I'm pretty late with this review. I know, but I can't avoid writing something about this interesting album. So why is this tape so special and interesting? The fact of powerviolence in post Soviet countries is interesting in itself, because this genre is very rare there. This small band is based in the west part of Russia, these guys live in St. Petersburg, The “Warriors Of Peace” is their 5th work. And I must admit that BOLO has mutated in something different. I'm sure that this was a new page in their history. These noises are very different from their previous works. And that is the main reason why I want to write about this cassette release.
Interesting fact, this tape was released by American label Ill Faith Records, there was about 50 copies (?) with gloomy dark covers and with snow white cassettes. With this combination of colors, the tapes look really massive and awesome.
It's hard to describe all the technical, genre and sound nuances of "Warriors Of Peace". I have a strong feeling that these guys were inspired by Man is the Bastards, Neanderthal,etc. (when they wrote these 9 songs, of course). Well anyway that turns into something really crazy and chaotic. So let's turn up the volume and make the noise louder and let's dig into this album. The “Warriors Of Peace” start`s with some monolog with some industrial/psychedelic sound effects… I guess this prepares the listener for the main part. Well the main dish can bite you, haha! These sharp riffs and crazy screams can make a hole in your brain. Rhythm changes are not discouraged. The bass intro in “Symbol Of Death” is so cool… that primitive shrieking sound leads into a land of schizophrenic chaos! And of course I couldn't forget tonwrite about those fast drum tracks. These bears are really painful! This short and magic album ends like it starts. With some psychedelic noises and a dreadful voice…
Rating: 8/10 BOLO bc BOLO fb
Ask for a copy HERE! Also you can listen this album HERE!
To be honest, I was a bit confused by the cover of this cassette. At first I thought that I hold a release of some psychedelic doom rock band, the image looks so much like that. But the familiar logo of Saint-Petersburgers gave me some clear understanding that I am wrong.
The whole shit begins with Phenolhouse from Moscow. I never heard of these guys, but they are playing a very interesting ... I would call it a mixture of powerviolence, noise-rock and it is very funny thing. 5 tracks that combine chaotic riffs, noisy sound and a good skill of musicians. This 5-minute side of the tape ends very quickly but it is full of energy and it's very cool.
Closing this split comes powerviolence band from St. Pererburg. On this recording guys get much slower and heavier than they used to be. There is only one track, but it has a length of as much as 8 (!) minutes. This song is very long, if the lower frequency would be a bit more juicy and there would be more diverse reefs it would be 100% sludge. The dirt and distorted background of these 8 minutes you won't forget. Here, the St. Petersburg band deliver mix of powerviolence and drone (if you want so). I really liked how they mastered vocals, they seem to break out from some place that is far away and fit harmoniously into this slow noisy swamp.
Rating: 7.5/10 Bolo Phenolhouse
This St. Petersburg band isn't anything new for me. But it was a pleasant surprise that their Red Cross EP' came on vinyl (more and more different groups of post-soviet countries release their music on vinyl, and this is realy nice). I was a little surprised by the cover of this release (the Surgery on cerebellum and removing it), this image may be suitable more for the Brazilian butchers Rancid Flesh, but not for Russian powerviolence gang. Music that this guys have made is very distinctive in some cases. Guitar riffs feel like a heavy hangover from counterfeit russian vodka. Sometimes these riffs sound like obvious death metal stench. Blasts erupted by the frontman is more suited to classic grindcore bands than to the powerviolence. Quick chunks are switching to the slowdown parts as it should to be in the song structure of such genre. I know that these guys are influenced by the works of Eric Wood. And as a result we have a Russian version of Bastard Noise on the final track “Eat Shit Pt. 2”. Generally, on the bottom line we have good EP that may impress listener by its heavy atmosphere flavored with good doom portions that forces you listen to this EP again and again).
Rating: 7.5/10 Gears That Turn Bolo
This is a rare one of a gueat on our pages. Ever heard of russian powerviolence, anyone? No? Then have a listen. A wave of old music ressurection went throught not only metal but other genres. Now it is the time for powerviolence. As far as I know, BOLO is a two-piece formation. Happy about the fact there still are bands on post-USSR field, on the cover art we can see some morbid building, maybe there is a story behind it, I have no idea! Can't really tell anything about it, but inlay is done pretty unusual, someone used a school textbook, wrote some lines on it and scanned it, it went pretty interesting and unique. If we talk about music, I am happy about the fact guys are not sounding "plastic" and not mainstream like Water Torture (iPad violence) or ACxDC, BOLO does it oldschool. Guys try to achive an old tone (Man Is The Bastard fans be pleased). 10 tracks for a first release are pretty ace! Tunes ain't boring, they sound very well! There are no your standard screaming pv vocals. Throats on this one are more like of hungry hungry grey bear, HAHA!
Total: 7.5/10 BOLO fb BOLO bandcamp
