ALTAMIRA.

Sometimes I don't want to share the goods, bro.
I'm sorry.
Every now and then though, there comes a record that just defies genre by creating the perfect brew of all things good about all things punk / metal, etc.

Serious stoner jams - but not in that "Stoner Rock" cliche' kind-of-way.
The "heaviness of the load" runs DEEP here, son.
If there was ever a record that could GET you high w/o you actually being high, here it is.

Unsung WestBayKoalition / Doomryderz ATTACK!!!

"You better axe somebody…

Altamira - Point of Impact

Link in comments.

ASBESTOS DEATH.

If you're a regular visitor here to the L-RV, then there's no fucking doubt that you're aware of who the fuck Asbestos Death was / is.
On top of that, this here live set sounds pretty fucking nice - especially since it's been 20 fucking years since this show happened.

They were unique at the time - most likely under appreciated - and you can hear the beginning of the "classic" Sleep sound coming into being (maybe just a bit less Sabbath worship). Either way, it's fuckin' beautiful…

Asbestos Death - Live @ Gilman St., Berkeley, CA 1990

Link in comments.

SHITALLICA.

While this is a band I lost interest in eons ago, and this is also a record that was far from my favorite, it did have it's moments - unfortunately, their weren't many due to the lack of bottom end, etc.

We all know and love Cliff Burton, but Jason Newsted had a brass set of huevos for walking away from a bunch of egomaniacal limp-dicks who whined & pissed & moaned over trivial problems that people like you and me have to deal with on a daily basis.

For that alone, I back the dude, & can honestly say that Lars & James can eat a big fat bag of cancerous dicks. Learn how to play the fucking drums, and see if you can remember how to write a sick riff - never mind…
Anyways, there are rumors that this was done by a fan who boosted the bass levels to bring Jason up in the mix where he belongs, while others say the bass tracks were lifted from Guitar Hero or somethin' like that.

Either way, it is an interesting little collector's item.



Metallica - …And Justice for Jason

Link in comments.

(It'll be interesting to see how long this link stays up)…

EXODUS.

The only Exodus vocalist that matters for me was Paul Baloff.

While the rest of the band has continued on and made great music, what is missing for me is that frayed edge, the unknowing - that feeling you get the moment before unforeseen tragedy strikes.

That's what Paul Baloff brought to the fold.

While he may not have been the prettiest, or best singer in the Bay Area Thrash Scene of the Eighties, Baloff was "the cold, hard & grim reality" screaming maniacally in your face.

To me, he was perfect for what a real thrash band was about.

Sadly, he ain't with us any more, but this here is a choice collection of material spanning the infamous "Studio 54 gig", some early demos, & a few live cuts featuring (the future / other guitar player from Metallica - the one who ISN'T gay), Kirk Hammett.

A nice addition for any TRUE "Poser Killer" like yourself.



Exodus - Bonded by Baloff

Link in comments.

POSSESSED.

S.F. Death Metal stalwarts who may have coined the name for the genre - that's old news to many of you, I know - but honestly? I don't think these guys ever got as much attention / respect as they are worthy of.

While Seven Churches is the standout long-player of their catalog, I would have to say that this little EP is solid from start to finish (Joe Satriani produced? Really?), and could very well be my favorite of all their recorded output. The guitars are hot-sounding, and the vocals are agonizing in their feel.

Excellent thrash / death from back in the day...



Possessed - The Eyes of Horror

Link in comments.

BONE AWL.

There's not much going on in Novato, CA on most days.
It certainly isn't a "happening" place, there's no "scene" to speak of, and that makes it the perfect place to start your "KVLT" Black Metal band if you are Bone Awl!

In a genre quickly becoming the flavor of the week, Bone Awl skips all the usual trappings of subscribing to the narrow view / belief patterns of the movement, and their sound? Well, that's on another level too.
A shit-ton of cassette only releases, etc. only adds to the mystery behind these Bay Area cave-dwelling black mashers.

Check the cold raw hypnotic stylings for yourself, right here, on this cool live on-air radio set...



(Link will open in new window)

Bone Awl - 05.21.2004 KFJC 89.7FM, Los Altos Hills, CA

VERBAL ABUSE.

While there's been quite a few lineups / eras of Verbal Abuse, it's pretty much a no-brainer to say that these guys were always at the forefront of hardcore / thrash / crossover at any given time - regardless of the musicians involved.

1995's Red, White & Violent proved to be an explosive and precise pit-inducing monster - never missing a lick, never missing a beat - just a full-on gnarbucket-style Nor-Cal thrash attack at it's finest!



(Link will open in new window)

Verbal Abuse - Red, White & Violent

GATHER.

While I can easily say I was never a real fan of the hardline movement in HC - I can respect what you feel, bro, so respect mine too - there is something about this Bay Area female-fronted / sXe / vegan crew that compels me.

Call me a dick if you want, but I'm not really a fan of female vocalists in heavy music. Eva Genie, on the other hand, can seriously belt it out in a throat-shredding fashion that doesn't sound contrived or wimpy, and while they may not be the most original (the sub-genre itself is musically limited in many ways but is very enjoyable when done properly), they create a powerful dynamic that works well - especially with the choice of segue samples, etc.

They may not have been the greatest musicians, but the passion is what drove this band, and one can only wonder what they would sound like if they stayed together.

It's fucking hardcore, ya know? Love it or leave it.



(Link will open in new window)

Gather - Beyond the Ruins



*This is my last post until next week - not that I've been that prolific in the posting department the past few months*

I'm heading up to Seattle (for a long "romant-ick" weekend w/ the lil lady) to visit some old friends, sk8 a bit, possibly see Blaine Accüsed's band TOE TAG & eat a burger from his restaurant, maybe buy some used CD's, definitely eat some good food & drink some good beer, buy a bunch of shit I don't need, drive around in the (new) Dodge Charger I rented, swim in the hotel pool, etc. A well-needed break is coming my way!

