Bi-Furious

One of the records I spent most time listening to last year was the self titled LP by a band called Downer. Deep in my collection I had a 7" by this band that came out on Ammunition Records in 1994. I bought it from a UK distro back when it came out and I had very little memory of it. So when I saw Black Claw Records announce that they were going to reissue the band's second album on vinyl for the first time, it got me interested as I was at least familiar with the band name. I listened to the band online and was into what I heard within about twenty seconds. So I decided to order a copy.

This record was originally released by Roadrunner Records back in 2001. Probably due to the fact that this came out in an age when the internet was fairly new and basic, there isn't too much you can find about Downer online. The Discogs page contains one sentence, which is 'Alternative Metal/Post-Hardcore band from Orange County, California'. By clicking links I managed to figure out that the vocalist was previously in Headfirst, and the guitarist was in Mission Impossible, both of which had records put out by Workshed Records. But I don't get the impression that this band was particularly huge back when this record came out. My guess is that they were semi popular with people who lived in Southern California due to their links with the hardcore scene.

This version is referred to as 'Clear to opalescent clear'. There were 50 copies made. It also comes with a bunch of inserts and stickers. No doubt Black Claw Records have been influenced by fellow Californian label It's Alive Records when it comes to stuffing a record full of extra bits and bobs.

I'm not sure exactly what kind of music this would be categorised as. It sounds kinda halfway between post hardcore and nu metal. I probably wouldn't have been overly excited by this back when it came out if I had heard it, but somehow in 2024 it sounds kinda fresh and interesting and I absolutely want to hear more by this band.