Reviews

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Please send one copy of vinyl (preferred), CD, or cassette releases to MRR, PO Box 3852, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.

Maximum Rocknroll wants to review everything that comes out in the world of underground punk rock, hardcore, garage, post-punk, thrash, etc. No major labels or labels exclusively distributed by major-owned distributors, no reviews of test pressings or promo CDs without final artwork. We reserve the right to reject releases on the basis of content. Music without vocals or drums will not be considered. All music submitted for review must have been released (or reissued) within the last two years. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!

Arüspex The Death Instinct LP

ARÜSPEX is a relatively new band from Northern California, and I was not familiar with their work until this review. Their name refers to the priests who practiced divination through the inspection of sacrificed animals’ entrails in ancient Rome, and although for all we know, they may have been a bunch of merry lads, this choice for a band’s name does signal grim bleakness rather than upbeat optimism. Fittingly, ARÜSPEX plays what is often referred to as “blackened crust,” and if the term tends to be used improperly, I think it is relevant here. The post-HIS HERO IS GONE neocrust of the ’00s (EKKAIA, AMBULANCE, or FALL OF EFRAFA of this world) is definitely summoned, but the black metal influence is also very strong here. It sounds quite versatile, with epic, melodic D-beat crust moments, full-on black metal blastbeats, and mid-paced atmospheric bits working together to tell an overall good cohesive story. The extreme vocals reek of anger and despair, and the production matches the genre’s prerequisites. I’d be lying to claim I’m an ecstatic fan of the blackened crust genre, but ARÜSPEX does it very well, and I can imagine them being praised quite highly by the certified amateurs.

Bleakness Blurred Visions LP

Gothic death-punk with a tinge of orgcore coming to you straight from ol’ Paris, as if PAINT IT BLACK collaborated with the DISPOSSESSED to bring you a melodic hardcore version of the CURE. Fantastic production; the natural distortion on the guitar is absolutely classic and clean, while the bass is punchy and crisp. For a trio, these folks pack a huge punch. It doesn’t sound like they did a lot of overdubbing either, so I’d have to assume this is a pretty faithful recreation of how they sound live. Everything feels huge and soaring—vocals, guitars, and hell, even the drums. Really solid slab and well worth checking out.

Bumbo’s Tinto Brass Band V.3 LP

BUMBO’S TINTO BRASS BAND cranks up the weirdness and delivers ten songs to annoy your neighbours with. Yes, “everything sounds slightly off” is definitely a trope in the art-rock side of the post-punk spectrum, but it’s not an easy one to nail at all. One might think it’s about tuning your instruments a bit weird or playing slightly off-beat, but I believe it’s more of a headspace that you can either get into or not…and it sounds like they were born there. I really enjoyed how unapologetically amorphous this record is, and I’m sure you will as well. Bonus points for the vocalist who sounds like D. Boon.

Coachez Sonic Thumpers cassette

The opening track “Hot Shooter” is the best thing here. It sounds like NICK CAVE fronting AC/DC, and that’s the best thing I can say about it. Overall, this sounds like a group of people who have played their instruments for years and decided to finally start their first band. The riffs are decent, and while the musicianship is on point, the songs are too long and couldn’t hold my attention. “Longsnapper” tops the seven-minute mark, and the whole EP is only twenty minutes! The biggest standout to me is the vocals, and that’s because they are a complete mismatch for this band. There’s a croony, deranged quality to them that I could see working well with the right music, but here they fall flat against the sonic dumpers the band is cranking out.

Cult Objects Amulet LP

I was not especially “wowed” at first. To me, the lyricism stood out the most, as it felt quite poignant, especially in the track “Natural Death.” Some of the first couple tracks blended together as they were similar tempos and styles, but they were immediately disrupted by the absolutely funky, groovy piece that is “Diamond Dust.” That caught my attention and got me hooked again for the next couple tracks.

D. Sablu Righteous Light EP

This honestly kicks some serious arse. Coming across like an unholy union betwixt the ferocity of DISCHARGE and the riffier end of POISON IDEA, Mr. Sabludowsky’s singular wail cuts through the ensuing melee like a banshee, making for an exhilarating eight minutes or so. Very few releases are good enough to warrant an immediate replay, but I was wheeling this one up within seconds of completion. Good gear.

Dräumar Draümar LP

Here an extraordinarily powerful debut from what has to be Oslo’s preeminent hardcore outfit. The riffs on this sucker are mind-melting. There’s some noodling that has me convinced their guitarist has an extra digit or two on their fretting hand, but it’s the foundation of riffage that I keep coming back to. Check out “Blodigler” or “Parasitt” as examples of how absolutely raging this band is even when the shredding is held at bay. Through and through, this shit just kills. Pissed-off vocals, intricate basslines, fantastic drumming…even the interludes are rad. Grip this or die sad, punk.

