GISM - Detestation
Theres been so many extreme sub- and sub-sub-genres of metal and punk that its almost impossible to be shocked anymore these days, but imagine its 1984 and you somehow encounter GISMs debut album Detestation. Of course, this would have been somewhat unlikely since it was only released in Japan at the time, but this was such an unusual, brutal and - well - insane album that it slowly gained attention in the underground to the point of almost mythical adoration. The tales of their vocalist Sakevi Yokoyama running through a crowd with a chainsaw or firing at them with a flamethrower - whether true or not - sure didnt hurt the legend building. It was one of the first true crossover records, combining the drive and anarchic energy of hardcore with metal riffing inspired by the NWOBHM and thrash. On top of that, Saveki screams, shouts, grunts, belts, wails or laughs histerically like an absolute madman. Describing the production as raw is a vast understatement. At the time maximumrocknroll said it made Venom sound like The Knack. In other words: its perfect.
