Implicate - 1999 - Implicate 7"

Implicate, from Middletown NY, only released this one EP.   Middletown is not too far from New York City; Implicate's sound is pure 90'sNYHC.  The guitar displays a nice distorted tone, especially on the chugga-chugga riffs.  The guitarist has no problem going from a cleaner hardcore tone to a faster thrash rhythm, and there's some nice bits of feedback in the songs to help create tension.  The singer has an almost negative, shredded-throat singing style, but the lyrics betray a tendency to be generic.  Lyrical topics include integrity, vegetarianism, trust, and a striving for something better.  I will give the lyricist credit, though, for using words that I don't ever see in hardcore songs, like recruiter or archaic.  There's a bass guitar in there somewhere, but it is rarely heard.  The drummer is a solid player,but tends to rely too much on his cymbals.  Overall, this is a decent release, especially if you like the 90s hardcore sound.  The vocals help push this above mediocrity.

Vivisuk - U.S. Disastwhore 7"

This is the only release by these punks from Lansing, MI.  The music on this record is simple hardcore, sometimes played at near-thrashing speeds.  It reminds me of AUS ROTTEN or some of the UK82 bands with a bit of BLATZ thrown in.  The recording sounds almost live here:  a single-tracked distorted guitar, Steph's caustic vocals, and an adequate rhythm section.  The shouted male vocals provide a good counterpoint to the angry female vocals.  Lyrically, they dislike the rich, cops, and Eugene anarchists in that order.  That last one really had me laughing.  I love punks with a sense of humor!


I might have some copies left in my distro.