23:02
| 23:02 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 24 August 1981 | |||
| Recorded | 8–10 August 1981 | |||
| Studio | Amethyst Sounds (Bernheim, San Joaquin) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 23:02 | |||
| Label | Avocado Records | |||
| Producer | Otto Maldonado | |||
| Damage Inc. chronology | ||||
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23:02 is the first extended-play (EP) by Sierran thrash metal band Damage Inc., released on 24 August 1981, by Avocado Records. It consists of three original songs, a cover, and an updated version of their previously released song from their debut album, "Whiplash". The EP was primarily recorded while the band was on tour, and marked an evolution for the band from the style of Heavy metal-influence on their debut album Damage Your Ass, to their more intense, signature thrash sound featured on later records. It would be their first album to be recorded in a studio setting, which often caused fights amongst the band members, and their first to chart on the Sunset 100 at number 65. The EP was recorded over three days while staying in Bernheim, San Joaquin at local recording studio Amethyst Sounds, though due to dwindling funds, the band would initially press physical copies of the EP at the studio onto cassette tapes to sell at venues they would perform at during their shows. The early mixes featured on these tapes would become extremely sought after by collectors in subsequent decades. The cover art was originally sketched by drummer Gary Alaric.
Despite commercial pressings, critic reviews were reportedly scarce for the band in their early years due to being "a little too heavy and dissonant" and "no fun", with many at the time associating the band with violent gangs and neo-Derzhavists. Nonetheless, writing under Newstar for their 'Heavy Metal Monthly' section, Joshua Hutchinson wrote the record was "Damage Inc's most brutal record since [their debut]," describing the music as "rapid-fire double bass-drum onslaughts seamlessly transitioning into a relentless barrage of double-time pummeling, complemented by foreboding power chords and razor-sharp shred solos executed with the precision of a Formula One race." Hutchinson would award the EP with four out of five stars.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Crash Course In Brain Surgery" (originally performed by Stogie) | Max Leftfield | 3:09 | |
| 2. | "Death Incoming" | Leftfield, Daniel Mustang | Leftfield | 7:00 |
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. | "Rattlehead" | Mustang | Mustang | 3:40 |
| 4. | "Speak No Evil" | Mustang | Leftfield, Mustang | 5:00 |
| 5. | "Whiplash '81" | Leftfield | Leftfield, Mustang | 3:56 |
| Total length: | 23:02 | |||
Personnel
Damage Inc.
- Max Leftfield – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Daniel Mustang – lead guitar, vocals, backing vocals
- Griffin Beckett – bass guitar
- Gary Alaric – drums, art
Technical
- Otto Maldonado – producer
- Harley Collins – audio mastering
- Jude Rivers – remastering