Blank Stare - White Hell (2006)

There isn't going to be some special introductory paragraph exploring the relative topics to this entry. Opting instead to focus on one of the most important contemporary hardcore punk bands for me. Blank Stare, from Massachusetts. A band that seemed to go under the radar for years, before their ultimate demise in 2009. Blank Stare were special. Not only were their live shows revered among the flock mediocrity within hardcore, but their music was vastly superior, as well. They were as fast as Tear It Up, as dirgy as later era Black Flag, and payed homage to other overlooked 80's hardcore bands like Crucifix. Their first couple records displayed their ferocious speed, but it was this 7in and the LP (along with a collection of random songs) that showed the meandering beast they were progressing towards. Still fast, but taking the time to slow things down via gritty nodes of repetition.

White Hell was their last of three 7 inches before their penultimate full-length. And this record is my preferred among the rest, with the LP close behind. Like I said, the music is fast enough to please any straightforward hardcore fan, but tonally heavy to please any crust punk. Well, I guess that is if any crust punk can be pleased, they always have to be disgruntled about something. Anyway, the tones. This is what sets the later material from the early. Blank Stare made their music have some beef, some real punch to it, and this record displays that sonic power perfectly. The lyrics are something to be reckoned with, as well. This records lyrics were written under then unifying idea of a "White Hell". Topics that take stabs at our countries obsession with the ugly; factory farming, racism, and the deterioration of our society. Substance, real genuine substance. Because where as most bands will write lyrics about hating their lives, leaving their live shows to try to shock the already converted, this band was looking at our lifestyle and culture from a slightly different perspective. In hardcore, if you aren't preaching to the choir, you're trying to alienate yourselves from it through idiocy and shock value. This band strayed from that path, taking on relevant topics of our times. Substance, people. A band like this comes around only so often, so enjoy them while you can.

Tracks:

1. White Hell
2. White Corpse
3. White Race - White Waste

Curtain of flies on this city. A fine mess, just as pretty.