MERCY KILLINGS EP OUT SOON! / BANDS ON TOUR / DISTRO UPDATE / ETC

MERCY KILLINGS in Richmond - Baybay ripping it up! Photo by Mick Anders

Yo,

Well, 2013 is nearing its end and its been a busy year on the label front. Thanks to everyone who picked up a copy of the various B.I.R. releases that came out this year! I have two releases that have been in a bit of a limbo this year (respectively, releases 6 and 9 [I planned it that way]) and its looking like at least one of those will be out before the year is done; the MERCY KILLINGS - S/T EP. Very excited to finally get this out after numerous delays with it. Not only can you hear a song from it by clicking here, but you can finally see the art that Guillem Muro (INVASION, IMPALERS, DESTINO FINAL, etc) did for it. There's a small chance that the MOD SUBS 12" will be out before the year is done as well, but we shall see on that...

Speaking of the MERCY KILLINGS - S/T EP, the band will have copies of the record at a few select dates on the east coast the first weekend of December. If you're in the area feel free to catch a gig, I'll be the doofus fronting MK:

12/5/13 - PHILLY - The Golden Tea House w/ LOW CHARGE, PARANOIAS, and COOL LIFE. More information can be found here.

12/6/13 - CAMBRIDGE - Elk's Lodge w/ BOSTON STRANGLER, WASTE MANAGEMENT, MFP, and SAVAGEHEADS. More information can be found here.

12/7/2013 - NYC - The Acheron w/ PEACEBREAKERS, MFP, and MISSIONARY. More information can be found here.

Also, GAS RAG will be embarking on a tour that will be hitting parts of the Midwest, Texas, and even Mexico! Here's a rundown of the dates thus far:

12/3/13 - Iowa City
12/4/13 - Kansas City
12/5/13 - Oklahoma City
12/6/13 - Dallas/Denton
12/7/13 - Austin
12/8/13 - McAllen
12/9/13 - OFF
12/10/13 - Queretaro or Colima
12/11/13 - Guadalajara
12/12/13 - Mexico City
12/13/13 - San Luis Potosi
12/14/13 - Monterrey
12/15/13 - OFF
12/16/13 - Houston
12/17/13 - New Orleans
12/18/13 - St. Louis

More information will be available here as it develops.

On the distro front, I have a plethora of new and exciting records available for purchase:

THE ABUSED - LOUD AND CLEAR 12" (!!!)
THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY - CRUNCH ON EP (NYHC demo rarity put to vinyl)
ALERTA! - S/T EP (the latest and greatest band from Barcelona!)
VAASKA / SKIZOPHRENIA - split 7" (KILLER split! VAASKA tracks recorded at the same time as the split B.I.R. releases with them and IMPALERS, equally ripping output from them on this one!)
THE BUSINESS - HARRY MARY EP
COCKNEY REJECTS - FLARES N' SLIPPERS EP
STIV BATORS' DEAD BOYS - LAST STAND 1980 EP
STIV BATORS / DAVID QUINTON - MAKE UP YOUR MIND EP
DISAPPOINTED PARENTS - AM I GETTING THROUGH? EP (NOLA 83 HC rarity, repressed by the great Psycho Wolf Records!)
CONDITION - BOMBED OUT EP
ZYANOSE - WHY THERE GRIEVE? LP

+ many more! As usual, B.I.R. releases and distro items can be found here.

That about wraps everything up for now, expect an update within a couple weeks regarding the release of the MERCY KILLINGS ep! 2014 is already shaping up to be a busy year yet again. Soon enough I'll be announcing the first release of the year, I got the final mix of said recording the other day and it is a scorcher!!!

Be easy,
-B.I.R.

10/15/13 - VAASKA / IMPALERS SPLIT 7" & OBLITERATION - WAR IS OUR DESTINY EP OUT NOW!

OUT NOW ON BEACH IMPEDIMENT RECORDS!!! Two releases at once!

