There is a particular vibe of anguish & desperation found in Metal/HC/Punk recordings from South America in the 1980's. Peru's Curriculum Mortis released a demo in '88 called "Sentencia De Muerte"(Death Sentence), that stands among the most vital testaments to an era that most people do not remember or wish to forget.
I wrote the following liner notes to the recently released vinyl Lp reissue (only 500 made) of said demo, on Ultra-Sonido records. The 7 songs, clocking it at 30 minutes or so, manage to encapsulate a decade's worth of a dark chapter in the country's recent history. The obliterating trash metal attack slays everything in its path, bearing witness to a whirlwind maelstrom of events & a generation caught in its clutches.
"Life in Peru during the mid-1980's was a cauldron of simmering tensions threatening to push society over the edge. A Maoist inspired insurgent group promised to level the country into a killing field, Khmer Rouge style. The state's security apparatus responded in kind, through a scorched earth policy, a catch-22 scenario of killing the patient to cure the disease. Teenagers growing up in the capital of Lima had few outlets to channel the overwhelming dread of those times. The worldwide Trash Metal explosion coupled with the more extreme HC/Punk sounds provided a source of inspiration; a way to exorcise the doom & destruction via the creation of their own apocalyptic noise. This wasn't easy, in a country with limited resources: a lack of equipment, indifferent studio engineers, frequent power outages, antagonistic adults/peers & the all-too real possibility of being "mistakenly" shot by the army or the police. It is to Curriculum Mortis credit that in spite of all these obstacles, they succeeded in creating such a vital document. The title of the demo, Sentencia De Muerte, takes on a morbid literal meaning. End times were here; society would either be destroyed or irrevocably altered during the year of zero. The pummeling rhythm section, howling guitar riffs & the agonizing vocals reflect dark days. Listen closely & you'll hear the executioner's song heralding the end of this life/death sentence" Freddy Alva 2012
I recently got a chance to work with my friend Richard Nossar's band, Peruvian Psych/Doom merchants DON JUAN MATUS. A split 7" was just released with legendary 80's Lima Metal/Hard Rock band OXIDO. There's not too much info in english regarding OXIDO, so I decided to write up a brief history along with some questions answered by guitarist & founding member Javier Mosquera.
Pick up the split 7" here, only 300 copies pressed. http://wardancerecords.bigcartel.com/product/oxido-don-juan-matus-split-7
OXIDO started in 1982, founded by 4 teenagers growing up in Lima, Peru. Taking their name, meaning Rust in english, from Judas Priest's cover of Joan Baezs' "Diamonds & Rust". They are heavily influenced by the hard rock sounds of AC/DC, Van Halen/Kiss. The idea is to make a band that combines the dark vibe of Black Sabbath, the potency of Deep Purple/Led Zeppelin & the romanticism of Uriah Heep. First rehearsals consist of acoustic guitars, plastic drums held together with cellophane & rotating musical chairs. By 1983 the line-up has solidified into Fernando De La Flor on vocals, Javier Mosquera on guitar, Jorge (CoCo) Cortes on bass & German Vegas on drums. Their live debut later that year, at a 20-bands festival, lasts approximately 20 seconds due to time constraints. The band continues playing alongside a wide variety of bands, like the Punks in LEUZEMIA, Commercial Rockers FRAGIL, Jazz fusioners MADERO JAZZ & the reformed 70's hard rockers PAX. They go into LOS SHAINS/PAX guitar hero Pico Aguirre's studio to record demos that end up being broadcast over a local Lima Rock station. Towards the end of '84, their vocalist leaves & is replaced by Reynaldo "Culebra" Linares. His magnetic stage presence & potent vocal style is soon overshadowed by increasing dictatorial demands like only singing songs he wrote & insisting the band wear matching outfits onstage, something the other members vehemently oppose.
In 1985, the band parts ways due to divergent views on musical direction, some opt for a heavier sound & others want a more progressive rock style. They soon dissolve & form new bands according to their chosen musical path, but not without first influencing a whole new generation of loud/heavy sonic purveyors, like the Tuesta brothers, who would go on to form MASACRE & kickstart the Heavy Metal scene in Peru.
Flash forward to now, OXIDO are back in 2012 with new recordings/concerts, but I'll let guitarist Javier Mosquera fill you in on the details:
When did the band dissolve & why was nothing released until now?
