New releases last four weeks: Punk/Hardcore

Review: Hailing from London's East End, there's few Oi-punk outfits who were as quintessential or authentic as The 4-Skins. While only releasing a small handful of albums with their definitive 80s line up, this live/demo/unreleased cuts compilation offers an aural fly-on-the-wall experience of being confronted with their signature brand of seething anti-authoritarian, anti-police brutality, anti-fascist, football loving, skinhead sporting, Doc Marten stomping punk in real time. Packed with cuts pulled from radio sessions, Bumper sessions, demos and even two tracks from a previously unreleased 7" 45, including the ska-punk-inflected 'Seems To Me'; offering a more subdued side to the OG Skins than most long-time fans would be accustomed to.

Review: The latest reissued compilation of 4 Skins' greatest works contains the hits and misses of the band at the height of the oi! era, which evolved in tandem with their breakout success and helped them along more than a fair little. From the opening jump of 'One Law For Them' and 'Evil', twin charges of unrelenting chant-punk and brawly sonic brashness, to the latter-siders 'A.C.A.B.' and 'I Don't Wanna Die', as well as a second Bumper Session of 'Evil', this retrospective harks back to a distinct early 80s subculture - as well as a band who, in their concern for police brutality and social injustice, defy common misconceptions of skinheads as all bad.

Review: Big Boys are punk visionaries from Austin in Texas and they sure made a big bang with what they described as their "debut, sophomore, and final album." This bunch of renegades came up in the late 1970's Austin scene. The band was led by the dynamic Randy "Biscuit" Turner, alongside Tim Kerr, Chris Gates, and various drummers like Rey Washam. They infused their music with skate funk, which means they somewhat deviated from hardcore norms at the time. Their diverse sound touched on post-punk akin to The Minutemen and inclusion in Thrasher magazine's cult "skate comps" catapulted them to fame among 80s skate punk enthusiasts. Renowned for engaging their live audiences like few others, they fearlessly explored new musical realms, even tackling Kool and the Gang covers at one point.

Review: BODEGA's debut album under Chrysalis Records, Our Brand Could Be YR Life, arrives as a culmination of their indie-rock musings on the encroachment of corporate influence into youth culture. Initially conceived eight years ago, guitarist and vocalist Ben Hozie has described it as a project they have long wanted to undertake. With 15 fantastic tracks, the album delves into various indie-rock subgenres, from dance-punk to shoegaze and psychedelic rock. Reflecting on themes of self-critique and cultural commentary, it offers a diverse sonic landscape, with hints of influences like R.E.M. This vital new collection shows BODEGA's musical evolution and retains their keen observations on contemporary societal shifts.

Review: Los Angeles crusted hardcore bruisers CNTS delivered a venomous statement of intent with their beautifully titled 2019 debut full-length Cunts, but sadly only had a brief opportunity to tour in support of the project before the world closed its doors in early 2020. Unfortunately, any and all future plans would be put on hold following vocalist Matt Cronk being injured in a car crash which resulted in a surgical error leading to a paralyzed vocal cord. Though members turned to other projects whilst awaiting/praying for Cronk's recovery (both drummer Kevin Avery and guitarist Mike Crain are members of Retox with the latter also being part of the Mike Patton-fronted Dead Cross), it wouldn't be until the winter of last year that, against all doctor's predictions, Cronk's voice would return and with it, a bevvy of new gripes and grievances to expel. Sardonically titled Thoughts & Prayers, and receiving distribution through the aforementioned Mike Patton's Ipecac label, prepare for an even more depraved batch of jagged, fuzzed-out, cynical and severely pissed off hardcore headcavers.

Review: Following their succinctly titled 2019 debut full-length Cunts, the Los Angeles based hardcore mob of the same name (sans the one vowel), would only briefly tour the project before the 2020 pandemic put a stop to all live shows. During this time, vocalist Matt Cronk suffered from a paralyzed vocal cord as result of a surgical error following a car crash injury. With other members Kevin Avery and guitarist Mike Crain keeping busy in Retox while the latter also serves as bass-man for Mike Patton-fronted Dead Cross, Cronk recovered against any medical predictions and between his personal strife and the state of utter division across the US, he has a whole load of hate to get off his chest on their cynical sophomore statement, Thoughts & Prayers.

