Reviews

MRR #515 • April 2026

AG-3 Covert Strike cassette

Norway’s finest modern export AG-3 takes an anti-finesse hardcore approach and pushes it into something uglier and more unhinged. They put the FRAMTID in SVART FRAMTID, like a tape dubbed three times over and given to you by your older friend who put you on to every sick record in your collection. AG-3 dials their hardcore past the point of control: guitars sound like chainsaws, drums are locked-in and ready to fire, and vocals belch primitively. The songs move fast but not in a clean D-beat clone way; they keep you off balance and curious. There’s a real sense of chaos here without drifting into full noise territory, more like hardcore that’s been chewed up and spat back out. The recording is raw as all hell, but that just adds to the extreme sonic violence. Six songs, all necessary.

Bastard Idol Demo 2025 cassette

BASTARD IDOL plays four tracks of bombardment-grade D-beat raw punk on their 2025 demo tape. Frequency-shredding guitars blast aggro psych atop a precision rhythm barrage, while deep, full-throat vocals deliver raging rebukes. At time of writing, there are only two copies available through Broken Skull (with proceeds going to Solidarity Across Borders), so hurry and scoop one.

Belgrado El Encuentro 12″

El Encuentro finds BELGRADO swerving further away from their colder, guitar-driven brutalist roots of XMAL DEUTSCHLAND/SIGLO XX-influenced post-punk and into something more bright and synth-and-pulse-heavy, much like when JOY DIVISION morphed into NEW ORDER. This natural progression is still done from a very underground lens, just rerouted through drum machines and flickering lights instead of blown speakers and basement sweat. Melodious and purposeful like a late-afternoon haze somewhere between a club and a factory floor, this EP continues the journey that started with the Intra Apogeum LP. The bass still carries that familiar post-punk tension, now snapped into a Movida-like rhythm, while the drums and synths cut in and out in a very new wave way. Patrcyja Proniewska’s vocals drift above it all, distant and otherworldly, adding to the overall sense of retro modernism. Sure, the “more synths equals less punk” crowd will roll their eyes, but that argument’s tired. BELGRADO is reshaping their sound, like it or not, and they don’t seem to care about anyone else’s opinion—that makes this EP more punk than most, because they don’t conform to expectations. Neither should you!

Comedy L.A. Perfume / Hate Machine 7″

COMEDY puts out their first 7”, with a rock-heavy alternative sound out of Melbourne. I hear influences from ELVIS COSTELLO, the REPLACEMENTS, and maybe, in gruffer moments, the vocals of Jeffrey Lee Pierce. It’s melancholic, yet full of so much rock’n’roll vigor that it’s gratifying and energetic. These two tracks grew on me—at first, the croons on the chorus of “L.A. Perfume” were off-putting, and the squeaky-clean production didn’t leave any room for grit. But repeated listens had me hooked. Hearing the guitar work on “Hate Machine” made me think of ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, and the same sentimental feeling of the lyrics that at first gave me a bad taste began to draw me in, wondering what other feelings this 7” is capable of cultivating. While this isn’t something I’m used to hearing out of Melbourne, I like the direction, and I’ll be interested to see what they do next.

Dead Heart Burning From Within CD

DEAD HEART comes out like a mid ’80s NY/NJ funny hardcore band like ADRENALIN O.D. or BUGOUT SOCIETY with a touch of TWO MAN ADVANTAGE, but they are from Columbus, Ohio, so who knows. Parts of this are bouncy and not completely unlike the WORLD INFERNO FRIENDSHIP/SOCIETY. I bet they put on one hell of a show, and if they ever play Michigan, I’ll prolly go see ‘em. This record has an interesting crosscurrent of “I ain’t gonna take your fucking shit” aggression that’s hitting the target dead center right now. Look, this isn’t a CD I would listen to often, but when I do want to hear it, I’d crank it to eleven to drown out my own singing along. This is a super strong release and I’m excited for what’s next.

Dispo Idüll cassette

German three-piece DISPO’s Idüll brings together proto-punk’s straightforward attitude and post-punk’s abstractive stylings…so, does it just kind of even out to regular punk? Look bud, I’m no punk rock quantum physicist. All I know is that this album kicks ass. Tasteful bass lines, energetic drums, grimy guitar riffs, and multiple distinctively characteristic vocals make Idüll an absolute joy to listen through. That playful and unpolished sound definitely adds to the experience as well. Highly recommended!

