Profane Existence "#45" magazine
[Profane Existence]
This represents one hell of a comeback for the long running Profane Existence camp, and an impressive change in format to boot. Sure, the $7 cover price is a little scary, but one look at this fucker and you know it cost a shitload to print 'em up, plus this baby comes with a free compilation CD as well, so screw it. The dimensions run 7" x 10", with full color glossy covers and damn near 100 high quality black and white pages of content bound up like a freakin' graphic novel or something - top notch quality through and through. Included are interviews with Phobia, Behind Enemy Lines, and Garmonbozia, so there's a decent variety, but of course everything sticks to what you'd expect from what is without question the most noted zine in the history of the anarcho/crust punk scene. The interviews are somewhat conversational but stick to the subjects, so it's a mix of music and politics that's not too longwinded and reads well. I spotted a few editing errors across the board, but nothing that makes for a hitch in the read, so I'm not bothered there. New in this issue is a killer new feature where they spotlight a different artist who works primarily with hardcore/punk record covers, showcasing a gallery of artwork (in black and white) alongside an interview. Fucking great idea, and I love it. This issue's pick is Marald, who did some killer classics for Deformed Conscience, lots of covers for State of Fear, and plenty of early ragers like Destroy and No Security. Also new is a segment called "The Injustice System", which includes submissions from prison inmates (Profane Existence is available for free to inmates, which is pretty damn cool) - be it artwork, text, articles, etc. There's some brutal stuff, too. Definitely interesting. And, of course, there are loads of political articles and news items up in here. I'm not really into that whole deal, I can read about it and I am interested to learn about certain goings-on, but I've never been a fan of politics so I put that stuff in the back seat as opposed to the music. But nonetheless, herein is coverage on the horrendous treatment of women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico; the troubles of a Czech Republic D.I.Y. venue; attacks on sexism in the punk community; etc. Also included are the obligatory columns, record/zine reviews, and letters. I've always hated columns and I usually just skim them, but there were a few in this issues that I did read from start to finish; and the reviews, while all a bit on the overly positive side, are at least good for jotting down a few obscure bands to check out. This issue also houses a complete Profane Existence discography with brief notes about each release, and that's actually pretty cool because there are some older gems that I need to hunt down now... and it's always nice to see the criminally underrated Christdriver get a quick plug! The free compilation CD is culled from the Profane Existence back catalog as well, including absolute classics from crust staples like Nausea and Doom, plus notables Civil Disobedience, State of Fear, Resist, Hiatus, Phobia, Human Waste, and plenty of newer material like Garmonbozia, Extinction of Mankind, and Behind Enemy Lines (the only non-Profane Existence track on the entire disc). All in all this is an awesome issue, probably the best issue of Profane Existence to date for me, as I personally found it more entertaining than any of the past issues I got my hands on way back when. Good stuff. I'll look forward to the future issues... (8/10)
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Profane Existence - http://www.profaneexistence.com

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