Hello
My name is Karol and I am running a facebook
Warsaw Grindcore fanpage. I was asked to write a Warsaw scene report for Don't
Be Swindle so I thought "why not?". In the following article You will find some
information on a bunch of bands from the capital city of Poland and hopefully
that is going to make You curious enough to listen to their tracks, follow the
links, buy their music or possibly go to their gigs.
Obviously there is only one band such a report
should start from and this is the one and only:
Antigama
Do I really have to introduce these guys to
anyone? After their Relapse releases their latest "Stop the Chaos" EP was
released by Poland-based SelfMadeGod Records (enjoy it via their label's
bandcamp). As far as I know they are supposed to hit the studio in the
beginning of 2013 to again record that world class grindcore of their own
unique kind. The last time I saw them live was when they were supporting Nasum
during the recent Swedes' farewell tour. The first time I saw them seems ages
ago: with a half different line-up, right after they released their first Sweet
Little Single, in a little club located in one of Warsaw's former fortresses.
If somehow You still do not know Antigama it means You lived under a stone in
Siberia for the past ten years – crawl out and catch up! My favourite band.
https://www.facebook.com/Antigama
http://antigamablog.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Antigama
http://antigamablog.blogspot.com/
Łeb Prosiaka
Legendary and most obscene Warsaw unit
delivering heavy grindcore crust madness (Łeb Prosiaka means Piglet's Head).
Their charismatic vocalist makes every gig a show of its own kind using his
special skills at achieving extremely hilarious levels of vulgarity combined
with crushing grinding sounds performed by the rest of the masked-up orchestra.
I fell in love with Łeb Prosiaka the first time I saw them. Everyone does. They
do have some difficult to get releases and even more difficult to get T-shirts.
Obviously the recordings do not express the sheer insanity of the experience
called Łeb Prosiaka live on stage but they are absolutely worth checking out.
Definitely my favorite band.
Anus Magulo
Formed in 2007 and representing the gore side
of grind Anus Magulo lets You taste their vomit on 2011 "Chain Erection" CD
containing 19 fast and heavy tunes (incl. 3 covers and a remix). Currently
recording their soon to be released EP but also focusing on playing live as
much as they can so slowly but surely they get more and more attention and
recognition they deserve. My favorite Warsaw grindcore band as they have lots
of good energy and a female bass player.
Hesbollah
While not being really 100% grind band
Hesbollah definitely fits in the grindcore scene. Formed by an ex-Antigama
drummer this three piece, instrumental band delivers music that is quite
difficult to label while at the same time it definitely can be called "extreme". Existing for about a year now somewhere between grind, jazz and math
core Hesbollah keeps rehearsing and recording new tracks. I am pretty sure You
can expect some new tunes from them soon. Insane drumming and the freshness
they bring makes them my favourite band.
Lues
Silly to say: Lues has just suspended their
activity. They were more of a hardcore/punk/grind band than pure grindcore squad
but anyway it quite sucks that the decision was made just three days before
they were supposed to play a concert really close to where I live. Hopefully
they will overcome their problems and will be back even more powerful quite
soon. They would be my favourite Grind band if they still existed.
Grossmember
While we are at bands that exist no more we
absolutely must speak of Grossmember. Since death of their leader Jerzy in
december 2002 (which makes it 10 fucking years now, wow!) the band ceased to
continue. There are numerous split 7inch records to be found here and there -
in various distros and internet auctions - their full length 2002 "Leave Us
Alone" CD and a Tribute to Grossmember CD as well. One of the basic bands when
it comes to Warsaw grindcore and underground scene in general, well known at
the peak of their active period not only in the rest of Poland but abroad as
well. My favourite grindcore band of those days. Jerzy was also writing a
grindcore zine called Analphabetic Journal and some of the issues were
available in English so I am pretty sure older grinders may remember this guy.
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Grossmember
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Grossmember
Herman Rarebell
Another quality band that I do not think will record anything anymore – Herman Rarebell was a bonecrushing side project of Antigama and Third Degree musicians. Find them on a 3 way split with the mentioned bands called "The world will fall soon and we all will die" or on their own MCD called "Too late for peace...". Very good, intense grindcore. Herman Rarebell was a great project, my favourite I must admit.
http://youtu.be/JOhZH86Vlb0
Another quality band that I do not think will record anything anymore – Herman Rarebell was a bonecrushing side project of Antigama and Third Degree musicians. Find them on a 3 way split with the mentioned bands called "The world will fall soon and we all will die" or on their own MCD called "Too late for peace...". Very good, intense grindcore. Herman Rarebell was a great project, my favourite I must admit.
http://youtu.be/JOhZH86Vlb0
Obviously while we speak of grindcore it will
be nice to mention some more bands that are quite close when it somes to style,
sound, attitude or even band members. From one side grindcore influences those
involved more in Punk/HC scene on the other hand many Death Metal fans listen
to grindcore on a regular basis. I personaly believe the following guys
definitely deserve some of Your attention as they also create and influence
Warsaw Grindcore scene in more or less direct way:
Drip of Lies
Heavy, crusty, metallic hardcore. I am afraid
they are one of these bands that are better known outside Poland than in their
motherland as they regularly tour Europe. They have recently released an album
called "Failure" and had a number of records before. Drip of Lies is killer
live band – playing hypnotic and intense tracks filled with heaviness that's
very difficult to capture on studio recordings. As their drummer is a friend of
mine and I really enjoy their live sound I must say they are my favorite band.
