Japanese Movement Volume One EP (compilation)

The Japanese Movement was the Kansai awnser to British bands like Skrewdriver and the movement surrounding them. They ran a label (Human Records), shop, fanzine etc. In 1988 they released this now rare 12 inch EP featuring: Bad Vultures, Bull The Dougs, Humpty Dumpty and JM Cracker Jacks. A follow up Volume Two was planned but was never released because the JM shop closed doors due to money problems. Bands that would be featured on Volume Two were: Contraclockwise (pre LRF), JM Warmachine, Humpty Dumpty and Bull The Dougs. Posting those songs as a bonus.

Tracklist Japanese Movement Volume One:

SIDE:A
1. Humpty Dumpty - Hill house
2. Bad Vultures - Oi! Oi! power
SIDE:B
1. Bull The Dougs - Next time smash
2. JM Crackers Jacks - They love money

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Tracklist Japanese Movement Volume Two:

1. JM Warmachine - Our Flag
2. Contraclockwise - The Only One
3. Humpty Dumpty - Monroe's Dead
4. Bull The Dougs - Long Live

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Sledge Hammer Bull The Buffalos - Return from the Rising Sun SPLIT EP

This 5 track 12 inch EP was released in the early nineties by german nationalist label ESV under the name of Kamikaze Records. The vinyl's labels it self state ESV and the cover Kamikaze Records. I am not sure how many copies are pressed of this record, i suppose 500 or maybe 1000. There is a version with an inlay sheet out there, unfortunatly i don't own that one and i heard it's super rare. The music is the strong skinhead sound of early nineties Sledge Hammer and Bull The Buffalos produced. Some juicy story about the cover. This record was supposed to be released with a cover with a statement on it the cover printer refused to print, something like: "dedicated to the victims of the american imperialst wars in Hiroshima and Dresden". Anyone that can confirm this info or has a scan of the inlay please contact us! For now download and enjoy the music.


Track list:

Sledge Hammer

1. Kampf
2. Action Man

Bull The Buffalos

1. Smash It Up
2. Stop Immigration
3. Obtain The Right

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Grow - Grow EP

Two track EP released in 2000 by devour. Hard uptempo sound, reminds me of Gruesome in a way.
I don't know much about this band or release, i just know i really like this 7 inch. If anyone has any more info please comment or mail!
Go listen to it.



Track list:

1. Fighting Youth
   
2. Strong Rule
   

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Eastern Youth - Live Video's

Check out some cool video's posted on youtube of an old Eastern Youth show.







See the other video's here:
EASTERN YOUTH - Chanced (attack for you - part 3)
EASTERN YOUTH - Quiet Crisis (attack for you - part 4)
EASTERN YOUTH - This Is My Life (attack for you - part 5)
EASTERN YOUTH - She Is My Sun (attack for you - part 6)
EASTERN YOUTH - Never Trust (attack for you - part 7)

Review: The Hawks - Nippon Shugi Sha CD

The Hawks formed in 1995 and are from the Kansai area this is their second album and follow up to 2000's "Living on the edge" CD. The Hawks always sounded a bit like the Chiswick bands from the UK combined with Skrewdriver. This album has some more other influences, some songs remind me of 80's melodic hardcore from the USA. Anyway still very melodic and Skrewdriver like, they also included a Skrewdriver cover song "Patriot" sung in english. I have to say the less heavy melodic sound of the Hawks is very catchy and the songs stay in your head all the time. The Hawks together with Strong Style form the top of the Nationalist scene in Japan. Their early releases made me believe they were a more traditional skin band, compilations with non political bands like LRF etc. But i guess they fooled me. This CD is released by Jukeboxxx records. The artwork features a winged skull ( with japanese helmet ) holding a ribbon with the words "Samurai Spirit". The rest of the lay out has a kinda gangster feel to it. Listen to some samples on the Hawks myspace.

