Album Review: Fascist Communist Revolutionaries by Various (1996)
Alright, let’s dive into Fascist Communist Revolutionaries, the wild 1996 release from Fifth Colvmn Records. This album's a chaotic mashup of genres—rock, electronic, pop/rock—and styles like EBM, industrial, and alternative pop/rock. It’s basically a genre blender set to “pure chaos.” Produced in the US, it’s got that raw, experimental vibe you’d expect from something born in the mid-’90s underground scene. And props to John Bergin for the artwork and design—it’s as gritty and unsettling as the music itself.
Now, with track titles like STD, Fucked Up Generation, and Need to Destroy, you already know this isn’t your grandma’s playlist unless she’s super cool and kinda weird. The remix-heavy lineup gives it an extra layer of unpredictability. You think you’ve heard a song, then BAM—it comes back remixed just to mess with your brain.
Let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me. First up, The Brain Cult Of Macho Irony (Swamp Terrorists Remix). This one hits hard right outta the gate. It’s got this grinding industrial beat paired with eerie vocals that sound like they’re mocking you from another dimension. There’s something hypnotic about how the layers build up—it’s not just noise; it’s calculated chaos. Every time I hear it, I feel like I’m being dragged through some dystopian swamp rave. Honestly? Can’t unhear it.
Then there’s Hands of Clay. This track feels like a slow burn compared to the rest. It starts off almost mellow, but don’t get too comfy—things take a darker turn quick. The Schwer Geprüft Mix version is where it really shines, adding this brooding intensity that makes you wanna stare out a rainy window while questioning all your life choices. If that ain’t art, I dunno what is.
What I love most about this album is how unapologetically messy it is. Some tracks hit harder than others, sure, but the whole thing feels like flipping through channels on a broken TV—you never know what you’ll find next. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, and occasionally confusing, but hey, isn’t that life?
Random thought: Listening to this album feels like being at a party thrown by anarchists who forgot why they were mad in the first place but kept the energy going anyway. Not everything lands perfectly, but when it does, wow.
So yeah, if you’re into stuff that pushes boundaries and doesn’t care much for rules, check out Fascist Communist Revolutionaries. Just maybe don’t play it during dinner with your folks. Trust me on that one.