The band parted ways in late '85. Nothing came out on vinyl in those days because it was very difficult & expensive for us too record anything. We had all just finished school, no one had a job & live appearances were minimal. A lot different than today's readily available recording technology. We did do some (poorly) recorded demos & when we started doing better ones, through experience gained in the studio, we were already breaking up.
The song on the split 7"(Angel De La Muerte) is an old song, when was it re-recorded?
The song is from '84. I think Coco Cortes should remember the exact date, since he composed it. We re-recorded it in march/april of 2012 & finished the mixing when Coco came back to Peru for a concert of his band, MAZO.
You guys are considered the pioneers of Heavy Metal in Peru, what do you think of that term?
I think that the pioneers of Heavy Metal were MASACRE. We played a heavy basic rock style with some Metal elements thrown in on the later songs we wrote. I think we were more in line with being one of the first bands that picked up the legacy of such Peruvian greats like PAX & TARKUS, both heavy rock bands from the 70's. There were few bands playing that style in those years ('83-'84) & we were lucky to play with some heavyweights from the rock scene. Credit goes to people like Hector Cobos, who booked concerts for us with such diverse bands as LEUZEMIA, TV COLOR, PAX etc..
Oxido in 1984
What other groups did you & the other members start after Oxido's breakup?
When we broke up, Coco Cortes started POLVAZO & GRAEL. He later played in TORTURA & KRANIUM & lastly formed MAZO. Myself & the drummer started the progressive Rock band ERA. I then joined DHARMA & ORGUS for brief periods. I formed ALMAS IMMORTALES next & then joined progressive outfit APULUZ in '89-90. Me & the singer launched Oxido in the mid 90's with Giovani Viale on drums & later 2 members of MAZO (Julio 'Naka' Almeida & Billy Astete) replacing German & Coco, but for various reasons, discontinued in '98. I then formed an experimental project called PROTOZOARIO & then lastly started EL VIEJO in 2002, that band lasted until 2011. Oxido played again in 2000 with the bassist of EL VIEJO, Jose Mejia. We've been recording & playing out as of late with all original members except for Coco Cortes, who's been replaced by Orlando Del Carpio from the band RULA.
Do you feel that Oxido is part of a Rock n Roll tradition in Peru, starting with bands like LOS SAICOS in the 60's, TARKUS/PAX in the 70's & you guys in the 80's?
I think that, without planning it, there came to be a dry spell of hard rock in Lima. We were part of the beginning of a movement that got stronger as the years went by with bands like ORGUS, MASACRE, JERUSALEN, MAZO, KRANIUM, SACRA, DHARMA & many more.
Oxido/Don Juan Matus Split 7" 2012 (Wardance/Basilica)
There's a CD coming out with all your old songs right? Are you playing out & planning more recordings?
Yes, that's were we're at. We have 7 songs finished, 3 more to go plus record 2 in a better fashion & re-arrange a couple of more. We are playing out & plan to organize a concert in a couple of months.
How did you get in contact with DON JUAN MATUS? Familiar with their material?
Yes, I know their stuff: heavy psychedelic vein. I played on a couple of songs with them. I got in touch with Richard Nossar/Manolo/Joaquin from DJM, who played together in those days.
Javier Mosquera: "(Metal/Hard Rock) is an alternate universe that allows a vibrational metamorphosis".
What are you up to these days in Peru?
I travel throughout the country doing topographical ground surveys, getting a chance to see a bit of the eco-biology. Also, trying to organize concerts with people related to the bands. I thank you & the guys from DON JUAN MATUS for promoting our material & also Hector Paez, who's supported us with recordings/rehearsals & facilitates in all aspects our work with Oxido.
What does Metal/Hard Rock mean to you now?
It's an alternate universe that allows a Vibrational Metamorphosis.
Thank you for the interview Javier. Rust never dies!
I caught Raw Power at my 1st ever HC show in 1985 @CBGB's & I've been a rabid fan of Punk/HC from that boot-shaped nation ever since. There's something about the way the Italian language, or its english pronunciation, that fits raw HC/Metal & Oi! like a glove: larynx-straining vocals over music threatening to derail at any given moment, were the most extreme sounds to me, long before the advent of Grindcore/Black Metal & what have you. This is a list of stuff that I consider the cream of the crop from that era, people that follow these sounds will know the records like the back of their hands (& then some).
