Tag Archives: hardcore punk

News, Various

La Armada release new single ‘Death On Replay’!

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La Armada captured the personal and global tribulations of 2020 in three separate stints at Chicago’s Electrical Audio Studios. The sessions resulted in Anti-Colonial Vol. 2 – An 11 song album that looks to leave their distinct mark on heavy music.

The first single, Death on Replay, is a picture of the band during the height of the pandemic in 2020. “Musically we build tension with chaotic and technical rhythms, then release it with the familiarity of our punk and hardcore roots. Lyrically we reflect on the duality between being on the road versus being on lockdown, where you have to balance isolation and anxiety with the need to create art and push forward through dark times.” Guitarist, Paul explains.
Death On Replay is available on digital streaming platforms, accompanied by a music video.
Streaming link: laarmada.lnk.to/deathonreplay
Video link: https://youtu.be/6Odryv3E3cA

La Armada’s focus is to leave their mark on heavy music. A punk band at heart, they utilize elements of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and metal to create a style as unique as their story. Formed in the Dominican Republic in 2001 from where they dominated the Caribbean scene for years, the band opted to take a leap and relocate to Chicago in 2008, where they still reside.

Influenced by bands ranging from the Bad Brains to Death, they take elements from their native Island’s music to conjure a unique recipe; explosive live energy, and a clear cut narrative that highlights the effects of neo-colonialism on vulnerable communities.
Whether headlining tours throughout the world or supporting the likes of Sick of it All, Propagandhi, Strung Out, Death by stereo, and more, La Armada has come to bring a vibrant spin to the scene.

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Reviews, Various

(review) KRANG – Make Arcade Great Again

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I met the guys from KRANG at Punk Rock Holiday when we did an interview for this webzine and also reviewed their last record which was fantastic. This band is coming from Czech Republic and play hardcore punk, leaning enough in hardcore to be loved by hardcore kids and also they are enough melodic to be loved by fans of more melodic skatepunk side of things. I witnessed their gig at the same festival and it was an energy bomb. So, this record is finally out and I love it. There are 12 songs on this one just a little above twenty minutes time. I dare say this is the best bunch of songs provided by this band so far. Lyrics are serious, deal with injustice, situation in the world, but somehow from personal side of things to which anyone can relate to. What I also love about this band is that they grew up on same movies as I did and every one of their records has a song of couple about that. On this one is my personal favorite Marion Cobretti hehe. Besides that song, my personal highlights are Time Is Ticking, title song, Melt All The Guns and Homeless Man. Vocals are great, neither too harsh nor too snotty or mellow, just the way they should be. So, go grab this one, besides new Chaser, this is the best punk rock record this year.

10/10

Reviews, Various

(review) Qwälen – Unohdan Sinut (Time To Kill Records)

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Qwälen are hailing from Helsinki/Oulu area in Finland and this is their new record out with Time To Kill Records. This band plays their vision of black metal, raw and uncompromising, often blistering fast and aggressive, but there are lots of hardcore punk influences in the song structures, but to me this music leans more on black metal side of things. Guitars are raw, vocals screaming tortured black metal screams yet they fit perfectly to the music and aggression, but also melancholic, saddened melodies behind the overlayers of drama, that only Finnish bands are capable of providing such melancholy and emotions behind the music. There are seven songs on this opus, with titles all being in Finnish language so I don´t really understand what the lyrics are about, but let the power of music speak for itself. For me the best songs on this record, being my personal favorites are Han Ei Tule Koskaan and Unohdan Sinut. Superb album.

8/10

https://qwaelen.bandcamp.com/releases