Blog — Page 28 of 282

It's been over 30 years since the release of L7's seminal album Bricks Are Heavy and when the band walked out onto the stage at Denver's Summit Music Hall they showed in rapid-fire succession that they haven't missed a step after three decades.

Playing the album in it's entirety for the first time (along with older and newer classics) it's clear from the stage and from the crowd that L7 is a band that still matters.

All photos: Kevin Fitzpatrick

The Formative Years - Dirty Rotten Imbeciles 

D.R.I. was formed forty years ago Houston, Texas in 1982 and the way they merged their  
hardcore punk roots with thrash metal influences and what their idiosyncratic melange did in terms of inspiration for a myriad of bands that were to channel their alchemy in what was to be classified under the moniker crossover and thrash metal at large, cannot be overstated.

Named after what one of the band’s fathers titled them as after having had to suffer through the noise of an early rehearsal, the skanker man artwork D.R.I. has been using ever since must be one of the more recognizable and iconic logos in the realm of underground music.

I first came across D.R.I., not unlike GISM, through the P.E.A.C.E. compilation LP. Intrigued by their contribution, I tracked down D.R.I.’s killer Dirty Rotten EP and my mind was blown as it fit 22 songs into 18 minutes on a 7". 

The pulverizing Violent Pacification 7” saw D.R.I. in a more refined shape and the band eventually evolved to being signed by Metal Blade Records, where they released the fantastic Dealing with it! full length, which marked D.R.I.’s detour into metal territory powered by a better production while retaining the DNA of their trademark punky thrashcore sound.

The three albums that followed, i.e. the Crossover, 4 of a Kind and Thrash Zone, proved to be popular with the metal crowd and did not really manage to ignite my imagination as much as they lacked the chaotic, snotty and ferocious appeal of their earlier days.

Thus Let Us Drink Beer – Holgate + Block’n Tackle Brewery 

Having initially started out as a home brewery inspired by traditionally crafted European classic styled beers and the ever inventive micro brewing scene that has made a name for itself in the US, owners Paul and Natasha Holgate have established their idiosyncratic core range as a staple in the world of Australian craft beers – a endeavour that was further propelled forward by employing the services of a state-of-the-art custom-made fifty hectolitre ROLEC Prozess- und Brautechnik system.

However, what sets the family-owned entity that is Holgate apart from other breweries is its knack for channelling its alchemy in the creation of unique and bold barrel-aged, single batch special occasion and other experimental beers to showcase the passion and talent of its brewers. 

Inspired by the Hoegaarden wit bier, Paul Holgate set out to put his own spin on the naturally murky, slightly sweet and sour Belgian beer variants with its subtle citrus notes:  

Fermented with wit bier yeast, Holgate’s Citrus White IPA has a flavour profile that is informed by dried Murray River orange peel, which dances against a backdrop of Mandarina Bavaria and Kohatu hops, fulminantly rounded out by a peppery piquancy. The result is essentially a hybrid of a West Coast Style IPA and a traditional Belgian wit bier, which constitutes one of the more exotic creations I have sampled over the last twelve months.

Not unlike the aforementioned unique melange, Holgate’s Wild Berry Sour Ale is also inspired by Belgian classics, however, this time delves into the realm of sour beers. With blue- and raspberry nuances at the forefront and rose-esque pink in appearance, this extremely sessionable little number knows to convince with its refreshing tartness.

Things are taken to the next level with the small batch Wild Red Ale 2021. Part of an accolade decorated annual series and devoid of hop bitterness, this dark hued expression exhibits a strong fruit flavour reminiscent of Flanders red ales.

Based on a complex malt bill, on the top of the mouth, raisins, plums and prunes are married with raspberries, tart sour cherries and exquisite tannic vanilla nuances derived from having spent eighteen months souring and maturing in ex-pinot noir oak barrels. 

BLOCK 'N TACKLE BREWERY

Located at NSW’s Central Coast and paying homage to the region’s colourful shipbuilding history, Block’n Tackle Brewery started not unlike many other craft beer operations, i.e. via the attempts of a circle of friends at experimenting with DIY all grain home brewing before honing their skills to a level where their palatable efforts found widespread recognition and allowed them to upgrade to a commercially operating brewery.

Utilizing a block and tackle in a bid to assist with the lifting of the large vessels in which mashing is carried out, what became formally registered as the Avoca Beach Brewing Co. would remain colloquially known as “Block ’n Tackle”. 

The nomenclature of Block’n Tackle’s core range is inspired by the protagonists, implications and context of the shipbuilding industry that used to dominate the area where the brewery dropped its anchor, honouring e.g. its founder Jon Piper with an American style India Pale Ale: Based on a combination of mosaic and equinox hop variants, upon approach the nostrils are tickled by an avalanche of tropical fruits aromas. 

What the nose promises, seamlessly transitions to the top of the mouth where sweet overtones of honeydew and cantaloupe are dancing with nuances of grapefruits, tangerines, and lemons against a backbone of firm bitterness. Clocking in at an ABV of 5.9%, an IPA that lends itself well to be a daylong companion to a BBQ.

Given that Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane was fabled to be one of the more law abiding and godly governors of New South Wales, it should not be further wondrous that his name was chosen to grace Block’n Tackle’s Porter expression as after all, it is an example par excellence for a traditional, well-hopped, dark brown malted brew.

Brimming with rich notes of chocolate, coffee and a delicate smokiness, toasted malt aromas are on the forefront eclipsing any vestige of hops, with the elongated, dry finish reverberating with sweet notes.

