Amazing, essential
Oliver Sheppard | US | 06/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This vastly underrated corpus of 45 Grave's roughest, harshest, thrashiest music was released on cassette and vinyl in the late 80s by Restless. It's now out of print, and unavailable, generally, which is a complete shame, because this album is among the best early 80's hardcore punk that exists.
Folks familiar with 45 Grave as some sort of post-punk, experimental death rock project would be surprised to listen to this, and discover that earky on 45 Grave were in fact quite the fastcore, hardcore punk band. Emphasis here is on speed and aggression. The opening track, "The Plan," is one of the fastest numbers from the early 80s I can recall. There is no post-punk experimentation here: it is raw, primtive, galvanizing rock and roll, with a morbid motif. In that light, the album this most bears comprison is mayhaps TSOL's "Dance with Me."
A lot of the tracks here are actually CONSUMERS songs re-worked, and sped up, with Dinah cancer on vocals. A few of the tracks have male vox; these tend to be the most melodic of the tracks here, but still they pack punch in a '77 WEIRDOS sort of way. The lineup on this album has links to THE GERMS, the DEAD KENNEDYS, and other L.A. hardcore bands of the early 80s.
Don't be fooled. This is not some slow goth album. This is fast, guitar-based, hardcore punk rock. It's my personal favorite of anything 45 Grave produced."
Their fastest and punkiest!
EerieVonEvil | The Rabbit Hole | 06/25/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I got a copy of this brand new on ebay for 30 bucks and I coulnt believe it! This material is much older than the Sleep In Safety album. Pat Smear from The Germs and later Foo Fighters plays guitar on several tracks. The production is raw, as well as the vocals. But its infectious and the more you listen, the more you will listen! Autopsy almost has a hardcore feel to it. There are keys of course on Surf Bat and Riboflavin. Fast punk riffage in early misfits-like production quality. Great album but this is crying out for a remastered re-release. Probably never so you might as well stick with this. Get Sleep In Safety too."
Take-Nine!!!!!
J. Beadles | San Diego, Ca | 01/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Saw 45 Grave play at fenders in Long Beach with Haunted Garage. Mary was so damn hot cranking out some awesome tunes from Autopsy!! The show lasted quite a while, until the suicidals raised a ruckus in the pit.. What a great showw!!! This band is so original."