Ministry - Twitch

I drove into the city yesterday to have a late lunch, and decided to take my time going back to Queens because that rush hour traffic here is always so fucking ridiculous! So, I drove down to Generation in hopes to find the 1999 street punk classic, “Riot Riot Upstart” by Agnostic Front, but they had no copies available. I’ve been bumping that album so much lately and I definitely still want it in my collection. I think my next review will be an honest critique of that album (there are so many feels on that release, dead ass). 

Anyway, I started to do some digging because I never leave Generation without picking something up. The thing I love about Generation is that every artist I like is categorized by genre and by name. I walked over to the 80’s alternative and new wave section, and under the 'MINISTRY' tab, I found a 2014 repress of my favorite Ministry record, “Twitch”. I jumped on that because it definitely needed to be in my collection. I personally feel it is the most important industrial album out there. 

Originally released in March '86 on Sire Records, this album brought us a new sound from Ministry who had previously released a few singles on Wax Trax and the legendary synth-pop record “With Sympathy”.  "Twitch" was produced by Al Jourgensen and Adrian Sherwood (producer of Depeche Mode's "People are People" and "Master and Servant"), so it is only natural to expect an all-around heavy-hitter of a record here. Al Jourgensen blessed the fans with hard-hitting, darkened drum samples which would end up playing a big role in how bands like Nine Inch Nails or Nitzer Ebb would sound in the years that followed. 

From the jump, the song "Just Like You" opens up with a sound similar to a machine gun going off, and then that bass line kicks in and it sends chills throughout my entire body. It's also the first political song for Ministry which should go on to shape the dynamic and theme for what the band would become down the line. "We Believe" is the second track and it psychologically puts me in a foggy goth nightclub. While "With Sympathy" gets my body moving, this track gets it moving in a different and gloomier way.  "All Day (remix)" is a reworked version of "All Day", which was the original A-side to Ministry's Wax Trax single (B-sided with "Halloween"). It gives off the OG synth-pop vibes Jourgensen experimented with previously, but with more aggressive sampling. "The Angel" was the first track I heard form "Twitch" when I first started getting into their stuff that wasn't metal. Beat-wise, it reminds me of NIN's "Sanctified" but without the heavier parts in the chorus. Jourgensen's vocals are very low, as if he was singing a jazz track (big feels on this one). It used to be my go to Ministry track until I heard the B-side to this record.

Side B opens up with my favorite song, "Over The Shoulder". This is the song that prompted me to ask my boy Alex if I could buy his sampler. While I still don't have the slightest clue on how to do anything with it (hey I'm trying), I believe that anyone with an interest in electronic music needs to listen to this song as soon as possible. You've probably already heard it because it was the hit off this record. Jourgensen's vocals on this track are so weird in the best way possible, and I can really feel the emotion he put into his lyrics. "My Possession" has the same vocal style that Jourgensen used in "The Angel", and it is definitely the one that makes me want to drive really fast. It has a bouncy sound and some really catchy noises. It's a great track to segue into the final part of this album, a 12 plus minute medley of fast industrial madness, "Where You At Now/Crash and Burn/Twitch(version II)". This song is a great closer because it goes on for a while and it's hard to keep track of how many sounds are going on. Another cool thing about it is you can follow a sound and see where it takes you. It is definitely the go to zone out/get high jam on "Twitch", while also being another fast driving jam. 

Through and through, "Twitch" is heavily inspirational to me and musical taste. I prefer a darker sound when it comes to electronic and industrial music. While the synth-pop stuff is great, it is a bit outdated so this album really helps me cope when I'm having a weird day. It is a good escape from reality and shield definitely be played at the highest volume possible. Without this record, industrial music would be very different. 

If you enjoy "Twitch" I would also recommend "Broken" by Nine Inch Nails, "Big Sexy Land' by Revolting Cocks, and "Naïve" by KMFDM.

9.5 Years Later

I started this blog about ten years ago. The goal at the time was to positively review music I was into that I felt needed to be shared with the world. A lot has changed since then, but I feel it is time for some fresh, new reviews. There are so many new bands in the punk and hardcore scene that deserve some attention, so I will definitely try and give it my best shot. I may not be the best writer, but hey… maybe I’ll get better with time! I might just share other things too (food related stuff, shit that happens in the Rotten Apple, and even new shirts I pick up) 

That being said, if you’re reading this, shoot me a message if you want me to review something you like as well. As I get older, I notice myself becoming more critical, but I will do my best not to throw too much shade at bands doing their thing. 

Hank Wood & The Hammerheads - Go Home LP

Twelve songs of insanity. If you haven't heard this record yet, there's seriously something wrong with you. Unfortunately, The Hammerheads are no more as of last week. They played their last show last Tuesday (9/11/2012) at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn with Hysterics, Rational Animals, and Subclinix. The lineup was there in full effect, as their percussionist and keyboardist were both present. The show was pretty solid, and I left Saint Vitus smelling like beer; it was a good, ol' rowdy time. Overall, the show was an 8/10; as I wished they played two songs; "Fever Breaks" and "I'm Hungry". Anyway, this is a review of their LP by yours truly.

