2019: Records From The Wild Side

I felt like I was all over the map when it came to record collecting this year. I was just as excited over a five dollar Helix record as I was over the Gypsy test pressing. I obsessed over New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, records from 1989 celebrating their 30th anniversary, hair metal, and we ended the year with me absolutely in love with a bunch of new hardcore records. What a weird fucking year.

Every year my numbers in the graph fail to really represent what I purchased over the year because I find it an impossible task to keep the blog up to date. While I added 185 records to the collection in 2019, I'm still around 25 posts behind on this thing. I know that each year I commit to finally catching up and keeping up to date on this thing up to date, but honestly, after this string of 23 posts in December (my highest monthly post count ever!), I'm really feeling motivated, and this might actually happen in 2020.

The biggest number that surprised me this year was how much I spent on records, as the total dropped significantly this year. Come on...I'm better than that. Let's try to get those numbers back up for 2020.

As I mentioned earlier, I didn't do a great job focusing on any specific thing this past year. I bounced around between a number of obsessions, and feel like I didn't really make a huge impact on any of them...well, I guess that I did discover a ton of new hardcore records, and hair metal records are relatively cheap...so I guess I did okay on those fronts. Still, when it came to big scores, I feel like came up short. That's not to say that I didn't still pick up some big ticket items, so let's get into five of my favorites.

1. AC/DC 'Dirty Deeds' first Australian pressing - I imagine that AC/DC will top this list until I've finished my Australian first press mission for the Bon Scott albums. These things aren't cheap, and I still have four more to complete the set, so you can expect to see AC/DC here for years to come. Scoring Dirty Deeds this past year was a big one, and finding one with the song book insert was a nice bonus.

2. Kiss 'Lick It Up' Japanese pressing - This past year was the first time that I'd decided to check out Lick It Up. I was on a hair metal kick, and figured that maybe it was time to give it a listen. Wow. That album was so much fun, and I became obsessed with it. Once I started looking to buy a copy, and discovered the Japanese cover OBI, I knew that was the one that I needed. I couldn't go cheap on though, and needed a copy with the sticker insert as well, which only helped to jack up the price.

3. Gypsy 'Giants Despair' test pressing - I wasn't really interested in buying hardcore records when Marcus tipped me off to the eBay auction for the Gypsy test pressing. Still, this album was huge for me when it was released, and I knew that if I didn't make a move on it now, I might not get another chance. I was very excited to win this at a bargain price, and once it arrived, suddenly it was getting plenty of spins as it rekindled my love for this record.

4. New Electric Warriors comp LP - This wasn't too hard to acquire, and it didn't break the bank, but early in the year when I was obsessing over the NWOBHM, this record opened my eyes to a bunch of cool obscure bands from that era. It felt like I'd uncovered a long lost treasure, and it felt special to own a copy of this...plus that album cover is so badass, I've had it on display in my record room since its arrival.

5. Sepultura 'Beneath The Remains' LP - This is not only the best Sepultura album, it is also one of my favorite all time thrash records. I've wanted a copy of this for a long time, and inspired by my 1989 in 2019 spending spree, I finally pulled the trigger on one. I was very happy to get a copy with the hype sticker included.

Hardcore was a slow build for me this year, but by the time the end of summer hit, I was starting to pay attention to a few cool new bands...and things just blew the fuck up from there. There were so many great new bands and records this year, that my Top 10 wsa really difficult to nail down. I love all these records so much, and I can listen to all ten of these records daily.

New metal records didn't really stick with me this year. Don't get me wrong, there was still plenty of cool shit being released...I just wasn't drawn back to them for repeat listens. The only exception was that new Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell record...that thing fucking rules, and I can't get enough of that one.

So there you have it. That was my 2019. Shit was fun, but overall it felt a little tame. I remember sitting here last year, and my head was spinning with all kinds of themes and obsessions that I couldn't wait to start chasing... but right now, looking forward to 2020, it is wide fucking open. I don't know where things are going to go. I know that I want to tackle some thrash records, and I'd really like to knock off some serious hardcore records, but where it will all shake out is anyone's guess.

Sunstroke Blooms

I've been busting my ass on posts this month, and I'm still going to come up short in getting all the new releases up on the blog before close out 2019. I've discovered a flood of new 2019 records during the last few months, and sticking to my "one post a day" rule, I just couldn't get caught up here. As of right now, I think that I'll have about seven posts in January for records that were released this year, and as dumb as it sounds, it bothers me. Oh well, just need to dial back that OCD.