Eristetyt Meri EP

The Finnish punk scene has done so much to influence and shape extreme music that it’s hard to believe it gets often overlooked. ERISTETYT is a Finnish hardcore punk band born in 1989, rooted in the raw, D-beat-driven tradition of the country’s classic scene. They draw clear influence from early pioneers like RIISTETYT or MELLAKKA—both urgent and shamelessly primitive, emphasizing aggressive, fast-paced songs and a stripped-down, metallic aesthetic typical of Finnish hardcore. After an extensive catalog of noise, splits with the likes of AGATHOCLES, and assorted compilation appearances, ERISTETYT delivers Meri via Terminal Records, recorded in 2021. The songs are simple but effective, locking into relentless rhythms while the drums push everything forward with a pounding, almost militaristic intensity. It carries that classic harsh delivery, more about attitude and force than clarity. Meri has an essential hardcore quality: direct, aggressive, and immediately repeatable.

Freak Phone Demo 2025 cassette

When I picked up this tape and saw the name FREAK PHONE and the artwork of someone crudely tonguing the handset of a landline telephone, I assumed I was in store for a world of novelty art-punk nonsense. Thankfully, what I received when the tape kicked in was bare-bones, no-frills, RAMONES-core rock’n’roll from Portland, Maine. What might feel overly simplistic to some comes across as a breath of fresh air. In today’s world, modern-day RAMONES-worship bands often seem to be scared to just…be RAMONES. There’s always a fresh take or some artistic flourish added to the tried-and-true formula. What the hell are these acts thinking? You can’t smarten up good old-fashioned, glue-sniffing, moron mutant rock’n’roll! Based solely on the demo, FREAK PHONE doesn’t seem to fall into that trap. Here’s hoping there isn’t some novelty aspect to the band that would cheapen their sincerity in some way. This five-song cassette delivers pure, unpretentious rock’n’roll, including an awesome take on “I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight” by RICHARD AND LINDA THOMPSON. It’s simple, it’s catchy, and it doesn’t need a damn gimmick.

Gamma Subconscious cassette

Six cuts of ripping hardcore from across the pond, GAMMA’s Subconscious is tightly wound up and bristling with early ’80s USHC goodness. This is right up my alley; not many frills, pissed-off, fast, and loud. Overall, they remind me of Nashville’s G.U.N. Great stuff, highly recommended.

Head Wound / Soft Exit split cassette

Fucking rad split release from two innovative projects out of Kuwait. I love hearing bands from underrepresented regions, and this one smokes. HEAD WOUND presents a four-track stylistic buffet of modern punk that genre hops and never loses a sense of frenzied energy. “D.B.V.T.Y.” glides effortlessly between heavily produced and melodic NINE INCH NAILS-style alt/industrial into blitzes of full-volume, full-mayhem cyber grind. The next song, “Evel Knievel,” pairs dissonant post-punk with stuttering, effusive vocals, sounding like BLACK EYES for a minute before touching on metallic sludge and remixed egg-punk. Is it unfocused? Sure, but the intensity runs so high that it functions as a unified piece. SOFT EXIT might stretch the bounds of some MRR expectations with their experimental junk IDM, but the four tracks here work as a counterpoint to Side One. Think of a dumpster dive behind the Warp Records warehouse while an Arabic chant narrates your digging. Skittery drums and warm synths play hopscotch with massive black hole club beats and field-recorded speech samples. It is bewildering and head-bobbing. Check it out!

King Slender There is Your Image in Light LP

The kids these days have done a really solid job categorizing the different eras of emocore, and while I’m not really sure which generation this sound falls into, I am a sucker for the proto-screamo, dissonant chord, artsy form of the genre like BOYS LIFE, CAR VS. DRIVER, and INDIAN SUMMER. KING SLENDER also scratches that itch, sounding very much like early PIEBALD before they started incorporating melody into their music. I know that the Midwestern noodly emo sound has held the spotlight for quite some time at this point, but this style has always been the “true” emo in my opinion. This is a fantastic record, and you need to check it out if you’re into the aforementioned bands.

Life Expectancy Sold cassette

To say that this is a noisy recording is an understatement, and this is coming from a fan of crasher crust who owns the full ZYANOSE discography. I had not heard of LIFE EXPECTANCY, but after reading the “crasher” tag and seeing they were from Liverpool, I was curious to say the least. And what a listen it proves to be. This band is certainly not for those of us who like tunes in their punk. Sold makes most contemporary crust bands sound like the EAGLES. I have to admit that I struggled to complete the first round, but once I understood what LIFE EXPECTANCY was up to, looking to crank up the noise and indeed push it to the limit, I started to appreciate them more. The band clearly strives to experiment with the traditional formula with more rough noise, a hypnotic atmosphere with a seemingly endless D-beat, evil possessed vocals, and overall more challenge for the listener in an already challenging genre. So yeah, probably not the ideal Christmas gift for you nephew. Beside the usual suspects, I am reminded of Japanese bands like DEATH DUST EXTRACTOR, late ABRAHAM CROSS, or late TRUTH OF ARISE, because they experimented with and added to the Japanese crust blueprints in their own way. Maybe vintage ANTISECT moving to Kyushu in the mid-’80s and also getting into satanism? This sort of thing. I salute the daring wall of noise that I personally get and enjoy, but I believe few will.