VAASKA / IMPALERS – SPLIT 7”

Both VAASKA and IMPALERS, who are arguably two of the best hardcore punk bands out of Austin, TX these days, have teamed up to unleash one of the most blistering split 7"s I've heard in years. A limited tour edition was available back in August for the East Coast/Midwest tour that both bands embarked on, but the legitimate pressing is now finally available to the masses! Each band shows the world how it should be done over the course of only two songs each; with VAASKA executing their mastery of raw hardcore all the while straying from the plethora of bands that have beaten the style into a boring submission and IMPALERS showcasing the ability to produce their own uniquely virulent metalpunk fist pumpers that have become the band's earmark over the past few years. Each record comes in a glue pocket sleeve with art by the great Brian Miller. Look out for a West Coast tour with these bands this winter! 150 copies on translucent dark green vinyl for mailorder while they last.

OBLITERATION – WAR IS OUR DESTINY EP

Almost lost to the sands of time, but resurrected for a limited time by Beach Impediment Label, here's the final EP from Obliteration. More of the Americanized Scandi-core from their last 2 EP's: glass-in-throat vocals, driving manic drums, abusive tasteless guitar solos, and the title track is a dumbed down version of the St. Vitus classic. No over-cooked crasher crust, just balls to the wall hardcore punk. Limited one time pressing of 600 copies, 100 of which are on clear vinyl and available for mailorder while they last.

To order individual copies of these records, please go to http://beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com/

To hear songs from these records, please go to http://soundcloud.com/beachimpediment

For wholesale inquiries, please contact beachimpediment[at]gmail.com

The following distributors / stores will have copies of these releases in the near future: SORRY STATE, FERAL WARD, TODO DESTRUIDO, GRAVE MISTAKE, LA VIDA ES UN MUS (UK), VINYL CONFLICT, WARTHOG SPEAK, PUNK AND DESTROY (Japan), PAINKILLER RECORDS, HEARTFIRST RECORDS (Germany), HAVOC RECORDS, RECORD SHOP BASE (Japan), END OF AN EAR, NO PATIENCE (Australia), VELTED REGNUB, ARMAGEDDON SHOP, RUST AND MACHINE, MMM DISCOS, BRAIN ABUSE, AGITATE RECORDS, UGLY POP (Canada), KATORGA WORKS, HEAVEN STREET, GOING UNDERGROUND, TENSION HEAD, FEEL IT, SOAP AND SPIKES, and more that are in the works.

And as always, EBULLITION, REVHQ, and COBRASIDE will have these titles available to the stores and distros out there that prefer to run with the big dogs.

In addition to these new releases, I've also stocked the distro with releases from a plethora of bands: IMPALERS, E.A.T.E.R., LIFE FORM, RAW NERVES, VAASKA, CONCRETE CROSS, SNAKE CHARMER, TWERPS, CONFUSE, ALERT! ALERT!, ECTOPLASM, IMPACT, COLERA, THE BELLICOSE MINDS, FRAMTID, LEATHERFACE, HALSHUG, VIOLENT ARREST, MAJOR DAMAGE, CHAOS UK, E.N.T., NO FUCKER, TERVEET KADET, SACRILEGE (NYC), KURRAKA, DYSCONTROL, WARCUPID, CREEM, and many more! A little bit of something for everyone.

A few other items of note:

-MERCY KILLINGS - S/T EP will be out in November. The vinyl is in, just waiting on the art. Really excited to get this one out! Northeast folks, be on the lookout for some gigs in your area come the first weekend of December! The Boston gig is looking STACKED!

-MOD SUBS test presses have been approved! Everything else is in, just waiting on the vinyl. This one has been a long time coming, beyond stoked to get this out! Hopefully this will be released alongside the MERCY KILLINGS 7".

-KREMLIN are calling it a day. Legit fucking bummer, but on the flipside I am confident those guys will continue making fucked up and awesome music. It was a pleasure working with and getting to know those guys, they have a few more shows lined up- the last of which is at NOT DEAD YET FEST in Toronto. I have a few more copies of the LP left for those who might have missed out early on, not sure if this will be repressed so nab it while ya can!

That does it for now. 

-B.I.R.