Final Gulp Future Undone cassette

FINAL GULP’s Future Undone is the third tape from this German powerviolence/fastcore act, and if you’ve been sleeping on them since their 2020 debut, wake up. Eleven tracks, most clocking in around thirty seconds, a couple pushing close to a minute, every one of them a tempo-shifting, white-knuckle ride that’s hard not to measure against SPAZZ. The vocals alternate between a bark that brings a young Billy Milano to mind and a shredding attack that sounds equally great, though whether that’s Sven stretching his range or a guest remains unclear. I guess it doesn’t matter. Their lyrics take on climate collapse, anti-fascist resistance, technocratic dystopia, and the case for mutual aid as a way out, which, given the state of things, feels less like a political stance and more like a survival guide. They played their first live show in January with more dates on the way, and if this release is any indication, those rooms are going to get wrecked. This tape rules.

Flathead Flathead LP

This is pretty, jangly pop music from Marseille. It’s mid-tempo and catchy and also a little melancholic. I really like the recording and the production, where everybody gets a seat at the table and it’s not overly focused on one thing (which is typically either the vocals or the guitar). I don’t always like pretty music, but I’m digging this.

Game Set Match Hang Out With You EP

At this point, I’d be surprised to hear any garage punk or rock’n’roll from Australia that isn’t killer, and this is no exception. GAME SET MATCH is Will Cooke from CAMMY CAUTIOUS AND THE WRESTLERS. This 7” features four tracks of fuzzy, rough-and-tumble rock’n’roll delivered via Goodbye Boozy, who have a history of putting out killer garage punk from across the globe. This isn’t groundbreaking or genre-defining, but it’s not trying to be, either. It’s just four killer cuts of rock’n’roll. While all the songs have a similar quality to them, they each have a great chorus and fun energy that I really enjoy. Each one would feel right at home blaring through the speakers at your local pub’s $1 beer night, or on your next mixtape or playlist.

Hope? Hell on Planet Earth LP

Bleak, D-beat-driven barrage that leans fully into crust’s apocalyptic worldview without diluting its immediacy. The guitar tone is raw but cutting, slicing through a relentless rhythmic assault that rarely lets up. There’s a sense of forward momentum that feels less like progression and more like forced march, unyielding and grim. Vocals are delivered with hoarse conviction, sitting right on top of the mix like a warning siren. What keeps the record engaging is its balance between speed and weight, shifting just enough to avoid monotony while maintaining pressure. It’s a harsh listen, but a purposeful one.

Descarga D-beat devastadora que abraza la visión apocalíptica del crust sin perder inmediatez. El tono de guitarra es crudo pero filoso, cortando sobre un ataque rítmico implacable. La sensación es más de marcha forzada que de avance: rígida y sombría. Las voces llegan con convicción gastada, como una sirena de alerta constante. El disco mantiene interés equilibrando velocidad y peso, sin soltar presión. Es áspero, pero con dirección clara.

Institute The Shooter EP

INSTITUTE proves yet again why they are a standard-bearer of effective, tense, subtle yet confrontational post-punk. And yeah, that sentence contains a bunch of qualifiers, but it’s less narrowing down their sound than it is the inability to not be verbose and effusive when describing it. This three-song EP was pressed to coincide with their first-ever Australian tour, so thanks for existing, Australia. The opening title track is a perfect sample size of what makes INSTITUTE so great and seemingly singular. And while the next track seems to exist in the same lane, the closing track changes it up just enough for the listener to take notice. “Why Are These Men Still Alive?” takes the musical tension of the first two tracks and shifts it over to the lyrics, questioning why we are forever trying to lift the boots off our necks when the legs in said boots are so feeble that they can barely stand as it is. The track is a bit longer, allowing both exploration and repetition, a krautrock-esque decision that really lets the listener get lost towards the end, picturing these powerful men with their colostomy bags running down their legs.

Kaput I LP

Debut LP from Chicago-based KAPUT. The group is comprised of Nadia Garofalo (HEAVY FEELINGS), Brian Fox, and M. Sord (JON SPENCER AND THE HIT MAKERS), and offers a dark, brooding take on no wave.  Songs range from strange, slow, and uneasy on “Teal” to full noise on “Sucker,” loud with distorted synth and bass, uptempo drums, and gripping vocals, as Garofalo asks “What about me?” In between are songs that travel this range, making me uncomfortable, almost paranoid, and completely hooked to keep listening through this exploration of self. Garofalo comments, “I think we live in a world that (especially if you’re feminine) tells you to hide or ignore your anger. I wanted to explore its facets; it’s not always negative, sometimes it can show you things, it can teach you so much if you listen.” Amazing debut. For the perturbed and repressed, have a listen—let it out.