Medicinal Buildings Abandoned LP

Hardcore and/or hardcore punk out of Long Island that can’t quite decide if it wants to be the former or the latter. The vocal stylings are fairly unique and interesting, but the music is far too predictable and solid-state to rise to anything particularly engaging. I really found myself distracted by the general sound and production here. While they may find success when their friends show up to the South Shore VFWs, this sound can’t afford the bridge or tunnel fare to get much further.

Omen Negation Omen Negation demo cassette

OMEN NEGATION is a three-piece punk band from Portland, Maine. It’s a long trip from one Portland to the other, where their significant WIPERS influence comes from. This tape certainly has plenty of driving guitar riffs in that style, but somewhere along the cross-country trek, it seems to have picked up a hitchhiker, adding a touch of early 2000s folk-inspired indie rock/pop punk to the mix. That aspect is mostly noticeable in the singing. Vocals feel intentionally off-time, with the singer attempting a kooky, off-kilter style, reminiscent of the HOLD STEADY and similar indie rock acts. Backing vocals pepper the tape with strained, yelling harmonies, which are probably the clearest nod to that 2000s folk-leaning pop punk sound. An eight-track demo, recorded very crisp, clear, and professionally. Some of the guitar licks are real head-bobbers, but the vocal delivery leaves the songs feeling like head-scratchers.

Psico Galera Memorie Di Occhi Grigi 12″

It is hard to quantify a proper reaction to a record like this for the simple fact that it’s rare to encounter a band that breaks through the trappings of trend and convention. Listening to this album is like looking at a map that includes a weird new territory that didn’t previously exist. There are the contours of the punk we know, but every song fucking explodes out into an extra-dimensional shape with insane modulated guitar shredding, trance-inducing vocal refrains, and pummeling death beat drumming. If it weren’t so infectious and raging, it would be truly unsettling. Experimental, cosmic, bizarro hardcore for the real freaks. I’ve enjoyed all of PSICO GALERA’s output, but this is lightyears beyond their preceding material. If you catch yourself feeling bored with punk, give this a spin and try to keep your brains inside yer gourd.

Public Figures Figure It Out! 12″

Debut EP from this young Melbourne band that has a sonic depth and insight beyond their years. There’s a swagger and attitude as if JOAN JETT and PATTI SMITH had been in the original lineup of HOLE. Lyrically, there’s a strong identity of female power and resistance with a fresh honesty. Bonus info, band member Evie creates all their music videos, which are an amazing reinforcement of their energy and essence.

R.D.A. Brave United in Trust LP

If you ever wanted proof that punk didn’t just explode in the same old places and burned just as violently in Southeast Asia, dig into R.D.A., short for REFORMED DESTRUCTION FOR ACTION, and their feral debut Brave United in Trust. Released in 1987 on Twisted Red Cross, the original cassette dropped straight into a scene already boiling with bands like the WUDS and DEAD ENDS. There’s a looseness here with their MINOR THREAT/UNIFORM CHOICE type of hardcore that modern bands spend years trying (and failing) to fake. And like so many releases from that era of Filipino DIY punk, Brave United in Trust didn’t travel much as it stayed trapped on cassette, circulating hand-to-hand, until now. In 2025, the record finally made its way onto vinyl for the first time, nearly four decades late, but right on time for anyone still chasing the real thing.

Spooky Visions Unraveled cassette

Is bedroom synth punk a thing? Because this sounds like bedroom synth punk. KRAFTWERK via punks with Casios is the vibe here—it works best on the more propulsive tracks, but the cold, robotic vibe is nice and thick throughout. Two original tracks and two covers (WALL OF VOODOO and ROKY ERICKSON), the latter of which gives a glimpse into a more expanded, full-band sound that could be in the project’s future. Solid, quick listen.

Storm Boy Beast Machine Theory CD

This is a pretty perfect example of a band that’s not doing anything wrong, but just doesn’t bring any novelty to the genre of melodic late ’90s/early ’00s punk. This is worn-out Chucks music that is played competently, recorded reasonably, and presented without fuss or pomp. That said, it doesn’t keep my attention, and sits squarely in a space of music that is inoffensive and impossible to quantify. I truly think these folks have a blast playing these tunes, and I hope they continue to do so for as long as they can. I’ll cheers to them for getting up there and doing the thing, but I just cannot see myself returning to these songs.

Strängt Förbjudet Lyxfällan EP

You came here looking for some CHUCK BERRY-esque punk rocking from Sweden, and now you’ve found it. Four whole songs of it, on one 7” record, no less. No frills, no pretense, and no words that I really recognize except “Anticimex.” Recommended for fans of the KIDS.

