The Stench of the Millennium: at the Core of 00's Crust

Hallo there, how is crust?

It took me fucking hours but here it finally is: my 00's crust compilations. I suppose it does not come as a big surprise since the 90's got the same treatment and, after all, it's my job to keep crust punk elite (I have been known as the Fat Mike of crust in some quarters, although I would like to point out that I am much slimmer and have better tastes in music). 

 

You know the drill by now as far as Terminal Sound Nuisance's homemade compilations go but, because I care about newcomers to this blog, I am going to provide some sort of guide to my compiling genius. This time around my focus was on 00's crust music from an international perspective and as you can expect it was a monstrous undertaking. If I have often referred to the 90's as the preeminent crust decade because the genre exploded during that period, there were probably more crust bands - in the broadest sense of the term - in the decade that followed. This can be explained by the growing ramifications of the genre with the strengthening and solidification of subgenres (like stenchcore and crasher crust) combined with the fissiparous creation of new subdivisions (like neocrust or blackened crust), both phenomenon strongly influenced by new punk trends. Logical developments I suppose. 

The selection is, as usual, subjective and reflects my definition of crust music (aka the official party line). Matters of space, time and personal taste led me to exclude so-called the neocrust bands (or melodic crust or epicrust or tragicrust whatever) from the compilations. Boundaries are often difficult to draw but, when I felt a crucial line was crossed, when bands transgressed too radically crust's immemorial unwritten laws (meaning the 80's), I decided to leave them out. This said, I would be interested - though not exactly glad - to listen to a "best of 00's neocrust" selection so if you are brave enough to take on the challenge you know what to do. This said, you will find a couple of bands influenced by His Hero Is Gone on the compilations but that were still infected enough with the crust virus. Similarly, crusty bands that sounded too close to death-metal or thrash-metal did not pass, not because I dislike them but because I did not see myself working on a fourth volume. Basically I gave Stagnation a pass because I wanted a all out Bolt Thrower-type band but War Master did not make it pretty much because they all had long hair.  

To think about music in terms of decades may not be the most relevant method. Indeed, the early 00's saw the last valorous efforts of classic 90's crust bands like Homomilitia, Axiom or Policebastard while a brand new generation of crust bands - Last Legion Alive, Cancer Spreading or Contagium - was only emerging by the end of it and such crusty congregations went on to achieve legitimate expectations in the 2010's. Iconic crust immortals Warcollapse, Doom, Misery and Extinction of Mankind kept delivering the goods at their own pace, unhindered by the passing of time, and of course many great bands lived and died during the decade, soap-dodging fragile transient angels like After the Bombs, Stormcrow or Lost. As a result, bands from different waves and from both ends of the decade coexist in the compilations and I will admit that anthologies using more precise and narrower selection methods focused on stylistic content rather than chronology would perhaps have been more relevant, but then the comprehensive and thorough blog reviews deal with this more cerebral side of things. Let's just see these compilations as a general look at the different styles and waves of crust bands that evolved in the 00's and, well, as hopefully fun listens.

 

I had chosen to divide my compilations about 90's crust in terms of style and pace. Two volumes dealt with metallic stench-y crust bands while the third one was all about cavemen crustcore. For the 00's I decided to apply a cross-disciplinary approach, a deceptively fancy term which sonically translates as a massive, primitive but differently-paced brawl between the various crust schools, united in their intent to provide a seriously angry bollocking to the listener while also showing their belief in the coming apocalypse. You will find the obvious stenchcore revival heavyweights (the most significant event of the decade), Japanese crasher crust, metallic eurocrust, epic Greek crust, grinding crustcore, cavemen crust, some more progressive crust acts and even a couple of bands toying with "neocrust" influences. The scope is more international than on my previous efforts and, although 00's crust has often been described as redundant, you will realize that, when one - in a heroic effort - actually dares to dive into the depths of the dark abyss of crust music, one can find little-known gems. Therefore, crust stalwarts such as Hellshock, Dystopia or Effigy rub shoulders with the very obscure and rather sloppy Esporrro, Relics of Future or Axebastard (the kind of bands you would only know if you actually played in them if you know what I mean). This was an important point of the compiling process as I intended to show that DIY crust was not just about tight, proficient and well-recorded 00's North American bands (that would take whole compilations in itself) and that it also welcomed rough, messy, puerile and savage bearlike noizy bollocks from the periphery (if you so happen to be a scholar, you might say it is akin to a decentering of the enunciative subject but that would make you sound like a massive twat). Also, I left out many Japanese crust bands because of I already tackled their 00's wave thoroughly last year. 

