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Adrestia Requiem LP

This is one for the more metal-oriented punks—those who like people who can actually play their instruments or, to put it objectively, musicians who are actual musicians. ADRESTIA is, or rather was, from Sweden, since Requiem, the band’s seventh LP (including two splits) is their farewell record. I had never paid too much attention to ADRESTIA, and while I do think they are very good at what they do, what they do is not really my cup of tea. The music oscillates between heavy and dark metallic Swedish hardcore like MARTYRDOD or MISANTROPIC and old school death metal, and it all gets a little too technical and not wild enough for me at the end of the day, although it certainly sounds angry and the lyrics are clearly political. The very polished production highlights the band’s qualities and what they want to achieve, and I found myself quite liking the epic sludgy metal number “Where Gods Die” a lot, with very melodic guest vocals from one Linda Johansson. Interesting.

Dishumanitär Dishumanitär LP

DISHUMANITÄR is a three-piece crustcore band from Karlstad, Sweden. This self-titled LP is their first proper release, and if you’re into crust and stenchcore then you’ll definitely want to find a copy of this album. The opening evokes immediate memories of NUX VOMICA, especially in the slower, dirge-like parts, and there are also very technical moments that are reminiscent of AGE OF COLLAPSE. Vocalist Hannah absolutely shreds their vocal chords with every lyrical delivery, which provides a blackened quality. Relatively clean production on this ten-song album really lets the powerful instrumentation deliver a full sonic spectrum with pummeling bass and soaring guitars (check out “For What?” if you need clarification). With songs ranging in length from under two minutes to almost six, the Dishumanitär LP really runs the gambit between face-melting burners and plodding metallic jams. My personal thoughts: DISHUMANITÄR, hell yeah!

Do It Your Hell Restos Del Kaos EP

The cover features a punk zombie with S.O.B., CARCASS GRINDER, P.L.F., and DENAK patches on its decaying jacket. For any grindcore aficionado, these are some essential influences for a band to have. These dudes don’t joke around! It  sounds as brutal as a freight train going through a crowded mall. Vicious crust-infused grindcore from Madrid with members of a ton of great bands, but especially DENAK, a classic grindcore outfit that started in 1994. Extreme music for extreme people.

Potere Negativo Benvenuto All’Inferno LP

Incisive and incessant Italian D-beat hardcore punk from Milano and Valtellina alla putanesca with somber tonality. Featuring members from SCALPO, LUCTA, and HOLY, they keep the beat effectively and sing in their own language. Filled with a rabid energy and even reverbed, crunchy lines that resemble rusty chainsaw blasts. Surely points to classic ’80s Italian hardcore, but creates a sound of their own during the whole LP. Eager to hear more from them, great project. Favorite tracks: “In Eterno” and “Fiume Dell Odio.”

Brute Force Trauma / Socialstyrelsen split LP

Swedish punk is a bit like crisps. You’ve got so many different flavours that you just cannot taste them all, unless the idea of kebab-flavoured crisps is your thing (in which case, you should probably talk to someone). What I mean is that I had never actually listened to SOCIALSTYRELSEN (who have been going for a long time), and never even heard of BRUTE FORCE TRAUMA, although I like Swedish punk and crisps. It pains me to say, but this split LP leaves me a little cold. SOCIALSTYRELSEN is certainly a powerhouse and their side sounds absolutely relentless, but I had a hard time getting into their ’00s modern dark crust style. I was reminded of AMBULANCE or SCHIFOSI, KONTROVERS at the best of times, but I am seldom in the mood for that sound these days. The band mastered the craft, undeniably, they are tight, ferocious, have the appropriate dark guitar leads and a great vocalist, but I am personally not won over (but I know a lot of people who would be). On the other side, the new band BRUTE FORCE TRAUMA is said to have former members of WOLFPACK and CRUDE SS, so that does make one curious. They go for a more direct and rocking heavy downtuned käng style, aiming for a late CIMEX/WOLFPACK vibe, but they fall a bit short as the recording lacks the threatening ferocity and intensity necessary to really pull it out, and I was left unconvinced by some of the vocals and guitar arrangements. Not a bad record, but not one I would rush to buy.