listener to flip the record repeatedly. Well executed, and a nice tease into what this band promises to give us in the future!

Zone Trooper

s/t

Black Water

***If the apocalypse occurred in the wild west and electric guitars existed, this 5 song mini LP might just be the perfect soundtrack. With an assortment of Portland’s most notorious rockers, metalheads and punks, ZONE TROOPER brings us a killer set of NWOBHM inspired rock n’ roll numbers from the wastelands. Channeling bands such as Tank and Jaguar, the 3 main guys of this band (members of such groups as RIGOROUS INSTITUTION, GENOGEIST, FRENZY, ANDY PLACE AND THE COOLHEADS, etc., etc., etc.) bring in many guest appearances from friends creating insane soundscapes, guitar solos, acoustic guitars, piano parts, whistles, and noises that spark the imagination while keeping the listeners’ feet tapping and heads banging. This is a studio only project (for now???) but if they keep cranking out the hits akin to the ones on this record, Portland will have another absolute favorite. The proof is in the music video for “Shoot the Sundown”, in which some notable Portland deviants appear to rock, shoot guns, and smoke cigarettes in the wasteland. Total perfection.

Siege Fire

The Devastating Cost

Black Water

***"A couple of years ago, seemingly from out of nowhere, SIEGE FIRE appeared with a scorching demo tape released as a two-person project with MIKE from DECOMP, GENOGEIST, etc. playing all the instruments and laying down vocals. Fast forward to 2024, Mike has transformed this project into a full fledged band with members LOCKHEED and NYX DIVISION among others. They have been destroying stages in and around Portland, dropping jaws and blowing out ear drums. We’ve been anxiously awaiting to see how this project would evolve with the addition of a full line up with years of experience under their collective bullet belt. What you get here is a raw and intense aural assault of Japanese crust inspired punk. Most notably large nods of the head go to the legendary Framtid. Not recommended for one wanting a wind down listen with a nice cup of tea before bed, this is a perfect rager with relentless pounding drums, angry vocals with dark war torn lyrics, a bass that sounds like a goddamned earthquake, and a guitar accompanied by a large array of pedals and effects. By that i mean this is fucking LOOOOOOUD!!!"—Black Water

Grisaille

Entre Deux Averses...

Black Water

***If anything has been brought up and adorned by this team of veteran punks from Brest, it is well crafted moody punk songs. Their debut looks like a single from back in the day, GRISAILLE is no stranger to the heavy dose of melody, angst and desperation that characterize their other projects. But while all of these projects are rooted in the classic French territory, their sound here is also a nod to the Copenhagen/Umeå scene, reminiscent of late Gorilla Angreb era with their twangy guitar chords or the flawless production on the early Masshysteri records. You’ll get the best of both worlds on this single and much more. At last, their name (which means Gloom like in weather’s term) could also sound like a warning: Grisaille is about to settle down on you and you better be ready.

Chueko

Tools of Oppression

Black Water

***In the past few years Portland has produced some top-notch hardcore, most notably in the family of bands such as Alienator, Suck Lords, Reek Minds, etc. The latest installment of this cluster of weirdos is CHUEKO, with their four song debut 7”. Fierce fast, hard punk with solid paces, great tones (notably the bass, often taking the helm as the courier of riffage) and really catchy tunes. There are many nods to HC bands past, specifically '80s USHC, but there is also a nice UK82 overtone, giving the songs a nice swagger, often bringing to mind GBH (in fact the intro for “Stupid People” is a direct homage to said band). This EP deserves to be on your turntable if you appreciate the aforementioned bands and hardcore with an emphasis on punk. No cheezy breakdowns or macho posturing, just steady driving slamming shit which will demand multiple flips of the record.

