THE DARK - The Masque 7'' 1982

I think The Masque was the Dark's last 7Inch and features two fantastic tracks, released via Fresh Records. Well, what else can I say? They are well known in the UK Punk scene and you have probably come across them, especially they've been on a lot of Compilations which aren't always great records, and mostly with this title track. Why do people do this? Probably to make money, I guess. And whether the band gets anything out of it is equally questionable. Well, life stinks and later I'm on a short trip to Cologne, let's see what's going on there, invited to the company party.

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FEELING B - Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa 1989

Today we're turning on the time machine and enjoying a short trip to a totalitarian state that held its people captive, screwed everyone over, and made it difficult to live a decent life there, at least if you didn't like the system. I bought this record for a bargain at a flea market, and it's the debut of Berlin's Feeling B. A bit info: The band was founded in early 1983 by Rompe as a solo singer-songwriter project Feeling Berlin, but after the addition of Kriening and Landers it was shortened to Feeling B because a band called Feeling Berlin already existed. They started out firmly grounded in the underground Punk scene. As early as the end of 1983, the band was in possession of a so-called "Einstufung," which, at least in principle, allowed concerts throughout the German Democratic Republic without reprisals. Over time, Feeling B's popularity grew greatly and frontman Aljoscha Rompe (1947–2000), a Swiss living in East Berlin, supplied the vocals to the band's songs. Rompe, Paul (guitars) and keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz were the only consistent members throughout the band's history. At various times, the band included bassist Christoph Zimmermann and drummers Alexander Kriening & Christoph "Doom" Schneider. Landers, Lorenz, and Schneider later found fame with Rammstein. First Arsch drummer and future Rammstein singer Till Lindemann participated once with Feeling B for the song "Lied Von Der Unruhevollen Jugend", an interpretation of a Russian communist song, for which he is credited on the album Hea Hoa Hoa Hea Hea Hoa. Landers contributed guitar to First Arsch's 1992 album Saddle Up. Lindemann and Landers, as members of Rammstein, performed this song live in St. Petersburg & Moscow in 2001, during that band's 'Mutter' tour. On 9 November 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell, Feeling B was performing in West Berlin as part of a gig endorsed by the socialist government in order to promote the eastern side. Flake noticed some friends among the crowd that wouldn't normally be able to be there and was informed of the collapse of the wall. The band was unable to return home that night because all the holes through the wall were so crowded. Feeling B released two albums following the fall of the Wall, Wir Kriegen Euch Alle (1991) + Die Maske Des Roten Todes (1993), both more successful than their predecessor, according to Flake. The group disbanded in the mid-1990s. On special occasions, the band members got together for individual concerts at Punk festivals, until Rompe died in November 2000 of an asthma attack at 53 years old. Zimmermann died in a plane crash in 1999. Eventually, Lorenz re-discovered tapes of old and partial unreleased recordings. This unreleased material and remixes of some already known songs were released as Grün & Blau in 2007. Their mix of Punk, fun, and amateurism appeals to me rather cautiously, I prefer fast, dirty, and direct, but they lived this style extremely convincingly.

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V/A - Afrika Corps 1983

A mix of established and lesser-known South African bands is a great opener for September and this nice Compilation was originally released on cassette by french label Western Front Tapes in 1983. Compiled by Rubin ‘wildman’ Rose, it features, in addition to the well-known bands of that period - Wild Youth (South Africa's first Punkrock band, formed in 1978 and Rubin Rose's group), Leopard, Gay Marines (both among the very first bands of the scene) and Powerage (from Durban, on the scene since 1981) - lesser-known names with almost non-existent discographies but certainly worthy of being brought to light today. Those selection gave a broader and clearer picture of what it meant to be a Punk band in the apartheid years and the recordings are very authentic and reflect brilliantly the difficulties of getting usable recordings in comfortable studios. So this tape is been re-released by Shout It Loud, and I believe this label is focused of rare international gems of the early days, having already released five nuggets and I'll keep an eye on them.

