Anti-Cimex - Criminal Trap (1986)

1986, Distraught

1. Prelude E-Minor (0:35)
2. Criminal Trap (3:14)
3. Time To? (1:35)
4. Make My Day (1:36)
5. Smell Of Silence (2:24)
6. Pain Killer (4:02)
7. Set Me Free (1:55)

Anti-Cimex were a cornerstone of the Scandinavian punk scene, influencing countless bands within and out of their genre. This was their biggest release at the time, a 12 inch mini-LP entitled "Criminal Trap". The songs here take the basic Discharge style of d-beat punk and make it that much more explosive and intense. Many young Swedish musicians took note of this mLP, whether they were playing death metal or hardcore punk. After Anti-Cimex broke up, some other important Swedish hardcore bands arose from the ashes, namely Wolfpack and Driller Killer.

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Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales + Emperor's Return

1984, Noise Records

1. Human Intro (0:41)
2. Into the Crypts of Rays (3:39)
3. Visions of Mortality (4:48)
4. Dethroned Emperor (4:38)
5. Morbid Tales (3:28)
6. Procreation of the Wicked (4:04)
7. Return to the Eve (4:07)
8. Danse Macabre (3:51)
9. Nocturnal Fear (3:38)
10. Circle of the Tyrants (4:28)
11. Visual Aggression (4:13)
12. Suicidal Winds (4:36)

Anyone who is searching for the roots of extreme metal has surely come across this release by Swiss legends Celtic Frost. What we have here primitive riffs, punk d-beats, all contained within a very morbid sounding atmosphere. This is an album that anyone into metal, hardcore, or punk should listen to, as it has elements that should appeal to all. Originally, this release was just an miniLP, but with the addition of "Emperor's Return" and some additional tracks from the "Morbid Tales" session, it becomes a full length. Don't miss this classic!

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Black Flag - My War

1984, SST Records

1. My War (3:46)
2. Can't Decide (5:22)
3. Beat My Head Against The Wall (2:34)
4. I Love You (3:27)
5. Forever Time 2:31)
6. The Swinging Man (3:05)
7. Nothing Left Inside (6:45)
8. Three Nights (6:03)
9. Scream (6:52)

Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established largely as the brainchild of Greg Ginn: the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes. They are widely considered to be one of the first hardcore punk bands. The band was known for the intense and evocative lyrics found in their songs, most of which were penned by Ginn. Like other punk bands of this era, Black Flag gave voice to an anti-authoritarian, non-conformist message, featuring songs punctuated with descriptions of isolation, neurosis, poverty, and paranoia, themes that would be explored further when Henry Rollins joined the group as lead singer in 1981. Most of the band's material was released on Ginn's independent label, SST Records.

Black Flag was—and remains—well respected among their underground culture, with their influence primarily in their tireless promotion of a self-controlled DIY ethic and aesthetic. They are often regarded as pioneers in the movement of underground do-it-yourself record labels that flourished among the 1980s punk rock bands. Through seemingly constant touring throughout the United States and Canada, and occasionally Europe, Black Flag established an extremely dedicated fan base. Many other musicians would follow Black Flag's lead and book their own tours, utilizing a word-of-mouth network.

My War is the second full length album by Black Flag and was released after a long period where the band could not release any albums due to a legal dispute with Unicorn Records. The first six songs on the a-side of My War are similar to the material on 1981's Damaged, but the three songs on the b-side proved that Black Flag was moving away from the band's early, fast-paced material. The b-side songs are played at about half the pace of the band's earlier material, each clocking in at over six minutes, and display a doomy, ominous sound indebted to Black Sabbath. My War is generally cited as being a major influence on many bands in the sludge metal and grunge genres. Two of the songs featured on the album are solely written by Chuck Dukowski (My War, I Love You) though he was no longer a member of the band by this point and does not perform on the album.
-Wikipedia

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