BRAINOIL.

You ever been to Oakland, CA???

The East Bay ain't no joke, and Brainoil is the soundtrack to your apprehension....

The region has always bred (punk/HC/metal) bands that stand out above the rest, and while I tend to shy away from posting much sludge around here due to legions of overly-mediocre bands that have saturated the genre -(look around, bro)- Brainoil has always hulked above the rest.

No question about it.



(Link will open in new window)

Brainoil - Brainoil

CRETIN.

It's hard to believe that Cretin has been around since 1992 seeing as how they hadn't released a recording until 2004.
The band has been on hold more often not, but the material that has seen the light of day is top-notch.
It's hard for me to not think of such greats as Terrorizer & Repulsion when I listen to this - yes, it's that good!

The band has been threatening to release a new album for a few years now, but have been on hold while lead Cretin (Dan) makes the (full) transformation from frontman to frontwoman (Marissa).



(Link will open in new window)

Cretin - Freakery

OXBOW.

Shortly before the Bay Area's "Kings of Uneasy" set out to record "The Narcotic Story", Eugene & Niko set out on a select-dates tour of the U.S. playing as a duo, the set consisting of favorites of theirs throughout their enitre catalog, as well as some obscure covers.

Here's Oxbow live in the studios of WFMU in Jersey City, NJ performing & being interviewed.

(Enoyable as well as unique, to say the least)...



(Link will open in new window)

Oxbow - 10.26.2004 WFMU Acoustic / Interview Set.




Now playing: Doughnuts - Silence
via FoxyTunes

WHIPPING BOY.

A precursor to the wonderful Oxbow, Whipping Boy (also) probably didn't make alot of friends with their chaotic hardcore stylings and outrageous and intimidating demeanor. They were definitely an acquired taste, and in my opinion were pure fucking genius.
A unique band for sure.



(Link will open in new window)

Whipping Boy - Subcreature: The Fucked Years 1981 - 1983




Now playing: Monster X - Hand Of Power

NOOTHGRUSH.

A staple back in the Nineties as far as Bay Area doomy sludgecore went, I'm thinkin' people appreciate them now more than they did back in the day.
I saw them play quite a few times over the years at some seriously fucked up house parties / warehouses, etc. and I just have to say that I MISS THEM.
(And the way the Mission music scene used to be in general).

Here's a kick-ass radio set, enjoy.



(Link will open in new window)

Noothgrush - KZSU / Palo Alto CA 05.01.1996




Now playing: Acrid - Mindspasms

THE BONELESS ONES.

Here's some hard-to-find first generation Bay Area skaterock for you.

I haven't seen the singer Max in quite a while, but he was always known for his severe case of, ahem, "chronic bong-chitis"...

Ha ha.



(Link will open in new window)

The Boneless Ones - Skate For The Devil




----------------
Now playing: Depressor - Leukemia

CRUCIFIX.

Real street punk from the heydays of the S.F. scene - back when you made your own shirts and stuff.

Flying V's still kick ass...



Crucifix - Exhibit A.

VULGAR PIGEONS.

Bitchin' grindcore from the Bay Area that is sadly now defunct.
They should have been bigger than they are, but I have a sneaking suspicion these guys really didn't give a fuck about self-promotion, etc.
I'm sure if they were on Relapse they would be where Pig Destroyer is these days.

Here's their first EP and some extra stuff they added for this CD release from the sorely-missed Howling Bull America label.

(Some members are now in a X-tian grindcore band called "Tortured Conscience".
Never heard them, or heard of them for that matter. I am interested in hearing it though I myself am not a believer in goD).



Vulgar Pigeons - Genetic Predisposition

*If you see this message that means this was a "scheduled post".
Lo-Res Viscera is on vacation from May 22nd. to May 28th.*

THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULDN'T LEAVE POST COMMENTS.


(I will be moderating comments when I get back from my trip).


In the meantime, enjoy the savage posts I have prepared in advance for you all...





----------------
Now playing: Perth Express - Construction Time Again

FANG.

Alright, this one's by request, and in a way, it's my favorite Fang record behind Landshark. While this ain't the drunken violent sing-along that was the first record, this LP sees a dark and cynical Fang careening rapidly towards that fateful incident...

D/L Fang - A Mi Ga Sfafas? right here.

FANG.

Hard-to-find record from these East Bay Heathen Scum hardcore heavyweights.
Not quite as raw (hardcore) as their previous releases, but still this is a pretty decent album.
The drug (ab)use as well as the collective unstable psyche of band personnel at the time is laid bare for all to see, essentially...

D/L Fang - Spun Helga right here.




----------------
Now playing: Rattus - Raiskaus

SPECIAL FORCES.

Continuing on with some ancient Boner Records bands, here's the first release from a little-known band from Berkeley who played some solid hardcore.
This tape came out in 1983, and pre-dates their appearance on "Them Boners Be Poppin" of course.

Enjoy, as this is another long-lost first-generation Bay Area Hardcore classic...

D/L Special Forces - 8 Songs to Kill By right here.





Now playing: Eduardo Bort - Cuadros De Tristeza

VERBAL ABUSE.

One of the greats of the early S.F. hardcore / thrashcore / skatecore scene, here's a fucking great live show from the one and only Verbal Abuse.
These guys continue to kill it from time to time over the years, and they (still) never disappoint.

D/L Verbal Abuse - Ruthie's Inn, Berkeley CA 04.04.1986 right here.


Now playing: Iskra - Masters of War