1.Record Co’s - WILD YOUTH

2.Girls Who Love Me - ULTRA WHITE LOVERS

3.Into The Gutter - DEAD BABIES

4.Your Gen. Make Me Sick - GAY MARINES

5.Pratical Solution - WILD JUSTICE

6.All Is Plastic - PRIVATE FILE

7.Action-Man - WILD YOUTH

8.World War 3 - POWERAGE

9.No Return - GAY MARINES

10.Surf Rebels - ROTORS

11.Is This Your Own Life - WARSPIKE

12.Boys & Bitches - LEOPARD

13.Cars And Girls - ULTRA WHITE LOVERS

14.Terrorist Attack - WARSPIKE

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WARFARE - Mayhem, Fuckin' Mayhem 1986

I still remember the torn MetalHammer review from back then, and it said, and I quote: "This album is only for brewery owners and Tankard fans." I immediately thought, I like both and I have to buy the record, the reviewer is an idiot and no matter what he says, they've already made two great albums, so the next one can't be crap. I like it when those morons screw up an LP, then it gets interesting for me. So here we go.... Warfare brings back very good memories that are still etched in my mind and listening to them is always a joy and pleasure for me. Formed in the early Eighties by drummer and vocalist Evo, who was previously associated with the Blood. The band's sound is a blend of Punk and Metal, often categorized as speed or thrash metal, with a raw and aggressive edge. Warfare's debut album Pure Filth (still coming) was released in 1984 and produced by Lemmy  (R.I.P.), which helped to establish their presence in the Metal scene. Their second masterpiece "Metal Anarchy" followed in 1985 and this bloody bastard, the third one Mayhem Fuckin' Mayhem (Falken on bass left and was replaced by Zlaughter) came out in 1986, again on Neat Records, and continued to build on their reputation for high-energy music with a fine Punk attitude. Throughout their career, Warfare has been known for their uncompromising sound and have maintained a cult following among fans of the heavier subgenres of metal. For me this is the last good Warfare album, after this they sound a bit too weak and without ideas like a fucking grey day in November. Anyway, eleven gems that will brighten up your day and that's all that matters, must listen!!

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IMPACT - Attraverso L'Involucro 12'' 1986

A band whose debut split single I posted many years ago and which I have now come across again follows now and it is a fantastic 12Inch by Impact from Ferrara on Blu Bus and this seven goodies are rip roaring Italian Hardcore at it's fucking best, First a short review: Jolting, mind-blowing HC in the great Italian tradition which will bowl you over. Tempo changes galore, amazingly great production, and impassioned “us vs. them” lyrics. Brain-shattering music from the heart, get it! (Walter Glaser, MRR #50 • July 1987) Their sound really doesn't need more words and I enjoy using reviews, because I'm sometimes too lazy for them myself. I already said a few words about the band bio at the 7Inch post but you will find some interesting founding details from drummer Gigo within. A solid start, I think, and today the kitchen stays cold. It's Museumsuferfest again, and I might make an appearance there sometime, but not until later. Cheers!

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... BUT ALIVE - Sog EP 1994

Hamburg: lively Punk city of the early years and a variety of excellent bands are at home here, including ...But Alive and they were one of the few combos in the Nineties that managed to avoid slipping into apoliticality. No political rhetoric, no MTV clowning and their critique of the system remained tough and precise. They hate the state of all-knowing coolness that regards any thought of revolt as a disused embarrassment. And they do this not with the index, but with the middle finger and just say what needs to be said. Sog contains four tracks and was released in three versions via Weird System after the first album, and all of them are excellent milestones, especially 'Scheiße Erkennen' is one of my favorite songs, the lyrics aren't even that important for me, it's more about people who aren't what they seem to be and recognizing that is sometimes painful and incomprehensible. A shitty experience of course, and letting go isn't sometimes easy but as the saying goes: GOODBYE SETS YOU FREE! Well, at the end of 1999 the band announced their dissolution on their website: they had developed in different directions, musically and personally. I would also like to mention that the cover was designed by the American artist Eric Drooker, for whom he also designed the first three albums.

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A Little Snack!

Uhhhh, that's easily enough for three days... you can see what my fridge has to offer (besides Äppler). I conjured up a delicious turkey pan with zucchini, onions and tomato sauce, seasoned with salt, pepper, curry and Italian herbs, but be careful, don't make it too spicy as I like it. I drank a bit of Äppler and listened to the rain and WDM 016. What more could your heart for? Have fun cooking!

