Hüsker Dü ‎– Metal Circus (1983)(Original US 1st Pressing, 45RPM, SST020)(24-bit 96kHZ vinyl rip)

Hüsker Dü ‎– Metal Circus
Vinyl rip in 24-bit/96kHz | FLAC | no cue or log (vinyl) | artwork
139MB (16/44.1) + 447 MB (24/96) | Torrent/RS/FF/FP | Hardcore/Punk | SST-020 1st Pressing

Metal Circus is an EP by Hüsker Dü, released in 1983.


As one of their early records, it was largely rooted in the band's initial hardcore punk style. However, signs of a new, poppier influence emerge on Metal Circus, particularly in the songs sung by Grant Hart ("It's Not Funny Anymore" and "Diane"). It also features some of Bob Mould's most passionate singing and shows further development in his guitar playing. Harmonic, chorus-type effects applied to Mould's guitar are more prominent. The change from the furious hardcore moments of Land Speed Record and Everything Falls Apart towards increasing melodicism hints at the groundbreaking new approach that was to be seen on the band's next release, Zen Arcade.
The horrific murder depicted in the anguished "Diane" is based upon the murder of West St. Paul waitress Diane Edwards by Joseph Ture in 1980. The song was covered by the band Coffin Break in 1989, Irish band Therapy? in 1995, Superdrag in 1998 and Gravenhurst in 2004 .
This EP was almost released as a 30 minute album with 11 songs.

Robert Christgau review:

While Bob Mould isn't quite Ian MacKaye's equal as a front man or Greg Ginn's as a guitarist, Hüsker Dü's reenactments of hardcore's hyperdrive ritual have always matched Minor Threat's and Black Flag's on sheer collective enthusiasm, and this EP translates their heart into song. With Mould molding molten metal into whopper hooks and drummer Grant Hart contributing emotional vocals on two key cuts, they take Minor Threat's trust-yourselves-not-us message seriously. And while I'm a little uneasy with the high-powered fatalism of "Real World" and "Deadly Skies," somehow it doesn't seem final with a band that cares this much. A

This original 1st pressing was generously loaned by kevix.

Recorded and mixed at Total Access, Redondo Beach, CA. Dec. '82 - Jan. '83.
Mastered at K-Disc, Hollywood.

transfer: December 23, 2012
Record Doctor RCM
Audio-Technica AT33EV
Sota Sapphire w/ Eminent Technology Tonearm 2 (ET-2)
Tube Box SE II w/NOS Telefunken ECC83
E-MU 0404
Sound Studio [capture 24-bit/96kHZ]
Amadeus Pro [Analyze, split tracks, verify waveform, no clipping]
Izotope RX2 [manual de-clicking]
XLD [flac conversion]

(deadwax Side A): SST-020-A, THAT OLD STAINLESS CHARITY, IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW, SHIRLEY., L-15122, kdisc (stamp)
(deadwax Side B): SST-020-B, FALLING FROM GRACE WITH THE GOOSE; HOWARD HUGHES, A WING, A PRAYER, (SEE BELOW), L-15122-x, kdisc (stamp)



A1 Real World 2:27
A2 Deadly Skies 1:50
A3 It's Not Funny Anymore 2:12
A4 First Of The Last Calls 2:48
B1 Lifeline 2:19
B2 Diane 4:42
B3 Out On A Limb 2:39

guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould
bassist Greg Norton
drummer/vocalist Grant Hart