Shield - Vampire Songs LP pre-order

Amendment Records has acquired the rights to the Shield - Vampire Songs album, and they are giving it a proper vinyl treatment.

Obscure gem from the mid-nineties Umea HC scene. Yes, they came from the same scene as Refused, Final Exit, Abhinanda, and many more. Every band from this scene seemed to have their own sound which would keep many people interested on what was going on in Umea during that period of time.
Shield wasn't the exception. The acoustic parts and overall dark sound would be the band's own stamps.
Originally released on CD by Desperate Fight Records in 1995, this is one of the most interesting records I've ever heard from the old continent. Includes the song “Kaleidoscope” from the SXE As Fuck II Compilation, which is arguably their best song ever.
LP includes digital download.
Listen to the whole record for free at our bandcamp page:

http://amendmentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/shield-vampiresongs-lp

Pressing info:
15 test pressings
150 180 gram black vinyl
350 red marble vinyl

ORDERING INFO:

You can pre-order this record now from Amendment's website.
We have t-shirts available as well, and different vinyl/t-shirt packages you can choose.

LP only
2 LPs
2 LPs + shirt
Shirt only

Everyone who orders the Shield LP from us, will be entered into a raffle to win a test pressing of this record.

V/A - Straight Edge As Fuck part I and II

As Chip wrote a few times on this blog (here and here for instance) Umeå, Sweden was the hometown of some awesome bands in the '90s. Desperate Fight, the label run by Jose Saxlund of Abhinanda, released a series of compilations called 'Straight Edge As Fuck' documenting the Umeå hardcore scene, 3 in total. The first 2, released in 1994 and 1995 respectively, would be released as a single compilation on Desperate Fight America (Victory Records), in 1996. I ripped, scanned and uploaded that version here. It provides a nice overview of the Umeå hardcore scene of the mid '90s. It includes bands such as the Doughnuts, Abhinanda, Purusam and ofcourse Refused. The last track on this CD, and the last track of the 1st compilation, is an early, slower, version of Refused's 'Everlasting', the title track of their EP. Tacked onto the end of that track is a short and unlisted Final Exit song called 'Mutilated Scumbag'. Final Exit being various members of Refused mixing up their instruments and just having fun playing fast old school hardcore. Anyways, enjoy!

Straight Edge As Fuck part I and II compilation

Refused - This Is The New Deal MCD

Here is the first release (after 2 demo's) by Swedish hardcore 'legends' Refused. Hailing from Umeå, Sweden, they began in 1991 and played their final show in 1998. I'm not going to write down a biography or anything like that here, just check the Wikipedia page or google around. For me, their finest hour came with the 'Everlasting' EP (one of the best European hardcore records from the '90s IMHO), and not with the subsequent full-lengths, 'Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent' and 'The Shape Of Punk To Come', which are generally seen as their best records. Maybe I just prefer the more straight-forward and less pretentious Refused. Either way, it's hard to deny they had a huge impact on the Swedish hardcore scene, especially in their hometown Umeå, and to some extent outside of Sweden as well. I've seen them live several times, and they definitely rocked. But yeah, their later stuff just rubs me the wrong way. So to counter that, here's their first proper record, the 'This Is The New Deal' MCD. Recorded in 1993 on Burning Heart Records it features a far more old school Refused. Great fast hardcore with already fairly socially aware & politically motivated lyrics. Good stuff.

Refused - This Is The New Deal MCD

Abhinanda Reunion?

Ive heard rumors of a possible Abhinanda reunion early next year in Japan. Ive emailed Jose to find out if these rumors are true, but this has seriously gotten my attention. Ive also heard that Taken is playing this fest...Ive also gotten in touch with Hiro (Loyal to the Grave, ex-Statecraft) to find out more info. Keep checking back and Ill get all the info I can. Is it bad that Im seriously considering going back to Japan for this (not that I need a reason to want to go back to Japan)?