Love Equals Death are punk band from California and they are not so known to people in these parts, so I am glad that I discovered them through this record. They are not strangers to this zine because I interviewed them a while back. Now they are back with a collection of their previously released e.p. material and this album is a perfect way for you to get to know with this awesome band. Love Equals Death play a brand of melodic punk rock but with darkened vibe and sounding a lot more harsh in some song parts then your typical Cali punk rock band. There are also some street punk influences which fit perfectly with some gang sing along parts. But, the main fact is that this is well written and good punk rock to peel your ears and hearts while listening. Emotions, aggression, atmosphere, melody and fist pumping punk, that is all you need with this record and this band. Hopefully they will tour Europe in 2022 and I will get to see this band play live because I think that will be a fantastic show.
CRAIG’S BROTHER, the iconic ’90s skate punk band from Santa Cruz, California is back with another new song that stays true to their fast and furious roots. “All The Way” is an uplifting and energetic song that contrasts the undying love of a father with the fleeting bliss of teen approval.
Time for a band from my home scene to grace the pages of this zine. Bednja released their new, long awaited e.p. Bednja were already featured on the pages of this zine, when I reviewed their full length debut album. This band is hailing from Varaždin in the north of Croatia, circa ten or so kilometers from my hometown. Bednja plays a mixture of black metal, hardcore and post metal with very interesting song structures and darkened atmosphere and dual growled and screaming vocals, which add power to the songs. Guitar work is ice cold with some catchy hooks here and there, thundering bass and drums from out of this world, Petar being for sure one of the best extreme music drummers in this region. This new e.p. offers four songs. Bednja pays tribute to Croatian poet Ivan Goran Kovačić, antifascist poet who was killed in WWII by transforming his lyrics into a song. They also cover Satan Panonski, punk icon from ex Yugoslavia who was killed in the civil war that went on here about thirty years ago. Also, they cover two folk songs sung by partisan fighters in WWII. There are some guest appearances on this record, but I leave that to you to discover. My personal favorite is Satan Panonski cover but e.p. as a whole is a fist in the face of depravity this country has turned in. Fist in the face of fascism, homophobia, xenophobia and Bednja told what all of us think: fuck you we are not down with you and you will not grind us down, not now, not ever!
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 