Orchid / Pig Destoryer | Connective Tissue 1998

Orchid

(Amherst, MA)

Jayson Green (Vocals)
Will Killingsworth (Guitar)
Brad Wallace (Bass)
Jeff Salane (Drums)

Pig Destroyer

(Washington, D.C.)

J.R. Hayes (Vocals)
Scott Hull (Guitar)
John Evans (Drums)

Basic Info:

Release Date: 1998
Label: Amendment Records
Runtime: 10:13
-Orchid: 5:29
-Pig Destroyer: 4:44
Tracks:
-Orchid: 3
-Pig Destroyer: 8

At a Glance:

Grindcore, Emoviolence, Screamo, Frantic, Metallic

Points on the Timeline:

Both of these bands started life in 1997; all three of Orchid’s songs come from their previous We Hate You demo, while Pig Destroyer threw in three songs from their own 1997 demo and a few originals. Both sides showcase young Hardcore bands poised to become defining figures in their respective genres.

Shapes in the Sound:

Orchid’s contribution features a more metallic-leaning sound than you’d expect, with the chugs you’d hope for and a gritty guitar tone that dominates the songs. Let’s not take away from the admirable drumming performance that keeps up with the guitar’s madness and a brutal vocalist whose every lyric is torture to the ears. Meanwhile, Pig Destroyer put out rapid-fire Grindcore tracks with the faintest of Sludge sensibilities. Their anger and appetite for destruction was quite high on this. Expect rapid-fire blastbeats and piercing shrieking vocals.

Threads in the Tapestry:

Although not the best representation of either band, these early works showcase the potential that these Hardcore pioneers possessed. While Orchid would drop much of the Metal influence from their legendary works, these songs were structurally similar to what they’d go on to create. Similarly, though they would change the influences on subsequent records, they kept the Grindcore grinding through and through.

This release doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for having two legends in their early incarnations showing off the future of Hardcore music, but it’s at the very least an important footnote in the history of the scenes.

Amalgamation / Jeromes Dream | Connective Tissue 1998

Amalgamation

(Washington, D.C.)

Forbes Graham (Vocals)
Jacob Long (Vocals)
Chad Matheny (Guitar)
Chris Chang (Guitar)
Adam Witt
Eazy

Jeromes Dream

(West Haven, CT)

Jeff Smith (Vocals, Bass)
Nick Antonopulous (Guitar)
Erik Ratensperger (Drums)

Basic Info:

Release Date: 12/1998
Label: Ricecontrol Records
Runtime: 10:21
-Amalgamation: 5:40
-Jeromes Dream: 4:41
Tracks: 4
-Amalgamation: 2
-Jeromes Dream: 2

At a Glance:

Screamo, Emoviolence, Chaotic, Manic, Dynamic

Points on the Timeline:

Amalgamation exists only through two splits, this being their second and final release. Conversely, this was the very first taste of Jeromes Dream that the world was blessed with. They would have a fruitful and prolific career for several years before making a comeback two decades later.

Shapes in the Sound:

With tense, sinister buildups and dissonant, explosive crescendos, this chaotic release showcases two bands with a lot to prove. The split begins with Amalgamation’s unhinged trumpeter performing over truly chaotic Emoviolence, and the weirdness doesn’t stop there. The two vocalists are both gnarly and high-pitched, adding to the depravity of their sound. The trumpet continues on, adding both melody and discord to the driving and unpredictable songs.

Jeromes Dream sounds surprisingly fully-formed for this being their first release, pushing forth with unbelievably noisy arrangements, syncopated and raw chord progressions, a deep, buzzing bass that fills the recording, a dynamic drummer capable of the quietest, most fragile beats and the most spastic sections of drumming put to record in Screamo thus far, all tied together by a manic, high-pitched vocalist whose screams are as painful on delivery as they are in purpose. Aside from that, their two tracks flow remarkably well together.

Threads in the Tapestry:

Amalgamation is a band seemingly lost to time, but they were an innovative late-90s Emoviolence band with some sweet trumpets and embodied unpredictability. Without some D.C. oldheads and this very split with the one and only Jeromes Dream keeping their memory alive, we probably wouldn’t be listening to their kickass songs.

Meanwhile, Jeromes Dream would go on to have a legendary and prolific career in Screamo, initially disbanding a few years after this. While their splits would be legendary and eclipse what they accomplished here in 1998 (not to mention the legendary LP due to shock the system), this is still a worthy listen for fans of Screamo, Emoviolence and especially Jeromes Dream.