Get A Spirit

This dropped through the mailbox the other day and once again I scratch my head as to why Speedowax Records aren't the biggest record label in the hardcore and heavy music world.

Get A Grip/Spirits - S/T

So as they are billed first let's start with the Get A Grip side of this 7" release. Yes, yes and yes!!! That's all I can say really, fast frantic short blasts of hardcore just how I like it. One of the bands listed in their description on the Speedowax site was Outbreak and I can definately hear that. This whizzed by in what seemed like seconds and I was absolutely left wanting more.

I'd been wanting to hear Spirits for a while as they have been creating a bit of a buzz and have featured on a few blogs I read with strong praise. When the first track hits I can definately see why, melodic hardcore with the right mix of singing and shouting, very good indeed. The following tracks I'm not quite as enamored with though, the second track was fairly bog standard stuff and the third track a moody sung affair just doesn't do it for me. I have a sneaky feeling these tracks might have come from when the band were finding their sound and the later stuff is more in keeping with the first track or maybe the tracks make more sense in context of a LP or live show but for me it kinda sounded like three different bands. If the rest of their stuff is like the first track though then I'm definately in.

This record is on 'Skittles' vinyl out of 125. There's also another 125 on 'honey' vinyl.

Fire!!

Seeing Marcus post this up earlier this week reminded me I hadn't got round to posting this up either. Not that there aren't a load of records I haven't posted about but it brought this to the front of the pile at least.

Boston Strangler - Fire

I remember when this came out what seems like an eternity ago now, I felt pretty pleased with myself for being on the ball for once and nabbing a copy. Yes!! I wasn't gonna get caught up in the hysteria that was to follow, only it didn't follow. Like most, I don't know what happened, I presume loads were pressed and the hype had fizzled out on the band.

I was really underwhelmed by this record, it's decent enough. But it's Boston Strangler doing the exact same thing they did on the first record. The cover is even the same, give or take the 'fire'. There's just nothing to get excited about. Who knows, given time this might get a spin and really come to life.

Trapped Under The Running Board

Two 7's here that I'm posting together for no real reason other than they were on the side next to each other.

Dillinger Escape Plan - Under The Running Board

I love early Dillinger Escape Plan, so chaotic and manic yet completely genius. The band lose me by the time the new singer comes in on Miss Machine and I haven't cared for anything since but the early stuff is great. I picked this up off eBay, it's got a really nice look to it actually that is hard to see in the photo, kind of a sepia quality to the thing that makes it look really nice.

Trapped Under Ice / Dirty Money - Split

This 7" inch has been a bit of a conundrum. I have the A389 Records version and in actual fact I've owned this Dead & Gone version before. Story goes that I bought it at a TUI show in Sheffield around the time it came out and then promptly lost it. I've subsequently bought it twice since but it's been 'lost in the post'. I really did think I was destined to never own this version and it was cursed till I took a final chance and bought it off Discogs a while ago. Finally!

RSD 2015

I don't physically bother with Record Store Day, not for any reason like 'major labels cashing in' or the dorks in the queue, I've just realised that every year I can get the very few releases I want after the event. Maybe it's just my part of the world but they just don't seem to sell out on the day.

 So it was with confidence I strolled to the record store nearly two weeks after RSD and picked up the release I definitely wanted and the one I was gonna get if it was still there.

Better Than A Thousand - Just One

This was the one release I did really want 

Better Than A Thousands Just One on Red vinyl. A good time to pick it up on vinyl I reckon.

Death By Stereo - If Looks Could Kill, I'd Watch You Die

Death By Stereo are one of those bands that I liked this debut album on Indecision but I've just never bothered to check out anything else by them since. They might be shit on subsequent releases, they might be brilliant, I honestly have no idea, I should find out really

Anyway, RSD 2015 threw up a good excuse to pick this up on clear vinyl. There was also copies on white vinyl

My True Colors

Just had a good old fashioned bedroom mosh to this shit, complete with stage dive no less. My lady was less keen to replicate it, despite my encouragement when she walked into the room and caught me. I dunno maybe in my mid thirtys I should be more ashamed than I am when caught by the wife windmilling around the room haha 

True Colors - Perspective

Red and white vinyl on Powered Records. 425 made for the second pressing.

Other than the Focus On The Light LP this is the only other True Colors release I own - lame!!

Leeds Hardcore

It's all about the UK in hardcore at the minute and it's good to see another band from Leeds getting some love on both sides of the pond.

Shrapnel - Frenzied State

Quality Control Records do some brilliant layouts to go with their stellar releases and this is no different here. 320grm matte sleeve with a hole at one side and a big insert. Sweet!!!

This is the white vinyl version out of 200.

In the U.S, Triple B Records handled the release. 

Sleeve and layout wise it's a bit overshadowed by the UK labels effort but it's still quality non the less.

Only managed to get the black vinyl release of this, truth be told I was just gonna make do with the UK press but Quality Control got some of these in too so I struck whilst I could. Quality Breakdown inspired UKHC!!

Still Down

Just a load of random records ive picked up over the last month or so.

Vision Of Disorder - Still

Truth be told I don't know why I felt the need to buy this record. I mean I know it like the back of my hand and have like three versions of the 7" release. But when I realised this was being released on 12" for the first time for the 20th anniversary I couldn't help myself. Love V.O.D!!

200 copies of this ridiculously described Grey Vinyl with Aqua Blue, Halloween Orange, and Black Splatter.

Rotting Out - The Wrong Way

Loved the bands Street Prowl effort from a couple of years ago but it took me an age to get round to nabbing a copy of this record. Think this is supposed to be 'hot pink' vinyl but it just looks red to me. 800 on this colour anyway.

I see from the back cover the band are still rocking their own merch...these guys just don't give a fuck!

Into Another - Ignaurus

Carry on there's nothing to see here, didn't have this record on wax so picked up the reissue from a while ago.

108 - 18.61

It takes a brave band/label to use the much overlooked bile colour vinyl. They've tried to throw us off the scent if you will by calling it 'Opaque Green' but who are they kidding? 700 pressed

I like this record though, so it's good to have it join the record collection.

Integrity - Those Who Fear Tommorow

My Integrity record collection is pretty poor even in the LP section without even delving into the bands 7" output. I dunno, just another band that I had their releases on previous formats and haven't gotten round to replacing yet.

This dark blue press is of 225 and is from the third pressing of the record.

Praise - Lights Went Out

It took me ages to pick this record up and when I finally did only black remained . Ah well, cracking record though.

Hounds of Hate - S/T

Same could be said for this one. Another record that I just didn't get round to buying for so long. Another great record too, maybe in a year or so I'll get round to getting the release after this one too.

The First Step - What We Know

This is an absolute classic. I think this is a first press on solid blue of 850.

I hadn't listened to this for a good few years till I picked this copy up. Had almost forgotten how good it is.

Know The Score - All Or Nothing

I don't know where I first heard this band or how I came to have a CD version of this record back in like 2007 or so. But I liked it back then and still like it now. All or Nothing compiles all the bands released material. I still know nothing about them.

What's not to like layout wise?? Hardcore - more hot chicks please