Category Archives: Various

Reviews, Various

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

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Cobwebs Cover Art

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.

Reviews, Various

(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!

Reviews, Various

(review) Down By Law – LONELY TOWN

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Down By Law are back with their brand new studio full length album. I remember when I first heard of these guys as a teenage kid growing up in the nineties. I read the review of their record and their interview in one Italian fanzine which was done by a guy from Croatia who lived in Rome back then, zine was called Zips N Chains. Dave Smalley is a living legend of hardcore punk scene with all his bands he made music with. On this record we get 13 songs like we are used to from DBL, being melodic, heartfelt punk rock done from the hardcore hearts of this punk veterans. Hard to believe, but Dave´s voice is even better now than ever. I love the songs, reminding me of the bands I have listened to a lot when I was younger, and still do. Songs like Lonely Town, Steal The Night and Heroes And Zeroes are personal favorites of mine, but the record as a whole is one feelgood punk record that brings back smile on your face in these still no gigs and festivals uncertain times for our scene. Much respect to Dave and rest of the guys, another memorable fantastic record.