It was an evening to remember as Swedish grindcore legends, Nasum, passed through Philadelphia’s Barbary venue as part of the band’s final farewell tour. Last week’s showcase alongside Brutal Truth, Dropdead, and Backslider, marks Nasum‘s first tour outing since the tragic death of longtime guitarist and vocalist Mieszko Talarczyk, who was killed during the 2004 tsunami disaster in Thailand while on a vacation.
Formed in 1992 by ex-Necrony members Anders Jakobson and Rickard Alriksson, Nasum was a band truly ahead of its time. Melding the still developing sounds of grindcore with elements of death metal and crust, Nasum quickly sent shock-waves through the extreme music community in the early 90’s with a series of split releases and compilation appearances. During these formative stages, this cast of multi-talented members would rotate instruments and vocal responsibilities and see several shifts in lineup. The late Mieszko Talarczyk would originally join Nasum on guitar before adding lead vocals to compliment his brilliant musicianship. Apart from his work with Nasum, Talarczyk played with grindcore bands Genocide Superstars, Krigshot and Charles Harfager. Talarczyk would build a reputation as one of the leading engineers and producers within the extreme music world and would go on to co-found the now legendary Soundlab Studios.
Nasum released its final studio album, Shift, in October of 2004, only two months before the tragic tsunami that would claim Talarczyk‘s life. Shift has gone on to be one of the most renowned grindcore albums within the underground community, having influenced a second wave of grincore enthusiasts both in Europe and the US. Due to the tragic circumstances, Nasum members announced their disbandment in 2005.
Last October, Nasum members revealed they would take part in a final tour to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary with special guest Keijo Niinimaa of Rotten Sound filling in for Talarczyk on vocals. Jon Lindqvist, currently of Victims, also rejoined the band on second guitar for this very special series of showcase dates.
Nasum‘s Anders Jakobson was kind enough to sit down with us for an Exclusive Nasum Interview prior to the band’s performance, for a quick word on the current tour as it headed down to Maryland Deathfest X. You can view our exclusive Nasum interview in the YouTube player below.
Rounding out this once-in-a-lifetime tour were two of the US’s most influential grindcore and fastcore bands, Brutal Truth and Dropdead. Much like Nasum, both Brutal Truth and Dropdead would cultivate a sound during the bands’ formative stages (also in the early 90s) that was far ahead of its time.
Founded in New York City, Brutal Truth would remain prolific during the 90s with scores of now legendary releases on Earache and Relapse Records, until disbanding for a seven-year hiatus from 1999-2006. We examined the band’s latest offering, End Time, last year, as the band continues to support this punishing grindcore offering. Founding member and influential NYC musician, Danny Lilker, was kind enough to sit down with us for a quick Brutal Truth interview prior to the band’s performance where he touched on the band’s history, current release, plans for 2012, and more. Our exclusive Brutal Truth interview can be viewed in the YouTube player below.
Providence, RI’s political fastcore-punk outfit, Dropdead, have also played a pivotal role in the US’s grind-influenced contributions to the music world. Apart from the unrelenting musical approach, Dropdead have also played a key role in the development of the political fastcore subculture, with stark imagery and lyrics that have become a staple of this niche of extreme music. We caught up with the entire band prior to the performance where founding members Ben and Bob discuss the current political climate, Dropdead‘s plans for 2012, and more in a new exclusive Dropdead interview that can also be viewed in the Youtube player below. If you missed our in-depth interview with Dropdead last year where the band allowed us to stream their influential split with Look Back and Laugh, be sure to scope that as well.
Local two-piece grinders, Backslider, rounded out this bulletproof showcase, as they too began to make way to Maryland Deathfest X.
Our ever-talented Senior Staff Photographer, Dante Torrieri, of Useless Rebel Imaging, was on hand to deliver a gargantuan picture gallery for your veiwing pleasure.
Words and interviews by Joshua T. Cohen
All Photos by Dante Torrieri.
Dropdead Exclusive Interview with Full Band Ben, Bob, Brian, and George by Blow The Scene
[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_SDZKZC7Ag[/youtube]
Brutal Truth Exclusive Interview with Danny Lilker by Blow The Scene
[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzW218rkvqA[/youtube]
Nasum Exclusive Interview with Anders Jakobson by Blow The Scene
[youtube width=”560″ height=”315″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltmxH9jKwh4[/youtube]
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