Oftentimes when we hear bands for the first time, we try our best to figure out everything that a specific band is going for in their first song. While that can be an effective way of getting the feel for a band you’re about to go see or just listening to for the first time, it is not always an accurate reading. It should come as no surprise that many people who enjoy aggressive music have a short attention span, and can be quick to dismiss something based on a first impression. With that in mind, the recording quality of a band’s demo can make or break their online reputation within seconds of someone hearing it. The problem with this is that we associate recording quality with how skilled the band may be, when in reality it is very possible that the band intentionally wanted their recordings to sound raw and noisy.
This seems to be the case with Olympia, Washington’s Combat Knife. The band’s five song demo is an angry display of very raw and energetic punk with elements that align closely with 80’s hardcore to give it an extra boost of “fuck you.” Combat Knife isn’t the band you book when you want a well-behaved crowd, they are the band you book for full blown chaos and destruction. The tunes are raw, real, and in your dumb fucking face! The recording quality of their demo provides the listener with an authentic DIY vibe that often accompanies killer house shows and rowdy crowds. It is in the best interests of any so called “punks” to give this band a listen and see for yourself that a raging good time is just a few clicks away. One thing that is worth noting is the recording quality of the demo that I praised earlier in this piece could merely be a result of the band being on a budget. With that in mind, it is very possible that I’m just talking out my ass, and if that is the case then feel free to send me some hate mail. In the meantime, go get your nose dirty and jam some combat knife!!
