The masters of quirky hardcore.
This is the first of three Botch re-releases to come this year from Hydrahead. "061502" is a DVD of the band's final show in 2002 and features a full live set with optional commentary from the band, bonus live footage, a music video and the set on CD. Apart from anything else, the opportunity for those who missed out when they were still together to catch a glimpse of such an amazing band live is one that shouldn't be missed. This film of their final live set really captures the excited and slightly desperate atmosphere of the fans seeing their favourite band for the last time, but it is also a good way for the uninitiated to get to grips with what this band were all about and why they were such a cult phenomenon.
Botch were a band that combined hardcore energy and aggression with precision – quirky rhythms and awkward guitars played with incredible skill. The way they go from immense downtuned noise to off kilter little guitar riffs and then to tunes with a sexy groove is what makes them so listenable and rewarding. And in this live set, they make it all look so easy; watching them slipping easily from extreme hardcore noise to hook laden tunes from moment to moment is exhilarating and compulsive viewing, look out for their heavy-duty downtuned, screamy version of 'Rock Lobster'. Their sound can't help remind you of bands that followed, like Dillenger Escape Plan, and of course the bands that the members of Botch went on to form– Minus The Bear and These Arms Are Snakes both entities that retain many of Botch's quirks.
The DVD isn't perfect by any means. Unfortunately, the live set is a little too quiet and has to be turned up really loud for you to be able hear many of their trademark touches and the music video from the album "We Are The Romans" is pretty bad quality and is little more than cobbled together snippets from live shows. But the bonus band commentary makes up for the flaws in the quality and the pure energy, aggression, power and skill on display from this sorely missed band is what this release is really all about. It's a good way for fans to reminisce and because the set showcases what this band was capable of, it's also a great place to start for those who have always wondered.