Category: Gaskill
Gaskill ‘Special Weapons’ EP review at Dead Rhetoric
Gaskill – Special Weapons (75orless Records)
The follow up to 2015’s The End of the World and Our War albums (the latter their tribute to Black Flag), Special Weapons is a five-song EP that sees the New Bedford, MA unit solider forward in their primal crossover hardcore/thrash sonic blend that keeps things pure and true. One minute the band channel inner Danzig or early Life of Agony for “Small Cake”, and the next swiftly kick rear-ends in D.R.I. meets Nuclear Assault madness during “Slow Crows”. Expect raw emotion, in your face punchy tones, guitar riffs that crawl out of your speakers to attack, and true half-time doomy transitions without forcing the ‘breakdown’ while vocalist Kevin Grant floats his psychedelic, forceful delivery into your soul. Proof that crossover contains potency even in 2018.
Review of Gaskill’s Special Weapons
If you pay attention to our Facebook page then you know we were so enamored by all the bands at the recent record release show for Death Kiss Volume 2 that we decided that we HAD to do a feature on all the current Bandcamp discogs from the bands that performed at the show.
But GASKILL just put out a new record. So we decided that we’d feature that instead. And still talk about their Bandcamp discography.
But I digress.
Believe it or not, my first exposure to GASKILL was the track they contributed to the latest Death Kiss compilation (Which you can read all about by clicking here). Once again, Mary Frances can pat herself on the back knowing she brought to light another local gem to, not just to me, but to so many others through the comp and her show on WEMF. And in turn, I get to shed a little more light through my medium of communication. Circle of life and all that shit.
So “I Am The Spider” was my favorite on the comp and it closes up Special Weapons nicely here. Like I said on my initial take of the track, it’s like Jello Biafra fronting Anthrax….but boy does Kevin Grant have range beyond that. In fact, my FIRST impression was that of the second coming of Stompbox while live they definitely added elements of early Clutch to their repertoire.
In other words, GASKILL is a mutt. A glorious mutt made from the bestest of the best to create this musical beast/hound of beauty. If you go back through their discography (See! I told you I’d go there!) which dates back to 1996 (The band formed in 1995), the evolution into this multi-faceted behemoth that offers you new music today is obviously apparent.
“I Know Your Name” is blistering and intense and, much like their Black Flag covers album (Our War, available here), is also direct and to the point. With Kevin Grant’s voice stabbing at listeners as Dan Jagoda’s cacophonous drumming and Craig Fleming’s wall of noise guitar fuzz provide the perfect soundtrack of organized chaos.
“Small Cake” alters the tone vastly with a slow groove that rumbles along like molasses with Grant’s bellows echoing out and resonating, careening into an almost Danzig-esque chorus. “Salt” really lets Mario Costa’s bass barrage shine during a track that encapsulates some of the great noise of Boston yesteryear (Think Sam Black Church and Tree in particular) while “Slow Crows” is all crunchy and dirty and gritty and all the things until it becomes a thrashing rager.
And “I Am The Spider” closes it all up. And you already know how we feel about that one.
Gaskill Special Weapons
75OL-269 Gaskill – Special Weapons
$7.00 S&H Included
Digital download and free streaming available here
Track Listing
1. I Know Your Name
2. Small Cake
3. Salt
4. Slow Crows
5. I Am A Spider
GASKILL formed in 1995 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, releasing 2 demos and the Granite Iron Oak album before going on hiatus in 2002. The band reformed in 2015 with Chris Helme on drums, releasing an album of new material, The End of the World, and an album of Black Flag covers (Our War).
Dead Rhetoric review Gaskill’s ‘The End of The World’
RATING: 8/10
New Bedford, MA band Gaskill has been delivering original music since 1995 – sticking to their guns through self-perseverance, a significant break during the late 2000’s and natural lineup changes- as well as caring less about fitting in to the latest trends or ‘hip’ styles in heavy music. “The End of the World” illustrates a raw, abrasive sound that is part punk, part hardcore – yet definitely sturdy enough to keep itself in the metal category.
