Monday 30 June 2014

Now Is What Matters Now

So when I ordered my blue vinyl Bane LP recently, I saw that Green Hell had an exclusive colour of the new Gameface LP in their store. I was always a fan of Gameface, although their last couple of LPs lacked the energy of the others... but that was years ago. I figured that if the band had taken the time and effort to reform, and found the energy to record a new LP, then maybe it would have a bit more 'get up and go' about it than the last couple of records. So I took a chance and picked up a copy. I don't speak German at all, so had to use google's translator to check out in the store, but without understanding a word of German I could tell that this version was limited to 100. The description in the store said 'Bei Greenhell gibt es eine auf 100 St. weltweit limitierte col. Version (Transparent Dark Green)!'. So I figured it was worth checking out.

The only thing that seems odd is that there's a number stamped on the back cover, and I have number 501. I'm guessing that either this is not limited to 100 after all, or these are numbered from 500 to 600 if there are 100, as the label has two different colours in their webstore which are out of 250 copeis each.

After the first listen or two I thoguht this was boring and started wondering why I bothered buying it. But I gave it a couple more chances and now it would be fiar to say that I'm hooked. This kinda stuff seems great in Summer for some reason, so please excuse me if I slap on my shades and some sun cream and listen to this laying on the lawn.

Thursday 26 June 2014

Xs Always Win

Not long ago someone asked me if I had any spare Violent Reaction records. I told him I didn't, but it jogged my memory that I never picked up the third press of the first 7" with the fold out sleeve. So I hit the streets (or rather, the internet) and managed to find somewhere still selling them.

This comes in a sleeve which appears almost normal from the outside. I mean, it has a front and a back...

... but then when you open it out, it forms a big X with a mean picture inside.

I was stoked to hear that this band have been signed to Revelation. I really hope that they can bring a new record out by the end of the year. I know there's a new 7", but I want another LP already. What can I say? I'm greedy I guess.

Monday 23 June 2014

Words Run... In Solid Green

There are some records that I don’t feel that I am ‘actively collecting’, as I already have enough copies to be happy with, but then I still seem to pick up extra copies every couple of years or so. This record here is a classic example. Brotherhood ‘Words Run As Thick As Blood’ on Crucial Response Records. I bought my first copy of this LP back in the early 90s, and have just now added a sixth copy to my collection.

This copy here is, as you can see, on solid green vinyl:

Just so that you know where this sits in the scheme of things, the first press of this LP featured 273 copies on green vinyl out of 1080 copies pressed in total. And, according to the Crucial Response discography, ‘a few are on solid green vinyl’. I’m not sure exactly what constitutes ‘a few’, but whatever the exact number, the solid green represents a small minority. The majority are on clear green. So basically, this thing is rare.

When I received this, one of the first things I did was to get my clear green copy out to compare the two. As the photo shows, the clear and the solid are quite different in appearance.

And of course, I then had to then get my other copies out to take an updated collection shot:

If you’re not familiar with the pressing info of this record, or you’re too lazy to click the link above, here’s the detail of what’s in the photo:

1st press – 273 on green vinyl (a few on solid green)
2nd press – 375 pink vinyl, 52 swirled vinyl
3rd press – 320 white vinyl, 101 black vinyl with silkscreened sleeve

If I wanted to make this collection complete then I’d need to pick up the black vinyl copies from the first, second and third pressings in the ‘regular’ sleeves. But personally, I’ve never really been too interested in regular black vinyl pressings. So this collection is unlikely to go any further… well, unless someone wants to throw me a test press of course.

On a related note, Southern Lord are putting together a discography at some point in the near future. I’m not sure exactly when it’s likely to launch, or what it will contain, but I’m pretty excited for it. I’m generally trying to avoid reissues and discographies these days, but I'll probably make an exception for this one.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Don't Wait Up II

When I got my European pre-orders of the new Bane LP, 'Don't Wait Up', I then discovered that there was a third vinyl colour in the first press. So I had to place another order and pay more postage. Ugh. Anyway, it showed up a few days ago. This is the blue, out of 400.

So far then, there are three colours out there. 300 Purple, 400 Blue and 500 orange. Here are mine:

Oh yeah, there's also just been a second pressing on clear out of 500. So I need to place yet another order. And of course the rest of the world is still waiting for the US pressing on Equal Vision. So I will end up with at least three more copies of this thing in the not too distant future.

I have to say, this is a really good record. I mean, I know I was bound to say that, but it seriously is. I've read a lot of good reviews, some of them from people who I thought had written this band off years ago. Even if you think you know Bane, you need to check this out. There are a couple of 'different' songs on here, most notably 'Calling Hours', which seems to be everyone's favourite. Check it out.