Gay Kiss

In this current age of ‘80s hardcore worship overload, it’s refreshing when something this original comes along, even if said originality is the result of a convergence of styles. Phoenix, AZ four-piece Gay Kiss grind and groove forth with teeth-clenching, throat-ripping, temple-piercing rage on their new LP, Preservation Measures. The production is slick but not glaringly clean; perfect for the transmittal of varied nuance. There’s metal-core guitar parts creeping through the squealing uproar, noise-punk gradations filling any would-be voids, elusive bro-free mosh-downs, and vocal outbursts that bring to mind any number of Martin Sorrondeguy or Mark McCoy-fronted acts.

13 songs that average around two minutes a pop, for a total run time of 25 minutes. This thing is a violent ripper from front to back. At roughly three and a half minutes, “Relent” is the longest song on the album and shows the musicians traversing through heavy, art-damaged yet subtle sludge grooves while the vocalist lays down drawn-out, pleading Swarrrm-esque screams on top of it. The final track on the album is a cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “March of the Pigs.” This is surprising not only for its mere inclusion but because it’s really fucking good.

As is always the case with Sorry State releases, the layout, packaging, and art is impeccable and eschews any trappings of stereotypical punk imagery. The mail-order version is limited to 100 copies on white vinyl, which will likely be gone by the time you read this. But you can still get your hands on the regular copies, and I strongly suggest that you do.

9.0 / 10 — Nathan G. O'Brien