They say new beginnings are hard, but The Rumjacks did it and proved it is sometimes worth to have a new start. The Aussies recruited new American singer Mike Rivkees and it proved to be full bullseye. Hence, new album, new start. Hestia offers 14 songs of celtic punk mixed with street punk and oi influences. Now, everyone who reads this zine will know that I am not an avid fan of celtic punk of folk punk at all, but this record is full of melodies and has just enough guitars and harmonies, even some ska parts, not to be boring and not to be celtic punk that I don´t like. Some songs remind me a lot of Bruisers, or maybe even Anti Heroes in some song parts. Mike´s voice fits perfectly to the songs and it seems that a change brought new energy in the band, which was wanted and needed. This fifth album is probably in my opinion the best this band had to offer until now, but that doesn´t mean that they will not provide something even better in years to come. My personal highlights: Hestia, Light In My Shadow, Wanderlust.
I met Yotam and Ishay from Useless ID couple of years ago at Punk Rock Holiday when we did an interview for this zine and I can say they are most friendly, down to earth people I met in this scene. Now, Useless ID released their kinda best of greatest hits album on Fat Wreck Chords. This record contains all the songs that are standard parts of their live set, fan favorites, some hits and some misses hehe. I have always been fascinated how these guys can transform their music from angry hardcore kids to emotional melodic almost indie pop punk and back again to skatepunk hardcore. Besides my favorites like State is burning, Night shift, How to dismantle an atom bomb or Night stalker, there are also two new songs which are fuckin amazing. So, go grab this one, if you are a fan you will love it, if you are not a fan you will become one soon.
Danish thrash metal veterans Artillery are back with a new album via Metal Blade Records. This tenth full length, thus the name offers 11 songs of nice European old school thrash metal with lots of aggression, speed yet also melodic vocal lines and some excellent melodies in guitar solo department and some catchy hooks. There is also a ballad on this one being Ghost Of Me and I like it. My personal favorites on this album are InThrash We Trust, Turn Up The Rage and The Force Of Indifference. Vocals are more clean and melodic varying from angry shouting to more melodic singing and Michael Bastholm Dahl does a great job. Musicianship is tight and this is one of the best thrash albums this year, but also two or three years back. Go listen.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 