Anti-Cimex - Scandinavian Jawbreaker (1993)

Anti-Cimex - Scandinavian Jawbreaker (1993)

Continuing in the same vein as 1990's Absolut Country of Sweden, Scandinavian Jawbreaker is a decent slab of metalpunk.

Yet again, another member has bit the dust. This time in the form of Conrad, bassist from 85'-90. Who was replaced with Lefty, known for his later band Black Uniforms. While the metal influence is still present, the hard rock'n'roll style of Motorhead is prominent as well. With that said there is still moments of D-Beat here and there, but the tide had certainly changed by this point.

So while the vocals on Absolut... were very Lemmy-like, the guitars follow suit in the Motorhead vein as well. I wouldn't be surprised if this era of Anti-Cimex influenced the Motorpunk that was getting popular (well, kind of popular in regards to punk) a few years ago.

I'd say that this is an improvement on Absolut Country of Sweden. While it's still not the band that recorded Raped Ass in 1983, at least they dialed back the metal, shortened the song lengths, and play in a more straightforward style here. A decent record overall. But don't be fooled, this is much more Motorpunk than D-Beat.

Link, Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!ZQonSCKS!Nbq-e4pXUEeOsH85fI-zk8zWCfn-BSUjDV20g1i4Bi0

Anti-Cimex - Absolut Country of Sweden (1990)

Anti-Cimex - Absolut Country of Sweden (1990)

Released in 1990, fours years after their metal-flirting self-titled mini LP. Absolut Country of Sweden is an interesting record.

First off, guitar mainstay Joakim Petersson doesn't play on this, or Scandinavian Jawbreaker for that matter. Which is a bummer, as his riffs were killer. Instead Cliff Lundberg, mostly known for Driller Killer, takes up the role of guitarist. And he does a fine job, technically more advanced than what Petersson done with the Cimex material for sure. But it's a completely different style and it would be unfair to compare the two just by what we hear on recorded material.

Unlike the self-titled mini LP, where there were little hints of metal/rock, Lundberg brings the metal...in shovels...that are wedged deep in a dump truck made of metal...that is also full of metal...parked in a metal car-park for a company that create titanium. Okay, sure. It's not THAT metal. But when compared to the early Anti-Cimex work, it is very noticeable.

Infinitely cooler artwork

I suppose you could say that Absolut... and Scandinavian Jawbreaker are important records in that they pioneered the metalized crusty Swedecore present in the 90s with Lundberg's other group Driller Killer. And don't get me wrong, great music and all...but this is not the same band that recorded Raped Ass in 1983. And that, for some reason, bugs me.

But don't get me wrong, this is a good record. Still hardcore as fuck, but the metal-damage (or should I say Metallica-damage) is all-to-present for a 45 minute ride. And it's that reason I don't revisit this record much. It's very long for what it is.

Linky, Link:

https://mega.co.nz/#!RQIj3DaZ!_LXz_TvIIr7_1URGIkeBaLqK3SImcjjVIi44oZtijGU

Anti-Cimex - Mini LP (1986)

Anti-Cimex Mini LP (1986)

Two years down the line from 1984's Victims of a Bomb Raid came this self-titled mini LP in 1986. One can only wonder how this record was received back in the day. It's no secret that the mid 80s was the time of crossover, punks could play metal and vice versa. However, nothing is ever that black and white. There were a fair amount of 'haters' when it came to the cross-pollination with metal...and rightfully so in some cases. While this record certainly isn't 'metal', there are moments here and there, especially with the lead guitar, that could make you think so.

Don't let that put you off though. The basis for the whole record is D-Beat. From the drumming to the riffs, not much has changed since Victims of a Bomb Raid. I mean, they even re-record Set Me Free from Victims...

Whether or not Discharge's musical direction 1984-onward was an influence can only be speculated. But there are definitely similarities in tracks like (the second half of) Criminal Trap, Time To, and more obviously, Pain Killer. Considering that the line-up is the same (as far as i know) the musical progression is impressive. They've all become much better at their instruments, which is always nice to notice.

The production on this record is much more cleaner than their previous records. It's probably not that much of an exaggeration to say that Anti-Cimex were becoming pretty popular in Sweden...well, as popular as punk gets. Which no doubt meant that fancy recording studios were becoming available for them to use. The guitars are pretty meaty, the drums are punchy, the bass has a rad distorted tone, and to top it off, the vocals are still aggressive...not quite as venomous though. it must be said.

This is a very good record. You could argue that it's slightly metal-damaged. But sometimes that's not a bad thing.

Linky, Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!hNgEiajQ!r_2AO38ehYyLqiHxmPV_hPxb_Ye4WxLksL8SEP2Im7s

Anti-Cimex - Victims of a Bomb Raid (1984)

Anti-Cimex - Victims of a Bomb Raid (1984)

How does one follow Raped Ass?
Okay, okay. That wasn't the most tasteful way to start this blog post...

Let's start again:

Victims of a Bomb Raid came out in 1984, and while it isn't as potent as 83's Raped Ass, it's still a devastating chunk of punk. I've already talked about the Discharge comparisons in the previous posts-so I don't want to make myself any more redundant than I already am.

These four tracks show Anti-Cimex running with the style they carved out on Raped Ass. You can tell they're more confident in their instruments with some rad stops, tempo shifts, drums fills, guitar solos, and that apocalyptic intro to the title track.

Anti-Cimex would continue pushing the limits of this style on their self-titled Mini LP in 1986.
Showing that Discharge wasn't all that they were about. However, they would soon leave behind the one-dimensional land of D-Beat for something more musically satisfying with their comeback Absolut Country of Sweden in 1990.