Hawks live video:

Rising Sun - Demo Tape

Rising Sun were like Nakatani Ryuichi part of the JM Crew but came from Kyoto. This tape was released 1989 and of nationalist nature. Music clearly influenced by early eighties Oi! and RAC bands from europe. The fourth track "Streetfight" is a Skrewdriver cover song. I heard rumors the JM Crew had some good contacts with nationalists in England, but i am not sure about that. The tape was recorded live, i think in their practise room. They we're supposed to release a EP after this tape but it never was released.

Tracklist:

1. It's our flag rising sun
2. Betrayer
3. Do you get your haircut
4. Streetfight

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Review: Shishimaru - Fu-Jin CD

Shishimaru's CD is the second release by Vital Sign records, ran by the singer of Empi. Came out in 2007. When i received this CD i was impressed by the great packaging/art work, but even more impressed when i gave this disc a spin in my CD player. This CD really kicks ass! Hard rock guitar work combined with punk anger and great rough vocals. These dudes really know how to write a catchy rocking tune. I like all tracks not many weak moments on this CD, the production is also good, the tracks shoot out of your speakers. Anyway i recommend this CD to everyone. Listen to a song of this CD on their webpage.

Review: Yashima No Janari (Compilation)

Yashima No Janari ( Rumbling of Japanese islands ) released in 2003 by Hata-age Records features 8 nationalist japanese bands, so expect hard rocking tunes. The compilation kicks of with Resshin, bassdrum beat with some kind of military chant i guess a intro to this compilation. Up next are Jin Rai with the track "Mio No kaze" up tempo beats rought yet melodic vocals and a great sing a long reffrain with typical Jin Rai guitar leads. Then it's Brave's turn delivering two tracks. First of the two tracks starts of with a keyboard intro fading into deep vocals and a mid tempo melodic tune, feautures some nice guitar solo. Their next track "Blood of the wolf" is based on a great hard rock/metal sounding riff, much more aggressive tune. Yoroi get's their turn now, always recogniseable by their over the top bassguitar sound. Very heavy metal sounding track called "Monou muyou". Garou starts with a very NWOBHM sounding intro that even features keyboards, some great guitar riffing going on in this tune. Shifumaro contributes with two tracks "Dokuro" and "Senkura", sounding really 80's hardrockish. Then it's New Dawn with their ultra melodic guitar work and vocals that also remind me a lot of NWOBH with a Japanese flavour to it. Last band on this compilation is Empi, and this is my favourite track of the album, you just gotta love that guitar riff! Early eighties hard rock sound with rough skinhead vocals. Listen to the track on their Myspace. Nice compilation giving you a taste of some current Japanese skinhead bands. The CD comes with a nice booklet and cool artwork, well worth picking up.

Gruesome - 5 track demo

5 track demo tape of Osaka skinhead band Gruesome. Probably recorded in the early 90's. They have a definite hardcore influence, up tempo beats combined with some nice melodies. These recording sessions sound very similar to their 7 inch release by Dim records "Throw light on". Another one of my favorite bands.

Track list:

1. Windjammer
2. Dog & stag
3. Throw light on
4. Tightly wound
5. Armour & greed
   

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edit: re-uploaded to rapidshare

Streetjustice (Compilation)

This CD was released in the summer of 1991 on Sun Grab / Paranoiz Records. My favourite tracks on this CD are by Gruesome and Eastern Youth. The bands sound more traditional Oi! this time. The CD is long sold out, but essential in my opinion. Check it out!

Track List:

Bad Vultures - Union song part2
Bad Vultures - Go for it
Bad Vultures - Kick out
Unite Boys - Oi mate
Unite Boys - Limitless struggle
Unite Boys - Valuable my boots
Gruesome - No warrent
Gruesome - That's i'm wrong
Gruesome - Cross arise
Studly's - We are going be dragon in tonight
Studly's - Surf, surf, surf
Studly's - My unlucky but nice day
United Changers - Workers cry
United Changers - Ever skinhead
United Changers - Youth of fetus
Eastern Youth - Aojiroki Hikaru Tuki Yo

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Sledge Hammer - Live Tape

Sledge Hammer the most well known Samurai Spirit Skinhead band. Formed in the early nineties with members of bands like Shuffle, Angry Ducks and Herberts changing to the more rougher RAC influenced sound. The live recordings on this tape are pretty good and contains cover songs by Skrewdriver and Greedies. This tape was released early nineties and simply called "live tape". Sledge Hammer later turned Tettsui (Nippon Hammers) and released a full length CD on Straight Up records. I am not sure if Tettsui is still active, i know there are Tettsui/Sledge Hammer members active in the band Crawler.

