An hour and a half of NAUSEA music. Nobody saw this one coming. At least not me. But Italian premier label F.O.A.D. Records came through with two releases compiling NAUSEA’s discography. These recordings feature a great sound. Even the rehearsals have what I would call “raw studio quality”. Thanks to both the band and the label for this release. I was listening to it as if I was just discovering a new band and it was a really interesting listening experience. I mean, back in the day, I went from their early stuff, which is featured in the first part of this compilation entitled “World struggle – Extended Edition (Complete Demos And rehearsals 1987-1992)”, to the excellent “Condemned To The System” 2014 album. So I was missing a bunch of their material, mainly from 1998 on after a six year hiatus, which is included here. CD 1 starts off with the “One Lie” unreleased demo which shows a slower and more psychedelic version of the band. These six songs do not have the furious Punk and Death Metal infused Grindcore the band was known for since its inception. The promo includes an “Industrial Grind” tag by the way. And that tag is not too far from the music. It’s weird, yet not an absolute change. Dissonant riffs, heavy yet groove oriented parts and some traces of Crust / Punk with Oscar’s heavy hitting vocals on top of it. It reminded me of NAILBOMB and also DEAD WORLD’s first album. Next we have a 2002 rehearsal featuring some more of that style. Luckily there are some pretty fast songs thrown in there. This rehearsal feels like the band was exploraring and experimenting with both phases. Next is the “Control” / “Absence Of War” demos from a 2002 session where they introduce a lot more Crust / Punk in their songs, getting closer to the early material. Now, CD 2 opens up with two songs off their 2005 split 7″ with the Japanese outfit UNHOLY GRAVE. Full throttle into their usual Crust / Punk / Grindcore mixed in with some great headbanging groove. This is the same mix that they used in the next four songs, off their “Who Would Surrender?” demo from 2003. I think this material feels a lot more cohesive. The Industrial and Psychedelic influences helped expand the band’s style making it more varied and unexpected; a very welcomed addition I may add. Closing this excellent compilation, we have the 2006 “Images Of Abuse” demo. This is NAUSEA showcasing what they do best. I still wonder how they come up with these songs. They are savage yet catchy as hell. Some songs off TERRORIZER’s “World Downfall” were actual NAUSEA songs that Oscar decided to use so they could complete the album. All I can say is that both, die hard collectors and new listeners should get both of these compilations, not only for historical reasons, but because all of these songs are great. F.O.A.D. went far and beyond in this collaboration with the band since the packaging, the sound, the context – everything in here is more than worth the price. Personally and although there have been a bunch of line-up changes, I think that NAUSEA never got what they deserved and with these releases, they will finally be recognized as what they always have been: pioneers of Death / Grind. Just do yourself a favor and get them. Thank me later. Show some well deserved support to the band here: www.facebook.com/nauseala. And get the CD / LP from their label here: www.facebook.com/foadrecords