There’s a damn lot that can be said about Gastunk’s 2nd LP, released in 1987. This here is the famous US version on Pusmort with the iconic cover artwork. The original japanese version had a different cover, a different mix, and especially a different vocal track: the A side of the US version has re-recorded vocals in english. Musically, this record is more rooted in metal than Gastunk’s previous releases (which already were pretty metallic). Still, Under The Sun has an unmistakable hardcore edge to it, and is definitely not a pure metal album. That’s enough shoddy description, just get the album!
Gastunk – Counter-Clock Wise 7″
Counter-Clock Wise came out in 1988, and it’s got two tracks off Gastunk’s third studio album. There is neither punk nor core on this record, but you get lots of hardrock and heavy metal melodies and great guitar work. Still I have to admit that I prefer Gastunk’s earlier phase of metal infused hardcore.
Gastunk – Geronimo + Red Indians Rock 7″
On this 7“ single from 1986 Gastunk felt like mixing their trademark, metallic hardcore punk with some stereotypical spaghetti western, wild west music tropes: acoustic guitars and these hoove-imitating, stomping drum shuffles included. Side A -Geronimo- is obviously a hymn to native american Goyaałé (aka Geronimo), while side B’s title may no longer quite be the, err, preferred nomenclature.
Gastunk – The Vanishing Signs 12“
Wow, it’s been quite a while since I last posted a record by Gastunk. How did this happen? Was it because I had already posted everything I owned by that point? Well, yeah. Anyways, here is their 1986 12“ ep, with four tracks between power metal, hard rock, punk and hardcore. Watch out for songs longer than 6 ½ minutes, acoustic guitars, the sudden ending of an “endless” waltz, crooning vocals and dual leads!
Gastunk – Dead Song LP
“Dead Song”, Gastunk’s first LP from 1985, has the same strange-yet-great mixture of hardrock, heavy metal, punk and hardcore as the rest of their early releases. Since I’ve already praised Gastunk’s greatness in my earlier posts…
v.a. Hikashibou – A Japanese Compilation LP
If you’re going to release a bootleg compilation LP of 7″es, why name it after one further ep (Gudon‘s 卑下志望 7″) that you’re not going to include? Anyway, this comp has Ghoul’s first and second 7″ in all their awesomeness. Just as high on the awesomeness scale is the Gastunk’s self titled 7″ from 1985. Although it’s not yet as hard-rockin’ as Mr Gazime, it’s got melodic and metallic thrashers that surely made all these NWOBHM dudes swear off hairspray forever out of sheer envy. Last is Systematic Death’s “Flash Back” 7″ from 1986 which definitely breaks the records in velocity, thrashing wildness and underproduction on this record.
Gastunk – Dead Song 7″
In 1985 the great looking hardockers of Gastunk released their first LP “Dead Song”. In 1988 they re-recorded the LP’s title track for a flexi disk which came as a freebie with a music magazine. Dead Song is another hardrockin’ epic of over 5 minutes complete with acoustic intro.
v.a. A Farewell To Arms LP
This compilation was originally released in 1986 with cover artwork featuring the Atomic Bomb Dome, but this here is the 1988 version on Nuclear Blast. Lipcream, Outo, Gauze and The Execute are featured with great thrash, Ghoul and Gastunk are more metallic. I especially love the tracks by Ghoul and Gauze.
I like Cola!
Gastunk – Mr. Gazime 7″
Mr. Gazime (whoever that may be) from 1985 is Gastunk’s second 7″. It’s got a weird, yet very cool hard rock/power metal vibe to it, with great crooning vocals which sound like they could almost come from Mr. Frank Sinatra himself. Totally awesome!
They did it their way!
v.a. Hold Up Omnibus 8″
The Hold Up Omnibus 8″ is a compilation of live recordings with Systematic Death, Ghoul, The Clay and Gastunk. The tracks by Systematic Death are all available as studio versions on different 7″es and compilations, as is one song by Ghoul. The Gastunk songs are (as far as I know) otherwise unreleased, just like all the songs by The Clay. Sadly the recording quality is mostly mediocre, but The Clay are absolutely great on this record. Really primitive, powerful stompers of straightforward political hardcore.
8 inches of noise!