Combatwoundedveteran / Orchid - Split 6” | Connective Tissue 1999
Combatwoundedveteran
(Tampa, FL)
Christopher Norris (Vocals)
Dan Raade (Guitar)
Bill (Guitar)
Dan Ponch (Bass, Vocals)
Mark Muenchinger (Drums)
Orchid
(Amherst, MA)
Jayson Green (Vocals)
Will Killingsworth (Guitar)
Brad Wallace (Bass)
Jeff Salane (Drums)
Basic Info:
Release Date: 1999
Label: Clean Plate Records
Runtime: 5:03
-Combatwoundedveteran: 2:53
-Orchid: 2:10
Tracks: 7
-Combatwoundedveteran: 5
-Orchid: 2
At a Glance:
Emoviolence, Grindcore, Screamo, Noisy, Chaotic, Frantic
Points on the Timeline:
These two Emoviolence legends were both peaking in 1999, with CVW and Orchid delivering Hall of Fame-worthy LPs, shaping the genre in their drastically different images. For Combatwoundedveteran, this year would be the absolute pinnacle of their careers, releasing their celebrated LP, this split with fellow seminal Emoviolence act Orchid and one more insane split with Scrotum Grinder.
Meanwhile, Orchid’s unbeatable run of releases would only start here; Dance Tonight! was in the works for next year, along with the legendary Skull Split with Jeromes Dream and a swan song in 2002. By 2003, both artists would disband, leaving immense legacies behind.
Shapes in the Sound:
This split moves a blistering pace, squeezing in seven songs in five minutes! CVW’s side is an absolute wall of sound from the frenetic instrumentation and manic screaming. The guitar is all-encompassing and the drums seem to suck the air out of whatever’s left. It’s very devastating and boisterous, even when not playing full-on Grindy Emoviolence.
Orchid’s sound has evolved from their last EP with Pig Destroyer, resembling Chaos Is Me in sound and production without the warm guitars. The format is much more dynamic, with just two songs totaling two minutes, and with the sudden tempo, aggression and volume shifts, it really does begin to embody chaos.
Threads in the Tapestry:
While this split isn’t the most well-known split from either artist, it demonstrates two influential Emoviolence acts coming together from one part of the East Coast to another during their primes and just absolutely tearing it up. The genre had been fleshed out for years prior, but this showcase just showcases the strength of its heavy-hitters.