Review: Self-described "putrid, drug-fueled gutter rock from the filthy streets of NYC", Couch Slut deal in ugliness, and boy is business a-boomin'! Meshing the most challenging facets of grindcore, hardcore punk, noise rock and black metal, the resulting cacophony is as unpleasant as it is impenetrable, yet the commanding presence of vocalist and primary songwriter Megan Osztrosits demands you suffer the audible torment while she details harrowing depictions of sexual violence, drug abuse and more singular inner-city horrors through subversive, vitriolic and grimly humoured phrases. Working with industrial hardcore manglers Uniform's Ben Greenberg (with previous production credits for Drab Majesty, Portrayal of Guilt, Metz), You Could Do It Tonight marks the fourth overall full-length from the group, and utterly refuses to dilute or smoothen their ethos of audibly healing through pain, or just pain for the fuck of it.

Review: Shadowed Tales From Mulhouse by iconic punk group The Damned is a haunting journey into the depths of musical darkness. The album captivates throughout with its eerie melodies, ethereal vocals, and brooding atmosphere. Each track exudes a sense of mystery and intrigue, drawing the audience into a world of shadows and secrets. The band's masterful instrumentation and haunting lyrics create a spine-chilling experience that lingers long after the final note fades away. All of this makes Shadowed Tales From Mulhouse is a testament to The Damned's prowess as musical storytellers, leaving listeners enthralled and eager for more from this enigmatic ensemble.

Review: 'Who Killed Marilyn?' is an early track written by Glenn Danzig when he was with the Misfits. Originally recorded in 1979 with the Misfits but due to financial issues with pressing vinyl copies at the time, was then re-recorded again in 1991 and released under Glenn Danzig's name. An important song in the history of the legendary figure, this is the first time this single has been issued on the CD format. Also included is an additional version of each track remixed and remastered by Danzig himself.

Review: The long-gestating follow up to 1992's initial instalment, Black Aria II would finally arrive in 2006 after years of discussion from Misfits/Samhain horror-punk visionary Glenn Danzig, and further his exploration into the cavernous realms of modern classical dark ambience. Conceptually based around Lillith, the first wife of Adam, the material here is far more minimalist and starker than its gothic predecessor, while utilising a more varied array of instruments on top of the pre-established organ and strings, with more Eastern sonic influences to conjure a mercurial vision independent of the preceding volume. Complete with eerie chimes, chants and esoteric lamentations, the project marks one of Danzig's most intriguing works when compared to, say, his Elvis covers compilations, and offers a transportive, biblical, haunting narrative delivered almost exclusively via instrumental atmospherics and insidious gloom.

Review: Two towering labels, Alternative Tentacles and Crispin Glover, break the mould for a momentary merger on this artistic collision of rogue planets: a new split reissued 7" housing that infamous syncretic, Patrick Fitzgerald, Motorpsycho and Jello Biafra, and their twin versions of Fitzgerald's original song 'Punch'. Fitzgerald is best known as a pioneer of folk punk, famously channelling his sardonic wit into a fleeting, light but somehow also epical sound. 'Punch' first surfaced in 2009 as a one-off single released under Crispin Glover's remit; it's now heard once more in both versions, tracking incendiary denunciations of politics on Fitzgerald's part, amid a suicidal, guitar-driven ascension into the air.

Review: Following on from their 1980 debut full-length No Questions Asked, the very next year would see Los Angeles based punk legends The Flesh Eaters unveil what many a fan considers to be, not only their magnum opus but one of the finest punk experiments ever contributed to the scene. A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die purposefully eschewed the breakneck pace of the expanding hardcore scene to channel outsider influences from the likes of swampy, Bayou-inflected roots rock to spasmodic jazz dirges to blues-laden malevolence. With depraved B-movie horror tales of violence and religious scandal; ultimately weaving a lyrical tapestry of the underbelly of LA, punk poet prophet Chris Desjardins immortalised himself as a commanding vocal presence with the type of penmanship to hypnotise, disgust and enthral.

Review: Japanese industrial noise duo The Grogerigegege are something of an urban legend within the underground music scene. Apparently meeting at a sex club where a shared appreciation for envelope pushing sex acts, punishing aural sonics and a bizarre avant-garde perspective on art would lock them together for ensuing decades of musical mayhem. Known for incorporating nudity, violence, broken glass and hoovers into their live set, the pair would even take a lengthy respite while one of the members simply disappeared for years on end before reconnecting with his counterpart. As If It Had Always Been Determined Since This Day Was Born transports listeners back to the pair's earliest forays into calculated extremity with blown out, overdriven remixes taken directly from the master tapes of their first 7" single released back in 1988. This includes the long sought after remaster of 'Mistress' originally used in the legendary Enoshima Beach Flexi Burning Live (which the pair opted to burn all original pressings of rather than make readily available). You do have to remember these are the same lads who sold dried out octopus tentacles in cassette cases during one tour as a limited release, and smashed up the master recording of another work and put the broken pieces in a metallic box that the listener shook to hear the album, hence the title You Are The Music Maker. If the utter lunacy of The Grogerigegege isn't detailed enough here, well this pressing comes complete with 5500 word essay-style liner notes penned by 55 year old Gero himself (Juntaro Yamanouchi).

