Reviews

MRR #498 • November 2024

American Muscle American Muscle demo cassette

Debut release from this trio of Detroit steakheads. These dudes mix BUCK BILOXI-styled dum-dum braggadocio, GOLDEN PELICANS-esque hard-headed hard rock, and PENETRATORS-esque tuneful budget punk to cook up four cheap, greasy tracks perfect to kill brain cells by. The cassette’s highlight is “Best Band in Detroit,” where the only lyric—delivered as much as a threat as it is a boast—is “I’m the best band in Detroit.” Maybe the best conflation of band and frontman since “Tighten Up”! Turn your brain off and the stereo up!

Angel Face Angel Face LP

New raw garage in supergroup packaging, all by way of Tokyo. Boasting members from FADEAWAYS, FIRESTARTER, and most notably Fink from the almighty TEENGENERATE, the band has more aptitude than most. This LP burns in the red, and is the perfect amount of slightly deranged and perfectly out-of-sync. There is a pubescent joy that gets raked into the songwriting in a way that moves bodies to a beat, with the band’s backing harmonies being the sell. “That’s Enough,” “Bring Me Back,” and “Take It Or Leave It;” the record is teenage joy spun on a platter.

Beige Banquet Ornamental Hermit LP

BEIGE BANQUET is anything but beige when it comes to their musical style. They bring an almost artsy and darker vibe to punk, utilizing both distorted bass lines and heavy percussion at times. What gripped me most was the haunting repetition of vocal lines that were layered over noisy and gloomy instruments. They’re able to smoothly transition from a slightly heavier and noisier energy in “Parasitic Energy” to a quieter percussion solo in the intro of “Mind Lapse”, which I find just really well done. The use of spoken words was really interesting too, and kept me on my toes. Overall, BEIGE BANQUET brings a unique twist and energy to punk.

Big Dog In the Yard EP

A healthy serving of meat-and-potatoes skinhead rock’n’roll from VIOLENT WAY alums, and boy, I hope you are hungry. Bully XL vocals barking against the usual bêtes noires of the modern skin, namely scruffy bastards, fighting, and middle class frauds. Lyrics are, much like this record, both short and to-the-point, and delivered with aplomb over some extremely rockin’ stompers. If you can’t run with the BIG DOG, stay on the porch.

Band of Bastards / Black Mercy American Carnage / The Curse split LP

​​BLACK MERCY and BAND OF BASTARDS are both punk/hardcore bands from Austin, Texas. This split LP offers ’80s-style blasts of hardcore on both sides. BLACK MERCY has a bouncy, lurchy feel on tracks like “The Curse.” They call to mind the frenetic urgency of SOUL GLO and classics like MINOR THREAT’s self-titled release. I particularly enjoyed “Salvo,” with its guitar soloing and danceable breakdowns, and imagine this would be a ton of fun to see live. BAND OF BASTARDS features former members of SPARTA and …AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD. Interestingly though, the band sounds like neither of those, and once again conjures not only ’80s hardcore but also DC hardcore (my favorite kind!) in particular. “FYP” is a powerful anthem, with driving drums and a switch to an upbeat rhythm midway through. I loved the lyrics of “Lack of Love,” a snarling treatise on “shitheads with no remorse,” exploring empty words and the disconnect of those who make policies and those who have to live with them. Overall, I am excited by what these bands are doing, their take on the world, and the politics/values they are covering. What this split did, which is what all good splits should do, is make me wish I was at a show they were both playing—ideally in front of a building we were all protesting. Coke bottle clear with blue swirl vinyl frankly also sounds delightful, and this release can provide you that!

Carnage Asada Head on a Platter CD

First album since 1999 from this Los Angeles band, which has included L.A. punk luminaries like Joe Baiza, filmmaker Dave Markey, and Dez Cadena. The current lineup mixes wah-heavy psych rock, heavy blues jams, and the mostly-spoken observational storytelling of vocalist George Murillo. Songs like “Germs Reborn” have an early L.A. hardcore speed and approach, but most of these tracks are jammy affairs with occasional trumpet backup and even Norteño rhythms. Despite the hardcore pedigree and my unwavering love of most eras of the SST catalog that seems to most influence CARNAGE ASADA, this was a miss for me. “Chinese Lady Aluminum Foil” tells a story about a woman wearing an aluminum foil hat to prevent Martian mind control. And while the song is somewhat sympathetic to her (“Never hurt nobody / Always looks so lonely”), I assume this is about a real person who may have mental health issues. At best, it seems callous. Then we get “Little Fat Princess,” another observational tale of a child throwing a tantrum, with the lines, “Little fat princess / Stomping your feet / Little fat princess / Give me something to eat.” I mean, it’s a kid, and the chorus repeats the title quite a few times. It just sounds out of touch, and both mentioned songs ride a very fine line between describing daily life occurrences and punching down. The musicianship is top-notch and the stylistic diversity is interesting, but it’s not a repeat listen for me.

