Review: V/A Deadly Rhythms From the Production Line

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Flyer

V/A DEADLY RHYTHMS FROM THE PRODUCTION LINE

One of the most anticipated releases from Take-Four Collective, Delusion of Terror Records and Love from Hate Records, this 4-way split features two bands from the Philippines and two from California, although Eskapo is definitely a Pinoy hardcore punk band.

ISTUKAS OVER DISNEYLAND kicks off the hostilities with their own brand of fast and at times melodic politically-charged hardcore punk straight from San Fernando, Pampanga. This band has definitely improved and changed a lot since I first saw them. This is their best work to date and it f’n rocks. The guitar tone reminds me a lot of latter-era Vitamin X, though less of the fast thrashy riffs of VX. IOD does it best when they sing in their native tongue. Though you rarely see them at shows, these guys are one of the best local acts around. Songs about war, the influence of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Philippine policies, minimum wages will definitely have you thinking and checking out this band for more.

LA GRITA comes from California and proceeds to destroy in the second part of this CD. They blaze through nine tracks of fast hardcore punk. The lyrics are in Spanish but the inlay provides for English lyrics. By the way, what happened to the Spanish lyrics? Songs deal about the capitalist system, propaganda machinery of the rich and living in the USA as Hispanci minority. Definitely comparable to classic bands such as Los Crudos and Huasipungo, in music and lyrics alike. Awesome shit here.

KILL RATIO is up next and they play 7 tracks of From Ashes Rise/Victims inspired fast hardcore. They have progressed since their demo CD-R and I think they’re just getting better. They start off with a gun being cocked and then they click on all four cylinders. Fck yeah. These guys rip. The dual vocals and haunting melodies are sick. Songs about poverty and war with the lyrics painting a dark imagery of the chaos to come. “We march behind a big black hearse carrying with us what used to be dreams and and passions everything that mattered, maimed and slaughtered before our eyes, the path we are treading leads to our own demise, freedom waste away…”

This CD coincided with the recent ESKAPO Pilipinas Tour this January and the aforementioned band blazed through 7 tracks of more fast hardcore punk to close out this CD. They start off with ‘Wind of Hell’ from their full-length of the same title. These guys were awesome live in their recent tour and their previous full-lengths and they did not disappoint with the songs in this CD. Songs about military oppression, the International Customs Enforcement, the effects of World War II and greed. Rupert never fails to amaze me on how he writes lyrics in the vernacular. I hope they come back next year. Also, watch out for Echo of Bullets…

The packaging of this CD is done by Mr. Dangleregs and as usual, the guy delivers. Looks a little like its taken from a Rage Against the Machine video but better. All in all, this CD is a great representation of what’s happening in the Pilipinas and California hardcore punk communities and the lyrics reflect what is happening outside our little punk rock communities. Listen to this and then grab that sledgehammer.

www.myspace.com/delusionofterrorrecords, www.myspace.com/takefourcollective, www.myspace.com/lovefromhate