Reviews - MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL

The Appalled The Appalled LP

Curiosities abound in the approach this English group has taken on what I perceive to be their debut LP. A ragged street rock foundation underpins the album, yet with each track, they stab out in disparate directions. The opener, “Haircut,” offers a punchy four-chord romp that, albeit repetitive, is catchy with a distinct hook and showcases the APPALLED’s most effective weapon: a powerful vocal delivery. This bloke has a set of killer pipes on him. Next song pulls the wheel towards the pub, with a melodic undertone poking out. No radical departure from the formula there, but as the songs wear on, the genre-hopping becomes more apparent, touring through hardcore, UK82, ’77 punk, Oi!…the potency begins to dilute. Nothing egregious, nothing shocking, and I’ll spare you the pun and just say that if they were to pick a lane, the APPALLED could probably leave a more memorable mark.

Bug Swallow Bug Swallow cassette

What began as a somewhat fresh take on punk has become just another ingredient on the menu. I have started to notice a pattern recently where egg-punk is treated less like a genre and more as a component in a fusion dining experiment gone wrong. This is certainly the first time I have encountered the combination of egg-punk and cowpunk. What does that equate to, farm-fresh punk? It is an odd flavor profile, that’s for sure. Perhaps stranger still is that BUG SWALLOW seems to be a Muppets-themed band, with a particular focus on Kermit the Frog. This Calgary outfit has all the expected egg-punk ingredients of guitars, bass, synth, and drum machine, but the addition of twangy banjo and harmonica pulls things into bluegrass/jug-band territory. Eight confusing songs make up this self-titled debut cassette. To the band’s credit, there are moments where the recipe comes together—whenever BUG SWALLOW eases off the novelty, the songs become considerably more palatable. Unfortunately, they lose me whenever they lean too heavily into the gimmick, particularly on the banjo-heavy, “swing your partner ’round and ’round” hoedown entitled “Way Back Here.” I absolutely understand that egg-punk is a silly genre and should not be taken too seriously, but I guess when it comes to egg, I prefer it as the main course, not as a novelty side dish scooped up at the buffet line.

Claw Toe Chicago Punk Rock Warrior / Ingrown Ego 7″

The A-side here is a straight classic. No-bullshit bass and drums lay down a foundation that is so gloriously simple—they don’t need to do anything else, and you don’t want them to do anything else. Storytelling vocals are barked passively while the guitar spits repetitive hooks into the verses, and then the chorus drops and all of the simplicity coalesces while the guitar takes off, refusing to play a power chord at any point on the damn record. The flip is a slower, gloomier take on the same formula , a re-interpretation of the freaked-out A-side from their 2009 “Criminal IQ” 45 that I haven’t listened to in so long that I feel like I’m rediscovering them all over again here. It was great then, but this version of CLAW TOE lands even better. BIRTHDAY PARTY, PHANTOM LIMBS, and BUZZCOCKS fans will rejoice.

Clean Needle Nazi Stomper EP

I am not often taken by surprise when it comes to raw punk music, and I always manage to conceal it whenever I am so as not to spoil my cool blasé look, but CLEAN NEEDLE is a pretty good surprise. It is a one-man hardcore operation from Texas as I understand it, and this is the project’s first vinyl output after a couple of tapes. Unsurprisingly, the main focus is to unleash raw (and I mean proper raw), direct, and fast ’80s hardcore punk for the unwashed. The vibe is clearly old school, especially on the fastest (and best) numbers, while others can be said to be more pogo-oriented and spikier. A fan of CHAOS UK would enjoy this a lot, I reckon, and because of the organic, primitive sound (not to mention the visuals), you could be tricked into believing that CLEAN NEEDLE is a much older project than it actually is. The vocals are very gruff however, to add some extra aggression I presume, but I don’t think it works well with every song. A very fun EP on the whole.

Diät S.O.36 Berlin Sept ’22 LP

I’ve been a fan of DIÄT since the Positive Energy LP—I’m a sucker for their cold punk rock. When I saw Iron Lung had released a live recording, well, let’s just say I was stoked. S.O. 36 is a legendary Berlin venue, and the night that DIÄT played there in September of 2022 was most certainly a special night, as the recording is alive with frenetic energy. The setlist included some of my favorites like “Foreign Policy,” “Dogshit,” and “Dead Body,” all of which sound accurate, fresh, and dynamic in their live presentation. If you’ve never listened to DIÄT, this is a great place to get started, as this recording covers material from the band’s near-decade run. As a fan, this is an unexpected gift and a perfect encapsulation of DIÄT.

