LIP CREAM - 6 different LPs to choose from

All 6 of the new LP reissues are here. Look at the options to choose which ones you want.

LIP CREAM - Big Foot Cassette [aka Kill The IBM] LP (Highlighter Yellow vinyl) Following the departure of LIP CREAM drummer Maru, the album now titled “Big Foot” became the first release with the legendary Pill joining the band. Originally, this release had no official title and was commonly referred to as ‘KILL THE IBM’ which was printed on the center of the cover. However, according to LIP CREAM vocalist JhaJha, who was responsible for the artwork, “The words ‘KILL THE IBM’ were part of the design and were not intended to be the title.” To avoid such misunderstandings, the title has been officially named ‘BIG FOOT CASSETTE.’ This release features an unconventional design with an EP-sized jacket came with the cassette tape. The Studio Side includes recording tracks from Shinjuku JAM Studio. The Live Side includes recordings from a live performance at Chiba MOTHERS on 24th of November 1984 and another live performance recorded at Shibuya Yaneura in the same year (date unknown). The content is filled with playful spirit characteristic of LIP CREAM, and it is rare to hear Minoru on vocals for a Johnny Thunders cover song. According to Minoru, the reason for releasing it exclusively on cassette tape was influenced by BAD BRAINS's ‘ROCK FOR RIGHT’ which emerged as the cutting-edge hardcore sound of the time. However, after 40 years from recording, the original cassette tapes had deteriorated, causing a pitch speed problem (the 2008 release ‘THRASH TIL' DEATH CD’ by ONI Label includes only the Studio Side, but this is also the pre-remastered version). This digital remaster successfully recreates the original recording, including the pitch. Additionally, it marks the first-ever simultaneous release of an LP and CD, not just a cassette reissue. Furthermore, the ‘Manager/Driver Wanted Flyer’ originally included in the EP-sized jacket has been reprinted. It is included as a bonus alongside the cassette release advertisement (flyer design by Naoki). LIP CREAM - Kill Ugly Pop LP (Royal Blue vinyl) LIP CREAM's first full-length album, KILL UGLY POP, is a work that can be called epoch-making in Japan's hardcore/punk scene. The Japanese hardcore movement that emerged between 1980 and 1981 was characterized by fashion such as Trojan and spiky hair with studded jackets, and the sound was also heavily influenced by UK hardcore. However, LIP CREAM The band incorporated American hardcore into their sound, and created a uniquely Japanese-hardcore niche that was still unfamiliar to most Japanese listeners at the time. KILL UGLY POP marks the era of LIP CREAM that presented a new genre style that has since evolved uniquely in Japan. For this Relapse release, KILL UGLY POP features digitally remastered audio, preserving the band’s raw intensity. The lyrics, which were written by vocalist JhaJha, blend Japanese and English in a remixed rhythm and word choice, and are masterfully crafted. Tracks like ‘GIVE US THE TRUTH’, ‘FOR MY LIFE’, and the album title KILL UGLY POP showcase JhaJha's exceptional talent as a lyricist. For this Relapse release, the lyric sheet has been fully reprinted with English translations. The artwork features lavish and playful elements. The design, a collaboration between photographer Jin Sato and painter Yasuo Yagi remains innovative, redefining the traditional image of hardcore/punk at the time. LIP CREAM - 9 Shocks Terror LP (Royal Blue vinyl) This is the ultimate mini-album that can proudly be called LIP CREAM! 9 SHOCKS TERROR has remained timeless since its original release in 1986, embodying incomparable speed and a level of perfection that defines Japanese hardcore. Opening with ‘TERROR,’ which goes straight into reverse audio and needle skips, the song structure charges forward relentlessly, shaking off the catchy, humorous, and approachable vibe that had previously defined LIP CREAM. Naoki's noisy yet melodic guitar, Pill's wild drums, Minoru's heavy yet high-speed bass, and JhaJha's intense shouts that still allow the lyrics to be clearly heard—all these elements fuse together to create powerful tracks that have reached an unprecedented sound. Recorded at Shinjuku JAM Studio, 9 SHOCKS TERROR was composed primarily by Minoru and Naoki, with lyrics and artwork by JhaJha. JhaJha's hand-drawn jacket illustration was a parody of THE FUZZTONES' album “Cinderella”. Additionally, an English translation of the lyrics is included for this Relapse release, helping English-speaking listeners understand the unique world of LIP CREAM. Interestingly, the title “9 SHOCKS TERROR” was revised to “9 SHOCKING TERROR” on the 2007 CD reissue by ONI Label. This revision was made after illustrator PUSHEAD, who has a long-standing relationship with LIP CREAM, pointed out a grammar error. However, the original title has been restored out of respect for the original work for this RELAPSE reissue. Following the release of this album, LIP CREAM launched their self-managed national tour “BLOODY SUMMER TOUR,” and fans who bought the album rushed to the gig. Additionally, during a show at Doshisha University in Kansai in the autumn of the same year, torches were brought onto the stage and JhaJha set them ablaze, causing absolute chaos (footage of this incident can be viewed