(review) Comrad – Restiamo Vicini e.p.

Comrad are from Italy and UK and this is their new e.p. This is a relatively new punk rock band from Italy and bassist Andy also plays in Dead Neck from UK, well known to this zine. There are five songs on this release with lyrics being in Italian. I love this language it is so melodic and just made for making superb melodic punk songs with harmonies and everything. This band basically plays melodic punk rock yet there are some post punk influences and also pop and rock here and there. This is not your classical break neck speed skate punk. Songs are much more complex and much more layers are put into writing, emotional, somehow sad yet hopeful and make you smile and wish that you have a full length for listening. As far my Italian understanding goes, lyrics are personal and beautiful. So., this is a real nice release, hope full length will be upon us soon.

https://www.facebook.com/comradband

(review) Qwälen – Unohdan Sinut (Time To Kill Records)

Qwälen are hailing from Helsinki/Oulu area in Finland and this is their new record out with Time To Kill Records. This band plays their vision of black metal, raw and uncompromising, often blistering fast and aggressive, but there are lots of hardcore punk influences in the song structures, but to me this music leans more on black metal side of things. Guitars are raw, vocals screaming tortured black metal screams yet they fit perfectly to the music and aggression, but also melancholic, saddened melodies behind the overlayers of drama, that only Finnish bands are capable of providing such melancholy and emotions behind the music. There are seven songs on this opus, with titles all being in Finnish language so I don´t really understand what the lyrics are about, but let the power of music speak for itself. For me the best songs on this record, being my personal favorites are Han Ei Tule Koskaan and Unohdan Sinut. Superb album.

8/10

https://qwaelen.bandcamp.com/releases