Punk rock scene legend Dave Smalley (DYS, All, Down By Law, Dag Nasty…) is back forming this new band called Don`t Sleep with members of The Commercials and Junction. They just released new record with Mission Two Entertainment.
The new record contains 12 songs of fierce melodic punk rock with harsh edge, personal lyrics that anyone can relate to, beautiful melodies and Smalley sounds better and more convincing than ever and his voice did not falter for a note with years, like good wine hehe. This is mainly mid tempo punk rock but also there are some faster hardcore rapid fire outbursts like fantastic Abandoned Us. This band in fact sounds like an amalgamation of all Smalley˙s previous bands and efforts, so you just can not go wrong if you love melodic punk and you are looking for a great band to listen to over and over again. Good one. Recommended songs: We Remain, Abandoned Us, True North.
NYHC legends No Redeeming Social Value have a new record out. Formed in 1988. in Queens, they rock their vision of hardcore for more than three decades now. What I love about this band is that they play that old school hardcore we all know and love, leaning more on oi and street punk roots than this death metal crap they sell as hardcore nowadays. This record continues their more of a party hardcore mixed with serious lyrics about anxiety, friendship, scene and in all their humor and party lyrics you can find lots to identify yourself with if you listen and read between the lines. This album has many fan favorites just made for singing along at gigs, like Brew Crew, Wasted for Life, Punkrock Wedding Song, NYC NRSV, damn that is already almost half of the album which contains only ten songs. Dual vocals, anthemic song parts, make this record a new jewel in the hardcore crown. NRSV proudly carries on where Warzone stopped after the untimely death of Raybeez.
This one is out for a while, but it is never late for good music. New Death By Stereo album is perfect in any sense. This Los Angeles based band delivered one hell of an album with 10 songs of hardcore energy, heartfelt melodies, melodic guitar riffs, fast drumming, group singalong backing vocals. Above all, what I love about this band and what stands them out above others is trademark vocals of Efrem Schulz, this guy sounds like an angel while singing melodic clean vocals, also when shouting angrily. I just cannot decide which songs to recommend, but I will go with three: California Addiction, I Sing For You(part deux) and Choose A Side Or Open Wide. Perfect album and one of the contenders for the hardcore punk record of the year in my choice!
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 