Van Huskins are band coming from Charlotte, USA and the members of the band have been long time veterans in the scene there. I must admit that I have never heard of these guys prior to this record, but that is the beauty of the underground. Every day discovering new stuff, new bands, new friendships and what is best, it lasts all the time. Van Huskins deliver 6 songs on this record. The music of this band can be described as raw punkrock, but this is so much more. I can also hear noise, post punk, old school metal and doom influences here. The songs are really energetic in their rawness and their ability to awake something primal in the listener, making your fist pump in the air and rock and roll all the way. The songs Its Not Like You Murdered Somebody and Post-Apocalyptic Birds are sure to become your favorite because I recommend these songs as being somehow highlight of this record for me. Punk is what you make of it, anything goes remember? So, if you are into raw and non compromise punkrock, this one is right for you.
Mark & The Wolves are coming from Quebec area, Canada and this e.p. is their first new material in four years coming out with Thousand Islands Records. This e.p contains 6 songs, one of them called Against The Wind being kind of intro. Ths music is fast and melodic skatepunk/melodic hardcore. The guitars are metalic and having that cutting edge I love so much. The vocals are loud, shouting, yet singing melodic and they are fantastic, in some spoken word parts like in Sheep & Shepherds being my favorite song on the record, with speed and anthemic harmonies all along the song. The music is not so much technical skatepunk, more having that old school nineties skatepunk vibe that I love so much, like all those old school Fat and Epitaph record, but at the same time sounding modern and fresh for new kids to join our ranks hehe. Revolt is also one of the songs that I must say are highlights for me on this record. In all, another superb release by this little big fantastic label.
CF98 are from Poland and they are no strangers to this zine. We did an interview with them a while ago, also reviewed their last e.p. Rotten To The Core.
Now, they are back with six new songs for the latest e.p. called Dead Inside. What immediately falls on your ears is excellent title song with nice lyrics and fantastic chorus. For those who don`t know, CF98 are playing melodic hardcore punk, very energetic, I recommend to see them play live, with singer Karolina doing perfect job as the band˙s forefront member on stage. The vocals and backing vocal harmonies are great and the songs vary from very short one, burst of speed and energy called Shine On, to fantastic songs like Oh Boy and Never Quit when it hits me that these guys are in the scene for 14 years now and going stronger than ever. Lyrics are personal, but they have a message and meaning especially Pink being my absolute favorite on this record. Excellent hardcore, melodic and energetic, done with heart and from the heart.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 