GAS RAG - HUMAN RIGHTS EP 2nd PRESS OUT NOW! / END OF SUMMER UPDATE

OI,

The 2nd press of the GAS RAG - HUMAN RIGHTS EP has finally arrived and is starting to disappear quicker than I thought it would. 500 copies with red and yellow center labels, best get ya some. MRR had some pleasant words about this slab:

I concur! Anyways, as usual single copies are available in the webstore and multiple copies are of course available from me via wholesale directly or even from other fine punk distributors. Interesting trades will be considered as always. The following distros/stores are hip to this shit and either have copies of the repress already or will have them soon:

HAVOC RECORDS, SORRY STATE, GRAVE MISTAKE, MMM DISCOS, REVHQ, EBULLITION, ARMAGEDDON SHOP, DISEASED AUDIO, BLACK WATER, SPHC, DISTORT REALITY, MAN IN DECLINE RECORDS, LOUD PUNK, SIT AND SPIN, SCHIZOPHRENIC RECORDS, DEATHWISH INC, and some others in the works.

And for you European folks not in the know, my main man Noel over at Even Worse Records has done a European pressing of this stellar record! So please order from him if you're over there, thanks!

The touring noted in the previous post is starting to wind down, but both DESPERAT and HASSLER got a few more gigs coming up so be sure to peep those should they come near you! Many thanks to everyone who went to go see GAS RAG and the VAASKA / IMPALERS tours, both bands sold out of their records completely and by all accounts had a good time. I do not have any of the tour edition of the VAASKA / IMPALERS split 7", all copies were given to the bands, so please do not email asking me for copies. Information on the legit press below.

Here's what I have on deck to have available to you all this fall:

MOD SUBS - PRIMITIVE BY TODAY'S STANDARDS 12" - BIR-006 (the gentlemen at Steady Sounds received and approved acetates for this one the other day, gears are finally starting to turn! One time pressing of 300 copies for this obscure Virginia punk recording session, stay tuned...)

VAASKA / IMPALERS - split 7" - BIR-008 (we were able to have some tests rushed for tour and those sold out very quickly. Now I'm just waiting for the actual records and covers. 2 songs each from 2 of Austin's finest!)

MERCY KILLINGS - S/T 7" - BIR-009 (debut EP from this VA/NC project featuring members of DIRECT CONTROL, GOVERNMENT WARNING, WASTED TIME, and STRIPMINES among others... mean HC punk. Tests have been approved, working out the art and all that fun stuff.)

OBLITERATION - WAR IS OUR DESTINY EP - BIR-010 (so I had a vague mention of this one in my last post, but here it is- the final recordings from one of my favorite projects from the Boston gang. I added a song to the B.I.R. Soundcloud a few weeks ago, be sure to check it out along with some songs from the other upcoming releases.)

Other shit of note:

- HARDCORE: GIMME SOME MORE still accepting submissions, its a comp so the process is bound to be slowed down a bit whilst waiting for some of the hot acts to submit tracks. I'll be sure to post any and all updates as they occur.

- MERCY KILLINGS 2 song promo tapes are gone from me, both SORRY STATE and FEEL IT grabbed a few copies off me at our gigs earlier in the month, stay tuned to their webstores if ya need one.

- Festival Season 2013 is in its final months. These great fest not only feature great bands we have released but are also all in the great nation of Canada: DISTORT VANCOUVER (featuring our pals DESPERAT and HASSLER), A VARNING FROM MONTREAL (with our buds in KREMLIN), and the fucking stacked NOT DEAD YET FEST (which will feature the first Canadian appearances of THE IMPALERS and VAASKA and will also see sets from GAS RAG and KREMLIN). So if you've been looking for an excuse to visit the great white north and catch some sick groups, then look into these.

- Summer is finally winding down and I got a few more exciting releases that are coming together slowly but surely. More on those as they develop.

Later,
-B.I.R.

BEACH IMPEDIMENT BANDS ON TOUR THIS SUMMER / NEW SONGS POSTED

HASSLER live in Montreal, photo by Ben Pepin

Summer is in full swing and all that fun stuff, and as a result many of the groups associated with B.I.R. are hitting the road. I've compiled a list of tour dates for each band, along with links to check for any updates should my information eventually be wrong. Go see these stellar bands if they come near you!!!

