I must admit that I first heard Authority Zero last year at Punk Rock Holiday festival in Tolmin, Slovenia when they played and blew everyone away with their mighty set of energetic punk hardcore mixed with ska and reggae parts. Then I learned that they play for over 20 years and come from Arizona, USA. Their interesting mix of Californian punkcore with ska and reggae works just fine for me and here they are with their brand new sixth album, now on one of the best punkrock labels, Bird Attack Records. The new record has 13 songs of melody, energy, fun and emotion. Everything what punk hardcore fan desires, isnt it? The opener “First one in the pit” is hardcore bomb, fast drumming and cutting guitars make you do just what the title says, join the pit. One of the album highlights for me is “Reconciliation” with one of the most anthemic choruses I have heard in last couple of years. Reggae melodies of the title song are something that puts smile on your face and makes your day better. Another highlight of this album is “When we rule the world…” and also closing song “No guts, no glory”. I can say that this album is for me the best Authority Zero album so far. Excellent stuff!

9,5/10

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This band comes from Porto Allegre, Brasil, but they originally formed in Colombia in 1995. This is their new album that came out on Dutch awesome label Morning Wood Records. The album features 11 songs of energetic, fast melodic punk hardcore. The production is great, the song structures are awesome. No Use For A Name are one of my favorite bands and these guys somehow remind me on them with their songs and vocals that are soft but so nice that I wanted to listen to this album over and over again. The lyrics are in English and they are a fine mixture between political and personal issues. The highlights of this album are “A Place To Call Home” that deals with South America and life there, “Not The Answer” that issues drug addiction but all songs are excellent and I am happy I will check these guys out live soon because I think somehow that their live set rules.

9/10

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69 Enfermos

This is one of those rare times that I review the record that came out on major label, but hey it is Rise Against record, so a little rule breaking never hurt anyone eh? The new record is here.  It consists of 11 songs and the album is great! Rise Against still play their political melodic hardcore punk with heartfelt melodies and lyrics. Tim McIlrath never sounded better and the band is tighter than ever. From the album opener, the title track, across the single “The Violence” to the closing song “Miracle”, there is no bad or boring song on this record. Some songs are faster, some are more anthemic midtempo singalong hits, there is also some reggae stuff, but there is traditional Rise Against trademark hanging over the album as a whole. Some fans say that the band sold out by signing to major label, that they betrayed the underground, the band sounds too apologetic in the interviews when they are stating that this way they will get their message to more people that otherwise would have never heard for Rise Against. I will not judge, I say that I would probably not sign for major, but I was never in such situation. As long as they continue to make great music and great albums, I dont really care for major or not, but there is one thing and that is underground ethics, and I dont think that Rise Against ever gave up on it, major or not. It is far from best Rise Against albums, but it is a good album nonetheless. Top songs:”House On Fire”, “Far From Perfect”, “Mourning in Amerika”.

7/10

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