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Today I will write briefly about the NEGAZIONE / DECLINO split, Mucchio Selvaggio. I don’t know a ton about Italian hardcore, but this record is absolutely essential if you ask me. It seems like 80s Italian hardcore was blessed when it came to releasing killer split records, more than any other country I can think of. I am really happy there is finally an official reissue of this iconic LP, or cassette more like. Mucchio Selvaggio was originally released on cassette in 1984 as a co-production between two labels: Disforia Tapes and Ossa Rotte Tapes. Disforia was operated by members of NEGAZIONE. Ossa Rotte Tapes was a label operated by Stiv Valli and Marco Medici, who was the vocalist of CRASH BOX. These guys were well known for a fanzine they started in the early ‘80s called Teste Vuote Ossa Rotte. A few years after they stared the zine, they also started releasing cassettes under Ossa Rotte Tapes. They only had a handful of releases with this label, including the CRASH BOX demo in 1983. The label kept evolving, and in 1985 they released their first record, INDIGESTI: Osservati Dall’Inganno, under the name TVOR On Vinyl. Mucchio Selvaggio surprisingly had three different printings on cassette, and in 1986 it was finally reissued onto vinyl by UK label C.O.R. Records. I actually always thought there were only two different versions of this tape, but inside this reissue there is a copy of an advert stating “third reprint.” Crazy.
This was the record that really put DECLINO on the map for me, cos I really had no idea who they were before I heard this split. I used to think this was my favorite DECLINO shit, but I don’t think I could choose now. Their 7" debut almost sounds almost like a different band. They play a bit slower and they sound a lot less chaotic. While it was not initially what I expected, the EP quickly grew on me. Call me crazy but I think it sounds like this record could have been released on Dischord, haha. The evolution from this record to Mucchio Selvaggio is pretty wild. Their sound on that record is really how I think of them, but the evolution continues on to their LP in 1985, Eresia. The quality of recording on this record is probably the best of all their records. I am disregarding the sound of the live tracks at the end, even though those tracks don’t sound bad at all for being live. I usually associate Italian hardcore with being fast and chaotic, but on the sloppier side. This record is absolutely fast and chaotic, but played so tight. It is absolutely killer. They can build such a great tension and then fucking explode. God, and the guitar is way too good. This used to be the material I listened to the least, but if you can’t tell, I have been playing the hell out of it lately, haha.
So, this reissue was done by a new Italian label called Rocka Tapes. I have no idea anything about them really, but this is their second release. The first release was a reissue of the CRASH BOX demo! I had never heard this demo, but it was a must if you ask me. I really appreciate how the label did a cassette version of the demo alongside a proper LP version. They’ve done the same thing with Mucchio Selvaggio. For any nerds who need the original cassette format, we’ve got you covered. I am one of those nerds and needed both versions. They’ve included nice scans of the complete j-card inside the LP reissue, so you don’t really need the cassette if that’s what you’re really looking for. The sound on the LP is also great. While the packaging may not be the coolest in my eyes, I think the reissue is really well done, and it’s essential in every collection. The original LP version is getting harder to find and more expensive, so I am happy this is available again. Alright that’s about it for today. I hope Rocka Tapes plans to hit us with some more essential Italian hardcore reissues! Cheers and thanks for reading everyone.