Before Steve Albini shaped alt rock's sound in the '90s as producer (or recorder, he says) of Nirvana, PJ Harvey, and countless others, he fronted Chicago's Big Black, one of the most brutal and brilliant punk groups to ever play along with a drum machine. Originally released in 1986, The Hammer Party collects the band's first three EPs, made between 1982 and 1984. Lungs featured Albini's machine-gun guitar and vocals, accompanied only by Roland the drum machine. The following year's Bulldozer added a bassist and second guitarist for an even more punishing sound, while Racer-X further refined the Big Black's sonic assault. Together on one disc, The Hammer Party, they serve as a disturbing, ear-shattering prequel to the rest of this group's fine oeuvre. --Roni Sarig