Hitch & Go from Quebec City have been around since 2012 but their line-up solidified in 2015 and this is their brand new full length opus out with People of Punk Rock. This one contains eleven songs and what immediately came to mind when first song started is, gods how this one rocks. It is totally fast and melodic skate punk like it was done in the nineties and having some pop punk in some song structures thrown in for good measure here and there. Sheep In Wolf´s Clothing hits you in the head with fast skate punk and beautiful vocal melody, bridge that transforms into anthemic and bombastic chorus just made for singing along at gigs or whole day when you think that nobody hears you, or you just don´t care if they hear or not. Vocals are strong and melodic with nice backing harmonies and remind me of Tony Sly a bit for couple of moments in almost every song. But, they sometimes transform into screamed parts and they fit perfectly in some hooks and grooves in song parts. Lyrics deal with every day themes, but they are nicely and great written. There is also special appearance of Scott Sellers in awesome If I Fall. My other favorites are Find Yourself and A Place That Doesn´t Exist. This record is a hundred percent proof that skate punk is alive and well like it was when I was growing up.
Snuff are back with a new full length album and new material that has been two years in the making. I must admit that I sometimes had hot/cold relationship with this band through my history back in the days, sometimes liking their records, sometimes less liking, but this one is a keeper. Vocalist/drummer Duncan Redmonds sounds angry when the song needs it, also melodic and emotional at other times, but his voice is a unique sound that can be recognized every time without mistake. On this album Snuff mix their vision of melodic punk but also mod, some garage rock influences, also blues at times, like in cover song by Curtis Mayfield Hard Times with all organ and trombone what makes this bands stand apart and so unique from other bands in the scene. My personal favorites are Looks Alright From Here, being faster, more straightforward angry punk song, One Of Those Days which is my top song from the record with haunting melody and infectious vocal lines. There are also some metal influences in guitar work of instrumental Barba Gelata, somehow harshest sounding song on the record although there are no vocals on that one. Green Glass Chippings is also safe to mention as a highlight of this great record. But, you have to listen for yourselves and create an opinion. This is only mine. I love this one.
Germany´s Rammstein are back with new full length opus. This time, they offer eleven songs of their trademark industrial metal. But, this is just basic description of their music. Rammstein is only Rammstein and can not be accurately described. There is metal, there is industrial, there is Laibach, there is goth and punk in their song structures. This opus is very melodic and the songs are very atmospheric with couple of typical Rammstein straightforward anthems to attack the speakers like Zick Zack or Angst. But, there are couple of more atmospheric almost ballad songs on this one that make your skin crawl with pleasure like Zeit or Meine Traenen. Lyrics are again top, pure poetry but one can relate to between the lines, I know German so I am so happy to be able to understand what Rammstein sing about on this opus. Rammstein also sarcastically criticize modern world with Dicke Titten tongue in cheek song but containing bitter reality in itself. This is not their best album for me, but in top three of four definitely. Great one.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 