Subterranean Kids

Reviews

Subterranean Kids Los Ojos de la Víctima LP reissue

Re-presenting the 1987 debut album from these Catalan hardcore legends, this new edition of Los Ojos de la Víctima (“The Victim’s Eyes”) reminds us of the band’s power and creativity in its formative stages. Mixing D.R.I.-level thrash chaos with MINOR THREAT-style breakdowns, all presented with the dramatic flair of MDC, the songs are short, abrasive, and unpredictable. Unbridled intensity suddenly drops into a casual, bass-heavy groove before exploding back into screaming fury. A menacing chug turns to a relaxed tempo with noodling guitar, and then the next track is tripping over itself with incomprehensible urgency. It’s sure to keep you on your toes. The remastered album is included here in its entirety, along with two previously unreleased tracks.

Subterranean Kids Subterranean Hardcore LP reissue

Originally a demo released in 1985, Subterranean Hardcore has been unearthed via BCore Disc and Little Jan’s Hammer. This is raw ’80s hardcore fury from Barcelona, distilled into a blistering nineteen-track attack.  SUBTERRANEAN KIDS tore through these pissed-off anthems in barely half an hour, pairing turbocharged tempos with incisive riffs and angry vocals. From snappy tunes like “Nunca Más” and “Calles Vacías” to more ragged ones like “¿Puños o Cabeza?,” this is hardcore punk that sounds like a Spanish MINOR THREAT, and they even treated us to a cover of the iconic, movement-creating “Straight Edge” and a BLACK FLAG cover for good measure. It’s a real snapshot of a band living and breathing the urgency of their time and place.

Subterranean Kids Los Ojos de la Victima LP

This came out earlier this year, but we just now got wind of it. And I’m glad we did—this is raging US-type non-metallic thrashcore, dudes, and while not the tightest or best-produced record in the genre, it’s a totally enjoyable slab. Sparks of distinctiveness should develop with the next record.