Cocobat - Supercharged Chocolate Meltdown (2001)

Cocobat - Supercharged Chocolate Meltdown (2001)

Released on Toy's Factory in 2001, Cocobat hit us up with a live EP. Six originals from past records such as Return of Grasshopper, I Versus I, and Ghost Tree Giant, and one cover of Bark At The Moon, originally done by Rainbow.....nah, just fucking with you. I may as well say that Ozzy's solo material doesn't do much for me. So yeah, man.

Musically, you know what your getting if your familiar with the records these tracks are from. For the uninitiated, Cocobat play funky, groove-laden 90s hardcore. One thing I must say, is that the production is crystal clear. You can really hear the extended chords, the beefy kick drum patterns, and the crazy bass-skills of Take-Shit. Obviously there is some deviation from the studio recorded versions, but by and large, Cocobat stick to their guns. Impressive stuff.

In conclusion, this isn't essential. But it is a decent little stop-gap EP for the fans.

Get down with this funky shit
http://www41.zippyshare.com/v/gCWzeDFU/file.html

Cocobat - Tsukiookami (1998)

Cocobat - Tsukiookami (1998)

Boom. And we're back, baby.

1998, Cocobat release this monster EP. Yes for those who have seen the track listing, they do cover Gastunk. Killer, dude. They also get a guy by the name of Jacky Ohtaka to shred his balls off over those tracks. No joke, I think Jacky may have actually shredded his balls off. RIP Jacky Ohtaka's balls.

Now. as far as I can tell. This is the first (and only?) record to feature the guitar wizardry of Kazunori Mizoguchi. Who is he, you ask? He only played in a band called NUNCHAKU.
Fucking killer, dude.

Mizoguchi really brings a spice to Cocobats sound. I mean, yeah. It's still typical Cocobat. it sounds like Earth Crisis punching Metallica while Pantera watches in a video shop owned by the entire late 80s NYHC fraternity, in a shopping district co-ordinated by Sepultura. Did any of that make sense? Probably not. Do Cocobat sound like any of those bands? Not really.What was the point of writing it? I dunno, dude. I just dunno.

Anyway. Killer EP, Kazunori Mizoguchi we hardly knew yah. Check out his website here: http://kazunorimizoguchi.tumblr.com/

Get hell-bent (fo' leather)


http://www115.zippyshare.com/v/XfgZfsLC/file.html

Cocobat - Return of Grasshopper (1996)

 

                                                  Cocobat - Return of Grasshopper (1996)
I'm not going to lie and say i have a comprehensive discography of this Jap hardcore powerhouse. However, i have a few CDs of theirs knocking about and I'm always searching for more.

For those not already acquainted, Cocobat are a Japanese hardcore band who have been going strong since the early 90s. Their debut, which is HERE, is a great groove-infected hardcore record. Yep, that's what i said. Groove-infected.

Usually when the words Japanese and hardcore are used to describe something, people either think of
A: Hardcore pornography (usually of a disturbing nature)
B: Noisy Discharge-punx with mohicans and studded jackets

Although i'd love to say that Cocobat incorporates both of these things, they simply don't. Instead of ripping fast GAI worship, Cocobat opt for a groovy, metallic edge that was oh-so-new at the time.

No studded jackets or mohicans, say whaaaaat? I thought this was Japanese Hardcore!

That image should speak volumes, Cocobat aren't your typical punk band. While the likes of Confuse are accused of being a prime example of fashion-punks, Cocobat just look like a bunch or norms....by 90s standards at least.

Since Cocobat weren't spending hours patching and studding their apparel they must have spent their time practising their instruments because they are all super competent and water tight.

From what i can gather, after the first record they booted former vocalist Ryuji (Disarray/Bitousha/Dessert), drummer Matsuzaki, and Shinichi Suzuki (Lawshed) and replaced them with Koji on guitar, Kame on drums and Hideki on vocals. Basically, this record features only one member from the original line-up that recorded the self-titled effort - the amazingly named, and skilled, Take-Shit.

You'd think their sound would have changed with this massive overhaul. And while they do sound different, it's still a big mish-mash of heavy chugs, slap-bass, and schizoid guitar parts.You can tell that Take-Shit runs the joint, slapping-popping-taking shits everywhere on this record. Man, he can play. Guitar-wise Koji brings more 90s hardcore conventions to the table: militant chugs, natural harmonics, discordant chords, groove-riffing - the whole shebang. On top of this there are plenty of inventive ideas floating around by all members.