Crossed Wires Ellipsis LP

Mid-tempo and super catchy as it prods along, there is a lot to like about this, including that it kind of reminds me of SONIC YOUTH with that sort of grinding guitar sound. The female vocals are really nicely delivered. Power pop? Pop punk? Or maybe just pop? Doesn’t really matter, this Canadian three-piece has delivered a winner here. This will be a part of my regular rotation for quite some time.

Dead Street Dreamers Countdown to the Reaper CD

Fun street punk outing here—hard-hitting songs, high-energy vocalist, and a lead guitarist serving up some tasty licks. Nothing groundbreaking, but if you’re into stuff like STREET BRATS and early DROPKICK MURPHYS, you’ll dig this. Apparently the lead guitarist used to play with RIVER CITY REBELS, and while I can’t find which era he belonged to, they’re a good comparison point as well.

Fentanyl Fentanyl LP

San Francisco’s FENTANYL takes a unique approach to hardcore. Instead of the more commonly heard fuzzy distortion, they opt for a clean, stabbing guitar sound that really does set them apart. On their debut self-titled LP, they pair that DEAD KENNEDYS-inspired treble with rabidly barked, anxiety-riddled lyrics that are direct and to the point. For fans of the members’ stacked resumes, which include SPY, SPIRITUAL CRAMP, and WORLD PEACE.

Guerra Final Purgatorio EP

GUERRA FINAL emerges from the heart of Texas’s burgeoning punk scene with a raw, electrifying energy that is as raucous as it is intense. Their second EP Purgatorio combines aggressive outbursts with catchy hooks, creating a dynamic and addicting mixture. GUERRA FINAL blends POISON IDEA-like guitar riffs, with frenetic drumming and the songwriting sensibility of Burning Spirits-styled bands. Each track pulsates with a relentless rhythm and undisputed attitude. In a punk landscape often crowded with formulaic bands, GUERRA FINAL stands out as a fresh fix ready to take the genre back to its roots. Keep an eye on these punks—they’re just getting started.

Leaking Head Play That Fuckin’ Track cassette

Freaked-out and fuzzy hardcore punk from Rochester. This tape from LEAKING HEAD is unhinged and wild, featuring eight tracks that make for a chaotically cohesive listen. Citing inspiration from Cleveland legends H100s and GORDON SOLIE MOTHERFUCKERS, this is similar in spirit but far murkier and mutated, which is a good thing as far as I’m concerned. No single track recommendations here; listen to the whole thing to best experience LEAKING HEAD.

Malakili Malakili LP

The label describes them as a mix of classic American and Swedish hardcore—that sounds extremely accurate to me. An intense-sounding record, with excellent recording. It starts off with my favorite song on the album, and it is ripping, Swedish-influenced hardcore and a quality album throughout. If you like bands like MOB 47 or DIE KREUZEN, you will probably like this one a lot.

Nox Novacula Feed the Fire LP

I’m not even gonna play, I missed seeing NOX NOVACULA this summer at Skull Fest and I’m pretty sore about it. Feed the Fire was released shortly before, and I was hooked on the nine-song album of anthemic deathrock. Feed the Fire has its  moments of introspection and downtempo gothic rock, but the majority of the songs are demanding change by any means and contain an energy to match. If you like 45 GRAVE or you keep up with CIERŃ, you’ll like this.

Poison Idea Blank Blackout Vacant 2xLP reissue

The legendary POISON IDEA from Portland, Oregon sees their fourth studio album, 1992’s Blank Blackout Vacant, reissued by TKO Records and their own label, American Leather Records (again) in this newly remastered and remixed version of the 2020 deluxe reissue. This double-LP gatefold includes an extra LP’s worth of B-sides, rarities, covers, and four songs recorded live on KBOO. The covers include tracks originally by DEAD BOYS, the WHO, and BOOKER T. & THE MG’S. While this doesn’t quite pack the same punch as their earlier releases, it stands above most soundalike bands playing this type of punk/hard rock with metal influences. Recommended for fans of the band and collectors who need every damn version. Check out: “Smack Attack.”

