See You In December

I am taking a break from The Hearse in order to focus on the recording of a new Worm Ouroboros album (to be released Spring '12 on Profound Lore) and then a quick jaunt over to Tel Aviv for a one off engagement with Agalloch. Cosmic Hearse will resume its activities some time in December.

The New Beginning

Here's another lost Sunshine State Hardcore artifact, Blemish on Society's sole vinyl release, The New Beginning. These Tampa terrors were a bit late to the party issuing this bit of adolescent fury in 1988. Like recent Florida-based Hearse honorees FWA, these guys just wanted to play Hardcore, and they fucking did.

Here

Sin and Mass

Eugene, Oregon isn't exactly a place you would equate with epic Heavy Metal. You might think of drum circles, smelly Anarchists, and Ken Kesey, but probably not the mustached metalions known as Lazarus Sin. Shame really because Intracranial Mass, the band's one and only release is a veritable treasure trove of steely, melodic, metal that deserves more attention. Perhaps the location or the Christian lyrics kept these guys out of the spotlight, who knows?

Here

Takin' Off

Some of you may only know Herbie Hancock as the composer behind the immensely successful and influential proto-hip hop hit "Rockit." Long before the '80s, Hancock was already one of the most respected and beloved Jazz pianists and composers of the 1960s. Hancock's airy playing and elegant yet strange arrangements made him an instant favorite amongst Alfred Lion and Frank Wolff, and for this legendary date, they put him in the studio with the ubiquitous ryhthm section of Warren and Higgens, along with Freddie Hubbard, and the elusive Dexter Gordon. The results were stellar, but only hinted at the greatness to come. If this piques your interest in Hancock, I highly recommend spending some quality time with Empyrean Isles or Maiden Voyage.

Here

Subject

Brace yourself for some caustic grindcore from Hungary and a band who operated in the early '90s under the mundane moniker of Subject. Diaphanous Writhes of a Soul was the band's second demo and was later pressed into an EP. Subject had a steady six year run that yielded a few demos, two full-lengths, and a four-way split with fellow Hungarian heavies Set Off, Mindcrime, and Loser's Lair. Admittedly I haven't heard any other Subject material but this demo is just so fucking great I am not sure I need to.

GRIND!

The Day Z-Trip Met Radar

In the '90s the ambitious Future Primitive Sound organization set out to pair DJs of note with one another for live performances that would eventually be pressed into limited number CDs. There were only two sessions documented: one matching Cut Chemist with Shortkut and this one that combines the turntable treachery of Z-Trip and Radar. Sad that this brilliant concept yielded just two discs, but damn they are fine listening. And while Cut Chemist and Shortkut are by far superior in skill, Z-Trip and Radar's session is infinitely more enjoyable. The two skilled DJs cut, mix, and match a number of classic records, some of which may surprise and titillate your tired ears.

Here

Not Working

Experiencing some major machine hassles here at the Hearse. Hope to have shit up and running in a few days.

Bridge of Sighs

You know if I had the means to upload a joint of killer '70s brown weed, I would.

But instead...

FWA

I have to thank my old Florida homie Justin Cudney for getting this hen's tooth off my wishlist and up in my earholes. So FWA maybe weren't the best hardcore band to come out of the flaccid dick-shaped state that I spent my first 18 years in, but they were an integral part of the scene playing many hectic shows and opening for whatever punk legends were ballsy enough to take the extra travel day down to Miami, only to have their tires slashed, and their merch guy pummeled by subtarded, sun-drenched skinheads. FWA managed to crank out this one EP in the midst of all the heat and chaos. The cover shows a typically South Florida landscape of big ominous skies and rows of buzzing power lines. It may not mean much to you, but to my eyes it is all the loneliness and ennui of my adolescence in one single image. So let's talk about the tunes, shall we? FWA were amateurish, that is for sure, but in that simplistic, rickety untalent was a charm that may even remind you of your own teen angst. Hardcore with little outside influence, no experimentation, no metal, no emo. Mohawks and skateboards, flannels and boots. Thank you so much, Justin and FWA wherever you may be.

FWA!

Voodoo Jive

This album should be in everyone's collection, even if that collection is mp3s on a hard drive.

Here