Kārtël

Reviews

Kārtël Ningun Ser Humano es Ilegal cassette

Wow, this is a powerful release, starting off with the quality of the recording—this is perfect for the band. Thick and precise, I can hear every instrument. The songs remind me of some Japanese bands mixed with a lot of other influences. I think I listened to this five times in a row when I first got it. The vocals sound powerful and impassioned. This is so good I am writing it down for my year-end top ten already. Unfortunately, it seems to be sold out already. This definitely needs to have another pressing, whether tape or vinyl. Top-notch hardcore punk.

Kārtël / Ódio Social split EP

I have yet to grab my reviewer copy of this, but lucky for me I happened upon it at Black Water Records in Portland and picked it up. I had been hearing solid reviews of this from older punks and younger punks and all the mad D-beat heads, and it certainly does not Dis-appoint. KÄRTËL of NYC, comprised of members from Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico, plays pounding hardcore with militant force and fluid vocals. This is tough as nails and rhythmically flowing. Female lead vocals in Spanish rip through with the meter and pitch of KOHTI TUHOA, AFTER THE BOMBS, and SACRILEGE. This is one of the best voices of the year. Attitude and sheer power à la FORÇA MACABRA, oration as inferno like RIÑA. The writing is relentless and KÄRTËL plays it seamlessly. ÓDIO SOCIAL, native to Brazil, complements Side A in Portuguese with buoyant, loose bass and similarly tight speed-demon percussion. Dual vocals ranging from hardcore to more guttural crust to anthemic käng-stomp singing. This EP is essential Latinx hardcore and one of my favorite Vex releases. All those debating the sides of the NERVOUS SS/RAT CAGE split LP, give yourself a break, and check this out. A split EP of the year.