HASSLER

8/4 – MONTREAL, QC – CASA DEL POPOLO – RRROOOAAARRR FESTIVAL

8/8 – HALIFAX, NS – GUS’S w/ TBA

8/9 – PEI – MAPLEWOOD ROOM w/ TBA

8/10 – MONCTON, NB – THE CAVEAU w/ TBA

8/23 – HAMILTON, ON – TBA w/ SMOOTH BRAIN, BORN WRONG, + more

9/7 – VANCOUVER, BC – DISTORT FEST

9/8 – VANCOUVER, BC – DISTORT FEST BBQ SHOW

9/10 – SOMEWHERE, BC – TBA

9/11 – KARNLOOPS, BC – TBA

9/12 – EDMONTON, AB – TBA

9/13 – CALGARY, AB – TBA

For more information, please consult the HASSLER blog.

GAS RAG

7/23 - BLOOMINGTON, IN - TBA w/ TBA
7/24 - COLUMBUS, OH - LEGION OF DOOM w/ TBA
7/25 - BUFFALO, NY - TBA w/ Jewish Star
7/26 - TORONTO, ON - TBA w/ KREMLIN, VIOLENT FUTURE, and WEAK LINK
7/27 - MONTREAL, QC - DEATH HOUSE w/ TBA
7/28 - ALBANY, NY - 19 GRANT w/ CANCER
7/29 - WMASS - TBA w/ HOAX and STOIC VIOLENCE
7/30 - BOSTON, MA - BOILER ROOM w/ SAVAGE HEADS, EXIT ORDER, and FLACCID
7/31 - NYC - 538 JOHNSON w/ GREEN BERET, SATAN'S SATYRS, WARTHOG, and MISSIONARY

8/1 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - MOONBASE w/ BAD SIDE, LOW CHARGE, LOTUS FUCKER, and SLIT LIPS
8/2 - PITTSBURGH, PA - GOOSKI'S w/ DRUG LUST, HUNTED DOWN, STOIC VIOLENCE, and NO TIME

For more information, please consult the Facebook event page for the tour.

DESPERAT

9/6 – VANCOUVER, BC – DISTORT FEST – WISE HALL

9/8 – SEATTLE, WA

9/11 – SANTA ANA, CA

9/13 – BAY AREA, CA

9/14 – PORTLAND, OR

DESPERAT will only be playing a few dates on this tour, they are posted above. However, MOB 47 will be doing the whole tour! For complete dates, please refer to the Facebook event page for the tour and also stay tuned to the DESPERAT blog.

THE IMPALERS / VAASKA

* = IMPALERS ONLY

8/12 – NEW ORLEANS, LA – SIBERIA w/ GAS MIASMA *

8/13 – ATLANTA, GA – 529 w/ MANIC, MERCENARY, and PARADOX *

8/14 – RALEIGH, NC – THE MAYWOOD w/ MERCY KILLINGS + more *

8/15 – RICHMOND, VA – STRANGE MATTER w/ ORGAN DONOR and MERCY KILLINGS

8/16 – BALTIMORE, MD – THE OTTOBAR w/ RINGWORM, MUNICIPAL WASTE, NOISEM, and POWER TRIP *

8/17 – NEW YORK, NY – THE ACHERON w/ BACK TO BACK and MISSIONARY

8/18 – BOSTON, MA – TBA

8/19 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – WOLF CYCLES w/ BAD ENERGY and CONGENITAL DEATH

8/20 – PITTSBURGH, PA – TBA

8/21 – CHICAGO, IL – TBA w/ VIOLENT END and PILLAGE

8/22 – ST. LOUIS, MO – TBA

8/23 – DALLAS, TX – RUBBER GLOVES w/ TOLAR, DEAD LINE, VULGAR DISPLAY, and THE SENTENCED

8/24 – AUSTIN, TX – BEERLAND w/ KURRAKA, BREAKOUT, and PINKOS

For more information, please consult the Facebook event page for the tour.

SEE THESE BANDS IF THEY COME NEAR YOU!!!!

Others items of note:

-As stated in the subject line, I got around to posting some new songs from some upcoming releases; a track from the MERCY KILLINGS - S/T EP and a VAASKA song from the upcoming split 7" between THE IMPALERS and VAASKA. You can hear those tracks by clicking the "TUNES" button above or by clicking here.