One of the records that seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the year was the new 12 inch from Sunstroke. The band surprised me last year with the Second Floor/Seven 12 inch, and they keep me hooked with Bloom At Night. Comparisons will still be made to that Revolution Summer sound, and the Dag Nasty cover on the record helps cement that, but Sunstroke aren't immediately comparable to any one band. They just seem to do their own thing, and they do it very well.

It's crazy how small the pressings are for Sunstroke records. The Second Floor/Seven 12 inch that I picked up last year was limited to 88, and there were only 80 pressed on transparent blue vinyl for Bloom At Night. Given the small pressing numbers, how is still available in the New Morality store? Is this band not blowing up like I would expect them to be?

Pink Vinyl Looked Never Better

A week or so ago I posted about the Anxious record that I'd picked up at the band's merch table during the matinee show for the America's Hardcore fest. When I got home, I was disappointed to discover that the record was the common pressing on black vinyl, and this gave me an itch to possibly chase down a colored vinyl pressing.

For some reason this Anxious record really makes me think of those mid-90's bands like Sparkmarker and Policy Of 3, and I just can't stop listening to this 7 inch. While I don't typically get down with multiple copies of records these days, Anxious have got me reconsidering that stance, and I hit up Discogs to find out what was available for the pink vinyl pressing that has been long sold out at the Triple B store. Luckily, the prices haven't gotten ridiculous yet, and I was able to scoop one up for a decent price.

Okay...now that I've the pink vinyl pressing, I want the orange vinyl too...oh, and if anyone wants to part with the record release pressing, hit me up. Damn, every time I think I'm out, they pull me back in.

Enforced Entry

Another new release for 2019 that I didn't hear about until the last month of the year. People are talking about their favorites for the year, and somewhere along the way the name Enforced came up. I'd never heard of the band, but on the recommendation of Doug, I figured that I'd check them out before we closed out the year.

This Enforced record is a tough one to categorize...kind of like the Power Trip album from a couple years ago, as it feels like a bunch of kids from a hardcore background playing metal...and this shit immediately grabbed me by the throat. The riffs are fast and furious and the songs are ugly...a perfect soundtrack when you are sick and tired of dealing with everyone's bullshit. I immediately set out on a mission to grab the record before 2019 was in the rearview mirror.

This transparent orange vinyl is limited to 100, and I was surprised to find that War Records still had some available in their store.

PlasticHeads

Each year I basically spend the month of December in panic mode as I race to get caught up with this blog. I've been posting like crazy for the past couple of months, trying to get all those 2019 releases up here before the end of the year. For a second I thought that I was going to make it, but then a few more records arrived, and then this week I discovered a few more that I really enjoyed, so I placed another order online. That new order probably isn't going to arrive until we are well into January, so fuck me, some of those 2019 releases aren't going to make the blog until 2020. I tried.

A month or so ago, I thought that I had my Top 10 list sewn up...but then people started posting lists of their favorites, which had me checking out more new records, and now I think I've got to make some adjustments. One of the records that has come out of nowhere and has really surprised me was an album from a band called PlasticHeads.

This album is a straight up throwback to early 80's punk, and my obsession over it makes me think of that Rough Kids album from a few years ago. That Rough Kids album shot to number one for me in 2016, and I expect that this PlasticHeads record will be near the top of the list this year. This sound just hooks me every time.

I was frantic to get my hands on a copy of this record before the end of the year, and since the record label is sold out of them, I was happy to find one on Discogs at a good price.

Very Uncertain Times

There was a time when I got excited over a new Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell record...however, after my initial excitement over Keep It Greasy, the album failed to keep my attention and it dropped right off my radar. Their Nightmare 7 inch the following year didn't do anything to get me interested in the band again.

When I heard that the Shovell had a new album out this year, I shrugged my shoulders and moved on. I wasn't interested, and was keeping myself busy with some new hardcore bands. This was working fine for a while, and then I found a comment on Instagram where someone was comparing the new album, Very Uncertain Times, to the first Motorhead record.

If you aren't familiar, that self titled Motorhead album is a bit punkier and dirtier, and shows the band before they really fell into their signature sound...and I absolutely love it. So, with that in mind, I decided to finally check out the new Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell.

