AMEBIX, AXEGRINDER, DEVIATED INSTINCT, BLACK SABBATH, BOLT THROWER, HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST, FILTHKICK, CHOAS UK, PARADISE LOST, LOADS OF ANARCHO PUNK, EXTREME NOISE TERROR, DARKTHRONE, THE HEAVY ENGLISH 80'S CRUST/GRIND/METAL SCENE..............LOADS
Sounds Like
THE CROWS FEEDING AFTER A BATTLE!
Skaven / Stormcrow split 7" review from THE EVIL EYE zine, written by Jake.
SKAVEN/STORMCROW split EP.
Man, does the first half of this record take me back down memory lane! Skaven hold the distinction of being the East Bay’s only band that could lay claim to the term “stenchcore,” and no other band has come close to being able to take that title, however dubious of one it might be to some. You MySpace crustys and other assorted new schoolers can have a seat, because in 1995 and 1996, Skaven embodied what true crusty punks were all about. They weren’t about that spare-changing bullshit. Before welfare reform, punks were all about trying to work the system for as much as they could get, and Skaven were no exception. Most people hated them because their shows were often a drunken mess that would end in violence and bloodshed. In spite of all that, their shows were often the most fun to be at. As fun (and funny) as it is to watch younger crusty dudes turn green with envy when I tell them stories about Skaven shows, the honest truth is that when they broke up, a lot of people were relieved that it ended before someone else got seriously injured. Their vinyl releases don’t appear to be easy to come by, so it’s good to see their one unreleased song finally get out there for people that probably only heard the multitude of crazy stories about this band. “The Swarm” was the last song Skaven wrote, and was previously available only as an MP3. One song might not be enough to quench the thirst of a new listener, but rest assured that this song is a testament to what their music was all about. Most noteworthy is the guitar work of one Rockin’ Geoff Evans. It’s not that he’s reinventing the wheel of crust or anything, but there’s something about it that has a very cinematic quality that I really enjoy. Listen to a lot of his work with Asunder and see if you disagree. While the more commonplace split LP with Dystopia is fine and good (but is in dire need of remastering), the session that produced this song that captured Skaven at their best. For further proof, seek out their posthumous two-song seven-inch.
As a band, Stormcrow are members of the new school, having formed in 2003. But don’t let that fool you; some of their members have done time in Destroy! and local cult legends (heh) Exitwound, and more recently in Brainoil, Nigel Peppercock, and In the Wake of the Plague. Since Stormcrow are literally the only legit crust band to emerge from Oakland since Skaven’s demise, it’s plainly obvious that no other band could be more appropriate to take up the second half of this record. Likewise, they have but one song on their side, but they make sure it’s a good one. “Final Plague” is probably their best outing yet, in some part because previous missteps in sound levels appear to be corrected this time around. Otherwise, it continues on the same path of destruction that Stormcrow’s split LP with Sanctum cuts, and I believe it’s from the same recording session. Hearing both of these bands back-to-back really showed me just how much crust has changed in the time that’s elapsed between them. Skaven appears to be of the train of thought where crust bands intend to strip down most of the excesses of ‘80s metal (some of which, ironically, was stripping down ‘70s metal) and keep what makes it good. And it still sounds like a punk band playing their version of metal, at least to me. Stormcrow often crosses those lines in a musical sense, and since a lot of newer bands have caught on to this “even less is more” approach and practice it to some degree themselves, where does that leave Stormcrow and more recent bands of their ilk? Or, what does that make them? That’s more of an observation than an actual criticism because, metal or not, Stormcrow brings the brutality. An excellent record that tells a good story in the grooves, which will undoubtedly go down as a necessary piece of the Oakland punk puzzle.
[Pellicle Records; 2639 E. 9th St. 5; Oakland, CA. 94601.]
SKAVEN rose from the ashes of Oakland punk/thrash madness BLACK MAGGOT back in the summer of 1995. Zeb (vocals) and Matusio (bass) were all that remained after the holocaust. We asked the then yet to be truly unleashed Rockin' Geoff Evans (now of Asunder fame) to be the axe man. Then added Ross who had been drumming with other bands and put out albums, for he needed the maelstrom that was forming as the Oakland Crust Scene! Then Shaner moved up from AZ and was quickly added as a second bass (5-string and playing alternating leads with the guitar.) The line up was complete and we set off on a youthful path of destruction. We teamed up with DYSTOPIA who where already great friends and part of the Maggot Mafia for a while prior.
Did a split Lp with DYSTOPIA (Blessed are The Worms.....For They Shall Inherit This Barren Dirt!) that we recorded after being together for four months (with Noah Landis (of Neuosis) as engineer and then both bands enmabarked on a whirlwind death tour of the US in the Winter of 96! Shortly after we recorded an EP with Noah at the helm again and that was released as Flowers of Flesh and Blood/ Severed (released on Misanthropic Records, Todd from Dystoopia's label). An unreleased track from those sessions, "The Swarm" plans to be released late in the year as a split EP with Oakland's STORMCROW.) We plan to release a CD discography (as all SKAVEN was released on vinyl) some time when we get serious label interest........ it has been talked about for years. SKAVEN kicked ass, was unique, and played with loads of kick ass bands at a time when it was great to be a kick ass band in Oakland! Now many of those people are kicking ass harder than ever.
UP THE IRONS!
P.S. Skaven broke up in 1997. I will only add PEOPLE who are fans or friends. The ONLY bands I will add are those we played with or influenced or were part of the crew. So don't send me any of your techno new metal shit. IN GRIND WE CRUST! 'Nuff said.
Cheers, Zebediah
THIS BAD ASS SKAVEN ART BY ERIC RADIATION!!!
The SKAVEN / STORMCROW SPLIT 7":
The domestic wholesale price is $2.50 per 7", plus postage, your choice of media mail or priority.
We can send a bulk order of 15 7"s by priority mail for a total of $43.50, media mail would be a few dollars cheaper, and take about another week.
Orders can be made via paypal at amebixcrust@gmail.com, or by cash/money order through the adress at the end of this letter.
Orders via paypal should include any necessary extra fees.
We do not operate a distro, and are therfore not interested in trades at this time.
If you have any questions, or need to contact us about an order, you can email us at playitloudmutha@hotmail.com, or amebixcrust@gmail.com
Snail mail can be sent to:
Pellicle Records
2639 E 9th St 5
Oakland, CA
94601
Thanks for your time,
Stormcrow/Pellicle Records
actually it's concrete sox and yes it is the deed of rooster...i'm probably the only person in the world that rocks a skaven patch. at least on a bomber jacket anyway....crusty as fuck....
Come support they laid out alot o' bread for the Metro & even if ya could not get 'em a weddin' present the door price would help greatly to help pay off da Metro & in its self a good weddin' gift besides yer presence.
hey thx for the response regarding Zero Hour! i definitely agree with your description, SKAVEN has both the unique and the attack. i like a lot of crust but you guys are the likes of a g-anx, moral suckling, dystopia... if you don't mind me saying. well played and did it your way. cheers! STORMCROM!!!!
what's up thanks for keeping in touch We have new shows listed and a NEW kick ass new full color T-shirt 2 headed Siamese retards design. Each shirt comes with a Free CD!!!
Online Now!
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