I've been a Watchmaker fan since 2001, and originally wrote about their scorching sophomore full-length, Kill.Fucking.Everyone., when Willowtip released it on CD all the way back in 2003. Damn near two decades later, it's on vinyl for the very first time—re-offering 19 tracks in barely under a half-hour. Expect over-the-top grinding insanity that generally ravages along with relentlessly high-speed ferocity and only occasional spurts of slightly chunkier, more mid-paced beatings amidst its penchant for thrashing, chaotic discordance. It almost borders on powerviolence or black metal at times, though without really sounding like anyone in particular, and somehow managing not to have every single song sound exactly the same.
I probably could've just listed off a bunch of the song titles and let this review write itself, I mean:
- "Maddening Assault"
- "Multitask Suicide"
- "Nihilism and Despair"
- "Irrational Hate-Soaked Fury"
- "Wallet-Sized Dental Records"
- etc.
Get the picture?
Such vibes might imply that this is one of those uber-rugged affairs that kinda sounds like shit, but... no, not at all! In fact, the production is rock-solid for this style. Harsh and abrasive without being overly raw, just enough crispness and clarity to be able to tell more or less what each instrument is doing, low-end punch without any muddiness, etc.
The LPs are pressed on black vinyl housed in full-color outer and inner sleeves, with slightly retooled (and excellent) artwork that looks more vibrant than it did on the original disc. One side of the inner sleeve is a huge band photo collage displaying tons of bulging eyes, bared teeth, bullet belts, spikes, and of course the infamous crosscut saw mic stand—all aptly representative of the categorically maniacal Watchmaker aesthetic. Plus, there's even a 12-page half-size zine that includes a reprint of a 2004 interview from Leather 'n' Spikes, images of old flyers, etc. I really have to commend those all-too-rare added touches, as such labors of love are what can make a reissue something special.
I'm not sure how many of these were pressed, but my guess would be somewhere in the ballpark of 666 ÷ 3, so... interested non-poseurs should grab a copy while you can, as I can only assume this will be a one-time pressing scenario!
Get It
- Death Hymns (LP)
- Watchmaker (LP, mp3)
