Civilised Society Scrap Metal

Civilised Society? 'Scrap Metal' (Manic Ears, 1986)

'Scrap Metal' was obviously purchased by Pringle because it screams 'Grindcore!'. It's the right era, it looks like a Napalm Death record, it's on Manic Ears and it features Hammy, founder of the beloved Peaceville Records.

No doubt he was as let down as me when he realised that Civilised Society? are seriously second rate anarcho punk. I've read people refer to this band as being anarcho mixed with metal, but there is zero metal on show here, apart from some seriously amateur riffing during 'Star Wars'. If Civilised Society? are to be considered in any way metal then Conflict should be thought of in the same breath as Metallica and that is very far from the case.

I must have seen at least 200 bands that try hopelessly to ape the militaristic march of Crass or the unrelenting rage of Conflict and Civilised Society? could easily be one of those 200 wannabes. The Conflict and Crass worship is mixed to best effect on 'Will we Fail?', but elsewhere the squawking female vocalist, slightly goth stylings and the trite squatter lyrics, 'Blotting Paper for Breakfast' and 'Is there life after Work?' just grate.

The best thing about this record is the message on the runouts of the vinyl; 'Ronald Reagan's pacemaker....' on side A is followed by '....is the ultimate war machine' on side B. Great stuff and something I miss on new releases, bands should start doing this again.

Peace