Death Ridge Boys

Society Overdose / Turn The Tide

Black Water

***Hot off the heels of their full length on TKO, Too Much Bullshit, DEATH RIDGE BOYS give Black Water a nice new single. There isn’t much to say that hasn’t been said before from their several previous releases from these working class oi! loving Portland mainstays. They have never been broken, therefore need no fixing, so these two new jammers are taken in with open arms. For newcomers to this band, these fellas play melodic, anthemic street rock filled to the brim with inspirational political lyrics. In this singles case, gruffly sung tunes about the singer (Will from TALK IS POISON, PRESSING ON, etc) and his journey into punk, discovering the world is a fucked up place in “Society Overdose”. The B-side “Turn The Tide” is a mid tempo rocker about fighting to not let the bastards have their way. Both tracks are modern day anthems for an insane world.

Lazer Bullet

Spirit Suck Shit

Black Water

***Admittedly, this is a hard record to describe. From the opening three chords of “Faster Than”, it gets hard to unclench the jaw and steady the heart rate long enough to ask oneself, “what the fuck is happening?!” By the time you figure it out and sigh out a “oooough!!!!” it’s time to flip the record and repeat the process. This is some ferocious, spiteful hardcore punk straight from the depths. The riffs ooze a feeling of frenetic unease as the vocals are demonic as hell, anger seething through every spiteful word. The melody buried deep in this EP, riffs cut through the noise and venom, creating a delicate balance between chaos and catchiness. Scathing non stop hardcore, with the odd breakdown which lasts just long enough for an underage kid to knock the beer out of a jaded old punks hand at an all ages gig. Post COVID lock down has unleashed an onslaught of great new angry bands in punk, and these maniacal deviants stand on the top of the heap. This shit is not for the meek.

Andy Place And The Coolheads

Feels Like A Dream

Black Water

***With this follow up of the full length, In a Confusing Futuristic Bar, the COOLHEADS are back with three new delightful tunes of their brand of powerpop rock n roll. The A side “Feels Like A Dream” is right on par with the exquisite song writing we’ve come to expect from this six piece powerhouse. Catchy and soulful with Thin Lizzy-esque guitar leads and delicate melodies. Side B begins with a faster, shorter number laden with keyboards, channeling their straight up punk roots while maintaining pure catchy pop melody. Wrapping up this slab is the “Black Water Commercial”, a quick jingle for the label/record shop/venue/bar/vegan restaurant. As this is a Blackwater release, it is impossible to not be biased, but accompanied with the video for said song, they really encapsulate what Black Water has to offer in Portland, Oregon! This will definitely be the poppiest release on the label this year, so if you crave Cheap Trick, Dictators, Brian Eno, and the Stiff Records catalog mixed into your punk, this one's for you.

Syndrome 81

Beton Nostalgie

Black Water

***This LP is a collection of songs released on various EP and split records 18 songs from their Demo, Litovsk split, UVPR compilation song, Desert Urbain, BMAB single serie and Urban Savage split. It is coming in a gatefold jackets with awesome drawing by All Cats Are Grey France’s Syndrome 81 started gaining momentum in the Punk scene with their 2013 demo tape, drawing comparisons to the plethora of great bands that defined the French Oi sound of the 1980s with a heavy stomp culled from classic USHC. The band has progressed since then, and the sound is more diverse but also more defined, having filed off some of the American influences and moved in a darker, distinctly French direction that is both melancholy and anthemic, with lyrics being influenced by growing up in Brest, France. The band comes from this dark place and write songs about their personal struggles growing up and growing old. These are songs about watching your friends lose sight and move on while you question why you are still here, haunted by your past and having to look your former self in the eye while you apologize for who you’ve become. These are songs about trudging through a desert you built yourself.

