All posts by vladkraykulla

Active member of alternative underground scene and culture since early 1990-ies. Underground is a way of life!

(review) Bednja – Ponosni u smrti

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!

https://bednja.bandcamp.com/

(review) Los Fastidios – XXX The Number Of The Beat

Italian punk rock veterans Los Fastidios are back with a new release celebrating thirty years in existence! For those that do not know this band yet, Los Fastidios play a mixture of street punk, more on a melodic side of things and ska punk, lyrics being in Italian and English. For my taste, better songs on this album are those done in a more street punk way, being quite little anthems like Torneremo Ancora or These Boots. Singer Enrico has a recognizable voice and his English improved a little over the years hehe. Guitar work is nice, nothing new or revolutionary but somehow celebrating life, positivity and vital energy that somehow gets lost in the rush of this modern world. But, also some songs bring a feeling of melancholy in me, like for example The Queen of the Dancefloor. Elisa brought new energy to the band with her voice like for example in Beverley. This band has always been known for promoting positivity, anti fascist and anti racist ideas, besides usual street punk topics, so go and have a listen to these veterans. You will not regret it.

https://www.facebook.com/kobrecords