Stres / Svobodný Slovo Pohled Ven!! / 333 Stříbrných Kokotů split LP

This is a raw and valuable snapshot of early Czech hardcore punk, issued in 2026 by Papagájův Hlasatel Records. Bringing together 30 tracks from the late ’80s and early ’90s, the record captures two closely connected Sokolov bands at their most urgent, STRES and SVOBODNÝ SLOVO. Musically, it’s fast, aggressive HC punk with a distinctly underground feel. SVOBODNÝ SLOVO (“freedom of speech”) delivers short, hard-hitting songs rooted in the faster side of hardcore, giving off a UKHC vibe, while STRES (you guessed it, it means “stress”) leans into a rough but controlled USHC-type mood. The recording quality may be unpolished, but that only adds to its authenticity. More than just a collection of songs, this split works as an important document of the early Czech hardcore movement, imperfect, loud, and full of angst.

Sweet Reaper Still Nothing LP

SWEET REAPER’s Still Nothing is their fourth LP since 2015, and this Ventura three-piece continues to operate in the same waters as the Denton, Texas power pop/punk axis—think MIND SPIDERS, MARKED MEN, RADIOACTIVITY—so it tracks that Jeff Burke mastered the album. But these beach rats aren’t coasting on the comparison. They bring a distinctly Southern Californian sweetness to the formula, at times layering some tight vocal harmonies over the buzz and drive, with tracks like “Zero Candles” and “Meemees” adding a ’60s pop warmth. Seth Pettersen’s vocals sit in a familiar upper register, but at times he adds a Billie Joe Armstrong-esque nasal whine. Lyrically, the album lives in a state of exhaustion without surrender: relationships crumbling, systems failing, but still just enough gas in the tank to keep moving. This is fucking good! Eleven songs and not a dud in the bunch. Also available on cassette from the band’s Naked Time Tapes.

Totälickers Totälickers LP reissue

In celebration of its twentieth anniversary, a reissue of TOTÄLICKERS inaugural LP has been released. It seems like just a little bit ago that these Barcelonian punks were hitting the scene with their street-level punk crudo, but here we are twenty years on. Honestly, nothing much has changed in the past two decades of punk, as the LP still sounds fresh if you’re uninitiated. A barrage of D-beat, lyrics en español, buzzsaw guitars grinding out lightspeed melodies, a punk classic and yours to be had.

Uschis Mutti Urlieb LP

From Bremen, Germany, we get a full head-on punk stomper from USCHIS MUTTI that touches on a bunch of stuff in the hardcore and punk fields. Päpsy’s vocals are delivered with machine-accurate precision, flowing with the music and making her words and message as much an instrument as they are budding with powerful imagery. Punctuating her vocals are BumBum and Arne, perfectly disrupting enough to move Urlieb into an unpredictable, interesting, and melancholy atmosphere. What USCHIS MUTTI delivers is a heavy hardcore punk record with thoughtful songs, some twisting and some straightforward, leaving you with a cratered feeling and wanting to fill the hole with more USCHIS MUTTI. The LP has eight songs that average three minutes each, with the last track “Horner Eck” slugging forward and slowly gaining speed, reigned in at a couple seconds under seven minutes. Everything about this release, from the sequencing to the songs themselves, feels deliberate and thoughtful. USCHIS MUTTI, I feel, had a big-picture plan on what they wanted to do with Urlieb. I’m really digging this record.

Venom Snipers In Jail demo cassette

Brief, weird hardcore demo that recalls the era when SST Records started encouraging the freakos to grow out their hair and reach beyond traditional punk blueprints. The band rips serviceable blown-out chords à la early BLACK FLAG, but the unique vocal style is what sells it. Imagine a weathered, tobacco-destroyed baritone narrating a driver’s ed scare video or reading a Cormac McCarthy audiobook: world-weary, emotionless, and intimidating in its detached authority. Now place that voice front and center, doing deadpan spoken word over hardcore punk. I went from “What the fuck is this?” to “Yes, sir, I’m listening” in five seconds. I don’t want to get grounded again, you know?

Wristwatch III LP

The best offering yet from this fiery Madison, WI post-garage-punk trio. This is five songs from their first record and five songs from their second record, re-recorded. This time around, they ditched the drum machine in favor of their live drummer, and it really pays off. What I dig most about this is that it’s infinitely more aggressive in nature than their previous releases, and honestly, more than most of the stuff I hear in the genre. It’s pissed-off and weird, but also really melodic and hooky, and there’s an explosiveness to the songs that was lacking on their previous releases. The music is tight, angular, intricate, and sonically combustible. You can feel the energy of them all playing together, and it makes a world of difference. There’s some killer guitar work going on, and when the bass needs to shine, it really shines. Bassist Ty Spatz lays down a sick bass line during the track “Rules,” and it’s one of my favorite moments on the album. It reminds me of an angrier DEVO meets early PAVEMENT or the BUZZCOCKS. Vocally, the JAY REATARD influence is still there, but it’s not the star of the show. Vocalist/guitarist Bobby Hussy has come into his own vocally, screaming maniacally and theatrically, adding an additional layer of tension to a record already busting at the seams with tension and anxiety. The closing track “Fix” is a highlight of the record for me and a perfect demonstration of everything I liked about the LP packed into one song. It’s tense and moody, working through several musical passages that push it past the five-minute mark before resolving and releasing all that goddamn tension. Play it loud!