Küken Palermo EP

From the sounds of things, it appears that someone slipped up and allowed one of the most formidable garage punks outfits of our era onto the beautiful beaches of Sicily. Infected by the cleansing surf and sun, the band’s signature rolling grooves are endowed with a new degree of head-bobbing smoothness. But, don’t be deceived—their subdued ferocity lurks just beneath the surface of these tranquil waters. Swim at your own risk.

Laughing Corpse Beyond Recognition EP

Easily my favorite hardcore release so far this year. A lot of bands claim an ’80s hardcore sound, but LAUGHING CORPSE delivers that and more. The VOID and BLACK FLAG comparisons are inevitable; just listen to the breakdown riff of “Nothing” and try to argue otherwise. But that’s how they get you. You’re a couple tracks in, it rips, you dig it. You think you’re in safe and familiar territory, and then bam! They blindside you with a cacophony of noisy guitar solos and drum fills that puncture your jugular and rip it wide open. What I really love about this record is that it feels dangerous. It twists and turns, it follows you in the dark, and it laughs as you bleed out. If I were a kid, I’d be scared to death to see them live, and that is a compliment of the highest order.

Möney Hegemony EP

Another egg-punk act, however this one has the clear distinction of sounding like the MUMMIES on meth—much more sinister vibes as the EP progresses, though. This has a gothy shoegaze quality to it that’s really amplified by the chorus effect the guitarist is running their axe through. It is absolutely drenched with chorus, mate. Of course, there’s a surfy element to it as well, but that’s to be expected with these poultry punks at this point. The whole thing wraps up with a very cool noise piece that ties everything together in a barbed-wire bow. A solid addition to the nerdy phenomenon that’s gripped the mid 2020s.

Nervous Twitch The Day Job Gets in the Way LP

NERVOUS TWITCH has been churning out quality punk/wave, mod revival rock’n’roll, ’70s singable punk records for around thirteen years, and with each release, they continue to distill their sound and become more catchy. The Day Job Gets in the Way, their newest LP, rockets down that road of playful, hummable, sardonic wit and catchy songwriting. Erin Hyde’s vocals capture the mood perfectly, and she seamlessly glides from carefree to pissed-off to bored, which in its totality creates a full record of engrossing songs. Any of these NERVOUS TWITCH songs could have as easily been found on one of those 20 of Another Kind or English Waves early punk compilations, all while remaining fresh and interesting.

Piss Rules Repissues cassette

This is my favorite release of the year so far. Seriously. Six tracks of warped, full-treble egg-punk from Bristol that collects two digital-only releases onto one tape. Take your BILLIAM or ERIK NERVOUS DEVO-core and laser focus it on clever, story-telling songwriting with snotty vocals that register somewhere between KY Ellie of GOOD THROB and Poly Styrene of X-RAY SPEX. Strong words, I know, but there is an inescapable charm, sense of fun, and catchy musicality that begs for repeat listens. And they go punk, as in traditionally fast and angry, on the blistering “Nietzsche Preacher” and “Senile Delinquent.” Sly references abound, like the Mario coin samples on the subversively dirty “Gameboy 4 Xmas” and the PULP-aping “Common Person.” Check it out—PISS RULES rules.

Power of Dusk What We Deserve EP

What we deserve? A bloody firm handshake and a knowing nod for a job well done. Positively fizzing with indignity at how the world is currently operated, righteous anger permeates the whole record. Heavy-sounding hardcore, with the speed and crackle of punk. If you are looking to fill a HOAX- or BIB-shaped hole in your life, they might just be the ones to fill it.

Rata Negra Hawai LP

RATA NEGRA is back with another absolute banger. They keep progressing, and this time around, they’ve added more color and texture to their sound, dipping into the ’80s/’90s Spanish new wave/pop influences, which was something I fucking adored on their “Problemas No” cover on an earlier 7″. I’m hearing more moments that call back to stuff like DUN CAN DUH or even HOMBRES G (and I mean this as a big-ass compliment), mixed in with some propulsive punk rock on some tunes and SMITHS-esque jangly guitars on others. Lyrically, the band is still razor-sharp in commenting about the unbearable weight of modern life and the minefield of social interaction in the worst possible timeline. This is catchy, rocking, insightful songwriting that is executed with passion and joy; another home-run for this killer band.

