Customer Reviews

Songs of Separation

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Maybe you're here because you decided to seek out all of the bands that had ties to Rage Against the Machine. Maybe you're here because you bought Coheed and Cambria's CD and decided to check out some of the other releases from Equal Vision (if that's the case go buy Refused's EVERLASTING EP which Equal Vision also released once you're done here). Whatever the reason was I'm glad you're here.

108 didn't start anything. They didn't invent chugging away on the C chord while screaming about deeply personal issues (see: Bad Brains). They weren't the first band to walk out on stage, dedicate their performance to some deity, strike a single note and cause what could best be described as pandamonium (See: Oscar the Grouch). They simply did those things better than their peers.

Their first album, Holyname, was a one track 10 song CD. A very gutsy move for a band in the early nineties, especailly when you consider the cost of recording a CD before you could turn your computer into a recording studio. Holyname featured a 15 minute speech by the lead singer concerning the lyrical content of one of the album's songs, it halted the momentum of the record and was something which could have been addressed in the liner notes. Ambitious none the less, only Burning Orange's magnificent "Taar" put the single track/multi-song concept to better use.

Songs of Separation, however, took a much more tradtional approach towards album construction (1 song = 1 track = happy listeners) but sacrificed nothing in terms of cohesiveness of the music. This album flows in a way Holyname did not and production value was kicked up a notch over its predicessor as well. The albums first track "Opposition" begins with distant feedback that leads to distorted chords and quite possibly the best scream recorded to that point. Fish's vocals quickly became the focal point of this band and he sang with a range not found elsewhere in the HC scene. From vocal chord shredding screams to barely audible whispers, Fish was among the first hardcore vocalists to really explore the full range and potential of his voice. With classic start/stop breakdowns all over the place and guitar riffs that would thread themselves effortlessly through out the songs, 108 put a unique and criminally underappreciated stamp on this scene.

Other standouts from the album include "Son of Nanda" and "Solitary" which briefly feature Kate-O Eight (Project Kate) on back up vocals. "Thorn", however, is perhaps this albums greatest triumph. I credit this song for introducing me to the HC scene 10 years ago...it's that good.

Simply said there are no weak links to the chain here. What you get is a landmark Krishna-core album that many old timers like myself consider to be an essential recording from this genre. 108 recorded one more studio LP after this, 1996's "Three-Fold Misery", required listening for anyone exploring 90's hardcore. Unfortunately, just like Quicksand, Mind Over Matter and Refused they bowed out long before their time. But just like those other bands they left us with music that continues to inspire and is certainly worthy of your attention.

To get a taste of how powerful this band was live check out "One Path For Me Through Destiny" on Lost & Found Records.