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!
Good driving punk but without much distinct personality. While the music’s plenty punk and there’s good power and vocals, they lack that special something which becomes evident on LPs more than EPs. Still, it’s not bad at all.
More CRAMPS-influenced stuff, though we get a SEEDS cover (“Girl I Want You”) as well. A long psych tune with guts (“Suzie Creamcheese”) is pretty cool.
A “…Youth” band that’s not hardcore? Yep, pure psych/punk here, and though they’re hardly “psychotic,” they do rock pretty good. Do an ELEVATORS cover, as well as the FE-FI-FOUR PLUS 2’s “I Wanna Come Back From the World of LSD” and two originals. Not remarkable, but decent.
A really well-done seven-song release. Whether doing thrash or impassioned poetry set to ominous noise, this band executes with verve, tightness, and lots of power. Intelligence and musical expression are A-1.
Purveyors of a certain brand of high-energy rock’n’roll that very few bands today understand (the NOMADS being one of the few), this single has both a rocker and slower pounder. Roots: MC5.
More pop than JESUS AND THE MARY CHAIN, but utilizing their noise guitar. The singing isn’t well done or enigmatic, and the overly subdued nature of the playing leaves leaves a lot to be desired. One track (“No Place to Go”) has enough energy to overcome this, but a .250 average doesn’t make it.
At breakneck speed or mid-tempo, this band turns out well-crafted, powerful punk and thrash. They have an almost SoCal sound, full of melody and hooks, lots of guitar, and neat vocals. An excellent tape, well worth picking up.
Fairly derivative ’60s pop-punk with mostly originals. Snarly vocals, simple delivery, pretty forgettable.
This group sticks to their early punk roots, relying on pop melodies, heavy on the high production vocals and mix (a bit too much so), and simple, catchy tunes. It can wear thin, but is an OK change of pace. Especially liked “Broken Generation.”
Sort of ’70s rock’n’roll meets early punk. Simple drive and beat, chunky guitar, and cool vocals. Decent.
A six-song release, this is punk rock with a distinguishing guitar sound. For the most part, the band has a SUBHUMANS-type English sound, but the guitar has a post-punky tone, a combination that comes off well. Good thoughtful lyrics to boot.
A really good single, both sides having a lot of punch. There are early punk influences here (FALL, STRANGLERS) but this rocks better than either. Powerful.
Too bad. Thought this might have a lot going for it since it came in with a batch of cool Swedish psych singles, but it turned out to be a pretty limp attempt. Not real annoying but just not too memorable.
Snappy punk with good hooks with an unobnoxious UK influence. Two of the four tracks rip, while the other two are poppier, but all are enjoyable.
Pretty decent early punk sound with a mixture of rock influences. Reminds me a bit of some Midwestern ’76-’77 bands, though slicker. Easygoing, but maintains momentum.
Raw-edged straightforward thrash with gravel-laden vocals continuing the excitement on this second LP. Japan’s answer to non-stop chaotic destruction, finely tuned and well-mixed with great back-up choruses, throwing chunks of havoc everywhere. The first LP was good, this is a great one and melts my brain at every listen.
Oh my, GASTUNK scalps the senses with another super release. This band is one of Japan’s best and scorches it out with this Indian-themed release. Excellent packaging opens you to intense echoing shrills. What you’d expect from this band that deserves, ’cause they perform well.
This outfit is a French equivalent of DER DURSTIGE MAN—a punk band whose material is most likely to appeal to those whose musical sensibilities have already been clouded by massive amounts of alcohol. Mid-tempo punk with shouted group choruses, and aggressively delivered; typically, the title track is translated, “Beer.”
A one-sided job; two studio and two live cuts; two fast and two medium; all good punk. Hot guitar and drumming, energy and fun.
This snappy slice of upbeat pop-punk presents its wares with verve and intelligence. A cut below the best in this genre, I still enjoyed the four tracks here—and found their amalgam of thrash and poppier punk bracing. Very good.
Seems to be recorded somewhere between 33 and 45 RPM, cuz it seems plausible at both speeds. This is driving, bass-heavy guitar noise stuff, sometimes quietly mad, and at other times blatantly insane. Grunge with conscious intent but really well executed.
Adie’s vox have a character that brings the great speedcore compositions of the ENGLISH DOGS to a thundering proportion, raw, uncompromising, and shouting. They blurt well with this crazed line-up. The DOGS really work the musical structure with award-winning appeal. A bit of work goes into these songs. Bang.
Really snappy thrash with hooks and choruses. Lots of stop-and-go action, cool singing, and rapid-fire tunes with little waste. Neat entry from this German band.
Buzzsaw guitar burns its way through 14 songs, all set to a classic, crazed, thrashed-out tempo. It’s produced by machine gun drumming, but the vocals are lost in the background and seem to be merely muffles. Nevertheless, the music makes up for it—fast and hot!
Swedish neo-psych band that relies heavily on dark guitar passages and gloomy percussion. Nice cover of ZAPPA s “Trouble Everyday.” Less psych here than just plain old guitar pop.
Hallowed be the return of the COMES and orgasms does it create with splash ’n’ bash mayhem as the female singer twists buzzbomb of a sensation. Six tightly knit songs to grab down and charge up for an earful in flailing delight. Hot stuff that mixes well for both crowds.
