The Locust (EP)

The Locust formed in San Diego, California, in the mid-1990s, emerging from the local punk and hardcore scene. The EP was released in 1998 on Three One G, a label co-founded by guitarist Justin Pearson, which became a hub for experimental and extreme music. The recording sessions captured the band's raw, unpolished energy, with tracks often lasting under a minute, a hallmark of the powerviolence genre. The EP's release helped establish the band's reputation for intense live performances and genre-defying experimentation.

The EP blends grindcore, powerviolence, and noise rock, characterized by blast beats, dissonant guitar riffs, and screamed vocals. The band's use of unconventional song structures and abrupt tempo changes set them apart from contemporaries. The EP is often cited as an influence on the 'mathcore' and 'sasscore' subgenres, and its DIY aesthetic resonated with underground music communities. Critics have noted its role in pushing the boundaries of extreme music, bridging hardcore punk and avant-garde noise.

The EP features a track list of short, aggressive songs, with titles like 'Pelt' and 'Half-Life' reflecting the band's absurdist and confrontational approach. The album artwork, designed by the band, features a stark, insect-like imagery that complements the title and the band's name. The packaging was minimalist, typical of DIY releases, and the vinyl edition included a lyric sheet with cryptic, often nonsensical text. The EP's limited pressings have made it a collector's item among fans of extreme music.

Upon release, the EP received little mainstream attention but was praised in underground circles for its ferocity and originality. Over time, it has been reissued and remains a touchstone for fans of experimental hardcore. The band's subsequent albums, such as Plague Soundscapes (2003), built on the foundation laid by this EP, and the EP is often cited as a starting point for understanding their evolution. Its influence can be heard in later bands like The Number Twelve Looks Like You and Daughters, who adopted similar sonic and aesthetic strategies.

The EP was recorded in a single day at a small studio, with producer Gabe Serbian, who later joined the band as a guitarist. The original pressing was limited to 1,000 copies on black vinyl, with a subsequent pressing on clear vinyl. The track 'Pelt' was later re-recorded for the band's split with Arab on Radar, showcasing a more polished but still abrasive sound. The EP's cover art, featuring a locust, was drawn by bassist Justin Pearson, who also designed artwork for other Three One G releases. The EP's title track, 'The Locust', is an instrumental that appears only on the CD version, not the vinyl, making it a rarity for collectors.

Powerviolence

A subgenre of hardcore punk characterized by short, fast, and aggressive songs, often with political or absurdist lyrics.

Grindcore

An extreme genre of music combining punk and heavy metal, known for blast beats and growled vocals.

Three One G

An independent record label founded by Justin Pearson, known for releasing experimental and extreme music.