Béton Armé Renaissance LP

This band can’t still be a secret, so now reviewers (and fans) are saddled with the unenviable but inevitable task of compartmentalizing their sound—a sound that feels dangerously close to fully-realized on Renaissance. Catchy as ever, and they are still as much an anthemic Oi! band as ever, but after a batch of killer EPs and constant gigs, BETÓN ARMÉ sounds truly like themselves on this first full-length. The backing vocals cannot go unmentioned—the “ohhhhh ohhhh”s are a focal point in nearly every song on the record (as are the backing vocals in general), though the lead vox are really what gives BETÓN ARMÉ a distinct character. Sharp and biting, skipping the typical gruff skinhead vocals that would be totally appropriate (and expected, and typical). The influence of European skin bands is still front and center (think CAMERA SILENS and NABAT and you have the general foundation), but there are disco beats here, and a sonic sensibility on the level of ADOLESCENTS’ blue album. Renaissance is just a perfect, timeless, essential punk record.

• Reviewer Robert Collins
• Label La Vida Es Un Mus
• Issue MRR #506 • July 2025