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.

Usurp Synapse - This Endless Breath | Screamo Hall of Fame Class of 1999 Nominee

Release Information:

09/1999
Happy Couples Never Last Records
Lafayette, IN (Midwest)
Runtime: 11:41
Tracks: 8

Band Members:

John Scott (Vocals)
Don Kirkland (Guitar)
Dustin Redington
Tony Dyer (Bass)
Travis Chance (Drums)

At a Glance:

Emoviolence, Grindcore, Dussonant, Noisy, Dynamic

Musical Analysis:

This Endless Breath is one of the nastiest Emoviolence releases of the 20th century, taking cues from both the dynamism of bands like Reversal of Man and the brutality of artists like CWV, meeting somewhere in the middle compared to those bands’ 1999 efforts. Harmony is very distant from this project, rooting itself in discord and depravity. Even when the Grindy blastbeats are held at bay, the tension in their quieter sections almost matches the intensity of their explosiveness. The brutal and hoarse vocal performance seals the deal by pushing the insanity of the music into overdrive.

Historical Analysis:

This record is the very first blast of solo material for this infamous band, and it stands as some of their best. Their at-the-time unique approach to the genre fleshed out Screamo as a whole that much more. Even though the band is still kicking in one form or another, this contribution definitely flies under the radar in the grandness of Screamo Canon.

Lyrical Analysis:

Usurp Synapse uses brevity and absurdism in their lyrics to touch on some grizzly subjects, such as snapping under the weight of being “good,” the lie of nostalgia and how life is scripted. There’s a real sense of nihilism in these lyrics where the entire world sucks and/or is out to get you - can one mistake really ruin your life and legacy? Is the future really just a broken mirror? Is human affection just a performance? The band certainly seems to believe so, with their rabid emotions transferring from the lyrics sheet to the music.

Combatwoundedveteran - I KNow a Girl Who Develops Crime Scene Photos | Screamo HAll of Fame Class of 1999 Inductee

Release Information:

7/1/1998
No Idea. Records
Tampa, FL (Southeast)
Runtime: 19:09
Tracks: 19

Band Members:

Christopher Norris (Vocals)
Dan Raade (Guitar)
Bill (Guitar)
Dan Ponch (Bass, Vocals)
Mark Muenchinger (Drums)

At a Glance:

Emoviolence, Grindcore, Noisy, Manic, Aggressive, Sassy, Suffocating

Musical Analysis:

CWV delivers a noisy and oppressive Emoviolence album with this, their sole full-length effort. The Grindcore and Powerviolence influences are more prominent than ever with the distorted, metallic guitar riffs and chugs operating at a near-incomprehensible level, matching the suffocating and cacophonous drum performance. Tying the whole package together is the personality-and-brutality-driven vocals of Chris Norris (with backup from Dan), bringing the entire concoction to a fever pitch.

The only reprieve you get while listening to this record are the various samples that bridge some of the tracks together. Even then, most of these samples are strong political statements (or something silly to the same effect).

Historical Analysis:

This album is infamous for how deranged and stifling it is, integrating the heaviest of late 90s Hardcore and bashing it against their own fiery brand of Emoviolence. This release contrasts with Orchid’s 1999 classic Chaos Is Me on the production side, favoring the heaviness and sharpness of their distortion while Orchid’s wall of sound possesses a warmer tone. Both of these albums would be seminal for Emoviolence’s success in 1999 and beyond, but Grindcore would soon fall out of favor as a mixer. Because of this, even today, this is one of the heaviest and most insane Emoviolence records ever released.

Lyrical Analysis:

Confrontational, absurdist, self-deprecating and violent don’t even begin to describe the many, many lyrics on this album. Christopher Norris takes aim at everybody and everything; a constant thread is late-stage Capitalism, its dehumanizing nature, the manufacturing of desires, the destruction of authenticity, its pervasive control over all systems in life, human bodies being treated like machines, and modern Manifest Destiny. The Punk scene is also a common victim, as their lyrics spout about toxic masculinity in the scene and the anesthetic nature of mainstream art.

