Category: Poison

Poison released their first 12“ Kick Rock in 1988 on Selfish Records. Musically it’s definitely harder than their previous 7“es like Mystery Temptation or Hi-Energy/Absolutely hungry. Musically it’s still fast paced and metallic hardcore, but now they sound more crossover thrash than hardcore with speed metal leads. The production may be a bit too dry for my taste, with somewhat too prominent drums, but the album still showed these New York guys who really had it down!

New York let’s get rid you! (^_-)

Another great cover artwork by Poison/Poison Arts! One more plus: the cover opens like an envelope! This one track flexi 7“ from 1990 has a re-recorded version of the title track on their first 12“ from two years before. Great metallic, melodic hardcore. I kind of prefer this version.

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This (kind of) self-titled flexi 7“ from 1985 was Poison’s first release. Since only their vocalist Fighting Soldier would remain for 1986’s follow up Mystery Tempation, this 7“ sounds like it’s from a totally different band. The playing is charmingly amateurish, the songwriting is a lot more primitive and completely different in style: a lot less burning spirits, but more… what? Primitive UK 82, maybe?

Sex!

Poison Arts originally started out merely called “Poison”, and released some 7″es under that name. Mystery Tempation is their second ep, released in 1986. Its four songs are fast, somewhat melodic and metallic, a bit like the faster stuff by, say, Gastunk. If I am not mistaken, this 7″ should be the first release of the legendary Chelsea, who later played in Death Side and Paintbox, and whose extraordinary guitar playing made these bands so insanely great.

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