Various Artists - Empty Skulls Vol. Two 12 inch

This comp. is a little redirection from the recent run of 90's era Hardcore Compilations and takes us all the way back to some of the formative years of Hardcore and even crossover. Released in 1986 on Pomona, Ca. label Fartblossom Records (who also co-released yesterday's Justice League post), the comp. is a bit of a hodgepodge with more than a few notable bands, some that I am completely unaware of, and overall a very wide selection of bands from around the world (though the US is still the most represented).

Corrosion of Conformity, Crude SS, Justice League, & Pillsbury Hardcore make up some of the better know bands, while E.A.T.E.R., Legion of Parasites, & Colera make up some of the lesser known groups.

Stand out/favorite tracks include Pillsbury Hardcore (with 3), Justice League, Corrosion of Conformity (3), Stranglehold (who have a snotty, punkier Dead Milkmen feel), & Legion of Parasites (2). Nearly every one of the 21 songs is great, though there is one or two that stray far from the general fast & loud of these songs and another song or two that unfortunately suffer from inadequate recording quality. All in all, a very solid and diverse comp from the mid-80's punk/hardcore scenes of the world. Very worth the $1.99 I paid for it (especially considering the few copies I've seen since go much closer to the $30 range, not that I'm looking to sell it).

DOWNLOAD: "Empty Skulls Vol. Two: The Wound Deepens" 

FRIENDLY REMINDER- Record Store Day is this Saturday. Go to you local shop, then check the blog- there will be some extra posts this weekend to celebrate.