Reviews

For review and radio play consideration:

Please send vinyl (preferred), CD, or cassette releases to MRR, PO Box 3852, Oakland, CA 94609, USA. Maximum Rocknroll wants to review everything that comes out in the world of underground punk rock, hardcore, garage, post-punk, thrash, etc.—no major labels or labels exclusively distributed by major-owned distributors, no reviews of test pressings or promo CDs without final artwork. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!

Alambre De Púas Total Disorder cassette

This Chilean two-member project plays chaotic, mid-tempo, beat-driven and frantically executed crusty raw hardcore punk, featuring distinctive vocals that take a continuous distorted, angry stance, plus rusty chainsaw guitars and tupa-tupa drums all the way with a tight, steady grip. Both sides together make for less than 23 minutes of purely distorted ranting, and it was recorded in the mythical TARANTULA studio in CDMX during their 2022 tour across México, with the goal to record all their songs in the moment, achieving a more aggressive sound and slightly faster cadences. This comes courtesy of Educación Cínica, and constitutes a key piece of raw punk highly recommended for those who crave beat-driven punk aggression.

Amazing Transparent Man Print is Dead (20th Anniversary Edition) LP

Recorded at Sonic Iguana Studios, which is prolly best known for SCREECHING WEASEL, BOLLWEEVILS, SQUIRTGUN, and so on and on. This is the 20th anniversary edition of this LP, so it just goes to show that someone is still interested. This is a fine record in the vein of BLINK-182 and such. I read on the band’s Bandcamp page that the original CD, released in 2005, was a “North Star for early 2000s pop punk” enthusiasts. I somehow missed it when it came out, but now we all have an opportunity to grab a piece of history or whatever. The CD cover looks like The Catcher in the Rye, whereas this LP (20th Anniversary Edition) doesn’t so much.

Autogramm Randy (Don’t Screw Up) / Jenny’s in a Sleep World 7″

Holy shit, Batman. I can’t hide the fact that I love both new wave and power pop, and the two often travel in tandem. That’s the case here, and this is fantastic. Super catchy and just loveable. Two cuts and one is a DIODES cover. Any band smart enough to cover the DIODES is already on my good side. The fact that they cover a little bit of a lesser-known cut and that it’s super cool is honestly just gravy for me. This record is a must, and the band should be on your radar.

Bombardement Dans La Fournaise LP

When I put this on, I was expecting some very good D-beat punk and I got that, but there is so much more to this than just another D-beat record. It would have been fine with me if it had been that, because this band does it so well. This started off with an almost New Wave of British Heavy Metal intro. After that, it has an absolutely ripping D-beat song. Over the course of the album, I also get a POISON IDEA vibe, as well as BROKEN BONES and all the current best of the D-beat scene. They throw in some nice thrash parts as well. This is a great record, and it has the longest pick slide I have ever heard—enough said.

Burning Chrome Running to Escape EP

When one wants to relax on Sundays, there are as many options as there are personalities. Some people do gardening, others do Sailor Moon cosplay, some even do both, at the same time. The people in BURNING CHROME from Minneapolis play triumphant traditional Burning Spirits Japanese hardcore with gusto and an obvious love for the subgenre. For all I know, they also do gardening and cosplay, but I cannot tell just by this record. What I find particularly enjoyable with this EP is how urgent and unpolished it sounds, hardly surprising seeing that it was recorded on an eight-track. What you get is experienced punks (the resumes are well abundant) having a glorious go (you can tell they love what they do here) at the classic recipe invented by DEATH SIDE or LIP CREAM, but with a trashier vibe not unlike DOG SOLDIER or BURIAL. You’ve got the epic guitar leads, the fast riffs, and a singer that, while relying on the gruff vocal style inherent to Japanese hardcore, sounds like he’s vomiting on you, which, as an ENT fan, is (just) fine by me, but might deter some listeners. A fun record.

Camellia Sinensis Tout Prendre EP

Straight up, the four-second reggaeton beat in the breakdown of the title track might be the single best hardcore thing you’re going to hear this month. I went back and listened (repeatedly) because it simply doesn’t make sense…until it does. And when it does, you’re fukkd. It’s not just the opening cut though, Lille rippers CAMELLIA SINENSIS are masters of the breakdown, and there’s something about the way the snare cracks when they slow it down that makes those breakdowns…extra. The guitar lead in the “Chute” breakdown, literally every damn riff on the record, the S.H.I.T. vibes in the closer “Mesure”—start to finish, this record is an absolute killer, and a massive leap from their already excellent demo from a couple of years ago. Highly recommended.

