METAL UNDERGROUND

METAL UNDERGROUND

Peter David

Hi, and welcome back to this, the third installment of Metal Underground—where you know a wretch like me needs a good editor to keep my syntax in check and my thesaurus outta the paper shredder. Yes, even / cringe and reach for the Tylenol when reading back through my copy. Anyway...

Lottsa mail, demos and other fun stuff coming through the old P.O.B., and at this time, I’d like to say thanks and keep it up. The only way this column will continue is by your support, so keep on writing this magazine and let ’em know that it is a happening. If you’ve written me and have not received a response, it’s because you forgot to send a self-addressed-stamped envelope (S.A.S.E.), an essential for fanzine dudes like myself.

OK, OK, already. On to recapping last issue’s entries: The Death Records Sampler ought to be available now, and Beyond Possession from Alberta, Canada, have an album ready to fly outta the pressing plant via Death as well.

The Pagans record, Buried Alive on Treehouse Records, has sold out its initial pressing of 2,000—so it’s my duty to assure you that if you did buy it, you now possess more than a mere collector’s item. The second pressing’s cover art has obviously been altered to protect the integrity of us wise-cracker underground types.

The A side of Halo Of Flies’ limited debut seven-inch EP has been re-released on Big Hits Of Mid-America Vol. 4, courtesy of those perceptive folks at Twin Tone Records. Other bands worth checking out on this sampler are the Mighty Mofos, Otto’s Chemical Lounge and the Magnolias. And while we’re discussing Twin Tone talent stable, I must mention that Soul Asylum have been working their asses off, both touring extensively and putting the wraps on a new miniLP this past May. So look out for more killer tunes like “Sun Don’t Shine” in your face soon! Oh yeah! Number one in a recent edition of the College Media Journal. Can’t say I didn’t tell you so.

Many folks have written in asking, “What is a fanzine?” Well, what you’re holding in your mitts at this moment is a bonafide magazine, right? OK. So a fanzine is generally the same thing, except it’s put out by fans purely (with some exceptions) for the love of the music and artists. Fanzines are relatively inexpensive to produce, often xeroxed, and haphazardly put together (again, there are many exceptions). They are fun, informative and an excellent way to discover the underground network. They include correspondence from all around the world, and information on how to swap and obtain rare demos by bands that you’ve probably never even heard of before. Instead of ‘writing specifically about one this issue, here’s a list of a few worthwhile ones for you to check out. Maybe you’ll get inspired and set out to do it yourself...

Death and Destruction: 502a West 12th St., Austin, TX, 78701 Not Politically Correct: 6090 Malloy Ave., Ferndale, WA. 98248 Fact Sheet Five:

41 Lawrence St., Medford, MA, 02155 Sound Choice:

P.O. Box 1251 Ojai, CA, 93023 Forced Exposure:

719 Washington St., #172 Newtonville, MA, 02160

(All the above run about $2.50, post-paid)

In case it hasn't dawned on you yet, I publish my own fanzine, Your Flesh. My new one's out, so if you're interested in an entertaiing and informative balance of musical delight, check it out—$3 post-paid while supplies last.

I know by now you're screaming for some new music, so here's the rundown...

Slayer have signed to Def Jam records, home to L.L. Cool J and a subsidiary of Columbia Records. Yeah, a major label deal. Just when nobody thought it was possible. And if Rick Rubin produces, it's sure to be louder than hell!

On the demo front come the White Pigs from Connecticut and Kublai Khan from Marshall, Minnesota. Last year's Songs Of Sin showed a decent sense of humor complemented by some flashy arrangements and tasty guitar shredding. Formerly a hardcore punk band, the W.P.'s have broken away toward a straightforward power metal direction. In '86, the Piggies will be gracing vinyl—courtesy of the Combat Bootcamp series—with Material from their new Shadows Of Death demo, which boasts a new bass player and some top-notch production, plus two songs not on last year's demo. The White Pigs are a hot band to watch. On the other hand, my fellow musc editor at Your Flesh, Dr. Doom, swears that Kublai Khan beat Megadeth by far, and I can see why. Lead guitarist and founding member Greg Handevit actually had a hand in the original formation of Megadeth, along with bassist and long-time friend David Ellenson and Mad axeman, Dave Mustaine. Nonetheless, Kublai Khan will leave you speechless. Tracks included are "Death Breath," "Passing Away," and my personal favorite, "Battle Hymn (The Centurian)." You can send three bucks today, care of Kublai Khan, 503 Saratoga, Marshall, MN, 56258. Oh, and the deno's called Rape, Pillage And Destroy. Hmmm...To get the White Pigs, send $5 to Combat Records, 149-03 Guy Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11434.

While we're still talking metal, let me add that the infamous let me add that the infamous Voi Vod should have their new album, Prroooaaarr grinding the flesh off the end of your nose shortly, thanks to the folks at Noise International, the same people who brought us the latest by Celtic Frost and Helloween. On this advance rough-mix tape, I find the band sounding like a cross between themselves and the late great seminal thrash/ punk band, Discharge. Nothing wrong with that, either. I'd say it's time for you to join the Iron Gang Fan Club, C.P. 127, Succ. ST-michel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2A 3L9.

If it's brutality you seek, then focus your thoughts 'round Big Black's Atomizer LP, wherein Steve Albini and co. serve up 10 songs full of the by-now-trade-marked Big Black aggro. "Jordan Minnesota" opens things up with a clever portrayal of the nastiness that emmanated from that town. Some of the vague disco beat leanings can tend to be a bit tedious, but songs like "kerosene," "Big Houses" and "Fists Of Love" are so atmospherically brutal that the rest of the material presented here doesn't come off as "Passing Complexion." Hear the bass lay down the fat, distorto blast while the guitars of Albini and Santiago Durango sound like two sheets of rough-textured steel sliding against each other. And it's all further enhanced by Albini's drum machine programs, which drive this mad mofo platter through hellfire. Lay the stylus down on this disc and you'll quickly say, "Boom! Pay the Bubba." And besides, it beats Sigue Sigue Sputnik anyday. Available on Homestead Records, P.O. Box 570, Rockville Ctr., NY, 11571.