Plan 9 US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Originally Glenn Danzig and co’s horror-themed punk band, the Misfits, reissue their second record, Earth A.D. / Wolfs Blood. First released in December 1983, this howling punk nocturne was actually the last to feature Danzig on vocals, who issued the record on his Plan 9 label only two months after his last concert with the band, meaning this record would’ve coincided with his ultimate split from them. With just nine tracks of tearout harcore horror punk, including ‘Queen Wasp’, ‘Devilock’, ‘Demonomania’, ‘We Bite’ and - wait for it - ‘Bloodfeast’ (but sadly lacking the former cassette exclusive 'Mommy, Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight?’) this original label reissue stays true to the vinyl version’s tracklist while delivering us one raised heck of a fright.

Review: Founded in 1977 in New Jersey, The Misfits are regularly cited as progenitors of horror punk. Whether you have examples of bands that set the tone for that sub-genre earlier is, of course, another point entirely. Nevertheless, the outfit, which are still going today, laid down a blueprint for a take on punk that was at once rowdy and gnarly, but also conceptual and artistic.

Not that you really need to focus on those aspects when listening to the raucous and frenetic 'Horror Business'. If you prefer, it's just as easy to centre on the shout-y chorus and relentless riff that carry the track to its cacophonous conclusion. Also included here is the runaway train-ride of 'Teenagers From Mars', and equally uncompromising 'Children in Heat'. A masterclass of why louder is often better.