Lines In Wax

TWELVE YEARS OF UNWANTED OPINION

Month: December 2019

Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth (2018)
jazz

Kamasi Washington – Heaven And Earth (2018)

Well, I snoozed on the release of this, only discovering it recently. My first main thought, in retrospect, is that it contains lesser experimental passages than The Epic, although the records are similar in terms of scope and length. Heaven And Earth invokes more repetition, to the point where I found that some tracks went on perhaps just a little too long, but this is of course just my opinion. The freeform freakout elements that dashed the monstrous compositions on The Epic like mad stabs of a dripping paintbrush at an already dense canvas seem more restrained, more focus here lies on the beat, the backbone, and possibly more the structure of the songs themselves, including the vocal. Kamasi’s piercing sax lets rip at far too few intervals for my liking. This is not to say however, that Heaven And Earth is not a stunning record and a monumental achievement of musical composition. Topping The Epic though, it seems, is a difficult task.

Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)
punk & hardcore rock

Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)

Joy Division are of course absolutely legendary at this point, but I for one had never really given them that much though (which is weird, because I love New Order), Unknown Pleasures then, really lives up to its name for me. Glorious stuff. Very sad in hindsight, knowing the frame of mind in which Ian Curtis and co wrote the songs, but heavily enjoyable. My only regret is waiting so long to give it a try.

Rabid (1977)
exploitation horror

Rabid (1977)

Well then… a decent film, with a stunning lead (how beautiful was Marilyn Chambers? Cool to see her here, I didn’t realise it was the same lass that was in that Green Door porno) but suffering with horrendous pacing issues. I enjoyed the story but was honestly bored for the majority of the film. A shame, considering the effects are pretty cool, and also considering the director’s reputation. I feel like the concept was all there, but the idea was somewhat lacking.

Septycal Gorge – Growing Seeds Of Decay (2006)
Uncategorized

Septycal Gorge – Growing Seeds Of Decay (2006)

Enjoyable if you’ve got brutality on the brain, but my main criticisms which I feel need airing is that this production is very dry and awkward, and it can feel like the songs are lurching along at a snail pace even when the tracks are blasting away. That, and the vocals are mixed incredibly low. Sorry to level my criticisms in such a short review, but they are pretty big drawbacks.

Bad Religion – Christmas Songs (2013)
punk & hardcore

Bad Religion – Christmas Songs (2013)

Of all the bands in the world to release a Christmas album, what with songs about ol’ Mr. Christ a’plenty, I would not have thought it would be Bad Religion. I’m not sure if this is some sort of joke or if the band legitimately wanted to do a Christmas record before their drummer fucked off to join Avenged Sevenfold (why in the fuck, right?), but here it is, in all its mind-bending reality. Honestly, its pretty good, as far as Christmas records go. I mean, Greg Graffin is no Cliff Richard, but Bad Religion’s almost… how can I put this…. “stoned” punk rock vibe is the perfect pace for this type of shit. I can’t imagine it will get many listens from me, but I will definitely put it on during Christmas Day just to piss off my girlfriend, if nothing else. Merry Christmas, you bastards!

Belle De Jour (1967)
classic cinema erotica

Belle De Jour (1967)

So this was my first experience with the films of Luis Bunuel. I love the imagery so excuse the flurry of different covers that I’ve provided alongside this post. I remember a few years ago a local cinema showing this for one night only, and I didn’t go because I didn’t want to be seen as the perv who went on his own to see this kinda thing. Boy, do I regret that decision. Belle De Jour is a classic of French cinema, and despite its themes of prostitution, and masochism, it is beautifully filmed and skillfully restrained (lol). What I like most about this is that the lines between dream and reality continue to blur. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether Belle is in this world or her own. Topping that off, the whole thing looks gorgeous, all of the women too are beyond stunning, and the film is a true treat, despite its age. I really didn’t expect to fall so much in love in this, but fall in love I did. Brilliant stuff! 

Duke Ellington – Anatomy Of A Murder (1959)
classical jazz

Duke Ellington – Anatomy Of A Murder (1959)

I was inspired to look up the swinging sounds of Duke Ellington due to his (fictional) appearances in the Big Mouth TV series. Anatomy Of A Murder is kinda an OST to a movie of the same name, where bluesy swing and big band jazz is the order of the day. For me, this is an example of jazz in its purest sense; incredibly moods and musicianship all round. I really want to check out this movie now.

Decampitated (1998)
comedy exploitation

Decampitated (1998)

This terrible Troma-distributed title gets off to a promising start. However, it devolves rapidly from there and ends up being a total mess, and not in a good way. The practical effects are entertaining despite the budget, but I can’t say that this comes particularly highly recommended from me. I can only apologise as well for the horrendous cover scan on this one.

Catacombs – In The Depths Of R’lyeh (2006)
death metal doom metal

Catacombs – In The Depths Of R’lyeh (2006)

In The Depths Of R’lyeh is an oddly melodic trip through the desperate mire of glacial-paced death doom. Channelling the morbid energy of such greats as Coffins, Evoken, Disma (sue me) or Disembowelment, Catacombs flatten you into a distortion-filled malaise of depressive, gloomy metal.  The sheer weight of the guitars is almost so crushing it is just delicious. It might be slower than your gran popping to the shop for a tin of cat food, but its a polished, brutal metal record worthy of your time, if you have the patience. 

