Initially a pairing of
Big Black
's first two EPs,
Lungs
and
Bulldozer
,
The Hammer Party
first found release through
Homestead
on vinyl and CD. When
Touch & Go
bought out the band's material, they reissued it, adding the band's third EP,
Racer-X
. Those seeking a quick introduction to the early-'80s post-punk combo who welded industrial's nihilism to the angularities of
Gang of Four
Killing Joke
, and
the Pop Group
and the sheer claustrophobic terror and mayhem of
Suicide
should look no further. Though containing later material,
The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape
is actually the best place to go for a first dose of
. The earlier stuff found here isn't up to snuff when compared to
Atomizer
Songs About Fucking
, but it's still remarkably riveting. ~ Andy Kellman