Nihilistics – Nihilistics

One of the most...Instead of underrated i must say ignored albums in the history of American hc/punk. Maybe just for coming from the east coast scene and being born in Minor Threat and 7 Seconds eras would explain that.
Nevertheless, this record is a hardcore gem. Pure pack of violence, hatred and discontent, back up with a heavy production and a bass that sounds and feels like an electrocution.
Classic killer that deserves more attention from the "specialists"
I believe there is no joke here, that's the laugh of a madman...not a happy one.

I have the booklet only if anyone needs it to complete their album set

The first Nihilistics album was so Rad as Fuck when I got it in '83! When I blasted it, my rock friends back then couldn't take it- They thought I was absolutely insane to listen to stuff like this- This was the end of the world music... -Sure wasn't Def Leppard. -Really messed up/Blew their minds. Great album. Great Times. Great Memories.

When it comes to the Nihilistics, I assure you, look no further than their first 7" EP. Nothing else even comes close, or ever will, as the blistering legit angst of their 7" could never be replicated or duplicated, as some of the same songs on this album demonstrate. The last moment on the 7" ends with the singer declaring "I wanna DIE!!!" You can't get more punk than that. This record is disappointing, but as I said, there's just no way to follow their first 7". No way.

An interesting album. At times, so intense that it is a little scary. At times, so over-the-top in the delivery that it almost comes across as farce. (Think: the cast of SNL goes hardcore...) Is that photo of the crossed-eyes drummer on the back cover supposed to be serious? Hard to tell.

These guys really, really want to show you how angry they are. But me thinks they try a bit hard at times and maybe it's all a big joke. Almost everyone I play "Appreciation" for laughs within the first 10 seconds.

In any event, some of these songs are really memorable, particularly "Combat Stance." Some of the other standouts are "Black Sheep" and "Death And Taxes."

Rough-around-the-edges hardcore, very few frills if any. Production is just a bit better than spartan, which aids the band's direct approach. Distinctly early 1980s U.S. hardcore. Distinctly New York. In any case, I find myself reaching for the Nihilistics a few times a year when I am feeling especially angry and/or when I need a good laugh.