Switzerland produces some very mundane punk and some quite interesting experimental punk (such as the MANISCH DEPRESSIV 7″), and this release falls into the latter category. One side is indeed a politically biting rap song set to rhythm machine, while the other is a highly persuasive punk song. Interesting.
This powerful album combines some metallic touches with an urgent, dramatic compositional style. All of this results in memorable songs which really clear the air, and there’s a distinctiveness here that should be recognized, too. Very strongly recommended.
Lots of covers (ELECTRIC PRUNES WAILERS, CONNIE FRANCIS [?]) and a few originals in another neo-’60s fun-filled extravaganza. It’s fun OK, but wearing thin.
One one side, it’s NICK TOCZEK backed up by a simple punk band (the BURIAL, who look more skin than punk), while on the flip he’s backed by a ska/reggae outfit called the SPECTRE. NICK’s bitter social commentary comes across well despite (or enhanced by) the music.
A distinct improvement over their debut 7″, this one contains better material, better production, and more power. Good, driving hardcore with sharp drumming and cutting guitar. Cool.
This fine band seems to have lost some of their steam and distinction from their previous two sparkling LPs—the songs here tend to run into each other without much differentiation, and the lack of real punch is a disappointment. Maybe I’m missing the subtleties, but I miss their power and speed.
Energetic pop/punk/thrash with chirpy female vocals. Good power, though the pop tunes get a bit too pop at moments. Overall: better than average.
Well-rounded musical influences play an important role in this German band’s sound which is a nice mixture of early punk, thrash, and pop. They switch off, and the combination of male and female vocals adds an interesting diversity to the arrangements and blends well with the mid-tempo, offbeat tunes.
The masters of Dutch political thrash strike the match and burn wildly with this new line-up. Tony’s gone over to guitar and he rips the pace to bleedin’ shreds as the drums smash over and over again with Rene’s forceful thrusted vocals. If you liked the first, the second will drive you mad with quickness, tight harmonies, and action-packed thrills.
Fast-paced basic thrash, Swedish style. Ten songs come forth with a good, steady beat and loud guitars. The vocals are harsh, but hard and heavy at the same time. Overall, the production is pretty good for a live recording and gives a healthy taste of what this intense band is all about.
This new one from ASTA KASK has that brisk, melodic, and powerful style, but with an added emphasis on power. This sacrifices a bit of accessibility, but makes for some great moments, especially on the steamroller, “Sexkomplex.” Another great one from these guys.
A US comp featuring SEIZURE, EMG, PSYCHODRAMA, CERTAIN DEATH, HELLHOUSE, STIKKY, and more. Largely garagy-sounding, with varying sound quality. OK.
A pretty cool comp featuring ten great Ohio HC bands, most of which have either been hiding or overlooked. Included are the talents of GUMBY’S REVENGE, PLASMA ALLIANCE, PPG, IDIOT HUMANS, NUMBSKULL, PLAGUE, and many more. Good Midwest sampler!
A high-speed comp 7″ with such bands as LÄRM, PILLSBURY HARDCORE, STRAIGHT AHEAD, and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. All of this material is raging thrash topped off by a positive message. Extreme power and aggressiveness.
Punk, thrash, early-’70s rock, and metal thrown into the old rock’n’roll blender, and you get 22 songs. Some cut it, some don’t (self-indulgence) from this all-male combo.
WIMPY DICKS incant growled vocals over a tough, uncompromising hardcore style that has unquestionable bite and power. The songs tend to be repetitive, however, both within and between cuts; but those who can ignore this will find all of the basics on this one. Adequate.
More goofiness from the FLAG. Their satirical songs recorded live all over the country with special “guest” artists and lame in-between song banter. This is supposed to be all-live but side two has a special groove cut to make it a three-sided record.
A split tape by two Colorado Springs bands that will be out touring this summer. WILLIE THE DISK have a powerful pop-punk sound and can thrash on a dime. ANTE BELLUM have a “heavy” sound more often than not. Sound quality is decent.
Though the recording is just a bit on the thin side, there’s lots to pick up on here—lots of energy and tight as hell, quick changes and blazing yet melodic thrash, and some positive lyrics. Like the singing and harmonizing, too. A good start.
DOLLS meet Death with six HEARTBREAKERS-ish tunes. Other influences thrown in, such as metal rock.
One of Connecticut’s finest thrash bands pops up LP #2 full of whirling hardcore that packs an introspective message. Both celebrating the positive notion of the underground and also pointing a finger at its failures. Musically, it’s a little more melodic this time, something like the catchiness of the DESCENDENTS. A must.
I like this record a lot, with its straightforward powerful punk/thrash and teeny-nasty vocals. Nothing really unusual here, but its simple punch and power are really enjoyable. A no-frills treat from this now-defunct band.
A lengthy but enjoyable tape of real good pop-punk thrash. Good production as well as way clear vocals makes this even more enjoyable. Good lyrics and neat back-up singing as well.
The pretentious artsters will like this one: neo-no-wave music, down atmosphere, nihilistic lyrics. Too “cool” for me.
