(review) Crashed Out – Against All Odds (Demons Run Amok)

Long time no street punk or great oi punk rock on the pages of this zine. It is time to repair that mistake thanks to the good people at Demons Run Amok, German label which releases hardcore and punk with heart, balls and attitude. This band dates back to 1995 and this is their fourth full length opus and it contains 16 songs of street punk roots but also paired with street smart rock and some hardcore parts of the song structures. From the opener title song which tells us to rise above troubles and problems and believe in ourselves to anthemic guitar riffs of Urban Zoo which reminds me of old school British oi punk bands with super chorus for singing along at gigs, this album delivers hit after hit. As one of my personal favorites, I must also mention The Chancer with that infectious melody. The vocals are melodic but they have that street punk rough edge and made goosebumps on my skin couple of times when I listened to the music paired with lyrics about friendship, survival on your workplace with greedy stupid bosses, city streets, hypocrisy, staying sane and delivering the blows back when you are cornered and fight for survival. If I must compare this band to some other ones it would be Bruisers, UK bands like Business in their last four albums, some Rancid and some Cock Sparrer. This is great album, so have a listen.

https://demonsrunamok.bandcamp.com/album/against-all-odds

(review) Esperfall – Act I – Origins in Darkness

Time for a band from our neighbors Hungarian scene to grace the pages of this zine. Esperfall are hailing from Budapest, Hungary and this is their debut full length opus. Being active since 2016, after two e.p.-s this was a time for a full length and it is just great. I expected some Nigthwish/Within Temptation clone but I got nothing like that. This is pure melodic symphonic metal with dual almost black metal vocals by guitarists Laszlo and Kerek, but the main jewel is singer Nora whose voice is one of the best I have listened to in a while. Musicianship is superb and songwriting epic and guitar border from fast power metal warrior stomping metal, to emotional almost sometimes gothic metal influenced parts and symbolize inner demons in me, fighting of good versus evil, harmony and corruption and what is evil at all? I think it lies in depending how you see it and react in life. On your feet or on your knees. Songs like Tempest in Paradise(The FirstAdvent) which is fast power metal, Plato´s Cave having a battle between guitar solo and keyboards which are so well incorporated courtesy of Zsombor Zathureczky and I would love to see these songs performed live, I am sure this sounds so good like chocolate pudding which you eat after you finally sit down and rest after long and bloody battle.

8,5/10

The Venomous Pinks released new video from the new album due out with SBÄM Records!

After the first single No Rules has already caused quite a stir, The Venomous Pinks continue to the anticipation for their first studio album. The next track Apothacary Ailment ups the tempo even more and pushes relentlessly forward – in the unique Pinks sound, of course!

Lyrically, the punk trio deals with the difficult subject of addiction from the perspectives of others and themselves.
“It’s about how consuming the cycle of addiction can be. I witnessed a person close to me struggle with a serious addiction. It was a matter of life or death. The lyrics are a plea for them to choose life. I’ve had my own personal battles over the years. Facing one’s demons is never easy. Through a positive mental attitude and commitment, anything is possible. You will prevail,” says singer and guitarist Drea Doll.

The chorus with shouts like “Never give up / You’ll find a way / We’ll find a way” is both motivation and war cry and will certainly provide perfect sing-along moments live.

“For the video, we escaped to the beautiful landscape near the lost Dutchman park in Apache Junction, AZ. Since this is our first album, it was important for us to show the world our roots and where we grew up”, explains Drea further. The video was shot and edited again by Thomas Alexander.

Apothecary Ailment is the second single from Vita Mors, which will be released on June 3, 2022 on SBÄM Records.

Line-Up:
Drea Doll – Guitar, Vocals
Gaby Kaos – Bass, Vocals
Cassie Jalilie – Drums

Fotocredits:
Jack Grisham (b/w)
Alexander Thomas