Category Archives: Reviews

(review) Cro-Mags-In The Beginning

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The first real Cro-Mags new full length record is out and the wait is finally over! Harley Flanagan, one of the iconic men and legends of New York hardcore scene is back in big style with this one. I will not venture into talking about all the hardships Harley had to endure with band splitting up in two camps, all the problems and fuck ups he had in his life. I just listen and let the music speak for itself.

On this record we get 13 songs in the best NYHC way, metalic and nostalgic in a way, reminding me a lot of Best Wishes, my personally favorite Mags album, but also sounding fresh and ready for the 21st century and Harley´s angry deep voice spitting rage in the lyrics with song titles like One Bad Decision, Don´t Talk About It or PTSD. The album is very dark, fast and almost apocalyptic in its vibe, being great soundtrack to the anger, anguish and despair, but also hope, never giving up and fighting the world. The musicianship is fantastic, that can especially be heard in all the awesome guitar hooks and solos, also in the instrumental song called Between Wars. I knew by the e.p. that came out prior to this record, that we are in for a treat. But, this is great, energy filled street hardcore. Welcome back, Harley and the crew!

9/10

 

(review) Distance Or Die-Tracksuit Metal

Distance Or Die

Time for another Croatian band to be on the pages of this zine, namely Distance Or Die. They are hailing from Zagreb and I know couple of guys from this band by their work with Lord Drunkalot and Mrtvi Petak, both awesome bands. These guys are purveyors of so called tracksuit metal hehe. But, be it joke or not the music speaks for itself. On this record you can find nine songs and one cover of (in)famous Croatian singer Vuco. The music is perfect mixture of melodic and brutal thrash metal, sounding harsh and also melodic at times, with aggressive riffs, melodic solos and excellent vocalist whose voice covers everything from higher octaves and ranges, to thrash metal shouting. The musicianship is great and with songs like Witchhammer, Day Of The Beast or the title song you can`t go wrong. This is great thrash metal record, just made for drinking in front of your local liquor store wearing tracksuit heheh.

8,5/10

https://distanceordie.bandcamp.com/

(review) Padme-The Fine Line Between Being Conscious And Self Harm

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Wow! I think Padme are the first band from Turkey to grace the pages of this zine. They recently released their brand new, third studio album. It features 12 songs and I was blown away how energetic and fast this record really is. This is hardcore punk, but leaning more on speed and anger, although there is enough melody in the songs to call it melodic hardcore. The lyrics are great, being a fine mixture of political and personal. I love the sound of this band, it reminds me of all those old school Californian bands like Circle Jerks, old TSOL and similar, even Verbal Abuse, yet with great dose of progressive, even fresh touch of song arranging. Speed breaks into atmospheric and melodic parts only to return to relentless hardcore punk. The vocals are awesome, being shouted yet sung nicely at the same time and the musicianship is phenomenal. This record is really a discovery! My favorite songs: Crossing The Line, Can`t Catch Me, 17.