Finding Any Joy In 2023

I don't think that I've ever had a year like 2023 when it came to collecting records and just listening to music in general. I really spent the majority of the year feeling a bit lost when it came to what I wanted to listen to. Hardcore and metal were still in the rotation but I really felt the pull to listen to different things. I've always been a full album kind of listener, but this year had me doing specific songs from Spotify playlists and checking out a lot of stuff that I never would have expected to like. Songs from The Smiths, Orville Peck and Zack Bryan... stuff that I would have never been open to listening to in years past were suddenly getting repeat plays... and Lana Del Rey ended up with the most listened to song on my Spotify list, so yeah, even I didn't know who the fuck I was for most of this past year. It was weird and I enjoyed it. Plus, a lot of my focus was pulled off of records and instead I obsessed over books. I've always been a big reader, but this year I met some new friends that shared that obsession and they turned me on to different reading challenges on StoryGraph which only fanned the flame of that passion. With my thoughts consumed with books, I suddenly wasn't too concerned with my Discogs notifications or keeping up to date with this blog, and I pulled way back on buying records. I still picked up some good shit though, so let's check that out.

I never have a lot of focus on what I'm buying. My mood shifts and my buying habits flow with it. Basically I just listen to something, and if it really strikes me a certain way, then I just want to buy it. I went from wanting to buy some classic thrash records this year, and then thinking that I wanted to buy some crucial punk stuff... but then my eye would catch on an album that I hadn't listened to in a long time and I WOULD NEED THAT IMMEDIATELY. So here is the randomness that is my Top 9 purchases from this past year.

1. Judge 'New York Crew' on blue - I didn't expect to ever own this record, and I don't really know why. Small collector thinking. So when I worked a vague trade with Marcus for a record that he wanted, and he ended up sending me this one from a list of wants that I drew up on the spot in about 3 minutes, I was shocked that he pulled it off and was able to score this for me.

2. Striking Distance 'March To Your Grave' supreme court cover - This is decent hardcore record. I like it, but I've never lost my mind over it. This cover though? Fuck yes. That I wanted in a bad way.

3. AC/DC 'Highway To Hell' Australian first press - This isn't the last AC/DC Australian pressing that I need, but it is the last big one for the collection. All that I'm missing right now is the live LP, If You Want Blood. Could not be happier to finally have this Australian alternate cover in my possession. Why the fuck didn't I rate this one higher on my list?

4. Black Flag colored vinyl - Colored vinyl for Black Flag was a fucking mission for this year. I've wanted this for the collection for years, and early this year I really wanted to make it happen. I spent a lot of time in the Spring listening to the later era Flag, so I was stoked to get these two.

5. Sick Of It All 'Yours Truly' on red - It had been a long time since I'd spent time with this Sick Of It All record. Fuck, it has been years since I've probably bothered with any of the SOIA Fat Wreck albums. I'd kinda forgot about them, but when I was spending some time in my early 2000's playlists, Yours Truly came up and wow, I'd forgotten just how fun this shit is.

6. Over My Dead Body 'Sink Or Swim' final show - Okay, technically I bought this one at the end of 2022, but it didn't make the blog until the first of this year, so I'm counting it... plus, these past few years I've rediscovered how great OMDB were. Bands can get buried in time and dust, and that was the case with Over My Dead Body. This band was so good. Finding this special cover for their final show at a record store in Boston was not something that I was expecting.

7. Trouble 'Psalm 9' on white - Dude, this record has been on my immediate want list for years, but I keep putting it off for one reason. *whining* "That is too expensive" and "That condition isn't good enough". Fucking hell. I got sick of dicking around about it and I bought one with little regard of the price. Just give it to me.

8. Unified Action record release - Lins from Unified Action is an old blogger friend, and when I heard that his band was going to have a special cover for their record release show over in the UK, I immediately sent him a message asking how I could get one. I didn't really expect that he would hold one aside for me, but it didn't hurt to ask. I was grateful that he not only did that for me, but that he also gave me number 15 out of 15. Very cool.

9. Overkill 'Under The Influence' orignal press - An old school thrash classic and the final album I needed for the early Overkill collection. Originally released in 1988 when I graduated high school, and there is no denying how important this record was to me at that time.

