The first time I saw something about Pailhead, I was reading a music magazine, and since back then I didn't have access to the universal knowledge of the internet, I could only rely on what was written. I read about these Pailhead, consisting of members from Minor Threat and Ministry, among others, and that this "Trait" EP released by Earache in 1988 is the complete creation of this band. I don't remember the rest of the article well, only that the album was rated positively, but I remember that it piqued my curiosity also because I knew the bands some of the members came from, so I thought I should delve deeper, but then it just ended there. A long time later, I happened to come across the album cover, and a light bulb went on, I had to make it mine, and what can I say, the wait was worth it. This EP of 6 tracks goes from bursts of post hardcore-punk to dark industrial sounds that remind me of early Killing Joke, Big Black, and why not, certain tracks by Godflesh, and already here we're in good hands. The songs flow quickly, with dirty and sharp guitar, the pounding and relentless rhythm section marking industrial beats, all combined with the unmistakable voice of Ian MacKaye, which in his genre is a guarantee, but when paired with certain sounds, you never know what might come out. Still, the doubt is immediately swept away because the Minor Threat singer offers a performance of hardcore outbursts with moments of apparent calm and fits wonderfully with the ensemble. Let's say that knowing the genre where Ministry comes from, musically, the record is what you might expect, but the cohesion with the other hardcore origin part gives a reason for being and personality to the group. That said, the flaw of this EP (obviously?!) with only 6 pieces is that it's quickly listened to, and in the end, I wonder why this fantastic project was not continued because personally, I consider it among the best releases of a certain industrial-contaminated post punk mentioned above. Well, at least I managed to (re)discover them and thus enjoy this small great gem.
"The world is confused, murder and weather is our only news, I WILL REFUSE!"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Don't Stand in Line (03:47)
Speak your piece, speak your mind
Leave no points undefined
We may be undermined
Numbers assigned and then confined
They will try to realign
And get us to leave our thoughts behind
You want your message to shine?
Don't stand in line
02 Man Should Surrender (03:40)
You engineer the stratosphere
You command this hemisphere
But water will still come
Man should surrender
Rearrange forms of life
Battle night with your lights
But water will still come
Man should surrender
Flying boxes through the air
Dropping cities everywhere
But water will still come
Man should surrender
Fire made for all to burn
Foolish end for all concerned
But water will still come
Man should surrender
Surrender now
03 No Bunny (05:00)
No Bunny
It's not funny
Don't believe everything you read
It's fable
Just a label
So don't follow the lead
There is no bunny
I promised
It's ugly, it's stupid
Don't be the same
You're a sucker
A violent f**ker
Teenager frustrated
Easily manipulated
Enemy created
Televison mated
waiting to be hated
Won't you look outside?
Look outside!
04 Ballad (03:53)
Pick up the Goddamn phone
I pay to hear you lie
I saw you on T.V.
There's nothing here for me
I'll pay the price
So pick up the Goddamn phone
I'm just a voice you cannot see
But you act as if you know me
You chat away while I bleed
Then take my money
05 I Will Refuse (04:17)
I will refuse!
Born as a blank page
We must pick and choose
Our destinations and
The paths we'll use
What shall we say is sacred
Waht will be abused
It is no wonder
The world is so confused
Murder and weather
Is our only news
I will refuse!
Your offer is tempting
But it's not what it seems
You take advantage
Of everyone else's dreams
You create the perfect picture
By dressing up the scene
Trust our hopes and lives
To your death machines
Your point is not well taken
Because that's not what it means
I will refuse!
I will refuse!
Born as a blank page
We must pick and choose
Murder and weather
Is our only news
I will refuse!
06 Anthem (04:45)
This is the Anthem
You are in control of your thinking
You are responsible for your actions
You create the limitations
You know well the situation
This world is broken
You will catch it with your head when it falls
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