Daydream

Reaching For Eternity

Black Water

***Co-released between Black Water and Sabotage, Reaching For Eternity is the third album from Portland, OR’s Daydream. To say this newest offering paints outside the lines of the average punk record is an understatement. By any measure, this is a through and through hardcore punk record, but there are many pop and art elements giving these 12 tracks a quality that necessitates multiple listens to fully grasp the depths of what this record has to offer. Very smart lyrics that are delicately yelled over top notch musicianship brings to mind more modern groups such as CRAZY SPIRIT, STRAW MAN ARMY or POISON RUIN mixed with the FLUX OF PINK INDIANS, DISCHARGE and the entire Dischord Records catalog (at least from VOID to FUGAZI). These songs are as tough as they are beautiful. Uncomforting as they are soothing. Genre defying without feeling disingenuine or cheesy. Bottom line is: this is one of the better, more creative punk records of 2023. Also comes with a big lyric sheet including Jodorowsky-esque photo’s of the band that intrigues one even further to ask, “who are these fucking weirdos?!” and a poster for your wall to boot.

Death Ridge Boys

Boots On The Street

Black Water

***Originally recorded and released in the height of the pandemic as a cassette / bandcamp only release. The vinyl version of this comes back fully remixed and remastered making these powerful tunes sound better than ever! Side A finds four original numbers of anthemic Oi! with empowering staunchly anti-fascist lyrics dealing with taking our boots to the streets, a nod to a bygone era of old Portland, and how it’s darkest before the dawn. The B-side holds three covers, very atypical of a band this style, though they nail each of them with a touch of what makes DEATHRIDGE BOYS stick out of the crowd in the first place. They chose Big Boys, 7 Seconds and most surprisingly, a fantastic jaw dropping version “Mannequin” by Wire. Not common for a band who’s obvious go to’s of inspiration are the standards (Blitz, Cock Sparrer, and some French oi! a la Camera Silens), but it shows how versatile this band can be. DRB’s have firmly planted their boots in the Portland punk scene over the years and seem to get better with each release as this one indicates, showing the diversity, maturity, raw catchiness, and heartfelt sing alongs of a band hitting their stride.

Genogeist

Technophobia

Black Water

***Hot off the heels from their epic full length from 2019, PDX crust mongers, GENOGEIST return with four brand new rippers. This EP is chalk full of killer riffs with relentless pacing, leaving little room to catch one's breath before the next brutal assault or mid tempo banger. Add low growl vocals, ripping solos, topped with bleak disturbing lyrics dealing with the cybernetic void our world has been plunged into, and we have the ingredients to a perfect seven inch slab of unabashed crust. The songs off this record carry on right where the LP left off, not straying away from the Japanese crust influences (such as SDS, Effigy, Age, et al.), but embracing it even more. The icing on the cake is the guest appearance of NATANYA from TERMINAL CONQUEST adding her distinct vocals on “Desolate Realm.” Essential listening for fans of the genre, who like their riffs catchy but NOT melodic, as well as the music and lyrics full of rage, grief, and despair.

Long Knife

Meditations on Self Destruction

Black Water

***LONG KNIFE's sophomore release Meditations on Self-Destruction LP from 2014 back in print. Crazed hardcore. Feral Punk hardwired with brutality seemingly on the edge of collapse. Long Knife continue their path of destruction while refining the Portland hardcore sound.

Long Knife

Wilderness

Black Water

***Reissue of LONG KNIFE's long out of print first LP from 2013. Ten tracks of nihilistic hardcore played by Portland's finest degenerates. A healthy mix of early '80s US, British and Japanese hardcore with hints of classic rock. This is the Origin story of one of the best modern hardcore bands.

Long Knife

Curb Stomp Earth

Black Water

***"The third chapter in the decade long existence of one of the most depraved Portland hardcore bands ever. If you know, you know, as LONG KNIFE has channeled and perfected the Poison Idea sound, though if you pay attention to their catalog, you can see how they have evolved into their own beast over the years, making the PI comparisons trite. Every song on this record offers something different, whether it’s keyboards, horns (yep), what sounds to be operatic gang vocals, or just straight up hardcore bangers. This LP still maintains the intensity, insanity, and aggression these maniacs are known for, though there seems to be a bit more melody thrown in under the chaos this time. The riffs, solos, bass licks and COLIN's vocals/lyrics are just as awesome as ever. And of course, the lyrics are just as cynical, disturbing, and well written as we’ve come to expect. There is no slowing down for these guys and the Earth is ready to be curb stomped again and again with Long Knife's fucked up pummeling songs for these fucked up times. Each record comes in a deluxe package—thick jacket, printed inner sleeve and a huge poster plus stunning cover art by ALINA RADETSKY."