In the end, the inclusion of Crow in those new compilations might be the most surprising of all, especially since I didn't invite them to the aforementioned Japanese feast. Of course Crow were never an actual crust band. Still, while it did not seem to make sense to add a Crow song to the 00's Japanese crust selection, it did feel necessary to pick an extract from Bloody Tears for inclusion on the global one. Perhaps because this album makes more sense as a 00's crust work than one abiding by the rule of Japanese crust. I don't lose sleep over it but I did think hard about the issue which, if anything, proves that the lockdown really has to end quickly.  

I ripped as many songs as possible from my record collection and tried to find decent music files for the rest but sound quality - not to mention musicianship - does vary from a song to the other. Still I feel it is the best I could do given what I had to work with and the time and effort it took to see that through. There you go then, enjoy those three compilations and feel free to comment and point out bands I might have forgotten or you consider should have been included. 

But no more tergiversating. Let's bloody 'ave it!

Part one:

01. Effigy « Stark moon », from From Hell Ep, 2003 (Japan)
02. Stormcrow « Enslaved in darkness », from Enslaved in Darkness Lp, 2005 (U$A)
03. Infekcja « Stupor », from Przegrani Lp, 2003 (Poland)
04. Raw Noise « Pain and gain », from Scum Will Rise to the Top Ep, 2009 (England)
05. Αιώνιο Σκότος « Κραυγές Αγωνίας », from Σ Ένα Θρόνο Προπαγάνδας cdr, 2005 (Greece)
06. Berserk « Eclissi », from Apocalypse demo cdr, 2006 (Italy)
07. Hangover Overdose « Ainut kristitty », from S/t split cdr with Noittus, 2007 (Finland)
08. Dažd « Императив Последњег Доба », from S/t Lp, 2009 (Serbia)
09. Sharpeville « The wound aren’t going to heal », from At the Late Hours Before the Dawning of our Abundance Lp, 2000 (Finland)
10. Axiom « This isn’t life », from Apathy and Privilege Lp, 2000 (U$A)
11. Bio Crisis « Perdido en la mentira », from S/t split Ep with Slaktattack, 2009 (Mexico)
12. Dirty Power Game « Ethnic war », from Figli Della Vostra Catastrofe cd, 2004 (Italy)
13. Sickness « GxC party », from S/t Ep, 2000 (France)
14. Extinction of Mankind « Man’s last breath », from Northern Scum Lp, 2007 (England)
15. Χειμερία Νάρκη « Χειμερία Νάρκη », from Στη Σιωπή Της Αιώνιας Θλίψης Lp, 2003 (Greece)
16. S.O.L. « Game over », from S/t split Lp with Pack, 2004 (Germany)
17. Deceiving Society « Achieve », from Detonation Cruster cd, 2009 (recorded in 2001) (Japan)
18. Dread 101 « Ústa Plná Krve », from S/t split Lp with Social Insecurity, 2002 (Czech)
19. After the Massacre « A future discarded », from A Future Discarded to the Bonepits cd, 2006 (England)
20. Acursed « Escape », from Livet Är Den Längsta Vägen Till Helvetet cd, 2003 (Sweden)
21. AGE « Plunderer », from Four Wings Lp, 2001 (Japan)
22. Bärrikäädi « Crust warriors », from S/t split cd with Esporrro, 2009 (Brazil)
23. Axebastard « Bastard (militaristic gear) », S/t demo cdr, 2009 (Finland)
24. Desobediencia Civil « Slave to convention (Doom cover ) », from No Hay Libertad sin Desobediencia cd, 2001 (Mexico)
25. Scorned « Never question », from S/t split Ep with Hellbound, 2000 (U$A)
26. Cancer Spreading « Marcia funebre / L'era del niente », from S/t split Lp with Disköntroll, 2009 (Italy)
27. Hellshock, « Last sunset », from S/t Ep, 2003 (U$A)
28. Contrast Attitude « You’re not free », from Sick Brain Extreme Addict Ep, 2003 (Japan)
29. Death Dust Extractor « Slave in chains », from Slay Your Masters or Slave in Chains Ep, 2008 (Japan)
30. Stagnation « Interceptor », from S/t Ep, 2008 (U$A)
31. Alehammer « Slowburn », from Mine’s a Pint of Crust 10’’, 2007 (England)
32. Another Oppressive System « Population control », from S/t split Ep with Human Waste, 2004 (U$A)
33. Deskarga Etílíka « Esta sistema não resulta », from Apunkalipse Now cd, 2003 (Portugal)
34. Disgusting Lies « Bez wyboru », from No Choice No Way / Non Cè Limite Al Peggio split Lp, 2005 (Poland)
35. Bumbklaatt « Debil o fuerte », from S/t Ep, 2003 (Mexico)
36. Man the Conveyors « Paralysis », from Cheers! Cd, 2008 (U$A)
37. Devastated Goes… « Distinction », from Devastation demo car, 2007 (Japan)
38. Detritus « Distorted sureness », from S/t Lp, 2009 (recorded in 2005) (Belgium)
39. Warprayer « The night takes the pawn », from S/t split Lp with Morne, 2009 (England)
40. Anguish « Nighted silence », from Within the Darkness Ep, 2009 (U$A)