Annotating each song would probably be a big snore for y'all, so i'll just say this: If you didn't like their debut, you probably won't like this.

Take-Shit taking shits for shit and giggles
http://www98.zippyshare.com/v/WTRIvJMo/file.html

Cocobat - Cocobat Crunch (1993)

Cocobat - Cocobat Crunch (1993)

Cocobat have been around for a pretty long time, which is why I find it strange that they're not that well known. Maybe its the goofy name, maybe its because their sound can be compared to the nu-metal craze that came about three years after this very record. Admittedly, they play a pretty weird blend for a hardcore band, particularly a Jap hardcore band. Its funky, its riffy, its groovy, and its hardcore. Whether it's coincidence or influence, there is a definite Pantera-esque quality to the riffs and grooves. Even to this day, funky bass in hardcore is a bit of a 'no-no', and the general groovy nature ain't too 'fresh' either. However, if you're willing to throw away you're reservations about heavy guitars playing funky grooves, you may be in for a treat.

Like the instrumentation, the vocals are a mixed bag. Predominately it's shouting, but the dude can sing, get guttural, and rap. The bass slaps and pops along, having many of its own moments to shine. The bass in general is actually fairly high in the mix, which is nice. The guitars thrash around, playing triplets and frenetic chugs, however, there's some experimentation with funk, and the fast power chord riffs are all present enough for their hardcore cred. The Sabbath influence is pretty big as well, where else could the 'Cry Of Pain' riffs come from? Heavy shit, fo' sho. The drumming is executed brilliantly, absolutely nailing the difficult syncopated riff patterns, along with some inventive fills. The use of double kick is pretty rad, and the general 'playing for the song' nature suits the groovy nature of this record.

I'm pretty sure that what we have here is a re-issue with a few bonus tracks. One remix of 'Guy' and two King Crimson covers, '21st Century Schizoid Man', and 'Starless'. Did I mention that the artwork was done by punk rock legend Pushead? Very cool.

Get it while you can!
http://www91.zippyshare.com/v/1emViKaH/file.html

Ban This - Humanware 1996

 

Ban This - Humanware (1996)

Ban This are a mysterious band, not much is known about them and not much has been documented in either records or live videos. So who the fuck are Ban This and why should you care?

Well to answer those questions: 1) I don't fucking know, stop being such a snotty brat, and 2) they play a weird concoction of 90s hardcore/90s industrial/Machine Head/Sepultura (Arise-Roots eras) with occasional death metal moments. Sounds cool, right?

Since not much is known about these guys Its hard to pigeon-hole them as either metal or metal influenced hardcore. But what is surely known is that this record came out in 1996, a very weird time for music, especially for hardcore and metal. Like the record title 'Humanware' suggests, this has a very mechanical style. Its reminicent of what was blooming in the 90s with acts such as Godflesh/Fear Factory/Machine Head. But they certainly have an organic element to them, its really weird to describe.

When searching for info on these guys many people tag them as Nu Metal or Groove Metal. I think that doesn't do Ban This any justice. Honestly, they sound a lot like Biohazard. They have hardcore vocals/rapping/mosh-riffs and they mix it with some Robb Flynn-rip-off vocals/Roots-style groove riffs/ industrial-manipulation, and death metal. In a way, its quite original.

Track: 3 - 'Traitors Pay With Blood'

This track shows off a lot of the different aspects of the band, it has some rapping, Sepultura style vocals, natural harmonic sprinkled riffs, grooves, lead guitars, and death metal vocals over a hardcore section.

To be honest, the whole record can get a bit repetitive and monotonous, but then again, the running time is around 1 hour and thats long for any kind of music.Overall, Ban This have an interesting sound and 'Humanware' is a facinating document of 90s hardcore/metal crossover. 

Linky, Link

https://mega.co.nz/#!0cZ2WYoD!NKF0JGqTrebTrJ8uzTlBOYi25sHwLl72kosu5_ZSnzA

Link taken from: http://skaterockradio.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/ban-this-humanware-1996.html