Rhetoric - Straight (Over The) Edge (1988)

Rhetoric - Straight (Over The) Edge (1988)

Rhetoric were from Norwich, UK. Which is a pretty nice place by all accounts. They play a raging concoction of punk and Frosty/Destruction riffage, otherwise known as Crust Punk. For those who don't know, or care, the UK was a hotbed for crust in the 80s. While there are a few different approaches to crust, Rhetoric fall under the anarcho-punk meets European metal-punk banner.

In a sentence: it's punks playing sloppy seconds metal-punk.

Crust is like thrash metals' weirdo third-detached, unhygienic, dreadlocked cousin who likes hugging trees and wearing Destruction t-shirts. In other words, you probably wouldn't want to hang around with him but he definitely has a cool record collection, so fuck it.

Rhetoric are a great example of crust. They pack a shit-load of metal-damaged riffs into short
hardcore blasts ranging from one to five minutes. As with a fair amount of crust, the Crass like anarcho leanings are present, certainly in the clean guitar intro to 'It's Unexplainable' and the subversive parodical use of the Hawaii 5-O theme music in opener 'H.5.0. - Theme Of The Rhetoric Crass-Surfin' Formation Team'.

Juxtaposed with the sensitive intellectualism and politically charged anarcho-yelps, is the barbaric chugging and guttural shouts. Tracks like 'World Inside of Me' are a good example of the varied influences going on within the band. Unlike their contemporaries such as Deviated Instinct, Filthkick, Axegrinder, and Generic, these dudes weren't all political doom and gloom. 'Theme Of The Rhetoric...' and 'The Burp Song!', which is a piss around with Hellbastard's 'Nazis Killed' riff,
show that these guys have a sense of humor.

Rhetoric - Straight (Over The) Edge full-tape

As for the tapes name 'Straight (Over The) Edge'. While it may have seemed clever at the time, is pretty fucking stupid regarding how hypocritical crusties can be. As much as i love crust, the whole pansy arse, dildo subculture around it is pathetic. One of my big reservations about crust is the political rambling about multi-national corporations...whilst fans and bands are supporting the alcohol industry. Possibly the worst industry to support in terms of institutions that are more powerful
than government. Institutions that want to 'normalize' their product within society. Institutions that don't face up to the multiple problems they cause by stating that 'as individuals we should know our limits'. Institutions that cleverly market themselves to make themselves seem innocent and 'cool' as opposed to the Nazi like indoctrination complex's that they actually are. Institutions that reinforce gender mainstreaming. Institutions that prey on genetic addiction predispositions. Institutions that don't give a fuck about the millions of lives they destroy, cripple, and hinder. Do I need to continue? I have no problem with drinking, and i have no problem with political activism, but I do have a problem with disingenuous posturing from pretentious wankers who see the world in black and white.

Other than that small, personal gripe, this is a great demo, a total crust relic. Fans of this style should definitely check this out if they haven't already.

Linky Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!hNZFzbxJ!QQ6sV2vUxKuTFkv78p6gXSzcYPQ7ZwGstZPdqgCfyj8