Blade Runner (1982)
classic cinema sci-fi

Blade Runner (1982)

I am not entirely sure how it has taken me all my life until this point in time to finally watch Blade Runner. I treated myself to the final cut, and within minutes I was completely enthralled in this dystopian world. Unfortunately, I watched this on my phone at 1am, so will be purchasing a Blu Ray copy of it in the future, I should think (2020 edit: I have now seen this in all of its HD glory!). Everything about this is just so perfect in every way; Vangelis’ score, the cinematography, the atmosphere and the crushing parallels to real-life 2019. It is enough to bring one to tears, speaking so freely, the gorgeous and terrifying world is so enthralling. A new favourite of mine. 

Ill Bill ‎– Black Metal (2007)
hip hop

Ill Bill ‎– Black Metal (2007)

If you like your hip hop drenched in metal references there’s rarely any need to look past Necro or his brother Ill Bill. I’m not sure if a rap over Slayer’s “Raining Blood” really works all that well, but otherwise Black Metal is full of some pretty solid tunes, if not as gross or OTT as his brother’s albums.

Torsofuck – Erotic Diarrhea Fantasy (2004)
death metal grindcore

Torsofuck – Erotic Diarrhea Fantasy (2004)

Yo dawg, I heard you liked samples that were too long even for Mortician records, so we put some long-ass samples on your goregrind, because ya’ll love that long-ass fuckin’ gap between tracks right? I mean, whatever you think of what became of Torsofuck (actually, what became of Torsofuck?), and of those fucking retarded samples, Torsofuck’s full length is some serious brutality. It really scrapes the bottom of the septic tank, reaching into the very depths of sleaze and depravity in the name of aural entertainment. Unsure if a benchmark for brutality, or a way-marker that says, “turn back, ye have come too far!” This has recently been repressed on black and err, perhaps unsurprisingly, brown vinyl, with the new shit-stained art that you see above. I didn’t see any real reason to move away from the original art, as disgusting as it is, it is kind of a landmark of the genre by now (I think that says a lot). The repress contains the 1999 demo High Level Cannibalistic Violence, which I have to admit I haven’t heard.

Troma’s War (1988)
action & martial arts exploitation

Troma’s War (1988)

I guess the best way to describe this would be to say that it is Troma’s take on the Rambo era of War films. Beginning uncannily in the same fashion as the pilot (lol) episode of Lost, Troma’s War quickly descends into a jungle-fever drenched bullet fest, with a dashing of casual racism and exposed breasts for completions sake. Did I really care what the fuck was going on? No. Did I enjoy watching it? Yes, absolutely. 

Weluvpot – Full Onion Vol. 3 (2011)
grindcore

Weluvpot – Full Onion Vol. 3 (2011)

This was one of many cassettes I had from trading with Mike at Sludgesicle Records, back in the ol’ day, as they say. Unfortunately, I have no audio to share with you, but I’m trying to get into the habit of getting through Lines In Wax posts that have been queued up for literally six or seven years now. Honestly, I’m not even sure if I ever listened to this, but I’ve got this idea in my head of how it sounds lol, and yeah, I’m sure that sounds like some total B.S. for a “review”, but we’re past that here at LIW now. RIP Mike. 

Abuse – Like A Virgin (2001)
death metal

Abuse – Like A Virgin (2001)

Well-produced and seemingly (for once) well thought out brutal death metal. These kinda bands are a dime a dozen so it truly is difficult to make a difference in the realms of brutality, but Abuse offer a glorious battering in the metallic style. Think Lividity and later Waco Jesus and you should have a good idea of how Like A Virgin is going to sound. The band are tighter than a [insert filthy pun], and the vocalist brings along a whole zoo of animals to help him out. I also love how the cover plays with so much black space, it is disturbing whilst also being very understated, again this is the kinda restraint you don’t tend to see so much in death metal all too often.

JK Flesh – Rise Above (2015)
electronic

JK Flesh – Rise Above (2015)

I love how this project has continued evolving over the years. Like, what is this freakery? Its like some kind of primal body music. Deep down, it captures your mind and your body, and you just want to move, like some sort of lucid nightmare that is also rather purifying. Fucking banging, mate.

Pig Destroyer – Book Burner (2012)
grindcore metal

Pig Destroyer – Book Burner (2012)

It is easy to ignore later Pig Destroyer as the earlier records are such classics of the grindcore genre. However, let’s not overlook that Book Burner is a solid, lightening fast metal record. The drumming from Adam Jarvis (of Misery Index fame) is on point, and melds well with Scott’s riffs and JR’s haunting, savage roars. Sprinkle in a few guesties from ANb vocalists Rich and Kat, and what more could you possibly want?

Anal Whore – Pornorama (2006)
grindcore

Anal Whore – Pornorama (2006)

Ah, what a forgotten classic. I sure am glad that I dug this out for the sake of this stench-filled review. So, what sounds like it was recorded onto a dusty VHS whilst underwater in the bath? You guessed it – this record! Mad props to the selection on the drum sounds however, that shit is totes brutes, fam. In all seriousness though, this takes me back to the glory days, before this fucking genre became a landfill of palm-muted riffs and boring fucking tupa tupa beats. Embrace the sleazy noise!

Agathocles – Back To 1987 (1996)
grindcore

Agathocles – Back To 1987 (1996)

The Agathocles line up of 1996 decide to jam through a bunch of the band’s tracks from back in 1987, and of course this shit gets recorded and put onto a vinyl EP. But hey, I’m a cynical fuck, this shit is actually very excellent indeed. Solid studio quality tracks (insofar as much as you can expect in regards to that description matching up with Agathocles – you can hear the songs clearly, so I can’t really ask for more) and a nice reworking of some Agx classix. Big up to the Belgian mince bois!