Feral State II cassette

Relentlessly gnarly rippers from Leicester, FERAL STATE follows up their 2022 debut with a worthy sophomore release in II. D-beats galore and crusty vocals meet thrashy riffs, with some slower headbanging moments peppered throughout. I can see FERAL STATE having a pretty wide appeal—they evenly mix up the metal and the punk in their sound without ever getting too lopsided, especially on tracks like “Slow Decay,” whose riff is certainly channeling a little bit of MOTÖRHEAD. Recommended.

Give Over Done In EP

The sudden tempo changes, metalcore riffs, and desperate screams call to mind bands like EVERYTIME I DIE or KNOCKED LOOSE. I’m not here to judge, so I will let you decide if that’s a good or bad thing. The production is slick and the band rips; the drummer is a goddamn maniac, but there is nothing really memorable about the songs and it left me asking “where’s the punk?” It’s aggressive and as fast they come, and the way they shift from tempo to tempo at the drop of a hat is impressive. But in the end, there is no escaping the metalcore breakdowns or death metal growls. It’s not for me, but If you’re a fan of that stuff, I think it would be worth checking out.

Head Cleaner No Truth EP reissue

There have been and are a lot of bands named HEAD CLEANER, but this one, from Tasmania, was active during the mid-’90s and played crusty youth crew, complete with thunderous bass, primitive drums, and in-your face vocals, making this HEAD CLEANER a memorable one. This twelve-track reissue is over in twelve minutes and was originally released by Fear of Children in 1996. If you’re a fan of early powerviolence, this one’s for you. However, fans of posi hardcore, crust, and DIY punk will want to hear this as well.

If I Could Just Get Some Sleep Dead Nerves, Numb Hands CD

Whoa, I fuck with this hard. Classic screamo energy paired with a layer of synths and cascading drums. This reminds me of coming home from some random party in the year of our lord 2006, drunk off my ass, scrolling MySpace, and discovering some musical duo who just bought their first Moog and decided it was time to start a band where they sang about old Nintendo games or some shit. This has I HATE YOU WHEN YOU’RE PREGNANT, HORSE THE BAND, and MAGIC CYCLOPS energy all over it, except IF I COULD JUST GET SOME SLEEP takes itself a little more seriously, which I guess solidifies the modernity of it all. Things aren’t as devil-may-care as they were twenty years ago and it’s reflective in the art. Anyhoo, this guy is from Illinois, so that gets extra points from me. A+, fantastic work!

Middleman Following the Ghost LP

MIDDLEMAN’s Following the Ghost is nine tracks of guitar-forward alternative rock from this London four-piece, and if, like me, you spent the ’90s actively avoiding this brand of emotionally-exposed, nasal-tenor alt-rock, congratulations! Your instincts were sound. The singer brings Doug Martsch to mind, which is either a selling point or a warning label depending on your relationship with BUILT TO SPILL. The band occasionally locks into something worth hearing, but that juice is definitely not worth the full 26-minute squeeze. They’re supporting SUPERCHUNK on tour this month, so maybe if you like that kind of music you’ll dig this release?

Mid Rats Enemies Within LP

MID RATS’ opening track “No Kings” sets the stage for the following seven melodic punk and hardcore songs. MID RATS and President James Buchanan, the US’s only bachelor president and who almost had a bunch of elephants delivered to DC to frolic about in the forests near the capitol, both call(ed) Lancaster, PA their home. Tight tunes and politically charged lyrics steer this record perfectly, down a well-balanced path of thoughtful and interesting songs that could easily fall off into the Fat Wreck camp. However, Enemies Within powers through with purpose and conviction. MID RATS have been a band for six years longer than President Buchanan was in office, and although the last song is over five minutes long, it goes more to prove the resolve of the band to assemble something memorable for the right reasons. This MID RATS release is a whirlwind 25 minutes that will be over before you even know it.

Noxeema Sick EP

Lots of ties to MRR with this band! Cissie Scurlock (bass) was an MRR coordinator for a while, and Erin Yanke (drums) reviewed demos and often contributes to our year-end top tens. Now, is that going to stop me from shitting on this record? No, it is not. What is going to stop me, though, is how much I love it. It’s been seven years since their last release, but that’s not at all apparent from listening to this. Sick picks up exactly where their debut EP left off, like a handful of friends who’ve never not been punks just happened to be together and got the urge to record some songs. The end result is nine one-minute tracks of trebly-as-hell punk (no subgenre necessary). It kinda sounds like Dangerhouse-era stuff mixed with something more melodic. Or maybe it’s like 50% JFA, 50% SIN 34. It doesn’t really matter—whatever it is, it’s great, and never has a group’s love of punk or DIY culture been more audible.