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DEPROGRAMMER - Discipline EP 1980

It's weekend, and I have some peace and no appointments, so I'll see what I can come up with today. A rare record that was original released without a sleeve will kick things off and this beauty came via At Last Records and it's the debut 7Inch from Deprogrammer, a short-lived combo from Texas but moved to Los Angeles, and here with female vocals by Nina, who unfortunately wasn't part of the subsequent recordings. Three catchy mid-tempo hymns which are already stinging because of their length and Nina with her passionate voice also raises the songs considerably to the upper level of smooth sounds. I can definitely say it's not a typical LA Punk record, just different and very interesting. Another single and an album followed - you know where to click for that - and unfortunately I can't provide any further information because there isn't any, and in 1980 I was at home. They weren't on any Compilations back then and the Bootlegs they're on have always the same song and that's a bit stupid. Now I treat myself to the fridge and look what's hidden there.

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W.D.M. - Democracy? EP 1985

Tonight a combo with my initials and I'll tell you right away, they weren't my namesake. W.D.M. (World Disarmament Movement) was a five piece from Jakobstad and consisted of Snoro (vocals), Jani (guitars), Jari (bass), Kaitsu (drums), Rape (synth) and they made three 7Inches in their short lifespan and this is the second, I think, and a lot of Compi contributions (check the blog for this) were also managed. Well, when music from the north of Europe is mentioned, it is usually intense and uncompromising. That's exactly what this little record offers us, with its seven or eight fast-paced chocolate pieces and if you can spend fifteen minutes of your valuable time, use it and enjoy the loud, dirty sound of W.D.M. that rumbles like the thunderstorm above me. A review: Containing all the good characteristics of Finnish hardcore, this young band is coming into its own. Powerful and tight, this release has fine production that accentuates their wild vocals with neat echoes and underscores the fine guitar work. Excellent, with both thrash and slower tunes. (Tim Yohannan, MRR #26 • July 1985) and if that's not enough, you have to hear it!

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INGRON HUTLÖS - Necrophilian Hits EP 1984

Ingron Hutlös were a short lived four piece from Karlshamn and consisted of Gill (vocals/guitar), Janne (guitar/vocals), Jonte (bass), Micke (drums) and this is their only self-released 7Inch with four trashy numbers. Info: "When the band Ingron Hutlös was formed in the spring of 1982, the members were in eighth and ninth grade respectively. Like most in Karlshamn, the Rockslaget association and their gigs had a great impact on the teenagers. None of the members had played before, so who would play what was less important. They slowly started jamming, or what to call the noise that arose when the members fumbled around on their instruments. But soon they came up with a song with the appropriate name “Ge Upp!” Something they definitely didn’t intend to do after creating this musical masterpiece.

After some time in the garage at drummer Micke’s parents’ house, they moved down to the basement at Musikforum where they had access to equipment and avoided angry neighbors who didn’t understand the music that Ingron Hutlös created. Through Musikforum they also got the opportunity to be on stage in front of a live audience. As the third band out before the hard rockers Parasite and the visiting Gothenburg band Viva, Ingron Hutlös made their debut. You might think it was strange that the band chose Musikforum instead of Rockslaget, but Rockslaget was largely driven by the zealot Kheiwe Axelsson, and when he passed away, the air went out of the association. At Musikforum, Ingron Hutlös were seen as a bit of an oddball, but were appreciated by the older and more educated/progressive musicians for their “youthful” drive and energy. Musically, they embraced American Hardcore instead of British raw Punk. The band was even accused by other Punks of playing too fast and too loud.

In 1983, they decided to record a few songs on a demo, these recordings later ended up on various Compilations and cassettes. The following year, it was time for their debut album. An EP that was actually supposed to be shared with Arroganta Agitatorer ended up being their own EP “Necrophilin Hits”. It can also be mentioned that when Sound Pollution did a second pressing of the EP and sent some copies of the album together with Mob 47's "Nuclear Attack" to the big country in the west, the package was stopped at American customs because of the cover of Ingron's EP. So neither Ingron Hutlös nor Mob 47 made it to the American distributor.

After the recording of the EP, Janne disappeared to Australia for a year. Manfred Dornhäuser from Nyx Negativ was his replacement. They continued to play out at home in Karlshamn and in other places in southern Sweden. They also recorded what became the band's last demo. When Janne returned, the band briefly became a quintet before going their separate ways due to different musical visions. The last gig was with D.O.A. - Patrik Gill then joined Marie Celeste, Manfred withdrew and the others continued under the name Sonic Love." (source: punktjafs) In 2024, a Compilation called Flogging A Dead Corpse was released on PukeNVomit Records, featuring the EP and demos from 1983 and 1985.

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