Anti-Flag are back with new batch of politically charged anthems fighting with everyone and everything again in their lyrics. I saw them play live and I can safely say these guys deliver one of the most energetic, most intense cathartic live shows I have ever seen on a punk gig. But, somehow through all these last years their albums started to sound all the same to me, too similar, good package, but only one or two really outstanding songs, the rest being average rehash of their earlier hits. These new songs are continuation of where the band went with last couple of records, melodic sing along songs with dual vocals, courtesy of Justin and Chris, raging against injustice and political oppression, racism and all the themes that are unfortunately so actual today. But, there is that feeling again in me, that the album is great, superb punkrock, but doesn`t stay in mind for too long. This is great punkrock, but apart from songs like title track, Christian Nationalist or Unbreakable, there is nothing else to remember this record by. That doesn` t mean that it is bad, quite the contrary, Anti-Flag delivered again a great record in their ongoing fight.
Milwaukee´s Snag released the record with Zegema Beach Records. What do we get with this one? We get nine songs of darkened hardcore with emotional, screaming vocals, nice apocalyptic melodies, pissed of noisy song structures and environmentally engaged sensitive lyrics about a change that needs to come if we want our planet to survive. Besides, the music is very brutal and energetic but has that touch, the one that makes your heart all warm and tear sometimes come to your eye like in beautiful instrumental violin miniature Morning that serves as calm before the storm preparation for the most harsh and brutal song on the record called Colony Collapse with combination of brutal and screaming vocals coupled with nervous riffs. I also love the clever use of samples as in Into the forest. My personal favorite is Hunger Stone having a very wicked guitar melody which I wish that I wrote hehe. This is another great release, go and discover hardcore bands and remember, always support your scene!
Canadian punk artist Greg Rekus is no stranger to the pages of our zine, we interviewed this fantastic artist couple of months ago. This time, we had a wonderful chance to listen and review the brand new record, out this January. The record contains 13 new songs of melody, drama, heartbreak and catharsis. I smiled, laughed, felt happiness and sadness all the while listening to this one. Not Too Late To Change is the nice song with a message and beautiful chorus. Besides standard punkrock and acoustic song structures, there is also saxophone used on this record like in beautiful Time. Greg˙s voice sounds just made for the music he creates and I personally think this new album is the crown in his work until now concerning the lyrics which everyone can relate to and catchy emotional punkrock music for the heart. One of the best songs on this record for me is Smart Ones, anthemic chorus, uptempo and clever use of sax making it my favorite. Also, Take A Stand and A Newer Hope are the songs that somehow stand out for me, that doesn˙t mean that the rest of the songs are not awesome. Go get this one!
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