The Courettes The Soul of​.​.​. The Fabulous Courettes LP

The COURETTES serve up a polished, retro vibe on The Soul of… The Fabulous Courettes, blending ’60s-inspired garage rock with a nod to that big, Phil Spector-style wall of sound. The album has a definite CRYSTALS feel, with La La Brooks herself popping up on “California” and “Run Run Runaway.” While the band keeps it minimal as a two-piece live, the album is fleshed out with a full band and a carefully produced sound that doesn’t overly rely on too many layers of reverb, giving them a bit more of a punch than some of the other retro acts out there, like the RAVEONETTES or DUM DUM GIRLS. It’s fun and it has just enough modern sensibility to keep it from feeling completely stale, but when does homage stop honoring the past and start getting stuck in it?

Demonattack Demonattack cassette

Solid if slightly average punk from Stockholm, with some deathrock and Oi! flourishes and a slightly out-of-place three-minute synth track closing things out. I wasn’t blown away on first listen, but it grew on me a bit during the second. Not a bad tape overall, but if they made this a 7” with their strongest tracks “Demonattack” and “Ditt Nya Värdelösa Liv” on the A-side and that moody synth track on the B-side, I’d be more likely to snag a copy.

Der Moderne Man Jugend Forscht (Singles, EPs & Demos 1980–1983) 2xLP

Excellent collection of singles and stray tracks from this Hannover, Germany band. Post-punk energy that vibrates with wiry guitar lines and the bounciest bass ever collides into catchy anthems that recall GANG OF FOUR at times. The band crosses genres into melodic new wave (“Der Sandman” evokes U2 with the echoey guitar strum) and even incorporates two-tone ska rhythms on “Baggersee.” It looks like they still occasionally play live, so here’s hoping DER MODERNE MAN records again someday, because this is grade-A material.

EKGs EKGs cassette

Damn, these guys are pissed. Like, really pissed. I’ll tread carefully with this review, because I wouldn’t want to make enemies with Pittsburgh’s EKGS. Neither should you. Their 2025 self-titled cassette is an explosive display of uncontrollable rage condensed into twelve minutes of hearing damage. Relentless drums that are hell-bent on drawing blood, nasty guitar riffs drenched in ear-piercing feedback, growling bass with enough horsepower to back everything up, and one of my absolute favorite vocal performances in recent memory…this album truly has everything I want out of a hardcore release. But you know what it lacks? Anger-management. Nope, not a smidge of it to be found. This tape managed to amaze and intimidate me the way CHARLES BRONSON’s Youth Attack! did, inarguably changing the trajectory of my taste for pissed-off music. What else could I ever want?

Firecamp / Typewriter split cassette

Two bands sharing a split who are two unique sides of the same coin: hardcore punk. TYPEWRITER from San Luis Obispo, California opens up the pit with their vicious, old school hardcore-influenced tunes, in the same vein as CIRCLE JERKS with a bit of a GERMS snarl thrown in there. On FIRECAMP’s turn, they go for a gloomier approach to their hardcore, following the wobbly footsteps of  RUDIMENTARY PENI, almost getting into deathrock territory. A great showcase of two bands with a promising future ahead of them.

Gloat Mirth cassette

This is a totally ripping introduction for this band. Raw and immediate, GLOAT reminds me of LAFFING GAS or FRIED EGG. Hard nods to Midwest USHC refracted through a modern lens. Fast and aggressive parts whiplash into catchy downshifts to mid-tempo with hooks! The vocals are delivered in a manner that has me questioning the emotional stability of the singer. Savage guitar tone, machine-tight drums, what’s not to love? Proceeds go to the Lajee Center, a community-based grassroots cultural center that supports Palestinians in their ongoing struggle for justice. Don’t be a dummy, get this tape!

