After being out of print for some time, infamous Melbourne-based death metal/grindcore/stoner rock outfit Blood Duster have decided to remaster, repackage and re-release their first three full-length efforts. The first of these deluxe reissues is the group’s debut effort Fisting The Dead.

As the follow up to their Menstrual Soup demo from 1992, Fisting The Dead was originally envisioned as a part of a spilt release with Impetigo and Meat Shits on the Wild Rags Records label, but was dropped when Impetigo broke up prior to recording. The band (then comprising of vocalist Tony Forde, guitarist Troy Darlington, bassist Jason P.C. and drummer Shane Rout) eventually released Fisting The Dead through Dr. Jims Records in 1993, which went on to become the label’s biggest selling release.

Comprising of 17 tracks in total, along with a host of samples lifted from a variety of corny Australian horror films, Fisting The Dead is still a must-have for fans of Blood Duster’s straightforward grindcore sound. The remastering has definitely helped update the sound of the album, breathing new life into classics such as “Kill Kill Kill,” “Sadomasifuck,” “Grossman The Meatman,” the harrowing “Blood Fart” and “Knee Deep In Menstrual Blood (The Bleeding Bitch Returns).”

Alongside Fisting The Dead, this re-release also includes the group’s follow up release EP Yeest from 1996 through Dr. Jim Records (with the line-up of Forde, guitarist Finn Allman, P.C. and drummer Euan Heriot). Sound wise, the seven tracks don’t quite have the same sonic impact as the songs on Fisting The Dead, but it doesn’t make songs such as “Northcote,” “Showered With Affection” and “Albert” any less enjoyable.

The real bonus on this re-release however is the inclusion of the five tracks that originally appeared on Deported Records’ long deleted Sounds Of Ordinary Madness compilation (which is not surprising given it was limited to 5,000 copies only). The cover of Napalm Death’s “It’s A Man’s World” and the short and scathing “Afterbirth Smorgasbord” are simply priceless.

The remaining 16 tracks are from Blood Duster’s 1993 live show at the Great Britain Hotel. Since it was originally recorded onto cassette, the sound is anything but sharp, and therefore has a limited appeal. They’re interesting, but hardly what you would call essential.

Packaging-wise, Fisting The Dead has been given some new and suitably fantastic gruesome cover artwork by artist Glenn Smith, along with the details about the EP recordings. Sadly, the inner booklet’s packaging lacks any of the promised liner notes, and instead features the typically disturbing shots of infected genitalia. Aside from the liner notes, the only other thing that’s missing from this version of Fisting The Dead is the hidden techno remixed track that appeared on the Relapse release. Still, if you’re missing any of Blood Duster’s earlier recordings, or finding them difficult to track down, this re-release will certainly be a welcome addition to the collection.

www.bloodduster.com