V/A Ready! Aim! 1! 2! 3! 4! A M.O.T.O. Tribute CD

Ready! Aim!! 1!2!3!4! A M.O.T.O. Tribute features 46 bands covering songs by M.O.T.O. (MASTERS OF THE OBVIOUS), which should tell you something about the reach of Paul Caporino’s songwriting. The man has been at it since 1981—45 years of garage rock filtered through pop, new wave, and occasional metal detours, and the one constant across all of it is that the hooks are relentless. Caporino writes melodies with a ’60s pop instinct that won’t leave you alone, the kind of songs that burrow into your head even when the lyrics make you wince. “Dance Dance Dance Dance Dance to the Radio” is a good example: you might argue with the words, but good luck getting that bop out of your skull. On a comp this size, interpretations range from faithful to sideways, and the quality varies. I hadn’t heard of most of the artists here, but standout contributions from ERIC AMERICA featuring BRONSON TERMINATOR TEW, ERIC CUNHA, POPDUDES, HOUSEGHOST, PAINT FUMES, and SHERI LYNN featuring the SWEET LOVES kept me hitting play. If you’re already a fan of Caporino’s work, there are plenty of good takes here to keep you happy. If you’re not, do yourself a favor and check out the originals. The man might be the Brian Wilson of garage rock: prolific, obsessive, and incapable of writing a song that doesn’t stick.

Auditing Modern Tension cassette

Tetryon Tapes once again flexes their purveyors-of-taste muscles by aligning with AUDITING for a tape version of their attention-grabbing debut release. Sitting well alongside other recent killer releases by the likes of LIQUID IMAGES, DELICIOUS MONSTERS, and BZDET, these six synth punk tracks feel fresh, tense, and contain a fantastic amount of variety while all sounding like part of one whole. The one-two punch of “Imperial Weight” and “Cipher” really hits a high peak and really lets their originality ooze out into your ears. In a subgenre that’s felt a little saturated the last five years or so, AUDITING shows that there’s plenty of juice left to squeeze.

Before Dawn Shattered LP

L.A.’s BEFORE DAWN plays deathrock that harkens back to the origins of the genre. On their latest recording Shattered, they offer five tracks of gritty punk that are tainted with the macabre and melancholy. Borrowing heavily from ’80s gothic punk, BEFORE DAWN reinvigorates the sound with authentic emotions and fresh melodies. “The Veiled” is my personal favorite with its mid-paced downbeat, sauntering bass, and gruff vocals. Whether you’re a part of the nightset, cemetery-lurkers, or daywalking punks, I guarantee you’ll get down with BEFORE DAWN.

Carrousel I Don’t Want to Be Here LP

This is a strong, atypical sing-along hardcore punk release from Lehigh Valley, PA. Look, I know what you’re thinking—“weren’t the RUSSIAN MEATSQUATS a strong, atypical sing-along hardcore punk band from Lehigh Valley?” Yes, they were. Also, not unlike the RUSSIAN MEAT SQUATS, CARROUSEL is fast, singable, high-velocity, sarcastic, poignant, and oddly relatable. Alyse’s lyrics are fired-up, relentless, and her delivery is on target. Also, I’m an easy mark for any band that has a song about the movie The Warriors. The thirteen tunes are tight and rocket through seamlessly. Also (times two), I’m a sucker for ridiculousness, so when the circle-pit mosh part of their tune “Frogs” comes in and the band chants “ribbit” like it’s a CBGB NYHC matinee of little green hoppers, I love it. Also (times two plus one), although this release might sound tongue-in-cheek at first pass, the lyrics have many points where there’s an honesty and vulnerability that keeps a band like CARROUSEL from plopping into the parody band category. Also (times two plus two), the rad cover art was done with great style and attention to detail by Rick Cornejo. Also (times two plus three), I hope that they play Northern Michigan sometime because I’ll certainly be there.

