Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Neanderthal - West Coast Power Violence

I never cease to be amazed how eight songs can be such a complete body of work.

Neanderthal was a short-lived hardcore band from Southern California, a side project featuring Matt from Infest and Eric from Man is the Bastard. Joe from Infest shows up on vocals for a couple of songs. They released a 7" on Slap A Ham, did a split with Rorschach on Vermiform, and appeared on the first "Bllleeeeaaauuurrrrgghhh!" comp. Their pedigree is impeccable, their output limited, their legacy...brilliant.

I got this in 2017 from Blogged and Quartered, a long-time inspiration for this blog, and a source for all the obscure hardcore that had its day five years before I was on the scene. I don't know if this is a straight rip from the Deep Six/Draw Blank 12", or if it's something Stormy compiled and remastered, but I've listened to it like I might not ever hear again. And that cover is a perfect visual for what you're going to hear.

Were they the first power violence band? Hell, I don't even know if they ever played out live. What I do know is that they were brutal, obscure, short, and to the point. It still makes everyone else look like suckers.

If you're stoked on this, it's worth tracking down a copy of the Exit Unit 7" from the same year. It's Matt and Joe, along with Bob from Low Threat Profile/Lack of Interest on drums. It comes from the same place, as one would probably expect.

Play loud. Smash everything.

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