***Notorious Japanese punk bank The Stalin came after socialist activist Michiro Endo fronted short-lived punk band Jiheitai; The Stalin was formed June 1980 with guitarist Atsushi Kaneko, drummer Jun Inui, and bassist Shintaro Sugiyama. Antagonizing the state and challenging the strictures of Japanese society, debut album Trash was half-live, half-studio, and sophomore set Stop Jap was the major-label debut that hallmarked their popularity, with opener "Romantist" their best-known song worldwide. This is raw, uncompromising, and in-your-face punk from true Japanese innovators of the form—tune in and be amazed!