Renkore La Grieta LP

Bello and Medellin, Colombia collective project defending individual and collective freedom. Noisecore crust punks that mark their sound with glances of hardcore and metal, combining two vocals that are ever-ranting and screaming frantically in the most doomy way possible, fast-paced powerviolence drum cadences, and metallic-driven guitars. Suggested track: “El Pogo de los que Sobran.”

Rhizome and the Flavonoids Snifter of Space cassette

After a 2023 debut cassette, RHIZOME returns with another grip of zany new wave absurdity. An Australian solo recording project (unknown if it also is a live band), RHIZOME AND THE FLAVONOIDS have all the ingredients of a kooky, synth heavy, DEVO-esque new wave outfit. The songwriting comes off a bit hard to digest and a little too freeform for the most part, but when there are moments of simplicity within the songs you can get more of a feel for it. I think the best way to make sense of this is that it feels like a new genre of DEVO-jazz, and as someone who doesn’t understand jazz, perhaps that’s where my confusion comes in.

Richard Hamilton Yellow Datsun Car / I Want U 2 Call Me 7″

The initial reference to “the Mission” and the fact that the car on the cover has California plates made me think that this dude (or this band) is a San Francisco thing., but it looks like it’s a Cleveland thing. Maybe. It’s all very easy to listen to. Catchy and going along at a very nice tempo, the male/female vocals are almost soothing. It’s perfect for the jangly and poppy backdrop. Reminds me of FROM BUBBLEGUM TO SKY. Really great pop music.

Grimly Forming / Rolex split LP

Killer split by two great L.A. bands. This is the first that I have heard from GRIMLY FORMING since the band’s ’22 release. They had this song on there called “Killing Spree” that was stupid good. Well, shit! Guess what? It’s on this pressing also! GRIMLY FORMING is in peak form on each of the ten tracks. The band loses zero velocity and is a relentless horror hammer of a band to listen to. Perfect. ROLEX was a band that I had not heard yet, but am going to learn to love a lot! They combine a ratio of CHEETAH CHROME MOTHERFUCKERS and SACCHARINE TRUST in a way that could easily be amongst the glorious SST roster of ’82. “Let’s Get Away With It” is probably one of my favorite songs of the fucking year!! Buy.

Satanic Togas Illusions / 1998 7″

This is the latest and greatest from song factory Ishka Edmeades, also of GEE TEE and TEE VEE REPAIRMANN fame. Edmeades doesn’t break the mold here, but comes packing with two tracks of snappy, hook-laden punk that satisfies your sweet tooth. The tape-saturated sound bolsters these two bangers and makes them sizzle and pop. The riffs are there, hyperactive but dialed-in, with great licks laid on top to seal the deal. If you know what you’re in for, you’re still in for a treat. And if you’re not hip to this sound yet—dive in.

Sensor Ghost 3 Songs EP

Oddball DC trio offering some sparse and angular art punk. 3 Songs showcases farty bass, simple drums, guitar riffs that go between flowing, lightly distorted leads and staccato jabs—the base ingredients for this type of arty sound, right? The thing setting SENSOR GHOST apart, for me, is the vocals. While playing bass, Mike Andre performs an almost spoken word performance, sneaking in a range of notes from syllable to syllable, creating a textured, spiky landscape that’s going to have the lights on your decibel sensor really dancing. Instruments and vocals pulse throughout the verses, very steadily landing on beat, while choruses get into a syncopated groove with a unique propulsion that I wasn’t expecting, especially apparent on “Crystal Spa.” After some listens, this really grew on me—I get shades of the most experimental DEVO tracks, with a folksy lyrical approach. Mike Andre and Amanda Huron (guitar) are also in PUFF PIECES, and Sam Lavine (drums) plays in LIGHT BEAMS.

Slan Ägd LP

Sweden, the country where playing ANTI-CIMEX lulls children to sleep. There is certainly no shortage of hardcore bands up there, and here comes a new contender in the notorious and much contested “fast and furious käng” category. SLAN is from Gothenburg and includes members of the rather good STRUL (in a SKITKIDS way), among other bands that I am not going to pretend I actually know. Their first EP Skiter I Allt released last year was a definite scorcher if you like your Scandicore on the mangel side of things (by which I mean more on the faster, MOB 47 side) if you want to be anal about it, and the boys are back in business with a full-length entitled Ägd. The recipe hasn’t changed much, but the production is a tad rawer and the vocals more upfront. While the EP had a definite ’80s Stockholm feel to my impeccable ears, the LP makes me think of a dirtier version of KRIGSHOT as well because SLAN manages to play that fast, and of Uppsala bands like CUMBRAGE or even of early VICTIMS in the singing style. It is a seriously raging, direct high-energy effort with some class riffing, but I can’t help but find the LP a little long for this style of punk with a playtime of almost twenty-four minutes (and everyone knows we have a twenty-minute attention span these days, if that). At the end of the day, yet another hard-hitting win from Sweden.

