Rudimentary Peni, No More Pain
Rudimentary Peni is one of those band’s that seems to defy categorization, yet still gets lumped into the early anarcho-punk scene of early 80’s Britain. Their latest EP, No More Pain certainly has a punk aesthetic to it, but also this crusty, black metal feel that gives it a rawness not unlike fresh road rash. The static fuzz that shrouds the 10 tracks on this disc also adds an air of discontent and aloofness that’s quite refreshing.
The mental history of lead singer and guitarist Nick Blinko has been well documented by the media and it seems that Blinko is doing some autobiographical work with his own lyrics. Adding his own disturbing touch to the disc, Blinko’s lyrics are raw, gruff and often simply repeated with varied intonations and tones the entire length of each song. The overall presentation of this disc is raw, discordant, aggressive and every other adjective you could use to describe “extreme” in any way, shape or form.
Handful of Dust
“Handful of dust” gets this EP off to a quick paced start with driving drums and menacing guitars. Blinko’s vocals are gruff and tinged with a good dose of evil. The same two lines of lyrics are delivered multiple times throughout this introductory song, yet each time seems to build upon the previous with angst and desperation.
No More Pain
The title track starts off with a nice bit of bass work as guitars fade in with the drums. This one is a mid-tempo attack with deliberate riffs and raw vocals. After a minute 15 seconds the track is swallowed by “Eyes of the Dead.”
Eyes of the Dead
This next song is my favorite on the EP. Layered vocals, driving rhythms and an aggressive delivery on all fronts makes this one a classic. It’s dark, menacing and packed full with head banging goodness.
Prayer for the Unborn
“Payer for the Unborn” transitions smoothly in from the previous track with a mid-tempo beat and blackened riffs. The lyrics are dark and bleak with a terrifying finality that will give you shivers — all the while head banging away.
Death of the Author
An immediate shift in tone is the only indication that “Death of the Author” has started up with darker riffs and steady drums. The rolling bass in the background really makes this one thunder. The vocal delivery is a bit more on the demented and taunting side, and I absolutely fucking love it.
Grave Object
Man, all of the tracks blend together so well that if you’re not paying attention, you’re lost in a cavernous, black void. A little reverb is all that signifies the start of thus more punk oriented track. It’s still dark and menacingly aggressive, but has a more in-your-face-Anarchy-in-the-UK feel to it. I’m definitely digging the change up with this track.
Doodlebug Baby
Driving drums and punk riffing get this one blitzing through you speakers delivering nonsensical lyrics with pile driving rhythms. I’m pretty sure this one had to have been written during one of Blinko’s more psychotic moments. It’s a little bizarre, yet still fun as hell to listen to.
Annihilation
Another shift in tempo let’s us know that a new song has started. Darker riffing and heavy drums bring in wavering vocals and thick bass. Definitely digging the slower pace to this one.
Sublime Fantasy, No. 1
A great opening bass line gets this one going as driving drums come in hard and heavy. The pace never relents as the band tears through two minutes of caustic, blackened punk like there’s no tomorrow.
Pachelbel’s Canon in E
From what I’ve read, this is Rudimentary Peni’s first “cover” song that they have ever released. It’s an interesting one to mess around with and leaves the listener itching and drooling for more as they wrestle their straight jacket.
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It looks as though I’m going to be on the hunt for some the Rudimentary Peni’s older stuff, especially if it’s in the same realm as this latest EP. The raw delivery of the tracks on No More Pain is frightening and infectious. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to this disc in the past couple of weeks.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A