This list is aimed at someone that has, at best, a passing familiarity with these incredible gems that have stood the test of time. Apart from a couple of personal comments for each record, the music will do all the talking, anyway you can find info about each particular band on the web. Speaking of which, most of these 7"s are available for download on the best music blog around http://www.goodbadmusic.com/
There is also a wonderful site, filled with tons of info on bands/labels/zines. Done by people that were there during those halcyon days, check it at: http://www.lovehate80.it/
Another great resource, not in english, but has downloads to just about every Italian band: http://www.accaci.org
So pop open a nice bottle of Chianti, lay out some al dente pasta w/Marinara sauce, blast the tunes & manga to your hearts content.
SHOTGUN SOLUTION- "Shotgun" Ep 1983.
I've sold a lot my records over the years, but there's no way I could let this puppy go: killer vocals, squealing guitar leads, insane subject matter (the song IKYCIMF is about a serial killer: I Keep Your Cunt In My Freezer) an over the top delivery make for a crushing ep. The back cover's great: 4 leather-clad punk/metal looking guys standing on a doorway (The Colosseum?)
CHAIN REACTION- "Gabbie" Ep 1985.
A furious 6-song gem that makes the best out of its zero production values, like most Italian HC ep's from that era. Proof positive that all you needed to come up with a scorcher was laser-like intensity of purpose, an incredibly angry singer & top-notch song-writing. Modern HC bands would do well to look to this as a blueprint/inspiration, but then again, you can't recreate such spontaneous brilliance.
NABAT- "Scenderemo Nelle Strade" Ep 1982
OI!, the bastard child of punk, was (& is) looked on unkindly in some quarters, the undeniable power of the tunes shines on this ep. These Skinheads from Bologna formed in 1979 & after various line-up changes managed to put out 2 7"s, an Lp & tracks on the classic TNT: Skins & Punks comp lp. I always loved their hard, classic sound comparable to the best British Oi! bands like Criminal Class, 4-Skins & The Oppressed.
NEGAZIONE- "Tutti Pazzi" Ep 1985
The title of this post: Tutti Pazzi, meaning "everybody crazy", can be found in this electrifying ep by a band that many in Europe credit with kick-starting the Hardcore explosion due to their relentless touring across the continent, spreading the loud & fast gospel. I was lucky to catch them in NY in 1990, even though by that time they were going in a more melodic rock direction, they still played the older stuff with conviction. The first 2 7''s & their side of the split tape w/Declino were compiled in the 90's as the "Wild Bunch" lp, but all their stuff is incredible: a singer that invokes Void/Die Kruezens vocals at their prime plus a band that can actually play their instruments, all the while not letting that get in the way of conjuring up raw & primal HC.
BULLDOZER- "Fallen Angel" Ep 1984
Italy also had a great metal scene during the 80's, with bands like Fingernails, Schizo, Ghost Rider, Necrodeath & these guys, with a mid-tempo killer blend of Motorhead/Venom metal-punk, years before that (marginal) sub-genre was coined. The artwork & lyrics scream classic dark metal subject matter, but I always loved the flipside to this 7", a song called "Another beer (is what I need)". Proving that killer riffage & inebriation go hand & hand the world over. Bulldozer are still around & have put out tons of records throughout the years.
RAW POWER- "Wop Hour" Ep 1985
My original inspiration for getting into HC a lo Italiano. I rushed to the record store after seeing them play & picked this bad boy up. In hindsight, this ep is a great midway point between the raw insanity of their '83 demo & the in your face brutality of the classic"Screams from the gutter" lp. The image of seeing them in '85 is indelibly etched in my memory; they came out looking more like a Van Halen cover band, with silk scarves, guitarist wearing spandex pants/huge hair & then they proceeded to destroy the place. Not giving a rat's ass about what a HC band is supposed to look like, letting the sonic fury speak volumes. I got the chance to revisit that experience in '98, before their guitarist & founding member Giuseppe, sadly passed away. Wop hour forever.
BASTA- "Non posso soportare questa sporca situazione" Ep 1983
This Oi! 7" always reminded me of the classic split lp by Combat 84/Last Resort. The menacing air of barely contained aggro fits the simple yet brutal tunes to a T, the singer's profile even looks like Last Resort's Roi Pearce on said lp. Other great Oi! bands from that era are Rough, Dioxina, Hope & Glory, Youth, Cani, the aforementioned Nabat & during the later part of the 80's, bands like Asociale & Klasse Kriminale took up the Boots & Braces banner with gusto. Check out the great Bootprints Across Italy comps.
