Verbal Abuse
Just An American Band

If I must be honest, I know this band for only one reason: in ‘96, Slayer released "Undisputed Attitude", an album acclaimed by the public, consisting of 90% hardcore covers, five of which are by Verbal Abuse: "Leeches", "I Hate You", "Verbal Abuse", "Free money", and "Disintegration".

If there were a ranking of valid yet unknown bands, Verbal Abuse would be at the top. Not only has their music been overlooked for years (certainly, "Undisputed Attitude" did not bring just me closer to this band), but information concerning the band’s history is almost nonexistent or vague.

All I’ve been able to learn is that Verbal Abuse was formed in Houston, Texas, amidst a Texan scene that included M.D.C., D.R.I., Offenders, and the like. Verbal Abuse themselves, in search of fame, moved to San Francisco where they found the Flow Records label, which would publish their first album "Just an American Band".

Throughout their career, they would produce more albums, compilations, and live recordings, but to be honest, I am not familiar with them, so I can't say if they are good works or not.

"Just an American Band" is a blast. It starts with the track "Power Play"; the bass churns note after note, immediately signaling that this record won’t slow down throughout the duration of its 12 tracks. "Leeches", the second track, for a moment seems to let us catch our breath, but it was only an illusion; after only seventeen seconds, it starts again faster than ever. Sung frantically at the edge of human capability, followed by tireless drumming and guitars that are about to cross the boundary between hardcore and metal. "I Hate You!" is the "slow track", we might call it a "ballad" if compared to the other songs (I’m joking, of course), a direct and sincere piece, I HATE YOU!, are there any other words by which the punk scene at that time could express itself better? Yes: "Social Insect", track number 4, also flat out from the first second to the last. We find "Boredom", the song that impacts me the least, followed by "Bud", an Oi!-inspired track. It’s pointless to continue; "Disintegration" speaks for itself. Then comes "Unity", track number 8, which I believe would have been among the covers made by Slayer if its title were different, as they did with 9, "Free money". Then it moves on through "I don’t need it", "Verbal Abuse", and the last track, "American Band", the longest song on the album (5’ and 16’’). Then damn, the album's over... It was a barrage, I need to listen to it again!

To express my thoughts on this band, I’d like to say that Verbal Abuse is one of those bands that paved the way for American thrash. In fact, many consider them thrashcore, but honestly, I tread lightly with terms; I don’t like to label bands as if they were marine mollusks. This album has a sound different from the usual hardcore, which is aggressive yet carefree; this album is aggressive in themes and vicious musically.

A more than positive rating, therefore, for "Just an American Band".....