However, among the grotesque body horror imagery and biting metaphors lie messages of hope: even if civility is a lie, heroism is a joke, perfection is a lie and failure is guaranteed, in a world built for control, what they call weakness is your true strength. Use it to end cyclical violence, religious indoctrination and even destroy yourself - and everything you believed up to this point.

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.

Combatwoundedveteran - What Flavor Is Your Death Squad Leader? | Screamo Hall of FAme Class of 1998 Nominee

Release Information:

1998
Schematics Records
Tampa, FL (Southeast)
Runtime: 7:13
Tracks: 10

Band Members:

Christopher Norris (Vocals)
Davy Bartlett (Guitar, Vocals)
Dan Ponch (Bass, Vocals)
Mark Muenchinger (Drums)

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Emoviolence, Grindcore, Frantic, Noisy, Chaotic, Dissonant

Musical Analysis:

With such a brief runtime and several tracks clocking in at under 30 seconds, the band utilizes immediacy to its fullest extent. Plentiful with noisy guitar feedback, blast beats, grotesque screaming from multiple vocalists and extremely heavy metallic guitar tones, the band throws caution to the wind and blends the quickest, most intense three seconds of explosive music with chaotic, formless sections of noise.

Historical Analysis:

With cleaner production than their 1996 EP, this ups the ante that the 11 Song 7” started, featuring some of the most brutal and punishing Emoviolence put to record yet. However, the band was still on the cusp of their biggest year by far with two excellent EPs under their belt.

Lyrical Analysis:

Once again, Combatwoundedveteran’s scathing take on Capitalism, Colonialism and overall Western culture produces genius, sardonic and quick lyrics. With topics like war as entertainment, violence as censorship and rebellion as commodification, you’d be hard-pressed to think the band ever had a positive thought. Still, the band presses on with even more daring subjects like how colonialist logic is self-destructive, how pain and suffering are used for profit, the choices we have in Captialism are illusory. These are among the most biting sociopolitical lyrics in the history of the genre to this point.

Enemy Soil / Reversal of Man | Connective Tissue 1997

Enemy Soil

(Sterling, VA)

J.R. Hayes (Vocals)
Richard Johnson (Guitar, Vocals)
Russ Mason (Bass, Vocals)
Brian Harvey (Drums)

Reversal of Man

(Tampa, FL)

Matt Coplon (Vocals)
Jasen Weitekamp (Guitar)
Jason Crittenden (Guitar)
Jeff Howe (Bass)
John Wiley (Drums)

Basic Info:

Release Date: 1997
Label: Fist Held High Records
Runtime: 9:21
-Enemy Soil: 4:38
-Reversal of Man: 4:43
Tracks: 5
-Enemy Soil: 3
-Reversal of Man: 2

Genres, Influences and Characteristics:

Grindcore, Screamo, Emoviolence, Dissonant, Frantic

Points on the Timeline:

Prolific Grindcore stalwarts Enemy Soil were in the midst of a career-defining year in 1997. This release was one of four splits, one EP and one live EP to come out, almost doubling the previous five years of recorded material unleashed unto the world. However, they’d only be releasing music for a couple more years following this. Regardless, this was their first (and not only) sideswipe into the world of Screamo. Reversal of Man continued their relentless onslaught of releases, with this being their seventh in three years. Their very best work had yet to arrive, however.

Shapes in the Sound:

Enemy Soil's half of the split begins with a ruckus; heavy, deep guitar tones introduce us to the ways of Grindcore while the drums drift into a series of blast beats. The singer carelessly throws his screams around for maximum brutality. Seriously, these songs are sort of insane. Reversal of Man keeps things relatively even-keeled, utilizing a slower Screamo sound often to contrast the bursts of Emoviolence. RoM play with melody on here quite a bit for how aggressive and emotionally intense their songs are.

Threads in the Tapestry:

Although Grindcore wouldn't be the definitive influence on Screamo's development, the Emoviolence boom of the late 90s can undoubtedly give some credit to this subgenre for its speed, ferocity and generally chaotic aesthetic. And, much like how mixed old Hardcore show bills used to be, this split represents the unadulterated mayhem of both Grind and Emoviolence as subsects of Hardcore.