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108

Oneoeight
2006
self-released

108 - Oneoeight (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Brian
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Published on December 22nd 2006

Earlier this year 108 conveniently released their discography on two discs, titling it Creation. Sustenance. Destruction.. It showed off the two sides of the band: intense, full-throttle hardcore with a slight metallic flair (the favorable), which also turned out to be a notable influence for a number of bands that would follow later in the 1990s and continue on into the early 2000s; the other -- squealing, mid-tempo, guitar-drowned alternative metal (the not-so-favorable).

A minimally cursory glance at 108's stylistic progression is required only because the seven new songs offered on Oneoeight, all in demonstration form, definitely seem to draw aspects from both of those styles, but usually moreso the latter. In other words, some songs sort of sound written in between 1995's Songs of Separation and 1996's Threefold Misery, with a choice few seemingly nodding to the latter era.

There's an aggressive stomp to opener "Angel Strike Man," but with a funky restraint that still seems tempered by the likes of the band's once-peers in Helmet and Quicksand. It's great to see that at least this time around, the songs are a little shorter (the seven songs come out to around 21 minutes), but when they still drag by with distortion soaked guitars and the occasionally pulsating bassline, it's a little frustrating to know that doubling the speed just makes things sound that much better. "Ashes/Dust" seems to sneak a little "Smoke on the Water" chord reference in there. "The Sad Truth" is more wild, off-beat riffing with vocals nearly entirely in spoken word, a pissed off philosophical rant by Robert Fish. In "Our Kind," Fish delivers what sounds like a displaced aggression offset by sludging riffs. These songs aren't necessarily bad -- just a little noisy and atonal. However, this section of new songs ends on positive notes: "Strength or Fear?" is the most complete sounding song here, and exhibits what I really like about 108: great pacing with Fish's searing, ready-to-explode vocal stance, pounding dynamics and simplistic guitar work peppered with the occasional impressive lick (in this song's case, a little solo in the bridge). "(Walk?) Their Path" is a little rawer, but no less intense; there's serious Black Flag channeling in this one, a band they actually cover in the next song ("The Bars") coincidentally.

To round out the EP, 108 also pay tribute to another hardcore legend, tackling Bad Brains' "Coptic Times" in a totally ripping cover. Things wrap up with a 1995 demo version of "Blood" (originally on Threefold). It's always good to hear this era of 108, even if it means it ends up being a standout on Oneoeight.

Maybe it just boils down to personal preference, but I like (love, really) 108 when they're absolutely destroying their instruments through intense, shifting and tempo-spinning hardcore punk, and not really the methodical, experimental riffs and mid-paced tempos they (mostly) exhibit here. If the band's writing continues in the path of "Strength" / "Walk," I'll be highly anticipating whatever they decide to release next. If it's more middling movements like the ones here, I'll begrudgingly have to pass.

STREAM
Angel Strike Man
The Sad Truth

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 28, 2006 at 12:43 AM (EST)

This fucking band rules so get off their dicks and get fucking down!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at 1:41 AM (EST)

Oh great, another variant of religion-core.

Who gives a shit? These guys don't have the impact of really important bands like Snapcase and Earth Crisis.

Slice your tongue with a razor and suck me, a filthy old man. Meanwhile, I'll be bashing your face in with a rock, screaming my oaths of hate for you, and squirting AIDS cum doen your terlet smelling rut.

I'm 50. You kids suck.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 6:41 PM (EST)

buck o nine > one o eight

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 25, 2006 at 9:29 PM (EST)

anyone else think the album was named oreoeight?

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 25, 2006 at 8:14 PM (EST)

Dude you totally ruined the anonymous orgy. I even have an account and had the sense to join the party.

Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2006-12-25 19:39:02

1st!!!!>>!!!!

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 25, 2006 at 4:39 PM (EST)

This is some good shit. Score should be much higher.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 24, 2006 at 2:43 PM (EST)

too many 'anonymous' comments

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 9:57 PM (EST)
My Score:

CD rules

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 12:24 PM (EST)
My Score:

Got to see them in October and they were fantastic. Such an amazing live band. Love this CD and cant wait for the album. Also some of the best people ever.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 12:24 PM (EST)

Got to see them in October and they were fantastic. Such an amazing live band. Love this CD and cant wait for the album. Also some of the best people ever.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 8:51 PM (EST)

holy crap, the songs you posted are awesome

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM (EST)

so excited theyre back and this rips

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 11:12 AM (EST)

I was totally stunned by this demo. I saw them live earlier this year at Sink with cali and they blew every band away in terms of energy and conviction. Of all of the bands to do reunions/reform, other than Lifetime, this band is the first one I have heard that sounds like they have not only picked up where they left off but are progressing lyrically and musically. If this demo is a sign of what is to come then I am counting down for it’s release.

The Sad Truth is possibly the coolest song EVER:

I dream of a world where flags are nothing but cloth and the only thing that matters is love, life and freedom. Where the bottom line doesn't determine life and we aren't defined by income bracket, a pretty house, faith, a lack thereof or a fucking degree. Where we think before we act and we act before we critique. Where we think about who is next and make it cleaner than how we found it.

Where we mean what we say and only say what we mean and where ideals are meant to better ourselves and where we aren't afraid to say I can't. Where sorry is a liberating word and thank you comes from the heart and where we don't just watch but we decide to act. Where we refuse to live only until its time to die.

Where feelings and desires mean more than quotas, expectations and disappointed stares. Where we have a right to hurt, sing, scream, cry, live, die and sit in silence just because we fucking can. I dream of a world where I can love you in spite of what keeps us apart and where second best is as good as first or a millionth.

Where we don’t over analyze every breathe or under appreciate what our words mean to another. Where we find comfort in silence and a place of peace in all of the noise and where everything that is thrown at us makes us better, stronger and more appreciative. Where we celebrate life, death and all that comes in between. Where songs sing to us and and a loved ones words make us dance. Where what we see in a mirror is a happy, satisfied and fulfilled individual and where we feel bad about how we look at others and not just because of how others look at us.

I dream of a world where I can love you and feel you and know you without having to own you, without having to hate you, without having to fuck you. Without having to fuck you in more ways than one.

Where a smile isn't a rare gift and where sadness isn't a curse and where the two together make life worth living. Where media doesn't define friend or foe and doesn't tell me how to look, feel, act and live. Where a flower, a smile, a thought, a touch, a smell makes it all worth it and the hardest words are nothing but poetry that spills from our mouth.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 10:50 AM (EST)

I think this demo is insane. Angel Strike Man, Our Kind, Strength and Fear and The Sad Truth are probably the best 108 songs ever written. Lyrically it is a whole other level. This is thinking mans punk with HEAVY music that isn't within the framework of the typical hardcore formula. Walk is a cool song but not nearly as intense as the rest of the songs. You can't call these cats 'Krishnacore' as they simply aren't and never tried to be a Shelter. The inspiration may have been similar but how it was/is expressed is worlds apart. As someone who got into hardcore in the early nineties I have practcially lost faith in heavy music with a message. These guys bring it and I can't wait for them to release a real fucking record.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 8:59 AM (EST)

dude....big seperation. learn the facts before you open the pooper. shelter does it better.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 6:31 AM (EST)

krishna core is just as wacky as christian hardcore. fuck both of em.

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