Category Archives: Reviews

(review) Stick To Your Guns – The Meaning Remains (End Hits Records)

Orange County´s melodic hardcore heroes Stick To Your Guns had many plans for 2020 but for reasons known to everybody those plans went bust. But, the guys didn´t despair, but delivered new seven inch e.p. containing four songs. This time, the band presents to the people on their more gentle acoustic side, three of the songs being acoustic renditions of STYG songs, fourth one being a cover of A-HA´s classic Take On Me. What to say? The songs done in such acoustic way sound more dark and have that sad and melancholic vibe which make you realize again and again why you love hardcore so much, music which can give you all the emotions you can relate to. Amber sounds awesome in this arrangement and is one of my personal favorites on this record besides fantastic version of classic pop song. Nobody and Forgiveness Of Self sound so sad and yet so hopeful at the same time, especially Nobody with great backing vocal harmonies and the whole song just made goosebumps crawling on my skin. This is a great seven inch, go get it, listen and see the other side of this fantastic band.

(review) Burning Nickels – Cobwebs e.p. (High End Denim Records)

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Canadian punkrockers Burning Nickels are releasing their brand new e.p. with High End Denim Records. I must admit that I have never listened to this band prior to this release, but now I am happy that I discovered another great band for my listening pleasure. This e.p. contains four songs, first Bootstraps which features guest performance by Sam Russo this song has such beautiful dual vocal harmonies that are so sweet topped with awesome main song melody and energetic drumming and fast parts, that make this one epic listening. The music of Burning Nickels is melodic punk, bordering somewhere between faster skate punk and nineties melodic punk that I love so much. The title song was released prior to this record, it features guest performance by Dannyboy from The Corps and it is my personal favorite with such strong goosebump making melody and superbly written. Sentiment features guest performance by Alex from Debt Neglector and is another testament why I love melodic punk so much and why it is is one of the best things on this planet besides chocolate pudding. This one also features clever use of samples and I love when bands do that. Summer Boner is more of a pop punk song, being easy, full of uplifting yet somehow melancholic vibe and this is a great little e.p. I can´t wait for the full length to come out.

(review) El Mapache – Stay At Home e.p.

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El Mapache are melodic punk/pop punk band from Fredrikstad, Norway and this is their new e.p. containing five songs. When I think of Norway I usually first think of black metal, but Norway also has great hardcore and punk scene with Anti-Lam Front, Agenda and many others coming to mind right away. I am so happy that I listened to another awesome band from Norway. The music of El Mapache can be described as melodic punk rock, mid tempo and energetic with some pop punk influences in the song structures. Vocals are really nice, epic melodies and superb backing vocal harmonies. But, to me these guys sound a lot like Misfits. Not lyrically, but musically. Opening and closing guitar of the title song reminded me of Astro Zombies by Misfits. Also Tiny Blue reminded me a lot of newer Jerry Only fronted Misfits, especially in vocals department. To be clear, this is not a bad thing, this is good thing. I really don´t mean that El Mapache copied someone, quite the contrary, songs are strong and well written and I love this release, I am really looking forward to the full length in the future. My personal favorite that I listened to over and over again is Don´t Quit Your Dayjob with such nice lyrics and melody, that made me smile with joy. Passion is the song that picks just that, passion and punk rock energy, love, scene and fantastic songwriting. Madness closes the release in nice way, this song also reminds me of Misfits, but hey maybe that is only me and my weird brain. Anyway, great record, go listen and support!