METAL UNDERGROUND

METAL UNDERGROUND

Peter Davis

Oh, boy! It’s time, once again, to hunker down into the subterranean vaults of the Metal Underground. Yes, if you’re tiring of the redundancy of the top-40 tripe we’re being force-fed these days, a quick read of this column may be your basis for new-found hope.

For starters, there’s this nifty double LP set called Eastern Front: Live at Ruthies Inn and, as the PMRC-induced sticker suggests, this is “a compilation no self-respecting thrasher should be without.” Ruthies was a pub in Berkeley, California, which— before recently turning to a quiet, table-cloth ambience— was the host to many a hardcore and metal horror. The most attractive aspect of this double record set is that it’s a decent overview of the Bay Area thrash metal scene, especially when we’re talking about such hot-shit bands like Sacrilege (not to be confused w/ the Canuck outfit), Heathen, Death Angel, and Blind Illusion. All, before the release of this album, have been highly lauded in the everpresent tape trading underground. There’s also some better known acts, who have previous vinyl offerings, such as the Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Laaz Rockit, Italy’s now-defunct Raw Power, Sentinel Beast, and Morally Bankrupt. If this doesn’t seem to be enough for you, you may want to consider that there are tracks by 12 other bands that I haven’t even mentioned yet! (Restless Records,

1750 Holly Ave., P.O. Box 2428, El Segundo, CA 90245.)

Last August 4th, miles and

miles up the coast from Ruthies in Vancouver, British Columbia, The Festival of Independent Recording Artists began and ended at the World Expo. Headlining the would-be series opener at The Xerox International Theatre was Zulu recording artists, Slow, who whipped the audience into a fever-pitched riot... thus putting an end to the series of concerts thst were scheduled to follow. On Slow's life-affirming six-song 12", Against The Glass, they truly prove themselves to be an originally high-powered rock 'n' roll affair. This is one of those bands that come along rarely—and why in tarnation they don't rule this stink-ball we call a planet is beyond me. This record, in all honesty, is worth seeking the world over for. After all, wouldn't you engage in riotous activity if God's music played in your ears? (Zulu Records, 1869 W. 4th Ave., Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6J 1M4.)

If you drive about two-and-a-half miles south of Vancouver you'll find Seattle, Washington, where lurks the Melvins—a band known for their integrated punky metal-esque brand of peppy sludge. Previously featured (Along wl other Seattle bands) on the Deep Six compilation, the Melvins belt away a/ six gunning tunes crammed onto their own seven inches of black vinyl. (C/Z Records, 1407 E. Madison, Seattle, WA 98122.) Not to be stepping on fellow scribe Chuck Eddy's toes or anything, but I've got one other 7" EP worth mentioning by Cleveland's very own Starvation Army—New Way To Burn. Only four songs on this one, but they're four scorching reminders of punk the way bends like Stiff Little Fingers meant them to be played. At least this is the way punk should be remembered. (St. Valentines Records, P.O. Box 79116, Cleveland, OH

44107.)

Awhile back skinsman A.J. Pero left the ranks of Twisted Sister dur to their ever-increasing direction into the general malaise of wimpdom. Good thing, too, because the new band he joined-Cities-Play heavy metal the way it ought to be played-heavily! There's a lot of progressiveness evident on the band's nine grooves here, with each song calculatedly sgueing into the next. The record is called Annihilation Absolute. It's not cliched in the least, and features some pretty hellfire lead work by expert Steve Mironovich, and also confirms that Pero's more talented than Twisted Blister would ever allow him to be. See for yourself. (Metal Blade Records, 18653 Ventura Blvd., #311, Tarzana, CA 91356.)

Remember that old folk singer Burl Ives? That beefy and gentle political activist who could easily be mistaken for Santa Claus, were he wearing the proper grab? Well, if not, maybe Killdozer's thrid record will rekindle your memory of the guy. Kill dozer is the sort of band that kicks up a turgid miasma of deadly, swamped-out din, and if your heart's in the right place and your humor is in check, you could be prone to drool all over yourself and enjoy the whole process. Just for safety's sake introduce yourself to the first song on the B side, "Hamburger Marty." It's sure to hook you, depending on how open-minded you are. Anyway, the record's called Burl (Touch And Go Records, P.O. Box 433, Dearborn, MI 48121).

To quickly wrap things up, let me also recommend a maxi-12"single by wisebllod, who features the dueling dynamics of ex-Swans M. Mossimann and Scraping Feotus Off The Wheel genius, Jim Thrilwell. You can also scrape your eardrums even further a/ Wire's reunion platter, Snake-drill. Both are available as imports or write to Mute Records, 429 Harrow Road, London, England, W10 4RE. Well, that's it for now. Please remember, though, if you've got something you think should be publicized in this column, send it my way c/o P.O. Box 3107, Minneapolis, MN 55403. See ya later, and have fun with the above stuff.