Reviews

La Société Pue Prod

Active Minds Religion Is Nonsense 10″

How appropriate that ACTIVE MINDS have a review in the final print issue of MRR, as a band that seem to have been flying the flag for DIY punk and hardcore almost as long as the mag has been around (or at least as long as I remember!). This is just the latest in a vast discography of fiercely political hardcore punk in a variety of guises, whether DISCHARGE worship or melodic LEATHERFACE type fare, but always with a message first and foremost. Several of the songs on this record are based loosely around the titular theme of religious hypocrisy and exploitation of children. Did I mention it comes wrapped in a printed ACTIVE MINDS patch?! It really does my heart good to know that these folk are still at it, still active.

Fénwär Fénwär LP

FÉNWÄR is a group of anarchists who reside at Réunion, which is a small island in the Indian Ocean, and they play toothsome, crusty anarcho hardcore. The Fénwär LP, the band’s first release, is eleven tracks of all-out blistering guitar, huge chugging bass lines, and intriguing rhythm shifts. The vocals range from spoken word, sung, and dual shouts, which keeps things really interesting, while most of the lyrics are in French. There’s also a DISCHARGE and a NAILBOMB cover, so you know from the jump what references FÉNWÄR is citing. “La Soucoupe et le Perroquet” is currently my preferred song, as it drifts into starting and builds stronger as it progresses into a ferocious pummeler. In all, don’t sleep on FÉNWÄR, as they’re top-shelf.

Maudit Dragon Maudit Dragon LP

This three-piece from Grenoble, France quite simply fucking rules. For a debut LP, these songs are wise beyond their years, with a production that isn’t over-polished. Jo’s vocals range from high and light, to a low-end, strained output of total force, reminiscent of Brody Dalle’s snarl, particularly the opener “Ailleurs” that sounds like the DISTILLERS’ “Ask the Angels.” The guitars are perfectly big-fuzzed-out, mirroring the vocals, and make a wall of sound over the powerhouse drums—and did I even hear some keys in the background? I can’t imagine this not making my 2022 top ten. Everything I want out of a punk album: grit and power balanced with harmony and tenderness. The Cursed Dragon calls, so listen up.