Category: Gaskill
Gaskill at The Pour Farm
with Randy Mississippi Whiskey
The Pour Farm
Purchase St
New Bedford mass
9pm
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.