Proto-metal and proto-rock legend Sonny Vincent (Testors, The Limit) stream »Primitive 1969-1976« compilation in full; out this Friday on Ripple Music!
New York rock legend and Testors frontman Sonny Vincent is streaming his »Primitive 1969-1976« compilation in its entirety at The Ripple Effect!
This collection of the earliest recordings from his NYC proto-metal days will be released this Friday, December 8th, 2023 via Ripple Music.
Tracklist:
01. Flying (»Fury« 1972)
02. 100% Proof (»Fury« 1972)
03. Indecision (»Distance« 1971)
04. Long Ago (»Liquid Diamonds« 1973)
05. Concrete Bliss (»Fury« 1972)
06. Scary (Testors 1975)
07. Lament (»Distance« 1971)
08. She’s Like Hiromshima (»Distance« 1969)
09. AWMAW (»Liquid Diamonds« 1973)
10. The Good Well (»Liquid Diamonds« 1973)
11. Never Die (»Liquid Diamonds« 1973)
12. All Day (»Liquid Diamonds« 1973)
Courtesy of Purple Sage PR:
New York City’s legendary guitarist and vocalist Sonny Vincent – founder of Testors and bandmate of Bobby Liebling in the doom metal band The Limit – presents his new »Primitive 1969-1976« compilation in full, ahead of its release this December 8th on Ripple Music. Get into the early days of proto-rock, doom and metal with the NYC icon now!
Compiling rarely heard rocking tracks from »Distance« (1969-71), »Fury« (1972), and »Liquid Diamonds« (1973-75), as well as one of the earliest Testors demos from 1976, this LP collection shines a light on one of New York City’s darkest corners of proto-metal history. A must for fans of proto-metal, proto-doom and bands like BANG, Poobah, Buffalo, JPT Scare Band and other obscure metal rarities.
Listen to the »Primitive 1969-1976« album at this location!
New York City’s guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Sonny Vincent was truly ahead of his time, and the world is finally catching up. These are incredible snapshots from the NYC music scene in the pre-77 punk era that defied definition. These tracks all show the foundation on which Sonny Vincent’s appeal was built: ripping guitar riffs, raw energy, and soulful, authentic vocals from the gutters of New York. Criss-crossed between heavy-handed biker rock and thug rock supreme, dripping with chain grease and burnt skin, a true ball-crushing, tit-ripping rock’n’roll gem for the ages, sadly unreleased and completely unknown during its time.
Sonny Vincent »Primitive 1969-1976« out December 8th on Ripple Music (LP, CD and digital): International preorder – US preorder
Sonny Vincent’s signature style is immediate. Even at this early age, the seething vocals are incredible. With such an over-the-top proto-heavy hammer-damaged sound drilling away in the background, you’ll feel your life getting better with each consecutive spin. Much of this archival material was uncategorizable in the early/mid-70s when so many “underground rock” styles were interweaving. Sonny’s recollection of these early years in his career is mind-blowing. The fact that he’s been able to hold onto the master tapes of these completely unknown and sorely unexposed examples of music history in luggage trunks that he’s moved back & forth across the Atlantic several times since the 70s is almost inconceivable.
This is some kind of gold miner wet dream! Vincent formed band after band, each reaching its own level of raw madness. Now, these tracks will quickly lock into place alongside pre-punk icons of the era. While the stream of books & scholars focusing on underground music from this era continues to omit these missing links of NYC history, we offer up a slice of NYC proto-heavy heaven!
So many events and stories… from hanging out as a teenager with David Peel and Ed Sanders of the Fugs to the turbulent days with the original bass player Anthony in Distance, who killed the guitarist in his next band and is serving life in prison, to Sonny almost ditching out on returning to Camp Pendelton USMC (he was drafted by court order and shipped to Vietnam after initial training at Paris Island, Camp LeJune, and Camp Pendleton). On a weekend leave from Pendleton, after he received ‘WESTPAC’ orders, he almost got on a bus – by invitation from the Manson girls to go to their “cool commune”. Later, on tour with Mo Tucker as her guitar slinger, he shared a hotel room with Sterling Morrison, also of The Velvet Underground.
This guy still needs to be discovered by most heavy music fans, and this release should fill the gaps and solidify his place in time. Welcome to this cache of heavy hard rock stunners and proto-heavy/proto-punk freakouts. These are sickening grooves with thunder-soaked sonic savagery. Don’t even try to relax. Crank this up and feel the shell shock take hold!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well