Between the record labels of Graham Nixon (Resist) and Nigel Melder (Trial & Error), the two of them have released practically every Australian hardcore classic. In this special two-part Crucial Five, we get both guys to break down their favourite releases from each other's label. Nigel's crucial five Resist releases are below and you can check out Graham's crucial five Trial and Error Releases over here.
For now here's Nigel's Crucial Five releases from the Resist catalog.
1. FOUND MY DIRECTION 'Before Their Time' 7"
I'm not even sure if this counts, as it's the Scott Mac era (founder Resist store/label), but this is definitely a 7" that I wish I released. From memory it came out just after I released Grim Reality's 'Out To Win' 7" which was also the first 7" release on my label. I was really happy with GR and was backing myself so hard that I thought I had released the greatest Aussie 7" ever! I got the FMD 7" and I was like 'holy shit' this is amazing. Pretty sure this was '98 and it was great to have two really good up and coming bands. 'Before Their Time' sounded great, the songs were tight and sound just as good to this day. A lot of stuff from back then really sounded like a time and a place, but the FMD 7" is a classic and stands the test of time!
2. WITHIN BLOOD 'First Blood' CD
This is pretty much a no brainer, an amazing band which is full of people that I had played with, released and had been inspired by. Classic hardcore without any frills, riffs that I love and tough as fuck vocals. This band was a bit of a reaction to what was happening in the Australian hardcore scene with everything around this time getting heavier (especially in Melbourne and Adelaide) and it's no wonder that they were well received from day one. They kept it heavy and classic and shows were always fun, just see the interview with Matt Maunder on this site for some of the folklore. The Captain Blood 7" was also from this same session and is just as good.
3. LAST NERVE 'Self Titled' 7"
This falls into the Within Blood category as a band that in my opinion was a bit of a backlash as to the state of the hardcore scene in Australia. Around this time there were so many people coming into the scene and it was growing at a rapid rate and people were wearing makeup. When anything grows quickly I get really sceptical about sincerity and motives...it's human nature. Last Nerve was full of really good people, who were most sincere about what they were doing, this came out through the songs, the lyrics, the whole thing. This is what makes a standout release/band! You had two Pete's a Mick and a Dave out front, how couldn't it be great Aussie hardcore?
4. CARPATHIAN 'Isolation' LP
I was never a fan of Carpathian's self titled EP or debut full length, 'Nothing To Lose', as it really wasn't my style of hardcore. It was for a lot of other people though and those two releases did really well and the band propelled to be one of the biggest hardcore bands in the country. Where I really got on board and was impressed was the release of 'Isolation'. The band had gone through a lot of line up changes, as well as the remaining members getting a little bit older and other influences began to shine through. This record was a great turn around for them and sure they could have made another record like their last and sold a shitload, but they went with their heart/gut/other organs and made a record that they knew would lose fans...that's how I saw it anyway and much respect to them for doing so. This record sounds great, I know it was mixed with Jay Mass (Defeater) and may have been recorded over there as well...not sure. I like the songs, sentiment and back them, as they backed themselves and didn't take the easy route. They are definitely one of the players that are/were instrumental in the world looking in on Aussie hardcore.
5. RINGWORM / MINDSNARE Split 7"
Pretty much just spruking the new release. How often do you get to release a split with a band you love, I think this is the best Mindsnare has ever sounded sonically but you have to thank Fuller and Kurt Ballou for that. Ringworm is fucking Ringworm!
Couple of notable mentions:
Toe To Toe: I didn't pick any of these as they are re-releases, but there is some fucking solid records there, ones that started and inspired a lot of bands!
No Apologies: This came on my iTunes yesterday and i forgot how good it was, I need to listen to this more.