1. Drain - Living Proof

2. As Friends Rust - Any Joy

3. Drink Deep - DD

4. Vantage Point - Against Myself

5. Scowl - Psychic Dance Routine

6. Wreckage - Our Time

7. Magnitude - Of Days Renewed...

8. Envision - The Gods That Built Tomorrow

9. Buggin - Concrete Cowboys

There were some really great hardcore records released this year. I didn't think much about it over the past 12 months, but sitting here right now and looking at this list... there is a lot of stuff here that I'll be getting a charge out for years. Dude, that Drain album? I did not expect much from that one, and when I started putting this list together, I was thinking that it was going to end up somewhere in the middle. But the more that I thought about it, the higher it climbed. Fuck it. It deserves the number one spot. I also kind of forgot about that Scowl record because it feel like it was released so long ago, but yeah, I still have a good time spinning that one. I wasn't overwhelmed with a bunch of hardcore releases, but the ones that I did pick up are so good.

1. Enforcer - Nostalgia

Blood Star - First Sighting

3. Blood Ceremony - The Old Ways Remain

4. Overkill - Scorched

5. Metallica - 72 Seasons

6. Pest Control - Don't Mess With The Pest

7. Cirith Ungol - Dark Parade

8. Night Demon - Outsider

9. Metal Church - Congregation Of Annihilation

This year I had a hard time getting excited about the metal albums. Very solid albums from Blood Star and Blood Ceremony, and a nice rebound for Enforcer to put them back at number one... plus I was surprised with how much I enjoyed the new Metallica... but overall, for the most part I just didn't find myself in a hurry to return to many of them.

Yeah, it was kind of a weird year. Like I mentioned, I was kind of lost early in the year for what I wanted to listen to. I think that I spent so much time with new hardcore records in 2022, that this year I was burned out on it. The last couple of years I've kind of rediscovered R.E.M., and that really took off this year. I listened to that band a lot. Plus, The Smashing Pumpkins connected with me in a big way... specifically the Mellon Collie album. I've never given the band much thought, but I started to slowly check them out last year, and when I wanted something different, this band always hit what I wanted. Yeah, I was slow to fully appreciate High Vis, but their last album finally clicked and I listened to that a lot earlier this year. I didn't expect to like the Actions and Indications album from Seaweed as much as I did. I figured that it would be okay, but nothing special. I was wrong. I loved it.

There were a number of bands that were introduced to me by a new friend that I met in an online bookclub on Instagram. She had me listen to Gulch and Amyl and the Sniffers from a couple years ago, and they both blew my mind. Plus she made me check out Life Of Agony because I had actively avoided them all these years, and the River Runs Red album surprised the hell out of me. It was not what I thought it was at all, and it shocked me just how good it was. Another one that I wasn't expecting was the Downer album from 2001 that was just released on vinyl this year. Marcus told me to check it out, and it fit that different vibe that I was looking for perfectly.

So yeah, it was a different kind of year. I'm not sure if I'll get back on track for 2024, but if you are still hanging out and checking this nonsense, I appreciate it.

Concrete Cowboys

The clock is ticking towards the new year, but I want to get at least one more 2023 new release up on this blog before the new year hits. Something is definitely not going to make the cutoff before it shows up on my year end post, so I had to put a lot of thought into which record I was going to pull for this.

I picked up the Buggin album earlier this year, but like most new records, I didn't really spend much time with it. This past week though? Holy shit, this Concrete Cowboys record is so fun and I've been giving it repeat spins. This record has some great hardcore attitude. There is a lot of bounce and swagger with these songs, and listening to them makes me smile because they are just such a great time.

I grabbed the green vinyl that was exclusive to Flatspot Records. 545 pressed.

Restrained In Time

The last Restraining Order album was a fast favorite. That thing was catchy as fuck, and it got to a point where I had to deliberately set it aside and not listen to it so that I didn't overplay that shit. So yeah, when their latest, Locked In Time, went up for preorder, I didn't hesitate to quickly grab a copy.

This new Restraining Order album wasn't the instant fave like the first one. There isn't any great change in style or sound, but it feels similar to when Boston Strangler released their Fire album. It is good and has some really fun songs, but compared to the first? Come on. Still, while it might not rate at the top of my list this year, I can see myself pulling this out in a couple of years and asking myself what my problem was. Restraining Order have to be one of the hardest working bands in hardcore and I hope they keep things rolling through next year.

I can't remember if I was late to the preorders and missed out on the limited colors, or if I just didn't give a fuck and picked one that I thought might be the least offensive to look at. This is the common pressing of the 3 color black/white/yellow smash and it doesn't look terrible. Limited to 524.

Against Myself

I didn't spend a lot of time listening to new hardcore records this year, but there have been a few new releases that I was really looking forward to. I've already posted about As Friends Rust and Magnitude, and to complete my Big 3 for 2023, Vantage Point comes rolling in at the end of the year with Against Myself.

