STRESS* - s/t LP 1982

RRR 10 is STRESS*, founded 1979 in Schleswig by Thorsten (vocals), Wolfgang (bass), Carsten (guitars) and Jürgen (drums) and it's not easy to describe a review. Well, for all those who like the early punk slabs of the Cologne Rock-O-Rama label (me too but there is also crap) is this album worth listening, good lyrics and musically okay. Others say the record is only boring and I quote: This record is positively laid back, the worst possible attribute for a hardcore release, the songs themselves don't show much promise, either. There are rare glimpses of potential, but they never develop into anything substantial (KFTH). I mean, the songs were recorded thirty-five years ago and don't have to hide behind today's shit called D-Punk. I think the spirit of the early days is missing and sure, I can't compare that to today, I know that too, but I think punk today has become too commercial and the music often sounds the same. Well, I'm not interested in it anyway and who gives a shit about my thoughts? Enough stupid words: the wimpy recording is fantastic, the songs nasty & refreshing, cool cover = galactic album! - For risks and side effects contact a toilet, a psychiatrist you trust or a well-tempered drink, your choice.

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RIISTETYT - Valtion Vankina 1982

I'm busy ripping records tonight and I'm working on some Hardcore stuff from Finland and I wanna post of course another classic album and I'll recommend this right now: Riistetyt - originally called Cadgers - was formed 1981 being one of the very first hardcore punk bands coming from Finland. The first Cadgers line-up did only one split 7'' with Kaaos, both bands being pioneers of hardcore in Tampere. Soon the band name was changed to Riistetyt and the next release was "Laki Ja Järjestys" EP, also released by P.Tuotanto 1982. It followed the debut album Valtion Vankina (As A Prisoners Of State) and the Skitsofrenia 12" on Propaganda Records. Prisoners Of State & the next release "Raiskattu Tulevaisuus" (Raped Future) were also pressed in Germany by not-so-reputable Rock-O-Rama Records (the band had nothing to do with that as it was a deal between Propaganda Records and Jock-O-Rama). Years 1981-1983 the band did a lot of shows around Finland and ended up on US tour 1984, at that time the line-up and the style had faced a radical change (they also had a rock band Pyhät Nuket "Holy Dolls" those days). After the US tour the band had no other solution than have a break since 1985. 1999 there was a funeral of a classic squatted house "Lepakko" in Helsinki and Riistetyt shared the stage with many other old bands from 80's like Kaaos, Terveet Kädet, Appendix etc. After that they recorded a new 7Inch with new line-up but that didn't last long and after more line-up changes there was a team that managed to play together around five years releasing more records and toured in Europe, Brazil & USA, this ensemble played 2008-2010. In the end of 2010 Jukkeli quit playing drums and Perttu re-joined drumming and the nightmare continues! The latest record "Korppien Paraati" was released 2013 on vinyl and CD. (source: Riistetyt) - Twenty-two raw + loud pure energy drinks they have recorded here and no shirt stays dry... guaranteed!!!

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APPENDIX - Money Is Not My Currency 1983

For breakfast, I serve gentle Nordic dance music from beautiful Finland and invited are: Mikki (vocals), Jaska (guitar), Tomi (bass) and Vesku (drums) = Appendix. Hailed from Pori, a small town in the western coast of Finland, and although they were not as raw, fast or chaotic as most of the other Finnish hardcore bands at the time, they undoubtedly deserve their place in the Finnish 1980’s hardcore punk history. Ei Raha Oo Mun Valuuttaa is their debut record and was released via Propaganda Records (the label for exquisite Finnish hardcore) and in Germany via Rock-O-Rama, one of the wiser decisions of the Cologne. Sixteen melodic straightforward mid-tempo punk & hardcore songs guarantee lots of wet ear orgasms. The second album, Top Of The Pops (1984), continues seamlessly with more catchy crackers and in autumn the same year the band split up. In the mid 90s Appendix has reformed and made new records/gigs but they can't reach the level of the early days... now it's time for a warm shower!

