Screaming Target Screaming Target demo cassette
Here we are, the first tape I have been sent to review in 2026, and it is an absolute doozy! Debut from this project out of Melbourne, Australia, and it is spot-on. No idea who is in this band or what other bands they have connections to, as I am only seeing them referred to as being a Melbourne supergroup. Six sons of driving punk with some truly shredding rock’n’roll guitar licks. Incredibly catchy and riddled with hooks without a single instant sounding like the band is dipping their toes into anything in the pop punk realm. It has me thinking a lot about the first record by the VIBRATORS, who were undeniably a punk band, but I can’t listen to Pure Mania without thinking what great power pop songs the album is filled with. This is great, start to finish. Consider the gauntlet thrown down with the first release I’ve tackled this year.