Trash Talk
Awake E.P
True Panther Sounds
2011
Trash Talk are an amazingly aggressive hardcore punk band from Sacramento California that combines the confrontational attitude of old school hardcore punk with the sheer ferocity of the power-violence and thrash metal genres. Simply put: Beware, this band is not for the faint of heart and may even be too raucous for some hardcore aficionados. Trash Talk has released a steady stream of material over the few short years of their existence, all of which has been the sonic equivalent of a short sharp punch in the nose. Their last full length was barely 15 minutes long and served as a reminder, if any were needed, that these guys were the real deal. Their songs are over before you have a chance to know what hit you and the boys get in the faces of their audiences with a no nonsense and no compromise “fuck you all” attitude; so far so “Sick of it All”.The band return in 2011 with the rambunctious “Awake EP” and below is a track by track run through of what to expect.
Awake: The band fairly crashes into the title track without the need for an intro so as to be clear right from the off what the listener should expect from the next 8 minutes or so. The song is a caterwaul of technically astute guitar noise that is delivered with the perfect mixture of chaos and precision. The lyrics of vocalist Lee Spielman are delivered in a ferocious off-kilter scream, lightning fast and in perfect time to the rapid beat being pounded out. The growl of bassist Spencer Pollard joins in and the pair trade off yelps magnificently until the songs triumphant finale.
Slander: This minute long jam begins with a wall of guitar feedback through which a distorted hardcore riff comes crashing with insidious intent. Sure enough the band thrash through this one much as they did on the previous track by creating a glorious cacophony that begs to be slam danced to. It’s nice to see the band keep with the Hardcore tradition of using the one word song title as the basis and entirety of the choruses lyrical content on which the rest of the band contribute gang vocals. All together now: SLANDER!! SLANDER!! SLANDER!! Repeat ad infanitum.
Blind Evolution: This song starts off with a fast 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 hardcore riff that slithers its way towards a wrecking ball of sound which the band delivers in spades. The riff forms the backbone off the rhythm which is, as per the norm, doled out at a breakneck pace. Spielman unleashes his rants with demented urgency, vitriol and true hardcore bite. This is pure thrashy hardcore that will provide the perfect soundtrack to your next fight or the inevitable zombie apocalypse of 2012.
Burn Alive: Another thrasher that bursts forth from a brief feedback intro like an alien bursting out off John Hurt’s chest cavity. The band shows no signs of letting up or slowing down. They are at their best when Spielman and Pollard sync up their vocals into one glorious roar that is sure to give your granny tremendous earache and question where your mother went wrong with you. The song is accompanied by an impressive video that sees the band duke it out toe to toe with the police and is sure to leave all that watch in no doubt where the band stands politically.
Gimme Death: The band ends on another perfect Trash Talk number that showcases all that is great about the band. The title and lyrics are a play on the Rolling Stones song Gimme Shelter. Spielman responds by screaming; “Gimme drugs, gimme booze, gimme Dazed and Confused or gimme DEATH” which can only be read as a glorious affirmation of the waster lifestyle one presumes they adopt when they’re done melting faces on stage. Fantastic!!
Trash Talk pick up where they left off and fans of the band and of the Hardcore genre are sure to find this release as exciting as a bus full of jacked up lunatics careering into a petrol station at high speed. The band have forgone their brief experimentation with metal breakdowns and have opted instead for pure thrash and maximum velocity. A truly remarkable release for fans of extreme hardcore that, as I said, is not for the faint of heart or small children with weak bladders.
Score: 9/10
For Fans Of: Minor Threat, Gallows, Hardcore Punk
BadIdeaDan for MLM
Awake: The band fairly crashes into the title track without the need for an intro so as to be clear right from the off what the listener should expect from the next 8 minutes or so. The song is a caterwaul of technically astute guitar noise that is delivered with the perfect mixture of chaos and precision. The lyrics of vocalist Lee Spielman are delivered in a ferocious off-kilter scream, lightning fast and in perfect time to the rapid beat being pounded out. The growl of bassist Spencer Pollard joins in and the pair trade off yelps magnificently until the songs triumphant finale.
Slander: This minute long jam begins with a wall of guitar feedback through which a distorted hardcore riff comes crashing with insidious intent. Sure enough the band thrash through this one much as they did on the previous track by creating a glorious cacophony that begs to be slam danced to. It’s nice to see the band keep with the Hardcore tradition of using the one word song title as the basis and entirety of the choruses lyrical content on which the rest of the band contribute gang vocals. All together now: SLANDER!! SLANDER!! SLANDER!! Repeat ad infanitum.
Blind Evolution: This song starts off with a fast 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 hardcore riff that slithers its way towards a wrecking ball of sound which the band delivers in spades. The riff forms the backbone off the rhythm which is, as per the norm, doled out at a breakneck pace. Spielman unleashes his rants with demented urgency, vitriol and true hardcore bite. This is pure thrashy hardcore that will provide the perfect soundtrack to your next fight or the inevitable zombie apocalypse of 2012.
Burn Alive: Another thrasher that bursts forth from a brief feedback intro like an alien bursting out off John Hurt’s chest cavity. The band shows no signs of letting up or slowing down. They are at their best when Spielman and Pollard sync up their vocals into one glorious roar that is sure to give your granny tremendous earache and question where your mother went wrong with you. The song is accompanied by an impressive video that sees the band duke it out toe to toe with the police and is sure to leave all that watch in no doubt where the band stands politically.
Gimme Death: The band ends on another perfect Trash Talk number that showcases all that is great about the band. The title and lyrics are a play on the Rolling Stones song Gimme Shelter. Spielman responds by screaming; “Gimme drugs, gimme booze, gimme Dazed and Confused or gimme DEATH” which can only be read as a glorious affirmation of the waster lifestyle one presumes they adopt when they’re done melting faces on stage. Fantastic!!
Trash Talk pick up where they left off and fans of the band and of the Hardcore genre are sure to find this release as exciting as a bus full of jacked up lunatics careering into a petrol station at high speed. The band have forgone their brief experimentation with metal breakdowns and have opted instead for pure thrash and maximum velocity. A truly remarkable release for fans of extreme hardcore that, as I said, is not for the faint of heart or small children with weak bladders.
Score: 9/10
For Fans Of: Minor Threat, Gallows, Hardcore Punk
BadIdeaDan for MLM