Ritual Cross II cassette

Eight more cuts of wretched hardcore from Chicago’s latest and greatest, RITUAL CROSS. After making a splash with their debut tape, the band follows up with more of everything on II: more angular riffs and song structures, more grizzled vocals, more sinewy leads, and more commentary on capitalism, genocide, and anti-war protest. The use of ambient noise and instrumental breaks adds a foreboding atmosphere that gives the tracks a sense of cohesion that really works in their favor. In his review of their debut, Matt Casteel mentioned them reminding him of Richmond’s CICADA, and I still can’t think of a better comparison.

Spiritiste Excommunication Hymns LP

One interesting thing about post-hardcore is that it often comes from places that aren’t otherwise giant hubs for bands or music (relatively speaking, of course). Hailing from Baton Rouge, SPIRITISTE offers up ten tracks of emotional hardcore on their newest release. There are for sure some strong tracks here, including lead single “Transagion Prayer” and closing track “A Sheep’s Last Defense.” Not the most consistent from track to track, but putting out a full-length screamo/post-hardcore record is a tall task, so some inconsistency comes as no surprise. Perhaps it is consistent, and that’s actually kind of the rub? How do you make ten tracks feel important when the approach to each track feels the same? But in this scene, it can also be a cardinal sin to veer from the formula that makes this type of music what it is, so perhaps there’s no way to win here beyond smaller offerings. Clearly, I don’t know. Good on these Louisiana folks for doing the dang thing either way.

Subtle Body Subtle Body cassette

Philadelphian band SUBTLE BODY their inaugural recording in cassette form through Strange Mono, and it’s a lo-fi, eight-song package of dark, creeping, synth-driven post-punk that feels simultaneously premeditated and exploratory. “Infinite Casualties” highlights this by opening with synth punk and divulging into jazzy improv, as “Estrangement,” the following song, reverses and repeats the stylistic arrangement while also managing to close with a bit of stomping punk rhythm. The cassette closes with “Stolen World,” which is a rebuke of society but uses a rhythm that is exceedingly danceable until the track shifts into a harsh noise club mix for the fade-out. The variation and blend of digital, synth, vocal distortions, and admixture of underground genres really makes SUBTLE BODY worth checking out.

Traición 1312 EP

TRAICIÓN blasts through three cuts of urgent, political punk that vacillate between jagged hardcore and something more melodic and poppy. This latter approach shows up on the second track, “Querer La Libertad,” and briefly shifts their sound towards a direction informed by LA FRACTION or PETROGRAD. Setting that aside, the two other songs pack a punch with fist-pumping pogo parts and youth-crew-inspired breakdowns. If that description makes the release sound disjointed, it’s the underlying passion that binds it all together. A step forward from their 2024 demo, this might be a precursor for a hefty future.

TY Hot Wheel City EP

Four tracks of energetic and ironic garage thrash punk. The guitar immaculately sounds like it was plugged directly into a Marshall MG10 amp as a middle finger to all the pedal aficionados out there. The lo-fi drums and gruff vocals round out the DIY bedroom spirit. The band could be one cheap synthesizer short of stepping into the egg-punk scene, minus the pseudo-intellectualism, but maintains its own fresh and raw sound.

V/A Poppy Seeds: An International Benefit for Mutual Aid in Gaza cassette

This benefit tape is the newest in a series of beautifully designed, community-organized mutual aid projects supporting the people of Palestine. Of course, the cause is as urgent as possible, the funds go directly to the Gaza Soup Kitchen, and the music is excellent. Go buy it! The tracklist hosts an incredible lineup of international punk luminaries, including mostly rare and unreleased songs from heavy-hitters like the EX, MEKONS, SHAKTI, NAPE NECK, POISON RUÏN, and many more. Sonically, the mix flows well, leaning heavily on melodic peace punk with a few ragers and eggy tunes (hey, BILLIAM) for good measure. This comp was organized by Rachel of the DISSIDENTS and dedicated to her husband, bandmate, and punk lifer Bill Chamberlain, who tragically passed in 2025. R.I.P. Bill, free Palestine, get this tape.