Review by: Adam Fleet

There are very few bands currently in existence that can lay a genuine claim to the term ‘legendary’, but Gauze can stand up and be counted on that score. They are rightly lauded because these Gods of Japanese hardcore have been blazing away for over 25 years, with talk of marathon two-hours shows with barely a pause in their fury. Personally, my love began with a second or third generation cassette copy of ‘Equalizing Distort’ that became a regular fixture on my stereo, and I’ve been hooked ever since! This is Gauze’s first new release since 1997, and this easily stacks up against any recent hardcore record I can recall. It just blazes start to finish. Like a dragster out the gate, they power into top gear from the off, and as you look bewilderingly around you realise they’ve already finished! You’re not quite sure what just happened but you know it was fast, loud and exhilarating! The only minor complaint is that it is over in a jiffy. There’s barely enough time to register how great it is before the needle’s clicking in the run off groove. So there being only one thing for it: you spin it again IMMEDIATELY. Musically it is as the great men themselves once said ‘Thrash Thrash Thrash’. Essential.