VVegas / Moutheater split 7" part III

Here I am with another VVegas record, albeit it only partially counts as a new record really. I have previously written about this particular 7" twice already know, but here I am back again with a third colour variant.

This particular variant is a little more special as it also features an alternate cover. The other two version were a grey/black swirl and clear red with some fantastic artwork designed by Dwid Hellion. This time around I've myself the pre-order version on clear yellow with (if I must be honest) somewhat less appealing artwork.

As far as I can tell 100 copies of this variant were pressed, although others I have seen were numbered on the cover and centre label.....
In terms of regular variants (not test-presses), that is all the colour variants this wee 7" came in. I can't see me ever really wanting to get this kind of set for a huge number of records, but for certain special ones it can be quite fun trying to hunt down all the versions. They do look pretty cool next to each other too.

As a bit of a follow up form last week, listen to how VVegas has progressed from their most recent 7" to this -

Moutheater - Ornament 12"

Here is another record I've been pretty excited about for a wee while now. This great album was first brought to my attention when ordering the later Moutheater album, "Colonial". To make up for the lack of glow in the dark copies of that record, a copy of the CD release of this album was included. Ornament was first released three years ago on CD, and rumours have been circulating around the depths of the internet that it was finally going to receive the vinyl treatment. A couple of weeks ago it finally did so I made sure to order one straight away.

Aaron has done a great job with the layout for this release. The same dead bird artwork is present from the CD, but has been stripped of the Moutheater logo and album title, which definitely cleans the whole thing up considerably. Instead of on the cover these are on a sticker on the plastic sleeve, a real nice touch.

Three different versions of this have been pressed, pink/green, green/green and pink/black. The pink/green version is only limited to 6, but sadly was not available to the public. The green/green version was then the obvious choice, this is limited to just 24 copies and is now all sold out. It looks amazing as well, I wasn't sure just what it'd look like but it is just great. The pink/black is still up for sale via Head2Wall, but is also rather limited (to 220). You can see one what this looks like here.

Also thrown in the package is a trusty insert. On the front is the lyrics to every track and on the back is some info/thanks.

The label also gave me a download code (which coincidentally I didn't need) and a card advertising their recent summer sampler. If you're a fan of Moutheater or are just intrigued I'd suggested checking it out at the below address. You've got nothing to lose with free samplers anyway.

Moutheater - Lot Lizard 7"

All the way back in 2007 (it was 5 years ago now!) Moutheater released their debut 7" EP on Thrashed records. Seeing as I have been getting into Moutheater lately, I decided to pick up a distro copy from A389 when ordering a few things. Turns out they had it on sale for less than Thrashed records, what a bargain!

As you can no doubt see, this comes with one of those adapter things in the middle. This led me to believe it was cut as 45rpm, I've usually only seen them on records of that speed. It's actually cut at 33rpm, so of course was playing all funny when it started. I'm not entirely sure why they went with the bigger hole size in the middle, or in fact why anyone uses the bigger hole size.

Being 5 years late on picking this up, I was only able to buy the regular black version. According to discogs, there is at least two other versions out there. One of them is grey, while one is called TP. It has a yellow colour next to it, but I'm not really sure what that is supposed to be.

There are a total of three songs on this EP, with the lyrics to each on the back. And if you are just dying to hear the tracks (I know you are), the band have been kind enough to upload them all to bandcamp for you.

Moutheater - Colonial 12"

Here we have the latest LP from Moutheater; Colonial. I'm really only starting to get into Moutheater, but what I've heard so far is great, this LP being no exception. Although only being 4 tracks long, it nearly reaches 20 minutes and seems a perfect length. 

They've really done nothing fancy with the artwork this time around, but it is fitting for such a bleak release.

The reverse side is just about as basic as the front. Sometimes a basic design just works though, and this is definitely one of those times.

Two versions of this are out there; black and glow in the dark. I thought I had access to an awesome glow in the dark copy, but obviously fate decided I was to have the black version (more on this in a bit).

When I initially ordered this I requested a glow in the dark copy. I don't have any glow in the dark vinyl yet, so was real anxious for it to arrive. After a little while I got an email from Andrew saying he'd run out of these ones. It was no biggy really, I didn't pay anymore for a glow in the dark or anything. However in true independent music spirit, he offered to send me some extras to make up for the mistake. I certainly got a lot more than I bargained on.
The first was another Moutheater album, this time on CD. And what a great album this is! I've been listening to album more than anything at the moment, and there are literally many highlights throughout. It makes me wish I'd been lucky enough to be exposed to Moutheater earlier.