Heavy Möther II Heavy Möther II LP

Members of the GIZMOS, RETAIL SIMPS, ROCKET FROM THE TOMBS, and more combine to, well, combine their love of countless underground rock sounds. The choice of cover tunes included in the album perfectly illustrates the oeuvre this crew tapped into— TROGGS, RANDY NEWMAN, VELVET UNDERGROUND—with their rendition of “Foggy Notion” representing both a physical centerpiece and a metaphysical one. All this is not meant to detract from the original tunes offered here, which do fit in perfectly along the others. Songs like “Window in the Door,” “Couchlock,” and “Red Blue Green” incorporate even more subterranean sounds of the ’60s and ’70s. This record is a celebration of effortless cool done effortlessly well.

Hot Tubs Time Machine Fifty Shades of Marcus / No Thanks, Google Maps 7″

The Melbourne/Naarm duo of Daniel and Marcus (also of LUXURY TAX) makes up HOT TUBS TIME MACHINE, and they dropped this 7” showcasing “Fifty Shades of Marcus” along with “No Thanks, Google Maps,” already released on their 2021 self-titled debut cassette. These two songs follow suit with the band’s lo-fi sound: vocals, synth, drum machine, and bass. The style is slow and spacious, with screwball, stream-of-consciousness lyrics that are forefront in the mix. The bass does some grooving, but otherwise this isn’t music you’d move to—the synth matches the angular spirit of the spoken word vocalist, and the percussion is rarely more than a kick drum and a hand-clap. I really like the comedy aspect of this project, particularly the Live at the Pinnacle recording I listened to, but I feel like the studio recording leaves a little to be desired: too sparse and not enough of the personality comes through. That said, I’m not writing these guys off. Daniel and Marcus released “a treasure trove of scattered recordings from 2020 to present” on their 2024 Food & Ruins cassette, which has much more of a full band vibe, building on their synth-y spoken word origins. Check ’em out and you decide!

Instigators The Best of Instigators: Auckland Ska Punk 1981​–1982 LP

Compiling two classic 45s and rare live recordings, this collection from seminal 1980s New Zealand ska-punkers the INSTIGATORS paints a thorough picture of that particular place and time. Fronted by fiery nightingale Sonya Waters, this Auckland outfit was one of the hottest live acts of their era, and tracks like “Hope She’s Alright” have a surprisingly fresh sound for something recorded over 40 years ago. With upbeat, synth-laden ska jams peppered with cool dub meditations, it’s fully steeped in fun, old school style. Fans of the SELECTER, MADNESS, or the BODYSNATCHERS probably won’t mind this a bit.

Killer Couture Everything is Normal CD

Sacramento rivetheads KILLER COUTURE answer the question “What if Mick Gordon played guitar for SKINNY PUPPY?” with their 2024 album Everything is Normal. Extra down-tuned guitars, heavily processed vocals, harsh drum machine beats, cold synths, and a good amount of miscellaneous noise—from what I assume is a filthy garage full of rusty power tools—show that they’ve been carefully studying the works of their influences from various eras of industrial music. Although it’s modern in the way that it’s all put together, it feels like the sum of Hot Wired Monstertrux, with its stylistic nods to the giants of the genre. Al Jourgensen would be proud.

Last Bias The Sea Hates a Coward LP

Dang, duder! The Sea Hates a Coward is a time machine of sound and character that has transported me back to the mid-1990s, in a good way. From the first song “I’m Not Down,” I was back in a basement, sweating through the fabric of a double extra-large T-shirt (because everyone wore clothes too big for their spongy body back then). Think of CARBOMB, ASSFACTOR 4, MOHINDER, MUKILTEO FAIRIES, the YAH MOS, and so on when the needle drops. These songs blend melody and disorder in equal parts while still making this musically fresh and relevant. I couldn’t be happier for this release, and you should not be happier, too.

Malestat Que Arda Todo LP

MALESTAT wants to see everything burn! Que Arda Todo is the debut from this punk’n’roll band from Maresme, Spain. The riffs come at you like a freight train, very rock’n’roll-driven, almost as if channeling THIN LIZZY, and the vocals scream with pure disgust, making for a frantic but somehow catchy concoction, like a collision you can’t look away from. Twenty-four minutes of energetic racket and lifted middle fingers, but always very slick and fun. Reminds me of a more raw version of ANNIHILATION TIME. If you like your punk sprinkled with some rock’n’oll attitude, then MALESTAT is the band for you.