A-SIDE:

1. Stick together
2. Anthem
3. Back with a bang (Skrewdriver)
4. Merry jingle (Greedies)
5. We are skinheads never die!!!

B-SIDE:

1. Intro
2. Government pressure
3. Stick together
4. Boots & braces (Skrewdriver)
5. Anthem
6. We Assault you
7. Storm & fire

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Check out some YouTube video, see more here.

Review: New Dawn - Kibi Mei Wo Tsugeru Kane Cd

First of all help me out with translating the title of the album!(Aaron thanx a lot!). This 9 track Cd was released in 2005 through Straight Up records. New Dawn features ex members of Cannons, Aggro Knuckle and Strong Style. The Cd kicks off with a hard rocking riff turning into a great melodic tune. The sound is very catchy although metallic with great melodic guitar leads althrough the album. Most songs are pretty up tempo wich is good in my opinion. The vocals are not as rough as some other bands sound but suits the melodic style well. New Dawn is a great band and you should definatly check them out, the cd has a great packaging too, like all Straight Up releases.

















Check out a youtube live clip

Review: Strong Style - Akashi EP

Strong Style features members of Cannons and the Akashi EP was released in 2002 on Jukeboxxx records. The EP was released as a CD and pressed on vinyl. The big difference between the two is the vinyl EP has a different cover and is long sold out also the first 100 copies are pressed on white vinyl and included a sticker. The first track Akashi is a very melodic sing a long track, great guitar work with some nice riffing going on in the intro. Second track starts of kinda bluesy on the guitar but soon transforms in a slow paced melodic sing along tune. The last and third track is "Rising Sun" an old Cannons tune (check out my earlier post on them to hear the original tune). I have to say this version is great, cause these guys really can play their instruments and this EP has a great production. Strong Style to my knowledge is now the leading nationalist band in Japan together with The Hawks and luckily they haven't a adopted a too metal sound like many Japanese bands do now a days. Instead Strong Style releases more old school sounding skinhead tunes, the great different with the old Cannons sound to me is more experienced song writing and instrument skills. I recommend this record to everyone! Check out some sound files on Strong Style's website







Above: Alternative artwork for CD

Eastern Youth - For Skins And Punks EP

Eastern Youth during their skinhead days is probably my personal favourite Japanese band. As you might know Eastern Youth grew out to be a big Indy band in Japan. They even toured the USA. This 3 track EP was released in 1991 according to the vinylfroinde website it's pressing was limited to 1000 copies. The sound is very melodic and catchy and you can hear the future sound of Eastern Youth in these tunes. I guess these songs were recorded after the release of the time is running album. The track for skins and punks is also featured on Eastern Youth's self titled 3rd album.

Track list:

1. For Skins and Punks
2. Japan For Nation
3. Live For Today

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Ookami No Utage (Compilation)

Happy new year! Here is the much sought after Ookami No Utage (Wolfparty) compilation CD. This album was released in January 1994 by Eastern Youth's Sakamoto Shouten ( this is actually the second release of their label after the self titled Eastern Youth album ). Bands featured on this CD are: Tettsui (known before as Sledge Hammer), Ouka, Raiya (Ex Bull The Buffalos), Growl Strike, Aggro Knuckle and Eastern Youth. All the top nationalist bands in Japan during that time.

Tracklist:

1. Tettsui - Shikon
2. Tettsui - Turugi
3. Ouka - Fudoudamasii
4. Ouka - Tenkuu
5. Raiya - Owarinaki Tatakai
6. Raiya - Rising Sun
   
7. Growl Strike - Inoti Haterumad
8. Growl Strike - Saisenzen
9. Aggro Knuckle - Un Mask
   
10. Aggro Knuckle - Smash the Wall
    
11. Eastern Youth - Seikatumujyou

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