Goddamn. This record hooked me. I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. Those early Motorhead comparisons were spot on, and I found myself listening to these songs daily, easily making it one of my favorite rock records for the year. Such a great surprise.

By the time I wanted to buy a copy of Very Uncertain Times on vinyl, the clear die hard pressing was long sold out at Rise Above Records. I wasn't happy about missing on on the clear vinyl, but he purple vinyl used for the US pressing works well with the cover, so I can live with it.

An Answer You Won't Find

Vantage Point are a Straight Edge Hardcore band out of Boston, and given that piece of information, I'm immediately interested. They released their first 7 inch last year and while I had pretty much stopped buying multiple pressings at that point, I made and exception with that Vantage Point record and picked up a couple copies. That ended up being a solid hardcore record, so I'm glad that I made the move when I did...and right now, I kind of want some of the other limited pressings as well.

When Triple B announced preorders for the new Vantage Point 7 inch, it was an immediate purchase for me. There was only one colored vinyl option along with the black vinyl, so I just grabbed the one on red. 150 pressed.

This record delivers. Passionate hardcore that presses all the right buttons for me.

I had such a great time at the AHC 2019 matinee, I'm giving serious thought to making it back to Boston in January for the Vantage Point record release show. Hardocre lives.

Wild Side Attitude

I made one more stop at the merch tables during the America's Hardcore fest...this time for Wild Side. They were probably one of the bands that I was most excited to see live on this stacked line up, and they did not disappoint. They had great energy, and their guitarist with long hair, tight blue jeans and Van Halen shirt absolutely shredded on the guitar solos. Band was a blast to catch live.

Spoiler alert, but their album is probably going to take the number one spot as my favorite hardcore record this year. I even told the singer as much when I spotted him as I was leaving the show, and with the cocky confidence you should expect from Wild Side, he told me it was actually the best album of all time. However, when it came to the first Wild Side 7 inch, I wasn't familiar with it at all...and truth be told, I wasn't really expecting much from this record. I don't know why, but I felt that these songs were going to fall well short of the band's album, and I couldn't have been more wrong. This 7 inch is great and easily measures up to the full length. With that intro to the Wild Side song, it makes me think of Mental alongside that Iron Boots/Warzone sound.

Since this 7 inch was only pressed on black vinyl, and there were no other pressings for this, I was happy to pick up a copy from the Wild Side merch table after the show...and grabbed a 'Who The Hell Is Wild Side?' sticker as well!

New Age Restraining Order

Like Magnitude, I didn't pay much attention when Restraining Order released their first 7 inch. It wasn't until both bands released full length albums on Triple B this year that I actually tuned in to what was going on. Seeing both bands at the AHC fest a couple weeks back gave me the opportunity to pick up those 7 inches directly from both bands.

Restraining Order were a blast to see live. The singer was a ball of energy and you couldn't help but get pulled into the excitement. I really hope they come back to play Boston soon so that I can catch them again.

Thankfully Restraining Order had some colored vinyl available at the merch table. Second pressing on blue and limited to 500.

Era Of Magnitude

Magnitude closed out the Saturday matinee show for the America's Hardcore fest in Boston a couple weeks ago. While I really enjoyed their album that Triple B released this year, I wasn't too familiar with the songs yet, so I figured that I'd just hang out and chill at the back of the crowd for their set. Halfway through the first song, I couldn't contain myself and I was sprinting across the dance floor and climbing on backs to get to the front of the stage. Fuck. Magnitude were bringing it live and their excitement was contagious. While their album is undoubtedly going to make it high into my Top 10 list for the year, their live set pushed my appreciation of them to a new level.

While I love the band's new album, I hadn't bothered to check out the 7 inch they released a couple years ago. Like I said in my Anxious post, I really wanted to show some support to all the bands that traveled long distances to play the AHC fest, and when I saw that the band had copies of the 7 inch for sale at their merch table, I gladly handed over my $5 for one of them.

Unfortunately, like the Anxious record, Magnitude were only selling the common black vinyl copies at the show. Damn it, having only the black vinyl really makes me want to chase more pressings of this and get all the colored vinyl options.

Magnitude definitely have a 90's straight edge sound, and the layout for this 7 inch follows that theme. Love that sound and style!

