U moru dobrih ovogodišnjih izdanja evo i novog albuma jednog od ponajboljih hardcore punk bendova s ovih prostora, odnosno Krive Istine. Riječ je o bendu koji korijene vuče iz Slavonskog Broda, ali baziran je u Zagrebu. Na ovom novom albumu nalazi se 10 pjesama odlične produkcije za koju je zaslužan Studio Depth, koji je odradio odličan posao. Muzika je brz i agresivan, ali istodobno melodičan hardcore punk s tekstovima na hrvatskom jeziku. Ono što ovaj bend čini posebnim su tekstovi, koji su istodobno politički angažirani, ali pisani dovoljno iz osobnog kuta da se pojedinac može poistovjetiti s njima. Bend je tehnički odličan, malo podsjećaju na Propagandhi po tehnici i snazi. Meni nekako najdraže pjesme s ovog albuma su Na Kraju Povijesti, Tvoj Izbor sa odličnim vokalnim gostovanjem Maje Kolarić, poznate iz bendova Me As Well i EoT, a posebno mi se dojmila Ova Muzika, no sve pjesme su fenomenalne. Mislio sam da će teško moći nadmašiti prošli album Manifest, ali uspjeli su. Jedina stvar koja mi nekako ne ulazi u uho su nekako previsoki back vokali, Blaž ima odličan glas za bekove, kao na svim albumima do sada, no nekako mi se čini da su previsoko otpjevani ili previsoko producirani, da se tako izrazim u nedostatku drugog izraza. Sve u svemu, odličan album, preporučam da ovaj bend čekirate live.
Legendary As Friends Rust are back with new release containing seven songs. What to expect here? Seven songs of excellent melodic hardcore punk like we are used to from this phenomenal band. There are some mid tempo emotional punk rock songs like awesome ‘Final Form’ but it is not everything in speed isn’t it? The said song has such nice melodic vocal lines, harsh when needed and melodic when needed, so sweet! ‘Positive Mental Platitude’ continues where the previous song left off being even better with fine written smart lyrics over fine tuned melody and energetic punk rock, melodic hardcore. ‘See Us Now’ is a clever mixture of rock and hardcore in one song, with gentle chorus and more harsher verses being thrown at you and adding some groove with melody. One of my favorites on this record is ‘Great Filter’ being a perfect combination of melody, aggression and punk sensibility. ‘The Walking Debt’ has harshest verse on the album evolving into beautiful chorus to make goosebumps upon your skin. Fastest straightforward hardcore punk song on this record is definitely ‘Origin Stories’, old school hardcore anthem, angry and energetic. One of my personal highlights is ‘No Gods, Some Masters’ which closes the album being perfect song. For sure, one of the best releases this year.
In May 2023, DARKO (UK) tripped to Signal House Studios, Hatfield to record a live session with Tim Kramer, the result was two brand new tracks, and one re-imagined from the 2017 album, Bonsai Mammoth.
“The guys had just finished working on some new material and they were keen to try it out live in the studio. DARKO and I go way back from when I was playing in Drones and it was revitalising to hear them bring so much fresh energy to the table. I was stoked to hear the new songs, and you all should be too.” says producer Tim Kramer.
“We had heard Tim’s top work on the Drones and Midwich Cuckoos records and knew he would knock this out of the park, however, it was then down to us to get a solid performance of the tracks. Whilst we wanted to focus on new material, we thought it would be nice to include a track from our back catalogue that we had been performing in our live set and ‘Life Forms’ seemed like a great choice. It was good to be given the challenge and the payoff of a great recording we can share with our friends.“ says guitarist Rob Piper.
‘Life Forms (Live at Signal House Studios)’ is streaming now on YouTube and listeners can expect more tracks from this session coming late 2023 showcasing brand new material, following the band’s 2022 EP SPARKLE.
BAND BIO
Over a raucous decade, DARKO have by definition, become veterans of the UK Punk scene and it is not uncommon to see them standing as an essential name within the intricate and complex world of contemporary Punk and Hardcore.
The band, urgent and charged with conviction, are set to continue championing and contributing to the health of the very scene that birthed them as they pen the narrative of their new chapter.
In 2020, longtime voicebox Dan Smith returned to his native Australia and parted ways with the band after so long in the vox seat. Dan’s evocative, emphatic and emotional lyricisms have left quite the legacy throughout the band’s releases. Darko’s four other noisemakers have curated a backdrop of vicious, hybridised Skate Punk and Melodic Hardcore that has been pushed beyond itself across thirty countries.
Darko have now enlisted longtime touring compadre Tom West of UK shredders, Almeida. The band have never hid from what ails them or the society they inhabit but with West at the vocal helm now and forgoing the complacent societal padding forced upon us all, his lyrical discomfort has spurred the band’s most unbarred barrage yet. There is nothing hidden here, nothing soaked in distracted metaphor or softened non-confrontational rhetoric, Darko are making full use of their scene privilege and challenging people who look akin to them to unleash their own salvos. But what of the backing? These are stops that have also been beyond pulled.
Darko’s evolution is tied to their past but with threads so long that there is an abundance of slack to play with. Notes of Polar Bear Club, Mastodon, A Wilhelm Scream, Protest The Hero, Rise Against and Propagandhi can all be savoured in their contemporary flavour profile. Serrated, lacerating Thrash and metallic digressions contrast the meandering guitar lines rooted in Skate Punk classicism. Writhing, emotive and complicated Post-Hardcore structures supplement the “techy” displays they are known for as an overarching and indisputably Punk-charged Prog-aesthetic allows the versatile and varied vocal range to seamlessly traverse the entirety.
Rob, Chris, Karl, Andy and now Tom have come together to the highest degree, poised and proud to show you a reimagined, powerful and determined Darko.
Lockjaw Records is an independent European punk and hardcore label. We are proud to be part of a thriving international music community, built on friendship, social-responsibility and a mutual love of punk rock.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 