Next was this rather surprising piece. This is "Satanic Logic" by a band name Panther Modern. Coming from the infamous Baltimore, these guys play what I guess you'd call blackened noise. I wasn't sure what to expect, and was surprisingly pleased when I first played it. I find this sort of material can be very hit and miss, but this is definitely hit.

I was again surprised with packaging with this one. Quite uniquely it came with two colour photos and a transparent film from the label. It's a bit hard to tell, but the photos are of a drawing being burnt. What's more is that this tape is limited to just 30 copies!

On top of the two extra music pieces, Andrew also gave me this handful of Moutheater patches and stickers. It's great receiving more than one of these, I always like to keep at least one unused, so I at least have the option of using one of these for something.

Not a bad haul overall aye? Nothing beats getting more great music than you'd expected to receive.

VVegas / Moutheater split 7" part II

Rather recently I posted about a magnificent split between Moutheater and the almighty VVegas. If you read it (or read it now) you may recall I mentioned how great a red copy would look. Well, shortly after said post I received an email from Aaron of Moutheater. I'm assuming he read the post and flicked me an email offering me one of his spare copies. Even better he offered me this for basically free (all he asked was that I payed for shipping), how great is that? Of course I jumped at this chance and agreed to his offer right away. Anyway, here we are:

What did I tell you, the red does look great. I must have amazing abilities to have guessed that one. There is not much to add here really, you can have a look at the original post if you want a more detailed description.

VVegas / Moutheater split 7" / Discogs plugging

So, I've recently discovered a new place to purchase my much needed records; discogs. After many times searching Ebay for this very record, I was becoming frustrated at the world for not selling a copy. But it was discogs to the rescue as a copy went up for sale almost straight after me joining the site. What really works about the site is the wantlist function; as soon as a copy of something you have on that list comes up for sale, you get an email about it. Fantastic!

But onto the record. To the best of my knowledge, the artwork for this is from the mind of Dwid. I can't quite figure out what the picture is exactly, but it's certainly intriguing to look at. It's also a welcomed change from the usual style of art Dwid donates to these releases.

This is actually a rather basic release this time around. Obviously the front of the cover is something to look at for a while, and the artwork is continued in the background of the reverse side. Usually there'd be something inside the cover; lyrics or something, but this has nothing but white. Perhaps an insert was originally part of this and is now lost just waiting to be found again.

Only 500 of these were made; with only 300 in this grey swirl colour. Sadly this is the most common variant, with 100 yellow and 100 red copies. I'll bet the red looks just about perfect, but my grey will suffice, for now.

Of course being a VVegas release, I am a huge FAN of the tracks on this one. "Becoming The Night" may just about be the best thing they've ever put out. At just over 3 minutes, this track takes you on a journey of acoustic guitar, backwards whispers and sounds that'll haunt you more than you're worst nightmare. I've said it before, but  in my opinion this sort of material is where VVegas really shine. They leave me with a chill running down my spine that does not want to go away quickly. The other track they bring to the table, "MMVIII", really broadcasts the dynamics of the band. As to be expected it's a classic HT hardcore track, which is almost as superb as the previous song, although in a different way. MMVIII is up on MySpace so you can listen till your heart's content.

Moutheater are a band I'm really only just getting into, but am getting into in a big way. They are quite different from VVegas, playing a more "grunge" style of hardcore. I'll embed the tracks from this split at the bottom of the page so you can see how good it is. If you like what you hear, go on over to bandcamp. Most of the band's work is up for free download. I also suggest you check out the band formed by several members of this band, powerlove. You won't be disappointed.

I do always like when bonuses are thrown in, but I've never received something extra from a second-hand seller before. I suppose there is always a first time for everything. When I opened the packaging I was greeted by a second record; . I haven't had the chance to properly listen to it yet, so my mind is not quite made up about it.

What does intrigue me on this is the centre labels. One side has a picture of two keys, and the other a cat. I can't say I get it.

Ezekiel over at RWHAF has also recently written a post about this record. Those two always manage to write mammoth posts, so be sure to check it out.