The Stench of the Millennium (part 1) 

 

Part two:

01. Acrostix « Filth chain », from Crust Night 2002, the War Begins for Them compilation cd, 2002 (Japan)
02. Giuda « Il ritorno del terrore », from Decadenza Lp, 2008 (Italy)
03. Coaccion « Vacio », from Invertebrado cd, 2004 (Mexico)
04. Mind « Nothing », from …Your Own Business Lp, 2001 (Poland)
05. Policebastard « Sweatin’ green », from Cursed Earth Ep, 2002 (England)
06. Summon the Crows « Wind of chains », from Scavengers Feast Lp, 2006 (Norway)
07. Uncle Charles « Värdighet kostar pengar », from In Crust we Trust 10’’, 2004 (Sweden)
08. Esporrro « Extinção », from S/t split cd with Bärrikäädi, 2009 (Brazil)
09. Χημική-Επιδημία «  Πνοή Θανάτου », from Στην-Πόλη-Του-Χάους cd, 2003 (Greece)
10. Fight Back « Working class attack », from Crust is Dead compilation tape, 2001 (Croatia)
11. Agree To Differ « Void of humanity », from S/t demo tape, 2001 (?) (Japan)
12. Last Legion Alive « Tomb of dirt », from S/t demo cdr, 2009 (Belgium)
13. Skunk « Animals in pain », from S/t tape, 2008 (Canada)
14. Monuments to Ruins « Sleep rite », from Under the Guise of Progress… the Rise of Deceit Lp, 2005 (U$A)
15. Hellisheaven « Napalm parson », from S/t split Lp with Creeping Corrupt, 2009 (Poland)
16. Blowtorch Serenadę « Skull attack », from unknown recording, 2008 (?) (England)
17. Dischord « Amargo existencial », from S/t split Ep with Čad, 2002 (Brazil)
18. Disturd « Life », from Darkness…Faint Gleam… tape, 2007 (Japan)
19. Warcollapse « Defy! », from Defy! cd, 2007 (Sweden)
20. Cop On Fire « Solo », from S/t split Lp with Visions of War, 2005 (Spain)   
21. M.V.D. « Armut », from War Species Lp, 2009 (Germany)
22. Flyblown « Intimidate and the eradicate », from The Fear and the Fury Lp, 2005 (England)
23. Against-Empire « Stop the torture », from The Ones who Strike the Blows Forget… The Ones who Bear the Scars Remember Lp, 2005 (U$A)
24. Sanctum « Overthrown », from S/t split Lp with Stormcrow, 2006 (U$A)
25. Atroz Destrucción « Libro infernal », from Falsas Promesas cd, 2009 (Mexico)
26. Lost « Cykl ludzkości », from Fear-Strach Lp, 2003 (Poland)
27. Defector « Punk system destroy », from パンクシステムデストロイ(Punk System Destroy) Ep, 2003 (Japan)
28. Human Waste « Avsky », from I Skuggan Av Erat Sverige Ep, 2001 (Sweden)
29. NIS « Condannato all’estraneità », from Presagi di un’Insulsa Rovina demo cdr, 2008 (Italy)
30. After The Bombs « Black wind of fear », from Relentless Onslaught Lp, 2007 (Canada)
31. Consume « Like father like son », from S/t split Lp with Born/Dead, 2003 (U$A)
32. Zyanose « Media », from Loveless Ep, 2008 (Japan)
33. Abraham Cross « End of time »,from Tokyo Sound System 1+2=3 2xcd compilation, 2007 (Japan)
34. Intoxicate « Amen », from Toxic Years cd, 2006 (Croatia)
35. Visions of War « Nailed conscience », from S/t split Lp with Olho de Gato, 2002 (Belgium)
36. Dödsfälla « Nightmare shadow », from Death Future Lp, 2009 (U$A)
37. Filth of Mankind « Obłędna Rzeczywistość », from The Finał Chapter Lp, 2006 (recorded in 2000) (Poland)
38. T.R.I.B.E. « Rise! », from Nation, State and Liberty split cd with Ruin, 2007 (Scotland)
39. Phalanx « To tame a land », from S/t Lp, 2002 (U$A)
40. Doom « Just another day », from World of Shit Lp, 2001 (England) 

