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Deathwishshould have been a big name on the Boston Hardcore scene in ‘83. I have no idea why they weren’t really, although presumably it was because they never played a show. Eventually guitarist Jordan Wood (R.I.P.), went on to form Slapshot, but the Deathwish single is legitimately at least as good as Back On The Map. I know a lot of people think “oh a cult record” (i.e. not a big name), “people only like it because it’s rare”. I swear to you, and if you’ve heard it you know: Deathwish could have been considered first tier. This record has 3 tracks on it which are taken from a longer demo session. Until recently it was questionable as to whether there were actually more songs, but a mysterious myspace profile of the band appeared, and it contained clips of other songs from the same session which, frustratingly, were not full songs. There’s also a less regarded demo from a few years later with some different members and a more rockin’ metallic sound. In other words - you’re not interested, because it sucks.

Side A busts out with a good Boston style creepy-crawlin’ riff on a dirty sounding bass. Cue: echo-drenched vocals. I’m talking the same family as City To City and What You Pay for with the riff, and Nightstalker vibe on the vocal. A good thick churn that could open a slam-pit in a retirement home. Chorus comes and kicks up a good thrash part up there with any SSD, Negative FX, etc. Then they repeat everything, sometimes all you need is a good slow part, and a good fast part. Flip it over to side B. Condemned is a good thrasher almost going Deep Wound speed, but with the kind of tuneful chord progressions that Jerry’s Kids were known for. The lyrics, something about being “Condemned for life” get delivered in a typical barking Boston style; hoarse and gruff. The song is about 1 minute flat. No big surprises, just legitimate ripping. Break The Chains (track 3), basically repeats the formula of speedy and tuneful, ending around one minute as well, also it’s my favorite of the 3.

I have no idea why this stuff didn’t get released when it was actually recorded, but in fact it did not. Instead it was released in 1989 (5 or 6 years later) on the Amory Arms label, run by one of the guys who went on to found Matador. There’s some question as to whether the release was legitimate or not, a lot of people refer to this as technically being a bootleg, however most collectors are willing to pay or trade for it as if it was legitimate, partially at least, because it was released in a numbered edition of 300. It was re-bootlegged by the notorious Lost & Found records in the 90’s, however, it has a different sleeve and thus can’t be confused with the original. Also, weirdly it’s included as bonus tracks on the CD version of the Abused “Loud and Clear” demo on Lost and Found. I have no idea why as they don’t really sound alike, and have no connection other than being from roughly the same time period. What sketchy affair that label was.

BTW this seller, who’s responsible for the Flex books and website, has plenty more 1st tier stuff you should check out, and I’m sure much more to come.