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Please send one copy of 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. We reserve the right to reject releases on the basis of content. Music without vocals or drums will not be considered. All music submitted for review must have been released (or reissued) within the last two years. Please include contact information and let us know where your band is from!
More early ’60s garage meets mid ’80s noise. Can’t say it’s the best of both worlds, but when they aren’t being too arty (a third of the time), they do rock out some grungy crud like CRAMPS meets BUTTHOLES on bad DMT.
Sixties punk done Á la ’76, meaning not enough mania and too much production and rock guitar. It’s not really bad, just not crazy enough to warrant the retreads, and there are plenty of them.
Older punk meets ’70s rock’n’roll with a lot of influence on the guitar power. Lyrics are above average for this genre but the music bogs down too often for me. When they rock though, it’s pretty strong stuff.
It took me a few songs before I recognized the godlike quality here. But after they really start cooking, the reformed PAGANS recorded at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis, has all the charm and quality of a garbage truck as it speeds around trying to kill everyone in its path. Massive, so snag this un and wait for the next studio album.
Their hottest release yet, at least for me. Many of the six tunes are slowed down, which results in more power and greater clarity of lyrics. Really basic punk and thrash, very well done.
This record is a re-release of NEGAZIONE’s classic Conannati a Morte… EP with an additional live track, and it displays this band’s absolute command of a fast, frenetic, thrashy, and memorable songwriting style. The live song is a tantalizing hint of how good this band must be live. Great record!
Despite their hokey name, these guys play some forceful metallic HC thrash, with anti-conformity and anti-government themes. Much better than their moniker would have you believe.
Yee…ouch! Totally searing punk and HC — sharp as hell, powerful, with a guitar sound that cuts steel! Blazing Midwest thrash.
A few of the ANGRY SAMOANS team up for this folk-rock seven-song release. This is really wimpy, self-indulgent material, a definite joke. Fortunately, the SAMOANS still kick ass live.
Less overtly “punk” than their debut 12″, this album contains ten pop-punky tunes with the emphasis on the pop, in a style reminiscent of the early SHOES. Undeniably catchy, this record is best when guitars take precedence, but there’s still a good deal here for fans of cool pop music — though the style does wear thin after a while.
Alright! I believe this is the first Mexican tape I’ve reviewed, and it’s great! Intense thrash similar to the Finnish ’83 style. Dirty production, but the anger, power, and energy shines through.
Their second release, this LP’s chock full of CRAMPS type garage rock and roll —pounding beat, raw guitar, and silly lyrics. From New Jersey, it rocks.
In case you’ve wondered what Matt and Chris of CRUCIFIX are up to these days, here’s what. They’re in a band that plays pounding, rhythmic dance music with political/ominous overtones along with members of FLUX, I believe. Soon we’ll be hearing from Sothira’s new band, an entirely different thing.
This live LP showcases LIVE SKULL’s guitar-laden, atmospheric post-punk sound. Obstinately non-melodic, the songs on this LP, although excellently recorded, don’t excite (they’re too slow) and don’t stick to the ribs (they’re not catchy enough). Fans of the band will like this, though.
Boy this one’s kinda hard to figure. The sound here is slow and grungy like some mutant of ST. VITUS, if you can put up with that they do it fairly well. But they do manage to pick up the pace during a number of songs. Plus a vocalist who sounds like he’s constipated and he’s doing his best to “force the issue”. Not incredible but worth a listen.
Ultra-catchy Yugoslavian pop punk appears on the tracks here — really, it’s quite a departure from the typically messy, thrashy style popular in this country. KUD IDIJOTI have great melodies on three of four tunes, with nifty choruses in a mid-to-fast tempo style. Fine record.
A rippin’ six-song job that comes bundled with the reissue of their What Happens Next LP. I don’t know if these guys are at it again, but I hope so. Ripping.
Manic vocals set to sporadic musical mayhem — sort of in the BUTTHOLES spirit. I thought you had to be from Texas to do this kinda stuff, but these lads are from Virginia. Will interest the fringe freaks and art trendies.
Three pounding metallish punk songs and one very snappy thrash tune with no metal influence whatsoever.
Edging ever-closer to rock music, GI employs a big sound, usually powerful beat, and big production to get it across. But the lack of a cohesive, unique sound and catchy tunes make the package relatively unmemorable, making them sound like just another slick band on a bigger label.
Pretty rockin’ garage type ’60s punk with a good beat, fuzzed guitar, SEEDS and ELEVATORS influences and nothing lyrics.
Power dual guitar HC with a tasteful metallic touch, this is a fantastic tape, too bad it wasn’t an LP. Nine great songs, imagine SNFU crossed with SSD, NEGATIVE APPROACH. Yeah! Damn good, get this.
These Quincy punks shared the Last Rites For… LP with MIA way back when, died, and are now back to make you gawk in disbelief at their passé stud/skull look. Equally dumbo lyrics and metallish approach make this a joke, unintentionally I’m sure.
A damn hot first tape from this Chicago band, playing power-driving punk and thrash with a sense of melody and good lyrics. Definitely worth investigating.
The two songs on the FRATRICIDE side display a punk style with certain metallish trappings, and lyrics that address the fundamental purpose of punk. On the flip, MISSION OF CHRIST are more demonstrably speedmetal in the vocals and guitars, with lyrics that are forgettable and fuzzy production. Unmemorable.
