............................................ Dudman | “Kaihou 2005” ep 9 stars out of 10!
The Review: Nate, the singer in DUDMAN, was the dude who made EXCLAIM sound extraordinary. One of the key figures in the modern day movement of fastcore, this Connecticutian was or remains a Tokyo transplant. And I for one am glad. DUDMAN’s latest continues with a ballistic barrage of battering that knocks you about. The band has added a herky jerkiness that brings out memories of early DRI, but the noise created by what can only be an all out attack on their instruments is heavy and much more manic than DRI ever was. It’s just chaotic sounding. Not as chaotic sounding as that second EXCLAIM ep, but a close second. And where the band lacks in speed they make up in heaviness. It’s the bass sound that really brings out another dimension to DUDMAN’s sound. Anyway, I don’t mean to give you the impression that this is not fast because it is a few paces above GANG GREEN and just a shade below DROP DEAD on the hardcore speedometer. But DUDMAN whallop you with a chunky bass sound. DUDMAN stand out among the fastcore pioneers not only for getting GAUZE to align with their scene, but also for what they bring to the table in terms of developing the genre. Think of a wound up GANG GREEN with less structure, more stamina, and the Tasmanian devil fury unmatched by most hardcore bands.
....................................... NK6 / Dudman | split ep 7 stars out of 10!
The Review: NK6 are probably best known for the band that is made up of GAUZE’s roadies. They are probably sick of living in GAUZE’s shadow and hearing this in their review, but this well known piece of trivia is useful for understanding NK6’s sound. NK6 play a complex style of hardcore that could only be understood as something inspired by GAUZE. And to seal the comparison NK6 cover a GAUZE song. They cover “Children Fuck Off”, but if you pick this up looking for the next GAUZE, you should note that the production is rougher on here than what GAUZE currently produces. GAUZE are technical freaks. NK6’s side of the split is rougher sounding and it works fine. And it is welcome to hear another band attempting the genius that is GAUZE. The flipside has four new songs by DUDMAN. I think this is appropriate as DUDMAN have effectively acted as a bridge for GAUZE back into the underground. So to do a split with a band made up of their roadies furthers this relationship. I don’t think GAUZE would ever do a split. This is probably as close as someone might get. Anyway DUDMAN lurch right into a cataclysmic assault of bass and drums that emulates an avalanche in motion. Constant drum rolls traded against blast beats with a pounding bass that reminds me of COC’s early stuff set overtop a layer of white noise distortion which sets the stage for Nate’s fits of shouting. Some of the angriest shouting I have heard by any lead singer. To try and describe DUDMAN is like trying to describe GAUZE. There are too many things involved in a sound that is dense with influence. DUDMAN is in the same league as CHARM with the momentum of early EXCLAIM. They bring together the best of all areas of fastcore and some of the noisier elements of styles like CONFUSE to forge new territory into this evolving sound. I’ve listened to their side about 15 times now and everytime I hear it differently. I think DUDMAN will be one of the overlooked gems of our times ? like a 2006 KBD find twenty years from now.