"Go Home" was released by Toxic State Records just a few months ago, and it features twelve of the grooviest songs to ever come out of New York City. The Hammerheads seriously outdid themselves on this release. Some songs have keyboards, some have cowbells, and others have both. Some songs are fast, some are slow, but every song on this album is worth listening to. I feel the band had some relevant topics of discussion for this album; some of which include dealing with life from a middle to lower class perspective, and/or being subjected to a world of bullshit by the authorities and people that aren't from New York City (both seem to be equally annoying). We hear these themes in Hank Wood's lyrics for songs like "It's Hard on the Street" and "My House". Following "It's Hard on the Street" comes a tune called "Don't Look At Me" which is followed by a song called "Don't Walk Away From Me". Putting the two songs back to back really shows that some folks don't really know what they want; something we deal with everyday.

I don't really want to spoil the whole album, but as I mentioned before, this raw LP has everything for a good, old fashioned "garage-punk" release. My favorite songs would have to be "Snide...Petty...Fools" and "I Don't See Nothin'". "I Don't See Nothin'" tells the listener how Hank Wood just senses digression in society today; whether it be in music, the people around him, the media, and the police state we live in. Hank Wood also points out that he would much rather be alone than to come into contact with any of these ordeals that he is forced to deal with on a regular basis. The song is supposed to be a message to everyone that isn't from this city, and to those who are forcing ideas down other people's throats. The song "I Don't Play Games", actually opens up with a sample from Ghostbusters II in which the mayor says "Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorker's god-given right."

I'm seriously going to miss this band. They were probably one of the only bands that kept things real and true to themselves and to their music. This may be the end of the Hammerheads, but I seriously hope this isn't the end of Hank Wood.

Also check out: Dawn of Humans, Violent Future, Night Birds. I'm happy that they're the only band that sounds like them, but check those bands out as well. If you want to hear some original "garage-punk" bands listen to The Gun Club and The Stooges.

DOWNLOAD (Katorgaworks; Mediafire)

What is your favorite "pot smoking" album?

Mine is Youth of Today's "We're Not In This Alone". What is yours? I want to discover new sounds while I'm high and I definitely want to review it. Keep me posted folks.

Intent - No Rules Demo

Watch out for these guys within the next year or so. This band features members of Free Spirit, Mob Mentality, and Rival Mob... so you already know what you're in for. The "No Rules Demo" has three tracks that are fast, hard, and to the point.

"My Point Of View" is the opening track, and it's pretty sweet. "Set It Straight" has to be my favorite song off of this demo because it's a song in regards to keepin' it real. We all hate dealing with people who cross us in some way, shape, or form so this song is for those who need a reality check. "Friendship" closes the demo with one minute and forty five seconds of fast hardcore madness.

Overall, I would say to check this out as fast as you can. If you're digging for an old school sound, then these guys are your buried treasure. FFO: DYS, Youth Of Today, The Wrong Side, The Boston Strangler

DOWNLOAD FROM TOXICBREED

Back To Back (TX) - Demo('10) and Live at Mango's

When David first told me about this band I thought he was linking me to the 'Back To Back' label page, but I was wrong. Back To Back is a Houston hardcore/punk band, and they know what they're doing. I've been listening to their songs since I woke up, and I'm impressed that hardcore bands like this are still on the right track.

Their 2010 Demo sounds like something fresh out out the oven. The demo has five songs, and I wish there were more. The lyrics on this demo stick with that hardcore mentality which is good because a lot of these bands nowadays are just about X-Rated Swatches and perfect hair (I will not name names, but go to your average hardcore show). This demo has enough energy to come out of my speakers and slap me in the face.

Friends is the first track off the demo. Its lyrics pertain to togetherness and always being there for each other. Always keeping the faith, just as Raybeez requested.

Fact and Fiction is a song about knowing where you stand. This song tells the listener to stay true to yourself, and to never judge others; especially when it isn't necessary to.

Back To Back is one of my favorite band/title songs, and I love that this came as the third song as opposed to the first or last song on the demo. It lets us know that Back To Back means business. It's about not changing on your friends or turning your back on them; especially when someone goes the extra mile.

First To Squeal is my favorite song off this because it just reminds me of a bunch of old "pals" I had in the past that don't know how to keep their mouth shut, and I got in trouble because of it in one way or another. "You don't know how to be real, and of course you'd be the first one to squeal." Those are just some of the lyrics in this song. They send out a very serious message. I'm sure nobody likes the snitch in a group, so this one goes out to all of those with big-ass mouths.

Breaking Point was written to keep the listener on the right path. It's a song that describes how stress and other factors can act as obstacles. It also suggests that you need to keep yourself in the right direction, and to not let the negative factors get the best of you.

Moving on to the Live at Mango's Set (2012), I found myself rather angry that I wasn't in attendance. Vacant shreds pretty hard. Anxiety Attack sounds so raw, and it just reminds me of some old, violent, Boston sounding madness. I could barely hear any vocals, but that's honestly how you know that it was a pretty solid set. I'm sure a lot of kids were going nuts, and just having a hell of a good time. That's why I still like going to see certain bands. The atmosphere is intended to be fun and everyone should be looking out for one another. I feel that's what Back To Back shows are all about; despite the fact that I've never had the chance to see them.

I would seriously check these dudes out. I don't know much about music from Houston, but all I can honestly say is that these guys are probably one of the few that are doing it right nowadays. I hope they make their way to The Big Apple because I would back that show 110%. If you're interested in listening to this band you can check out their Bandcamp (Click Bandcamp). This band is definitely for fans of fun, raw hardcore. FFO RZL DZL, Rival Mob, Mental, Boston Strangler, Negative FX.

Once again I want to shout out my bud David Rosales for the recommendation. 

Like graffiti? If you haven't seen this movie, you are SLACKING!

                                                                 STYLE WARS (1983)