Ach, South America, land of vast underground scene and HCG are from Brazilian hardcore punk scene and I am really glad that I discovered this band. This came out a while ago, but it is good, and there is never too late for great music isn’t it? This one contains five songs of angry fast hardcore punk with blistering drumming, raw guitars and thundering angry vocals with lyrics in Portuguese language. The music of HCG reminded me a lot of old school California hardcore punk bands like Circle Jerks, early Suicidal Tendencies, TSOL, even Verbal Abuse or RKL. This is superb hardcore punk energy, the only thing is that it passes too soon and makes you wish for more. I love the use of samples in some songs, that is always great in my opinion. My personal favorite is ‘Inimigos Camuflados’, but all songs make you wanna spin the record one or couple of more times. Great!
No Option are US hardcore band and this is their new release containing four songs . What to expect here? This is hardcore like I used to listen when I was growing up to. Street smart influences and atmosphere and something we used to call new school back in the nineties, being metallic hardcore with lots of changes in tempo, breakdowns but also straightforward punk influenced song parts. Vocals are angry and screaming with occasional excursion into clean singing waters. Of all these four songs somehow my favorites are ‘302’ and the title song. This is hardcore that you feel energy when you are listening to, so that means good hardcore little record. Hope for more music by this band in the near future.
Remy Verreault is a musician based in Quebec and this is his seventh release, this time with High End Denim Records. Remy has been in the scene playing in such heavy hitters as We Love Danger, Wrong Advice, and most recently, Mark & The Wolves, but he decided to do something different and this thirteen songs are here to prove that. Yes, this is nineties influenced melodic punk rock/hardcore with no complicated riffs or philosophy, just melancholic and melodic punk hardcore heading your way with mainly fast songs, some mid tempo punk anthems topped with Remy’s excellent bit higher than most vocalists voice that fits perfectly to the songs. Backing vocals and harmonies are perfect too! Lyrics are personal and deal with everyday themes that everyone of us can relate to and songs like ‘In Order To’, or ‘Little Prince’ are about to win you over for sure, but you will have to listen to this album and other Remy’s work to find your favorites. Mine are also ‘Pisses Me Off’ and ‘Strange Times’ and above all ‘Stay Strong’. Damn, that’s already half of the album. Great one indeed!
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 