The evil guitar sound is one that put bands like Pro-Pain, Life of Agony, and the much missed Only Living Witness in the hearts of a lot of fans during the 1990’s – the riff swirl striking mammoth, pit worthy proportions off the “Worms” get go. Highlights range from the psychedelic crossover groove throughout “Long Lost Friend”, the Sam Black Church-ish meets Slayer maniacal quick hitter “I’m Not Waiting” (102 seconds of blood bursting activity) and the thrash thrust and parry between guitars and rhythm section action for “War and Knives”.
The ace in the hole definitely is singer Kevin Grant. To put his take on what he does for Gaskill in a few words can be difficult – the man is a chameleon in a punk/ hardcore / metal montage. The melodic aspects of his voice fluctuate between Glenn Danzig and old Keith Caputo, while his screams and punk ways are 100% native to the New England scene – fairly equipped to add some SBC, OLW, and a host of others reference points from the rich history of the local movement. He’s very tuneful during Gaskill’s take on “Eleanor Rigby”, as well as psychotic in certain screams and warbles for “Dog Heaven” – certainly memorable when taking these tracks to the streets for live performances.
People who purchase The End of the World get a nine song bonus album – Gaskill tackling the classic Black Flag record My War. Wow that record is now 32 years old… but stylistically fits with its punk rooted A-side and Sabbath-heavy, longer B-side material to the band’s openness in crossing genres to make things work.
Kick out these jams…
Boston’s The Noise reviews Gaskill and the Everett Brothers Moving Company
You can read the reviews here
EVERETT BROS. MOVING COMPANY – Moving Misfortune
13 tracks
The debut album by this Rhode Island five-piece commences with a wistful country-rock number, “Middle 8,” which is followed by “My Turn,” a glad-making indie-pop toe-tapper. Their cover of the Meat Puppets’ “Up On the Sun” is a mellow confection; “PYT” is a circusy tune about a Pretty Young Thing which puts me in mind of Walter Sickert and His Army of Broken Toys. “Old Relations” varies the pace with a dirge-like lament. “Feel Good” is a spooky near-recitative with a bit of a psychedelic edge which wouldn’t sound out of place on a Pebbles compilation. “Hands of Fate” has an invulnerable Bo Diddley-style beat in back of it, with a delivery worthy of Elvis Costello at his grittiest. “Handful of Pills” has an appealing cascading feel in the guitar hook and is sung with an air of insouciant despair. There are enough quality tunes on this inaugural foray to make me look forward to the band’s next outing.
GASKILL – The End of the World
9 tracks
New Bedford’s Gaskill started in the mid-’90s. They played for about 10 years and called it a day. They came back a couple of years ago and have finally put out their first release in about 15 years. Don’t let Beatles and Carpenters covers fool you, this is extremely heavy. Kevin Grant swoons and serenades here and there but he is still a great screamer. His voice brings a little catchy feel to the brutality. A little more metal than their punk rock roots, Gaskill change not with the times, but with their own convictions. Be forewarned, you will be steamrolled and there will be blood. Lot’s of blood.
Gaskill – Our War
75OL-229 Gaskill – Our War
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. My War
2. Can’t Decide
3. Beat My Head Against the Wall
4. I Love You
5. Forever Time
6. The Swinging Man
7. Nothing Left Inside
8. Three Nights
9. Scream
Credits: recorded by Brain Cass and Corey Sherman at Overclock Studios. Mike Brunetto plays second guitar on all tracks. All songs Dukowski, Ginn, Rollins.
Gaskill – The End of the World
75OL-237 Gaskill – The End of the World
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. Worms
2. Eleanor Rigby
3. Long Lost Friend
4. Immigrant
5. I’m Not Waiting
6. Birds Suddenly Appear
7. Memento Mori
8. War and Knives
9. Dog Heaven
Mario Costa: bass
Craig Fleming: guitar
Kevin Grant: vocals
Chris Helme: drums
Michael Brunetto: second guitar on bonus tracks 10-18.
Album art: “Relentless Head” by Michael Hecht
Recorded by Brian Cass and Corey Sherman at Overclock Studios in Middleboro MA on November 21, 2015.
All music by GASKILL, all lyrics by Kevin Grant except where noted. Published by BMI.
Haffenrecords 5.