Too Anxious For AHC 2019

A couple of weeks back I made a trip to Boston to catch the Saturday matinee show of Triple B's America's Hardcore fest. Not counting the Have Heart reunion last summer, it had probably been about two and a half years since I made it out to a hardcore show. God damn. That's embarrassing.

In checking the line up for the three AHC shows, the matinee show was the most interesting for me. It was full of newer bands that I'd just started to get into, so I was looking forward to spending the afternoon seeing what they had to offer live on stage.

The show itself was pure fucking magic for me. Every single band that played were great, and it only magnified my love for the current state of hardcore. I didn't feel like I knew the songs that well for any of the bands, but this old man still got caught up in the excitement and was on the dance floor mixing it up with the kids. Even catching a fist to the mouth during the set for Method Of Doubt couldn't knock the smile off my face. I can't express how happy I was to be at this show.

I originally caught Anxious back at the Have Heart reunion show last summer, and while I was initially enjoying them, after a couple of songs, I just wanted them to stop and I was no longer impressed. Since then, the band released a 7 inch on Triple B, but I didn't bother with it at all. Knowing that they were playing the AHC matinee show, I figured that I might as well check out their songs on Spotify the day before driving down to Boston. Whoa. I kind of liked what I was hearing, and it really reminded me of those melodic hardcore bands from the early 90's. Perhaps I'd initially judged them too harshly. I gave those songs a few spins prior to the show, and catching them live on a small stage at The Middle East sealed the deal...I needed this record.

As I've mentioned, I was on a hardcore high for this Triple B show, and I really wanted to show some support to all the bands that played. No one had any special AHC pressings, but I figured that I would still pick up some 7 inch records from the merch tables. I was very happy to grab the Anxious 7 inch, but once I got home and took a look a record I was disappointed to discover that they were only selling the black vinyl option. Fuck. I was hoping for at least the orange colored vinyl pressing that is still available in the Triple B store. Selling the most common version of your record to people that came to your show feels like I got cheated. Oh well, I still love this record, and now I feel compelled to buy another pressing just to have a more limited option.

Stages In Friendship

When I was exchanging record packages with Marcus while he was in Boston, I was surprised to find that he had included a little gift in with the AC/DC record that I'd ordered.

A couple of months back, Marcus posted on his blog about some new record from a band that I'd never heard of at the time, Stages In Faith. I was obsessing over a bunch of new hardcore bands, and was following up on any suggestion, and quickly looked for the band on Spotify. Marcus had mentioned in his post that his initial impression of the record was that it sounded like it was recorded underwater, and when I started playing the songs I had to agree with him...they sounded terribly muffled and after a few songs, I walked away from it. Marcus had mentioned that after a few listens, he no longer heard that muffled sound, and soon the record had become his daily addiction. Trusting his judgement, I stuck with it, and I'll be damned....after a few spins, I wasn't hearing that suffocated sound anymore and the songs were really growing on me.

I started looking into options to purchase the record, but with finances tightening up as we approached the end of the year, I put off actually buying a copy. When Marcus handed me a copy while we were meeting in Boston, I was surprised and extremely thankful.

Marcus made comparisons to the first Farside 7 inch, but I'm also hearing some early Gameface and Slap Of Reality. Stages In Faith have a great early 90's melodic hardcore sound, and I have been listening to this record repeatedly this week. So good!

It's A Long Way From The UK

I love meeting up with my old blogging buddies from the UK, and when they are available I'll make every effort to get together in Boston for the day. I was able to catch up with Sandwell back in October, and I was very happy for the opportunity to meet with Marcus and Anna when they made a quick stop in Boston while on their way to Florida. Even if we didn't really care for each other, we still made the excuse to hang out so we could trade some records that we'd had shipped to the other so we could save a few dollars on overseas shipping.

I few days before Marcus checked in to see if I wanted to have any records mailed to him that he could bring over with him, I'd just discovered a pressing of AC/DC's High Voltage album with the cover art that was unique to the UK. I was in love with how this cover looked, and as soon as he made the suggestion for me to ship stuff to him, I was on Discogs and ordering the record from a UK seller. This thing is as beautiful as I'd hoped it would.

I've made some good progress with my AC/DC collection this year, and next to the Dirty Deeds Aussie pressing, this UK pressing of High Voltage is one of my favorite additions.

