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Repulsion
Horrified


5.0
classic

Review

by Apocalyptic Raids USER (7 Reviews)
August 1st, 2006 | 290 replies


Release Date: 1989 | Tracklist


Okay, so before we get started I'll give some background info on the band.

Line-up:

Scott Carlson - Vocals/Bass
Matt Olivo - Guitar
Aaron Freeman - Guitar
Dave 'Grave' Hollingshead - Drums

Repulsion was formed in 1984 under the name Genocide. They recorded three demos under this name, and then changed their name to Repulsion before breaking up sometime afterward. Then, in 1989 Jeff Walker of none other than Carcass, contacted the band, wishing to release an album of theirs on his label, Necrosis Records (which was a subsidiary of Earache Records). The end result of this was 1989's Horrified, which was a remixed version of a demo they recorded in 1986 originally titled Slaughter of The Innocent but never released.

Words cannot describe how intense this album is. From the fuzzy power chords that open 'The Stench of Burning Death' to the closing "Fuck!" of the title track, this album never lets up its chaotic assault on the senses. This album is a milestone in Extreme Music, and has been cited as a huge influence by legends such as Napalm Death, Carcass and Entombed. And make no mistake, this album is fucking fast. Reign In Blood, eat your heart out.

The riffs on this album are simple, thrashy and very raw. The rhythm guitar of Olivo and Freeman is well done, and they also throw in a number of guitar solos, which are very much in the vein of Slayer. They are a mess, but it works astoundingly well and I couldn't think of a better suited option, really. The guitar tone is very raw, with a touch of fuzz.

At first, the bass seems to be almost non-existent, until you realise the aforementioned fuzz is not purely from the lo-fi production. The bass on this album was recorded through a distortion pedal straight into a (probably very cheap) recorder. The result is a pulsating, fuzzy Bass sound unlike anything I've heard before. This works wonderfully as a compliment to the grinding guitars over the top. Sure, you can't really hear exactly what he is playing, but fuck, it sounds great!

Dave Grave's drumming on this album is very fast, and contains mostly your standard Thrash drumming, or a primitive sounding Blast Beat. Dave plays the classic style blasts, with only one kick drum and let me tell you, he sounds like an absolute maniac. Yeah, he can sound pretty sloppy at times, but it suits this album perfectly and I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, and if some of you had been wondering about his nickname, it actually came about because around 1986, Repulsion had been trying Drummer after Drummer, and were having no luck finding one. However, when Repulsion heard about Dave being convicted of desecrating graves and that he was apparently a maniac behind the kit, so they tracked him down at once and invited him to join.

Scott Carlson's vocals are very raw and raspy, and he is one of my favourite vocalists. Think Massacre's Kam Lee, but not as deep, and that pretty much describes Scott's vocals. They are the perfect vehicle for the gory lyrical subject matter that Repulsion has. Song titles such as Maggots In Your Coffin, Splattered Cadavers, Festering Boils and Slaughter Of The Innocent speak for themselves, really. Along with Death and Carcass, Repulsion pioneered the lyrical styles which would be made famous by bands such as Cannibal Corpse and Autopsy.


To sum up, Horrified is essential for any fans of extreme music. A true classic.



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user ratings (470)
4.2
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Apocalyptic Raids
August 1st 2006


810 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

damn Microsoft word!



I also screwed the tags on Massacre, sorry

Tyler
Emeritus
August 1st 2006


7927 Comments


Yeah, Word blows ass. It's a pain having to edit them manually.

I'll actually read the review in a minute, just wanted to agree with the symbol gayness.

edit: Great review, but this doesnt sound like something I'd like.This Message Edited On 08.01.06

Jondur
August 1st 2006


92 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

this album is so brutal it's knackered your tags!

Apocalyptic Raids
August 1st 2006


810 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Okay, everything is fixed.

Dethtrasher
August 1st 2006


2211 Comments


I have to find some songs from this and see if they are more extreme than Nasum, though I don't like the genre but who cares. Good review!

Dethtrasher
August 1st 2006


2211 Comments


D-loaded some songs now, this was indeed fast as hell. You must check out Nasum too, I think that vocalist was far more better than this one. Its good to see more reviews from you Raids.This Message Edited On 08.01.06

RiceMonster
August 1st 2006


62 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This > all grind. Great review, you described it perfectly well, as well as explained why it kicks so much ass. The production is filthy, distorted and purely raw. It's perfect, it makes the album even more vicious and violent. Good job on mentioning the fuzz bass of death too.



Yeah, he can sound pretty sloppy at times, but it suits this album perfectly and I wouldn't have it any other way.


I agree. Sometimes it sounds like a blure of random fast snare hits and symbols, but it's perfect. It suits it perfectly.



- None, unless you're a pussy


Haha, damn right :cool:.This Message Edited On 08.01.06

Excursions
August 3rd 2006


24 Comments


I'm surprised someone reviewed this and reviewed it well. Nice job. As for Repulsion, I really enjoyed the reissued Horrified when I first got it a few months ago but haven't listened to it alot since.

Apocalyptic Raids
August 3rd 2006


810 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

thanks

Jack Wilson
March 7th 2007


313 Comments


im just getting into grind and i was wondering if you guys could recomend me some bands, tell me who to check out first. im familiar with extreme music so i dont need baby steps. i want the shit with without any structure or melody. so far ive checked out insect warfare and i like them a lot. thanks.

Apocalyptic Raids
April 1st 2007


810 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

get this album and some Napalm Death, Extreme Noise Terror, Brutal Truth, Terrorizer and Carcass.

Stalusk
April 1st 2007


130 Comments


Great review, an important band in hindsight. Check out Death Breath's "Stinking Up The Night" from last year. It borrows heavily (in the right way) from this album.

Confessed2005
July 14th 2007


6009 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Jack Wilson. Check out earlier Pig Destroyer material as well.

LifeInABox
October 3rd 2007


3709 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Such a great album.

Yyy
October 3rd 2007


289 Comments


its good

Zeppeli
May 12th 2008


3 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

one of my favorite albumsThis Message Edited On 05.12.08

TrojanWhore
May 12th 2008


752 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Its fabtabulous.

BallsToTheWall
August 21st 2008


51592 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Album rules fuckin hard.

Digging: Fulci - Tropical Sun

Necrophagist
November 1st 2008


27 Comments


Hey, Rice Monster, what anime is that in your avatar?

Oh yeah, does anyone have more information about Fish? He's supposed to have been a drummer for Repulsion (he's listed on metal-archives as one). My friend said he saw a guy named Fish drumming at a show and that this guy named Fish was really fast. I was wondering if it's the same Fish or not. I'll probably never really be able to find out. My friend doesn't know about Repulsion.

BallsToTheWall
January 2nd 2009


51592 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Needs moar repping.



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