Review: Canadian noise-rock trio Metz deliver their fifth full-length LP for their home label Sub Pop. Expressing an exponential graph of maturity, that has grown over their decade or so of recording and releasing, Metz' sound on Up On Gravity Hill veers more towards an almost black-metallic atmosphere, to counterpoise their originally stark, rageful sound. Conceptually, the album's change in sound matches its thematic content, with the band having found more peace in contrast, and the life-promising realisation that one can only experience its most joyful moments on the sole condition that one has also suffered its worst vagaries - there is no paradise without the fall. On the likes of '99' and 'Entwined', we're met with a driving, repetitious howl set against a sludgy axe-y backdrop, as vocalist Alex Edkins performatively laments and celebrates the ways of the world at the same time.

Review: The Minneapolis Uranium Club Band's Infants Under The Bulb album is an engaging journey through unbridled punk creativity and raw guitar energy. Released amidst their hometown's vibrant underground scene, the album defies categorisation in the way it blends elements of punk, post-punk and experimental rock. With relentless rhythms, angular guitar riffs and cryptic lyrics, each track unfolds in heavy and arresting fashion and the band's unconventional approach and uncompromising attitude challenge listeners to embrace the unconventional throughout this most visceral of albums.

Review: Hailing from Bremerton, Washington, legendary pop-punk mainstays MxPx have maintained a devout fanbase and cult-like following due to their earnest sincerity, angst and melody that they've refused to sacrifice across 12 full-lengths. Following on from the commercial success of 2003's Before Everything & After, which would mark the band's highest charting album to date, 2005 would see the release of their often overlooked gem Panic. At seven LPs in that this point, the energetic delivery and emotive material would cement the group as reliable lifers, while standout single 'Wrecking Hotel Rooms' featuring Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 on guest vocals, has gone on to become a highly lauded pop-punk crossover event in the decades since.

Review: Following their signing to the immensely impressive roster of pop-punk-centric label Hopeless Records, Welsh upstarts (soon to turn megastars) Neck Deep made good on all of the promise of their 2014 debut full-length Wishful Thinking with their breakout sophomore effort Life's Not Out To Get You in 2015. Linking up with A Day To Remember vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, former guitarist-turned-engineer Tom Denney and producer Andrew Wade down in Florida, the guidance and input from more seasoned veterans helped elevate the band's hardcore-adjacent blend of anthemic, saccharine pop-punk to staggering new heights, leading to somewhat of a torch-passing between bands as Neck Deep's stratospheric ascent can likely be drawn back to the success of this second LP. Now, courtesy of their ever-supportive label-home, the album lands back on wax after too long an absence.

Review: The eighth full-length from Floridian pop-punk legends New Found Glory marked their first as a four-piece following the controversial ejection of founding guitarist Steve Klein, and would serve as a creative reappraisal of the band's sonic trajectory at that time. Reverting from the accessible easycore of 2011's Radiosurgery, the follow up Resurrection would land in 2014 with a monumental chug-fest of anthemic breakdowns gelled to the type of earworm pop hooks ghost writers could only dream of penning. Featuring guest vocals from Anthony Raneri of Bayside on 'Stubborn' and (a pre-global success) Brendan Yates of Turnstile on the blistering closer 'On My Own'; Resurrection proved beyond a shadow of doubt that just because they were on the ropes, did not mean that New Found Glory would go down any other way than swinging, while what initially appeared to be their potential swansong, ultimately became a rejuvenation (or resurrection) as the band have continued to put out new albums all the way up to this day.

