Thursday, December 17, 2009

Philly Dust Krew compilation

Someone requested this comp a while ago, so here it finally is. Released on Too Damn Hype in 1994, the same label who released the amazing East Coast Assault compilation I posted months ago, this one features 4 bands. I guess that makes it a 4-way split rather than a comp, but whatever. They don't make em like these comps anymore, seriously.

The first band, Dare To Defy, is the least band on here, which is more because of the other 3 bands than anything else. Their drummer, Met, did Too Damn Hype however, so that's how they ended up on here I guess. As said, they were a pretty good band, and I really dig their YDI cover on here, 'Get Out', but compared to the 3 heavyweights on here (and the other bands on East Coast Assault, where they contributed the opening track), they fall a tad bit short.
The next band is Starkweather, who at this point still had a slightly more straight forward metal approach as far as that is possible for this band, albeit with their typical eerie mood and Rennie's sick vocals and amazing lyrics. It's Starkweather tho, these 3 songs rule, end of story, one of the best and most unique bands out there, still. Featured here are the 2 songs from their 1993 7" plus 'Mainline' from a 'Food Not Bombs' compilation. 'My will bends for I, steeped in darkness, am a shadow's reflection'. Fuck...
Next up is All Out War. All of these tracks are also available in one form or another on other releases of theirs, such as their 'Destined To Burn' 7" which I posted here, altho they are from different recording sessions I believe. Either way, you can't go wrong with All Out War. Awesome stuff.
The last band is Hard Response, who I believe never got the recognition they deserved. These songs here sound like a mix between Leeway, VOD and Killing Time. Good stuff, some of these songs would later be re-recorded for their, highly recommended, full-length 'Single Bullet Theory'. They've been back together for a few years now and have since released a superb CD called 'Hostile Environment', which is a bit more straight-forward than this stuff, but still quality stuff. Underrated band.

Various - Philly Dust Krew
Starkweather myspace
All Out War myspace
Hard Response website

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