Pisse Dubai LP

If you are unfamiliar with PISSE, well, here’s a quick rundown.Out of Wittichenau, Germany, PISSE started as Germany’s darlings of garage punk over a decade ago. Time, side projects, and collaborations have mutated their sound into some of the best punk to exist in our current time, with their Dubai LP bringing in elements of art-punk, world music, no wave, and an absolutely unhinged aesthetic. Within the first three songs of this ten-track album, you’ll be treated to samba-like rhythms, bouncing synth punk, and demented circus melodies. All that is just the beginning, as I’m pretty sure there are ping pong balls and silverware used as percussion instruments. The lyrics are all in German but are rich with various forms of humor, while the vocals range from punk shouts to something resembling Vincent Price at karaoke. This is absolutely punk for those that embrace the weird within punk, so if you like things like CRAZY SPIRIT, ALLUSION, the COLTRANES, or A FRAMES, then this is for you. Personally, I can’t get enough of this one.

Private Lives Salt of the Earth LP

Another winner. This is just pure, driven, female-fronted power pop. Actually, not just power pop, also pure pop. It’s also sort of plodding at times. Whatever you want to call it, it’s super-catchy and the vocals (and the lyrics) are both pretty and strong. It even gets a little garage-y at times. I’m really enjoying this. The catchiest songs (“Dealer’s Choice,” “I Get Around”) almost have you swinging your head around—not bouncing it around, but throwing it around.

Realm of Terror Beneath the Soil demo cassette

Now this is one I am really happy to write about. As the self-appointed head of the international crust conspiracy (to be fair, our goals are vague, but we do want to prohibit soap) and “a bit of a nerd,” as my mum would say, I actually already own a REALM OF TERROR EP. Needless to say, they haven’t turned into an indie rock band since Accelerated Extinction, and still play pure, old school cavemen crust armed with a primitive production and a singer that probably feeds on tires and dead opossums. Beneath the Soil will delight the most loyal fans of filthy crust whose vision of perfect music would be a blend of early DOOM and HIATUS, ABRAHAM CROSS and ASOCIAL TERROR FABRICATION. Not the coolest kids in class. This humble but passionate and aptly-executed take on a very specific retro sound is released on Guttural Warfare from Michigan, and there are only 55(!) copies, so you know what to do or not to do.

Rusko Holiday in the Russia LP

Collecting tracks from Russian three-piece RUSKO, this album showcases twenty cleaned-up live recordings from 1992. There’s some youthful innovation to these rough and expressive tunes, and you can tell that these kids were pushing for a bit more complexity than typical for teenage punk. Bashing and brooding with high-pitched nasal vocal wailing, their style was considerably unconventional, even if a bit grating.

Smear Campaign I See You cassette

Two-bass, no guitar powerviolence assault that sounds a lot like (you guessed it) MAN IS THE BASTARD. You won’t hear any complaints from me on that! SMEAR CAMPAIGN belts out twenty-four tracks in seventeen minutes that will have you sweatin’ to the oldies like the spastic freak your school guidance counselor was worried you would become. Unlike MITB, they don’t wade into any protracted sludge parts or noise interludes. They do incorporate samples between songs to break things up a bit. The NEGATIVE APPROACH clip had me rolling! SMEAR CAMPAIGN aren’t taking themselves too seriously and appear to have a lot to share about their home state of Colorado. Blastbeats and tempo changes abound. Good stuff.

Suburban Resistance Time Flies: The Best of Suburban Resistance Vol. 1 LP

Self-proclaimed “melodic punk rock”—this must be what we’re calling pop punk these days? Reminds me of George Carlin’s bit about using different, gentler words to describe situations that make us uncomfortable. Anyways, the first half of this slab is the aforementioned straight-up pop punk akin to bands like BOWLING FOR SOUP and GOB. The second half has this derivative MISFITS/AFI quality. It does a great disservice pairing these tracks with the bubblegum punk from the earlier history of the band, because the sudden jump in subject matter and tone comes off as a tad hokey. I will give the singer their due, though. Assuming this album is in chronological order, you can hear their progression and growth as a vocalist. They’re really killing it on the last couple of tracks.

Suicidas Éxitos y Fracasos LP

Punk, but more melodic because the singer can actually sing. I loved the dual vocals sprinkled throughout, which ranged from more angry screaming in “Cuerda Floja” to more catchy pop or rock-oriented in “Vértigo” or “La Ventana De Atrás.” I feel like they were able to have fun being playful, with nice bass grooves/movement, while still maintaining energy and emotion.

