Thanks to Sluggo on B9 for uploading this. An entire set from just around the time the 'Protestant' LP came out. I'm not sure who else was on the bill or what venue it is...
Download it here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6T1UXV09
This video is awesome, pure intensity. To me, Rorschach are the ultimate progressive hardcore band. They took elements of experimental hardcore bands like Die Kreuzen and United Mutation, and blended it with off-kilter metallic influences (Voivod, early Neurosis), effectively inventing a new style of "metalcore" (although I wouldn't call them a metalcore band), away from the tired thrash-crossover of the late 80s. This formula resulted in some of the best music ever recorded in my opinion. Ultimately, they were hardcore punk in its purest form; not afraid to experiment, creating a sound that was intense and violent, and refusing to compromise with whatever trends were going on in the scene around them. Just listen to those fucking riffs. Whenever someone accuses hardcore of being pedestrian or contrived, Rorschach would be one of the key bands I would use as an example to show just how progressive and creative bands within the genre can be...
Regarding 'Remain Sedate' vs 'Protestant', I lean to the latter, but both are high amongst my favourite records. There's just something about 'Protestant'; when it finally clicks and you come to appreciate it as a masterpiece (I don't think that's an overstatement)...
Anyway, enjoy the video.
P.S. The mastering of the 'Protestant' material on the discography CD is all fucked up (the levels on the whole CD are way too quiet aswell), it sounds a lot better and a lot more powerful on the original vinyl so try and track it down.
8 comments:
protestant is indeed a masterpiece...
I'm a Remain Sedate man myself -- bought it on cassette via mailorder from Vermiform when it came out, and I think Sam McPheeters wrote me back about something, so I got the Rorschach cassette and McPheeters' letter together -- maybe that has caused a sentimental attachment. But "Lightning Strikes Twice" off Remain Sedate is, I think, their best song. Period! :)
Thanks for posting this! One of my fave bands from an otherwise dull period of hardcore.
-Oliver
Thanks for posting this. It's cool to see after all these years.
Thanks for posting this. It's cool to see after all these years.
at first i wanna just say, that RORSCHACH is the one and only hardcore band, that ever stayed in my mind, after listening. remain sedate is THE record. i also like protestant, but the vocals on the first record are something i can´t describe how it sounds to me. aggressive, powerful and always real (well, for me...).
i would like to watch that gig, but can´t find a download button on "megaupload"...
i think i´ll contact thomnak to get tihs anyway.
greets from europe,
rick riot
Great video, thx for posting - i never had a chance to see them live.
Definatly one of the best bands ever.
BTW - Needlepack's my favorite
@ anonymous: To get the file, enter the code in the upper right corner
This band changed everything for me...
I couldn't tell you how many times i listened to all these records over and over, again and again...
just found this interview and linked to it from my blog. the L&F cd is available too there.
Post a Comment