Rhode Island based thrash-punk phenomenon Dropdead just dropped their epic ‘23 songs in 24 minutes’ third album last month. Yet, this year fans of the band can also pick up their fully remastered back catalogue, self- released through the band’s own record label, Armageddon Records in November. Here I take a listen to the updated version of Dropdead’s second album, touted as ‘Obliti-Core’, which was self-released by Armageddon in 1998.
Dropdead album two has been entirely remixed by Kurt Ballou (of hardcore punk band Converge) with audiovisual enhancement of the back catalogue the responsibility of Brad Boatwright at Portland-based Audiosiege studios. Compared to the first album, and as the hype suggests, it was – amazingly – harder. That’s some feat given the nature of the entity that is Dropdead. The first album was famously relentless and full-on. Yet, from the off, with the tellingly titled ‘Superior’ you are under no illusions that the level of aggression here will be off the scale.
At 18 songs deep, the average track length sits at about a minute, rather than the 30 or 40 seconds of album one which boasted 34 short-lived grindcore blasts. Bizarrely, that makes the second LP more tuneful, although that certainly isn’t down to Bob’s vocals which comprise unabated screaming throughout. If you listen to Dropdead albums one to three, you’ll hear the escalation in the vocal style from album one to two which is then moderated for the recent release of album three. It’s an adjustment that doesn’t reflect, in any way, diminishing fervour. No, it points to a steep learning curve. When you can force your point home as concisely and painfully as this band does, you just don’t have to scream.
Nevertheless, this album will be the favourite for many as it boasts the most vicious vocal assault, a standout example of the genre, performed right to the edge. Brutal examples such as ‘Those Who We Deny’, ‘Stone’ and ‘Justify Your Violence’ stand alongside those with a modicum more melody such as ‘Idiot Icon’ and ‘Us And Them’. By melody I mean you can hear the bass over the screams for maybe the first ten seconds.
The sound quality is clearer, taking away some of the rough and blurred edges of the original. Whether that gives to, or takes away is a matter of how dirty you like your punk. Do you care if you can’t fully make out your garage grind or do you want some clarity so that you can make out the edge of the knife at the forefront of that putrid wall of sound? Why not both? If you’re new to Dropdead or a long-term follower give it a listen, allow your face to melt, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
The remastered version is available on limited coloured vinyl (with a digital download), which, unfortunately, now plays outside to inside unlike the original which played from the inner label out.
- ‘Dropdead 1998’ is released on 30 November. You can get your copy HERE.
- Two new Dropdead compilations, ‘Discography Vol 1 1992-1993’ and ‘Discography Vol 2 1995-2013’, both also remixed by Kurt Ballou, are also released on 30 November.
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