{"id":6104,"date":"1985-01-01T20:24:00","date_gmt":"1985-01-01T07:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/?p=6104"},"modified":"2025-02-12T21:20:18","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T08:20:18","slug":"compos-mentis-a-short-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/upthepunks.co.nz\/bands\/1985\/01\/compos-mentis-a-short-history","title":{"rendered":"Compos Mentis: A Short History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Latin for \u201cOf Sound Mind\u201d, COMPOS MENTIS, a band from Hutt Valley, have their second tape out, \u201cA Short History\u201d. This is half an hour of intelligent, powerful punk music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tape starts off with \u201cBull Shitters\u201d, thrashy feedback and a bit murky but with all lyrics listed you can pick out the words. Onto \u201cNo Wars\u201d and a complete change of pace, it talks about the atomic destruction of World War Two, this merges into another fast track, \u201cGun Speaks Death\u201d. Hear of Death\u201d 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. \u201cWar Is Over\u201d slows things down again and we are treated to Heather\u2019s 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 \u2018Of Sound Mind\u2019. It\u2019s then into fast female vocals, singing about the oppression of students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK flip the tape over and what\u2019s this? – \u201c65\u201d and yet another different sound! Great male vocals singing about boring lives and unfaithful husbands. \u201cHand Of Hell\u201d has a medium pace, constructed sound and has sort of Flesh D-Vice horror lyrics. \u201cScream\u201d next, a catchy tune with good lyrics. \u201cInsanity Of A Few\u201d is my favourite song, a long slow track with really clear vocals. Into a higher gear for \u201cNo Practice\u201d, the line: \u201cno practice, no play, no chance, no say\u201d – sums it up pretty well – if you haven\u2019t got a commercial sound, life for a band is made hard. \u201cRun For Shelter\u201d finishes the tape, more clear sound, complete with echoing and backing vocals. This song attacks the Nazi murderers of World War Two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s message of a warless and just society, should be spread, if you can help with a gig write to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anarcho-Pacifist No.1, Nov, 1985<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simon Cottle, pg. 8<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Released<\/strong><\/td>1985<\/td><\/tr>
Label<\/strong><\/td>Sound Mind Tapes No.2<\/td><\/tr>
Formats<\/strong><\/td>tape<\/td><\/tr>
Recorded<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Producer<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Engineer<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Cover art<\/strong><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Track List<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • A1: Bullshitters<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A2: No Wars<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A3: Gun Speaks Death<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A4: Nazi Experiments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A5: The War Is Over<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A6: Of Sound Mind<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • B1: Sixty Five<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • B2: Hand Of Hell<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • B3: Scream<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • B4: The Insanity Of A Few<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • B5: No Practice<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • B6: Run For Shelter <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n