Combatwoundedveteran – self-titled 7-inch [Download this, and if you like it, BUY SOMETHING (though I believe this is way OOP).]
Was the Duck Down for the Torso 10-inch (limited edition of 400 vinyl copies) a departure for Combatwoundedveteran, one without the fast-forward punk chugs and snappy-short song format?
Yes, for a fashion. That’s sad because alongside Gumshoe “Titans” like The Locust, An Albatross, Daughters, Holy Molar, Some Girls (yes, Justin Pearson is in half of these bands) and older acts like Spazz, Charles Bronson and Man Is The Bastard, Combatwoundedveteran were responsible for keeping all-killer-no-filler speed-core power violence alive and vital in the mid-oughts.
By the time “Activate the Corpses” rises from the graveyard of normalcy, becoming “The Very First Pterodactyl,” and shoves a blast-beat or two up our gullets, chased by a healthy helping of seagull-squawk noise that sounds like a tape player slowly squeaking its way to a dumpster out back (And yes, I did not capitalize “dumpster” just then even though journalists insist it’s the one, unbreakable rule of the craft; luckily I’m not a traditional journalist for now!), you’ve lost just a little faith … you wonder what’s around the corner.
And there it is: Side B is another uneven outing, at least considering the Combatwoundedveteran — not to mention post Co-ba-wou-vet band Holy Mountain — stuff I’d heard previous. It’s starts off with a sledgehammer, scaring the listener into submission, then slips into a velvet cocoon of effects and a long voice sample.
Shit guys, this is only a 10-inch; is there room for experimenting? Apparently so. The effects/voice recording layer cake closes out the LP with a confusing whimper, the consistent power-violence noise-destruction I’ve appreciated so much in the past only presenting itself in isolated, short blasts.
That is NOT OK, Brogaine. Please try to bring the high-tempo-hardcore/crust-punk/pig-fuck/speed-metal/fast-grind next time, or I’ll have to start spinning the others of your ilk, name-checked above.
Awww who am I kidding? You guys broke up the band in yr prime so I’ll always love ya. Just maybe not quite as fanatically as before (Who am I kidding? DEFinitely as fanatically as before) …