I've really enjoyed Vantage Point since hearing their first demo back in 2016/2017. They play a straight forward style of hardcore that will hit me in the chest every single time. Even at this age, I'm a sucker for it. I don't even know what to say about it anymore. Either you get it or you don't. This shit has moved me since I first discovered the hardcore scene around 1990, and even during a year where my musical tastes have been all over the map, this brand of hardcore will forever grab me by the throat. The Vantage Point 7 inch from the end of 2019 was great, and this full length, clocking in just over 17 minutes, gives me exactly what I want from the band.

165 pressed on some kind of nasty puke looking colored vinyl.

The Decision Is Ours

Striking Distance were around in the early 2000's, which was a time when I was a bit out of touch with what was going on with hardcore. I was aware of some bands at the time, but I was really more interested in stuff like Good Riddance and Anti-Flag. I did have the March To Your Grave CD around then, but I never really gave it much attention. Since I've started collecting record around 2005, I've had a few moments when I would want to build a solid Youngblood collection, but for one reason or another, I've never made moves to pick up the vinyl for that Striking Distance LP.

In 2022, when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, they proved that once again the American conservative powers-that-be doesn't give a shit about popular opinion or the rights of it's citizens, and effectively no longer protected a woman's right to abortion. A month after the ruling, Striking Distance played a couple of reunion shows, and packaged March To Your Grave in one of the best special reissue covers ever, so I knew it was time for me to get this record into my collection. Fuck every one of those conservative pieces of shit. Here is something sent special delivery with your name on it.

I really enjoy going back to that early 2000 era. I never really spent a lot of time with those bands, and it seems like most people have forgotten about that period these days, so it feels like you are in an exclusive club when listening to this stuff now.

According to discogs, there were 200 pressed on red vinyl for this reissue, but only 100 of them received this special cover... and of those, half of them had red poly bags while the other half had a regular clear bag... and then 70 of those had the regular glossy insert, while only 30 had a photocopied insert on red paper. Give me the most limited of the bunch.

Sun Blue

Bent Blue was one of my favorite discoveries in 2022. There was something about that band that hit me in a big way and I listened to their two records a lot throughout last year. So yeah, I was definitely on board for something new from the band this year.

This split 7 inch between Bent Blue and Sunstroke doesn't offer a lot, since it is only one new song plus a cover from each, but I'll take it. Fuck, the new Bent Blue song is so good. I hope the band gives us more because I'm not done with them. I've always appreciated Sunstroke and their very strong influence from the DC Revolution Summer style, so these two bands compliment each other very well. Perfect match for a split release.

I don't collect records for either band, but when preorders went up, I still felt the need to buy both colored vinyl options that were available. Both colors limited to 150 each.

Pitchfork Impalement

I don't listen to a lot of Cannibal Corpse, but when my brain is set to destroy, the band will deliver everytime. You know exactly what you are going to get, so if you want it fast, growly and violent, Cannibal Corpse have you covered.

A few months before the official news of the new Cannibal Corpse album was announced, the album cover got leaked and was making its way around the internet. As soon as I saw that completely over the top ridiculous cover art, I immediately started looking forward to it... which is a weird thing to say, because I've only listen to the last two Cannibal Corpse albums a total of ten times combined and couldn't tell you a single song off of either one, but sure, give me something new. Still, Chaos Horrific is such a fun listen.

When I was preordering the album, I saw a colored vinyl option of "charred remains". Fuck yes. That is the version that I want. Thankfully the vinyl looks as good as it's name.

Magnitude Renewed

Magnitude play a brand of 90's straight edge hardcore that I will love for fucking ever. Thank chunky metallic sound in the vein of One King Down is just so perfect to my ears, and I will fall for it every time. Their last album, To Whatever Fateful End, was so good that I ended up buying three copies of it just because Triple B would reissue it with a different colored cover. I didn't go full stupid, but I still dipped my toes in it.

There was never any doubt that I was going to buy and love their latest record, Of Days Renewed, and it delivered on all fronts. As soon as the opening song kicks off with a "Deliverance!" and then the chugging riff... fuck me, I was dead on the floor it was so good. I must have played that opening six seconds over and over twenty times in a row because it was just so fun.

I know that Triple B love those shitty splatter patterns, but what am I gonna do? I still need one in my collection. 200 pressed on an obnoxious clear vinyl with orange blob and purple splatter.

Drink Deep

I first heard the Drink Deep demo earlier this year. I loved it so much that I was tempted to track down the cassette for it. Thankfully Refuse Records saved me from that, and released a 7 inch from the band.

Drink Deep features Philippe Arama, from Remission, on vocals... and he has such a signature sound that you can't help but compare the two bands. While Remission started leaning in a bit more of a melodic direction by the time they released their final album, Enemy Of Silence, Drink Deep takes it back to a more of straight forward hardcore approach. Eight songs in seven and half minutes is my idea of perfection.

