All posts by vladkraykulla

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

(record review)Dim Into Dross-Specters of Indifference(Zegema Beach Records)

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Dim Into Dross are very interesting hardcore band. I listened and reviewed for our zine their record out with Zegema Beach Records.

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What is hardcore? Is hardcore on how many gigs you went, how many times you stagedived or moshed to, how many bands and famous people in the scene you know? No, motherfucker! It took me good 25 years to know that hardcore is what you feel inside, and being underground and loyal to the scene and ethics. Bands like Dim Into Dross give hope that hardcore lives and is stronger than ever. This record contains 10 songs of ferocious hardcore, played wild and with math precision. The guitar riffs are pretty noisy and dissonant, vocals are screamed and screeched, there are fast drumming straightforward parts, but also almost Dillinger Escape Plan inspired song parts bordering with noise and even metal. You can add to that some atmospheric parts and sludge visionary muddy rolling songs, you get the perfect picture what I am writing about, don´t you? I guess not. Have a listen. You won´t regret it. Recommended songs: We Will Break This, Osidian.

8/10

https://www.facebook.com/dimintodross/

https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/specters-of-indifference

https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords/

 

 

 

Reviews, Various

(record review)CLOWNS-Nature/Nurture(Fat Wreck Chords)

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Australian hardcore punk sensation Clowns have a new record out with Fat Wreck Chords in April and I listened and reviewed the record for our zine.

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I first saw Clowns perform live at a show in Zagreb, Croatia in 2017. I was struck with the ferociousness and primal wild energy of their performance almost feeling the wild and raw side of punkrock slapping me on my face. Now, two years later, their new record is here. Could they capture that spirit on the studio record, I asked myself? Of course! The new on contains 11 songs and first thing that comes to mind upon listening is the increase of various music structures and melody on this record. Don´t get me wrong, it still is their basic garage hardcore punk with all the speed and wild drive, but they managed to incorporate some very nice melodies in the background of the song structures. The musicianship of these guys is on very high level and it looks so easy when you see them playing their stuff, but it definitely is not. I love the melody of Bland Is The New Black, Freezing In The Sun or I Wanna Feel Again. There are also some psychodelic parts like in May I Be Exhumed and of course the calm atmospheric oriental parts of Nurture were a music to my ears. These are highlights of this record for me, but you should get this one, listen and find yours. Great one!

9/10

https://www.facebook.com/clownsband/

https://www.facebook.com/fatwrecksf/

 

 

Reviews, Various

(record review)BRIGHTR-Two Sides(NoReason Records/Penultimate Records)

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Brightr is in fact Laurie Cottingham and he expresses himself by playing great acoustic emotional punk. I listened and reviewed the new record that comes out in April with NoReason Records and Penultimate Records.

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This six song e.p. is a follow up to the album from 2016.and this time Brightr once again joined forces with Matt O´Grady as the producer for this record and they created melodic and emotional soundscape of acoustic emotional punk. Lyrically, themes vary from growing up, memories good and bad, relationships and being happy in contrast with being sad and lonely. These songs serve along with the music as some kind of vent, some kind of release for me and I felt real catharsis after the songs finished. I love how the melodic and calm voice of Brightr can arouse such emotions in me followed only with acoustic guitar and couple of harmonies. I would love to see and listen this music live. Recommended songs: Bergerac, Mark Strong.

7,5/10

https://www.facebook.com/iambrightr

https://www.facebook.com/noreasonrecords/

https://www.facebook.com/penultimaterecs/