Linky, Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!tIpDCATR!Edc3-IW1nIaid2y8EuhvA01XAkNg5zjtFNJ_XWmD2LM

Anti-Cimex - Raped Ass (1983)

Anti-Cimex - Raped Ass (1983)

While in 1981 Discharge were asking Why(?) Anti-Cimex rebuked with Raped Ass in 1983. Don't be fooled though. Anti-Cimex weren't some immature 'dick joke' band. With song titles like When the Innocents Die, Warmachine, Total Silence, and Cries of Pain it's obvious that Anti-Cimex were

wearing their Discharge influence on their sleeves. Heck, just look at the lyrics for Raped Ass:

You talk about the freedom

But we have no freedom

You talk about the rights

But we have no rights

This fucking system is liked a raped ass

The Discharge influence is obvious here. While Anarkist Attack (1982) was a band finding their footing, Raped Ass is a band who were truly hitting their stride.

One of the many reasons Anti-Cimex are so highly regarded is their incredible rawness and extremity for their time. While Discharge had the luxury of having, i'd assume, fairly well equipped recording studios, leading to the fat guitar sounds and thudding drums, Anti-Cimex made do with what they had. The result is a raw-as-fuck production. The rhythm guitars are buried, the lead guitar is louder than everything, the bass pokes out, the drums splutter about, and the vocals blurt out at the top end. 

And that's what so fucking cool about this era of the band.

In a weird way, although the production isn't fat and meaty. Anti-Cimex's sound is powerful it's own way. For me, Raped Ass is the best Anti-Cimex ever sounded. While the later records, after much success and respect in their homeland, had flawless production. The whole aesthetic of their early years is what draws me towards them. With that said, their later records are masterful and are well worth checking out.

Call it raw-punk, D-Beat, hardcore, Swedecore, blah, blah, blah, the only real definition for this record is fuckin' rad!

Linky Link:

https://mega.co.nz/#!JZRxmSQK!IlykLAqzhgu6Z5JUaPmjGHybf3f0nU58QE_MjddPD5A

Anti-Cimex - Anarkist Attack (1982)

Anti-Cimex - Anarkist Attack (1982)

What can be said about Swedecore legends Anti-Cimex?
Not a whole fucking lot since, while their artwork is adorned on patches on punk everywhere, hardly any detailed info exists about them.

So here I go:

From Sweden with love, Anti-Cimex, apparently named after a pest-control company (Thanks Wikipedia, derp), were one of the first D-Beat bands. So what the fuck is D-Beat? Aping Discharge, that's what it is. And much like anything, the original is usually better. Unless, of course, the copy-cats bring something new to the table.

Whether or not Anti-Cimex were trying to ape Discharge directly is up to a certain
amount of speculation. Certainly a few years down the line with Raped Ass (1983)and Victims of a Bomb Raid (1984) the influence is hard to escape. But I'm sure that part of Anti-Cimex's charm is that they were amateurs. Okay, okay. Many D-Beat bands aren't really virtuoso's at their instruments. But considering that Discharge carved out their sound over a sequence of records from 80-84 (not including their demos from 77'-80) it could be argued that Anti-Cimex were doing the very same thing. Working within their means. Finding out ways to play their instruments. Creating their own unique style.

Are Anti-Cimex Dis-clones? or did they just happen to create similar music around the same time?                                                                    !!!CONSPIRACY!!!

Illuminati!: the government is trying to tell us that Discharge are the defining d-beaters because you can buy brand new reissues of their records, while the degenerate Swedes and Japs
don't bother re-issuing bcuz they are tru ponx. Gvrnment try 2 make muney frum us. Dischurge
are capitulist scums in league w/Burruk Obomba

In all seriousness, Discharge is most probably the template they were copying (especially considering they covered No TV Sketch on their demos). But what sets Anti-Cimex apart from the crowd is how they moulded their own identity within the very limited aesthetic of Discore. When you hear them, you know it's them.

Is Anti-Cimex as important as Discharge? Yes! Sure, Discharge had the fantastic, massive, impenetrable guitar sound (Particularly on 'Hear Nothing...'), the awesome production values, the great guitar-work, and general cohesive band dynamics. But Anti-Cimex, along with the related Shitlickers (as well as a host of Euro and Jap bands), were original in their own right. No 'one' band creates a genre. It takes a host of others to
make a genre what it is.

D-Beat bands take note. Stop mindlessly dis-cloning and let anything and everything influence you.

I've been rambling long enough...
Anarkist Attack is a decent record. Anti-Cimex hadn't carved out their sound yet. It would be a few years down the line with Raped Ass and Victims of a Bomb Raid where they would record their defining moments that make them so loved around the world.

Linky, Link:
https://mega.co.nz/#!UE4FDAwA!BXk_gQ0XmSRxoOV1-pjWMpEp0a88ZOUdJCivkY6YzEk

Adolf Christ - Dead Punks (Demo)

Adolf Christ - Dead Punks (Demo)

UK Satanic Edge-Crust

FFO: GISM, Amebix, Axegrinder

Adolf Christ are a malevolent force of fuck off. Forged in the flames of hell, Adolf Christ blaspheme incoherently about hell, death, and the edge. We live in hell, motherfuckers.
- Adolf Hitler 

The best demo of the year thus far. My home boys have come far! Crust Punk straight from the ghetto. We live in heaven, bothers.
-Jesus Christ