-I've got 3 releases at the plant; the aforementioned MERCY KILLINGS 7" and THE IMPALERS / VAASKA split 7", along with another release that I have yet to announce but will get around to doing so sometime soon. Here's a hint- it's a 7" from one of my favorite Boston projects from the later 00's.

-MERCY KILLINGS have 3 shows this summer, 2 in Richmond (7/24 at The Green Room w/ STOIC VIOLENCE & 8/15 at Strange Matter w/ THE IMPALERS and VAASKA) and 1 in Raleigh (8/14 at The Maywood w/ THE IMPALERS). After that, most likely laying low for a bit on the gig front and writing more hardcore when time permits. For these 3 gigs, we will have 2 song promo tapes. I'm making 100 of them. These will only be available at said gigs, if there are any leftovers I'll try and put em up in the webstore.

THAT DOES IT,
-B.I.R.

GAS RAG - HUMAN RIGHTS EP SOLD OUT / UP NEXT: THE IMPALERS / VAASKA SPLIT 7"

GAS RAG - Photo by UNKNOWN / peep them hairy arms

HEY,

So the first press of the GAS RAG - HUMAN RIGHTS EP came and went within the span of a week or so, thanks a shit ton for all the orders. Rest assured, all the hot distros have this one stocked up for the time being. For a list of those, please check the previous post. I've been trying to keep it as updated as possible, especially making note of the foreign distros that have obtained copies for all you folks out there that hate dealing with the dreaded USPS and their international rates.

An order has been sent in for the 2nd press, so stay tuned... And if you operate a store or distro that needs copies, the usual suspects have a bunch available: EBULLITION, REVHQ, and COBRASIDE. Thanks again! GAS RAG will be hitting the road later this summer, I will be posting the dates here once they are more solidified, but in the meantime you can get a peek at them here.

Speaking of good bands on tour, I have yet to officially announce this one so here it is- up next will be a split 7" between THE IMPALERS and VAASKA for their upcoming east coast / midwest tour in August. I am beyond stoked to be a part of this one. While I'm not usually huge on splits, both bands churned out absolute rippers for this... it will be a must have for fans of these freaks. Anyways, I'm hoping to have the actual pressing of this out in time for the tour! That failing, we will end up doing the old "100 or so test presses for tour then have the actual record out later" trick. Much like the GAS RAG tour dates, I'll be sure to post these once they are more solidified, but in the meantime you can see what's developing here. Also, both bands have awesome records coming out later in the year on TODO DESTRUIDO RECORDS, so stay tuned on that.

Other news of interest:
-A few hold ups with the MOD SUBS 12"... hopefully those will be ready later in the summer.
-MERCY KILLINGS 7" is still being mastered. Eric and Baybay are over in Europe with SICKOIDS for another week or so, go punish/bug them.
-V/A HARDCORE: GIMME SOME MORE is chugging along slow but steady. Gonna see what the response is before deciding on 7" or 12" format. In the meantime, here's a teaser: the song PEACEBREAKERS submitted for it RIPS! Feel free to submit songs to me, random groups.
-I just realized that in addition to the GAS RAG and THE IMPALERS/VAASKA tours mentioned above, that both HASSLER and DESPERAT have a shit ton of dates coming up as well. Expect a big "SUMMER TOURS" post in the near future!!!

BI-BI,
-B.I.R.

6/11/13 - GAS RAG - HUMAN RIGHTS EP OUT NOW!



Chicago sex punks GAS RAG are back with six tracks of hardcore punk for the masses. Recorded during the same session that yielded the critically acclaimed 2013 demo, the “HUMAN RIGHTS” EP is sure to tickle the collective fancy of those who were stimulated by the aforementioned demo tape. Blending elements of D-Beat rock based music and a bit of their own Midwestern flavor, GAS RAG gives Earth's freaks the perfect summer soundtrack to go along nicely with their inhalants and/or any other substances that one would deem fit. First pressing of 600 copies; 100 of which are on translucent red vinyl and the other 500 on black.

