The Accused A.D./Retox A.D. - La Bestia

Side A is The Accused A.D., which contains Blaine and Steve formerly of The Accused — a legendary hardcore crossover band from Seattle.

The Accused made one appearance in Green Bay in the mid-eighties at one of Green Bay’s most legendary and influential venues — the late great Lefty’s on Main street.

Lefty’s is my favorite bar in the history of Green Bay and The Accused were just one of many incredible local and touring bands that I saw there.

Side B is Appleton’s Retox A.D., who have been together a few years now and contain Green Bay resident and long time member of the Green Bay music scene Nate Robbins, who you all know from his many years in Lion Slicer.

This is the very first split album I have ever reviewed for “The Vinyl Word” and it’s a blockbuster. In fact, the metal hardcore thrash crossover explosion that occurred when the needle hit either side B (of course I listened to the Wisconsin side first) or side A was so major that I was blasted back in time to May of 1987.

I have no idea how I’m getting back to the present, but somehow I’m still able to email my editor at City Pages.

So this album of sonic proportions never encountered before has me stranded in 1987.

What do I do now? Purchase stocks I know will do well? Try to influence scientific discoveries?

Bet heavily on Washington in the Super Bowl?

Nope. My choice would be to risk a time paradox and confront myself while my past self is DJing at WGBW 91.5 at UW-Green Bay.

I would insist to myself that La Bestia (which also travelled back in time with me) needs to have many tracks from both sides played in heavy rotation amongst Corrosion of Conformity, D.R.I., Life Sentence, VoiVod, Suicidal Tendencies, Die Kreuzen, The Accused, The Brood, Anthrax, Slayer, Venom, SSD and Murphy’s Law.

La Bestia would really fit in on my radio show in 1987.

I really have to give it up to Retox A.D.’s side — not only are the six songs an out of control 30-car freight train that runs you over, but does so with a pristine recording that is amazing.

The Accused A.D. side is no slouch either.

In fact, they seem to have found a time machine/fountain of youth themselves because their side sounds better to me than the recordings The Accused were making in 1987.

I need to get back to the present because Retox A.D. is playing at the Green Bay UFO Museum Gift Shop and Records on Friday, May 16, with The Crosses (which has Dan from Die Kreuzen on vocals) and Zazou Carbomb.

This summer on Saturday, Aug. 2, The Accused A.D. and Retox A.D. are playing together in Appleton at the 10th Frame Bowling Alley in a super cool punk fest.

This album actually happened because of Retox A.D. playing with The Accused A.D. in Seattle a few years ago and Dave Patterson, the drummer of Retox A.D., staying in contact with Blaine of The Accused A.D.

My favorite Retox A.D. song is “Heel” and “Vyper” is my favorite song by The Accused A.D. from this scorching release.

La Bestia is now in stock at the GBUFO.