It was a fun day driving down to Boston with my wife to meet up with Marcus and Anna for some pizza and pastries, and then we got down with a little wife swap back at the hotel...no...wait...record swap...I meant record swap.

Haunting Of Seven Sisters

Haunt have been very productive since coming onto the metal scene. They released their debut EP, Luminous Eyes in 2017, and then followed it up with a new album, Burst Into Flame, in 2018...and when they released two more records in 2019, I was feeling overwhelmed with the number of Haunt releases, and I just ignored both of them. However, when I saw they released a couple of split 7 inches this year as well, I figured that I'd jump on at least of them.

Haunt play a traditional metal style, and while I might have been burned out on the band, this song is so good that it makes me wonder if I made a mistake in ignoring their two records that they released this year. Damn it. Now I'm going to have to go check them out.

The main reason that I picked up this split 7 inch was to check out the Seven Sisters song. I didn't really spend much time with their album from 2018, and I never even grabbed it on vinyl, but I was still very interested to hear what they had to offer on this split with Haunt. This is such a fun split 7 inch, that I'm not regretting no picking up the split that Haunt did with Fortress as well.

Mos Exiles

Mos Generator have already released a live album this year that was pressed in very limited quantities, and I was very happy to get my hands on one. It was a very cool DIY release, and the packaging was very well done. When I heard that the band was going to be releasing another EP later in the year, and I saw the cool limited pressings that were being done for it, I knew that I had to be first in line to get my hands on one.

The 12 inch EP itself contains a couple of outtakes from their Shadowlands sessions from last year, plus a different version of Woman Song, and then a few cover songs on the b-side...but what really grabbed my attention was the "hand made one of kind Wax Mage pressing". I wasn't sure what this was, but I wanted one! The price was no joke for this limited pressing, but I still couldn't resist. When it arrived, I was immediately in love with how the vinyl looks.

In addition to the great looking vinyl, these songs are great. Mos Generator do not disappoint and even those songs that didn't make the cut for the last album still sound amazing here...plus the band knows how to do cover songs right, and their versions of deep tracks like Sabbath's Air Dance and Van Halen's Light Up The Sky are solid gold. This entire record is a blast.

One more picture of that vinyl, but this time with some back light!

Unsainted

The only thing that I had in my sights for the Black Friday Record Store Day was the latest Dio single. As I started flipping through the bin of RSD releases at the record store, a few more caught my eye. I managed to resist them all, with the exception of a Slipknot picture disc 7 inch.

There was a time in the early 2000's when I was searching for some new music to listen to. I was listening to a bit of hip hop at the time, and I was starting to get interested in metal again, so when I discovered Slipknot it was exactly what I was looking for at the time. Five years down the line, I was more interested in the traditional metal sounds from the 80's, and I no longer cared about Slipknot. When I heard they were releasing a new album this year, I wasn't really interested, but somewhere along the way I decided to check out one of the new songs for the hell of it. I queued up the song Unstainted, and much to my surprise, I found that I really enjoyed the song. I honestly can't believe that I'm listening to this in 2019.

I wasn't sure that I'd be able to hang with the whole album, but fuck me, there are some great songs on We Are Not Your Kind. I'm still not sure if I want to spend the money on the full album, but finding this 7 inch scratched that itch for the moment.

5,000 pressed on a picture disc 7 inch for RSD2019.

Killing The RSD

I don't typically have much interest in the Black Friday Record Store Day, but somehow they still manage to catch my attention with one or two records to force me out the door to participate. The last two Record Store Day events have seen Dio picture disc singles to be released, and I rushed to grab each of those, so when I saw that we were getting another Dio single for Black Friday RSD 2019, I couldn't let it pass me by.

I'm not really interested in picture discs, but for Ronnie James Dio, it's all good. I love the new artwork for this latest 12 inch single.

For side A, we get a live version of Rainbow in the Dark. I'm not sure if this version has ever surfaced before and they just pulled it randomly for this release, or if it is special for this record. On the B side, we get a studio version of Killing the Dragon...which judging from the front artwork, I would have thought this would have been the A side song. Weird.

The hype sticker that promotes the Killing The Dragon song being released for the "first time ever on vinyl" is a straight up lie. Night Of The Vinyl Dead released the Killing The Dragon album in limited quantities back in 2009, plus there was a fucking Record Store Day picture disc release of the album in 2011. RSD, try to remember your own damn releases.