Wóda i Pety
Meaning "Booze and cigarette butts" as anyone
can guess this band is a d-beat/crust unit. They haven't been around for too
long although they have a really good demo (with maybe a little too long intro)
released already and I am pretty sure that there is more great stuff to come
from them. The members are former musicians of a number of Warsaw bands.
Government Flu
Fast, simple and noisy Hardcore that reminds
of classic old-school Hardcore bands, Government Flu have released a few 7" EP's,
a CD/LP and a 12" vinyl with their singles collected. Their drummer used to play
in Vitamin X (if that may be any kind of a reference) and other members
are/were in various HC/Punk bands from Warsaw. They remind me of what's best in
good old fashined hardcore therefore they're my favourite.
http://governmentflu.pl/
https://www.facebook.com/governmentflu
http://governmentflu.pl/
https://www.facebook.com/governmentflu
Violent Action
Powerviolence? Yes, please! Violent Action
delivers their tracks of definitely heavier than Government Flu's hardcore with
additional power violence flavoring to it. I totally dig it. It sounds angry
and raw and loud and that's the way it should be! They are my favorite since I
have discovered them recently so their latest 7" EP (the one with a terrorist on
the cover) gets a lot of spins.
Refuse Records
Hitting 20th birthday mark in 2013 Refuse
Records is a DIY Straight Edge label. Robert, who's the main force behind it is
also organizing gigs and does not limit himself (as one might have thought) to
pure hardcore bands only. For example last summer I went to an absolutely
insane show of Vaccine supported by Suffering Mind. As some of You might
realize Refuse has recently released ass kicking Vaccine / Coke Bust split 7" EP.
Generally speaking: Refuse's impressive catalogue and Robert's concerts are
well worth checking out as he is really dedicated and hardworking dude.
When it comes to grind influenced metal these
two immediately come to my mind:
Cicatrix
Not really from Warsaw but from the nearby
town of Puławy. Formed in 1994/1995, released a couple of demos to finally
greet the world with their 2010 "Beloved in Killing" full-length. As a metal
band they mention Terrorizer, Carcass and Napalm Death among their influences
which makes them worth a listen for every grind freak. They are my favourite
band as their brutal death metal sounds really heavy and contains enough grind
references to keep me enthustastic about them.
Centurion
Death metal band playing it quite fast and
brutal. Musically Centurion would perfectly fit any grindcore show although as
far as I know they usually perform with metal bands that are slower and softer
than these guys (which on the other hand is nothing difficult to achieve as
they are heavy as fuck). Having been around since 1998 they really know how to
put things together. Yes, they do sometimes slow down or play some melodic
parts but generally one should expect fast and brutal tracks. My favorite
death metal band of all mentioned here.
These were the bands I wanted to introduce to
You in this report dear reader. I really hope You are interested enough to
listen to them at least once. Obviously anyone who is interested can and will
look further and find more, that's how it works.
No report would be complete without some final
words. Local scene in Warsaw, Poland is really wide and strong so anyone can
find something for themselves from stoner/doom, through hardcore punk to death
metal and grindcore. There is a huge variety of bands and some of them are
absolutely great (reggae and hip hop underground are also very strong!).
The only thing that I complain about is not the highest number of live shows as many bands who tour Europe simply do not come to Warsaw. Travelling here from abroad (especially if You have no other gigs planned in Poland and You drive) is usually pain in the ass. Of course sometimes we are lucky to see some bands live on stage. I must admit that it happens more and more often and once they build these damn roads I hope there will be even more people coming here so we could hear and see them delivering their tunes. Recently except for the already mentioned Vaccine, we had for example Iskra or Full of Hell giving absolutely great shows. I also was told Terror's concert was very succesful too but I had no chance of going there. Each of the gigs I am mentioning now took place in a different venue, which simply means there are clubs or squats where underground bands can perform.
Obviously if You happen to be in Warsaw or simply
wish to follow what's going on here, check facebook.com/warsawgrindcore for
updates on music, concerts, releases or any other grindcore-related information
(that includes screenings of independent, psychedelic films or B-class horror
movies delivered by one of the Warsaw crews whose aim is to present these
underground classics to people).
To make everything even more interesting we are planning on releasing some of the world's coolest grindcore-themed t-shirts pretty soon so feel free to keep an eye on that too.
To make everything even more interesting we are planning on releasing some of the world's coolest grindcore-themed t-shirts pretty soon so feel free to keep an eye on that too.
I hope You found this report useful and not
boring.
Enjoy
Warsaw Grindcore!
Iron Lung, Water Torture, Cogs And Sprockets, Ordstro, and +HIRS+
