Zeměžluč

Reviews

Zeměžluč Z Extrému Do Extrému LP reissue

This was one of the first Eastern European punk LPs I picked up—grabbed it on a whim in a bargain bin because it  looked  cool, and I didn’t know fuck-all about Czech punk, so why not? The band started in 1986 and dropped their first full-length a few years later (also recommended). Z Extrému Do Extrému was the second full-length from ZEMĚŽLUČ, originally released in 1997; it’s still a regular spin and I’m happy to see it get modern treatment and recognition from PHR. Stripped-down, hard-driving, no frills punk rock with gruff vocals and the unmistakable cold Eastern Euro punk energy even while they crank out anthem after anthem with an ear towards early UK punk.

Zeměžluč Kolik A Komu? CD

Brno’s ZEMĚŽLUČ (“Earthworm”) has played powerful straightforward hardcore and chorus-laden punk since 1986(!), and this new sixteen-song album (their first in almost five years) translates to “How Much, To Whom?” There’s so much joy to this record, as it’s just veterans who effortlessly know what they’re doing, throwing out really great riffs and innovative guitar parts and putting forth marching rhythms and strong anthemic choruses. Sung in twisting and scowling Czech, this centers on a mid-tempo pace and is a testament to the well-crafted songwriting that it holds in doing so, as opposed to relying on speed or brutality of impact. Everything is just really well placed; even if you don’t understand Czech, you still want to sing along by the time the songs round to the shout-along parts. The lyrics have that fascinating, deeply thought-out Eastern European existential resistance. A powerful LP for returning fans, and an easy starting point for new ones. Great record!