Oddfellows Oddfellows LP

Chris Pulliam, Mark Ryan, and Mike Throneberry first started as ODDFELLOWS in 1996, playing just a few shows. Their subsequent bands defined the Denton scene—the HIGH TENSION WIRES, the REDS, MIND SPIDERS, RADIOACTIVITY, and of course the MARKED MEN. They got back together and recorded some new songs that are an almost simplistic version of their other projects. They have the uncanny ability to make a C/G riff sound like the first time you ever heard it. The stripped-down and honest sound of the BATS or Portland’s the BUGS is there, and then some songs take a slight anti-art psych angle like URINALS, basically anything off the Negative Capability…Check It Out! compilation album. It’s like finding your weirdly cool uncle’s old high school yearbook at a garage sale and seeing where it all started.

Picket Line Dead to Me LP

Labor politics, gang chants, and breakdown-free hardcore punk—if any of these pique your interest, Dead to Me gets the job done. Seattle’s PICKET LINE delivers blue-collar hardcore fueled by class resentment, betrayal, and a conviction that the people at the top deserve every ounce of contempt headed their way. They carry the same working-class anger that powered much of the late ’00s hardcore scene (think AGNOSTIC FRONT, DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR, or even ROTTING OUT). The album feels less interested in personal grievances and more connected to collective struggle. Class-conscious hardcore that hits like a steel-toed boot.

Radical Fun Time Risen From the Ashes CD

Holy crust, this is something else entirely. RADICAL FUN TIME is currently in Minnesota, but from what I gather, they have been traveling around quite a bit as a duo. I am sure they are indeed fun and radical as punks, and anarchist politics clearly pervade these fifteen songs. This is a joyfully chaotic recording with a lot of heart, but probably not enough direction. There is some basic ’90s crust punk here, some anarcho-punk, some fastcore, but overall, it sounds like a big collective soup for the punks. It might not be the best meal you’ll ever have, but it is warm, organic, and made with heart.

Smarm Lick the Fist EP

Cool little three-song EP out of Cincinnati. The first song, “Lick the Fist,” reminds me a lot of the heavily metal-influenced punk I’m seeing a lot of locally and regionally in the Midwest. It’s a minute-and-a-half of TURBONEGRO-influenced rock’n’roll that’s as dumb as it is fun. “Make Something Happen” is a catchy take on action rock with a chorus made for ’90s college radio, like a catchier and less explosive NEW BOMB TURKS.

Spectre Twisted Views LP

Como, Italy’s SPECTRE does god’s (or perhaps, satan’s) work by bringing deathrock back to the table with their second album, Twisted Views. It’s a deranged cabaret of gloom and doom where the gothic atmosphere is masterfully blended with the explosiveness of punk rock. Tastefully tribal drums and rock-solid bass are responsible for the ritualistic feel of this record. On top of this unbreakable backbone, guitars soaking with various effects supply abrasive textures amidst waves of feedback. And the cherry on top is, of course, extremely expressive and proportionally dramatic vocals that just work perfectly with this style. It might sound like I’m exaggerating, but I believe that if this record had been released at the prime of the genre, we would be calling it an essential classic. Absolutely a must-hear record.

Subversive Intent Subversive Intent LP

San Diego’s SUBVERSIVE INTENT deals with fast, stomping hardcore, and they do a great job at it. They go for a NEGATIVE APPROACH, CARRY ON, and PUNCH kind of sound, with just enough youth crew bounce to keep every moment memorable. With a punchy production, SUBVERSIVE INTENT keeps it short, pissed, and loaded with hooks. The kind of record that’ll get rinsed a dozen times before you even realize that you’ve been listening for two hours.

