Seige- Drop Dead CD 1994. Relapse.
Kevin Mahoney-Vocals, Sax
Rob Williams-Drums
Henry McNamee-Bass
Kurt Habelt-Guitar
One of the most influential bands in the underground that never released their own material.
They lasted a little over a year, played only 5 gigs, and released only a single demo tape and had three tracks on a compilation LP.
Existing in the thrash mecca that was Boston, they had a sound that was so fast and ferocious, that at the time, locals didn't like them because it was too much to take!
On Febuary 6 1984, the band laid out what was to become the blueprint for Grindcore. They were a seminal influence on Napalm Death during their classic era.
1-Drop Dead-1:07.- A few chords with rhythm support comes in , a pause to let the sound ringout, a quick snare roll, then the band crashes into the song. Kevin Mahoney gets your attention with a larnyx shredding style that really makes you wonder what the studio personel were thinking at the moment. One of THE greatest Hardcore opening tracks.
2-Conform-2:32- After the insanity of the opener, this one begins with a looping six note bass line that one could imagine Flipper doing. The drums come in to support it, next the guitar, then some truly sick vocals. A split second pause, then warp speed insanity ensues! If you tried this in a car you would mangle the tranny changing tempos that abrubtly. They have a few tempo changes and implications that really work well. Tight as hell too.
3 Life of Hate-0:28- A quick Chuck Berryish guitar riff, then blast off! Their use of dynamics really stands out for such a brief song. The trademark tempo change is done with a drum roll on the toms, and the vocals are done in the early 80s "auctioneer" style. More work in a half minute than some bands do in five.
4-Starvation-0:46- They slow down from mach speeds to merely fast on this one. An uptempo number which features a nifty blur of notes guitar lead, and vocals that near the end of the song race AHEAD of the already frantic pace yet meets the band to finish together. Awesome sense of timing.
5-Armaggedon-0:26- THE song on this release. A second of feedback, someone in the background shouts "GO!" and the band goes hyperspace. The vocals match the drummers cymbal accents and snare rolls to brutal effect. The crazy part comes 10 seconds in...the band slams the brakes, a 4 second very disjointed, disorientating bass "solo" occurs , then everyone throttles back into the song as neat as you please. Even the "solo" was at the songs tempo!
5-Walls-1:19- Change tone and vocalists and it's a Napalm Death song. As a matter of fact, Napalm Death DID cover this number a few years later. A driving 1-2 doubletime beat and stellar vocal work as usual. Boston HC all the way.
6-Sad but True-1:16- Another doubletime beat with the guitarist doing some neat chord work behind the song. Great come and go lead.
7-Cold War-1:36- A driving drum beat is soon joined by guitar and bass on an almost basic three chord vamp for about 30 seconds. A sudden tempo shift and it's another song with the vocals urging the riff on with frantic single note guitar lines behind it all, yet another change and the main song comes into effect. All in under two minutes.
8-Grim Reaper-7:23- A previously unreleased number that is comepletely unlike anything else on the CD. A droning bass driven number that is similar to a bad acid trip via Flipper and the Butthole Surfers. Insane vocals, squalling sax, and some tripped out guitar that comes and goes all over the music. Sounds like something from a weird "Blue Velvet type flic. Totally bizzare!
Lyrically, they are very anti-war, racisim, and conformity. good lyrics too.
The first 5 songs made up the demo and the rest were comp tracks with except for the last track.
I had a copy of the demo in the 80s and STILL see it on trading lists. If you are into powerful Hardcore or Grind. Check this one out.
These guys were the pioneers. Not a weak track and i give 5/5 to all the material except the last. I give it 4/5.
