G.I.S.M. : The THC Zine Spotlight Part 1

by: R Ibanez

RIP Sakevi Yokoyama. GISM’s notorious vocalist passed away last Sept 2 of this year. G.I.S.M. was a legendary Japanese punk band that was far ahead of its time. Formed in 1981, they were a unique fusion of hardcore punk, heavy metal, industrial, and experimental noise. Like many of their fearless and forward-thinking 80s peers, they became more than just a usual punk band through experimentation and never giving a F about the limitations of what punk should be.

In the 80s, early punk had a lot more freedom to experiment and break new ground. It was in its infancy stages, and its defiant attitude paved the way for experimentation in the brave new world.

Punk was somewhat an open country for the fearless 80s bands that wanted to step up and push its early boundaries, even if it meant alienating some of their listeners.

Part 1 of this series delves into the first two releases that were reissued by Relapse Records in cooperation with the original label imprint of Beast Arts: 1983’s Detestation, and 1987’s M.A.N. or Military Affairs Neurotic.

Clocking in at a brief but fitting 20 minutes and 16 seconds, Detestation blazed the punk scene upon its arrival. Unapologetically fused with heavy metal influences from its riffs, structures, and execution, and right down to the visual presentation, G.I.S.M. made a bold statement early on in their career and in the hardcore punk global scene. The band was influenced in part by early Motley Crue, but morphed those influences into something more visceral and sinister.

Replete with raw and fuzzy production, intentionally misspelled titles, and a prominent swastika on the front cover (since covered up on the Relapse reissue), GISM was in your face and right up front. Their fast punk ragers were adorned with heavy metal lead soloing by the late OG Randy Uchida. It had more in common with the bigger metal bands in the 80s. It carried a punk and metal attitude with a slight melodicism and fluidity than the other raging hardcore and punk bands in the early 80s.

Meanwhile, the tight rhythm section of Kannon “Cloudy” Masuo and (the aptly surnamed) Tohru “Mario” Hiroshima on bass and drums, respectively, laid the heavy foundation for Randy’s power riffs and heavy metal shredding. Sakevi’s unmistakable rough screeches and growls scattered on top create unease, tension, and a glorious F U attitude, giving the band its other signature sound. Some of the vocal FX and added noise layers within hinted at the industrial flourishes which became more prominent on the next album, Military Affairs Neurotic.

While the band and this album remained obscure and a top secret among the elite punk rock generations after it, no one can deny its raw power and heavy influence. From Poison Idea, to Extreme Noise Terror, to Pushead’s Septic Death and Integrity, GISM was revered in punk rock and metal circles.

There was a reissue CD version of Detestation in the 90s from Sakevi’s own Beast Arts label, to make legit copies available to younger generations who missed out. But then it remained elusive when copies ran out, with a few other bootlegs and unofficial one-off reissues coming after. This proper reissue much later is what we can call a definitive reissue that will make sure its legacy and uncompromising attitude will remain alive for more metal and punk fans.

The sophomore album continued GISM’s brash, loud progression, carrying the same elements of Detestation, but with a more pronounced heavy metal melodicism. With a hefty 41:30 playing time, GISM had more space to rock out, shred, and experiment quite a bit.

The production improved on M.A.N., which brought their chops and songwriting to the fore. The balance of 80s punk and heavy metal leaned more on fluid metal riffs and rocking solos. It also allowed them to create industrial/drone/experimental soundscapes, but more on that later.

Randy continued to pair epic metal solos, counter runs, and riff melodies that sometimes resembled melodic 80s video game soundtrack melodies with heavy metal and punk fused mid-tempo and galloping style 80s metal riffing. The band is not afraid to delve into Crue-ish hard rock ballad intro-segues soldered with slow punk and metal riffs, with Sakevi’s trademark vokill approach, mixing in some slower tortured vocal styles (“Meaning Corrupted 2 “Degeneration”) comes to mind).

This was a different progression from the more pissed-off first album, although by song 3, “Nations Prosperity”, the familiar GISM hardcore punk rioting returns to bash beer bottles and induce some violent pogoing and shoving around in the moshpit, with more epic soloing by Uchida.

Another element explored further by the band is their foray into industrial/noise/dark ambient, starting on “Anatomy Love Violence GISM”, (later to reappear on the title track on side B) and closing out side A with washes of industrial clang and noise with eerie drones and dissonance. This would further set them apart from their punk peers, even in Japan.

Although GISM didn’t play shows with the burgeoning Japanese noise scene, M.A.N. can be considered an unofficial part of that scene with pioneers such as Incapacitants, Boredoms, Masonna, Hanatarash, et al, although those bands were more violent and leaned more into power electronics and extreme harsh noise.

These two records stand as classics not only in the Japanese punk scene but also in 80s hardcore punk in general. There was no one like them during their classic lineup days, and well beyond even after Uchida and Yokoyama bid this earth goodbye.