Water Heater Weaponless Attack High Explosive Anti-Tank cassette

Debut full-length cassette from this project out of Indonesia, and when I say full-length, you better believe I mean it. At 50 tracks and roughly an hour-and-a-half in duration, WATER HEATER seems to have thrown everything, including the kitchen sink, into this release. WATER HEATER has been releasing digital singles and EPs since 2023, and I believe this is their first physical release, though I can’t say that with complete certainty. What I can say for certain is that this is a legitimately cool and energetic post-punk, new wave, and egg-punk amalgamation. The tape begins with a synth-heavy noise track featuring spoken-word instructions on how to replace your water heater. Whether gas or electric, and even tankless options, WATER HEATER makes sure everyone knows the correct and safe way to install this major household appliance. As a bit of a home repair enthusiast, I would have given this tape a thumbs up if that had been the only track. Lo and behold, that was just the beginning of a very long journey. If this tape were roughly one-third as long, I’d be willing to bet that multiple labels, myself included, would be clamoring to put out the next release from this wildly versatile band. With the amount of genre-hopping that WATER HEATER eventually devolves into on this cassette, it only furthers my belief that this really should have been split into multiple different releases. From where we began, we end up veering into lo-fi synth-pop for a number of tracks, then warbly garage rock, before ultimately ending with about a dozen tracks of outright avant-garde nonsense. While it’s never great to be in a position where your water heater is too small and runs out while you’re in the shower, it does at least leave you wanting more, which is something you’re unlikely to be feeling after track 50 fades out.

Reviewer Biff Bifaro
Label XTRO
Issue MRR #518 • July 2026

Zeměžluč Všeho Do Času LP

For 40 years, Czechia’s ZEMĚŽLUČ has been chucking out sing-along punk, and this batch of tunes continues with the unyielding punk and hardcore pace that they set in 1986. Všeho Do Času is another relentless blast of kinetic punk, building with uneasiness and leaving you twitching just waiting for that lightning strike. The songs could be passed off as “standard” musically, but it is in the urgency and deliberate tone that Šoty delivers each line that pulls you forward through the fourteen songs. I can’t wait to see what the next 40 years bring for these people.

V/A Never Mind 50 Years the Kids EP

Is this a tribute to Antwerp legends the KIDS? Or is it new recordings from the band in celebration of their 50 year anniversary? It’s both. This celebratory EP sees the mighty KIDS re-recording a couple lesser-heard tracks, including an old live number called “No Work,” giving fans something nice to add to the band’s long-dormant catalog. These tunes are mixed in with experimental covers from three other Belgian groups who have come to pay respect to these O.G. punk’n’rollers. HETZE offers a violent rendition of “Fascist Cops,” KOTSKAT takes “For the Fret” into the realm of minimalist synth, and COLERE adds new speed and fury to the classic “Do You Love the Nazis?” It’s a great excuse to revisit and rejoice in the KIDS, and it’s worth picking up for the first track alone.

Abrichten Aufheben cassette

ABRICHTEN find themselves a middle ground between the atmosphere of early doom metal and expressiveness of noise rock with their new release Aufheben. With its (relatively) lengthy songs and slow-burn approach, it definitely has its own intense ambiance…yet it feels a bit too drawn-out at times. It is a bit outside of my taste for noise rock, but it is well-produced for sure.

Banana Clip Banana Clip cassette

This tape opens with a sound clip from Hanoi Hannah, the North Vietnamese radio broadcaster who famously used psychological warfare against American G.I.s during the Vietnam War. From there, you are subjected to BANANA CLIP’s own version of psychological warfare via an onslaught of blastbeats, crusty grindcore riffage, and savage political imagery. There is a rawness to the recording that I really dug, and I think that it supports the nature of the songs. The highlight for me is “Politically Unhoused,” which is also a great song title. In under two minutes, they manage to combine death metal vocals, nasty chugging breakdowns, and blistering hardcore drums. It’s kind of all over the place musically, but I think that’s the charm. For a trio, they do some damage. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for noisy, dissonant, and politically-charged grind.

Creepy Future Brace Yourself LP

CREEPY FUTURE comes out swinging with lo-fi(-ish), high-energy, catchy-ass sing-along punk rock. Fourteen songs in under twenty-eight minutes that go by as if it were only thirteen minutes (or maybe even six-and-a-half minutes), seemingly over as soon as it began. Parts of Brace Yourself remind me of SUPERNOVA, TOYS THAT KILL, and bands that have taken elements of pop punk but make it their own. From start to finish, CREEPY FUTURE have created a perfect LP to kick off summertime.

Cruelly Ugly Behaviour 12″

While the definition of “grungegaze” isn’t hard to understand, it is a new-to-me term. And if this record is any indication of the genre, I’ll say I fucking love it. Pōneke, Aotearoa’s (Wellington, NZ) CRUELLY are out with their debut EP, showcasing noise, melody, bleeding-reverb guitars, and sun-soaked female vocals. Do you need an aggressive cry? Maybe to light a candle, stomp around in your boots, and scream into a mirror? Then this record may too be for you. High energy and venom; dour mood and heartache. If you’re left wanting more, they have a Live at San Fran + Bonus Tracks CD out (the sound quality of which is quite good), and I hear rumors of an LP?? Watch this group. They may be your new obsession.