To order individual copies, please go to http://beachimpedimentrecords.bigcartel.com/

To hear a song from the “HUMAN RIGHTS” EP, please go to http://soundcloud.com/beachimpediment

For wholesale inquires, please contact beachimpediment[at]gmail[dot]com

For more information, please visit http://beachimpedimentrecords.blogspot.com/

I've also recently stocked the distro with tons of items, new and old, from hot acts like KREMLIN, BAD SKIN, KRIEGSHOG, DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE, PEACEBASTARD, ARMLESS CHILDREN, KRONOFOGDEN, PUNCH IN THE FACE, SICKOIDS, THE DECAY, MANBIKI CHOCOLATE, EGO SUMMIT, INSTITUTION, SUDOR, FOLKEIIS, F.U.K., ULSTER, and many more. Take a gander.

UPDATE 6/13/13: COLOR VINYL SOLD OUT TUESDAY NIGHT. REGULAR VERSION IS DOWN TO ABOUT 40 COPIES.

As always, your favorite distros will have copies en route to them soon enough. Here is a list of what we have thus far:

SORRY STATE RECORDS, FERAL WARD, GRAVE MISTAKE RECORDS, COWABUNGA RECORDS, C.O.A. DISTRO, FEEL IT RECORDS, STATIC SHOCK RECORDS (UK), VINYL CONFLICT RECORD STORE, VELTED REGNUB, TENSION HEAD RECORDS, WARTHOG SPEAK, KATORGA WORKS, VIDEO DISEASE, CHIMICHANGA DISTRO, SOAP AND SPIKES, SEWERCIDE RECORDS (Canada), BLACK REBEL RECORDS, END OF AN EAR, RUST AND MACHINE, BAD VIBRATIONS RECORDS (Canada), HELTA SKELTA RECORDS (Australia), TODO DESTRUIDO, VINYL RITES, REEL TIME RECORDS, and a few more that are in the works.

For those that prefer to work with the big dogs, EBULLITION, REVHQ, and COBRASIDE will have copies in the near future.

Thanks,
-B.I.R.

HASSLER - AMORALITY EP REPRESS / REVIEWS + MORE

Well, I'll be! The repress of the HASSLER - AMORALITY EP has finally arrived! There are 350 of these things and we spruced up the center labels a bit, making them red and yellow. Get em while they last!

Also, here are some reviews for the AMORALITY EP:

- MRR

"Yet another great Canadian band, there seems to be a lot of good stuff going on there, especially in Toronto. Hassler deliver a punch to the face with a hard hitting, relentless hardcore attack which pounds itself into your skull while gruff vocals spew out anger and despair. This has me thinking of bands like Geriatric Unit, Hoax, Fuk and even Negative Approach; there’s a simplicity about the songs that I like, and a powerful sound that’s pretty irresistible. I’m finding that one listen to this record isn’t enough, multiple plays at each sitting is essential. Great stuff." - Suspect Device

"I just reviewed this Ontario band's 7" on Schizophrenic Records in the last blog post and here another 7" platter of unfettered hardcore rage with a hint of Poison Idea in the mix. Same hallmarks--gutteral vocals and a full-bore old school attack. About five years ago, the underrated west coast band Nightstick Justice had something of a similar vibe, especially on their song "Control,"  where their vocalist Jeff bellowed "get the FUCK out of my way!" Sounds like a good idea when this pain train is coming at you. " - Suburban Voice

"Self-described “meat and potatoes Toronto hardcore,” and I ain’t a-gonna argue with ‘em. They go the straight-ahead route instead of pissin’ in the gene pool with outside influences, resulting in a thrash-bang fest that recalls the best moments of Negative Approach and Capitol Punishment." - Razorcake

"Hassler are another Toronto band heavily influenced by NYHC circa 1984-87, that sort of “homeless street kids start a band to play hardcore matinees” vibe that is so easy to romanticize decades later from our little internet portals and Expedits filled with rarities. Even the lyric sheet seems to share Porcell’s handwriting style! With Hassler’s big-mouth vocals, I’m reminded of Boston Strangler too, although not as huge-sounding, more “no frills”. They get super fast on some tracks (“Escape” being the rippingest), but Amorality is mostly geared toward stirring up the pit quickly and effectively. If we were forced to choose one Toronto hardcore group paying their homage to the New York classics, I’d probably still go with Omegas (they’ve just got the sound and image down pat), but Hassler are real good too, and they probably share band members, or at least hang out in the same living rooms together. If you’re trying to bulk up on meat and potatoes, it might be time to add Hassler to your regimen." - Yellow Green Red