Refused Records had two version of the Drink Deep 7 inch available. I was so excited for this record, and because I was paying overseas shipping, I decided that I might as well order both of them... even if one was just black vinyl.

Not sure if this was intentional, but the covers for my clear and black vinyl had a different shade of blue. 100 pressed for clear, and 270 on black vinyl.

Any Joy

The end of the year is fast approaching, and I've been doing the bare minimum with this blog since this past summer... so if I want to pull together a solid End Of Year post, I've got to get some shit up here quickly. Let's see if I can hold on to some level of commitment for the next couple of weeks.

Those singles from As Friends Rust in the early 2000's easily make my list of favorites from that period... and when they reunited and released a new two song 7 inch in 2020, I listened to them more than any other songs that year. Fuck. I still go back to them often. So when I heard that they had a rew record, Any Joy, due out this year, I jumped in to order the more limited shit.

I really like the look of the special screen printed cover that End Hits did. Nice heavy card stock that wraps around the regular cover... but man, that skull and bones with the blue print looks so good.

Number 27 out of 130 on the shittiest looking clear vinyl you can imagine.

When I first listened to the album, I was a bit underwhelmed. I was expecting this thing to hook me quick, and maybe it is because I just wanted to listen to different shit, but this initially didn't do it for me. Recently though... with a few more listens under my belt... goddamn, this record is so good. The music and melodies... the smart lyrics... this record gives me everything I want from As Friends Rust. Perfect.

Jumping in to the End Hits store as soon as preorders opened up, I quickly grabbed a test press along with the screened cover version. Nothing too exciting with the plain black cover with white text, and it isn't even numbered, but I'm still happy to own one because I love this record so much. Test press is limited to 35.

2001 Downer

One of the best surprises for me this year is the self titled Downer record. It was only released on CD back in 2001 from Roadrunner, so it is no surprise that I'd never heard it before... because seriously, Roadrunner in 2001... yeah no. Still, when Marcus asked me to give it a listen earlier this year because he was interested in my opinion of it, I figured that I'd give it a chance.

Honestly, I was not really feeling these songs with my first listen. This wasn't a style that I typically listened to, and I was not really vibing with it. Still, throughout the summer I really found myself leaning into different music that I don't traditionally spend a lot of time with, and this Downer record kept sounding better and better... and eventually it became one of my favorite things to listen to.

I'm not sure how to describe this. I've never listened to Deftones until this summer, and I think I hear a bit of that sound... but with some Quicksand in there as well maybe? Discogs tags it as nu metal, but that doesn't feel totally correct. I don't know, but it is so good.

This year the Downer record finally saw a vinyl release, and it looks great. The front cover artwork looks better than the original, and all the little extras are a nice touch. 100 pressed on violet colored vinyl.

World I Hate

I really like some of the bands on WAR Records... stuff like Berthold City and Bent Blue have been a couple of my favorite hardcore bands recently... so when the label announces a new band, I will check them out.

When I first heard the name World I Hate, I didn't have very high expectations. It just seemed that it was going to be too "tough" for what I typically look for in hardcore. On the one hand, I was correct because this is HARDcore, but on the other, I really fucking like it. These songs remind me of some early 2000 shit like Think I Care, and I can totally get down for that sound. There is a lot of aggression and anger here. It just hits hard and doesn't let up.

As typical with WAR Records, the actual vinyl looks terrible, but I still jumped in for the "lead" colored wax. Limited to only 90.

Blood Star Sighting

One of my more anticipated releases for this year has to have been the Blood Star LP. I first heard of the band when a friend turned me on to their 7 inch back in 2020. That record came from out of nowhere, but it quickly became a fav for the year. Even with only two songs, that Blood Star 7 inch still shot to number two on my ranking for the year. It was that good.

Even though I was very much looking forward to First Sighting, I still wasn't too hyped on new releases, so the record went untouched for months after it arrived. I was too preoccupied with other music, so the new Blood Star was going to have to wait until the time was right. Apparently that right time didn't kick in until we were approaching the end of the year and I needed to try to get all my new 2023 records up on the blog before we roll into the new year (yeah, I'm not sure if I'm still going to be able to do that).

Once I did finally check it out though... FUCK, this is so good. Tradition metal and the vocals of Madeline Smith fit this sound perfectly. No doubt, Blood Star is going to be high on my ranking again this year.

I wasn't very happy with how the colored vinyl looked for the 7 inch and I expeced the same with the LP, so when preorders went up and I saw that the more limited press was on black vinyl, I figured that's the way that I'd go. Turns out that the colored vinyl didn't look as terrible as I'd expected and given, the chance to do it over again, I may have made a different decision. 300 pressed on black.