Hellshock

s/t

Black Water

***22 years, several EPs and splits, three full lengths and countless tours around the globe, HELLSHOCK are still standing relevant and still playing some of the heaviest riffs in the world wide punk scene. Where most bands of the crust genre seem to lose the fire and filth or simply break up before their prime, this band seems to get more powerful with each release and this long awaited LP is no exception! This recording features the addition of ROBBIE CHRONIC from RIPPER on guitar who adds some real sick fucking solos on top of the established rolling crust riffage that the original core group had perfected years ago. Neck aching tempos, sheer brutality, growled anguished vocals, and epic song writing without straying from pure unadulterated crust. For the seasoned Hellshock fan, you know you will already love this album and it will only exceed expectations. For the newcomer, if they were to ask 'what is this crust/stenchcore thing about?,' I would point them to Amebix, Deviated Instinct, Axegrinder and Hellshock. The name deserves to be right beside the creators and masters. In another 20+ years this record will be regarded as one of the best crust records of the 2020s, just as we look back at Only the Dead Know the End Of War as a defining record of the early 2000s.

Andy Place And The Coolheads

In a Confusing Futuristic Bar

Black Water

***Debut LP from beloved mainstay PDX rockers, THE COOLHEADS! Synthy, poppy, new wavey rock n’ roll hits that conjure up many influences from Eno or Bowie to Ramones or a less quirky Devo. The whole album gives one a feeling of one hell of a Saturday night at a loud crowded rock n’ roll bar. It feels like taking the fourth shot of whisky on a very festive evening out with your best friends, as some alien DJ plays your favorite party tunes. So, yes, this is a very aptly named record. This is total pop, brilliantly written and magically produced/recorded. Clear vocals sang beautifully over some true head bobbin’, hooky as hell verses and chorus’, complete with wild guitar solos and great musicianship all round. The world could benefit from more bands sounding like this in 2022, though that is what makes ANDY PLACE and company so unique. If ever you find yourself passing by a bar populated by a Coolhead, you know that is the spot to be, and these ten songs reflect that.

Dials

s/t

Black Water

***Highly anticipated first release of this relatively new Portland super group featuring members of PETITE, DARK/LIGHT, ARCTIC FLOWERS, and VIVID SEKT to name a few. LAURA's distinct angry vocals are shouted over catchy riffs with clean guitar tones bringing to mind some of the early 2000s Scandinavian bands such and some late '70s Stiff records song writing but with a distinct PDX darkness which of course brings to mind The Wipers, Observers, The Triggers, etc. Four memorable songs, which gives a small taste of what’s to come with this great band.

Horrendous 3D

s/t

Black Water

***After much praise from the previous 7-inch, H3D is back with an equally powerful EP. Just as noisy and layered with distortion as one would expect, these four tracks seem a bit tighter with noteworthy riffage, while maintaining a level of pure fucking chaos. The addition of a new drummer giving the songs even more of a Discharge/Doom feel as opposed to the 1-2 1-2 beat, but the intensity remains the same. There are dirgey tempos that turn to blazing insanity before your feeble brain can even grasp what the hell is going on. All the while the vocalist vomits out low guttural spite, with topical well thought out lyrics. It’s refreshing to have a band of noise worshippers carrying the banner, and these fuckers hit the nail square on the head.

