Indian Summer - Science 1994 (Future Recordings)
Burning Witch - Crippled Lucifer (Southern Lord)
Amebix - No Sanctuary: The Spiderleg Recordings (Alternative Tentacles)
The VSS - Nervous Circuits (Hydra Head)
Envy - All the Footprints You've Ever Left? (Temporary Residence)
Amebix - Monolith (Moshpit Tragedy)
Hot Water Music - Till the Wheels Fall Off (No Idea)
Envy - Compiled Fragments (Temporary Residence)
Cavity - Laid Insignificant (Hydra Head)
Planes Mistaken for Stars - We Ride to Fight (No Idea)
All of this seminal screamo acts studio recordings collected onto one handy CD. Such a good release and nice to actually be able to have, Science 1994 is a must have for any fan of this style of music.
I am still struck, even months after initially reading the liner notes to this record because it seems so perfectly appropriate and describes one's feelings perfectly: "When I first heard Burning Witch I laughed and then, I did not." Crippled Lucifer is an intense experience that does touch on some of the darkest music and themes that musicians attempt to tackle; at times the experience is harrowing while at others it is downright terrifying.
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This re-release sets a high standard for reissues as it gives quite the slew of additional material to go along with the original version of Nervous Circuits (itself their lone LP) as there is a DVD along with the CD that contains three full live sets and other assorted minutiae and artifacts.
This re-release is really included on this list almost solely on the strength of its material, which is pretty awesome. As a re-release All the Footprints You've Ever Left? contains no new tracks from its original release, but it has been a little difficult to get which at least justifies its existence.
Another release that contains no new material or additional material, which is also excellent, from its original release, but this record has been extremely difficult to track down without paying sometimes-ridiculous prices to own. This also may only be a digital release, but it is significant for its sliding scale mode of distribution.
A fairly comprehensive collection of singles, compilation tracks, and splits (with a few notable exceptions), Till the Wheels Fall Off was maybe intended as a parting gift to fans. Now, though, with their reunion shows, that might not be the case. Still this is quite the important release for completists that never got around to buying all of this material previously.
Available in the U.S. for the first time domestically, Compiled Fragments contains some good songs from Envy that were sometimes difficult to find. This compiles some EPs and splits that are, for the most part, out of print or were not readily available any longer.
A crucial reissue for this underrated band from Florida that has been long out of print. Another reissue with nothing new to add to the original release, but still, Laid Insignificant is considered to be a benchmark of Cavity's catalog and was completely unavailable. Getting this secondhand was liable to put a minimum wage worker further in the poor house. Hydra Head comes through because this was necessary, and it sounds great.
Another monstrous collection of previously released material coming from No Idea, We Ride to Fight is Planes Mistaken for Stars swan song. For those that did not have these early records already, this is a must have. In either case, it is an interesting release because of the lengthy time span it covers and the obvious changes that it showcases as the band progressed over the years.
(Bob)