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OHL - Verbrannte Erde 1983

Fourth album by Leverkusen's finest Punk combo OHL, released via Rock-O-Rama and in the typical sound of the responsible whose name is unimportant. Verbrannte Erde is the last record where the gentlemen fourteen hearty excellent hardcore/punk songs recorded: crude, fast and with a brilliant milling, sawing guitar, before they changed their sound into a darker and tranquil direction (but gothic-rock I would not call it). Lyrically still influenced by the cold war but I think the basic structure is clear. A German punk classic in every case and in 2006 appeared a reissue by Teenage Rebel Records.

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BOOTS & BRACES - Aufrecht Gehen EP 1987

This is the debut EP by Boots & Braces, an Oi! combo from southern Germany, founded 1983 by the Walz brothers. After a few rehearsals, they found bassist Alfred, who already left in 1984 as the brothers moved to Hohenlohe. He played the first demo and a few gigs with the mates of Herbärds. Gigs in Germany and France followed and in 1986 the band expanded to include singer Ralf and shortly thereafter the first single was released. Their album "Wahnsinn" appeared 1988 on the right-wing label Rock-O-Rama and brought the band a bad aftertaste because at that time only shit bands appeared on the Cologne label (although the band has no political statements in its lyrics, it was assigned to the right-wing rock due to the former label-affiliation to Rock-O-Rama and performances with well-known nazi bands. From the mid-1990s onwards they tried to get rid of their "right reputation as a band". The band explained in interviews not to be interested in politics, but they wanted to exclude anyone from the start. Political phrases of any kind would not be tolerated at concerts). After the release Alex quit again but with 16-year-old Martin they found a new guitarist, which leads Matze changing to the bass. More records + gigs followed and currently the band is pausing. In any case on this record are three fine Oi! classics which bring fun.

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DIE ALLIIERTEN - Ruhm & Ehre 1982

I think, this is one of the first Oi! records which was released in Germany and Rock-O-Rama had a good hand here, RRR 15 is a nice slab by Die Alliierten from Wuppertal with fourteen cool classics and at this time perhaps a small wake-up call to the scene, I came to punkrock only four years later and therefore I don't know much about the relations between Skinheads and Punx. What I know for sure, the music of the Alliierten is quite clear Punkrock and Skinheads are not fascists! I'm always wondering about the boneheads who call themselves Skins and carry perrys and try to be smart but this is a lie and has nothing to do with it. Well, the media also contribute a lot of shit and they must know it. Anyway...fact is, Ruhm & Ehre is a very good record and a not unimportant one.

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COMBAT 84 - Tooled Up EP 2009

Now a band which provided for a lot jabbering in the press although in my opinion they made clear that they are no fascists: Combat 84 was founded in London by Chris (vocals), 'Deptford' John (bass), Jim (guitar) and Brownie (drums) and a contract with Secret Records was within reach but didn't come because Chris probably gave some racist utterances, which I do not know exactly, but today as then, the masses are quick to interpret it as they want. So the band sign to Victory Records and 1982 their first EP 'Orders Of The Day' came out. 'Rapist' followed a year later and the German label Rock-O-Rama released in 1984 the full-length 'Send In The Maines', today a rare and coveted collector's item (the record was disowned by the band, which split up soon after), I sold mine. Years with bans from clubs and nervous interviews brought the guys almost at the edge of sanity but they don't give up and in 2000 they are back with five new tracks, first as CD then 2009 as vinyl on their own label 7th Cavalry Records released. I mean, Combat 84 are one of the few Oi! bands who know what they want and say what they feel, freedom of speech is as important as respect. Chris died on 31. October 2013 after a long period of deteriorating health. So in this file are all their three 7Inches, Cheers!

