DIE TOTEN HOSEN-Laune Der Natur(JKP Gmbh&Co KG)

This legendary German punkrock band from Dusseldorf has a new studio album out after five years. This is already studio album number 16 in this bands rich career since 1982. full of ups and downs. Some people in the scene doubt and discuss how much punk is left in this band, but I think that Campino and company still have some dynamite in their old bones. The album is opened by strong and melodic “Urkrall” which is just perfect. There is some reggae influence in “Wannsee” which is kinda boring song for me. “Unter den Wolken” is a single which preceded the album but they could choose a better song from the album to make it a single announcing the new album. There are also some political lyrics so Hosen can remind people that they are still a punk band through songs like “Pop und Politik”. The title song is anthemic, just perfect for live arena singalong. The ballads are also kinda trademark of this band and “Alles passiert” is no exception. This is one of better Hosen ballads. the strongest song on this record in my opinion is “Wie viel Jahre(Hasta La Muerte)” because the lyrics and melodies of the music are just perfect. I also must say that “Lass loss” kinda reminds me on “Bonnie and Clyde”. Congratulations, Die Toten Hosen, you made it again! Good record!

8/10

http://www.dietotenhosen.de/

 

HAVOK-Conformicide(Century Media)

I just cant believe it! The energy, the aggression, the anger, the album just finished playing and I am still jumping all over the room. This is the fourth studio album by these trashers from Denver, Colorado and the album is just perfect from the first to the last riff. The album contains 11 songs and one Pantera cover(“Slaughtered”). This band formed in 2004.and since then they tear through the stages and put out some of the best trash metal that I have heard. The song lyrics are political but they also deal with some personal issues. The riffs are catchy but also enough melodic and agressive to have a just perfect measure of both. The vocals are angry and pissed off all the time, but the fit in with the song structures perfectly. To me the singer sounds like a mix of Bobby Blitz(Overkill) and Udo Dirkschneider(Accept,Udo). Check this album out because it will quickly become on of your favourite albums!

9/10

havokband.com/

http://www.centurymedia.com/

 

SIROVA SMJESA-Trovanje Mladeži

This is the first studio output by Croatian punkrock duo featuring multitalented instrumentalist Jadran Ranj(Na Minimumu) who plays guitars and programs drum machine and Renato Posavec(vocals). This guys never met in person but they somehow clicked together through Renatos lyrics and Jadrans riffs. The album contains 9 songs sung in Croatian language, the music prevailing on this album is punkrock but there are a lot of more complicated song straucture influences so dont expect it to be simple! The vocals are in my opinion a little too monotonous but I am sure that in time Renato will learn how to sing better. Maybe the vocal lines could follow guitar melodies a bit more. The production is good and you can hear what is playing. As I said, I love faster stuff so this is not so good to me but it is above average record and I am eager to hear the future releases by these guys. Maybe they could somehow form a real band, I am curious how the songs would sound performed live.

6/10

https://sirovasmjesa.bandcamp.com/album/trovanje-mladezi

 

 

 

SMASH-Goodbye W.G.C.

This UK trio mixes everything in their music. They are described as punkrock band with britpop and 80-ies new wave influences but in my opinion punkrock in their music is a very loose term. This album contains 8 songs that can serve as some kind of relax music in the background while doing something on your computer, reading the book or something else. The lyrics are okay, kinda remind me on noire movies, I dont know why. That is only my personal impression while listening. The topics are some personal issues, the songs have nice melodies and keyboard backgrounds but unfortunately it is all too soft and mellow for my taste. Maybe youll like it, it is not trashy or bad record. Give it a spin and decide for yourselves. Top songs: “Hedy Lamarr”, “Goodbye W.G.C.”, “Secret Bruise”

5,5/10

https://www.facebook.com/smash-54281614881/

 

THE MENZINGERS-After The Party(Epitaph)

This American punkrock band formed in 2006.in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This is their fifth studio album and it came out on mighty label Epitaph. The album contains 13 songs of melodic punkrock. All songs are in some mid-tempo, true punkrock style and since I love faster stuff, this album is really not my cup of tea. When I listened to the songs they all had some nice Bouncing Souls vibe but without the energy of the mentioned band. The problem is that every song is quite similar to one another and no song stands out as a killer song that would hit me in my eye and make me remember this record. There are some good songs like “Boy Blue”, “The Bars” or “Your Wild Years” but there are more boring songs on this album than the good ones. If you like honest and heartfelt melodic punkrock then this record is made for you.

6/10

themenzingers.com/

epitaph.com/

 

OBITUARY-Obituary(Gibtown/Relapse)

With this album this band reached their tenth studio album. Of course, these are Floridian death metal legends, Obituary. I first heard their music when their “The End Complete” album came out. Then came “The World Demise” and I must say that I never considered myself to be a fan of this band. John Tardy has vocal style that never worked for me and the bands prevailing slow to mid tempo tortoise beatdown death metal  just doesnt possess some energy to be convincing for my taste. the album starts promising with fast songs “Brave” and “Sentence Day”. “A Lesson In Vengeance” is slower but great and later it all waters down and becomes slow, songs are similar one to another and it all just doesnt work for me. Closing song “Ten Thousand Ways To Die” is a great song again. In all, this album just leaves some unsaid bitter taste in my mouth. I know that fans love it and also many hardcore kids love it, but to me this one is just an average album.

4,5/10

http://www.obituary.cc/

http://www.relapse.com/