Total Con Who Needs the Peace Corps? EP

Highly anticipated vinyl debut from the UK’s TOTAL CON, the brainchild of Bobby Cole of the ANNIHILATED and ANTAGONIZM amongst other things. To get directly to the point, Who Needs the Peace Corps? absolutely smokes and will certainly be remembered as one of the year’s great releases. A breathlessly pure expression of hardcore aggression that is as authentic as a punk record can be in 2025, it acts as both an aggro diatribe against corporate and capitalist exploitation and a love letter to the genre’s greats, following in the footsteps of bands like KORO, BATTALION OF SAINTS, and URBAN WASTE. Highlights include the breakdown on “You Don’t Exist,” the frantic guitar work on “Death to Capitalist Hardcore,” and the million-mile-an-hour vocal delivery on “Repugnant Slime.” Each song maintains a manic level of intensity that is wrapped in perfectly lo-fi production that makes it sound about 40 years old. While there isn’t enough column space to dig much more into each of the nine tracks here, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the band’s take on the DOORS’ “Riders on the Storm,” a cover that has no right to work as well as it does. When put into the context of a hardcore punk song, the lyrics hit with a much higher intensity, giving the philosophical, romantic, and violent nature of Jim Morrison’s admittedly overplayed hit a breath of fresh air. It’s a surprising way to end and worth the price of admission alone. Very recommended and an album of the year contender, to be sure.

TY WE R TY cassette

Are your shoes all torn up? Is there a constant feel of grit beneath your feet? Between your teeth? Did your bike chain fall off? This may be the soundtrack of your week. From the same label that brought us FREAK ACTIVITY, who I recently reviewed, as well as EASERS who have made quite a splash, Detroit’s Painters Tapes hashes out another lo-fi release, this time from TY (pronounced T-Y). With a bit of mucus in the back of their throats, TY presents this debut, compiling previous demos onto this cassette that would make DEVO and ALIEN NOSEJOB fans alike reach for their boombox volume knobs. From eggy tracks like “Nematode” that jitter and shout, to rock’n’roll reachers like “Hot Rod Baby” that prove out MC5’s legacy (or gives it a slanty jab?), there’s plenty of fun to be had! Only two tracks push past the two-minute mark, still leaving room for rock-driven solos, bass-grumbling rests, and catchy hooks like “Be what you want to be / What you say is who I’ll be” from “Oh No.” Great debut.

Violet Ray This is Skate Rock! CD

Cleveland, OH quartet giving homage to classic new wave-y skate rock on this all-skateboard concept album, which happens to be their first full-length work. Chilling the tempo, marinating the crunchiness, and exuding new wave skateboard vibes in the early ’80s punk rock vein, it’s fresh and achieves the feeling of being in an era lost in time. Versing on many legendary skateboarders such as Jeff Phillips, mentioning skate-related injuries and spots, but also remembrances of Animal Chin, Dogtown and such, creating a great atmosphere. Reminded me of classic ’80s skate rock bands with a soft spot for punk rock skating sessions from teenage years. Recommended for old school skate rock connoisseurs.

Whiphouse Sleep / Dementia 7″

Deathrock/gothic rock group from Atlanta. “Sleep” feels like walking through a cemetery with an old friend; haunting yet familiar. “Dementia” is slightly faster tempo, and feels more rock-oriented with a kind of kooky guitar riff during the verse. Really enjoyed these guys.

V/A Idle Edsel’s New York Dolls Tribute, Vol. 1 LP

A friend of mine in high school said that if your band covers another band, your version needs to either improve on the original, or add something that makes it your own, and that always stuck with me. Now I suppose a tribute album is something distinctly separate from just a bunch of covers, but I can’t escape the musings of that high school kid while listening to this NEW YORK DOLLS tribute. Yes, these are for sure competent covers, and the bands involved presumably like-to-love the source material. But beyond curiosity, or perhaps a completist’s mad desire, there’s really nothing new or interesting to discover here. None of these songs are better than the originals (obviously), and none of them really do anything to make their version memorable. Again, these are perfectly serviceable versions of amazing songs, but ten out of ten times, I’m opting for the RUNDGREN-produced masterpiece.