Review: Last year East Bay, California by way of Austin, Texas newfound hardcore bruisers, Planet On A Chain, karate kicked in the door of Revelation Records with their immensely pissed out debut full-length Boxed In. A group of seasoned veterans in their own right, with members previously operating in Look Back & Laugh, Tear It Up, Talk Is Poison, Dead Nation and Mutilated Tongue, the snarling energy they bring to the table exudes all of the traits of sharpened hardcore lifers. Following on from their 11-track, 19-minute sonic car crash of a debut comes an even uglier sophomore effort in the form of Culture Of Death, sharpening, honing and steeping their sound in even more crossover thrash meets beatdown chaos. Ultimately, POAC simultaneously celebrate hardcore's purpose and past while also cementing its increasing relevancy and legacy in the modern spectrum.

Review: Though soliciting some confusion as to whether it was written in 1977 or 2023, Pleasants' latest sonic gut-jab Rocanrol In Mono is a raw and toothy nostalgic throwback. Recorded in its entirety by frontman Al Uminium on four-track cassette, this whirlwind of an album revels in the unserious and fleeting, squashing every blues lick, top-reg solo and/or drum line under flattening walls of compression that nonetheless allow for much hilarity and dynamism and finding joy in the little things in life ('Loose Change', 'Interwebs', Rubix Cube').

Review: Originally released in 2017, In Riot We Trust is the second of two studio albums so far released by feminist protest group Pussy Riot, whose provocative punk regularly takes potshots at Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his regime. Since 2011, the Moscow band founded by then-22-year-old Nadya Tolokonnikova has had the membership of 11 women, who are arguably most well known for their guerrilla gigs and stunts, often in sites of national, cultural, or religious significance. Despite the real focus of the group being on speaking out against issues such as Russia's ingrained sexism, homophobia, and racism, totalitarian rule and oppression of rights, and the limelight falling on their IRL actions, this is more than enough evidence that their rage and talent can be distilled onto record to some degree. Potent to say the least.

Review: This limited edition new magenta pressing of The Ramones Live In Buffalo, NY, February 8th, 1979 allows you to transport yourself back in time to a moment when legendary punk outfit The Ramones were at their best. It was recorded during a radio show in Buffalo and is an electrifying performance that captures the band's raw energy following drummer Marky Ramone's arrival. It's a snapshot of The Ramones when they were one of the most eclectic outfits in punk and it delivers their iconic sound and edgy attitude with full force.

Review: Serving as a self-analysed response to 1998's ska and reggae-oriented Life Won't Wait, as well as growing criticisms that the band were slowly morphing into some form of Diet The Clash, punk legends Rancid would come to cave skulls at the turn of the new millennium with their second self-titled LP (after their 1993 debut), with many fans referring to the project as Rancid (2000) or simply Rancid 5. Reuniting with Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion to handle production duties (a collaborative role he has maintained with the group ever since), the project easily serves as the most aggressive offering in their entire catalogue, drawing on elements of hardcore and Oi! and imbuing them into their established ska-punk formula, moving far away from any Clash comparisons, and sharing more of a sonic kinship with the type of aggy, scuzzy, brassless hardcore ska of Choking Victim. At 22 tracks spread out over a near-40 minute runtime, you do the chaotic math.

Review: Currently back at full activity, and most recently releasing their latest album Il Tradimento Silenzioso (The Silent Betrayal) in 2022, Manchester punk pioneers Slaughter & The Dogs first made their name through their connections to former Joy Division manager Rob Gretton, while their opening slot for the Sex Pistols in Manchester on July 20, 1976 (the second of their two Free Tree Hall shows within two months) played a hand in expanding the city's punk movement before extending to a UK-wide phenomenon. Originally released in 1980, Bite Back served as the feral follow up to the band's quintessential 1978 debut full-length Do It Dog Style, and continued their blistering run of playfully chaotic anthems. Back on vinyl for the first time since its original pressing, this newly refurbished reissue comes with the double A-side of 'I'm The One' b/w 'One By One' as bonus tracks.

Review: Amidst the global pandemic, Dead Rebellion marked a milestone for Strung Out's 35-year journey. The album embodies a mid-tempo heaviness, prioritizing melody over speed, reflecting societal issues and personal struggles in our technology-driven world. 'Cages,' the lead single, balances melodic and heavy elements while delivering a poignant message. Dead Rebellion symbolizes the band's resilience and evolution amidst challenging times, showcasing their musical prowess and thematic depth.

