Demonitization Relapse

It's been 8 years since the last Iron Reagan record... well, 7 years if you count the one song from their split 7 inch with Sacred Reich. Members are involved with a number of different bands, and with as much time that had passed, I wouldn't have been surprised if Iron Reagan had quietly closed up shop. So I was very excited when I saw that they had a new EP on the way this year.

When I discovered back in June that there was a new Iron Reagan record on the way with Demonitization, I immediately started looking to get my preorder in. Before I checked out of the webstore over at Relapse, I realized where the hell I was, and I hit the brakes. In my excitement for a new Iron Reagan record, I almost forgot that Relapse does a clear colored vinyl version of all their releases (Not available to the public - Friends of band and label only)... and that's the one that I wanted. I played the waiting game and a couple of weeks ago I finally noticed one of my regular clear Relapse connections on Discogs had one availble for sale, and I quickly added it to the cart and checked out.

Iron Reagan do what they do and deliver what you expect from them. They aren't going to spring any surprises on you, and will just hit you with quick blasts of crossover hardcore punk... keeping it fast and tight with 6 songs coming in around 10 minutes. Going for the throat and not letting go as Iron Reagan do best.

Sacred Reagan

Sacred Reich were a hugely important band for me as a kid. Their first three albums, Ignorance, Surf Nicaragua and The American Way, all left a big impression on me at the time. For people that thought that metal bands only sang about killing your parents and worshiping Satan, they obviously never heard Sacred Reich.

In Trump's America, we need bands like Sacred Reich more than ever...bands that are pissed off and vocal about the shitty things going on right now...so I was stoked to learn that the band was back together and recording a new album that is due out this summer. We get a preview of what's to come with this split with Iron Reagan, and it does not disappoint with this fast and furious attack that leaves me wanting more. Bring on that full length album.

Over on the b-side, Iron Reagan offer up a scorcher as well. The band is the king of split releases, and it cool to see them partner up with Sacred Reich this time around.

Only 1,000 pressed...all on black vinyl.

Dark Days Ahead

Iron Reagan have released two EPs this year...at this point, I'm not feeling confident that I'll be able to pick up their split with Gatecreeper before the end of the year, but at least I was able to grab the Dark Days Ahead one sided 12 inch.

Iron Reagan records are always a good time, and this quick blast of five songs in eight minutes is no exception. The band still lets it rip with that Crossover sound. I was surprised to see this record released on the Pop Wig label, which is home to bands like Angel Du$t and Turnstile...and while Iron Reagan is from that same area, it still seemed like an odd fit...but then again, the label seems to have an odd roster.

200 pressed on yellow vinyl, with an etched b-side that is impossible to photograph.

Your Kid's An Asshole

Back in 2014, Iron Reagan released a new EP that was only available on a 7 inch flexi that was included with Decibel magazine. I'm not necessarily interested in Decibel or flexi releases, but I was a big fan of Iron Reagan, so I bought one.

It took until the following year for the Spoiled Identity EP to get a proper vinyl release.

I remember being excited when A389 Recordings announced preorders for the EP, but I'm not sure why I didn't order one. I want to say that the shipping was ridiculously high, so I passed on it at the time. Either way, it has eluded me until I was shopping in Boston last month, and I spotted a copy in the record bins. Instant buy.

Thirteen songs in 5 minutes, this thing rips through songs like an early D.R.I. record.

Metallic gold is the shittiest looking colored vinyl, but that's the one that I ended up with...silkscreened design on the b-side.

Worship At The Crossover Ministry

For a band that initially seemed like a side project for a couple of the Municipal Waste guys, I'm pleasantly surprised to see Iron Reagan still out there thrashing hard with the best of them. Five years in with three albums, a few EPs, and a total of 87 songs...I guess it is safe to say that Iron Reagan are more serious than a side project.

Iron Reagan keep doing what they do best with Crossover Ministry. Great crossover thrash, and videos like Fuck The Neighbors are fun to watch.

Relapse Records goes bold with their colored vinyl options. Bright yellow with hot pink, orange and blue splatter. Damn. That is a gross looking combo...but you know, for me, it works here. Completely over the top, just like Iron Reagan.

When ordering the record, Relapse had a "prayer candle" preorder package available. Of course I had to have it. Light it up and say a prayer for this old man, I'm hitting the mosh pit.

Midnight Mayhem

Three years ago, Sandwell introduced me to Midnight's Satanic Royalty...wow...has it really been that long? Their brand of Venom/Motorhead inspired Metal was just what I needed at that time, and I listened to the shit out of it throughout 2012. Would Midnight still be able to cast their black magic spell over me in 2014?

While I haven't been giving No Mercy For Mayhem the obsessive spins like I did with the previous Midnight LP, this this is still a raging album. Raw power that is on the verge of going off the rails and taking out everyone in it's path. Midnight keep on doing what they do best.

