Razor — Custom Killing

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

36 years ago this month, it was a case of “Survival of the Fittest” amidst “Forced Annihilation”!

In July of 1987, Razor released their fourth full-length studio album, “Custom Killing” via Toronto based label Fringe Product (FPL 3042) / Fist Fight Records (FPL 3042)

Background:

It is more of an experimental approach and was fairly overlooked upon its release. It also features "Survival of the Fittest" and "Last Rites" which are the band's longest songs ever recorded. It is the final album to feature Mike Embro on drums and Mike Campagnolo on bass.

“Custom Killing” was self-financed with poor commercial success and was fairly overlooked upon its release by fans. The music took a more experimental approach than the previous releases. The album features "Survival of the Fittest" and "Last Rites" which are the band's longest songs ever recorded. It is the final album to feature drummer Mike Embro and bassist Mike Campagnolo, who left the band after the albums release. They were replaced by Dave Carlo's brother Adam on bass and Rob Mills on drums.

Reissues:

• Re-issued in 2015 as a 12" limited edition colored vinyl by High Roller Records in gatefold 425gsm heavy cardboard sleeve, including a poster and lyric sheet. The 1st pressing is limited to 1,000 copies with the 2nd pressing being limited to 500 copies.

• Re-issued in 2019 on CD by High Roller Records which contains a poster.

• In 2022, the album was reissued in Brazil via Evil Invaders Records in slipcase CD format.

Critical Reception:

One review for Sputnikmusic states;

“…on the whole, “Custom Killing” is a very revitalized sound, one that most people didn't ask for and certainly didn't expect. There are several good moments of thrash and pure progressive rock, in particular the two staggeringly great, 11-minute whoppers and the occasional, disarming smaller track that adds as a seasoning to those whoppers. It has flaws, certainly, but they're minor or easily ignored enough that Custom Killing is still a genuinely good album, as creative and thrashin' as ever, if not a bit more than the LPs before it.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Custom Killing” via Apple Music: Not Available.

Click this link to listen to “Custom Killing” via Spotify: Not Available

Click this link to listen to “Custom Killing” via YouTube: https://youtu.be/RbQsrZSUTFE

Click this link to follow Razor on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/razorofficialthrash

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells

Razor — Custom Killing

Background:

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Critical Reception:

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

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