Zines!

With the internet providing endless platforms for writing, art, and general personal expression, the zine experienced a period of obscurity. Zines went from a staple of merch tables at fests and shows everywhere to a form of communication only utilized by the most wizard-level crust-punks and metal heads. Luckily, with the assistance of the nigh-unstoppable nostalgia train, zines are now back in the hands of people who shower regularly and, with access to high-quality printing materials growing easier and easier, zines have gone beyond their chicken scratch/newsprint beginnings to presenting themselves with objective quality.  

Shocking, I know!

I do my best to keep up with zines, as I feel that they really have a lot to offer (I mean where else could you find a zine offering personality profiles of angsty vegetables?) These next few zines are some of my favorites. Check 'em out below

Disclose- Live in Japan

Check out this sweet Disclose show from the early 90s!

RIP Kawakami. 

Nekrofilth- Acid Brain Review+Stream

This record rules ya'll. It rocks my socks. It rufflies my tufflies in the best possible way. 

You see, Cleveland's Nekrofilth sounds a lot like Venom if Venom liked DRI or Minor Threat more than they liked KISS or Motorhead. If that doesn't sound appealing to you l don't get why you're reading this blog, honestly. 

With their sixth album Acid Brain, they've presented a thrashy, punchy record that's more Kill Em All than Violent Pacification. They've bumped up the catchy thrash and turned down the death metal influences from the previous releases. Vocals are higher, half sung/half shrieked in the Tom Araya standard. It's not quite as heavy but it adds some dynamics and, dare I say, a bit of melody. 

Track one, "Beware The Witch of Death" is a highlight for me. It's got some serious pick attack. I bet live it hits you like a punch in the stomach. I don't have a copy of the lyrics but I think it's about his ex-girlfriend or an actual evil witch. Maybe it's both. It's a lot like that Henry Rollins skit where he talks about Ronnie James Dio writing the best breakup songs. EVIL WOMAN LOOOOOKOUT

"I Breed in the Swamp" brings a bit of early death metal influence to the proceedings, making a nice change of pace. The vocal performance on this track is stellar. The vocalist sounds throat-shreddingly mad. The guitar solo is killer, remaining low-key while still fitting the tune.

The last track is an absolute killer. Sweet, Darkthrone crusty thrash goodness. The bass tone on this whole album is fantastic, by the way. It's nice and crunchy and groovy in this particular song, so prepare to feel it in your bones.

Acid Brain is a quality thrash album. Nothing much to say. This isn't Sunbather or Advaitic Songs so no rigorous analysis is necessary. Buy it. Play it. Bang your head.