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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CHAOS Z - 45 Jahre Ohne Bewährung 1995

When this new album of my favorite band from Stuttgart Chaos Z was announced that time, I was absolutely excited. Ohne Gnade, the hardcore masterpiece from 1982 on Rock-O-Rama (the best record of this label) was an eternity ago and everyone knows that the band is now called Fliehende Stürme. 45 Jahre is complete written & recorded by Andreas Löhr, brother Thomas unfortunately died during this time, and has the fresh energy of which other bands of the 90s can only dream about. Critical statements packed in thirteen hits. As far as I can remember, the CD was released first because otherwise I would have the vinyl, 100%ig. As a small bonus, I added the two goodies from the Punkinvasion II compilation in this file. Now I have to open a beer... Salute!

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OHL - s/t EP 1981

Shitty coldy weather here, it seems as if it's raining now. So let's go on and fill the blog with more rarities. Here is the first OHL record which was released on the now scum Rock-O-Rama label and you could praise this as a crazy German-punk classic, a bit mushy and with calm guitars but melodious songs (the back cover says "Take" recordings, hmmm..). Three unpolished and rough lovesongs from Deutscher W & Co. and they show how brute the early years of OHL were before they went into a more darker sound (listen to their Jenseits Von Gut & Böse album for example). Nevertheless, the hatred in the voice of the singer Deutscher W (W stands for resistance or wealth?) is fuckin' impressive and the style is consistently continued on the following albums. Not everyone's cup of tea I think, but for me are OHL as well one of the important bands of German punkrock and their stuff is still worth listening to, perhaps out of date but zappy.

- Huge Thx to Reinhard -

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VOMIT VISIONS - Punks Are The Old Farts Of Today EP 1980

Sorry for the delay but I was looking a bloody long time for this shit but here it is, the first Rock-O-Rama release: the Vomit Visions EP. "Very good punk of the Vomit Visions of Germany: ultra-fast, ultra hard, absolute rubbish music, of which there are now really too little." (Sounds 1/1982). To me just only cult! Because they come from my hometown, so it's my damn must to post this on wdthtc. Four excellent low-fi smasher and the best German punk record ever, I still have one more 7inch which I post sometime.

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THE LAST WORDS - s/t LP 1980

This nugget is a damn highlight on vinyl in my opinion, the only full length by the Last Words - an early punk band from Sydney/Australia - which was released via Armageddon records. They played + recorded in Sydney and London from 1977 to 1980. The band comprised Malcolm Baxter (vocals), Andy Groome (guitar), Leigh Kendall (bass) and John Gunn (drums). The band's first single, 'Animal World' had a cult following. The band were among the first who experiment with dub music, recording with Adrian Sherwood in 1980. Discover thirteen excellent mid-tempo punk tunes with dirty guitars, clean voice, simple chords and in an reasonable length and so should punk sounding, it must not always fast & aggressive... the absolute killer track at the end of the record is the circa nine minute cover of Jefferson Airplane's 'White Rabbit', simply delicious, you must listen to this... Perhaps to mention: In 1979 Kendall played guitar on the Punks Are The Old Farts Of Today EP (Rock-O-Rama Records RRR 001) by German punx Vomit Visions (could post it if anyone is interested) beginning a series of collaborations between members of the two bands... real obliquely! Well, enough useless words. Interesting: a retrospective album called The Last Words 1977-1980 was released in 2007 on Retro Records.

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OUR NEIGHBORS SUCK - Isolation 1985

After a very long time I have devoted my full attention to this record again. There are few Rock-O-Rama plates that I really like (approximately the first thirty releases) but the rest are scum. Well, now I'm landed on Isolation and after listening once I must say that ONS play a good hardcore rail. The sound here is a bit weak and so the songs lose their power but why they choose this German label is another story. Here's a short review: "Most of the songs by the Arizona-based band are in the medium-paced punk vein, with a few slower or more rapid-fire. The production sound is thick here and, combined with their rock influences, makes for a lot of listening. Not awesome, but well done. Question remains though why they chose this label often accused by German punks of pro-Nazi connections." - Tim Yohannan (from Maximum Rocknroll #33, February 1986) Well, nothing special but not that bad either.

