BulldozeThis has been out since Jan but I just got it recently (only reason I didn't buy it was because I have the copy on Time Served Records) and I must say that this is without question the finest treatment "The Final Beatdown" has gotten thus far. Technically the band is no longer together but they have played some shows here and there from 1998-2005, and in 2006 the band actually headlined a European tour.
The CD contains the band's demo, 7" and both of their New York's Hardest compilation tracks, which totals 10 tracks. Unlike the previous release, instead of just including four live songs, the band and label have included the entire live set from 1995 when the band played at The Wetlands in NYC. Also included is a one hour long DVD of Bulldoze footage from shows they played in various NYC clubs, which was a fucking awesome addition to an already awesome album.
I'm not even going to bother describing the songs or what these guys sound like because after all they are the true originators of the "beat-down style", and the original tough guy band, so it would be a great dishonor to the band to compare them to bands that have taken their sound from them.
Apparently the songs have been remastered from the Time Served pressing, but honestly it's not really too apparent because it's not like the recording on that release was all that bad. I mean shit, it was heavy as balls when it was first recorded throughout 94-98 and is still just as heavy. For the DVD side of things, Time Axis Media did a thorough job with the DVD, though far from perfect, they got the best out of the audio and visuals.
The layout takes the same concept and color schemes as the previous release but just adds some embellishments throughout. The first foldout of the booklet displays a two page section complete with the band line up and corresponding pictures and all of the credits over the background of the blue bandana design. Those two pages then foldout to four pages which are used to display the lyrics to all of the songs with some live shots and flyers going across the middle over live shots.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Nothing But A Beatdown and The Truth
Synopsis: A lot of people have been paying out the ass for original copies of even the Time Served pressing so this is great for anyone that missed the boat the first two times. So if you've never had the chance to cope a real deal copy now is your chance. And if you're just a collector and already own the originals, this is worth making the purchase just for the DVD alone.
Incase you've been sleeping under a rock the band does have a Myspace to check out the songs mentioned above and two others. So check them out.
If you like what you hear make the purchase through the label or Surprise Attack Records
Trip Machine Records
Surprise Attack Records