Wait, before foam reaches your mouth. This is not the new December album. Praying Hoping Nothing is a re-release of their 1998 debut, back then released on porn king Matt Zane’s Inzane label. Rumour goes he used the album to get his actresses in the mood for anal scenes. Just so you know. Anyway, since the debut is not easy to find this re-release should please quite the number of fans. Most tracks are over 5 years old but are still very recognisable and clearly show the direction the band was set to take. More so than bands like Dillinger or Shai Hulud, you can hear the hardcore background in tracks like “Heaven Below” and “Proximity”.

Most of the songs have that ‘Garage Days Revisited’ atmosphere. You know, in dad’s garage on an eight-tracker. So yes production wise the album kinda rumbles and squeaks. Adds to the vibe though.

I don’t think Praying Hoping Nothing is an essential release, for that you better check out some of the old Coalesce stuff. But it’s a lot of fun though, listening to Mark Moots’ unbelievable flexible voice screaming, shouting, grunting, singing and drummer Jason Thomas’s not yet so technical drumming. Also, check out the covers from Skunk Anansie (!), Motörhead and Death Angel.