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DER FLUCH - s/t LP 1982

Side projekt of Deutscher W, lead singer of OHL, which were founded 1981 in Leverkusen. Their early sound is a bit Influenced by bands like The Cramps and Meteors but naturally OHL. The first album was released in 1982 on Rock-O-Rama and that same year the Gesandten Des Grauens 12'' plus three goodies on the 'Die Deutschen Kommen' comp. After that the band disappeared for twelve years until 1994, then comes the album 'Für Immer' out and the music became harder and the lyrics are still influenced by the British Hammer and horror B-movies. In 1994 they were represented with Betet Für Uns on the Godfathers of German Gothic compilation and thus pays tribute to the influence of Der Fluch on the German Gothic-Rock scene. Until 2002 they published three albums. The band is still acitve, but plays only sporadically live. I like those early tunes and I think these are the best recordings from Der Fluch, pretty minimalistic and very catchy. Today rarities, at that time they were laughed. So kann's gehen, nicht wahr. In this file are the songs of the 12" included. The envoys of horror ask for the dance, don't let them wait!

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BRUTAL VERSCHIMMELT - s/t LP 1983

One proper release on Rock-O-Rama is the only record of Brutal Verschimmelt, active from 1980-1984 the band was founded in Kempten and wrote rock history in the local scene. The quartet captivated with an incredibly rude, rough punk sound, the constant obtained mainly with the twelve songs on the self-titled debut album for posterity. In 1980, Carlo Kallen, along with school friends, founded the band Adolf Streit & Die NS Verbrecher, renamed in Psychorotz and finally Brutal Verschimmelt. First concerts took place in the Allgäu region with B.Trug. B.Trug had at that time a record deal with Rock-O-Rama from Brühl and mediated also Brutal Verschimmelt there. A demo was sent to Herbert Egoldt who took the band under contract. Egoldt invited the band in May 1983 to Cologne where they recorded their debut album in 16 hours. Egoldt himself produced the LP. A self-designed record covers with an antiwar collage was rejected by Egoldt and replaced by a skeleton warrior with mohawk who fights against a kind of monster. In the insert the lyrics of the band were not printed, presumably because Egoldt already flirted at this time with the nazi rock market. The band find out about it during the submission of their 100 free copies. Then they smeared these LPs and deposited with a supplement, in which they agreed to. Shortly after the release of their debut album, the band broke up after drummer Franz got out and the band find no substitute. Carlo Kallen later played in the Ewings, Chili Confetti and Die Üblichen. Over the years, the album became a wanted rarity. The album was launched in 1990 for a second time without the band was informed. In January 2013 re-released as a double-LP called Und Die Zukunft Ist Doch Rot on Höhnie Records which contains the album, the demo tape and a live recording of 25.February 1982. On the occasion of this re-issue three original members decided in June 2013 to go on tour for nine events in Germany. That's the story so far and now hark to this legendary sound pleasure.

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OHL - Jenseits Von Gut & Böse 1986

Formed January 1980 in Leverkusen by singer under the stage name "German W" (W stands for "resistance"). Four years after the start of the punk wave in the U.K. was OHL one of the first German punk bands. OHL, an acronym for Supreme Army Command were one of the pioneers of German punk. The band is due to their political texts and iconography throughout their military record covers as controversial. After a self-distributed cassette Herbert Egoldt paid attention to the band and produced two EPs and their first LP "Heimatfront" on his label Rock-O-Rama. The band was, like most punk bands, fierce, uncompromising and provocative. Lyrically polemic against both the radical left and the radical right, mixed with a wild and hard sound are OHL a perfect example of German hardcore punk. "Jenseits Von Gut & Böse" is a no hard hitting political punk album like the previous ones but its still the most mature work of this period. May you be surprised but I promise you this is real OHL and this pretty record should be in every record collection.

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