EP 260: June 2025
Killer episode this week on the pod. Check it out here, here, or here and check the playlist here or here.
Short boy this week. Let’s get into it…
Inmates Role of God LP Iron Lung Records
Cleveland’s bastard sons return with their first record since their 2018 7” Creatures of the Night. Four of these songs came out as a digi-single last year but I (mostly) avoided them in order to get the full LP experience and it was worth the wait. This is probably their best release yet, edging out the early ‘90s underground classic Assholes Anonymous Present…
The recording is big and relatively clean. That doesn’t mean it’s safe. It means they’re not hiding being lousy recordings or studio effects to make the record sound gnarlier than the band is. It’s like they Windexed the glass at the zoo so you have a clearer look at feeding time. The kooky things about previous releases are gone. No more bizarro British accent in parts. No more live clips or skits. Just 12 songs in 22 1/2 minutes that go hard the whole way through.
Is Fuck Your Fucking Skull the song of the summer?
The title track leads off the album and it’s pure G.I.S.M. worship right out the gate. That’s no surprise. Inmates have always leaned heavy on Japanese punk to pull from. There’s a ton of Gai and The Swankys in this. There’s of course Gauze, Lip Cream, and Outo in this. Sometimes the vocals slip into Aburadako madness and sometimes even further into the almost Zouo-esque demon vocals. The lyrics on “Doin’ Time” are straight up insane and awesome. All the Japanese YOLO is balanced out nicely by a healthy dose of Poison Idea circa 1984-1987. The cleaner recording allows Aaron Melnick, of Integrity’s glory days, a chance to shine, especially on “I Never Questioned.”
Killer record. Four thumbs up (I’m speaking for Kev here too).
And if you need more A2, check out the underrated Nuclae record from last year.
We’ve made it to the sweet 16 of the best Japanese Hardcore EP 1981-1985 tournament. No spoilers here so check the pod to see who moved on. The Execute vs. Kuro in this round is straight up brutality with the winner most likely making it to the final. Zouo vs. The Clay could be tight too. By the time you’re reading this we will be down to final four.
Peep all the EPs from the tournament here:
Rixe fucking rules. It’s wild to think that Coups Et Blessures in 10 years old this year. It’s a modern classic and the 2nd and 3rd 7”s go hard too. We’re doing a one’s gotta go on the three. FrOi! on top.
Jam all three here:
Is “Hexagone” their best track?
Ray Harkins of the 100 Words or Less podcast joined me to talk podcasting, 1990’s OC metalcore, his old band Taken, and his new band Bloodguilt who just put out a new EP on New Age Records:
Ray’s pod, along with Turned Out a Punk, were the initial inspiration for mine so send him your ears and love.
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- ZN