in the video “LIP CREAM ONLY”). LIP CREAM - Close To The Edge LP (Halloween Orange vinyl) LIP CREAM’s third album CLOSE TO THE EDGE was released just one year later after the release of the legendary 9 SHOCKS TERROR. This album is also a masterpiece packed with songs that represent the essence of LIP CREAM. This album differs slightly from the band’s previous production style, with the band leader Minoru's intentions strongly emphasized. Minoru was deeply influenced by the works of Go Nagai at the time, according to JhaJha, particularly in terms of ideology. He sought to fuse the apocalyptic themes and worldviews found in Nagai's works, such as “Devilman” “Mao Dante” and “Guerrilla High” into LIP CREAM's musical style. The jacket artwork depicting a giant octopus swallowing the whole Earth, as well as the color palette evoking outer space, were all Minoru's original concepts. The airbrush art, which was rare at the time, was created by illustrator Kohno Shinji. The title logo, handwritten band logo, overall layout, and label design were all handled by JhaJha. The CLOSE TO THE EDGE recordings took place on December 21, 22, and 23, 1987, and January 10, 1988, at Shinjuku JAM Studio. At this time, LIP CREAM was going through a period of internal conflicts among the members, which may have contributed to the intense tension created by the harshness of the music and JhaJha's unique choice of words in the lyrics. The physical version of this album features an English translation of the lyric. However, LIP CREAM sincerely hopes that English-speaking listeners will also raise their fists and sing along to the phrases in Japanese. There is meaning in conveying the message in Japanese. LIP CREAM - 罪 [aka -SIN-] LP (Metallic Silver vinyl) LIP CREAM's final album, “-SIN-”. Originally released without a title, commonly referred to as “The Last Album”, features an unconventional structure where audio skit and songs alternate, created with an extremely serious concept that sets it apart from all previous releases. The production of “-SIN-” was also entirely based on Minoru's concept like with the “CLOSE TO THE EDGE”. However, the audio drama segment included in the original release was proposed by Minoru to the members in a rehearsal studio, where he shared his ideas. Upon hearing the apocalyptic themes, Pill volunteered to write the script himself. At this time, tensions between Minoru and Pill over the band's direction, coupled with Pill's negative vibes toward the members' preferences, reached a boiling point. This stress manifested itself during their touring, pushing the emotions of the other members and staff to the brink, severely impacting the band's ability to continue, ultimately leading to break up - the worst possible outcome. It was a challenge to translate the audio skit parts into other languages, and while an English translation of the script was considered as an appendix, Minoru suggested during the remastering process that ‘we want listeners to hear the songs themselves,’ leading to the decision to cut all drama parts for this edition. The tracks include “-SIN-“ which also serves as the album title, featuring lyrics and sound filled with anger and despair that shake the listener's spirit. Additionally, the overall concept of the album was rooted in Minoru's apocalyptic theories at the time but tracks like ‘Guren’ composed by Pill and lyrics by JhaJha, showcase a collaborative effort among the members, which is particularly intriguing from a historical perspective of the band. Furthermore, JhaJha's artwork successfully captures Minoru's concept, featuring illustrations that are simple yet deeply conflicted, with a black-and-white color scheme, and even the lyric cards are composed in black and white, effectively conveying the abstract visual aspects of the album's message. Though this album is widely regarded as their final work, it continues to deliver an enduring message to us even 30 years after its release. LIP CREAM - Thrash Til Death LP (Milky Clear vinyl) One of the distinctive features of LIP CREAM is their extensive participation in compilation albums and contributions to other artist’s works, in addition to their solo releases. Including live recordings and cassette tapes, they have contributed to a total of 13 compilation albums, and when combined with live videos, the number becomes staggering. ‘THRASH TIL’ DEATH’ features tracks selected from six compilation albums released between 1986 and 1987, starting with the title track “THRASH TIL’ DEATH” (named by Naoki). It also includes rare tracks from albums such as “A FAREWELL TO ARMS” and “VIRUS” which were previously difficult to find. Featuring digitally remastered audio, the ‘THRASH TIL’ DEATH’ jacket artwork has been newly designed. Notably, “MY MEAT’S YOUR POISON” features artwork based on the original illustration by Guy (GUDON, Blood Sucker Records). As the ultimate compilation of LIP CREAM's omnibus recordings, this release is the best of the best to date, and the long-awaited complete edition for fans worldwide is nothing short of a miracle.

All official reissues on Relapse Records.

**every once in a while the shipping amounts will seem insane (usually for multiple record int’l orders or US orders with shirts and records together) but rest assured we check each and every order and will refund any differences.