Ghoul - 1984-1989 (2004)

Ghoul - 1984-1989 (2004)

Collecting the entire works of Ghoul, 1984-1989 has all the tracks from Carry Out Fucking, Jerusalem, Oi Oi, as well as their compilation appearances on Game of Death, and Hold Up Omnibus. So it covers the classic line-up as well as Masami's Ghoul II as the Game of Death comp came out in 1989. The strange thing is, is that the Sqwad tracks aren't featured here.

Obviously Carry Out Fucking and Jerusalem are crucial listening for anyone into this style. And the same could be said for the compilation appearances. The Hold Up Omnibus tracks, Death City and Flash Back, are very heavy and crazy. Both are from 1984, the same year as Carry Out Fucking, however, they sound quite a bit like Jerusalem. As for the Game Of Death tracks, it shows Ghoul shifting style once more. This time to a thrash metal direction. The production on these tracks is rough, but along with Masami's vocals, i think this adds to the punky nature of Ghoul.

Overall this is a great compilation. It's missing a few things here and there, notably the Sqwad flexi,

but the main material is here in all its glory. Mandatory punk.

Get rekt:

https://mega.nz/#!cM5hUDQI!ieY2qQKtGffVdvVt4Yrwnv5QLaTaksWBp3xhckFQKhg

Agoni - The Future is Ours (1985)

Agoni - The Future is Ours Demo (1985)

So after the amazing d-beat mastery that appeared on Stockholm's Mangel, what does Agoni's next demo The Future is Ours sound like?

Like thrash metal. It's surprising that it's even the same band. I mean, when was that first demo recorded? It must have been pretty early since the musical growth is pretty big. However, i say that. Metal, although touted as technical, isn't THAT much harder to play than standard punk.

There really isn't much, if any, comparison to the d-beat Agoni. Obviously the drums are playing permutations of the d-beat fairly often. But guitar and vocal wise? Forget it. This is a different band altogether.

In terms of Agoni's 'metal years'. This is probably the best representation. Although I would say that because this demo doesn't outstay it's welcome. With three tracks, each being around the three minute mark, this isn't a long affair. Also, the fact that they were still searching for that sound makes this a bit more raw than the later material.

Check out this review of a show in Leeds, UK. Where Discharge headlined, in all their a-hem "glory", and Anti-Cimex + Agoni were on support.

So, not as powerful or as special as their first demo. As the live review states, this isn't anything special. But it's not bad, just not earth-shattering. Did Agoni ever get that bit more 'power and originality'?

Linky, Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!wQwE2CZZ!UJkIr9cXPQnt0OX-Grm0bK_xQ8yLpjAoU0EQc28KW2U

Pedifile - Die A Violent Death (1986)

Pedifile - Die A Violent Death (Demo 1986)

Since the last post was of Desecration I thought i'd put up some Pedifile. Why?
Because apparently these bands had 'beef' back in the day. Actually, that's a crock of shit as Desecration's vocalist, Jack, tells all in issue #4 of Threatening Society.
Link Here: http://www.threateningsociety.com/4_desecration.html

Pedifile were a rough-as-shit thrash metal/crossover style band that kinda border on early death metal. An interesting sound for sure. This demo has a 'Reign In Blood' vibe to it with all the fast as fuck metal riffs at hardcore tempos. Apparently the band would get shit upon by many for having (and admittedly, overusing) little girl screams. I guess it's meant to be a Tom Araya high pitched screech but it ends up sounding a bit prepubescent, which is funny regarding the full-on trash attack Pedifile deliver. Their claim to fame is the one and only Lars Ulrich wearing one of their shirts during an MTV interview during the late 80s. Pretty cool!...or maybe not. Well, I think its cool.

'Shackle The Jackal' is like a mission statement to what these dudes are all about, fast, stop/start, tempo changing thrash metal. They aren't super talented, some riffs are fluffed, but they can surely play. The 'little girl' screams are in abundance on this track, which to be honest, can be off-putting as they aren't particularly menacing ...unless you find little girls menacing that is.

'Mortal Psychosis' has a Metallica-like clean section, but with a dissonant twist and some cool austere guitar leads to boot! It eventually builds up with some steady chugging and floats down again...only for the thrash to begin! A common theme with this demo is the mix of sloppy playing and muddy production making many parts almost unintelligible. With that said, its not too distracting, it just takes away from the punch. Around half-way through there is a meaty, mid-tempo thrash riff. Very nice!

Although it brings images of Cannibal Corpse to mind 'Pedophiliac' isn't some twisted, perverse story of child abuse. It's actually about beating-up a Pedophile as depicted on the demo cover. Overall, it's a good thrash tune but the mid section is the highlight. The band 'brings-it-down' for that riff, which is a tasteful exercise in dynamics.