The Stiffs Demos and Rarities 1978–81 LP

The STIFFS were a punky power pop band out of Lancashire, England who put out a handful of damn-near-perfect singles in the late ’70s to early ’80s. As is often the case, there were a bunch of other songs from that early era that were previously unreleased, but luckily Projectile Platters have compiled those demos and rarities together and released them here on this LP. We only get a couple demos (the brilliant “Inside Out” and the lesser “Over the Balcony”), and they are pretty fleshed-out versions of the songs they would ultimately become. The big draw of this compilation, for me at least, is the 1979 radio session; in this stretch we get tight, loud, and energetic versions of “Brookside Riot Squad” and “Kids on the Street,” plus a couple others. These types of collections can often be curiosities at best, but this offering is for more than just the completists or those that are still on the hunt for an original copy of the “Standard English” single. This is an awesome snapshot in time of an early punk band in their prime, doing it better than most did or ever will.

Urban Misery Demo 2024 cassette

URBAN MISERY kicks off their demo with a slower and distinct bass line that quickly morphs into a super fast-paced classic punk song. It’s hard to choose what stood out to me the most: the wailing screams that seem to hover around you, egging you on, the high energy bass that seems to jump out of the shadows and attack you, or the guitar which seems to act as third vocalist in adding high-pitched tones in an almost call-and-response way in “WTF.” Overall, great fast-tempo punk.

V/A Locked in the Basement, Collection 1 LP

Locked in the Basement: Collection 1 is a gritty vinyl compilation that rips through 20 tracks from 20 underground bands in Bethlehem, PA and the surrounding area’s scenes. Born out of the pandemic and fueled by DIY ethos, this project is raw to the bone. The recordings are rough and unapologetic, capturing everything from crust to street punk, post-punk, and grindcore—so don’t expect polish, but get ready for a jolt of unfiltered energy. Standout cuts from ONE SIDED, ALEMENT, CHISELED LILLIES, RA!D, BRAZEN HELL, and PALE FANG tear through the noise, proving this collection isn’t about perfection, it’s about power. Pressed on blood-red vinyl with black splatters, the album also includes a booklet packed with fun stories from the bands’ sessions. Recommended for people who give no shits about recording quality and are interested in checking out what seems to be kind of a cool document of the bands playing in and around this scene since 2020.

V/A No Planet, No Future cassette

Three-band “demo tape comp” from Whitfield, NJ, a small, young scene of bands allegedly surrounded by the elderly in their hometown. Released by Almost Records, which is run by one of the members of NATURE BOYS, these tapes are re-dubbed over secondhand cassettes. The biggest annoyance of the release is that the cassette is very long and there is a ton of dead space on both sides, which could have easily had all the comp tracks on each side. Well, that should be the biggest annoyance. My big gripe is that the glued-down paper label from one of the sides of the tape peeled off while playing and clogged up the guts of my van’s tape deck, causing it to stop working while I was attempting to fast forward through the dead space at the end of one of the sides. No internet presence for any of the bands or for the label, so good luck tracking down a copy for yourself. Onto the music: ANGRY YOUNG MEN live up to their name with the titular track on the compilation. Youthful, energetic, passionate hardcore singing about being young and angry. HEARTCORE rips through the shortest song on the tape. Short, angry, mid-tempo hardcore. NATURE BOYS provide two songs on the comp. Very slick, professionally recorded pop punk. Catchy songs, but I could personally do without the BLINK-182 auto-tuned vocal effects.

Yemen Who is Pull the Trigger? CD

YEMEN is a band that features members of GOUKA, and what we get from them is some Swedish-style D-beat in the vein of ANTI-CIMEX or DISARM. Tough and thick guitar sound with some chaos thrown in just to get it right. Good stuff. Black Konflik continually puts out good crust and D-beat releases, often CD or cassette versions of records. I’m a fan.

Μπριτζολιτσεσ Α​ι​σ​χ​ο​σ Ν​τ​ρ​ο​π​η cassette

This is some ripping weirdo punk from Greece, something I do not come across daily. These songs do not let up, often anchored by breathless drums that have punk energy and a German psych precision and mobility. When the band strays from their formula of angular, anarchic lo-fi punk, the rewards dwindle, such as on the too-zany cut “Love Your Baby/Moron.” But overall, this is a group that plays serious without taking itself too seriously. The results are enough to make your brain wiggle.