"Live In Sin, Fight To Win"

The riffs. My god this record brings the riffs. I loved Hellmouth when that dropped, listened to it constantly, while it's a solid release, I couldn't help thinking it was a little under-developed. It's no way a bad thing, I mean this is hardcore and nothing is new under the sun but when a song is literally note for note a rip off of Integrity's 'Vocal Test' it's noticeable.

Into Oblivion is a band in their prime, both writing/recording wise and live. R&F around this period smashed it so hard. Now I get to finally own the record on vinyl. I'm pleased Deathwish pressed this as my CD has been sitting in a cupboard since I ripped it for my ipod just after getting it so now I'll get a chance to give the artwork my full attention.

I'm not a big fan of Bannon's aartwork, he seems to just churns out the same covers with different main images. But Into Oblivion is just so striking, definitely a favourite of his, there are the trademark splatters but the idea of Jesus' skull with the crown of thorns is a good one, the insert on this record is literally a copy of the CD version but 12" size, opening out to be three wide, to be honest I'd like to frame this, there's only text on the bottom third of the last square, I'd get away with that.

"We're All Guilty Fucking Pigs"

As far as I'm aware, this record didn't get pressed on vinyl when it first came out. I didn't pick the CD up but did a cheeky rip from a mate, seriously for the last 4 years I've not bothered with CD's, mp3's and vinyl are my shit.

Anyway, it's the best Hope Con record so far in my opinion, some people say 'Endnote' is better, but this is more experimental and gets my vote. Deathwish always do a nice job with their colourways on the wax, the quality of the card for the actual cover is real high too, none of that flimsy recycled card here. Artwork kills it, actually it's probably up their in my top ten all time favourite record covers.

"Through Prides Eyes I See Your Downfall"

The third bargain I bagged was xDisciplex A.D.'s 'Heaven & Hell' record on white vinyl courtesy of Facedown records.

I love Disciple and this record is a banger but I can't help thinking Dan Quiggles voice was either under strain from a sore throat on the recording or he was trying to change from the more visceral growl of the earlier stuff to the style he had on 'The Revelation' LP and the final 7". Either way it's still a good record, plenty or Lake Effect riffs and gang vocals. This is how mosh hardcore should be played, take note 2010 bands.

The insert is brilliant, Dave Quiggle artwork so it's going to be special, I particularly like the bit where, oh, is that Sketch's arm tattoo there? Didn't know he was a Disciple fan. Oh, he wasn't when he got it, I need a Disciple tattoo.

I've just ordered their last LP from Organised Crime records on all 3 colours, it's my personal favourite record they did, let it be said that I prefer their later work and not the first 7". I didn't realise they pressed it on vinyl as the CD was on Facedown so it was a nice surprise when I came across it when ordering an Integrity 7".

Mr Megatron, Now That The Autobots Are Gone, What Are your Plans Here On Earth?

The second of my great ebay score is Shockwave's 'Autohate' full length, I've got this on black from back in the day but for £2.24 I couldn't pass this up.

I can't decide which Shockwave record I like most, this one has them record a version of the Transformers movie theme, not the main theme mind, one of the ones you don't even notice when you watch it. Those crazy fuckers.

I've never understood the artwork though, Planet Of The Apes? I've read over the lyrics loads and it doesn't seem to be themed with that or anything so I guess they thought it'd be cool to do.

Shockwave This, Shockwave That...

I got three records through the post from ebay last week, combined before shipping they came to less than a tenner. Result.

The first was Shockwaves 'Dominicon' LP on Goodlife. I've been meaning to pick this up on LP for a while but never got round to it, when I snapped one up for £2.24 it made my week. This record has two tracks off the 7" on SA MOB and one track from the demo tape (still need to find this, I will own it one day). Plenty of awesome transformers samples all the way through, in fact every track has one without fail!

The record itself is a kind of murky green which goes with the artwork nicely, it sounds dirty as fuck too.

the one thing that narks me is this:


The insert is just the one from the CD version! I hate it when that happens, it's like they're being real lazy, vinyl is about having bigger artwork not a shitty CD sized booklet in a 12" record. Bad dog.