Latin for “Of Sound Mind”, COMPOS MENTIS, a band from Hutt Valley, have their second tape out, “A Short History”. This is half an hour of intelligent, powerful punk music.
The tape starts off with “Bull Shitters”, thrashy feedback and a bit murky but with all lyrics listed you can pick out the words. Onto “No Wars” and a complete change of pace, it talks about the atomic destruction of World War Two, this merges into another fast track, “Gun Speaks Death”. Hear of Death” has strong drumming and is more vocal, describing the scenes of wastage we see on the news, and it states that man must talk not fight and learn to LOVE. “War Is Over” slows things down again and we are treated to Heather’s talented vocals. A song about the annihilation of mankind in nuclear war, which rapidly speeds up in the middle. Explosions and organ music start off ‘Of Sound Mind’. It’s then into fast female vocals, singing about the oppression of students.
OK flip the tape over and what’s this? – “65” and yet another different sound! Great male vocals singing about boring lives and unfaithful husbands. “Hand Of Hell” has a medium pace, constructed sound and has sort of Flesh D-Vice horror lyrics. “Scream” next, a catchy tune with good lyrics. “Insanity Of A Few” is my favourite song, a long slow track with really clear vocals. Into a higher gear for “No Practice”, the line: “no practice, no play, no chance, no say” – sums it up pretty well – if you haven’t got a commercial sound, life for a band is made hard. “Run For Shelter” finishes the tape, more clear sound, complete with echoing and backing vocals. This song attacks the Nazi murderers of World War Two.
Overall this is an excellent tape, due to its variety of speed and great lyrics. The effort of this band really deserves to be rewarded. Send $4 (incl p&p) to Craig and buy at least one copy. Any money made will go towards the release of a single next year. Compos Mentis’s message of a warless and just society, should be spread, if you can help with a gig write to them.
Anarcho-Pacifist No.1, Nov, 1985
Simon Cottle, pg. 8
| Released | 1985 |
| Label | Sound Mind Tapes No.2 |
| Formats | tape |
| Recorded | |
| Producer | |
| Engineer | |
| Cover art |
Track List
- A1: Bullshitters
- A2: No Wars
- A3: Gun Speaks Death
- A4: Nazi Experiments
- A5: The War Is Over
- A6: Of Sound Mind
- B1: Sixty Five
- B2: Hand Of Hell
- B3: Scream
- B4: The Insanity Of A Few
- B5: No Practice
- B6: Run For Shelter