Review: The upcoming eighth and final studio album by Canadian punk and metal rockers Sum 41, Heaven :x: Hell centres on the ultimate duality of their sound. Divided into two parts, the first disc, Heaven, hears a return to the pop punk cant of the band's earlier career, while the Hell-ish second disc reflects their latter-day exploration of heavy metal. Though the name references a dualistic theme, the ultimate goal is the synthesis of the two sounds, showing just how far the band have come in their nearly 30-year career. Lead single 'Landmines', which on the surface of things tends more towards the aforementioned pop punk heaven, captures this tendency, incorporating rapidfire metal fills and deathly vocal snarls.

Review: Much loved Canadian rock band SUM 41, known for their multi-platinum success, inked a new recordings deal with Rise Records for their final album, Heaven :x: Hell. The first single, 'LANDMINES,' accompanied by a video, set the stage for this highly anticipated release and soon won over fans. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the band expressed gratitude to those fans for their unwavering support throughout their 27-year journey. With over 15 million records sold globally, Billboard chart-toppers, a Grammy nomination, Juno and Kerrang! Awards, SUM 41 leaves an indelible mark on rock history, capping off their illustrious career with an album that promises to be a fitting farewell.

Review: Grime-inflected hardcore punk duo Bob Vylan follow up 2022's phenomenal The Price Of Life with yet another batch of scathing, witty, sardonic and severely pissed off bangers that distil elements from hip-hop, post-punk and metal into one cacophonous rallying cry for the working class. Touching on themes of racism, xenophobia, mental health and fatherhood, the hefty subject matter is balanced with energetic, banging compositions and a tongue-firmly-in-cheek delivery that falls somewhere between the smirking shitheaded-ry of IDLES and the intellectual fury of Rage Against The Machine.

Review: Socio-political hardcore punk meets the authenticity of grime by way of the dynamic duo that is Bob Vylan. Following on from 2022's much lauded sophomore effort The Price Of Life, the two Bobs (not their real names nor do they cite their namesake as a primary influence) return with their most direct, succinct and instantaneous collection of bangers to date. Drawing on motifs of hip-hop, nu-metal, post-punk and rap-rock, yet all restrained beneath a banner of venomous hardcore bite and London-centric wit, the material touches on the pressures of fatherhood in an especially unjust system, while tossing around uncomfortable topics of poverty, gentrification, racism, classism, and knife-crime like they're volleyed footballs rather than hot-button issues, challenging listeners to ruminate for a little longer than it usually takes to peruse through another desensitised news article.

Review: Short-lived So Cal band Wheezing Maniac will bring back many nostalgic memories for those old enough to have been wooed by seminal skateboarding video H-Street's Hokus Pokus. Two of its most iconic tunes were by this outfit - 'Dollar on a Platter' and 'Don't Come Close' and both showcase their off-kilter invention and high-energy sound perfectly. The band only recorded 17 tunes in all and each one makes it onto this Shade Through the Night Door reissue on Putojefe Records. A fine remastering job brings them up to scratch and makes this an essential one for the collection for fans old and new.

Review: Sheffield metalcore giants While She Sleeps make their long awaited return on the follow up to 2021's Sleeps Society. Taking a more sprawling approach to composition this time around, and allowing outsider influences from the likes of Gorillaz, Aphex Twin and even Britpop to help steer their creative course, the resulting sixth full-length Self Hell, offers simultaneously the band's most aggressive, complex and frenetic work in over a decade, whilst tapping into newfound electronic soundscapes aided by the use of vintage synths such as the Korg MS-20 and Behringer TD-3. These warring textures provide a unique balance of post-metalcore serenity, with technical riffs weaving around lush hues of ambient, euphoric electronica akin to say Mount Kimbie, yet repurposed for angst-riddled displays of sonic, melancholic fury. That doesn't necessarily mean that there's a lack of chugging bangers with glistening synth lines, but they're deftly balanced with moments of triumphant catharsis.

Review: Returning with their first full-length since 1988's Laying Down Law, Australian art-rock auteurs The Wreckery (made up of former members of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Birthday Party, Plays With Marionettes) appear set to make up for their near four-decade absence with a macabre, city-lit jaunt through dingy clubs, bleak narratives, and the type of film noir soundtrack-indebted avant-garde post-punk quintessential to the 80s scene. While their original demise came from creative differences from certain members desiring a more mainstream direction and the others dully devoted to challenging art-rock experimentalism, this dichotomy and rift ultimately led to what made The Wreckery such a sonically uncertain and musically dangerous outfit. Fake Is Forever serves as a return to form, victory lap and dark new chapter for the band all at once, complete with scathing lyrics, fuzzed out atonal bedlam, bombastic baritone sax and minute flourishes of delicacy.