Alpha Sub Alpha Sub CD

The start of this is frantic and catchy not unlike the DWARVES, and snotty like the VINDICTIVES. Some of the songs walk the line between charming, funny, and dumb. I really couldn’t find any info on the band. I even tried to search what I imagine is their most famous local songs, “Two Handed Piss” and “Stepdad Goatee,” but nothing came up. Their song titled “Fuck the Police” takes on a double meaning with lyrics about bad cops sung to the tune of “Every Breath You Take” by the POLICE. This record is meat-and-potatoes punk that falls somewhere between reliable and consistent. There are eleven songs on this CD that are waiting for you to have a round.

Apparition Verbrauch cassette

APPARITION plays a form of hardcore that draws heavy inspiration from Italian hardcore bands like DECLINO or INDIGESTI, so think chaotic song structures. The Verbrauch cassette was released late in 2024 and features a raw, lo-fi production which lends a liveness to the six songs contained. Pure feedback harnessed as guitar solos, seemingly endless bass runs, and a thrashing whirlwind of drums are combined and support The German vocals have the feeling of a revolutionary with a bullhorn during a riot. The closing track “Leer Abgelassen” is a chugging, gloom-ridden opus and provides a succinct wrap on the spectacle. If you liked HELLSCAPE’s release last year, then you’ll definitely be into APPARITION.

Brix! Fucked If I Know CD

Second release from Texan punks BRIX!, whose brand of hardcore has a definite rock’n’roll underbelly (as evidenced by the inclusion of the riff from “Back in Black” by AC/DC on their previous release). On Fucked If I Know, there aren’t any classic rock covers to be heard, but on tracks like the excellent “Skunk,” the band leans into some Motörpunk/late ANTI-CIMEX vibes that I hope they continue to incorporate.

The Brood For the Dark LP

Long-awaited LP from Philly punk stalwarts. I had this on my 2024 year-end top ten, as it was released right at the tail end of last year. It’s just a monster of an album, a true behemoth. Absolutely crushing, take-no-prisoners punk that sweeps across a spectrum of influences while remaining cohesive and focused. Elements of Scandinavian hardcore, D-beat, and UK82 are present, but the amalgam is a beast unto itself. This band has an insane pedigree, featuring members of WITCH HUNT, MISCHIEF BREW, ENDLESS NIGHTMARE, and the PIST, just to name a few. Fine folks playing crushing hardcore punk. It just doesn’t get much better. I can’t recommend this enough.

Cult Crime Cult Crime LP

CULT CRIME’s self-titled album—courtesy of the nothing-but-consistent Ugly Pop Records—is a fantastic crop of snotty, ’80s-inspired rockin’ punk. “Nervous Breakdown” came to mind by the time the fantastic track “Suburban Violence” came around, and that energy seems a more than apt comparison here. CULT CRIME is creating hard-hitting sounds that demand your attention, but you can also tell that they’re probably having a great time doing it and aren’t afraid to get a little tongue-in-cheek (“Nuke Hollywood”). Speaking of BLACK FLAG, are the punk sounds coming out of Vancouver and Toronto the modern equivalent of ’80s L.A. and NYC? Is there a friendly rivalry between the Canadian coasts? Can PACK RAT ever miss? Do any of these people even work at a Häagen-Dazs? Anyway, this album rips.

Death Certificate Death Certificate cassette

The self-titled cassette from Long Island powerviolence quartet DEATH CERTIFICATE rips through eleven tracks—most under a minute—with reckless speed. The recording quality is solid. The band is fucking locked in, and Matt Viel’s vocals bring to mind a slightly less unhinged Andy Beattie from LACK OF INTEREST. These guys would’ve fit right in on the Slap-a-Ham roster in the ’90s, which gets them a huge thumbs-up from me. Members have also played in C.R., DEADGUY, GOSPEL, HELEN OF TROY, KILL YOUR IDOLS, SHEER TERROR, and a hundred other bands. Viel runs the photo zine Windows Down, and all Bandcamp proceeds go to a charity that supports abortion access—putting their money where their rage is. It’s fast, furious, and full of purpose.

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!