CHEETAH CHROME MOTHERFUCKERS- "Furious Party" Ep 1985
I consider CCM, along with Raw Power & Negazione, the holy trinity of Italian HC. I love everything they did, from the raw recorded underwater feel of the "400 Fascists" 7", the split lp w/I Refuse It & their masterpiece, the out of this world "Into The Void" Lp. I just missed them when they played NY in '86, years later I became good friends with this guy from West Virginia, Java Dave, who drove them across the USA during that tour. He had nothing but good stuff to say about them: down to earth guys that lived & breathed the HC ethos, but became possessed once they got up on stage, with a manic singer who's antics earned them the tag "The Italian Germs".
UPSET NOISE- "Disperazione Nevrotica" Ep 1983
I picked this up in purely based on the label's Rome address printed on the back. It's a smoking 7" with the guitarist playing some cool harmony leads parts interspersed among the galloping trash. One can hear the crossover yet melodic direction that bands like Negazione would go on to during the later part of the 80s, their split 7" with Warfare is amazing as their '88 lp on TVOR.
WRETCHED/INDIGESTI- Split Ep 1982
This list would not be complete without the inclusion of Wretched, if Raw Power, Negazione & CCM are the holy trinity, then Wretched are like the primal, original Godhead source & shit. The energy of the out of control maelstrom contained on their 7"s & 12", could power a large metropolis. For added measure, I included the killer split with Indigesti who, on this recording, sound like the ideal adolescent HC band trashing around on their instruments, with a sound that could have easily fit on the classic US "Flex Your Head"comp.
These are my essential 10 platters, but tons of other 7"s could have been on here like the ones by Kobra, Stigmathe, Rough, Declino, Putrid Fever, Peggio Punx, I Deny, Nerorgasmo, Shocking TV, Fall Out, Reig, I Refuse It, Bed Boys, Underage, Rappresaglia, Cani, Disperazione, Upside... not to mention classic split ep's by Impact/Eu's Arse, Warfare/Upset Noise, Irah/Stalag 17...
Ok, what the hell, I have to include 1 more to my list, the granddaddy of Italian punk: the Hitler SS/Tampax split 7". This record has reached cult status due to its inclusion in the Killed By Death series. It's sloppy, raw, offensive '77 punk that laid the groundwork for the insanity to come. Thank you for reading & I say this with no political connotations whatsoever: FORZA ITALIA!!
Me & my friend Eric Wielander, who did the classic Village Noize fanzine back in the day, recently assembled a Demo Tapes exhibit in NYC. It showcases some classic HC/Punk/Metal demos from '82-'92. Here's an excerpt from the essay for the exhibition, along with some pictures.
The demos will be up for the display through the month of July @L'asso EV on 107 1st. Avenue, open to the public from 11am to 11pm every day.
"In the mid-1980's. Freddy Alva and Eric Wielander were growing up in the New York independent music scene, producing compilations, publishing fanzines, watching scores of Punk and Hardcore bands perform, and reviewing releases. At the same time, bands were self-releasing their recordings (from approximately 4 songs up through album-length material) on cassettes a/k/a "demos". With these releases, with a run of anywhere from 30 to several hundreds if not thousands, teh sleeve art was put in the hands of whichever band member was graphically gifted, or turned over to a friend."
"DEMO-LITION explores the artwork of demo tape/cassette releases from the Hardcore/Punk/Metal scenes circa 1982-1992. Like any release before or after its time, we judge a record by its cover, and we thought it was long overdue to assemble as many covers as we could find to showcase the art that came out of these small-run releases. Some put tremendous detail into the art, most with hand illustrations. For others, the art was an afterthought, it was all about that 4-track demo that was being cut at Don Fury's which would wind up getting duped on a Maxwell LN 60 and put in the hands of some kids at Some Records."
Here's the link for individual photos of the Demos:
This exhibit would not have been possible without the following people who loaned their personal collections: Chris Wynne, Charles Maggio, Chris Bade, Ryan Sikorski, Lewis Dimmick, and Loizos Gatzaris.
Special Thanks to John Woods and Michael Scondotto for Djing the party
Todd Wolenski from Baldy Longhair Records for tapedeck and schwag.
Greg Barris and Robert Benevenga @L'asso EV for the walls.