Dear Darkness Gold, Guns, N More! cassette

DEAR DARKNESS really embrace their Motor City roots and come out swinging with a solid three-song EP. Dark, groovy no wave with haunting vocals and buzzed-out, fuzzed-out guitars. The tape goes by quickly, so I recommend giving it a couple of plays. Really great stuff here.

The Downstrokes The Furious Hours LP

West Coast to Third Coast, Rotten Princess puts out a terrific variety of punk, noise, hip hop, etc. that seems to always, at the very least, keep my attention all the way through, and at their very best, doesn’t leave my stereo for weeks to months. The DOWNSTROKES are a mid-tempo, Northern East Coast garage/punk/power pop band with hooks by the handful. Personally, I wish the production was a little muddier, but that’s a me thing. I can’t help but feel like there’s something lacking. Follow me here—the music is tight, the lyrics are thoughtful and tuneful, and all together, the songs are melodic and have tons of catchiness, so maybe the delivery of the whole feels like it’s lacking conviction, and moreover simply plodding through. Most of the songs come close to or over three minutes. I think this could have been a top-of-the-charts summer banger if the songs would have been capped at two to two-and-a-half minutes each. However, by the end of the third time through The Furious Hours, I am more in tune with where they are going in terms of setting up the longer-structured songs and giving the melody time to sink in. Maybe somewhere in the middle would be best? I guess I’m the jerk here (shrug emoji).

Fake Dust Decrepitizing Din of the Cerebral Psyopticon LP

FAKE DUST is out of Portland, Oregon, and has been grinding together as a four-piece for the last half-dozen years. Decrepitizing Din of the Cerebral Psyopticon is their latest release, with nineteen tracks of primo grindcore that harken back to the genre that created things like INSECT WARFARE, AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED, ASSÜCK, and GATE, so think guttural howls to falsetto screech vocals over blastbeats and heavy, tight guitar work. If you’re into grindcore, then you’re probably already onto this, but if you’re uninitiated or curious, well, this is a great entry point.

G.U.N. Death Dealer EP

It’s been three years since Nashville’s G.U.N. dropped that smoker of an LP, and surprise! They’re back with another short stack of straight killers. The blistering title track kicks off the festivities, serving as a reminder of the group’s raging and uncanny 1980s sound, and it’s only uphill from there. In recent decades, it’s been increasingly rare that we see a new entry to the short list of true hardcore classics, but the next song, “Sex Tourist Blues,” fits that particular designation swimmingly and is destined to appear on many a mixtape this summer. The final two songs further demonstrate the band’s uniquely nuanced chaos. Did these guys get even better? I think so, and this Poison Vision label out of Pittsburgh is batting a thousand so far—be sure to peep it.

Jay Reatard / Lindsay Shutt In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator) / His Uniform 7″

In 2008, the late JAY REATARD and then-girlfriend LINDSAY SHUTT did a home recording of the song “In Heaven” from David Lynch’s Eraserhead. They crafted their own stripped-down, spooky anti-folk gothic version of the song that is actually more ominous than the original, given his death a short time later.

Leibniz Promo cassette

LEIBNIZ describes themselves as “queer grungecore,” and that tag is surprisingly accurate. This is pure DIY punk minimalism, a band whose identity is rooted in queer punk, hardcore, and grunge. The fact that the release was recorded live only adds to the rawness. The blown-out guitar tone and wounded vocal delivery evoke early HOLE and BABES IN TOYLAND, while the stop/start aggression and DIY urgency recall MELT-BANANA stripped of the hyper-speed chaos. There are also traces of NIRVANA’s abrasive punk side, especially when the songs pivot from dissonant verses into unexpectedly memorable hooks. Across its brief runtime, Promo feels like a snapshot of a band figuring out exactly how much noise three people can make in a room together.

Mass Hallucination Mass Hallucination cassette

Damn this is a short one: three songs in a little over three minutes. Leeds-based MASS HALLUCINATION apparently don’t have much time to arse around here but, playing fast abrasive hardcore, I guess it still does the job. This tape is the band’s first recording, and despite the rather limited length, you can tell they aim for a modern take on noisier hardcore punk with some USHC and käng influences, although you wouldn’t really place the band in either category. I don’t dislike it and it is by no means unpleasant, but I struggle a little to know what they are really up to and where they are actually heading to. The production is good and so is the playing, the vocals are strong too, but overall, it feels like it is still missing something.