Eastfield Terminus 10″

EASTFIELD, so I’m told, have been “occupying the top slot in Rail Punk,” given as they are named after a rail depot—which I would say is factually incorrect in a universe when HYGIENE is still a very going concern—but undoubtedly they do love their trains, and this release chugs along pleasantly. While this definitely does fit nicely into an “old bloke punk” bucket, the sort of mid-afternoon slot at Rebellion Fest in hiking boots and cargo trousers vibe, it’s hard to slag it off entirely. It’s got a certain HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT vibe in parts to the wordplay, and it’s perfectly inoffensive. I’m sure EASTFIELD fans will be delighted by this, but it’s more rail replacement service than anything.

Failure Obstinate 12″

This savage Italian powerviolence trio is back after five years. FAILURE returns with ten songs in seven minutes, a textbook powerviolence move, as is the usage of samples and micro-bursts of aggressive energy punching you left and right. INFEST (I know, I know; INFST isn’t powerviolence, but surely they are a reference for this band) meets MAGRUDERGRIND, with the latter being more evident in the more metallic, groovy breakdowns. Fastcore? Powerviolence? Who cares! It’s fighting music.

Gaoled Bestial Hardcore LP

Split-label release from these exponents of violent music, this time with a pummeling LP from GAOLED—chaotic mayhem and outbursts of bedlam and hatred, mixing powerviolence, hardcore punk, and non-musical movements. The speed and audacity reminds me of a pack of wolves ready to strike in a lightning-filled night. Metallic punk forms are rejoicing on this one, with matters of an intricate nature regarding violence and discomfort, versing on intrusive thoughts and maniacal expressions, and making noise like a barrier of fists straight to the core. Solid first LP, and it has something to offer to the current wave of punk sounds, with chaos-driven synth on some of the tracks. Vital and violent.

Horse Pat​é​alos en el Krisbow cassette

Here’s a dose of blistering hardcore punk from Indonesia with space-y vocals and mosh-worthy breakdowns. The three core tunes are sandwiched between an instrumental intro and an unsettling outro. The resultant slab of meat is dense enough to provide sustenance, not dissimilar to the leanness of BIB. Cool artwork graces the cover of this tape, appearing to depict a deranged clown holding a bound and hooded cop at gunpoint. Rad!

Kirot Kaasu Pohjaan cassette

Think ’90s dual-vocal anarcho-crust along the lines of Scandi-neighbors OPERATION and PROTESTERA, delivered in the classic raw Finnish tradition. The strongest material on Kaasu Pohjaan is on the second half, maybe because the vocals settle in a bit, or perhaps because I haven’t spent time with aggressive Finn-core in way too long. The riffs are sheer brutality in their simplicity, and the vocals are as overwhelming as they are overpowering—it’s a harsh listen, and that’s exactly how KIROT intended it to be.

Licklash / Scud split 7″

Great 7” of two Australian bands. LICKLASH’s “West Richmond” is upbeat, peppy, and catchy, following a medium-ish tempo for most of the song. The higher guitar parts added some more pop melodic elements that made this song feel youthful and playful. SCUD builds off of LICKLASH, but with a faster tempo and a bit angrier vocals. The guitars in the chorus of “Snake in a Hole” seem to taunt and build off one another in a unique way.

Motorbike Kick It Over LP

This album starts off with a revved-up punk rocker called “Scrap Heap.” The album then becomes a variety of different takes on punk and garage rock, even at times sounding a bit like some ’90s bands like TURBONEGRO, ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN, or the HIVES. They then return to high-octane punk rock’n’roll. The songs are well-written, and I couldn’t help but tap my feet and try to sing along with them.

The Nikoteens Raw Power 1980–85 2xLP

A heavy slab of early German punk here. Formed in 1979, the NIKOTEENS’ debut Aloah-Oehh LP was released in 1983, and this double record set includes that album in its entirety along with a slew of live cuts and rarities. The band played a style of hardcore that was equal parts playful and powerful, playing blistering kängpunk rhythms one moment and suddenly breaking into an Oi! anthem the next. With rabid vocals over ripping guitars and merciless pounding drums, the studio tracks of the first album are crazy, sometimes hitting eyebrow-raising levels of frantic intensity. The bonus material is all over the map, showcasing the band in all their eccentric glory as they slide through a diverse range of modes and tempos in the various collected recordings. Altogether there’s over 78 minutes of music and it’s an entertaining ride, packed complete with a booklet of liner notes and photos.