Block’n Tackle’s Scud expression catapults as straight back into hop territory: Based on a melange of nine different hop varieties, it should not be surprising that the nose of this Extra Pale Ale is informed by fruity scents of pineapple, melon and a complex flavour profile comprised of the juicy essence of strawberry and gooseberry. With bitterness being dimmed down considerably,  the Scud XPA proves to be an extremely sessionable and versatile all-day beer.

SS Rock Lily is Block’n Tackle’s tribute to Australian grain and hops with the result culminating in resinous, grassy and lightly tropical fruit flavours courtesy of Topaz hops and Vic Secret bringing out highlights of pineapple, pine, and passion fruit, rounded out by a sweet maltiness.

The Formative Years – Raw Power

Italian hardcore punk from the 1980s is something to savour and Raw Power is just one example of how much of a trailblazing scene it was.

My first exposure to Raw Power was via the Maximum Rock’n Roll’s fantastic international punk and hardcore compilation, Welcome to 1984, but it was not until I heard their debut album Screams from the Gutter that I fell for them hook, line and sinker.

Released by Toxic Shock Records after extensive tours of the US, where the album was also recorded, Screams from the Gutter is not only graced with artwork depicting a melting mutant courtesy of Vince Rancid but was imbued with an unrivalled and unhinged venomous spirit, which reflected the disgust for the uglier sides of this earthround.

The album kicks off with State Oppression and catapults one into an unbridled crossover whirlwind, which with its energy, powerful double-time drumming, dual guitars and deranged Lemmy-esque vocals upped the ante a year before bands like Corrosion of Conformity and Suicidal Tendencies releases their respective first albums. The album peaks with the song Raw Power, which is an anthem that combines all the elements I love about hardcore punk from Italy.

Crazy to think that Screams from the Gutter was sold more than 40,000 times through independent distribution alone and that Guns’n Roses opened for Raw Power in 1986.

Thus Let Us Drink Beer – Modus Operandi + The Mill Brewery

With its credo “Beer first, no shortcuts”, Modus Operandi has over the last seven years made waves by not merely being accolade decorated for literally all of their core releases, but by supplementing them with a diverse range of experimental releases, each of which being an homage to the joys of craft beer.

Having raved about Modus Operandi’s ode to the former devil’s lettuce growing tenant of their site before as part of this series, i.e. the formidable marriage of Galaxy and Mosaic hops crowned by a caramelly sweetness that is the Red Tenant Red IPA, I was looking forward to sampling the most recent emissions of the brewery that is now proudly run on 100% Green Energy.

The triple hazy, dry hopped Neon Nectar Hazy IPA is not only a name that just rolls off the tongue, but is one that both in terms of hoppyness and appearance is exactly as bright and vibrant as the telling name would have you think. 

The nectar component takes centre stage with a fruity melange of peachy apricots dancing with citrussy melon flavours, with just the right amount of tarty bitterness cutting through, rounding out a lip-smacking fulminant experience. 

Clocking in at 6.5%, an extremely sessionable little number.

Modus Operandi’s Future Factory IV is the latest instalment of their series. I vividly remember that a previous incarnation proved to be a monster of a IIIPA ten percenter, compared to which the IV lands us in relatively tame territory. 

With an ABV of 8%, this hop forward Double IPA, which showcases pineapple, citrus, and piney aromas against a backdrop of grapefruit and tangerine, proves to be the ideal piquant companion to a dram of the excellent John Paul Peated Cask Strength. 

Despite being a hop head and IPA aficionado, Modus Operandi’s Imperial Sour Acid Januar took me by surprise. 
Pink in appearance, I was in for a berry ride through bright, sweet-tart territory, pervaded by just the right amount of acidity. 

With an ABV of 8%, a delightful combination of sour beer and raspberries that is super refreshing and strangely satisfying.

THE MILL BREWERY 

In the coastal capital of the south-eastern Australian state of Victoria, Collingwood has established itself over the last five years on the forefront of hotbeds for mushrooming craft breweries, partly due to the fantastic brews emanating from The Mill Brewery.

With founder and head brewer Mirek Aldridge having honed his craft via experimenting with homebrewing,  his hobbyhorse eventually became his vocation with the brewery starting its operations in 2017.

What originally started with a trio of beers, has evolved to a fulminant line-up of both core classics and new, experimental beers that push the envelope as far as taste nuances are concerned.

My first exposure to The Mill Brewery was via their El Toro IPA and unlike the name suggests and the bullishly bitter kick it delivers, I find it to be an immensely enjoyable, well-calibrated hop forward West Coast styled IPA.

Orangey in appearance, tropical fruity notes are married with piney, resinous nuances, set against a dominant bitter backbone and by masterfully catering to seemingly opposing flavour profiles, the complex whole accumulates to much more than the sum of the individual constituents suggests.

With its dry and clean finish and clocking in at an ABV of 6.7%, it is a borderline ideal IPA to be paired with a smoky Islay whisky, in my case a dram of the recently released Octomore 13 series. 

Delicious.

With the classic US IPA styles mastered, I was intrigued when I learned about Mill Brewery’s endeavour to channel its alchemy in exploring hops native to the Southern hemisphere:

Mill’s Southern Lights expression is, as the telling name suggests, based on the quartet of Nelson Sauvin,  Nectaron hops from New Zealand as well as Idaho 7 and Citra Cryo hops from the US. 

What tickles the nostrils upon approach is that classic, sweet and sharp lawn smell.

Flavour- and ABV-wise, the result is a bit more tame than the aforementioned El Toro with the melange of the hop profiles informing what materializes on the palate in terms of sweet-tarty wine, grapelike flavours, shadowed by degrees of peachy mango and a distinct tinge of bitterness.

If the two IPAs and the excellent merch range, which artfully pays homage and signifies the designs of Black Metal bands, are anything to go by, I cannot wait for The Mill Brewery to create IIPAs as they are bound to take things to the next level.