'Holocaust The Hippies' has that Slayer vibe with the fast guitars and Araya styled fast shouting. The mid section, with a slightly technical riff, is pretty cool but the solo is where its at! Shreddy and harmonized!

So, a cool demo overall. The production and playing takes off the visceral punch to the gut. But you can definitely tell that there is something here. Not just generic thrash, they mix it up nicely.

Linky Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!lcAmCIBR!v1OmOf5C6a2k1beRgMaJv7LskoK67D7MJQ4Jcss9TEU

Here's what 'Threatening Society' had to say about this demo in 1987!:
PEDIFILE is a five piece thrash metal band from Mesa, Arizona. They formed in May '86 and started off doing SLAYER and EXODUS covers, while opening for bands like ZNOWHITE and DARK ANGEL. But now, PEDIFILE is headed in an all original direction and hope to get signed soon with this demo. PEDIFILE is into heavy, technical music with heavy vocals and ear-piercing screams. All of this is displayed on the demo.

PEDIFILE "Die a Violent Death": This ain't easy, but here goes. The music on this four song tape is played really well -- good, tight, technical thrash. And most of the KREATOR-type vocals are pretty cool. But there are some extremely high shrieks that just sound out of place. Plus, I really can't get into their lyrics. It should be noted that the song "Pediophiliac" delivers an anti-child molestation message. So do their t-shirts, which depict a child molester being beat up by a bunch of thrashers. Overall, this demo is slightly above average. Interesting. The tape costs $4, lyrics included. For $6 you get the tape and a PEDIFILE t-shirt, which Chris informed me LARS ULRICH of METALLICA wore on MTV and claimed to be his favorite. [TONY]

Jerry's Kids - Kill Kill Kill (1989)

Jerry's Kids - Kill Kill Kill (1989) Taang! Records

This was one of the first 'crossover' records I ever heard. And dear lord did I hate it when I was 15.

The dumb soloing, the stupid lyrics, the abandonment of the frenetic punk energy found on the 'Boston, Not L.A.' tracks. I hated everything about this record, especially 'Breathe and Fuck', Jesus wept. What a turd.

I've listened to it a few times over the years since then, each time becoming more bearable.

But what do I make of it now that i'm fond of metal? Is it even THAT metal? Well...

I'm gonna say it...this isn't metal. It's not really even 'crossover', it just doesn't chug. Sure, it has a butt full of, admittedly metal, solos. But no real metal-as-fuck riffage.

Its kinda surfy in place, its kinda rocky, and it has some metal flavoring, but to be honest, the majority of it is hardcore. So why the hell did it rub me up the wrong way for such a long time?

To be honest, I cant really put my finger on it. After listening to it a few times I actually like it.

I mean, it doesn't rip like 'Boston, Not L.A.' or 'Is This My World' but it definitely has its moments.

'Breathe and Fuck' is the first sign of slowing down, and at track three, maybe its too soon to change pace. While its nowhere near as horrendous as I remember it being, it's very long for what it is.With that said, it shows off a more experimental side to the band, which should never be discouraged.

I'd say that tracks like 'Breath and Fuck', 'Tired Eyes', 'Don't Belong' and 'Satan's Toy' show the experimental side in full motion, with Hendrix-style guitar work/wah effects, sound-clips, and longer arrangements on offer. Most of the other tracks are like a mixture of the 60s like guitar playing meshed with hardcore pace. And they mix it up pretty well, its not like a total convergence of those two approaches. Tracks like 'Bad Trip' and 'Back Off' start off with slow intros that eventually race into intense speeds. There is definitely some ripping hardcore here, it's just meshed in between more ambitious structures.

Sure, Rick doesn't sound like he's just escaped a mental asylum. The band isn't a dyed-in-wool 30 second hardcore holocaust. And they aren't as rabid in their approach. But if you take it for what it is, its not bad. Its a band expanding on their sound in an original manner. I can't say I've heard many 80s punk releases that mix punk, surf, metal, and rock, all into one cohesive record.

Would it be better if 'Satan's Toy' wasn't on the bad side of 6 minutes? would it be better if they cut down on the soloing? would it be better if they got rid of some songs? If you want a straight up hardcore record, then sure. But regarding when this record came out, 1989, Jerry's Kids were

fairly faithful to their roots while experimenting with their increased musicianship. Thumbs up.

Linky Link:

https://mega.co.nz/#!hEIH1LjD!GZcif_UyaS6jKixGu9re5KaMAhpHGaDU3YpkVr9cVhc

Here's a cool press release!