The Oidz Cryptid BF EP

Fresh slice of warbly garage punk from PRISON AFFAIR’s new label. The OIDZ, like PRISON AFFAIR, C.C.T.V., and BIG CLOWN, create catchy bozo punk that is as smart as it is dumb, chirpy as it is legitimately rocking. “Incel” is a satiric rant from a guy who has no friends and plays XBOX all day, but is confident enough to say, “I’m better than you / I’m better than you / I’m better than you!” Sounds like many a social media comment section. If you gather under the egg-punk umbrella, “Jackin Off in the UFO” is this season’s anthem. It’s almost like the song rips so hard to justify how stupid it is, and I love it. If I listen to it again, I know that it will take over all conscious thought for the next week. A crusty, B-movie, sci-fi rock’n’roll gem of a record from start to finish.

Pal Under Your Radar cassette

I’m a bit ashamed to say that I wasn’t familiar with the music of the Cleveland, Ohio four-piece PAL prior to Under Your Radar. But oh boy, I absolutely adore everything about this release. Throughout the EP, crunchy drums and tasteful bass lines lay down a very danceable foundation, while highly modulated guitar melodies and minimal synth licks keep a tight call-and-response dynamic that sounds like you’re listening to a playful yet heated argument. To top it all off, the lyricism and delivery of the vocals perfectly encapsulate the manic nature of the band’s very unique and quirky sound. Under Your Radar reminds me of C.C.T.V. and SPLLIT with its sonic palette, mannerisms, and upside-down approach to songwriting. Seems like PAL released this cassette directly to my 2025 year-end top ten. Just perfect—no notes.

The Palmettes / Sick Dogs / Tight Genes / Vicious Dreams DCxPC Live and Swamp Cabbage Records Present, Vol. 29 split LP

A four-band compilation focused not just on Florida, but on Orlando—this live record really delivers. I have to admit that my expectations were low. Really low. There were just so many red flags. A live record featuring four bands from one city? Volume 29? VICIOUS DREAMS get things rolling right out of the gate with a super catchy and melodic version of power punk with pretty but sort of snotty female vocals, and they finish things with an excellent X-RAY SPEX cover. Next up, the PALMETTES slow things down with some doo-wop-inspired pop music, again featuring female vocals. While the musical style is quite different from the opening band, it too is super-catchy, and the band is remarkably tight. The B-side starts off strong with SICK DOGS delivering some high-energy, pounding punk rock with a street edge and throaty vocals. The guitar is part AC/DC and part ABRASIVE WHEELS. Great energy. We wrap things up with five cuts from TIGHT GENES. Wow. This is some impressive punk that has me thinking of the ADOLESCENTS, but maybe a little more frenzied. Like maybe add some FLIPPER. Honestly, a great record from start to finish. If you own a turntable, buy this. If you don’t own a turntable, go buy one and then buy this.

Radioactive Toys There’s Enough for Everyone LP

Really solid record here that spans a handful of different punk styles without sounding too contrived. RADIOACTIVE TOYS utilize the dark ska vibe of HOT STOVE JIMMY, the heavy rock’n’roll styling of ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT, and the unmatched energy of early AGAINST ME! mixed with the Ian MacKaye side of FUGAZI. From soaring choruses to choppy upstrokes, there’s enough here to make everyone happy. Half of the songs are sung in German, but the songs in English have great lyrics—primarily the titular track “There’s Enough For Everyone.” A perfect anthem for the slimy, greedy shit we’ve all had to deal with on a daily basis as of late. Really powerful album here, and well worth a spin.

Remedy Feelin’ Back to the City CD

REMEDY FEELIN” is reminiscent of the HICKOIDS with the VINDICTIVES’ singer singing. This has a very particular boot-stomping honky-tonk twang to it. From “Gas Station Blues” to “Fast Fast Woman,” REMEDY FEELIN’ lets you know exactly who they are. I did a little digging and found out they are from the Bay Area, so I wonder if they will be playing 924 Gilman any time soon. Keep a lookout. I wonder if they roll their own cigs and chew tobacco. I want to be clear; I bet this is a lot of fun live. There was a great band in Michigan doing this style around the late ’80s through early ’90s called GOOBER & THE PEAS, so if you are into this type of thing, please look them up, too.