Media Puzzle New Racehorse cassette

You know something, folks? I thought I was getting sick of egg-punk-adjacent bands. I’m now realizing that I’ve been bored with egg-punk bands who thought that sounding like an egg-punk band was enough to make them an interesting egg-punk band. You understand what I mean, bud? While New Racehorse features some of the classic egghead tropes (DEVO-eqsue drum machine, chorus pedals, timid and mousy vocals, high-octave synthesizers), MEDIA PUZZLE does a great job utilizing their space by incorporating samples and a horn section (for only a handful of tracks, but it’s a substantial difference). And while this isn’t breaking ground for the genre, it’s quite clear that a lot of care and time went into the structuring and writing of these songs, with nuanced swaths of atmospheric soundscapes mixed with the familiar twangy guitars and topics of angst and unrequited love. Thank you, MEDIA PUZZLE, for restoring my faith in the power of the oval! Of course this comes straight from Australia, the modern kingdom of rock’n’roll.

Primal Brain Live at OBNE cassette

Three live cuts from OKC punks PRIMAL BRAIN, whose noisy hardcore lends itself particularly well to being heard from a “run-down room.” Recorded back in 2023 at the Oklahoma Opry, one of these tracks was from their 2022 tape It’s Still All a Game, with the other two seeing the light of day on their 2025 tape Is It All A Game? These songs all sound great on their respective releases, but like most good hardcore, they benefit from the extra grit the live treatment provides. Bonus points for the QR code on the front of the tape that leads to footage of the performance; a neat touch and the first of its kind that I’ve seen.

Self Incrimination Recreation of an Empty Space LP

SELF INCRIMINATION is a transatlantic assembly with members spreading from Seattle to London, playing synthed-out, melancholic punk that cites everything from the GO-GO’S to SIOUXSIE SIOUX to XMAL DEUTSCHLAND. Recreation of an Empty Space is a ten-song recording on which SELF INCRIMINATION lays out a sound that combines spectral, riff-driven guitar work with noisy synth, and vocals that frequently recall Lydia Lunch. Post-punk at its core and with extensive citation of cult-level artists, Recreation of an Empty Space becomes expansive as it progresses.

Sluta Ljug Brinn! cassette

Swedish trio SLUTA LJUG’s Brinn is a collection of three dark and grim tracks that leave you wanting more. The band manages to dial in an old school but modern and raw but spacious hardcore punk sound decorated with D-beats. Guitars drenched in flanger, heavy distorted bass, energetic drums, and beautifully hysterical vocals all add up to the drowning atmosphere of this great EP. Highly recommended.

Syfon Sremo Jeden cassette

Watching the evolution of egg-punk has been somewhat fascinating, particularly its appeal to indoor-kid weirdo punkers finding an outlet and a connection to a scene through their solo projects. At its best, the genre walks a line between memorable songwriting and cartoonish novelty. Something of a celebration of limitations: cheap gear, lo-fi DIY recordings, strange ideas, often with just a single songwriter. In many ways, it has become the punk equivalent of bedroom pop. It’s no wonder the appeal of egg-punk has spread so far and wide. Unfortunately, this debut cassette from SYFON of Warsaw, Poland contains very little of what I enjoy about the genre. Sure, there’s the occasional catchy synth lick, but mostly I hear obnoxious plink-plunking, nu-metal chugging, B-rate CAPTAIN BEEFHEART-style freakout nonsense, and a lack of substance. The tape starts intriguingly enough with their DEVO-esque “Intro,” but it winds up feeling like the peak rather than the starting point. I think the intention here was to slow things down while keeping egg-punk tonality, as if SYFON wanted to make a post-punk egg record. Forget what came first, what comes after the egg? It’s an interesting idea in theory, but the lack of memorable songs on this cassette shows that there’s still a ways to go before that code is cracked.

White Trash Wake Up EP + Hell No Demo LP

Originally reviewed by Tim himself in in 1982’s MRR #3, WHITE TRASH’s Wake Up EP is back in a brand new edition. This archival release comes to us courtesy of the Spanish BCore label, and also includes the band’s original Hell No demo tape tacked on for a total of sixteen old school tracks. The sound is original nascent hardcore, complete with adolescent musicianship. rebellious spirit, and crude humor. It was noted as a “classic” back then, but seems far less so today, due largely to the deluge of certified bangers that have followed it over the decades. But you can still see how this was probably pretty cool at the time and it’s certainly a time capsule carrying the energy of the era. What can I say—Leave it to Beaver references just don’t hit the same in 2026.