Ripper

Wasteland

Black Water

***Recorded in 2012, finally this banger gets the proper vinyl release it deserves! In the early 2010’s RIPPER ruled the Portland punk, metal, hardcore scene releasing one epic LP followed by an equally destructive 7-inch. This record finds the band in the height of their prime before they spontaneously combusted. The rock n’ roll riffage, double bass drum, driving bass guitar holding it down, the Lemmy-esque/INEPSY-esque vocals, and of course the well executed guitar solos are all played like their lives depend on it. Like an out of control train about to go off the rails, this record is full of hair-raising tempos demanding a head bang whether you want to or not. Obviously for fans of Motörhead, but unlike many bands of this style there is no hint of being contrived or cheesy. Rock n’ roll poured through these three maniacs' blood (and it still does with the many projects they all went onto in the 10 years since). While it’s sad that this may be the last thing we ever hear from RIPPER, this is one hell of a swan song and well worth the 10 year wait.

Syndrome 81

Prisons Imaginaires

Black Water

***From Brest, France, this is the debut full length from SYNDROME 81, who already left us with a handful of great singles and a couple of splits. This LP leans even further into the cold dark of traditional French Oi. Very melodic, catchy tunes with a layer of roughness mostly due to the anger in the vocals and rocking tempos. Like many things French, there is an underlying sense of existential hopeless despair layered with bursts of empowerment and perseverance. This is conveyed through dark anthemic lyrics and moody guitar leads that land somewhere between Camera Silens and later Blitz. A perfect soundtrack for a rainy day when you catch yourself questioning your existence in a doomed town. Though this album has an overall gloomy feel, in the depth of winter, you may find within this LP lay an invincible summer.

Decomp

Condemned To Earth

Black Water

***Debut full length from the long standing PDX unit, DECOMP. Bitter, Angry and Aggressive in every sense. Following a couple ep’s and a few line up changes, this LP gives you a vulgar display of tightness and brutality performed by a band in their prime. Condemned to Earth finds them crossing that line into metal even further than before (complete with sick guitar leads) but still a chalk load of stench here to keep the crusties drunkenly bobbing their heads. There are plenty of nods to the usual suspects (i.e., Sacrilege, Bolt Thrower, et al.) with hardcore punk hooks bringing to mind Framtid, Ent and the like. The result is an uncomfortable soundscape of chugging riffs, breakdowns, plenty of tempo changes, with a thick layer of guttural, spiteful vocals. There are only so many times you can get away with using the word “brutal” to describe certain records, but this one is BRUTAL in every sense of the word. End of times crust for the filthy black waxed jacket punks and flowing locked heshers alike.

Rigorous Institution

Cainsmarsh

Black Water

***After three highly praised 7-inch EPs, RIGOROUS INSTITUTION rises from the shadowy dripping streets of Portland, OR to deliver us their first full length album. Full of scathing vocals with smart, bleak lyrics (that border on poetry at times), axe grinding riffs, driving, dirty bass lines, hypnotic percussion, atmospheric synthesizer and a sense of droning paranoia scattered throughout its entirety. Yes, this is what one could call crust, but it feels too easy to use that word. These weirdos veer into seldom ventured territories that go from ripping to horrific soundscapes that make one's skin crawl as much as their fists pump. Picture John Carpenter joining forces with Amebix in 1982 and it will give you an idea of what this epic 12” will bring. This might just be the perfect soundtrack for the current state of the world.

Warchild

A Question For Today... Not Tomorrow

Black Water

***The second LP from Umea Sweden’s kang masters, WARCHILD. This output finds even tighter driving riffs that are equal parts brutal and catchy (in the true Swedish tradition). Bouncy fist pumping d-beats with a couple raging mid tempo numbers. Closing out the b-side with a Free Speech For the Dumb-esque rocker. With a “thank you” list that starts off with Discharge, Anti-Cemex, Disclose and Totalitar, it’s no secret where the influence comes from and it’s pulled off flawlessly, impressing the most hardened Scandinavian Hardcore connoisseurs. Included is a ten page booklet with sick art adding perfect bleak imagery to the smart, short anti-war lyrics.

