Hierophant Nox

BOOK REVIEW

Ian Glasper - Trapped in a Scene:
UK Hardcore 1985-1989
Cherry Red Books
The third and final chapter of Monsieur Glasper’s exquisite monumental historical musical triumvirate, chronicling the UK’s extreme music scene from 1980-1989, “Trapped In A Scene” is a wonderful ‘trawl’ through all the bands that made Britain the MOST exciting worldwide and launched the grind and crustcore movements that literally changed the face, sound, and feel of extreme music forever. Doubtless, this awesome book will garner the same enormous critical acclaim as its predecessor volumes – and rightly so too.

Being a (cough) mid-40’s (agewise) person myself, all these books have brought back so many memories for me, as they chart my musical life and growth with heart-warming reverence, I genuinely can’t remember smiling or chuckling so much in ages – as I relive (in my head) all the gigs I attended across the UK and mainland Europe, and the multitude of singles, albums, and cassettes that were once the staple musical diet for me, and were very much the backbone of my music collection for so long.

From Unseen Terror, Hellbastard, Napalm Death, ENT, Heresy, The Stupids, Deviated Instinct, Snuff, Doom, Filthkick, Mortal Terror, Electro Hippies, Ripcord, Hippy Slags, Dr And The Crippins, Concrete Sox, Sacrilege, Haywire, Dirge, Anihilated, Intense Degree, Cowboy Killers... sighs contentedly... they’re all here. Ian’s supreme knowledge of both the scene, and the characters involved, makes this book an utter joy to lose yourself in... as I myself can testify... for hour after happy hour!

I have no idea where Ian will go from here (as an author), but between this mighty tome, and its predecessors – “Burning Britain” and “The Day The Country Died”, he has proudly revisited and indeed unearthed many deserving bands who would most probably remained lost in the mists of time. Also, (and yes you should be VERY interested), there is an accompanying CD (available – of course – on Cherry Red Records).

Absolutely ESSENTIAL reading, which ought to be COMPULSARY for every extreme music fan!