Cheater Slicks Live on WFMU / At Carabar LP

There is no better band than CHEATER SLICKS. Like, objectively speaking. Dudes have been at it for 40 years, they’ve put out a ton of records (but not too many!), each of which is both essential and compulsively listenable, and they still kill live. Loudest band I’ve ever seen! So, I’m totally on board with Almost Ready’s blitz of unearthed live recordings. This is the fifth of six such LPs that they’ve released over the past year or so, and it covers two performances: a 2004 appearance on WFMU’s The Cherry Blossom Clinic with Terre T, and a 2006 appearance at the Columbus, OH venue Carabar. The former features a bunch of rockers pulled from Refried Dreams and what would end up being Walk into the Sea, and sounds fantastic. The latter covers more of their subdued numbers, including their great cover of the MYSTIC TIDE’s “Mystery Ship,” which closed out Don’t Like You—it also sounds great, but more like a traditional live record. It’s a document of a band at the height of its power doing what they do best, just absolutely cranking out incredible songs. Let’s unearth every shred of the SLICKS recorded output! Please!

De()t Welcome to the Idiot Factory EP

Following their 2024 Think of Your Future LP, DE()T presents the four-track EP Welcome to the Idiot Factory. The first couple of bars on the opener “Creepin’ In” sound like a typical hardcore affair, with chunky bass and guitar, drums pummeling out a turbulent rhythm, but then the whole thing breaks, the rhythm steadies, and a wobbly, chorus-drenched synth enters, accompanied by sarcastic, sneering vocals. The following track (“Progress”) continues this style; lyrics carry on a similar downtrodden agenda: “Is there anything more than just to survive?” The B-side takes on a slightly darker feel, and while present, the synth occupies a different, lower-end sound space, not as forward in the mix. The guitar goes from a glassy simmer on the verse of “Gamblin’ Man” to full boil-over on the chorus, and the vocals follow suit with less sneer and more gut-punch. Closer “Welcome to the Idiot Factory” comes in with a buzzy, bass-adjacent synth line, with a monotone report of “Slash your tires / Slit your wrist / Bang your head / Pop your zits”—lyrically, this song could be akin to DEAD KENNEDYS’ satire, poking holes through the machine of meaningless work that supports even more meaningless commerce. Great release from this Raleigh, NC group.

Draft Dodgers Draft Dodgers demo cassette

The label’s statement doesn’t lie: “Death to capitalist hardcore.” If you were looking for some feel-good Coachella hardcore, look elsewhere. DRAFT DODGERS have no fake tough-guy bark; they’re just a band actually pissed-off at the state of the world, and they certainly nail the frenzied ’80s hardcore vibe found in bands like YDI or even HERESY. This sits firmly in the lineage of UKHC that values immediacy over everything, clocking in at five minutes like it’s daring you to complain. Blink and you’ll miss it. That’s the point. This is hardcore as a reflex, not as composition. If you need more than five minutes, you’re missing the point of hardcore. And, fuck wars, dodge the draft, let the rich fight on their own.

Fauna / Sequera split cassette

A ten-song split from two bands from North Catalonia who are both new to me. The SEQUERA songs have a Western pop punk influence that really threw me off. It sounds like it could have been on Epitaph in the ’90s. I’ve heard this before, and I never want to hear it again. The FAUNA songs are much more interesting. The recordings are less polished, and they’ve got a decent energy. They’ve got an edgy post-punk thing going on that reminds me of BLITZ or SYNDROME 81. This would have been better if it were ten songs from FAUNA.

Grapefruit Prehistoric Hijinks EP

I am actually pretty fond of a lot of third wave ska/ska-punk, but I’ll be the first to admit the genre has more misses than hits. This EP feels like filler for the most part, like the songs that would be between the super-energetic, catchy highlights of an album that doesn’t exist. It’s melodic enough, but it lacks memorable hooks or choruses—it’s not bad, but feels unnecessary. It went through me evoking little to no response. The lack of horns makes me think of the IMPOSSIBLES, but without all the personality and definitely not enough energy. It’s gonna be a pass for me.

Haexler Talkshow 12″

Leipzig’s HAEXLER totally decimates with their hyper-aggressive Talkshow 12”. It ticks all the boxes for me: guitar riffs supercharged by dimed HM-2s, gnarly bass that sounds like a nasty gut-punch, tastefully over-the-top drumming, rabid vocals foaming at the mouth…it really is a solid powerviolence record that I can see myself coming back to, especially when I need my daily dose of that Swedish chainsaw sound.

Kato Ihmiskulttuuri LP

I have been listening to a lot of raw ’80s hardcore punk lately, especially on my way home from work. The direct teenage energy of such bands is infectious and contrasts nicely with the tedious daily grind and the predictably boring colleagues (especially Nicolas from Accounts). KAAOS is one of the bands I play the most often because old school Finnish hardcore is probably the genre that best illustrates this sort of raw and snotty fury, and it is precisely the genre that the St. Louis band KATO decided to adopt. Absolute Tampere-82-style, and bands like the aforementioned KAAOS, RIISTETYT, TAMPERE SS, or MELLAKKA have been listened to frequently in KATO’s bedroom. It is very hard to replicate this ’80s vibe, especially Finnish hardcore since it relies so much on the specific tonalities of the language and the kind of unhinged punkiness inherent to being a sixteen-year-old punk that makes it such a lovable subgenre. But the band pulls it off very convincingly, with a Finnish vocalist (I assume) who sounds like he time-traveled from the golden era back when sniffing glue was still acceptable. This LP is very impressive, and fans of fast ’80s raw punk will go nuts for it. One of the best albums of the year so far for me.

