Three small records with great music. 90’s TOHC special.

I’m deeply tied with the 90’s Turin hardcore scene and it’s hands down one of my favorite bunch of bands/records/situations. This is just a small selection, my three favorite EP’s released by a bunch of guys in a city that struggled with drugs, industrial domination and trends. This is something I really love.

CRUNCH “Ran-core” 7″ (1994)

(Self-released)

The first scream of this record is the perfect embodiment of a whole movement. The furious years were gone, but they stood like an elephant in the room, a really heavy heritage to deal with, a constant source of comparison, even if the 90’s were a totally different story. “Ran-core” by Crunch is a manifesto of a new generation of bands that took the torch of a decayed scene and created a whole new one over the ashes of the previous one. Fast, aggressive, a somewhat melodic version of D.R.I., this is pure fastcore that should have been on labels like 625 or Sound Pollution. A stellar rhytmn section keeps everything on an incredible level of tension and the guitar work is sharp and on point. Vocals are great and the lyrics are absolutely amazing. The first song, “Subito” says “Voglio il mio destino / concentrato in un istante / Tutto subito, tutto ora.” (I want my destiny condensed into a moment, everything, now) and perfectly describes the whole record.

ARTURO “Topo volante” 7″ (1998)

(Co-production between Arturo and E.U.91 Produzioni)

Arturo was a weird creature. Born as a VERY melodic punk hardcore band they exploded with two EP’s (“Isterico” and “Topo volante”) delivering some of the most blistering fast and scorching hardcore in the city, then changed singer and focused on a more experimental approach, kinda finding a match with Gigio’s (Church Of Violence) way of singing. “Topo volante” is my favorite record of their first incarnation and I’m deeply tied with this little slab of vinyl, being one of the very first that I ever bought. The main feature of the band has always been the bass sound, the whole band is on fire, with a top notch technical approach and super-funny songs. Two of them (Stefano, bass and Paolo, drums) were in Cripple Bastards for a short period of time and Giulio The Bastard even makes guest vocals on a song. This has to be in every hardcore collection, because it’ss as well played as it’s enjoyable. A real treasure.

DISTRUZIONE vs CHURCH OF VIOLENCE split double 7″ (1997)

(Smartz Records / Mida Recortz / Sborra Records / Vinyl Crew)

The first song of this double 7″ set is “Blatera” by Distruzione and it should be enough to put this release at the top of its game. Not to be confused with the metalheads from Parma, Distruzione were from the outskirts of Turin and released only a demo, this split and a split tour tape with Belli Cosi. Melodic yet bleak, aggressive hardcore in the classic TOHC style, strongly influenced by the late years of Negazione (there’s a “Little dreamer” hint here and there). Their whole contribution is solid, but “Blatera” is the real highlight here, so good that it got quoted by Belli Cosi in “Millennio”, on their masterpiece “Torino Rock’n’Roll starz”. A very rare example of an underground band paying homage to another contemporay underground band. Church Of Violence are totally in their dub/reggae phase here and, after “The Hertzie prophets” and “Prophets meet the bongo”, this is their last output before breaking up. I’m not much into reggae (in fact, i quite can’t stand it), but C.O.V. always managed to make me love their fusion. Their songs are funny, addicting and the fact that they’re alternating with the Distruzione ones makes everything more enjoyable. This is a funny ride and an absolute hidden gem that must be discovered.

~ by petetheripper on January 6, 2020.