Originally published in ‘zine issue #15, 1996
Japan
by Editor
This issue we have our third instalment of this column, which is more a collection of Japanese band reviews than anything else.
Beyond Description Fine Day Nostalgia 7″
(Forest)
Total punk! A superb EP of fierce, fast [Japanese hardcore]. There’s nice packaging which includes lyrics and live photos, it’s well-produced, and even has a live song along with the four studio songs. ■
Beyond Description/Absconded Japan Meets Holland 7″
(Wicked Witch)
BD’s side is killer fast punk. I notice their singer here sounds a little like Sepultura’s on the early LPs. Absconded is also punk, but more upbeat Epitaph pop-punk style, with quite melodic vocals. A well-produced EP featuring lyrics. ■
Faces Of Destrudo reh/demo ’95
They’ve given it the old college try, I have to say that. It kinda sounds like newer Mortician. I don’t mean that in a bad way, seeing as I hate Mortician, but it’s got that stripped down, simplistic deathy thing going on. Let’s see where it goes next time. $3. ■
Transgressor Ether for Scapegoat
I don’t know who put this out, but it’s an amazing death metal debut CD featuring the classic demo tracks and newer, more doomy songs, with very unusual arrangements and keyboards, piling riff upon riff, dissonance, different styles creeping in, et cetera! ■
Vivisection/Genocide SS 7″
(Blurred)
Vivisection is total grinding punk with some deathy touches. These Japanese have a rough sound and four vocal lines, plus a Napalm Death cover included. Genocide SS is also enjoyable and is quite obnoxious, and they’re from Sweden. Go ahead! ■
Photo: Akinob Ohtaki of Gore Beyond Necropsy with a member of Faces Of Destrudo in 1996 (courtesy Akinob)