Pressed on oxblood colored vinyl.

The Midnight LP comes with a huge poster as a bonus. Taped nipples and black hoods at knife point. I'll have to check with the wife and kids as to which wall I should mount this beauty.

In addition to releasing their new album, Midnight also was included in the Decibel Flexi Series with their cover of Venom's Too Loud (For The Crowd). I'm not really interested in Decibel magazine, as I don't care about 90% of the bands featured, but occasionally they will throw in a flexi disc that will be too good to resist. The Midnight flexi was one, and the Iron Reagan flexi was another.

Your Kid's An Asshole

Sometimes when I'm posting stuff up on my blog, my enthusiasm over a record ebbs and flows based on where my head is at musically. I suppose it is a natural reaction. I'll buy a record, and like it, but when it comes time to post it, I'm just like "meh" because I'd rather be jamming something else at the moment. Such was the case with the last Iron Reagan album, Worse Than Dead. I've already posted my apology here, so I won't repeat myself, but with a new LP due this year, I was primed and ready for it.

My Metal mood certainly helped put me in the right place for it, but with the release of their Eyeball Gore video, I was rabid with anticipation. I'm squeamish when it comes to the eye, so it was a tough video to sit through, but man, I loved every eye popping part of it. Even the video for Miserable Failure helped set the tone that this album was going to be a fucking blast.

So, unlike their last album, with The Tyranny Of Will I can say that this album rules from the very start. Fast and aggressive...easily one of my favorite Metal records for the year.

500 pressed on red/black swirl vinyl.

Exhumed / Iron Reagan

Okay...okay...I admit it. I was way off base when I wrote about the Iron Reagan LP last year. It failed to excite me when I first heard it, and kind of wrote it off with a yawn.

By the end of year, I could not get enough of the Iron Man album, and when listening to my 2013 Playlist on my iPod, it would jump right from Iron Man to Iron Reagan, and soon I was hooked each time the Iron Reagan album would kick off with that "1..2..3..4...*riff*". By the end of the year, Iron Reagan had almost worked themselves into my Top 10.

When I heard that Iron Reagan were doing a split with Exhumed, I didn't hesitate to order from Tank Crimes.

Iron Reagan deliver once again. Excellent crossover thrash. Exhumed on the other hand were new to me, and were a pleasant surprise. Pretty cool grinding and growling Metal. Four songs from them, with two of them being covers from Minor Threat and Negative Approach. Very cool.

I love the look of this record. The front cover is Metal as fuck, and the red/black/white tri colored vinyl just completes the package.. 300 pressed.

Iron Reagan Is Dead

Iron Reagan released a 5 song demo last year that had me salivating for more of their Crossover awesomeness. I was so excited for their new LP that as soon as I saw pre-orders go up at Interpunk, I didn't hesitate to order one.

Shortly after ordering, Doug sent me a message to let me know that the label, A389 Recordings, had limited red vinyl pre-orders up. Oh shit. I was worried that in my excitement, I'd ordered a more common pressing in error. Thankfully, that wasn't the case, and I was glad to receive the LP on white vinyl.

As an additional bonus, I was surprised to find that the pressing from Interpunk was signed by the band, with each member's signature on the lyric sheet insert. Love the upside-down cross on Land Phil's signature.

As for the record...I don't know. It is good and all, but it doesn't completely kick my ass. Parts of it reach towards brilliance, while others seem to float by on auto pilot. I had the same kind of attitude towards the last Municipal Waste album...good enough not to skip, but not enough to make me want to reach for it. Who knows...I warmed up to the last Waste album a little bit, so maybe this Iron Reagan LP will take some time as well.

Iron Reaganomics

Music in the 80's ruled. Both Metal and Hardcore were at the top of their game, and in the middle of all that were bands blending the two to create the Crossover sound. Crumbsuckers, Corrosion of Conformity, Suicidal Tendencies, Agnostic Front, and of course Dirty Rotten Imbeciles. As a kid that was slowly transitioning from Metal over to Hardcore, these bands were crucial to opening up my musical world.

Crossover bands don't seem to exist these days, and instead we get shitty Metalcore bands in their place. On the rare occasion, we get lucky, and bands like Iron Reagan show us that the 80's aren't dead. Featuring members of Municipal Waste, Iron Reagan sound like an awesome blend of Crossover-era D.R.I. and Nuclear Assault. Throw Reagan's name and face on it, and you have 80's perfection! They recorded 5 songs for their demo this year, and prior to the release of their 2013 LP, they pressed those songs to vinyl.

It was damn near impossible to photograph, but between each song, there was a chunk of dead wax with the song title etched. Never seen that before.

Sweet looking etching on the b side.

A total of 1,500 were pressed, but only 300 were on green vinyl.