Nightfeeder

S/t

Black Water

***4 Tracks of punishing, bitter, dingy punk with timeless catchy riffs played brutal and fast, with filthy breakdowns. Spiteful lyrics about the government not giving a fuck about you, colonialism and just having a hard time. Fans of Consume and Deathraid, rejoice. This new band features 4 out of 5 members of the previously mentioned groups. No surprises of what to expect, but this is no slight against the band. What we get are top notch, extremely well crafted hardcore punk songs carrying on singer/guitarist Jay Styles’ legacy. Comparisons to other groups don’t add up, as this company of weathered punk veterans stand as one-of-a-kind. This 7” record is essential for any punk worth their weight in studs. If you know, you know, and you will not be disappointed.

Forward

Apathy Kills People

Black Water

***From the torch bearers of Burning Spirits hardcore punk come 2 new tracks of Japanese HC punk the way only Forward can bring it. Formed over 22 years ago as a continuation of the spirit of bands like Deathside and Insane Youth (and Rustler) Forward have never stopped releasing records and touring the world to spread their Burning Spirit Hardcore! Two tracks, “Apathy kills People” and “Our World Our Own” are a critique of modern society as well as a message of our community. The music is as familiar as their traditional Japanese hardcore sound but with some added influences from each members experiences (there is a bit of a G.I.S.M. sound cutting through on the title track maybe coming from Souichi’s stint with them the last years?) this release is in advance of their new full length and to coincide with their north american tour.

Genogeist

S/t

Black Water

***Debut LP from PDX Metal Punk crusties, Genogeist, taking heavy influence from Japanese forebears SDS, Effigy, and Sacrifice, while keeping true to themselves and honing a unique sound. A soundtrack for the barren cyberpunk dystopia. Past and present members of Dodlage, Vastation, and Despair comes packaged w/ lyric sheet and 24x30 fold-out poster.

Rigorous Institution

Pentinent Ep

Black Water

***Following the release of their 2018 demo tape, Portland's Rigorous Institution return with their debut EP "Penitent," where they refine their brand of gloomy anarcho-crust into three bursts of tyrannical rhythms and morbid atmospheres befitting their early review as "a fucked-up Hawkwind."Rigorous pays homage to 80’s uk crust like Axegrinder, Deviated Instinct, Zygote and Amebix. If we're living in the New Dark Ages, then Rigorous Institution are the soundtrack to the upcoming peasant wars.

Vice Device

Living Textures

Black Water

***Portland, OR trio, Vice Device, have honed a distinct blend of live electronic rhythm, layers of synth that range from lush to searing with bass that gnashes at the edges, primal and shattered. Dual vocalists explore moods that are eerily charged as well as hauntingly somber, akin to both Depeche Mode and Bikini Kill. After a handful of well received singles, split EP’s and compilation appearances, the group delivers on their long awaited first LP, “Living Textures”. The album features 8 tracks that evoke the spirit of both early 80’s Berlin and NYC underground music. Inspired by the electronic punk aggression of X-Mal Deutschland and Suicide, the minimal synth austerity of Xeno & Oaklander and a healthy dose of art damaged underground noise harkening to Malaria! and early Sonic Youth, “Living Textures” is both refreshing and familiar.

Warchild

No Victory In Death

Black Water

***Third EP from these Swedish Ragers! 5 new tracks of anti-war Scandinavian styled Discharge inspired hardcore a la Skitlickers, Anti-Cimex, Totalitar etc.

Hakuchi

The Best Works 1991-1994

Black Water

***Japan's HAKUCHI (Niigata City) getting the long awaited vinyl treatment they deserve. Hakuchi spanned 1991-1994 and released 2 EPs and several demos and compilation appearances. Members would later go on to form one of the more prolific bands in the Japanese metal/punk scene, A.G.E.. While their early recordings follow the more classic Japanese hardcore tradition of the time, they morphed into their own unique crust punk style that peaked with their 1993 EP "God's Disturb" on Overthrow Records. While you can hear nods to Amebix and Extreme Noise Terror, these punks were blazing their own trail.