V/A Locked in the Basement, Collection 2 LP

DCxPC Live’s commitment to the craft is admirable. Sixty some-odd releases in just five years, all vinyl documents of live performances from mostly slightly lesser-known and mostly current DIY bands. With the second Locked in the Basement compilation, DCxPC Live crams twenty acts onto a 12″ slab, grabbing melodic punk, hardcore, ska, doom/sludge metal, and seemingly everything in between. The complaint (if there was one) would be that the result is somewhat incohesive, but that’s exactly what makes the label itself so interesting—there’s not a “sound” here, and going from FUCKSAKE to TARNISH PREVENTER starts to make sense before the first side wraps. Other notables include NO COMPLY, RBNX, BLANK CHROME, DISOVIET, and CHRIST PIPE. This was my introduction to most of the bands (except NO COMPLY, R.I.P. Justin), and that’s exactly what comps are for. Good job DCxPC, and don’t you even think about stopping.

3 the Hardway Sex Cymbal cassette

Solid three-song EP here. This has a real ’90s vibe and will take you back in time to when riot grrrl was queen. Sex Cymbal hits all the sweet spots of lo-fi and noise, and at times reminds me of the classic acts such as GOD IS MY CO-PILOT and AIDS WOLF. There’s a bit of a rock’n’roll edge here, but it’s paired with a slow, sludgy cadence. It really felt like the rest of the world was melting around me. Perfect for those hot and heavy summer days which are bound to be fruitful in our current hellscape. Bonus points for having a singing drummer—I’ve always loved that combo! Give this a couple plays and melt with me.

Arms Dealer Mututally Assured Destruction cassette

This tape looks great. Totally homemade cut’n’paste cover with about as much artistic craft as a six-year-old. I love it, and the music is on par with the visuals: four songs and four minutes of punk chaos for people who like their “music” raw, juvenile and to-the-point. Primitive D-beat hardcore with no production value but a lot of energy. AD’NAUSEAM traveling in Sweden and Japan, maybe? I understand members of ARMS DEALER also play in a band called BEER PISS, if that can give you any indication. These kids are from Athens, Georgia, and the tape is released on Hard Tack, a local tape label supporting the local scene. Not exactly Emmy Award quality, but good enough to drink yourself silly on a Friday night.

Blanket of M / Dead Don’t Lie Mayhem & Madness split CD

Short, sharp punk bursts from BLANKET OF M, absolutely classic sounds that land somewhere between MISFITS, the SPITS, and rough ’90s punk with layers of hopelessly catchy vocals. DEAD DON’T DIE are less appealing to these ears, kinda like your awkward uncle’s horror punk band except this shit is sloppier and the attempt at vocal croons makes me cringe. I gave up after the line “Maybe I’ll get a sloppy blowjob” in the second track (“Serial Killer”), and I backed up to listen to BLANKET OF M again.

Choncy Trademark LP

Third release from Cincinnati’s CHONCY. Their angular approach, with clean, frenetic guitars (think D. Boon tone) and lightly distorted vocals, is at the forefront of this album. 2023’s Community Chest and 2024’s 20X Multiplier offered a wider range, with more full-belly guitar distortion and hardcore arrangements, but also plenty of the angularity and sharp rhythm changes that are evident on this release. If Trademark is a move towards honing their sound, I don’t mind. These songs are fast, catchy, and driving, if not a little needling with those piercing guitar riffs. The vocals are provocative in a comedic way, and the whole package reminds me of (a slightly less serious) STRAW MAN ARMY. Apparently, their members now split time between Cincinnati and New York, doing remote recordings and phone calls—but distance be damned! They’ve put out a solid record.

Cream Soda Serving You… LP

Just what exactly is CREAM SODA Serving You? How about fifteen gleaming garage pop freakouts from the mythic Medway Delta? This debut LP showcases the band’s sharp take on the ’60s-inspired rock’n’roll sound that the Kent, England area is famous for, and these three lads are certainly old souls. They’re only in their late teens, and this classic type of racket usually doesn’t originate from such spry young upstarts. Are they the illegitimate children of Billy Childish? If not, he may want to adopt them. They’ve followed in his footsteps brilliantly, adding in a few new moves along the way. Check out “Victim of the Medway Towns,” “On the Side of Evil,” and “2 for 1” for a proper taste.

