SLAM was apparently considered the earliest of skate-punk bands in Sweden. This is the follow-up single to their great LP "Ingens Slav," and features two solid tracks of melodic and slightly dark mid-tempo punk. Side A is a regular mix-tape choice of mine, and may be the best song they ever released. Side B is a little weirder, considering the slower dirges employed as choruses, almost reaching heavy metal territory. Overall a winner in my book, and still easy to find at a cheap price compared to other Swedish punk records of the era!
Well I'm back from hiatus today with an interesting old Italian punk record. You can hear JUGGERNAUT playing aggressive and full-throttle hc punk on the Senza Tregua compilation - originally on BCT Tapes, later reissued on vinyl by a few labels (essential Italian punk!). But this LP shows other influences sneaking into JUGGERNAUT's frenetic and flanged out brand of punk. There are more straightforward moments on here bringing to mind melodic bands like ARTICLES OF FAITH or HUSKER DU, but tempered with a fair amount of psych and other rock influences. A bit too "jammy" on the 3+ minute tracks for my everyday musical digesting, but overal a cool record and an exhilarating must-hear for Italian punk diehards.
Today let's focus on a label - NE! Records is based out of Sweden, but has been reissuing some amazing material from '80s Yugoslavia for a few years. So many punk records coming out these days, many of them reissues, it's so overwhelming to decide what to buy right? Well, I've been consistently impressed with the material that NE! has been releasing, as well as the great care taken into account for the packaging. He's reissued classics like UBR, QUOD MASSACRE, and PARAF, but recently introduced some secret shockers from bands like GOLA JAJA (Croatian melodic punk, '84), KAOS (Croatian postpunk/synthpunk '79-'84), and DEFEKTNO EFEKTNI (Serbian dark postpunk '81). Make sure and also check out the interview I did with Habi, who runs NE! Records, in the new Maximum Rocknroll (Issue #364)!
So many copycats out there these days...but there are those diamonds in the rough, and when it comes to the goth/dark post-punk revival thing going on these days, PLEASURE LEFTISTS are leading the pack with their carefully chosen sounds and incredible song arrangements. Great and memorable singer to top it off. Members played in 9 SHOCKS TERROR (!), but expect nothing of the sort. See 'em on the West coast in September!
Check out their 12" HERE!
Download their incredible single HERE!
I actually discovered this one on the great Degenerik blog. PADKAROSDA is playing a unique hybrid of chorus-drenched dark punk and melodic hardcore at a galloping pace. The closest comparison I could suggest is SICKOIDS, but without the complexity. Some of these riffs get stuck in my head for days, and this band are actually doing their own thing. Interesting and blazing stuff, can't wait to hear more!
Check em out HERE!
Amazing dark and anthemic punk from Greece! They just released an LP you can check out from a link below, and there are a few demo versions of these tracks floating around on Youtube. There is an obvoious classic Greek punk vibe in their sound, mixed with some elements of UK anarcho bands like THE MOB, with bits of melodic K-town NO HOPE FOR THE KIDS sort of qualities thrown in. Sound good? Gonna be one of the best LPs of the year!
Check out the Πανδημία LP HERE!
Hailing from the French Basque region, HONDARTZAKO HONDAKINAK are truly among the greatest hc bands in the world these days. So much angst and power emanates from their sound. Hardcore with soul. 2 blazing demos, a couple tracks from a comp called "Welcome To 2013" on the Not Normal Tapes label, and more on the way from these thrashers. Also check out the interview I did with these lovely folks in issue # 362 of Maximum Rocknroll!
Download their demos HERE!