Lackey Pay No More EP

Extremely fun slice of hardcore punk rock’n’roll, in this humble reviewer’s opinion. Reminiscent, at its most unhinged, of GLUE or HOAX, so if that particular flavour of hardcore intrigues you, then pop your keys back on your belt carabiner, roll your watch cap even further up your forehead, and give this a spin for heaven’s sake!

Monoton Tid Den Monotona Tiden / Statisk 7″

Effortlessly cool Swedish minimal wave/electro-punk, clearly having spent a considerable amount of time studying the encyclopedia volume that spans CABARET VOLTAIRE to CRASH COURSE IN SCIENCE. This is music completely befitting a band whose name translates to “monotonous time,” and to be clear, that’s not meant as a slight in any sense—austerity, repetition, single-minded focus of vision, they’ve nailed it all in about four-and-a-half minutes total here. Three synths (everyone in MONOTON TID plays one) enmesh over absolutely nasty pulsating bass lines and an anxious drum machine tick straight out of a Subterranean Records lucid dream, as Emilia’s vocals are delivered with the matter-of-fact detachment of a speaking clock service (and on the B-side “Statisk,” doubled-up with equal nonchalance from bassist Vince). The fact that this 7” came out eight months ago and only just now fell into my hands is tragic, because this would have landed an easy best-of-2025 nod from me.

Nutrition 8 Song EP

Originally released by Neon Taste on cassette, this wiry and efficient grip of tracks has been remastered for sweet merciful vinyl. I love when a group can strip down to the bare essentials, and this is a perfect example of doing as much with as little as possible. Guitars stay clean, bass is not too flashy but holds it down, the drums gallop, and the vocals are beautifully unhinged and kept out in front in the mix. It’s hard to put in a corner of genre, but it has the intensity of hardcore and the tunefulness of jangly original recipe punk. More good stuff out of British Columbia, and kind of a perfect treat of a 7″.

Panic Kids Falling With Style LP

PANIC KIDS are a Madrid five-piece who cite TURBONEGRO, RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS, and TURBO AC’S as inspirations, which is an ambitious wish list. Their sophomore LP Failing With Style lands closer to TURBONEGRO’s throttled sleaze than the full-tilt attack of the others, and the album lopes along in mid-tempo territory enough that the adrenaline doesn’t quite pump for the recording in the same way that it probably does in a bar. That said, the production is big and solid, the gang vocals and “whoa-oh-oh”s keep the party moving, and there are enough hooks to keep it interesting. Standouts include the opener “The Itches” and “I’ll Be Adored,” and a guest vocalist on “From Madrid With Love” delivers a classic hard rock performance that’s one of the album’s highlights. Their creepy baby-face mascot is unsettling. Limited to 500 copies.

Planet on a Chain Ritual Routine LP

Twelve new stompers from one of Oakland hardcore’s finest. Big, beefy guitars and powerhouse drumming kick you in the ass while youth-crew-style vocals teach you a lesson with thoughtful, introspective lyrics. There’s more substance and attention to detail here than typically found in this style, right down to the crystal-clear production. I’d chalk it up to the band’s collective pedigree; obviously, they’ve been around the block and know their shit. A massive record that’s engaging from start to finish.

Psyop Fucko cassette

Fucko is an abrasively fast, no-nonsense hardcore EP. The five tracks on this cassette each barely go beyond the one-minute mark, hitting with the strength and the attitude of a band playing CBGB in the ’80s. Songs like “Negative Nancy” and “No Going Back” come and go in the blink of an eye, but the tight playing and chaotic groove keep it very memorable. After five years, PSYOP is delivering in the greatest manner. A modern banger.

Reek Minds Eternal Reek EP

Prolific Portland speed-punks are back at it. Cramming six songs onto seven inches of hateful hardcore, REEK MINDS continue along their trajectory laid out some eight years ago. Nods to the classics are certainly present, but I think of bands like SPEED PLANS and ALIENATOR (with whom they share members) as better reference points. These punks clearly have a huge chip on their collective shoulders, but I get the sense that they’re not taking themselves so seriously that they aren’t finding enjoyment amidst the animosity. “Aesthetic” is the rippingest track among a bunch of properly ripping tracks. A great place to start for the uninitiated, but there really ain’t a dud in their growing catalog.

