Unsung Hero Records never sleeps, it seems. They are signing new talent all the time, and it is frequently excellent stuff that is overlooked by the major minor labels. Festering Sore is just such a band. Less thrashy than death metally, this band just gives me chills. A two-piece, studio act, they are death metal's answer to G.G. Allin and THE MENTORS. FS really don't give a fuck about what's going on in "the scene", they just want to purvey their own brand of sickening death rock. That is a recipe for success. The vocals at times call to mind such greats as KREATOR and DESTRUCTION, and other times chart new territory. From the first few seconds of the "Mucous Membrane" progression, you realize this is going to be a bass-heavy thrill ride. So many bands bury the bassist, and relegate him to obscurity. Fuck that. The song "Festering Sore" is probably one of the greatest signature songs of all time. Solos! Why does every band nowadays forego guitar solos and fills? FS don't, and that makes them so much more interesting to listen to than dry riff-only bands. I find most music without solos boring, eventually. "Cellar of Horror" includes a crucial slow mosh part to counterpoint the breakneck thrashgrind parts. If a death band doesn't have a least one song involving maniacal laughter, I question their integrity. Goden was right, "Fuck a Dead Body" is the shit. Listen to it with your grandma. "Human Cattle" is an obvious nod to Charles Dickens, with its "let's eat all of the stupid people" message. If we were in the pit at a FS show, I'd probably hurt you. This is real head-banging music. It's not surprising that this band should debut on UHR, as there is an obvious similarity to Rampage with regards to song-writing style. That makes for a nice segueway into the B-side of this tape, which is Rampage's "Doom Metal E.P." Many moons ago, before Mark built the UHR studio, Rampage couldn't do their own songs justice. Thankfully, that was rectified some time ago, and "Doom Metal" is a fine example of this. A fluid, melodic solo provides the preface to this terrific piece of Rampage's history, which has never sounded so good before. It's nearly a brand new song, now. This song completes the triumvirate of Venom's "Black Metal" and Possessed's "Death Metal." It may not be doom metal to the purists, but I think it's plodding enough to qualify. Some of the best low growls I've heard in a while. Why are the best bands so obscure? If being underground is what makes Rampage so good, let them stay there, I guess. But I'd really like to see this band released to a national/international audience. Big records labels are really stupid, I think. As if this song wasn't enough (one song does not an e.p. make), the band also includes top-notch covers of Venom's "Leave Me in Hell" and Immortal's "Silent Storms in the Northern Abyss". Great choices, as Rampage dwells somewhere in between these two extremes. Btw, be sure to check out UHR's online Venom tribute, which is looking for bands to submit Venom covers in RA or MP3 format. Either of the bands on this tape are well worth whatever UHR is asking for them. Together, they represent incredible value for your hard-earned money.

© 1999 jason gortician