Ancient Filth – “You’re Nothing You’re Everything”
I look up the definition of every band I review, as I am want to do, and this week is no exception.
So, imagine my surprise, when this week I look up “ancient filth” and I’m staring, straight ahead, at a picture of myself.
Which doesn’t sit that well with me, but I guess I should be flattered- a band naming themselves after me.
And this is a damned good band to be named after. Bang and I recently saw them for the first time at a recent punk matinee at the Midway with Opposition Rising headlining. (That review went on-line the same time as this one did.)
We were very impressed. We saw a straight ahead hardcore band with very socially conscious lyrics. And musically we saw one of the tightest bands in all the land, rhythms stopping on a dime.
They call themselves punk, anarcho-punk, hardcore. And though they have stuff on bandcamp they don’t seem to have a facebook page. So tell them we like them if you happen to see them around. It seems they’ve been a band for awhile, also.
And they play some potent stuff, some thrilling music with killer lyrics and drive.
Let’s pop the eight track into the car’s tape deck and listen.
“Perpetual States Of Misplaced Aggression” starts out like a breath of fresh air along a long highway, crashing punk rhythms against the sunlight in a revved up, souped up car. The simple riff is joined by a second guitar just to add propulsion. Once in, all hell breaks loose on the hardcore verse as we’re off to the races. “Perpetual war/ waged on earth/ built on lies/ we can’t look away/ a war on your consciousness.” This is a really great tune. “Perpetual states/ of misguided aggression/ Our eternal/ mental infection/ controls our consciousness.”
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 Perpetual States of Misguided Agression.mp3|titles=Perpetual States of Misguided Aggression]“Our biggest addiction/ is to ideas…No addictions/ Accept contradictions/ Fuck control/ Just let it go.” “Moderate Edge” is a churning, turning rhythm of a hardcore rant with a breakdown that kicks even more ass than the hardcore part. “Hooked on culture is not/ Not for me/ Rules and morals don’t dictate me/…Never say never/ Never say no/ Fuck control/ Just let go.”
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02 Moderate Edge.mp3|titles=Moderate Edge]“Dogma” starts off with a long drum roll like the coil off a stick of dynamite, lighted and ready to explode. And it does indeed when the guitars come in to attack with three slashing chords and the emphatic, passionate vocals lend a hand in the turmoil. This song has some pauses in the music while the drums just increase the percussive power. “The tables have turned/ Now, you’re on the other side.” leads to a little breakdown with dissonant notes alerting a warning. It brings it all back for the beginning, coming back for one final surge of energy.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/05 Dogma.mp3|titles=Dogma]“Growth Is Cancer” starts with some ominous, doom-y guitar notes but if you think it’s time for a slow one that thought is smashed to smithereens as soon as the hysterical, violent vocals enter. The rhythm changes once again, from the rockin’ punk one into a hyper-hardcore beat that accelerates over and over until it short circuits. A normal beat with a repetitive feedback note like Kraftwerk sets up the final cadence. “Growth is cancer, you’re not progress,” which I take as a true comment on how the corporate monopolies are really a sign of decay and negativity. One more shift is in the cards but nothing is needed to add to this song. The best song on the EP and one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/07 Growth is Cancer.mp3|titles=Growth is Cancer]Andy and I have different hours in our office.
He works later morning, I work after midnight. I sometimes see him coming in just as I’m leaving. It always makes me feel bad to not be asleep by then, like I’ve broken the rules of the night by still being awake.
This is some hard-hitting powerful punk hardcore that’s been hidden from our view at TNB.
This music, besides being incredibly performed, looses nothing in aggression, passion or intensity. This is a band that is worthy of the Best New Local Band in the next Boston Music Awards.
Oh, I forgot, they only nominate bands without testicles or genitalia, no matter what gender they’re from.
Me, I’m from Kansas where there’s so few people the vultures swoop down over the dirt roads feasting on roadkill. Meanwhile the only paved streets are in the center of town. It takes me twenty-three miles on the highway to see a movie and we got towns round here whose population is like twelve.
Ancient Filth is a great band, check them out if you have a chance. Me, I think I’ll get some sleep. I’ll catch you all at the Monster Truck Rally.
(Slimedog)