An anti-violence band with a twist. Seems like the singer is a refugee from Iran, because just about all the songs deal with life in the current regime’s grip, with one song even sung in Farsi. Musically, hardcore with metal/power influences. Interesting.
Welcome to the garage. These Tennessee turkeys play from grunged out punk’n’thrash with appropriate chunky production. Lyrics are in the personal/social vein.
An amusing combination, great stop and go HC mixed with crazed lyrics. From the enclosed photos and liner notes, these characters put on quite a stage show, but do they sleep in oxygen tents like MICHAEL JACKSON? Watch for vinyl.
One of “Live at CBGB” cassettes comes to vinyl life, and life it reverberates. Very powerful hardcore that doesn’t stop, and that might be the only complaint here—the on-going similarity of the emotion you’re being clobbered with. But if you want a dose of sledgehammer HC, you know where to find it.
A full 17 song LP from this durable Bay Area band. They’re varying the pace more these days, and in this case it really works well. Excellent recording, great passionate vocals and screams, and definitely worth a listen. Cool label, too. Support this!
More of the COLORS’ mod (JAM/JOLT) sound. Lots of power pop, power chords, etc.
“I’ll take my Chadbourne and make it a double.” Four sides as crazed and priceless as always. From goofy Martin Mull-ish “In A Sentimental Mood” to BEATLES, BURL IVES, ROGER MILLER psych-out medleys. These records feature bits and pieces of other tapes and even early lost SHOCKABILLY material. There’s the regular dose of insightful, folksy guitar — diddling, singalongs, psychedelia, and political prowess.
This live recording of the Gathering of the 5000 features a good selection of CONFLICT material plus several CRASS numbers done by CONFLICT and Steve Ignorant. For the most part, all 32 songs have a good sound, but the band does have some problems with the CRASS music. Included is a lyric booklet that contains a full explanation of the event. Both ups and downs.
Pretty decent pop ’60s punk, but this selection doesn’t have the nasty edge that their recent Stop! album had. A few tracks do manage to snarl, delivering that fuzz attack, while the rest are well done by clean.
More than competent metallish HC, another example of Europeans following up on a trend within the U.S. scene. Lots of riffing, non-melodic guitar, power rhythm, etc. Otherwise, unmemorable.
A six-song release, mainly of pounding guitar heavy rock with late-’60s Detroit power and punk influences. Lyrics are nothing, but on one song, “Shake It Loose,” the band does produce something memorable in sound.
Full speed ahead power punk and hardcore with quite a few innovative bits and jarring stops/starts and tempo changes. “One Track Head” is a mind-blowing standout.
This UK band contains Ed of the STUPIDS, and, as expected, there’s a decided American sound here, but not in the same way. The music and lyrics have a DC-type “emo” approach, a powerful but ultimately laid back sound.
The latest EP by ATTANAS shows considerably more finesse and style than before, with occasional melodic concessions, but losing none of the high-sped HC power. These songs are short and to the point, and show some songwriting quality. Very good effort.
Very loose mayhem thrash. Rapid speed dirge guitar and machine gun drumming are joined with harsh, scrambled vocals. All the songs are fast and raw, putting this band in the ranks of DISORDER, NAPALM DEATH, and CHAOS UK.
Another in a spate of reissues, this one containing some classic retardo garage punk from 1980. Remixed a bit (not to its detriment) and powerful, it contains “Right Side of My Mind”, “You Stupid Asshole,” “Get Off the Air,” and two more gems. Get it.
This record is on a label called Heavy Metal Records, comes without a lyric sheet, sounds laden, but somehow has a glint of individuality. I had a hard time with the length of the cuts and their ponderance, but hopefully beneath all this weight and silliness lies some good lyrics and intentions. Hopefully.
WHITE FLAG has, on this live EP, documented their European tour with a clutch of fast, funny, and hard-rockin’ songs. The recording quality is adequate, no lyric sheet is provided (this band needs one), and all things considered, this is probably a good documentation on their tour. Actually enjoyable.
Three bands out of N. Ireland share this amazingly great record. ASYLUM, STALAG 17, and TOXIC WASTE absolutely kick ass, both musically and lyrically, delivery track after rack of powerful hardcore. Very convincing and necessary!
A way hot Aussie HC comp featuring ARM THE INSANE, NOBODY’S VICTIMS, and four more acts. Good material, booklet included. Nice job.
A pretty swell comp featuring some big names (DEAD MILKMEN, INSTIGATORS, etc.), and a host of smaller acts like BILLY & THE WILLIES, CIVILISED SOCIETY?, etc. Good stuff.
Yee…ouch! Another righteous comp from Flush Productions, featuring quality stuff from SEWER TROUT, IRSTAS, DISTORTION X, and many more. Consistently hot stuff here.
60 minutes of high quality HC power here. Outstanding tracks by ANGRY JOHNNY AND THE SNOTS, SHELL GAME, and CHRIST ON A CRUTCH. That’s a hint, so get this one, okay? Band info included.
Righteous gonzocore from HEIBER, CRINGER, DISSENT, QUOD MASSACRE, and a slew of other world HC acts. Damn good sound, cool lyric book, one rad tape.
Well, they’ve heard early PRETTY THINGS-type primitive R’n’B, especially the Jagger-like vocals, raw plunky guitar sound (though nowhere as grungy as the THINGS), etc. Out of Sweden.
