Figuring out what group first ushered in the metal influence within punk’s confines isn’t going to be agreed upon. But despite the various folks making the claim that Void, a Dischord hardcore band of the highest order dating to the early eighties, is the culprit, that’s not really accurate.

While the band followed in the wake of other local acts, though not necessarily taking direct cues from any, Void really just took the music to its logical, extraordinarily fast breaking point. There was an unquestionably Black Flag influence especially in Void guitarist Bubba Dupree’s tone and random experimentation with sheaths of feedback.

Beyond that and perhaps more importantly is the similarities between Darby Crash fronting the Germs and John Weiffenbach’s vocal approach in Void. The style isn’t unique to either figure, but Darby may have been the progenitor of screaming being voiced, phrased and pitched in that snotty manner. Of course, there’re hints of Stiv Bators from the Dead Boys in each. But that progression from Cleveland to Los Angeles to DC makes sense when examining how punk changed during the years 1975 and 1985.

Regardless of how Void arrived at its sound, the scant recordings that band made during its life span are all highly prized at this point. And while Condensed Flesh a taped demo the band made for Dischord is considered by many to be the band’s high point, it’s still difficult to listen to, which is in distinct contrast to the split Void unintentionally worked up with Faith. Dischord simply ended up with some recordings by each band and decided to issue the collection as a singular whole.

Whatever the impetus for the recording – and its inclusion of a few songs available elsewhere, including “Condensed Flesh”- Void’s songs here are the perfect distillation of punk moving through hardcore and into thrash. Noticeably absent, though, are the metallic inflections so many people make an issue of when discussing the band. That’s not to say that some of the breakdowns, shouted choruses and ridiculous tempos can’t be seen as the proper forbearer of whatever metal was during the eighties, but to levy the genre name on Void seems patently ridiculous.

The split’s penultimate track, “Think,” is a monstrous achievement for any band at any time. And while its difficult to hear if the band’s actually in time with itself, everything from Boston sounds to Bad Brains are there. That’s how good it is.