Dave Strong DCxPC Live & Critical Mass Music Presents, Vol. 40: Live at Puke Fest LP

DCxPC drops in again with this DAVE STRONG LP, which immediately reflects the quality of releases that I’ve come to appreciate from the label. DAVE STRONG hails from Portsmouth, NH. Look, I know what you’re thinking: “Wasn’t that band the QUEERS from Portsmouth, NH?” Yes, they were. Also, not unlike the QUEERS, DAVE STRONG sings upbeat pop punk songs about wandering and drinking or whatever. The LP has plenty of songs about friends hanging out and things impacting his life. The songs are playful and budding with shout-along choruses. There’s also a great cover of the VASELINES tune “Molly’s Lips” with a breakdown that introduces the band members. As with most DCxPC releases, you probs already missed the chance to pick this up, but maybe Critical Mass still has some in their closet. Here you get fourteen songs that stroll along with the average running time of two-and-a-half minutes. This is a great set up for DAVE STRONG’s next full long-player.

Subterranean Kids Los Ojos de la Víctima LP reissue

Re-presenting the 1987 debut album from these Catalan hardcore legends, this new edition of Los Ojos de la Víctima (“The Victim’s Eyes”) reminds us of the band’s power and creativity in its formative stages. Mixing D.R.I.-level thrash chaos with MINOR THREAT-style breakdowns, all presented with the dramatic flair of MDC, the songs are short, abrasive, and unpredictable. Unbridled intensity suddenly drops into a casual, bass-heavy groove before exploding back into screaming fury. A menacing chug turns to a relaxed tempo with noodling guitar, and then the next track is tripping over itself with incomprehensible urgency. It’s sure to keep you on your toes. The remastered album is included here in its entirety, along with two previously unreleased tracks.

Suitor Saw You Out With the Weeds LP

Indie rock with a touch of post-punk at times. I liked the variety of styles these guys were able to capture; I didn’t know what to expect for each track. My absolute favorite track was “Generator.” It was a bit heavier and strange with a bang to start the track. I really liked the droning noise with a bass interlude, and overall very tense feelings it created. I kinda wish they had more tracks in this style as it felt the strongest to me, and some of the other songs felt a bit too long for my taste.

Twisted Teens Blame the Clown LP

There’s something about New Orleans that defines its own weirdness, a disparate collage of Cajun, creole, country, and punk subcultures with an identity distinctly of and desperately not of the American south. This transient collection can create art and music that is hard to pin down and classify it as anything other than itself, and TWISTED TEENS could only authentically come from there. A melting pot of garage rock, folk punk, blues, soul, and Americana, they have shaped their own sound that just feels like something familiar in that way that you could know WOODIE GUTHRIE by listening to the CLASH. There’s a crazy mishmash of GUN CLUB experimentation, zydeco energy, and TOM WAITS weirdness. Lead singer and guitarist Caspian Hollywell’s scratched-out, cigarettes-and-whisky-soaked voice harkens to his folk punk roots in SCISSORBILLS and BLACKBIRD RAUM—I mean, he’s wearing a SCROUNGER shirt on the cover of the album, so you get an idea where this is rooted. Lyrically, the songs have the humor and narrative weirdness of Tom Robbins on a meth bender. Hollywell is backed by Ramon (RJ) Santos on pedal steel, and their live shows incorporate a random entourage of other musicians on stage. It’s Santos’s playing that is the guts of the band, twisting and intertwining with the guitar and vocals and then breaking away while still carrying the song.

V/A Current Affairs CD

Here we have ten bands and seventeen songs from England and the Netherlands, tackling all types of underground punk. This CD has all the makings of a charming local release of all pals and pub buddies working to capture a moment in time. OLD AGE SPIES start off with a real zinger of an upbeat melodic stomper with lyrics surrounding the boring day-to-day. From there, MOUSER shoots in with a rager on the hardcore side of things, then plops in later with some great punk swagger that hat-tips to the FALL a little bit. Coming in just under one minute, ABRAZOS’s “We Pretend to Work Because They Pretend to Pay Us” locks in fast and furious with shared vocals. Soon after, STRESSSYSTEM accepts the challenge with a tune almost 400 percent longer, mirroring ABRAZOS’s intensity with a powerful crust/hardcore offering also with shared vocals. BRIOCHE, with the tracks “Aliens Are Real” and “Strange,” is a brother-and-sister duo that can be best described as the Swain kids from the Kurt Vonnegut book Slapstick with their joint genius, and stylistic and genuinely enthralling songs. FORD’S FUZZ INFERNO is perfect melodic, straight-ahead lo-fi punk. With every compilation I have ever listened to, I always look for a few distinct things. First, did these bands give their best? These bands did. Second, do I get the feeling that I’d want to stop into their hometowns for lunch and record shopping? I don’t think I’d want to go record shopping, but I’d totally want to hang out, grab a pint, and have a laugh. Third, and most importantly, do I want to seek out music from bands I’ve never heard before? One hundred percent. My funds are a little tight right now, but as soon as that tax cash comes in, I’ll be tossing some across the pond for a whole big mess of stuff. Also, if you act now, you’ll receive a zine and some other things, too.