Reviews

Kick Rock

Barrage Barrage LP

Latest release from France’s BARRAGE. Non-stop crushing crustcore in the vein of EXTREME NOISE TERROR or DISRUPT, although BARRAGE sticks to hardcore punk roots rather than the crustier realm of the aforementioned bands. Some death and thrash metal phrases can be heard in parts of the album, yet it successfully avoids the modern-sounding extreme metal approach. The D-beat tag does get thrown around, but D-beat masters out there might not call it quite that. Still raging, full-front ferocity of in-your-face sonic bombardment.

Bleakness Living Shadows LP

Excellent live record from this Paris band. Recorded on tour in Georgia (the country), BLEAKNESS plays anthemic deathrock-inspired post-punk, captured flawlessly on this two-track LP. I don’t know if I have heard a better sounding live record, for real. For fans of POISON RUIN or ARCTIC FLOWERS, the songs feature heavy chorus on guitar, earnestly sung politically-themed vocals, and driving bass and drums. There isn’t much information regarding song titles or lyrics (other than stage banter), but it kills. They are so tight, and the energy is palpable. It sounds like there were maybe fifteen people in the Tbilisi audience, and I wish I was there. Dark punk for the ages and highly recommended.

Deletär Deletär LP

This full-length LP from Saint-Étienne’s DELETÄR is teeth-ripping hardcore punk in the Swedish style of hardcore à la TOTALITÄR to NO SECURITY, with an epicness in the still yet-to-be-burning-spirits of Chelsea’s guitar leads and a CAMERA SILENS-like triumphant sing-along vocal style at times. Within the tracks of controlled chaos, very well-crafted catchy riffs flow throughout the songs in a fierce, non-stop bombardment attack. Plummeting full-drive drums attack with maniacal yet still catchy vocals that will make you raise the fist and sing along. While referencing the aforementioned bands, the sound is original—they’ve got all the right influences from good bands and still made this sound into their own. My favorite release of the year.

AI (悪意) / Disturd Walk split 12″

Japanese split effort between decade-long friends. We have DISTURD with some heavy punk, absolute chaos-bringers. Great presence in the solid, harsh vocals, with a dragging feeling of hardcore punk on the crustier side that combines bits of powerviolence as well. Blunt definition of the band, filled with raw punk of a vicious energy. On AI’s side, we have more defined metal crust, crazy guitars, angry drums, and strident, suffering vocals filled with energy. Recommended.

M.V-11 6 Songs EP

Japanese hardcore alert! M.V-11 rose from the ashes of ENDLESS CHAOS to deliver a hardcore ass-kicking the way that only Japanese punks can do. Six hardcore bangers that use the same energy as bands like NIGHTMARE or LIP CREAM. A solid EP for the Japanese hardcore maniacs!