Disciples Of The Watch

When Sandwell was over from the UK last year on his annual trip to NYC, we agreed to meet in Boston for the afternoon. As he was leaving, getting back on the bus for his return trip to New York, he mentioned that he had extra copies of the first two Testament albums back at home in the UK, and if I needed them, he said that he'd bring them over to me on his next trip to the US. I absolutely love those two Testament records, and since I didn't own copies of them, I took him up on his offer. Still, we weren't sure when he would be back to the US, so I didn't put much stock in it...so it was quite the surprise when we got together again in Boston this year, and based on our conversation from a year ago, he brought those Testament records.

The first Testament is one of the best thrash albums. You take Metallica and Slayer out of the mix, and standing side by side with the first albums from Sacred Reich, Vio-lence, Overkill and Exodus, you'll find The Legacy on my list of favorite thrash records of all time. This album never gets old for me, and from start to finish it just slays.

European pressing from Megaforce.

If The Legacy was one of the best debut thrash albums, The New Order would be one of the best sophomore records...and checking my listening stats, this one is easily the Testament album that I've listened to the most. This album is full of classic Testament songs, and I was lucky to catch Testament playing both this album and The Legacy in their entirety, back in 2015. Such an amazing show to see the band rip through all of these songs.

Interesting that the European pressing of The New Order does not include the cover of Aerosmith's Nobody's Fault. While I do enjoy that song, I'll admit that it does make the album stronger without it.

I'm very happy to have these two albums in the collection, so a big "thank you" to Mark for his generosity.

Keep An Eye Out

There was a time when Take Offense were on the top of the hardcore world. After the release of Tables Will Turn in 2011 and Under The Same Shadow in 2012, I was obsessed with the band...but with the United States Of Mind album in 2013, I was pretty underwhelmed with the whole thing, and started to write the band off. It took five years for the band to follow up that album, and with the Tensions On High 7 inch from last year, I went in with low expectations and was surprised at how the band bounced back, and they released one of my favorite records in 2018. With a new album scheduled to be released this year, I was still apprehensive and I approached Keep An Eye Out with a bit of caution.

Take Offense have a sound that has always reminded me of Suicidal's Join The Army record, and while they have been around for over 10 years, they still have that same style...and that is a good thing. Keep An Eye Out doesn't break any new ground, and that is fine with me, as this is a solid hardcore record. Good to see the band still doing their thing and overcoming that slump that was United States Of Mind.

Clear with red and yellow splatter. Limited to 650.

Hammered Hulls

Over the summer, I was reading the Dischord newsletter and noticed that they were releasing a 7 inch from a band named Hammered Hulls. I never heard of the band before, but it said that Alec MacKaye was singing for the band, so my interest was piqued. Granted, I haven't been interested in his bands since Ignition, so I'm not sure why I was suddenly interested after a 30 year drought, but I've found all kinds of new hardcore bands this year, so I figured that I'd check to see what Hammered Hulls had to offer.

There is no mistaking those Alec MacKaye vocals, and I'm immediately reminded of Ignition here. I'm really impressed with this record, and three songs in seven minutes provides a great introduction. I don't generally bother with new Dischord bands these days, but I'm glad that I took a chance with this one.

No special limited pressings here. It appears to have only been pressed on black vinyl.

Method Of Hardcore

This weekend I'm heading to Boston for the Triple B American Hardcore Fest. I haven't been to hardcore show in a long time, but the Saturday matinee show is full of rad new bands, so I decided to get off my ass and check it out. It also doesn't hurt that the show will be over by 5:00 so that I can be back home and in bed by 9:00 that night. Being an old man is a bitch.

When I was looking at the line up for the Saturday matinee show, there were a few bands on the bill that I'd never heard of before. I've been impressed with a bunch of new bands this year, and I decided to see if I could keep the streak going with Method Of Doubt. I brought up their 7 inch on Spotify and by the time the first song was over, I was trying to hunt down the vinyl. The first press on colored vinyl was completely sold out over at IOU Records, and they only had the second pressing on black vinyl available. Fuck that. I tracked down a copy on Discogs to get what I wanted.

112 presed on splatter vinyl.

This record is exactly what I'm looking for in hardcore. I don't know what it is with this record but it really pulls me back to those early 90's days when I was getting into hardcore...it just has this youthful energy that is infectious. I can't wait to see the band live this weekend.