Dead End Lane Crush LP

Pop punk/ska in the vein of many Fat Wreck bands, yet keeping their own original and fresh approach. Erin’s singing style and her lyrical content hold a unique perspective that help to move the Crush LP above similar-sounding bands. “Antisocial,” with an intro nod to J CHURCH, propels you through common antisocial feelings, while being so catchy that you wanna run around and sing it with a chorus of strangers at the top of your lungs. Overall, these ten songs take enough twists and turns to not only keep your interest, but a few may even make it onto your summertime mixtape for driving around to get a 3 am Slurpee with friends or alone, perhaps.

Fashion Bathers III cassette

Solo project of Joe Warkentin from Winnipeg, Manitoba. From what I can tell, Canada Joe seems to be a grindcore/death metal/extreme music head, and FASHION BATHERS is his foray into synth-heavy power pop/pop punk. I’ve seen similar attempts a few times over my years in punk, where someone mostly known for making more extreme music takes the plunge into one of the poppier realms under the greater punk umbrella, and it often translates surprisingly well. This project is no exception. FASHION BATHERS sound a lot like the MARKED MEN, but you know, if their songs were performed by the animatronic robot band at an arcade. These nine songs were originally self-released digitally in 2020, but have now been given the tape treatment by Knuckles on Stun. If you dig this, you’ll be happy to know that FASHION BATHERS have a bunch of other recordings out there. Whether or not the project performs live remains unknown to me, but I’d love to see them if they do.

Gentilesky Dream LP

This LP, the band’s second, is the first I’m hearing of this Sardinian/Istanbulite act. I somehow missed their 2024 debut, so I was thrown for a bit of a loop when I got some slick-as-shit melodic post-punk instead of the BO DIDDLEY beats and SONICS-y yowls, maybe some harmonica I expected—you know, your standard Slovenly Euro garage fare. The band even has ties to the RIPPERS, who might be thee paradigmatic Slovenly Euro garage act! Bait-and-switch aside, this record has its moments. There’s a big GANG OF FOUR influence running through the nine tracks that make up the record, and when they hew close to that sound, I’m into it. When they stray into math rock territory, I’m less interested. I do think the recording is a tad too polished, and the band has a tendency to launch into some relatively grandiose choruses that seem a little too…”obvious” doesn’t seem like the right word, but it’s getting close. Still, some great songs here. Fans of their debut (which I’ve since gone back and listened to and is maybe more my speed) should find plenty to like.

Giglinger Kasåkern LP

Post-punk from Finland that centers the locked-in bass and drums and moody vocals of the genre, while also incorporating heavy melodic moments that recall ’90s alt-rock bands like a JOY DIVISION/FAILURE blend. And it works! The spacey repetition of “Singularity” maintains its upbeat jam for over eight minutes and explodes with anthemic, fist-in-the-air choruses. “Holy Gasoline” takes a hooky lead guitar line and ignites it into the type of quiet/loud mega-riff that made Billy Corgan lots of money. I found myself waiting for the building crescendo of each song, the pounding tom and snare cadence and power chord chugging, to release into huge rock exultations, and it kept happening! It’s a simple rock formula that tickles big-riff lizard brains, but when it works, it works so well. GIGLINGER has done an interesting thing by pairing the structure with post-punk lyrics and themes, creating a crisply produced and satisfying guitar rock album.

Intimidation Cheap & American 12″

Right off the bat, these guys let you know where they are coming from with the cover art featuring a bunch of empty Budweiser bottles and cans. It’s rough-and-tumble American Oi!, fueled by cheap beer and ready to throw down in the gutter. The vocals are gruff, there’s a classic feel to a lot of the riffs and leads, and there’s not a song over three minutes. No complaints here. Turn it up!

Kläpträp The Infernal Machination… LP

There are bands whose style you can guess with ease just by checking who’s playing in them. With Stick (from DOOM, EXCREMENT OF WAR, and RUIN) and Steph (from the seemingly immortal VISIONS OF WAR) being involved in KLÄPTRÄP, even slow-witted punks can understand that crusty käng hardcore is close on the horizon, and that deodorant will not be necessary to enjoy the music. This first LP released on the always reliable Phobia Records is the next logical step from their highly enjoyable 2023 demo. It is recorded better, more energetic, more aggressive, and there is (a bit) more variety. Have no fear though, the band’s dirty compass firmly points to DISCHARGE-loving Sweden with classic riffs played convincingly. Galloping Scandicore not unlike EXCREMENT OF WAR (duh), with brilliant female vocals reminiscent of early SACRILEGE and early PINK TURDS—powerful shouts of anger rather than growls or shrieks—that set the band apart for me. I am sure that you already made up your mind as to whether or not you are going to enjoy this, but I suggest you give it a go. Old crusties never die.