 

The Stench of the Millennium (part 2) 

 

Part three:

01. Campus Sterminii « Non c’e’ limite al peggio », from Life is a Nightmarish Struggle Lp, 2009 (Italy)
02. Limb From Limb « Relentless torment », from Death.Famine.Plague Lp, 2007 (Canada)
03. Hermit Prose « Dissolving soon », from Down Beat Sect Ep, 2006 (Japan)
04. State of Filth « Filth », from S/t split cd with Anarchy Spanky, 2003 (England)
05. Pack « Booze for future », from Booze for future Ep, 2005 (Switzerland)
06. Nulla Osta « Horizonti », from Omnia Morituri Sumus split Ep with Campus Sterminii, 2007 (Croatia)
07. Los Rezios « Ellos nos odian », from Destroy the Guetto…!!! Split Ep with Battle of Disarm, 2007 (Peru)
08. Hellstorm « Going to an end », from S/t one-sided Lp, 2010 (recorded in 2009) (Greece)
09. Battle of Disarm « Liberate Earth », from Destroy the Guetto…!!! Split Ep with Los Rezios, 2007 (Japan)
10. System Shit « Lost control », from S/t split Ep with Bloody Phoenix, 2006 (Canada)
11. Drunkard « What about », from S/t split Ep with Cornucopia, 2000 (Australia)
12. Dystopia « My meds aren’t working », from S/t Lp, 2008 (U$A)
13. Crow « 絶叫 », from Bloody Tears Lp, 2006 (Japan)
14. Roxor « Sluby », from S/t tape, 2008 (Slovakia)
15. Svart Aggression « När Världen Sakta Ruttnar Bort », from Tänk Själv Ep, 2006 (Sweden)
16. Gurkha « The weight », from R’n’r Engine / Drinking From the Skulls of Dead Gods split cd, 2006 (England)
17. Massakro « Infanticidio », from S/t cd, 2003 (Mexico)
18. Minus « Extinct population », from Singapore Punk Holocaust compilation cd, 2007 (Singapore)
19. Hellbound « Negative outlook », from S/t split cd with Despite, 2002 (Canada)
20. Affect « Proof of life », from Darkness Silence cdr, 2004 (Japan)
21. React « His children play with knives », from Deus Ex Machina cd, 2000 (U$A)
22. Relics of Future « Dark age », from S/t demo cdr, 2008 (Germany)
23. Proof of Existence « Religious terror », from Scriptural Disaster Lp, 2003 (U$A)
24. Mass Mierda « Que es lo que esperabais », from El Olor a Extinción cd, 2005 (Spain)
25. Kontrovers « Livlös », from S/t cd, 2002 (Sweden)
26. Massgrave « Corruption of innocence », from S/t split Lp with Stormcrow, 2008 (Canada)
27. Misery « Fine day », from S/t split cd with Path of Destruction, 2007 (U$A)
28. Disdomestic Violence « War crimes », from Tokyo Sound System 1+2=3 2xcd compilation, 2007 (Japan)
29. Behind Enemy Lines « Army of god », from The Global Cannibal cd, 2003 (U$A)
30. Nuclear Death Terror « In the shadow of the gallows », from S/t Lp, 2006 (Denmark)
31. Mass Genocide Process « Inner circle of fear », from S/t split Lp with Visions of War, 2005 (Czech)
32. Revölt « Conquest or liberation », from Gate of Holocaust Lp, 2007 (Japan)
33. Krush « Zero tolerance », from What is Wrong with this Picture? Split Ep with Gritos de Alerta, 2004 (Netherlands)
34. Horror Humano « Horro humano », from S/t cd, 2008 (Argentina)
35. Reduction « Social disorder », from Social Disorder Ep, 2002 (Japan)
36. Instinct of Survival « Winter in my mind », from Winter in my Mind Ep, 2006 (Germany)
37. Contagium « Cold mind », from S/t Ep, 2009 (Canada)
38. Homomiltia « Pomysl O Tym », from S/t Lp, 2020 (recorded in 2000) (Poland)
39. Zoe «  Be celled and be chain of master », from The Last Axe Beat Lp, 2004 (Japan)
40. Morne « Twilight burns », from Demo 2008 Lp, 2009 (U$A) 

 

The Stench of the Millennium (part 3)