"Upon opening the package I was met first with the EP artwork. Kind of a youth crew looking drawing, with the iconic lettering and everything. The artwork definitely has a Pettibon look to it though, so I guess judging the work on the art I was kind of expecting a throwback hardcore band somewhere between Black Flag and Youth Crew. The EP is printed on a glued sleeve, which anymore comes as a relief because of the sheer amount of bifold covers that are popping up. The artwork is pretty great tongue in cheek, whether it is the cover which depicts a lineup of a punk, homeless?, businessman, policeman and knife-wielding baby; or the back cover (my personal favorite) which depicts a life sized clothed rat (mouse?) dick in hand peeing into what I can only imagine is a sewer, but I could be wrong. Something about the overall uncertainty of the artwork and the comic nature really ties it all together: cohesive incoherence you could say. All of the artwork is kind of tied together with the inclusion of a small but clear, studded bracelet donning, middle finger in the liner notes.

Despite the look of the artwork, what Hassler offers though is definitely not a cross between those aforementioned bands, but more of a Boston Hardcore vibe, meets maybe something along the lines of Poison Idea with less solos, maybe even some of the Early British Hardcore punk bands. Hassler is neither easy nor necessarily hard to classify. You can tell they are neither trying to really imitate one specific thing, nor trying to be something completely new. What they do however is craft some pretty memorable and catchy songs.

I have to admit, on first listen I wasn't completely sold on the record. It was good, but was it worth really jamming a lot? I wasn't sure. After a few listens the songs began burrowing their way into my head, and I found myself liking them more and more, and eventually really loving them. This happened first with Retaliation, the record's 3rd song. At this point after sitting with the record for a bit (it has actually taken me about 2 weeks to write this review) I found this song to be one of the most catchy and rad songs I've heard in awhile. This remains my favorite track of the EP. The way in which the vocalist shouts really makes the band for me. He has a sense of urgency and anger that really shines through, and on top of the simple sound of his voice I am extremely into the cadence of his vocals. To put it simply there are some absolutely killer vocal patterns.

Musically the EP is good but can begin to sound a bit repetitive at times. However an almost perfect amount of lead guitar work comes to the aid. The guitarist is conservative about where to place a lead lick, as there are only a few in the entire record. It is possible that the record may of been improved with the inclusion of more, but I kind of think that the minimal use of solos/leads really allow the few to stand out. Often in punk, when a guitarist has the ability to solo well, they abuse this talent and the songs become over saturated with monotonous solos. This is fortunately not the case with this EP. The production is spot on though. The guitars have an awesome natural sound to them, neither overly distorted or too tinny. The bass is super thick and creates an awesome compliment for the drums which are pleasantly loud in the mix.

I honestly don't have much to say about the lyrics, without sounding like I am repeating myself from prior reviews. The lyrics are kind of exactly what you'd expect. Simple and straight to the point punk songs about amorality (fitting right?), violence (VI-O-LENCE, FUCK, VI-O-LENCE [my favorite part of the whole record]), apathy and seemingly self-hatred or at least self-doubt. No new grounds are being broken, but is that what you really want? probably not.

Overall, Amorality is a killer 2nd EP release by Hassler. If you like simple and aggressive hardcore that focuses heavily on the vocals than you'll love the record. If you have been a fan of the recent output of Hardcore bands from Toronto (anything from Kremlin to School Jerks to Violent Future, etc) than I think you'll find this record a very satisfying purchase. If you aren't crazy about it the first time, give it a few more listens (with only 5 songs barely over a minute each I don't think this is a hard feat) and I am sure that it will grow on you. Excellent buy from an increasingly excellent label. Can't wait to see what both Hassler and BI do next."
-But After The Gig

In other news, GAS RAG tests have been approved and art has been sent off to the printer so expect tracks like "Abort Them" to be your feel good hit of the summer. In fact, said track can be found here for those who want a sampling of what is to come. MOD SUBS 12" is coming along as well and should be out sometime in the summer as well. MERCY KILLINGS recorded for the upcoming 7", which should be mastered soon. Got a few things in limbo, both new and old, that I can hopefully spread the word on soon. We shall see.

-B.I.R.