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!
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.
United Defiance are hailing from East Bay area in California and this is their new release. I must admit that I have not listened to this band prior to this record but I am so glad that I discovered them now. What to expect here? Well, a jewel. This band offers something that I love since the nineties, being old school melodic hardcore punk, skatepunk, sounding more like having influence from the nineties than modern technical stuff. Of course, that does not mean these guys can´t play, quite the contrary. This whole album has kinda sad and melancholic vibe, at least it has such impact on me while listening. But, all those harmonies, those vocal lines and sing along parts, coupled with fast drums, great bass lines and guitar harmonies are sure to win you over and make you listening to this record over and over again, discovering your new favorite all the time. Lyrics are more into personal stuff, but I think most of us being into this music can relate to the songs. As a special treat, United Defiance covered We´re Not Gonna Take It featuring guest performance by none other than Jason DeVore of Authority Zero. My personal favorite are Running Out Of Time, Cool Kids Club, Empty Advice and Sing With Me. This is for sure one of the best melodic punk releases to come out this year. Can´t wait to witness this band live.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 