Originally written by Jordan Campbell
Unholy Anarchy Records is putting together a gnarly little roster. The upstart vinyl-chuckers made minor waves by releasing the excellent Ashencult / Mephorash split back in September, as well as stepping up to the plate and throwing the former act’s debut, Black Flame Gnosis, on legit wax. (That’ll likely street in November. ‘Til then, Bandcamp that bizness.)
With the label’s fifth release, we’re beginning to see a pattern emerge: It’s becoming the scuzzy, friendly basement depot for ‘heads that want their cadavers delivered alive, not lab-pressed and DOA. The Casket / Sewercide Split 7″ showcases two young acts that ply manic, old-school death metal that owes more to Seven Churches than sodden caverns.
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CASKET – ARMED TO THE TEETH
A few years back, hyper-polished death / thrash died a merciful death. (It rests somewhere in Europe, probably in Peter Dolving’s backyard.) While modern practitioners of the mashup are largely absent, acts that throw back to the early days have never sounded more vital. Philadephia’s Casket boasts the youthful energy of a thrash band that accidentally stumbled into the lost secret of sonic weight. On “Armed to the Teeth”, their high-speed exuberance quickly gives way to a simplistic Wolverine Blues stomp before lodging itself in a molasses-drenched Eureka! dirge. (“Dudes, if we slow down for a minute, it gets heavier!”) It’s the rare track that captures the thrilling naivete of the early days with knowing, pointed enthusiasm.
SEWERCIDE – VECTOR OF DISEASE
On Side B, Australia’s Sewercide ups the thrashin’ considerably. If Casket supplies the windmills, these dudes bring the centrifuge. Vocalist Harry Watson yelpscrabbles like Schuldiner in a flip-up, leading his ragged riffcrew through a high-octane vortex. “Vector of Disease” culminates in a swill-slammin’ solo that abruptly downshifts into an upbeat coda tailored for dancefloor highsteps.
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THE DECISION
It’s a draw, folks. Casket‘s the more stonefaced of the two acts, providing enough bruising offense to soften up their adversaries. Then, when their foe is teetering on the brink of defeat, Sewercide swoops in to finish the job with fuel-soaked fervor. It’s like The Hart Foundation for heshers.
The Casket / Sewercide Split 7″ is booked for November 5th. Get in the ring.
